News

Editor’s Note: As we move from 2025 to 2026, we'll take a look back at some of the stories that made headlines locally. This is the final installment looking back at the past year. Happy New Year!

September

El Reno’s animal shelter would be made more friendly for its guests after improvements were mapped out. 

City officials gathered with members of the Friends of the El Reno Animal Shelter to celebrate the beginning of those improvements. 

Editor’s Note: As we move from 2025 to 2026, we’ll take a look back at some of the stories that made headlines locally. This is the second of three installments looking back at the past year. Happy New Year!

May

Canadian County commissioners discussed the adoption of county building codes. The proposal was discussed but the item was tabled after District 2 Commissioner Lacey Dawson questioned whether the move would be premature.

El Reno police were dispatched to 2713 Estate Drive shortly after midnight Dec. 27 in reference to a report of an assault and battery.  

The reporting party said her boyfriend had been injured during a physical altercation.

Police said it was determined a suspect, identified as Brandon Arnold, 43, of El Reno, had fled the scene after the altercation. Police said Arnold was located nearby and detained.

Pictured are Kimberlee Neice, Melanie Harvie, Destiny Espinoza, Giovanni Spencer, Kimberlee Gutierrez, Tymber White, John Henderson, Dede Henderson, Nancy Salsman and Larry Salsman.

They are all volunteers who helped with the recent Community Christmas Shopping Day at Cross Bridge Church.

A total of 386 children of soldiers and children from Canadian County received Christmas gifts through the event.

Larry and Nancy Salsman have organized the event for more than 25 years.

Canadian County could face a significant annual revenue reduction if Oklahoma voters pass a state question to eliminate some property taxes.

County commissioners, at their weekly meeting Dec. 29, discussed the potential impact of State Question 842.

“We’re six months away from our fiscal year ’27 budget,” District 2 Commissioner Lacey Dawson said.

A freshman Oklahoma lawmaker who upset a powerful House Republican incumbent last year is trying to turn grassroots energy into a broader policy movement, rolling out a seven-point conservative agenda that has already drawn support from several statewide candidates ahead of the 2026 elections.  

LAWSUITS

Crown Asset Management LLC vs. Ryan Albright for $20,673.30 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Velocity Investments LLC vs. Mark Wafer for $10,006.54 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Cavalry SPV I LLC vs. Jacob Price and Destinee Price for $22,589.74 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Ford Motor Credit Company LLC vs. Amy Gibson for $19,114.73 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Editor’s Note: As we move from 2025 to 2026, we'll take a look back at some of the stories that made headlines locally. This is the first of three installments looking back at the past year. Happy New Year!

January

The new year opened with some political fireworks when the City of El Reno annexed more than 20 square miles, mostly south and east of the existing municipal boundaries.

Several hundred people enjoyed the annual Kennedy Family El Reno Community Christmas Eve Dinner last week.

Dwight Kennedy along with family, friends and volunteers put on the event at Wesley United Methodist Church.

Children were treated to toys and gifts as part of the community Christmas gathering.

Kennedy first started the dinner in the early 1980s and has continued it each year with the exception of a few years when he lived in Stillwater.

(Courtesy photo/Victoria Lee)

A Yukon man has been caught after allegedly trying to meet an underage girl for sex.

Nickolus Trevon Johnson, age 30, was charged in Canadian County District Court with lewd or indecent proposals to a child under 16 and possession of child sexual abuse material.

This case stemmed from an undercover online investigation by the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office.