October 2025

Arrest made in hit and run; officer remains critical

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El Reno police have made an arrest in connection with the hit and run that sent an officer to an Oklahoma City hospital where he is listed in critical condition. 

Police Chief Ken Brown said Sgt. Thomas Duran was hit by a vehicle allegedly driven by Logan Reese Primeaux, 25, just before 2 a.m., Friday. 

The incident happened on Watts near Wilson St. 

Logan Reese Primeaux_story

Voters OK record ER school bonds

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With nearly 80 percent approval, El Reno Public Schools will begin implementing construction and purchase projects under two bond proposals approved by voters Tuesday.

“I’m honored and thankful for the support of our community. These are things that are going to continue to help our students educationally and our teachers and faculty,” said Superintendent Matt Goucher.

“It’s going to be things that our community can be proud of, so I’m just so blessed that our community supports the school system the way they do.”

Matt Goucher uses his cellphone to snap a picture of a printout of voting totals

Downtown needs ‘step back,’ Main Street tells city

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Casey Trejo said the Main Street board of directors will meet next week to discuss what steps to take moving forward.

The president of the El Reno Main Street Board, Trejo attended the city council meeting Tuesday evening.

She said it might be time for Main Street as well as the City of El Reno to take “a step back” and consider what is in the best interest of the downtown at this point in time. 

Stitching the Mother Road

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MaCrae Putnam is preserving history, not with a commemorative plaque or statue but with fabric and thread. Putnam owns El Reno’s only quilt shop, Make It Sew, in downtown El Reno and has designed a 100th anniversary Route 66 quilt. Not only did she design it, but she also made kits people can purchase to make their own Route 66 anniversary quilt. 

Stitching the Mother Road_story

On the rise

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Attendance data from the fifth annual El Reno Air Show and Community Day reflect the event is doing the same as its performers in the air – going up and up.

“It seems like everyone had a good time. We did not have any medical issues like heat exhaustion and the crowd seemed to have been the biggest yet,” said El Reno City Manager Matt Sandidge.

The city uses the Placer.ai computer program to track attendance through cellphone usage coming from the El Reno Regional Airport during the time frame of the event.

Mike Gallaway pulls his plane out of a dive

City plans yearlong series of Route 66 birthday events

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The City of El Reno, the El Reno Chamber of Commerce and the Route 66 Collaborative are launching a yearlong series of events in celebration of the 2026 Route 66 100th anniversary. 

Labeled the “Route to Freedom: 12 Months of Celebration,” the activity officially begins with the El Reno Chamber of Commerce Veterans Day Parade on Sunday, Nov. 9, marking the 99th birthday of Route 66, which fittingly aligns with the Veterans Day Parade. 

Church gets new roof

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Workers spent several days last week ripping off old shingles and installing new ones on the roof over part of Wesley United Methodist Church.

Church gets new roof_story

RCC to host Nursing Gala

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Redlands Community College nursing students are hosting a fundraising gala Friday, Nov. 7 to increase learning opportunities for students.

The inaugural Nursing Gala is a celebration of community, compassion and care, featuring live and silent auctions, food and drinks.

Funds raised through the Nursing Gala will help nursing students participate in professional organizations such as the National Student Nurses Association, Oklahoma Student Nurses Association and Student Nurses Convention.

Tara Thomas, head of Redlands Nursing Department

BlueSTEM AgriLearning Center offering vacation package as fundraiser

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BlueSTEM AgriLearning Center is promoting a fundraiser to help with its education mission. 

Dr. Kristy Ehlers said BlueSTEM has partnered with HGA Fundraising to offer a four-night all-inclusive vacation package to the Caribbean for two adults. 

Raffle tickets are $25 each and there is no limit on how many can be purchased.