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Looking to pump more life into the downtown, the El Reno City Council pushed through with the purchase of an abandoned convenience store, the intention being to attract a new eating establishment to the area.

Council voted 5-0 last week to spend $350,000 to acquire the property at 300 S. Rock Island.

The convenience store has been vacant and boarded up for several years. City Manager Matt Sandidge said the chance to attract a “major eating and entertainment establishment” to the downtown area provided the incentive for the city to make the move.

The 2023 Smoke on the Water Drag Boat Races pulled in drivers and fans from across Oklahoma and surrounding states to Lake El Reno.

See Saturday’s edition for an event round-up.

Cheyenne and Arapaho Gov. Reggie Wassana will be the guest speaker at the upcoming El Reno Now breakfast. The event will be at 7:30 a.m. July 27 at the Public Safety Center off SW 27th Street.

The quarterly gathering is hosted by the city of El Reno and El Reno Public Schools. City Manager Matt Sandidge and School Superintendent Matt Goucher are scheduled to provide updates on happenings in the city and school district.

The breakfast is $10 and all proceeds will go to the El Reno Public Schools Foundation.

Rep. Rhonda Baker, R-Yukon, was elected chair of the Education Committee of the Southern Legislative Conference (SLC).

She has served as vice chair of the regional committee since 2021.

Baker, a former teacher, chairs the House Common Education Committee.

“This nomination by my regional peers is not only a personal honor, but this speaks to advancements in education policy the Oklahoma Legislature has accomplished that are being recognized at a national level and applauded by our southern partners,” Baker said.

The Smoke on the Water Drag Boat Races celebrated its 10th year on Lake El Reno and 23rd year overall over the weekend.

One of the reasons for the success of the events has been a strong working relationship with the city of El Reno.

Event organizers said thank you by giving former Mayor Matt White and current Mayor Steve Jensen rides after the opening ceremonies.

The mayors boats also raced each other.

Oklahoma State University’s Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center is set to host two upcoming workshops designed to teach participants about direct-to-consumer meat sales.

Rodney Holcomb, associate professor and agribusiness economist, said there are many food safety and sales regulations that need to be understood before a rancher can begin selling directly to a consumer or retailer.

For many gardeners, the summer months are the busiest of the growing season. There’s nothing quite like the taste of fresh-picked fruits and vegetables. Fortunately, harvesting garden-fresh produce can continue well into the fall.

Oklahoma’s redcedar eradication effort and study planned for the North Canadian River watershed over the next five years is unprecedented in its scope.