News

If you’re a veteran, or anyone else for that matter, and you don't have anyone to have Thanksgiving dinner with, you’re invited to dine with Nancy Salsman and her family.

A fixture at the VFW as well as any community event or activity, Nancy and husband, Larry Salsman, along with daughter, Amy and son- in- law, Cannon Stout will be hosting “our family Thanksgiving dinner at VFW Post 382.”

Salsman said the dinner will begin at noon on Thursday and those arriving should enter through the north door.

The Sunset Trail at Lake El Reno officially opened Tuesday, Nov. 21.

The trail was supposed to have opened earlier, but weather forced the delay. The trail grand opening was celebrated with a “Turkey Trot Fun Fun” for youngsters.

Last week, City Manager Matt Sandidge had more good news, saying the trail will be extended farther after the city received a grant for the project.

Longtime El Reno businessman Gary Baumwart is being honored as the Grand Marshal for the Rockin Around the Christmas Tree Downtown Parade. The event will unfold Dec. 2, said Main Street organizer Dorrie Parrott.

Baumwart, an insurance executive for 45 years in El Reno, said he was surprised when told he had been selected to lead the parade through the downtown area.

“I said, ‘What? OK, I hope the weather is nice that day,’” he said with a chuckle.

The El Reno Tribune asked area students how to cook a turkey:

Krista Brandley’s first-grade class at Maple:

I would buy my turkey at the Flea Market. I would put salt and pepper on it. Then I would cook it in the microwave for 15 minutes. I will chop it up and everyone will eat it. - Kennedy Bonilla

El Reno’s annual holiday lights display, named The Lights in Legion Park, has been installed and turned on for visitors to see through the end of the Christmas season.

There was an electrical issue over the weekend which caused only a few displays, like the one shown, to come on, while others were left dark.

City officials said Monday the problem was being worked on and crews are trying to get the entire park lights shining.

Last Friday, downtown El Reno was busy with holiday shoppers, with several businesses offering special one-night deals.

A Canadian County man faces a felony murder charge for allegedly causing his daughter’s fentanyl-related death.

George Harold Graves, 54, was formally charged in Canadian County District Court with first-degree murder stemming from a Feb. 11 drug overdose at a Calumet home.

Assistant District Attorney Austin T. Murrey alleges Graves “regardless of malice … took the life” of Stormie Jasmine Graves, “whose death resulted from George Graves’ commission of the felony offense of distribution of fentanyl.”

The plans to build a 12,000-seat music amphitheater near Mustang are said to be not too far from work getting started.

Notes Live, the group with plans to put the Sunset Amphitheater just east of the John Kilpatrick Turnpike near 15th Street and Sara Road, hosted community members who surround the area and gave a presentation, allowing them to give feedback to the group regarding the project in advance of filing the project with OKC’s Planning Commission.

The Oklahoma Water Resources Center is set to conduct well water analysis for citizens in Canadian County.

Samples will be accepted at the Canadian County Educational Building from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13. The results of the tests will be provided directly to citizens.

Well owners who would like to have their well water analyzed for free are encouraged to contact the Canadian County Extension Office for information on how to collect a sample.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Joseph Michael Lang, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $245.

Blake Aaron Autrey, Connelly Springs, N.C., disorderly conduct, $595.

Gary Lee Morton Jr., El Reno, allowing unlicensed driver to drive, $295.

Tyler Jordan Berry, Edmond, expired tag and failure to stop at stop sign, $330.

Wyatt Henry Fechter, Howard, Kan., failure to maintain a single lane, $175.

Veronica Colyer, Salix, Iowa, speeding, $165.

Roberta Ann Hamilton, El Reno, speeding, $165.