News

Redlands Community College has named Kacey Daniels executive director of Student Services, leading a team dedicated to assisting and advising prospective and current students.

A first-generation college graduate and Redlands alumna, Daniels has been a cornerstone of the Upward Bound program at Redlands Community College, initially joining the program as an education specialist and then serving as the program director for the last seven years.

The deadline to request absentee ballots by mail is approaching. Applications must be received by the Canadian County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12.

County election board secretary Allen Arnold said absentee voting is available to all voters and applications can be submitted several ways. 

“In Oklahoma, no excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot, and it’s easy to apply. Voters can submit their application online, in-person, by fax, mail or even email,” said Arnold.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Unaccompanied minors who illegally enter the United States are being released to child traffickers by the U.S. government, condemning those youth to a life of forced labor or worse, and a business arm of the Cherokee Nation is facilitating that abuse, according to whistleblower testimony provided this month to members of the U.S. Senate.

Since 2019, Oklahoma has been among the states experiencing the greatest level of net domestic migration as the number of people moving to Oklahoma has exceeded those leaving the state.

LAWSUITS

PNC Bank N.A. vs. Amber Crawford and Erik Crawford for $199,471.58 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage.

Freedom Mortgage Corporation vs. Dianna Alexander and William Alexander for $63,020.43 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 17, Kanaly’s Union City Addition.

Bank of America N.A. vs. Tim Chisholm for $13,343.92 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

It’s time. 

That seems to be the prevailing wisdom behind of couple of building renovation projects taking shape in downtown El Reno.

Mike and Janice Freeman are putting in “sweat equity” at the historic building at 117 S. Bickford. Built in 1928 by JCPenney’s, the store would later transform to Thompson Gifts and Office Supplies, before becoming a guitar museum.

It’s been vacant for several years, but now there are signs of life. 

El Reno’s Blessing Baskets is celebrating its 25th year and last week’s Festival of the Trees, Christmas in July event was certainly worthy of a silver anniversary blowout.

“We do not have all the numbers in yet, but it appears it will be the best ever,” said Donna Dyer, Blessing Baskets Director of Community Relations.

“This was our ninth festival, and each year we have continued to see a growth in the attendance and fundraising.”

Dyer called the community response to the Festival of the Trees “awesome.”

“Everyone had fun for an awesome cause.”

Gary Baumwart took the city up on its offer for a grant to improve the facade at his building downtown. 

Baumwart operates his insurance agency and has Swaim’s Barber Shop as a tenant at 212 and 214 S. Rock Island.

He received the grant for the facade improvements and hired Rick Allen to paint and make window repairs on the more than 100-year-old building. Baumwart said he has been working with artist Chris Small about creating a mural on the north side of his building.

Larry Jennings watches from a dugout as El Reno High School’s softball team goes through morning drills last week at the Ashbrook North Complex.

Jennings’ service dog Boomer was barking his support at players.

El Reno’s softball and volleyball programs kicked off preseason workouts recently.

Property in and around the former Canadian County Fairgrounds has been appraised at more than $1.8 million.

NPVal Real Estate Valuation & Consulting submitted an appraisal report July 12 for county-owned property at 220 N. Country Club Road.

Commissioners accepted the 118-page appraisal at their weekly meeting July 22 as they proceed with plans to sell the site.

“To do the next step, we had to have a certified appraisal,” said Commissioner Tom Manske.

District 3 Commissioner Tracey Rider said she was “really pleased” with the appraisal amount.