News

State health officials believe the Delta variant of COVID will move quickly through Oklahoma.

That’s what El Reno Schools Superintendent Craig McVay said at Thursday’s El Reno Now broadcast. He was joined by Mayor Matt White.

McVay said officials from the state Health Department believe the Delta variant will spread quickly and with less harmful effects as the original COVID virus. The thought is by mid-September it may have run its course.

Help with utility bill payments and rent assistance may be available to qualifying residents if they fell behind because of COVID-related issues.

El Reno Mayor Matt White said the COVID-19 Assistance Program is being coordinated through the Community Action Agency. He made the comments at last week’s El Reno Now program.

El Reno resident Joe Garcia made good on a bucket list trip this summer, attending a bullfight in Tijuana, Mexico.

Garcia, an avid sports photographer, captured numerous photos of the bullfight in progress. He said all eight fights he witnessed ended well for the bullfighter, not so for the bull.

Native American Royalty was on hand at the El Reno Municipal Building last week to help kick off the 31st Annual Oklahoma Indian Nation Pow Wow.

The event, held at Concho, featured traditional Native American dance, food, music, a 5K Buffalo Run and entertainment.

On Friday, El Reno Mayor Matt White presented Dara Franklin, one of the organizers, with a plaque recognizing the event and the contributions it makes to the community.

The driver of a truck was struck by a Union Pacific train and killed Friday near N.W. 234 and Country Club Road, said Sarah Stewart, Oklahoma Highway Patrol spokeswoman.

The collision happened about 3 p.m. on Union Pacific Railroad tracks on the southwest side of Okarche behind Mainer Ford, authorities report.

The man killed was identified as Hugo J. Barrera, 22, of Warr Acres. Barrera was driving east on N.W. 234. He was not wearing his seat belt and was ejected.

Canadian County CASA Inc. (Court Appointed Special Advocates) welcomes new volunteers Erin Harrington and Julie Simeroth.

The pair completed advocate training with a court observation and swear-in at the Canadian County Children’s Justice Center.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the work of CASA has not stopped. New volunteer trainings are currently being held virtually, and video-conferencing remains an option for child visits. While the need for advocates is always great, it is especially important now.

LAWSUITS

Carissa Dawn Shelton vs. Norma June Terry for an amount in excess of $10,000 for injuries and damages alleged to have occurred during an automobile accident.

OneMain Financial Group LLC vs. Teddy Parker for $10,078.01 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One Bank N.A. vs. Micheal C. Hill for $44,527.09 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Capital One Bank N.A. vs. Walter W. Stumpf Jr. for $27,548.60 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Residents will have a bit further to walk or jog on a paved surface at Lake El Reno after the city won a federal trails grant.

Dustin Downey, El Reno city planner, said the matching grant will provide the city with $300,000 to extend the trail that now runs along Lake El Reno and Crimson Creek Golf Course.

The city will put up $138,000 to match the grant, but most of that will be from “in-kind” contributions.

While it was not the massive cloud of smoke from childhood memories, the city of El Reno’s efforts to fog for pesky blood-sucking mosquitoes seem to have worked.

“We have not gotten any feedback in our office. I know there were some people who texted that we missed a street and we went back out and sprayed those areas.

“But in this office we have not gotten any calls that we missed them or that we need to come back out again and spray,” said Amy Smith, City Streets Superintendent.

Christmas in July delivered in a big way for El Reno’s Blessing Baskets.

The sixth annual event held last week at the Palace Events Center on Banner Road brought in more than $40,000 for the local organization that is dedicated to providing Christmas to area children, as well as school supplies.

Blessing Baskets also partners with The Lord’s Harvest to support a summer food program for families.