News

Mike Crowly has been a wheat farmer for 35 years. He struggles to recall a single season in which the weather and crop yields were better than what the fields in Canadian County have churned out in the month of June.

“This might be one of the first times I have had the situation to where we can cut wheat every single day and not be interrupted by any type of weather circumstances. We started and finished harvesting without any interruptions from the weather,” said Crowly.

On Tuesday, voters will decide a state question related to health care, as well as pick a Canadian County Court Clerk.

Early voting began on Thursday at the Canadian County Election Board. The polls on Tuesday, June 30, will open at 7 a.m. and will remain open until 7 p.m., or until everyone in line at the time has a chance to vote.

An El Reno man was killed when the lawn mower he was riding was struck by a vehicle that apparently veered off the roadway.

Police Major Kirk Dickerson said Howard Noland, 71, was killed in the June 18 accident. The collision happened about 8:30 a.m. in the 600 block of South Shepard.

Police said the driver of the vehicle stayed at the scene of the accident and cooperated with police.

One state question will appear on the June 30 general election ballot. This Initiative Petition was placed on the ballot by gathering signatures from citizens. The question is reprinted here as it will appear on the ballot followed by a brief summary.

Initiative Petition 419
State Question 802

El Reno held a town hall meeting last week to discuss how police and city officials interact with citizens.

About 30 people attended the Thursday evening meeting at the Centre Theatre. A number of them spoke about issues or concerns they have.

The discussion came on the heels of a Black Lives Matter protest held outside the police station two weeks ago.

After that demonstration, Mayor Matt White and other city officials decided to invite anyone who wished to a public meeting to discuss the issues.

Blessing Baskets and The Lord’s Harvest began the annual Families with Children Summer Food Program in early June.

The effort to feed El Reno and area families during the summer months first began in 2012, said Blessing Baskets coordinator Donna Dyer. The COVID-19 pandemic added a new twist to this year’s food distribution.

“We are going forward with an abundance of caution,” Dyer said.

“We are following safety guidelines to help our volunteers and the families we serve stay healthy.”

Gayla Lutts knows a thing or two about disasters and how to handle them. She’s worked through two major disasters in the past eight years.

Lutts, superintendent of Canadian Valley Technology Center, discussed “Leadership During a Disaster” at a recent meeting in Yukon.

The event was held virtually as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma task force designed to analyze problems in marketing and processing beef has been organized by State Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, and State Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant. 

The two legislators have invited independent ranchers, meat buyers, meat processors, livestock auction owners and meat inspectors to convene and identify financial obstacles and structured solutions that will provide a process for long-term financial gain for Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. 

LAWSUITS

Aaron and Ginger Price, individually and as parents of Allison Price, a minor, vs. Yukon Public Schools for an amount in excess of $75,000 for alleged injuries and damages.

United Services Automobile Association vs. Patricia Ann Harris for $110,000 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

City of Piedmont vs. Steven J. Strehlow for $11,500 for alleged damages.

When Jason Duff joined the El Reno Fire Department at the age of 25, he soon found he wanted to follow a path that would help him make a positive impact in the community.

Now 22 years later, his journey has led to being the department’s new chief, taking over April 1 for the retiring Kent Lagaly.

“When I first started I didn't think I would ever want to be chief, but soon afterward I knew I wanted to be in a position to where I could influence people and be able to make a difference," said Duff.