October 2025

Ten Redlands Community College runners will be headed north to Iowa for the 2025 NJCAA Division II National Cross Country Championships to be held Nov. 8 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

The men’s team took fourth place at the recent NJCAA Region 2 Championships in Arkansas to punch a team ticket. All three of the Cougars female runners earned national passes as individuals.

The men’s team posted a total time of two hours and 30.58 minutes on the 8-kilometer (4.97-mile) regional course. The team’s average time was 30:11, leading to a team point total of 92.

El Reno Mayor Steve Jensen released the following statement about the death of Sgt. Thomas Duran. Duran was critically injured in a hit-and-run incident that occurred early on Oct. 17. A 25-year-old El Reno man has been arrested in connection with the incident.

The community has rallied support for the fallen officer’s family.

On Saturday night, El Reno’s Elks Lodge raised $2,000 in support of the family.

The City of El Reno said services are set for 10:30 a.m., Nov. 3 in Yukon at Together We Church.

“Today, we honor hope. Hope for safety. Hope for healing. And hope for justice.”

Keynote speaker Deanna Shackelford shared this message of strength and hope with an audience comprised of professionals and volunteers who advocate for Canadian County survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, child abuse and elder abuse.

A licensed clinical social worker, Shackelford was guest speaker for the Cardinal Point Family Justice Center’s fifth annual Honoring Hope Luncheon in Yukon.

It’s finally cooling off just in time for Halloween. I love Halloween. I still decorate and dress up like a witch to hand out candy even though my boys are grown. Something about scaring little kids is fun. That sounded bad, didn’t it? I don’t scare them that bad, I promise!

The El Reno Arts Council said its annual Haunted Trolley event “thrilled audiences with spooky fun, local history and incredible community collaboration.”

Sue Bear, president of the council, said the colorful event was made possible “with the help of 49 dedicated volunteers. This year’s event was one to remember.”

Volunteers from the Canadian County Historical Museum transformed the museum grounds into a festive Halloween scene, complete with decorations, concessions and photo opportunities.

Leonn Taylor waves to the camera while trying to hold his umbrella in the stands at Memorial Stadium last week waiting for El Reno High School’s football team to resume its game with John Marshall. Helping hold the umbrella is Kellie Evey.

A handful of dedicated fans waited through an hour and a half lightning delay to watch the Indians finish off a four-plus-hour game with a 66-8 win over the Bears in a key District 5A-2 contest.

The City of El Reno is bringing back its curbside bulk waste collection to help residents clear out large items conveniently from their homes.

Collections will run from November through December 2025, with one scheduled pass per street.

Residents must place all bulk waste at the curb by 7 a.m. on their scheduled collection day.

Crews will not return to a street after the scheduled pass and are unable to assist with moving items.

Materials can be placed curbside up to one week prior to the assigned pickup date.

STILLWATER – Thirty Oklahoma high school teams showcased their drone-powered search and rescue skills at the inaugural Fly Forward: Search and Rescue State Championship, Oct. 21 at Lake Carl Blackwell in Stillwater.

The daylong event was hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Aerospace and Aeronautics (ODAA) and the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE).

Student teams were challenged by real-life scenarios including locating a downed hiker, an overturned kayaker and a snakebite victim.

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Oklahoma Turnpike Authority announced that the Oklahoma Work Zone Safe Course, required for all new teen drivers before receiving an Oklahoma driver’s license, will now include a section on impaired driving.

Patricia Ann (LaFoe) Williams went to be with Jesus on Oct. 21, 2025, at Spanish Cove in Yukon. She was born Aug. 24, 1944, in El Reno to Raymond and Mary Ann (Skoch) LaFoe. 

Pat graduated from Sacred Heart High School and was a member of Sacred Heart Church.

On June 20, 1964, Pat married Raymond “Butch” Williams at Sacred Heart Church. She spent her entire life in El Reno except for 15 months when they moved to Des Moines, Iowa, with the Rock Island Railroad.