News

A tree at Lake El Reno is silhouetted as the sun begins to rise.

The state Board of Education came to an unexpected resolution in a four-year-old charter school funding lawsuit Thursday in a move the state superintendent and their attorney say sidesteps the Legislature and violates the state constitution. 

The resolution, approved by a 4-to-3 vote, allows charter schools to tap into several state and local revenue streams previously off limits to charters, including general fund, building fund and county levies. Currently charter schools only receive state-appropriated funds. 

Supporters of U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe expected the worst when he took the stage at Saturday’s Oklahoma GOP convention after his popularity had been tested by refusing to vote to challenge the Electoral College decision in January.

Not a mask was in sight as Inhofe laid out his reasons for voting to certify the election of Democratic President Joe Biden before hundreds of the party’s faithful gathered in Oklahoma City’s shiny new convention center.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Amanda Sue Papke, Hinton, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Teresa Marie Rose, Edmond, expired tag, $165.

Marissa Lynn Buckman, El Reno, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Caitlin Marie Rottler, El Reno, expired tag, $130.

Bryan Arthur Soderstrom, El Reno, failure to stop at stop sign, $165.

Richard Allen Mann, Oklahoma City, driving under suspension and failure to appear warrant, $690.

Nichole Marie LaRose, Sulphur, failure to appear warrant, $295.

Austin Wyatt Ortiz, El Reno, speeding, $165.

National Crime Victims Rights Week is April 18-24. To commemorate the advancement of victims rights and highlight issues surrounding victimization, District Attorney Mike Fields announced they were once again hosting a Victims Vigil.

“Our goal is to raise awareness about crime victims issues and rights and remind everyone that important resources and services are available,” Fields said.

El Reno issued 36 permits for new home construction in March, just about doubling the numbers issued during the same month the past two years combined.

Community Development Director Shelly Della Rosa issued a report showing the numbers. She called the March figures “impressive.”

In 2020, the number of new housing permits issued in March numbered 16 and in 2019, the number was three.

So far, El Reno has issued 49 permits for new home construction this year. That represents January, February and March.

Geese are beautiful flying through the air and they are wonderful to look at gathered together on a pond or a lake.

But the throngs of Canada geese that have made their homes in Legion Park, Lake El Reno and other areas of town are also quite messy.

The walking trail in Legion Park is littered with geese droppings. The same situation is found at the lake and the other areas, especially those parts of town with creeks or small ponds.

Oklahomans in Canadian County facing a housing crisis and eviction as a result of COVID-19 are encouraged to review their eligibility to determine if they qualify for rent and/or utilities assistance through Community Cares Partners.

Community Cares Partners, a public-private partnership and program of Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, is making a difference across the state through the distribution of over $200 million in Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) allocated by the state of Oklahoma.

This donation box at Hillcrest Learning Center, which is designated for clothing and shoes only, has been a popular dumping spot for a wide range of unwanted items.

The company that services the boxes has said in the past that items other than clothing or shoes will be thrown away.

A similar box at El Reno High School has also been a dumping spot.

To help improve roadway safety, Canadian County officials will now have access to an online database of commercial driver’s license, CDL, holders.

Canadian County commissioners agreed to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) CDL Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse through the U.S Department of Transportation.

About 50 Canadian County employees are CDL drivers.

“We agree with the concept of what it does,” Canadian County Commission Chairman Jack Stewart said.