News

Collection efforts are under way for El Reno High School’s oldest philanthropic effort, Gifts for the Yanks. The annual Christmas-giving project is only 47 days away.

El Reno is the only known high school in the United States to still take part in the project each year since its creation. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Gifts for the Yanks.

“As a former student and someone who has worked in the district for 35 years, this is the most exciting thing El Reno Public Schools is involved in,” said Superintendent Matt Goucher. 

Country music star Bryan White will perform in El Reno at the Centre Theatre on Sunday, Nov. 9 at 7 p.m, 

A multi-platinum recording artist and ACM Male Vocalist of the Year, White is known for his No.1 hits including “Someone Else’s Star,” “Rebecca Lynn,” “So Much for Pretending” and “Sittin’ on Go.”

With his warm vocals and timeless songwriting, White’s concerts continue to connect with audiences across generations.

Friends, family and Oklahoma National Guard leaders gathered Tuesday at the Armed Forces Reserve Center in Mustang for a farewell ceremony held for members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 745th Military Police Detachment, 345th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 90th Troop Command.

The nearly 50 soldiers are deploying to the Middle East in support of Operation Spartan Shield, a U.S. military operation in U.S. Central Command’s area of operations aimed at building partner capacity and enhancing security in the Middle East.

It can be easy for parents to feel frustrated when their child wants only chicken nuggets and french fries. Still, it’s essential to remember that choosiness is a natural part of normal growth and development, as opposed to defiance.

LAWSUITS

U.S. Bank Trust National Association vs. Lon Darley III and Janis Darley for $124,900.79 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 3, Block 47, Surrey Hills Addition 6, Oklahoma City.

Capital One N.A. vs. John Thibodeau for $11,697.94 to pay a debt plus interest and costs.

Lakeview Loan Servicing LLC vs. Jessica Langford for $255,363.15 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 4, Block 2, Twin Oaks Canyon Phase II Addition, Oklahoma City.

A 25-year-old El Reno man was taken into custody last week after police said he was responsible for the incident that put a veteran officer in an Oklahoma City hospital where he is listed in critical condition. 

A prayer vigil was held Sunday evening in downtown El Reno for Sgt. Thomas Duran, a 14-year veteran of the department.

Duran is reported to be in the Intensive Care Unit at OU Medical Center. 

The El Reno City Council approved a zoning change for property at 16399 W. Highway 66 where it’s expected a landscape design business plans to locate. 

Site One Landscape Supply requested the zoning change from Rural Agricultural District (A-1) to Moderate Industrial District (I-2) and Commercial Office District (CO). Council unanimously approved the request. 

A representative for the company said Site One Landscape Supply has operations in several states. He applauded the City of El Reno as being one of the more business-friendly towns the firm has worked with.

Red Tulip Designs is a female and veteran-owned business based in EI Reno.

The firm was named the REI Business Lending Direct Borrow of the Year at a recent event celebrating businesses supported by REI, an economic development program that supports Oklahoma businesses. 

A state legislator from Yukon is trying to clamp down on federal overspending by filing a resolution aimed at requiring Congress to balance the budget annually.

Constitutional conservative Rep. Jay Steagall (R-Yukon) said his resolution is a conversation-starter.

Amid an extended federal government shutdown, the House District 43 representative shared his reasoning during October’s Yukon Chamber Legislative Breakfast.

“We need to do something about the ability of the government to just shut down,” Steagall said.