While COVID-19 has spread pain to every sector of the nation, it has also helped create rumors that El Reno city officials said need to be put to rest.
Mayor and Acting City Manager Matt White said the city is doing its best to follow federal and state guidelines intended to help keep the public safe and hopefully “bend the curve” of the coronavirus.
Some on social media have claimed “big government” is stepping in to take over daily life. Some have suggested there will soon be the need to have a permit to drive a car. White said this isn’t true.
Redlands Community College will be moving on-campus classes to online courses between Monday, March 23 to Friday, April 10. Students are out this week due to spring break.
College offices and services will open regular business hours during this period in order to maintain operations and be available to assist students as needed.
During this time, RCC staff will be working to sanitize all classrooms, common areas and offices.
Concurrent classes held on high school campuses will continue on-site as scheduled.
Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the El Reno Public School System is “hoping for the best but planning for the worst,” said Superintendent Craig McVay.
On Monday, as McVay waited for word that the State Department of Education would close all public schools at least until April 6, he said the health issue is by far the most talked about topic.
“It’s coronavirus, wall-to-wall,” McVay said.
Cities across the state and the nation have been scrambling to figure out how to best prevent the spread of the disease.
El Reno Mayor and Acting City Manager Matt White took to Facebook Monday afternoon to let citizens know a “state of emergency” has been declared in response to the coronavirus.
White said the Carnegie Library will remain open, but no meetings will be held there. He said the Senior Citizens Center would be closed for a week.
“We’ll take this week-by-week,” White said.
White said water cutoffs for lack of payment would be suspended and municipal court would also be suspended along with any public meetings at City Hall.
MUNICIPAL COURT
Alyssa Rae Silver, Buffalo, failure to appear warrant, $295.
Brandon Earl Fisher, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $295.
Brittany Akins-Trejo, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $295.
Graham Avery Kerley, El Reno, petit larceny, $595.
Jennifer L. Timberlake, Oklahoma City, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and failure to appear warrant, $1,145.
Kevin James-John Boyd, Warr Acres, improper equipment, $105.
Alex Trey Karty-Sealy, El Reno, improper equipment, $105.
