Saturday, March 23rd
Active Shooter Drill Held at Grady Memorial Hospital
First responders from a number of agencies were part of an active shooter drill at Grady Memorial Hospital yesterday. Officials with the Department of Public Safety said this was the first ever such drill at a hospital and it could be used as a model for other medical facilities. A previous exercise was held a few weeks ago at the hospital, and yesterday was the culmination of several days of hands-on training and classroom work to help officials should they have to respond to such a situation. The drill included all the hospital staff as well as Chickasha police, fire, and emergency management, Grady County sheriff's deputies and emergency management, and state troopers. A trooper told one media outlet that the number one thing that breaks down during critical incidents is communication. He said that five or six departments that will respond have different radio channels and that they have to work through those battles to communicate and coordinate effectively to remove everybody from the situation.
Juvenile Steals Golf Cart; Leads Police on 'Pursuit'
You may have seen the Facebook video of Chickasha police officers pursuing a golf cart through a Chickasha neighborhood. Chickasha police tell us that a juvenile stole the cart from the Chickasha Golf and Country Club Thursday. Authorities say that officers spotted the golf cart about a mile away at 29th and Country Club Road. The Facebook video shows four Chickasha police cars in pursuit of the golf cart. Police say it was a short pursuit and that officers arrested the driver. Among the numerous comments on the Facebook thread was one that said the golf cart went through her front and back yards, another that indicated the pursuit lasted about 30 minutes, and one that said the chase came to an end at 20th and Florida Avenue.
Lindsay Teens Hurt in ATV Crash with Pickup
A couple of Lindsay teenagers were injured when the ATV they were riding in ran a stop stop sign and was hit by a pickup. The accident happened just after noon Friday on State Highway 74 north of Elmore City in Garvin County. The highway patrol reports that both teens were taken to an Oklahoma City hospital in a private vehicle. A 14-year old girl who was a passenger was admitted with head, trunk, and internal injuries. The 14-year old boy driving the ATV was treated and released. The highway patrol does not identify juveniles injured in accidents. Three Duncan residents in the pickup including an 8-year old girl were not hurt.
Okla Corp Comm Member Elected to Power Pool Committee Post
A member of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has been elected to an office within the Southwest Power Pool, a group that oversees power distribution in Oklahoma and several Midwestern states. The website OK Energy Today reports that Todd Hiett will serve as vice president of the Regional State Committee of the power pool...which includes one utility commissioner from each of the 14 states that make up the pool which stretches from Texas to Montana. Oklahoma accounts for about 25 percent of the amount of electricity consumed in the power pool region. The website also reports that Hiett has also accepted an invitation to join the Washington Action Program of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners. The group formulates and launches actions when proposed by federal officials or when existing policies impact those areas.
Talk Show Topics
The Ward One Chickasha City Council candidates are on the KOOL Konversation. Current councilwoman Kea Ginn and candidate David Lucas will discuss their reasons for running. On Real Estate Today this week's guest is Joe Dorman, director of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.
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Friday, March 22nd
Ban on Selling Tobacco Products Near Children's Areas
to be Considered by Chix Planning Commission, Council
A proposal to ban the sale of tobacco and e-cigarette products near Chickasha schools, parks, and playgrounds will be discussed by City of Chickasha officials next week. At a special meeting next Tuesday the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing to consider a petition asking the city to amend a city ordinance to ban the sale of those products within 300 feet of schools, parks, and playgrounds or anywhere people 21-and-under gather. Parks and Recreation Director Spencer Winzenreid will present information during the Planning Commission meeting which will be held at 4 o'clock next Tuesday afternoon at city hall. That evening, the city council will hold a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. to consider the planning commission's recommendation.
Facebook Video Show Chix Police in 'Pursuit' of Golf Cart
RANCH News is working to get information about a video on Facebook that shows several Chickasha police vehicles pursuing two individuals on a golf cart in a Chickasha neighborhood. We have reached out to Chickasha police for information but have not heard back from them.
Missing Duncan Man Seen; Kasey Alert Remains in Effect
A missing Duncan man who is the subject of a Kasey Alert has been seen in Texas. Authorities are looking for 62-year old Jerry Buono, who left Duncan more than two weeks ago and said he was walking to a homestead in Louisiana. The Alert was issued because Buono is considered to be at-risk due to health issues. He left without taking his medications. The group Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women (MMIW) said that Buono had been seen in Alvord and in Rhome, Texas and that he told authorities he was on his way to see family in Louisiana. The Kasey Alert is still in effect. Anyone with information about Buono is asked to contact MMIW or the Duncan Police Department.
Auto Break-in Suspect Arrested After Hitting Horn on Vehicle
A suspected thief caught breaking into a car in Anadarko is arrested after she honks the horn of the vehicle she was rifling through. 19-year Gabriella Rodriguez was taken into custody on burglary and other complaints after the incident. KSWO-TV reports that Rodriguez was caught red-handed in the victim's car with a blanket full of items and a wallet that didn't belong to her. On-line court records say Rodriguez was charged with burglary, obstructing an officer and public intoxication. Records indicate she waived her right to a preliminary hearing and pleaded guilty. A judge gave her a 5-year deferred sentence as a youthful offender and also ordered her to pay nearly $1,000 in fines and fees.
Friends of Chix Library Seek Book Donations for Spring Sale
The Friends of the Chickasha Library are getting ready for their annual spring book sale. They are asking residents who are doing their spring cleaning to donate books they may have. They are looking for books for children and teens, adult fiction, non-fiction books and reference materials. They also welcome contributions of DVDs and Books on CD however they are not accepting cassette tapes nor video cassettes for the sale. If you have several sacks or boxes of books, call the library ahead of time and staff will help in getting the materials out of your vehicle. The spring book sale will be the week of April 15th. Contact the library by calling 405-222-6075.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.07 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $85.78.
Natural gas is $1.68 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,189 and silver is $24.77.
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Thursday, March 21st
Former Nursing Home Workers Charged with Neglect
Authorities are looking for two former nursing home employees who are charged with neglect. The Oklahoma Attorney General's office has filed felony charges against Kimberly Ann Eaglin and Shelly Nichole Eaglin, both of whom have Marlow addresses on court documents. Shelly is also charged with forgery and allegedly using a computer to try and cover up the neglect. KSWO-TV reports that the two were working at Shanoan Springs Nursing Home when they failed to check on a resident during their entire six-hour shift. The attorney general alleges the neglect led to injuries to the resident. The Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at the Department of Health alerted authorities that Shelly Eaglin entered false information into its database indicating that they did their routine checks even though they admitted to supervisors that they did not.
Crash Claims Life of Second Victim
A second person has died as a result of injuries sustained in a crash between a semi and an SUV earlier this month. 80-year old Joey Tannehill of Chickasha recently succumbed to his injuries. Tannehill and his wife Wanda were both hospitalized for several days after the accident which happened on U.S. Highway 81 south of Pocasset on Friday, March 8th. Wanda passed away just a few days before her husband. It was raining at the time of the crash.
Life Choices Schedules Client Appreciation Day
A non-profit group that helps expectant mothers will have a client appreciation day next week. Life Choices of Chickasha offers free pregnancy testing, ultrasounds, and free weekly classes. Director Kathie Talley-
Life Choices also helps moms and fathers after the baby is born. The center is funded entirely by donations and receives no government monies. The weekly classes last about 45 minutes. Clients can earn Baby Bucks to help them purchase diapers and other baby items. After finishing the classes local churches provide free baby cribs and car safety seats. The public is invited to Monday's event which will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Life Choices which is at 1201 West Choctaw Ave.
Elvis Tribute Concert Tonight
An Elvis Presley tribute artist will be performing in Chickasha tonight. Joseph Hall brings his Rock and Remember tribute to the Washita Theatre. Hall was a top 10 finisher on America's Got Talent in 2008 and has been performing his tribute around the country since 2006. He talks about his favorite Elvis segment-
The Elvis Rock and Remember tribute show is at 7:00 p.m. tonight at the Washita Theatre. Tickets will be available at the door.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.68 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $85.95.
Natural gas is $1.70 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,233 and silver is $25.71.
Obituaries
Joey Tannehill
A memorial service for Joey Tannehill, 80, of Chickasha will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Donald Shatwell
A graveside service for Donald Shatwell, 82, of Tuttle will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 22nd at Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.
Jason Pruner
A memorial service for Jason Pruner, 49, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 23rd at the Salvation Army Church. He was the chief executive officer of Creative IT Solutions and Indigenous Technologies. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
Helen Andrews
A memorial service for Helen Andrews, 75, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 23rd at Ferguson Funeral Home.
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Wednesday, March 20th
Second Suspect Arrested in Connection with Anadarko Homicide
Two people are now accused of the shooting death of an Anadarko man that occurred back in December. Both are jailed in connection with the death of D'angelo Pollard. Investigators recently arrested 20-year old Esco Peteet in connection with Pollard's death. Prosecutors have filed a first-degree murder charge and a misdemeanor charge of drug possession against Peteet. His bond has been denied and a preliminary hearing conference is set for May 23rd. Devantae Winters is the other suspect arrested in connection with Pollard’s death and his preliminary hearing conference is set for May 10th.
Pursuit Suspect Faces Lengthy Prison Sentence if Convicted
A Chickasha man with a criminal history could be sentenced to life in prison if convicted of his most recent alleged crime. 40-year old Benjamin Fisher is charged with felony eluding in Caddo County District Court. KSWO-TV cites Caddo County court records indicating that sheriff’s deputies tried to make a traffic stop on Fisher for allegedly swerving all over the roadway on U.S. Highway 277 near Cyril. Fisher is alleged to have run through several stop signs and stopped in a yard where he was arrested. Authorities also accused Fisher of drinking and driving but he refused a field sobriety test. Fisher has numerous previous convictions in both Grady and Caddo counties.
State Panel to Get Update on Rural Broadband Projects
Officials working to get high-speed Internet service into rural areas of the state will give an update on their efforts today. The Oklahoma Broadband Expansion Council will meet in Oklahoma City to get a progress report on the state's use of $374 million in federal ARPA funds for the expansion of broadband service. The latest reports are expected to focus on a recent decision to authorize projects in 57 counties including Grady, Caddo, Stephens, and Garvin counties. More than 140 projects were approved which would provide broadband to about 25 percent of the rural areas that don't currently have that service.
Prescribed Burn Association to Meet Next Week
Agriculture producers interested in learning about having controlled burns can get information in an upcoming meeting. The Caddo and Grady County Prescribed Burn Association will be holding its first meeting of the year. The meeting will be held next Tuesday, March 26th at 6:30 p.m. at the Grady County OSU Extension Office in Chickasha. Any questions before the meeting can be directed to Don West by calling 405-638-2297 or e-mail: dwests@tdsd.net
4Her Says Hard-Working Bees Could Use Help
Spring is finally here and it won't be long before we start seeing bees in search of pollen to make honey. Georgia Nelson is a Grady County 4Her who - along with her dad – is a beekeeper. Nelson says that bees must collect nectar from two million flowers in order to make just one pound of honey and that one bee only makes one-tenth of a teaspoon of honey in her lifetime. Nelson tells how to help bees with their mission-
She also says that while dandelions and the purple-flowered henbit are considered weeds they are great food sources for bees and other pollinators.
Ninnekah Holds Community Blood Drive Today
A Ninnekah community blood drive will be held today. The Ninnekah First Baptist Church is teaming up with the Oklahoma Blood Institute for a Pot O' Gold blood drive. All donors will get their names put in a drawing to win a $100 or $200 gift card. The blood drive will be held at the Ninnekah High School cafeteria from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and no appointment is needed. For information on upcoming blood drives in the area visit the blood institute's website: www.obi.org
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.47 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $87.38.
Natural gas is $1.74 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,178 and silver is $25.02.
Obituaries
Carol Skaggs
No service will be held for Carol Skaggs, 84, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Brenda Newberry
A private memorial service will be held for Brenda Newberry, 71, of Edmond and formerly of Chickasha. She worked for title and escrow companies. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
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Tuesday, March 19th
New Sales Tax Rate Brings Added Funds to Chickasha;
Extra Money to Pay for City's New Water Treatment Plant
A slight increase in the City of Chickasha’s sales tax rate that began in January helped to bring in about $100,000 of additional sales tax revenue in its first full month of being in place. The city received just under $1.3 million in sales tax revenue from the State Tax Commission this month. It’s from sales taxes paid on retail purchases made in the last half of January and estimated sales in the first half of February. The $1.3 million is about 19 percent or $210,000 more than a year ago. Voters approved a ½-penny increase in the city’s sales tax with some of the proceeds to pay for the construction of a new $70 million water treatment plant. There was a slight decrease in use tax revenue paid on Internet purchases. It was down 4 ½ percent to $124,000. The sales tax revenue represents more than $30 million in consumer spending at Chickasha retail outlets.
Grady County Numbers Down
Consumer spending throughout Grady County during that same time was down about 6.6 percent to just under $73 million. The county received $547,000 in sales tax revenue with funds going to the Grady County Fairgrounds, Grady Memorial Hospital, fire departments, and senior nutrition centers.
Garland Terry Announces County Commissioner Candidacy
A long-time businessman and rancher has announced his candidacy for Grady county commissioner. Garland Terry says he'll seek the District 2 Commissioner's post. Terry is a lifelong resident of Grady County and his family has been in the area for six generations. Terry graduated from Oklahoma State University and has a background in agriculture, health care, and construction. Terry says he'll be filing as a Republican but pledges to be a commissioner for all the people. He said he believes that a resident's political party affiliation should not be considered in deciding what road to repair or maintain - or where public funds will be spent. Terry will be challenging current District 2 commissioner Kirk Painter who is running for re-election. The filing period will be April 3rd through 5th.
Veteran Educator Alton Rollins Passes Away
Longtime Grady County educator Alton Rollins has died. Rollins spent time as a school administrator at Chickasha, Friend, Alex, and Cheyenne schools and taught at Tuttle schools early in his career. He also coached football, basketball and track. In recent years he drove a school bus for Chickasha schools. Rollins was 69 when he passed away yesterday. A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, March 21st at Southern Oaks Church of Christ. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
State Panel Praises USAO, First National Bank Partnership
The State Regents for Higher Education have recognized a decades-long partnership between USAO and the First National Bank and Trust. The institutions have demonstrated a relationship for more than 100 years. The collaboration was noted at the regents’ recent Business Partnership Excellence Awards. First National provides real-world experiences for students through internship programs and nearly a dozen USAO graduates are now bank officers. USAO president Kayla Hale said the relationship proves how working together plays a vital role in expanding the economic opportunities and quality of life in the community. First National Executive Vice president Laurie Elzo says USAO is a vital player in business, education, arts and entertainment, and athletic competition and that the bank supports the university's mission.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.27 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $86.89.
Natural gas is $1.70 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,177 and silver is $25.09.
Obituary
Ray Kettler
A graveside service for Ray Kettler, 76, of Tuttle will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 21st at Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle. He was a U.S. Army veteran and an accomplished carpenter working for several home building companies and in the woodworking department at Hobby Lobby. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.
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Monday, March 18th
One Dead, Two Hospitalized after Fatal Crash
One person died and two others were hospitalized following a traffic accident at the Tabler Y late Friday. The highway patrol is still investigating the accident which occurred at 11:56 p.m. at the junction of U.S. Highway 62 and State Highway 39. No details of the crash were released other than the accident involved a pick-up and a car. Killed in the crash was 67-year old Jeffrey Crager of Jewett, Texas. The driver of the truck identified as 62-year old Kitty Bailey also of Jewett was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital where she was last in critical condition. The driver of the car identified as 50-year old Samuel Turner of Chickasha was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was last in fair condition. The trooper investigating the accident reported that seat belts were being used in both vehicles.
Part of West Chickasha will be Without Water Tuesday
Water line work associated with the U.S. Highway 81 bypass of Chickasha will leave a portion of the city without water service tomorrow. The neighborhood west of 29th and Frisco Avenue will be impacted by the outage. The area is from 29th Street west to CS 2810 and north to about U.S. Highway 62. The outage will begin at 8:00 a.m. and is expected to last all day.
Learning Center to Begin Literacy Program
A program to help individuals who never learned to read or write will be starting soon. The Chickasha Adult Learning Center will be offering free literacy programs. Lisa Johnson is the director of the learning center.
The program will begin Wednesday, March 27th and will be held every Wednesday evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. It's open to anyone 16-years and older. The center is closed for Spring Break this week but individuals who would like more information can call 405-222-6562 and leave a message.
Chix Company Wins 'Build Oklahoma' Awards
A Chickasha firm has received a couple of lofty awards. Willowbrook Construction was presented with two Build Oklahoma Awards by the Associated General Contractors of Oklahoma. The awards were presented at the AGC's Builders Bash Awards banquet in Tulsa earlier this month. The company was recognized for its work on The Muse - a five-story, 300-unit multi-family development in Oklahoma City which won in the $20 million to $50 million Commercial category. They were also recognized for a project at Oklahoma State University - an 85,000 sq. ft. renovation for Engineering South which was in the $20 million to $50 million Education category.
Ag Producers to Hear from Beef Quality Network Official
Grady County agriculture producers meet tomorrow morning and the guest speaker will be Paul Vining who is the program coordinator for the Oklahoma Quality Beef Network. The program will get underway at 7:00 a.m. at the Grady County OSU Extension Office.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.05 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $85.34.
Natural gas is $1.66 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,159 and silver is $25.30.
Obituaries
Donna Ladd
Funeral service for Donna Ladd, 72, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 19th at Sevier Funeral Home.
Billy Nelson
Funeral service for Billy Nelson, 85, of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 20th at Bible Baptist Church. He served in the Marines and the Marine reserves, and he and his brother Don started the Chickasha Sod and Grass Farm. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the New Life Christian Church building fund.
Maria Lasseter
Funeral service for Maria Lasseter, 77, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, March 22nd at Sevier Funeral Home. She owned and operated Mert's Bridal Shop.
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