April 2020

El Reno residents need to wear a face mask if they are in public and interacting with others, or possibly face a $100 fine. Also, there are three current cases of COVID-19 in El Reno, with one death reported.

That was the COVID-19 news coming out of Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

Mayor Matt White, along with council members Tracey Rider and Bob Ballhorn, convened in the council chambers at the Municipal Building.

El Reno High School’s graduation, originally set for May 21, is officially postponed.

But those seniors who would have walked across the stage that evening are not giving up. Many stress the importance of commemorating their years of hard work.

And the El Reno School Board agrees with them.

Superintendent Craig McVay said postponing the ceremony was inevitable due to the COVID-19 situation.

El Reno resident Rindie Hunt said she is running for Canadian County Court Clerk and said her experience makes her uniquely qualified.

The primary election is set to take place Tuesday, June 30. Hunt will face incumbent Marie Hirst.

“I am happy to announce my intention to seek the Republican nomination for Canadian County Court Clerk,” Hunt said in a prepared statement. “I believe that my past experience working in this office and for members of the judiciary in Canadian County has prepared me to bring a breath of fresh air to the court clerk’s office.”

Redlands Community College has extended the deadline to apply for admission to the nursing program to Friday, May 1. Applicants who are unable to complete the application requirements by the new deadline may be considered for conditional acceptance into the program and will be required to complete all the steps by Tuesday, July 30, by 5 p.m. to maintain full admission, if selected, into the nursing program

The Oklahoma City Community Foundation is awarding $338,000 in scholarships to 169 central Oklahoma students, including El Reno High School seniors Malik Boland-Pickett, Madyson Carr and Abby Jeffrey.

“My number one goal is to graduate college so I can become a reading teacher and share my passion for reading and language arts with others,” said Carr, who plans to pursue a degree in education at Oklahoma State University.

El Reno residents continue to find ways to celebrate birthdays during the COVID-19 pandemic. Above, Gideon Tinsley and his wife, Verda sit on their lawn as members of their Trinity Baptist Church family drive by during a parade for his birthday. The former county commissioner and state senator turned 93 last week. The church also celebrated the 93rd birthday of Jean Edmonson, not pictured, who lives at St. Katharine Retirement Center. The center is on lockdown due to the outbreak and does not allow visitors.

On Tuesday, state Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, delivered meals to health-care workers who are conducting drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at the Canadian County Health Department in El Reno.

“This is just a way to say thank you to these extraordinary people who are doing so much to keep the public safe and healthy during this extremely stressful time,” Baker said.

“This also is a reminder to the public that if they feel symptomatic or if they’ve been exposed to someone with COVID-19, we have testing sites available. Please get tested.”

The El Reno Kiwanis Club recently celebrated its 60th annual pancake breakfast. The majority of the funds raised will go to fund three scholarships to graduating El Reno High School seniors. Gina Wilkerson from the El Reno Chamber presented the club with a certificate in recognition of the 60th year of hosting the event. The breakfast was held at Wesley United Methodist Church. Pictured from left are Debbie Kauffman, Tom Avant, Gina Wilkerson, Chris Lambakis, Gary Baumwart, Karen Nance, Kae Krueger and Ronnie Funk.