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Prolonged drought leaves mark on beef industry

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Drought throughout the Southern Plains has taken its toll on Oklahoma cattle producers over the past two years. Ponds are dry, pastures are brown and cattle herds have been liquidated, especially in western Oklahoma.

Drought Monitor maps from the Oklahoma Mesonet consistently displayed a prominent drought line slashing across the state from northeast to southwest. Now that rain has fallen across much of the state this past month, weary producers wonder if a long-awaited recovery is near.

Oklahoma’s multi-year drought has depleted forage options

Public Records - 6/3/2023

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DIVORCES GRANTED

Faith Nicole Eatmon vs. David Paul Eatmon.

Ashlee Burnett vs. Kameron Oliver.

Heather Dawn Robinson vs. Brock Wayne Robinson.

Jodi Elizabeth Smith vs. Ryan Charles Smith.

Kimberly Dawn Rose vs. Michael Donn Rose.

Gicela A. Rodriguez vs. Fermin Rodriguez Ibarra.

Randall Eugene Bowyer vs. Katherine Ann Hau.

Yolanda G. Costin vs. Dennis Eugene Costin.

Ivan Scott Schweitzer vs. Laci Gayle Schweitzer.

Jamie Leigh-Ann McCraw vs. Shane Patrick McCraw.

Mustache rides a Bash for city

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Come rain or shine, bull riders are among the toughest cowboys to enter any rodeo arena, yet oddly enough, the creator of the fan-favorite Mustache Bash says riders prefer having dry dirt beneath their feet.

And that’s just what they have gotten in El Reno.

For a second straight year, the Mustache Bash bull-riding event has been held at the Denny-Crump Arena featuring an open-air design with an added bonus – a covered arena.

Dustin Ratchford gets thrown from a bull named Mossy Oak

$550k cost estimate for historic jail rehab

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More than $500,000 - that’s the initial cost estimate for a restoration of Canadian County’s historic jail.

Canadian County commissioners authorized construction manager Erick Westfahl to proceed with the bidding phase of a possible $550,000 “rejuvenation” project at the old jail building, which has fallen into disrepair.

Soliciting contractor bids will provide commissioners with “hard numbers” before they decide whether to proceed with renovations – or tear down the building, according to County Commission Chairman Dave Anderson.

Erick Westfahl is construction manager for a potential restoration project

Picturing the flight of the monarchs

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El Reno Arts Council President Sue Johnson sprays green paint to depict ground under one of the monarchs she painted on the fence of a homeowner along South Reno Avenue last week.

The homeowner raises monarchs according to Johnson.

Her creation took several days and cans of paint to create.

Picturing the flight of the monarchs_story

Coming home

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Walking through the doors of the Center of Family Love feels as if you’re the only person that matters. Visitors are welcomed with an abundance of hugs from Kane, questions from Kathy and stories from the residents, who are eager to know who you are.

CFL fundraising manager Jalaina Hammett said the center is a completely free home for the residents. Hammett said 30 percent of the residents have an involved family, leaving 70 percent with an uninvolved family. Many of the residents take on a sibling-type of relationship with one another.

Shelly waters a flat of seedlings at the CFL greenhouse

ICAN gets a boost in funding from Cinco de Mayo event

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Cinco de Mayo was a good day for staff and volunteers at Canadian County’s Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network, as the organization’s second fundraiser May 5 was a resounding success.

“We raised over $6,500 and had more than 100 in attendance,” ICAN Executive Director Matt Whetzel said.

The event featured dinner and entertainment provided by Norahua Mexican Folkloric Dancers of Oklahoma.

Carolyn Husmann and her grandson, Jax Robinson

Enid woman killed in Highway 81 collision

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A 25-year-old woman from Enid was killed early last Tuesday when two vehicles collided on U.S. 81 and NW 164th Street in El Reno, police said. The collision occurred just after 1 a.m.

The names of the woman as well as a man who was reportedly driving the 2004 Nissan 350Z they were traveling in were not released pending notification of relatives, Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports said.

The vehicle collided with a 2004 Jeep Liberty driven by Johathan Byrd, 19, of Norman.

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