Okarche fifth-graders, from left, Lauren and Taylin Schwarz and Tinley Running all wore matching outfits to cheer on Okarche High School’s basketball teams last week in the regional round of the Class A playoffs.
The Warriors split the playoff games, with the girls losing to Oklahoma Bible Academy and the boys defeating Hominy.
James Kee John was sentenced last week by a Canadian County judge for nine counts of rape and lewd acts with a child after entering a plea of no contest.
After hearing the facts of the case, which revealed a years-long pattern of physical, sexual and psychological abuse by John, as well as a victim impact statement, Special Judge David Halley followed the state’s request and sentenced the defendant to 40 years incarceration, with the remainder of his life on probation.
The victims were 10 and 12 when the abuse started.
El Reno Police Department placed ninth among Oklahoma City Metroplex law enforcement-related teams in the annual Polar Plunge fundraising challenge for Oklahoma Special Olympics.
The eight-member team raised $3,246 - part of more than $34,500 collected by the top nine teams.
Yukon Police Department’s eight-member squad was second overall with $4,990 raised.
There were 43 teams in the Oklahoma City event, with members taking the plunge into chilly waters at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor OKC.
Early voting begins Thursday, Feb. 29 for voters in Canadian County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day have the option of voting early at their county election board.
Canadian County Election Board Secretary Allen Arnold said early voting is open to all voters.
Sample ballots are now available for the March 5 election. Voters can download a sample ballot using the State Election Board OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or pick up a copy at the Canadian County Election Board during normal business hours.
Canadian County Election Board Secretary Allen Arnold said sample ballots are specific to each person.
LAWSUITS
Freedom Mortgage Corporation vs. Isabel Garcia and Mario Garcia for $174,073.40 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of mortgage on Lots 9 and 10, Block 3, Jensen’s Addition, El Reno.
Arvest Bank vs. Dakotah Henderson for $34,843.25 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
U.S. Bank N.A. vs. Delvon Colbert for $10,369.73 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Discover Bank vs. David Jackson for $10,551.80 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
A long abandoned and now dilapidated motel on Sunset Drive appears to be coming down after El Reno City Council voted to level the property.
The unanimous vote to bring the property at 2408 Sunset Drive down was applauded by a representative from the nearby El Reno Bowl.
The new owner of the bowling alley, David Dunn, had said when he purchased the business last year he almost passed on the investment because of the dilapidated and vacant motel.
The stories are all different, unique in their own way.
But there’s no mistaking the common denominator that brings all of them together for one special night - love.
The Sixth Annual Night to Shine Prom held last week drew dozens of happy, dancing participants and even more happy and dancing volunteers, escorts and buddies.
Night to Shine has been hosted in El Reno by First Baptist Church along with El Reno Public Schools.
An array of community volunteers join in to create a very special evening for very special people.
Rose Witcher Learning Center resumed classes Feb. 13 at the school after being displaced for a week by a natural gas leak.
The leak was discovered Jan. 30 when maintenance crews entered the boiler room to repair a water leak. That leak came from a pipe on one of the school’s drinking fountains.
What they found was a leaking natural gas pipe, as well.
El Reno was blanketed with another round of winter weather last week with snow forcing the cancellation of school throughout the county on Feb. 12.
The wet snow was good for packing as snowmen, like this family of three on Choctaw Avenue, popped up all around the city.
However, temperatures rebounded a day later under the bright sun which caused the snowmen to melt and drop all their accessories like this snowman’s carrot nose (foreground).
