News

OKLAHOMA CITY – Twenty-two Oklahoma mentors are being recognized by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence and their community mentoring organizations during National Mentor Month in January.

The honored mentors were submitted by their respective mentoring organizations across the state, and each received certificates of achievement from the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. The certificates are being presented in the communities where the mentors volunteer.

Friday, Jan. 15 is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the Feb. 9 State Senate 22 Primary Election, City of OKC Ward 1 Council Member Election, City of OKC Ward 3 Council Member Election and Riverside School Board Member Election, said Canadian County Election Board Secretary Wanda Armold.

Armold said that persons who are United States citizens, residents of Oklahoma and at least 18 years old may apply to become registered voters.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Raylen Browning Butler, El Reno, improper equipment, $105.

Carolina Strong, El Reno, failure to yield from stop sign, $195.

Michael Anthony Domingue, Lafayette, La., speeding and failure to appear warrant, $460.

Erik Chavira Talamantes, Oklahoma City, speeding, $175.

Logan Danielle Wise, Edmond, speeding, $165.

Donrell Lamar Burdine, Oklahoma City, speeding, $165.

Juan Manuel Puebla Vazquez, El Reno, driving without license issued, $252.

Christopher Trey Alexander, Yukon, speeding, $165.

As 2020 moved into its final four months, the world and El Reno continued to struggle with the onslaught of COVID. Families lost loved ones to the disease. The economy was still being battered as election season arrived on both the local and national stage. And still, life continued to move forward, often with stories of hope, sharing and love.

September

Corliss Collins received word the man convicted of killing her elderly grandfather in 1985 had been released from prison.

Early November was a hectic time in El Reno. A late October ice storm had left thousands without power and tree limbs were everywhere. Children were home because there was no power and COVID continued to play havoc with schedules.

Although Donna Dyer’s home had no power and her grandchildren were with her that day, she was able to make a scheduled video conference call over her cell phone.

Dyer said she had no idea how happy she would be that the video call was able to connect.

This snowman on South Jensen was made from the nearly 8 inches of snow that fell on the city during the first day of 2021.

Commissioners finalized an agreement between Canadian County Emergency Management and OK-First.

The deal means the Oklahoma Climatological Survey will give the county the latest and most accurate updates for all weather, including potentially dangerous storms. 

The measure was easily approved.

District 3 Commissioner Jack Stewart said he was happy that access to the data comes free of charge.

As the calendar turned to May, the mood remained somber. Politicians and citizens argued over the need for masks to protect against the spread of COVID, while long-held traditions were put on hold as gathering in public was off limits.

In El Reno, that meant no Burger Day and for a while, it looked like no high school graduation. And yet, some still found reason to celebrate, although with dire economic times, those moments were far fewer than normal.

May

Family and the city of Yukon are celebrating the birthday of Maxine Hubbs Brockhaus. Brockhaus turned 100 years of age Dec. 27.

She was scheduled to receive a commemorative plaque from city hall.

Brockhaus was born in El Reno Dec. 27, 1920. She graduated high school there in 1939, and shortly after married Lawrence Brockhaus of Yukon. They continued living in El Reno until the 1960s.

Family members added that Brockhaus also graduated with a two-year degree at a business college.

A judge is expected to sentence a semi-truck driver to at least 10 years in prison after the defendant pleaded guilty in court for causing a crash that killed a Yukon businessman.

Wynnewood’s Donald Garrett Biffle, 27, has waived his right to a jury trial in Canadian County District Court. The defendant faces felony charges of second-degree murder, unlawful possession of a controlled dangerous substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.