News

City Manager Matt Sandidge said the Emergency Medical Service Department is hitting its benchmarks after two months of operation. 

El Reno began operating its own ambulance service in July and so far the response times for both emergency and non-emergency calls have been positive, Sandidge said.

The need for a quicker response time was one of the factors city leaders cited in choosing to invest in the ambulance service. Sandidge said emergency ambulance service is a matter of public health and safety. He made his report at last week’s city council meeting. 

U.S. Cavalry Competition - 2025 Annual Bivouac and National Cavalry Competition Fort Reno, Oklahoma 

Open to the public – no admission charge except for polo match on Saturday, Sept. 27.

All events at the parade grounds/competition field at Historic Fort Reno.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Tuesday, September 23

4 p.m. - Honor Ride and Ceremony at Fort Reno Cemetery

Wednesday, September 24

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Oklahoma, voted in favor of the legislation and released the following statement.    

“Today, for the 65th consecutive year, Congress came together to fulfill the paramount duty of supporting America’s warfighters, bolstering military installations and improving America’s military readiness,” said Lucas.

MUNICIPAL COURT

Robin Elizabeth Horrison, Liberty, Mo., driving under suspension, $395.

Christopher Foster, Midwest City, speeding, $175.

Rosa Elvia Resendiz, Canton, improper turn and driving without license issued, $427.

Juan Ramon, El Reno, driving without license issued, $252.

Jorge Duque Guzman, Katy, Texas, speeding, $195.

Kassandra Quintela, Yukon, speeding, $165.

Megan Christie Johnson, El Reno, failure to stop at stop sign, $165.

Gloria Yurida Garcia, El Reno, allowing unlicensed driver to drive, $295.

El Reno police said a vehicle and pedestrian collided Friday night near Lake El Reno. 

Police said the pedestrian was taken from the scene by air ambulance.

There are no reports on the current condition of the injured party but police said he was alive when taken by the air ambulance.

“I was gripping for my life, I was like gripping and pushing like it was a roller coaster or a ride.”

El Reno teenager and Minco High School sophomore Presley Bilderback vividly remembers bracing herself between seats on the team bus as she and 12 other teammates and coaches were involved in a rollover crash along Highway 152.

A benefit dinner supporting the Minco High School softball team will be held Saturday, Sept. 20 at the El Reno Elks Lodge, 415 S. Rock Island. 

Nancy Salsman said the benefit will be from 5 to 7 p.m.

For $10, supporters will receive a dinner of sloppy joes, chips and dessert. All proceeds will go to the players and coaches who were involved in the Sept. 8 bus crash. 

Those wishing to support the effort are asked to pre-order by texting Salsman at 405-641-4282 or leave a voice message if you call. 

Pickup will be in the alley behind the Elks. 

A request for city funds from the Main Street organization was tabled by the city council in a unanimous vote.

The action came during the regular monthly council meeting Tuesday night. 

Council member Amy Neathery made the motion to table the request, drawing a second from Vice Mayor David Black. The motion included instructions for the Main Street leaders to meet with city staff and work out an acceptable agreement. 

Main Street requested $50,000 to help fund the program, the city offered $30,000.

A program operated by El Reno’s Wesley United Methodist Church was honored by the Oklahoma State School Board Association with one of the organization's most distinguished awards. 

The OSSBA selected Wesley in ACTSion for its Barbara Lynch Community Partner Award. The award is given to a community member or organization that actively supports and works with their local school district to help children and their education, the school system and the community. 

Before being demolished to make space for a new Canadian County Courthouse, the former county Administration Building hosted two days of training for law enforcement personnel.

Commissioners this week approved an agreement with the Canadian County Special Operations Team.

The agreement allowed “breaching and destructive training opportunities” this week inside the vacant county-owned structure at 201 N. Choctaw.