The annual Community Night Gala will be held Friday, May 9 at the Canadian County Expo and Event Center, 3001 Jensen Road East.

Benefiting Savannah Station Therapeutic Riding Program, the gala will be a banquet-style evening featuring a meal, silent auction and live music.

Each year this event benefits a different organization inside Canadian County that meets the needs of the most vulnerable.

The mission of Savannah Station TRP is to “offer hope and healing to people with special needs through the amazing power of the horse.”

Four members of the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office were recognized for their efforts in traffic safety enforcement during the 32nd annual Buckledown Awards ceremony April 1 at the Tulsa Technology Center in Owasso.

Maj. Jason Glass, Sgt. Garrett Wright and Deputies Alex Smith and Kaylee Taylor all received Top Cop awards for their dedicated and exemplary service in protecting lives through traffic safety enforcement.

Sgt. Jeff Bouillon also was recognized for his efforts but was unable to attend the ceremony.

Horses have been incorporated into various human health and wellness services for years, however, involving horses within the context of mental health is relatively new, said coordinators with House of Healing.

Horses, in partnership with learning personal growth and well-being, can make a big difference for the mental health challenges so many people face and help them heal in a safe and powerful way.

“The equine-assisted learning sessions we offer focus on social skills and leadership development rooted in hope.

According to the American Lung Association, Oklahoma ranks last of all surveyed states for the chances of surviving lung cancer after getting a late diagnosis.

Samid Farooqui, MD, a pulmonologist who sees patients at the SSM Health Medical Group Clinic in El Reno, believes one reason for Oklahoma’s poor statistics is lack of access to quality screenings and expedited care.