News

How parents can pick the right backpack for school

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Students need many different supplies to help them move to the head of the class. Teachers frequently post lists online before school begins or advise students in the early days of the new year. Therefore, parents may want to wait to go back-to-school shopping until they learn what’s needed. There is one piece of gear, however, that students will definitely need: a backpack.

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Peace, love and learning await groovy Hillcrest students

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Welcome to the 2023-24 school year at Hillcrest Learning Center.

We are super excited to have “groovy” learners and share some “groovy” memories as students begin their learning journey at Hillcrest. We are enthusiastic and ready to start another year to ensure every student’s achievement and inspire excellence.

Our staff has been busy preparing our school to meet our groovy Head Start, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students.

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Next Level builds

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In Kirby Woolard’s backyard on his El Reno property, he has built his own 48-inch, horizontal sawmill.

He cuts a lot of wood these days. 

A large cedar tree trunk waited to be turned into the boards needed for a pergola on a mid-July day.

Woolard’s Next Level Pergolas are made from the wood he saws into lumber to use.

It is hard work too, but his supply is ready for building about two pergolas a week. A pergola provides shade and a canopy from elements that cover backyard patios. 

Kirby and his wife, Morgan are in the busy summer season.

Filing period for ward seats opens August 28

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The filing period for El Reno City Council Ward 1 and Ward 4 elections is Aug. 28 to Aug. 30, said Canadian County Election Board officials. Candidates can file at the election board in downtown El Reno from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Amy Neathery is the current Ward 1 council representative. Ward 4 is currently represented by Dr. Brian Schafer. Both were appointed to fill unexpired terms.

Both Neathery and Schafer said they plan to file for the election which will be decided in November.

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C&A Tribes open new expanded youth shelter

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The Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes cut the ribbon officially opening the new expanded Emergency Youth Shelter.

The first tribal youth shelter was opened by the tribes in 1991. Sophie Burgess was the houseparent on-site.

More than 30 years later, Burgess witnessed the opening of the new youth shelter, where she continues to serve as the houseparent on-site.

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Cooling off

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Four-year-old Donna Franklin of El Reno runs through a wall of water while cooling off in the downtown splash pad recently.

After several days of triple-digit heat, temperatures are forecasted to cool slightly into the 90-degree range with storms possible over the weekend.

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Homeless youth walk a hidden path in rural Oklahoma

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WOODWARD - Anika Drew is drawn to beauty. Her boyfriend said she can stand in a barren field and still point out a pretty flower.

Drew dreams of going to beauty school to become a makeup artist and moving to Japan to see the pink cherry blossoms. 

For now, the 17-year-old wanders Woodward with her boyfriend. For the past year, they have slept in abandoned trailers and a trashed apartment.

They have pitched a tent on the trails behind Woodward High School and couch-surfed at friends’ houses.

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Pets roam the theater

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Crews from Boiling Point Media out of Oklahoma City took over the Centre Theatre in downtown El Reno last week to shoot scenes for the third installment of the Jurassic Pet series.

The Adventures of Jurassic Pet 3: Return to the Wild will be shooting at sites in El Reno this week.