News

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt joined local leaders in Chickasha last week to unveil plans for a major new industrial park and power generation initiative - projects representing the largest single private investment in the city’s history.

Spearheaded by Chet Hitt, the development of the industrial park is projected to attract high-demand industries, potentially creating thousands of new jobs and injecting approximately $3.5 billion into the local economy.

LAWSUITS

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Michael Gray for $3,506.00 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Misty Lusty for $2,182.49 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Melanie Graham for $1,273.50 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Durk Wiglesworth for $1,117.79 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

According to the Food Research and Action Center, out of every 100 students in the United States receiving a free or reduced-priced lunch during school months, only 11 get such meals over the summer break.

That figure alone translates into millions of children, ages 18 and under, going hungry at some point during the summer.

A staggering figure, says El Reno Public Schools Community Outreach Director Brooke Robertson, and helping lower that figure is why the district remains committed to its summer food distribution program.

In January, El Reno annexed about 1,200 people into the city limits. The sudden population growth means city council ward boundaries will have to change before the August election filing period opens. 

City Manager Matt Sandidge, along with Assistant City Manager Tim Young, provided some options for the council to consider during a special meeting. Gathering at the Public Safety Center on Tuesday, the council, along with city department heads, went over the proposed city budget that is expected to be adopted at the June 10 council meeting.

The City of El Reno and the El Reno Cruisers hosted a mini car show at The Filling Station Wednesday to help promote A Small Town Weekend, which runs Friday through Sunday.

A new Canadian County special judge is expected to be appointed this summer after House Bill 2771 became law on May 29 without Gov. Stitt’s signature.

It authorizes one additional special judge for Canadian County who can start work as early as July 1.

This will increase to seven the number of judges in Canadian County.

OKLAHOMA CITY — In a decisive late-night session on May 29, the Oklahoma Legislature successfully overrode Gov. Kevin Stitt’s veto of House Bill 2584, a measure aimed at enhancing health-care delivery across the state. The House voted 68-16, followed by a 33–13 vote in the Senate, to enact the bill into law by an overwhelming majority of the delegation. 

Authored by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) and Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle), HB 2584 modernizes antiquated language in the Physician Assistant Act and the Pharmacy Act.

Canadian County commissioners this week approved an agreement to relocate the phone system for county offices during construction of the new county courthouse.

Some county administrative offices will be housed temporarily inside the former Department of Human Services building at 314 W. Rogers and former bail bonds building at 215 N. Evans.

Those buildings have been remodeled for use by county personnel.

Nobel Systems $5,000 price is “a lot more reasonable than I ever expected, that’s really good,” Commissioner Tom Manske said.

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Oklahoma House rose for a standing ovation last week after overturning the governor’s veto of a bill expanding access to mammograms for early breast cancer detection.  

Rep. Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa, the bill’s author, said the standing ovation was “powerful” and a reminder that people are humans before they are politicians. She was battling breast cancer for the length of the legislative session.  

MUNICIPAL COURT

Larry Isaac Harwood, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $245.

Damon R. Walker Jr., Hammon, no insurance verification and driving under suspension, $690.

Jesse Ryan Seeley, El Reno, failure to wear seat restraint, $20.

Stormy Porter, El Reno, trespassing on private property, $245.

Jose Santos Estrada, Oklahoma City, failure to yield to emergency vehicle, reckless driving and driving without license issued, $942.

Ricardo Carrillo-Gonzalez, El Reno, improper equipment and driving without license issued, $357.