News

Craig McVay always has jitters about the start of a new school year, but the El Reno superintendent said the unknown surrounding COVID-19 has made this August different from any other. “This is no different from the chaos of any new school year, other than not knowing how things will go.

Last fall, Redlands Community College took its first step in modernizing the look of its nearly 50-year-old campus with the remodel of the main campus building, the Ray Porter Academic Complex.

The filing period for the Ward 1 El Reno City Council seat will be Aug. 24-26. Those wishing to run can file on those days from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Canadian County Election Board in downtown El Reno.

Downtown El Reno drew some strong focus at last week’s meeting of the El Reno City Council and the result looks to be two days of live music as well as some colorful mural creations. Council signed off on plans for a Battle of the Bands to be hosted by the El Reno Community Theatre.

The El Reno Catholic parochial school opened in-person classes last week with more than 100 students. All were required to wear face shields or masks.

El Reno’s Elks Lodge recently helped land a $2,000 Elks National Foundation Gratitude Grant for Blessing Baskets. Brien Detamore of the Elks presented the grant funds to Rodney Knowles and Donna Dyer of Blessing Baskets.

Oklahoma highway bridge conditions are making the grade by moving from among the worst in the nation to the head of the class, achieving Top 10 status for the first time by ranking ninth, according to the latest data from the Federal Highway Administration.

In the middle of August, it’s probably safe to say most people aren’t thinking about staying warm. But most people aren’t firemen, or Jonathan Strahorn.

El Reno’s Grascar Racing kicked back into full throttle last week with racing at the group’s track inside Adams Park North.The racing drew 48 vehicles often driving in close quarters. According to the group’s schedule, the flag drops on racing Saturday, Aug. 15 at high noon.

The new Canadian County Fairgrounds Show Arena and Expo Center will each have upgraded electrical service, but it will come with a cost. Jacob Lingo, with Lingo Construction, said the architectural firm that is handling the project, Populous, has recommended 400-watt switches for both buildings.