News

The Power of 100 has been a game-changer for nonprofits and charities in Canadian County. 

Since its inception in October 2020, the group of women has raised $126,000 that has been split among seven entities. Tammy McKee, one of the five original founders of the county group, described the growth as “remarkable.” 

The original goal was to have 20 to 25 members. At last count, the group has 201.

“It’s kind of humbling when the community kind of backs something like this,” McKee said.

Corkey Provence uses a personal water craft to gently guide a small group of waterfowl off the race course on Lake El Reno and to safety before the start of the 2022 Smoke on the Water Drag Boat Races.

Provence was one of the event’s volunteers.

The deadline to request absentee ballots by mail is approaching.

Applications must be received by the Canadian County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8.

County election board secretary Wanda Armold said absentee voting is available to all voters and can be submitted several ways.

“In Oklahoma, no excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot, and it’s easy to apply,” said Armold. “Voters can submit their application online, in-person, by fax, mail, or even email.”

While it does help to have a green thumb, keeping a landscape irrigated is key in successful gardening.

The amount and frequency that gardeners water can make a big difference in plant health. These factors also have an impact on the pocketbook.

Oklahoma is experiencing extreme summer temperatures this year, which can lead gardeners to turn on those outside spigots more often, said David Hillock, Oklahoma State University Extension consumer horticulturist.

Most Oklahoma ponds are green thanks to algae that forms on the water, but just like anything else, too much algae can be a bad thing.

Algae is a normal occurrence in ponds unless it becomes too thick. That is when pond owners are in danger of the most common fish kill scenario – algal die-off. As millions of dead algal cells decompose, dissolved oxygen is rapidly used up, causing fish to suffocate.

DIVORCES GRANTED

Jaykubb Hull vs. Steeli Denae Hull.

Brandon Graff vs. Danielle Graff.

Angela Lee Sinclair vs. Kevin Scott Sinclair.

Lorena Ruddell vs. Allan Demarco Ruddell.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Robert John Parker III, 43; Lesley Meredith Payton, 51.

Gael Alejandro Martinez Hernandez, 19; Cassie Elizabeth Avendano, 19.

Matthew Allen Martin, 27; Makenzie Danielle Westfahl, 22.

Zafar Iqbal, 39; Humera Ali, 35.

Shuvrodeb Barman, 29; Erin Nicole Burton, 31.

The 2022 Smoke on the Water Drag Boat Races wrapped up Sunday at Lake El Reno.

El Reno Carnegie Library did not get much attention when the pandemic was in full swing, but it is back and better than ever.

Back in 2019, the library was renovated with new windows, new paint, new furniture and new carpet. Unfortunately, people were not able to appreciate the makeover for very long.

After COVID hit, the library was forced to reduce its hours and the staffing was small.

The company that owns Pop’s in Arcadia purchased property at Radio Road and I-40 and eventually plans to build a truck stop at the site.

El Reno Mayor Matt White made the statement at last week’s El Reno Now gathering. It was the first time for new School Superintendent Matt Goucher to co-host the event after the retirement of Craig McVay.

White and McVay created the monthly gathering in 2018 as a way to keep residents up to date on happenings in city government as well as public education.

As temperatures land above the century mark on a daily basis, the threat of drought has quickly become more than a concern.

The impacts brought about by a deficit in rainfall and scorching temperatures are already being felt.

Although time will tell whether this year ranks among the hottest in state history, there are some parallels with previous warm summers taking place.