News

It is with great pride and excitement that I write this letter of introduction to you as the newly appointed lead principal of El Reno High School.

I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a school with rich traditions and a strong emphasis on educating the leaders of our future.

After 10 years in the business industry, I am now starting my 15th year in education, with this being my fourth year in El Reno.

Yet…

My whole life that word has been uttered as an excuse for me not getting around to doing something. Darla: “Did you take out the trash?” Me: Not yet…”

Recently, that word was used in a far greater and more positive way. Tim Pounds and I had a conversation about what the possibilities and opportunities might come from very crazy and unsettling times. He suggested flipping the negative connotations of that word and explained the following:

We haven’t figured out how to be great at distance learning … yet. But we will.

Rose Witcher Learning Center Principal Sheryl Barnett tries out the new touchless temperature scanner, made by Video Reality, installed at the school. El Reno is one of
the first in the state to get the scanners, two of which were purchased by the district and a third was donated.

See Saturday’s edition for the Back to School Guide for other safety measures the district will be using in return to classes Aug. 20.

The giant hole near the Rock Island overpass reconstruction project will be filled in once the project is complete.

Lisa Salim, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, said the hole was dug to provide dirt for both the detour as well as the ongoing project. After recent heavy rains the area became a small lake, but the water has been removed and work has continued.

Salim said the project is set to be completed by summer of 2021.

“We're pleased with the progress being made and weather permitting, everything should remain on schedule.”

A Canadian County deputy likely suffered a medical episode that caused a crash in February that claimed her life, officials said.

Detective Brian Fowler, an investigator with the Oklahoma City Police Department, said Lt. Shirley Lanning may have suffered a stroke or a transient ischemic attack before the Feb. 14 accident on Northwest Expressway near Morgan Road.

The next step in redesigning the intersection of State Highway 66 and Banner Road took a step forward last week.

Canadian County commissioners approved an agreement with Freese and Nichols, an Oklahoma City engineering firm that works with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

The company will provide options for what type of redesign is needed at the intersection.

An agreement that was signed earlier this year that would have allowed the city of El Reno to indirectly provide water to the new Canadian County Fairgrounds Complex is moot, said an attorney representing the county’s Public Facilities Authority.

The city was originally going to provide water through the Canadian County Water Authority, which operates as the Banner Water District.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has struck down casino gaming compacts negotiated by Gov. Kevin Stitt with two tribes, ruling the governor exceeded his authority by including sports betting in the compact agreements.

The new compacts were primarily opposed by other tribal casino operators, including those who have received an outsized share of Oklahoma’s gaming revenue under prior compacts. Stitt and the participating tribes argue the new compacts increase economic benefit to smaller tribes that are at a substantial disadvantage under the old system.

CLINTON — When the Oklahoma Route 66 Museum in Clinton officially opened on Sept. 23, 1995, it was the first center in the nation dedicated to the history and culture of Route 66, the most famous historic highway in the world.

It is the largest museum from Chicago, Ill., to Santa Monica, Calif., dedicated to the history and culture of Route 66.

LAWSUITS

Cavalry SPV I LLC vs. Garry B. Bennett for $3,081.07 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Jefferson Capital Systems LLC vs. Colton Vetter for $5,158.02 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Robin Robles for $5,320.40 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Citibank N.A. vs. Johnny J. Gann Jr. for $1,827.91 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.