May 2026

Editor’s Note: The following letter was presented to the El Reno City Council Tuesday. Holly Mace, Ph.D., representing the Carnegie Library Board, read the letter at the meeting. The city has three full-time and five part-time employees working at the library and will add a summer seasonal position. 

To: El Reno City Council
From: El Reno Carnegie Library Board
Date: May 11, 2026
Subject: Concern Regarding the Children’s Librarian Position

Dear Mayor and Members of the City Council,

SULPHUR — Marcella Sankey of El Reno will graduate May 20 from the Oklahoma School for the Deaf during a commencement ceremony at 1 p.m. in the Ken Brown Gymnasium. OSD is located at 1100 East Oklahoma Avenue in Sulphur.  

Sankey is the daughter of Nina and Fritz Woods. She has been at OSD for 14 years, participating in basketball, volleyball, cheerleading and Family, Career and Community Leaders of America.

After graduation, she plans to go to Cowley College or get a job.

El Reno High School April Students of the Month are Ayden Overholser, Aubrey Engel, Logan Vandiver, Shakayla Johnson,
Ethen Turner, Rebakkah Fraze, Sergio Rosas and Josephine Sweezy.

Maple April Students of the Month are Jax Thomason, first grade, Shepard Wells, prekindergarten, Piper Brothers, kindergarten; Tyler Williams, third grade, Madalynne Whitman, fourth grade, Serenity White, fifth grade, Penelope Badillo, second grade; Hudson Cooper, sixth grade, Brennan Ayers, eighth grade, and John Prince, seventh grade.

Maple A Honor Roll students are Easton Hughey, Payton Haley, Kane Smith, Carson Smith, Jimi Davis, Madison Basler, Tova Young, Cash Swigart, Lillian Bollinger, Kash Brothers, Douglas Bland, Elizabeth Eisenhour, Abby Bass, Tripp Davis, Kennedy Prince, Blaiklyn Barton, Ella Ratliff, Riley McKee and Luken Meschberger.

Maple A-B Honor Roll honorees are Fredrick Tredway, Kennedy Bonilla, Brinlee Bland, Caleb Blanco, Eli Ritch, Remi Story, Addison Meschberger, Addison Holden, Tinsley Kennedy, Legend Gatz; Tyler Williams, Abriel Walker, Declan Brothers, Maverick Lorenzen, Wade Curtis, James Twins, Jake Wells, Aniyah Chaffin, Berkleigh Brothers, Blakely McLemore, Hollis Wedman, Parker Tinsley and Colt Able.

Discovery Church hosted the National Day of Prayer last week. 

El Reno Mayor Steve Jensen served as emcee for the event. The Canadian Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution presented the colors, while Ellen Jensen sang the national anthem. 

Speakers for the event included Manuel Barrientess, Wade Crews, Jason Pennington, Brian LaPat, Dr. Brian Shafer, Sheriff Chris West and Dr. Lucky Eisenhour. 

Vice Mayor David Black provided the closing prayer. 

The deadline to request absentee ballots by mail is approaching. Applications must be received by the Canadian County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. Monday, June 1.

County election board secretary Allen Arnold said absentee voting is available to all voters and applications can be submitted several ways. 

“In Oklahoma, no excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot, and it’s easy to apply.

“Voters can submit their application online, in-person, by fax, mail, or even email,” said Arnold.

Sample ballots are now available for the June 16 election.

Voters can view or download a sample ballot using the State Election Board OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or pick up a copy at the Canadian County Election Board during normal business hours.

County election board secretary Allen Arnold said sample ballots are tailored to each voter and their precinct.

Only voters that have an election will be able to view a sample ballot in the portal. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – A bill that strengthens punishments for organized retail crime and identity theft and closes loopholes to protect the vulnerable has been signed into law.