A planned 200-unit senior living housing complex got the full support of the El Reno Municipal Planning Commission last week even though some area residents fear the development could create problems, especially related to drainage.

Gary Owens Development Inc. intends to build the 55 and over market rate project on East Elm, just to the west of the El Reno Cemetery.

Owens has a similar development at SW 15th and Czech Hall in Mustang.

Delayed months by COVID-19 precautions handed down by the National Junior College Athletic Association, Redlands Community College opened up the 2020-21 basketball season over the weekend inside a bubble.

College administration determined earlier this month no fans would be allowed inside the RCC gymnasium for January.

“It’s a different way to start the season. It’s a lot quieter and the energy is hard to keep up when you don’t have fans to cheer on your team. It’s up to the players to cheer and push themselves,” said RCC Athletic Director Eli Zucksworth.

El Reno Public Schools faculty and staff will join other Canadian County schools in using a third party to administer the COVID-19 vaccination.

Superintendent Craig McVay said El Reno will use Passport Health to vaccinate the district’s 400 employees. He made the statement during the weekly El Reno Live program hosted by Mayor Matt White.

McVay said the timetable for administering the vaccines is not yet set, but the hope is that it will take place in February. El Reno will join Yukon, Mustang and Piedmont in turning to Passport Health for the vaccines.

When host Ardmore was hit with COVID-19 issues, the 2021 District 5A-4 Championships was eventually moved to El Reno and became a three-team race for a state berth.

After a first-round bye, El Reno High School’s wrestling team, ranked sixth in the state, knocked off 12th-ranked Carl Albert and No.8 Lawton MacArthur to punch a return ticket to the Class 5A Dual State Championships.