News

Debbie Harrison, left, with the Elks Lodge, presents Nancy Salsman of the VFW Auxiliary with a check for $1,000 to help support the VERSA K-9 for Vets program that operates out of VFW Post 382.

CHECOTAH — Honey Springs Battlefield announced that students from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) will serve as tour guides on the six trails that cross the 1,100-acre battlefield on Saturday, June 25, as well as three Saturdays in July: July 2, 16 and 23.

This series of tours coincides with the annual memorial of the battle on July 16 at 10:30 a.m.

The students will point out the exact locations of military actions, highlight key aspects of the engagement and discuss its historical importance.

STILLWATER — Gov. Kevin Stitt and the Oklahoma Department of Commerce secured America’s first rare earth metal and manufacturing facility as USA Rare Earth LLC announced its procurement and development of the first fully-integrated U.S.-based rare earth metal and sintered neo-magnet manufacturing facility in Stillwater.

The company, which controls and operates the Round Top Heavy Rare Earth, Lithium and Critical Minerals Project in Hudspeth County, Texas, has selected Stillwater for its operations.

LAWSUITS

Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC vs. Hellen R. Vann for $128,271.53 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 11, Block 5, Summerhill Phase I Addition, Oklahoma City.

The Money Source Inc. vs. Elizabeth Nieves for $156,208.92 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 8, Block 5, Westridge III Addition, Oklahoma City.

First National Bank of Omaha vs. Gloria F. Sharp for $18,660.30 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

While some came to appreciate classic cars and pickups, others came for smoke, smell and noise.

Even more came to race toy cars, while others simply came to cruise Route 66.

Whatever they came for, everyone seemed to get their fill at El Reno’s high-octane A Small Town Weekend celebration. The event last weekend drew an estimated 5,000 people to Sunset Drive and Adams Park where most of the action took place.

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.