News

Hollywood may be the “Entertainment Capitol of the World” but El Reno is quickly becoming the home away from home for movie-makers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the third time since Oklahoma reopened its doors from the virus lockdown, production on a full-length movie was done at different locations in the city.

“I shot here in June and we were the first Screen Actors Guild crew to shoot here since COVID-19 hit. There are a ton of producers and directors working on movies in Los Angeles and you just get sick of the same look.

At 2:30 a.m., when most people are home fast asleep, members of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Farm and Ranch crew were busy preparing for the arrival of the tribes new additions to a growing buffalo herd.

In mid-August, the C&A received delivery of two buffalo bulls by way of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux tribal reservation in Montana.

The bulls began their lives at the Yellowstone National Park and were moved to Fort Peck instead of being slaughtered as part of a population control measure.

Sheriff Chris West said all but two of 24 inmates at the Canadian County Jail who tested positive for the coronavirus are now considered “fully recovered.”

Last week, West said 36 inmates had been tested earlier in August with 24 showing positive results for having contracted the virus. At that time, 16 inmates were moved to jails outside of the county, although only one person was considered symptomatic.

An inmate that was transferred from Oklahoma County became symptomatic and prompted other prisoners to be tested for COVID-19, the sheriff said.

A 12-year-old El Reno boy was killed when the vehicle he was traveling in collided with a pickup. The accident happened on U.S. 81, three miles south of Minco, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.

The accident happened just before 11 a.m. Thursday at County Road 1220 on U.S. 81.

The OHP said a 2018 Ford F350 going north on U.S. 81 was being driven by Stephen B. Willmon, 48, of Chickasha. A 2013 Dodge Avenger driven by Carmen Garcia, 40, of El Reno was traveling south on 81.

Lake El Reno is open for business.

City officials announced the reopening of the lake Friday morning for all water activity after closing it Wednesday. The lake level had climbed to unsafe levels after heavy  rains on Monday and Tuesday.

More than 4 inches of rain fell in parts of the city.

But by Friday, the lake was said to be safe again for swimmers and boaters just in time for the long Labor Day weekend.

A new 18,500-square-foot corporate office building for Lucky Star Casino approaches the midway point of construction.

The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes broke ground for the corporate office building in 2019. It is located in Concho, near the Lucky Star Casino.

New Fire Native Design architectural firm, a Native-owned business located in Oklahoma City, designed the building, with Thompson Construction overseeing the construction.

Thompson Construction is owned by Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal citizen Rob Thompson.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Canadian County has been awarded a grant from the Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) for more than $183,000. The grant is part of the organization’s Healthy Living program,

How the funds will be used will be determined from county and municipal health data, along with community feedback that will be used to customize a plan to tackle barriers associated with healthy eating, physical activity and tobacco use in high-risk areas in the county.

LAWSUITS

Northwest Medical Center Willow Creek Women’s Hospital vs. Kapila Patel for $1,257.23 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Alliance Health Deaconess vs. Jimmy Green for $1,719.96 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Conn Appliances Inc. vs. BJ West for $1,829.31 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Conn Appliances Inc. vs. Lisa Priest for $1,185.84 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

OKARCHE - The residents at the Center of Family Love were smiling recently as they geared up to see their friends and family during the “Share the Love” drive-by parade outside the center.

Because of the increased risk of serious complications from COVID-19 for individuals with disabilities, the Center of Family Love has been closed to the public including family, volunteers and supporters since the beginning of March.

All residents have remained on campus or in their respective homes since that time.

Lake El Reno is closed, but maybe not for too long.

The city of El Reno placed closed signs around the lake Wednesday after torrential rains Monday and Tuesday caused the lake to rise above safe levels.

City officials have said the fire department monitors the lake during periods of heavy rain. The area received well over 6 inches of rain in some places, with the El Reno Regional Airport reporting 4 inches falling on Monday alone. Another inch to 2 inches of rain fell in the El Reno area on Tuesday. Scattered rain, sometimes heavy, fell Wednesday morning as well.