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Today Let’s meet Canadian Valley Technology Center “Spotlight person of the week Is Chickasha High school student, Laney Brown, who’s studying “Health Careers I, at CV Tech. Tune in Friday the 17th, to KOOL 105,5 FM, (the 7AM and 8AM News) to hear the story.
Saturday, May 18th
Powerful Thunderstorms Cause Damage, Flooding
Strong thunderstorms with powerful winds and heavy rains cause some damage and downed powerlines in the southwest part of Chickasha Saturday morning. PSO reports as many as 11 power poles down on 29th Street between Grand Avenue and Georgia Avenue. A large tree falls on a dual cab pickup just west of Chickasha, and there were about 2,500 PSO customers without power at the peak of the storm. A flash flood warning was issued for Grady, Caddo, Comanche, and Stephens counties until 11:00 a.m. Saturday because of the heavy rains in the region.
Grady County Man Charged with Cattle Rustling
A Ninnekah man is charged with cattle rustling, after more than two dozen head of cattle went missing from a Grady County ranch. Documents filed in Grady County District Court say that officials with the State Department Agriculture received an anonymous tip that a man was bragging about taking the animals from his employer. 40-year old Marshall Christopher Dunn is charged with two felonies in connection with the investigation. Dunn denies the charges, saying he had an agreement to work out the cost of the animals with his employer. The employer says that's not the case. The theft is alleged to have occurred in the Middleberg area in October of 2017. It's alleged that Dunn sold the animals for about $10,000. Dunn has been released from jail after posting a $2,500 bond. He's to be back in court July 10th for a preliminary hearing conference.
Binger Man Faces Lewd Acts Charges
In Caddo County, a man sought for allegedly committing lewd acts with a child is in custody. A felony arrest warrant was issued this week for 30-year old Michael Wayne Oxford of Binger. Oxford was booked into the Caddo County Jail on Thursday, charged with two counts of lewd acts to a child under 10 years old. On-line court records indicate the warrant was requested following an investigation by the Anadarko Police Department. No details of the investigation were available. During his arraignment yesterday, Oxford's bond was set at $100,000. A preliminary hearing conference is scheduled for June 20th.
Vietnam Vets to be Memorialized
Two regional Vietnam Veterans who died after returning home from their tour of duty will be honored in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. Army veterans Billy Claud Reeves of Chickasha and Louis Gene Miller of Newcastle are among seven Oklahoma soldiers and more than 500 nationwide who will be inducted into In Memory Program, which is part of the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Reeves was 75 years old when he passed away in 2017. Miller was 68 years old when he also passed away in 2017. During the ceremony, the names off all 534 soldiers will be read aloud, and each will have a personal rememberance page on-line in the In Memory Honor Roll. Their photos will also be displayed when the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund mobile exhibit is on display in Oklahoma. The Saturday, June 15th ceremony at the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial will be shown live on Facebook at 9:00 a.m. central time. For information on how to honor Vietnam veterans who have died as a result of their service after returning home, visit the website: www.vvmf.org/in memory
Blanchard May Daze Underway
The Blanchard May Daze celebration got off to a great start yesterday. Some 70 vendors are on hand for the event in downtown Blanchard, with t-shirts, caps, jewelry, old time photos, animal adoptions, home decor and baked goods among the offerings. There are number of food trucks and of course a carnival and a midway. The celebration is tentatively set to open at 10 o'clock this morning, weather permitting. Scheduled entertainment includes local tumbling and dance groups, square dancing, and musical guests that include Crossfire, Michael and Twana Scalf, and the featured group tonight, Southern Highway. There's also a hot dog eating contest this afternoon. It's a family-friendly event, with free admission.
Sheriff's Office Issues Warrant List
The Grady County Sheriff's Office has released an updated list of individuals they are looking for, who have oustanding 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.
Talk Show Topics
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. The Chickasha Public Library is getting ready for its summer reading program. Brande Bradford and Courtney Mayall will be on our KOOL Konversation to discuss that and other library offerings. On Real Estate Today, Courtney Keck with OSU Extension from Canadian county will discuss landscaping your home. We have links to both programs under the Community tab on this website.
Friday, May 17th
Arrest Made Following Three-County Pursuit
A dangerous high-speed pursuit put lives at risk in three counties this week. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports it happened Monday afternoon. A state trooper reports he clocked a motorist traveling at nearly 90 miles per hour northbound on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike near mile marker 94. The driver hit the gas and speeds quickly reached 120 miles per hour. The chase went east on the Norman Spur, where the driver was weaving in and out of traffic. The motorist eventually lost control and ran off the highway and nearly hit an ODOT worker mowing the grass. The suspect veered back on the highway, then the pursuit went north on Highway 62 through Newcastle, then back on to I-44 and into Oklahoma City. The chase finally ended near I-240 and Western, when the suspect hit an OHP cruiser. Authorities arrested 27-year old Javonte Barnes of Orlando, Florida who had a suspended driver's license. Barnes was taken to the Grady County Jail. Prosecutors formally charged him with felonies that include eluding and destruction of state property. He remains in jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.
High Bond Set for Final Child Abuse Suspect
The final suspect arrested in connection with that child abuse investigation in Rush Springs had his formal arraignment on felony charges yesterday. 30-year old William Eugene Barnes was arrested earlier this week, after a warrant had been issued for his arrest. He's facing three child abuse-related felonies and a judge set bond at $300,000. In an update concerning one of the other defendants charged in connection with this investigation, a mental competency exam has been ordered for George Mount, who is charged with neglect and failure to protect a child from neglect.
Veteran Gets Military Burial, No Family Found
An Oklahoma military veteran with no identified family is laid to rest at Ft. Sill National Cemetery today. SP4 James Lynn Troyer passed away at the VA Medical Center in Oklahoma City on April 30th. A graveside service with full military honors was held.
Chickasha High School Commencement Tonight
Today is the last day of classes for students in Chickasha Public Schools. It's also graduation day for 148 high school seniors. The ceremony gets underway at 7 o'clock at the high school activity center. After the ceremony, the new alums are invited to take part in Project Graduation, hosted by the Chickasha Optimist Club. It's a drug and alcohol-free event for the grads with music, food, a money machine, and more. That will be held at the YMCA starting about 9 o'clock tonight.
Rain Cancels Weekend Outdoor Concert
The forecast for wet weather has forced the cancelation of an outdoor concert in dowtown Chickasha tomorrow night. Chickasha Chamber of Commerce officials say there was no indoor location available to move the event, so they were forced to cancel it. The first outdoor downtown concert was also affected by rain, but it was moved to the Grady County Fairgrounds. Chamber President Cassandra Ersland said another event had already booked the fairgrounds. The next outdoor concert for downtown is set for June 22nd.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $62.87 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is$72.62.
Natural gas is $2.64 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,285 and silver is $14.46.
Thursday, May 16th
Final Rush Springs Child Abuse Suspect in Custody
The fifth and final defendant charged in connection with a child abuse investigation out of Rush Springs is behind bars. 30-year old William Eugene Barnes was booked into the Grady County Jail by a deputy sheriff last night. An arrest warrant had been issued for Barnes last month following an investigation by the district attorney's office. Barnes and four others are accused of the terrible treatment of a teen, which includes handcuffing him to a table at night, making him sleep on the floor, urinating on him, and making him go without food. The abuse was reported by school officials, who said the teen would come to school each day reeking of urine. Barnes, Amber Barnes, April Summers, Jeffrey Rasmussen, and George Mount are all facing charges which include child abuse, neglect, and failure to protect a child from abuse. William Barnes could have his initial appearance on his charges in Grady County District Court today.
Bogus Check Suspects Wanted in Other Counties
We have an update to a story we first told you about last week, about a couple accused in connection with a bogus check case in Anadarko. 28-year old Sarah Jo Hash and 25-year old Chance Alan Smith are accused of cashing three checks totaling nearly $1,000. Reports now indicate the two are connected to similar crimes in Grady, McIntosh, Wagoner, and Haskell counties. Hash and Smith were recently arrested and jailed in LeFlore County. Our partners at KWTV News 9 report that they created fake paychecks from Anadarko businesses that they didn't even work for and were able to cash them. Authorities said in addition to having them on video surveillance, the duo also used their real ID's to cash the bad checks. Their charges vary from county to county, but in Caddo County they are charged with computer fraud, forgery, and conspiracy. Smith is charged with forgery in Grady County in connection with an alleged crime in Tuttle this past March.
Tuttle Poised for Growth After Bond Issue Passes
Tuttle school superintendent Bobby Waitman is thankful for the overwhelming support of voters in their passage of a nearly $40 million bond issue this week. Waitman said there has been and will be a lot of growth in Tuttle, with residents wanting to help the district and the children who attend Tuttle schools.
Waitman said the first project will be the construction of classrooms that will also serve as storm shelters. The district will also be able to install artificial turf on its football, baseball, and softball fields. The baseball field will have the new turf in time for the 2020 spring season. The football and softball fields will have the turf for their fall 2020 seasons.
Low-Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic Set
A Chickasha-based animal rescue group will provide a low-cost vaccination and micro-chipping clinic. Friends Fur Change will set up at Chickasha’s Centennial Park on Saturday, June 1st. Dog and cat vaccinations will be $10 each and micro-chipping will be available for $25 per pet. De-worming and nail trimming for pets will also be available for $5 each. No appointment will be necessary. Just bring your pet on a leash to Centennial Park on Saturday, June 1st from 9 a.m. to noon. See the Friends Fur Change Facebook page for more info.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $62.02 per barrel.
London-based crude oil is $71.77.
Natural gas is $2.60 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,294 and silver is $14.80.
Wednesday, May 15th
Tuttle Voters OK $40 Million School Bond Issue
Voters in the Tuttle school district give overwhelming approval to a nearly $40 million bond issue in a special election yesterday. The measure received nearly 82 percent approval, 535 to 118. The bonds will allow the construction of storm shelters at several schools, some STEM classroom additions, a new gymnasium for basketball and volleyball, and improvements to the band and vocal music departments. A new greenhouse will be added for plant science and horticulture. Part of the bond issue is a proposal to install artificial turf on the football, baseball, and softball fields.
Rush Springs Voters Turn Down Bond Issue
It was a different result in Rush Springs, where voters turned down an $18.5 million bond issue. The measure failed to receive the 60 percent majority needed for passage. The proposal did garner nearly 52 percent of the "yes" vote, 374 to 347. But that was about 60 votes shy of what was needed for passage. That measure would have allowed the district to build a new gymnasium and other school improvements.
Grady County Sales Tax Revenue Remains Strong
Nearly $3.5 million in sales tax revenue has been collected at the county level in Grady County in the first four months of 2019. Two projects get most of that money - the Grady County Fairgrounds and Grady Memorial Hospital. The Fairgrounds received about $1.1 million to pay for the construction of the climate-controlled event center. Grady Memorial Hospital received just over $1 million to pay for the construction of surgery suites and an imaging center. 20 county fire departments have shared about $600,000 in sales tax revenue, with each department receiving about $30,000. Each of the seven senior nutrition centers also shares about $600,000 with each one collecting $80,000. Tuttle EMS has collected about $100,000 and Rush Springs EMS has collected nearly $30,000. The county sales tax rate is 3/4th of a penny. All of the sales tax projects were approved by county voters.
Suspect Arrested After Car Burglarized at Funeral
A woman is shocked to find that her car was burglarized while she was attending a funeral. However, the ping of a cel phone which was stolen from the car help police catch the alleged culprit. Chickasha police were called to Holy Name Catholic Church last Saturday morning, where the victim said after attending a funeral she discovered several items had been taken from her car. Those items included her child's cel phone. A police affidavit indicates authorities tracked the cel phone ping to a neighborhood just a few blocks away. Authorities made a traffic stop on a vehicle and found the cel phone in the vehicle. The driver was arrested on complaints of having stolen merchandise and not having a driver's license. 27-year old Kevin Leroy Thomas of Tulsa was arrested. After taking him to jail, officers were informed that the car Thomas was driving had been stolen out of Oklahoma City. Thomas has been formally charge with a felony and a misdemeanor in connection with the burglary. He remains in jail pending a $5,000 bond.
CV Tech Employee Earns State Honor
He's one of the best in the state in his field of expertise. Dick Lowe has been presented an Award of Excellence from the Oklahoma Association of Career Tech. Lowe is the Business and Industry Services Coordinator with the Chickasha campus of the Canadian Valley Technology Center. He earned recognition for his work with the school’s post-secondary, adult, and career education division. Among the accomplishments for Lowe and his team are helping a company save $250,000 in annual costs and assisting another in saving $180,000 in annual workers compensation premiums.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $61.78 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is up to $71.24.
Natural gas is up to $2.66 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,298 and silver is $14.83.
Tuesday, May 14th
Chix Police Department Gets Suprise Donation
Descendants of a Chickasha police chief shot and killed in the line of duty more than 100 years ago have given a donation to the current police department. Emmitt Goodwin was gunned down in 1909 by a fellow law enforcement officer. It’s said the night chief held a grudge after Goodwin defeated him in an election for police chief. Current Police Chief Dee Rowell said the department had no advance notice of the contribution.
Rowell said the out-of-state donor wanted to remain anonymous. While only a $50 donation, Rowell said the funds were specified for the department's Blue Line fund, an account established with the local Fraternal Order of Police to help police officers in a time of need. Contributions are always welcome to the Blue Line fund.
Special Bond Elections Today in Rush Springs, Tuttle
Voters in two area school districts are going to the polls to decide special bond issues today. Rush Springs voters will decide an $18.5 million measure to build a gymnasium and other needed school improvements. Tuttle voters are deciding a nearly $40 million bond issue to build storm shelters at several schools, improvements to the district's performing arts program, science and technology upgrades, and possibly installing turf on the football, baseball, and softball fields. Polls are open until 7 o'clock tonight.
Hearing Set for Commercial Re-Zoning Request
The possible re-zoning of some commercial property and a request for a home-based business are among public hearings to be held by the City of Chickasha's Planning Commission this afternoon. Nelson Caywood Rentals is asking to re-zone four properties in the 700 block of South 4th Street from local commercial use to general commercial use. Tiffany Haile is asking for a use-on-review to allow a home-based beauty shop at 1930 Country Club Road. Another public hearing is for a variance regarding the city's maximum storage building size. DeRedact and Beverly Sales are asking for the variance in the 2800 block of South 29th. Any rulings by the Planning Commission are forwarded to the city council for its review. The Planning Commission meets at 4 o'clock this afternoon.
Thousands Added to School Foundation Endowment
Thousands of dollars have been added to an endowment which supports Chickasha school students and teachers. A recent fundraiser for the Chickasha Public School Foundation brought in $24,000. The money raised will be added to a fund which has grown to more than $1 million since it was created more than 30 years ago. Foundation director Jen Jantzen said the fundraiser included live and silent auctions, and opportunities for individuals and businesses to purchase supplies for one classroom for a year. The Foundation will be providing three scholarships of $1,500 each to graduating Chickasha High School seniors this week.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $61.04 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $70.23.
Natural gas is $2.62 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,298 and silver is $14.77.
Monday, May 13th
One Dead in Verden House Fire, Explosion
An investigation is underway into a fatal fire and explosion that destroyed a home in Verden last night. The fire broke out about 8:00 p.m. Sunday, and there were several people in the home when the fire started. Authorities have not identified the person who died nor the individuals who were in the home. There are conflicting reports regarding whether any of the others were hurt. Reports are that the fire broke out before the explosion. While officials aren't sure how the fire started, it is believed the fire started first, and the explosion occurred when the fire got to an oxygen tank in the back of the home. The state fire marshal's office has been called in to lead the investigation.
Two New District Attorneys to Lead Probe
of Grady County Elected Official Salary Overpayment
Two new district attorneys have been appointed to lead the investigation into the overpayment of Grady County elected officials. Grady County District Attorney Jason Hicks has recused himself from the case, telling the state attorney general he will likely have to represent the individuals listed in an audit which detailed the overpayment. In his recusal letter to Attorney General Mike Hunter, Hicks said he believed the elected officials did not know they were being overpaid. A review of county records by then state auditor Gary Jones found that a number of elected officials over the last 10 years had been overpaid by a combined total of more than $700,000. Our partners at KWTV News 9 report that District Attorney Angela Marsee from western Oklahoma will lead the case. District Attorney Greg Mashburn who serves McClain, Cleveland, and Garvin counties will assist. The former state auditor said his office warned the Grady County board that signed off on the salaries not to approve a desired 18 percent pay raise for elected officials, but the board did not heed that advice. Jones said the board approved overall budgets for departments but not salaries for elected officials.
Volunteers Sought for Emergency Response Team
The Grady County Emergency Management Agency is recruiting volunteers to be part of its Certified Emergency Response Team (CERT). Individuals will undergo about 20 hours of training to learn about working disasters and helping to spread information about disaster preparedness. Linda Swanner is with the county agency and says individuals get hands-on training, including an interesting workshop on fire suppression.
Ideally, officials would like to have a CERT team in every community. Contact Swanner at the Grady County Emergency Management office for more information.
Free Finance Workshops Underway
A program to help individuals with their finances is underway in both Chickasha and Anadarko. The weekly workshops are offered by USAO and the Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions program. It's part of a federal grant to the university to help individuals and families take control of their finances. The weekly programs run every Tuesday evening at 6 p.m. at USAO and every Thursday evening at 6 p.m. at the Methodist Church in Anadarko. This week's workshop will take a look at buying a car. Upcoming workshops include buying insurance; debit and credit cards; credit reports and scores; borrowing; protecting your identity; and planning for disasters. The programs are free and open to the public and will be held every week through June.
Chix High School Prepares for Graduation
This is the last week of classes for students in Chickasha Public Schools. For the seniors, graduation is Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at the CHS Activity Center. 148 seniors are expected to cross the stage to pick up their diplomas. As tradition holds, only seniors will be speaking during the ceremony. The top two Valedictorians who will speak are Hugh Nelson and Samantha Shaw. The class voted for classmates to talk about the past, present, and future. Abigail Dunn will speak on the past, Maggie Wilson on the present, and Diallo Foster on the future. Baccalaureate will be Thursday night at 6:00 p.m. at the activity center, sponsored by the ministerial alliance.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $61.66 per barrel.
London-based Brent is $70.62.
Natural gas is $2.62 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,284 and silver is $14.67
