In “Getting to know your Chickasha Fire Department” wemeet Firefighter Joseph Lashbrook. . Click Here To Hear the Story!

 

 

 

 

Monday, Aug. 13th

 

Crash Involving Semis Closes H.E. Bailey Turnpike Near Elgin

A six-vehicle accident with injury near Elgin on the H.E. Bailey turnpike this morning has caused a lot of problems. Both westbound and eastbound lanes ot traffic are shut down at mile marker 51 which is a couple of miles west of Elgin. Two semis were involved in the crash, which happened about 3:00 a.m. this morning. Officials were detouring westbound traffic at Elgin which is mile marker 53.

 

High-Speed Chase Suspects May be Charged Today

Two people spent the weekend behind bars after being arrested Friday following a high-speed pursuit. 35-year old Robert Patrick Damico and 32-year old Kristina Gonzales are both being held in the Grady County Jail on complaints of eluding an officer. Lt. Kerry Massey with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol said the two may also face other complaints. Damico and Gonzales were arrested after a trooper alleged they were speeding through a construction zone. The trooper attempted a traffic stop, but they sped away. The pursuit hit speeds of 100 miles per hour and ended when the suspects crashed in a Chickasha neighborhood near 9th and Iowa.

 

Chickasha Teachers Return; Classes Start Thursday

Many Chickasha school teachers spent a few days last week getting their classrooms ready for the upcoming school year. Classes begin this Thursday, August 16th and all teachers will be returning today for in-service  training. They'll spend the next three days getting final preparations for the start of school. Teachers and support personnel will meet with Superintendent Jack Herron this morning.

 

Head Start, and Early Head Start Also Getting Underway

Head Start classes also begin soon. The program is for three and four-year old children of low-income Grady County families through the Washita Valley Community Action Council. The agency also has an Early Head Start program for children from birth to three years old which is available in both Grady and Caddo counties. Liane Howell is the coordinator, who tells us what their goals are.

 

                

 

For information, visit the Washita Valley Community Action Council at the old Bill Wallace School in Chickasha at 10th and Minnesota, or go on-line to: www.washitavalleycommunityactioncouncil.com

 

New EDC Director Expected Today

Chickasha's new economic development director is expected to be on duty today. Cody Mosley was named the new director by the Economic Development Council (EDC) board of directors last month. Mosley, who is not related to Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley, has been at Broken Arrow for the last couple of years. He's also worked for the city of Guthrie. The EDC office is moving back in with the Chamber of Commerce so Mosley’s office will be at the chamber. Mosley will be introduced to the entire Economic Development Council when the panel meets for its monthly meeting tomorrow. The group will discuss the creation of a new Community Development Advisory Committee. It’s being formed for the purpose of continued strategic economic development planning and will include the EDC, the chamber, city and county officials, as well as public schools, career tech, and USAO.

 

American Indian Expo Starts Wednesday

The American Indian Expo kicks off in Anadarko this week. The expo will run Wednesday through Saturday at the Caddo County Fairgrounds. The Kiowa Tribe will be issuing wristbands for the carnival tomorrow. It starts at the Anadarko office from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and will move to Carnegie from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The wristbands are for children 4 to 10 years old, and a tribe CDIB is required. The wristband will be good for just one night of the carnival, which will be on site all four days of the expo.

 

Biggest Watermelon at Rush Springs Nears Record

Now a follow-up to the Rush Springs watermelon festival from this past weekend. The biggest watermelon grown this year tipped the scales at 192 pounds! The winning entry was submitted by the Miller family which has won the competition for the last 10 years. It is the second-heaviest watermelon in the 74-year history of the festival. The largest melon ever exhibited was 214 pounds in 2014, which also belonged to the Miller family.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was lower last week, to $67.63 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude was down for the week, to 72.81.

Natural gas was up for the week, to $2.94 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,209 and silver is $15.19.

 

 

Saturday, Aug. 11th

 

Drilling in SCOOP, STACK Plays Expected to Increase

Contintental Resources is boosting its overall drilling budget for the rest of the year, including here in the SCOOP and STACK regions. Reports this week that Continental will pour an additional $200 million into its drilling budget for the rest of 2018, and most of that will be invested in central Oklahoma. Higher-than-expected oil prices are the reason for the surge. The Oklahoman newspaper reports that about two-thirds of the added drilling budget is for the SpringBoard project, which includes much of the Chickasha and Lindsay area in the SCOOP, and the Kingfisher and Watonga area in the STACK. The SpringBoard plan announced a couple of months ago calls for 350 wells to be drilled in a 70-square mile area. The company wants to drill another 14 wells by the end of the year. While the announcement is expected to boost 2018 production, most of the benefit for Contintental will be in 2019 and beyond. Continental has raised its projected estimate of production this year about 10 percent, to between 290,000 and 300,000 barrels of oil per day.

 

Two in Custody After High-Speed Pursuit

Some tense moments for highway patrol troopers who were involved in a high-speed pursuit yesterday. It started just north of Chickasha on U.S. Highway 81, when trooper Michael Jewell’s radar detected a pickup speeding through a construction zone. The driver sped away, and the trooper's speed topped 100 miles per hour. The pursuit circled back into Chickasha where Chickasha police assisted. The pickup crashed in a residential area at 9th and Iowa and almost hit a house. OHP Lt. Kerry Massey-

 

                

 

Neither Trooper Jewell, nor the two people in the pickup were injured. Authorities arrested 35-year old Robert Patrick Damico, who listed a Wellston address, and 32-year old Kristina Gonzalez of Chickasha. Both are being held in the Grady County jail on complaints of eluding. Massie said additional complaints may be added, as the two were seen throwing items out of the truck during the pursuit. Massey said they were trying to find those items. We have video of the crash site on our Facebook page.

 

Watermelon Festival Underway

They’re rolling out the welcome mats in Rush Springs today, for the town's annual Watermelon Festival. The area has the distinction of being one of only a few places to grow the Black Diamond. That is different from most watermelons available in the store, which are called jubilees. The Black Diamond is rounder and the rind is a deep green color. The meat of the melon is red just like the jubilee, and some say it’s sweeter. Emiy Long is this year's Watermelon Queen. Her family is fairly new to the business but there are many who have been growing watermelons for years.

 

                

 

There are activities all day at Jeff Davis Park which is just a couple of blocks from the downtown area. 50,000 pounds – or 25 tons of watermelon will be served today. It's just one dollar for a huge wedge, but after 4:00 p.m. it's free! There are over 100 vendors  who have arts and crafts and food; a watermelon exhibit which will include the largest melons grown this year; a carnival; and a car, truck, and motorcycle show. You can even take part in a seed-spitting contest.

 

Back-to-School Events Set Today

Several events today will help Chickasha school kids returning to class next week. Shepherd Street Christian Church will have its annual outreach, with free clothing, hygiene kits, and vaccinations. They'll have games, serve hot dogs and will offer free haircuts on Monday at Washita Valley Park. New Life Christian Church is having a huge clothing sale, with everything selling for 25 cents, even name brand tennis shoes. Proceeds will help area teachers as well as a mission in Kenya. Michigan Avenue Baptist Church will have a program tonight with free back packs and hygiene kits for the first 50 students, plus free haircuts.  Hot dogs and snow cones will be served. The church at 8th and Michigan.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. The Washita Valley Community Action Council provides a number of services to the region. We talk to Sharlotte Key, Liane Howell, and Jimmie Britt on our KOOL Konversation program. On Real Estate Today with John Mosley, this week's guest is Chickasha City Councilman David Sikes, who also serves on the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board.  We have links to those programs elsewhere on this website. You’ll find them under the Community tab.

 

 

Friday, August 10th

 

Sheriff Speaks Out Regarding Elected Officials' Salary Issue

A state audit has been requested to look into why some elected Grady County officials have been overpaid. The salaries of eight officials were all about $20,000 higher than they should have been last year. District Attorney Jason Hicks asked for the state audit, after the county excise board discovered the error. Hicks said the overpayments may have been going on for the last 10 years. He said salaries are determined by using a complicated math formula. Sheriff Jim Weir is not happy with the situation. He says elected officials don't set their own salaries but they'll end up taking the blame.

 

                

 

Weir said when he was elected sheriff he offered to take a salary cut and give raises to his deputies. But he was told he couldn't do that. The news comes at a bad time for a couple of county commissioners who have opponents in the upcoming run-off election. Ralph Beard will face Lee Dorman in the District 3 commissioner's Democratic run-off. There are no Republican candidates. Windle Hardy is facing Michael Walker in the District One Republican run-off. There are no Democratic candidates. The primary run-off is Tuesday, August 28th.

 

Man Charged with Trafficking Drugs

A traffic stop leads to the arrest of a man on a drug trafficking complaint. A Grady County deputy pulled over a vehicle for making an improper turn near I-44 and Highway 62 east of downtown Chickasha last weekend.  A probable cause affidavit alleges a passenger in the car gave authorities two fake names. Officials eventually identified the passenger as 27-year old Isiah Lamon-Robert Euwins of Chickasha. It's alleged the investigators found prescription drugs and methamphetamine they say belonged to Euwins and that he also had some outstanding Grady County warrants related to some previous drug charges. Euwins has been formally charged with drug trafficking and remains in jail in lieu of $125,000 bond.

 

Shooting Suspect Jailed in Anadarko

Anadarko police arrest a man in connection with a shooting. Following his arrest, 26-year old Kevin Raymond Clayton has been formally charged with shooting with intent to kill and having a firearm while committing a felony. Caddo County court documents indicate Clayton admitted to being connected to a gang but told authorities he is his own man. A judge set bond at $500,000. Clayton is to be back in court October 11th for a preliminary hearing conference. No details about the shooting were available.

 

Chickasha Back-to-School Events Set

Chickasha schools will be back in session next week. There are a couple of opportunities this weekend for parents and children to get ready for classes. An annual back-to-school community outreach at Shepherd Street Christian Church will include a lot of activities for students and their families. They include a free clothing giveaway,  hygiene packs, and free immunizations. There will also be inflatables, games and free hot dogs. The outreach will be at the church at 802 S. Shepherd from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. tomorrow. If it rains, the event will be moved to the Lincoln School Cafeteria. This outreach will also provide free haircuts for students on Monday at Washita Valley Park. Tomorrow evening, Michigan Avenue Baptist Church will hold a back-to-school block party. They will have free back packs and hygiene kits for the first 50 students and also provide free haircuts. Hot dogs and snow cones will be served. That's from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. tomorrow evening at the church at 8th and Michigan. Both events are free and open to families in Chickasha.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $66.81 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $72.07.

Natural gas is $2.95 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,217 and silver is $15.37.

 

 

Thursday, Aug. 9th

 

Have Grady County Elected Officials Been Overpaid?

Allegations have surfaced indicating that Grady County elected officials may have been overpaid and that it may have been happening for several years. It’s reported the overpayment may be as much as $20,000 a year. District Attorney Jason Hicks tells the Oklahoman newspaper that a special state investigative audit has been requested. This week, the Grady County Excise Board took action to cut the salaries of elected officials from about $80,000 a year to $60,000 a year. The positions said to have been overpaid include all three county commissioners, the sheriff, treasurer, assessor, the court clerk and the county clerk. The overpayments may go back as far as 10 years. The issue came to light after an excise board member questioned the salaries. The Oklahoman reports that the district attorney sent an e-mail to State Auditor Gary Jones, authorizing state auditors to not only look into the salaries paid to Grady County elected officials, but other county employees, too. Hicks said he does not want to limit the inquiry to salaries only. Hicks said it hasn't been determined if the overpayments were intentional or a miscalculation.

 

Fire Crews Knock Down Fracking Fire

A fire erupted at an oil rig location south of Alex early this morning. Volunteer firefighters from Alex, Bradley, Naples, and the Grady County Fire Department were summoned to the location about 3:15 a.m. Grady County Fire Department spokesman Buddy Myers said the Halliburton frac crew on site were able to remove the pump from the production line and move it to an isolated area. Myers tells what might have started the fire.

 

                

 

Fire crews were on the location for about an hour. There were no injuries. Myers estimated damage at $2,500.

 

State Unemployment Rate Hits 10-year Low

A surging state economy sends Oklahoma's unemployment tumbling. The most recent numbers show the state’s jobless rate at 3.9 percent, the lowest in 10 years. In Grady County, unemployment for June was just under the statewide percentage at 3.6 percent, which was up a fraction from May, and also up slightly from June of last year. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission reports nearly 970 Grady County workers were without a job that month, and seeking employment with the help of OESC. Caddo County unemployment for June was 4.3 percent, up from 4 percent the previous month, but down a full percentage point from 2017. McClain County unemployment was up slightly to 3.3 percent; Garvin County was steady at 3.9 percent; and Stephens County was down to 4.7 percent. Comanche County reported 4.5 percent unemployment, and Canadian County was at 3.3 percent.

 

Burglary Suspect Arrested After Manhunt

Two people are in custody in connection with a weekend burglary near Lake Burtchi. One of the suspects, a man with a heavily-tattooed face, was arrested after a lengthy manhunt. Grady County deputies and Ninnekah police were called out Sunday night to investigate a break-in and arrested a man and woman at the scene. Both were handcuffed and placed in separate vehicles. The male suspect was left unattended, and managed to drive away in a deputy's car. A short pursuit began but the suspect got away. The car was found abandoned in a ditch a few minutes later. Sheriff Jim Weir says a K9 team was brought out to help with the search, but it was called off after about four hours. Weir said they got a big break when some oilfield workers servicing a site in the area called to report a suspicious man walking down the road. It happened to be the man who took off in the deputy's car. Authorities arrested 37-year old Jason Robert Ostrom. He's been formally charged with several felonies including burglary, eluding, and drug possession. Ostrom, who lists a Checotah address, remains in jail in lieu of $450,000 bond. The woman, 38-year old Joluvine Traylor, also of Checotah, is facing burglary and drug charges. She also had outstanding warrants out of McIntosh County. Her bond was set at $150,000.

 

Arson Suspect Jailed

A Chickasha man is charged with arson and endangering the lives of firefighters in connection with a recent fire at the home where he lived. Authorities also say he may be a person of interest regarding other fires in the area. The house fire happened July 26th in the 1700 block of Arizona. After putting out the fire, investigators say they found a gasoline container,  a box of matches, a cigarette lighter and a butane torch inside that are believed to have been used to start the fire. Authorities say the man who had been living in the home, 28-year old Brett Tyler Slaton, was sought for questioning. Two days later, he was arrested at his parent's home in Ninnekah for violation of a protective order. Court documents indicate that while in jail, Slaton admitted to starting the fire at the Chickasha home. Slaton remains in jail in lieu of a $250,000 bond.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is down to $66.94 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is down to $72.28.

Natural gas is up to $2.95 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,223 and silver is $15.52.

 

Wednesday, Aug. 8th

 

Medical Examiner Issues Findings in Ninnekah Man's Death

It's believed that no foul play is suspected in the death of a Ninnekah man whose body was found in a submerged pick-up at Lake Thunderbird a couple of months ago. The State Medical Examiner reports that 74-year old Charles Alan French's death was due to drowning. French was reported missing in May. Investigators say he was in the process of moving from Ninnekah to eastern Oklahoma when he borrowed a pick-up from a friend in Norman and was never heard from again. In early June, a boater discovered the pick-up submerged in the lake next to a boat ramp. The medical examiner's report indicates that French may have lost control of the pickup during a thunderstorm and drove into the lake.

 

Roof Repairs Needed at Chickasha Fire Station

A powerful thunderstorm that moved through Chickasha this spring did a lot of damage to a church, a convenience store, and one of Chickasha's fire stations. This week, the city council gave its approval to have the city go out for bids to replace the roof at Fire Station No. 2 at 16th and Country Club Road. Fire Chief Brian Zalewski said the roof was damaged by some of the largest hail to hit the area in the last 10 years.Zalewski said once the bid packet goes out, it will take three or four weeks for the bids to come in, and perhaps another two weeks to sift through those to choose a vendor. He thinks the work can be completed as early as December. The project is expected to be covered by the city's insurance carrier.

 

Longtime Businessman Bill Livingston Passes Away

Longtime Chickasha businessman Bill Livingston has died. Livingston was 86 when he passed away last week. Livingston owned and operated a number of businesses from manufacturing, furniture, the energy industry, and hotels. He was also a well-known thoroughbred horseman and served as president of the Oklahoma Thoroughbred Association, and helped to bring Remington park to Oklahoma. He also co-founded Lifeline Home Health and Hospice. After graduating high school in Fletcher, he spent two years in the Army. He and his late wife Joy were married for 64 years.

 

Energy Industry Brings Millions to State Bank Accounts

The energy industry continues its big contributions to the state's bank account. Matt Skinner with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission-

 

                

 

Skinner says gross production taxes on oil and natural gas for July are up 64 percent from the same time a year ago - to nearly $69 million.

 

Matching Grant Established for Regional Food Bank

With school children returning to the classroom, the Regional Food Bank is stepping up its effort to feed hungry kids. Several organizations have united to match up to $150,000 in donations to the food bank. The Masonic Fraternity of Oklahoma, Lezlie and David Hudiburg, David Gorham and an anonymous donor will help provide the matching funds for this Food for Kids drive. Food bank officials say one in four Oklahoma children don't know where their next meal will come from. The organization provides backpacks of food to youth throughout Grady and Caddo counties and much of western Oklahoma. This matching grant program runs through September 30th. Tax deductible contributions may be made on line at www.foodforkids.org

 

Farmers May Re-Allocate Base Acres in FSA Programs

In agriculture news, producers who have generic crop acreage bases now have the option to re-allocate the base to other crops. Mark Jackson with the Grady County Farm Service Agency says the allocation will be based on what crops were planted on the farm between 2009 and 2012. Jackson tells how cotton producers are affected.

 

                

 

Jackson said producers have until December 7th to decide what to do.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is up to $69.12 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is up to $74.26.

Natural gas rises to $2.88 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,219 and silver is $15.37.

 

 

Tuesday, August 7th

 

Info Allegedly Leaked Regarding City Manager Evaluation

Confidential information regarding a recent evaluation of Chickasha City Manager John Noblitt may have been leaked by someone on the city council. The council held a closed-door meeting to discuss Noblitt's job performance last month. Noblitt had this to say during last night's council meeting.

 

                

 

Noblitt didn't name any names regarding the allegation. He added that he would be happy to discuss future evaluations in public, but respectfully asked the council to honor the executive sessions and not disclose information that was shared behind closed doors.

 

Ward 3 Councilman Cody Turpin Resigns

City Councilman Cody Turpin has resigned. Turpin submitted his letter of resignation at the end of last night's council meeting.

 

                

 

Turpin was in his first term on the council. He defeated long-time councilman Phyllis Steelman for the post in March of 2017. Turpin said he moved to the Oklahoma City area. The council may appoint a new councilman to finish the remaining eight months left on Turpin’s term. The seat will be then be filled in the city council election next spring.

 

City Effort to Re-Coup Economic Development Loan Continues

The City of Chickasha will continue its effort to try and recoup an economic development loan issued to a company that never re-located to the region. Following a 40-minute closed door meeting, the council unanimously voted to proceed with collection activity against Tom Word of Word Industries. The council received a favorable judgement in a lawsuit against Word regarding the $250,000 loan. The judgement issued earlier this year gave Word until October 1st to sell some property he owns on Grand Lake and turn those proceeds over to the city. None of that property has been sold at this time, however. If the property isn't sold, the city can sue to foreclose on that property in an attempt to get the money back.

 

Computers Crash Again at Dep't of Public Safety

There are more computer problems for the Department of Public Safety today. The agency announced this morning that for the second time in two weeks, its entire computer system is down. The agency is unable to process any applications for driver’s licenses or state identification cards. Officials say they are not sure when the system will be back on-line. They ask that you monitor its website and/or social media for updates. The website is www.ok.gov/dps

 

1st National to Celebrate Buffalo Branch Renovations

A newly renovated lobby and updated technology are now in place at a branch of Chickasha's oldest financial institution. The First National Bank Buffalo Branch at 6th and Grand was recently transformed as contractors worked around the clock, squeezing a three-month project down to a mere two weeks. The lobby was renovated for customer convenience, creating space for improved customer flow. The branch is one of the busiest of all locations for lobby transactions, and it also has eight drive-thru lanes. A ribbon cutting to celebrate the renovations will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, August 8th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. There will be refreshments, and to go along with the branch's nickname, they'll be serving buffalo slider sandwiches.

 

Countdown to County Fair Continues

The Grady County Fair is now just over two weeks away. Fair princess candidates have a mandatory meeting tomorrow, and the alfalfa exhibits for both the county fair and state fair are to be entered tomorrow as well. One of the cutest activities at the fair is the children's pet show. Susan Routh with Grady County OSU Extension.

 

           

 

The children's pet show is Saturday, August 25th at 4:30 p.m.

 

Bridge Creek Fire Protection District Board Filings Re-scheduled

Authorities have announced the new filing period for the Bridge Creek Fire Protection District board of Directors. Originally scheduled in June, the filing period was postponed. Two positions will be filled. One is a five-year term for Office No. 5 and the other a one-year unexpired term for Office No. 1. The filing period will be Wednesday, Aug. 22nd through Friday, Aug. 24th. Candidates wanting to run for the post will file at the Grady County Election Board.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was higher, to just over $69 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is up to $73.75.

Natural gas also saw an increase, climbing to $2.86 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,223 and silver is $15.49.

 

Monday, Aug. 6th

 

Loan to No-Show Industrial Prospect  Set for Council Discussion

A lawsuit filed by the City of Chickasha against an industrial prospect that failed to bring its operations to town will be discussed during a closed-door session during tonight’s regularly scheduled city council meeting. The city is suing Tom Word of Word Industries for $250,000. The Economic Development loan was awarded to help Word move his operations from the Tulsa area to Chickasha a couple of years ago, but the move never materialized. The council is also expected to go out for bids to replace the roof at Fire Station No. 2 at 16th and Country Club. The roof was damaged during a hailstorm this spring, and the building is experiencing leaks. City officials say an insurance claim has been filed to cover the expected cost. The panel is expected to go out for bids for an unmarked car for the police department. The move comes after the council turned down an emergency request to waive competitive bidding and purchase a vehicle from state contract. Along the same line, the council will discuss another request to waive bidding and buy a utility vehicle for the city’s sports complex from state contract for about $8,000. The council is also to honor Brande Bradford at the library as the city's employee of the month. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. tonight at city hall.

 

Lots of New Construction, but Dollar Value Down

A lot of construction projects were approved in the City of Chickasha last month, but the dollar amount for the projects approved was down from the previous month. 18 permits totalling $580,000 were authorized through the city's Community Development Department in July. It's only the second month in 2018 where the value of the total number of construction projects authorized were below the $1 million mark. 11 of the 18 permits were for commercial projects. The largest was for the Bradley Machine Shop in the industrial park for $130,000 to add 6,000 sq. ft. of storage. A project for $75,000 was awarded to Standley Systems for a remodel; and Verizon Wireless was awarded a permit for $70,000 for a cell phone tower on North 4th Street. A contractor was awarded a $43,000 remodel permit for the Church of Jesus Christ Latter Day Saints in Shannon Springs Park.  Braum's was issued a permit to add a second drive-through lane. City officials said they are still unable to discuss what businesses are going into the new building under construction in the Shoppes at Chisholm Trail next to the Cotton Patch Restauant. Total new construction in Chickasha for the first seven months of the year is about $17.8 million.

 

One Critical, One Unhurt When Vehicle Crashes and Burns

A vehicle crashes and bursts into flames, critically injuring the driver while a passenger manages to escape serious injury. 20-year old Jason Morgan of Chickasha suffered numerous injuries in the accident that happened about six miles north of Velma in Stephens County late Friday night. A passenger, 20-year old Johnnie Jones of Amber, refused treatment at the scene. It wasn't reported what kind of vehicle the two men were in. The highway patrol reports the vehicle failed to go around a curve on a paved county road and went into a broad slide for about half the length of a football field.  The vehicle rolled nearly four times, throwing both Morgan and Jones out of the vehicle before it caught fire.

 

FEMA Grant for Storm Shelter Rebate Program Delayed

There's a delay at the federal level regarding Grady County's approval for another round of FEMA rebates to help residents install storm shelters. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson said all of the information he submitted to the State Office of Emergency Management has been approved and sent to the FEMA office in Denton, Texas. He says FEMA is double-checking some of the information in the grant application.

 

                

 

Thompson said more than 340 applications were taken for the storm shelter rebate program earlier this spring. He's hoping the funding can be approved for as many as 250 storm shelters.

               

State Rig Count Steady; Nation's Number Down 

The rig count held steady in Oklahoma last week at 137. That’s five more than at the same time last year. Nationwide, the count was down four - to 1,044 - which is up 90 from a year ago.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX had a down week, to $68.49 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude was also lower, to $73.21.

Natural gas with a bit of a gain, to $2.85 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,215 and silver is $15.32.