News

OKLAHOMA CITY – State lawmakers last week finalized bills that will be considered in the upcoming legislative session. Two bills, one dealing with education and the other with marijuana, are expected to draw attention in the session that begins Feb. 7 at noon.

Congressman Frank Lucas (OK-03) received an A+ rating on the Susan B. Anthony List National Pro-Life Scorecard, their highest rating, for his pro-life record during the 117th Congress.

At the end of 2021, the SWOSU Digital Commons at Southwestern Oklahoma State University passed another major milestone with 750,000 downloads made from the repository.

The Oklahoma Department of Commerce (Commerce) has hired Jimmy Cagle to serve as the State Automotive Director. Cagle is retiring after 37 years on the communications staff of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, 12 of which were spent at the company’s Lawton facility.

MARRIAGE LICENSES Thomas Victor Gray, 62; Brenda Kaye Ditmore, 60. Gary R. Underwood, 76; Joy Jenean VanHooser, 62. Bradley Thomas Angel, 36; Mattie Elizabeth Rankin, 31. Alan Paul Fowler, 53; Melissa Jayne Hoyden, 41. Xavier Andrew White, 26; Jasmine Marie Terrell, 22.

The city of El Reno and the public school district may partner on a master plan related to possibly building some type of community center/sports complex. Mayor Matt White discussed the issue at last week’s city council meeting.

A semi-truck hauling pallets of 9-volt batteries jackknifed Wednesday afternoon and brought traffic on I-40 to a halt. El Reno Fire Chief Jason Duff said the batteries caught fire. It took several hours for the scene to be cleared.

A law enforcement investigation was conducted last week that involved the FBI in Calumet. An FBI spokesman said he could not provide any information about a Calumet investigation. “Due to the ongoing investigation, I can’t say anything,” said FBI spokesman Connor Hagan.

A Canadian County burn ban has been extended two more weeks. Canadian County commissioners last week approved continuing the outdoor burning prohibition due to an “extreme fire danger” caused by dry, windy conditions.

Candidate filing will open next week for three seats on the Canadian County Fair Board. The board is comprised of nine members, three serving from each county commissioner district. Each year, three fair board seats are up for election.