News

El Reno High School Assistant Principal Jerelyn Atchison (left) and Seely Chronister (center) play a cowbell in beat with drummer Zoe Johnson as the EHS Jazz Band plays during a timeout at a recent basketball game at Jenks Simmons Field House.

Resurfacing the Canadian County Assessor’s Office parking lot has hit a snag, which may delay completion of the long-awaited project for a few months.

County commissioners last October hired Atlas Paving Co. to install a new asphalt surface for the parking lot replacement project on North Choctaw/Highway 81. Atlas will be paid $201,997 after submitting the lowest of seven bids.

A lawsuit against Canadian County Sheriff Chris West has been dismissed and a jury trial stricken from the court docket.

Former sheriff’s investigator Marty Burns and Deputy Chelsea Adkins claimed in the civil suit they were wrongfully terminated after making whistleblower allegations.

Plaintiffs attorney Jonathan Irwin on Jan. 2 dismissed the lawsuit against West and the case was closed in Canadian County District Court.

The Indigenous Student Association (ISA) at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) will host the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes Tradition Not Addiction program.

Christian Wassana, founder of the motivational movement, “I Am, I Can, I Will,” is the guest speaker for this event, as he has worked closely with youth and young adults about drug and alcohol prevention, culture, mental health and suicide prevention.

SWOSU ISA invites the SWOSU community and the public to attend this free event at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 22 in the East Ballroom of the Memorial Student Center.

LAWSUITS

Valle Serrulata LLC vs. Russell Koshiway for $10,372.36 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Jordan San Miguel vs. Iris Ruellas for an amount in excess of $75,000 for injuries and damages alleged to have occurred during an automobile accident.

Sarah Wilbur vs. Charles Stevens for an amount in excess of $75,000 for alleged injuries and damages.

The city of El Reno threw support to a plan proposed by the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes to build Fitness Courts, possibly in several areas of the community. The plan is aimed at creating spaces for people to gather for outdoor fitness activities.

The city council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the efforts at last week’s meeting.

The C&A proposal is in the study phase. The tribes are looking at locations in El Reno, Clinton and Geary for possible construction of the Fitness Courts.

Wesley United Methodist Church placed scarves on poles in downtown El Reno as a way to help anyone who might be in need of some extra clothing as temperatures plunged this week.

Amy Neathery said the idea is to “reach out” to those neighbors in need by leaving scarves on poles in downtown.

The church collected the scarf donations over the last month and put them out just before the expected arctic air.

After about 3 1/2 years, Canadian County’s Family Justice Center will be moving to a new home.

Cardinal Point will occupy what is now the Canadian County Health Department (CCHD) building at 1023 E. Vandament in Yukon. The CCHD’s Yukon and El Reno offices are scheduled to move this spring to a newly remodeled, 33,000-square-foot site at 6100 E. Highway 66 just west of Evans Road. A $3.6 million renovation began last fall at the former El Reno Halliburton plant.

Voters interested in voting by absentee ballot during the 2024 election year can request absentee ballots now using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.

Requests can be accessed by downloading and printing an application from the Oklahoma State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/elections.

Applications are also available at the Canadian County Election Board and can be mailed, emailed or faxed to the county election board.