News

El Reno High School senior Malachi Nicholson (3) was honored before last week’s game with Ardmore for his record-setting night in the September win over Noble.

Nicholson set a new school and Class 5A record for single-game rushing yards (516), which is also being considered for a state record.

He also set a school record for single-game touchdowns (8) which places him in a top 20 tie nationally.

Nicholson leaps in the air as he pats quarterback Elijah Fisher (6) on the head before the team enters the field. EHS defeated Ardmore 35-10.

The first-ever Horseback Heroes Gala raised some $155,000 for the Savannah Station Therapeutic Riding Program. Held at the Petroleum Club in downtown Oklahoma City, the evening attracted 130 people and celebrated the 10th anniversary of the Yukon-based nonprofit that helps children with disabilities through therapeutic horseback riding.

Established in 2013, SSTRP is named after “Miss Savannah,” the daughter of Athena and Jerry Captain.

Organizers said Savannah Station has been “changing the lives of young people with special needs since its barn doors opened.”

Four members of the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office were recognized during the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association annual awards banquet held recently in Midwest City.

Dispatch Lt. Cindy White and Sgt. Maurice James both received Meritorious Service Awards, while Sgt. David Cates was recognized by the Sheriffs Association as the 2023 Deputy of the Year. Also and on behalf of the Deputy Justin Baxter family, Sheriff Chris West accepted the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association Sheriff’s Cross.

Three Redlands Community College employees were honored by the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges for their contributions to the college.

Marcia Shottenkirk was named Outstanding Faculty Member, while Debbie Newberry was recognized as Outstanding Professional Staff Member and Stephanie Fisher as Outstanding Support Staff Member.

A court date is set this month for a repeat felon who allegedly pepper-sprayed three detention officers while he was an inmate at the Canadian County Jail.

Weatherford’s Damon Neal Dunbar Jr., 38, was charged June 21 with three counts of discharging a stun gun, tear gas, mace or other deleterious agent against an officer and one count of possession of contraband in jail.

The felony case stems from an October 2022 incident at the Canadian County Jail at 304 N. Evans.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma officials remained optimistic about the state’s potential to become a leader in the hydrogen industry despite a revelation that President Joe Biden had rejected a regional bid to become a hydrogen hub.

Biden instead selected seven hubs in 16 states to launch the nation’s $7 billion hydrogen hub program created under Congress’ Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Hydrogen is being pushed by the Biden administration as a clean fuel source to reduce carbon emissions.

The Rural Renewal Initiative at Oklahoma State University will host the annual Rural Renewal Symposium Nov. 2-3 at Quartz Mountain Lodge in Lone Wolf.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Erika Bianca Briseno, 43; Kaitlyn Elizabeth Vandever, 33.

Conner Shane Poage, 26; Allisen Mackae Corlee, 24.

Austin Kirtis Hartzler, 33; Mackenzie Beth Kane, 26.

Bryan Trujillo, 27; Alma Martinez Moreno, 27.

Tristen Wyatt Burns, 22; Sierra Paige Canterbery, 31.

Juan Vicente Tovar, 28; Jackie Lam Dinh, 26.

Jordan Eugene Hiesler, 29; Bailey Mackenzie Justice, 28.

DIVORCES GRANTED

Holly Jolene Bradley vs. Joseph Boyd Bradley.

A longtime former mayor and successful businessman, an award-winning broadcast journalist and a renowned architect are this year’s recipients of the El Reno High School Distinguished Alumni Award.

Matt White, Tess Maune Mattioda and Roland Lemke will be honored for their life achievements at the annual Distinguished Alumni Banquet set for 6:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Canadian Valley Technology Center.

Tickets are $20 and can be purchased by calling 405-820-3800.

Tamara Nelson is the chairperson for this year’s banquet.

With a pledge to “clean up” El Reno, the city council last week voted to seek condemnation through court action of one property.

The council also gave two other owners a bit more time to get their respective properties in order. A house owned by Ed Graham at 716 S. Rock Island was condemned by the council in a unanimous 5-0 vote. An attorney for Graham said the house had been vacant for 20 years, but Graham had only owned it for less than two years.