This year, 2023, marks the 25th year for Blessing Baskets to orchestrate the Community Christmas Assistance Mission.
This program is possible because of the generosity of our many volunteers, business partners, school and civic partners, the Mary Kay Ashbrook Foundation, United Way and benefactors to whom we owe an abundance of thanks and gratitude.
Retiring District Attorney Mike Fields was honored at two receptions last week in Enid and El Reno, the same week that Gov. Kevin Stitt announced the appointment of his successor.
Tommy Humphries of Piedmont, Fields’ first assistant since 2021, will step up to the top job in District 4 beginning Jan. 2, serving until the next election in November 2026.
“Tommy is an excellent prosecutor and administrator,” Fields said Friday. “I know that I’m leaving the district in good hands and the transition to his leadership will be seamless.”
Yukon city leaders are considering using an outside firm to help obtain federal grants. The Yukon City Council is expected to consider an agreement with Merchant McIntyre Associates.
Based in Washington, D.C., Merchant McIntyre is the only federal government relations agency that exclusively represents nonprofit institutions and organizations.
The agency – which has 20 grant writers – serves local governments, social service agencies, hospitals, medical centers, colleges and universities.
OKLAHOMA CITY — A global company has once again decided against building an electric vehicle battery plant near Tulsa despite lawmakers offering a $698 million incentive package and funding millions of dollars in site improvements at the company’s request.
A Panasonic spokesperson said the company will not build a multibillion-dollar battery plant at Pryor’s MidAmerica Industrial Park.
LAWSUITS
Discover Bank vs. Heather Ellis for $5,142.90 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Capital One N.A. vs. Shelby Franklin for $2,256.36 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Citibank N.A. vs. Robert Walker for $2,549.31 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Capital One N.A. vs. Joseph Stephens for $2,267.67 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Citibank N.A. vs. Tamila Bentley for $5,151.33 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.
Colsen Girty was smiling down from heaven over the weekend as one of his dreams became reality.
With the help of his mother, Whitney Sides, the El Reno Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 151 was able to provide 45 area children with a brighter holiday season through the 16th Annual Christmas With a Cop.
Girty was killed in a car accident in 2021 at the age of 10, but his mother said one of his dreams was to give Christmas presents to children in El Reno. In his memory, Sides created a trust to honor that wish and funded it with a charity event earlier this year.
El Reno city leaders officially celebrated the beginning of the municipal Internet system being created by lighting up a sign outside of City Hall.
Mayor Steve Jensen turned on the lighted sign promoting the infrastructure project as council members, city staff and the crew working to build out the system applauded.
Known as El Reno Fast Connect, the more than $3 million city-owned Internet system is now available to some 270 homes. Assistant City Manager Tim Young said four businesses along Country Club have also signed on to the system.
Note: Knowing Jolly Old St. Nicholas is a subscriber and reads the El Reno Tribune each edition, the staff decided to help him out and deliver local children’s Letters to Santa in print. Letters will appear over the next few editions but in time for his Christmas Eve flight from the North Pole.
A property at 1508 S. Choctaw was condemned last week by the El Reno City Council. The action was one of several items tackled by the elected leaders.
City Manager Matt Sandidge said the property on South Choctaw has been in a “dilapidated condition for some time.” The owner of the property is deceased and relatives have no interest in the structure.
The city plans to demolish the structure after the first of the year.
Pursuing a college degree can be challenging and overwhelming, especially for students whose parents didn’t take the same path.
To support and encourage these students, Redlands Community College hosted a panel of first-generation students and graduates, including members of the college’s faculty and staff.
“We appreciate and understand how difficult and lonely college can be for first-generation students, grappling with an unfamiliar experience and limited guidance,” said Redlands President Jena Marr.
