News

The city of El Reno will pay $130,000 to the owners of the property at 200 S. Choctaw, the final piece needed in order to build what would be known as the “Mobility Hub.”

After returning from closed session, city council members agreed to pay the $130,000 sum to Dwight and Diane Kennedy. The decision came after a three-member appraisal team, appointed by the District Court, came back with the property valuation, said City Manager Matt Sandidge.

This will mark the 26th year for Blessing Baskets to orchestrate the Community Christmas Assistance Mission in western Canadian County. 

Blessing Baskets is currently enrolling clients for Christmas assistance. Those applying for Christmas assistance can go to Canadian County Community Action Agency, 203 N. Bickford, or call the Blessing Baskets office at 405-215-9224 to make an appointment to enroll. 

The Traveling Relics Exhibit scheduled earlier this month at Sacred Heart Catholic Church has been rescheduled for Nov. 19. 

The exhibit was postponed after severe weather was forecast for the area. 

Holly Eaton with Sacred Heart School said the exhibit includes relics from numerous Catholic saints.

The exhibit will be on display inside the church from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and is free and open to the public. 

County commissioners authorized officially starting the process to sell the old fairgrounds property.

Commissioners accepted a final appraisal totaling $1.84 million for the former fairgrounds at 220 N. Country Club Road.

NPVal Real Estate Valuation & Consulting conducted a valuation of a property that comprises six industrial/commercial buildings, constructed in 1955, totaling 56,480 square feet.

Five separate parcels have been identified on the property.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, has been nominated by his peers to serve as the next President Pro Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate.

The Senate Republican Caucus announced his selection Tuesday, placing Pro Tem Designee Paxton in line to assume the leadership role for the 60th Oklahoma Legislature.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Jack Samuel Neal, El Reno, speeding, $165.

Desmond Alexander LaFoe, El Reno, speeding, $165.

Mary Ann Barton-Holdge, Watonga, speeding, $165.

Aaron Faircloth, Oklahoma City, speeding, $195.

Marcos Cortez, El Reno, speeding, $165.

Molly Peyton Reynolds, Oklahoma City, expired tag, $130.

Keith Lynn Leimbach, El Reno, speeding, $165.

Constance Elaine Lunsford, Yukon, failure to stop at stop sign and driving with license revoked, $560.

Tyler Dean McLearen, El Reno, speeding, $245.

Four graduates of El Reno High School were recognized for their accomplishments last week during the annual “Thousands of Reasons Gala, Celebrating Distinguished Alumni and Educators.”

The event is sponsored by the El Reno Public School Foundation. 

Held at the Canadian Valley Technology Center, the evening also featured recognition of this year’s District Teachers of the Year as well as foundation scholarship recipients. 

A new member has been appointed to the Canadian County Free Fair Board.

Farmer and rancher Jimmie D. Smith, a former Calumet and Darlington school administrator, succeeds Dan Wedman as a District 3 representative on the nine-member fair board.

Wedman, of Calumet, recently retired after 46 years of service.

County commissioners voted 3-0 to approve Smith’s appointment.

“I thank you for the opportunity to serve for the county,” Smith said.

Redlands Community College TRIO Student Support Services is taking matters into its own hands – or feet – to raise funds for scholarships.

The program is taking donations of gently worn, used and new shoes and will receive funding from the Funds2Orgs based on the total weight of the shoes collected.

“We are excited about our shoe drive,” said Amy Graham, TRIO Student Support Services director.

“We know that most people have extra shoes in their closets, so we would appreciate if they would donate any unwanted shoes to us.

Sheriff Chris West said his office is gathering information after a video circulating on social media shows a longtime investigator cursing at a man who came onto the lawman’s property. 

West said investigator Jerry Hendricks had just “put down” four pit bulls and a German shepherd that had attacked and killed several hogs on his property. The sheriff said Hendricks “had every right” to take the action on his property.

West said he had just been made aware of the video on Friday morning.

He said Hendricks has been with the sheriff’s office since “2012 or 2013.”