People matter.
Their stories matter.
That’s a major point of the lesson Brian Rukes set out to convey to his students as they embarked on a journey to recognize the El Reno men who gave their lives for this nation during a time of war.
Along the way, the lesson adopted a code the El Reno High School English teacher and district historian strives to live by: “If not me, then who? And if not now, when?”
When Brian Rukes isn’t teaching English to El Reno High School students or working to build the Gold Star Plaza at Memorial Stadium, he spends his spare time taking EHS reunion groups on tours of the beloved high school.
Rukes spent countless hours researching the early years of EHS, which started in 1892. Class photos of those early years have been created and in another research assignment, Rukes’ students took on the task of identifying the students.
A construction crew hired by Preservation El Reno is making steady progress to replace the roof at the historic Canadian County Jail.
The nonprofit is raising funds to make upgrades and repairs to the 117-year-old building, which they plan to turn into a museum and education center.
Amy Neathery, a member of the El Reno City Council and an attorney, serves as president of Preservation El Reno.
Last week she encouraged Canadian County officials to sign rafter boards before they are installed on the new roof.
Madison Basler, 11, and Abby Bass, 10, will appear in the Southwest Playhouse production of the beloved musical which opened Friday, Sept. 20 and runs for two weekends.
Madison is co-starring as the title character in the show and Abby is performing with the ensemble as an orphan and member of Fagin’s lovable gang of pickpockets.
Madison and Abby have both lived in El Reno all their lives, and became involved with Clinton’s Southwest Playhouse theater last year. They appeared in The Sound of Music in 2023 and Fiddler on the Roof earlier this year.
The ground is turning colors of yellow and brown on ranches, farms and fields and for lawns and water supplies. Dust devils swirl in the September wind.
The extreme drought returned to Canadian County in mid-September. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s U.S. Drought Monitor showed the western part of Canadian County bordering the extreme drought areas.
Blaine County and areas to the west were under extreme drought conditions.
LAWSUITS
Cavalry SPV I LLC vs. Linda Davidson for $1,012.88 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Cavalry SPV I LLC vs. Theresa Skaggs for $1,239.52 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
TD Bank USA N.A. vs. Gilberto Quintero for $1,042.40 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
TD Bank USA N.A. vs. Lisa Riggins for $1,797.03 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
TD Bank USA N.A. vs. Kristin Appleby for $1,454.43 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
The city of El Reno picked up some major awards at last week’s Oklahoma Municipal League Conference. The gathering of local officials from across the state was held in Tulsa.
City Manager Matt Sandidge was honored with the Don Rider Transparency in Government Award.
Also, City Clerk Lindsey Grigg-Moak was named Woman of the Year for cities over 5,000 population.
“I’m honored to be the recipient of the Don Rider Transparency in Government Award.” said Sandidge.
The U.S. Cavalry Association held its national competition at Fort Reno last week.
After losing critical grant funding, Canadian County’s child advocacy center has gotten support from a new source.
The Child Abuse Response Team (C.A.R.T.) will receive $44,000 from the Canadian County Gary E. Miller Children’s Justice Center to provide services to victims of child abuse and neglect.
County commissioners approved a contract between the Child Welfare Citizens Advisory Board and the county.
The Canadian County judiciary officially welcomed its newest member during a ceremony last week.
Yukon’s Lory Dewey recited the oath of office as Canadian County’s new special judge, succeeding Barbara Hatfield, who recently retired after 13 years. District Judge Khristan Strubhar administered the oath.
“To say I’m excited is an understatement,” Judge Dewey told the audience. “My thanks go to my boys (husband, Joe and sons, Zach, Mack and Riley). Without them, I would not be here.”
