News

The city of El Reno wants folks to enjoy a free trolley ride and take in a little shopping downtown. Billed as the Holly Jolly Trolley, the city is supporting an “old-fashioned holiday excursion” with the events.

The city will offer free trolley rides on Saturday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 16 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

Holiday visitors can hop aboard the fully restored 1924 Heritage Express Trolley and ride the rails with Santa through downtown El Reno beginning at 3:30 p.m. Families can also enjoy a holiday-themed storytime at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16. 

The 40th Annual Community Christmas Dinner is set for Dec. 23 at the Wesley Methodist Church Family Life Center at 115 S. Barker.

Serving will begin at 11 a.m.

All are welcome to attend.

The Dwight Kennedy family along with assistance from volunteers are in the process of gathering food and other items needed for the event. Anyone wishing to help may contact Dwight or Diana Kennedy at 405-564-4755.

More than $18,000 was collected to benefit Canadian County’s Chambers of Commerce at the 2023 Oklahoma Wine, Brew and BBQ Festival.

Canadian County Expo and Event Center Director Mandy Davis announced the results of the second annual event.

Local food trucks, distilleries and wineries competed on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, inside the Canadian County Expo Center’s arena, 3001 Jensen Road East.

“The amount that we raised after all expenses was $18,202,” Davis said. “That is up over $6,000 from last year in what we were able to bring in.

LAWSUITS

Bank of America N.A. vs. Cuong Tu Le for $3,093.79 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. William Taylor for $1,260.63 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Debra McClendon for $811.68 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Kelly Jeffries for $1,870.86 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

A Norman man promptly admitted to El Reno police he shot a Newcastle man who died from his injuries, a court affidavit shows.

The shooting reportedly stemmed from an argument about cars.

Delsin Joshua Tsotigh, 21, was charged Nov. 9 in Canadian County District Court with first-degree murder – deliberate intent.

Assistant District Attorney Austin T. Murrey alleges Tsotigh on Oct. 28 “with malice aforethought” caused the death of Justin Peyton Davidson “by shooting him multiple times with a handgun at close range.”

The skies cleared and the sun came out as El Reno celebrated its annual Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting on Saturday. 

Organized by Main Street, the event was billed as Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree Downtown Parade. Local businessman Gary Baumwart served as Grand Marshal for the parade. 

Prior to the parade, children were invited to gather at Carnegie Library for a Christmas Craft and Santa Letter Writing event. 

Following the parade which featured dozens of colorful entries, the tree lighting was held at Petree Plaza. 

Dave Anderson, now serving his fourth term as a Canadian County commissioner, has announced he does not intend to seek re-election in 2024.

A Mustang native, Anderson has been the District 2 commissioner since January 2009. When he retires at the end of 2024, he will have completed 16 years in elected county office.

“This has been the best season of my life, the most rewarding and the most challenging,” Anderson said.

“I have been very fortunate to serve in county government during a time of tremendous growth and opportunity.

Canadian County’s child advocacy center, which has been helping abuse and neglect victims since the early 1990s, has earned a substantial gift.

The Child Abuse Response Team (C.A.R.T.) House will utilize a $10,000 grant awarded by the Sarkeys Foundation to fund forensic interviews conducted at its site near the Canadian County Courthouse.

Governed by the Child Welfare Citizens Advisory Board of Canadian County, the C.A.R.T. House serves youth ages 3-17.

Canadian County elected officials took one for the team last week when some were hit square in the face with a pie.

Officials called the event a success as it was intended to build camaraderie between co-workers. All elected officers joined to support the competition.

The Canadian County Continuous Improvement Committee raised funds to put back into future employee events.

For the better part of two decades, Oklahomans have voted by large margins to elect Republican candidates at both the state and federal level.

No Democratic presidential candidate has won a majority of votes in any of Oklahoma’s 77 counties since the 2000 election, and no Democratic candidate has won a statewide election in 17 years.