Latest Posts

Northwestern OSU names top students

Body

Spring semester honor rolls at Northwestern Oklahoma State University have been announced.

Those on the President’s Honor Roll earned all A’s or a 4.0 grade point average.

Those on the Vice President’s Honor Roll had grade point averages of 3.5 or better.

Among those local students listed on the President’s Honor Roll are Austin Luker of El Reno and Abby Detar of Piedmont. Named to the Vice President’s Honor Roll is Kelsey Neal of Piedmont.

Listed on the President’s Honorable Mention are Kaslin Baros of Calumet and Summer Thiele of Piedmont.

Residents talk race during ER town hall

Body

El Reno held a town hall meeting last week to discuss how police and city officials interact with citizens.

About 30 people attended the Thursday evening meeting at the Centre Theatre. A number of them spoke about issues or concerns they have.

The discussion came on the heels of a Black Lives Matter protest held outside the police station two weeks ago.

After that demonstration, Mayor Matt White and other city officials decided to invite anyone who wished to a public meeting to discuss the issues.

El Reno Pastor Craig Johnson talks about how black people are often seen as inferior

Community provides support for annual summer food program

Body

Blessing Baskets and The Lord’s Harvest began the annual Families with Children Summer Food Program in early June.

The effort to feed El Reno and area families during the summer months first began in 2012, said Blessing Baskets coordinator Donna Dyer. The COVID-19 pandemic added a new twist to this year’s food distribution.

“We are going forward with an abundance of caution,” Dyer said.

“We are following safety guidelines to help our volunteers and the families we serve stay healthy.”

Some of the volunteers who helped with the recent food distribution

Lutts talks ways to deal with disasters

Body

Gayla Lutts knows a thing or two about disasters and how to handle them. She’s worked through two major disasters in the past eight years.

Lutts, superintendent of Canadian Valley Technology Center, discussed “Leadership During a Disaster” at a recent meeting in Yukon.

The event was held virtually as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Gayla Lutts

Beef task force organized by state legislators

Body

OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma task force designed to analyze problems in marketing and processing beef has been organized by State Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, and State Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant. 

The two legislators have invited independent ranchers, meat buyers, meat processors, livestock auction owners and meat inspectors to convene and identify financial obstacles and structured solutions that will provide a process for long-term financial gain for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. 

Beef prices have been on the rise for months

Public Records - June 24

Body

LAWSUITS

Aaron and Ginger Price, individually and as parents of Allison Price, a minor, vs. Yukon Public Schools for an amount in excess of $75,000 for alleged injuries and damages.

United Services Automobile Association vs. Patricia Ann Harris for $110,000 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

City of Piedmont vs. Steven J. Strehlow for $11,500 for alleged damages.

Call of Duty

Body

When Jason Duff joined the El Reno Fire Department at the age of 25, he soon found he wanted to follow a path that would help him make a positive impact in the community.

Now 22 years later, his journey has led to being the department’s new chief, taking over April 1 for the retiring Kent Lagaly.

“When I first started I didn't think I would ever want to be chief, but soon afterward I knew I wanted to be in a position to where I could influence people and be able to make a difference," said Duff.

Jason Duff has worked as a firefighter, driver and assistant chief

Fun at the splash pad

Body

The El Reno Splash Pad inside Legion Park has been a popular afternoon stop for area youth to beat the heat which has been pushing triple digits. The pad has been open daily free of charge since the city’s swimming pool was closed this season due to financial fallout related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brielle Fernandez hides under a wave of water