News

The Canadian County Health Department is hosting a Community Food Safety Class for food establishments from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25.

The class will cover food safety best practices, with an emphasis on food establishments.  

The event will be held on the second floor at the Canadian County Health Department, 100 S. Rock Island Ave. 

Restaurant managers and staff, aspiring food industry professionals and the general public are welcome to attend. 

The deadline to request absentee ballots by mail is approaching. Applications must be received by the Canadian County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30.

Allen Arnold, county election board acting secretary, says absentee voting is available to all voters and can be submitted several ways.

“In Oklahoma, no excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot and it’s easy to apply. Voters can submit their application online, in-person, by fax, mail or even email.”

Although it’s too early in the season for gardeners to plant any seeds in the ground, the winter months are the perfect time of year for spring and summer garden planning.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Ashley Gene Warledo, Weatherford, failure to appear warrant, $245.

Martha Rivera, El Reno, failure to comply, $145.

Samuel Marcus Watson, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $245.

Steven Taylor, El Reno, theft of services, $245.

Christopher Lady, El Reno, violation of property maintenance code and failure to appear warrant, $390.

Kimberly Ann West, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $245.

Pedro Ortiz, El Reno, dog at large, $145.

Four Canadian County officers have been appointed to decide which architects to interview to prepare plans and cost estimates for a new county courthouse complex. County commissioners would then hire a firm to develop the design of a multi-level courthouse/administration building in the county seat.

Estimated construction costs have not been determined.

The Canadian County Sheriff’s Office may now take inmates from here to the Tillman County Jail in Frederick. The two jails are about 138 miles apart.

A new agreement allows Canadian County to use bed space at the Tillman County Jail at a cost of $45 per day, per inmate.

Canadian County houses inmates in other jails when the local jail is full. The jail at 304 E. Evans has a 194-bed capacity.

Sample ballots are now available for the Feb. 14 election. Voters can download a sample ballot using the State Election Board’s OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or pick up a copy at the Canadian County Election Board during normal business hours.

Allen Arnold, Canadian County Election Board Acting Secretary, said voters should know that sample ballots are specific to each person.

Saint Katharine Drexel Retirement Center, through a grant from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, welcomed a new bus last week.

Kim Bowles, executive director at Saint Katharine’s, said the grant is intended to enhance the mobility of seniors and individuals with disabilities.

The bus, a 2022 Chevrolet StarCraft Minibus, has a handicap-accessible lift as well as safety cameras, defibrillator, fire extinguishers, first aid kit, hand sanitizer dispenser, extra lights and other safety features.

Friday, Jan. 20 is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the Feb. 14 City of Yukon Council Member at Large, City of Yukon Special Election, Riverside School Special Election, Deer Creek School Primary Board of Education Election, El Reno School Primary Board of Education Election and Mustang School Special Election, Canadian County Election Board Acting Secretary Allen Arnold said.

Plans to build a new terminal at the El Reno Regional Airport may take a bit longer, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

City Manager Matt Sandidge said a recent meeting with the Oklahoma Aeronautical Commission resulted in the project being moved to fiscal year 2024, but the move could come with additional grant funding for the project.

Mayor Steve Jensen was involved in the meeting. He told the council the OAC will want a “resolution” from the city supporting the project.