News

Preservation El Reno recently brought back its Citations of Merit for property owners dedicated to preserving and/or restoring historic buildings in El Reno.

Preservation El Reno hopes that by issuing the Citations of Merit, property owners will know that their efforts in preservation and restoration are seen and valued.

Recent Citation recipients include Randy and Terri Hurst, Darron and Rebecca Crain, Beau Brummel Barber Shop and El Reno Carnegie Library.

OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission unveiled the official logo for the Route 66 Centennial celebrations at a kickoff event last week at the Oklahoma State Capitol.

The inaugural event marks the start of festivities leading up to Route 66’s 100th anniversary in 2026. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell, chair of the commission, highlighted Oklahoma’s pivotal role in the centennial celebrations.

El Reno Carnegie Library held an art lab last week as part of its Camp Summer Series.

OKLAHOMA CITY – A case brought by survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre was dismissed on Wednesday by the Oklahoma Supreme Court.  

The court issued an opinion concluding that while the grievances of the plaintiffs are legitimate, they do not fall within the scope of Oklahoma’s public nuisance statute or support claims of unjust enrichment.  

A Yukon man and woman were killed Friday night when the 2007 Nissan Armada they were in collided with a 2019 Kenworth semi, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported.

The accident occurred about 10 p.m. on U.S. 81 at 192nd Street about seven and a half miles north of El Reno.

Killed in the collision were Javier Ocampo-Ojeda, 61, and Reyna Pallares Reyes, 65.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene by Pafford EMS.

The OHP said the semi was traveling north on 81 when the Nissan, traveling west on 192nd Street, apparently pulled onto 81 in the path of the semi.

The Oklahoma Indian Nations recently installed royalty at a coronation ceremony for 2025.

Serving as Senior Miss will be Jacina Gould, Junior Miss will be Ivy Faith Williams and Little Miss will be Emily La’Miyah Gray.

Canadian County Sheriff's Department Sgt. Maurice “Mo” James was selected as the American Legion Department of Oklahoma’s 2024 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year.

James, a 30-year veteran of the Oklahoma City Police Department (OCPD), began working at the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office in 2020 after a career with OCPD. Upon arrival, James was assigned to the sheriff’s office Narcotics Division and has worked as a criminal interdictor ever since.  

LAWSUITS

Capital One N.A. vs. Kristi Newcomb for $11,690.24 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

U.S. Bank N.A. vs. Nathan Schatzer and McKenzie Schatzer for $197,803.17 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lot 33, Block 7, Tara Plantation Phase II Addition, Oklahoma City.

Scot Winlock vs. Brandon Whitcomb for an amount in excess of $75,000 for alleged actual and punitive damages.

The city of El Reno is moving forward with plans to transform a strip of buildings along South Choctaw into an area for visitors to the downtown area to park.  In a unanimous vote, city council Tuesday night approved purchasing property from James French at 204 S. Choctaw for $100,000. Council gave city staff authorization to negotiate the details with French.

El Reno’s A Small Town Weekend was Route 66’s largest event in Oklahoma last weekend. The weekend was packed with smokin’, spinnin’ and racin’ wheels. 

Keith Ward, president of the El Reno Cruisers, hosts of the event, estimated some 9,000 people were in attendance. 

The 100-degree heat on Saturday baked hundreds watching the Burnout on Route 66, which cuts through the heart of Adams Park.