El Reno High School’s Ethan Brooks wrapped up his freshman track season last week with a record-setting performance in the Stars Mile Night event in Oklahoma City.

Running at historic Taft Stadium, Brooks was among the field of 145 thinclads in the high school division. Eighty-six of those runners broke the five-minute mark for the 1,600-meter run, including Brooks.

There were eight heats, each using a pacesetter, with Brooks winning the fourth with a personal-best time of four minutes and 25.25 seconds. He was 4.77 seconds faster than the runner-up.

El Reno is a small, car-loving town that puts on a big classic car festival every year. A Small Town Weekend, set for June 6-8, is expected to attract as many as 10,000 people. The weekend pays tribute over the three days to classic cars and historic Route 66. 

During the festival, visitors will see about 200 highly polished classic autos, witness a cruise along the legendary Route 66, watch their kids compete in Power Wheels and Hot Wheels races, and hope for lots of smoking wheels during the burnout and drag race contests. 

Editor’s Note: El Reno City Council was scheduled to meet June 3 for a budget planning session. Below is a letter from City Manager Matt Sandidge explaining the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget. The new fiscal year begins July 1. 

May 22, 2025
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Matt Sandidge, City Manager
RE: FY 2026 Budget Message

El Reno residents are weighing in on proposed improvements to Lake El Reno and Adams Park and so far most of the response has been favorable. 

Amy Smith, El Reno’s Field Services Director, said residents took part in an online survey and the results will be compiled and presented to the city council for proposed adoption at an upcoming council meeting. Smith said one more public survey is expected to be presented before the final plan is submitted to the city. 

The city hired Halff, an engineering and design firm, that specializes in municipal projects.