Saturday, April 13th
Perry Ramsey, Carey DeHart are Top Honorees
at Chix Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet
Individuals who have provided many years of volunteer service to Chickasha were the recipients of two of the top awards at the 101st annual Chamber of Commerce banquet last night. The late Perry Ramsey was inducted into the Legacy Hall of Fame. He spent 24 years with Maremont where he served several years at vice president. He was recognized for his public service for leadership roles with groups which include the Red Cross, Boy Scouts, Rotary Club, the chamber and others.
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Inducted into the Civic Hall of Fame was Carey DeHart. The life-long Chickasha resident established Willowbrook Development Company. Known for numerous construction projects around the state DeHart also led local projects including the restoration of the historic Rock Island Railroad Depot; rebuilding the Chickasha High School after it was destroyed by fire; and renovating the historic administration building at USAO. Officials say it is DeHart’s commitment to volunteerism which stands as a testament to his legacy of service.
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Other award recipients included Sheriff Gary Boggess who was named the Public Servant of the Year; Chickasha Public Schools Operations Director Dan Turner was Citizen of the Year; Grady County Tag Agent Mindy Walker was named the Woman of the Year; Assistant Chickasha City Manager Rachel Bernish was named Young Professional of the Year; and U.S. Army veteran Eric Anderson was named Volunteer of the Year. The Business of the Year was Lifeline Home Health and Hospice and the Small Business of the Year was Blossom's Boutique. The Event of the Year was the Festival of Light which finished runner-up in a USA Today national poll of public holiday light displays.
Caddo County Armed Robbery Suspect Arrested
A suspect is in custody after an armed robbery at a rural store north of Ft. Cobb Lake. A post on the Caddo County Sheriff's Office Facebook page indicates that the Cobb Creek Store on State Highway 152 was held up at gunpoint just after 11 o'clock yesterday morning. The clerk called 9-1-1 and gave authorities a description of the suspect and the vehicle he was driving. Caddo County Sheriff Spencer Davis dispatched deputies and called in state troopers and other law enforcement agencies to help with the search. Authorities found the suspect identified as Cole Green near Weatherford about 6 o'clock last night.
Semi Driver Hospitalized After Truck Overturns
A Union City truck driver suffered head and internal injuries when his big rig ran off the road in northwest Oklahoma. 27-year old Cody Evans was air lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was last in stable condition. The accident happened Thursday evening east of Seiling. The highway patrol reports that Evans may have been going too fast while trying to turn on to a county road. The semi rolled 3/4 of a time and landed on its passenger side. He was wearing a seatbelt.
Talk Show Topics
Jake Grossnicklaus and Whitney Shenk with the Grady County Cattle Producers are guests on the KOOL Konversation. On Real Estate Today is Kenneth Corn with the USDA Rural Development office in Oklahoma. Find podcasts of both programs under the community tab on this website.
Obituaries
Anna Belle Hair
Funeral service for Anna Belle Hair, 90, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, April 15th at Southern Oaks Church of Christ. She and her husband Jerry ran a propane company. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
Ethan Crista
A memorial service for Ethan Crista, 21, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 16th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He was a volunteer at the food bank.
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Friday, April 12th
State Testing Begins Soon for Public School Students
With just a few weeks left in the school year, state testing is getting underway for high school juniors and most elementary school students. A post on the Chickasha Public Schools Facebook page indicates the reason for state testing is to determine if students have mastered the skills expected for their grade level. They compare it to checking the sturdiness of the foundation they have been building throughout the year. They say parents should think of the skills their children are learning as building blocks and that each year new skills are added which build on the previous ones learned. State testing ensures students have a solid base in order to succeed in the next grade. Officials urge parents to build their children's confidence to help reduce test-taking anxiety, encourage them to have a positive outlook, and remind them that it’s a chance to show what they've learned throughout the year.
USAO, Redlands Work to Prepare Students
for Employment in High-Demand Occupations
A couple of regional higher education institutions are combining efforts to address needs in Oklahoma's workforce. USAO and Redlands Community College are expanding their current partnership to provide greater career-readiness support and increase the number of graduates with associates and bachelor's degrees. USAO president Kayla Hale said the initial effort is designed to address the teacher shortage in Oklahoma which will be followed by addressing shortages in high-demand occupations. Redlands President Jenna Marr said by pooling the resources of both schools they are ensuring that students receive the support they need to thrive both academically and professionally. USAO faculty will be embedded at Redlands to offer bachelor degrees at the El Reno campus.
Chickasha Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet Tonight
It's a big night for the Chickasha business community. The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual banquet with numerous awards being issued. They include Small Business of the year, Public Servant of the Year, and Woman of the Year. One individual will be inducted into the Civic Hall of Fame. This is the 101st annual banquet which will be held at the Grady County Fairgrounds.
Research Station Schedules Wheat, Forage Field Day
Wheat producers in the region need to circle Friday, April 26th on their calendars. That's when the annual wheat and forage field day will be held at the OSU Research Station just east of Chickasha. OSU Extension specialists will discuss topics like weed control, the discovery of new sources of stripe rust resistance in OSU wheat, and wheat varieties for south-central Oklahoma. Check-in time starts at 8:30 a.m. and the program will run from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with OK Ag Credit providing lunch. Participants are asked to register by April 23rd. For information contact Michael Pettijohn by calling 405-224-4475.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.02 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $89.74.
Natural gas is $1.76 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,415 and silver is $29.25
Obituary
Johnny ‘Randy’ Dorman
A memorial service for 74-year old Randy Dorman of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 13th at Bible Baptist Church. He worked at AT&T for nearly forty years. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
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Thursday, April 11th
First Responder Conference to Honor Former Chix Fire Chief
A summer conference to help first responders hone their skills will include a program that will honor Brian Zalewski, who served as Chickasha's fire chief for several years. Zalewski was only 50-years old when he passed away unexpectedly last summer. In addition to his duties as fire chief, he was a deputy sheriff, a flight nurse, and a critical care paramedic. The Heroes of the Heartland Conference is said to be the premier first responder conference in the state. It is hosted by Heartland Medical Direction and Survival Flight and will be held June 24th through 27th in Norman. The conference will include the inaugural Brian Zalewski Memorial Simulated (Sim) games. 16 two-person teams will compete with the winning team receiveing a traveling trophy.
Reception Set to Honor Out-Going Chix City Council Members
There will be a ceremonial passing of the gavel during next week's Chickasha City Council meeting. Mayor Chris Mosley is stepping down after serving six years in that leadership role. That responsibility will be passed on to Vice Mayor Zach Grayson who ran un-opposed for mayor. Prior to Monday's city council meeting officials will honor Mosley as well as two councilmen who will be finishing their service to the city. Ward 3 Councilman Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander is stepping down after serving 10 years on the council. Ward 2 Councilman Rick Croslin is stepping down after serving this past year after being appointed to that office. The reception will be held in the city council chambers from 5:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Monday, April 15th.
Lincoln Elementary Security Project Completed
A new entrance for Lincoln Elementary School is now complete. The entrance provides an extra level of security as visitors will first enter a vestibule before entering the building. Principal Angie Morgan said it keeps office traffic completely sealed off from school hallways and classrooms, and access to the hallways is only allowed to individuals who have a badge and identification. The project was included in the safety and security bond passed by voters a few years ago.
Music Therapy Treatment Available
for Native American Alzheimer's Patients
A program to help Native Americans who suffer from Alzheimer’s Disease is available in many parts of central and southwest Oklahoma. The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes has an Alzheimer's Disease Program Initiative. Among the goals is to implement a music and memory therapy program. Diane Hugar has information.
The program assists native elders who are enrolled in federally-recognized tribes. For information reach out on line at: www.wichitatribe.com or call 405-247-8654.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.21 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $90.48.
Natural gas is $1.89 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,348 and silver is $27.99.
Obituaries
Maxine Dyer
Funeral service for Maxine Dyer, 92, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 12th at First Christian Church. She drove a semi and also owned Maxine's Springcrest Draperies. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
Nadean Troup
Funeral service for Nadean Troup, 90, of Chickasha will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 12th at Sevier Funeral Home.
Willie Ray Dickson
Funeral service for Willie Ray Dickson, 67, of Hollis will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 13th at Babers Temple in Hollis. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
Sue Carter
Funeral service Sue Carter, 78, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, April 15th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She was a lab tech at Southern Plains Medical Center.
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Wednesday, April 10th
Mixed News for Consumer Spending in Grady County
Consumer spending throughout Grady County was up from the month-to-month totals in the most recent reporting period but down from the same time a year ago. It's estimated that consumers spent about $80.4 million on taxable goods and services from mid-February to mid-March. That number is up about 10 percent from last month but down about 11.6 percent from a year ago. The county collected $603,000 in sales tax revenues from those purchases. County use tax revenues - which are sales taxes paid by on-line shoppers - was $113,000 this month. That is down 6.6 percent from last month and off 22 percent from a year ago.
Chickasha numbers
For the City of Chickasha, estimated consumer spending during that same time frame was $28.2 million. That's down about 1 percent from the previous month and down about 10 percent from last year. The city received $1.2 million in sales tax revenue this month and about $129,000 in use tax revenues.
Suspect Faces Numerous Forgery Charges
A Chickasha woman is accused of forging dozens of checks totaling more than $100,000. 38-year old Tasha Provence-Davis has been charged with two felonies and five misdemeanors of obtaining property by false pretenses. Grady County authorities arrested her last Thursday. KSWO-TV cites court documents indicating that she used counterfeit checks to purchase two vehicles, pay off credit cards, and purchase meals. It's reported she faces more than 10 years in prison if convicted. Davis is out of jail after posting a $15,000 bond. She's to be back in court April 24th for a preliminary hearing conference.
National Guard Troops Honored at State Capital
State lawmakers gathered to recognize citizen soldiers in the Oklahoma National Guard on Tuesday. Members of the house and senate held a joint session for National Guard Appreciation Day. Last year nearly 2,000 guard members served deployments in various locations overseas which included the largest deployment in more than 10 years. Major General Thomas Mancino is the Adjutant General of the National Guard. He said from the battlefields of World War I, II, or Korea to the mountains of Afghanistan and the streets of Iraq, members of the army and air national guard have been there defending life, liberty, and freedoms from oppression around the world.
State Veterans Affairs Director Steps Down
The Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs is looking for a new director. Retired Admiral Greg Slavonic announced he'll be stepping down next month. Slavonic was named interim director in March of 2023 and had anticipated serving about six months. He says he stayed with the agency to foster a supportive organizational climate, reduce reliance on contract personnel, and advance several initiatives. A search for a new director is now underway.
Grady County Cattle Producers Set Annual Meeting
Grady County Cattle Producers will meet for their annual business meeting later this month. The meeting will include guest speaker Dr. Mark Johnson of OSU, a purebred beef specialist. There will be a trade show for the first time with more than 20 vendors on hand. Also, the carcass contest results will be announced and scholarships will be awarded. The meeting will be Friday, April 26th at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Members should RSVP the OSU Extension Center by Friday, April 19th by calling 405-224-2216.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.24 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $89.42.
Natural gas is $1.87 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,366 and silver is $28.17.
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Tuesday, April 9th
Teen Enters Blind Plea to Child Porn Charges
A man accused of sharing dozens of images of child pornography enters a blind plea to three felony charges in connection with his arrest nearly two years ago. 19-year old Ayden Isaac Jacob Tee entered the plea in Caddo County District Court last week. Tee had just turned 18 years old a few months before his arrest in October of 2022. A group known as Internet Crimes Against Children notified the Caddo County Sheriff's Office that Tee had been identified as receiving and distributing more than 100 graphic images. Tee faces a maximum sentence of life in prison. A pre-sentencing investigation will be conducted by the state department of corrections and formal sentencing is set for June 21st.
Chickasha Neighborhood without Water Today
A reminder that a Chickasha neighborhood will be without water service today. Crews will be working on a water line improvement project in about a 20-square block area from First Street to Third Street and from Idaho Avenue to Alabama Avenue. Water is expected to be off until 5:00 p.m.
State Rep 'Honored' to Continue Serving
State Representative Brad Boles (R-Marlow) says he is humbled and honored to continue serving District 51 in the State House of Representatives. Boles did not draw an opponent during last week's filing period and will serve two more years at the state capital. It will be his fifth term which win run through 2026. Boles’ district includes much of Grady and Stephens counties. He said over the last six years officials have made historic progress to move the state forward but that their work is not done. In a prepared statement Boles says he prays that God will give state lawmakers wisdom and guidance as they make important decisions on how to best move the state forward.
Wrecking Ball Film Fest Returns
A 24-hour race to produce short movies is back for another year. The third annual Wrecking Ball Film Festival will be held later this month. The race begins at 11:59 p.m. Friday, April 12th and films must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. Saturday, April 13th. Registration is $10 per team member and teams should have two to five members. The festival is a collaboration of Jordan Vinyard, dean of USAO's School of Visual and Performing Arts, and Reagan Elkins of Intellego Media. There is also new short film category this year with the films needing to be 5-10 minutes long and made within the last year. The top 10 films will be shown and awards announced on Saturday, April 20th at USAO's Davis Hall Amphitheatre. Registration is on-line at: www.alumni.usao.edu
Groups Combine Efforts to Give Away Free Trees
Oklahoma Electric Co-op (OEC) and the Arbor Day Foundation are combining efforts to give free trees to OEC members and consumers. 200 trees will be given away. The program called Energy Saving Trees is a research-based, easy-to-use, on-line mapping tool that takes the guesswork out of tree planting. By entering information about your home and yard it calculates where to strategically plant trees for the greatest energy and money saving benefits. Register at: www.arborday.org/OEC
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.43 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $90.38.
Natural gas is $1.84 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,382 and silver is $28.28.
Obituary
Lucy Ladwig
Funeral service for Lucy Ladwig, 90, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, April 12th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She worked at Grady Memorial Hospital. Memorial contributions may be made to the Jimmy Everest Center at the Oklahoma Children's Hospital.
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Monday, April 8th
Summer School Sessions Proposed for Chickasha Students
Summer school classes and some parking lot improvements are among the issues to be considered by the board of education for Chickasha Public Schools tonight. Proposed summer school for Bill Wallace and Grand Avenue students would be Monday through Thursday beginning June 3rd and running through 27th. Lincoln and middle school students would be later in the summer and only be for one week, July 29th through August 2nd. High school students would take summer school classes on-line. The panel will consider extending the school year for special needs students which would run May 22nd through July 6th. Also proposed is a summer Playstation program for Bill Wallace and Grand Avenue students which would run Monday through Friday beginning May 20th and running through August 7th. There is a tuition fee that will be charged to help cover costs.
Some parking lot improvements suggested
The panel will also consider awarding a bid to pave parking lots at Grand Avenue and the middle school. Director of Operations Dan Turner is recommending nearly $200,000 bid from the Haskell-Lemon Group of Oklahoma City which he says was the low bid. The funds will come from the safety and security bond that voters passed a few years ago. Turner said if the bid is approved it would save the district nearly $100,000 on what was estimated. The school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the school administration building.
Water Service Out Tomorrow for Part of Chickasha
A Chickasha neighborhood will be without water for much of the day tomorrow. Officials are continuing upgrades on a waterline project. The affected area is between First and Third Streets, and from Idaho Avenue to Arkansas Avenue. The outage is scheduled to be from about 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Companies Urged to Begin Apprenticeship Programs
Some companies are finding it difficult to find qualified employees to fill their openings. Officials with the South Central Workforce Board recommend that firms create apprenticeships to help train new workers. Erin Glass says by forming a partnership with career techs or other schools it would help bridge the gap.
The workforce board will be holding an apprenticeship summit to provide information. It's free and open to all businesses, community leaders, and economic and workforce development professionals. The summit will be Wednesday, April 17th from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Canadian Valley Technology Center. For information, e-mail: erin@scworkforceboard.org
City of Anadarko Begins Clean-up Campaign
The City of Anadarko is beginning a week-long clean-up campaign today. Residents can place bulky items on the curb for pick-up or take items to a central roll-off site next to the police department. No hazardous materials will be allowed. Roll off hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. today through Saturday. Large items may also be taken to the Alex landfill for free as long as residents show a photo ID and a copy of a recent utility bill. For information see the city of Anadarko's Facebook page or website.
Friends of the Library Cancel Spring Book Sale
The Friends of the Chickasha Library have had to cancel their spring book sale which was to get underway later this month. Officials say the event will be re-scheduled this fall.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.91 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude topped $90 to $91.17.
Natural gas is $1.78 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,355 and silver is $27.90.
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