News

Area residents are expected to enjoy a sun-soaked Fourth of July weekend as El Reno joins the nation in celebrating its independence.

The annual Fourth of July celebration at Lake El Reno is being billed as Food, Friends, Fireworks.

The city is encouraging residents to bring their families to the lake area for a day of golfing, fishing, kayaking, boating and food trucks. A fireworks show is scheduled to light up the sky after dark on Monday.

Ross Seed in downtown El Reno is again sponsoring the Farmer’s Market.

The market is set up in the new pavilion on the west side of the store. It operates from 8 a.m. to noon each Wednesday and Saturday.

Offerings include brisket, herbs, homemade salsa, homemade bread, fresh vegetables and more.

If ever there was a person meant to serve as program manager for Savannah Station, it’s Blu Phillips, Executive Director Andi Holland said.

And it was not a case of being in the right place at the right time, but rather a position earned through hard work, sweat, and most importantly, dedication.

With Lake El Reno in its own backyard, it’s natural to think the El Reno Fire Department would have always housed a dive team in case of emergencies.

That’s not always been the case.

El Reno Fire Chief Jason Duff said the department first created a dive team under former chief Kent Lagaly.

“Kent and some of the other guys at the time thought it would be a good idea and created it. It’s more of an extra service that not all stations offer,” said Duff.

El Reno moved a step further in the possible quest to build a city-owned Internet network last week when the city council threw its support behind the idea.

Council unanimously approved a resolution of support for the city of El Reno to pursue development of the project. The resolution directs the city staff to pursue the effort. The resolution points out that almost 25 percent of El Reno households do not have an Internet subscription of any type.

A local contractor is the apparent low bidder for a large bridge rehabilitation project in far west Canadian County.

OBC Inc., which has offices in Okarche and Edmond, submitted a bid totaling about $36.4 million to rebuild the historic Yellow Bridge over the South Canadian River.

“The bridge is tremendously long,” District 3 Canadian County Commissioner Jack Stewart said.

“It’s where Canadian, Blaine and Caddo counties come to a point on the west end.”

In consideration of the current economic situation, the Redlands Community College Board of Regents voted to support the administration’s recommendation to not increase tuition for a fifth consecutive year.

“We understand that many families are struggling, but we want to help them stay on track toward that college degree or career,” said Janie Thompson, chairman of the Redlands Board of Regents.

“Fortunately, our administration has been fiscally conservative. They have been able to make adjustments so that our students’ educational experience is not negatively affected.”

A Canadian County man charged with shooting to death one roommate and injuring a second roommate is expected to enter a blind plea in the case.

Patrick Allen Matthews, 25, is charged in Canadian County District Court with first-degree murder and assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a fatal shooting in December 2020 at a home near Britton and Mustang roads.

Prosecutors allege Matthews used a firearm to shoot to death Alfredo Vera, 24, and injure Jhonnatan Gonzalez-Leal, 34.

LAWSUITS

Jeff Mason and Kenna Mason vs. Build Xperts LLC and Ovation Custom Homes LLC for an amount in excess of $10,000 for alleged compensatory and punitive damages.

PennyMac Loan Services LLC vs. Jordan Hamel for $161,290.19 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 12, Block 19, Castlewood Trails Addition Section 5, Oklahoma City.

As he opened his presentation on what Sunset Drive could become, Michael Hoffner encouraged members of the El Reno City Council and Municipal Planning Commission to “think big.”

By the end of the meeting, the focus of the Sunset renovation plan had expanded to include the downtown area as well as a good portion of Rock Island.

Mayor Matt White lobbied for the expansion and drew support from members of the council as well as the planning commission.