News

Nearly 50,000 babies are born in Oklahoma each year, and the Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan (OCSP) today launched a campaign to help moms, dads and grandparents across the state prepare for their new baby’s arrival with interactive content and a special $50 bonus match for OCSP college savings accounts opened for babies born in 2021.

“Welcoming a new baby is an exciting time in a family’s life,” said Oklahoma State Treasurer Randy McDaniel.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Lindsay Anna Maidt, Oklahoma City, expired tag, $165.

Anthony T. Gamboa, El Reno, dog at large, $145.

Margaret R. Worley, El Reno, dog at large, $145.

Valantay Perkins, El Reno, petit larceny and failure to appear warrant, $834.

Leota Colleen BigMedicine, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Joshua Waterbird BigMedicine, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Ryan Gilbert, El Reno, dog at large, $145.

While officials are keeping a close eye on any COVID-19 spikes from the Labor Day holiday, El Reno Public Schools will not be changing its current mask policy.

“We will continue to follow our continuous learning plan as passed by the board in July. There is no mask mandate but they are strongly encouraged,” said El Reno Superintendent Craig McVay.

McVay points to the district’s current infection rate, which is 0.069 percent, as reason to hold off on asking the school board to adopt a mask mandate – such as the one used during the 2020-21 school term.

Canadian County commissioners are recommending to state transportation officials that the State Highway 66/Banner Road intersection become a permanent four-way stop.

Last week, commissioners took no action on a proposed maintenance agreement for a federal-aid project between Canadian County and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) to install traffic signals at the intersection, site of some serious traffic collisions over the past three decades.

The intersection is part of the state highway system in Canadian County District 1.

Firefighting units from El Reno, Okarche, El Reno Federal Correctional Institution and Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes teamed to battle this grass fire located west of Highway 81 near 150th Street last week.

El Reno Fire Department sent a brush pumper, command unit and a tanker to the scene. Okarche had two brush pumpers and a tanker, while FCI El Reno had a pumper and tanker on scene and C&A provided a tanker.

Editor’s Note: This is the first 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.

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics has been fielding 30 to 50 tips per day about people trying to purchase land unsolicited, spokesperson Mark Woodward said. The calls from law enforcement officials have been increasing within the last eight to 10 months since September 2020.

The destruction from Hurricane Ida left residents of Louisiana and surrounding states without electric service for nearly two weeks as the restoration process continues.

OG&E’s 270 line workers, vegetation management personnel and support staff have made significant progress getting power restored for the residents of Jackson Parish, La.

The restored power is bringing much-needed relief from 90-degree heat and making streets safer to navigate as crews continue cleanup and residents return to their homes.

OKLAHOMA CITY– Facing an increasingly unsteady blood supply, the Oklahoma Blood Institute has helped found a first-in-the-nation partnership to prepare Oklahoma for emergency situations where blood needs are high. 

The Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC) is comprised of seven blood centers from five states that have committed to collecting extra blood units on a rotating, on- call schedule.

The extra blood products will be held in reserve for any critical-need scenario, like a mass shooting or natural disaster. 

A new pesticide is now available to farmers as an aid in the fight against feral hogs.

On Aug. 5, HOGSTOP Oral Contraceptive Formulation was registered with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry. HogStop claims to decrease the fertility of male feral hogs by reducing sperm count.

Male feral hog fertility is reduced within five days of consumption of the contraceptive bait and maintained for at least 30 days after five feedings.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Everett M. Flanagan, Minco, improper turn, $175.

Jacob Walter Klutts, Oklahoma City, expired tag, $165.

Patrick Herrera, Oklahoma City, improper lane change, $175.

Selena Elizabeth Skorman, Oklahoma City, expired tag, $165.

Oscar Kipkoros, Oklahoma City, improper tag display, $165.

Matthew Aaron Howeth, Choctaw, speeding, $165.

Kindan Pybas Hughes, Midwest City, speeding, $175.

Carole Sue Davis, El Reno, speeding, $165.

David Scott Read, Amarillo, expired tag, $130.