News

As the harvest for red winter wheat in Canadian County draws to a close, results are mixed in the quality and yield being delivered by farmers to area grain silos.

“I would say there are probably 80 percent done,” said local farmer Nick Owen of the county harvest.

Owen, who farms around 600 acres of wheat and another 140 of canola around Calumet and western parts of the county, says he’s heard a wide range of results from fellow producers as to yield and quality.

Redlands Community College announced that tuition and mandatory fees will remain unchanged for the 2026-2027 academic year, marking the ninth consecutive year without increases. 

The school said the continued “commitment to affordability” demonstrates the college’s dedication to removing financial barriers to higher education and a successful career path for students.

“Affordability continues to be one of the greatest concerns facing students, and we believe cost should not be a barrier to opportunity,” said Kass Newell, chair of the Redlands Board of Regents. 

Rain and cloudy skies for much of the day did not keep visitors away from the 2026 A Small Town Weekend.

The event celebrated the 100th birthday of both Route 66 and U.S. 81 that intersect and run through El Reno before parting ways. One of the two car cruises ran down both roads.

The three-day celebration featured drag races, the Route 66 Burnout, swap meet, food vendors, Hot Wheels racing, Power Wheels racing and the car show.

See Saturday’s edition for more coverage.

The Canadian County Historical Museum is pleased to announce the opening of its special six-week exhibit, “Quilts of Yesteryear.” The exhibit opened June 6. 

This unique display will be presented inside the historic Mennonville Mennonite Church on the museum grounds, offering visitors an intimate setting to explore the artistry, heritage and community stories stitched into vintage quilts. 

“Quilts have long been more than bed covers,” the museum staff said in a statement.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A federal indictment has been unsealed, charging Shane Michael Burgess, 24, of Mustang, with distributing a controlled substance resulting in death, said U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.

According to the indictment, on Dec. 12, 2025, Burgess distributed a substance containing N-Propionitrile Chlorphine, a synthetic opioid known as cychlorphine, to another individual.

The indictment further alleges the recipient died as a result of using the cychlorphine distributed by Burgess.

It was another late night for Carson Holmes on the third floor of Legacy Hall on Oklahoma State University’s campus. 

Holmes, a sophomore landscape architecture student at OSU, was surrounded by crumpled-up piles of scratch paper. He’d spent the past three weeks tweaking his design, trying to nail down a final one he liked. 

“I remember Carson in the studio,” said Madylan Hux, a sophomore landscape architecture student.

LAWSUITS

Citibank N.A. vs. Larry Guffey for $7,067.75 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Citibank N.A. vs. James Williams for $8,797.41 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Keeton Jones for $3,576.11 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

TD Bank USA N.A. vs. Raul Roig for $1,111.72 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Velocity Investments LLC vs. Melissa Stockton for $4,867.63 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Bringing the combat sport of martial arts and discipline, an El Reno man has opened what he intends to be a hub of activity for local families. 

Jim Kutscher has opened El Reno Jiu Jitsu, 1301 S. Choctaw. 

Originally born and raised in East Chicago, Ind., Kutscher moved to Colorado in 2015. It was there he met his wife and raised his two children. When a job opportunity arose, Kutscher’s family moved to El Reno. 

What compelled Kutscher to start Jiu Jitsu was a motorcycle accident in 1998.

El Reno’s Municipal Swimming Pool has been a welcome relief lately when temperatures moved above 90 degrees.

Managed by Claire Ellison along with assistant manager Jayda Cook, the pool schedule will be 1 to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and from noon to 5 p.m. on holidays.

A lap swim for those 55 and up will be available from noon to 1 p.m. every day the pool is open.

A move to streamline Oklahoma Higher Education could be a boost for Redlands Community College and local students, but there’s plenty of homework to do before new offerings might be added at the two-year school. 

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education recently approved updates to the Academic Program Approval Policy that create a framework for the review and potential approval of accelerated bachelor’s degrees.

“Oklahoma’s economy is growing, and employers need job-ready graduates,” said Gov. Kevin Stitt.