After a sluggish 2020 due to COVID-19, Canadian County use tax revenues have rebounded through the first half of 2021.

Between January and June, Canadian County has collected $841,775 in use tax income from the Oklahoma Tax Commission.

That’s up 9.6 percent from the $768,024 disbursed to Canadian County for the same six-month period in 2020.

“It’s been running well,” Canadian County Commission Chairman Jack Stewart said.

A new mural will be painted on an outside wall at the Canadian County Health Department’s El Reno office.

Canadian County commissioners have approved a façade easement indenture with the city of El Reno to allow the mural display behind the CCHD building at 100 S. Rock Island.

County Commission Chairman Jack Stewart said the mural may be painted only on the alley side of the building. The mural will have an abstract design, he added.

El Reno police arrested a man June 29 after he was found to be allegedly intoxicated while driving and in the possession of numerous firearms.

Reports said Peter Novak was taken into custody after he allegedly wrecked his vehicle in the parking lot at 1508 W. Elm. Police said Novak’s Audi ran over the curb, causing the airbags in the vehicle to deploy. Police called an ambulance to the scene.

I sometimes wish Independence Day occurred during the school year so students, parents and educators could celebrate America’s birthday, but then I remember that fireworks and school do not mix. Just ask my high school principal about an incident involving firecrackers in the cafeteria. I admit to nothing, but that was back when they paddled, and I still cannot lean too far left in my chair. For some reason, I have never enjoyed fireworks as much afterwards.