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As work continues to replace the Rock Island overpass, detours will be in use during the construction, expected to take more than a year, said reports from the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

North and southbound traffic will be shifted to a detour just to the east of the bridge through summer 2021 as part of an ongoing bridge replacement project.

The detour will be one lane in each direction and wide loads will be restricted to no more than 12 feet in width.

In a life marked at a young age by a tragedy that shook the state, Brooks Douglass forgave but never forgot.

“Ultimately, we have to move on — not forgetting our loved ones or forgetting what happened — and live our lives to the fullest,” the former state senator once said of the murder of his parents in 1979.

“This is what I had to do.”

Douglass will be remembered Friday at a memorial service in Oklahoma City. The lawyer, entrepreneur and world traveler died Saturday at his home in Texas after a long battle with cancer. He was 56.

After two months of being closed to the public, the Canadian County Courthouse will resume its operations Monday — with some adjustments.

Canadian County District Judge Jack McCurdy issued an administrative order that sets out guidelines for reopening the courthouse, closed since mid-March.

The order states that beginning May 18, the courthouse will begin a gradual reopening with a limited docket.

LAWSUITS

Cavalry SPV I LLC vs. Jamie Cronk for $2,086.52 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Cavalry SPV I LLC vs. Tara K. Kimble for $6,003.68 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Credit Corp Solutions Inc. vs. Tamila Bentley for $2,677.93 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Credit Corp Solutions Inc. vs. Janice Holaday for $2,602.82 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

In the early stages of discussion on how to educate students during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Oklahoma State Department of Education put a freeze on grades as of March 18. The move meant El Reno students could not slip below their grade in any class after that date. However, a student could raise their score in any coursework over the six-week distance learning period, which ended May 8 for El Reno.

El Reno’s municipal government is looking for funds “anywhere and everywhere” after monthly sales tax figures show a 51 percent slide from the same period a year ago.

The May report issued by the Oklahoma Tax Commission shows an even bleaker picture concerning use tax where the most recent numbers reflect a 220 percent decline from a year ago.

“We’re looking at every grant that’s out there and every program being offered that could help us,” said Mayor and Acting City Manager Matt White.

“It’s just going to be very tough and very tight for a while.”

Riverside School held a parking lot graduation last week for eighth-graders.

The students were seated at an acceptable social distance, while parents and relatives watched from their vehicles in the school parking lot.

Superintendent David Garner said the normal applause for each student was replaced with honking car horns.

“One parent came equipped with a bubble machine,” Garner said.

Strong winds prevented many of the planned decorations, but “overall, the ceremony was fun for all involved.”

The recent death of an 18-year-old El Reno woman is being described by police as a “terrible teenage accident.”

Maria P. Estrada was riding in a vehicle with a friend on April 25 when she opened the door and jumped from the moving auto, police said.

This took place on West Elm.

Police Chief Ken Brown said the state medical examiner last week ruled out foul play.

Canadian County Sheriff Chris West said his office is now offering fingerprint services and Self Defense Act (concealed carry) applications. 

West said citizens desiring to use these services will temporarily be required to wear a mask while inside the jail lobby and fingerprint room.

Also, a “non-invasive” scan of the forehead to check for temperature will be conducted by jail staff before members of the public are allowed to enter the jail lobby.

STILLWATER - The food processing sector plays an important role in Oklahoma’s economy, and there is no doubt the novel coronavirus pandemic has had a significant economic impact on the state’s food industry.

Experts from the Oklahoma State University Robert M. Kerr Food and Agricultural Products Center evaluated the potential impact of COVID-19 on the state’s food industry from March to mid-April and compiled a report of current impacts as a starting point for future assessments and recovery planning.