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Correction

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A sentence in the story about Main Street's request for $50,000 from the City of El Reno should have read, council member Amy Neathery suggested the former Main Street executive committee may have known of the dire financial status of the organization, but that information may not have been shared with the entire Main Street board. The story said Main Street representatives Casey Trejo and Heather Brothers made the comment. That was not correct. 

City wins award for TFS project

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The City of El Reno won the Municipal Innovations Award for the Filling Station project. 

The award was announced at the recent Oklahoma Municipal League Conference. 

In 1996, OML created an award to recognize cities and towns for their innovative ideas. With this award, the goal is to encourage the sharing of ideas among OML members and to celebrate the innovations of Oklahoma’s municipalities.

The Filling Station has been a must stop for tourists since first opening in early May.

From left, Mike Fina, Steve Jensen and Mike Brown

Trolley driver could face charges for moving ambulance

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Police have presented information to the district attorney’s office for possible charges after a man driving the Heritage Express Trolley apparently moved an El Reno ambulance several feet to allow the trolley to pass by. 

Police said the incident took place Sept. 6 shortly after 2 p.m. 

Police received a call from El Reno emergency medical personnel who were attending to a patient at the Intrada Apartments, 319 S. Grand.

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Property closes on new El Reno car wash

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El Reno is expected to have a new car wash on Country Club Road.

Rachel Spurger said she and her partners, including her husband, Scott, have closed on property purchased by Mighty Wash.

The land is on the east side of Country Club, across from Redlands Community College.

Mighty Wash is said to operate a “tunnel car wash.”

Spurger said Mighty Wash purchased one and a half acres. Construction, she said, is expected to begin in March of 2026. 

There is another four and a half acres attached to the property that is in the planning process for development.

County budget tops $40 million

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Canadian County employees will receive a 3 percent pay raise in the new $40-plus million county budget.

The fiscal year 2026 general fund budget includes a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase for approximately 333 county employees.

That total excludes around 31 Sheriff’s Department employees who will receive specific position raises.

Canadian County’s FY2026 budget also incorporates updated tiered benefit allowances for county employees that will now match the state of Oklahoma’s employees.

Oklahoma High Court opens door for California-style elections here

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An effort to replace Oklahoma’s current election system with one like California’s model, which often limits voters general-election choices to two Democrats with no alternatives, can proceed under recent decisions issued by the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

The court also held that the signature-collection process, which could place the California model before Oklahoma voters, will not be subject to reforms passed by the Oklahoma Legislature this year.

Public Records - 9/20/25

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LAWSUITS

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Amy Jameson for $1,705.61 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Brianna Adams for $1,474.27 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Jason Anderson for $975.86 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Bracen Frost for $5,515.45 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Minco benefit this Saturday

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The phone number for the benefit dinner supporting the Minco High School softball team was incorrect in the last issue of the Tribune. The correct number to text to order a sloppy Joe dinner is 405-641-4284. Those who call are asked to leave a voice mail. 

The benefit will be at the El Reno Elks Lodge, 415 S. Rock Island. 

Nancy Salsman said the benefit will be from 5 to 7 p.m. For $10, supporters will receive a dinner of sloppy Joes, chips and dessert. All proceeds will go to the players and coaches who were involved in the Sept. 8 bus crash. 

Homecoming parade was over the rainbow

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El Reno High School held its annual football homecoming parade through the downtown streets last week.

This year’s theme was the Wizard of Oz and featured colorful, smoke-filling and clever class floats, king and queen candidates, the Heritage Express Trolley and entries from the City of El Reno’s emergency services.

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Her last dance

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After more than two decades, Dara Franklin is stepping down as chairwoman of the Oklahoma Indian Nation (OIN) Powwow. Supporters of the colorful event say she is leaving behind a legacy rooted in unity, tradition and community growth.

Held annually in Concho, the OIN Powwow began in 1990 and was founded by James “Jimmy” Hawk. 

Franklin’s first memory of her involvement with OIN was when Hawk asked her to help assist his wife, Pat Hawk and Teresa White, Bobby Simpson and Marie Whitebird with the powwow in 1997. 

Dara Franklin (bottom right) is pictured with some of her family during the 2025 powwow
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