News

Savannah Station Therapeutic Riding Program held a Pass and Pet event last week to allow riders a chance to see the horses they have not gotten to ride since early March.

While they won’t be able to take a dip in the municipal swimming pool, El Reno youngsters can still cool off when the city turns on its splash pads.

The splash pads will begin shooting water into the air on June 1, said a statement issued by the city. The splash pads in Legion Park and downtown at Youngheim Plaza will be open every day from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be no lifeguard on duty and children need to be accompanied by an adult while at the splash pads.

Council member Tracey Rider has a message for people who frequent Lake El Reno: Put your trash in the trash carts and not on the ground.

Rider made the comments at last week’s city council meeting. She said after visiting the lake area, she was disgusted by all the discarded debris. Rider said there is “no excuse” for the litter at the lake.

“It’s time for we citizens to do our part,” Rider said. “Our city workers are doing their part.”

She said people should be responsible for their own debris and not “lay it off on someone else to do it for you.”

When at home during stormy weather, Oklahomans understand all too well the importance of paying attention to news media updates and the family plan to head to a safe location when tornado sirens sound.

Knowing what to do on the road is a different matter, however. Gina Peek, Oklahoma State University Extension housing and consumer specialist, said drivers cannot outrun danger.

“Seeking a safe place to shelter is of utmost importance if you’re not at home,” Peek said.

LAWSUITS

Barclays Bank Delaware vs. Laura J. Bowen for $4,472.17 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Citibank N.A. vs. Beth R. Hart for $3,010.23 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Synchrony Bank vs. Steven Powell for $599.54 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Barclays Bank Delaware vs. Glen Jones for $2,398.06 to pay a debt plus interest, costs and attorney fees.

Matt Sandidge is El Reno’s new city manager starting June 1. He’ll be working with a budget that has been greatly impacted by COVID-19, as well as the energy downturn.

Four of the five members of the city council met Tuesday evening. Mayor and Acting City Manager Matt White, along with council members Tracey Rider and Bob Ballhorn convened in the council chambers at the Municipal Building. Councilman Tim Robinson joined the meeting by teleconference, while Vice Mayor J.T. Chronister was not in attendance.

Industries all over the world have been impacted by COVID-19. One that comes close to home is the cattle industry.

The market has dropped, drastically. Cattle are now worth 25 to 30 percent less than just weeks ago, which may come to a surprise since beef prices at the local grocery store have dramatically increased.

The problem originates from the way packing and processing plants have been affected.

According to some in the agriculture industry, the efficiency of the plants has been hit hard by the pandemic.

This is the third installment in a series looking back at El Reno Public Schools efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his classroom at Etta Dale Junior High for just the second time since leaving for spring break back in March, Tyler Hill could tell there was a different vibe in the building.

“I guess it feels like the end of school since we have been gone for so long. But backing up all my stuff and seeing the room empty, it sort of brings it all together,” said Hill.

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.