News

For the second time in a month, El Reno Public Schools has been hit with property damage caused by heavy overnight rains.

“It’s 2020 and we have come to expect the unexpected. It’s the way the year has been treating us,” said El Reno Superintendent Craig McVay.

Last week classrooms at El Reno High School and Hillcrest Learning Center were flooded. The EHS Band Hall inside the Marsh Memorial Building had flood damage as well – just weeks after new carpet had been installed.

Police are looking for a woman from Stillwater who is believed to have shoplifted from two downtown El Reno stores.

Police said an arrest warrant is being sought for Angela Suzette Thomas, 50.

The woman is believed to have taken merchandise from the Bronze Seal as well as the Fringe Boutique. The thefts were said to have occurred on Aug. 18-19. The woman allegedly took clothing items into a dressing room. She then approached the cashier and asked if the store takes personal checks.

Police are looking for two people seen running from a home after it caught fire, which appeared to have been set intentionally.

Reports said fire crews were called to 812 N. Choctaw shortly after 2 a.m. Aug. 26. Witnesses reported seeing two people running from the scene after flames broke out. Police said they were unable to find the people said to be running from the scene.

Reports said there did appear to be some flammable liquid poured onto the house. Fire crews quickly extinguished the blaze and little damage was reported.

Two Canadian County sheriff’s deputies and a former detention officer have been honored for providing lifesaving efforts over the past year.

Sgt. Austin Albrecht and Deputy Tony Dorman Jr., along with former detention officer Eric Vincent were honored Aug. 19 by the Oklahoma Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association during an awards ceremony.

Albrecht and Dorman were honored for their work in saving the lives of a woman and her daughter after they were overcome by chemical fumes while painting the interior of a home on Nov. 29.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Joy Hofmeister urged schools to host blood drives for staff and students to help ensure the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) can meet demand.

Blood drive cancellations are driving supplies to critically low levels. To maintain a strong blood supply, 1,200 donations a day are needed in Oklahoma. With more than 30 percent of total donations in the state collected from donors associated with education groups, school-based drives are critical.

Southwestern Oklahoma State University President Randy Beutler said he will close out a 35-year career in education and public service with retirement effective June 30, 2021. 

Beutler was named the 17th president of SWOSU in February 2010. He will be completing nearly 12 years leading the institution, becoming the third longest-serving president in school history.

“SWOSU is a very special place, and I have been blessed to be part of the incredible Bulldog community,” Beutler said.

LAWSUITS

Nationstar Mortgage LLC vs. the Heirs, Personal Representatives, Devisees, Trustees, Successors and Assigns of Ray E. Christensen, Deceased, for $157,121.08 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees and foreclosure of a mortgage on Lot 58, Block 8, Parkland Heights Addition, Yukon.

Edward Roberson vs. Terral Garrison for an amount in excess of $75,000 for injuries and damages alleged to have occurred during an automobile accident.

El Reno Public Schools reopened Lincoln Learning Center Thursday, however, three more school sites have been shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Etta Dale Junior High, Lucas Hall and the district’s junior high football facility were shuttered Tuesday after a student was reported to have contracted the coronavirus.

“We got the word that one of our students had tested positive from a parent report. It took us a short time to get everything shut down but I feel like it was a swift and necessary action,” said El Reno Superintendent Craig McVay.

Health care is expanding in El Reno.

Ground was broken last week for a new El Reno Indian Health Center.

The 16,000-square-foot health center will provide space to expand services that will include dental, optometry, podiatry, audiology, general radiology and physical therapy.