News

The Jonny and Mary Ellison family of Calumet recently was honored with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau Women’s Leadership Committee’s District Three Farm and Ranch Family Recognition.

The Ellisons, with their two grown children, Luke and Regan, operate a cow/calf and stocker cattle operation, along with growing wheat and hay in Canadian County.

The family also operates a custom harvest and baling/swathing business for area producers.

Raising their children in rural Oklahoma and around agriculture has always been important to Jonny and Mary.

The man charged with leaving his young son to die in a pickup on an August day in 2018 will be sentenced for his crime on Tuesday after waiving his right to a jury trial.

Adam Kolar is charged with second-degree murder in the death of his 3-year-old son, Ryker.

Assistant District Attorney Eric Epplin said Kolar will enter a plea and be sentenced at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday in Canadian County District Court.

A jury trial for Kolar had been scheduled in Canadian County District Court, but it was postponed.

Crisp November air creates a light fog over Lake El Reno. Mild temperatures were enjoyed the past several days although a brief cold snap is expected to arrive over the weekend. The Thanksgiving holiday is expected to be in the 60s. (Courtesy photo)

The El Reno Community Chorus is preparing for its upcoming concerts, Songs of Hope, Peace and Comfort, to be performed Saturday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 22 at 2:30 p.m.

Over the summer, our long wait for a new home was realized when we were able to finalize arrangements with St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church in Yukon.

When we could no longer rehearse at Redlands Community College in El Reno because of new hours and fees, we searched for a place where we could rehearse and perform with our own piano and which would also house our music library.

LAWSUITS

Discover Bank vs. Patricia A. Hodgins for $9,725.32 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Bank of America N.A. vs. Bennie Morris for $4,889.43 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Snap-On Credit LLC vs. Jesse Boice for $8,240.42 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Snap-On Credit LLC vs. Paul Dempsey for $9,756.50 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Discover Bank vs. Christopher Wood for $5,428.14 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

El Reno’s First Baptist Church will be the local drop-off site for Operation Christmas Child, an international project of Samaritan’s Purse.

The goal is to help provide children worldwide with items such as school supplies, hygiene items and toys and mostly to let them know of God’s love for them and all children.

Known as Shoebox Gifts, Operation Christmas Child has been delivering the items throughout the world for more than two decades. Franklin Graham, well-known evangelist, has spearheaded the effort.

Lori Finnigan is serving as the El Reno coordinator.

El Reno Mayor Matt White encouraged residents wanting a government-ordered mask mandate to contact state lawmakers and Gov. Kevin Stitt with their concerns.

White made the comments during the Thursday afternoon El Reno Live program that airs on Facebook Live at 3 p.m. each Thursday.

White was asked if he was going to issue a citywide mask mandate in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

El Reno, like the rest of the state, nation and world has seen a spike in cases as many health professionals said would happen with the arrival of cooler weather.

Even county officials voice concerns when they get a water bill that is larger than expected.

Canadian County commissioners, acting as the trustees for the county’s Public Facilities Authority, raised their collective eyebrows last week when a water bill from the Canadian County Water Authority was received for more than $1,200.

The water bill represents service to the new fairgrounds complex being built just east of El Reno.

Three Redlands Community College employees were honored by the Oklahoma Association of Community Colleges (OACC) for their contributions to the college.

Todd Hobson was named Outstanding Faculty Member, while Tamie McCabe was recognized as Outstanding Professional Staff Member and Yesenia Mayorga was Outstanding Support Staff Member.

“We have an excellent team of faculty and staff at Redlands, and it’s an honor to recognize individuals each year who have exhibited such dedication to the students and the college,” said Redlands President Jack Bryant.