News

A Canadian County jury convicted Benjamin James Shook of attempted rape in the first degree, sexual battery, domestic abuse by strangulation, kidnapping and two counts of forcible sodomy.

The court action occurred last week. The jury consisted of seven men and five women.

The incident Shook was convicted of took place at the Fieldstone Garden Apartments in Mustang on Aug. 3, 2022.

The jury heard testimony from the victim about the defendant’s brutal attack. She told jurors the defendant held her at gunpoint during the three-hour assault.

A new legislator representing Oklahoma House District 60 is due to take office after November’s general election.

Although the identity of that individual has not been determined, one thing is for certain - a Yukon Republican will continue to hold the seat.

That’s because four Yukon Republicans filed in early April for this year’s House District 60 election. No other candidates filed, so the winner will be decided this summer.

The Oklahoma City Planning Commission has recommended approval of a resolution to annex 320 acres of unincorporated land between Yukon and El Reno for a proposed industrial mega-site development.

The vote was 7-0 at the May 9 OKC Planning Commission meeting, with the annexation proposal forwarded to the Oklahoma City Council for consideration.

OKLAHOMA CITY — This Father’s Day, June 16, the Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline encourages dads to take the first step toward a healthier life by quitting tobacco. The Helpline, a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), provides FREE resources for Oklahomans wanting to quit tobacco — and remain tobacco-free.

Brian Brower, a resident of Claremore, smoked for many years. After trying to quit for about three years, Brower decided to quit for his daughter.

LAWSUITS

Professional Finance Company Inc. vs. Sarah Hooper for $1,429.60 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Barclays Bank Delaware vs. Cody Beaty for $5,088.99 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One N.A. vs. Marianna Nye for $3,752.82 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Jefferson Capital Systems LLC vs. Robert Legrande for $2,978.23 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

If early numbers are any indication, El Reno Public Schools Summer Food Service Program is on pace to exceed its highest number of meals offered to children between academic calendars.

In the first seven days there were 11,000 meals handed out to children under the age of 18 – which is the mandated age cutoff for services. Now in its ninth year, the program’s record for a single summer topped out between 70,000 and 80,000 prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Voters across Canadian County will soon decide who will represent them as their next court clerk.

El Reno Republican Holly Eaton and Yukon Republican Mark Pendergraft are competing to succeed Canadian County Court Clerk Marie Hirst, who decided not to run for a fifth term.

The winner will be determined at the Tuesday, June 18 Republican primary since no other candidates filed for the seat. The next four-year term starts in January 2025.

The El Reno Fire Department used a ladder truck to reach the roof of the El Reno Public Schools Administration Building last week after a small fire broke out.

Superintendent Matt Goucher said roofers were grinding off a metal pipe and a piece of plywood caught fire from the sparks. The roofing company called in the fire.

Goucher added no significant damage was done and all will be repaired.

The building’s roof is being repaired after an insurance claim from 2023 was recently settled.

With the onsite help of game wardens from five surrounding counties, the 2024 Mary K. Ashbook Kids Fishing Derby opened up at Lake El Reno to more than 300 youth anglers.

Conducted by the El Reno Sportsman’s Club, 325 youth anglers from El Reno, Yukon, Mustang, Oklahoma City, Midwest City, Edmond, Okarche, Kingfisher, Hinton, Fort Cobb, Anadarko, Calumet, Chickasha, Geary and Cordell took part in the one-day derby.

In addition to the Ashbrook Foundation, Cordell-based Cut Throat Jig Company and DBR Construction were among the key sponsors of the event.

Canadian County sheriff’s deputies seized 94 pounds of marijuana, 27 kilograms of cocaine and five kilograms of fentanyl after a traffic stop on Interstate 40.

Sheriff''s reports said on May 26, deputies pulled over Gervis Gayle, 64, of California. Deputies allege Gayle was driving a semi-truck and was following too closely behind another vehicle.

During the stop, deputies reported inconsistencies between Gayle’s story and his paperwork for his cargo of frozen foods. Gayle permitted deputies to search his semi-truck.