While the economic outlook for El Reno over the next couple of years would appear sluggish, the firm charged with auditing the municipal government said city leaders have, in the past, “made good decisions, with good information” which could help lessen the impact.
The Canadian County Children’s Justice Center's $9.3 million annual budget is only slightly up over last year, and the center still has about $6.2 million in reserves as county sales tax revenue declines.
Canadian County commissioners approved the fiscal year 2021 budget for the justice center at 7905 E. State Highway 66.
The FY21 budget totals $9,297,721.66 in projected revenues and expenditures, representing a modest 2.1 percent increase over the the FY20 budget of $9,103,069.42.
The Lincoln fourth-grade Bucket Band performed last week at the El Reno School Board meeting. The performance was held as part of the Public School Board Appreciation Month. Board members were also treated to a multitude of individual snacks, pastries and posters made by students from throughout the district. Members of the Bucket Band include Jacob Oakes, Jayleen Reyes, Gracie Colson, Josephine Davenport, Tyler Norton, Jentri Denwalt, Jaybie Simon, Olivia March, Desiree Estrada, Jaida Richardson, Kalli Whitney, Rylie Jeanson, Justin Vaughan, Asher Steffen and Kyndall Couch.
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma’s Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) announces that communities and schools now can apply for grants from the TSET Healthy Incentive Program. The application period closes at 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 5.
The TSET Healthy Incentive Program offers grants to cities, towns, schools and school districts that adopt policies supporting tobacco-free environments, improved nutrition, increased physical activity and employee wellness.
The Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve of Kansas City released its latest issue of the quarterly publication the Oklahoma Economist.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in some unique dynamics in Oklahoma’s housing sector, as many residents are spending more time in their homes than ever before, according to Chad Wilkerson, branch executive, vice president and economist at the Oklahoma City Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.
DIVORCES GRANTED
Nikki Michelle Gray vs. Collin Gray.
McKenzie J. Cooper vs. Stedmon T. Cooper.
Crystal Medell vs. Ahmad Ahmad.
Erick T. Patraw vs. Valerie M. Patraw.
Rhonda Kaye Petty vs. Travis Jon Petty.
Victoria Marie McAvoy vs. Rae William McAvoy II.
James D. Thomas vs. Carla J. Carella-Thomas.
Traci Elaine Lambert vs. Chad Joseph Lambert.
Sherri Kay McAninch vs. James Russell McAninch.
Dawn Andrea King vs. Michael Shannon King.
Kevin Alfred Bolinsky vs. Bonnie Lee Bolinsky.
Based on the number of phone calls flooding into the Canadian County Health Department, residents are eager to get in line to receive one of the two approved COVID-19 vaccines.
According to representatives at the El Reno branch, 700 or more calls are being fielded there each day related to either the disease or the vaccination efforts. The same, if not more, are being answered at the Yukon branch, according to one official, due to the proximity to Oklahoma City.
El Reno Public Schools will stay with its current protocols in dealing with quarantine issues related to COVID-19 and will not follow new guidelines announced by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
“I have said from the beginning that quarantine has been the big problem for us and not so much the virus – though it’s a serious deal. This (announcement) throws a monkey wrench into the whole scenario for us.
Saying “enough is enough,” the El Reno City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that will require senior living establishments to ensure their residents have access to heat and air, as well as food and drink during times of power outages.
Mayor Matt White got emotional in calling for the new regulation that was approved Tuesday night.
“I’m sick and tired of our elderly not being cared for,” White said, pounding his fist on the table.
Crews were recently working on the front veneer of the historic Opera House in downtown El Reno. The building was reportedly purchased by a realtor from Yukon.
City Planner Dustin Downey said so far the building has been undergoing some repairs to “dry in the building.” At this point, the work is described as a “face-lift,” although an engineer has reportedly been hired.
No word on what the eventual plans are for the building. Attempts to reach the owner were not successful.
(Tribune photographer/Ray Dyer)
