Halloween is months away but flying bloodsuckers have invaded not only El Reno but communities throughout Canadian County and the state of Oklahoma.

Cooler spring temperatures and higher than normal rainfall totals from May through June and into early July have caused mosquito populations to explode.

“I had a meeting last week with all the city managers in our region and we are all experiencing similar problems with mosquitoes. It was a problem last year and it seems to be a problem again this year,” said El Reno City Manager Matt Sandidge.

All roads leading in and out of the new Canadian County Expo and Event Center will now be under the control and maintenance of county commissioners.

In a 4-0 vote last week, the El Reno City Council deannexed a portion of Jensen Road over to the commissioners, which was the final piece of the new $15.5 million fairgrounds facility not already controlled by the county.

The motion to turn the city’s portion of Jensen Road over to the county was made by Mayor Matt White and seconded by Ward 3 Councilman Tim Robinson. Vice Mayor Bob Ballhorn was the abstaining vote.

For the second time in seven years, El Reno High School will have a graduate on the path to becoming a Major League Baseball player.

Rhett Kouba, who finished up his first season with Dallas Baptist University last month just shy of a berth in the College World Series, was drafted in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB Draft.

“I had a feeling it could happen in maybe day two or three but I had to wait an extra day and I’m excited to see it finally happen,” said Kouba.

The right-handed pitcher was snagged with the 16th pick in the 12th round by the Houston Astros.

A middle-aged woman avoided drowning in Lake El Reno last week after she was pulled from the water by members of both the El Reno Fire and Police Departments.

“It was a great save. The way she was bobbing up and down, we guesstimate she had about 30 to 45 seconds left before she went under the water,” said El Reno Fire Chief Jason Duff.

The fire department had just completed practice for high and swift water rescue when those skills were put to use. “We were there at the lake but we had left and were back at the station when we got the call,” said Duff.