News

Canadian County’s newest commissioner is getting up to speed as she takes an early start in her new position.

El Reno’s Tracey Rider took the oath of office last week as the new District 3 county commissioner.

Fellow elected officials, county employees, family and friends attended Rider’s swearing-in ceremony.

Canadian County District Judge Paul Hesse administered the oath.

After receiving congratulations from Judge Hesse, Rider introduced her family members and acknowledged supporters in the audience.

Canadian County officials are moving forward with plans to make safety improvements along historic Route 66 in El Reno and to the west as part of a national bicycle route.

Commissioners approved a resolution to sponsor a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) application and maintenance agreement with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

By a 2-1 vote, commissioners agreed to apply for up to $4 million in federal funds for the first three phases of a proposed five-phase project in District 3.

A Canadian County man remains at large after failing to comply with court orders in the wake of a criminal felony conviction.

Canadian County Sheriff’s Office is searching for Jeffery Alan Helms, 48, who pleaded guilty to a single count of possession of a stolen vehicle in September 2020.

That conviction – in a case filed in April 2018 – initially resulted in a 10-year suspended sentence, community service and the payment of fines and costs.

Health care in rural Oklahoma continues to be impacted by a lack of providers, but a five-year federal grant totaling $2.75 million awarded to Redlands Community College and Western Oklahoma State College in Altus is designed to address the shortage.

Redlands, designated a Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions (NASNTI) program, partnered with Western to submit a proposal for the NASNTI Part A Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant.

The Canadian County OSU Extension Center will host From the Ranch to the Table Direct Beef Marketing Seminar on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. at the Canadian County Education Building at the old fairgrounds located at 220 N. Country Club Road.

This seminar is focused on the future growth of direct beef sales to consumers from area beef producers.

This program will educate Oklahoma farmers and ranchers on the sequential steps they need to take to begin their new business venture, as they begin to sell their branded beef to consumers through various marketing campaigns.

OKLAHOMA CITY — A seasonal virus that takes a toll on young children and older adults has returned this fall with a vengeance.

Surges in respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, typically parallels flu season, running from late fall into the spring, but this year’s outbreak started earlier than normal.

This month, the Oklahoma State Department of Health reported rising case numbers and hospitalizations for RSV in many parts of the state.

The figures mirror national trends.

MARRIAGE LICENSES

Tyler Daniel Thanscheidt, 27; Jenah Christian Marchant, 24.

Nicholas Edward O’Sullivan, 28; Hannah Christene Fiewig, 26.

Roy Lee Robbins, 55; Michelle Davis, 51.

Dakota James Sims, 30; Kassidy Kilgore, 27.

Gustavo Angel Hucsca Cruz, 24; Alondra Guadalupe Davila Olivares, 20.

Daniel Ferderick Rockwell, 31; Mary Lorraine De Guzman, 30.

Avery Wilson Bates, 22; Kaylee Marie Christensen, 22.

Michael David Ray, 36; Tiffany Alexandra Williams, 26.

A steady dose of rain forced the cancellation of the Lights in Legion Park kickoff event that was planned for last Saturday. The Christmas lights were turned on, but without the fanfare that normally accompanies the event.

City Manager Matt Sandidge said the city is working with local organizations to reschedule some activities in the park during the Christmas season.

Candidates for the Board of Education in 11 Canadian County school districts will file Declarations of Candidacy beginning 8 a.m. Monday, Dec. 5.

Allen Arnold, acting secretary of the Canadian County Election Board, said Declaration of Candidacy forms must be completed and submitted to the county election board no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7 when the filing period ends.

A shuttered complex along Interstate 40 in east Canadian County will see new life, after electric vehicle manufacturer Canoo announced it was purchasing the property.

That news is expected to mean more than 500 new jobs in the area and a plant that was expected to be up and running to the tune of producing up to 20,000 units by the end of 2023, according to a release issued by the company.