November 2025

Dolly Parton Imagination Library delivers milestone book to county’s youth

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The Canadian County Dolly Parton Imagination Library delivered its 50,000th book this month. The program provides a free book each month to all children under 5 with a home address in Canadian County.

Wesley United Methodist Church serves as the local affiliate for the program, in partnership with the El Reno Carnegie Library.

Wesley celebrated this huge milestone with a visual display in its south lot, a slideshow presentation and gift to all those attending on Sunday, Nov. 23, as well as a display of the sample program books and gold balloons highlighting 50,000.

This aerial shot shows the milestone reach in the county with the Dolly Parton Imagination Library

Frontier donations

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Frontier Chevrolet presented $5,000 to the Canadian County Sheriff’s Department through the Chevy First Responder Appreciation Program.

The El Reno auto company also presented $5,000 to Riverside Elementary through the Chevy Back-to-School Program.

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Tipi on RCC grounds honoring Native American Heritage Month

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A tipi was recently raised on the campus of Redlands Community College as part of Native American Heritage Month, made possible through the efforts of the Native American Student Organization. 

The project created a powerful visual reminder of the rich histories and cultural presence of Native American people.

For many students, faculty/staff and community members, seeing the tipi standing on campus sparked conversations about identity, resilience and the importance of representation in higher education spaces. 

Setting up the tipi are Kendricks Sleeper, Charles Sleeper and James Redbird

Commissioners reject bids on old fairgrounds parcels

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Canadian County commissioners rejected bids received for the sale of a remaining portion of the old county fairgrounds property.

The City of El Reno ($251,400) and Matt Miller ($221,500) submitted bids for Parcel A at 220 N. Country Club Road. The bid amounts were well under the appraised value required to accept them.

Commissioners voted 3-0 to reject both bids they opened at their Monday, Nov. 17 regular meeting.

Mueggenborg shoots way past 2,000-point plateau

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OKARCHE – Senior Jett Mueggenborg added his name to the school and state record books as Okarche High School’s boys basketball team cruised to a pair of lopsided home wins.

The Warriors moved to 3-0 on the season with victories over the Bison (92-33) and Burns Flat-Dill City (99-26).

Okarche has now won 44 straight games dating back to the end of the 2023-24 season.

Mueggenborg became the school’s newest player to eclipse the 2,000-point career scoring mark behind Barry Schwarz (2,674).

He’s now the 147th player in state history to reach the milestone.

Jett Mueggenborg (11) shoots over two Geary defenders for two points

Dancing into college

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El Reno High School senior Ariana Estrada (center) recently signed with Friends University to be a part of the Falcons dance team.

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Going Division I

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Calumet High School senior Kaleb Thiessen (seated center) recently signed a scholarship to play baseball for Big 12 Conference powerhouse Texas Tech.

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Geary, BFDC collapse under OHS pressure defense, Chieftains win

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OKARCHE – Putting on a clinic in both half- and full-court defense, Okarche High School’s girls basketball team forced 52 turnovers in a sweep of Geary and Burns Flat-Dill City in less than 24 hours.

Okarche defeated the Bison 64-19 and Burns Flat-Dill City 59-29 to move to 2-1 on the season.

The majority of those turnovers were steals, 49 between the two games, leading to 57 of the team’s 123 combined points. Katie Parham led Okarche in steals with 13, followed by Callie Cramer with six.

Kate Baustert added five steals and Logan White posted four steals.

Reese Robinson (20) tries to steal the ball away from a Geary player