Sat, Nov. 9th
Domestic Violence Suspect Held on $500,000 Bond
A Caddo County man who spent time in prison for a violent crime is back behind bars, alleged to have been involved in another enraged attack on a family. 50-year old Timothy Daniel Kitson of Hydro was arrested earlier this week after authorities were called to investigate a domestic violence call where shots were fired. Kitson is facing charges which include shooting with intent to kill, burglary, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. A judge set bond at $500,000. A preliminary hearing conference has been scheduled on January 21st of next year. Kitson spent about 18 months behind bars in connection with an assault and battery arrest out of Custer County back in 2009.
Anadarko Police Seek Missing Teen
Anadarko police are looking for a missing teenager. Authorities posted information on the department's Facebook page that 13-year old Jody Isaacs, Jr. went missing sometime Wednesday. Isaacs is Caucasian, about 5'4" tall and weighs about 145 pounds. He has shoulder-length sandy blonde hair and is clean shaven. He was last seen wearing a gray OSU shirt and black shorts. Anyone with information is asked to reach out to the Anadarko Police Department by calling 405-247-2411.
Grady County Sheriff Updates Wanted List
The Grady County Sheriff's office has released a new 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.
Grant May Help Put More Veterinarians in Rural OK
There is an effort to address the shortage of veterinarians in rural Oklahoma. Dr. Rosslyn Biggs of Chickasha is with the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University. Ron Hays with the Radio Oklahoma Ag network reports that Biggs-
That's Ron Hays with the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network.
Talk Show Topics
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Elizabeth Allen and Cassandra Ersland with the Festival of Light are this week's guests on our KOOL Konversation. On Real Estate Today with John Mosley our guests are Grady County Fairgrounds Executive Director Andy Maher and Grady County Fair Board member Steve Standridge. Find links to both programs under the Community tab on this website.
High School Football Scores
Chickasha 28, Anadarko 16
Blanchard 33, Harrah 7
Cashion 40, Minco 13
Elgin 13, Newcastle 10
Bridge Creek 18, Blackwell 13
Alex 74, Burns Flat-Dill City 62
Tuttle 33, Cushing 20
Rush Springs 22, Healdton 6
Ringling 50, Apache 0
Kingston 33, Lindsay 12
Marlow 35, Purcell 27
Snyder 36, Cyril 12
Carnegie 46, Geary 23
Friday, Nov. 8th
Grady County Fairgrounds 'Trust' to be Created
Some management changes are going to be made at the Grady County Fairgrounds over the next few months. Officials are in the process of creating a trust. Fairgrounds director Andy Maher explains why.
The Grady County Fair Board and Grady County Commissioners are behind the change. Maher said it won't change how the fairgrounds is operated. He says the trust is similar to those that are in place for Grady Memorial Hospital and the Grady County Jail. County commissioners this week approved a letter of engagement to work with the Center for Economic Development Law to begin the first of a three-phase legal process to create the trust.
Chix School Board to Review Superintendent Applicants
The application period is over for candidates interested in being the next superintendent for Chickasha Public Schools. Now, the local board of education has the task of sifting through the candidates and deciding who to invite for interviews. The school board has a special meeting next Tuesday afternoon with it’s consultants from the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, the group leading the effort to find the next superintendent. The meeting is a closed-door session since the panel is discussing a personnel issue. Interviews with potential candidates will be scheduled over the next few weeks. A new superintendent could be named after the first of the year. The school district is currently being led by Jennifer Stegman, who was appointed to the post on an interim basis this past spring.
Early Voting Today for Minco, Tuttle, Anadarko Elections
Early voting continues today for upcoming elections in Minco, Tuttle, and Anadarko. In Minco, voters are deciding a post on the city council. Karen Dirickson and Mandy Addington are seeking an unexpired term. In Tuttle, voters are deciding two proposals - one is a $2 million general obligation bond proposal for 25 years to build a new police station - and another is a one-half of one percent sales tax increase for street improvements. Anadarko residents are deciding a number of issues which city officials say are needed to modernize some city policies and procedures. Minco and Tuttle voters can cast in-person, absentee ballots until 6:00 p.m. tonight at the Grady County Election Board. Anadarko voters can cast ballots until 6:00 p.m. at the Caddo County Election board. Voters will be able to cast ballots at their regular precincts next Tuesday, November 12th.
USAO Professor Receives National Award
USAO history professor Kevin Crow is being nationally recognized for his work. Crow will receive the George Washington Honor Medal from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, Pa. A news release from the university says the award recognizes those who promote an understanding and appreciation for the country's rich heritage, principles, and unique freedoms. The Freedoms Foundation was created in 1949 as a national non-profit, non-partisan, and non-sectarian group to promote the ideals and principles of a free, democratic society. Crow will receive the award from the group's Oklahoma City Volunteer Chapter next spring.
Talk Show Topics
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Elizabeth Allen and Cassandra Ersland with Chickasha's Festival of Light are this week's guests on our KOOL Konversation. On Real Estate Today with John Mosley, the guests are Grady County Fairgrounds Executive Director Andy Maher and Grady County Fair Board member Steve Standridge. We have links to both programs under the Community tab on this website.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $57.15 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $62.29.
Natural gas is $2.77 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,466 and silver is $16.93.
Thursday, Nov. 7th
Cement Schools Close due to Alleged Threat
Public school officials across the country are taking any alleged threats against their schools seriously. Officials at Cement Public Schools canceled classes today due to some alleged threats made against personnel. Cement School Principal Travis Clift posted a message on Facebook late last night saying that classes would be canceled today. His post indicated that alleged threats were made toward a school employee. He did not go into details about the threats. Clift stated that the threats were being investigated by the Caddo County Sheriff's Office.
Muscle Car Ranch Continues Effort
to be De-Annexed from Chickasha City Limits
The owner of Chickasha's Muscle Car Ranch continues his years-long effort to get the ranch removed from the Chickasha City Limits. Curtis Hart has battled the city for about 30 years. This past summer, the city council voted down his most recent attempt to be de-annexed, even though the plan was recommended by city manager John Noblitt. Hart says-
Hart and his supporters want to create a south side chamber of commerce, and wants more communication city-wide when it comes to scheduling activities.
On his Facebook posts, Hart says a trial date could be set next month in his on-going effort to de-annex his 80-acre Muscle Car Ranch from the city.
Caddo County Mails Out 2019 Property Tax Statements
Caddo County officials are putting the 2019 tax statements in the mail. Treasurer Regina Mosier says they are sending out about 27,000 statements. The office has been certified to collect just a little under $18 million in property taxes. That's an increase of just under 6 percent from the previous year. Mosier said that property taxes may be paid in full by December 31st. Taxpayers have an option of paying half of the due amount by December 31st with the second half due by March 31st of next year. The Grady County treasurer's office is preparing to mail out its property tax statements later this month.
Conservation Work on Tribal Land Discussion Underway
Native American tribes, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and USDA are working together on a plan to assist with conservation programs on tribal lands. Farm Broadcaster Ron Hays has more.
Shoplifting Suspect Had Outstanding Warrant
A woman who had a warrant out for her arrest is in more trouble with the law after allegedly being caught shoplifting. 38-year old Krista Leanne Cassity of Chickasha was arrested Monday after police were called to investigate an alleged theft at the Dollar General Store at 6th and Grand Avenue. A Chickasha police affidavit indicates Cassity first gave officers a false name, then admitted doing so because she had an outstanding warrant. Authorities found about $20 of store merchandise in her purse including a jar of peanut butter, Kool-Aid, some gloves, and disinfectant spray. Cassity has been charged with felony impersonation and misdemeanor shoplifting and obstruction charges in connection with this most recent arrest. She was wanted for violating a deferred sentence she received for pleading guilty to drug charge from a 2017 arrest. Her initial bond was set at $20,000 but it was reduced to $2,500. Cassity is currently out of jail and awaits a Nov. 19th preliminary hearing conference.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $56.35 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $61.74.
Natural gas is $2.83 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,482 and silver is $17.50.
Wed, Nov. 6th
Semis Crash; One Taken to the Hospital
A truck driver was taken to the hospital with minor injuries after an accident involving two semis. The accident happened on State Highway 39 two miles west of the Grady and McClain County line about 10:45 a.m. Tuesday. Unofficial reports indicate both semis were headed east on the highway. One of the big rigs tried to pass a third vehicle and sideswiped the other semi. The truck driver trying to pass lost control, hit a guardrail, rolled onto its side and slid off the road. Traffic was narrowed to one lane for a couple of hours after the crash. The names of the truck drivers were not released.
Two Sent to Hospital After Caddo County Accident
A car slams into a pickup in Caddo County sending two men to the hospital. The accident happened just after 7:30 a.m. Tuesday at the intersection of a couple of county roads three miles south of Carnegie. 57-year old Spencer Chalepah of Lawton was admitted to a Lawton hospital in fair condition with internal injuries. 27-year old Casey Troub of Carnegie was treated and released with minor injuries. A passenger in Troub's pickup, 27-year old Dylan McGee of Midwest City, refused treatment. The Highway Patrol trooper dispatched to the crash reported that Chalepah failed to yield and crashed into Troub's pickup.
27th Annual Festival of Light Nears
The opening of Chickasha's Festival of Light (FOL) is about 2 1/2 weeks away. This will be the 27th year for the festival which will run Saturday, Nov. 23rd through New Year’s Eve. Volunteers and crews from the City of Chickasha have been working for several weeks to get things in place at Shannon Springs Park. This Friday, one of the biggest projects could use a few volunteers, putting thousands of lights on the bridge over the pond. Contact the Chamber of Commerce by calling 405-224-0787 if you can help. FOL organizers are also looking for volunteers to help at the front and back gates through the season. The newest attraction for the festival, a real ice skating rink, will be installed just a few days before the festival begins.
Voting Underway in FSA County Committee Elections
It's election time for agriculture producers. Ballots are being mailed to producers to vote in Farm Service Agency county committee elections. For most counties the election is for Local Area Administrative Office No. 3, typically the southern third of a county. Mark Jackson with the Grady County Farm Service agency says committee members play an important role in assisting with USDA farm programs.
In Grady County, Lynn Alexander is the only candidate on the ballot. In Caddo County, Ethan Hrbacek and Lynn Dietrich are the candidates. Ballots need to be returned to FSA offices by Dec. 2nd. Winners will take office in January and will serve a three-year term.
Veterans Day Ceremonies Set for Chickasha and Anadarko
Veterans Day is coming up next Monday, Nov. 11th. The Veterans Day ceremony traditionally held at the Grady County Veterans Memorial in Chickasha's Shannon Springs Park will be moved indoors due to the forecast of cold weather. The ceremony will be held at the Chickasha Elks Lodge, at 1818 West Country Club Road starting at 11 a.m.. U.S. Army Lt.-Col. Tom Rose (Ret.) of Chickasha is the guest speaker. Afterwards, the Elks Lodge will serve lunch to veterans, family and friends. In Anadarko, the Veterans Day Ceremony will be held at the Veterans Memorial at the Caddo County Courthouse Monday morning at 10 a.m.
Two Inducted into Grady County 4H Hall of Fame
Two Grady County youth have been inducted into the Grady County 4H Hall of Fame. Blake White of Chickasha, now a freshman at Oklahoma State University, was a state 4H project winner in geology. Cortney Evans is a home school student who is currently a 4H Healthy Living Ambassador and is the West District Representative on the State 4H Council.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $57.23 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $62.96.
Natural gas is $2.86 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,486 and silver is $17.51.
Tuesday, Nov. 5th
City Council to Vote Again on Zoning Changes
Some re-zoning measures which were approved by the Chickasha City Council last month will have to go back before the panel for another vote. During the council’s Oct. 21st meeting, Mayor Chris Mosley was one of only five of the nine council members who attended. All voted to approve the re-zoning requests and a few other issues. However, City Manager John Noblitt told the council last night-
Noblitt said a special city council meeting will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 12th to hold official votes on the items which were considered on Oct. 21st. That included re-zoning properties near 4th and Tennessee Avenue and in the 1100 block of West Choctaw to operate medical marijuana dispensaries and re-zoning property near the city's sports complex for a miniature golf course.
Council OK's Payment for Street Repairs
It took less than 15 minutes for the city council to conduct its business last night. All nine city council members attended last night's meeting. The group approved street repair projects on Maple Lane and Ponderosa Drive and authorized the combined payment of some $66,000 for both projects to Bordwine Development. The panel also waived bidding requirements to hire a State Department of Transportation vendor to finish the repairs of a sinkhole at 4th and Colorado Avneue at a cost not to go over $16,000. The council also approved the library's annual Food for Fines program for the month of December.
New Homes Lead October Construction in Chix
October was another million dollar month for new construction in Chickasha. The city's Community Development Department issued 10 permits for new construction for a total of just over $1 million. Topping the list is a $430,000 home in the 3400 block of Pondridge Road to be built by Reese Homes. Officials also approved building permits for the construction of two homes on Skyline Drive by McComas and Associates, each valued at $125,000. A residential remodel permit for $125,000 was issued for a home in the 1300 block of Arizona for Carl and Ashley Melland. In the commercial sector, a building permit was issued to Crazy 8 Cafe for its new location at 424 Chickasha Avenue for just over $100,000. And an industrial remodel permit was issued to Bill McDuff in the 200 block of North 6th Street for $20,000. Since the first of the year, nearly $11.5 million in new construction projects have begun in the city. That's less than half of the new construction approved in the first 10 months of 2018.
'Shop with a Cop' Returns
The Chickasha Police Department will be working with Chickasha Public Schools again this year for its Shop with a Cop program. It’s is designed to help under-served children during the holidays. Assistant Police Chief G.G. Music hopes to help about 40 children this year. The youth will be selected by teachers and counselors at Bill Wallace, Grand Avenue, and Lincoln School. Hillary Communications and retired judge John Herndon and his wife Loretta are the most recent contributors to Shop with a Cop. The day set aside for the event is Friday, Dec. 6th. For information, contact Assistant Chief Music at the police department by calling 405-222-6050.
Third-Party CDL Testing to Begin
One of the many new laws now in effect in Oklahoma is allowing third-party Commercial Driver's License (CDL) testing. Oklahoma joins 40 other states in offering the service. State Sen. Rob Standridge of Norman said it should address a costly testing backlog in the trucking industry. The law allows private companies and career techs to conduct CDL testing. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has approved rules and is in the process of working with prospective vendors.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $56.54 per barrel.
London-based Brent is $62.13.
Natural gas is $2.82 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,506 and silver is $18.07.
Monday, Nov. 4th
Input Sought on FEMA Grant for Master Drainage Plan
You may remember a few years ago that City of Chickasha officials were considering a controversial plan to increase water usage rates to pay for a plan to deal with flooding issues. That plan met with a lot of opposition from residents and businesses and was never implemented. Earlier this year, the city received a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a master drainage plan. FEMA officials will hold a community meeting next week to get public input on the proposal. The meeting will be held at the Canadian Valley Technology Center on Thursday, November 14th at 6:30 p.m.
Street Repair Projects Top Chix City Council Agenda
A number of street repair projects are to be discussed by the Chickasha City Council tonight. The panel will consider paying Bordwine Development nearly $20,000 for work completed on Maple Lane. The council will consider authorizing a second payment to Bordwine Development for recent repairs on Ponderosa Drive of more than $46,000. The Municipal Authority will consider waiving bid requirements for final repairs at 4th and Colorado Avenue where a sinkhole was repaired earlier this year. The panel is expected to use a State Department of Transportation provider at a cost not to exceed $16,000. The council is expected to approve an amnesty program for overdue materials at the library. Each December, the library offers a Food for Fines program and distributes the food to local food pantries. The city council meets at 6:30 p.m. tonight at city hall.
Church Begins Program to Help Needy Families
Get Homes Compliant with Chickasha City Codes
A Chickasha church has begun a program to help low-income families and senior citizens take care of properties which fall out of compliance with city codes. Trinity Baptist Church is spear-heading the effort, but officials say there has been a lot of interest from other churches throughout the county that are interested in implementing similar programs. It’s called ACTS, Affirming Community Through Service. Pastor Billy Elkins says he got the idea from a church in the Oklahoma City area.
Groups who would like to help with the project can contact the church by calling 405-224-3769. Applications from families who might need the help are also available from the church.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $56.20 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $61.69.
Natural gas is to $2.71 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,512 and silver is $18.10.
