News

Motorists traveling Highway 66 between Yukon and El Reno have noticed recent safety improvements in the area. An Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) contractor has made significant progress since early January on a permanent upgrade to the four-way stop at SH-66 and Banner Road.

Canadian County Commissioner Tom Manske provided an update on the project.

“If you haven’t had the chance to drive out there, it looks great,” Manske said.

A Yukon woman has been found guilty on all counts for driving drunk and causing the death of an Elk City teenager while injuring three others.

Cassandra Ann Bray, 42, will be sentenced April 23 by District Judge Paul Hesse after a jury returned guilty verdicts about 7 p.m. March 8 to end a weeklong trial in Canadian County District Court.

After deliberating for two hours and 15 minutes, the jury recommended sentences of 16 years for first-degree manslaughter and five years each on three counts of driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury.

A jury has found a former Yukon schoolteacher guilty in a sexual assault case.

Yukon’s Robert Brian Davis, 45, will be formally sentenced next month by Canadian County Associate District Judge Bob Hughey after a four-day trial last week in Canadian County District Court.

Jury members on March 7 returned guilty verdicts, recommending that Davis serve one year for sexual battery and two years for second-degree rape by instrumentation.

The sentencing hearing is set for 2 p.m. Friday, April 12.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle, last week passed a bill in the House that would require school personnel engaging in electronic or digital communication with a student to include the student’s parent or guardians.

Exceptions to House Bill 3958 may be made in case of an emergency, subject to subsequent notification to the parent or guardian.

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, passed a significant judicial reform proposal in the Senate last week. Senate Joint Resolution 34 will give voters the opportunity to adopt the U.S. Constitution’s judicial nomination process and apply it to how justices are selected for the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Jacob Thomason, 33; Kayla Renae McClendon, 31.

Travis Wayne Fletcher, 25; Kaitlin Jacy Louk, 30.

Alexis Nicole Rowan, 23; Sayler Bryn McClain, 25.

Auston Connor Shown, 22; Candace Hope Rogers, 24.

Jordan Elliott Henricks, 39; Tayler Michelle Senn, 38.

Michael Julian Walton, 33; Kristyn Danielle Poe, 31.

Tyler Patrick Lewis Brahic, 23; Ammy Vanessa Ceron, 22.

Louis Robert Boggs, 24; Ashlie Marie Johnston, 21.

Dustin Ray Slizewski, 27; Abby Kay Gilliland, 27.

El Reno’s city council continued its crusade against dilapidated properties last week, voting to demolish three structures. The action came at the regular monthly meeting.

In this fiscal year, which began July 1, 25 properties have been condemned, with 15 of those being deemed dilapidated, said Kim Eden, head of Code Enforcement.

The properties the council addressed last week included 121 S. Roberts, 611 N. Grand and 607 W. London.

A seven-member committee has recommended construction of a four-story, 112,407-square-foot building to house Canadian County government and judicial offices. The projected cost is $71 million for the new courthouse on North Choctaw.

This 67-foot-tall building - featuring the full courts/county programs - would replace the 62-year-old Administration Building (old courthouse) and 36-year-old Judicial Building.

This preferred option includes a minimal basement, with secure parking and vehicle sallyport at grade.

Heather Williams has been named Branch Manager of the Year by City National Bank.

CNB is located inside the El Reno Walmart store.

City National Bank has 41 locations and has been a family-owned and operated bank since 1901.

Williams, who lives in El Reno with her husband and two children, has been with CNB for 14 years. She started as a retail banker before being named branch manager.

It’s actually the second time Williams has won the award. She was named Branch Manager of the Year by CNB in 2018 as well.

A two-day training will be offered for anyone wishing to volunteer to become a Certified Mediator.

A mediator helps settle legal arguments before they wind up in court.

Stacy Horner is the director of the Mediation program. She said training is set for April 10-11 at Redlands Community College.

The day begins at 9 a.m. and normally concludes sometime in the afternoon.