By Carolyn Cole
Published on July 31, 2008

Fifty Mustang area residents are working to form a local Elks lodge, but 25 more are needed before the group can receive its charter.

Elks volunteers gathered for a hot dog and barbecue cookout Saturday in Wild Horse Park to raise money for the Mustang Fire Department and increase awareness of their movement. Bud Englebretson said they raised about $400 for the department’s digital sign fund and drew in fellow Elks from across the state.

By Traci Chapman
Published on July 31, 2008

Mayor Jeff Landrith submitted a petition to city staff Monday, “starting the ball rolling” on a movement to put a ¼-cent sales tax increase aimed at funding a new baseball complex before voters.

By Traci Chapman
Published on July 31, 2008

Republicans Kyle Loveless and Steve Russell will meet in a Aug. 26 runoff election to determine who will serve as District 45 state Senator.

By Daniel Lapham
Published on July 31, 2008

El Reno attorney Bob Hughey’s phones started ringing off the hook just minutes after Gov. Brad Henry named him the county’s newest district judge.

“The governor told us Wednesday it would be a quick decision. I’m surprised it was this quick,” Hughey said.

Henry selected Hughey from a three-candidate slate to be the next Canadian County associate district judge.

Sheriff-elect Randall Edwards, with wife Michelle, pauses in his speech to supporters after defeating incumbent Lewis Hawkins July 29.

By Traci Chapman
Published on July 31, 2008

For the first time in 19 years, Canadian County will have a new sheriff, after challenger Randall Edwards defeated incumbent Lewis Hawkins for the seat in the Republican primary Tuesday.

By Carolyn Cole
Published on July 26, 2008

Mustang School Board members tabled a proposed drug testing policy that would have gone into effect Friday and affected high school students participating in activities and parking on campus.

Athletic Director Mike Clark asked board members to wait on the policy because he didn’t feel there was time to fully implement a drug testing program in the same week many athletic teams begin practice.

By Carolyn Cole
Published on July 24, 2008

When Kayla Balliew’s family came to Mustang, Rachel Synco was one of the first people she met — she never imagined two years later she would help prolong her new friend’s life.

Balliew donated her right kidney to Synco in June. Weeks later both young mothers said they are healing faster than they expected.

By Carolyn Cole
Published on July 26, 2008

Canadian County’s political tides have turned, from its past Democrat leanings to this election cycle, where Mustang-area Democrats will consider two primary races, compared to seven on the Republican ballot.

For county official seats, Anna Hrdy and Sherry Murray were the only Democrats to file — both are vying for court clerk. Meanwhile, 11 GOP candidates represent their party in seeking county offices.

By Carolyn Cole
Published on July 26, 2008

Mustang School Board members moved forward with their search for a new superintendent Wednesday and will seek applications in August and September.

President Jeff Johnson said the process will be similar to the search board members conducted in 2008, which brought former Superintendent Karl Springer to Mustang from Chickasha. Springer started as Oklahoma City School District’s chief July 15.

School board members decided to take resumes through September and hold meetings in October to review possible candidates.