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Robocop

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When the calendar rolled over into 2020, Master Patrolman David Garcia was looking forward to another spring and summer competing in his other passion besides law enforcement – powerlifting.

But when the United States fell victim to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic and began shutting down sporting events, the eight-year veteran of the El Reno Police Department felt like a detective as he tried to piece together what to do next.

David Garcia pulls a Peterbilt truck

ER spikers edged out of state spot

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In the statistics book, El Reno High School’s volleyball team had the 2020 season end with a 3-1 loss to No.11 Glenpool in the title match of the Class 5A, Region 6 Championship. What the 26-28/22-25/25-17/17-25 score won’t show is just how close the sixth-ranked Indians were to winning the regional, hosted at Jenks Simmons Field House annex, and making the school’s first trip to state since 1993.

Riley Connor dives for the ball

EHS thinclads compete in ’20 Suburban meet

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MIDWEST CITY - Runners were greeted to warmer than expected temperatures here last week as the 2020 Suburban Conference Cross Country Championships netted a seventh-place finish for the El Reno High School boys team.

The Indians top five runners posted an overall time of one hour, 43 minutes and 56 seconds, with an average finishing time of 20:47.25 per runner over the 5-kilometer (3.11-mile) course at Carl Albert.

Cole Strong and Erik Vazquez run together at the front section

Redlands cross country team takes on tough field at Rich Mountain meet

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Traveling to Arkansas for a makeup meet, Redlands Community College’s cross country team got a chance to measure its progress against runners from several levels.

The 2020 Lions Club Bucks Overland Classic was held on the Mena Lions Disc Golf Course, hosted by the University of Arkansas Rich Mountain.

“It was a challenging and hilly course, but that didn’t stop our men from getting some personal records against schools from the NAIA, NJCAA and NCAA Division 2.

Statewide quail index drops after roadside surveys

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The 2020 August roadside quail observation survey shows the statewide quail index down from 2019, dropping from 2.88 to 1.68.

This is 68.48 percent below the 31-year average of 5.33, and 45.28 percent below the 10-year average of 3.07.

However, when evaluated by ecoregion, Oklahoma’s quail index went up over last year in five of the state’s nine ecoregions.

Quail map

Public Records - October 17

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LAWSUITS

Unifund CCR LLC vs. Elizabeth Winfrey for $541.15 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Unifund CCR LLC vs. Donna Weymouth for $690.93 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Unifund CCR LLC vs. Allen E. Cope for $4,115.06 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Unifund CCR LLC vs. Walter D. Barton for $5,272.96 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Unifund CCR LLC vs. Frances E. Stidham for $2,800.74 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

SSM medical center begins to take shape

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Construction is progressing on the new SSM St. Anthony Healthplex being built at Crossroads Pointe.

The development is on U.S. 81, nestled between SH 66 and I-40. Crossroads Pointe is more than 60 acres and is being developed by El Reno businessmen Paul King and Ron Ward.

The steel frame on the new SSM St. Anthony Healthplex is up

Blown by the wind

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Recent high winds damaged the wooden windmill at the Canadian County Historical Museum, but thanks to some El Reno ingenuity and a bucket truck, the 110-year-old power generator should be back in business hopefully by next spring.

Vicki Proctor, director of the museum, enlisted the help of Teddy Baker, Tom Lloyd, Ellis Pennick, Kendall Watson and Fred Koebrick to help rescue the bent and tangled blades.

Carefully, the windmill was lowered from its perch, about 25 feet above the ground.

Volunteers worked Friday to take down the historic windmill