News

Craig McVay has a long-range plan for El Reno Public Schools, but the events over the first 10 months of 2020 have pushed the superintendent toward revamping those ideas.

“What we have talked about ahead of reviewing our long-range plan was to find out what the community expects, what our teachers expect and what our students expect,” said McVay.

McVay said guiding the district’s educational needs through the global COVID-19 pandemic as well as the rising awareness of racial inequalities was the driving force behind looking at the plan again.

El Reno Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts canvassed neighborhoods last Saturday at part of the annual Scouting for Food Drive.

Nikki Pruitt, founder and director of The Lord’s Harvest which benefits from the effort, said more than 2,765 pounds of non-perishable food items had been rounded up by the Scouts. Pruitt said by the end of the week she expected that total to climb even higher.

Steve Jensen was sworn in to serve as El Reno’s Ward 1 City Council representative Tuesday evening by Municipal Judge Richard Lewis.

Canadian County veterans were honored at Sunday’s Veterans Parade.

The Ninth Annual Canadian County Veterans Day Parade featured parade entries from throughout the county. El Reno School Superintendent Craig McVay served as master of ceremonies for the program following the parade.

Sheriff Chris West offered the invocation, while Sen. Lonnie Paxton led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The National Anthem was performed by Ellen Jensen. Randy Hurst led the Salute to Services.

An El Reno man was killed in an accident on I-40 Monday afternoon, according to reports from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The accident that happened three miles west of Hinton at mile marker 98 claimed the life of 59-year-old Martin Hoselton. The accident happened at 3:18 p.m., OHP said.

Veterans looking to achieve their career goals can get support from the Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) program, a free program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and created to help qualified military veterans prepare for post-secondary education.

Graveside service for Viola Almeda Brewer was held Friday, Nov. 13, 2020, at Resthaven Cemetery in Oklahoma City. Services were under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home.

Viola passed away Nov. 9, 2020, in El Reno. She was born April 20, 1921, in Burlington, Neb., to Arthur and Sylvia (Hoschour) Sweet.

Viola loved attending church and worshiping her Lord and Savior. She was an active member of the RLDS Church.

At the age of 8 she was baptized and continued her walk with Christ throughout her entire life.

An Indian Taco Benefit is planned Sunday at the American Legion, 2101 Sunset Dr. with proceeds going to the Darren Moore Memorial Fund.

The benefit will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., or until supplies are exhausted. The event is dine in or carry out or delivery is available. For delivery call Jayci Hicks at 405-543-9396.

Organizers are asking for donations. The Indian Taco also comes with a drink.

El Reno residents have until 5 p.m. Sunday to dump tree limbs at no charge at the Lake El Reno collection site.

Mayor Matt White made the announcement at Tuesday night’s city council meeting.

Contractors hired by the city to collect limbs in neighborhoods throughout town will continue to do so through Nov. 22. White said once all neighborhoods have been canvassed, the contractors will make another final sweep through town to gather any limbs that weren't placed near the street in the earlier collection.

The Ninth Annual Canadian County Veterans Day Parade rolled through the streets of downtown El Reno Sunday, filled with patriotic fanfare to salute those who answered our nation’s call.

The event was sponsored by the El Reno Chamber of Commerce and led by El Reno Girl Scouts carrying the American and Oklahoma flags and that of their organization.

Music played by El Reno High School’s Pride of El Reno Marching Band echoed through the streets. The band was followed by emergency vehicles from the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office and the El Reno Fire Department.