News

Although it’s too early in the season for gardeners to plant any seeds in the ground, the winter months are the perfect time of year for spring and summer garden planning.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Ashley Gene Warledo, Weatherford, failure to appear warrant, $245.

Martha Rivera, El Reno, failure to comply, $145.

Samuel Marcus Watson, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $245.

Steven Taylor, El Reno, theft of services, $245.

Christopher Lady, El Reno, violation of property maintenance code and failure to appear warrant, $390.

Kimberly Ann West, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $245.

Pedro Ortiz, El Reno, dog at large, $145.

Four Canadian County officers have been appointed to decide which architects to interview to prepare plans and cost estimates for a new county courthouse complex. County commissioners would then hire a firm to develop the design of a multi-level courthouse/administration building in the county seat.

Estimated construction costs have not been determined.

The Canadian County Sheriff’s Office may now take inmates from here to the Tillman County Jail in Frederick. The two jails are about 138 miles apart.

A new agreement allows Canadian County to use bed space at the Tillman County Jail at a cost of $45 per day, per inmate.

Canadian County houses inmates in other jails when the local jail is full. The jail at 304 E. Evans has a 194-bed capacity.

Sample ballots are now available for the Feb. 14 election. Voters can download a sample ballot using the State Election Board’s OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or pick up a copy at the Canadian County Election Board during normal business hours.

Allen Arnold, Canadian County Election Board Acting Secretary, said voters should know that sample ballots are specific to each person.

Saint Katharine Drexel Retirement Center, through a grant from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, welcomed a new bus last week.

Kim Bowles, executive director at Saint Katharine’s, said the grant is intended to enhance the mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities.

The bus, a 2022 Chevrolet StarCraft Minibus, has a handicap-accessible lift as well as safety cameras, defibrillator, fire extinguishers, first aid kit, hand sanitizer dispenser, extra lights and other safety features.

Friday, Jan. 20 is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the Feb. 14 City of Yukon Council Member at Large, City of Yukon Special Election, Riverside School Special Election, Deer Creek School Primary Board of Education Election, El Reno School Primary Board of Education Election and Mustang School Special Election, Canadian County Election Board Acting Secretary Allen Arnold said.

Plans to build a new terminal at the El Reno Regional Airport may take a bit longer, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

City Manager Matt Sandidge said a recent meeting with the Oklahoma Aeronautical Commission resulted in the project being moved to fiscal year 2024, but the move could come with additional grant funding for the project.

Mayor Steve Jensen was involved in the meeting. He told the council the OAC will want a “resolution” from the city supporting the project.

El Reno’s art scene has some new creations as well as an old venue getting some new life.

Roger and Anna Rinehart are bringing back the Corridor Art Gallery inside the Kraft Building, 114 S. Rock Island in downtown.

The first artist to exhibit is Sue D.L. Smith. Also on display are art works created by Catherine Brandt.

Smith has more than a dozen pieces on display inside the gallery. Her works include oils as well as pencil drawings and photography

Longtime El Reno attorney David Halley was sworn in last week as Canadian County’s newly appointed special judge. The oath was administered by Canadian County District Judge Paul Hesse.

Halley replaces Khristan Strubhar as a Canadian County special judge. Strubhar was elected as a new district judge, succeeding the recently retired Jack D. McCurdy II.

Halley thanked Judge Hesse, Judge Strubhar and Judge McCurdy for “giving me this opportunity to serve Canadian County and its residents.”