News

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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.

Redlands Community College is hosting its annual College and Career Fair Feb. 25 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Austin Family Conference Center.

Designed to help students explore their future academic and career pathways, the event brings together representatives from more than 50 businesses, universities and community resources.

There’s more than love in the air as “Oklahoma Gardening” kicks off its 51st year on Feb. 14 on local OETA channels.