August 2020

The El Reno Indian Health Center will take a big step forward on Thursday, Aug. 27 with the groundbreaking for a new Indian Health Center. The event will be at 11 a.m. in the 1800 block of Parkview Drive. Physical distancing measures and masks will be required for all who attend.

The new 16,000-square-foot health center will provide much-needed space to expand health-care services that will include dental, optometry, podiatry, audiology and general radiology as well as physical therapy.

On June 27, his 45th anniversary of ordination to priesthood, Father Mark Mason began experiencing chills despite the fact that it was nearly 100 degrees outside.

He thought perhaps he was having an allergic reaction to the hot herbal tea he was sipping. It wasn’t his usual orange spice.

He tried putting on heavier clothing and went to lay down, but the chills persisted – even under thick blankets.

CONCHO - The Cheyenne and Arapaho Business Development Corporation has launched the Black Prairie Bison Company that will provide premium, fresh bison cuts and jerky products. 

Headquartered in Concho, Black Prairie Bison will raise and sell premium bison meat products direct-to-consumer online as well as to grocery stores, restaurants and retailers across the United States.

Damon Monroe Colson passed away Aug. 15, 2020, at Integris Baptist Hospital in Oklahoma City. Damon was born to Buck and Alice Colson on May 20, 1960, in Oklahoma City.

Damon is survived by his wife, Teresa Colson; stepsons, Jason Stinehart and Brian Stinehart and stepdaughter, Crystal Stinehart; two grandsons and one granddaughter; sister, Sharon and husband, Warren Riggs of Purcell; brother, Donald and wife, Connie Colson of Oklahoma City; and several nieces and nephews.

His parents and sister, Denise Blaney, preceded him in death.

El Reno Regional Airport will host its first-ever Fly-In and Community Day on Saturday, Aug. 22, but an unexpected fly-in Monday evening happened when a plane was forced to make an emergency landing near the airport.

The pilot of the single-engine airplane made an emergency landing in farm fields northwest of the airport after encountering instrument trouble.

According to Airport Manager Adam Fox, the pilot told him he was in communication with Wiley Post Airport at the time of the emergency and was diverting to El Reno.

Students come across many teachers throughout their educational journey. However, it takes a special kind of teacher to influence and impact a student’s life, forever leaving a special imprint in their hearts.

Meet Terry Davis.

Davis has been working at Darlington School since 1978, beginning her career there as the school’s very first kindergarten teacher.

Donna Stirman of El Reno grew a watermelon so large she needed help to get it out of her garden.

Son David Stirman and grandson Kyle Stirman came to the rescue and hoisted the 41-pound melon out of the garden.

“I didn’t think that I could lift it out of the garden so I called my son to pick it for me,” said Stirman.

Chances are son and grandson may get to enjoy the fruits of their labor, but Stirman said there’s enough to feed the entire neighborhood.

(Courtesy photos)

Rebuilding. It’s what happens in Oklahoma after devastating storms hit. Like the one that struck El Reno late on May 25, 2019.

That EF-3 tornado claimed two lives, injured more than 30 and destroyed a motel.

It also damaged the Frontier Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep dealership so badly it had to be leveled.

Now, a little more than a year later, the longtime El Reno auto dealer is ready to begin again at the same site, the southeast corner of U.S. 81 and SH 66.

While the food, games and entertainment of the midway will not be found, there will be plenty of activity inside the barns as the 2020 Canadian County Free Fair will hold a Junior Livestock “Show and Go.” The event starts Wednesday and wraps up Friday.

The traditional fair had to be scrapped because of COVID-19. But the livestock show will go on.

“When the board voted in mid-July to cancel this year’s fair, it was a disappointing decision to make. We know that people love the fair and like having something different to do.