News

In the summer of 2020, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce) launched its Oklahoma Automotive Accelerator Program.

Since then, Commerce reports it has seen significant interest from automotive manufacturers and suppliers and is currently working on automotive industry opportunities that would exceed $15 billion of capital investment.

“We know we offer a great value proposition for automotive manufacturers and suppliers,” said Scott Mueller, Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce and Workforce Development.

OKLAHOMA CITY– The Oklahoma Main Street Center has launched Main Street Online, a new tool developed by Main Street America to help small businesses grow and strengthen their online and ecommerce capabilities.

The tool is available at no cost to any small business and provides guidance on Point of Sale systems, website platforms, content creation software and more.

It was designed specifically for small businesses with 20 or fewer employees in the retail, service and food and beverage sectors.

LAWSUITS

Joshua Allen and Penny Allen vs. Ivybridge Homes Ltd. Company for an amount in excess of $75,000 for alleged punitive damages.

Norman L. Hightower vs. Robert Lee Wells Jr. and Sharp Oilfield Services LLC for an amount in excess of $10,000 for damages alleged to have occurred during an automobile accident.

National Collegiate Master Student vs. Chad Mantooth and Bernice Mantooth for $23,198.21 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Though the school term has ended for El Reno Public Schools, the work to feed thousands of children in the city and beyond is just getting started.

Beginning Monday morning, a dozen district employees will begin cooking, bagging and delivering meals four days a week.

However, the amount of food distributed will cover a period of seven days.

“We will have food for seven days but we will only be working four days,” said ERPS Community Outreach Director Brooke Robertson.

Pulling away from Royse Ranch, Andi Holland teared up as the barn which Savannah Station Therapeutic Riding Program has called home for more than five years grew smaller in the rear view mirror.

“We all got a little emotional about it. It’s where the program got its footing and started to grow and become a respected program. A lot of great things happened in that little barn,” said Holland, Savannah Station’s executive director.

Sacred Heart Catholic School held a fundraising event last week that supporters said turned out to be more than expected.

With COVID-19 disrupting education across the nation and globe, the small El Reno school found a way to keep in-student learning ongoing throughout the just-completed school calendar. Principal Shannon Statton said doing so required a “team effort" and support from throughout the community.

Members of nonprofit service agencies, churches and local and county governments have been meeting regularly to tackle homeless issues in this area.

Rev. Tim Baer, among members of the Canadian County Homeless Task Force, wants to develop a “holistic” transitional housing program rather than open a homeless shelter.

Baer, vicar at Grace Church-Episcopal in Yukon, believes the goal should be to help the homeless “get back on their feet” and move toward “self-sufficiency.”

For several years, Redlands Community College Kids College has provided learning activities for children. This year, instead of the traditional on-campus activities, the college is offering a “Camp in a Box” kit for families to enjoy fun-filled learning activities at home.

“We’ve missed having the kids on campus, but we’re excited about this free learning experience families can enjoy together,” said Marcia Shottenkirk, director of Service Learning at Redlands.

English language phrases known as idioms often are oddly associated with rain.

“It’s raining cats and dogs.”

“Saving for a rainy day.”

“Rain on someone’s parade.”

“When it rains, it pours.”

The latter idiom is a way of life for one Yukon family. The Rains family blessings most often come in threes, and they have poured for 18 years.

Alyssa, Lacey and Maddy Rains are triplets – two identical twins and a fraternal sibling, often referred to in the medical world as “a pair and a spare.”

Gov. Kevin Stitt and legislative leaders have announced a state budget agreement that cuts taxes for all Oklahomans, increases school-choice opportunities for families, and leaves state government with more than $1 billion in savings.

“We want Oklahoma to be the state that says, ‘You know what? We’re open for business,’” Stitt said.

“We want to lower taxes in Oklahoma. We want to be business-friendly.”