Saturday, Feb. 24th
Proposed Bill Would Allow Utility Companies
to Avoid Competitive Bidding for Some Projects
For more than a year, some state lawmakers have been holding debate about a plan that would allow utilities to avoid the competitive bidding process for major transmission line projects. The State House of Representatives Utility Committee has held closed-door negotiations with parties on both sides of the issue. The measure is called the Right of First Refusal. Those against the plan say if the bill is approved it would result in higher costs for consumers. The website OK Energy Today cites State Rep. Trey Caldwell (R-Lawton) as saying the proposal is not a Right of First Refusal. He says a proposed amendment would protect rate-payers by removing control of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and place it in the hands of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. State Rep. Mickey Dollens (D-Oklahoma City) said that removing the competitive bidding process cuts out the competition. Officials with the Oklahoma Chapter of Americans for Prosperity said similar bills across the country have led to skyrocketing utility rates and opposes the measure.
Caddo County Driver Faces Manslaughter Charge
A Caddo County man is charged in connection with a deadly hit-and-run accident. Comanche County authorities have charged 46-year old Randy Allen Herring of Apache with manslaughter and other charges. The Lawton Constitution reports Herring was driving a pickup involved in a crash that claimed the life of 38-year old Gilbert Leon Crow-Mihecoby who died after his motorcycle crashed into the back of a pickup that Herring was driving. The fatal crash occurred near Fletcher last September. Herring allegedly left the area after the crash. Herring is also facing charges of leaving the scene of a fatality accident and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
Local Diners Part of Oklahoma Onion Burger Trail
A couple of Grady County eateries are among a number of restaurants across the state recognized by the Oklahoma Beef Council. J and W Grill in Chickasha and Sid's Diner locations in Minco and El Reno are among nearly two dozen locations selected to be part of what’s being called the Oklahoma Onion Burger Trail. The beef council is encouraging individuals to visit the restaurants in order to earn points to get an 'I Conquered the Oklahoma Onion Burger Trail' t-shirt, an Oklahoma Burger Trail backpack, or a 'Beef. It's What's for Dinner' baseball cap. All entries will go into a drawing where one person will receive a $500 gift certificate for beef. The promotion will run March 1st through August 30th. You can sign up for a digital pass on-line or on your mobile device at www.oklabeef.org/burgertrail or you can download a paper pass to keep track of your visits.
Talk Show Topic
On the KOOL Konversation, Mel Phllips with the Oklahoma Anthropological Society will discuss the Artifact Identification Day that the group will be having at the Chickasha library next Saturday. There is a podcast of the program under the Community Tab on this website.
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Friday, Feb. 23rd
Two Hospitalized After Stabbing at Chickasha Home
A fight among several individuals at a Chickasha home last weekend resulted in two people being hospitalized with stab wounds and another with minor injuries. Two of the victims were said to be in stable condition. In a short statement released by the Chickasha Police Department, authorities say the attack occurred at a home in the 1100 block of South 20th in the early morning hours of Saturday, Feb. 17th. Authorities did not release the names of anyone involved the fight. No one was arrested and the statement says no charges have been filed.
Parts of Anadarko to be Without Power Today
Some areas in Anadarko will be without power today as city crews will be installing a utility pole. Authorities say electricity will be out between 1:00 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. this afternoon and will impact the east 100 blocks of Louisiana Ave. and Texas Ave; and the west 100 through 500 blocks of Louisiana Avenue and Texas Avenue. The outage will impact the even numbered addresses on Louisiana and the odd-numbered addresses on Texas.
Senators Clear Way for Eliminating State Grocery Sales Tax
It looks like Oklahomans will finally get some relief when it comes to their family food budgets. The Oklahoma State Senate yesterday overwhelmingly approved a bill to eliminate the 4 1/2 percent state sales tax rate on groceries. The Oklahoma House of Representatives already approved the measure and Gov. Kevin Stitt is expected to sign the bill. Oklahoma is one of 13 states that still have state sales taxes on groceries. Officials say the average family would save about $400 per year. The sales tax won't be eliminated right away as it will remain in effect until the end of July. While the state sales tax will be eliminated, local and county sales taxes will still be charged as those funds pay for infrastructure improvements.
Contractors Sought for Chix Schools Paving Work
Chickasha Public Schools are now accepting bids for paving projects at the middle school and Grand elementary school. Some of the requirements will be site clearing, earth moving, asphalt and cement paving, concrete sidewalks, curbs, and gutters, pavement marking, traffic and handicapped parking signs, and sodding. Detailed descriptions are posted on the school district's website. A mandatory pre-bid conference will be held at 10:00 a.m. next Tuesday, Feb. 27th and then sealed bids need to be mailed to or hand-delivered to the district by 2:00 p.m. Thursday, March 14th with the bids to be opened at that time.
State Lawmaker Clarifies Intentions of Poultry Bill
A state lawmaker who wants to protect Oklahoma farmers and ranchers from sue-and-settle tactics says some false information is being spread about his proposal. Rep. David Hardin of Stillwell has filed HB 4118 and said Oklahoma producers are worried about the potential threat of wealthy, out-of-state activists suing them to promote a liberal environmental agenda. Hardin said his proposal will only shield the state's protein farmers, especially poultry producers who comply with the state's nutrient program. Hardin says there are strict laws in place for poultry producers who need to follow a state approved nutrient management plan that provides guidelines for the responsible handling of poultry waste. He said the sue-and-settle tactics are commonly used nationwide to impose regulations, and the lawyers behind them are known for targeting those who lack the means to defend themselves, like small family farmers.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.61 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $83.67.
Natural gas is $1.73 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,032 and silver is $22.96.
Obituaries
Pamela Doherty
A memorial service for Pamela Doherty, 75, of Yukon and formerly of Dibble will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 24th at Southgate Baptist Church in Moore.
Jeffrey 'Wade' Morris
A memorial service for Wade Morris, 64, of Anadarko will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 26th at the Gospel Lighthouse Church in Anadarko. He worked at a number of area restaurants and often sang at Trader's Steakhouse. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home of Chickasha.
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Thursday, Feb. 22nd
Investigators Re-open Five-Year Old Cold Case
It's been more than five years since the body of Roy Lee Fulton was found in his Ninnekah home. HIs body was discovered by his daughter in November of 2018. Media reports say she hadn't heard from Fulton in a couple of days and when she went to his house to check on him she saw him lying on the floor. She initially thought he had a heart attack but then discovered he had been shot to death. The Grady County Sheriff's Office has re-opened the case and is asking anyone who may have information to call Grady County Crimestoppers at 405-224-TIPS or the Grady County Sheriff's Office at 405 224-0984.
Accused Child Killers Have Hearings Postponed
Court hearings scheduled this week for the two defendants charged with murder in connection with death of Athena Brownfield were postponed. Alysia Adams and Ivon Adams are both accused of causing Brownfield’s death in January of 2022. They were supposed to be arraigned on the upgraded murder charges in Caddo County District Court yesterday but the hearings were re-scheduled due to a conflict. Alysia Adams is to return to court April 17th while Ivon Adams is to return April 26th.
Three Women Injured in Confrontation; One is Arrested
Three women were taken to a hospital and one of them was arrested following a violent confrontation in rural Caddo County. One woman suffered a gunshot wound and two others were stabbed. KSWO-TV reports deputies were dispatched to a home somewhere on CR 1360 Saturday. It's alleged one of the women stabbed the other two with an unknown object - and then the attacker was shot. One of the stabbing victims suffered a seven-inch gash. Deputies arrested 27-year old Kylie Byfield of Chickasha on complaints of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. She was treated for a gunshot wound to her elbow. The Caddo County District Attorney's office charged Byfield with two felonies, both of which carry maximum penalties of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. She is out of jail after posting bond and her next court appearance is set for April 22nd.
2024 Chickasha Community Theater Season Opens
The Chickasha Community Theatre (CCT) opens its 2024 season this weekend with a stage performance of "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." The play is based on the 1962 novel by Ken Kesey which was a made into the 1975 Oscar Award winning-movie that earned actor Jack Nicholson a Best-Actor award. Marcus Bilyeu portrays Nicholson's character R.P. McMurphy-
Show times are 7:30 tonight, tomorrow night, and Saturday night with a Sunday matinee performance at 2:00 p.m. The show is part of CCT’s After Dark series and is for mature audiences.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.91 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $83.03.
Natural gas is $1.77 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,036 and silver is $23.31.
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Wednesday, Feb. 21st
Suspect Arrested for BB Gun Threat
Chickasha police arrest a man for allegedly threatening people at a local business with an airsoft, or BB gun. It happened last Thursday when it's reported that 26-year old Kaylan Johnson fired some shots from the weapon that looked like a real one. KSWO-TV reports that Johnson and threatened to kill individuals in the business. Police tracked down Johnson at a home where they recovered the gun. Johnson has been charged with a felony for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He remains in the Grady County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
Crash Causes Car to Flip
A bizarre crash occurred in a residential area of Chickasha yesterday where a vehicle flipped upside down. It happened at the intersection of 8th and Iowa Ave. just before 10 a.m. Tuesday. Chickasha police say a pickup that was northbound on 8th Street failed to yield from the stop sign and broadsided a small westbound SUV. The collision caused the SUV to spin, hit a curb, and flip upside down. An ambulance was called to the scene but the SUV driver suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene. The accident closed the intersection for about an hour.
Grady County Trial Docket Revised
Grady County residents who have been called for jury duty for the upcoming two-week trial docket will not have to report next week. District Judge Kory Kirkland said that all the cases that were scheduled to be heard for Feb. 26th through March 1st have been resolved. However, as it stands right now, there are cases for the second week of the docket, March 4th through 8th, so prospective jurors will have to report on Monday, March 4th.
Program to Estimate Age of Historic Artifacts
Scheduled for Chickasha Public Library
Individuals who have collections of what they believe to be historic artifacts can get a good idea of how old they are in a program next month. Representatives from the Oklahoma Anthropological Society (OAS) will be in Chickasha to look at the items. Mel Phillips with OAS says there are numerous sites throughout Grady County alone where artifacts have been found-
Phillips and other OAS representatives will hold a free program at the Chickasha Public Library Saturday, March 2nd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Individuals can bring up to 20 artifacts and officials say they will identify them to the best of their ability and provide insights about their histories. However, they will not place a value on the items.
USAO Reports Enrollment Increase
There has been a big influx of students at USAO for the spring trimester that started last month. Officials report a double-digit increase in enrollment over last year. Officials say the number is up nearly 11 percent with the freshman class having a more than 28 percent increase. Officials say the university retained 87 percent of freshmen students who enrolled last fall. Representatives say the Student Success Center is a big reason for the increase. Director Kelli Monroe says it offers students a support system which underscores USAO's commitment to guiding students through their academic journey. Services include academic advising, career exploration, tutoring and mentoring which are all at no cost to students.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.18 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $82.34.
Natural gas is $1.58 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,041 and silver is $23.17.
Obituary
Wanda Ellis
A memorial service for Wanda Ellis, 93, of Norge will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 24th at Trinity Baptist Church in Chickasha. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pioneer Cemetery Fund.
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Tuesday, Feb. 20th
Chix Council OKs Next Phase of Water Treatment Plan Project
The next phase of development for Chickasha's new water treatment plant received approval from the city council last night. The green light was given for what is called the Master Service Task Agreement No. 2. It deals with the design and engineering of the plant with the firm of Freese and Nichols. Construction on the plant is not expected to begin for at least a year and it will take at least two years to build. The agreement calls for Freese and Nichols to perform general administrative duties and provide monthly progress reports. The firm will have a kick-off meeting to review to scope, schedule, and budget for the estimated $70 million project and determine if there are any special conditions which may affect the project.
Panel OKs grant for new downtown business
The city council approved a $40,000 Central Business District Building Grant for a firm that recently purchased a downtown building. The grant was awarded to Alora Real Estate. Alora CEO Brock Hoffman is a Chickasha native who told the council he is investing in the community with his purchase of the building at 411 Chickasha Avenue. He said the first floor will be for retail shops and the second floor would be use for office space. Hoffman also said he’s also flipping houses in the community.
Lack of day care centers concerns council rep
The lack of day care centers in the city was brought up by City Councilwoman Georgeianne Hebblethwaite last night. She said that the three day-care centers currently in Chickasha have waiting lists and a new center which will be opening later this year is expected be at capacity. Hebblethwaite asked Economic Development Council President Jim Cowan to focus efforts on opening additional day care centers to help with the city’s anticipated growth.
Airport manager to retire; replacement named
The longtime manager of the Chickasha Municipal Airport will be retiring this spring. Clint Ferguson has spent nearly 20 years at the airport. City Manager Keith Johnson announced during last night’s meeting that Darren Martin will assume that post after Ferguson's retirement. Martin has worked for the city for a number of years in the Community Development Department.
Two residents appointed to city boards
The council also approved the appointments of two individuals to city boards. Brooklyn White and Nita Ladd were both appointed to the Planning Commission and White will also serve on the Board of Adjustments.
Medicine Park Venue a Great Place to Spend a Day
Families looking for a day trip with the kids might check out the Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center. The center has been open nearly seven years and initially started with only an aquarium but has since expanded to include a number of exhibits. Rainette Rowland is the director of the center and says among them is one called Creepy Crawlies-
The center hosts a number of school field trips each year and is open seven days a week except for Thanksgiving and Christmas. The center is north of Lawton near the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.19 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $83.47.
Natural gas is $1.61 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,037 and silver is $23.10.
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Monday, Feb. 19th
Chix City Council to Discuss Next Phase of Water Plant Work
A proposal to approve a portion of an agreement with the firm that is designing and engineering the City of Chickasha's new water treatment plant is expected to get the go-ahead by the city council tonight. The proposal with the firm Freese and Nichols calls for the design of a plant that will be able to treat six million gallons of water per day and provide features to increase that to up to eight million gallons per day. Among the work to be done in the preliminary design phase is water quality testing, evaluating transmission lines, preliminary construction to transition service from the current plant to the new one; and evaluation of the current plant and recommendations of de-commissioning specific equipment and processes. The total cost of this phase is just over $2 million.
Grant for new downtown business proposed
The council will also consider approving a $40,000 Central Business District Building Grant for Alora Real Estate which recently renovated a building at 411 Chickasha Avenue for its new office. The grant is being recommended for approval by the city's economic development council.
Claim for car damaged by pothole likely to be denied
The council is also to consider denying a tort claim filed by Malory Wilson who said her car was damaged when she hit a sink hole at a manhole cover at 8th and Chickasha Avenue. The city's insurance carrier recommends the council deny the $300 claim. The council will meet at 6:30 tonight at city hall. The meeting will be video streamed on the city's YouTube channel which can be accessed on the city's website. The meeting will also be televised on Optimum Cable Channel 3.
State Panel Takes Steps to Prevent Human Trafficking
Human trafficking is an issue that doesn't get much media attention. Officials with the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women say that every year about 4,000 Oklahomans seek help from trafficking situations. Brenda Barwick is the chairwoman of the commission and says that trafficking is modern day slavery and a $150 billion a year industry. She says the panel was initially formed to help support law enforcement efforts and for victim services. Now, the effort includes being pro-active and to offer programs to teach individuals - especially young adults and teens - about what to be aware of so they don’t become a victim-
Barwick calls the effort the Not Me, Not My Community initiative and promotes telephone hot lines, websites, and non-profit groups that provide services to survivors of human trafficking. She said victims can text 'HELP' to 233-2733 (BE FREE)
Southwest District Livestock Show Concludes
The swine show results are in from the Southwest District Livestock Show that was held at the Grady County Fairgrounds last week.
Purebred Gilts
Kennedy Clark of Minco had the grand champion; Wade Richey of Altus had the reserve grand; and Mattyson Lindsay of Mt. View-Gotebo had the bronze.
Commercial Gilts
Kennedy Clark also had the grand champion; while Josie Felton of El Reno had the reserve champion; and Bridger Lott of Hydro-Eakly had the bronze.
Barrows
Gavin Straka of Yukon had the grand champion; Carson New of Sterling had the reserve grand; and Saylor Norvell of Ampo had the bronze.
Darrell Peel to Speak with Local Ag Producers
Area agriculture producers will be able to meet with OSU Extension Livestock Specialist Darrell Peel tomorrow. Peel will be speaking at the Grady County Ag Producers meeting tomorrow morning. The meeting will be held at the Grady County OSU Extension Office starting at 7:00 a.m.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.19 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $83.47.
Natural gas is $1.61 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,030 and silver is $23.19.
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