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Mollman Media News

2018, Aug 14th-20th

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

 

 

 

Monday, Aug. 20th

 

New Chickasha City Council Rep may be Appointed

It apparently hasn't taken long for Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley to find a replacement to fill a vacancy on the city council. One of the first items for the council to consider when it meets tonight is the appointment of a new Ward 3 councilman. It's not known who Mosley has picked. An opening was created a couple of weeks ago, when Ward 3 councilman Cody Turpin resigned at the end of the council’s June 6th meeting. Turpin won the seat in the 2017 city council election. He had to resign since he moved out of Chickasha and to the Oklahoma City area.

 

Law Suit, Possible Transfer of Sales Tax Rebate Agreement

Part of Closed-Door Session of City Council Meeting

Part of tonight’s agenda also calls for the council will go behind closed doors to discuss two issues. One of them is a lawsuit filed against the city by Curtis Hart.  The other is to talk about whether the city should transfer a sales tax rebate agreement with developer Steve LaForge to a new developer. A few months ago, the council approved a plan that would help LaForge develop the region south of Grand Avenue between 4th and 9th Streets. The council will also consider going out for bids to replace an air conditioning unit in the terminal at the airport. Officials say the unit that cools the lobby, bathrooms, and airport office is about 20 years old, and the cost of repair is almost as much as a new system. Officials estimate it will cost $7,500. The council will meet at 6:30 p.m. tonight at city hall.

 

Rush Springs Aquifer Study Released

A lengthy study of an important source of groundwater for portions of southern and western Oklahoma has been released by the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. The information concerns the underground water area that's known as the Rush Springs Aquifer. The study included about 4,700 square miles in eight counties including Grady, Caddo, Canadian, Blaine, Custer, Washita, Comanche, and Stephens counties. A state law required the Water Resources Board to determine the aquifer's "maximum annual yield". The detailed report indicates the region averaged 28 inches of rain per year dating back to 1905. Groundwater use over the past 50 years was about 70,000 acre-feet per year, with 91 percent used for irrigation and about 8 percent for public water supplies. It provides information for the construction of a groundwater flow-model  - to simulate various groundwater resource management proposals.  To see the detailed report, click on the following link:  https://www.owrb.ok.gov/studies/groundwater/rushsprings.php

 

Princess Contest Kicks Off Grady County Fair Week

Today is the unofficial start of the 104th Grady County Fair. The opening event is the fair princess pageant, where about a dozen young ladies are hoping to reign over the three-day event. There are talent, evening gown, and interview competitions. The top three contestants will win cash prizes. A reception for all candidates will be at 5:00 p.m. this afternoon with the talent competition starting at 6:30 p.m. The pageant will be held in the community building at the fairgrounds.  Also for the fair, still exhibit entries will be accepted from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. Exhibitors are asked to pick up their numbers and tags at the OSU extension office today or tomorrow morning, however exhibitors can get them at the fairgrounds tomorrow. The fair itself opens at 10:00 a.m. Thursday morning with a grand opening Thursday night.

 

Buying Hay? Check it's Quality

Checking agriculture news, hay may be hard to find this year. Livestock producers are encouraged to check any hay they might purchase, as the quality can vary. Shiann Burns with Grady County OSU Extension -

 

                

 

Burns says if possible, try and determine the Relative Feed Value of the hay. An ideal value is 150.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was up Friday, but down for the week, to $65.91 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude was down for the week, to $71.83.

Natural gas was up Friday, and virtually unchanged for the week, at $2.94 per million BTUs.

Metals had a down week, with gold at $1,193 and silver at $14.74.

 

 

Saturday, Aug. 18th

 

Police Investigate Reports of Stalkers at Wal-Mart

Reports that stalkers are following women and young girls at Chickasha's Wal-Mart are being investigated by police. Recent Facebook posts from concerned parents and citizens indicate that one or more men were following women - including teenagers - around the store. In an least one case, the man followed them out to their car. A post on the Chickasha Police Department's Facebook page says they don't believe the incidents are related. In each report, a different male has been identified. Authorities say there is no  immediate threat to public safety. Police do ask anyone who may have experienced a similar incident, or has direct knowledge of a similar matter, to contact police. Authorities advised that you should always be aware of your surroundings. If you experience a similar incident, call police, and if it’s an emergency, call 9-1-1. The police department's Facebook post has a number of comments, including one from a woman who believed someone was following her at the store. She posted a photo with a DVD of the movie Kidnap she says was placed in her shopping cart.

 

Marlow Drug Offender on the Lam

Stephens County authorities are looking for a drug offender who has taken off her ankle monitor. Christy Marie Lauderdale of Marlow has not been seen by her parole officer for nearly three months. Authorities went to her home May 31st to conduct a welfare check. She was not there but her GPS monitor was found on a washing machine. Lauderdale was on probation for possession of a controlled dangerous drug with intent to distribute out of Stephens County, stemming from an arrest in August of last year. She's now facing a charge of escaping from the Department of Corrections. Lauderdale is Caucasian; 5 feet, 5 inches tall; and weighs 240 pounds. A photo shows her with brown shoulder-length hair and blue eyes. If you have information, call local law enforcement or the Department of Corrections escapee hotline at 405-425-2698.

 

One Hospitalized when Three Pickups Crash

A Lindsay man is hospitalized and a Cement man was not hurt when three pick-ups collide near Lindsay. 66-year old Dale Riley was taken to the Lindsay hospital with arm, trunk, and head injuries. He was last in good condition. 35-year old Matthew Smith of Cement, who driving a separate pick-up, was not hurt. The highway patrol reports that Smith was westbound on a county road when he went left of center, and hit the back of an oncoming truck, then crashed nearly head-on into Riley's truck. Three men from McAlester in the third vehicle also were not hurt. The trooper investigating the crash reported that Smith was sleepy.

 

Grady County Jury Term Canceled

Grady County residents who were recently summoned to jury duty will not have to go. The jury term which was scheduled to start on Monday, Aug. 20th has been canceled. Court Clerk Lisa Hannah says potential jurors will not have to report on Monday.

 

Pet Foods Reunion Today

Former employees of the Pet Foods Company in Chickasha are meeting for a reunion today. About 100 individuals are expected to be on hand for the get-together at Full Gospel Church. The reunion is set to start at 11:00 a.m. with a barbecue at noon. Cost is $10. A tour of the Pet plant will be held at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon.

 

Sheriff's Office Issues Most-Wanted List

Each week the Grady County Sheriff’s Office issues a list of individuals who have outstanding warrants. Here’s Public Information officer Lisa Hatchett.

 

         

 

If you have information regarding any of these individuals you’re asked to contact the sheriff’s office by calling 405-222-5085.

 

 

Friday, Aug. 17th

 

Missing Cement Special Needs Student is Found

A special needs child managed to wander away from school in Cement yesterday. Fortunately the 10-year old boy was found uninjured and unharmed within a matter  of minutes in a creek bed not far from the school. The boy has cerebral palsy and is autistic. Cement police said the boy walked out of the back door of the gymnasium at the elementary school about 10:00 a.m. Emergency responders from Cyril, Fletcher, the Caddo County sheriff's office and even students from the high school joined the search. While authorities said the child was in good condition, he was taken to a Lawton hospital to be examined.

 

Driver Charged in Connection with Norge Crash

The drinking driver of car that ran off the road and crashed into an occupied mobile home in Norge this week is facing a misdemeanor DUI charge. 28-year old Christopher Don Boren was arraigned on the charge in Grady County District Court yesterday. Troopers say he also didn't have insurance documents for the vehicle he was driving. Boren was released after posting a $3,000 bond.  He's to be back in court Aug. 29th to announce his attorney. The sleeping family in the mobile home were not injured.

 

Semi Crash Closes Highway 81 in Minco

A traffic accident in Minco shut down U.S. Highway 81 near Highway 152 for a while yesterday. The highway patrol initially indicated it was an injury accident involving a semi. Traffic was shut down in both directions for an undetermined amount of time. No details have been released regarding that crash that happened just after 1:00 p.m. Thursday.

 

Domestic Violence Suspect Charged

A Grady County man on probation for drug charges is behind bars after its alleged he forced a woman to crash her car into a ditch and then choked her.  41-year old Robert Shawn Dreadin, Sr. was taken into custody  in connection with the domestic violence allegations this past Monday evening. Sheriff's deputies were called to a home in the Naples area twice that night. The first time to investigate an argument, then later to look into the physical confrontation. After choking the victim, its alleged Dreadin slashed a tire on the woman’s car and then drove off in another vehicle. Dreadin has been charged with felony and misdemeanor counts of domestic assault and battery. He’s currently on probation for pleading guilty to a felony drug charge dating back to 2012. Prosecutors want to revoke the suspended sentence Dreadin received following the guilty plea. He remains in jail on a $100,000 bond.

 

More Activity in SCOOP, STACK Plays

An oil well producing more than 1,300 barrels of oil a day is within the SCOOP area.  The OMER 6-20-17-XHS is eight miles south of Lindsay. The spud date was in January and it was completed by Continental Resources in April. Records from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission indicate the well was also producing about 2 million cubic feet of natural gas from the Springer Play. The website OK Energy Today indicates that in the STACK play around Kingfisher, three wells drilled and completed by Tulsa-based Chisholm Oil and Gas were producing between 300 and 400 barrels of oil per day, and that more than 30 permits to drill have been issued in Kingfisher in the past week. More than half of those permits issued to Oklahoma Energy Acquisitions, a subsidiary of Houston-based Alta Mesa Holdings.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here’s what we’re talking about this weekend. Donna Stamper with the Grady County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is this week’s guest on our KOOL Konversation. On Real Estate Today with John Mosley, this week’s guest is Chickasha School Superintendent Jack Herron. We have links to these programs elsewhere on this website. You’ll find them under the Community tab.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is up slightly to $65.46 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is up to $71.43.

Natural gas is down to $2.90 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,183 and silver is $14.64.

 

 

Thursday, Aug. 16th

 

Grady County Elected Officials Salary Issue

May Impact GOP Primary Run-off for State Auditor

Problems surrounding the over-payment of salaries to Grady County elected officials may impact the Republican primary race for State Auditor and Inspector. One of the candidates, Charlie Prater, is criticizing opponent Cindy Byrd, who is currently an employee in the state auditor's office. A story in the Oklahoman newspaper quotes Prater as saying Byrd is in charge of county audits, and that reviewing payroll is one of the most basic and fundamental elements of any fiscal audit. Byrd said an investigative audit could have identified the over-payment, but the most recent reviews in Grady County were not  that type of audit. She said an audit of the calculations used to determine pay for elected county officials is not something that is required in a financial statement audit.

 

Norge Family OK After Car Crashes into Mobile Home

A Norge family, including a two-year old boy, escape injury when a drinking driver careens off the road and hits their mobile home. Jesse Armstrong, his wife, and child were sleeping when the accident happened about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. The family was sleeping in the opposite end of the mobile home that was hit. A neighbor, Carolyn Luevano, says the crash woke her up as well, and that the speeding car did a lot of other damage, too.

 

                

 

Authorities arrested 24-year old Christopher Boren of Pampa, Texas on a DUI complaint. Luevano said three minors in the vehicle, also alleged to have been drinking, were released to their parents. Luevano says motorists speed through Norge all the time, and there have been numerous accidents. The speed limit through Norge is 35 miles per hour.

 

Chickasha Schools Back in Session

Students in Chickasha Public Schools are heading back to class this morning. Many will re-unite with friends they haven't seen all summer, and with their favorite teachers, administrators, and support staff. There are a few new faces in the classroom and in administrative roles as well. The school calendar includes a fall break Oct. 18th and 19th following the first nine weeks of school. There is a full week off for Thanksgiving. The half-way point of school ends Dec. 21st, and that’s when students will be off for two weeks for the holidays. The third nine weeks ends in mid March, to be followed by a full week off for spring break. The last day of classes will be next May 24th. Be sure to slow down in school zones and in neighborhoods where students are waiting for school buses.

 

Kiowa Tribe, VA Reach Out to Military Veterans

The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma is teaming up with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to offer assistance to military veterans in southwest Oklahoma. The theme of the outreach is "Your Service, Our Mission: Bringing Benefits Home." Officials with the VA will be at the Kiowa Tribe Veterans Department Office at the Kiowa Housing Authority Office in Anadarko today and tomorrow. Veterans, spouses, widows, and widowers can discuss their VA claims and benefits, file claims, and may get same-day answers if information is completed. Other agencies to be on-site include Oklahoma City and Muskogee VA medical center representatives. VA officials will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both today and tomorrow.

 

Anadarko FFA Prepares for Fall Projects

FFA chapters across the state are planning their activities for the school year that is just getting started. Josey Myers is president of the Anadarko FFA and talks about the activities for the fall.

 

                

 

Anadarko has a new FFA instructor this year in Ryan Freeman.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $65.01 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $70.76.

Natural gas is to $2.94 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,180 and silver is $14.60.

 

 

Wednesday, Aug. 15th

 

Body Identified at Ft. Cobb Lake

Investigators are looking into the death of a man whose body was found afloat on the water at Ft. Cobb Lake last night. The victim has been identified as 45-year old Tony Ray McGarrah. His home town is not known. Caddo County authorities have called in the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to provide assistance. The OSBI was called in just before 8:00 p.m. Tuedsay. It's not known if last night's storms might be to blame for McGarrath’s death. The state medical examiner will determine how he died.

 

Beware of 'IRS' Phone Scam

Another telephone scam is making the rounds in the Grady County area. It's a recorded message that indicates it is from the IRS, saying potential victims owe thousands of dollars and they will be arrested and taken to jail. Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir-

 

                

 

Weir says if you get one of these calls, just hang up, and that don’t call the number that they give. He says many times the number is from out of the country. The scammers could get your personal information from your phone number. If you happen to get one of these phone calls, Weir suggests you call local law enforcement, and official will pass the information on to the attorney general.

 

Pursuit Suspect Charged with Felony

The man arrested for leading a state trooper on a high-speed pursuit is charged with a felony in connection with the chase. Prosecutors filed one count of attempting to elude against 35-year old Robert Patrick Damico. Bond was set at $100,000. Last Friday, a state trooper said he tried to pull over Damico on a traffic stop for speeding through a construction zone. A pursuit ensued which lasted about 15 minutes, and ended when Damico crashed his vehicle in a Chickasha neighborhood.  Prosecutors declined to file any charges against a second person arrested following the pursuit. Kristina Gonzalez was a passenger in Damico's truck.

 

New Economic Development Director Introduced

Chickasha's new Economic Development Director is now on board. Cody Mosley was introduced to the Economic Development Council (EDC) during the group's monthly meeting yesterday. The EDC board of directors hired him last month. Mosley is looking forward to being part of a plan to revitalize downtown Chickasha. Chickasha is one of just two cities accepted into an OU program called the Institute of Quality Communities. Mosley has worked with the group before.

 

                

 

A meeting to get public input for the proposal will be held later this fall. Mosley, his wife Chelsea, and their three-old daughter Lincoln have already moved to Chickasha.

 

Pet Milk Reunion, Tour is This Weekend

The Pet Foods plant in Chickasha has been closed for several years, but some former employees are having a reunion this weekend. City Councilman Mark Keeling along with T.L. Taylor have organized the event for this Saturday at Full Gospel Church at 922 N. 10th. Activities will start at 11:00 a.m. with lunch at noon. Cost is $10. There will also be a tour of the plant, starting at 2:00 p.m. Saturday. For information, check out the Pet Milk Gang's Facebook page, or contact T.L. Taylor by calling 405-779-7260.

 

NAP Deadline Nears for Wheat Producers

Wheat and small-grain producers have until the end of the month to decide if they want to take part in USDA's Non-insured Disaster Assistance, or NAP program. Amanda Tye with the Caddo County Farm Service Agency.

 

                

 

Cost of NAP coverage is $250.  NAP is also available for grasses, but the deadline is not until next March.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $67.04 a barrel.

London-based Brent is $72.46.

Natural gas is $2.96 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,192 and silver is $14.84.

 

 

Tuesday, Aug. 14th

 

Administrative Posts May be Filled for Chickasha Schools

A new middle school principal and some other administrative positions are expected to be filled during tonight's meeting of the Chickasha school board. Debby Martin is being recommended as the new principal at the middle school. She previously served an assistant principal there. If approved she'll take over for Dan Turner, who is now the school district's maintenance director. Long-time Lincoln School teacher Angie Morgan is expected to be named an assistant principal at Lincoln. She'll take the post previously held by Yvonne Kennedy, who recently moved over to the high school for an assistant principal spot. The school board will also make a decision regarding the start and end times for all district schools for the upcoming year. The panel may also act on the budget for the Adult Basic Education program, which had come under fire within the last couple of months. Program coordinator Dr. Lisa Johnson will present her budget recommendations, and the school board may also revise her job description. The school board meets at 6:30 p.m. tonight at the  school administration building.

 

Open Houses set for Chickasha Schools

Some Chickasha school buildings will have open houses tonight and tomorrow to welcome students ahead of the first day of classes on Thursday. The high school will have an open house for incoming freshmen tonight from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Middle school has an open house tonight from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Lincoln School will have an open house tonight from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. At the high school tomorrow, seniors, juniors, and sophomores can stop by tomorrow morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. or in the afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

 

Century-old Tree Breaks; Hits House

A Chickasha family escapes injury when a part of a large tree falls next to their home. It happened at 3rd and Ada Sipuel Avenue yesterday. A large section of a tall elm tree came crashing down. Thankfully, it did not crash into the home. There is some damage to the siding, but the family is not sure to what extent. The home is owned by Kitty Nelson. Her daughter Kimbray, a cousin, and some children were home when the tree came down. Kimbray says she heard the tree come down but didn’t know what it was right away.

 

                

 

The tree is estimated to be 100 years old. We have some photos of the downed tree on our Facebook page.

 

Tips for Packing School Lunches

If you'll be sending your kids to school with lunch boxes or bags, make sure the foods you give them can be safely held at room temperature. You can add a gel pack to the lunch, which is handy should you have an insulated lunch box. However, she says-

 

                

 

If you don't have a gel pack, a juice box frozen ahead of time is a good substitute.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was down to $67.20 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude dips to $72.61.

Natural gas was off slightly to $2.93 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,202 and silver is $15.04.

 


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.

 

 

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