November 2025

Jensen, Brothers win El Reno races

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Steve Jensen was re-elected El Reno mayor besting challenger Phillip Church 948-647.

In the Ward 2 council race Heather Brothers led the field getting 227 votes. Gary Baker finished with 171. Incumbent Pete Stapperfend finished with 86 votes while Herschel Gorham had 39.

The results are unofficial. 

Owner, city council at odds over condemned property, repair list

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Property owner Ed Graham said the city kept adding to the list of improvements that needed to be made to his building at 112 S. Choctaw, but members of the El Reno City Council didn’t see it that way.

In the end, the former tavern was condemned in a unanimous 5-0 vote after city officials pointed out the original June inspection stated it was not a comprehensive list of failures found at the building.

Family ties to the call

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When Marion Conner was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1943, the El Reno native could not have foreseen his service time during World War II setting off a branch of the family tree that would be intertwined with the military for the next 80 years.

“We’ve had someone in the family serving in the military every decade since Marion was drafted,” said grandson and 40-year veteran Michael E. Conner Jr.

In fact, the Conner lineage in the military has been traced even further back to the 1700s prior to the Revolutionary War.

Conner family members salute during the national anthem at the El Reno High School Veterans Day assembly

County to spend $3 million on D3 maintenance shop

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A new Canadian County shop will cost around $3 million after some pencil sharpening lowered the price 19 percent.

This 10,000-square-foot maintenance facility will be constructed at the District 3 yard, 1205 N. Calumet Road.

The current District 3 shop was built in 1956.

The construction manager, Redhawk Construction, presented the $3,008,079.63 maximum guaranteed price at the Nov. 10 Canadian County commissioners meeting.

That amount includes a $50,000 contingency.

ICAN named Power of 100’s newest HOPE Award pick

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The Power of 100 Canadian County presented a check for more than $17,900 to the Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network last week in recognition of the organization’s efforts to help victims of domestic abuse.

The Power of 100 is made up of county women who “believe that when each one gives a little, they can make a big difference.”

The Power of 100 was created in 2020 and since then has donated more than $420,000 to local charitable nonprofits.

The women meet four times a year to learn about various organizations nominated for the award.

From left, Celesta Mares, Lisa Lamasater, Carolyn Husmann, Barbara Campbell, Tammy McKee and Donna Dyer

William Feddersen

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Services for William Feddersen will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22 at First Baptist Church, El Reno.

State announces Route 66 Centennial Celebration plans

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OKLAHOMA CITY – As the Mother Road marks its 99th anniversary this year, Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell and the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission unveiled plans and programming for the upcoming Route 66 Centennial in 2026.

The yearlong celebration will spotlight Oklahoma’s leadership role in preserving and promoting one of America’s most storied highways.

Monty Golladay

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Monty Golladay, a beloved son, father, grandfather and friend, passed away on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, at the age of 71. Monty (aka “G-man”) leaves behind a legacy of love, wisdom and an enduring passion for the great outdoors.

Monty was born in Edmond, Oklahoma on June 16, 1954.

He attended El Reno High School before continuing his education at Texas Tech on a golf scholarship and rounding out his academic career at the University of Oklahoma.

Monty Golladay_obituary