El Reno’s Lyra Smith was chosen from nearly 800 high school students from across Oklahoma who auditioned for the 50th Annual Oklahoma Summer Arts Institute at Quartz Mountain (OSAI), the state’s premier arts education program. 

An avid wildlife photographer, she will join the 230 students chosen to attend the institute, which will take place June 13-28 at Quartz Mountain State Park and Lodge. 

A junior at Yukon High School, Smith said her mother introduced her to photography. 

“She is a professional photographer,” Smith said of her mother, Amanda McKe.

The El Reno Letter Carriers Food Drive delivered about 5,000 pounds of food to The Lord’s Harvest.

The annual food drive is organized by El Reno letter carriers and attracts volunteer help from throughout the community. Veteran letter carrier Janice Cox has been leading the local food drive efforts for several years. 

Nikki Pruitt, founder and director of The Lord’s Harvest, said the donated food items will help greatly in ensuring El Reno residents have access to food.

A report concerning the recent inspection of a structure at 619 W. Clarke resulted in the El Reno City Council voting to move forward with demolition.

Council had dealt with the issue since January as property owner Asky Chiles sought more time to make repairs. But the report from the city about the most recent inspection showed the structure continued to be “unfit for human occupancy.

El Reno Fire Chief Jason Duff, left, presents a retirement gift to Capt. Jody Mutzig.

The presentation was made at the Tuesday night city council meeting.

Mutzig joined the ERFD in May of 2001. Now, 25 years later, he is retiring and Duff said his “commitment
and leadership” will be greatly missed by the department.