A Native American nation in Oklahoma is incensed that a lawmaker is requesting millions of dollars to fund renovations at the Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center, or OCPARC, more commonly known as Fort Reno.
It’s not that the nation opposes the research, but it sees the funding request as a way to stymie efforts to get its land back from the federal government.
About three dozen people turned out last week for a preview of the Oct. 14 El Reno Public Schools bond election. It was the first of two question and answer sessions planned prior to the election. The gathering was hosted by the El Reno school board and Superintendent Matt Goucher.
It was held at Rose Witcher as part of a special meeting of the school board.
The next public session is set for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the EHS auditorium.
The City of El Reno is wrapping up demolition work at the corner of Sunset and Choctaw, preparing the site for the next phase of its Route 66 revitalization.
The project, known as the El Reno “Hub,” will expand downtown parking options and create a new gathering space for community events along El Reno’s Route 66 corridor, said El Reno City Manager Matt Sandidge.
Randy Marco, author of “Kicks: Your Travel Guide to Route 66,” finally got a chance to see inside El Reno’s official visitors center and he gives the Filling Station a stamp of approval.
“I think they did a great job. I’ve always liked the mural there on the corner but they would always have cars in front of it and you couldn't see it that well. It’s great the city took it over and fixed it up.
“The look is very appealing from the road. I’m glad I got to stop and go inside and talk with someone,” said Marco.
El Reno will host Carl Albert this week on Thursday night after the game was changed due to a conflict with referees.
Game time remains 7 p.m.
El Reno police said the investigation into an incident at Lake El Reno that claimed the life of a 30-year-old man is continuing.
Police did not release any new information about the Sept. 12 collision that resulted in the death of Landon Lerch.
Police had earlier said the scooter Lerch was driving collided with a vehicle driven by a 15-year-old El Reno girl. Police did not release the name of the girl since she is a minor.
Family members of Lerch also disputed the initial police report that said the scooter was not equipped with lights.
The U.S. Cavalry Association held its annual competition at Fort Reno over the weekend.
This year’s event included a polo match.
Get ready for laughs, mystery and a dash of suspense as Centre Theatre for the Arts kicks off its 2025-26 season with “Wrong Window,” a fast-paced comedy directed by Doug Richardson.
Performances will take place at the Centre Theatre in downtown El Reno on Oct. 3, 10 and 11 at 7 p.m., with matinee performances on Oct. 4, 5 and 12 at 2 p.m.
A playful parody of Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic thriller Rear Window, Wrong Window invites audiences into a world of nosy neighbors, mixed-up motives and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
Jack D. Marquis Jr., 65, born in Caldwell, Kansas, passed away Sept. 22, 2025, in his hometown of El Reno.
Jack is survived by his mother, Carolyn Marquis Paterno; sisters, Kim Marquis and Christina Marquis; half-brother, Rodney Latzke (Sonya); his children, CM (Joe), Jennifer Chapman (Louis), Jennifer Oppelt, Jack Marquis III (Morgan) and Ashley Marquis; and a very devoted niece, Kaley Marquis; as well as grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 14 for El Reno Public Schools, Hinton Public Schools and City of Oklahoma City Special Elections.
Canadian County Election Board Secretary Allen Arnold offers these tips to voters, especially those who will be casting a ballot for the first time.
▶ Mark your ballot using the example posted at your polling place and inside your ballot booth. If you make a mistake, do not try to correct it. Instead, take your ballot to the precinct officials. They will destroy the ballot and issue a new one.
