News

A pair of house fires last week kept crews from the El Reno Fire Department busy for several hours as the blazes happened near a day-care center and a school.

On Tuesday, firemen responded to the 900 block of West London on a structure fire that was classified as “intentional” on the department’s official report.

“This is not the first time we have been called to this property. We’ve had homeless people starting fires in the back yard trying to stay warm,” said El Reno Fire Chief Jason Duff.

WASHINGTON – More than two years after its opening, the Native American Veterans Memorial in the nation’s capital was finally dedicated last week in a ceremony lasting more than three hours. 

Tribal leaders and citizens and veterans from across the country marched down the National Mall on Veterans Day to a stage at the foot of the U.S. Capitol Building.

Rex Hailey, a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma and a Gulf War veteran, drove halfway across the country to attend the celebration.

Getting roasted turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole and pie on the table this Thanksgiving is going to cost consumers more than it did in 2021.

Rodney Holcomb, Oklahoma State University Extension food economics specialist, said consumers can expect to pay 35 to 45 percent more for their turkey this year, which typically is the centerpiece of most Thanksgiving tables.

Matt White is leaving City Hall, but last week he said he wants to go back to school … to serve on the El Reno School Board.

White announced he plans to run for the vacant school board seat created when Dallas Curtis had to resign from the board after moving outside of the district. He made the announcement at the El Reno Now gathering, an event he and former school superintendent Craig McVay created in 2017.

Following long-standing tradition, El Reno High School held its Veterans Day Salute on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

The student-driven event recognized all veterans attending and their service branches, as well as a special tribute to the EHS Veterans of the Year.

For more than 50 years, Helen Miner taught El Reno students to sing.

She was an El Reno Public Schools institution.

For that, she is being honored with only the second Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the El Reno Public Schools Foundation. She is scheduled to receive the honor at the Nov. 29 Distinguished Alumni Banquet.

Miner will join World War II hero, Charles Clark “Sonny” Kegelman, attorney Mark Henricksen, architect and businessman Darin Miller and educator/administrator Matt Goucher at the banquet honoring them as Distinguished Alumni.

Similarly to how people recall where they were when 9/11 occurred or perhaps where they were when Elvis died, everybody has a relational story of the emotions aroused when they first learned of the potential impact COVID-19 was going to have on our lives. 

Kinber Roberts recalls the frustration she felt after COVID led to a nationwide shutdown of many businesses, social activities and even schools in March 2020.

Roberts, 34, of El Reno, had been placed on a waiting list for enrollment into the Practical Nursing program at Canadian Valley Tech Center.