News

This snowman on South Jensen was made from the nearly 8 inches of snow that fell on the city during the first day of 2021.

Commissioners finalized an agreement between Canadian County Emergency Management and OK-First.

The deal means the Oklahoma Climatological Survey will give the county the latest and most accurate updates for all weather, including potentially dangerous storms. 

The measure was easily approved.

District 3 Commissioner Jack Stewart said he was happy that access to the data comes free of charge.

As the calendar turned to May, the mood remained somber. Politicians and citizens argued over the need for masks to protect against the spread of COVID, while long-held traditions were put on hold as gathering in public was off limits.

In El Reno, that meant no Burger Day and for a while, it looked like no high school graduation. And yet, some still found reason to celebrate, although with dire economic times, those moments were far fewer than normal.

May

Family and the city of Yukon are celebrating the birthday of Maxine Hubbs Brockhaus. Brockhaus turned 100 years of age Dec. 27.

She was scheduled to receive a commemorative plaque from city hall.

Brockhaus was born in El Reno Dec. 27, 1920. She graduated high school there in 1939, and shortly after married Lawrence Brockhaus of Yukon. They continued living in El Reno until the 1960s.

Family members added that Brockhaus also graduated with a two-year degree at a business college.

A judge is expected to sentence a semi-truck driver to at least 10 years in prison after the defendant pleaded guilty in court for causing a crash that killed a Yukon businessman.

Wynnewood’s Donald Garrett Biffle, 27, has waived his right to a jury trial in Canadian County District Court. The defendant faces felony charges of second-degree murder, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

A little before 1 p.m. on Dec. 22, El Reno police officers were sent to 208 N. Macomb in regards to a structure fire.

While arriving on scene, an officer observed two men fleeing the area. One man was detained and identified as Terrence E. Rednose, 36, of El Reno. Rednose was ultimately arrested on complaints of possession of marijuana and possession of methamphetamine. The second individual, identified as Jonathan W. Dyer, 40, of El Reno, allegedly tried to evade the officers.

Tammy Kretchmar takes the next step in her career after being hired as the next city manager in Yukon.

An employee since 1996, Kretchmar, who has been serving as assistant city manager, was unanimously approved for the position.

LAWSUITS

Absolute Resolutions Investments LLC  vs. Ashley N. Wilson for $1,435.51 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Cornerstone Bank vs. Jonathan A. Garcia for $8,137.61 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Sterling Jewelers Inc. vs. David White for $1,734.10 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Rafael Vargas for $2,369.34 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

El Reno, like the rest of the world, will remember 2020 as the year of COVID-19. The pandemic brought confusion, heartache, isolation and pain to many areas of life. It ended life for many.

But sandwiched in between the constant COVID drumbeat was a year, often like others, where people lived their lives. They counted their blessings and cherished their achievements. They mourned their losses and cursed their failures.

ARCADIA – Announcing that you’ve just spoken with one of the Beatles, says Arcadia resident Toby Thompson, “is like saying you saw a UFO.” So, Thompson didn’t mention it to a lot of people after he met Paul McCartney and his then-girlfriend, Nancy Shevell on Aug. 5, 2008, on the original stretch of Route 66 that adjoins his property a couple miles east of Arcadia.