Even with the collapse of the oil and gas industry and the debilitating haymaker delivered to the economy by COVID-19, El Reno still managed to issue close to 100 permits for new housing in 2020.

Records provided by the city’s Community Development Department show permits were issued for 90 new residences during 2020. That was a dip from the 125 permits issued for new homes during 2019 and the 132 permits in 2018. But it still shows growth, especially as the area suffered from the pandemic and the decline of the oil patch.

As 2020 drew to a close, El Reno and the area continued, like the rest of the world, to deal with the impact of COVID-19. But hope was on the way as the promise of the vaccine was just days away. In between, El Reno High School students reminded us of better days like when George Bailey found ZuZu’s petals and Clarence got his wings.

DECEMBER

El Reno Main Street would present the Christmas Experience in downtown El Reno. The event featured the annual Christmas parade, followed by shopping at local stores.

Earlier this week, OSDH announced the launch of an online COVID-19 Vaccine Scheduler Portal to notify Oklahomans when they’re eligible to receive the vaccine and provide more information on how to schedule an appointment.  Oklahomans can visit this portal at vaccinate.oklahoma.gov.

Pre-registration is open for all Oklahomans to enter their personal information to determine their eligibility to receive the vaccine within Oklahoma’s priority phase plan and receive notifications when the vaccine is available to them.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Twenty-two Oklahoma mentors are being recognized by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and their community mentoring organizations during National Mentor Month in January.

The honored mentors were submitted by their respective mentoring organizations across the state, and each received certificates of achievement from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. The certificates are being presented in the communities where the mentors volunteer.