News

Okarche’s Center of Family Love received a boost last week, when Power of 100 Canadian County selected it for a $10,000 donation and its latest HOPE Award.

That donation was made possible through a nomination of the CFL by Power of 100 member Dicki Parks.

CFL was one of 11 nonprofits initially nominated for the distribution, then whittled down to three finalists, which also included Russell-Murray Hospice and Blessing Baskets, both located in El Reno.

Several noticeable changes are coming for students, parents and educators after the El Reno School Board unanimously passed the calendar for the 2023-2024 academic term.

Tera Roblyer, Director of Communications and Information Systems for the district, said putting out the calendar in February for the 2023-24 school year is done for planning purposes.

A convicted sex offender could be facing more prison time after being charged with carrying drugs into the Canadian County Jail.

Robert Lowell Sandeen, 40, of Yukon, was charged in Canadian County District Court with bringing contraband into a jail or penal institution.

Assistant District Attorney Walter Mengden alleges Sandeen on Jan. 13 possessed “an item of contraband, specifically marijuana, without authority to do so,” according to the felony charge.

Out off a gravel road northeast of the town of Beggs, just past the point county services end, stands the kingdom Perry McDonald built – all thanks to a generally despised tree.

According to McDonald, if state legislators continue on a charge this session to eradicate the eastern redcedar  ―  and only eradicate it  ―  they are making a big mistake and overlooking the potential for jobs, business creation and income for landowners.

When Rover begs for a bite of food at the table, it can be hard for pet owners to resist sharing their plates. It’s important to know that some of the foods perfectly safe for human consumption are deadly to animals.

LAWSUITS

Navy Federal Credit Union vs. Michael L. Colesby for $15,947.49 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Builders Drywall LLC vs. L4 Homes for $15,255.74 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Integris Baptist Medical Center Inc. vs. Joshua Aron Givens for $21,400.43 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Financial Pacific Leasing Inc. vs. Brotherhood Garage LLC for $51,338.83 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Two firsts will happen in downtown El Reno over the next couple of weekends: Guy Hickerson will make his directing debut with the El Reno Community Theatre and La Roche Rose is partnering with the thespians to complete the package by offering dinner as part of the experience.

Hickerson started with the ERCT in 2011. He’s bided his time, watching and learning. Now he will direct the six-member cast in what he said will be a “make you laugh until you cry” rendition of Steel Magnolias.

El Reno City Council swept through a number of issues during last week’s regular monthly meeting, among them doing away with overdue book fines at Carnegie Library, reducing rates at Crimson Creek Golf Course until the end of March and putting a name on the area where the Route 66 monument is located in the downtown area.

Librarian Bridgette Scheffler recommended doing away with the accrual of overdue book fines at Carnegie.

It appears a runoff is in order for the El Reno School Board Office No. 3 seat. Eric Palmer, 33, led the three-person field with 163 votes, followed by Ronnie Funck, 74, who had 138 votes, just one ahead of Roberta Hamilton, 64, who collected 137 votes.

If the election results are certified, Palmer and Funck would meet in the April general election.

A candidate is required to capture 50 percent of the vote, plus one, to be considered the outright winner.

Planning has kicked off on designs for a new Canadian County courthouse complex - expected to fill an entire city block, if not more.

“We have outgrown all the buildings and we’re continuing to grow,” District 3 Commissioner Tracey Rider said.

Rider, in her first year on the three-member commission, was recently appointed to a committee that will help select an architect to design a new county courthouse/administration building.