READ MOREsponsoredCelebrate in El Reno with a new visitor center opening and tasty burger festival downtownby Matthew Stafford
There's a ribbon cutting on the new Filling Station visitor's center on Saturday
It's also the Fried Onion Burger Festival on Saturday in downtown El Reno
We had several guests from El Reno on Living Oklahoma today to give us the details..
including the great folks at Johnnies Burgers and Coneys
The great smell brought out the whole newsroom to check it out
The ribbon cutting for the Filling Station is Saturday, May 3rd, at 10:30am. It's at the corner of Route 66 and Highway 81. For more on the Filling Station, head to ElRenoOK.gov
The Fried Onion Burger Day Festival is happening on Saturday May 3rd as well. It's in downtown El Reno. They'll be out there from 10am to 6pm. For more, check out ElRenoBurgerDay.com
Police in El Reno have located a missing child taken by their non-custodial parent
El Reno Police say the 1-year-old was last seen with their mother but has since been located
Christian Hans is a Digital Content Producer for News 9
He joined News 9 full-time in July of 2022 after graduating from the University of Oklahoma
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By : Journal Record Staff//April 22
El Reno will unveil its new Route 66 visitor center with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on May 3
The center features a gift shop and expert guidance
El Reno to open new Filling Station Visitor Center
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A jury acquits a man accused in a deadly 2023 shooting at a party in El Reno
Prosecutors claimed Delsin Tsotigh shot and killed Justin Davidson during a house party in 2023
RELATED: Police Bodycam Video Shows The Moments Following A Deadly El Reno Shooting
Witnesses at the party said drugs and alcohol were involved
a jury reached a not guilty verdict earlier this week
RELATED: Police Bodycam Video Shows The Moments Following A Deadly El Reno Shooting
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OKLA (KOKH) — The El Reno Police Department (ERPD) is looking for a missing juvenile
She was last seen wearing Hello Kitty PJ pants and a dark hoodie with a Hello Kitty purse
contact ERPD at 405-262-2121 and reference case number 2025-0743
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Four teenage girls are facing charges after a pursuit in El Reno on Monday morning ended in a crash along Route 66
The El Reno Police Department said prior to the crash
it received a 911 call from a resident on the 400 block of S Williams Ave
I heard some doors shutting and then I heard squealing like tires,” recalled El Reno resident Nikki Ramos
Ramos checked her outdoor home security footage and saw two people exiting a four-door crossover
“They were checking the doors on all of the cars," Ramos said
they open it up and they literally just started taking stuff out of his car."
She said the thieves sped away with some of her son’s clothes and a fishing lure
“They flew through that stop sign like no other and people go to work at 4 a.m.," Ramos said
"There's a lot of people that are on the road at that time and they don't realize it
El Reno Police said it quickly located the vehicle and attempted to stop it
but the driver sped off before crashing into an OG&E light pole along Route 66 near S Bickford Ave
“I heard she stole her grandma’s car,” Ramos stated
Police told News 9 that one of the girls involved was taken to the hospital with a possible nose injury
While Ramos managed to recover her son’s stolen items
she said the teenagers were “really young” and failed to think through the consequences of their actions
“Somebody could have gone out there with a gun," Ramos said
"They were thinking they were having fun--they're risking way more.”
Police took the driver of the vehicle into custody for third degree auto burglary
operating without a license and minor in possession of alcohol
The other girls are expected to be charged with third degree auto burglary
adding that they were transferred to the Gary Miller Juvenile Center in El Reno
Elizabeth graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor's degree in News Reporting and Editing
Elizabeth joined the News 9 team in October 2024
“They were checking the doors on all of the cars,\" Ramos said
they open it up and they literally just started taking stuff out of his car.\"
“They flew through that stop sign like no other and people go to work at 4 a.m.,\" Ramos said
\"There's a lot of people that are on the road at that time and they don't realize it
“Somebody could have gone out there with a gun,\" Ramos said
\"They were thinking they were having fun--they're risking way more.”
Raegan Bugaj wiped the tears from behind her glasses as she walked up to the free-throw line
El Reno was just a few seconds away from securing its second straight state title
And this time the Indians won without Pauline Black-Harmon and Nazhoni Sleeper
two key contributors who graduated last year
Bugaj looked at the crowd at State Fair Arena while she waited for the referee to hand her the ball
She saw her mom and the rest of her family
But even that couldn't stop her from sinking both free throws
who finished with 30 points and nine rebounds
Celebrate El Reno's title with HS basketball book on State Fair Arena
More: Why OSSAA bringing all classes together for state basketball could be glimpse of future
and it looked like a team with championship experience early on
Eryn Roman Nose drew first blood with a baseline floater
Fellow junior Lilly Thomas then expanded her range with a deep 2-pointer to make it a 4-0 game
But while El Reno showed composure early on
Senior guard Tierra Owens was called for a foul while diving for a loose ball with about six minutes on the clock
And instead of giving the ball to the referee
That led to a technical foul on Owens and two free throws for Thomas
The sequence came during an 8-0 start by El Reno
and the Indians held a 16-6 lead at the end of the first quarter
"It kind of took the weight off our shoulders a bit," Bugaj said of the hot start
running our plays that our coaches were telling us to run
More: Celebrate Oklahoma high school basketball at State Fair Arena with 'The Big House' book
Washington looked scrambled again to start the second quarter
The Hornets lost the ball on their opening possession
but Marcayla Johnson scooped it up and knocked down a 3-pointer
Johnson wasn't just a calming presence on that play
The Baylor signee did all she could to get things settled for Tulsa Booker T
Even when El Reno claimed a 30-13 lead at halftime
The senior guard intercepted a pass early in the third quarter
the defending champs were the flustered ones
And every mistake fueled an electric Tulsa Booker T
El Reno fended off the comeback attempt thanks to Bugaj
who showed composure in the face of adversity
The 5-foot-2 guard broke full-court presses
She fearlessly attacked the rim and taller defenders
Even when Bugaj came up limping after getting fouled with 1:11 left in the game
she walked it off on her way to the free-throw line and calmly sank both shots
More: Oklahoma high school basketball state tournament 2025: Everything you need to know
"Raegan finds that fun," El Reno head coach Jennifer Douglas said
she's been our one to be able to handle the ball but also knock down free throws when we need it
That for her is one of her biggest contributions to our team."
Thomas dominated down low to finish with 17 points and four rebounds
Senior Emmary Elizondo also stuffed the stat sheet with 12 points and eight rebounds
And while the Indians have prided themself in their poise all season
they finally let loose once the final buzzer sounded by forming a dog pile near halfcourt
"Winning back-to-back (championships) with my best friends
A person is injured after a fire spread through several vehicles near the El Reno Airport
Police say fire crews responded to a report of a vehicle fire at a well site
where they found three to four semi-trucks engulfed in flames
They say the fire spread to about 10 to 15 other vehicles but did not appear to damage any well-head equipment
Authorities say the well was already shut down before firefighters arrived
The El Reno Airport runway was temporarily closed due to heavy smoke but has since reopened
Police say the victim's injuries were minor
A pursuit in El Reno on Monday ends in a crash along Route 66
According to the El Reno Police Department
a vehicle fleeing from police crashed into a light pole along Route 66 near South Bickford Avenue
It is unknown if there were any injuries as a result of the crash
The City of El Reno is working with a nonprofit organization to bring an antique aviation museum to the airport
The new museum will be called “The Caldwell Collection at Mustang Field” and feature up to 25 antique aircraft
and I love sharing them with other people,” said Tony Caldwell
Founder of The Caldwell Collection at Mustang Field
“Every airplane that I've had the privilege to own or restore comes with a lot of stories about interesting people over the last up to 100 years.”
Caldwell had a vision for his collection of planes
He wanted to turn the city’s 1943 WWII hangar into a renovated museum that showcased his collection while honoring the history of the hangar
‘We want to come alongside you and partner with you to make that happen.’” Caldwell said referencing his conversations with city leaders
The city council jumped on board with the idea -- for the next 75 years
“We're going to take that 75-year lease and create something that I think will be a centerpiece for those who love antique aviation in the middle of the United States.”
It was a bit more space than he bargained for
It gives us room to expand and add airplanes over time as we find great opportunities to tell stories,” he continued
The museum will also have the capacity to hold a restoration shop and event space
“Think Smithsonian quality,” said Councilman Dr
adding that he looks forward to the project
“Anytime you can bolster tourism for whatever reason is a potential benefit to the community.”
Caldwell estimated the museum will be open for visitors by Sept
You can learn more about the project here
You can learn more about the project here
a common source of household items can be found while antiquing
The Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages Porch traveled to El Reno to see Rustic Rebel Designs' collection of antiques and old treasures
as well as to learn more about what goes into antiquing
says her business is her idea of being semi-retired
'Rustic Rebel is my idea of a semi-retired life," Wright said
and we bring back all kinds of unique and eclectic items that you're not going to see everywhere
and we put them up for sale four times a year."
Having put on shows for the past two years
Wright said customers say they feel like walking down memory lane
I remember that when I went to my grandma's house,'" Wright said
they can see friends they haven't seen in a while
and it's just a fun family time to come out and see what we have
So you never know what we're going to have."
Wright said she and her family will load up a vehicle and travel across the country to find items to sell back in El Reno
"We have a transit van that we have taken all the seats out of
Despite travelling across the United States
Wright said Oklahoma will always be her home
"I just find that Oklahoma is down to earth," Wright said
We've got vendors in our center portion of our barn that have brought their own items to sell
For more information, visit Rustic Rebel Designs' social media page
Addie has a passion for storytelling and loves to meet new people in the Oklahoma City community
She joined the News 9 morning team in January of 2023 after interning and reporting part-time while studying at the University of Oklahoma
'Rustic Rebel is my idea of a semi-retired life,\" Wright said
and we put them up for sale four times a year.\"
I remember that when I went to my grandma's house,'\" Wright said
So you never know what we're going to have.\"
\"We have a transit van that we have taken all the seats out of
\"I just find that Oklahoma is down to earth,\" Wright said
\"We've got all kinds of saddles over here
For more information, visit Rustic Rebel Designs' social media page.
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The Oklahoma Highway Patrol says all westbound lanes of Interstate 40 near US-81 in El Reno are now open following a crash involving two semi-trucks Saturday.
OHP says the non-injury collision happened at mile marker 128, about three miles east of El Reno on Saturday afternoon.
A portion of the semi's load was spilled on the roadway.
The Diversion Hub has expanded, offering a location in El Reno. (KOKH)
EL RENO, Okla. (KOKH) — A place that aims to help people navigate the criminal justice system is now open in Canadian County.
The Diversion Hub has expanded, offering a location in El Reno.
Program supervisor Lexy Woods tells Fox 25 they wanted to offer accessibility, as some clients were traveling from Canadian County to the Oklahoma City office for their appointments.
“I know that creates an extra barrier,” Woods said. “What we’re trying to do is break those barriers. We figured this would be easy for them to come. We’ve got a vehicle that’s got our logo on it, so it’s really fun to drive around. We’ll pick up those clients in Canadian County, and bring them here for their appointments.”
Woods says the new location offers many benefits to current and future clients.
“We’re going to be able to offer folks resources. Those who are criminal justice-involved, whether it be pre-trial, probation or they have some traffic tickets. We’re going to try to navigate that for them while also connecting them with stabilizing resources.”
Plenty of people from the nonprofit's OKC office attended the Canadian County location’s open house on Friday, March 21.
"It’s pretty rural here, so there’s not many resources. We figured this was going to be a really great county to move into. It's one of the fastest growing counties in Oklahoma, and we figured let's start those conversations with everyone involved: the judges, district attorneys, commissioners. Get feedback from them. They had all kind of expressed that they would all be interested in having us here. We figured let's just start."
The Diversion Hub helps people find a job and housing while they navigate the criminal justice system.
"Making them aware of anything that they’re doing. We connect them with any classes, alcohol/drug assessments."
Two people work at the El Reno hub, which serves around 30-40 clients.
"If there comes a point where we’re getting a little tight with being able to give every client the time they need, we’ll have the conversation about adding additional team members.”
Woods tells Fox 25 the Diversion Hub will open a Cleveland County office in about two weeks.
President Donald Trump makes a major sports announcement. The announcement comes amid reports Washington, D.C. will host the 2027 NFL Draft.
WATCHEl Reno Public Schools dismisses closure rumors; confirms schools open on Jan
OKLA (KOKH) — El Reno Public Schools released a statement that they will officially be open on Thursday
a fake email was circulated stating that the schools would be closed due to staff shortages
ERPS confirms that an official closure will be announced through Facebook
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For more information visit: Fast Connect
(KOKH) — The I-40 ramp to US-281 was closed early Monday morning due to a crash
The westbound I-40 off-ramp to US-281B was closed and westbound I-40 was narrowed to one lane at US-281B west of El Reno
Drivers were advised to take an alternate route or use caution while in the area
Several rural Canadian County residents are upset after El Reno's city council voted to annex their property without their consent
meaning they will be living within the city limits and paying the taxes
Canadian County is the fastest growing county in Oklahoma
so many landowners in the annexed area say they knew annexation was inevitable but feel the City of El Reno took away their right to choose who annexed them
Fisher is a former state legislator whose 30 acres sits in formerly unincorporated land of Canadian County
“There's kind of a foot race between these municipalities to try to be the first ones in line to annex this area out here,” Fisher said
The City of El Reno crossed the finish line Tuesday night at a special city council meeting where they voted to annex 23.5 square miles after nearly 6 hours of opposing public comment
the city bypassed a vote of the landowners by invoking an emergency annexation clause
but they're not really moral,” Fisher said
El Reno City Manager Matt Sandidge cites developmental pressures as the reason
“There are other entities that are actively having public hearings for annexation,” Sandidge said
He also pointed to public safety and said the annexation will allow emergency response crews to respond quicker to the area
as well as give more regulation to construction in the area
to support the infrastructure and really enhance and bless their quality of life,” El Reno Mayor Steve Jensen said
Fisher says the city missed the mark on residents’ concerns
It's the fact that the landowners had no say in the matter whatsoever,” Fisher said
but residents wanted to choose where they were annexed
“They want to be able to choose the destiny of their property
not to have it forced upon them,” Fisher said
El Reno's City Council voted to annex the land
CLICK HERE for a link to El Reno’s plan to extend municipality services into the area
Cameron Joiner was born and raised in Texas
but found her home in the Sooner state after studying Broadcast Journalism at the University of Oklahoma
Cameron Joiner joined the News 9 team as a Multimedia Journalist in January of 2023
CLICK HERE for a link to El Reno’s plan to extend municipality services into the area
The El Reno Police Department needs help identifying the woman shown
Police said the woman is wanted for questioning regarding a hit and run incident that happened in the Walmart parking lot
The woman was reportedly last seen driving a silver or gray Nissan Rogue
callthe El Reno Police Department at (405) 262-6941 and reference case number 2024-1804
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Guthrie's Kolten Carlock led the Blue Jays to a dominant 49-0 win over El Reno on Friday night
showcasing his playmaking ability both as a quarterback and running back
executing a flawless RPO to score the game’s first touchdown
he powered through the defense again from just a few yards out to make it 14-0
Tight end Blake Doles capped off the impressive performance
running out of the wildcat formation and breaking through tackles for a 31-yard touchdown
Coweta was defeated by El Reno 48-45 in a class 5A girls semifinal basketball game Thursday at Yukon High School
Related: Top-ranked Booker T. advances to final; Coweta falls | Barry Lewis' 3 takeaways
El Reno players celebrate beating Coweta 48-45 in a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta players react to losing to El Reno 48-45 in a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
The El Reno student section celebrate their 48-45 win over Coweta in a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Jaycee Meissinger (3) shoot a free throw during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
El Reno’s Lilly Thomas (00) catches a rebound during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Gia Dennis (23) dribbles the ball toward the net during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
El Reno’s Maddie Moss (11) reaches to catch a rebound during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
El Reno’s Lilly Thomas (00) catches a rebound over Coweta’s Tayen Allen (00) during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Macee Matthews (13) looks for an open teammate during the second quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Macee Matthews (13) jumps for a tip off against El Reno’s Lilly Thomas (00) during the first quarter of a class 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s bench celebrates a three point shot during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
El Reno head coach Jennifer Douglas watches her team on the court during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta head coach Jade Allison calls out to her players on the court during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Gia Dennis (23) calls out to her teammates during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Jaycee Meissinger (3) dribbles past El Reno’s Phallyn McHenry-Guzman (3) during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Kate Little (5) closes in on El Reno’s Juliana Thomas (2) during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta head coach Jade Allison yells out to her team on the court during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Jaycee Allen looks for an open teammate during a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Emersyn Eischen (25) looks for an open teammate during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Macee Matthews (13) dribbles the ball toward the net during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
El Reno’s Lilly Thomas (00) catches a rebound in front of Coweta’s Jaycee Meissinger (3) during the first quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Jaycee Messinger takes a shot while being guarded by El Reno’s Lilly Thomas during a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Emersyn Eischen (25) tries to get off a shot while being covered by El Reno’s Lilly Thomas (00) during the fourth quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Emersyn Eischen (25) takes a free throw shot during the fourth quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Jaycee Allen (3) takes a shot over El Reno’s Lilly Thomas (00) during the fourth quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
El Reno’s Juliana Thomas (2) dribbles around Coweta’s Gracie Sanders (33) during the fourth quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Macee Matthews (13) takes a shot while being covered by El Reno’s Eryn Roman Nose (4) during the fourth quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Jaycee Meissinger (3) tries to dribble past El Reno’s Phallyn McHenry-Guzman (3) during the fourth quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Emersyn Eischen (25) has her shot blocked by El Reno’s Eryn Roman Nose (4) during the fourth quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Macee Matthews (13) and El Reno’s Emmary Elizondo (1) fall while fighting for possession of the ball during the third quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
El Reno’s Raegan Bugaj (5) tries to dribbles past Coweta’s Gia Dennis (23) during the fourth quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Jaycee Allen (3) tries to find an open teammate while being covered by El Reno’s Emmary Elizondo (1) and Phallyn McHenry-Guzman (3) during the fourth quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
El Reno head coach Jennifer Douglas argues a call with an official during the fourth quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
Coweta’s Gia Dennis dribbles the ball past El Reno’s Juliana Thomas in the fourth quarter of a 5A girls basketball game on Thursday, March 13, 2025, at Yukon High School.
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The Hornets will play for a state title Saturday morning against No. 3 El Reno, who eliminated No. 4 Coweta.
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Armstrong Williams takes on the news of the week and asks the questions you want answered. Don’t miss our weekly town hall.
El Reno police seek help finding runaway teenby DeAngelo Marquise Vaxter
The El Reno Police Department needs help finding a runaway teen
14-year-old William Four Horn was last seen getting on a school bus
If you have information on his whereabouts
A crash on Eastbound Interstate 40 is impacting traffic Monday morning southeast of El Reno
has caused a traffic backup extending to US-81
Growing up in El Reno, Shanon Eaton cherishes many childhood memories of watching movies at the historic downtown Centre Theatre
"They've built a new movie theater in El Reno, but, yes, that's the movie theater I went to almost every Saturday growing up. TG&Y was right next door
so you had the whole Saturday afternoon small-town experience," Eaton recalled
it was pretty cool," she added with a chuckle
To be clear, it was pretty cool seeing the movie theater of her childhood get blown away only because she was watching it in a movie — the summer blockbuster "Twisters," to be exact
as they track powerful tornadoes across Oklahoma
"It's very entertaining. It's very intense — and it was so intense that I meant to look for certain things while they were in the El Reno scenes, and I got sucked into the movie. And I didn't even look for what I supposed to be looking for," El Reno City Manager Matt Sandidge said
describing his first time watching "Twisters."
"The thought of actually losing your hometown in something like that is obviously very scary
just seeing El Reno on the big screen and knowing that people all over the world are gonna see that," Eaton said
but from the safety of the movie theater and not actually experiencing it."
How is the Oklahoma city of El Reno depicted in the movie 'Twisters?'El Reno gets quite the close-up in "Twisters:" Not only is the Canadian County seat the final Oklahoma town to get torn up by a terrifying tornado
but it also is the only Sooner State town in the movie that's actually named for the location where it was filmed
The "Twisters" team also painted a custom mural for the film that can be viewed on the outside of JKM Jewelry, Gifts & Locksmith
The world's fried onion burger capital had almost everything the script required
except that its vintage metal water tower wasn't near the theater where the climactic action takes place
the production team 3-D scanned the distinctive water tower and digitally relocated it several blocks from its real-life location
Here goes downtown Reno,' and there's buildings that I go into all the time
The actual building the water tower falls into
and we actually used to own that building years ago
it's just a really unique experience," Eaton said
The El Reno city manager vividly remembers the day when the "Twisters" stunt man driving the replica of the town's trolley used a remote-controlled pneumatic canon to knock the Heritage Express' duplicate off the rails and topple it
as called for in the movie's stormy finale
We were actually at a meeting here at City Hall," Sandidge recalled
"City Hall is across the street from downtown
so we could hear the jet fans and the things that they used to blow the debris all over downtown
Since the blockbuster depicts El Reno's Centre Theatre as being torn apart by a monster tornado, the interiors of the vintage movie house were built on soundstages at Prairie Surf Studios in downtown Oklahoma City
But plenty of filming took place right on the streets of El Reno in summer 2023
the community was very supportive of the idea and very respectful of Universal and the filming process
I'd say that the community was very excited about the movie," Sandidge said
adding that hosting "Twisters" helped the city streamline its process for working with future productions
"Most people were very patient with the process and open to it
There were some questions and some concerns
but nothing that we weren't able to overcome."
All the tornadoes in "Twisters" were inspired by at least one real-life tornado and were created for the standalone sequel using a mix of practical special effects and digital visual effects
The finale tornado was inspired by three different tornadoes, including a record-breaking EF5 that touched down in the real El Reno area in 2013
it spawned wind speeds of more than 300 miles per hour and a base that was 2.6 miles wide at its widest point
Part of a large, deadly weather system that tore through the state, the powerful and unpredictable 2013 El Reno tornado killed eight people
including three professional storm chasers
"There were certainly the conversations of 'Do we want to be known as the tornado city?' ..
It's not isolated to any one city," Sandidge said
But we were still very excited to be a part of this production
even though the theme is a natural disaster that has been and can be very devastating
But it doesn't change the fact of what has happened in the past
"When they told us that they were going to use the trolley in the filming
that just led even more to our excitement in the movie
because you can come here and you can ride the trolley
And we want people to come here and ride the trolley," Sandidge said
"It certainly brings us as some national and international exposure."
Eaton said she believes her hometown's "Twisters" close-up is already is bringing positive attention and additional tourism
compared to actually the people that have seen their entire lives blown away
We all know somebody that's lost their home in a tornado in Oklahoma," Eaton said
OKLA (KOKH) — I-40 westbound is closed east of US-81 near El Reno
According to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
Drivers are urged to avoid the area or use SH-66 as a detour
An oil rig site exploded in El Reno Friday night
El Reno Police said it happened around 9 p.m
at the site near Airport Road and 27th Street
El Reno's Assistant Police Chief said officers worked traffic while emergency crews were on the scene
it is not clear what caused the explosion or if there were any injuries
A repeat performance started the last day of basketball at Oklahoma City's legendary State Fair Arena
El Reno led from start to finish in a dominating performance
as the Lady Indians successfully defended their Class 5A state title with a 68-52 win against top-seeded Tulsa Booker T
Washington Saturday morning at the "Big House."
The Lady Indians (25-4) scored the first eight points and were never seriously threatened
After not having won a gold ball before last March
A trio of seniors paced El Reno in Saturday's win
Raegan Bugaj led all scorers with 30 points
Emmary Elizondo added 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting
El Reno made 54.1% of its field goals (20-of-37)
though the Lady Indians converted just one 3-point basket
The Lady Indians also out-rebounded the Lady Hornets 34-15
with Bugaj coming up with nine boards and Elizondo eight
finished with 24 points in her final game at BTW (28-3)
Rhyian Mayberry added 16 points and made three 3's
How to watch Oklahoma 6A-3A high school basketball state championship games: Schedule, live stream
Follow The Sporting News correspondent Buck Ringgold (@Bucks_Ballpark) for all of the live updates and scoring from the "Big House."
Scroll down for live score and game updates from opening tip-off to the postgame
Baylor-bound Marcayla Johnson led BTW with 24 points
Tremendous all-around effort from the Lady Indians this morning
scored 30 points for the Lady Indians and went 17-of-18 from the foul line
She also had nine rebounds and four steals
- After not having won a state title before last March
El Reno has now claimed back-to-back 5A state championships
- El Reno senior standout Lilly Thomas fouls out
but leaves the game to a standing ovation from the Lady Indian fans
who will be playing at Missouri Southern next season
had a double-double in her last game at El Reno
- El Reno more than four minutes away from repeating as 5A champs
- Lilly Thomas with a rebound and putback jumper
- Emmary Elizondo with a basket for El Reno late in the third
as the Lady Hornets get within single digits
- El Reno still in control of things midway through the third
- Marcayla Johnson gives BTW a lift coming out of the break
- Lilly Thomas has 13 points to lead El Reno
but she picked up her third foul right before halftime
hitting a 3 and then coming up with a steal and feeding a teammate on an easy layup in transition
as BTW takes a time out late in the first half
- Lilly Thomas now has 13 points for El Reno
- Marcayla Johnson knocks down a 3 for BTW to start the second
- Lilly Thomas with a huge game for El Reno already
scoring half of the Lady Indians' 16 points this quarter
- El Reno pushes its lead into double digits on a basket from Emmary Elizondo
- BTW on the board as Baylor signee Marcayla Johnson gets a pair of baskets for the Lady Hornets
- A BTW player was whistled for a technical foul
El Reno makes two technical foul free throws for an early six-point advantage
- El Reno scores the first two baskets of the game
the latter a long jumper from Lilly Thomas from just inside the 3-point line
- They're playing the 20th Century Fox fanfare
which means it's time for tipoff at the Big House
- Here at State Fair Arena for one more day of basketball in this venerable building
Getting set for the 5A girls final between El Reno and Booker T
Buck Ringgold has been covering high school sports for more than 25 years
He has a BA in Journalism from the University of Arkansas and is a die-hard Texas Rangers fan
(KOKH) — TheLindsay Softball Festival was canceled on Thursday after officials received a threat
El Reno Public Schools posted an update on Facebook Friday afternoon that out of caution
organizers canceled the festival and sent all the teams home
the call was traced to the alleged person who made the threat and was identified as an El Reno student
The district was immediately notified and said it was working with local law enforcement on the matter
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol released a dashcam video of a crash involving two semis on Monday in Canadian County
"This is a very graphic reminder to give your full attention to the road while driving," OHP shared online
The trooper's dashcam video from about 2:15 p.m
6 showed a semi that was driving on I-40 near Country Club Road veer right and crash into the back of another semi parked in the shoulder
Debris went all over the road and a nearby vehicle and the trooper were able to pull over and avoid the crash
The semi-driver told OHP he was reaching for his water bottle before the crash
\"This is a very graphic reminder to give your full attention to the road while driving,\" OHP shared online
(KOKH) — El Reno Police report a 1-year-old who had been taken by a non-custodial parent has been located
El Reno Police issued a child abduction alert Thursday morning involving a 1-year-old
Police report the child was taken by a non-custodial parent
They left in a gold/tan Chevy SUV with a Wyoming license plate
Anyone with information is asked to call 405-262-2121
As filming on the action vehicle "Twister" was storming across Oklahoma in 1995, Alison Naifeh got her first experience scouting locations on a movie
Working as a production assistant for the "Twister" locations department
the Enid native realized she was exactly where she was meant to be
"I stayed full force in locations ever since ... and more than 25 years later, I've had a chance to work on some great features and a lot of great commercials in our state. And I love it," Naifeh told The Oklahoman by phone from the road in the Sooner State as she was working on her latest film project
"And to do 'Twisters,' what a full circle
Here's what to know about what scenes filmed where in "Twisters:"
Although "Twisters" filmed on location mostly outdoors in rural areas of Oklahoma, principal photography began May 8, 2023, in downtown OKC
Filming started with crews bringing in scaffolds
subway signs and taxi cabs to temporarily transform Park Avenue between Broadway and Robinson into a New York City street scene
"Our production design team did incredible. ... Anytime anyone says we filmed any part of this outside of Oklahoma, that does irk me, because we worked so hard to base everything here," Chung told The Oklahoman in a July interview
That includes interior shots of the barn where Kate built her childhood lab when she first started studying tornadoes
Although the historic Centre Theatre is a real place in El Reno
where filming on "Twisters" also took place
the interiors of the vintage movie house were built on Prairie Surf soundstages
"Twisters" production designer Patrick Sullivan
who got his show-biz start working in the art department on 1996's "Twister," reimagined the inside of the Centre Theatre as an ornate mid-century Art Deco cinema palace
which is ripped apart by a monster tornado in the movie
In the frightening prologue of "Twisters," college-age Kate and her young colleagues go against their better judgment and seek shelter from a massive tornado under an overpass
The actual overpass depicted in the movie is at the intersection of two state highways — OK-81 and OK-3 — in Okarche
OKC's Will Rogers World Airport doesn't get its cinematic moment until the end of "Twisters," as Powell's Tyler Owens decides to chase after Kate. (It's also where they ultimately don't kiss
A family-owned OKC business, J&J Trailers, 4318 Newcastle Rd., also gets a cameo in "Twisters" as Kate, Tyler and their fellow storm chasers look for a new trailer for an experiment in disrupting a tornado. Local actor Darryl Cox plays the mild-mannered salesman who waits on them
El Reno's water tower and Bickford Avenue get their close-up in 'Twisters'El Reno gets quite the close-up in "Twisters:" Not only is the Canadian County seat the final Oklahoma town to get torn up by a terrifying tornado
The world's fried onion burger capitol had almost everything the script required
Also, the "Twisters" team painted a custom mural for the film that can be viewed on the outside of JKM Jewelry, Gifts & Locksmith
Midwest City and Spencer fill in for Stillwater in rodeo and motel scenesIn one stormy action sequence
Tyler and Kate attend a down-home rodeo in rural Stillwater
only to have a nighttime cyclone come tearing through
They flee to a modest motel across the street and eventually take shelter in the in-ground swimming pool
Those scenes were filmed in the Midwest City and Spencer area rather than in Stillwater. Although it didn't have the pool, the filmmakers booked the Colonial Motel
to be the location of what Powell called "one of the most incredible action sequences of all time." Crews dug the pool and built a temporarily extension to the motel's main unit for filming
eventually returning the building and its grounds to their original state
One of the three Sooner State towns to get ravaged by tornadoes in the standalone sequel, Crystal Springs is a real place outside McAlester
But it is played by Chickasha in the movie
with the look of the shuttered Wan Dora Tavern inspiring Chung and his team to center production on S 17 Street between W Iowa Avenue and W Dakota Avenue
The production purchased three largely intact houses from a demolition company and artfully destroyed them so that the wrecked interior would be visible. Crews dressed more than four blocks of destruction and debris, but before filming could take place, production had to be halted last July due to the actors' strike
they were wrapped in heavy-duty plastic and boarded up
The cinematic debris was pushed into the yards
and a chain-link fence was installed around the Chickasha properties
When production geared up again in late 2023 after the strike ended
it took crews about two weeks to get the four-block set camera-ready
A private ranch in Pawhuska also was used for some of the campground scenes
and storm-chasing sequences were filmed along the roadways of nearby Burbank
including action-packed scenes where a twister rips through a wind farm and where Tyler and his pals shoot fireworks into a funnel
Although Edgar-Jones' character hails from Sapulpa in the story
none of the filming on "Twisters" actually took place in the Tulsa suburb
When Kate goes back home to the farm where she grew up
her mom (Maura Tierney) is waiting for her at a secluded house near Kingfisher
The Kingfisher County Centennial farm owned by Julie and Jerry Hau was a location that Naifeh said she initially scouted for the movie "August: Osage County" but ultimately wasn't used for the 2013 drama
What's crazy is I couldn't find my way back to it because the bridge had washed out to it off Highway 81
I spent days in the county assessor's office in Kingfisher County
'Here's my photo files from 12 years ago from "August: Osage County." I know that this still exists,'" said Naifeh
who traveled across Oklahoma as a locations scout on "Twisters."
"We scouted the entire state for this movie
But (that's) an integral part of her story
because it really unfolds her past and her passion