City workers spent days putting up the Christmas lights in Legion Park as El Reno jumps into the festive season.
Some of the displays were erected during mild weather, but crews could be seen working in less than perfect conditions on other days.
The lights are shining and motorists have been seen driving by to take in all the Christmas color.
The Canadian County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded a grant from the Oklahoma Attorney General’s “Safe Oklahoma” for the purchase of body cameras.
The grant is for $56,735 and will purchase body cameras for 50 deputies, Sheriff Chris West said in a press release.
This is the second year in a row the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office has received the award.
The body-worn cameras will augment the move to the electronic filing of criminal charges and cases presented to the district attorney’s office.
Thirty-one El Reno High School students from the Forensics and Criminology classes got the privilege of visiting the brand new Crime Scene House at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
The students were able to learn about forensics careers such as Crime Scene Investigators (CSIs), behavioral analysts, fingerprint experts, DNA experts, pathologists, anthropologists and many more.
This trip was made possible by the Gear Up grant.
A January trial is set in a lawsuit against Canadian County Sheriff Chris West filed by former employees who allege they were wrongfully terminated.
County commissioners met in executive session Nov. 13 to receive confidential communications from legal counsel about the civil suit.
Two separate lawsuits - filed in April 2022 by former sheriff’s investigator Marty Burns and deputy Chelsea Adkins - were consolidated this June as one case in Canadian County District Court.
A jury trial is set Jan. 8 before Canadian County Special Judge Khristan K. Strubhar.
LAWSUITS
LVNV Funding LLC vs. Bailey Johnson for $3,534.67 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Cavalry SPV I LLC vs. Annaliza Eiseman for $974.88 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Cavalry SPV I LLC vs. Robert Harvey for $5,653.70 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Cavalry SPV I LLC vs. Nicole Lemaster for $817.03 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Cavalry SPV I LLC vs. Lisa Ritchie for $1,708.05 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
If you’re a veteran, or anyone else for that matter, and you don't have anyone to have Thanksgiving dinner with, you’re invited to dine with Nancy Salsman and her family.
A fixture at the VFW as well as any community event or activity, Nancy and husband, Larry Salsman, along with daughter, Amy and son- in- law, Cannon Stout will be hosting “our family Thanksgiving dinner at VFW Post 382.”
Salsman said the dinner will begin at noon on Thursday and those arriving should enter through the north door.
The Sunset Trail at Lake El Reno officially opened Tuesday, Nov. 21.
The trail was supposed to have opened earlier, but weather forced the delay. The trail grand opening was celebrated with a “Turkey Trot Fun Fun” for youngsters.
Last week, City Manager Matt Sandidge had more good news, saying the trail will be extended farther after the city received a grant for the project.
Longtime El Reno businessman Gary Baumwart is being honored as the Grand Marshal for the Rockin Around the Christmas Tree Downtown Parade. The event will unfold Dec. 2, said Main Street organizer Dorrie Parrott.
Baumwart, an insurance executive for 45 years in El Reno, said he was surprised when told he had been selected to lead the parade through the downtown area.
“I said, ‘What? OK, I hope the weather is nice that day,’” he said with a chuckle.
The El Reno Tribune asked area students how to cook a turkey:
Krista Brandley’s first-grade class at Maple:
I would buy my turkey at the Flea Market. I would put salt and pepper on it. Then I would cook it in the microwave for 15 minutes. I will chop it up and everyone will eat it. - Kennedy Bonilla
El Reno’s annual holiday lights display, named The Lights in Legion Park, has been installed and turned on for visitors to see through the end of the Christmas season.
There was an electrical issue over the weekend which caused only a few displays, like the one shown, to come on, while others were left dark.
City officials said Monday the problem was being worked on and crews are trying to get the entire park lights shining.
