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Honoring their accomplishments

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It was an emotional evening as the El Reno Public Schools Foundation paid tribute to the 2022 Class of Distinguished Alumni, as well as a longtime music teacher who earned a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The banquet, which was originated by EHS in 1993, was held at the Canadian Valley Technology Center. It drew a crowd of education supporters, family and friends of the four individuals being honored.

Waiting to get behind the wheel

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The El Reno School Board is expected to hear a report related to drivers education at its Dec. 12 meeting. Drivers ed hasn’t been available at the high school for the past 17 years.

A committee was tasked with researching the drivers ed issue and that report is expected to be made public at the upcoming meeting.

In years past, a teen couldn’t wait to turn 16 and get their driver’s license. It was a rite of passage into adulthood.

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It’s a Wonderful Life on radio

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For a third year the EHS Theatre will present a live radio version of It's a Wonderful Life Friday and Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

For a $10 fee per car, listeners can pull up to the parking lot south of the high school and listen to the live broadcast.

Snacks will be sold window to window, cash only, and there will be props set up outside for photo opportunities.

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Rider gets sworn in early as new District 3 commissioner

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Canadian County’s newest commissioner is getting up to speed as she takes an early start in her new position.

El Reno’s Tracey Rider took the oath of office last week as the new District 3 county commissioner.

Fellow elected officials, county employees, family and friends attended Rider’s swearing-in ceremony.

Canadian County District Judge Paul Hesse administered the oath.

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$4 million in federal funds eyed for historic Route 66 bike route

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Canadian County officials are moving forward with plans to make safety improvements along historic Route 66 in El Reno and to the west as part of a national bicycle route.

Commissioners approved a resolution to sponsor a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) application and maintenance agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

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Sheriff’s office on the hunt for Helms after violation of suspended sentence

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A Canadian County man remains at large after failing to comply with court orders in the wake of a criminal felony conviction.

Canadian County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Jeffery Alan Helms, 48, who pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of a stolen vehicle in September 2020.

That conviction – in a case filed in April 2018 – initially resulted in a 10-year suspended sentence, community service and the payment of fines and costs.

Rural, tribal health care benefit from Redlands, WOSC fed grant

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Health care in rural Oklahoma continues to be impacted by a lack of providers, but a five-year federal grant totaling $2.75 million awarded to Redlands Community College and Western Oklahoma State College in Altus is designed to address the shortage.

Redlands, designated a Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTI) program, partnered with Western to submit a proposal for the NASNTI Part A Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant.

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Okarche speech takes second place in Marlow

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Members of the Okarche High School speech team recently earned second-place sweepstakes honors in Class 3A from competition in Marlow.

In addition, OHS qualified 14 events for the regional speech and debate competition later in 2023.

Senior Brody Sadler placed second in original oratory and third in domestic extemporaneous speaking.

Senior Riley Black was named tournament champion in humorous interp, and senior Kylie Bailey placed second in dramatic interp and qualified for regionals in poetry.