With five of the six high schools in Canadian County releasing their plans to return to in-house classes next month, the dependent school districts have also been drafting back-to-school plans.

“Everything is up in the air but we are working hard to get a comprehensive plan together to move forward and remain together as long as we can in our building.

“We are planning to open in-person with social distancing and precautions in place,” said Sacred Heart Catholic School Principal Shannon Statton.

The National Fire Protection Association and State Farm agent Layne Conaway are teaming up with the El Reno Fire Department to support Fire Prevention Week, an annual public awareness campaign that promotes home fire safety.

State Farm agents are delivering Fire Prevention Week tool kits to more than 100 fire departments across Oklahoma, including El Reno.

Either on the 660-foot shortened course or the full 1,000-foot tracks, the 2020 Smoke on the Water Drag Boat Races produced some of the fastest speeds on Lake El Reno since the event moved here seven years ago.

“Without timing lights I would guess they were hitting well over 150 miles per hour in the Unlimited Top Fuel. That’s some of the biggest speeds we have ever had,” said co-organizer Josh Finnigan.

High winds on the lake forced day one racing to be delayed over an hour and the course shortened to 660 feet.

While band and volleyball began preseason work last week, El Reno High School’s softball program remains closed due to complications with COVID-19.

“Softball will be shut down until Monday (July 27) because we had a second player test positive.

“They have not been together out there since July 13 and that gives us two weeks that the facility has been locked up,” said El Reno Athletic Director Rodney Haydon.