News

Too many people are allowing their pets to give birth to litters of puppies or kittens and then surrendering the newborn critters to the El Reno Animal Shelter. 

Last week, the city council took steps intended to fix the problem. 

Council voted unanimously to create an ordinance that requires anyone who has surrendered unwanted pets to the shelter to have their adult animals, over 6 months old, spayed or neutered. 

Ward 1 council member Amy Neathery proposed the ordinance, which was endorsed by Police Chief Ken Brown. 

Mayor Steve Jensen said the El Reno City Council will gather at noon on Wednesday in a special meeting to discuss the resignation of City Manager Matt Sandidge. 

Sandidge made the news public last Thursday. He is leaving after six years serving as city manager here to join the private sector. 

Jensen praised Sandidge for creating an atmosphere of progress and stability for El Reno during his tenure. 

The mayor said the council will meet, probably behind closed doors in executive session, to discuss the path moving forward. 

The Canadian County Museum received a “remarkable” signature quilt dating back to the 1920s, offering a unique glimpse into the social and community life of early El Reno.

The quilt was donated by Jane Noland of Joplin, Missouri, who discovered the piece for sale in Vinita, Oklahoma.

At the time of purchase, the quilt bore a simple handwritten tag pinned to it reading, “an El Reno, OK quilt.” 

Noland said when she acquired the quilt, she was not even familiar with the City of El Reno, making the discovery all the more meaningful as her research unfolded.

I do not generally engage on Facebook because I do not see it as the most effective means of communicating on complicated issues.

However, since I have been called out and one of my closest friends was called a liar, I hope you take the time to read my explanation and view on the children’s librarian issue.

LAWSUITS

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Jacquelynn Reasoner for $7,388.75 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Ryan Molloy for $1,657.57 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Janet Wiles for $2,437.62 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Michael Carter for $2,416.71 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

El Reno High School 2026 valedictorians are Diesel Baker, Haven Fleenor, Jumalay Ruiz, Radly Slimp and Jake Vulgamore.

These students earned this distinction by earning all A’s during their high school career and taking 13 Honors and AP courses with an AP course in each core subject.

Katie Castanon is the 2026 salutatorian. She met the same requirements, completing 13 Honors and AP classes and has the next highest GPA.

All are members of the National Honor Society. 

Diesel Baker is the son of David and Ashley Baker. His siblings are Sawyer and Willow.

El Reno residents will be paying more for utility services in the upcoming fiscal year. City officials said there are a couple of reasons for the necessary increase.

With inflation, the cost of doing business continues to go up and infrastructure has to be maintained. Also, the debt service payments for the wastewater treatment plant project will balloon in the next few years. 

City officials laid out the plan at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. Council adopted the upcoming fiscal year budget with a 4-1 vote. 

El Reno’s Lyra Smith was chosen from nearly 800 high school students from across Oklahoma who auditioned for the 50th Annual Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain (OSAI), the state’s premier arts education program. 

An avid wildlife photographer, she will join the 230 students chosen to attend the institute, which will take place June 13-28 at Quartz Mountain State Park and Lodge. 

A junior at Yukon High School, Smith said her mother introduced her to photography. 

“She is a professional photographer,” Smith said of her mother, Amanda McKe.

The El Reno Letter Carriers Food Drive delivered about 5,000 pounds of food to The Lord’s Harvest.

The annual food drive is organized by El Reno letter carriers and attracts volunteer help from throughout the community. Veteran letter carrier Janice Cox has been leading the local food drive efforts for several years. 

Nikki Pruitt, founder and director of The Lord’s Harvest, said the donated food items will help greatly in ensuring El Reno residents have access to food.

A report concerning the recent inspection of a structure at 619 W. Clarke resulted in the El Reno City Council voting to move forward with demolition.

Council had dealt with the issue since January as property owner Asky Chiles sought more time to make repairs. But the report from the city about the most recent inspection showed the structure continued to be “unfit for human occupancy.