News

In 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic forced students at Redlands Community College to switch to online learning, Zoom and other group communications technology became a part of daily life.

For students, learning the ins and outs of Zoom was hard enough, but Professor of Communications Elise McCauley Row soon discovered even professional adults were making critical mistakes and goofy errors when engaging with others on such platforms.

The full moon last week brought about unique lighting around El Reno.

LAWSUITS

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Jared Buchanan for $3,736.34 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. William Amos for $6,378.81 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Discover Bank vs. Chris Bruner for $8,689.55 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

TD Bank USA N.A. vs. Patricia Cox Griffitts for $2,303.30 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

An Amber Alert issued Wednesday morning worked the way the system was intended after a suspect in a child abduction case was arrested at a Canadian County convenience store.

Major Adam Flowers with the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office said a citizen reported seeing a vehicle that matched the description of the one in the Amber Alert. The vehicle was seen outside a store at Czech Hall and 15th Street, Flowers said. The call came in about 8:30 a.m.

In a different genre from previous films shot in El Reno, principal photography began last week on a family action-adventure movie titled “Quest for Tom Sawyer's Gold.”

“It’s a story set in modern times and it’s basically an ex-adventurer who is a mom to a teenage boy. The boy comes across some clues in the family’s attic that relates to their past and the connection to Tom Sawyer,” said Zeus Zamani, the film's producer.

While no specifics were given, El Reno Mayor Matt White said the city and public schools are working on a plan for property along SW 27th Street.

White made the comment at last week’s El Reno Now event, hosted by himself and Superintendent Craig McVay.

The mayor also said a downtown Business Improvement District is desperately needed to help the historic area.

“The downtown is in trouble,” White said. He said the same can be said for downtown areas across the nation.

“Amazon is not helping,” White said.

“Things have changed.”

On Sept. 16, El Reno police officers were asked to assist U.S. Marshals with the arrest of a wanted fugitive identified as Hector Lee Shawnee, 37, of Geary.

Shawnee was seen driving a silver Honda Accord in the area of Reformatory Drive and Kerry Lane.

Officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Shawnee failed to comply with the directions given by the officers and attempted to evade arrest by fleeing in the vehicle.

After a short distance, Shawnee exited the vehicle and ran, leaving the car still running.

Orb-weaver spiders are the most common group of builders of spiral wheel-shaped webs often found in gardens, fields and forests.

This creature was found in the backyard of Tribune graphic artist Lyndsay Bayne.

Editor’s Note: This is the second story in a two-part series about illegal marijuana grow operations occurring across rural Oklahoma. The series explores operation details, legislation to address the issue and more.

State legislators aim to address illegal marijuana grow operations during the upcoming legislative session.

Gov. Kevin Stitt has requested that the Oklahoma Auditor and Inspector’s Office conduct a full audit of the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE).

“I promised Oklahomans that as governor I would clean up state government to make it more transparent and accountable and I am keeping that promise,” Stitt said.