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Buc-ee’s coming to county?

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It’s been a social media tale for years, but if a report by an Oklahoma City media outlet is true, Buc-ee’s may actually arrive in Canadian County.

OKCTalk reported Thursday that the Texas-based company is in preliminary talks with Oklahoma City and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to open a store at I-40 and Cimarron Road. The proposed area, the story said, is just north of Clarence E. Page Airport and in the Oklahoma City limits.

Mural makeover

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El Reno artist Chris Small has been working on touching up the paint on the Route 66 mural outside The Filling Station.

Small first painted the mural in 2009 and says he’s been using special techniques and materials to keep water from getting behind the mural.

The makeover is part of the city’s efforts to get ready for the 100-year birthday celebration for the Mother Road.

Mural makeover_story

New courthouse construction ramps up with groundbreaking

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Canadian County government leaders are projecting a late spring/early summer 2027 completion of a new four-story courthouse.

A groundbreaking ceremony Feb. 9 marked the start of construction of a 112,407-square-foot building at 201 N. Choctaw.

Canadian County’s three commissioners, at a Public Facilities Authority meeting Feb. 5, approved a maximum guaranteed price totaling $71,838,991.

Commissioners Tracey Rider, Tom Manske and Lacey Dawson each took turns speaking during the groundbreaking celebration. Undersheriff Kevin Ward gave an opening prayer.

New courthouse construction ramps up with groundbreaking_story

US-281 Spur bridge replacement over I-40 begins Monday

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Work begins Monday, Feb. 16 on a bridge replacement project on the US-281 Spur over I-40, just west of El Reno in Canadian County. The site is the Cherokee Trading Post. 

The Oklahoma Department of Transportation said while traffic is not expected to be impacted during the initial phase of the project, drivers should expect occasional congestion in the work zone as work progresses. Updates will be sent as conditions change.

West introduces Gabbard at NSA Conference

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Canadian County Sheriff Chris West, president of the National Sheriffs Association, introduced Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard at the opening session of the National Sheriffs Association Winter Conference in Washington, D.C. last week.

Gabbard was the keynote speaker in the opening session of the winter conference, speaking to a crowd of more than 300.

West introduces Gabbard at NSA Conference_story

No Canadian County Fair Board election needed after no opposition filings

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No Canadian County Fair Board election is required after only the incumbents filed for three seats on the nine-member board.

Filing declarations of candidacy for the Canadian County Fair Association board of directors during the recent weeklong filing period were:

▶  Yukon’s Chad Detrick (District 1)

▶  El Reno’s Brent Hunt (District 2)

▶  Calumet’s Michael Beard (District 3)

Public Records - 2/14/26

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LAWSUITS

Capital One N.A. vs. Brandon Miller for $8,308.65 to pay a debt plus interest and costs.

Capital One N.A. vs. Samuel Rodriguez for $4,647.30 to pay a debt plus interest and costs.

Midland Credit Management Inc. vs. Paola Hernandez for $2,288.99 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One N.A. vs. Chris Greenway for $9,011.48 to pay a debt plus interest and costs.

Capital One N.A. vs. Logan Harper for $3,706.89 to pay a debt plus interest and costs.

Danger remains

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El Reno Fire Chief Jason Duff says the recent bout of winter weather, which dumped close to a foot of snow on the city, had little effect on drought conditions.

“It helped the soil but as far as the grass, not really. With the wind blowing like it has, the grass dries out pretty quickly. It’s probably just as dry as it was before the snow,” said Duff.

Thomas Vogt hoses down a large patch of burnt farmland

Carnegie Library is a year-round source for learning, reading

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A visit to the El Reno Carnegie Library offers families more than scheduled children’s programs, providing a variety of year-round resources and activities designed to encourage learning, creativity and a love of reading.

The library’s children’s floor features a wide selection of books for ages 0-12. Library staff encourage parents and caregivers to read alongside younger children or those developing early literacy skills, while independent readers may enjoy exploring graphic novels, which are especially effective for engaging reluctant readers and supporting reading development.

Evelyn Mace listening to Eric Carle’s Brown Bear, Brown Bear

Sweatshirt winner

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Danny Stone of El Reno won the free El Reno Tribune sweatshirt for the photo of himself flying off the top of the family’s home on a sled.

Stone said his wife, Paula took the photo and urged him to send it in.

It was one of more than 100 winter weather photos submitted by readers.

Sweatshirt winner_story
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