An Oklahoma Department of Corrections transport van chugged through the downtown intersection of Main and Broadway on a warm Thursday morning.
The prisoners glimpsed the cafes and gas stations that prison staff will patronize after work.
Residents were reminded of the economic boost their incarcerated neighbors to the south have brought.
Enrollment is now open at the Oklahoma School for the Deaf for its online American Sign Language classes being offered during the fall semester.
The free classes are available in two eight-lesson sections and are presented through pre-recorded videos.
The self-paced basic courses in conversational American Sign Language are taught by OSD’s Deaf ASL specialist. These are non-credit level courses and do not count toward professional development hours or continuing education units.
MARRIAGE LICENSES
Anthony David Hunter, 49; Belinda Kaye Smith, 46.
Larry Gene Treas, 66; Kim Renee Tidwell, 64.
Nicolas Tyler Wehba, 24; Karis Catherine Clark, 24.
Geremy Gregory Thomas, 25; Sydney Nicole Ellis, 26.
Timothy Cole Yoder, 62; Connie-Lynn Amy Waddell, 61.
William Christopher Whitney, 32; Sarah Elizabeth Blakely, 35.
Luke Thomas Edwards, 26; Emilia Lynn Sikorski, 26.
Chance Ares Brigner, 23; Mercedez Rhea Wagner, 24.
Ronald Earl Hatfield III, 32; Brittny Jordan Sena, 31.
A three-person race has developed for the Ward 1 El Reno City Council seat.
Incumbent Amy Neathery will be challenged by Aaron J. Hines and Phillip Church in the Nov. 5 election. The person with the most votes will earn the right to represent Ward 1 during a four-year term.
Canadian County Election Board information said Hines, who will turn 29 in October, filed Monday morning at 9:02. Neathery followed, filing her official candidacy at 9:49 a.m. Church filed on Wednesday just prior to the 4:30 p.m. deadline.
Judge Barbara Hatfield’s retirement reception was hosted by Canadian County judges, bailiffs and court reporters.
District Judge Paul Hesse welcomed Judge Hatfield’s family, friends and clergy and all others in attendance including Canadian County’s retired judges, elected officials and staff, judges from other counties and attorneys who met at the courthouse to thank Judge Hatfield for her 13 years of service as Special Judge and wish her a happy retirement.
District Judge Khristan Strubhar gave the opening remarks.
Transportation and fitness were the focus of a special meeting held by the El Reno City Council last week.
The council met at noon Aug. 28 to approve resolutions that are expected to lead to new sidewalks on SW 27th Street, as well as major changes to the Elm and South Country Club intersection.
Also, council agreed to move a fitness court the city is partnering with the Cheyenne and Arapaho on a bit further to the west in Adams Park.
The 70th Annual Canadian County Free Fair attracted 496 exhibitors with an estimated attendance of 14,500. “That ‘70s Show” was the theme of the 2024 fair, which ran Aug. 21-24 at the Canadian County Expo and Event Center, 3001 Jensen Road East.
Fair attendance - which is based on carnival ticket sales - was “very similar to last year,” Canadian County Fair Board Secretary Brad Tipton said.
“It’s the heat on Saturday afternoon that keeps the numbers down,” Tipton said.
The Canadian County Sheriff’s Office hopes to obtain a new armored tactical vehicle for use in crime-fighting efforts.
Sheriff’s officials are seeking a $300,000 grant from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office toward the purchase of a new Lenco Bearcat, a wheeled SWAT vehicle.
County commissioners voted 3-0 to approve the grant application.
The Oklahoma Legislature has provided funds to the Attorney General’s Office to benefit sheriff’s offices across the state, according to Undersheriff Kevin Ward.
The City of El Reno, as well as a local artist, missed out on the second round of grant funding intended to help make improvements along historic Route 66.
City Manager Matt Sandidge said El Reno did not make the cut for the funding. The city planned to use the funds to make improvements to Petree Plaza and The Mother Road Plaza.
Also, Sue Bear, president of the El Reno Area Arts Council, was notified her proposal to create a massive mural on the mills at Elm and Bickford, was not approved.
The Pride of El Reno High School Marching Band practices its 2024 show called The Heist Thursday morning.
The band was slated to play part of its show during the EHS football team’s season opener Thursday night against Chickasha.
