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C&A Tribes R.E.Sp.E.C.T. boys team wins NABI championship

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For the second time in four months, players with Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes affiliations have tasted gold on the basketball court in a high-profile championship.

El Reno’s Carter Roman Nose, Alex Elizondo and brothers, William and Xavier Elledge were part of the boys team for the C&A Tribes R.E.Sp.E.C.T. program, winners of the 2024 Native American Basketball Invitational.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes R.E.Sp.E.C.T. boys basketball team won the NABI championship

El Reno Public Schools transfer space limited

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Students wishing to transfer into El Reno Public Schools for the upcoming year may find there is no vacancy.

Superintendent Matt Goucher handed out a report during the July school board meeting showing the district had just 50 spots open for transfer students throughout all grade levels.

“If a student lives inside the district, then they are ours and we will accommodate them. If they live outside of the district and there is no capacity, then they may get turned down,” said Goucher.

Matt Goucher

Smoke on the Water a success

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The total boat count may have been off from what race organizers were expecting but that did not stop Canadian County drivers from showing up and showing off their skills during the 2024 Smoke on the Water Drag Boat Races.

Sixty-three boats entered the event, now in its 11th year at Lake El Reno and 24th overall, down from the 80 that co-organizer Josh Finnigan was shooting for.

“It was lower than we expected and I’m not sure if that 80 count is a pipe dream. The economy may have had something to do with it,” said Finnigan.

Teagan Finnigan drives through a spray of water

Preservation volunteers spruce up interior of Rock Island caboose

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The old caboose located in Mother Road Plaza is one of many historic assets sprinkled through El Reno. 

Over the past few months, volunteers with Preservation El Reno have worked to improve its appearance and prepare it for visitors. 

Amy Neathery of Preservation El Reno said the caboose’s interior boasts “beautiful wood paneling” that just needed a little cleaning.

C. Allen Electric helped with interior and exterior lighting.

The Rock Island caboose at Mother Road Plaza

Mobile app to provide mental health services

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Help with mental health issues will be available 24/7 to Canadian County sheriff’s deputies.

Commissioners, at their meeting July 29, approved an agreement between BFAC, LLC and the sheriff’s office to tailor a mobile app for deputies to use “for mental health purposes.”

The Norman technology company creates applications that are downloaded by mobile device users.

“They are going to personalize one for our sheriff’s office,” Undersheriff Kevin Ward said.

Cereal drive a Blessing for Wesley UMC Boxes

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A cereal drive helped Wesley United Methodist Church celebrate the sixth year since the creation of the Blessing Boxes. 

Wesley members marked the occasion on July 26, the anniversary of when the first Blessing Box was installed on church property on Russell, just south of the church. El Reno today has 15 Blessing Boxes plus a Pet Blessing Box.

Wesley United Methodist Church held a cereal drive

Powwow fundraiser

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The Red Dirt Golf Scramble was held at Crimson Creek Golf Course last month.

The event honored the Oklahoma Indian Nation Powwow being held this weekend.

The winning team was NATUV Inc. out of Shawnee

Preservation award

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El Reno High School Principal Tim Pounds accepts a plaque from Preservation El Reno’s Mary Hunt at the July El Reno School Board meeting.

The plaque honored the efforts of the high school and district staff to preserve EHS’ main high school building, which is over 100 years old.

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