News

Both health-care and public school officials are keeping a close eye on incoming data as the Omicron and Delta variants continue to fuel a recent surge in both testing and reported positive cases of the coronavirus. “I hate COVID-19. It seems to be the same as it’s always been for us.

Mike Grimes, a lieutenant with the Canadian County Sheriff’s Investigations Division, has retired after 57 years in law enforcement. His retirement was effective Dec. 31. Grimes was serving as criminal investigator with the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office.

El Reno Little League wrestler Cooper Coble rolls his Weatherford opponent into a pinning position during an exhibition match last week. The two towns had five youth matches before the high school dual. See related story and photos here.  

El Reno police responded to some violent incidents over the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. On Dec. 23, police were called to 416 W. Rogers after receiving reports of gunshots. Officers said they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the calf area of his right leg.

The inmate population has declined in recent weeks at the Canadian County Jail. On Jan. 3, there were 178 inmates housed inside the county’s detention center in El Reno - 25 inmates less than the previous Monday, Dec. 27.

A majority of state school boards associations have publicly distanced themselves from the National School Boards Association (NSBA) after the national group compared parents to terrorists, and 17 state associations have withdrawn from the NSBA.

Banana bread and sourdough were all the rage in 2020, and 2021 focused on air-fried food and low-waste foods. What’s going to land in your pantry this new year?

MUNICIPAL COURT Josiah J. Foley, Oklahoma City, speeding, $245. Amrathal B. Patel, El Reno, improper turn, $175. Shalonda Lane Roberson, Broken Bow, speeding, $195. Donnie Max McGee, El Reno, trespassing on private property, $295. Shane Lee Chauncey, Yukon, speeding, $165.

Editor’s Note: This is the last of a series of stories looking back at the year that was 2021. As fall arrived so did news that the population in Canadian County had grown dramatically.

A Yukon lawmaker has filed legislation that would make county sheriffs the constitutionally-recognized chief law enforcement officer of their respective counties. Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, chair of the Oklahoma House States Rights Committee, filed the legislation for the upcoming session.