News

Canadian County employees with impeccable safety records were recognized this week for their efforts on the job.

County District 3 crew members were honored at this week’s commissioners meeting for having no accidents or injuries in the past three years.

District 3 Commissioner Tracey Rider made a presentation to the group, commending them on their conscious efforts to follow safe practices while working.

Rider recently received a report from Human Resources Director NaCole Majors showing the safety records of personnel at all county departments since 2022.

El Reno will again be invaded by hundreds of young people who will be taking part in the National Land and Range Judging Contest.

The contest has become an annual event here over the years, with judging often held at Concho, Fort Reno or area farms. The exact site of the contest will not be made public until the day it takes place, although an organizer said it will be in Canadian County. 

The event will kick off Tuesday morning with registration and will again headquarter at the Canadian County Expo Center. 

One of the largest asks pending before the Oklahoma Legislature this session proposes a new OSU College of Veterinary Medicine complex in the hopes of restoring the school’s former glory, meeting a major state workforce need and avoiding the embarrassing calamity of losing national accreditation.

Arkansas became the first state in the nation to prevent health-care conglomerates from operating drugstores here when Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed House Bill 1150 last week.

LAWSUITS

Capital One N.A. vs. Thongthip Sengdara for $2,813.91 to pay a debt plus interest and costs.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Brittany Deemer for $2,754.72 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

TD Bank USA N.A. vs. Brenda Smith for $3,629.74 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

UGH I LLC vs. Richard Johnston for $1,291.40 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

LVNV Funding LLC vs. Allen Parker for $2,437.01 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

El Reno’s Matt Goucher has been selected as the Oklahoma Administration School Association’s District 14 Superintendent of the Year.

The honor means Goucher is eligible for the 2025 State Superintendent of the Year Award. 

A selection committee, approved by the OASA Executive Committee, will review and select the next State Superintendent of the Year, said information from the association.

Goucher will be introduced at the Oklahoma City Convention Center during a statewide conference June 12. 

The Easter bunny made special appearances last week at El Reno Public Schools, giving special education students a chance to hunt for eggs.

Nancy Salsman, who helped coordinate the events, said the kids were excited for the egg hunts.

For some students, it was their first Easter egg hunt, she said.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Thirty-seven Oklahoma fifth- and eighth-grade teachers have been selected to receive fellowships to attend the Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg. 

Those selected include Ashleigh Schaffer, eighth-grade teacher at El Reno’s Etta Dale Junior High School.

The renowned teacher institute takes place in and around Williamsburg, the restored capital city of 18th-century Virginia.

A Canadian County jury delivered a not guilty verdict for a man charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of a man during a Halloween party in El Reno in 2023. 

Delsin Joshua Tsotigh of Norman was 21 at the time of the shooting that took place around 2 a.m. Oct. 28, 2023. He was charged with killing 20-year-old Justin Peyton Davidson of Newcastle.

The incident occurred at 612 Reformatory Road, affidavits from the El Reno Police Department show. 

City Manager Matt Sandidge and Public Information Officer Lyndsay Bayne were at the state Capitol last week to celebrate Route 66 Day in Oklahoma.

The pair set up an El Reno display showing all the developments planned or in the works along the Mother Road through town.

Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell addressed the audience about the importance of Route 66 to the Oklahoma tourism economy.