News

The Canadian County Free Fair will move forward in August, but in a significantly scaled-down fashion.

The county’s fair board voted last week to let the fair continue. However, only the livestock portion of the fair will be held.

Even that, according to the fair board, will be scaled back to a “Show and Go” format.

The fair is scheduled for Aug. 26-28 at the fairgrounds complex.

According to the fair board, all of the activities including the carnival, food trucks, horse show and other exhibitors have been canceled.

El Reno could have $10 million to use for infrastructure and capital needs if interest rates and terms are favorable.

The city council last week, in a unanimous vote, approved soliciting proposals to sell up to $10 million in municipal bonds. The proposal is expected to be brought back to council in August where a decision will be made whether to move forward with the plan or scrap it.

Last week it was announced the Mary K. Ashbrook Foundation had contributed to two projects in El Reno.

The foundation, created in 1978 after the death of the El Reno businesswoman, gifted $20,000 to help purchase bleachers at the Little League football field, as well as more than $7,000 to purchase new computers at the historic Carnegie Library.

City Manager Matt Sandidge said the foundation has been instrumental over the years in helping to promote efforts to improve life for El Reno residents.

“These computers are for public use,” Sandidge said.

The Canadian County Children’s Justice Center will continue to make beds available for young offenders from outside of the county.

County commissioners voted 2-1 last week to approve an agreement with 19 other counties to provide bed space.

The agreement is through a contract with the Oklahoma Department of Juvenile Affairs, and for most of the counties is simply a renewal of previous agreements.

Commissioners David Anderson and Jack Stewart voted for the agreements, while Marc Hader voted against them.

The coronavirus pandemic has caused economic disruptions at every level of American life, and the cancellation of the Oklahoma State Fair will be having a major effect on the collective wallet of Oklahoma City and the entire state.

According to the published 2019 Oklahoma City CVB Report, the Oklahoma State Fair generated more than $103.9 million in direct spending.

CONCHO - The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes announced the founding of the new Cheyenne and Arapaho Business Development Corporation. The organization will form new companies that are intended to generate economic growth and bring much-needed products and services to tribal communities and beyond. 

The Oklahoma-based, for-profit corporation will operate as a holding company for several subsidiary companies in various industries including bison meat production and construction, serving consumers in-state and throughout the United States.

Count Congressman Frank Lucas among those applauding the Trump Administration for modernizing a set of environmental protection rules.

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations had not been updated since 1978.

The NEPA requires an environmental impact study on major federal projects and actions. The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) manages the regulations which touch major parts of national infrastructure.

LAWSUITS

Lake Glendale Properties LLC vs. Oklahoma Apple LLC and Louisiana Apple LLC for $40,064.07 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Tinker Federal Credit Union vs. Chad K. Halpin and Courtney Halpin for $21,457.78 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Tinker Federal Credit Union vs. Matthew R. Decker for $13,392.56 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Red Bluff Resources Operating LLC vs. Citizen Energy III LLC for an amount in excess of $75,000 for alleged damages.

El Reno police said a 20-year-old man was stabbed to death late Saturday and another man was taken to a hospital in Oklahoma City suffering from stab wounds.

Assistant Police Chief Major Kirk Dickerson said police were called to the emergency room at SSM Health Saint Anthony El Reno just before midnight Saturday.

They found Miguel Jones, 20, of El Reno and another man being treated for stab wounds.

Jones did not survive, while the other man was taken by ambulance to OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City.

No report was provided concerning his condition. 

Jacquelyn Stevenson Smith will fill out the city council term of former El Reno Vice Mayor J.T. Chronister.

Council approved adding Smith to the Ward 1 position in a 3-1 vote Tuesday evening.

Councilwoman Tracey Rider abstained, which is counted as a no vote.

Smith was nominated by Mayor Matt White and drew the support of Councilmen Tim Robinson and Bob Ballhorn.

Ballhorn was named by the council to serve as vice mayor.