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Canadian County has $642,423.71 in federal stimulus funds that have not been obligated. That amount is what remains of the $28.8 million American Rescue Plan Act award the county received in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

District Attorney Tommy Humphries, whose office administers the county’s ARPA program, told commissioners he would “follow back up” with them individually to hear their ideas on how to best allocate the remaining funds. ARPA was the $1.9 trillion economic stimulus package passed by Congress during the COVID pandemic.

The historic Canadian County Jail is now weatherproof. Workers with J.T. Chronister Construction completed the task of putting a new roof on the jail.

“The building is safe from any further interior damage and the threat of being demolished,” said Amy Neathery, president of Preservation El Reno and city council representative.

A come-and-go event to celebrate the roof installation will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Old County Stables, 214 W. Rogers, just to the east of the jail.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Oklahoma fifth- and eighth-grade teachers can apply now for fellowships to attend the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute in summer 2025. 

The Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence coordinates the selection of educators from the state to participate in the renowned teacher institute, which is held in and around the restored capital city of 18th-century Virginia.

Canadian County commissioners on Monday agreed to enact a burn ban for one week.

A 3-0 vote passing a burn ban resolution came after El Reno Fire Chief Jason Duff spoke to commissioners about existing high fire dangers due to strong winds, high temperatures and dead vegetation.

Canadian County’s fire chiefs supported having a burn ban in place, Duff said.

“We are in a severe drought,” Duff said. “Today is a very high fire danger. Dry conditions, high temperatures and 45-mile-an-hour gust winds.”

OKLAHOMA CITY – Despite taking over the reigns of a run-heavy offense, Rustyn Cook had never experienced a 100-yard rushing game in his high school career.

That ended in a must-win game for El Reno High School’s football team.

The junior quarterback became the fifth runner this year to eclipse the century mark in a single game with 107 yards and two touchdowns as the Indians climbed back into the playoff picture with a 46-18 victory over John Marshall.

Running like head coach Anthony Klipp called “a man,” El Reno High School freshman Ethan Brooks punched his ticket to the 2024 Class 5A Cross Country Championships in record fashion.

Brooks outkicked a pair of Guymon runners to win the 5A West Regional Championships with a career-best time of 15 minutes, 54.57 seconds over the 5K (3.1-mile) at Moore/Norman Technology Center.

“He ran like a man today,” said Klipp.

A candidate forum for the Ward 1 city council seat drew a sparse turnout Tuesday night, but two of the three individuals in the race covered a lot of territory, answering written questions from the audience during the 30-minute session. 

Julie Flegal-Smallwood served as moderator, while timekeepers were Eli Zucksworth and Jason Looper. The race will be decided Nov. 5. 

Hosted by the El Reno Chamber of Commerce and held at Redlands Community College, the evening featured candidates Amy Neathery and Aaron Hines. Neathery currently holds the Ward 1 seat.

El Reno High School student Landry Lewis smiles as her aide Theresa Barton reads her a book outside of the high school.

Daily high temperatures have been near record numbers for October and are forecast to be in the 80s for most of the coming week.