News

Canadian County’s newest judge admits her name can be a little challenging for some.

Erin Jones-Slatev, who became a new special judge six weeks ago, was honored during a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony Sept. 25 at the Canadian County Courthouse. She recited the oath of office inside her packed courtroom.

Judge Jones-Slatev thanked a laundry list of supporters – family, fellow judges, Canadian County Bar Association members, attorneys, courthouse personnel, county and state officials and friends in attendance.

Gajeske Inc., a provider of polyethylene piping solutions headquartered in Houston, will host the grand opening of its new operation in El Reno.

The expansion will be based at 3675 Allan Industrial Drive. 

The company sees the move as an opportunity to provide faster service, stronger logistics and on-the-ground support to customers in the state and throughout the region. 

“We’ve been eager to put down roots in Oklahoma to better serve area businesses with our full line of HDPE and MDPE solutions,” said Bob Gajeske Jr., CEO.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma CareerTech plans to ask state lawmakers for an additional $68 million in its budget to expand workforce training, technology centers and career exploration programs.

The CareerTech board last week unanimously approved a more than $244 million request for the 2027 budget year, up from the agency’s current $175.5 million appropriation.

CareerTech provides training and skills education.  

Director Brent Haken said the request is “bold and aggressive.”  

OKLAHOMA CITY – Almost half of Oklahoma’s 1.6 million households struggled to pay for basic needs in 2023, according to the ALICE in Oklahoma: A Study of Financial Hardship report released by Tulsa Area United Way.

A household is defined as everyone living together in one home, from a single person to a family.

More than 700,000 households fell short of the income needed to cover essentials such as housing, food and transportation, according to the ALICE in Oklahoma report.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics (OSSM) has launched the Center for Advanced Aerospace Engineering, a dedicated space on campus where students will collaborate with engineers from OSU’s Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education (OAIRE).

As part of the OSSM Mentorship Program, juniors and seniors will work on real-world aerospace projects, applying classroom knowledge to cutting-edge innovations.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Raymond Littlecreek, El Reno, possession of marijuana and failure to appear warrant, $795.

Daniel Alejandro Camacho, Bethany, improper turn and driving without license issued, $397.

Maria Eva Pepe, El Reno, driving without license issued, $252.

Daithan Scott Kitchko, Binger, speeding, $185.

Daniel Wesley Randall, Yukon, expired tag, $165.

Kylie Nicole Burnett, Yukon, expired tag, $165.

Sebastian Chandler, Fort Smith, Ark., driving without license issued and speeding, $337.

My mom, Pat Dyer, turns 94 on Sunday. Happy Birthday, Momma! I love you and I know I’m your favorite! 

Last week was College App Week and Kara Watts and Elizabeth Kinsey, counselors at El Reno High School, asked me to speak to high school students about my college experience.

They wanted students to hear from people in the community who went to college and any advice they could give the students. 

El Reno High School’s softball program held its Breast Cancer Awareness Night last week.

The shutdown of the federal government in Washington, D.C. caused El Reno’s historic Fort Reno to begin its temporary shutdown.

The gates were open Monday morning but the visitors center was closed and its website says, “Closed temporarily due to government shutdown.”

The El Reno Tribune contacted the USDA’s The Grazinglands Research Station and were told employees were working on shutdown procedures as well on Monday.

Following are the sales tax disbursements for the five largest cities within Canadian County in September 2025, along with the percentage increase/decrease from the same month one year ago.

El Reno: $1,143,765 (up 11.8 percent) 

Mustang: $1,410,488 (up 12 percent)

Oklahoma City: $3,148,987 (up 2.7 percent) 

Piedmont: $278,252 (up 31.8 percent) 

Yukon: $2,377,115 (down 2.5 percent)