News

Canadian County District Court Clerk Marie Hirst will not seek re-election after some 28 years in public service. Now in her 16th year as Canadian County’s elected court clerk, Hirst said last week she will not seek re-election to a fifth, four-year term.

“It’s been a complete honor to have been elected for four terms, and that the voters had that much faith and trust in my knowledge and experience to do the job,” Hirst said.

“It’s been a great ride for the most part.”

Rep. Rick West, R-Heavener, filed legislation that would require an organization such as the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association (OSSAA) to accept cash for admittance to sporting events or any other activity where payment is required.

Sen. Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, has filed legislation to give people more time to come up with rent money or find a new place to live before eviction can take place.

Senate Bill 1575 would extend the window for setting an eviction trial to 10 business days and extend the timeline for notice of a trial to a week.

Kirt said one of the root causes of homelessness is eviction, and Oklahoma City and Tulsa have some of the highest rates of eviction in the country, ranked 20th and 11th, respectively.

LAWSUITS

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Durell Carter for $1,183.76 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Jeri Meyer for $935.56 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Portfolio Recovery Associates LLC vs. Brandi Marquez for $892.20 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One N.A. vs. Branda Wilson for $2,522.21 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

As an English teacher, Jacqueline Smith knows the importance of words and how they can play an intricate part in shaping the minds and future paths of teenagers in a world dominated by technology.

However, it was the actions of two key people in her past that drew her into the world of education, more so than putting words down on paper.

From as early as age 5, Smith recalls spending every free weekend, holiday and summer break working for her grandfather, Don Stevenson at his iconic El Reno drive-thru quick stop named Tooters.

Several hundred people turned out for the second annual Russell-Murray Hospice Gala. The event was held Jan. 20 at the Palace Event Center on Banner Road.

The evening helps raise funds to support the El Reno-based nonprofit hospice in its support of those who are uninsured or under-insured.

The event featured a live and silent auction, catered buffet dinner by Primo’s, awards and entertainment by musician Matt Cowell.

The evening was somewhat of a reunion for families and individuals who have benefited from the services Russell-Murray has provided over the years.

From the hills of eastern Oklahoma, legendary U.S. Deputy Marshal Bass Reeves rode with a posse toward Fort Sill, then to Fort Reno.

Setting out from Fort Smith, Ark., Bass Reeves, once the slave of a Confederate general from Texas in the Civil War, is said to have brought back 3,000 fugitives from federal law in the days before Oklahoma was a state.

The legends surrounding Bass Reeves have made a western series that has been streaming on Paramount Plus, a spinoff of the “Yellowstone” series.

As a January blast of arctic air swept across the Canadian County plains and hit the officers quarters building at old Fort Reno, it was a good time to go over the newly announced plans for better glass and framed windows.

Without much to block the air, the windows in a building from 1936 have plenty of drafts. The officers quarters building was built in 1876 and then rebuilt in 1936.

Today, the building is the location of the Fort Reno Visitors Center and Museum. But soon money from a grant will replace the old windows.

Kane White and Evalyn Ellis throw rubber ducks toward the center of the court during a recent Calumet High School basketball game.

Both are elementary school students and paid $1 per duck to throw toward a plastic ring at center court. The first two ducks in the ring get a $10 certificate to the concession stand.

The contest is an elementary school fundrasier.

The city of Yukon is seeking a $2 million grant to develop a downtown park.

The Yukon City Council recently approved submitting a 2023 Route 66 Revitalization Grant proposal for development of the park at 25 North 4th Street.

In a related item, council members approved a resolution requesting the Oklahoma Route 66 Commission consider this “downtown destination park” on vacant city-owned property just north of Main Street.