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MUNICIPAL COURT

Janice Ann Osage, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Steven Ray Cavenee, Oklahoma City, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Mary Alice Cristelli, Yukon, speeding, $165.

Servando Ornelas, Perryton, Texas, disobeying traffic device and driving without valid driver’s license, $417.

Steven Cody Columbus, Binger, obstructing an officer, $845.

Dyar Trace Camarillo, El Reno, speeding, $165.

Stacey Paulette Kanost, Oklahoma City, speeding, $165.

The Indians qualified for the Class 5A State Championships being held in Norman. A send-off celebration was held for the team Wednesday afternoon.

Follow the El Reno Tribune social media sites for game updates and see a tourney recap in Wednesday’s print edition.

Final dollar figures are still being tabulated but the 50th Annual Canadian County Junior Livestock Show wrapped up its four-day run with a main sale which officials deemed a success.

“There were a lot of things we learned and it was a tough week but our sale brought in over $20,000 more than last year so I would call that a success,” said Canadian County Fair Board Secretary Brad Tipton.

Canadian County commissioners are moving ahead with plans to replace a roof that’s caving in at the old county jail. Time is of the essence to hire a contractor for the job.

“It will be falling in soon,” Commissioner Dave Anderson said.

Commissioners took no action at their March 7 meeting on a “conditional partial release of lease” between Canadian County and Preservation El Reno for the roof project.

“We’ll have it back on our agenda soon,” Anderson said.

Mayor Matt White said it would be wise for the city of El Reno to consider developing property on SW 27th Street for commercial and retail business rather than schools.

White made the comments at last week’s city council meeting. He asked the council to give him and City Manager Matt Sandidge a “few weeks” to bring a proposal to them for consideration.

White said the city has been in contact with the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce about the idea of leasing land to a business or businesses on the city-owned property.

Longtime city of El Reno employees who are retiring were recognized at last week’s city council meeting.

The city offered some veteran employees a buyout option to help the municipal government deal with a somewhat stagnant budget.

City officials have said the current fiscal reality is similar to figures seen in 2012.

A number of employees took the early retirement offer and were recognized for their service.

Among those recognized and their years of service were:

Teresa Carey, 21.5 years

Shelly Dalla Rosa, 14.5 years

Jerry Scott, owner of Frontier Auto Group, stands with Debbie Denwalt at a retirement luncheon held in her honor.

Denwalt worked for 28 years at the dealership. She is an active member of the Blessing Baskets board of directors.

A new Celebrate Recovery program is beginning in El Reno.

Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered, 12-step recovery program for anyone struggling with hurt, pain or addiction of any kind.

The first group will be a Women’s Step Study on Sunday evenings at 6. There is a Zoom meeting available for men. An in-person men’s group is planned in the near future.

All women are welcome to attend, to connect with a support group and to join others who are searching for answers in their lives.

A bill that would provide the most significant expansion of school-choice opportunity in Oklahoma history has won approval from a Senate committee and will next go before the entire Oklahoma Senate.

“This measure is to give opportunity for kids across Oklahoma and parents to meet the educational needs of their children,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City.

Senate Bill 1647, by Treat, would create the Oklahoma Empowerment Account (OEA) Program.

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate approved Senate Bill 1139 Monday to find alternate ways to compensate Oklahoma teachers.

Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, said the ongoing teacher shortage is evidence that additional reforms must be made to keep professionals in the classroom.

“For almost two decades, I taught in schools where good teachers were shorted on good pay while average or bad teachers made more just because they had worked longer,” Bullard said.

“We have to find ways to pay our best teachers the best money and pay them what they are worth.