News

McBride comments on banks being added to banned list for state contracts

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Mark McBride, R-Moore, said legislation he authored that will ban 13 major financial institutions from state contracts as a result of their environmental, social and governance (ESG) policies is good for Oklahoma.

House Bill 2034, the Energy Discrimination Elimination Act of 2022, signed into law last May, took effect Nov. 1.

Public Records - 5/6/2023

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LAWSUITS

Jefferson Capital Systems LLC vs. Brandy Hartless for $7,539.37 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Cavalry SPV I LLC vs. Jennifer Lane for $874.45 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One N.A. vs. Heather Rogers for $8,133.51 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One N.A. vs. Kylie Rodgers for $3,740.89 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

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Lutts: Public Safety Center idea sprouted at breakfast

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If Canadian Valley Technology Center builds a Public Safety Training Center, the idea originated at an El Reno Now breakfast.

That’s what CV Tech Superintendent Dr. Gayla Lutts said at last week’s gathering of El Reno Now. Lutts and Jena Marr, interim president at Redlands Community College, provided updates on what’s happening at their respective schools.

El Reno Now is a quarterly event hosted by Mayor Steve Jensen and El Reno School Superintendent Matt Goucher.

Sandidge gives update on various retail expansions, Internet service

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City Manager Matt Sandidge drew laughter when he told last week’s El Reno Now audience that all was right with El Reno now that “Sonic has opened.”

Sandidge said the new restaurant on Sunset Drive was a welcome addition. The store had to be torn down and rebuilt after a motorist ran through the drive-in.

Sandidge also pointed to the major changes at Country Club Square Shopping Center.

“Who can remember what that shopping center looked like 10 years ago,” he asked. “It was a vacant Walmart and not much else.”

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Senior Sip

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Around two dozen El Reno High senior girls gathered for the inaugural Senior Sip event over the weekend.

The event featured guest speakers, tea, brunch and door prizes.

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Letter Carriers Food Drive seeks to break record

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Janice Cox is out to break a record, but she needs your help to get it done.

Cox is an El Reno letter carrier and since 2006 she’s been the coordinator and driving force behind the Annual Letter Carriers Food Drive.

This year’s campaign is set for May 13, with all food collected going to support The Lord's Harvest, El Reno’s food ministry founded and operated by Nikki Pruitt.

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Riverside earns Great Expectations Model School status

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Riverside School has been named a Great Expectations Model School.

Riverside Superintendent Lisa Derryberry said the GE achievement will be celebrated by the school at a May 8 gathering. The celebration is set for 1 p.m., and the community is invited to attend.

The Great Expectations Program, founded in 1991, is a research-based educational reform model that brings change and innovation to schools.

Lawmaker says Texas has similar education issues as Oklahoma

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In education debates, Texas is often portrayed as the land of milk and honey for supposedly downtrodden Oklahoma educators.

Texas teacher-pay levels and per-pupil funding are portrayed as far greater than in Oklahoma, freeing Texas school officials from the challenges facing their Oklahoma counterparts.

Bill allowing restaurants, school cafeterias to donate leftover food becomes law

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OKLAHOMA CITY – Legislation allowing restaurants and school cafeterias to donate leftover food without threat of civil liability, except in certain circumstances, has been signed into law.

House Bill 1542, authored by Rep. Anthony Moore, R-Clinton, grants civil immunity to restaurants and school cafeterias donating leftover food.

“Unfortunately, the lack of protection from civil action has prevented Oklahoma’s restaurants and school cafeterias from donating perfectly good food to those in need,” Moore said.

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Lawmakers address growing problem in state with HB 2746

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OKLAHOMA CITY— The full Senate last week approved House Bill 2746.

The bill, by Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, creates a strict set of criteria by which the guardian of a person with a grave disability would be able to access secure transport to get their family member to the care they need.

“I would like to recognize the tireless effort of Sarah Smith, a wonderful advocate who has pushed this bill through the process,” Kirt said.