News

BancFirst has been named to the Forbes magazine list of Best-In-State Banks of 2022.

Forbes identified Best-In-State Banks of 2022 based on an independent survey of Oklahoma consumers who were asked to rate banks at which they have or previously have had checking accounts. According to the Forbes article on the rankings, participants were asked questions focused in six separate facets of the relationship: trust, terms and conditions, branch services, digital services, customer service and financial advice.

Canadian County commissioners want county government offices to be able to utilize personnel eligible for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections work release program.

State prisoners may be referred to work release 12 months before their earned release date.

Canadian County previously has benefited from the program.

“The big hang-up for county government over the years has been the state always held to the position that we had to provide workers’ compensation (coverage) for them,” said Commissioner David Anderson.

A Yukon man who allegedly rammed his car into a police vehicle during a high-speed pursuit could spend up to 17 years in state prison if convicted.

Quanah Stephen Shaw, 46, was formally charged July 28 in Canadian County District Court with endangering others while attempting to elude a police officer, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and pattern of criminal offenses.

The felony charges stem from a chase that started shortly after midnight July 21 in the 1100 block of East Main and ended near Interstate 40 and MacArthur in Oklahoma City.

Oklahoma voters sent a message in 2016: Stop sending people to prison on minor drug and property crimes. Direct money saved to counties for drug and mental health treatment.

State lawmakers still haven’t gotten the second half of that.

LAWSUITS

U.S. Bank N.A. vs. Lisa L. Owens for $51,380.96 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Jesse K. Woods and Lisa Woods vs. Matthew Williams for $26,674.96 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Tinker Federal Credit Union vs. Henry M.A. Lawson for $32,601.08 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

BOKF N.A. vs. Adam Seeley and Corrie Seeley for $60,521.33 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage.

A proposal to build 360 new homes on land zoned Heavy Industrial (I-3) on SE 27th Street did not receive a warm welcome last week from the Municipal Planning Commission.

In the words of MPC member Mike Freeman, it was a matter of “Not this, and not here.”

The majority of the Municipal Planning Commission agreed with Freeman and voted 5-1 to deny the request.

The plan was presented by Brad Reid on behalf of John VonTungeln and focused on 65 acres at 804 SE 27th St. The proposal was to rezone the property to Single Family Residential (R1).

Following the recommendations of the Municipal Authority, the El Reno City Council held a special meeting last week to approve three agenda items which totaled nearly $470,000.

All three items passed, with votes cast by board members Steve Jensen, Peter Stapperfend, Tim Robinson and Mayor Matt White.

Councilwoman Tracey Rider was absent from both the authority and council meetings.

More than half of that total, $254,967, was earmarked for a contract awarded to Haskell Lemon Group.

White abstained from the vote.

After battling triple-digit heat last week for marching practice, El Reno High School band members cooled off with water fights.

Canadian County commissioners are in the process of hiring a new emergency management director.

Andrew Skidmore recently resigned as Canadian County’s emergency manager and safety coordinator, a post he had held since September 2018.

“He went to work for the United Way,” said Commissioner David Anderson. “He left on good terms.

“We’ve heard positive comments from some of the communities about his time here and his service. They appreciated the work he did for them.”

“Hope in the City” is coming to First Assembly of God in El Reno.

The church is partnering with 19 other churches and organizations in the area to distribute a total of 5,000 backpacks filled with school supplies.

The giveaway will be Saturday, Aug. 6 from 8 to 10 a.m., with the El Reno church handing out 250 backpacks.