News

Crime may not pay but it can be costly for offender and county alike.

Canadian County commissioners last week approved the transfer of $50,000 to help cover inmate housing fees for the current fiscal year, which ends this month.

The current fund for out-of-county inmates has been exhausted. Commissioner Jack Stewart said work is taking place to add more for expenses for the new fiscal budget.

Undersheriff Kevin Ward said the department knew the time would come when expenses would rise.

With a roster of 56 riders to serve, Savannah Station requires an army of volunteers.

Last week, those ranks were bolstered by a volunteer orientation. Ten women and men learned about operations, procedures, and most importantly, safety.

Savannah Station is a nonprofit therapeutic riding program for special needs individuals that utilizes horses. For every rider, there are three volunteers - which translates into the need for a lot of help.

High school students from Calumet, El Reno, Geary, Hinton, Minco and Union City will continue to receive free educational support from the Redlands Community College Upward Bound program with the renewal of the program’s federal grant funding for an additional five years.

The grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Education, totals approximately $1.7 million to continue the program.

“We are very pleased that our Upward Bound program has been renewed for another five-year period,” said Redlands President Jack Bryant.

STILLWATER – Empowering women and providing educational tools to help them succeed in their agricultural endeavors is the goal of the upcoming Women in Agriculture and Small Business conference slated for Aug. 4-5 in Oklahoma City.

It seems a campaign ad for Gov. Kevin Stitt’s re-election campaign has caught the attention of the Oklahoma County District Attorney.

The Associated Press’ Sean Murphy writes DA David Prater has launched an investigation into the TV ad after a bi-partisan group of House legislators suggested it violates state law.

The campaign says the ad was reviewed by an attorney who said it was legal.

At issue is the inclusion of Oklahoma Attorney General John O’Connor, who is running to be elected to the office.

The Joint Committee on Pandemic Relief Funding has approved six proposals to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.

The six requests will move forward to the full Legislature when it reconvenes in special session later this month.

LAWSUITS

OneMain Financial Group LLC vs. Jeremy S. McAbee for $8,984.67 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Best Oilfield Service Inc. vs. Richard McCracken for an amount under $10,000 for damages alleged to have occurred during an automobile accident.

Wakefield & Associates LLC vs. LouAnn Foreman for $820.74 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Teri Dequasie for $1,299.38 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

The 24th Annual A Small Town Weekend, sponsored by the El Reno Cruisers, brought thousands of car enthusiasts to the city.

See Saturday’s edition for more coverage.
 

El Reno elected leaders will likely decide in the coming months whether the city should invest in building its own fiber network.

And with an expected infusion of federal funds, the time to act is probably now or never.

That was the message presented to the city council as well as municipal department heads and staff last week during a workshop. The gathering was held at the newly renovated Northwest Community Center.

Tim Young, assistant city manager, was successful in building a city-owned fiber network during his time serving as city manager in Tuttle.

The Fort Reno Visitors Center and Museum has reopened, but could use a little help in the process.

Historic Fort Reno Inc. President Marie Hirst said to help keep the doors open, the board needs volunteers and financial support as it recovers from an extended closure.

The center has been closed for almost three years due to COVID-19 regulations put in place by the federal government. The land is owned by the United States Department of Agriculture.