Tuesday, Nov. 21st

 

Chix City Council Meeting Canceled

Last night's regularly scheduled Chickasha City Council meeting was canceled because not enough council members were present. Four of nine councilors were absent leaving only five members to conduct business including Mayor Chris Mosley. However the mayor does not count when it comes to having a quorum for the meeting. Mosley initially postponed the meeting and moved on to the agendas for two other arms of city government - The Chickasha Municipal Authority and the Chickasha Airport Authority - where the mayor does count toward the minimum five members needed for a quorum. Both of those meetings were over with quickly as there were only a few routine items on what's called a consent docket where all items can be approved with a single vote. Mosley anticipated that one of the four absentee council members would soon arrive but after about a 15-minute wait the meeting was canceled. Council representatives missing were Rick Croslin, Oscar Nelson, Brian Gerdes, and Kelly Boyd. The next regular city council meeting is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 4^th.

Downtown lamp shade controversy returns

A number of people attending had signed up to discuss issues during the citizen's communications portion of the meeting. Some were expected to talk about the weekend social media post regarding a lamp shade placed on a lamp post near the Leg Lamp in downtown area. Developer Chet Hitt had placed a lamp shade on a post in front of the Savoy 1902 Hotel he is remodeling. The lamp shade was similar to the one that is on the leg lamp, but without the fringe. In a Facebook video, Hitt said some Grinches didn't like the lamp shade and - after meeting with city leaders - he decided to take it down.

Lamp shade may violate copyright laws

About this time last year, there was controversy about replacing angels on the downtown lamp posts with lamp shades. At that time, the city attorney advised the council to not use the lamp shades as it might be a copyright infringement with the movie ‘A Christmas Story’. Hitt's post has had more than 12,000 views and an overwhelming majority support the lamp shade. Now, Hitt has posted a new Facebook video offering commemorative ‘The Grinch Who Stole Chickasha's Lamp Shade’ t-shirts for sale with proceeds going to the Salvation Army.

 

Grady County Jail to get Inmates from Comanche County

The Grady County Jail will be getting a few extra inmates from a neighboring county. Comanche County Commissioners say there is an overflow of inmates at their jail in Lawton and they have reached out to both Grady and Okmulgee counties to help out. Grady County could be getting as many as 15 prisoners and Okmulgee County as many as 20 if room is available. The agreements could last up to a year.

 

Non-Working Tag Light Leads to Drug Arrest

A woman is jailed on a $100,000 bond for having numerous drugs in her possession after she was pulled over on a traffic stop. 49-year old Kelli Little of Duncan was stopped by a Grady County deputy last Friday because the tag light on her vehicle was out. The deputy also was informed that her driver’s license had been revoked. Authorities found Fentanyl, methamphetamine and drug items in the vehicle. Little has been formally charged with a felony for aggravated drug trafficking and several misdemeanors. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 6^th.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.60 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $82.32.

Natural gas is $2.88 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,009 and silver is $23.95.

 

---

 

Monday, Nov. 20th

 

Driver Critical After Pickup Crashes into a Ravine

A driver is battling life-threatening injuries after his pickup crashed on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. 61-year old David Moore of Newalla suffered numerous injuries in the accident which occurred about six miles southwest of Chickasha about 7 a.m. Sunday. The highway patrol reports that Moore was eastbound on the turnpike near mile marker 74 when the pickup ran off the highway, went airborne for nearly 150 feet, then flipped end-over-end 1 1/2 times and landed upside-down in a ravine. Moore was pinned in the wreckage for an unknown amount of time before the Chickasha Fire Department was able to get him out using the Jaws of Life. The accident remains under investigation.

 

Chix City Council to Consider Cost Overruns on Project

It's going to cost the City of Chickasha another $56,000 to pay for a water line project. The city council tonight will consider the adjustment after the contractor said there had been some increases in costs since the project was awarded this past summer. The project is part of a Community Development Block Grant received for improvements in the 300 block of Missouri Ave.; on Virginia Ave. from Shepherd Street to Henderson Street; and on Henderson Street for a half-block from Virginia Ave. north.

Carpet for City Hall to be discussed

The council is also expected to approve spending nearly $14,000 to install new carpet in city hall. The city has been negotiating with OK Carpet of Chickasha for the work since no bids were received. The carpet will replace flooring that was damaged in the 2020 ice storm.

EDC Audits submitted

Under consent docket items on the agenda for tonight's meeting the council is asked to acknowledge the receipt of the audits of the Economic Development Council for the fiscal years ending in June of 2022 and June of 2023. The council meets at 6:30 tonight at City Hall.

 

Chix Community Thanksgiving Dinner is Thursday

Chickasha's annual community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held this Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23rd. A number of churches and organizations have hosted the event for many years. The meal will be held at the Chickasha Soup Kitchen at 6th and Pennsylvania Ave. from 11:00 a.m. to noon and will have all the traditional menu items. Meals will be delivered to homebound residents. Individuals who would like meals delivered are asked to call 405-222-5433 by the end of the day tomorrow. The meal is free but donations are welcome.

 

'Golden Ticket' Blood Drive Today

KOOL/RANCH radio stations, the YMCA, and the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) are again joining efforts for a community blood drive today. The OBI Bloodmobile will be in the YMCA parking lot at 7^th and Chickasha Ave. from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Donors at all  OBI blood drives taking place in the region today receive a chocolate bar - one of which has a golden ticket - which can be redeemed for $250 Visa Gift Card. If you can't donate today find an upcoming blood drive in your area by visiting the blood institute's website: www.obi.org

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.89 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $80.61.

Natural gas is $2.96 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,976 and silver is $23.88.

 

Obituary

Buren Thompson

Funeral service for Buren Thompson, 95, of Cement will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Nov. 21st at the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Cement. He worked in the commercial trades sector and helped to build Grady Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Saturday, Nov. 18th

 

Report: Extreme Winter Weather 'Could' Cause Problems with Power Grid

Lengthy periods of sub-freezing temperatures in the Sooner State this winter could lead to rolling blackouts. That's according to a new report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. The non-profit group takes a look at power reliability in the U.S. and develops standards for a secure supply of power. Oklahoma is part of the multi-state Southwest Power Pool which serves a number states from Texas to Montana. The report says the power pool reserves are lower this year than last, and that planned rolling blackouts may be necessary should extreme winter weather strike. The Oklahoman reports that PSO and OG&E are preparing for the possibility of extreme weather. PSO officials said they are focused on meeting the needs of their customers in all types of weather. Spokesman Wayne Green said ahead of every winter the utility reviews equipment and procedures and makes investments when necessary. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's forecast for the Midwest shows equal chances of above or below normal precipitation levels. The National Weather Service is predicting near normal temperatures for the winter.

 

Ag Groups Satisfied with Farm Bill Extension

Agriculture groups overall are pleased with the extension of the 2018 Farm Bill approved by Congress this week. The Farm Bill expired at the end of September but the House and Senate have both approved extending the bill through September of next year. The bill now goes to President Biden for his expected approval. The American Farm Bureau said it was grateful for the extension which will avoid serious program disruptions. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association said it is thankful for extending programs which farmers and ranchers depend on. About 75 percent of the current farm bill’s funding goes toward food assistance programs so the extension means that SNAP benefits are safe for now. Nine percent covers crop insurance, 7 percent covers commodities, and another 7 percent is for conservation

 

Talk Show Topics

Cathy Nestell with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is this week's guest on the KOOL Konversation. And Boyd Lee with CK Energy joins us on Real Estate Today. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituary

Buren Thompson

Funeral service for Buren Thompson, 95, of Cement will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21st at the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Cement.  He worked in the commercial trade sector and helped to build Grady Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Friday, Nov. 17th

 

Festival of Light Opens This Weekend

The switch flips this weekend for the 31st edition of Chickasha's Festival of Light. It's become one of the state's largest displays of Christmas lights and has received a lot of national and international attention. An estimated 4 million lights will twinkle at Shannon Springs Park this year. Festival of Light Director Logan Lassley said there will be a lot of new activities north of the park dam this year.

 

              

 

 

The festival features a souvenir and gift shop with local vendors.

 

              

 

 

There will be a soft-opening at the park tonight which will be a walk-through only event although bicycles are welcome. The park will open to drive-through traffic tomorrow night. The festival opens at 6 p.m. each night and will run through New Year's Eve. By the way, the festival is among the nominees by USA Today for favorite light display in the country.

 

Accessory to Murder Suspect Jailed on $500,000 Bond

A six-figure bond has been set for one of the two suspects accused in the deaths of a Chickasha woman and her unborn baby. Katrina Johnson had her initial appearance in Grady County District Court on a charge of accessory to murder. A judge set her bond at $500,000. Katrina Johnson and her husband Kenneth Johnson are both implicated in the deaths of Ashley Cannon and her unborn baby. Cannon was eight-month’s pregnant when she was killed in her Chickasha apartment three years ago. A preliminary hearing has been set for Dec. 6th.

 

Marlow Suspect Accused of Lewd Acts with a Child

A Marlow man is accused of lewd acts with a child in Grady County. 68-year old David Norris Crichton is facing up to 20 years in prison if he's convicted. KSWO-TV cites court documents which indicate the young victim recently contacted authorities and told them the incident happened about four years ago. Crichton's bond was set at $100,000. A preliminary hearing conference has been scheduled for next month.

 

ALS Walk Draws Big Turnout to Support Local Family

There was a big turnout for last weekend's benefit walk to help a Chickasha family battling Lou Gehrig's Disease. The walk was organized by individuals who have lost their loved ones to the illness known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Kenny Howell, whose wife Marla died from ALS two years ago, estimated as many as 250 people took part. Howell was thankful for all the work that was done to put together the walk in such a short amount of time.

 

             

 

 

The funds will go to the family of Merita and Dennis Beaty as Dennis was recently stricken with the disease for which there is no cure.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.90 per barrel.

London-based Brent is $77.42.

Natural gas is $3.06 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,993 and silver is $24.14.

---

 

Thursday, Nov. 16th

 

Driver Arrested 2nd Time for Eluding

A driver who reportedly led Anadarko police on a pursuit through a school zone this week had pleaded guilty to a previous charge of attempting to elude. Christopher Vasquez, 25, of Anadarko was arrested Monday. KSWO-TV cites Caddo County court documents indicating that officers lost sight of Vasquez during the chase - but he was eventually found and taken into custody.  Vasquez has been charged with endangering others while attempting to elude, obstruction, driving without a license, and possession of drug items in connection with this week's arrest. His bond was set at $20,000. Vazquez has a long criminal history which includes pleading guilty to a previous charge of attempting to elude in 2018 and burglary in 2017.

 

Nation's Top Dogs Being Shown at Grady County Fairgrounds

Hundreds of the top dog breeds in the country will be in Chickasha over the next few days. It's the Sooner Circuit of Dog Shows. The Town and Country Kennel Club and the Canadian Valley Kennel Club team up every year to hold the event at the Grady County Fairgrounds. It's four days of competition with exhibitors working to earn their animals enough points to qualify for national dog shows next spring. The shows run today through Sunday. Admission is free all weekend.

OHCE Celebration of Crafts Show also this weekend

Also this weekend at the fairgrounds is the Grady County OHCE annual Celebration of Crafts Show. More than 40 vendors will have a lot of gift items available including holiday foods. The Celebration of Crafts is Friday and Saturday in the north exhibit building at the fairgrounds.

 

PSO Joins Effort to Warn of Utility Scams

Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) joined a number of other utilities across the country and Canada to warn customers of utility scams. Yesterday was Utility Scam Awareness Day. PSO says customers across the state have reported scams or attempted scams more than 250 times so far in 2023. The day is an annual observance of Utilities United Against Scams. The theme this year was Screen the Search which reflects the increase in scams using digital methods. Signs of scams include demands for immediate payment, threats to disconnect service immediately, and requests for a specific payment such as a pre-paid debit card. Officials say if you are suspicious of a caller claiming to be from PSO to hang up and call 1-833-PSO-POWR.

 

The Great American Smokeout is Underway

Many smokers and tobacco users who have been trying to quit are urged to try again today during the Great American Smokeout. It's always held the Thursday before Thanksgiving and encourages tobacco users to quit for at least one day. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline offers some tips which include making small changes in your routines by avoiding situations that make you want to smoke. Keep mints and gum handy and reach for those items instead of a cigarette. If you normally smoke after you eat, take a short walk instead. Try hanging out at places where smoking isn't allowed, and calculate the money you'll save by not smoking. With cigarettes now right around $10 a pack you could save $70 a week if you smoke a pack a day. That's about $300 per month and more than $3,500 a year! For other information, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or go on-line to www.okhelpline.com

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.66 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $81.18.

Natural gas is $3.19 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,968 and silver is $23.76.

 

Obituary

Melissa Zimmer

Funeral service for Melissa Zimmer, 46, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She worked with the Chickasha Opportunity Workshop.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Nov. 15th

 

Minco Voters Say 'No' to School Bond Proposal

Minco school district voters turned down that multi-million dollar proposal to build a new football field and locker rooms in yesterday's special school bond election. Nearly two out of every three voters said 'no' to the more than $22 million proposal. Nearly 63 percent of those who cast ballots opposed the plan. 342 votes were cast against and 202 for the bond issue. The proposal was to build a new football field with artificial turf and an eight-lane track around it, plus some locker rooms for the football and track teams. Minco School Superintendent Kevin Sims posted a message on Facebook last night saying school officials will re-group after the holidays and start working on a better plan.

 

Friend School Voters Approve Special Bond Issue

Friend school district voters gave resounding support to a $400,000 bond issue in yesterday’s election. More than four out of every five voters approved the proposal which will allow the district to install four heating and air systems in school buildings and purchase some playground equipment. The measure passed with more than 85 percent of the vote, 93-15.

 

New Assistant Chief Named for Chix Police Department

The Chickasha Police Department has a new assistant police chief. Officials have announced that Daimon Alexander - who has been serving as the police chief in Binger - will take the post. Alexander has spent more than 30 years in law enforcement. He was with the Oklahoma City Police Department for more than 25 years working his way from patrolman to field training officer and becoming a lieutenant to work crime scenes and domestic violence cases. He was promoted to captain and returned to the patrol division. He retired from OKC in 2016 then joined the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse patrol serving as the tactical team commander. He's spent the last couple of years at Binger. He holds a Master of Arts degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Oklahoma, a Bachelor's degree from OSU, and has had training at the FBI Executive Leadership Institute. He and his wife Joey have three children.

 

Lindsay School Band Director to be in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The band director at Lindsay High School has been selected to take part in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Shelby Lam will be the only Oklahoman performing with the Band Directors Marching Band. The group will feature more than 400 band directors nationwide. Lam is a 2011 graduate of Marlow High School and a 2015 grad of Southwestern Oklahoma State. She will play the piccolo as the band will play “76 Trombones”, “The Thunderer”, and “The Stars and Stripes Forever” along the 2 ½ mile parade route. In addition to being in the parade the group will also play at next Monday's wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. The band will play “Star Spangled Banner”, “Amazing Grace”, and “Taps”.

 

State National Guard Troops Get Visit from Oklahoma Officials

Oklahoma National Guard troops serving in South Africa got a recent visit from several Oklahoma officials. Gov. Kevin Stitt, U.S. Senator James Lankford, and U.S. Congressman Markwayne Mullin spent some time with guard members in the Horn of Africa where the soldiers serving as part of Task Force Tomahawk. Mullin said seeing members of the National Guard in action was inspiring and humbling. He said they are oceans away from their families but their mission is a vital national task of security and they are confronting the growing terrorist threat in the region. The troops are expected to return to Oklahoma in about three months.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.26 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $82.47.

Natural gas is $3.11 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,975 and silver is $23.44.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Nov. 14th

 

Man Faces Manslaughter Charge After Fatal Crash

A KOOL/RANCH News update today about the man arrested in connection with that deadly crash on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike early Saturday morning. A Lawton man, 35-year old Marshall James Point, was initially arrested on a negligent homicide complaint. Grady County prosecutors have charged him with felony first degree manslaughter. Point is also charged with misdemeanors for driving under the influence of drugs and inattentive driving. A judge set Point's bond at $500,000. A probable cause affidavit filed by State Trooper Bryce Stout indicates that Point rear-ended a vehicle, causing it to run off the interstate and roll several times. 61-year old Hildreth Overcash of Oklahoma City was killed in the crash. Stout said in his affidavit that Point admitted eating some gummies that are like magic mushrooms a couple of days before the accident occurred. Blood was drawn to get his blood-alcohol content level but the results weren't immediately available.  Point is to be back in court Dec. 6th for a preliminary hearing conference.

 

Double Homicide Suspect Booked into the Grady County Jail

A suspect charged with aiding in the deaths of a Chickasha woman and her unborn baby was booked into the Grady County Jail yesterday. 42-year old Katrina Johnson was transferred in from the Oklahoma County Jail after she was arrested by a fugitive task force last week. She could have her initial appearance on the charge in front of a Grady County judge as early as today. County prosecutors filed charges again Katrina and her husband Kenneth last week in connection with the 2020 deaths of Ashley Cannon and her unborn child. Katrina Johnson is charged with being an accessory to murder. Kenneth Johnson is charged with murder and is serving time in the Lawton Correctional Facility on an unrelated charge.

 

Jail Inmate Uses Broom to Break Cell Window

A Grady County jail inmate is in more trouble. 36-year old Matthew Dan Lane of Chickasha has been charged with breaking a window in the day room of the jail's third-floor pod. A probable cause affidavit indicates the incident occurred this past May when Lane got a broom and started hitting a cell door until the window broke. He's been charged with a felony for injuring a public building and his bond was set at $10,000. Lane was serving an 8-year prison term after pleading guilty in connection with a 2021 arrest for having drugs with intent to distribute.

 

Minco, Friend School District Voters Cast Ballots Today

Voters in a couple of Grady County school districts go to the polls to decide special bond elections today. Voters in the Minco School District will decide a more than $22 million bond issue to build a new football field with artificial turf and eight-lane track, as well as new loccer rooms for the football and track teams. Voters in the Friend School District will consider a $400,000 bond issue to purchase and install heating and air systems on several buildings and to purchase some new playground equipment. Precincts are open until 7 o'clock tonight.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.26 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $82.52.

Natural gas is $3.20 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,950 and silver is $22.46.

 

---

 

Monday, November 13th

 

Suspect Arrested In Connection with Deadly Crash

One person was arrested in connection with a deadly weekend crash in Grady County. 35-year old Marshall James Point of Lawton was taken into custody on complaints of negligent homicide and distracted driving. The accident happened about 4:30 a.m. Saturday near mile marker 72 about eight miles southwest of Chickasha. 61-year old Hildreth Overcash of Oklahoma City died as a result of injuries she sustained in the crash. A passenger in her vehicle, 66-year old Janice Miller also of Oklahoma City, was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital where she was being treated for head and trunk internal injuries. No details of the crash have been released.

 

Filming to Resume in Chix; Streets to be Closed

With the Screen Actors Guild strike now over film crews have returned to Chickasha to finish their work on the Twisters movie. The City of Chickasha is closing some streets in the area of 17th and Minnesota and 17th and Iowa today to allow the crews to wrap up their production. The work is expected to take about three weeks. Officials ask that residents not bother the crew nor the actors while they are on the set.

 

Chix' In-Town Limb Drop-off Site to Close for the Season

The City of Chickasha will soon close its in-town limb drop-off location for the season. Residents who have limbs and brush to get rid of will have just one more day to take the debris to the Public Works Headquarters which is on Genevieve Street north of the animal shelter. The last day will be this Saturday, Nov. 18th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There is a fee to drop off the brush and the fee will be added to the users’ next utility bills. Limbs and brush can still be taken to the Alex landfill over the next few months. The in-town drop-off site will re-open next spring.

 

Salvation Army Begins Christmas Campaigns

The Salvation Army which serves Grady and Caddo Counties has begun its annual Red Kettle bell-ringing campaign for the upcoming holiday season. Officials have a goal of raising $65,000 which will be used throughout the 2024 calendar year to help families get through hard times. Lt. Crystal McFarland said any groups or individuals who would like to volunteer to be part of the bell ringing campaign can go to the website: www.registertoring.com and pick the days and times they can help out. McFarland also said The Salvation Army's Angel Tree campaign is also underway. There are Christmas trees at the Wal-Mart stores in Chickasha and Anadarko and on them are Angel cards which have a list of items the children have asked for. McFarland said there are nearly 400 of these 'Angels' this year.

 

              

 

That is an increase of nearly 100 children from last year.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.17 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $81.43.

Natural gas is $3.03 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,943 and silver is $22.17.

 

Obituaries

Mark Stallbaumer

A funeral mass for Mark Stallbaumer, 82, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16th at Holy Name Catholic Church. He was a Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader, and a Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary Club. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Orlin Akins

Funeral service for Orlin Akins, 86, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday Nov. 16th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She and her husband raised cattle and she was active with Southern Oaks Church of Christ.

Bob ‘Bobby Joe’ Wenninger

A graveside service for Bobby Joe Wenninger, 90, of Cordell will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17th at Fairlawn Cemetery in Chickasha. He worked in the oilfield. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Saturday, Nov. 11th

 

Tom Cole Critical of Sell-off of U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserves

4th District Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole (R-Moore) says the Biden Administration's selling off much of the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserves has significantly reduced energy production in the U.S. In his recent media column Cole says the administration sold off more than 40 percent of the reserves at a time when China and Iran are increasing their oil production. Cole says America's emergency oil supplies are at their lowest levels in 40 years. And with war breaking out in the Middle East he said that presents a unique threat to not only the U.S. but also allies like Israel and others around the world. Cole recalled how another Middle East war in the 1970s led to an embargo of oil coming to the U.S. from Arab members of OPEC. Cole said the decision to sell the reserves was done for political expedience rather than meaningful effect and it did not have any effect on energy prices.

 

Walk to Benefit Local Residents Battling Lou Gehrig's Disease

Several Chickasha families who have lost loved ones to Lou Gehrig's Disease or who are currently fighting the illness have united to raise awareness of the affliction. Lou Gehrig's Disease is the common name for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It's a progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain that send signals to muscles throughout the body, eventually rendering them useless but it does not affect the brain. There is no cure and victims can suffer for years. One of the most notable persons to suffer from ALS was Dr. Stephen Hawking, who lived more than 50 years before his death in 2018 at the age of 76. Kenny Howell and Dwight Sehon are among those who have formed a local Walk for the Cure this weekend. The group has sold more than 150 t-shirts to raise funds which will help Merita and Dennis Beatty as Dennis is now fighting a battle with ALS. The fundraiser is tomorrow at 2 o'clock starting at the Century 21/Mosley Insurance office at 428 West Grand Avenue and there are a one mile, two mile, and three-mile walks mapped out. Howell says they are not yet a 501 (c) 3 non-profit group but they will begin work on that after the first of the year. You can follow the group on Facebook - ALS: Walk for the Cure.

 

Veterans Day Ceremonies Set 

Today is Veterans Day, a national holiday set aside to honor men and women serving in the armed forces and paying tribute to those who lost their lives while serving in the military. The day was first noted at the end of World War I as Armistice Day which went into effect in the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918. Veterans Day ceremonies are being held nationwide. The Oklahoma Veterans Recognition Committee held a program at the Grady County Veteran's Memorial in Chickasha's Shannon Springs Park and the City of Blanchard held a veterans day parade.

 

Obituary

Marilyn Johnson

Funeral service for Marilyn Johnson, 97, of Lawton will be at held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, Nov. 13^th at McRay Funeral Home. She and her husband owned and operated an interior decorating shop in Lawton and a nursing home in Temple.

 

---

 

Friday, Nov. 10th

 

Charges Filed in Connection with Deaths of Mom, Unborn Child

It was nearly three years ago that two small children found their mother's lifeless body in the family's Chickasha apartment. The body of 37-year old Ashley Cannon was found Nov. 30th of 2020. Her throat had been cut. Ashley's unborn child that was due within a few weeks also died. This week, Grady County prosecutors filed two murder charges against a Lawton couple in connection with the deaths. 37-year old Kenneth Johnson was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. His wife, 39-year old Katrina Johnson, was charged with accessory to murder. District Attorney Jason Hicks credits the persistence of all the agencies involved with the investigation.

 

              

 

 

Kenneth Johnson was originally a person of interest in connection with the deaths but was not arrested after telling investigators he had an alibi. The OSBI was called in to help out and about three months ago turned evidence over to Hicks’ office for review. Kenneth Johnson is currently behind bars in the Lawton Correctional Facility serving time on unrelated charges.  Katrina Johnston was arrested in Oklahoma City by a fugitive task force. Hicks said he will pursue the death penalty in both cases.

 

Caddo County Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Crimes

A Cyril man pleads guilty to more than a dozen felony counts of child rape and sexual assault. 33-year old Jeffery Reginald Moyer waived his right to a jury trial and pleaded guilty in Caddo County District Court this week. Caddo County authorities arrested Moyer in August of last year. He was accused of raping and molesting a child for six years starting when the child was only five years old. District Judge Kory Kirkland sentenced Moyer to 25 years in prison to be followed by 25 years’ probation.

 

Anadarko's City Manager to Return to Lawton

Anadarko's city manager is leaving. Richard Rogalski was named executive director of the Lawton Economic Development Authority yesterday (LEDA). Rogalski spent about a year and half as city manager. He is returning to Lawton where he previously worked in economic development and also served as deputy city manager until retiring in the spring of 2022. The LEDA is a division of the City of Lawton, and Rogalski will also work with the Lawton Economic Development Corporation. The two entities will share in the payment of his $140,000 annual salary. The Lawton Constitution reports that Rogalski will remain in Anadarko for 30 days however he will be available to complete some of the projects he started.

 

Veterans Day Ceremonies Set

Tomorrow is Veterans Day. There will be numerous programs around the area, the state, and the nation to honor the men and women who gave their lives to protect America's freedoms - and also those who are currently serving or have served in the armed forces. Among the ceremonies will be one at the Grady County Veterans Memorial in Chickasha’s Shannon Springs Park. The Oklahoma Veterans Recognition Committee will host the program at 11:00 a.m. Guest speaker is Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess. Following the program veterans and their guests will be served lunch at the Chickasha Elks Lodge. Blanchard will have a Veterans Day program starting at 9:30 a.m. downtown with music from the Andrews Sisters which will be followed by a parade at 10:30 a.m.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.74 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $80.01.

Natural gas is $3.04 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,957 and silver is $22.61.

 

Obituary

Lola ‘Aileene’ McGill

A private family graveside service will be held at a later date for Aileene McGill, 86, of Chickasha. She and her husband Charley were long-time Realtors. Viewing will be through Sunday, Nov. 12^th at Sevier Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Thursday, Nov. 9th

 

Minco Voters to Decide School Bond Proposal

There have been a lot of improvements made in the Minco school district in recent years. School officials are hoping to use that momentum to make even more upgrades should voters approve a special bond election next week. Voters will decide a more than $22 million bond issue. Superintendent Kevin Sims says the bonds will be used to build a new football complex with an eight-lane track and a new fieldhouse for the football and track programs.

 

              

 

 

School officials have held a number of community meetings in recent weeks to discuss the proposal. It is a 16-year bond proposal and Sims said property taxes would increase about 4 percent should it pass. The issue will be decided next Tuesday, Nov. 14th. Voters can cast ballots early as in-person, absentee voting can be done at the Grady County Election Board in Chickasha today and tomorrow.

 

Alpaca Blast-Off Returns to Grady County Fairgrounds

One of the most unique events held at the Grady County Fairgrounds each year takes place this weekend. Alpaca producers from several states will take part in what's called the Alpaca Blast-Off which is hosted by Alpacas of Oklahoma. President Debbie Ashley discusses some of the events that will take place.

 

               

 

 

There is also a youth division where the animals maneuver around an obstacle course, and there's also a costume contest where the kids and their alpacas are dressed up. Nearly 60 alpaca producers are bringing about 200 animals to the event. It will run Saturday and Sunday starting at 9:00 a.m. both days and there's no cost for those who would like to watch the events.

 

Darko Library Hosts Program for Dementia Patient Caregivers

Caring for patients who have dementia can be emotionally and physically challenging. The Anadarko Community Library will host a program to offer support and provide resources and guidance to caregivers. The library and the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes will host Dr. Thomas Teasdale who is one of the co-principal investigators with the Oklahoma Dementia Care Network. He'll discuss his insights on dementia care and the latest advances in the field. The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes will demonstrate the impact that music has on memory and discuss music’s potential as a source of solace and connection for dementia patients. It's a free, hour-long program at the Anadarko Library next Tuesday, Nov. 14th beginning at 5:30 p.m. The program is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Grant and the state Department of Libraries.

 

'Christmas Town' Prepares for Season

The City of Chickasha is preparing to return to its Christmas Town designation. The Festival of Light opens Nov. 18th and crews have been working the last couple of days erecting the large downtown Christmas tree downtown which this year is at the corner of 6^th and Chickasha Avenue. Plus the Chamber of Commerce is preparing for the lighted Christmas parade the night of Dec. 2^nd. Another holiday tradition is The Christmas Tour of Homes. Locations this year are the home of Matt and Christina Wray; the home of Robert and Stacy Arthur; St. Luke's Church; the USAO president's house; and the Resurrection House and Life Skills Institute. The Tour of Homes will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2nd. Tickets are $15 with all proceeds benefitting the Resurrection House. Ticket outlets include Jay's Jewelry; the Okie Mountain Trading Company; First National Bank; the Mosley Insurance Agency; Kendall's Flowers; Liberty National Bank; Creme de la Creme; Hairy's Hair Salon; and Casbah Hair Salon.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.33 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.55.

Natural gas is $3.11 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,951 and silver is $22.56.

 

Obituary

Rita Hughes

A graveside service for Rita Hughes, 76, of Edmond and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13^th in the Alex Cemetery. She was a loan officer at what was once Superior Bank which is now Arvest Bank. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Nov. 8th

 

Chix Officials May Consider Closing Public Pool

The City of Chickasha has spent a lot of money making repairs to the municipal swimming pool at Shannon Springs Park over the last few years. Is it time to think about permanently closing it? The city recently commissioned a study of the pool and it showed there are several problems which will need to be dealt if the pool is to open next summer. City Manager Keith Johnson told the city council this week officials will need to take a hard look at the issues and decide what to do.

 

              

 

The pool is about 40-years old. Johnson said details of the study will be presented to the city council in a future meeting.

 

Chix Public School Foundation Issues Grants

Chickasha public school students will benefit from thousands of dollars in grants that were recently awarded by the Chickasha Public School Foundation. The Foundation was able to fund 38 of the 43 requests, and awarded $47,000 in grants out the $60,000 in total grants sought. Grant totals were nearly $16,000 at the high school; nearly $15,000 at Grand Elementary; more than $7,000 at the Middle School; Nearly $3,400 at Lincoln School; and nearly $2,200 at the Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center. The band program which impacts three schools received a grant of nearly $3,100. Foundation director Gab Shepard said the foundation has awarded more than $1.1 million in grants in the 37-year history of the organization.

 

Chix Schools JOM Marks Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month which is held to celebrate and commemorate the rich ancestry and traditions of Native Americans. There is a program in some Oklahoma public schools called the Johnson O'Malley program which is commonly called JOM. Funding is made possible by the Choctaw Nation though it is for students or parents who are members of any federally-recognized tribes. The Chickasha schools JOM program will hold at Indian Taco fundraiser today with the help of the Masonic Lodge. It will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge at 112 ½ S. 6^th.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.37 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $81.61.

Natural gas is $3.14 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,969 and silver is $22.42.

 

---

 

Tuesday, November 7th

 

Operation Greenlight Underway

A week-long national program to honor and support military veterans is getting its first recognition in Grady County. It's called Operation Greenlight. A formal ceremony was held on the steps of the Grady County Courthouse yesterday. In addition to honoring veterans the campaign is also to raise awareness of the challenges that some veterans face, especially those who have been in combat. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess said not all veterans received the respect they deserved when they came home, and tells the meaning of the green light.

 

              

 

 

Another speaker was Tommy Howell with the Disabled American Veterans. He said that every 22 seconds a military veteran dies from suicide. He encouraged veterans and those who know a veteran who may need help to reach out for assistance through the DAV, American Legion, or Veterans of Foreign Wars groups. The Grady County Courthouse is being illuminated at night with green lights in support of the program this week. The City of Chickasha is also supporting Operation Greenlight as Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley issued a proclamation designating this week as Operation Greenlight week during last night’s city council meeting.

 

Chix Man Says City Gov't Not Doing Enough for Residents

A Chickasha businessman wants the City of Chickasha to do more for its residents. Charlie Burruss addressed the city council last night saying smaller towns in the region are doing more for their communities.

 

              

 

 

Burruss said it seems citizens concerns aren't being addressed because there is a thick layer of insulation between the citizens and the city's decision makers.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.82 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.18.

Natural gas is $3.26 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,972 and silver is $22.72.

 

Obituaries

Gary Goforth

A graveside service for Gary Goforth, 54, of Chickasha will be held at 11 o’clock Wednesday, Nov. 8^th at Fairlawn Cemetery. He was the chief engineer for Hampton Inn. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Joseph Cocheran

A memorial service for Joseph Cocheran, 75, of Pocasset will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11th in the Pocasset Cemetery. He was a truck driver and a U.S. Army veteran. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Monday, Nov. 6th

 

'Operation Greenlight' for Military Veterans Begins

You may be seeing a lot of green lights glowing on some county and municipal buildings over the next few days. It's called Operation Greenlight which is a national promotion for county and municipal governments to shine green lights in support of veterans and raise awareness of challenges they face. There will be a ceremony on the steps of the Grady County Courthouse this afternoon with Sheriff Gary Boggess serving as the guest speaker. The public is invited to the program which will be from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The courthouse will be closed during the ceremony. Tonight, the Chickasha City Council is expected to issue a proclamation supporting Operation Greenlight. Businesses and households are also encouraged to participate by shining a single green light throughout the week.

Veterans Day programs will be held Saturday

Veterans Day is this coming Saturday, Nov. 11^th and there will be ceremonies and activities to honor those who served and those who died while serving in the Armed Forces. The Oklahoma Veterans Recognition Committee will hold its annual ceremony at the Grady County Veterans Memorial in Chickasha's Shannon Springs Park. It will get underway at 11 o'clock and Sheriff Boggess will also serve as the guest speaker for that event. The City of Blanchard will have its annual Veterans Day Parade Saturday. The Andrews Sisters will perform at 9:30 a.m. downtown with the parade to start at 10:30.

 

Chix Airport Project Payment to be Discussed

The Chickasha City Council is expected to authorize a more than $250,000 payment for improvements being made at the airport when the panel meets tonight. It's the second payment to Tri-City Seal Company for its work on rehabilitating the runway and taxi-ways.

Central Business District Grants to be considered

The council is also to consider awarding some Central Business District grant re-imbursements to a couple of downtown business owners. A grant of more than $65,000 is being sought by Weston DePriest at 406 Chickasha Avenue for renovation work done for The 5th Street Boutique; and a grant of more than $25,000 is being sought by Alex Warnes with GPP Development at 301 Chickasha Avenue for renovations done for the Wild Ox Axe Throwing venue. Both grants are being recommended for approval by the Chickasha Economic Development Council.

Library's 'Food for Fines' for December expected to be approved

The council is also expected to approve a proposal by the library to again offer a Food for Fines program for the month of December, to allow patrons to donate food in place of paying fines for overdue materials. The food will be donated to local food pantries.

 

Festival of Light to Offer 'Sneak Peek' Before Opening

We're less than two weeks away from the opening of the Festival of Light (FOL). Director Logan Lassley said 4 1/2 million lights will shine in Shannon Springs Park this year. This is the 31st year for the festival and the official opening date is Saturday, Nov. 18th. Lassley said they will have a 'sneak-peek' on Friday, the 17^th however, it won't be for drive-through traffic.

 

              

 

 

The ice skating rink, Ferris wheel, carousel, and carriage rides are all back. The festival will open at 6 p.m. nightly Nov. 18th through Dec. 31st. Shuttles will be available from downtown Chickasha Friday and Saturday nights only beginning Dec. 1st through Dec. 23rd.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.51 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.89.

Natural gas is $3.52 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,994 and silver is $23.31.

 

Obituary

Karen Sue Jennings

A graveside service for Karen Sue Jennings, 65, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7^th at Rose Hill Cemetery. She worked at Maremont/Gabriel and also was a Sunday school teacher and sang in the choir at Grand Assembly of God Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

---

Saturday, Nov. 4th

 

PSO Rate Hike Finally Approved

After months of hearings, reviews, and intense discussion the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has approved a rate increase for Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO). In a 2-1 vote, the panel approved a $131 million rate hike Friday. According to the website OK Energy Today, PSO customers are expected to eventually see their rates go down - but not before they increase an average of $5.35 per month. Monthly rates will later drop about $17 for a net savings of about $12 per month which is expected to start in January. Commissioners Todd Hiett and Kim David voted for the plan and Commissioner Bob Anthony voted against it. David called the month's long process a nightmare. Anthony, who had opposed the rate hike from the start, called it a dereliction of duty. The delays were the result of an order proposed by commissioners which underwent three days of review and challenges by an administrative law judge back in May. The $131 million rate hike is less than half of the nearly $295 million rate hike PSO was initially asking for.

 

Wildlife Refuge Offers Fall Foliage Walks

Central Oklahoma is in the midst of its peak of fall colors with tree leaves changing to various shades of orange, red, and purple. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge will have fall foliage walks later this month. The Friends of the Wichitas will guide participates through select locations to see maple, oak, and sumac trees with their array of colors with the Wichita Mountains serving as a backdrop. Guides will discuss native vegetation and seasonal cycles which provide the scenery. The tours will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18^th and Sat. Nov. 25th. The tours last about three hours. They are free but reservations are required and will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis starting on Monday.

 

'Fall Back' To Central Standard Time Tonight

Oklahoma and much of the country will be returning to standard time this weekend. We'll move clocks back one hour which means many will get one more hour of sleep or one extra hour to enjoy tomorrow. There has been a lot of discussion about keeping daylight savings time permanent. While many states have passed resolutions to support that plan it's up to the politicians in Washington, D.C. to make the final decision. Back in the 1970s, Congress did make daylight savings time permanent, but the decision was reversed in less than a year after the early morning darkness proved dangerous for school children and public sentiment changed. Most digital devices will automatically make the change. If you still have analog clocks you'll have to manually re-set them. The official time change is 2 o'clock tomorrow morning, so it’s best to re-set the time before going to bed tonight.

 

Talk Show Topics

Jeff Sadler with the Oklahoma Water Resource Center at OSU is on our KOOL Konversation program. On Real Estate Today guests are Whitney Palesano and Logan Lassley with the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce and the Festival of Light. There are podcasts of both programs under the community tab on this website.

 

---

 

Friday, Nov. 3rd

 

Bicyclist Dies After Being Hit by Truck

A Grady County man has died after the electric bicycle he was riding was hit by a pick-up. 37-year old Charles Buck of Bradley was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident which happened before dawn Thursday morning just west of Lindsay. The highway patrol reports that Buck was eastbound on a dark stretch of State Highway 19 just before 6:00 a.m. Thursday when he was struck from behind by a pickup driven by 49-year old Randal Carlisle of Chickasha. Carlisle was not hurt. The highway patrol says the collision is still under investigation.

 

Cement Truck Damaged in Downtown Chix Sinkhole

A cement truck rolled onto its side in downtown Chickasha yesterday when a sink-hole opened underneath it. The truck was delivering some concrete in the alley behind the Chamber of Commerce just after noon. The truck rolled onto its driver's side after falling into the sinkhole. The driver was not injured.  Crews have been doing some work behind the Chickasha Commercial Building which will eventually be a new location for the Grady County Health Department. 

 

'Operation Greenlight' to Honor Military Veterans

Veterans Day ceremonies will be held throughout the country next Saturday, Nov. 11th. There is a new national program to honor veterans the entire week beforehand. It's called Operation Greenlight. Initially developed for county government offices, officials are inviting residents and business to take part by having a green light shining in the window or on the porch. The National Association of County Governments and the National Association of County Veteran Service Officers are urging the more than 3,000 counties parishes, and burroughs throughout the country to take part. The Grady County Courthouse will be among those participating. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess who is a military veteran will speak during the program on the steps of the courthouse between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. Monday. The courthouse will be closed during that time. After the ceremony, the courthouse will have its exterior in green lights throughout the week. Operation Greenlight is not only to show support for veterans but also to raise awareness about the unique challenges they may face.

KCA veterans parade in Apache tomorrow

There will be a Veterans Day Parade in Apache tomorrow. The Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache (KCA) tribes will host the event. It will start about noon at the old Apache High School. Those participating in the parade are asked to arrive between 11:00 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

 

Chix Community Thanksgiving Dinner Set

Thanksgiving is now less than three weeks away and a long-standing Chickasha tradition will again take place this year. A community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held on Thanksgiving Day which is Thursday, Nov. 23rd. Members of local churches have already started making plans. This year, the dinner will be served at the Chickasha Soup Kitchen at 6th and Pennsylvania Ave. from 11:00 a.m. to noon. Homebound individuals can have meals delivered to them and should contact New Life Christian Church by calling 405-222-5433 by Wednesday, Nov. 22nd. The meal is free however donations are welcome.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.46 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.85.

Natural gas is $3.47 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,997 and silver is $22.72.

 

Obituary

Casey Downes

A memorial service for Casey Downes, 62, of Cement will be held at a later date. He worked in the oilfield. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Thursday, Nov. 2nd

 

Property Tax Statements Should be in the Mail

County treasurers’ offices across the state are beginning to mail out 2023 property tax statements. It happens around the first of November every year. Grady County Treasurer Robin Burton said her office recently mailed out 39,692 statements. That's about 600 more than last year which is an increase of just over 1.5 percent. The total property taxes owed is about $86.4 million. That's $2.8 million more than last year which is an increase of about 3.3 percent. The time-line to pay property taxes varies from county to county. In Grady County they can be paid in full any time before Jan. 15th of 2024. Or, half the total can be paid by January 15^th with the second half due April 15th. For those who have their property taxes included in their monthly mortgage payments - the financial institution will automatically send in a payment.

 

Free Well Water Testing Available in Grady County Next Week

For those of you who have water wells, it’s a good idea to have your water tested from time to time. Free testing will be available in Grady County next week. Representatives from the Oklahoma Water Resources Center at OSU will be in Chickasha to collect samples.  Jeff Sadler is a Water Resources Specialist with OSU Extension. He says they'll be testing for bacteria including e-coli-

 

              

 

 

You'll need to collect about a half-liter of water to be tested. Take samples to the Grady County OSU Extension Office Tuesday, Nov. 7th about 5:30 p.m. There will be a short program that will start about 6:00 p.m. Test results will be sent out in e-mails within a couple of weeks.

 

Soup Kitchen Sets Silent Sale 

We reportedly recently that the board of trustees which runs the Chickasha Soup Kitchen wants to purchase the building it is currently leasing to provide hot meals to the homeless. Currently donors provide about $75,000 per year which pays for utilities, equipment, and food. About 100 people are served each day Monday through Friday. Individuals, churches, and businesses are among the volunteers who donate their time. The soup kitchen will be hosting a Sip N' See Silent Auction to help raise some of the funds needed. It will be held Saturday, Nov. 11th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Soup Kitchen located at 6th and Pennsylvania Ave. Individuals will also be able to go on-line to bid on items: www.chickashasoupkitchen.org

 

Holiday 'Buy Chickasha' Campaign About to Begin

The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce is about to begin its annual campaign to encourage holiday shopping at local merchants. The annual Buy Chickasha campaign will be getting under way Nov. 14^th. Every time shoppers make a purchase from participating merchants they will get tickets which will go into a drawing to win thousands of dollars in cash and gift cards. In all, $10,000 will be awarded - $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $2,000 for third. Each will be half cash and half gift cards. The campaign will run through December 12^th and the drawing will be held on Thursday, Dec. 14^th at 3:00 p.m.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.44 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.63.

Natural gas is $3.49 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,995 and silver is $23.18.

 

Obituary

Steve Logue

Funeral service for Steve Logue, 55, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 4th at Victory Family Church. He worked in the oilfield where he would become a consultant. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Nov. 1st

 

Jury Suggests Lengthy Prison Term After Convicting Abuser

A Grady County jury has recommended a more than 100-year prison sentence for a man the panel convicted of domestic abuse and kidnapping. After a two-day trial in Grady County District Court last week, the jury recommended a 125 year sentence for James Albert Eudy, II. In a press release Grady County District Attorney Jason Hicks said that Eudy was arrested by Chickasha police this past February after being called to a home in the 600 block of N. 8th Street. Eudy was accused of hitting his ex-girlfriend in the face, breaking her nose and facial bones, trapping her in her own van and threatening to kill her. He also threatened to have others 'pay her a visit' if she called 9-1-1. The victim called police anyway and Eudy was eventually taken into custody. The jury recommended a 75-year prison sentence for kidnapping and a 50-year sentence for domestic abuse. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 12th in front of Associate District Judge Joseph Young.

 

Burglary Suspect Nabbed at Fire-Damaged Apartments 

A man seen climbing around the top of an Anadarko apartment complex which was recently damaged in a fire is in custody on a burglary complaint. Anadarko police were called to the Landmark Apartments to check out a man walking on the roof of the apartments. The suspect briefly eluded police but officers were able to track him down inside one of the units. KSWO-TV cites court documents which indicate that police knocked on the door and the suspect answered. He said he was allowed to stay there and climbed through the window because he forgot the keys. A witness told police they didn't know the suspect and that he was never given permission to live there. Authorities arrested 35-year old Zachary Roy of Carnegie and he has been formally charged with burglary and concealing stolen property. His bond was set at $5,000. Roy faces up to 10 years in prison if he's convicted. Roy previously pleaded guilty to charges of burglary and taking a cell phone into jail following an arrest in 2010.

 

Tribes Receive Federal Grants to Help Victims

of Human Trafficking, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence

Native American tribes across the country including some in Oklahoma will receive federal grants to help victims of human trafficking, sexual assault, and domestic violence. The U.S. Justice Department awarded more than $13 million in grants. The funds will be administered through the Office of Violence Against Women and are to enhance tribal justice systems, support numerous services for victims, and provide training and technical assistance for service providers and tribal governments. A National Institute of Justice study found that more than 80 percent of American Indian and Alaskan native women and men have experienced violence in their lifetimes. The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes in Anadarko and the Delaware Tribe based in Bartlesville will each receive a $1 million grant; the Chickasaw Nation based in Ada will receive an $830,000 grant; and the Native Alliance Against Violence in Oklahoma will receive a more than $380,000 grant to assist tribes in developing and promoting state, local, and tribal legislation and policies that enhance best practices for responding to domestic and sexual violence.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.02 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $87.41.

Natural gas is $3.58 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,992 and silver is $22.77

 

Obituary

Linda Bryan

Funeral service for Linda Bryan, 78, of Mustang and formerly of the Chickasha and Anadarko area will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3^rd at Bible Baptist Church. She was a homemaker. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

--

Tuesday, Oct. 31st

TIF District 'Review Committee' to be Formed

The Chickasha City Council has approved the forming of a review committee which will provide recommendations about developing new Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts in the city. The committee will be led by one member of the city council. It was initially proposed that Mayor Chris Mosley be appointed to that post but instead, vice Mayor Zach Grayson was selected. The council also appointed John Grote of the city's planning commission or his designee to the committee. Other representatives will include individuals from the Chickasha Public School District and the Canadian Valley Technology Center School District. Those appointees will likely be school administrators. Also to be named will be a representative from the Grady County Commissioners and three at-large members. All committee members will have to be approved by the city council.

OKC law firm hired to lead the way

Nate Ellis of an Oklahoma City law firm, The Public Finance Law Group, spent about 45 minutes discussing the formation of the committee and what its responsibilities would be. The council approved spending up to $30,000 for the law firm to provide guidance throughout the TIF District process. Ellis says he's expecting the committee to be in place and have its first meeting before the end of the year.

Possible TIF district site named

The first mention of a possible location of a TIF district was brought up during last night's meeting. Officials say a portion of the downtown area is being considered. In a TIF district, sales tax revenues and property taxes paid within the district can be set aside for infrastructure projects.  Ellis said that up to 100 percent of those proceeds could be used and that it could be a 15- to 20-year project. Other officials mentioned that, if the TIF district is formed, the city could get additional monies from what's known as the state ‘Leverage Act’ from the Incentive Evaluation Commission which is part of the Office of Management and Enterprises Services.

 

USAO Homecoming This Weekend

The upcoming weekend will be a special one for USAO. It is Homecoming as alumni will be returning to campus for a number of events. Among them is a celebration of the 50th anniversary of inter-collegiate athletics. However, Athletic Director Mike Ross says there have been numerous club-type sports programs throughout the more than 100-year history of the university.

 

              

 

Also to be recognized is former player and Coach Brisco McPherson who guided the men’s basketball team to its 2002 NAIA National Championship. An hour-long documentary of that team, ‘Unfinished Business,’ produced by USAO students and staff will premiere Friday evening at the Davis Hall Amphitheatre.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.31 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $87.45.

Natural gas is $3.35 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,007 and silver is $23.37.

 

Obituary

Charlotte Brooks

Funeral service for Charlotte Brooks, 89, of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1st at Parkview Christian Church. She worked for an accounting firm for many years.  Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Monday, Oct. 30th

 

Grady County Sheriff Re-Caps First Months in Office

It's been an active few months in office for Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess. He was appointed sheriff earlier this year after former Sheriff Jim Weir retired. The sheriff’s office budget for the current fiscal year is about $6 million. About one-third of that total - $1.9 million - is for salaries. Boggess said he was able to give deputies about a 20 percent pay raise which brings their total salary and benefits package to about $72,000 a year. That ranks fifth highest among Oklahoma's 77 counties. Boggess said one of his initial goals was to get deputies to serve as a School Resource Officers (SRO) in every county school - and that was recently crossed off his list. There are 17 officers in all including one at the Canadian Valley Technology Center. Boggess said the SROs do more than work during the school day.

 

              

 

 

Boggess said he is also working with several neighboring counties to investigate agriculture thefts and has assigned Lt. Danny Booth as the county investigator.

 

              

 

We talked to the sheriff on our KOOL Konversation this past weekend. Find a podcast to the program under the Community tab on this website.

 

TIF District Discussion Tonight for Chix City Council

A proposal to create some additional Tax Increment Finance (TIF) districts in Chickasha will be discussed during a special meeting of the Chickasha City Council tonight. The council will consider hiring a financial counseling service and create a review committee to provide recommendations. The committee will include at-large members of the community. Mayor Chris Mosley says a portion of sales revenue from within a TIF district can help the city build water and sewer lines and other infrastructure. The special meeting will be held at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

USAO Regents Have New Board Member

Another new member has been appointed to serve on the USAO Board of Regents. Suzanne Reynolds was recently appointed to the post by Gov. Kevin Stitt to fill the seat previously held by the late David McLaughlin. Reynolds is a pharmacist from Nichols Hills who created the first pharmacist-managed out-patient, anti-coagulation clinic at Integris Baptist Hospital in OKC. Reynolds will serve the remaining few months of McLaughlin's term which runs through June 30th of next year.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.54 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $90.48.

Natural gas is $3.16 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,006 and silver is $23.33.

 

Obituary

Tyler Robnett

Funeral service for Tyler Robnett, 23, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1st at Grand Assembly of God Church. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Saturday, Oct. 28th

 

Wind Farm Operator Plans Improvements

Officials with Next Era Energy, a company that has numerous wind farms across the Sooner State, say they are proposing a number of improvements. Plans have been announced to 're-power' many of its current wind turbines with new technology and installing new turbines - instead of building additional wind farms. The website OK Energy Today reports that Next Era plans to re-power 740 megawatts of wind operations over the next three years. Next Era officials said they are super-excited about the projects which are part of the company's long-term growth plan. Next Era Energy reported third-quarter earnings of nearly $2 billion which is an increase of nearly 14 percent over the third quarter of last year.

 

Chix Man Gets Federal Prison Term For Role in Drug Overdose Case

A Chickasha man is sentenced to 10 years in a federal prison for his role in a drug overdose case. 23-year old Marcus Lamar Richardson pleaded guilty to a charge of distributing fentanyl last December. A federal judge recently handed down the sentence. The Southwest Ledger cites court documents that say the incident occurred in December of 2021. Richardson pleaded guilty to providing a pill containing fentanyl to a co-defendant, who delivered it to another person. The victim over-dosed and would have died had it not been for the live-saving efforts of Chickasha police. The judge said it only took a half a pill for the victim to overdose. The co-defendant, Brianna Rechell Hugar, also pleaded guilty to distribution and was sentenced to two years in federal prison.

 

Downtown Chix' Ne'ewollah Festival Today

Downtown Chickasha's Ne’ewollah Festival returns this afternoon and this evening. Many merchants and vendors will be along Chickasha Avenue from 4th Street to 8th Street to welcome costumed kiddos and distribute free candy. There will also be carnival games and inflatables, and pumpkin decorating at the Chickasha Area Arts Council. Trick-or-treating and games begin at 4:00 p.m. and a costume contest at the Chickasha Community Theatre. Registration for the costume contest will start at 5:00 p.m. and the contest begins at 5:30. Also, the YMCA will host a first ever Civic Club and Non-Profit Chili Cook Off. That begins at 5 to p.m. Tickets are $5 each which is good for five samples of chili.  All the proceeds benefit the civic clubs.

 

Scooters Coffee Now Open in Chix

Chickasha's newest coffee shop is now open. Scooters Coffee features hot and iced coffees, teas, and smoothies. They even have pastries. Scooters is located in the 400 block of Grand Avenue across from Joe’s Maytag and opens at 7:30 a.m. each morning.

 

Talk Show Topics

Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess is this week’s guest on the KOOL Konversation. On Real Estate Today guests are USAO president Kayla Hale and university athletic director Mike Ross. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

---

 

Friday, Oct. 27th

 

Chix City Council to Again Consider Tax Increment Finance Districts

A special meeting of the Chickasha City Council has been called for the group to consider starting the process of creating one or more new Tax Increment Finance Districts. During the meeting the panel will discuss a resolution to declare the intent to consider the approval of an unidentified project under the Local Development Act, forming a review committee, and directing the committee to make recommendations. The council will also consider hiring a financial counseling service to provide legal assistance through the process. The Review Committee would include one representative of the city council; one from the city’s planning commission; one designated by Grady County; one from the county health department; one from the Chickasha school district; one from the Canadian Valley Technology Center school district; and one from the Grady County EMS district. There would be three at-large individuals to be selected from a list of names provided by city council members - one of which will be a representative of the business community. The special meeting is set for Monday, Oct. 30th at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.

 

Tip Leads to Arrest of Drug Trafficking Suspects

Caddo County authorities put a dent in some of the illegal drug activity in that region. Anadarko police and Caddo County sheriff's deputies arrested 50-year old Toriano Holcomb and 20-year old Kayla Parker this week after finding hundreds of pills laced with Fentanyl and numerous other drugs. According to a post on the Anadarko Police Department's Facebook page, authorities received information about suspicious activity on East Sunset Circle. Wednesday afternoon, authorities executed a search warrant on a home where they found more than 500 pills along with cocaine and methamphetamine. Toriano has a nearly 20-year history of criminal activity dating back to 2005. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor theft charged earlier this month; and he was on probation for pleading guilty to a misdemeanor drug charge from July of last year. Both Toriano and Parker have been charged with one felony count of aggravated trafficking and remain in the Caddo County Jail on $250,000 bond each.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.21 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $87.93.

Natural gas is $3.21 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,995 and silver is $22.97.

 

--

 

Thursday, Oct. 26th

 

'Orphan Train' Programs set in Chix and Anadarko

During a roughly 75-year span in American History more than 250,000 orphaned or surrendered children in the eastern part of the country were placed on trains and sent west - to be given away at train stations along the way. It was the subject of a 2012 book written by Alison Moore called Riders on the Orphan Train. Orphan trains operated from the mid-1850s up to 1929.  A program developed by the National Orphan Train Museum in Concordia, Kansas will be held at both Chickasha and Anadarko libraries.  The Oklahoma Humanities Council is funding the programs which are free and open to the public. It includes live music, video, and storytelling. The program will be held at the Chickasha Public Library tonight at 6:30 and at the Anadarko Community Library at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow.

 

Medicare Sign-Up Underway

We're seeing and hearing an enormous amount of information about the sign-up period for Medicare and open enrollment for health care coverage. Individuals who have recently turned or will soon turn 65-years old are eligible for Medicare. Ray Walker is the director of the Medicare Assistance Program with the state insurance department. He urges individuals to spend some time to review their Part D prescription drug program.

 

              

 

 

Walker said individuals don’t have to change but that it is always good to shop around. Individuals can get free help from the Medicare Assistance Program by going to the website oid.ok.gov or call 800-763-2828.

 

Chix Chamber Receives State Awards

The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce is getting more recognition at the state level. The organization received a number of Communication Excellence Awards at the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce Executives gala recently. The chamber picked up an award for digital media for its Tuesday Takeover program; an event marketing award for its Building a Legacy video for the chamber's 100^th anniversary celebration; and another award for its campaign regarding its membership drive.

 

PSO Noted for Employing U.S. Military Vets

Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) has been recognized for hiring and supporting U.S. military veterans. For the fifth straight year PSO has been named a Veteran Employer Champion by the Oklahoma Veteran Alliance. The alliance also recently named PSO its Veteran Employer of the Year. Nearly 200 military vets are employed and the utility has a dedicated veteran recruiter. A prepared statement from PSO says that veterans bring character, discipline, and team building skills, they improve services to PSO customers, and make it a stronger company.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.39 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $90.13.

Natural gas is $3.01 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,001 and silver is $23.24.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Oct. 25th

 

Former County Commissioner OK's Plea Agreement

to Charges of Spying on his Former Employees

The saga of a former Grady County commissioner came to an end this week. In a plea agreement reached with a special prosecutor, former District 1 Commissioner Mike Walker pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor charge related to allegations that he spied on his employees while he was in office.  Walker was initially charged with multiple felony counts which included unlawful use of communication, intimidating witnesses, and conspiracy. He pleaded guilty to a count of interfering with county business. Walker was given a five-year deferred sentence, ordered to pay $400 in fines, and agreed to not run for public office during the term of his probation.

Charges first filed in 2021

Walker was initially charged with embezzlement in May of 2021 for allegedly using county resources for personal gain. But a Grady County jury found him innocent of those charges. Then in February of 2022, special prosecutor Brian Hermanson filed the spying and conspiracy charges. Here's Walker's attorney, Bret Burns-

 

              

 

 

Walker remained in office for more than a year after the embezzlement charges were filed before losing his re-election bid last year. Since then Burns said Walker has been driving trucks for a private company.

              

'Hero' Rescues Victims of Car Crashing into Ravine

A Caddo County man is being hailed as a hero after rescuing several people after their car crashed into a ravine and caught fire. Our partners at KWTV-News 9 reports that Cord Coffey sprang into action last Saturday when he was driving down the road near Binger. He was following a car that had to veer off the road to keep from hitting an on-coming vehicle. The car plunged down the ravine and overturned. Coffey called 9-1-1 then scrambled up-and-down the ravine four times as the car began to burn. Injured were Berdina Kodaseet, her 10-year old granddaughter Brooklyn 'Beans' Kodaseet and two unidentified men who were friends of Berdinas. Binger, Cogar, and Anadarko Fire Departments all responded to put out the fire and treat injuries which ranged from cuts to shoulder injuries but none were life-threatening. In a Facebook post, the Binger Fire Department commended Coffey for his 'selfless act of heroism.'

 

Grady County Residents Can Get Well Water Tested

Grady County residents who would like their well water tested to make sure it is safe can get that done next month. The Oklahoma Water Resources Center will be at the OSU Extension Office to offer help. Officials will be at the extension office on Tuesday, Nov. 7th from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and will also hold an informational meeting. Well water will be tested for nitrates, total dissolved solids, acidic levels, and bacteria and officials will help individuals understand and safeguard the quality of their drinking water. It's a free program and individuals can reach out to the extension office by calling 405-224-2216 to find out how to collect samples.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.74 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $88.07.

Natural gas is $2.97 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,981 and silver is $22.57.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Oct. 24^th

 

OKC Group Searches for Missing Chickasha Man

Relatives of a missing Chickasha man are still searching for answers about where he might be. Richard Houston walked away from the Life Skills Institute nearly two months ago and still has not been heard from. This past Saturday, members of the Oklahoma City Metro Search and Rescue team volunteered to search the wooded area next to Wal-Mart to try to find any clues. Five individuals and two K9s spent about three hours searching but were unable to find anything. Houston has been missing since August 31st. The investigation is now being led by the OSBI. Anyone with information on Houston can e-mail the agency at: tips@osbi.ok.gov

 

Suspect Arrested After Alegedly Trying to Start Bar Fight

A Texas man is facing charges that include assaulting a police officer and a nurse after it’s alleged he tried to instigate a bar fight. 41-year old Brandon Michael Davis was arrested by Chickasha police late Saturday night. Police were summoned to the un-named bar to find Davis allegedly drunk and aggressive. He threatened officers and was arrested after a brief struggle. KSWO-TV reports that Davis was taken to a hospital where it is also alleged that he tried to spit on a nurse. Prosecutors have charged Davis with a felony for assault on a medical care provider and misdemeanors for assaulting an officer and public intoxication. He remains in the Grady County Jail after his bond was set at $100,000. He's to announce his attorney Nov. 3^rd and a preliminary hearing conference has been scheduled for Nov. 8th.

 

Civic Leader Raymond Rust Dies

Long-time Rush Springs civic leader Raymond Rust has died. Rust was 82-years old when he passed away while visiting family members in California recently. Rust was a banker, educator, businessman, and farmer. He was a long-time member of the Rush Springs Lions Club and helped with the watermelon festival and rodeo for many years. He also served for 40 years on the board of trustees for Grady Memorial Hospital and helped to open the Rush Springs Family Clinic. The clinic got started when Rust donated the property where the clinic is built. Rust is survived by his wife of more than 62 years, Merlene; daughter Renee and her husband Bert; daughter Tammy and her husband, Gary;  and son Raymond, III and his wife DawnElla and their families. A funeral service for Raymond Rust will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28^th at the Rush Springs High School Auditorium.

 

Animal Rescue Group Holds Fundraiser Today

A group that works to find forever homes for abandoned dogs and cats at the Chickasha Animal Shelter will have its annual fund-raiser today. The Chickasha Animal Rescue Transport Association (CARTA) works with national groups to help reduce the number of animals in the shelter and prevent them from being euthanized. Nancy Vaden volunteers at the shelter almost every other day.

 

              

 

 

CARTA is a non-profit group that also holds occasional low-cost spay and neuter clinics. Today’s fundraiser is a silent auction which will be held at Interurban from 5:30 to 8:30 tonight. There are numerous gift baskets donated by local merchants. Also, Interurban is also helping the animal shelter with Burger Day - where one dollar from each hamburger sold goes to the shelter for food, treats, blankets, and other items to help care for the animals.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.49 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $89.83.

Natural gas is $2.93 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,978 and silver is $23.04.

 

Obituaries

Wanda Rinn

A memorial service for Wanda Rinn, 92, of the Sands Springs area and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She worked at Grady Memorial Hospital.

Jean Brittain

A graveside service for Jean Brittain, 82, of Shawnee, and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27th at Fairlawn Cemetery. She worked at Nowata Gardens. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Monday, Oct. 23rd

 

Two Fires Break Out Simultaneously on the Bailey Turnpike

High winds and dry conditions had Chickasha and Grady County firefighters battling grass fires for several hours yesterday. A couple of fires broke out just a couple of miles apart from each other along the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. One was next to the Chickasha Sports Complex which forced officials to close part of the turnpike for a couple of hours. Chickasha and Ninnekah Fire Departments battled that blaze. The other was northeast of Chickasha near the Love’s and McDonald's around mile marker 85. Chickasha, Amber, Friend, and Naples departments fought those flames for about three hours. It charred about 20 acres of grassland. No structure damage was reported in either fire. Grady County Fire Chief Rodney Gregory said it wasn’t clear how either of those fires started. The threat for wildfires will be possible again today with afternoon temperatures still warmer than normal with highs in the low-to-mid 80s and winds gusting to 25 miles per hour. It's been more than two weeks since the region has had any significant precipitation. That will change however, as rain will be moving into Oklahoma tonight with occasional showers and storms through Wednesday.

 

Grady County Historical Society Turns 50

2023 is a milestone year for the Grady County Historical Society and Museum. The groups are celebrating 50 years of preserving the past for the enjoyment of future generations. Pat Cunningham is the curator of the museum and has numerous stories about the thousands of photographs and artifacts on hand. Here's one about group of students who came in for a recent tour-

 

              

 

 

The historical society will have its golden anniversary gala on Monday, Nov. 6th at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Tickets are available at the museum. Get more information on the Grady County Historical Society Facebook page.

 

USAO Hosts Speakers on American Democracy

USAO will host a program to foster discussion about the nature and status of American democracy this week. The Ada Sipuel-Fisher Center for Social Justice and Racial Healing will host the program. It will examine themes of liberty, justice, and equality - and discuss how the U.S. transformed from a global leader in advancing civil liberties and political rights to a back-sliding democracy - and how that transformation is impacting the social contract between the government and its citizens. Arlie Hochschild and Reginald Betts will serve as keynote speakers. The program opens today and runs through Wednesday. Betts will also be the featured speaker at the Ableson Religious Reconciliation Lecture which will be held at 7 o'clock Wednesday night at the USAO Ballroom. The event is free and open to the public.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $88.75 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $92.16.

Natural gas is $2.90 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,988 and silver is $23.32.

 

Obituary

Mary Cunningham

Funeral service for Mary Cunningham, 85, of Chickasha will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24th at the Ninnekah First Baptist Church. She was a homemaker and a long-time member of the Lucille-Bluebonnet OHCE.  Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Chix Attorney Serves on State Broadband Governing Panel

A lawyer from Chickasha is serving on a state board that is guiding the effort to get high-speed Internet service to rural Oklahoma. Amanda Mullins was unanimously elected vice chairman of the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board in the group's meeting this month. She was appointed to the post by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Mullins will work with Jim Meek who is the new chairman of the group. Meek is the treasurer and a director with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Mullins is a private practice attorney and is the attorney for the City of Chickasha. The website OK Energy Today quoted Mullins as saying ‘it’s an honor and a privilege to serve the board and the public during this exciting time of broadband expansion’. She said it will provide new access and opportunities that are vital to the state's future. The board is responsible for providing oversight of the state broadband office, hiring its executive director, and approving and overseeing the award of more than $1 billion in federal grants to Internet Service Providers which will develop the infrastructure needed to get reliable Internet service to under-served areas.

 

State Highway 19 Upgrades Expected to Start Next Year

Improvements along a stretch of the state highway between Chickasha and Lindsay are expected to begin after the first of the year. Jay Earp with the State Department of Transportation discusses the multi-million dollar project-

 

              

 

 

The contractor is Silver Star Construction Company of Moore and work is expected to begin in February. They'll be reducing some hills to make some additional passing lanes and there will be eight-foot shoulders on each side.

 

Talk Show Topics

Ray Walker, the director of the Medicare Assistance Program with the Oklahoma Insurance Department, is this week’s guest on the KOOL Konversation. On Real Estate Today, our guest is Pat Cunningham with the Grady County Historical Society and Museum. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

---

 

Friday, Oct. 20th

 

Consumer Spending in Grady County is Down

Consumer spending at Grady County retail outlets fell to its lowest level in nearly two years. Based on sales tax revenues returned to the county from the Oklahoma Tax Commission, it's estimated that consumer spending was $71.2 million for July. It was off more than 26 percent from June and down about 28.5 percent from July of last year. It's the lowest level for consumer spending since October of 2021. Grady County received just over $536,000 in sales tax revenue last month - sales taxes that were paid on the purchase of taxable goods and services in July. Here's how the sales tax revenue is allocated:

The Grady County Fairgrounds received $178,000;

Grady Memorial Hospital received $158,000;

Each of the seven senior nutrition centers received $13,000;

Each of the 20 fire districts received about $4,500;

Tuttle EMS received $16,000, and;

Rush Springs EMS received about $4,100.

 

Police Officer, Wife Receive New Home Heat, Air System

A veteran police officer who gives back to his community will be rewarded for his work. David Woods, who has been with the Duncan Police Department for 25 years, was selected as the winner of DeHart Heating and Air Conditioning and Lennox 'Feel the Love' program. David and his wife were among a number of families submitted as nominees to receive a free heating and cooling system for their home. A couple of years ago, Woods began a non-profit band called 'Von Hawks Rising' and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for children impacted by trauma and illness. David's wife is a nurse who recently lost her job due to a facility closure. The air conditioning system in their home recently went out and it was beyond repair. DeHart crews will be installing the new system in the couple’s Lake Humphreys-area home today.

 

Chix Antique Auto Club Fall Swap Meet Continues

There are a lot of treasures to be found at the Chickasha Antique Auto Club's fall swap meet that's underway. Mark Youngblood is from east Texas and has been restoring cars for 40 years. He has a few parts for sale and also some porcelain signs that enthusiasts may be looking for –

 

              

 

 

Literally hundreds of vendors have items to sell and trade. The swap meet is held on the auto club's 35-acre site next to the Grady County Fairgrounds. There are also indoor vendors and an arts and crafts show in the north exhibit building of the fairgrounds. The swap meet runs through tomorrow. Admission is free and paid parking benefits local charities.

 

Bigfoot Story Telling Tonight

The Legend of Bigfoot has provided some interesting stories throughout the years. Tonight, there's a program in Anadarko to provide some insight. The Delaware Nation will hold a Bigfoot Story Telling event at Randlett Park. Guest speakers include Bryan Terrell, a Cryptid Field Investigator; and Lauren Smith of Nite Callers Bigfoot Radio. There will be arts and crafts, a costume contest, vendors, food trucks and there is even a Bigfoot calling contest. That's all from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight.

 

Kids, Kites, and Frights Tomorrow

Tomorrow in Anadarko, the largest kites in the world will be featured in the annual Kids, Kites, and Frights event. There are numerous activities from arts and crafts, inflatables, live music, vendors, a costume contest, pumpkin decorating, and a pumpkin pie eating contest.  Activities at the Anadarko Airport will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $89.37 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $92.38.

Natural gas is $2.96 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,995 and silver is $23.38.

 

Obituary

'Maggie' Griffith

Funeral service for Margaret 'Maggie' Smith, 68, of Chickasha will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 23rd at Ferguson Funeral Home. She worked at C and R Print Shop, Walmart, and the USAO Bookstore. She also volunteered with Relay for Life and the Chickasha Animal Shelter.

 

---

 

Thursday, Oct. 19th

 

Arrest Warrant Issued in Alleged Animal Cruelty Case

Grady County and state authorities are investigating a disturbing case of animal cruelty where several sheep were found dead and others kept in confined spaces. An arrest warrant was issued last week for 70-year old James Mclevaney of the Bradley area. KSWO-TV cites court records which indicate there were dead animals as well as more than two dozen sheep crowded into a space too small to hold that many animals. Grady County sheriff’s deputies and officials with the State Department of Agriculture are listed as investigating agencies. An employee of Mclevaney told officials that a water tank was not adequate for the number and type of sheep on the farm. Mclevaney is facing one felony charge of animal cruelty and nearly 30 misdemeanors for failure to keep animals in a suitable enclosure. Mclevaney reportedly told investigators that he wasn't legally required to contain the sheep nor dispose dead animals. Mclevaney faces up to five years in prison if convicted of the charges.

 

Silver Alert Issued for Missing Tuttle Woman

Authorities continue to ask Oklahomans to be looking a missing Tuttle woman. The Highway Patrol issued a Silver Alert for 74-year old Gail Loughridge. She was last seen at her home about 8:00 a.m. Tuesday. She drives a 2015 white four-door Kia Optima with Oklahoma tag No. JPD-671. She is Caucasian, 5'2'' tall, weighs 110 pounds, and has shoulder-length light brown hair. Officials say she experiences memory loss and has other signs of dementia. Anyone with information is asked to call 9-1-1.

 

Chix Antique Auto Swap Meet Underway

Antique car and truck enthusiasts from across the country and around the world are converging on Chickasha over the next few days. The Chickasha Antique Auto Club's fall swap meet gets underway this morning. Yesterday was move-in day for many of the vendors who have parts, fully-restored vehicles, and transportation memorabilia for sale or trade. One of them is Bob Doucette and some of his friends from Pampa, Texas-

 

              

 

 

He also has a 1960 Chevy Impala muscle car, and older model Corvette, and antique tractors he's working on. There are hundreds of vendors at the swap meet which takes place on the auto club's 35-acre site just east of the Grady County Fairgrounds. There are also indoor vendors located inside the north exhibit building at the Fairgrounds. The swap meet runs through Saturday. Admission is free and paid parking benefits local charities.

 

New Events Added to Downtown Chix' Ne'ewollah Festival

Costumed characters from princesses and superheroes to ghouls and goblins will be invading dowtown Chickasha later this month for the annual Ne'ewollah Festival. The event is being expanded to include lots of carnival-type games, inflatables, obstacles courses, and pumpkin decorating. Also new will be a Civic Club chili cook-off. There will be a costume contest in front of the Washita Theatre and free hot dogs will be served. The event is hosted by the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce. Ne'ewollah will be Saturday, Oct. 28th from 4-7 p.m. in the 400 through 700 blocks of Chickasha Ave. See the chamber's Facebook page for information.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $88.32 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $91.50.

Natural gas is $3.06 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,962 and silver is $23.03.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Oct. 18th

 

Fatal Rush Springs Shooting Still Under Investigation

In a KOOL-RANCH News follow-up from the past weekend, a fatal shooting that happened in Rush Springs is still under investigation. Grady County deputies were called to a home last Friday where a man had been shot to death and another man suffered stabbing injuries. The man who suffered the stabbing injuries is alleged to have fired the fatal shots at the other. The man who was stabbed was taken to a hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries. The case has been turned over to the district attorney’s office. District Attorney Jason Hicks tells KOOL-RANCH News that the investigation is on-going and he has not yet decided if formal charges will be filed or if the shooting will be considered as being in self-defense. Hicks said the man who died was shot three times - the stabbing victim suffered leg and arm injuries.

 

Two High School Football Coaches Face Charges

for Alleged Conduct Against Student-Athletes

Two longtime high school football coaches who are in the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame have been charged in connection with allegations that they harassed and bullied players. Ringling Coach Phil Koons was charged with a misdemeanor in Jefferson County District Court yesterday. Koons, whose coaching stops also include Tuttle, is accused of using 'profane, degrading, and derogatory language toward student athletes' between August of 2021 and Febuary of this year. The charge comes almost six months after the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation completed an inquiry into the allegations. If found guilty he faces up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. An attorney for some of the players who allege the mistreatment and who plans to sue the Ringling school district said the charge should disqualify Koons from coaching and teaching. Koons was initially suspended from coaching and from his high school principal duties but was later re-instated.

Kingfisher coach also charged

In a related story regarding alleged abuse from a coach, charges have been filed against long-time Kingfisher football coach Jeff Myers. Myers and three others have been charged with misdemeanors in connection with hazing allegations initially brought forth in February and March of 2022. A lawsuit filed in that case is awaiting a decision from the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

 

It Feels Like Summer, But Prepare for Winter

With afternoon high temperatures to be in the 80s over the next few days you may not be thinking about the cold weather Oklahoma is bound to have in the upcoming winter months. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson says now is the time to make plans for what to do should a winter snow or ice storm hit. Thompson said among the tasks to think of is to change out the food and water in your emergency storm supplies.

 

              

 

 

He said there is always a chance that power could be out for several days. Individuals who have portable generators should make sure they are operating correctly, and if you need to use them, keep them outdoors and away from windows and doors to prevent carbon monoxide from getting into your home.

 

Painting Project to Benefit Chix School Foundation

If you're looking for some fall decor for your home or office, here's a way for you take part in a semi do-it-yourself project and help a non-profit group. The Chickasha Public School Foundation has teamed up with Carrie Chavers at the Chickasha Art Center to serve as a fund-raiser for the Foundation. You can paint your own Pumpkin Truck painting in the event this Thursday night. Chavers has drawn the outline of a pickup with pumpkins and fall decor in the bed of the truck and she'll show you how to paint it. The event will be this Thursday night, Oct. 19^th at the Stage downtown between Brandi's Bar and Grill and The Flower Shop Winery and Pizzeria. The event will be from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $40 and some of the proceeds will be donated to the Foundation. Register on-line at TheChickashaArtCenter.com or call or text Chavers at 405-574-6689. Pre-payment is required.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.66 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $89.90.

Natural gas is to $3.08 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,957 and silver is $23.41.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Oct. 17th

 

Film Rep Hopes 'Twisters' Movie Work Will Resume Soon

The filming of the Twisters movie in Chickasha has been delayed for more than three months because of the Screen Actors Guild of America strike in Hollywood. John Cowan is the site director for the film and gave an update at last night's city council meeting. He's hoping the strike will end soon.

 

 

              

 

 

In the meantime several blocks of the movie set at 17th and Minnesota remain fenced off.

Council OKs 'Negotations' for Public Safety Building

The city council gave city officials the go ahead to spend up to $1 million for a public safety and municipal services building. Following a 10-minute closed-door session as the Chickasha Municipal Authority (CMA) arm of the city, the panel voted unanimously to give City Manager Keith Johnson - who doubles as the CMA trust manager - to negotiate a contract with an unnamed individual or business. Johnson would not disclose what the purpose of the building would be.

City to get new street sweeper

It's been a few years since the City of Chickasha has had a street sweeper. Last night the council approved spending nearly $330,000 on a new machine to be purchased from an Oklahoma City firm. The city manager said the previous unit was damaged in a fire and that the city received an insurance settlement of some $118,000 which will go toward to purchase of the new one. It wasn't clear when the machine will be delivered.

Airport hangar projects approved

The council also gave its approval to award two contracts totaling more than $2 million to build new hangars at the airport. Diversified Construction was awarded a nearly $1.1 million contract to build a T-hangar, and W. L. McNatt was awarded a nearly $960,000 contract to build a couple of box hangars.

Laundromat re-zoning approved

The panel approved a request for businessman Bassm Alzoubi to re-zone some residential property to commercial use at 16th and Park Avenue to build a laundromat, a process that has taken several months to complete. The approval came after a public hearing in which no one spoke for nor against the issue. The city's Planning Commission recommended that the re-zoning be approved.

Plat for new housing development passes

The group also approved the preliminary plat for a new housing development along West Country Club Road. The plat is for seven lots on 4 1/2 acres to build some duplexes. It's to be called Haven Pointe and the developer is a Yukon firm, Remington Properties.

Changes to Business District Grant Agreement ok'd

The council also approved some revisions to the city's Central Business District Building Grant Agreement and Guidelines.  The city manager said many of the changes are to bring clarity to the application process and the increase some reimbursement costs from $20 a square foot to $25 a square foot.

 

USDA Rep to Discuss Federal Grant Program

A representative from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be in Chickasha today to discuss how small businesses and agriculture operations can benefit from federal grants. Kenneth Corn is the state director for the USDA Rural Development Program and will be reviewing the Rural Energy for America Program. It's designed to assist operations in rural areas with energy efficiency improvements or renewable energy projects. Corn, who previously served as the city manager for Anadarko and as a state lawmaker will give his presentation at the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.66 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $9 to $89.65.

Natural gas is $3.11 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,922 and silver is $22.88.

 

---

 

Monday, Oct. 16th

 

Chix Airport Hangar Project May be Awarded

A contract to build some new hangars at the Chickasha Municipal Airport is among the items to be considered by the Chickasha City Council when the panel meets tonight. Officials are recommending a nearly $1 million contract to W.L. McNatt Company to build two box hangars subject to the city receiving a grant. The council will also consider buying a nearly $320,000 air street sweeper from J and R Equipment out of Oklahoma City.

Proposed Laudromat, New Housing Addition to be Considered

The group will hold a public hearing to consider a request from businessman Bassm Alzoubi to re-zone some property at 16th and Park Ave. from residential to commercial use to build a laundromat. Also to be reviewed is a preliminary plat for the Haven Pointe housing development on West Country Club Road. The applicant is Remington Properties from Yukon and is for 4 1/2 acres where 14 duplex units may be built. The council will also go behind closed doors to discuss the purchase or appraisal of real estate although there's no explanation of what that might be. Mayor Chris Mosley will sign proclamations for Code Enforcement Month in October and First Responder Appreciation Day Oct. 28th. The city council meets tonight at 6:30 at city hall.

 

Motorcyclist Hospitalized After Hitting Cable Barrier

A motorcycle rider was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital after crashing her bike near Ninnekah last night. The highway patrol reports that 50-year old Laura Robinson of Duncan was northbound on U.S. Highway 81 when - for an unknown reason - she veered into the median and struck a cable barrier. She suffered head, neck, and limb injuries and was last in good condition. The accident happened just after six o'clock last night about two miles south of Ninnekah. Robinson was wearing a helmet.

 

Suspect Arrested for Trespassing on CHS Football Complex

A man who was asked to leave a Chickasha High School football game was later arrested and charged for trespassing. 29-year old Keith Wayne Dalton of Chickasha was asked to leave the football game on Friday, Oct. 6th. A probable cause affidavit from the Grady County Sheriff’s Office indicates that authorities were called out to Memorial Stadium on Monday, Oct. 9^th to question a man who was in the bleachers watching some female athletes who were running and jogging. The man was told he could not be there due to safety concerns. The school resource officer who was also there identified the man has being the individual who was asked to leave the game the previous Friday. Dalton was arrested on a complaint of trespassing on school property after being forbidden. Prosecutors have charged him with a misdemeanor for interfering with school activities and his bond was set at $2,500. He's to announce his attorney this Wednesday and the case was placed on the Grady County Court misdemeanor disposition docket for this Friday.

 

Grady County Ag Producers Meet Tuesday Morning

Grady County agriculture producers will get the opportunity to hear from a rangeland ecology specialist from OSU extension. Dr. Laura Goodman will be discussing stocking rates and range management tomorrow morning at the Grady County OSU Extension Office. It is scheduled to start at 7:00 a.m.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $87.69 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $90.89.

Natural gas is $3.24 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,929 and silver is $22.75.

 

Saturday, Oct. 21st

 

Chix Attorney Serves on State Broadband Governing Panel

A lawyer from Chickasha is serving on a state board that is guiding the effort to get high-speed Internet service to rural Oklahoma. Amanda Mullins was unanimously elected vice chairman of the Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board in the group's meeting this month. She was appointed to the post by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Mullins will work with Jim Meek who is the new chairman of the group. Meek is the treasurer and a director with the Oklahoma Farm Bureau. Mullins is a private practice attorney and is the attorney for the City of Chickasha. The website OK Energy Today quoted Mullins as saying ‘it’s an honor and a privilege to serve the board and the public during this exciting time of broadband expansion’. She said it will provide new access and opportunities that are vital to the state's future. The board is responsible for providing oversight of the state broadband office, hiring its executive director, and approving and overseeing the award of more than $1 billion in federal grants to Internet Service Providers which will develop the infrastructure needed to get reliable Internet service to under-served areas.

 

State Highway 19 Upgrades Expected to Start Next Year

Improvements along a stretch of the state highway between Chickasha and Lindsay are expected to begin after the first of the year. Jay Earp with the State Department of Transportation discusses the multi-million dollar project-

 

              

 

 

The contractor is Silver Star Construction Company of Moore and work is expected to begin in February. They'll be reducing some hills to make some additional passing lanes and there will be eight-foot shoulders on each side.

 

Talk Show Topics

Ray Walker, the director of the Medicare Assistance Program with the Oklahoma Insurance Department, is this week’s guest on the KOOL Konversation. On Real Estate Today, our guest is Pat Cunningham with the Grady County Historical Society and Museum. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

---

 

Friday, Oct. 20th

 

Consumer Spending in Grady County is Down

Consumer spending at Grady County retail outlets fell to its lowest level in nearly two years. Based on sales tax revenues returned to the county from the Oklahoma Tax Commission, it's estimated that consumer spending was $71.2 million for July. It was off more than 26 percent from June and down about 28.5 percent from July of last year. It's the lowest level for consumer spending since October of 2021. Grady County received just over $536,000 in sales tax revenue last month - sales taxes that were paid on the purchase of taxable goods and services in July. Here's how the sales tax revenue is allocated:

The Grady County Fairgrounds received $178,000;

Grady Memorial Hospital received $158,000;

Each of the seven senior nutrition centers received $13,000;

Each of the 20 fire districts received about $4,500;

Tuttle EMS received $16,000, and;

Rush Springs EMS received about $4,100.

 

Police Officer, Wife Receive New Home Heat, Air System

A veteran police officer who gives back to his community will be rewarded for his work. David Woods, who has been with the Duncan Police Department for 25 years, was selected as the winner of DeHart Heating and Air Conditioning and Lennox 'Feel the Love' program. David and his wife were among a number of families submitted as nominees to receive a free heating and cooling system for their home. A couple of years ago, Woods began a non-profit band called 'Von Hawks Rising' and has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for children impacted by trauma and illness. David's wife is a nurse who recently lost her job due to a facility closure. The air conditioning system in their home recently went out and it was beyond repair. DeHart crews will be installing the new system in the couple’s Lake Humphreys-area home today.

 

Chix Antique Auto Club Fall Swap Meet Continues

There are a lot of treasures to be found at the Chickasha Antique Auto Club's fall swap meet that's underway. Mark Youngblood is from east Texas and has been restoring cars for 40 years. He has a few parts for sale and also some porcelain signs that enthusiasts may be looking for –

 

              

 

 

Literally hundreds of vendors have items to sell and trade. The swap meet is held on the auto club's 35-acre site next to the Grady County Fairgrounds. There are also indoor vendors and an arts and crafts show in the north exhibit building of the fairgrounds. The swap meet runs through tomorrow. Admission is free and paid parking benefits local charities.

 

Bigfoot Story Telling Tonight

The Legend of Bigfoot has provided some interesting stories throughout the years. Tonight, there's a program in Anadarko to provide some insight. The Delaware Nation will hold a Bigfoot Story Telling event at Randlett Park. Guest speakers include Bryan Terrell, a Cryptid Field Investigator; and Lauren Smith of Nite Callers Bigfoot Radio. There will be arts and crafts, a costume contest, vendors, food trucks and there is even a Bigfoot calling contest. That's all from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight.

 

Kids, Kites, and Frights Tomorrow

Tomorrow in Anadarko, the largest kites in the world will be featured in the annual Kids, Kites, and Frights event. There are numerous activities from arts and crafts, inflatables, live music, vendors, a costume contest, pumpkin decorating, and a pumpkin pie eating contest.  Activities at the Anadarko Airport will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $89.37 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $92.38.

Natural gas is $2.96 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,995 and silver is $23.38.

 

Obituary

'Maggie' Griffith

Funeral service for Margaret 'Maggie' Smith, 68, of Chickasha will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 23rd at Ferguson Funeral Home. She worked at C and R Print Shop, Walmart, and the USAO Bookstore. She also volunteered with Relay for Life and the Chickasha Animal Shelter.

 

---

 

Thursday, Oct. 19th

 

Arrest Warrant Issued in Alleged Animal Cruelty Case

Grady County and state authorities are investigating a disturbing case of animal cruelty where several sheep were found dead and others kept in confined spaces. An arrest warrant was issued last week for 70-year old James Mclevaney of the Bradley area. KSWO-TV cites court records which indicate there were dead animals as well as more than two dozen sheep crowded into a space too small to hold that many animals. Grady County sheriff’s deputies and officials with the State Department of Agriculture are listed as investigating agencies. An employee of Mclevaney told officials that a water tank was not adequate for the number and type of sheep on the farm. Mclevaney is facing one felony charge of animal cruelty and nearly 30 misdemeanors for failure to keep animals in a suitable enclosure. Mclevaney reportedly told investigators that he wasn't legally required to contain the sheep nor dispose dead animals. Mclevaney faces up to five years in prison if convicted of the charges.

 

Silver Alert Issued for Missing Tuttle Woman

Authorities continue to ask Oklahomans to be looking a missing Tuttle woman. The Highway Patrol issued a Silver Alert for 74-year old Gail Loughridge. She was last seen at her home about 8:00 a.m. Tuesday. She drives a 2015 white four-door Kia Optima with Oklahoma tag No. JPD-671. She is Caucasian, 5'2'' tall, weighs 110 pounds, and has shoulder-length light brown hair. Officials say she experiences memory loss and has other signs of dementia. Anyone with information is asked to call 9-1-1.

 

Chix Antique Auto Swap Meet Underway

Antique car and truck enthusiasts from across the country and around the world are converging on Chickasha over the next few days. The Chickasha Antique Auto Club's fall swap meet gets underway this morning. Yesterday was move-in day for many of the vendors who have parts, fully-restored vehicles, and transportation memorabilia for sale or trade. One of them is Bob Doucette and some of his friends from Pampa, Texas-

 

              

 

 

He also has a 1960 Chevy Impala muscle car, and older model Corvette, and antique tractors he's working on. There are hundreds of vendors at the swap meet which takes place on the auto club's 35-acre site just east of the Grady County Fairgrounds. There are also indoor vendors located inside the north exhibit building at the Fairgrounds. The swap meet runs through Saturday. Admission is free and paid parking benefits local charities.

 

New Events Added to Downtown Chix' Ne'ewollah Festival

Costumed characters from princesses and superheroes to ghouls and goblins will be invading dowtown Chickasha later this month for the annual Ne'ewollah Festival. The event is being expanded to include lots of carnival-type games, inflatables, obstacles courses, and pumpkin decorating. Also new will be a Civic Club chili cook-off. There will be a costume contest in front of the Washita Theatre and free hot dogs will be served. The event is hosted by the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce. Ne'ewollah will be Saturday, Oct. 28th from 4-7 p.m. in the 400 through 700 blocks of Chickasha Ave. See the chamber's Facebook page for information.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $88.32 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $91.50.

Natural gas is $3.06 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,962 and silver is $23.03.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Oct. 18th

 

Fatal Rush Springs Shooting Still Under Investigation

In a KOOL-RANCH News follow-up from the past weekend, a fatal shooting that happened in Rush Springs is still under investigation. Grady County deputies were called to a home last Friday where a man had been shot to death and another man suffered stabbing injuries. The man who suffered the stabbing injuries is alleged to have fired the fatal shots at the other. The man who was stabbed was taken to a hospital and treated for non-life threatening injuries. The case has been turned over to the district attorney’s office. District Attorney Jason Hicks tells KOOL-RANCH News that the investigation is on-going and he has not yet decided if formal charges will be filed or if the shooting will be considered as being in self-defense. Hicks said the man who died was shot three times - the stabbing victim suffered leg and arm injuries.

 

Two High School Football Coaches Face Charges

for Alleged Conduct Against Student-Athletes

Two longtime high school football coaches who are in the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame have been charged in connection with allegations that they harassed and bullied players. Ringling Coach Phil Koons was charged with a misdemeanor in Jefferson County District Court yesterday. Koons, whose coaching stops also include Tuttle, is accused of using 'profane, degrading, and derogatory language toward student athletes' between August of 2021 and Febuary of this year. The charge comes almost six months after the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation completed an inquiry into the allegations. If found guilty he faces up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. An attorney for some of the players who allege the mistreatment and who plans to sue the Ringling school district said the charge should disqualify Koons from coaching and teaching. Koons was initially suspended from coaching and from his high school principal duties but was later re-instated.

Kingfisher coach also charged

In a related story regarding alleged abuse from a coach, charges have been filed against long-time Kingfisher football coach Jeff Myers. Myers and three others have been charged with misdemeanors in connection with hazing allegations initially brought forth in February and March of 2022. A lawsuit filed in that case is awaiting a decision from the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

 

It Feels Like Summer, But Prepare for Winter

With afternoon high temperatures to be in the 80s over the next few days you may not be thinking about the cold weather Oklahoma is bound to have in the upcoming winter months. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson says now is the time to make plans for what to do should a winter snow or ice storm hit. Thompson said among the tasks to think of is to change out the food and water in your emergency storm supplies.

 

              

 

 

He said there is always a chance that power could be out for several days. Individuals who have portable generators should make sure they are operating correctly, and if you need to use them, keep them outdoors and away from windows and doors to prevent carbon monoxide from getting into your home.

 

Painting Project to Benefit Chix School Foundation

If you're looking for some fall decor for your home or office, here's a way for you take part in a semi do-it-yourself project and help a non-profit group. The Chickasha Public School Foundation has teamed up with Carrie Chavers at the Chickasha Art Center to serve as a fund-raiser for the Foundation. You can paint your own Pumpkin Truck painting in the event this Thursday night. Chavers has drawn the outline of a pickup with pumpkins and fall decor in the bed of the truck and she'll show you how to paint it. The event will be this Thursday night, Oct. 19^th at the Stage downtown between Brandi's Bar and Grill and The Flower Shop Winery and Pizzeria. The event will be from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $40 and some of the proceeds will be donated to the Foundation. Register on-line at TheChickashaArtCenter.com or call or text Chavers at 405-574-6689. Pre-payment is required.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.66 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $89.90.

Natural gas is to $3.08 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,957 and silver is $23.41.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Oct. 17th

 

Film Rep Hopes 'Twisters' Movie Work Will Resume Soon

The filming of the Twisters movie in Chickasha has been delayed for more than three months because of the Screen Actors Guild of America strike in Hollywood. John Cowan is the site director for the film and gave an update at last night's city council meeting. He's hoping the strike will end soon.

 

 

              

 

 

In the meantime several blocks of the movie set at 17th and Minnesota remain fenced off.

Council OKs 'Negotations' for Public Safety Building

The city council gave city officials the go ahead to spend up to $1 million for a public safety and municipal services building. Following a 10-minute closed-door session as the Chickasha Municipal Authority (CMA) arm of the city, the panel voted unanimously to give City Manager Keith Johnson - who doubles as the CMA trust manager - to negotiate a contract with an unnamed individual or business. Johnson would not disclose what the purpose of the building would be.

City to get new street sweeper

It's been a few years since the City of Chickasha has had a street sweeper. Last night the council approved spending nearly $330,000 on a new machine to be purchased from an Oklahoma City firm. The city manager said the previous unit was damaged in a fire and that the city received an insurance settlement of some $118,000 which will go toward to purchase of the new one. It wasn't clear when the machine will be delivered.

Airport hangar projects approved

The council also gave its approval to award two contracts totaling more than $2 million to build new hangars at the airport. Diversified Construction was awarded a nearly $1.1 million contract to build a T-hangar, and W. L. McNatt was awarded a nearly $960,000 contract to build a couple of box hangars.

Laundromat re-zoning approved

The panel approved a request for businessman Bassm Alzoubi to re-zone some residential property to commercial use at 16th and Park Avenue to build a laundromat, a process that has taken several months to complete. The approval came after a public hearing in which no one spoke for nor against the issue. The city's Planning Commission recommended that the re-zoning be approved.

Plat for new housing development passes

The group also approved the preliminary plat for a new housing development along West Country Club Road. The plat is for seven lots on 4 1/2 acres to build some duplexes. It's to be called Haven Pointe and the developer is a Yukon firm, Remington Properties.

Changes to Business District Grant Agreement ok'd

The council also approved some revisions to the city's Central Business District Building Grant Agreement and Guidelines.  The city manager said many of the changes are to bring clarity to the application process and the increase some reimbursement costs from $20 a square foot to $25 a square foot.

 

USDA Rep to Discuss Federal Grant Program

A representative from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be in Chickasha today to discuss how small businesses and agriculture operations can benefit from federal grants. Kenneth Corn is the state director for the USDA Rural Development Program and will be reviewing the Rural Energy for America Program. It's designed to assist operations in rural areas with energy efficiency improvements or renewable energy projects. Corn, who previously served as the city manager for Anadarko and as a state lawmaker will give his presentation at the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.66 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $9 to $89.65.

Natural gas is $3.11 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,922 and silver is $22.88.

 

---

 

Monday, Oct. 16th

 

Chix Airport Hangar Project May be Awarded

A contract to build some new hangars at the Chickasha Municipal Airport is among the items to be considered by the Chickasha City Council when the panel meets tonight. Officials are recommending a nearly $1 million contract to W.L. McNatt Company to build two box hangars subject to the city receiving a grant. The council will also consider buying a nearly $320,000 air street sweeper from J and R Equipment out of Oklahoma City.

Proposed Laudromat, New Housing Addition to be Considered

The group will hold a public hearing to consider a request from businessman Bassm Alzoubi to re-zone some property at 16th and Park Ave. from residential to commercial use to build a laundromat. Also to be reviewed is a preliminary plat for the Haven Pointe housing development on West Country Club Road. The applicant is Remington Properties from Yukon and is for 4 1/2 acres where 14 duplex units may be built. The council will also go behind closed doors to discuss the purchase or appraisal of real estate although there's no explanation of what that might be. Mayor Chris Mosley will sign proclamations for Code Enforcement Month in October and First Responder Appreciation Day Oct. 28th. The city council meets tonight at 6:30 at city hall.

 

Motorcyclist Hospitalized After Hitting Cable Barrier

A motorcycle rider was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital after crashing her bike near Ninnekah last night. The highway patrol reports that 50-year old Laura Robinson of Duncan was northbound on U.S. Highway 81 when - for an unknown reason - she veered into the median and struck a cable barrier. She suffered head, neck, and limb injuries and was last in good condition. The accident happened just after six o'clock last night about two miles south of Ninnekah. Robinson was wearing a helmet.

 

Suspect Arrested for Trespassing on CHS Football Complex

A man who was asked to leave a Chickasha High School football game was later arrested and charged for trespassing. 29-year old Keith Wayne Dalton of Chickasha was asked to leave the football game on Friday, Oct. 6th. A probable cause affidavit from the Grady County Sheriff’s Office indicates that authorities were called out to Memorial Stadium on Monday, Oct. 9^th to question a man who was in the bleachers watching some female athletes who were running and jogging. The man was told he could not be there due to safety concerns. The school resource officer who was also there identified the man has being the individual who was asked to leave the game the previous Friday. Dalton was arrested on a complaint of trespassing on school property after being forbidden. Prosecutors have charged him with a misdemeanor for interfering with school activities and his bond was set at $2,500. He's to announce his attorney this Wednesday and the case was placed on the Grady County Court misdemeanor disposition docket for this Friday.

 

Grady County Ag Producers Meet Tuesday Morning

Grady County agriculture producers will get the opportunity to hear from a rangeland ecology specialist from OSU extension. Dr. Laura Goodman will be discussing stocking rates and range management tomorrow morning at the Grady County OSU Extension Office. It is scheduled to start at 7:00 a.m.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $87.69 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $90.89.

Natural gas is $3.24 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,929 and silver is $22.75.

Saturday, Oct. 14th

 

One Dead, One Taken to Hospital after Domestic Shooting

One man is dead and another was taken to a hospital following an argument that escalated into violence. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess said his office received a phone call about shots being fired at a Rush Springs area home about 4:30 p.m. Friday. KSWO-TV reports that Boggess said one man stabbed another and the stabbing victim shot and killed his attacker. The stabbing victim was taken to a hospital to be treated for a leg injury. Boggess said no arrest was made and that the case has been turned over to the district attorney's office to determine if the shooting was in self-defense.

 

Theft Suspect Recently Freed After Guilty Plea to Previous Charges

A man with an obscenity tattooed on his forehead has been arrested for allegedly stealing oilfield equipment. This was just weeks after he was released from jail after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and other charges. 43-year old Harley Justin Adams of Apache who has 'F*** IT" was arrested by Grady County deputies early Thursday morning. Details of his arrest weren't available but on-line court records indicate he was formally charged with a felony for larceny of oilfield equipment and a misdemeanor for eluding. His bond was set at $50,000.  Adams recently pleaded guilty to couple of charges out of Caddo County including felony possession of stolen vehicle in connection with an arrest in Apache last December. He was then arrested by Caddo County authorities in May and in July he pleaded guilty to felonies of drug trafficking, having a stolen vehicle, having a firearm while committing a felony, and obstruction. Adams was sentenced to five years with all but 67 days suspended and then released.

 

Expectant Mother Accused of Smoking Meth Charged with Neglect

A pregnant woman is facing a child neglect charge for allegedly smoking meth and harming her unborn child. 25-year old Crista Lynn Hays of Chickasha was arrested by the District Six Task Force this week. A probable cause affidavit indicates that an agent reviewed a video call Hays had with her fiancee who is in the Grady County Jail. A comment was made about Hays smoking and what it could do the fetus. Agents later talked to Hays who said she is in her 31st week of pregnancy with the baby due in December, and that she admitted smoking meth about 10 times during the pregnancy. Hays told the agent that a recent exam showed she was not positive for meth. Hays bond was set at $25,000 and she is to be back in court Nov. 8th.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson is our KOOL Konversation program. On Real Estate Today, our guest is Jay Earp with the State Department of Transportation. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

---

 

Friday, Oct. 13th

 

Chix Mayor Discusses City's Recent Growth

Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley says the city has a lot going for it with the all the growth that has taken place in the last few years. In his State-of-the-City address yesterday Mosley reflected on development that has happened in just the last couple of years in both the commercial and residential sectors.

 

              

 

 

He said the city has set records for sales tax revenues in two of the last three months and estimated that it could reach a record $15 million this year. He said consumer spending at retail outlets from July through September was about $135 million. The mayor said the reason is that more than just Chickasha residents are spending money in the city on a regular basis.

 

              

 

 

He also said the number of people visiting Chickasha this year could reach 4 million individuals who are coming to town for events like the Festival of Light, the Leg Lamp, and the Oklahoma Food Truck championship.

Mayor supports TIF proposal

The Mayor did briefly mention the proposal to create a new Tax Increment Finance District which the city council will be considering in the near future. He supports the move, saying it would help to fund water, sewer, and street projects. He said the city does face challenges and there is a lot of work to do but when all is said and done - the harvest will be bountiful.

 

Ex-Con Back in Jail for Alleged Axe Handle Assault

A Chickasha man with a lengthy criminal record is back in jail for allegedly using an axe handle to attack another man. 60-year old Andon Lamont Johnson - also known as Shoopy - was arrested by Chickasha police earlier this week. Prosecutors have formally charged Johnson with a felony for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and his bond was set at $200,000. On-line court records show Johnson spent 17 years behind bars after pleading guilty to assault charges stemming from a 2004 arrest.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson will be on our KOOL Konversation program discussing winter weather preparedness. On Real Estate Today, our guest is Jay Earp with the State Department of Transportation. He'll be discussing many of the local road and bridge repair projects currently underway, the updated eight-year plan for the region and the state, and the latest on the U.S. Highway 81 bypass of Chickasha.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.91 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.00.

Natural gas is $3.34 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,900 and silver is $22.26.

 

Obituary

Valt Harris

A graveside service for Valt Harris, 73, of Ninnekah will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16th at the Ninnekah Cemetery. He was a U.S. Army veteran, a concrete finisher, and ran an RV park.  Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Thursday, Oct. 12th

                                                                        

Chix Mayor to Give State-of-the-City Address

Plans to build a new water treatment plant and an update on the U.S. Highway 81 bypass project are a couple of topics that could be addressed by Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley in his annual State-of-the-City address today. The mayor is expected to discuss a wide range of issues during his presentation at the Grady County Fairgrounds. The annual address is hosted by the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce.

 

Second Person Dies after Cyril Crash

A second person has died as a result of a traffic accident that occurred during a thunderstorm in Cyril last week. 72-year old Cris Naputi of Lawton recently passed away from injuries he sustained in the crash. 67-year old Brenda Naputi also of Lawton died in the crash. It happened on U.S. Highway 277 east of Cyril last Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 4th.

 

Former Governors in Chix to Commemorate

Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Work

A couple of former Oklahoma governors will be in Chickasha tonight. Govs. Frank Keating and Brad Henry will be promoting the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and celebrating its 77 years of work. It’s the 77 for 77 Campaign as the foundation is holding events in each of Oklahoma's 77 counties. The district chair for this region is Dr. Bruce Storms. The program will be held at Brandi’s Bar and Grill from 5:30 to 7:30 tonight.

 

Site Teachers Honored at Chix Public Schools

Chickasha Public Schools are recognizing some teachers for their work. Each fall the district honors one teacher at each school as the Site Teacher of the Year. This year they are - high school teacher Bethany Goble; middle school teacher Greg Gibson; Lincoln Elementary teacher Mike Elliott; Grand Elementary teacher Megan Crowder; and Bill Wallace teacher Mary Curtis. The announcement was posted on the Chickasha Public Schools Facebook page and website. All are now candidates for the district teacher of the year award which will be announced at the Chickasha Public School Foundation Gala next spring.

 

Solar Eclipse Watch Parties in Chix, Anadarko

Many Oklahomans are anticipating the solar eclipse that will take place on Saturday. It won't be a total eclipse but much of central Oklahoma could see about 80 percent of the event as the moon blocks much of the sun's rays from reaching Earth. 

Chickasha

The watch will be held at the Leg Lamp and families are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs. About 100 solar glasses and hand-held viewers will be available for sale with proceeds going to the Chickasha Community Foundation.

Anadarko

The Anadarko Community Library will host a program at the Randlett Park basketball courts from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. which will include some inter-active science and art activities. The library will have a limited supply of eclipse glasses. The eclipse will begin about 10:20 a.m. with the peak about 11:48 a.m. and ending about 1:23 p.m.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.49 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.82.

Natural gas is $3.38 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,894 and silver is $22.35.

 

Obituary

Lonnie ‘Babe’ Layman

Funeral service for Lonnie ‘Babe’ Layman, 74, of Chickasha will be at held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, October 16^th at Bible Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran, owned and operated his own welding company, and also taught welding at the Canadian Valley Technology Center. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Oct. 11th

 

Results from Tuesday's School Bond Elections

Voters in the Ninnekah Public School District gave their overwhelmingly approval to a couple of school bond issues in yesterday’s special elections while voters in the Blanchard Public School District passed  just one of two bond issues.

Ninnekah

More than three out of every four voters supported a $19.6 million plan to build a new gymnasium, and to make improvements to the high school and the district’s ag barn. The unofficial vote was 175 to 53 (76 percent). A second $400,000 bond to purchase school buses and other vehicles passed by a similar margin, 174 to 57 (75 percent).

Blanchard

School district voters narrowly defeated a $69 million bond that would have funded numerous projects. The plan fell 42 votes shy of the 60 percent super-majority needed for passage (870 to 650 or 57 percent). Among the projects it would have funded were new classrooms for the high school, a gymnasium that was to double as a storm shelter, and a new fieldhouse for football and a new soccer program. Voters did pass a $1.5 million transportation bond 993 to 534 (65 percent).

 

Second Expansion for Grady County Jail Underway

The Grady County Jail will be expanding again. A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday for the project that will adding space to the jail annex. Here’s Jail Administrator Jim Gerlach-

 

              

 

 

The expansion will add about 10 cells with room for an additional 40 inmates and has an estimated cost of $4.2 million. It will increase the total capacity of the main jail and the annex to a combined 800 inmates. It’s already the third largest jail in Oklahoma. Officials say taxpayer funds will not be used to pay for the project. Funding will come from the Grady County Criminal Justice Authority which oversees the jail operations. The panel recently approved a budget of just over $14 million for the fiscal year. Gerlach said they have paid the $18 million debt on the original jail down to about $5 million.

 

Awareness Walk Fundraiser set for Local ALS Group

There is a concerted effort to create a local support group for those who have lost loved ones to Lou Gehrig's disease. The actual name of the affliction is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It's a progressive disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord but does not affect the brain itself. Kenny Howell and Dwight Sehon both lost their wives to ALS and there have been several other Chickasha residents who have died or are currently battling ALS. Howell and Sehon are among those spearheading a walk to help raise awareness about Lou Gehrig's disease and raise money to help local families who are affected by it. It's called ALS: Walk for the Cure. It will be held on Sunday Nov. 12th which will be the second anniversary of the death of Kenny's wife, Marla. There will be a one mile, two mile, and three mile walk. Information can be found on the group’s Facebook page ALS: Walk for the Cure. T-shirts are available for $25 each.

 

'Fright Night' Set on Perfect Date for the Event

Several groups are combining efforts to hold Chickasha's first-ever Fright Night. The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce and the Chickasha Community Theatre are co-sponsoring the event on an appropriate night - this Friday, the 13th. The main event will be an adult-oriented costume parade led by a horse-drawn hearse that will begin at the Shakespeare Wine Company and end at the Leg Lamp. There is a pumpkin carving contest, pumping decorating, and costume parties. There will be ghost stories after the parade. Activities start about 6 p.m. with the parade at 7:30 p.m. Organizers suggest that parade attendees be 18 and older. The ghost stories will be at 9 p.m. at the community theatre.

 

Caddo County Traffic Advisory

Traffic on State Highway 9 between Ft. Cobb and the Apache Y will be intermittently narrowed to one lane for the next few weeks. Officials with the state department of transportation say it’s part of an on-going project. A pilot vehicle will be leading traffic through the work zone for the duration of the project which is expected to run through the end of October.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.97 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $87.65.

Natural gas is $3.38 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,883 and silver is $22.24.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Oct. 10th

 

Voters Deciding Bond Issues

for Ninnekah, Blanchard School Districts

Voters in the Ninnekah and Blanchard school districts will decide special bond issues today. In Ninnekah, voters will decide two issues totaling nearly $20 million. The first proposal is for $19.6 million to build a new gymnasium, and renovate, repair, and remodel the ag barn. The second proposal is a $400,000 transportation bond to purchase school buses and other vehicles. Officials say there would be no property tax increase should the measures pass.

Blanchard School District Also with Two Bond Issues

The first proposition for Blanchard Public School District voters is a $69 million bond issue to build new classrooms at the high school, an auxiliary gym at the high school that would serve as a storm shelter; purchase property for a future school site; build a new fieldhouse for football and a new soccer program; and move the baseball and softball fields to the high school campus. A second bond issue is a $1.5 million transportation bond. Blanchard school officials also say there would be no property tax increase if the measures are approved. Polls are open until 7 o'clock tonight.

 

TIF District for Chix on Special Work Session Agenda Tonight

Should another Tax Increment Finance District be created for the City of Chickasha? It will be discussed in a special work session of the city council tonight. A proposal was brought before the council last month where officials said they wanted to consider forming two TIF districts although no locations were announced. City Manager Keith Johnson said the talks are in the very early stages-

 

              

 

 

Tonight's work session is open to the public. It will get underway at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

Transportation Commisson Updates Eight-Year Work Plan

The Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved a new eight-year plan for highway improvements for the state. Jay Earp is the engineer for District Seven of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) which serves Grady, Caddo, Comanche, and Stephens counties He talks about the overall plan for the state and what is planned for south central Oklahoma.

 

              

 

 

Earp said the plan calls for road construction on the U.S. Highway 81 west bypass of Chickasha to begin in 2028. The plans can be seen on the state department of transpotration's website: oklahoma.gov/odot              

 

Verden Casino Closing

The Kiowa Casino in Verden will be closing at the end of the month. Officials with the Kiowa Tribe and the Kiowa Casino Operations Authority say the casino will be closing its doors on Tuesday, Oct. 31st. The casino opened in 2010 and provided more than 13 years of service to the area. Officials say the decision was not made lightly, and they extend their deepest gratitude to their guests, team members, and the Verden community for their unwavering support. The casino will be reducing their hours of operation over the next few weeks. As of this week, they will be closed Monday and Tuesday, and will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.38 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $88.15.

Natural gas is $3.38 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,871 and silver is $21.92.

 

Obituaries

Patricia Skitt

Funeral service for Patricia Skitt, 62, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12^th at Sevier Funeral Home. She worked at Delta Faucet and Wal-Mart.

Connie Dabney

A family graveside service for Connie Dabney, 87, of Edmond and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16th at Fairlawn Cemetery. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and many local organizations. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Monday, Oct. 9th

 

SWAT Team Arrests Man After Standoff

There were some tense moments for Chickasha police and the Grady County Sheriff's Office over the weekend. Saturday afternoon, a man barricaded himself inside an apartment at the Carriage Plaza Apartments at 1920 S. 22^nd Street and fired shots at police. Chickasha police records indicate officers were called to the complex about 4:25 p.m. for an undisclosed reason. Information posted on the Grady County Sheriff's Office Facebook page indicates that police summoned the sheriff's office SWAT team for help. Several apartments were evacuated and the SWAT team tried to get the man to surrender peacefully but he refused to do so. The SWAT team then launched tear gas into the apartment and the man still refused to surrender. The team then made the decision to force its way into the apartment and was able to take the man into custody. No one was injured during the ordeal. Arrested was 33-year old Travis Rose who was handed over to the police department. Rose is being held in the Grady County Jail on complaints of discharging a firearm, threatening acts of violence, and resisting arrest. 

 

Former Sheriff Jim Weir Inducted into Sheriff's Hall of Fame

Former Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir has been inducted to the Oklahoma Sheriff's Association Hall of Fame. Weir spent more than 15 years with the sheriff's office. He was first hired as a deputy in 2006 after retiring from the Oklahoma City police department following 25 years of distinguished service. In 2007 he was named deputy of the year then was promoted to undersheriff in 2008. He was elected sheriff in the fall of 2012 and retired earlier this year after serving a decade as sheriff.

 

Chickasha Truck Driver Uninjured After I-35 Crash

A Chickasha truck driver was not injured in a recent crash where his big rig was rear-ended in a Garvin County accident. 59-year old Tracy Johnson was southbound on I-35 when an SUV was merging onto the interstate. The highway patrol reports that the SUV driver attempted to pass a third vehicle and ran into back of Johnson's Freightliner. The SUV driver from Wynnewood was flown by a medical helicopter to an Oklahoma City hospital with head injuries where he was admitted in stable condition. The accident happened at mile marker 74 on I-35 about 12:30 p.m. last Wednesday.

 

Local Bank Offers 'Live Teller' ATMs

ATM machines are quite handy when you need some quick cash but you don't get to have a conversation with a friendly teller when you make your transaction. Arvest Bank will change that in Chickasha this week. They are opening a new ATM which will allow customers to have face-to-face communications with Arvest tellers via a video screen. The ATM is at 413 West Country Club Road where associates will be on hand from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday of this week to show how it works. The ATM live tellers will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular ATM services will still be available 24 hours a day. The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon for the new ATM at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning.

 

Chix Community Blood Drive Today

KOOL and RANCH Radio stations along with the YMCA are co-hosting another community blood drive today with the Oklahoma Blood Institute. The OBI Bloodmobile will be in the YMCA parking lot at 7^th and Chickasha Ave. from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. today and you don't need an appointment. The best times for walk-ins will be from 12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and almost any time after 3:00 p.m. Your single blood donation can save the lives of three people. For an upcoming blood drive in your area, go to the website obi.org.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.79 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.58.

Natural gas is $3.34 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,864 and silver is $21.81.

 

Obituary

Thomas Ropp

Viewing for Thomas Ropp, 66, of Ninnekah will be from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He operated his own dirt yard, worked at a chemical plant, and as a crane operator.

Saturday, Oct. 7th

 

Three Critically Injured in Crash near Carnegie

State troopers are still investigating a late-night crash near Carnegie where three people have been hospitalized in critical condition. The accident happened just before midnight on State Highway 58 about a mile-and-a-half north of Carnegie. 20-year old Damian Rodgers of Carnegie was the driver of one of the vehicles. He was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital with head, arm, and leg injuries. Two passengers in the other car, 19-year old Sunni Phillips of Lawton and 19-year old Kelsey Knight of Piedmont were also taken to Oklahoma City with critical injuries. Phillips and Knight were pinned in their vehicle for an unknown amount of time before first responders were able to get them out.

 

Cyril Crash Victims Identified

We now know the names of the woman who died and two others seriously injured in that deadly crash that happened near Cyril earlier this week. Killed in the crash was 67-year old Brenda Naputi of Lawton. Two other people in the car with her were last in critical condition, including 72-year old Cris Naputi of Lawton and 84-year old Roberta Cole of Pennsylvania.  All were in a 2023 Kia Soul that was involved in a head-on collision with a pickup during heavy rains Wednesday afternoon.

 

Lawmaker Pays Tribute to Fallen WWII Soldier

A Grady County state lawmaker pays tribute to a Chickasha soldier who died in World War Two. State Rep. Dick Lowe (R-Amber) and several other state lawmakers went to Europe to attend a leadership conference where they discussed the leadership principles involved in planning the D-Day invasion of June 6th, 1944, which turned the tide of the war.  Afterwards, they visited the American Cemetery where more than 9,000 soldiers who died in the European Theater are buried. Among the soldiers there are Private Johnnie Mike Rivas - who Lowe says is the uncle of local attorney, Ryland Rivas. Lowe placed an Oklahoma Flag and an American flag on Private Rivas' tombstone.  Lowe said that Rivas has done a lot of research about his Uncle Mike and said he was with the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He landed safety in Normandy on D-Day but stayed behind to cover for some fellow soldiers and was killed in action at the age of 23. Ryland said his uncle was the first member of the Comanche Nation to lose his life during WW II.

 

Talk Show Topics

On the KOOL Konversation our guests are Kenny Howell, Dwight Sehon, and Suehzen Mosley who will discuss their work to begin a local support group for those impacted by Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's Disease. On Real Estate Today guests are Chickasha Assistant City Manager Rachel Bernish and the city’s Public Works Director Jim Crosby. Find podcasts of programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

High School Football Scores

Chickasha 41, Woodward 0

Blanchard 20, Tuttle 6

Newcastle 40, Bridge Creek 3

Perkins-Tryon 62, Anadarko 13

Minco 37, Chr. Heritage 7

Dibble 50, Elmore City-Pernell 0

Rush Springs 27, Wayne 8

Apache 61, Cordell 6

Lindsay 48, Little Axe 6

Marlow 40, Dickson 0

Alex 50, Central Marlow 0

Velma-Alma 64, Cyril 14

Mt. View-Gotebo 58, Temple 8

 

---

 

Friday, Oct. 6th

 

Proposed TIF District Discussion Set for Council Work Session

There is a program used by some communities which allow them to use sales tax revenues to support the development or re-development of certain areas. It's called Tax Increment Financing and it has previously been used in Chickasha to spur development in the south part of town. The issue was discussed briefly in a city council meeting last month where Councilman Kelly Boyd questioned the proposal to create a new TIF district.

 

             

 

The Chickasha City Council will be hold a special work session to discuss this most recent suggestion of a new TIF district. The work session is open to the public and it will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10th at city hall.

 

Suspect in Custody for Alleged Ash Tray Attack

A Chickasha man serving probation for one crime is now behind bars for allegedly attacking his brother with an ash tray. A Grady County warrant had been issued for the arrest 35-year old Trevor Jay Stevens in August. He was arrested in Caddo County earlier this week and transferred to the Grady County Jail. A probable cause affidavit from Chickasha police says the two men were arguing when Stevens hit his brother in the head with the ash tray and then left the home. Paramedics told the brother he would most likely need stitches. Stevens is facing a felony charge of assault with a dangerous weapon in connection with this most recent arrest. Stevens is on probation after pleading guilty to a 2021 charge of felony eluding. Prosecutors have filed a motion to revoke his probation on that charge. Stevens remains in the Grady County Jail on a $30,000 bond.

 

Junior Social Workers Hold Spaghetti Day

Hundreds of plates of spaghetti will be served today as the Chickasha Junior Social Workers hold their annual spaghetti day. This is the 58th annual Spaghetti Day and is the group’s biggest fund-raiser of the year. Tobi Neidy says all the money raised helps a number of local projects.

 

              

 

Spaghetti Day takes place at the Grady County Fairgrounds in the north exhibit building and you can dine in or drive through. Serving times are from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and again from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tickets at the door are $12 for adults and $7 for kids 10 and under.

 

Hospital Foundation Hosts Golf Tournament

The Grady Memorial Hospital Foundation is getting ready for its annual golf tournament. The Foundation is a non-profit group dedicated to fund-raising on behalf of the hospital which helps to purchase new equipment which recently included a 3D mammography machine. The tournament will be held at Winter Creek Golf and Country Club on Monday, Oct. 23rd. The Foundation still has a few spots remaining for corporate sponsorships many of which include a team of four players in the tournament. Sponsorships are tax-deductible. Entry is $125 per person and $500 for a four-player team. For information, contact Emily Miracle at the hospital by calling 405-224-2300.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.31 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.07.

Natural gas is $3.17 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,836 and silver is $21.22.

 

---

 

Thursday, Oct. 5th

 

Rain May Have Led to Fatal Accident

Heavy rain may have led to a deadly head-on crash in Caddo County yesterday. The highway patrol reports that a pick-up and a small SUV collided on U.S. Highway 277 two miles east of Cyril. It happened just after 3:00 p.m. The driver of the 2023 Kia Soul – a 67-year old woman from Lawton – died. A passenger - an 84-year old man from Pennsylvania was critically injured. Their names have not been released as relatives have not been notified. The driver of the truck who is from Texas was not injured. The accident shut down the highway for more than four hours.

 

Ninnekah, Blanchard School District Voters

Can Vote Early in Special Bond Elections

Early voting is underway in special bond elections for voters in Ninnekah and Blanchard school districts. At Ninnekah, voters are deciding two proposals.The first is a $19.5 million bond to build a new gymnasium and do some renovations at the high school and agriculture facility. The second is a $400,000 transportation bond. In Blanchard, voters also have two issues to decide. One is a $69 million bond issue to build new classrooms at the high school, build a new fieldhouse, and move the baseball and softball fields to the high school campus and other projects. The second is a $1.5 million transportation bond. Voters can cast ballots today and tomorrow at the county election board office where they are registered to vote. Otherwise, regular precincts will be open next Tuesday, Oct. 10th.

 

Couple Arrested for Allegedly Driving Stolen U-Haul Van

Minco police arrest a man and his wife for allegedly driving a stolen moving van.  A probable cause affidavit indicates that Monday evening, an officer made a traffic stop on a U-Haul van which was leaning to one side. He was concerned that there might be mechanical and safety issues. When he called in the tag number the officer was told that the van had been reported stolen out of Norman. U-Haul representatives said they had rented the van to the couple a few weeks ago and they never brought it back. Arrested were 44-year old Calvin Haynes and 47-year old Angela Haynes of Paoli. Both have been charged with felonies for unauthorized use of a vehicle and Angela is also facing a felony drug charge. Both remain in the Grady County Jail on $5,000 bond each.

 

Open House Tonight for Chix School's Memorial Stadium

(EDITOR'S NOTE - This story includes corrected information regarding the Homecoming parade which was aired on the 7:00 a.m. news this morning.)

The excitement continues to build at Chickasha High School for Homecoming Week. Tonight, there is an open house for the public to check out all the renovations that occurred at Memorial Stadium over the last few months. Visitors are welcome to walk on the new field turf installed on the football field and the new 8-lane track around the field. Officials also installed a new video scoreboard and sound system, and renovated the home-side seating area of the stadium. The open house will be from 6 to 7:30 tonight. That will be followed by a Homecoming bonfire that will be held across the street at the softball complex parking lot. Tomorrow afternoon, it's the Homecoming parade through the downtown area at 4:00 p.m. and tomorrow night the football game with Woodward.

 

Used Book Sale Set at Chickasha Library

The Chickasha Public Library and the Friends of the Library are getting ready for their annual fall used book sale. More than 200 boxes of books for readers of all ages, reference materials, Book CDs and DVDs which have been donated to the library will be available. The sale will run for two weeks, starting next Monday, Oct. 9th and running through Saturday, Oct. 21^st. The sale will be held during the library's regular hours although there will be no sales on Sunday, Oct. 15th. Library officials suggest a contribution of at least one dollar per item. Proceeds  will used to purchase new books and materials.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $84.22 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.81.

Natural gas is $2.96 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,835 and silver is $21.24.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Oct. 4th

 

Staged DUI Crash Sends Message to Chix High School Students

It's homecoming week at Chickasha High School. There is excitement throughout the hallways as the students prepare for the Homecoming Parade Friday afternoon and the football game Friday night. But students got a big shock yesterday when there was a terrible crash in front of the high school. There were numerous police and fire personnel and other first responders treating several students who had suffered serious injuries - and it was reported that at least one person had died. Thankfully, it was not what it appeared to be. The police and fire departments staged a mock fatal DUI crash to send a message to students about the dangers of drinking and driving. A post on the police department's Facebook page indicated that they hope it serves as a reminder for students about the dangers of driving impaired.

 

Young Volunteer Firefighter Dies in Motorcycle Accident

A teenager who was a volunteer for the Blanchard Fire Department is being remembered for his dedication to his community. 18-year old Jake Reid died in a motorcycle accident this past weekend. Red had just graduated from Blanchard High School this past spring, and he joined the fire department before he even earned his diploma. Reid joined his father who also volunteers at the fire department. Our partners at KWTV-News 9 report that Reid started working as a dispatcher for the police department shortly after graduation while also serving with the fire department. He had hoped to become a full-time firefighter. His funeral will be held at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning at the First Baptist Church in Blanchard.

 

Ninnekah Woman Hospitalized After Crash with Semi

A young Ninnekah woman was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital after a near head-on collision with a semi in southern Oklahoma. 19-year old Destiny Clemens was admitted in stable condition. The accident happened a few minutes before 5:00 a.m. Tuesday north of Ardmore. The highway patrol reports that Clemens crossed the center line of a state highway and struck the right front side of an oncoming semi. The truck driver was not injured. The trooper investigating the crash said that Clemens was buckled up but that she was inattentive behind the wheel.

 

Big Rig Driver Injured in Semi Rollover

A Lindsay truck driver is hospitalized after a rolling his big rig in Stephens County. 39-year old Raymond Palmer was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was admitted in stable condition. The accident happened about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday on a county road north of Velma. The highway patrol reports that Palmer may have been driving too fast to take a curve. The truck ran off the road and rolled twice. The Velma Fire Department had to use its Jaws of Life to get Palmer out of the truck.

 

Chix Police Department to get New Pursuit SUV

The Chickasha Police Department will be getting a new vehicle decked out with thousands of dollars in added equipment. The city council this week approved the purchase of a 2021 Dodge Durango all-wheel-drive SUV from the Kansas Highway Patrol with a price tag of nearly $32,000. The council also approved the purchase of nearly $20,000 in addition equipment from Metro Emergency Upfitters from state contract and an in-car camera system at the cost of an additional $7,000 from Watchguard/Motorola, a sole-source provider. Police Chief G.G. Music called it a Police Interceptor Unit (PIU). He says the city has purchased several of these SUVs from the Kansas Highway Patrol and most have less than 50,000 miles on them.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $89.23 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $90.92.

Natural gas is $2.95 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,837 and silver is $21.28.

 

Obituary

Martin ‘Marty’ Green

Funeral service for Marty Green, 63, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6th at McRay Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Oct. 3rd

 

Missing Man's Sister Worried About Her Brother

It's been over a month since anyone has seen 46-year old Richard Houston. He was last seen August 31st at Chickasha's Life Skills Institute and Resurrection House. Houston's sister Kimberly Adair talked to our partners at KWTV News 9 and said it is unusual that he has not reached out to her.

 

              

 

 

Adair said that Richard has been battling addiction and homelessness but that he made the hard decision to turn his life around and that he had been clean since June. Adair says she doesn't believe her brother would leave without saying anything. The OSBI is now leading the investigation. Anyone with information about Richard Houston is asked to contact OSBI at tips@osbi.ok.gov

 

EDC Director Addresses Transparency Issue

Improving the transparency of the work of the Chickasha Economic Development Council (EDC) was discussed during last night's Chickasha City Council meeting. EDC president Jim Cowan spent about 30 minutes talking about the EDC's partnership with an arm of city government called the Chickasha Industrial Authority (CIA). Cowan says the EDC holds open meetings once a month that are open to the public and that they provide reports that show how their money is spent and what they do.

 

              

 

 

He also discussed the EDC's efforts to help current businesses as well as recruiting new businesses. He says he welcomes all comments about the work between his office and the city and even if someone thinks it’s wrong he's willing to talk about it.

 

Blanchard School District Voters to Decide Big Bond Issue

Blanchard school district voters will decide a multi-million bond issue next week that would bring a lot of changes to the district if it’s approved. Superintendent Brady Barnes says the district has grown quite a bit over the last decade.

 

              

 

 

Included in the $69 million bond proposal are eight new classrooms and a storm shelter for the high school and improve security throughout the district. The measure would also move the high school baseball and softball fields to the high school campus and build a new fieldhouse which would include space for a new soccer program. It's a 16-year bond issue and Barnes said it would not increase property taxes. He said valuation of property in the district has increased about 50 percent from the 2019 bond issue when it was $70 million to $105 million today. A second proposal on the ballot is a $1.5 million transportation bond which would allow the district to spend $300,000 a year over a five-year for school buses, people movers, and other vehicles. Voters will go to the polls next Tuesday, Oct. 10th to decide the issues.

 

Early-Morning Turnpike Crash Closes Roadway Briefly

A crash on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike near the Grady and Caddo county line shut down part of the highway for about 30 minutes early this morning. The Highway Patrol reports it was a single-vehicle crash that left debris all over the interstate. It happened about 12:30 this morning near mile marker 68 about 12 miles southwest of Chickasha. There was no word of any injuries or what may have happened.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $88.92 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude dipped to $90.71.

Natural gas is $2.84 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,842 and silver is $21.32.

 

Obituary

Russell Geimausaddle

Funeral service for Russell Geimausaddle, 68, of Carnegie will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4th at the Botone Church in Carnegie. He was a roofer. Arrangements are with Ray and Martha's Funeral Home in Carnegie.

 

---

 

Monday, Oct. 2nd

 

Teen Presented Life-Saving Award

A teenager is credited with saving the lives of about a dozen people after a fire broke out an Anadarko apartment complex last week. 17-year-old Kezerae Ferrell, a junior at Anadarko High School, was presented with a Citizen Lifesaving Award from city officials in a ceremony held Saturday at the site of the fire, The Landmark Apartments. Anadarko Fire Chief Greg Stone said Ferrell put her own life at risk. Ferrell tells RANCH News-

              

 

 

Among those in the apartments at the time of the fire was a family with two young children. Nobody was hurt. The fire that caused more than $750,000 in damage. Many of the fire victims were on hand at the ceremony to thank Ferrell for her heroics. A Landmark Apartments Tenants Fund has been established at First State Bank of Anadarko to help the fire victims. Also, Anadarko First Baptist Church is accepting donations of clothes, furniture, and household items for the families.

 

One Dead, One Critically Hurt in Separate Motorcycle Accidents

There were two motorcycle accidents in the Blanchard area within an hour of each other over the weekend. One motorcycle rider died and the other is battling life-threatening injuries. The fatal crash occurred about 8:30 p.m. Saturday on the Norman Spur of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike near mile marker 106 east of Blanchard. 40-year old Edward Tabor of Purcell died. The highway patrol reports that Tabor had stopped in the roadway and was struck from behind by a small SUV driven by Kayte Madero of Tecumseh. Neither Madero nor two small children in the car with her were hurt. Just after 9:30 p.m. Saturday a motorcycle failed to go around the curve at Highway 62 and South Truman Avenue in Blanchard. 50-year old Daniel Roberts of Blanchard was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was last in critical condition. Neither motorcycle rider was wearing a helmet.

 

Police SUV Purchases On Chix City Council Agenda

The Chickasha City Council tonight will consider a rezoning request for a businessman to build a new laundromat. The applicant has asked to re-zone three lots from residential to commercial use. A vacant home just south of the Campus Corner convenience store at 16th and Grand Ave. has been torn down to make way for the development. The city’s planning commission has recommended that the re-zoning be approved. The council will also consider the purchase of a couple of used SUVs for the police department. Both are 2021 Dodge Durangos. One is from the Kansas Highway Patrol and the other is from state contract and each one costs nearly $32,000. The police department is also asking for more than $38,000 to purchase a voice and radio recorder. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

Beef Cattle Specialist to Address Monthly Ag Meeting

The Grady County Ag Producers will their monthly meeting tomorrow morning. OSU Extension beef cattle specialist Dr. David Lalman will be the guest speaker. The program will get underway at 7 o'clock tomorrow morning at the extension officer in Chickasha at 9^th and Choctaw Ave.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $91.71 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $95.38.

Natural gas is $2.94 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,851 and silver is $21.87.

 

Obituary

Karon Sauer

A graveside service Karon Sauer, 83, of Norman and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 7th at Rose Hill Cemetery.  She worked for the Department of Human Services. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Saturday, Sept. 30th

 

State Poverty Level Below National Level: Study

A new study shows Oklahoma's poverty level is below the national average. Joe Dorman, director of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy, points to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau that shows more than one out of every five children in the state live in households which are at or below the poverty level. In his weekly column Dorman says that for 2023 the poverty level for a single parent with one child is just under $20,000 a year or about $1,600 per month. The poverty level for a family of four with two parents and two children is only $30,000 a year or about $2,500 per month. Dorman says it’s hard enough just to survive at those levels let alone thrive. Dorman writes that as state lawmakers meet for a special session next week he encourages them to look for ways to improve conditions for Oklahoma families and children enduring poverty. He said workforce development and childcare assistance are often discussed and both are critical for economic success and that lawmakers need to focus on those areas if they want to see better opportunities for future generations.

 

Sen. Lankford Blames State Medical Marijuana Law

for Spike in Foreign Ownership of Oklahoma Farm Land

Oklahoma U.S. Senator James Lankford says the medical marijuana industry can be partly to blame for an increase in foreign ownership of farmland in the Sooner State. Lankford made the comment at the start of senate hearing in Washington, D.C. recently where he campaigned for his proposed legislation, the Security and Oversight of Landholdings Act. The website OK Energy Today reports that Oklahoma is eighth in the nation for having land owned by foreign entities after state leaders passed the medical marijuana law in 2018. He said the year after that law passed, Oklahoma had more land sales to foreign entities than any other state in the U.S. He said it was the most liberal medical marijuana bill in the country at that time and there was a rush by foreign owners to buy up the state's farm land. He said it was a shift that surprised a lot of people based on how quickly it happened.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Tobi Neidy with the Chickasha Junior Social Workers is our guest on the KOOL Konversation. On Real Estate Today, our guests are USAO men's and women's basketball coaches Chris Francis and Darrick Matthews. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

---

 

Friday, Sept. 29th

 

Art Festival, Food Truck Championship Highlight Weekend

Chickasha's population is expected to at least double will all the weekend activities that will be going on. It all starts today with the opening of the 15th annual Rock Island Arts Festival. The 400 and 500 blocks of Chickasha Avenue are blocked off for the next three days as nearly 100 artisans and crafters will display their talent and have numerous items for sale. The festival is hosted by the Chickasha Area Arts Council. The festival will have food trucks and live music all three days, with the stage for events set up at the intersection of 6th and Chickasha Avenue near the Grady County DAV Center. There kids activities across the street from the DAV center with inflatables and a sand pile.

Oklahoma  Food Truck Championship

Saturday will be the big day, with the spotlight on the Oklahoma Food Truck Championship. More than 30 food trucks are competing for some $10,000 in cash prizes. Barbecue, Mexican food, perhaps international cuisine and dessert trucks will be featured. That event will take up space on Chickasha Avenue from the Leg Lamp to 4^th Street, with live music tomorrow afternoon with featured bands being The Imaginaries and Dollar 98. Also tomorrow, some 200 bike riders are signed up for the Rock Island Ride. Dozens of people will also take part in a domestic violence awareness campaign, called the Together We Heel walk. Also this weekend, the Muscle Car Ranch hosts its annual Twister Fest concert, which will feature some 50 bands on five stages. that event opens this afternoon and runs through Sunday.

 

Anadarko Receives Grant to Help Revitalize Downtown

The City of Anadarko has received a grant to create a downtown amphitheater. Anadarko is one of just 25 communities across the country which received Hometown grants from T-Mobile. It's a $50,000 grant which will build the outdoor amphitheater at the site where the former Miller Theatre was located.  The theater had to been torn down a couple of years ago. It will be called the Miller Theatre Park and will include a raised stage, concession stand with mural which will honor the city's rich Native American history, an outdoor greenspace with seating and restrooms. Anadarko residents are invited to a special celebration announcing the grant which will be held by T-Mobile and city officials at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 3rd at 2nd and West Main Street.

 

Crane-Truck Driver Hospitalized After Rollover

 A crane truck driver is hospitalized after suffering a medical problem while driving in Blanchard. 56-year old David Sturm of Oklahoma City was last in fair condition. The accident happened just before 6:00 p.m. last night on 290th Street just east of Meridian. The highway patrol reported that Sturm initially ran off the street and hit a mail box, then re-entered the roadway where the truck rolled 3/4 of a turn and blocked both lanes for an undetermined amount of time.

 

Earthquakes Blamed on Drilling Activity

A recent swarm of earthquakes in the Duncan and Velma area are believed to be linked to recent oil drilling and fracking. One of the strongest earthquakes was a 3.7 tremor registered by the Oklahoma Geological Survey. The website OK Energy Today cites a report from the Norman Transcript that the operator, Continental Resources, has gone off-line for the time being but that after-shocks could impact the area over the next several days.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $91.71 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $95.38.

Natural gas is $2.94 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,889 and silver $23.29.

 

Obituary

Cheryl Whitmire

A memorial service for Cheryl Whitmire, 73, of Chickasha will be held by the family at a later date. She was a waitress and worked at Wal-Mart. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Thursday, Sept. 28th

 

Elementary Student Issues 'Threat' on School Bus

Classes are being held as scheduled at Ninnekah schools today after a possible threat may have been made by an elementary student. The Grady County Sheriff's Office said a 4th grade student made a threat on a school bus yesterday afternoon. A post on the sheriff's office Facebook page indicated that Ninnekah school administrators handled the incident. The post was attributed to Sheriff Gary Boggess who indicated that at no time were any students in harm's way and that Ninnekah school officials don't take any threat lightly and that the situation would be taken care of quickly to keep kids safe.

 

Fire Damages Anadarko Apartments

A fire at an Anadarko apartment complex Tuesday night caused hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage and left about a dozen people without homes. The blaze erupted at the Landmark Apartments at West 5th Street and Oklahoma Avenue about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Fortunately nobody was hurt. Anadarko firefighters summoned help from Gracemont, Verden, and Chickasha fire departments and crews were on the scene for about five hours. Anadarko Fire Chief Greg Stone estimated damage at $775,000. Stone said it appeared that an electrical short in the attic of one of the apartments sparked the blaze. Many of the families displaced were able to stay with other family members. He said the Anadarko First Baptist Church, The Caddo and Delaware Nations, and the Red Cross helped to provide some relief to the displaced residents.

 

Two Hurt in Turnpike Crash

Two people were taken to the hospital following a multi-vehicle crash on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. The accident happened in the eastbound lanes of the turnpike around mile marker 92 about 7:00 a.m. Tuesday. The highway patrol reports that a pickup was pulling a vehicle on a car dolly well below the minimum speed limit. A vehicle came up from behind and rear-ended the vehicle being towed. The names of those involved in the crash were not released. The OHP said their injuries were not life-threatening. The crash did move one of the concrete barriers in the median into a westbound lane of traffic. The highway was closed for three hours.

 

Onward Chickasha Survey Continues

Chickasha residents have a few more days to provide feedback on what they'd like the city to look like in the future. The Onward Chickasha project is an 18-month effort to provide ideas that will take the city into the middle part of the century. Landon Jones is with Guernsey and Associates, an Oklahoma City firm hired to conduct the survey. He said the survey includes-

 

              

 

 

The last day to provide input on this segment is Friday, Oct. 6th. Residents can go to the website www.onwardchickasha.org and it takes about 20 minutes. Jones said that Guernsey representatives will have a booth at the Oklahoma Food Truck championship on Saturday to help get info out.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $93.68 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $96.55.

Natural gas is $2.76 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,892 and silver is $22.81.

 

Obituaries

Susan White

A memorial service for Susan White, 61, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 29th at College Heights Baptist Church. She was a CNA and worked with the Chickasha Opportunity Workshop. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Precious Savoie

A memorial service for Precious Savoie, 23, of Lawton will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30th at Friendship Pentecostal Holiness Church in Lawton. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Sept. 27th

 

Child Abuse Suspect Faces Charges in Two Counties

A suspect wanted in connection with a child abuse investigation is booked into the Grady County Jail. 45-year old Jason Leroy Slape of Oklahoma City was moved from the Mayes County Jail in northeastern Oklahoma to Chickasha earlier this week. He’s facing a felony charge of child abuse by injury which was filed in Grady County District Court last December. At his initial court appearance yesterday a judge set bond at $40,000. No details about the investigation were immediately available. Slape is facing charges of assault and battery in Mayes County.

 

Rock Island Weekend About to Get Underway

The City of Chickasha is getting ready for an influx of thousands of visitors this weekend. The Rock Island Weekend as it is called will include the 15th annual Rock Island Arts Festival hosted by the Chickasha Area Arts Council. Nearly 100 vendors will line a couple of blocks in downtown Chickasha for three days. Sue Getman with the arts council said says the vendors will be set up in the 400 and 500 blocks of Chickasha Avenue.

 

              

 

 

The Arts Festival opens Friday and runs through Sunday and there will be live music and food trucks all three days.

Food Truck Championship

A big event Saturday will be the Oklahoma Food Truck Championship. About 30 food trucks will be competing for $10,000 in cash prizes. It will take place along Chickasha Avenue from the Leg Lamp to 4^th Street and will also have live music Saturday afternoon and evening.

Rock Island Ride

Saturday morning, the Rock Island Ride bicycle tour is anticipating more than 200 riders with courses ranging from 10 to 60 miles.

Together We Heel Walk

Also Saturday morning is the Together We Heel Walk against domestic violence for the Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network.

National Horse Show

A big event at the Grady County Fairgrounds is already underway. The National Welsh Pony and Cob Show runs through Sunday.

Twisterfest

There is also live music at Chickasha's Muscle Car Ranch which is hosting its 9th annual Twisterfest. That also runs Friday, Saturday, and Sunday with more than 50 bands playing on five stages throughout the ranch. An added attraction this year is professional wrestling which will have two shows Saturday night.

 

USAO Prof Puts Uses Grant for Public Art

A USAO professor receives a community-based grant to help with her work. Jordan Vinyard is the dean of the university’s School of Visual and Performing Arts. She was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition - which was made possible by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Vinyard's project is called ’This Little Piggy Has Meaning, This Little Piggy has None’ and consists of kinetic sculptures that playfully address how we define community values. There are eight fabricated piggy banks which can be found on the USAO campus and throughout the community.

 

Anadarko Library to Host Chocolate Celebration

The Anadarko Community Library is getting ready to celebrate all things chocolate. The library and Friends of the Library will host their annual chocolate celebration next week. There will be thousands of servings of chocolate goodies to choose from. Tickets are $7 each which allows the purchaser to select six servings of chocolate per ticket. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door. There will also be an auction of chocolate desserts. The chocolate celebration is Tuesday, Oct. 3rd from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the auction will begin about 6:00 p.m.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $90.39 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.96.

Natural gas is $2.65 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,912 and silver is $23.02.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Sept. 26th

 

Study Shows County Deputies are Poorly Paid

A recent study shows that county sheriff's offices are losing deputies because of low wages. State Senator Darrell Weaver of Moore held an interim study on the issue at the state capital yesterday. One sheriff said his budget only allows him to pay jailers, dispatchers, and other essential employees about $10 an hour - and deputies only slightly above that. Weaver says that's not enough for these dangerous and taxing jobs. County sheriffs say they are losing staff to cities and tribal and state agencies that are able to pay higher salaries. Also taking part in yesterday's study were sheriffs and lawmakers from Texas who virtually shared ideas on what has helped them raise pay and reduce turnover. Weaver said public safety should always be a top priority of government at any level. He said he's confident that lawmakers can come up with sensible solutions.

 

Interim Study Set to Better Help Domestic Violence Victims

Finding ways to better help victims of domestic violence will be the subject of an interim study at the state capital next week. State Rep. Ross Ford of Tulsa, a former police officer, will hold the study with the House Judiciary Committee. Ford said he also wants to address the generational impact of domestic violence. He said he'd like to look at early-intervention programs that would help victims leave their attackers. Ford said it will be a timely discussion since recent reports show Oklahoma leads the nation in domestic violence for both men and women and that the state is third in the country for the number of women killed by their significant others.  The hearing will be held Wednesday, Oct. 4th at 9:30 a.m. in Room 450 at the state capital.

 

Kiowa Tribal Leaders Look to Make Hobart a 'Smart City'

We reported last week that leaders of the Kiowa Tribe are reaching out to other tribes in an attempt to develop a plan to improve internet service to tribal members. The Kiowas are also working with the City of Hobart to try and make that community a Smart City. Kiowa Tribal Chairman Lawrence Spottedbird has invited the mayor of Pharr, Texas to Hobart to discuss that community's transformation from one of the worst-connected cities of its size -- to one where it built a majority of its own high-speed broadband network and launched and manage WiFi service in just 18 months. Pharr, Texas Mayor Ambrosio Hernandez will meet with Hobart and Kiowa Tribe officials tomorrow to talk about creating and implementing broadband infrastructure which would provide the foundation to develop employment opportunities as well as opportunities for schools, residents, and small businesses.

 

Senior Citizen Gored By Longhorn

A 75-year old man visiting the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge was recently gored by a longhorn. The unidentified man will be OK as officials reported his injuries were not life-threatening. KSWO-TV reports the man was in the refuge listening to elks bugling and may have gotten a little too close to the animal. Refuge officials remind visitors that when they are out in nature to stay a good distance away from wildlife. One basic guideline is that if you can't cover up the animal with your thumb raised on an outstretched arm - you are probably too close.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $89.68 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.29.

Natural gas is $2.64 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,930 and silver is $23.29.

 

Obituaries

Clyde ‘Butch’ Robertson

A memorial service for ‘Butch’ Robertson, 69, of Verden will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28^th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He served as the mayor of Verden and also worked for the town and also worked for the City of Chickasha.

Lydia Roberston

A memorial service for Lydia Roberston, 61, of Chickasha will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Monday, Sept. 25th

 

OSBI to Assist with Investigation of Missing Chickasha Man

Chickasha police have called in the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) to help with the investigation of a missing man. 46-year old Richard Clarence Houston has not been seen for more than three weeks. He was last seen Aug. 31st near the Chickasha post office. Authorities have not released a lot of information about Houston other than his physical description. He's Caucasian, 5’-5” tall, weighs about 300 pounds, has short brown hair, a mustache and goatee, and his right leg has been amputated below the knee. A photo of Houston is posted on the police department's Facebook page. Anyone with information is asked to contact Chickasha police by calling 405-222-6050.

 

Two Hospitalized After Crash with Farm Equipment

Two people are hospitalized after their car rear-ends a tractor pulling some farm equipment. 75-year old Glen Edwards and 73-year old Jeremy Edwards - both of Ft. Cobb - were taken to an Oklahoma City hospital where they were admitted in stable condition. The driver of the tractor, 70-year old John Wyatt of Hydro, was not hurt. The accident happened just after 3 o'clock Saturday afternoon north of Eakly. The trooper investigating the accident said the driver of the car, Glen Edwards, was distracted when he looked at his GPS just before the accident occurred.

 

OHP Continues Probe of Double-Fatality Accident

The highway patrol is continuing its investigation of a double-fatality accident involving two semis and a small SUV that happened Saturday evening. The crash claimed the lives of 60-year old Gracielia Hawkins and 61-year old Maria Daniel both of Weatherford who were in a Kia Soul. The accident happened just before 6 p.m. Saturday near mile marker 109 on I-40 in Canadian County which is close to Geary. Neither truck driver was seriously hurt. One of them was 68-year old Cordele Brandon of Chickasha who was treated and released at the scene.

 

Assistant Chix City Manager Named 'Woman of the Year'

A big honor for a City of Chickasha employee. Assistant City Manager and Community Development Director Rachel Bernish was named Woman of the Year at the annual conference of the Oklahoma Municipal League last week. Bernish won the award for communities with populations over 5,000 residents. In a press release announcing the award, Municipal League executive director Mike Fina said Bernish’s work modernized municipal processes and has led to better relationships between citizens and city hall. Chickasha City Manager Keith Johnson calls Bernish a transformative, dynamic leader who daily makes an impact for staff and citizens. She was noted for transitioning the Community Development Department from a paper-based system to an inter-active digital one. She also developed a program to help needy citizens borrow tools, receive equipment, and request volunteer assistance in order to work through or avoid code violations.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $90.03 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.27.

Natural gas is $2.63 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,942 and silver is $23.82.

 

Obituary

Elaine Tannis

A memorial service for Elaine Tannis, 72, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26^th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She worked as a loan officer and served on the board of directors for the Chickasha Senior Nutrition Center. Memorial contributions may be made to the nutrition center.

 

Saturday, Sept. 23rd

 

Couple Pleads Guilty to Profiting from International Scheme

A Tuttle couple has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to an international scheme where they made millions off of pirated telephone system software. The Oklahoman reports that Raymond Bradley Pearce and Dusti Pearce conspired with a New Jersey man to commit wire fraud which involved generating and then selling stolen software licenses. The licenses had a retail value of more than $88 million. The software was used to unlock features of a popular telephone system used by thousands of companies around the world. That licensing system has since been de-commissioned. The couple was accused of using their illegally-gained profits to buy large quantities of gold bullion and other valuables. The Pearces agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. They face up to 20 years in prison and must forfeit a money judgement of at least $4 million as well as gold, silver, collectible coins, crypto-currency, and a vehicle. Full restitution must also be paid to their victims.

 

Congressman Frank Lucas Works to Miminize

Impact of Foreign Investment in U.S. Farm Land

Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas (R-Cheyenne) hopes his recent efforts will help to better scrutinize foreign investment into U.S. agriculture. A house committee recently passed Lucas's Agriculture Risk Review Act. It calls for adding the nation's ag secretary as a permanent member of the House Committee on  Foreign  Investment in the United States.  A report on the website OK Energy Today indicates that currently the secretary and ag department can be designated as a lead agency for transactions on a case-by-case basis. The panel reviews transactions related to the purchase of agriculture land, ag bio-technology, or other purchases related to the ag industry. Lucas said the move is long overdue.

 

Obituary

Elaine Tanos

A memorial service for Beth ‘Elaine’ Tanos, 72, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She worked as a loan officer and served on the board of directors for the Chickasha Senior Nutrition Center.  Memorial contributions may be made to the nutrition center.

 

High School Football Scores

Weatherford 35, Chickasha 15

Blanchard 46, Harrah 13

Tuttle 30, Bethany 10

Bridge Creek 27, Classen SAS 7

Anadarko 62, Mannford 22

Minco 45, Cashion 0

Dibble 82, Wynnewood 17

Ringling 14, Rush Springs 6

Apache 49, Mangum 29

Hinton 36, Christian Heritage Academy 7

Hobart 56, Carnegie 24

Laverne 50, Alex 0

Cyril 28, Hollis 20

Ryan 52, Mt. View-Gotebo 6

Lindsay 60, Comanche 7

Marlow 22, Pauls Valley 7

Elgin 54, El Reno 21

 

---

 

Friday, Sept. 22nd

 

Chickasha Man Reported Missing

Authorities are asking for assistance in finding a disabled Chickasha man who has not been seen nor heard from in more than three weeks. 46-year old Richard Clarence Houston - whose right leg is amputated below the knee - was last seen on Thursday, August 31st around the post office in the 700 block of Kansas Avenue. Houston's photo is posted on the Chickasha Police Department's Facebook page.  He is Caucasian, about 5-feet-5-inches tall, and weighs about 300 pounds. The photo shows him with short brown hair with a brown mustache and a short goatee. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Chickasha Police Department by calling 405-222-6050 or any local law enforcement.

 

Grenade Found Near Chickasha Home

There were media reports that a grenade was found in a Chickasha neighborhood last night. KFOR TV reported that the Chickasha Police Department requested help from the highway patrol bomb squad. It was not immediately known if the grenade was live. The grenade was found in the area of Country Club Road and Flanders Drive some time before 8 p.m.

 

Grady County Consumer Spending Down Slightly

Consumer spending in Grady County was down slightly to end the first half of the calendar year. It's estimated that spending for the month of June was just under $9.7 million - which was off about 5.2 percent from May. June was the second highest month for consumer spending in the first six months with May holding down the top spot. The June number was more than 15 percent ahead of the same period in 2022. We estimate consumer spending when we see sales tax revenue for the county. The county received about $727,000 in sales tax collections in August which represents the purchase of taxable goods and services from June.

How is the sales tax revenue spent?

Here's how the sales tax revenue is distributed. The Grady County Fairgrounds received $242,000; Grady Memorial Hospital, $214,000; The 20 Grady County Fire Districts shared $121,000 with each one getting $6,000; the seven Senior Nutrition Centers shared $121,000 with each one getting $17,000; Tuttle EMS collected $23,000; and Rush Springs EMS received $5,500.

City of Chickasha numbers

For the city of Chickasha, sales tax revenues for August were just over $1.1 million which were paid on just over $29 million on the purchase of taxable goods and services at Chickasha retail outlets in June.

 

Tribes Consider Coalition to Create Broadband Service Firm

Officials with The Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma are gathering with leaders of other tribes to form a coalition in order create their own broadband service provider. Kiowa Tribal Chairman Lawrence Spottedbird says the coalition could pool federal money and state funds to establish their own internet company. Spottedbird said the Kiowas have struggled to attract a reliable and affordable provider because of the tribe's small population. He has reached out to the Comanche and Caddo Nations as well as the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribe. He said he didn't want to overlap into the other tribes' plans but did want to coordinate and cooperate with them in order to enhance and support each other. Spottedbird said they hope to form the coalition soon and have a grant application ready by the end of January.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $89.63 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.60.

Natural gas is $2.84 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,944 and silver is $23.94.

 

Obituary

Nolan Rogers

A graveside service for Nolan Rogers, 67, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Thursday, Sept. 21st

 

Ninnekah School District Voters to Decide Bond Issues

Proposals to build a new gymnasium and make some improvements at the Ninnekah High School and purchase some new buses for the school system will be decided by Ninnekah school district voters next month. The two bond issues total nearly $20 million. The first proposal is a nearly $19.6 million plan to build a new gymnasium in phases and the second is a $400,000 transportation bond. Officials say property taxes would not increase if the bond issues are approved. The special election will be on Tuesday, Oct. 10th.

 

Speakers Set for USAO's Social Justice, Racial Healing Center

A prison-reform advocate along with an author who was a finalist for the National Book Award will be keynote speakers for a USAO event next month. Both will be addressing a program hosted by the Ada Lois Sipuel-Fisher Center for Social Justice and Racial Healing. Prison-reform advocate Reginald Betts is a poet and legal scholar who earned a Masters in Fine Arts Degree after serving more than eight years in prison for an armed car-jacking when he was 16. He founded an organization called Freedom Reads which gives prison inmates access to books. The other keynote speaker will be Arlie Hochschild, professor-emeritus of sociology at the University of California-Berkley. Hochschild has written nine books including Strangers in Their Own Land: Anger and Mourning on the American Right, which was a finalist for the National Book Award. The event is part of the Sipuel-Fisher Center's Building Bridges 2.0; Liberty, Justice, and Equality program Oct. 23rd through 25th.

 

Theatre Group to Celebrate Anniversary of Re-organization

The Chickasha Community Theatre is gearing up for its final show of the year. Rehearsals recently began for The Sound of Music which will be performed over two weekends in November. The theater is also preparing to celebrate the 30th anniversary year of its re-organization. It was originally active from about 1968 to 1976. Fast forward 18 years to 1994 where supporters came together to re-start the theatre and it’s been going strong ever since. Kristy Jarnagin was among those helping to provide new life to the group. She serves on the governing board and still performs occasionally. With the help of numerous donors and fund-raising campaigns Jarnagin says there have been a lot of improvements made to its home - the historic Washita Theatre downtown.

 

              

 

 

The group has already announced its 2024 schedule which can be seen on its website. There is one event at the theatre prior to The Sound of Music. There will be an evening of ghost stories during the downtown Fright Night which is set for Friday, Oct. 13th.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $90.28 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.52.

Natural gas is $2.73 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,944 and silver is $23.47.

 

Obituaries

Richard Souders, Jr.

Funeral service for Richard Souders, Jr., 58, of Pocasset will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22^nd at the First Baptist Church of Mustang. He worked for Delta Airlines and for the City of Oklahoma City. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Joy Bollman

Funeral service for Joy Bollman, 85, of Chickasha and formerly of the Alex and Blanchard area will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26th at Epworth Methodist Church. She was a volunteer at Grady Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Sept. 20th

 

Two Injured in Separate Traffic Accidents

Two people were hospitalized following separate traffic accidents early Tuesday morning. 26-year old Emily Johnston of Newcastle was hurt when she crashed her Jeep near the junction of U.S. Highway 62 and the Alex Highway just after 5 a.m. That was before a thunderstorm moved through the area. The highway patrol reports that Johnston tried to pass a vehicle and didn’t have sufficient clearance. She swerved to avoid oncoming traffic, left the highway, and rolled three times. Johnston was last in fair condition in an Oklahoma City hospital.

One critically hurt in multi-vehicle crash

One person suffered life-threatening injuries in an accident on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike southeast of Chickasha about 6 a.m. Tuesday - which occurred after a storm moved through that area.  A pick-up ran off the highway and hit a legally-parked car that had its emergency flashers on. The pick-up then was hit by a semi. 36-year old Johnathan Price of Princeton, Missouri was a passenger in the pick-up. He was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was last in critical condition. The driver of the pick-up, 40-year old Michael Frakes of Lawton was treated and released from a hospital. Two people in the car - 51-year old Donald Tharp of Apache and 48-year old Johnny Fields, Jr. of Fletcher - were also hospitalized briefly but were treated and released. The driver of the semi was identified as 49-year old David Evans of Norman who was also treated and released.

 

Cancer Survivor Urges Congress to Support Research for Cure

A three-time cancer survivor is spending some time in the nation's capitol this week advocating on behalf of the American Cancer Society. As a young man, Howie Jackson of Chickasha survived two bouts with leukemia and earlier this year he won a battle with prostate cancer. For the last several years he has been going to Washington, D.C. to encourage Congress to support funding to help find cures for cancer.

 

              

 

 

Jackson’s work in Washington started in 2010. His efforts include supporting local Relay for Life campaigns which raise funds for the American Cancer Society to support ongoing cancer research.

 

Chickasha Fall Clean-up Campaign Begins

Chickasha residents are encouraged to do some fall clean up this week. The city's public works headquarters will be accepting all kinds of trash, limbs, furniture, appliances, and any unwanted items that may be cluttering up yards, garages, and sheds. There will be large roll-off dumpsters at public works, which is on Genevieve Street north of the animal shelter. Shae Mortimer with the city says residents will have to show they live in the city limits in order to use the free service.

 

              

 

 

Hours will be from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today through Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. There is a separate area for limb and brush disposal and it does not have to be cut down to a smaller size. Refrigerators and window air conditioning units will have to have the Freon removed by a certified technician and individuals will have to show that documentation in order to drop them off. Items that won't be accepted include tires, batteries, motor oil, paint, or items considered to be hazardous materials.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $91.20 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $94.34.

Natural gas is $2.85 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,953 and silver is $23.56.

 

Obituary

Billy Bob Tryon

Funeral service for Billy Bob Tryon, 76, of Chickasha will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 21st at Bible Baptist Church. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Sept. 19th

 

Changes to Planned Downtown Chix Park Approved

The Chickasha City Council put its stamp of approval on changes to the proposed downtown park being planned near the Rock Island Railroad Depot. Pat Brooks with the Chickasha Community Foundation outlined the changes in a 20-minute presentation during last night’s city council meeting. Brooks said among the most noticeable changes is a mini-train which will circle the six-acre park. There will also be a train station, playgrounds, pickleball and sand volleyball courts, and an area to show outdoor movies. There is also a large stable for developer Chet Hitt to keep his Town's End draft horses in.  Hitt plans on offering wagon rides during special events. Brooks said another round of fund-raising for the park will begin soon and they are hoping to begin construction on some of the projects by this time next year. Further down the road there could be an area for a carousel and perhaps a community flower and/or vegetable garden. The park will be open year-round and will be locked at night.

New city park regulations approved

The council approved changes to a couple of city ordinances which may be targeted at the homeless. The council established hours at city parks to be from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and that no overnight camping will be allowed. Police could give a ticket to anyone violating the new rules. It wasn't clear what the fine might be but most tickets cost about $175. The new regulations would not impact camping or overnight stays at Lake Chickasha. Another ordinance change prohibits trespassing and illegal entrance on public or private property. Emergency clauses on all of the changes were approved meaning they will go into effect as soon as they are published.

Chicken limit established; roosters banned

The council also approved a limit on the number of chickens or other fowl a household could have. Officials say residents can have a maximum of five chickens but it bans roosters. Residents must get a city permit and have annual inspections. The permit fee would benefit Animal Control.

 

USAO Board of Regents Has New Face

The newest regent for the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) has taken her oath of office. Sulphur pharmacist Amanda Conley took her seat on the panel recently. She was appointed to the post by Gov. Kevin Stitt and the state senate approved the appointment. Her term is for seven years and she takes over the post previously held by David Ferrell. The Conley family has been in the cattle business for five generations. She works as a contract pharmacist for the Chickasaw Nation and she also currently serves as a board member for Arbuckle Memorial Hospital.

University gets more national publicity

In other university news, USAO has been named a top-20 public liberal arts university by U.S. News and World Report for the second straight year.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $91.48 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $94.43.

Natural gas is $2.73 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,956 and silver is $23.59.

 

Obituaries

James Odom

Funeral service for James Odom, 95, of Amber will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 21st at the First Baptist Church of Amber. He was rancher and dairy farmer and spent many years on the Amber-Pocasset school board. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Amber.

Dellas Anderson

A memorial service for Dellas Anderson, 91, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 23rd at the First Baptist Church of Chickasha. He was a U.S. Army veteran and worked for the Soil Conservation Service for nearly 40 years. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon’s International.

John Periman

A memorial service for John Periman, 88, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, Sept. 25th at First Baptist Church of Chickasha. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran, was a store manager for Humpty Dumpty and Dunn’s, and sang bass with the church choir and barbershop quartets. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Monday, Sept. 18th

 

Two Critically Injured in Weekend Accident

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is still investigating a weekend crash which critically injured two young women. An un-named 16-year old from Chickasha and 22-year old McKayla Rodriguez of Alex were in a small SUV which was involved in a collision with a pick-up about four miles west of Marlow. The accident happened just after 4 o'clock Saturday afternoon. Both were air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital. Details of the crash were not reported. The pick-up was driven by 33-year old Eldon Nihipali of Marlow who was not hurt. The OHP reported that seat belts were being used in both vehicles.

 

Violent Threat Issued Toward Friend School

Friend School officials say classes will be held today as usual today after the school received a violent threat. A post on the Grady County Sheriff's Office Facebook page - attributed to Friend Superintendent Trevor Rogers - says a student made the threat after school last Friday. Rogers says the school's new resource officer and the sheriff's office were notified. Rogers said patrons should rest assured that the situation was thoroughly investigated and addressed effectively in conjunction with state and federal laws.

 

Chix Sewer Line Replacement Cost Increases

The price tag for repairing a sewer line just west of downtown Chickasha is getting more expensive. The city council tonight will consider some added costs to the project that is near 16th Street and U.S. Highway 62 (Choctaw Avenue). Officials say they have to move the sewer line 20 feet west of the original location. While digging to install the new line it was discovered that there was an existing pipeline in that same area that could not have been found in the original work plan. The additional materials will add $27,000 to the cost of that project.

Ordinance proposed to limit number of chickens at households

The council will also consider some changes to city ordinances including one that pertains to having chickens and other fowl in the city limits. The proposal calls for a maximum of five birds per household and roosters would not be allowed. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

Lincoln School Sets Conferences, Book Fair, Fund Raiser

Lincoln Elementary School will have parent-teacher conferences after school both today and tomorrow. There will also be a special fund-raiser and scholastic book fair during those times. Conferences will run from 3:45 to 7:15 today and tomorrow afternoon. The fund raiser is with Nothing Bundt Cakes out of Norman which will be giving some proceeds of their sales to the school. The scholastic book sale will be held at the library.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $90.77 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.93.

Natural gas is $2.64 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,984 and silver is $23.43.

 

Obituaries

Loretta Burton

A graveside service for Loretta Burton, 86, of Alex will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19th at the Alex Cemetery. She worked at Grady Memorial Hospital and the highway department. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Kevin Quillin

Funeral service for Kevin Quillin, 53, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 19^th at Full Gospel Church. He owned and operated Chickasha Upholstery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Natalie Pearson

Funeral service for Natalie Pearson, 72, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Sept. 22nd at Abundant Life Christian Church in Lawton. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

Saturday, Sept. 16th

 

Admitted Killer Sentenced for Death of his Father

A man who admitted killing his father with a cinder block has been sentenced to 25 years behind bars. A federal judge sentenced Phillip Keith Ray, 45, to 300 months in prison this week. Ray pleaded guilty to second degree murder a year ago. The fatal attack occurred at a Chickasha home in October of 2021. The victim's body was found in the backyard of a home in the 900 block of South 13th Street. The case was heard in federal court as Ray is a member of the Comanche Nation and the crime occurred within Native American territory.

 

Oklahoma Song Writer Phil Sampson Dies

Oklahoma song writer Phil Sampson has died. Many say Sampson was one of Oklahoma's finest song-writers. He was best known for writing the No. 1 hit single "I Loved 'Em Everyone" released by T.G. Sheppard in 1981. Sampson was 80 years old when he passed away in Lawton last week from complications after a fall. Sampson grew up around the Chickasha area before he and his wife Susan settled in Lawton. In the 1960s he played the folk coffee house circuit. He then spent some time in California then returned to Oklahoma and began playing in a new bar in Medicine Park run by Vietnam veterans. He is survived by two brothers including Gary Sampson, a retired Chickasha school teacher and Kent Sampson of Stillwater; and one sister Mary Ann Lombard of Massachusetts. Funeral service for Phil Sampson was held today (Saturday, Sept. 16^th) at St. John's Lutheran Church in Lawton.

 

Wildlife Refuge Hosting Elk Tours

Among the fall programs to enjoy at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife refuge are their bugling elk tours. The tours are offered every weekend through Oct. 22nd. These are 3-hour bus tours which go through the special use area of refuge during the height of the elk mating season. Members of the Friends of the Wichitas serve as guides for the tours. Most are in the evening beginning about 5 p.m. but there will be two morning tours available, at 6:30 a.m. Saturday Sept. 23rd and again on Saturday, Oct. 7th. The tours are free but reservations are required and can be made by calling the refuge. Children must be at least eight years old.

 

Talk Show Topics

Kristy Jarnagin with the Chickasha Community Theatre is on the KOOL Konversation and Sue Getman with the Chickasha Area Arts Council is on Real Estate Today. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituaries

Loretta Burton

A graveside service for Loretta Burton, 86, of Alex will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 19th at the Alex Cemetery. She worked at Grady Memorial Hospital and the highway department. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Natalie Pearson

Funeral service for Natalie Pearson, 72, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 22nd at Abundant Life Christian Church in Lawton. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

High School Football Scores

Chickasha 31, Anadarko 8

Minco 67, Merritt 24

Blanchard 34, Shawnee 31

Guthrie 20, Tuttle 3

Bridge Creek 42, Western Heights 12

Newcastle 69, Woodward 7

Alex 42, Maysville 16

Tipton 46, Cyril 0

Hinton 55, Carnegie 20

Apache 26, Ringling 0

Mt. View-Gotebo 32, Hollis 14

Marlow 27, Perkins-Tryon 21

 

---

 

Friday, Sept. 15th

 

Man Dies After Tree Falls on Him

A worker at a moto-cross track died in a tragic accident this week. The Grady County Sheriff's Office reports that 23-year old Tracy Farrow was using a front-end loader to clear out some trees at the track about two miles south of Rush Springs. A large tree rolled off the bucket and fell on to Farrow. Undersheriff Kori Brewer said a bike rider who discovered the accident called it in. It happened about 3:30 Wednesday afternoon.

 

Suspect Faces Murder Charge After Fatal Crash

A murder charge has been filed in connection with last weekend's traffic death of an Anadarko woman. 35-year old Billie Butler died in what was reported as a single vehicle accident last Saturday night. She was described as a passenger in an SUV that crashed but no driver was listed. Anadarko police say they were able to identify the driver as 45-year old Justin Chase Milford. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was taken into custody at a Cyril home on Monday. A probable cause affidavit from Anadarko police says that an officer pulled the vehicle over for an expired tag. The vehicle then pulled away from the officer which led to a short pursuit. As the SUV approached a bridge on Highway 281 – the officer said it appeared that Butler was trying jump out. About the same time, the driver did jump out of the moving SUV and was able to elude authorities on foot. The SUV drifted toward the bridge and Butler became pinned between the SUV and the bridge where she died from her injuries. Milford has been charged with first degree murder and eluding and he remains in the Caddo County Jail with bond set at $800,000. Milford also has outstanding warrants out of Grady County including a felony for unauthorized use of a vehicle following an arrest just last week, and for a misdemeanor charge of driving under suspension following an arrest in July.

 

Driver Hospitalized Following SUV Rollover

An Amber man is hospitalized after his SUV crashed. 59-year old Steven Mackey was injured in the accident that happened just before noon yesterday. The highway patrol reported that Mackey's SUV ran off the road and rolled onto its top, pinning Mackey inside for an undetermined amount of time. He was wearing a seatbelt and the airbags did deploy. He was taken by ground ambulance to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was last in fair condition with head, trunk, and internal injuries.

 

Anonymous Donor Pays for New Swings in Chix Parks

A couple of Chickasha parks have some new playground equipment thanks to an anonymous donor. Parks and Recreation Director Spencer Winzenried said a contributor who wished to remain nameless gave the city $5,000 to purchase the equipment. Winzenreid said swings have been installed in Austin Park (which is near the Canadian Valley Technology Center) and at the 12th and Alabama Avenue park. The metal-framed swing sets are about eight feet tall and 32 feet wide and wood chips have been added for safety. The swings were installed at no cost thanks to CMS Willowbrook Development. Winzenreid said the swing sets could use some specialized swings for disabled children. He said they cost about $500 each and is hopeful another donor or donors would provide those funds.

 

Winner Announced in Chix PD Rib Cook-off

There's a new barbecue rib champion at the Chickasha Police Department. Lt. Traye Alexander was named the champion of the this week’s cook-off. A panel of four judges selected one of two of Alexander's entries as the winner. There were a total of eight entries in the competition. It was the first time for Alexander to win the cook-off after finishing runner-up several times. The defending champion was Lt. Lauren Jewell who was also among the competitors. The police department holds cooking challenges at different times throughout the year and sometimes has a chili cook-off.

 

Monthly Cars and Coffee at the Leg is Tomorrow

Classic and antique cars, truck, motorcycles, street rods, custom builts, ATVs, and UTVs will be on display in downtown Chickasha tomorrow morning. It’s Cars and Coffee at the Leg which is held the third Saturday of every month. It is not a judged show and no membership is required, so anyone who wants to show off their vehicle is welcome. Contact Brad Bates by calling 405- 426-7041 for information. There's free coffee and donuts for everyone. Cars and Coffee at the Leg runs from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in downtown Chickasha.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $90.16 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.70.

Natural gas is $2.71 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,939 and silver is $23.38.

 

---

 

Thursday, Sept. 14th

 

Chickasha Officials Respond to Water Complaints

Chickasha residents have been complaining about brown and smelly water recently. City officials blame the issue on an increase of manganese in the water supply coming from the Ft. Cobb Reservoir. The spike in manganese is a problem experienced in many Oklahoma communities this time of year. It typically occurs in late summer and some websites attribute the problem to reservoir water ‘turning over’ – where mineral-rich water at the bottom rises to the top and enters distribution lines. The city issued a prepared statement which says the contractor of the city's water treatment plant (USW) indicate manganese has not reached unsafe levels. USW representatives say their on-going testing shows the water is safe to drink and to use. City crews are flushing the city's water lines by opening fire hydrants throughout the city in an attempt to get the affected water through the system faster. The statement said that manganese is a naturally occurring mineral and is found in small amounts in the human body which supports bone and tissue health. However, websites indicate that exposure to high levels of manganese can affect the nervous system and damage kidneys.

 

More Info Released About Marijuana Grow Facility Break-in

We have more details about the arrest of a suspect alleged to have been involved with the break-in of a marijuana grow facility east of Chickasha earlier this week. The suspect, 24-year old Billy Eugene Thomas, is said to be part of an Oklahoma City gang. The Grady County Sheriff's Office posted information about Thomas’ arrest on its Facebook page. The post showed several bags that officials say contains 140 pounds of marijuana deputies recovered that Thomas and others allegedly stole from the facility then threw out of a car during a high-speed pursuit with law enforcement. Investigators are looking for two other suspects. Thomas has been charged with felony counts of burglary and drug possession. He remains in the Grady County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

 

Electric School Buses Now Part of Chix Schools Fleet

Chickasha Public Schools now have some electric school buses in its fleet. Three buses arrived yesterday after being trucked in from Springfield, Illinois. Chickasha schools received a federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to purchase five EV buses at a cost of $375,000 each. The school district's Director of Operations Dan Turner says they want to see if using electric buses will save the district money on fuel and maintenance costs.

 

              

 

 

The buses are much quieter than a standard gasoline or diesel bus. They will be used for in-town routes only. Turner said among the interesting features is that when buses are plugged in for re-charging, data is sent to a California firm showing if the bus is having any problems. That firm can contact an Oklahoma City company which will send a technician to Chickasha make repairs.

 

Carnegie Man Hospitalized after Crash

A Caddo County man was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital in a medical helicopter after being injured when his pickup ran off the roadway. 76-year old Michael Dietrich of Carnegie was last in stable condition. The accident happened just before 9:30 a.m. Wednesday on State Highway 58 about eight miles south of Carnegie. The highway patrol said Dietrich veered off the highway, drove through a fence, and came to rest on an embankment. It wasn't immediately known what caused Dietrich to run off the road.

 

Downtown Tattoo Earns Some Top Awards at Conference

KOOL-RANCH radio and Mollman Media send a shout out to Downtown Tattoo in  Chickasha which had another great showing at this year's Texas Tattoo Conference in Paris, Texas recently. They had four first-place finishes including the most realistic tattoo, the best large black-and-gray tattoo, the best small black-and-gray tattoo, and the best black piece.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $88.52 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $91.88.

Natural gas is $2.68 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,929 and silver is $22.87.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Sept. 13th

 

Voters Reject CV Tech Bond Issue; Elect New Minco Mayor

Voters in more than 100 precincts across four counties turned down that massive $75 million bond proposal for the Canadian Valley Technology Center school districts in yesterday's special election. The voting was split nearly 50-50. Of the more than 5,000 ballots cast 2,556 were ‘no’ votes and  2,508 were ‘yes’ votes. The plan needed a 60 percent super majority for passage.

Plan supported in Grady County

Grady County voters overwhelmingly supported the plan with nearly three of every four of the more than 1,000 voters who cast ballots said yes. The unofficial count was 671 ‘yes’ votes and 379 ‘no’ votes.

Canadian County voters opposed the plan

However, nearly 55 percent of the more than 3,900 Canadian County voters rejected the measure.  There were 2,104 ‘no’ votes and only 1,735 ‘yes’ votes.

Oklahoma and Caddo County voters liked the bond

150 voters in Oklahoma County gave just under 60 percent approval to the plan (91 ‘yes’ votes to 62 ‘no’ votes) and in Caddo County there were 15 votes cast with 8 ‘yes’ votes and 7 ‘no’ votes. Officials were hoping to make $25 million worth of improvements at the Chickasha campus and build a $50 million public safety training facility at the El Reno campus.

Hollandsworth to be next Minco mayor

Voters in the town of Minco have elected a new mayor. Long-time city councilwoman and vice mayor Susan Hollandsworth won by just 18 votes over challenger Dena Sanford. The unofficial tally shows Hollandsworth collecting just over 53 percent of the vote, 157 to 139. Hollandsworth will be sworn in during a future town council meeting and will take over the post previously held by Keith McMullen. McMullen stepped down earlier this year after a majority of the town council slashed the budget for the Minco police department.

 

1 of 3 Suspects in Custody for Marijuana Grow Facility Burglary

One suspect is in custody and authorities are looking for two others in connection with the break-in of a marijuana grow facility in the Tabler area. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess said deputies were dispatched to investigate some suspicious activity just after midnight Tuesday. Authorities encountered a vehicle which began to speed away and the ensuing pursuit topped 100 miles per hour. During the chase the suspects threw numerous bags of marijuana out of the car. The vehicle became disabled when a tire blew out and three individuals got out and fled on foot. Authorities captured 24-year old Billy Eugene Thomas who his being held in the Grady County Jail on complaints of burglary and eluding. Boggess said officials at the grow facility believed about 150 pounds of product were stolen.

 

Rock Island Weekend Expected to Draw Thousands to Chix

We are about two weeks away from one of the biggest weekends of the year in Chickasha. The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce is calling it The Rock Island Weekend with Bites, Bikes, and Art Vibes. The three-day event will be in downtown Chickasha from Friday, Sept. 29th through Sunday, Oct. 1st. It includes the 15th annual Rock Island Arts Festival hosted by the Chickasha Arts Council. The festival will take up the 400 and 500 blocks of Chickasha Avenue all three days. Saturday will be a huge day with the Chamber's Oklahoma Food Truck Championship. More than 30 food trucks will line the 100 through the 300 blocks of Chickasha Avenue competing for a $10,000 grand prize. Also Saturday, the annual Rock Island Ride bicycle tour will be held which is an event that has drawn more than 300 riders in recent years. Also Saturday, the Together We Heel walk against domestic violence hosted by the Grady County Coordinated Community Response Team and the Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network (ICAN).  Visit the website: www. visitchickasha.com/rock-island-weekend

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $88.84 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $92.06.

Natural gas is $2.74 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,933 and silver is $23.18.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Sept. 12th

 

CV Tech Bond Issue; Minco Mayoral Election on Ballots Today

There are special elections in some but not all areas of the state today.  Voters in 14 school districts within the Canadian Valley Technology Center service areas are casting ballots on a $75 million bond issue. If approved, funds will pay for an estimated $25 million in improvements at the nearly 60-year old Chickasha campus; and a $50 million stand-alone public safety training facility at the El Reno campus. Some of the updates on the Chickasha campus could include major renovations to existing buildings; more focused points of entry for safety and security; a storm shelter to meet growth; additional parking, and new space designed to meet an increase in demand for workplace settings which include electrical,  cosmetology, and hospitality fields. If approved, property taxes would increase about $30 per year on a $100,000 home. The bond issue needs a 60-percent super-majority from voters throughout Grady, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties to pass.

Two candidates vie for Minco Mayor

In Minco today, voters are electing a new mayor. Susan Hollandsworth and Dena Sanford are on the ballot. Polls are open until 7 o'clock tonight.

 

Minco School Superintendent Discusses Proposed Bond Issue

Also in Minco, school superintendent Kevin Sims discussed details of a nearly $23 million bond proposal announced last week. Sims aired about a 25-minute video on the school district's Facebook page yesterday to outline the plan designed to build a new football stadium and track. Sims said the current facilities are outdated and while the district has about 100 students who run track - the district doesn't even have a track. Sims said it is one phase of future projects planned for the district.

 

              

 

 

Sims said the next project would be a new show barn for the agriculture program. If approved, property taxes for Minco school district patrons would increase about 4 percent - or about $40 per year on a $100,000 home. Voters will decide the issue in a special bond election in November.

 

Chix Planning Commission to Hold Two Public Hearings

Public hearings for a re-zoning application to build a new laundromat and approval of an over-sized structure already built will be held by the Chickasha Planning Commission today. Bassm Alzoubi is asking to re-zone some property at 16th and Park Avenue from residential-use to general commercial-use. The oversize building request is for Jim and Denise Gerlach at 820 East Choctaw. The Planning Commission meets at 4 o'clock this afternoon at city hall.

 

Grady County DAV Chapter's Monthly Meeting Tonight

Grady County Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 17 will hold its monthly meeting tonight. There will be an ice cream social so members are encouraged to stop in, visit with their fellow veterans, find out what's going on, and help plan for upcoming events. The meeting will get underway about 6 o'clock tonight. DAV Chapter 17 meets the second Tuesday of every month at the DAV Center downtown Chickasha at 6th and Chickasha Avenue.

 

Gov. Stitt Calls Another Special Session for Tax Cut Talks

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt has called for a special session of state lawmakers to consider his on-going effort to cut taxes, and to increase transparency in the state budget process. In a prepared statement, Stitt said he's calling on lawmakers to put Oklahoma on a path to zero income tax and give Oklahomans a much-needed tax break. The agenda calls for lawmakers to consider a trigger law mandating that if a state or federal court finds some individuals who - due to  their race, heritage, or political classification don't have to pay a state tax - then no Oklahoman would have to pay that tax. The agenda also calls for a measure to increase budget transparency to ensure Oklahomans and their elected representatives have the ability and opportunity to see how their tax dollars are being spent. Twice before, the governor has been unable to get his tax cut proposals through the legislature in either regular or special sessions. The special session is scheduled to start October 3rd.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $87.29 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $90.64.

Natural gas is $2.61 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,941 and silver is $23.31.

 

---

 

Monday, Sept. 11th

 

Chix Schools to End Shooting Sports Program

A clay-shooting sports program that began in Chickasha Public Schools last year is being closed down. Tonight, the Chickasha school board will act on a recommendation from Superintendent Rick Croslin to eliminate the program. Croslin said the reason is for safety concerns. The school board is being asked to transfer funds collected for the shooting sports program to the girls' power-lifting program.

Soccer coaches to teach an hour a day

The panel will also consider boys’ soccer coach Damon Mantooth and girls’ soccer coach Jimmy Hampton for part-time teaching positions for one hour each day.

Lease change for old Intermediate School proposed

The board of education will also consider a contract change with the Washita Valley Community Action Council's (WVCAC) lease of the former Intermediate School. The council leases the building from the school district for its Head Start and Early Head Start programs. The WVCAC is asking to add another building at that site to the lease. If approved, WVCAC would be responsible for all utilities, maintenance, repair of water, sewer, and gas lines; heat and air units; and the fire control system.

Bill Wallace employees to be honored

The school board will also recognize a couple of Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center employees. Teacher Tonya Yokum was named the district's certified employee of the month and Flor Zubiate is the support employee of the month. The school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the School administration building.

 

Fatal Weekend Crashes Remain Under Investigation

Women dies in Anadarko accident

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) continues an investigation into a fatal crash that happened in Anadarko Saturday night. 35-year old Billie Butler of Oklahoma City died in the single-vehicle accident that happened 1/2 mile north of Anadarko on Highway 281 just before 11:00 p.m. Saturday. Butler was listed as a passenger in the SUV and investigators were trying to determine if she was the driver. Highway 281 was closed for more than 3 1/2 hours after the crash.

Motorcyclist dies in Fletcher crash

The OHP is also still investigating a fatal crash between a pickup and a motorcycle that happened in Fletcher early Saturday morning. 38-year old Gilbert Crow of Oklahoma City was pronounced dead at the scene. Crow was riding a motorcycle that was involved in a collision with a Dodge Ram 1500 pickup. The truck was driven by 46-year old Randy Herring of Apache. Neither he, nor a passenger identified as 32-year old Jessica Dacus of Fletcher, were hurt.

 

Minco School District Voters to Decide Athletic Complex Bond

Minco school district patrons will be asked to approve a multi-million bond issue to build a new athletic complex. If approved, the nearly $23 million proposal would allow the district to install a new turf field for the football program and other improvements. The measure will be on a special election ballot in November.

 

Cattle Producers Announce Youth Steer Contest

Grady County youth who show cattle are being encouraged to take part in a performance steer contest. The program is hosted by the Grady County Cattle Producers Association. Youth will enter a calf in the program next month and raise the animal over the next several months. Officials with the cattle producers say it is a great way for the youth to learn about beef production. Cash prizes will be awarded in the spring. Entries need to be submitted by Oct. 15th and it is limited to 25 contestants. Contact the Grady County OSU Extension Office for information by calling 405-224-2216.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $87.51 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $90.65.

Natural gas is $2.61 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,949 and silver is $23.39.

 

Saturday, Sept. 9th

 

Doctor Dies While Fighting Fire at his Home

Longtime family practice doctor Gayle Bounds has died. Bounds passed away while fighting a fire at his home southwest of Dibble. Grady County Undersheriff Kori Brewer said deputies and the Grady County Fire Department were dispatched to the Bounds’ home about 5 o'clock Thursday afternoon. Brewer said that a fire got out of a burn pit and was approaching the family home. Brewer said that Bounds suffered a medical episode while fighting the fire. No one else was home at the time. The home was not damaged. Brewer said the state medical examiner will determine the doctor's cause of death.

 

OHP Investigates Fatal Fletcher Crash

Authorities are investigating a deadly crash in the Fletcher area this morning. We don't have any details other than two vehicles were involved and that the Oklahoma Highway Patrol  shut down traffic near Northeast  120th Street and King Road just before 3:30 this morning.

 

Details Emerge Regarding Arrest of Caddo County Pursuit Suspect

KOOL-RANCH News has updated information about the arrest of a Caddo County man after a pursuit this week. We reported that 45-year old Evan McElhaney was being held in the Caddo County Jail on a $500,000 bond after being charged with multiple felonies. KSWO-TV cites court documents which indicate authorities were called to the Crows Roost area at Ft. Cobb Lake Tuesday morning to investigate a man who was believed to be intoxicated and shooting at several homes. As officers surrounded McElhaney's home and waited for the arrival of a Special Response Team, McElhaney sped away in his pick-up. He initially managed to elude authorities, however he was located several hours later and led authorities on a pursuit but they were able to get him stopped and take him in to custody. McElhaney is facing charges which include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, shooting with intent to kill, running a road block and eluding.

 

Benefit Car Show Helps Tuttle Teen Battling Rare Illness

The Tuttle community is rallying behind a teenager battling a rare form of Parkinson's Disease for which there is no cure. Hunter Edge has been in a Houston hospital for several months and is under-going experimental treatments which have already cost several hundred thousand dollars. Hunter is the son of Dusty and Lindsay Edge and family friend Jason Johnston has put together a car show today to help the family pay for the mounting medical bills. Members of the Tri City Cruisers and the Thursday Night Cruisers of Mustang are hosting the car show today at Coal Creek Winery. More than 40 trophies will be awarded, food trucks will be on hand, and proceeds from the day will go to the Edge family.

 

Ft. Sill Soldiers Complete Basic Training

Nearly 400 Ft. Sill soldiers were recognized for completing their basic training this week. Soldiers from Charlie Battery, 1st Battalion, 79th Field Artillery Division; and Fox Battery, 1^st Battalion, 31st Field Artillery Division were commended for their work and will now head to various advanced training schools.

 

High School Football Scores

Chickasha, idle

Anadarko, idle

Bridge Creek, idle

Tuttle 35, Noble 7

Piedmont 21, Blanchard 7

Newcastle 35, Plainview 21

Minco 33, Apache 23

SW Covenant 55, Alex 0

Mt. View-Gotebo 38, Cyril 6

Lindsay 38, Atoka 7

Marlow 42, Comanche 6

 

---

 

Friday, Sept. 8th

 

Cyril Home Invasion Suspect Arrested

An alleged gunman is facing a half-dozen felony charges after a recent break-in at a home in Cyril. 48-year old John Raymond Moore is facing the charges in Caddo County District Court. KSWO-TV points to court documents which allege Moore broke into the home, pointed an assault rifle at two people and threatened to kill them. Moore told investigators that he made the threats because one of the victims was telling lies about him. Moore is facing charges which include burglary, having a firearm after former felony conviction, and disrupting an emergency phone call. If convicted, he faces up to 50 years in prison. His bond was set at $25,000.

 

Another Caddo County Pursuit Leads to Arrest

Caddo County authorities recently found themselves in a high-speed pursuit for the second time within a week. The most recent chase led to the arrest of a Ft. Cobb man. Evan McElhaney is facing felony charges which include assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, shooting with intent to kill, endangering others while eluding, and avoiding a road block. Those charges have also filed in Caddo County this week. No details of McElhaney's arrest were available. His bond was set at $500,000. Just last week, Caddo and Grady County authorities were involved in the pursuit of a suspect who stole a pickup from Cement. Adam John Sherwood is facing multiple charges in connection with that pursuit.

 

Early Voting Ends Today for CV Tech, Minco Elections

Early voting resumes today for a couple of special elections set for next week. Voters in the Canadian Valley Technology Center's sending school districts in Grady, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties are deciding a $75 million bond issue. Proceeds would be used for safety and security improvements and new classrooms at the Chickasha campus and the contruction of a public safety training facility in El Reno. Also, Minco voters will be electing a new mayor. Voters can cast in-person, absentee ballots until 6:00 p.m. today at the county election board office where they are registered to vote. Regular precincts will be open next Tuesday, Sept. 12^th from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

 

Pirates, Glass Blowers Join Chix Art Walk Tonight

Downtown Chickasha will be alive tonight with the monthly second Friday art walk. Numerous artisans, bands, and performing artists will be scattered along Chickasha Avenue from the Leg Lamp to the Chickasha Area Arts Council and the Chickasha Art Center, as well as Shakespeare Wine Company on Kansas Avenue. Coordinator Dana Helms says pirates will be roaming throughout the venues. Helms says the event has grown ever since the first art walk in February.

 

              

 

 

There are a couple of glass blowers, live music will be at the new Wild Ox Axe Throwing venue, the Rock Island Candy Company, the Petroleum Building and the Leg Lamp. A food truck will be available and a local nursery will have plants and flowers. Hours for the art walk have been extended this month and will run from about 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.87 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $89.92.

Natural gas is $2.58 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,948 and silver is $23.36.

 

---

 

Thursday, Sept. 7th

 

State Attorney General Says Fentanyl Battle Must Continue

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond says the state needs to continue its never-ending battle against the deadly drug Fentanyl. The topic was among the issues Drummond addressed during a presentation at the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Drummond said the process to put the deadly drug into a pill is inexpensive. The pill looks like prescription Oxycotin which can be sold on the street.

              

 

Drummond puts a lot of blame on Chinese drug cartels saying they know that Fentanyl is fatal but that they consider the deaths collateral damage so they can make huge profits.

 

              

 

 

Drummond said federal officials say that Oklahoma is Ground Zero for much of the drug trade in the country.

 

Chix Police Department Introduces New Officers

We have some background information on Chickasha's newest police officers who took their oaths of office at this week's city council meeting. Two of them are military veterans.

Trenton Freeman

Freeman is a 2018 graduate of Chickasha High School then enlisted in the Marines. After serving four years he joined the department last year. He has already completed his CLEET training.

Martin Amerson

Amerson graduated from Rush Springs High School and joined the Army where he was stationed at Ft. Sill. He served as a HIMARS crew member and was deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel.

Jonithan Horse

Horse graduated from Amber-Pocasset and also attended Canadian Valley Technology Center. He previously was an Animal Control Officer for the city. Amerson and Horse will begin CLEET training next month.

 

Anadarko Library Hosts Senior Diabetes Series

Senior adults in the Caddo County area who suffer from diabetes can take advantage of a short-term weekly program to learn more about their disease and how to manage it. The Anadarko Public Library is partnering with the Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative to offer the course. The program is called Diabetes and Beyond which is designed to provide seniors and their caregivers with self-management information to improve their quality of life. There is information on how diabetes affects the body, how to monitor changes, meal preparation, and encouraging family involvement. The free program is held at the library every Wednesday at noon through Oct. 11th. Instructors are provided by the OU Health Sciences Center.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $87.54 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $90.60.

Natural gas is $2.51 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,945 and silver is $23.42.

 

Obituary

Brenda Rodgers

Funeral service for Brenda Rodgers, 67, of Chickasha will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Friday, Sept. 8th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She was a homemaker.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Sept. 6th

 

TIF District Proposals to go to Chix Council Work Session

The Chickasha City Council delayed action last night on hiring a law firm to help the city develop what's known as Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts. City Councilman Kelly Boyd said a previous TIF district didn't work out as well as officials had hoped.

 

              

 

 

City Manager Keith Johnson said hiring a law firm would not necessarily mean that a TIF district is inevitable but the firm would provide guidance along the way.

 

              

 

 

Johnson said there is early discussion about two potential TIF districts. The council will have a future work session to get more details about the proposals.

 

Chix Police Department has Three New Officers

Three new officers for the Chickasha Police Department were sworn in during last night's council meeting. Martin Amerson, Jonithan Horse, and Trenton Freeman all took oaths to protect and serve. All grew up in and around the Chickasha area.

 

Former Chix Fire Chief to be Laid to Rest Today

Former Chickasha Fire Chief Brian Zalewski will be laid to rest today. Zalewski was 50-years old when he passed away last week. A funeral service will be at 2 o'clock this afternoon at Chickasha's Bible Baptist Church. The service will be led by Chaplain Kim Hayes and Fire Chaplain Richard Prather. Burial will be in the Westview Cemetery west of Rush Springs.

 

Okla's Attorney General to be in Chickasha

Attorney General Genter Drummond will have a stop in Chickasha today. Drummond will have a noon meeting at the Chamber of Commerce.

 

Gala to Honor USAO's Feaver, Hale

The current president and the immediate past president of USAO will be recognized at the Oklahoma History Center. A green-and-gold gala will be held to salute recently retired President John Feaver to celebrate his legacy and many decades of service to the university. New USAO President Kayla Hale is the first female president of the university which is historically known for being a women's college until the 1970s. The event will be held Saturday, Sept. 16th at the Oklahoma History Center with a cocktail hour and silent auction at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 7:00 p.m. Cocktail attire is required. Individual tickets are $150 and tables for 10 are $1,000. Other sponsorships are also available. Tickets can be purchased on-line at: usao.edu/gala

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.69 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $90.04.

Natural gas is $2.58 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,951 and silver is $23.73.

 

Obituaries

Bob Cantrell

A private service was held recently for 83-year old Bob Cantrell. He spent several years at Friend School as superintendent, principal, teacher, and coach and he also worked for Chesapeake Energy. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.

Jackie Keen

A private graveside service will be held at a later date for Jackie Keen, 70, of Tuttle. She was a homemaker, loved to cook, loved her rescue dogs, and was a big Beatles fan. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Kellie Keeler

A memorial service for Kellie Keeler, 61, of Lawton is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Sept. 5th

 

Chix City Council to Formally Adopt Sales Tax Hike

Chickasha voters overwhelmingly approved an increase in the city's sales tax last month with the proceeds to be used to build a new water treatment plant. Tonight, the Chickasha City Council will consider a resolution to formally adopt the 1 1/4 cent sales tax increase which will go into effect Jan. 1st. The overall city sales tax will increase just 1/2 of one percent as a current sales tax expires Dec. 31st.

Panel to discuss OKC law firm to help form TIF district

The panel will consider an agreement with a law firm to help create a tax increment finance (TIF) district within the city. The proposal is with The Public Finance Law Group of Oklahoma City,

Pact to build new hangar at the airport to be reviewed

During the Municipal Airport Authority segment of tonight's meeting the group will discuss a proposed contract with Diversified Construction of Oklahoma to build a new 10-unit T-hangar at the airport at the cost of $1.2 million and consider accepting a grant from the Federal Aviation Administration for $600,000. The panel will also consider going out for bids to design a couple of box hangars.

Sports complex concessions expected to remain with current vendor

Back to city council business, the group is expected to again award concessions at the city's sports complex to JW Concessions. Three bidders were seeking the contract however JW Concessions was the only one to supply all the information needed in the request for proposals. JW Concessions has had the contract for the last five years. The company will pay the city 25 percent of its earnings.

Cable permit agreement, homecoming parade to be considered

Also to be considered is a five-year cable permit agreement with Cebridge Acquisition, L.P. The council is expected to approve a request from the Chickasha High School student council to hold the annual football Homecoming parade downtown on Friday, Oct. 6th.

 

County Road Improvement Project Keeps Expanding

A proposal to make improvements to a Grady County road has grown to nearly four times its original price tag. Officials have been working for several years to upgrade what's known as Amber Road which is CR 1280 between Amber and Pocasset. County Commissioner Kirk Painter says there have been a lot of changes made to the proposal.

 

              

 

 

Painter is hoping the project could start sometime in early 2025.

 

Caddo County Fair Premium Sale Tonight

The premium sale for the animals shown during last week's Caddo County Fair will be held tonight. Tucker Freie of Anadarko had the grand prospect steer; Walker Maxwell of Hinton at the grand market steer; Reagan Bickerstaff of Anadarko had the grand barrow; Ashlyn Maddox of Hydro-Eakly had the grand wether lamb; and Jennica Williams of Ft. Cobb-Broxton had the grand wether goat. Nearly 60 animals will be sold tonight at the Caddo County Fairgrounds in Anadarko.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.55 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.84.

Natural gas is $2.77 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,956 and silver is $23.87.

 

Obituaries

Mark Hale

A graveside service for Mark Hale, 68, of Chickasha was held at 10:00 a.m. this morning (Monday, Sept. 5^th) at the Pioneer Cemetery. He worked for the railroad, in the oilfield, and as a truck driver. Arrangements were with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Pamela Ratliff

Funeral service for Pamela Ratliff, 64, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 6th at Sharon Baptist Church. She worked at Grady Memorial Hospital for more than 30 years. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Princeton Awbrey

Funeral service for Princeton Awbrey, 33, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 6^th at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Monday, Sept. 4th

No news due to the Labor Day holiday.

Saturday, Sept. 2nd

 

Obstetric Services May Return to Grady Memorial Hospital

Grady Memorial Hospital and the hospital foundation are beginning a multi-million dollar fund-raising campaign to bring obstetric services back to the hospital. The hospital's OB-GYN services were shut down a few years ago which forced expectant mothers to go to Oklahoma City, Duncan, or Lawton hospitals and doctors to get pre-natal care and have their babies delivered. Beth Malone is the Chief Nursing Officer at the hospital.

 

              

 

 

Malone says the hospital has plans to remodel three or four rooms on the second floor of the hospital into an obstetric suite that will meet state department of health standards. The suites would also allow the hospital to hire a couple of OB-GYN physicians. Details of a $6.5 million fund-raising campaign are expected to be announced soon. Malone said the target date to open the obstetrics area is early 2025.

 

Arson Suspect Claimed Space Aliens Started Fire

A Caddo County man claimed aliens were to blame for a grass fire at Ft. Cobb State Park last month. An arrest warrant has been issued for 42-year old Steven Jeffrey Curnett who is facing a felony charge of third degree arson. Authorities were dispatched to the park the evening of Monday, Aug. 21^st to investigate a suspicious grass fire.  KSWO-TV cites court documents which indicate Curnett said he was swimming with his alien friends - and the fire started when they left in their spaceship. Investigators went to Curnett's Hydro home a few days later to ask him more questions. At that time he said the fire began when he threw his glass marijuana pipe in the grass. Curnett also allegedly admitted to setting another fire because the first one was not burning very good. When asked why he started the fires Curnett said he liked watching them. If convicted Curnett faces up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

 

Talk Show Topics

Chickasha High School Principal Debbie Davis and Middle School Principal Tori Weber are on the KOOL Konversation program. On Real Estate Today guests are Grady County Commissioner Kirk Painter and Beth Malone who is the chief nursing officer at Grady Memorial Hospital. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituary

Pamela Ratliff

Funeral service for Pamela Ratliff, 64, of Chickasha will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 6^th at Sharon Baptist Church. She worked at Grady Memorial Hospital for more than 30 years. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Friday, Sept. 1st

 

Retired Chix Fire Chief Brian Zalewski Passes Away

The Chickasha community as well as fire departments, law enforcement agencies, and emergency medical groups across the state are mourning the death of former Chickasha Fire Chief Brian Zalewski. Zalewski passed away Wednesday night. His death attributed to a heart attack. He was in his early 50s. Current Chickasha Fire Chief Tony Samaniego worked with Zalewski for nearly two years.

 

              

 

 

The Chickasha Police Department posted on its Facebook page that Chief Z was a great man and that his passion for serving others was inspirational and will live on as his legacy. A statement issued by Heartland Medical Direction officials says Zalewski dedicated himself to serving his community and extended unwavering assistance to those in need. The statement also indicated that Zalewski was honored as a true hero at a First Responder Night at UCO and that he epitomized kindness, humility and dedication. Heartland officials also said his commitment had no limits and that he became an integral figure in the emergency services landscape in Oklahoma. Zalewski spent about 15 years with the Chickasha Fire Department retiring in 2020. Later that year he was hired as a reserve deputy with the Grady County Sheriff's Office. He also was a paramedic, flight nurse, and instructor. Chief Z is survived by his wife Kim and their adult children. A funeral service will be announced at a later date.

 

Anadarko Firefighter Faces Child Sex Abuse Allegations

An Anadarko firefighter is in custody for alleged child sexual abuse. 37-year old David Hadrava was arrested this week following an investigation by the Caddo County Sheriff's Office. On-line court records show that Hadrava has been charged with six felonies including four counts of sexual abuse to children under 12 years old. Hadrava, who listed a Hinton address, remains in the Caddo County Jail on a $600,000 bond. A preliminary hearing conference has been set for November.

 

Hiking Restrictions Implemented at Wildlife Refuge

Officials at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge have implemented some restrictions on hiking due to extreme heat. Officials say they have had a number of heat-related search-and-rescue missions recently. They say the hot weather and rugged terrain pose a safety risk not only to visitors but emergency response crews as well. Starting today, hiking is only allowed from sunrise to 10:00 a.m. All visitors must be off the trails and the Mt. Scott roadway no later than 10:00 a.m. The restrictions are in place until further notice. Refuge roads will be open to motorized vehicles and bicycles for wildlife observation and photography.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.63 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.86.

Natural gas is $2.77 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,970 and silver is $25.01.

 

Obituary

Clyde Gene White

Funeral service for Clyde Gene White, 82, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, September 5th at Grand Assembly of God Church. He was a manager for the C.R. Anthony Company and also owned the Ranchwood Motel in Rush Springs. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Thursday, Aug. 31st

 

Many Mourn Death of Cleveland County Deputy Sheriff

Numerous law enforcement agencies are reaching out to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office and the family of a deputy sheriff who was allegedly shot and killed by her husband. Jordan Cannon died early Wednesday morning. Her husband, Vaughn Cannon - also a deputy sheriff - was arrested in connection with Jordan's death. The Chickasha Police Department and the Grady County Sheriff's Office posted messages on their Facebook pages. Chickasha police extended their deepest condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and community of the Cleveland County sheriff's office. The Grady County Sheriff's Office asked for prayers for Jordan's son, her parents, and her work family. Jordan was recognized as an outstanding officer and while she loved her work, she also enjoyed inter-acting with citizens. Prior to her work in Cleveland County she worked at the Okarche Police Department. A candlelight vigil will be held at 8 o'clock tonight at the Cleveland County Courthouse.

Domestic violence runs rampant in Oklahoma

Cannon's death brings to light the issue of domestic violence. Oklahoma is said to have the most domestic violence cases in the country (according to Domestic Violence Intervention Services). The state is third in the number of domestic violence homicides. The Young Women's Christian Association reported there were more than 43,000 domestic violence cases in Oklahoma last year which led to nearly 1,000 arrests. 

ICAN program helps domestic violence victims 

A number of Grady County groups join forces each year to battle domestic violence. The Grady County Coordinated Community Response Team includes the district attorney's office, sheriff's office, and police departments which combine efforts to support The Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network (ICAN). ICAN offers a 24-hour crisis line and provides emergency shelter and other services for victims and their children.  The response teams' Together We Heel walk will be held Saturday, Sept. 30th which will be during the Rock Island Arts Festival. Supporters are asked to wear high heels for a half-mile walk which will be held downtown Chickasha. Last year the walk raised more than $20,000 for the ICAN program. Domestic violence victims needing immediate help can call the crisis line at 405-222-1818. To support the Together We Heel Walk contact ICAN director Matt Whetzel by calling 405-224-8256.

 

USAO Hosts Meet-and-Greet for Students Tonight

USAO students are back in class this week and there is a big event for them in downtown Chickasha tonight for the community to welcome them. The university is holding a street-and-greet event. It will be a festive atmosphere with music, vendor booths, inflatables, and food trucks. There will be commercial booths, non-profit organizations, and other groups sharing information about the services available to students while they are here. USAO's Art Wrecker studio which is downtown will have a number of activities. It will be held in the 200 block of Chickasha Avenue from 6 to 8:30 tonight and it is free and open to the public.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.63 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.86.

Natural gas is $2.80 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,971 and silver is $24.93.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Aug. 30th

 

Pursuit Suspect Faces Numerous Charges

Adam John Sherwood, the man accused of stealing a pickup and leading law enforcement on a back-roads pursuit last week, is facing several felony charges. Sherwood was arraigned in Caddo County District Court Monday on eight charges ranging from auto theft and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon to endangering others while eluding and having a pattern of criminal offenses. Sherwood is being held in the Caddo County Jail on a $250,000 bond. The chase took place last Wednesday when its alleged Sherwood stole a pickup from a Cement convenience store. The chase began after Grady County deputies were called to an area near Pioneer School to check out a suspicious vehicle. Authorities say Sherwood led Grady and Caddo County deputies and state troopers on a pursuit through the back roads of Grady and Caddo counties at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. Authorities managed to take Sherwood into custody southeast of Anadarko. Officials say Sherwood may also face charges in Grady County though none have been filed at this time.

 

Embezzlement Suspect Worked for State Rep's Company

A suspect is charged with embezzling more than $1 million from a company owned by a state representative. Darren Wayne Alaniz is facing six felony counts of embezzlement for allegedly taking funds from a firm owned by State Representative Brad Boles of Marlow. The charges were filed in Stephens County after Boles realized that Alaniz was receiving unauthorized W-2 payments from Philtek Services. Alaniz worked for the company for five years and stepped down in July of last year. Court documents say Alaniz was authorized to submit and review all of the company's employee payroll information, including his own. Alaniz was paid a combination of regular pay, bonuses, and expense reimbursement during the time the alleged embezzlement took place. The unauthorized payments continued until Alaniz' manager credentials were revoked by company owners.

 

'Onward Chickasha' Survey Continues

Officials are continuing to work on a long-range plan to take Chickasha into the middle part of the 21st century. The Onward Chickasha project is an 18-month effort to develop a proposal to create a path of community improvements. Officials continue to encourage residents to take part in an on-line survey to offer guidance as to what improvements should be made. The current phase of the project is the Visual Preference Survey and users are asked to select the kind of housing construction they like, commercial development, parks and recreation, transportation, and infrastructure. Residents can go to the website onwardchickasha.org to take part in the survey.

 

Caddo County Fair Concludes

Most of the events for this year's Caddo County Fair wrap up today. There is the apple pie contest and voting for the quilt block challenge ends this afternoon. Also today will be the drawing for last year's quilt block. All the still exhibits will be released this evening. The horse show will be tomorrow night with the premium sale for the top animals exhibited in this week’s stock shows set for next Tuesday.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.16 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.49.

Natural gas is $2.56 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,965 and silver is $24.99.

 

Obituary

Judy Sullivan

A private graveside service will be held at a later date for Judy Ann Sullivan, 80, of Chickasha. She worked in auto sales for more than 35 years including for Ferguson Buick-Pontiac, Lacefield Chevrolet, and the John Holt Auto Group. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Aug. 29th

 

Teen Suspect Connected to Minco School Threat Arrested

Minco schools brought in extra security yesterday after a TikTok video threatened violent acts against the school. Superintendent Kevin Sims says he was notified by parents Sunday night about the threat. It indicated that something could happen yesterday and at the next home football game. Sims reached out to Deputy Chris Velarde who was just hired as the district's resource officer. Velarde and other investigators quickly had a 14-year old suspect in custody. Sims said the teen lived in Minco but was not a student there. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess said the teen was taken to the Grady County Jail and was being held on a complaint of domestic terrorism. The teen went before a judge yesterday afternoon who ordered the youth be held in a juvenile detention facility until his next court appearance which is scheduled for Sept. 12th. Sims said school officials will be looking at protocol as it relates to attending athletic events. The next home football game is Sept. 15^th and Sims said they'll be stepping up security.

 

              

 

 

Sims thanked the sheriff's office and other law enforcement for their quick response to the threat.

 

Grady County Consumer Spending Surges

Consumer spending at Grady County retail outlets hit its highest level in more than two years this past May. It's estimated that more than $10 million in taxable goods and services were purchased that month. That's the highest level since before 2021. Consumer spending was up 14 percent from April and up 9.7 percent from May of last year. We estimate consumer spending when we see the sales tax revenues for Grady County. The most recent report from the Grady County Clerk's office shows the county received $780,000 as a result of the county's 3/4ths of a penny sales tax. The areas which benefit from the sales tax include the Grady County Fairgrounds which received $260,000; Grady Memorial Hospital received $230,000; the 20 county fire districts shared $130,000 so each one received about $6,500; the seven senior nutrition centers also shared $130,000 and each one received $18,000; Tuttle EMS collected $24,000; and Rush Springs EMS received $6,000.

 

Warrant Issued for Tuttle Arson, Burglary Suspect

Grady County authorities are looking for a woman suspected of arson. A warrant for the arrest of 62-year old Kathleen Annette Raiden of Tuttle was issued yesterday. On-line court records indicate she's facing three felony charges which include 4th degree arson, second degree burglary, and malicious injury to property. KSWO-TV cites documents which allege Raiden broke into a Tuttle home back in May and caused about $4,000 in damage. She's also accused of pouring paint thinner around the home and turning on a gas stove in an attempt to start a fire.

 

Cement to Hold Jesse James Festival

The legendary tales of Jesse James will come back to life in Cement next week for the annual Jesse James Festival. The town has a Jesse James Museum and Visitors Center which is open year-round. The Festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 9th and will include a wild west show, live music, food trucks, and a car show. Also, the Cement Volunteer Fire Department will hold a benefit hamburger and hot dog dinner that day at the fire station and will accept donations.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.10 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.42.

Natural gas is $2.58 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,951 and silver is $24.71.

 

---

 

Monday, Aug. 28th

 

Biker Hospitalized After Crash

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is still investigating a crash that sent a motorcycle rider to the hospital. 31-year old Michael Bailey of Marlow was last in stable condition in an Oklahoma City hospital. The accident happened just before 4 o'clock (Sunday) afternoon five miles east of Duncan. The trooper investigating the accident said it wasn't immediately clear what might of caused Bailey to crash. The trooper also said Bailey was not wearing a helmet.

 

Chix Soup Kitchen Looks to Purchase Rented Building

Officials with the Chickasha Soup Kitchen are undergoing a campaign to purchase the building the group is currently leasing. The soup kitchen, which started as a peanut butter and jelly sandwich ministry out of a cooler at First Christian Church, is now serving 200 or more people a day five days a week at a rented building at 6th and Pennsylvania Ave. The building has a fully-equipped kitchen with a large dining hall and bathrooms which are accessible for the disabled. The group is governed by a 10-member board which raises about $75,000 a year which helps pay for the lease, utilities, equipment, and food. Officials say making the current facility a permanent location would provide stability for clients and volunteers. The kitchen is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible. For information reach out to the soup kitchen by calling 405-999-5761.

 

Chix Library Touts Success of  Dolly Parton Book Program

More than 1,000 free books have been mailed to children in the Grady County area over the last year. The books are part of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. While the program has been around for nearly 30 years the Chickasha Library joined the program about a year ago. Jana Dabney is with the Friends of the Chickasha Library.

 

              

 

 

Parents can visit the Chickasha library to sign up their children and again there is no cost to families. The state department of libraries provides some of the funding to be part of the program and Dabney says the Friends of the Library kicks in about $1,000 a year.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.83 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.48.

Natural gas is $2.54 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,941 and silver is $24.57.

Saturday, Aug. 26th

 

Sheriff Warns of Scam Calls

Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess warns residents of a telephone scam where individuals are posing as representatives of his office. Boggess has received complaints from individuals who are getting recorded messages telling recipients there is an urgent matter and that they should call. Boggess says the number provided is not the sheriff's office number and urges anyone who receives such a call to ignore it and report call to the sheriff’s office.

 

Grady County Fair Ends Today

Today's the last day of the Grady County Fair and also the day with the most activities. Fair princess Kelsi McCarthey of Tuttle will be busy overseeing many of the activities which include the afternoon stock shows, the pet show, and the 4H and FFA tractor driving contest. The carnival opens at noon and the tractor pull will have one more session at 7:30 tonight.

Cake Show and Auction

Mindy Walker had the grand champion entry in the senior division with her Orange Juice Bundt Cake. Karen Osborn had the reserve with her Italian Cream Cake. In the junior division, Delse Bradford had the grand champion entry with her Chocolate Sheet Cake and Shelby Kelsey had the reserve with a Coconut Cream Cake. The top selling cake was Kelsey's Coconut Cream Cake which brought $375. Next was Osborn's Italian Cream Cake which brought in $350. Walker's Orange Juice Bundt Cake brought $300 and Bradford's Chocolate Sheet Cake brought $200.

 

State DEQ Seeks Input on Grant for Climate Pollution Plan

The State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is reaching out to Oklahomans to put together a plan to reduce climate pollution. Oklahoma received a $3 million federal grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to implement the first phase of a long-range plan to deal with the issue. The DEQ will meet next week to review information about the grant, the state's plan and goals for public  engagement, discuss projects or program idea submissions, and deadlines. The meeting will be held Wednesday, Aug. 30th at 1 p.m. at the DEQ office in Oklahoma City.

 

Tarantulas May be On the Move

A late-summer phenomenon is getting underway in some areas. It's the annual tarantula mating season and they can occasionally be seen in massive numbers crossing state roadways. The mating season runs from late August through October and the spiders can move in such large numbers that they look like brown streams of water crossing the roadway. The tarantulas can be four to five inches long from the tips of their legs and weigh between one and three ounces. They are found in southwestern states and in Mexico. The Oklahoman cites information from OSU Extension indicating that the Oklahoma Brown Tarantula is typically a docile creature and sometimes kept as a pet. Their venom can be toxic to small animals but does not pose a significant threat the humans. When threatened they may stand on their hind legs and display their fangs as a warning, but they rarely bite unless they are provoked. There are natural ways to repel tarantulas without killing them. You can use cinnamon or essential oils or eco-friendly pesticides. Keep your home clean and get rid of insects that attract spiders. You can also use a jar, a glass, or a spider trap and move the spider to another area.

 

Talk Show Topics

Drew Cooper with the Chickasha Public Library and Jana Dabney with the Friends of the Library are guests on the KOOL Konversation. And on Real Estate Today guests are Brent Greenwood, Eric Singleton, and E.J. Sweetley with the Oscar Jacobson House Foundation at OU which supports Native American artists. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

High School Football Scores

El Reno 64, Chickasha 24

Minco 47, Dibble 26

Empire 16, Rush Springs 14

Tuttle 41, Cache 7

Bridge Creek 42, Lexington 0

Newcastle 34, Weatherford 14

Lone Grove 35, Anadarko 20

Cyril 52, Corn Bible Academy 6

Texhoma 50, Carnegie 6

 

---

 

Friday, Aug. 25th

 

Medical Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing

An air ambulance which was transporting a stabbing victim to a hospital made an emergency landing near Dibble yesterday. Media reports indicated the patient became combative and the pilot made the decision to land the chopper near the Dibble Crossroads early Wednesday morning. KOCO-TV reported the patient woke up during the flight and started kicking which caused some damage inside the chopper. McClain County Sheriff Landy Offolter said the unidentified patient may have become disoriented and scared. After landing, the patient was taken by ground ambulance to an Oklahoma City hospital. The circumstances regarding the stabbing victim were not provided.

 

Suspect Faces Drug Distribution, Rape Charges

A Chickasha man on probation is back in jail and facing life in prison if convicted of new alleged crimes. 53-year old Elvis Derr was arrested this week for separate charges of drug distribution and rape. Court documents indicate Grady County sheriff's deputies worked with a confidential informant to purchase about $100 of methamphetamine from Derr earlier this week.  He was also charged with rape by instrumentation in connection with an August, 2021 investigation where the victim alleged Derr molested her after he put drugs in a drink. The victim underwent an exam at the hospital where doctors obtained DNA samples. Derr wasn't swabbed for DNA evidence until March of last year - and it wasn't until May of this year that the OSBI released the DNA report from the victim. The DNA was traced to Derr and a second unknown assailant. Derr is being held in the Grady County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

 

Grady  County Fair Continues

Here's what's happening at the Grady County Fair today. The north exhibit building opens at 10 o'clock this morning with all of the still exhibit displays, the vendor booths, and the OHCE food counter with Indian Tacos and sanwiches. OHCE will also be serving home-made meals for lunch and supper next door in the Community Building. The swine show will be at 5:00 p.m.; the carnival will open at 6:00 p.m.; and the first of two tractor pull performances will be at 7:00 p.m. (A second tractor pull will be tomorrow night at 7:00 p.m.). Tomorrow is the big day for activities. Check the Grady County Fairgrounds and Events Center Facebook page or website for the schedule.

 

City of Chix Schedules City-Wide Clean Up

The City of Chickasha will hold a fall clean-up campaign next month. Residents, property owners and businesses will be able take advantage of a free service to get rid of debris and unwanted items. The clean-up will be held Sept. 20th through 23^rd which is the week before The Rock Island Arts Festival, the Rock Island Ride, and the Oklahoma Food Truck championship where thousands of visitors are expected to be in town. The debris and unwanted items can be taken to the city's Public Works Headquarters where large roll-off dumpsters will be available. There will also be a separate area for a limb drop-off. Gates will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and then 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, the 23rd. Items which cannot be accepted include hazardous materials, pesticides, paint, motor oil, batteries, or tires. Appliances will be accepted, although refrigerators and window air conditioning units will have to have Freon removed by a technician and individuals will have a show a certificate that the refrigerant has been removed. Participants will have to show a utility bill or other identification showing they are residents inside the city limits. Questions can be directed to city hall or by sending an e-mail to: info@chickasha.org.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.05 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.36.

Natural gas is $2.52 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,944 and silver is $24.58.

 

---

 

Thursday, Aug. 24th

 

Pursuit Suspect in Custody

Several law enforcement agencies were involved in a pursuit of a stolen pick-up yesterday. The pursuit began about 8:30 a.m. near Pioneer School after Grady County deputies were called out to check on a suspicious person. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess said an individual was going door-to-door saying he was associated with Capt. Jim Peek who is a DEA agent with the sheriff's office. Deputies found the pickup and were notified it had been stolen from Cement earlier in the morning. The pursuit went through the back roads of Grady and Caddo counties at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour. Law enforcement involved included Cement police, Caddo County deputies, and state troopers. At one point the suspect rammed into a deputy's SUV and officials fired shots at the pick-up but no one was hit or injured. At one point, the suspect got out of the truck and tried to steal a vehicle from a farm. The suspect was captured after a short foot pursuit southeast of Anadarko. The entire chase last about 30 minutes. In custody is 33-year old Adam John Sherwood who has had recent addresses in Cement and Ft. Cobb. He was taken to the Caddo County Jail in Anadarko where he is being held on complaints of eluding police and assault and battery with a deadly weapon. He may also faces charges in Grady County. The OSBI was called in to help with the investigation as it involved an officer-involved shooting.

 

Grady County Fair Opens

The 108th Grady County Fair begins today. The north exhibit building at the Grady County Fairgrounds is open with all the still exhibit items on display and many of the commercial vendors offering their wares. Entries for the cake show will be taken from noon to 2:30 today, which will be followed by the difficult task of judging the tasty entries. The goat show is this afternoon, with the cake auction right after the opening ceremonies at 6:00 p.m. During the opening, fair honorees Rufus and Peggy McMahan will be recognized for their many years of service. The carnival opens at 6 o'clock tonight and there will be live music with Tim Brauer and the First Look Band. OHCE groups will serve homemade lunches and dinners in the community building today, tomorrow, and Saturday at noon and Indian Tacos in the north exhibit building. The fair runs through Saturday.

 

USAO Students Return

In addition to all the activity at the fair USAO is welcoming students back to campus. Welcome Week activities are getting underway. Signs are posted throughout the campus with welcoming messages and there are activities which serve as ice-breakers for new students to meet and network with their peers and other students. Students can participate in a scavenger hunt, a glow party, and a battle of the boats. Move in day is tomorrow so motorists who use 17th Street through campus will need to be extra alert for students moving into their dorms. Northbound traffic on 17th Street between Grand and Alabama Avenues will be closed to all non-university traffic from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow.  The university will hold a street-and-greet event in downtown Chickasha next Thursday night and encourage businesses, and civic and non-profit groups to set up booths to show students what is available in the community.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.89 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.21.

Natural gas is $2.50 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,947 and silver is $24.54.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Aug. 23rd

 

Child Porn Suspect in Custody

A Chickasha man is behind bars after a warrant was issued for his arrest in connection with a child porn investigation. 38-year old Michael Elton Morgan was booked into the Grady County Jail on Monday. Morgan was wanted for allegedly uploading more 100 images and videos of child porn to Facebook.  He had his initial appearance in Grady County District Court yesterday and was formally charged with aggravated possession of child porn and  violating a state law with a computer. His bond was set at $250,000 and his next court date is Sept. 13th for a preliminary hearing conference.

 

Dad Arrested for Allegedly Harboring Fugitive Son

The father of a Caddo County man arrested for theft and deception is also now in some legal trouble. 74-year old Phillip Bailey was arrested for harboring a fugitive - after his son was found at Phillip Bailey's Apache home. Zachry Bailey was recently arrested for his alleged connection to crimes in several states. KSWO-TV reports that Apache police became aware that Zachry may be staying with his father. Investigators paid a visit to Bailey's home when they saw a new car in the driveway. Phillip Bailey told officers his son would soon turn himself in. But Zachry emerged from the home and taken into custody. Phillip Bailey was arrested on the harboring a fugitive charge on Monday and had his initial appearance in Caddo County District Court yesterday. He was released on a $20,000 bond. Phillip Bailey is currently on probation after pleading guilty to a 2019 felony bogus check charge out of Grady County where he was given a six-year deferred sentence.

 

New State Veterans Affairs Director in Place

The state Department of Veterans Affairs has a new director. Retired Navy Rear Admiral Greg Slovanic was elevated to the post after being appointed as interim director earlier this year. He spent 34 years in the Navy; held four command assignments; and served in combat deployments to Vietnam, Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He also oversaw intelligence activities, special access programs, critical infrastructure, and sensitive activities as Chief Operating Officer and Chief management officer for the Navy. He also served as co-chair for the design and building of the USS Oklahoma Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

 

Opera Singer to Perform in her Hometown

Chickasha native Madelyn Roberson, a talented opera singer, will be performing in her hometown. Roberson, a 2018 Chickasha high school grad, is returning from a year at the Royal Northern College of Music in the United Kingdom. She'll be performing at St. Luke's Episcopal Church as part of the church's 130th anniversary arts series. Roberson made her stage debut with the Chickasha Community Theatre when she was five years old and began studying classical vocal performance at OU when she was 15. It is a free concert which is open to the public and will be followed by a reception. The concert will be Saturday, Sept. 2nd at 6:30 p.m. at St. Luke's Episcopal Church.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.35 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.03.

Natural gas is $2.63 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,931 and silver is $24.10.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Aug. 22nd

 

Suspect Arrested for Alleged Child Sex Crimes

A Blanchard area man is accused of child molestation. Grady County deputies arrested 43-year old Justin Eugene Cowen over the weekend.  Media reports cite court documents which indicate a child came forward and said that Cowen began touching her inappropriately when she was eight years old and that the molestation continued for several years. A warrant for Cowen's arrest was issued Friday and he was booked into the Grady County Jail Saturday night. At his arraignment yesterday a judge set Cowen's bond at $500,000. Cowen could be sentenced to four life terms if he's convicted. A preliminary hearing conference is set for Sept. 13th.

 

Arrest Warrant Issued for Suspect in Child Porn Case

Authorities are looking for a Chickasha man they say shared dozes of videos and images of child porn on a social media site. An arrest warrant was issued last Friday for 38-year old Michael Elton Morgan. The warrant is for felony charges of aggravated possession of child porn and committing state computer crimes. The warrant was issued after a nearly year-long investigation which began when authorities were notified that Morgan allegedly uploaded child porn from his electronic devices to Facebook. It's alleged that there were several reports indicating that the IP address of the location the material was sent from was traced to Morgan.

 

Lindsay Shooting Suspect Arrested

The Oklahoma State Bureau of investigation (OSBI) is investigating a shooting that occurred in Lindsay over the weekend. The Garvin County Sheriff's office asked the state agency to get involved after a man was critically wounded in his own home.  The investigation led authorities to 65-year old David Towler of Lindsay. He's been charged with three counts of shooting with intent to kill and first degree burglary. The motive of the break-in and shooting was not disclosed with the information which was posted on the OSBI Facebook page. Towler is being held in the Garvin County jail on a $500,000 bond.

 

Ninnekah Woman Wins Statewide Award

A Ninnekah woman picks up a state award. Peggy Castleberry was named the Cattlewoman of the Year at the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association state convention recently. Castleberry has a long history with the Oklahoma Cattle Women (OCW) as well as the Grady County Cattle Women. She served two terms as the southwest district director and also spent time as OCW vice president of education. She has assisted with the state's Ag in the Classroom project which provides ag resource kits and books to schools; and she spearheaded an annual Read a Book a Week program where members read ag-related books in classrooms. Castleberry says she and her husband Kirk have been working on their ranch for more than 50 years

 

Chix Schools Seek Hall-of-Honor Nominees

Chickasha public schools are looking for candidates to be considered for enshrinement in the district’s of the Hall of Honor. Candidates must have been a graduate (out of school for 10 years), a former employee, or community supporter of the district. Candidates must have contributed to the welfare of humanity to an unusual degree, brought unusually positive attention to the school district, or modeled the highest personal and professional qualities for students. Nominations need to be submitted by November 1st. Inductees will be announced early next year with the induction ceremony next spring at the annual Chickasha Public School Foundation Gala. Applications are available on the Chickasha Public Schools website.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.72 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.46.

Natural gas is $2.63 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,932 and silver is $23.81.

 

---

 

Monday, Aug. 21st

 

Pursuit Vehicle, AC Projects on Chix City Council Agenda 

The Chickasha city council will discuss buying a pursuit vehicle for the police department when the group meets this evening. The group will consider the purchase of a 2023 Dodge Durango from Bob Howard Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge from a state contract at a cost of more than $42,000. Councilors will also consider several upgrades to the SUV including more than $20,000 in equipment from Metro Emergency Outfitters (also from a state contract) and a more than $7,000 camera system from Watchguard Motorola.

Two sites targeted for AC upgrades

The panel will also consider installing a new 3-ton heat-and-air unit for the bath house at Shannon Springs Park and a 3 1/2 ton system for the large concession building at the sports complex.

Extension of Railroad Depot Lease Proposed

The council will consider extending a lease with downtown developer Chet Hitt for the Rock Island Railroad Depot. During the municipal authority section of tonight's meeting, the council will consider a 30-year lease agreement with It's a Hitt Corporation. Hitt wants use the depot as a special events venue. If approved, the lease would go into effect Sept. 1st. The proposal calls for a rental fee of 5 percent of the gross revenue earned from any special event rental. The corporation would pay the utility bills and any real and personal property taxes or any taxes levied in lieu of real property taxes.

Large Grant Proposed for work on Another Historic Site

The council will also consider issuing up to a $160,000 incentive grant to a developer making upgrades to a downtown building. A company called Open Skies Group out of Texas is renovating an historic building in the 600 block of Chickasha Avenue. The firm has owned the building for nearly two years. Plans are for that building to also host special events including weddings, parties, and meetings. The firm plans to spend more than $480,000 on renovations. Officials with the city’s Economic Development Council say the project fits within the scope of the grant program and recommends the council approve the request. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

Almost Time for the Grady County Fair

Grady County Fair week is here! It's a three-day event this Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and is a free fair as admission and parking are free at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Tonight is the fair princess and little miss competitions however winners won't be announced until after the opening ceremonies Thursday evening. Still-exhibit entries will be accepted tomorrow afternoon. Fairgrounds marketing director Jamie Jones talks about one of the new events this year.

 

              

 

 

Another new event is the mullet contest. There will be over 100 commercial vendors, a carnival, a tractor pull, and numerous other activities.

 

Chamber of Commerce Staff Named Top Young Pros

A couple of staff members of the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce are among the top young professionals in the state.  Cassie Poole and Logan Lassley were recipients of the honors from NexGen's Under 30 Program. Poole is the chamber's marketing director and was the winner in the Non-Profit category. Lassley is the chamber’s Tourism and Festival of Light Director and picked up the award in the Tourism category. Chamber president Jim Cowan said their achievements, along with their contributions to establishing a young professionals network, exemplify the chamber's commitment to cultivating an environment where emerging talent can shine.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.25 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.80.

Natural gas is $2.55 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,917 and silver is $23.21.

 

Saturday, Aug. 19th

 

State Broadband Office Works to be more Transparent

Efforts to increase the transparency of efforts to get high-speed internet service to rural Oklahoma are underway. The Oklahoma Broadband Office has introduced a new inter-active on-line map which details the availability of the service. Broadband office director Mike Sanders says it is a way for individuals to track improvements once federal grant funds are provided to the state. The website OK Energy Today reports the state map offers information and functions that are not available in either of two maps overseen by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The state office map shows internet service availability in state legislative and congressional districts. It allows users to search addresses; view served, underserved, and unserved locations; see reported internet speeds by location; and see areas that are getting upgrades through federal grants. The state broadband office map and both FCC maps can be viewed on the website: map.broadband.ok.gov

 

Teens Face Charges for Alleged Church Break-in

Two teenagers are facing burglary charges for allegedly breaking into a Chickasha church. Brayden Scott Miller of Chickasha and Deacon Everett Craddock of Ninnekah – both 18 years old - were arrested by Chickasha police Thursday afternoon.  KSWO-TV cites Grady County court documents which indicate the burglary occurred in June. The arrest affidavit indicates both teens admitted to breaking a window to get inside the un-named church. The youth said they thought the building was empty and wanted to explore. Video surveillance showed two masked men going through the church. It wasn't clear how investigators identified Miller and Craddock as the suspects. Both are charged with second degree burglary. Craddock is being held on a $25,000 bond and Miller is being held on a $15,000 bond.

 

Native American Artists Sought for Norman Art Show

A call is going out to Native American artists to apply to take part in a fall exhibit in Norman. The Jacobson House Native Art Center will have a juried art show which will run during much of September and the first part of November. The exhibit is simply called 21st Century, and there is an open call for artists which runs through Aug. 30th. Artists should be 21 years old, a current resident of Oklahoma or Indian Territory, and be a member of one of the 39 federally and state-recognized tribes in Oklahoma. Most art mediums qualify. Artists whose works are accepted will be notified by Sept. 3rd if they are selected, and those artists will receive a one-year patron-level membership with the Oscar Jacobson Foundation. The opening reception will be Sept 8th and the show will run through Nov. 11th. For information contact the Jacobson Native Art Center in Norman by calling 405-366-1667 or visit the website: jacobsonhouse.art

 

Blanchard Bluegrass Festival Resumes Tonight

The distinct sounds of banjos, fiddles, and guitars and unique harmonies of bluegrass music is wafting through Blanchard this weekend. The Blanchard Bluegrass festival opened at Lions Park last night and continues this afternoon and will wrap up this evening. It's a free event and individuals should take lawn chairs and blankets – and also sunscreen as the sun and heat will impact festival goers in the early hours. Some of the groups include Honey Creek Pass; Bazemore Bluegrass; Cynthia Ridge; and Riley Gilbreath at Lone Star Blue. Other groups include The Horn Family; Southbound Mule, and Graystone Bluegrass. Food trucks and t-shirt vendors will be on hand.  The festival resumes at 4 o'clock this afternoon.

 

Obituary

Betty Pruitt

Funeral service for Betty Pruitt, 94, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 21st at Ferguson Funeral Home. She was a teacher for Ninnekah and Tuttle schools.

 

---

 

Friday, Aug. 18th

 

Former Coach Pleads Guilty to Child Sex Crime Charges

Former girls basketball coach Ron Akins pleaded guilty to a number of sex crimes in Grady County District Court yesterday. Akins was charged with 10 felonies including rape, attempted rape, and lewd or indecent acts to children under 16 years old. During the 15-minute hearing Akins told District Judge Kory Kirkland that he entered the plea because he was guilty. Two victim impact statements were submitted. One was read by Assistant District Attorney Morgan Lankford written by a victim who was a 13-year old 8th grader at Friend School when Akins forced himself on her several times. Now 28 years old, she said she suffers from deep emotional scars that she will carry with her the rest of her life.  Akins received sentences ranging from 10 to 15 years in prison on the 10 counts and will serve them concurrently. After prison, the now 56-year old Akins will serve 25 years of probation and will have to register as a sex offender.  An attorney for the victims said a federal lawsuit also filed in connection with the case could go to trial in late December or early January.

 

Teens Charged with Theft from Tuttle Middle School

Some Tuttle teenagers are facing charges after breaking into the Tuttle middle school and stealing some laptops and computer monitors. Our partners at KWTV News 9 report that the break-in took place last month - but investigators had little information to go on as the individual seen on video surveillance wore a mask. Police got a break in the case when a teacher was able to buy one of the laptops from a suspicious Facebook profile. Authorities said the seller was a middle school student who implicated two other students. They said they decided to break in to the school because they were bored. All but one of the stolen items has been recovered. Two of the teens will go through the Grady County juvenile court system and the other was turned over to tribal authorities.

 

Proposed PSO Rate Increase Discussion Continues

Now a follow-up to a story we had earlier this week about the state corporation commission considering a rate hike request from Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO). The agency took no action on the proposal this week as commissioners say they are taking the matter under advisement. The website OK Energy Today reported that an administrative law judge initially recommended the panel approve the rate increase. Corporation Commission Chairman Todd Hiett called it a complicated issue. A representative of the Oklahoma industrial Energy Consumers, one of several groups still opposed to the increase, called it a mess. Officials with the American Association of Retired Persons are okay with the $155 million rate hike request, saying the organization is looking out for its customers.

 

Longtime Chix Business Woman Succumbs to Pneumonia

Longtime Chickasha businesswoman Lynette Johnson has passed away. Johnson and her husband Bill were the owners and operators of Johnson's Wrecker Service for many years. She also was a director for Mary Kay Cosmetics and was awarded the company's prized pink Cadillac. Johnson died August 4th at the age of 92 from pneumonia. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon at Bible Baptist Church. The family requests that memorial contributions be made to The Shriner's Hospital or St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

 

Cars and Coffee at the Leg Event is Tomorrow

Car, truck, and motorcycle enthusiasts will unite tomorrow morning for the monthly Cars and Coffee at the Leg gathering. Anyone with a classic car, truck, bike, muscle car, modified, street rod, UTV or anything with two, three or four wheels are invited to take part. It's not a car show, just an opportunity for enthusiasts to show off their vehicles and talk about their hobbies. It's free and open to the public and there is free coffee and donuts while it lasts. It's from 8 to 11 tomorrow morning at the Rock Island Railroad Depot and the leg lamp downtown Chickasha.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.39 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.12.

Natural gas is $2.62 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,923 and silver is $23.14.

 

---

 

Thursday, Aug. 17th

 

Former Coach Expected to Plead Guilty to Child Sex Crimes

Ron Akins, the former Ninnekah and Friend girls basketball coach charged with committing sex crimes against his players, is expected to plead guilty to those allegations today. Akins was arrested more than two years ago after players accused Akins of raping and molesting them. One of the alleged victims said she took complaints of Akins to law enforcement in 2015 when she was 13 years old but no action was taken until other victims came forward years later with similar stories. 14 victims eventually came forward to say Akins raped or molested them. Akins is formally charged with 10 felonies. Akins waived his right to a jury trial recently and is to appear in court this afternoon to enter a guilty plea. Our partners at KWTV News 9 report that Akins could be sentenced to 15 years in prison which would be followed by 25 years of probation. Victim impact statements are also expected to be read in court today.

 

Chix Educational Leaders Provide Updates in Forum

Leaders of Chickasha’s three educational institutions discussed their missions during an education forum hosted by the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce yesterday. Chickasha school superintendent Rick Croslin, USAO President Kayla Hale, and Canadian Valley Technology Center Superintendent Gayla Lutts all addressed the forum held at USAO. All spoke of their efforts to prepare students for their futures. Croslin gave an update on the improvements going on at the high school football field and other projects that are part of a bond issue approved by school district voters last year.

 

              

 

 

Hale, who just began her presidency at USAO earlier this month, said there is a record number of incoming freshmen this year and many of them are the first in their families to go to college. She wants to provide support for them.

 

              

 

 

Lutts discussed the technology center’s efforts to offer courses to get students prepared to enter the labor force to fill the numerous openings available in critical career fields including nursing, heat and air, and others. She also touched on the $75 million bond issue that will be decided in a special election next month. If passed the proposal includes about $23 million in upgrades at the Chickasha campus and the construction of a $50 million public safety training facility at the El Reno campus.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.38 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.45.

Natural gas is $2.59 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,927 and silver is $23.07.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Aug. 16th

 

CV Tech District Voters to Decide Bond Issue

Voters in parts of Grady, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties will go to the polls next month to decide a huge bond issue for the Canadian Valley Technology Center district. It's a $75 million proposal which officials say will benefit the Chickasha and El Reno sites. Superintendent Gayla Lutts said the Chickasha campus would get some extensive improvements as many buildings are almost 60 years old. At El Reno the proposal would build a stand-alone public safety training facility. If approved, there would be slight increase in property taxes. Ad valorem taxes on a $100,000 home would increase about $30 per year. The special election is scheduled for September 12th and the proposal needs a super-majority of 60-percent approval to pass. If approved the new tax would begin after a current bond issue is paid off next year.

 

Lawmakers Want AG Opinion Regarding

County Sales Tax for Rural Ambulance Service

A couple of state lawmakers in the region want Oklahoma's attorney general to provide an opinion regarding the distribution of county sales tax revenue to support private companies which provide a public service. The question relates to a proposition approved by Garvin County voters in 2021. It called for the county to  set aside sales tax funds for ambulance service in areas that did not previously have those services.  State Rep. Cindy Roe (R-Lindsay) and State Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) want the attorney general to comment. Roe said constituents didn't realize that private ambulance services would NOT be allowed to tap into that sales tax fund. She says sales taxes which have been collected for those services remain untouched - even though there is a dire need for them in rural areas. Roe said there are similar situations in other counties. Garvin said she and Roe are working with district attorneys to come up with a solution and that Oklahomans should not have to worry about losing life-saving services over a technicality.

 

Chix Firefighters Hold Fundraiser for Breast Cancer Awareness

Chickasha firefighters are having a fund-raiser to aid in breast cancer awareness. The firefighters are teaming up with Wing Ts for a pink t-shirt campaign. Captain Jimmy Blue said firefighters have traditionally worn pink duty shirts during October which is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and that they wanted to do something different.

              

 

The t-shirt design includes the pink breast cancer awareness ribbon and the Chickasha firefighters logo. Proceeds from t-shirt sales will benefit the local Second Base Savers which is a breast cancer awareness group.  T-shirts can be purchased at Wing Ts through Aug. 25th. Blue said orders have to be turned in early because there is a big demand for pink t-shirts this summer due to the success of the Barbie movie.

 

FFA Groups Receive STEM Grants

A number of regional FFA programs are the recipients of STEM grants from Public Service Company of Oklahoma and its parent company American Electric Power. More than $35,000 in grants were awarded to state FFA chapters. Among the regional chapters receiving grants are Carnegie, Fletcher and Elgin. The grants ranged from $300 to $2,500 and are for science, technology, engineering, and math projects. Since 2018 the AEP Foundation has awarded nearly $210,000 to Oklahoma FFA chapters.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.99 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.89.

Natural gas is $2.66 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,937 and silver is $23.10.

 

Obituaries

‘Gene’ Howard

A graveside service for Eugene ‘Gene’ Howard, 95, of Marlow will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, August 18^th at the Marlow Cemetery. He worked in the oilfield and was a truck driver. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

‘Sue’ Fogle

Funeral service for Suzette ‘Sue’ Fogle, 67, of Ninnekah will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 19th at Vimy Ridge Baptist Church in Rush Springs. She was a drilling consultant for her family's oilfield company. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Aug. 15th

 

Chix Has Lots of New Construction for First Half of the Year

More than $9 million in construction projects were approved within the City of Chickasha for the first half of this year. Reports from the city's Community Development Department show that 82 building permits were approved between January and June. 21 of those were in the commercial sector including both new and remodeling projects. 61 were either new home construction or residential remodeling projects. The value of new construction is actually much higher than the $9 million figure. Many of the projects listed on the reports do not show their estimated values. The monthly building reports can be seen on the City of Chickasha's website.

 

Suspected Impersonator Arrested

A Caddo County man is in custody for impersonating a doctor, a police officer, and stealing a vehicle. Media reports cite court documents from October of last year which allege Zachry Brent Bailey of Apache tricked a man into giving Bailey his vehicle. The Apache Police Department first investigated the case and a warrant had been issued for Bailey’s arrest. Reports also say Bailey is tied to a case in Texas where he was found driving a used police car and may have been preparing to impersonate an officer. Some media outlets have compared Bailey's actions to those depicted in Leonardo de Caprio's movie, ‘Catch Me if you Can.’

 

Veterans Groups to Provide Info at CV Tech

Military veterans and their families needing help obtaining benefits or other assistance will be able to meet with a number of veteran-related service groups in one location next month. Canadian Valley Technology Center will host a one-day event which will feature the state department of veterans affairs; VA medical services; VA Behavioral Health Services; Women's veterans services; and legal and educational services. The Grady County DAV Chapter 17 will be on hand as will as representatives from the VFW and American Legion. Veterans should mark their calendars for Thursday, Sept. 7^th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. for the program to be held on the Chickasha campus of the Canadian Valley Technology Center.

 

Philanthropist Kay Neill-Wint Passes Away

Chickasha native Kay Neill-Wint has died. She was a corporate lawyer in California, owned and managed a famous Hollywood night club, and returned to her hometown of Chickasha where she was a philanthropist and supported numerous community projects. Neill-Wint was 76 years old when passed away last week following complications from neck surgery. After her career as a lawyer she purchased and managed The Hollywood Palace which had hosted numerous television shows over the years and became one of Hollywood's best live music venues. She received the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year award in 1991. Kay married Phil Wint in 2002 and the couple later moved to Chickasha. She served on the board of directors for the Grady County Historical Society, was a member of the Salvation Army advisory board, and the USAO Foundation board of trustees. She and Phil helped to establish USAO's Neill-Wint Center for Neurodiversity which helps students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25th at Chickasha's First Christian Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to USAO's Neill-Wint Center for Neurodiversity.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.51 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.21.

Natural gas is $2.79 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,935 and silver is $22.55.

 

---

 

Monday, Aug. 14th

 

State Panel to Continue Proposed PSO Rate Hike Discussion

For about the last year a rate hike request for Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) has been under scrutiny. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission has been wrangling with PSO since a nearly $295 million rate increase was introduced last fall. The proposed rate hike has been revised downward to nearly half that amount which is now at $155 million. The website OK Energy Today reports that an administrative law judge is recommending that the rate hike be approved. If the commission approves PSO customers would see a nearly $3.60 per month increase in their bills. The rate hike has the support of the commission's public utilities division, the state attorney general, and AARP. Several groups opposed the agreement including the Oklahoma Industrial Energy Consumers, the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma, The U.S. Department of Defense, The Alliance for Electrical Restructuring, and Wal-Mart. The commission will discuss the increase in a meeting tomorrow.

 

Union Contract Discussions Set for Chix School Board

Contracts with the three labor unions within the Chickasha school district will be considered by the board of education tonight. Contracts with the Chickasha United Teachers Association, the Chickasha Association of Support Employees, and the Chickasha Organization of Professional Administrators will be reviewed. For the teachers union, officials say they have negotiated raises and an additional year to the pay scale which would increase teacher salary costs by $1.3 million. For support employees, a negotiated agreement includes a 75-cent per hour raise and also adds a year to the salary schedule adding an additional $400,000 to the total support employee salary expense. Officials are recommending a $34 per day raise and adding another year to the pay scale for administrators which would increase the salary costs for that area by $210,000. The panel will also consider a bond bid package from CMS Willowbrook at a cost of nearly $912,000 to handle the construction management for projects at Lincoln Elementary, the middle school, and Grand Elementary. The school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the school administration building.

 

Record Melon Highlights Rush Springs Festival

A new record was set at the Rush Springs Watermelon Festival on Saturday. The heaviest watermelon checked at 225 pounds which breaks the previous record by 11 pounds. The monster was grown by Garen Bratcher who said the melon almost didn't make it through the season.

 

              

 

 

The melon breaks the previous record of 214 pounds of a melon grown by the Miller family in 2012. The Bratchers have been growing watermelons since the 1940s

 

Duncan Bypass Improvements Begin

Motorists traveling in the Duncan area will have some road construction work to contend with over the next few weeks. The Duncan Bypass will be narrowed to one lane in some areas due to a resurfacing project. Overland Corporation was awarded the $4 million work order by the Oklahoma Transportation Commission. The project is getting underway this morning and traffic will be down to one lane for about the next six weeks. It includes the bypass from just east of U.S. Highway 81 to Elk Avenue, intersections at Highway 81, Bois D'arc Road, Beech Avenue, and Elk Avenue.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.19 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.81.

Natural gas is $2.77 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,946 and silver is $22.77.

 

Saturday, Aug. 12th

 

Earthquake Shuts Down Well

Drilling on a well near Union City was temporarily shut down this week due to an earthquake. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission implemented its earthquake mitigation plan Thursday morning following reports of a tremor registering 2.2 on the Richter scale which was followed by a series of smaller aftershocks. The plan is implemented when earthquakes top 2.0 on the Richter Scale. The website OK Energy Today cited reports from the Oklahoma Geological Survey which indicated the tremor was among four recorded in the previous 24 hours. The strongest was about six miles northwest of Union City and the epicenter was about one mile west of the El Reno Airport. The well being drilled by Paloma Resources reportedly ceased operation for about six hours.

 

Rush Springs Watermelon Festival Underway

The Rush Springs Watermelon Festival will officially get underway a little later this morning. However, some early risers have already made their way to the area for both a 5K and 10 run. The 10K runners have just taken off from Jeff Davis Park and will run a route which includes much of the downtown area, out to the high school football field and back to the park. The opening ceremonies will get underway at 9 a.m....and that’s when most of the estimated 125 arts and crafts and food vendors will open their areas for business. The watermelon barn will open at 10 a.m. as local growers compete for the top prizes including the largest watermelon. The prize melons will be auctioned off this afternoon. An estimated 50,000 pounds - or 25 tons of watermelon - will be sold or given away today. The watermelon is free after 4 p.m.

 

Talk Show Topics

Liz Taylor and Shelby Kelsey with the Grady County 4H program are guests on the KOOL Konversation. Real Estate Today guests are Sheppard McConnell, USAO vice president for enrollment management, and USAO Drama Professor Katie Davis. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituary

Oleta Brown

A graveside service for Oleta Brown, 93, of Tuttle was held at 10:00 a.m. today (Saturday, August 12^th) at the Ninnekah Cemetery. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Friday, Aug. 11th

 

Grady County Deputies Earn Promotions

Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess held ceremonies this week to promote a number of deputies. In the patrol division, Brittany Mayer was promoted to master sergeant. In the communications division, Josh Huffines was promoted to captain and division commander; Amanda Cox was promoted to lieutenant and commander; and Kayla Briley was promoted to sergeant. In the school resource division, deputy Perry Settle was promoted to lieutenant and supervisor. The promotions were posted on the sheriff's office Facebook page.

 

Funeral Set for Chickasha's First Black Police Officer

Chickasha's first black police officer has died. Theodore Ligons passed away this week at the age of 85. He also worked as the city’s street superintendent from which he retired. Ligons was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Korean Conflict. His mother Ethel purchased the first truckload of bricks used to build Mt. Olive Baptist Church. Funeral service for Theodore Ligons will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 12th at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

Rush Springs Set for 78th Watermelon Festival

The town of Rush Springs is ready for the thousands of visitors who will be coming to town for the community's annual watermelon festival. The event is all day tomorrow at Jeff Davis Park just east of the downtown area. The annual rodeo kicked things off last night and there will be a second go-round tonight. That's following the parade that will be held at 5 o'clock. There are 10 growers in the area vying for bragging rights over this year's crop. Lillian Ball is this year's watermelon queen. She says growers will be trying to break the record of the heaviest watermelon.

 

              

 

 

The day kicks off with 5K and 10K runs; there are more than 100 arts, crafts, and food vendors; there is a car show, a carnival, and live music and entertainment. Throughout the day, 50,000 pounds of watermelon will be sold or given away. Watermelon is free after four o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

 

Morning of Prayer to be held at Grady County Courthouse

A number of Grady County and Chickasha leaders will be meeting for a morning of prayer to ask for spiritual guidance and support for government, schools, community service organizations, and families. Christian leaders in these areas have been meeting about once a month to pray over the sectors. The group will be meeting on the south steps of the Grady County Courthouse at 7 a.m. next Thursday, August 17th, and invite the public to join them. Among them are Grady County District Judge Kory Kirkland, who will have an introduction and prayer for the church; District Attorney Jason Hicks will pray for government; Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess will pray for law enforcement; Chaplain Luke Harris will pray for the military; Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley will ask for guidance for community service organizations; and Minco school superintendent Kevin Sims will cover education. Michael Butler with Chickasha's First Baptist Church will pray for revival in the community; Ryan Posey will cover business and commerce; Rewa Blackstar with Wee Care Learning Center will pray for families; and track coach and electrician Shevon Blair will pray for student-athletes.

 

Second Friday Art Walk is Tonight

This is the second Friday of August which means it’s time for the second Friday art walk downtown Chickasha. Local artisans will be located throughout the downtown area with their art on display. Among the new events are a John Wayne impersonator and a chainsaw art specialist on the west end. The art walk is along Chickasha Avenue from the Leg Lamp and railroad depot area to near 7th Street to include the Chickasha Art Center. It also includes part of Kansas Avenue to include the Shakespeare Wine Company. The art walk is from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. tonight.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.82 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.40.

Natural gas is $2.76 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,949 and silver is $22.76.

 

Obituary

Joe Slawson

Funeral service for Joe Slawson, 67, of Rush Springs will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 16^th at Vimy Ridge Baptist Church in Rush Springs. He served as a Grady County deputy sheriff from 1999 to 2005.

 

---

 

Thursday, Aug. 10th

 

Area Schools Begin New Year

Today is the first day of classes for many, but not all schools in the region. Chickasha Public Schools is among them and has 175 class days scheduled over the next nine months. As students return to the classroom there has been a last-minute change at Grand Elementary where students and parents will see a familiar face back in the principal's office. Kathy Wenzel was named interim principal just this week. For the last several years she served as the assistant principal at Bill Wallace and prior to that she was the principal at Grand. Wenzel will fill the post which was previously held by Dereth Harrison. Harrison was just hired by Ninnekah schools to be the elementary school principal there. Wenzel is among the most veteran of teachers and administrators for Chickasha. She is in her 32nd year in education with all of them being with the Chickasha school district. She has worked at virtually every school site either as a teacher, counselor, or administrator.

 

Blanchard Driver Hospitalized After Accident

An SUV crash in McClain County sends a Blanchard woman to the hospital. 65-year old Tammy Durgen suffered head and neck injuries in the accident and was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital where she was last in good condition. The accident happened just after noon Wednesday on State Highway 39 north of Purcell. The highway patrol reports that Durgen's SUV ran off the highway, hit a culvert, then came to rest against a utility pole. The trooper indicated that speed may have been a factor. Durgen was wearing her seat belt.

 

Suspect Arrested for Alleged Truck Theft

A Chickasha woman was arrested and charged for allegedly stealing a truck. 40-year old Jessica Renee Trent was taken into custody by police after the victim reported his truck was taken without his permission this past Sunday. Officials were summoned to a home in the 600 block of North 2nd Street about 4 o'clock that afternoon to take the report. A witness said they saw Trent take the truck. A few hours later, police spotted the vehicle at the Dollar General Store at 6th and Grand and found Trent inside the store where she was arrested and taken to the Grady County Jail. A probable cause affidavit indicates Trent told the officer she took the truck to get some drinks and that she probably should have taken the truck back sooner. Trent has been charged with a felony for possession of stolen vehicle. She remains in jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond.

 

Suspected Reckless Driver Accused of Assaulting Cop

A Tuttle woman was arrested and charged for allegedly assaulting a police officer. Tuttle police arrested 42-year old Susanna Dawn Shelton-Parker last weekend after an officer responded to a report of a reckless driver who had parked her pickup at the Sonic Drive In. A probable cause affidavit indicates the officer pulled her over as she left the drive in and that while he was talking to her she appeared to be intoxicated. Shelton-Parker became combative and began slapping the officer when he asked her to get out of the truck. The officer said he had to tase her to get her to comply. Shelton-Parker was eventually arrested and taken to the Grady County Jail. She has been charged with a felony for assault and battery on a police officer, and misdemeanors for threatening an officer and municipal DUI. She remains in jail on a $15,000 bond.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $84.40.

London-based Brent crude is $87.55.

Natural gas is $2.96 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,952 and silver is $22.85.

 

Obituary

Mark Johnson

A private service for Mark Johnson, 72, of Chickasha will be held at a later date. He worked at Land of Lakes and was a preacher at the Called Out Full Gospel Church. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Aug. 9th

 

Chix Voters OK Sales Tax to Fund Water Treatment Plant

Chickasha voters gave a landslide approval to sales tax that will fund the construction of a new water treatment plant for the city. The proposal for a 1 1/4 cent sales tax received nearly 94 percent of the total votes in a low turnout yesterday. The final tally was 1,206 to 81. That's an unofficial count until it is certified by the election board on Friday. The nearly 1,300 votes cast is only about 16 percent of the number of registered voters in the city. The sales tax will go into effect January 1st. The city’s sales tax rate will only increase by one-half of one cent as a current 3/4ths of a penny sales tax will expire December 31st.  Mayor Chris Mosley says much of the sales tax revenue will pay for about a $70 million, 30-year loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to build the plant.

 

                             

 

 

Officials estimate that the sales tax could bring in about $4.5 million a year with $3 million of that going to loan payments. Mosley talks about what the remaining $1.5 million per year could be used for.

 

                         

 

 

Other capital improvements could include the purchase of fire trucks, ambulances, and police cars. Mosley said it will be a long process to build the new plant. Engineering is just starting and that will take a year. It will take at least another two years to build the plant which means it could be 2027 at the earliest that the plant will begin operations.

 

Carnegie Voters OK PSO Franchise Extension                              

The town of Carnegie also had a special election yesterday. Voters gave near unanimous approval for Public Service Company of Oklahoma to continue its franchise agreement for another 25 years. The measure received 60 of the 61 votes cast.

 

State Highway 19 Upgrades Approved

The State Transportation Commission awarded a contract this week to widen State Highway 19 between Chickasha and Alex. The panel awarded a more than $50 million contract to Silver Star Construction Company. It will start about five miles southeast of the Highway 19 and 81 junction then go east nearly 8 ½ miles. Work is expected to start later this year. Once completed State Highway 19 will be a super two-lane roadway with eight-foot wide shoulders from Chickasha eastward to the Washita River Bridge west of Lindsay.

 

Suspect in Custody After High-Speed Chase in Verden Area

Verden police arrest a man following a pursuit that reached 100 miles per hour through parts of rural Grady and Caddo counties. 42-year old Mikel Charles Frazier of Ponca City was taken into custody after last Saturday’s chase. A probable cause affidavit indicates Verden police attempted to pull over a pickup speeding through town. The driver sped away and failed to stop at stop signs and at one point put children's lives in danger. The pursuit ended when the truck blew a tire. Frazier tried to make a run for it but he was quickly detained. Frazier has been charged with felonies which include endangering others while eluding and possession of a stolen vehicle. He remains in the Grady County in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.92 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.17.

Natural gas is $2.78 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,959 and silver is $22.79.

 

Obituary

Janet Stewart

Funeral service for Janet Stewart, 74, of Duncan will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 11th at the First Baptist Church of Duncan. She was a teacher and a homemaker. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Tuesday, August 8^th

 

Injured Chix Police Officer has Badge Retired

In a ceremony that many believed was long overdue retired Chickasha Police Sgt. Matthew Schoolfield had his badge retired last night. The ceremony was during last night's Chickasha City Council meeting. Police Chief G.G. Music said Schoolfield was part of the police department's Special Response Team (SRT) that attempted to issue a search warrant on Sept. 17th, 2017. Music said a gun battle ensued with more than 200 rounds being fired and Schoolfield suffered several gunshot wounds. Following a long recovery Schoolfield returned to work and honorably retired in March of 2020. In last night's meeting Music said-

 

              

 

 

Several members of that SRT team were and others who worked with Schoolfield were on hand for the presentation. A proclamation issued by Mayor Chris Mosley noted Schoofield's more than 12 years of service, commitment, dedication, heroism, and suffering great physical loss. Schoolfield’s badge No. 319 will never be issued again.

 

Chix Voters to Decide Sales Tax Issue

Chickasha voters go to the polls today to decide on a sales tax proposal that would pay to build a new water treatment plant. The proposal calls for a permanent 1 1/4 cent  sales tax which officials say would not only pay for the $74 million plant, it would also provide funding for various capital improvement projects including street and water line repairs and needed equipment for police and fire. If the sales tax is approved, it would result in just a 1/2 of a penny net increase in the sales tax as a current 3/4 of a penny tax expires at the end of the year. If the sales tax does not pass the city's water users will see their rates rise 82 percent in order to pay for the project. Polls are open until 7 o’clock tonight.

 

Carnegie Has Special Election

There is also a special election in Carnegie today, where voters will decide on a 25-year extension for Public Service Company's franchise agreement.

 

Chix City Council Tidbits

The city council approved a payment of nearly $288,000 to a contractor for the recent repairs made to the storm drain and intersection at 14th and Missouri damaged during heavy rains in June. The panel also approved a request by Brannan Bordwine to rezone several acres on West Country Club Road from agricultural to residential use. The panel also approved a number of oil and gas leases to Petroven. The leases total about 40 acres and range in size from less than one-half acre to 31 acres. The panel also approved a request to waive the competitive bidding process and purchase 25 new AR-15 platform police rifles at a cost of nearly $79,000 from Ares State Armory. The panel also authorized the purchase of 10 new Glock 9mm with night sights for the police department totaling just under $5,000 from H and H Shooting Sports.

 

Chix School Teachers Challenged to Find 'Amazing' Things

Chickasha school teachers have been challenged to find something amazing to talk about every day during the upcoming school this year. During the opening convocation for the district’s teachers yesterday, officials asked them to find 175 amazing things about the district. That’s one for every day of the school year. Guest speaker was Dr. April Grace, former Shawnee school superintendent who was the state school superintendent of the year in 2021. Gab Shepard with the Chickasha Public School Foundation reminded teachers that the classroom closet is open and that most of the school supplies students need can be picked up. She also said that the foundation issued more than $40,000 in teacher grants last year and that applications for this year's grants will open this week. In the spirit competition among each school site Lincoln School was declared the winner and will get to be the home for the large ‘Cluck’ Norris Fightin' Chick mascot. Chickasha school students return to class on Thursday.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.94 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.34.

Natural gas is $2.72 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,969 and silver is $23.22

 

---

 

Monday, Aug. 7th

 

Chix Police Officer to Receive Retirement Badge

Years After Being Injured in Shootout 

A Chickasha police officer severely injured in a shootout will finally get his retirement badge. Sgt. Matthew Schoolfield was among several law enforcement personnel injured while trying to execute a search warrant at a home in September of 2017. Schoolfield was shot six times. Chickasha Police Chief G.G. Music recently discovered that Schoolfield never received his retirement badge - but that will change tonight as Schoolfield is expected to receive the badge during tonight's Chickasha City Council meeting.

Storm Drain, Street Repair Project Payment to be Considered

The council is expected to approved the payment of the emergency storm drain and road repairs made to the intersection of 14th and Missouri which were completed this past week. Mayfield Construction, now doing business as Bear Creek Construction, bid just under $290,000 for the project.

Resident Wants Agriculture Property Re-zoned

Also on the agenda is a public hearing to consider a request from Brannan Bordwine to re-zone several acres west of 25th and Country Club Road from agriculture to residential use. The Planning Commission has recommended that the re-zoning be approved.

Fire Department Seeks New Truck

The group will consider purchasing a new squad truck for the fire department. Fire Chief Tony Samaniego is asking to buy a Dodge Ram 2500 from Emergency Vehicle Sales and Service of Oklahoma. The purchase price of just under $83,000 is expected to be reimbursed by the Grady County 522 EMS District.

Oil and Gas Leases to be Considered

The council will also consider approving a number of oil and gas leases with Petroven totaling nearly 40 acres in the city limits.

Hallowe'en Events up for Discussion

The panel will also consider requests from the chamber of commerce to hold a walking Hallowe'en costume parade downtown on Friday, Oct. 13^th and the annual Neewollah Festival downtown on Saturday, Oct. 28th. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

Back-to-School Time;  Info for Chix Public Schools

Students will be returning to area classrooms this week  including those in Chickasha Public Schools. Teachers return today with their opening convocation at 9 o'clock this morning at the high school activity center. Classes begin Thursday.

High School

High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors can pick up their class schedules this morning between 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. or this afternoon from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Freshman preview is tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. at the high school activity center auditorium.

Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center

Meet-the-teacher night at Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center will be tomorrow afternoon and evening. Kindergarten is from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and first grade is from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Lincoln School

Lincoln School  meet-the-teacher is tomorrow evening 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Grand Elementary

Grand Elementary meet-the-teacher is Wednesday, Aug. 9th 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

School Times Changing

There are new start times at each school this year so students and parents are urged to get those new times before Thursday.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.82 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.24.

Natural gas is $2.58 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,969 and silver is $23.46.

 

Obituary

Regina Mitchell

Funeral service for Regina Mitchell, 70, of Ninnekah was held at 10:30 this morning (Monday, August 7^th) at Ferguson Funeral Home. She was a home-maker and bookkeeper for her husband Harry's diesel truck repair service.

Saturday, Aug. 5th

 

Regional Oil and Gas Well Update

We have some updates on oil and gas well production reports to share today. Four Garvin County wells on a single pad are jointly bringing in more than 3,600 barrels of oil and more than 10,000 metric cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas per day. They are the Torero wells drilled by CPRP Services of Oklahoma City and are in the Woodford Formation of the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province (SCOOP). They are in Section 30 of Township 3 North and Range 3 West a few miles south of Lindsay near the town of Purdy. They are drilled to a true vertical depth of more than 11,000 feet with total drilling at more than 23,000 feet.

Twin Wells Producing East of Chix

Camino Natural Resources has a couple of wells on a single pad in Grady County jointly producing nearly 900 barrels of oil and more than 4,000 Mcf of natural gas per day. They are the Shockey and the Golden Driller wells in section 36 of Township 7 North and Range 7 West about a mile east of Chickasha. They are in the Springer and Woodford formations in the SCOOP and were drilled to a true vertical depth of about 14,000 feet with total drilling at more than 25,000 feet.

 

American Indian Exposition Wraps up This Weekend

The American Indian Exposition in Anadarko wraps up today. Among the activities are a 5K run this morning, a softball tournament which runs through tomorrow, as well as primitive and traditional bow shooting competition. There is a parade through downtown at 10 o'clock this morning. Indian horse relay racing runs through tomorrow with championships Sunday afternoon. Tonight at the Caddo County fairgrounds it’s the men's dancing competition including the national fancy dance special. Head singer is John David Ballard.

 

City of Newcastle Building New Sports Complex

Construction is underway on a new sports complex for the City of Newcastle. The complex is being built near State Highways 76 and 130 which is just west of the city near Jack's Corner. Architect drawings show seven baseball and softball fields. They plan to include adding turf to some of the natural grass fields as well as walking trails, picnic areas, and 500 parking spaces. Our partners at KWTV New 9 say Newcastle received a $1.2 million grant last year to help pay for the project.

 

Church Hosts Back-to-School Bash for Chickasha Students

This is the last weekend of summer vacation for students in a number of school districts. Among them are students in Chickasha public schools who will return to classrooms next Thursday, Aug. 10th. To help get them ready Michigan Avenue Baptist Church is hosting its annual back-to-school bash and resource fair from 9 a.m. to noon today. They'll be giving away more than 400 backpacks along with school supplies and personal care items. Free haircuts and sports physicals will be available and community service organizations will be on hand. Students must be accompanied by parents. Families are asked to park at the Canadian Valley Technology Center and the Towns End bus will shuttle families to and from the church. They will be serving lunch and snow-cones. Teachers are welcome and each will receive a free goodie bag and t-shirt and can enter a drawing to win cash prizes. Teachers can also submit a list of their classroom needs. By the way, parents of Chickasha students will not have to purchase most school supplies. The Chickasha Public School Foundation provides many of the supplies needed throughout the year in all grades but there are a few exceptions.

 

Chix PD Hosts Ice Cream with a Cop

Also today, Chickasha police will have Ice Cream with a Cop. Officers will be on hand at Chickasha's Dairy Queen and free junior ice cream cones will be served to kids 12-and-under from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Kendra Gift and Dena Craig with the Southwest Oklahoma Development Authority are on our KOOL Konversation program. Jamie Jones from the Grady County Fairgrounds is our guest on Real Estate Today. Podcasts of both programs can be found under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituary

Regina Mitchell

Funeral service for Regina Mitchell, 70, of Ninnekah will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, August 7th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She was a home-maker as well as a  bookkeeper for her husband Harry's diesel truck repair service.

 

---

 

Friday, Aug. 4th

 

Transformer 'Tumble' Explained

A 63-thousand pound transformer fell off a flatbed trailer in downtown Chickasha created some excitement last week. The incident happened about 8:30 last Wednesday morning, July 26th. It shut down traffic on 4th street for about six hours. The Southwest Ledger reports the transformer was en route from Houston to Oklahoma City. Ledger reporters say they talked to truck driver who was northbound on 4th street when he saw an SUV driving through the intersection and he hit the brakes on the big rig. When he did, the weight of transformer shifted and it broke five chains that were supposed to keep the transformer on the trailer. There were no injuries. Two cranes from an Oklahoma City firm were called in to lift the 31 1/2 ton transformer back on to trailer. A hazardous materials crew from an environmental clean-up company out of Wayne brought bags of safety solvent to soak up non-toxic mineral oil which spilled out of the unit. No street damage was reported but a curb had a large chunk taken out of it. The unidentified driver told The Ledger he was ticketed for having an unsecured load. The fine is $174.

 

'Reservation Dogs' Actor Back Home in Caddo County 

There was a big turnout in Anadarko last night for the re-opening of McKee's Indian Store. The Caddo Nation recently purchased the store in an attempt to begin a resurgence of business to downtown Anadarko. Many of those attending turned out to see teenage actor Lane Factor, who plays the role of Cheese on the hit FX series Reservation Dogs. Factor, who just recently turned 18, is a member of the Caddo Nation and was chosen as this year's Celebrity Indian of the Year for the American Indian Expo. He talks about his early acting success and hopes it’s something he can keep doing:

 

              

 

 

Reservation Dogs is in its third and final season. Factor says his immediate future is unclear because of the current actor's strike.

 

Monster Trucks to Feature Teen Driver 

Monster trucks return to the Grady County Fairgrounds this weekend. And a 14-year old girl will be driving one of them. Faith Phreed is among the youngest monster truck drivers in the world. Phreed drives the truck known as Animal House. She's following in the footsteps of her father Shane who has been driving monster trucks for years. He's driving Robo Machine, War Wizard, and Monster Mutt. There will be three shows over the next couple of days. The first is 8 p.m. tonight and there are two shows tomorrow. The first will be at 3 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m. Tickets will be available at the gate.

 

Chix Public Pool Closing Soon 

The swimming season will be ending soon at the Chickasha municipal swimming pool at Shannon Spring Park. Lewis Knisley with the YMCA which manages the pool says the pool will have its regular hours through next Wednesday, Aug. 9th which will be the final day for open swimming. The pool will be open for limited hours on Saturday, Aug. 12th and Aug. 19^th from 10-6 for limited pool parties. Contact the YMCA for information.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.55 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.14.

Natural gas is $2.57 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,968 and silver is $23.59.

 

---

 

Thursday, Aug. 3rd

 

City of Chix Officials Update Infrastructure Work

A water line break discovered in the north part of Chickasha early Wednesday has been repaired. City crews spent most of the day repairing the break at 10^th and Illinois. That's north of the Chickasha Public Schools administration building across from Line Creek. The break caused several areas to have no or low-water pressure most of the day. Repairs were completed by 5:00 p.m.

North Side Water Line Flushed Overnight

City officials also indicated that a fire hydrant would be opened overnight near 11th and Frisco to remove air from the line. Water pressure could be low in that area this morning but is expected to return to normal later today. 

14th and Missouri Intersection to Re-open Tomorrow

City officials also indicate that the intersection of 14th and Missouri will be re-opening tomorrow. The intersection has been closed since mid-June after part of the intersection collapsed following heavy rains. Nearly $300,000 in repairs were completed last week and officials are just waiting for the concrete to cure. The intersection will re-open at 7:00 a.m. Friday.

 

Two Candidates File for Minco Mayor Post;

Town's Former Police Chief Files to Serve Again

Two candidates have filed to run for Mayor for the town of Minco. Dena Sanford and Susan Hollandsworth both submitted formal documents to run for the post in the three-day filing period which ended yesterday. There is now a two-day withdrawal and protest period for candidates to withdraw their names, or for anyone wanting to challenge their eligibility and qualifications. One candidate filed for the vacant police chief position. Former Minco Police Chief Neal Locke filed for the post. The special election is scheduled Sept. 12th.

 

Early Voting Begins for Special Elections in Chix, Carnegie

Early voting is underway in some areas that are having special elections next week. That includes voters who live in the Chickasha city limits who will decide if a 1 1/4 cent sales tax should be approved to pay for the construction of a new water treatment plant. If approved there would be a net increase in the sales tax of one half of one percent. A current sales tax will expire December 31^st and the new tax would take effect January 1, 2024. There is also early voting for residents living in the town of Carnegie to cast ballots regarding the extension of the PSO easement agreement. Voters can cast ballots early at the county election board offices where they are registered. Early voting is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and tomorrow. The actual election is next Tuesday, Aug. 8th.

 

American Indian Expo Continues

Today is Day Two of the American Indian Exposition in Anadarko. Among the highlights is a grand opening reception at the re-opened McKee Indian Store downtown. The Caddo Nation recently acquired the store which has historically served as a supplier of arts and craft items for Indigenous artists and traditional Indigenous clothing. Caddo Nation Chairman Bobby Gonzalez says Native Americans make up more than 70 percent of the population in Anadarko but there are very few businesses owned and operated by Indigenous people or tribes. He hopes to change that by working to revitalize Anadarko's Main Street area. The store also includes the Susan Peters Gallery. Peters is known for discovering the original Kiowa Six artists. Wikipedia indicates that she was honored by the National Hall of Fame for Famous American Indians in 1954 and is enshrined in the Oklahoma Women's Hall of Fame. She passed away in 1965 at the age of 91. Among those expected to attend is actor Lane Factor who is known for his role as Cheese in the FX hit show Reservation Dogs. The reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. tonight.

 

Salvation Army Holds Sign-ups for Shoes, Socks, Skivvies

The Salvation Army serving Grady and Caddo counties will have sign-ups this week for families wanting to apply for the Shoes, Socks, and Skivvies giveway. In Anadarko families can register at 515 West Garrett between 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. this afternoon. Grady County families can sign-up Saturday, August 5^th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Chickasha Salvation Army at 2402 S. 16th. Families must Provide children’s ID’s; proof of need (such as pay stubs or SNAP letter); children's birth certificates; shot records or school records; and child's clothing sizes.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.49 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.20.

Natural gas is $2.47 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,968 and silver is $23.61.

 

---

 

Wednesday, Aug. 2nd

 

Athena Brownfield Autopsy Report Unveiled

An autopsy conducted by the state medical examiner's office indicates that Athena Brownfield died from pneumonia and malnutrition. Athena was the four-year old Cyril girl who was first reported missing in January. Her body was found buried in the Agawam area about a week later. Athena was reported missing after her 5-year old sister was found wandering in the street by a mail carrier. Shortly after being reported missing the childrens' care takers, Alysia Adams and Ivon Adams were arrested. Ivon is charged with felonies of murder and child neglect - Alysia is charged with two counts of felony child neglect. Both have preliminary hearings set in Caddo County District Court in Anadarko on Oct. 4th.

 

Grady County Courthouse Re-opens Today

The Grady County Courthouse will be re-opening this morning. The courthouse was closed Monday after a water line that is part of building’s large air condition units ruptured and flooded a couple of offices. County Commissioner Kirk Painter said contractors were quick to respond to make repairs and finished work earlier than anticipated. He said the county has annual contract with Streets, LLC out of Oklahoma City which is a commercial plumbing and mechanical needs firm. Painter said workers were on-site within an hour of being called Monday morning. The estimated cost of repairs was not immediately available. Painter said there is some water damage in Judge Gina Lowe's courtroom on the second floor and well as in Assessor Bari Firestone's office on the first floor.

 

New USAO President Has Active First Day

USAO's new president spent her first official day on campus yesterday with the university's senior leadership team discussing the start of school which is just a few weeks away and writing thank you notes to donors. Kayla Hale takes the reins of the presidency from long-time president John Feaver who recently retired. Hale previously served as a vice president for the University of Tulsa. She has been in Chickasha several times over the last few weeks getting familiar with the community and is looking forward to get the university more involved in the area.

              

 

She also plans to open the president's home on campus to be used as another location for chamber of commerce and business leaders to hold meetings and will be inviting students and faculty to the home.

 

Filing Period Ends Today for Minco Special Election

Prospective candidates for the mayor and police chief positions in Minco have one more day to file for the upcoming special election. As of late yesterday the only candidate to file is acting-mayor Susan Hollandsworth. She was named acting mayor following the resignation of previous mayor Keith McMullen in June. Former police chief Joshua Fletcher also resigned but no candidates have yet filed for that post. Hollandsworth has served on the Minco council for about 15 years and is a life-long Minco resident. Candidates have to file their declarations of candidacy at the Grady County Election Board by 5 o'clock this afternoon. The special election is scheduled for Sept. 12th.

 

American Indian Expo Returns

After a three-year absence the American Indian Exposition returns to Anadarko today. The expo was put on hold during the pandemic. The four-day event opens with a parade through downtown Anadarko followed by activities at the Caddo County fairgrounds. This marks the 88th anniversary of the first Indian Expo which features ceremonies and cultures from the 15 Native American tribes in Oklahoma. There are a number of arts and crafts and food vendors, a 5K run, and more. The expo runs through Saturday. See the American Indian Expo 1935 Facebook page for information.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.37 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.91.

Natural gas is $2.56 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,985 and silver is $24.42.

 

---

 

Tuesday, Aug. 1st

 

Grady County Courthouse Closed for Repairs

(Update- Repairs have been completed as of Tuesday afternoon. The courthouse will re-open at 8:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 2nd)

The Grady County Courthouse is closed as repairs to a broken water line are underway. The break was discovered as workers arrived Monday morning. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson said a water line from a large air conditioning unit ruptured in the attic above the top floor of the building which caused some damage in at least two offices below. Thompson said crews will have to replace about a 20-foot section of the water line and will also have to remove some asbestos discovered in the historic courthouse. While the courthouse is closed all other county offices will be open.

 

Break-in Reported at Chix Public Works Headquarters

Chickasha police are investigating a break-in that occurred at the city's Public Works Headquarters. Police Chief G.G. Music said authorities were notified of the break-in the morning of Saturday, July 22nd. Music provided no details about the incident other than to say it is still under investigation.

 

City of Chix has Record Month for Sales Tax Collections

A new report shows that the City of Chickasha had a record month for sales tax collections. The July sales tax report from the Oklahoma Tax Commission shows the city collected nearly $1.4 million in sales tax revenues. That's a more than 17 percent increase from June and a more than 24 percent increase from July of 2022. In his recent media column Jim Cowan with the city's economic development council said while inflation is a factor in the increase - consumer spending actually out-paced inflation. That $1.4 million in sales tax revenue indicates that more than $37 million was spent on taxable goods and services at Chickasha retail outlets. At the county level Grady County coffers collected more than $780,000 in sales tax revenue. That represents nearly $105 million in consumer spending county-wide during that same period.

 

Grady County 4Hers do well at State 4H Roundup

Grady County was well represented at the state 4H Roundup in Stillwater last month. 22 members attended the three-day event and several brought home some of the top awards. Sage Payne won first place in the communications contest with her Animal Science Digital Presentations and Alexandraya Brown was runner-up. Georgia Nelson won first place in the Plant and Natural Sciences Digital presentations. County 4Hers took the top two spots in the Food Showdown. The team of Kenlynn Chaney, Katie Jones, and Shane Williamson won the event and will represent Oklahoma at the National 4H Food Showdown. Alexandraya Brown, Haden Shipley, and MJ Shipley were runners-up. Caden Cowell was a winner in the talent contest with his vocal work in performing arts. Cowell, Makenzie Clodfelter, and Mesa Payne were all selected to perform prior to the honors night assembly. Four members were selected to attend the National 4H Congress in Atlanta this fall. Charramaiyne Brown, Kenlynn Chaney, Maggie Evans, and Abby Pettijohn will be taking the trip. One 4Her was elected to a state office. Shelby Kelsey will serve as the state vice president during the upcoming school year. Collectively, Grady County 4Hers received $6,000 in college scholarships.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.80 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.43.

Natural gas is $2.26 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,993 and silver is $24.65.

 

Obituary

Terry Woolridge

No service is scheduled for Terry Woolridge, 62, of Medicine Park and formerly of Minco. He was a machinist and a welder. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation or any medical research foundation.

 

---

 

Monday, July 31st

 

 

BREAKING-

The Grady County Courthouse is closed through Wednesday, August 2nd due to a  water line break from an air conditioning unit that runs through the attic. All ofther Grady County offices will remain open. The courthouse is scheduled to re-open Thursday, Aug. 3rd at 8:30 a.m.

 

Admitted Drug Trafficker Sentenced 

An admitted drug trafficker who pleaded guilty to distributing drugs laced with fentanyl will spend 20 years in prison. Last week 34-year old Garrett John David Woodle of Purcell pleaded guilty to distributing fentanyl resulting in serious bodily injury. The information is posted on the Grady County Sheriff's Office Facebook page and cites an announcement by U.S. attorney Robert Troester. Woodle had been the subject of a joint investigation by the Grady County Sheriff's Office and the sheriff's office Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agent Capt. Jim Peek last September. A federal grand jury returned a four-count Super-ceding Indictment against Woodle in May. The indictment indicated that Woodle provided fentanyl to an individual who overdosed. The victim survived after getting two doses of Narcan and other medical treatment. As part of the plea agreement federal prosecutors agreed to not advocate for more than 20 years in prison.

 

Former USAO Regent Passes Away

Longtime USAO regent David McLaughlin has died. The successful Oklahoma businessman spent ten years on the panel. Outgoing USAO President John Feaver writes that McLaughlin's service is unmatched and that was a great human being who went to extraordinary efforts to improve the lives of everyone he came in contact with. His family contributed to a number of USAO projects including the construction of the classroom at the university’s habitat area which is dedicated to his wife Jean. Other projects include upgrades to the university's athletic facilities (the soccer field is named in his family’s honor) and providing student scholarships.

 

Chix Chamber to Celebrate Centennial 

Officials with the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the organization's 100th birthday tomorrow. The chamber was created August 1st, 1923 although various groups doing similar work began prior to the turn of the 20th century. A come-and-go birthday open house will be held at the chamber from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. tomorrow which will include inter-active exhibits featuring the chamber's journey. It will also be a day filled with networking and other opportunities for chamber members which now total about 375. In addition to celebrating the chamber's achievements the group looks forward to an even brighter future.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.58 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.99.

Natural gas is $2.64 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,995 and silver is $24.43.

 

Obituaries

Elbert Bottoms

A graveside service for Elbert Bottoms, 91, of Chickasha was held at 10:00 a.m. today (Monday, July 31^st) at Laverty Cemetery. He served in the National Guard, was an electrician, and worked for Maremont. Arrangements were with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Karliene Spradlin

A graveside service for Karliene Spradlin, 89, of Ardmore and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, August 1st at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Sidney Henderson

A graveside service for Sidney Henderson, 66, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 4th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

 

Thursday, July 20th

 

Caddo County Teen Pleads Guilty to Shooting Father

A Cyril teenager who pleaded guilty to shooting his father may be able to avoid serving any time behind bars. 18-year old Lance Moore was arrested in October of last year following a confrontation with his father. At the time he was charged as a youthful offender. Moore initially pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of shooting with intent to kill this past April and the case was set to go to trial in September. Moore changed his plea to guilty earlier this month. On-line court records indicate that if he successfully completes a juvenile offender program the charge will be dismissed - otherwise he could be sentenced to up to 15 years in prison. He's to be back in court next month to give a progress report.

 

Chix City Council OK's Cost Increase for Repair Project

The Chickasha City Council this week approved a change order for the street and storm drain repairs underway at the intersection of 14th Street and Missouri Avenue. The panel approved an additional $9,200 for the project. Authorities said they were going to have to remove debris which was blocking water from flowing through the drain was damaged during heavy rains this spring. Officials say somehow a utility pole was one of the items washed into the drain. Authorities believe it came from an area a couple of blocks away in a previous storm.

Residential Day Care Approved

The council also approved a use-on-review request to operate a home daycare in a residential area. Following a brief public hearing which included comments from applicant Kelsea Dobbins, the panel approved the request for the daycare in the 900 block of South 13th Street.
Panel Postpones Action on Grant Request for Downtown Eatery

The panel took no action on awarding a central business district building grant to a downtown restaurant. Officials with Roberto's Tex-Mex Cantina had applied for a $12,500 grant to assist with recent electrical and plumbing upgrades. Chickasha Economic Development Director Jim Cowan said the reason for no action taken was because the issue was worded incorrectly on the agenda. He said the restaurant has checked all the boxes required to be eligible for the grant and expects the council to approved it at a later date.

 

FEMA OKs Disaster Assistance for Some OK Counties

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Gov. Kevin Stitt's request to provide federal disaster aid to help with recovery efforts in several counties following spring tornadoes and thunderstorms. Stephens and Comanche counties are among the 19 counties approved for FEMA funds to clean up and recover from storms which battered the state between June 15th and 18th. The assistance is for municipalities, counties, electric co-ops  and others and will provide re-imbursement for debris removal, infrastructure and utility repairs, and other costs related to recovering from those storms.

 

Elgin Mayor Announces Run for State Senate

The Mayor of Elgin announces he'll be a candidate for a vacant seat in the state senate. J.J. Francais, who is also the vice president of Hilliary Communications, says he's tossing his hat into the ring to fill the District 32 seat relinquished by former State Senator John Montgomery. Montgomery recently stepped down after being named president of the Lawton-Ft. Sill Chamber of Commerce. The Lawton Constitution cites a press release from Francais that he is a conservative Republican and his platform includes fighting crime and battling inflation, and that government should empower its citizens rather than restrict their liberties. A special election will be held Oct. 10th.

 

Grady County 4H Volunteer Honored at State Conference

A Grady County 4H leader is recognized for her work. Angie Young leads the 4H program in Verden and was named the County 4H Volunteer of the Year. She was honored for her efforts at the state 4H Parent and Volunteer Board conference held in Stillwater recently.  Grady County 4H educator Liz Taylor served as a presenter at the event. Young said the conference was a great experience and enjoyed the 'hands-on' workshops including one which focused on wildlife activities. She plans to incorporate the program into her Verden 4H group and in after-school and classrooms for school enrichment programs.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.35 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.46.

Natural gas is $2.60 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,024 and silver is $25.44.

 

Obituary

Donna McBride

Arrangements for Donna McBride, 63, of El Reno are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Wednesday, July 19th

 

Downtown Chix Sees Increase in Visitors

The number of people visiting downtown Chickasha over the first six months of this increased nearly 40 percent compared to 2022. Chickasha Economic Development Council director Jim Cowan points to foot traffic analytics from Placer Labs. It shows there were more than 560,000 visits to the downtown area from January through June of this year.  That's a 39 percent increase over the same period last year. The study indicates that the busiest month during that period was in March when more than 100,000 visits were recorded. Cowan says a lot of the increase is due to the Leg Lamp and new businesses which have opened over the last year and a half. Cowan said they expect the number to grow even more as new entertainment venues like ax throwing and an escape room will be opening over the next few months. The area surveyed is from 1st to 6th Street on both sides of Chickasha and Choctaw Avenues and part of Kansas Avenue. It does not include visitors going to the Grady County courthouse.

 

New Lincoln Principal Excited About Role

The new principal at Chickasha's Lincoln Elementary School is looking forward to the next step in her career. Angie Morgan steps into the principal's role after five years as assistant principal. She is a career educator with more than 25-years in the classroom, first with Anadarko Public schools then with Chickasha where she taught elementary education. She has this message for parents regarding the upcoming school year:

 

              

 

 

She thanks her mentor, Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander, who just retired as Lincoln principal. She says she learned patience from Dr. A and to not overreact to situations. A new assistant principal for Lincoln is expected to be named before the start of school on Aug. 10th.

 

Barricaded Anadarko Suspect Formally Charged

The man who was arrested after barricading himself inside an Anadarko home last week has been formally charged with a felony and two misdemeanors in connection with the incident. 43-year old Jeremy Janmohammadi had his initial appearance in Caddo County District Court on Monday. He's been charged with a felony for having a firearm after former felony conviction, and misdemeanors for obstructing an officer and outraging public decency. He was relesased from jail after posting a $5,000 bond. The incident occurred last Friday, when utility workers were working in an alley behind the home. Janmohammadi came out and brandished a weapon and cursed at the workers, who called police. A probable cause affidavit indicates authorities found a BB gun inside the home. Janmohammadi was convicted of drug trafficking of drug trafficking out of Grady County 2021 where he received a five year suspended sentence.

 

Filing Dates Set for Minco Mayor, Police Chief Posts

The resignations of the mayor and the police chief in town of Minco means a special election will be held this fall to fill those positions. The filing period for candidates wanting to run for those posts will be held Monday, July 31st through Wednesday, Aug. 2nd. Candidates will be able to file their declarations of candidacy at the Grady County Election Board in Chickasha from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each of those days. Forms may be downloaded from the state election board website at www.oklahoma.gov/elections or they may be picked up at the election board office at 315 Pennsylvania next to the Grady County Emergency Management Office. The special election will be held Sept. 12th.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.75 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.63.

Natural gas is $2.63 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,019 and silver is $25.24.

 

---

 

Tuesday, July 18th

 

Chickasha Officials Name Engineering Firm

to Design New Water Treatment Plant

The Chickasha City Council gives city manager Keith Johnson the approval to negotiate a contract with an engineering firm to design the city's new water treatment plant. City officials recommended that the Oklahoma City firm of Freese and Nicholes be used to design the $74 million plant. Officials from the city and the firm held a walk-through of the plant yesterday. Johnson said it’s possible that some of the equipment in the current plant could be used in the new facility.

 

              

 

 

Details of the contract are expected to available at a later date. City voters will go to the polls Aug. 8th to consider a sales tax proposal to fund the construction of the new water plant.

 

Hollywood Strike Impacts Local film Production

The Screen Actors Guild strike in Hollywood is impacting film work going on in Chickasha, El Reno, and other Oklahoma communities. Crews working on sets for the Twisters film have had to postpone their work. John Cowan is the set director for the work underway in Chickasha. Last night the city council approved an extension of the film time through August 4^th last night. Cowan said the streets around 17th and Minnesota will be temporarily re-opened.

 

              

 

 

Cowan said they will bring in a professional street sweeper to make sure nails would be picked up so the risk for flat tires should be minimal.

 

No Action Taken After Discussion of Purchase or Appraisal Property

After a 30-minute closed-door session, the city council took no action following a discussion regarding the purchase or appraisal of real property. The location of the property was not revealed.

 

More Drug Arrests Made in Ongoing Fentanyl Probe

Three people, including a teenager were arrested early yesterday as drug agents converged on a Chickasha home. Captain Jim Peek, a DEA agent with the Grady County Sheriff's Office, said a SWAT team of 12 to 15 officers served a search warrant on a home in the 1200 block of South Shepherd about 6:30 Monday morning. The team included state troopers and members of the District Attorney's Drug Task Force. Arrested was 42-year old Byran Latoure Blakes, also known as 'Kuda,' who is being held on complaints of trafficking and having firearms. Also arrested was Taylor Meade who had warrants for her arrest for grand larceny and assault and battery out of the Chickasaw Nation. Peek said the search warrant was issued after a confidential informant allegedly purchased 30 pills which included some laced with Fentanyl. The 16-year old was released by DHS to a relative.

 

Two Critical After ATV Crash

An ATV crash leaves two men fighting for their lives. 42-year old Garrett Dantzler of Blanchard and 40-year old Francisco Preciado of New Mexico were taken to an Oklahoma City hospital where they were admitted in critical condition. The accident happened about 6 o'clock Monday morning on Pendergraft Road and CR 1210 just west of Newcastle. The highway patrol reports the ATV was going too fast to turn on to the roadway causing the ATV to tip over and hit a railroad tie then landed upside down. Neither man was wearing a seatbelt or helmet. It wasn't immediately clear who was driving the ATV.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $74.15 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $78.50.

Natural gas is $2.51 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,966 and silver is $25.15.

 

Obituaries 

Linda Gladden

Obituaries today include Linda Gladden, 77, of Chickasha. She worked at Gabriel and Maremont and as a Certified Nurse Assistant. No service will be held. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

 

---

 

Monday, July 17th

 

Cost Increases for Intersection Repair

The work to make emergency repairs to the intersection at 14th and Missouri is becoming a little more costly. Tonight, the city council will consider a change order with Mayfield Contracting to add more than $9,000 to the project in order to clean out the storm drain. Officials say items like power poles and other materials are completely blocking the drain and preventing water from flowing.

City Manager to Negotiate With Firm for Water Plant Project Design

The council is also to consider giving city manager Keith Johnson the authority to negotiate with engineering firm Freese and Nicholes out of Oklahoma City. The negotiations will center around a statement of qualifications and a request for a feasibility study on the proposed water treatment plant improvements project.

Daycare Operation to be Considered

The panel will also hold a public hearing to consider a use-on-review for applicant Kelsea Dobbins to operate a home daycare in the 900 block of South 13th. The planning commission is recommending the approval of the proposal.

Downtown Resturant Seeks Grant for Upgrades

Also to be discussed is a proposed grant to help a downtown restaurant with improvements. The panel will consider awarding a grant to Roberto's Tex-Mex and Cantina up to $12,500 to assist with electrical and plumbing upgrades. Owners are planning on spending about $275,000 for improvements to the restaurant. The Economic Development Council is recommending the grant be approved. The group will also go behind closed doors to discuss the purchase or appraisal of real property. However, a description of the property was not listed on the agenda.

 

Historical Panel to Consider Sign Permits

The city's historic preservation committee meets this afternoon to consider several sign permits in downtown Chickasha. One is for Wild Ox Axe Throwing at 3rd and Chickasha Avenue; one for Oklahoma Human Services at 323 Chickasha Avenue; and one for Jay's Jewelry at 4th and Chickasha Avenue. 

 

Minco School Year to Begin August 17th

Classrooms will be opening in less than a month for many public schools. Minco students will return on Thursday, Aug. 17th. Superintendent Kevin Sims says there will be 15 new employees in the district this year. Sims also says an individual bequeathed a lot of money to the district. He tells how they'll use some of those funds - 

 

              

 

 

Sims said there have been a lot of students who transferred into the district for the upcoming school year. Average daily membership is right 600 students.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.42 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is  $78.50.

Natural gas is $2.54 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,962 and silver is $25.09.

 

 

Saturday, July 15th

 

Anadarko Stand-off Ends Peacefully; Suspect in Custody

Law enforcement agencies were summoned to an Anadarko home yesterday where a man pointed a gun at utility crews working near his home. The incident led to a stand-off where it was reported the suspect barricaded himself inside his home in the area of Southwest 2nd Street and Alabama Avenue. The Caddo County Sheriff's Office and state troopers were called in to assist. The suspect kept law enforcement at bay for about two hours. Our partners at KWTV-News 9 reported the suspect attempted to escape out of a back window of the home but he was quickly taken into custody.  Authorities arrested Jeremy Jonhammadi who was taken to the Caddo County Jail on unspecified complaints. Formal charges could be filed on Monday.

 

Driver Hospitalized Following SUV Crash

A driver had to be air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital after his SUV crashed and rolled between Verden and Anadarko. 34-year old James Parrot suffered head and trunk injuries and was last in stable condition. The accident happened on U.S. Highway 62 five miles east of Anadarko about 3:30 yesterday afternoon. The highway patrol reports that Parrot was westbound at a high rate of speed, veered off the highway, drove through the median and hit a guard rail on the other side of the highway, then flipped end-over-end twice. The trooper investigating the crash said there was an odor of alcohol inside the SUV.

 

Woman Arrested for Alleged Threat with Broken Lamp Bulb

A Ninnekah woman is out of jail on bond after being charged with attacking a man with a broken heat lamp bulb. Ninnekah police arrested 25-year old Esperanza Ramirez Machen after they were called to a home Wednesday afternoon to investigate a domestic disturbance. The alleged victim said he and Machen were arguing when she broke a heat lamp bulb and threatened to stab the victim with the broken end. A probable cause affidavit indicates that the suspect admitted threatening the victim but did not intend to hurt him. Machen is facing a felony count of domestic assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and was released after posting a $15,000 bond. She is to return to court August 2nd.

 

Suspect on Probation Back in Custody After Short Chase

A man who recently pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug charges is in more touble with the law after leading a deputy on a short vehicle pursuit through a Chickasha neighborhood. 47-year old Donald Muerice Long, III of Ninnekah was arrested late Thursday night. A Grady County deputy tried to pull Long over for not having a valid tag on his vehicle. A probable cause affidavit indicates that Long did not stop for several blocks until he pulled into the driveway of a home near 12th and Kansas. While questioning Long the deputy saw marijuana and drug items in the vehicle. The deputy was also notified that Long did not have a valid drivers licence and that he had an oustanding warrant through the city of Ninnekah. He was taken to the Grady County Jail and prosecutors charged him with misdemeanors which include eluding, drug possession, and not having a license. He remains in jail pending a $5,000 bond. This past March, Long pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug charges after being arrested by a state trooper. He was sentenced to a year in jail with all but 25 days suspended.

 

Celebrate National Ice Cream Day!

Tomorrow (Sunday, Jan 16th) is National Ice Cream Day. Braum's stores throughout Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, and Missouri are celebrating with special sales on ice cream cones and frozen yogurt cones. As many of you know, the Braums family farm is just outside of Tuttle - but what you may not know is that all of Braum's ice cream and baked goods are also made there. Braums is one of the largest dairy operations of its kind in the world where crews milk 800 cows every 32 minutes.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. On our KOOL Konversation, Lt. Bobby McFarland with the Salvation Army serving Grady and Caddo counties is our guest. On Real Estate Today is Minco School Superintendent Kevin Sims. Find podcasts of both podcasts under the Community tab on this website.

 

---

 

Friday, July 14th

 

New Chix Leaders Discuss City's Future

New USAO president Kayla Hale and downtown Chickasha developer Chet Hitt join forces in a social media video discussing plans to unite the Grady County Fairgrounds and the Rock Island Railroad Depot. A more than two-minute video is posted on the USAO Facebook page with Hitt welcoming Hale to Chickasha and promoting two proposals. The first is to build a pedestrian bridge over the railroad tracks which runs between the two sites and the second is to construct what would be called the Drover Hotel.

 

              

 

 

Hitt talked about the proposal to have the university and hotel incorporate culinary and hospitality programs. Hitt continues work to build a distillery and renovate the former Savoy 1902 hotel into a barbecue restaurant. Hale was recently named the new president of USAO and will assume her duties on August 1st.

 

Grady County Fair Set Aug. 24th-26th

The 108th Grady County Fair will be here before you know it. The fair will be a three-day event running Thursday, Aug. 24th through Saturday, Aug. 26th. The theme this year is "The Place to be in 2023”. It will include the usual events like stock shows, a cake show and auction, a pet show, live music, and dozens of commercial vendors. Of course there will be a carnival and for the second straight year, a tractor pull with ear-splitting, high horse-powered tractors. Grady County OHCE will be serving their home-cooked meals and concessions to include sandwiches and Indian tacos. A couple of new events are a cornhole tournament and a mullet contest.

 

Downtown Chix Art Walk Tonight

The monthly art walk in downtown Chickasha will be held this evening. It's held the second Friday of each month and artists from all mediums will have items on display and for sale. It encompasses the area from the leg lamp and the Rock Island Depot to the Chickasha Art Center near 7th and Chickasha and the Shakespeare Wine Company near 6th and Kansas. Coordinator Dana Helms says at least one area community is envious.

 

              

 

 

The art walk is from 5 to 8 tonight. To enhance activities on the west end area Shakespeare Wine Company will have free hot dogs and water while Downtown Scoops and Jungle Ice food trucks are expected to have cool treats available.  For information check out the Chickasha Art Walk Facebook page.

 

Fairgrounds Hosts State 4H Horse Show

The Grady County Fairgrounds is hosting the Oklahoma 4H Horse Show this weekend. About 100 youth from across the state are competing. The show coordinator is Kris Hiney who is an Extension Equine specialist with Oklahoma State University.

 

              

 

 

Winners this weekend can go on to compete in the National 4H Horse Show. This is the third straight year for the event to be held in Chickasha. The show runs through tomorrow and admission is free for spectators.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.89 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $81.36.

Natural gas is $2.55 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,960 and silver is $24.95.

 

---

 

Thursday, July 13th

 

Chix Voters to Decide How to Pay for Water Treatment Plant

The City of Chickasha has been ordered by the state department of environmental quality to make upgrades to the city's water. Chickasha residents will go to the polls next month to consider how to pay to build a new water treatment plant that has an estimated price tag of $74 million. Residents will decide if the city's sales tax should be permanently increased to pay for it. Otherwise, Mayor Chris Mosley says the city's water customers will see a huge increase in their water rates.

 

              

 

The tax increase would also help pay for additional street repairs as well as police and fire equipment. Voters will go to the polls August 8th to decide the sales tax issue which would go into effect the first of the year if it's approved. Details of the proposals are on the city’s website: chickasha.org

 

Onward Chickasha Project Seeks More Community Input

The firm leading the Onward Chickasha project has introduced the next part of its effort to get community input regarding the future of the city. Participants can now take part in a visual preference survey. It includes a number of images of potential development and design alternatives and asks individuals to choose the ones they like best. The information will be used to get an overall idea of what homes, stores, offices, and streets should look like. The Onward Chickasha project is an 18-month effort to get input from the community regarding the next 20-30 years of development in the city. For information visit the website: Onward Chickasha.org

 

New Principal Named for Lincoln School

Chickasha school officials have hired a new principal for Lincoln School but it's someone who has been with the 4th and 5th graders for some time. Angie Morgan, who previously served as the school’s assistant principal, was named to the post by the Chickasha school board this week. She is a life-long educator with more than 30 years in the field including 17 of those years with Chickasha schools. She taught at teaching at Lincoln, Grand, and the former Southwest Elementary school. She holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from USAO and a master's in education from Southwestern Oklahoma State. Morgan will assume the role previously held by Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander who retired from the district at the end of this past school year.

 

New Anadarko School Board Member Sworn In

A vacant post on the Anadarko School Board has been filled. Paul Tointigh has the story.

 

              

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.75 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $80.11.

Natural gas is $2.63 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,964 and silver is $24.42.

 

Obituaries

Richard Welch

No service is schedule for Richard Welch, 85, of Chickasha. He was a life-long printer and established Richard's Printing Company. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Nelda Ross

Funeral service for Nelda Ross, 95, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, July 15^th at the Verden First Baptist Church. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Wednesday, July 12th

 

Deputy Killed in Accident to be Laid to Rest

Grady County Deputy Sheriff Chase Stinson will be laid to rest tomorrow. Stinson died in a weekend motorcycle accident in Norman. His funeral will be at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning at the First Baptist Church of Blanchard. His body was escorted home yesterday by a number of law enforcement personnel. Stinson had an early interest in law enforcement in the Explorer program when he was a student at Blanchard High School. He was part of the Lions football and wrestling teams and graduated in 2015. He worked for the Blanchard Police Department for five years and worked with the sheriff's office for about three years and was the school resource officer at Bridge Creek. He also was a firearms instructor with CLEET.

 

Salvation Army, Utilities Join Efforts 

to Provide Summer Cooling Assistance 

Summer time temps are returning to the region and that means air conditioners will be kicking in to high gear. That can put a toll on needy families struggling to meet their summer cooling needs. The Salvation Army which serves Grady and Caddo counties is working with some utility companies to ask their customers to add a little extra to their monthly payments to help those in need. July is Home Energy Aid month, and utility companies like PSO, OG&E, and Oklahoma Natural Gas will match some of those donated funds. Last year, more than $530,000 in utility assistance was provided statewide to nearly 2,400 households and over 10,000 individuals through this program. Utility customers can submit monthly contributions simply by checking a box on their utility bill. Contributions may also be made at the Grady and Caddo County Salvation Army headquarters at 2402 S. 16th in Chickasha.

 

USAO Environmental Studies Students Serve Summer Internships

A number of environmental science students majoring in environmental studies at USAO are getting some real-world experience in summer internships. Savanna Rivera, who is also working a double major in psychology, is interning at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkley National Laboratory in California. Devonian Locke of McAlester is interning at an independent, research-based non-profit in Boston; Yeishka Reyes of Puerto Rico is interning with a pharmaceutical company in her home country; and Bea Bourland of Mustang is interning with the Oklahoma Water Survey in Norman. Dr. Rachel Jones says summer research positions are a great way for students to prepare for post college-career options, and for students to get exposure to a wider set of opportunities.

 

Chickasha Grad Scores Post With Texas Tech

A Chickasha high school grad will be working with a Big 12 conference basketball team this year. Chris Nottingham has was recently named video coordinator for Texas Tech. Nottingham held a similar position at Baylor when the Bears won a national championship and two Big 12 titles. Nottingham talks about his role with Texas Tech.

 

              

 

Nottingham earned both a bachelor's and master's degree at Baylor.

 

Obituaries 

Seth Hoover

Funeral service for Seth Hoover, 29, of Cement, will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, June 14th at Laverty Baptist Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Lila 'Jill" Clark

Funeral service for Jill Clark, 76, of Oklahoma City, will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 14th at Chickasha's First Christian Church. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $74.83 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.40.

Natural gas is $2.73 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,940 and silver is 23.37.

 

---

 

Tuesday, July 11th

 

Grady County Deputy Dies in Motorcycle Accident

A motorcycle accident claims the life of a Grady County deputy sheriff. Deputy Chase Stinson died early Sunday morning while riding motorcycles with his brothers in Norman. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess says they were riding in the area of I-35 and Lindsay Street when Stinson hit the curb of the on-ramp to I-35. That made him lose control of the bike and it crashed into a concrete wall. Stinson was just 26-years old. He had only been with the sheriff's office for two years starting as a courthouse deputy and this past year he was the resource officer for Bridge Creek schools. Prior to that he spent five years with the Blanchard Police Department. Stinson leaves behind his wife Maria and their three-year old daughter. More than 180 comments have been posted on the sheriff's office Facebook page regarding Stinson's death. A funeral service has not yet been announced.

 

Bradley Community Under Voluntary Boil Order

Customers of Grady County Rural Water District Three in the Bradley area are under a voluntary boil order. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson said there was a 4-inch water line break on Saturday and crews spent much of Saturday making repairs. When they turned the water pressure back on the water line broke again causing all the water to drain out of the tower. Officials brought in some potable and non-potable water for customers until the line could be fixed again. Thompson said the Oklahoma Rural Water Association helped with repairs on Sunday.  District Supervisor Jamie Mainka said the voluntary boil order will be in effect until they get two consecutive clear water samples.

 

Rush Springs Burglary Suspect in Custody

A burglary suspect is in the Grady County Jail after being arrested in connection with a number of break-ins in Rush Springs. 23-year old Robert Capone Clemons was arrested by Rush Springs police Saturday morning. KSWO-TV cites court documents alleging that Clemons broke into several vehicles and took items that included boxes of ammunition, knives, a wallet, and even a couple of vapes. Prosecutors have charged Clemens with six felony counts of counts third degree burglary and  he remains in jail on a $20,000 bond.

 

Contractor Seeks Zoning Change to Build Homes

A local contractor goes before the Chickasha Planning Commission today for a public hearing to request a zoning change for some property in the southwest part of the city. Brannan Bordwine is asking to re-zone a couple of acres of agriculturally-zoned property to residential use in order to build some homes. The property is in the 2300 to 2500 blocks of Country Club Road.

Home day care operation approval sought

The Planning Commission will also have a public hearing regarding a use-on-review request to operate a home daycare in the 900 block of South 13th Street. Kelsea Dobbins is the applicant.

 

Chix Police Department Offers Sign-on Bonuses

The Chickasha Police Department is now offering sign-on bonuses of up to $10,000 for certified applicants who join the force.  The department's Facebook page indicates that non-certified applicants who are hired are eligible for up to a $6,000 sign-on bonus. Benefits include 10 paid holidays per year, paid vacation, sick leave, personal days, and paid training. Uniforms and equipment are provided and there is college tuition reimbursement assistance. Candidates can apply on-line at chickasha.org/jobs or applicants can send an e-mail to:

recruiting@chickashapd.org.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.99 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $77.69.

Natural gas is $2.67 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,943 and silver is $23.42

 

Obituary

Faybell ‘Fay’ Buchanan

A graveside service for Fay Buchanan, 85, of Verden will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, June 12th in the Verden Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Monday, July 10th

 

Truck Driver Dies in OKC Crash

A truck driver from Cement died after he was thrown out of his semi and pinned underneath when the big rig crashed last night. 29-year old Seth Hoover died in the accident that happed just after 8:00 p.m. near I-44 and I-240 Oklahoma City. The highway patrol reported that Hoover was northbound on I-44 when the truck went into a broad slide on a curve and rolled over onto its side. Hoover was ejected from the cab and pinned under the wreckage for nearly two hours. The trooper investigating the crash said Hoover was traveling at an unsafe speed. The semi's airbags did deploy but and Hoover was not wearing his seat belt.

 

More Changes Requested With CHS Upgrades

Another change-order is being requested in connection with the installation of the new field turf on the football field and related construction at Chickasha High School. The board of education will consider a more than $7,000 revision in the contract in order to improve water drainage along John Cowan Drive. The proposal from Field Turf USA includes removing an obsolete tin horn which blocks proper water flow and re-grading the roadway ditch. It also includes soil stabilization, installing manholes, junction boxes, storm drainage and concrete work, and sod or hydro-seeding. The school board will also consider an agreement with Canadian Valley Technology Center to provided advanced math and science classes, memorandums of understanding with the Delta Community Action Foster Grandparent program, and the South Central Oklahoma Workforce Board. The school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the school administration building.

 

Library to Host Job Fair 

There are dozens of employment opportunities in the Chickasha area. The Chickasha Library will be the site of another hiring event this Friday, July 14th with companies seeking military veterans. Among the companies and groups on hand will be Grady Memorial Hospital, the City of Chickasha, Wal-Mart, Amazon, Cherokee Temps, and Express Employment Services. The job fair will be from noon to 3 p.m. with the first hour reserved for veterans and their spouses including active or transitioning service members, and those serving in the guard or reserve. The event will be open to the public from 1-3 p.m. 

 

Indian Expo Returns After Hiatus

The Anadarko American Indian Exposition is returning. It will be the first expo to be held since the pandemic. The last was held in 2019. This will be the 88th expo with many activities to take place at the Caddo County Fairgrounds. The expo began in 1935 to promote and retain Native American cultural life, art, and hand-made crafts. Officials have announced that Lane Factor of television series Reservation Dogs is this year's Celebrity Indian of the Year. The expo will be August 2nd through the 5th. Tanner Mahseet is the chairman of this year's expo.

 

OSU Extension to Offer Grilling Tips

It's grilling season and some people have the knack to always prepare the perfect cut of meat. If your barbecuing skills could use some improvement, Grady County OSU Extension is offering some help. Emma Lewis is the summer intern for the extension office.

 

              

 

Lewis will lead a lunch-and-learn program tomorrow to pass along some tips about beef selection and cooking and will even have some samples. The program is from 12 to 1 tomorrow at the Extension Office. If you are unable to attend the office has free booklets available.

 

Energy and Metals 

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $73.86 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $78.47.

Natural gas is $2.58 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,928 and silver is $23.24.

 

---

Saturday, July 8th

 

'Wanted' Suspect in Custody After Pursuit

A wanted Minco man is in custody and facing a several charges after a pursuit in Caddo County. 22-year old Williams Alan Hatcher of Minco is facing multiple felony charges in connection with the incident. The Lawton Constitution cites Caddo County court documents that indicate it took place Thursday, June 29th. A Hinton police officer made a traffic stop on Hatcher at the Sugar Creek Casino. The officer discovered that Hatcher had outstanding warrants and Hatcher sped away. The pursuit went in to a rural area where Hatcher is alleged to have driven through the fence and yard of a home where a man, his children, and pets were playing. The chase came to an end when Hatcher crashed in a bar ditch and was arrested after a short foot pursuit. Hatcher is charged with felony assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, endangering others while attempting to elude and some misdemeanors. His bond was set at $100,000.

 

Suspect Arrested for Alleged Rape of Teen

An Anadarko man is accused of raping a teenaged girl after he had her eat edible marijuana. 21-year old Toby Olen Coley was arrested after a six-month investigation by Anadarko police and the district attorney's office. The Lawton Constitution cites court documents indicating that the 17-year old victim alleged Coley raped her in August. She also claimed Coley sexually assaulted her several months before after they had been drinking. The victim's mother filed the report last December. Coley told investigator's the report was false, and he refused to take a lie detector test because he didn't do anything wrong. Coley is being held in the Caddo County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Coley is charged with felony rape and a misdemeanor for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

 

Talk Show Topic

State Senator and author Darrell Weaver is this week's guest on our KOOL Konversation. Find a podcast of the program under the Community tab on this website.

 

---

 

Friday, July 7th

 

Rush Springs Driver Air-Lifted After Crash

A driver had to be air lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital after being thrown out of his pick up after it ran off the road and crashed. 35-year old Robert Wilkinson of Rush Springs suffered leg injuries in the crash and was last in fair condition. The accident happened about 12:30 yesterday afternoon just southeast of Chickasha near South Mockingbird Road and Quail Lane. The trooper dispatched to the crash said that Wilkinson failed to go around a curve, ran off the road and rolled, ejecting him from the truck. The trooper said Wilkinson was not wearing his seat belt.

 

Port-a-Potty Arrestee Back in Custody 

After Being Accidentally Released From Jail 

The man arrested after locking himself in a port-a-potty this week is back in custody after he was inadvertently released from jail. We reported yesterday that Shawn Lang of Duncan was arrested after a call came in about a suspicious person being on some property in Rush Springs. Lang locked himself in the port-a-potty and officers sprayed pepper spray through the vents to get him out. He then fought with officers before they were able to take him in to custody. KSWO-TV reports that a clerical error led to Lang's release. The station reported that law enforcement officials worked with Lang's family to convince him to turn himself back in. Lang is not facing any additional charges. He is facing a felony charge of assault and battery on a police officer and misdemeanors which include resisting arrest, drug possession, trespassing, and disturbing the peace.

 

State Senator-Author Publishes Book

About Dealing With Child's Cancer Death

An Oklahoma State Senator who at one time led the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and is in the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame is now a published author. Republican Darrell Weaver of Moore is in his second term serving district 24. The Comanche native is a Christian author who recently released his second book 'The Ashley Weaver Story: A John the Baptist Moment.' It was written about his teenaged daughter who died of brain cancer when she was 15 years old. The book was released just ahead of would have been Ashley's 35th birthday. Weaver said it was difficult for him and his wife Dr. Kim Weaver to deal with their daughter's death and wanted to share their experiences to help others dealing with the deaths of loved ones.

 

              

 

Weaver will have a book signing at the Weaver Clinic in downtown Chickasha at 512 Chickasha Avenue from about 10:00 a.m. to noon and books will be available. Copies of his first book 'Undercover Drug Agent: A Walk of Faith' will also be available. Both can be purchased on Amazon.

 

New Anadarko School Board Member to be Sworn In  

An accountant and financial advisor will be joining the Anadarko school board. Richard Ross was appointed to the panel to fill the remaining months of a vacant Ward 3 seat. The school board approved the appointment held this past Wednesday. Ross is set to take his oath of office at the regular Anadarko school board meeting on Monday. Superintendent Jerry McCormick said Ross previously worked at Western Farmers Electric Co-op and serves on the Anadarko Public School Foundation. Ross will serve out the remaining few months of the term in Ward 3 which runs through June 30, 2024. He will have to run for the post next year should he want to remain on the board.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.80 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.52.

Natural gas is $2.61 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,921 and silver is $22.90.

 

---

 

Thursday, July 6th

 

Semi Driver Hospitalized After Near Head-on Collision

Two semis were involved in a near head-on collision south of Anadarko and one of the drivers was hospitalized with trunk injuries. 51-year old Mario Watson of Chickasha was taken by ground ambulance to an Oklahoma City Hospital where he was admitted in stable condition. A passenger, 59-year old Timmy Manning of Cyril, was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was treated for head and trunk injuries and released. The other truck driver, 40-year old Phillip Stroll of Elgin, was not injured. The accident happened about 11:00 a.m. Wednesday on State Highway 8 about three miles south of Anadarko. The highway patrol reports that Watson was traveling at an unsafe speed and ran off the highway - over-corrected - and struck the other semi, then Watson's semi rolled onto its side. The trooper said neither Watson nor his passenger were wearing their seatbelts while Stroll was buckled up.

 

Child Hospitalized After Crash Near Tuttle

A three-year old girl was one of four people taken to a hospital following a near head-on collision near Tuttle Tuesday night. The accident happened about 8:00 p.m. near State Highway 4 and Fox Lane. The highway patrol reports that a northbound vehicle driven by 21-year old Alyssa Todd of El Reno turned in front on an oncoming vehicle driven by 35-year old Alicia Strause of Roosevelt. The child was in the Strause car, and the girl was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital and admitted in good condition. Strause was not hurt. Todd and a passenger, 22-year old Greyson Barker of Yukon were also taken to an Oklahoma City hospital. Todd suffered leg and internal injuries and was admitted in stable condition while Barker was treated and released.

 

Suspect Arrested After Barricading Himself in Port-a-Potty

A port-a-potty was the scene of a brief standoff between a man and Grady County deputies this week. A probable cause affidavit indicates authorities were called to the Rush Springs area at 789 State Highway 17 to investigate a suspicious person on Monday. The individual had locked himself inside the port-a-potty. Deputies sprayed pepper spray through the vent which forced the man out. A brief scuffle ensued and the man twice kicked a deputy in his chest. Deputies eventually subdued the suspect and he was taken to jail. In custody is 46-year old Sean Dwayne Lang of Duncan. He's been charged with a felony for assault and battery on an officer and a number of misdemeanors including resisting arrest, possession of meth, and public intoxication. His bond was set at $50,000.

 

Rush Springs Woman Charged After Bizarre Incident

A follow-up today on the woman who tried to drive off in a Rush Springs police officer's cruiser. 21-year old Rochelle May High of Rush Springs is facing several charges in connection with the incident. It happened last Saturday night after Sgt. Stephen Fish pulled High over and discovered she didn't have a driver's license. High was handcuffed and placed in the back of the cruiser - but she managed to get out of the cuffs, climb over the back seat, and tried to drive off. Media reports indicated that Sgt. Fish attempted to stop her from driving away but was dragged a few feet after grabbing the door handle. Pastor Tom Handke with the Rush Springs Assembly of God Church and other good Samaritans witnessed the incident and ran to help. The cruiser came to a stop after hitting a retaining wall at the church. Fish suffered some scrapes and bruises but no serious injuries. High was eventually arrested and taken to the Grady County Jail. She has been formally charged with felonies for assault on an officer and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon as well as numerous misdemeanors. Her bond is set at $125,000.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.79 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.65.

Natural gas is $2.66 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,924 and silver is $23.32.

 

Obituaries

Hada Terrell

Funeral for Hada Terrell, 81, of Tuttle will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 8th at Sevier Funeral Home in Tuttle. She was a machinist, a mail carrier, and delivered newspapers. She was the sister of Ealmer Klippel who served as a Grady County Commissioner for several years.

Conway Hubbard

Funeral for Conway Hubbard, 77, of Oklahoma City will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 8th at the Divine Wisdom Worship Center in Midwest City. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Wednesday, July 5th

 

City of Chix Provides Details of Sales Tax Election

For Water Treatment Plant, Capital Improvements

Chickasha residents will go to the polls in 32 days to consider a sales tax proposal that - if passed - would pay to build a new $74 million water treatment plant.  Officials have posted extensive information on the city's website about the history of the current plant and why a new plant is needed. Officials say the more than 70-year old plant is past its useful life and is at risk of catastrophic failure. The Department of Environmental Quality has told city leaders that one way or another, a new plant needs to be built.  The City has published information on its website that officials hope may answer questions that residents may have about the upcoming sales tax election.

Sales tax proposal details 

Voters will decide if a permanent 1 1/2 percent sales tax should be implemented to pay for the facility as well other capital improvements. Officials say a current 3/4 of percent sales tax expires at the end of the year. If approved, the overall sales tax would increase by 1/2 of 1 percent. The increase is expected to bring in more than $4.5 million per year with $3 million each year to pay for a loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to build the plant.  About $1.5 million per year would be used for capital improvements including a new fire station, a new firetruck, and equipment for the fire and police departments; street repairs and construction; and construction or relocation of water and sewer lines associated with the Highway 81 Bypass. If the sales tax doesn't pass, water rates will increase by more than 80 percent in order to pay only for the water plant and that no funds would be available for the capital improvement projects. The information can be found on the city's website: www.chickasha.org

The election is set for Tuesday, Aug. 8th.

 

Watchdog Group Questions Supreme Court Justice's Actions

Over Wife's Ownership Connections to Grady County Oil and Gas Lease

A tract of land in Grady County is at the center of an ethics controversy surrounding a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. The website OK Energy Today posted information first published by The Intercept which indicates Justice Samuel Alito has a conflict of interest regarding rulings in favor of the oil and gas industry and against the Environmental Protection Agency.  The report indicates that Alito's wife owns part of a section of land near a Minco-area oil and gas lease. The Intercept reports that Alito's wife agreed in June of last year to lease 160 acres to Tulsa-based Citizen Energy and that she would receive a 3/16ths royalty. The report indicated that if any oil and gas were discovered and produced, it could amount to a small fortune for the Alito family. An official with a watchdog group called the Revolving Door Project said 'there need not be a specific case involving the drilling rights associated with a special plot of land for Alito to understand what outcomes in environmental cases would buttress his family's net wealth.'

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.79 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $74.65.

Natural gas is $2.71 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,936 and silver is $23.09.

 

---

 

Tuesday, July 4th

No news do to the holiday.

 

Monday, July 3rd

 

Rush Springs Officer Uninjured After Bizarre Incident

A Rush Springs police officer avoids injury after a suspect he detained tried to run him over with the officer's patrol car. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess says deputies and state troopers were called to assist the officer Saturday afternoon. A woman had been detained and handcuffed for an unknown reason and she managed to slip out of the handcuffs and tried to steal the officer's vehicle. Boggess said she tried to run the officer over and then hit the car she was initially driving, then crashed into a retaining wall at the Rush Springs Assembly of God Church. State troopers worked the accident and the sheriff's office is working the criminal part of the incident. Boggess did not name the officer involved. The woman was taken into custody on complaints of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and eluding.

 

Trio Arrrested After Alleged Illegal Marijuana Found

Three people are in custody after a deputy attempted to serve tax documents on a marijuana grow operation. Sheriff Boggess said Deputy Larry Schones went to the facility but no one responded. Schones then went to a Chickasha home at 125 Ruskin Place where he detected a strong odor of marijuana and saw in plain sight several pounds of suspected illegal marijuana. A request for a search warrant was approved and the sheriff's office narcotics division was summoned. The deputies confiscated about 35 pounds of illegal weed which was believed to have a street value of about $35,000. The suspects were arrested on complaints of trafficking and maintaining a residence for keeping or selling drugs.

 

Chix Officials Consider Location for Third Fire Station

Chickasha city officials are looking at opening a third fire station. The city council tonight will consider the city's annual contract with the Grady County 522 EMS District. The city is expected to receive more than $576,000 from the district. In addition, the city will ask the district for $750,000 for capital improvements to help the city purchase the Chief Fire and Safety buildings in the 300 block of Washington Avenue. The council will also consider purchasing a battery-operated Jaws of Life tool for the fire department for just under $40,000.

Oil and Gas Leases May be Awarded

The council will also consider awarding a couple of oil and gas leases. One is for 300 acres at Lake Chickasha to Todco Properties and the other is for 40 acres in Section 4 of Township 6 North and Range 7 West in Grady County to Camino Natural Resources.

City Pool to be Evaluated; Should it be Repaired or Replaced?

The council will also consider contracting with a company to evaluate the swimming pool at Shannon Springs Park. The pool is about 40 years old and Parks and Recreation Director Spencer Winzenreid said it’s becoming more time-consuming and expensive to open the pool every year. Winzenreid is a proposing an inspection of the pool by a firm called Paddock Enterprises of Oklahoma City after the swimming season ends. If the $9,500 cost of the evaluation is approved it would include estimated costs of  renovations and estimated costs of a new pool. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

Holiday Hours Differ for City, County Offices

Chickasha City Hall and all city offices are open today but will be closed for the 4th of July tomorrow.  The Grady County Courthouse is closed today as work crews are re-tiling the courthouse vestibule, and will also be closed tomorrow for the holiday. The courthouse will re-open on Wednesday.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $67.70 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $72.26.

Natural gas is $2.76 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,920 and silver is $22.97.

 

Saturday, July 1st

 

Town Halls Set for Chix Sales Tax Proposal

Chickasha city officials will hold several town hall meetings over the next few weeks to answer questions about a proposed sales tax plan that would pay to build a new $74 million water treatment plant. Officials have proposed a 1 ¼  cent sales tax. If approved, it would replace a 3/4 of a penny sales tax which will be expiring this year with the result being an increase of 1/2 of one cent. The first meeting will be Monday, July 24th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at city hall. The second will be Thursday, July 27th from 6 to 8 p.m. at city hall. The third will be Saturday, July 29th from 8 to 10 a.m. at the library; and the 4th will be a virtual zoom meeting on Tuesday,  Aug. 1st from noon to 1 p.m. Voters will decide the sales tax proposal in a special election on Tuesday, Aug. 8th.

 

Fireworks and the 4th of July Illegal in Many Cities

America will be celebrating its 247th birthday next week. The 4th of July weekend is here and with it the opportunity to purchase and shoot fireworks. It is illegal in many cities and towns to shoot fireworks within the city limits and that includes Chickasha. The fine for anyone ticketed for doing so is $174. Officials with the police department say it has been several years since anyone was given a ticket. The last was in 2019 and before that, 2014. Generally, officers will simply issue a warning if they are called to look into a fireworks complaint.

 

Well completions

Marathon Oil reports a location bringing in about 1,100 barrels of oil and 1,100 Mcf of natural gas per day southwest of Lindsay. It's the Dean Well in section 30 of Township 4 North and Range 4 West five miles southwest of Lindsay in Garvin County. True vertical drilling depth was 11,000 feet and total drilling was more than 21,000 feet.

EOG Resources

A report on the Candi Well four miles northeast of Blanchard. The well is in Section 23 of Township 8 North and Range 4 West in McClain County and was bringing in just over 200 barrels of oil and 150 Mcf of natural gas per day. True vertical depth was nearly 9,300 feet and total drilling was more than 20,000 feet. EOG also filed a completion report on the Wilson Well two miles south of Newcastle in Section 4 of Township 8 North and Range 4 West also in McClain County. It was producing 320 barrels of oil and nearly 300 Mcf of natural gas per day. True vertical depth is 9,600 feet and total drilling was nearly 20,000 feet.

Citizen Energy of Tulsa

Two wells on a single pad southwest of Mustang. The Walther wells are in Section One of Township 10 North and Range Six West in Canadian County. They were producing about 420 barrels of oil and nearly 1,200 Mcf of natural gas per day. True vertical depth was 9.400 feet with total drilling at more than 17,000 feet.

 

---

 

Friday, June 30th

 

State Receives Federal Broadband Expansion Funds

$1.2 billion. That's the budget for the state broadband office to build a statewide network to provide high-speed internet service to all corners of the Sooner State. Much of the money are federal funds from what's called the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program (BEAD). The Oklahoman reports that the Biden administration announced that nearly $798 million in BEAD grants will be provided to Oklahoma. The funds are part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act approved by Congress in 2021. The state broadband office received another $400,000 in grants which provides the remaining portion of the budget. Internet service providers who agree to provide internet service at affordable prices will be able to apply for the grant funds through a competitive process to build networks capable of providing higher uploading and downloading speeds. The state office also plans to spend some of the money to support programs to train a workforce to help the providers install and operate the networks to make sure broadband expansion is done effectively and efficiently. State officials expect to receive about 20 percent of the BEAD funds within a year and the remainder over the following three years.

 

Regional July 4th Celebrations

There will be several opportunities over the next few days to enjoy professional fireworks displays for the 4th of July. They start tonight with Anadarko's Honor America celebration. Activities will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Randlett Park. There are games and activities, more than a dozen food trucks, other vendors, and live music. The fireworks will begin at 9:45 p.m. and our sister station New Country 985 will broadcast patriotic music in synch with the show. Monday night, Blanchard will hold its Independence Day celebration behind the Sonic Drive In. There will also be family-oriented games, live music, and fireworks. In Chickasha, a new event will be held Tuesday morning July 4^th. It’s called the Stars and Handlebars Parade. It is open to families, individuals, and groups who would like to dress up and decorate their bicycles and ATVs in red, white, and blue and ride through Shannon Springs Park. A small fee benefits USO Oklahoma. Advanced registration is requested on the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce website by Monday, July 3^rd. Participants can also register at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the park with the parade starting at 10 a.m. The Chickasha fireworks show will be at the park Tuesday night. Marlow will also have its big 4th of July celebration on Tuesday with a downtown parade at 10 a.m. followed by activities at Red Bud Park.

 

Chix Community Theatre Has Final Weekend of Shrek, Jr.

The Chickasha Community Theatre's presentation of Shrek, Jr. hits the stage for three more performances this weekend. There are performances at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow night with a final matinee performance Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Advanced tickets may be purchased at Jay’s Jewelry or tickets will be available at the door.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $67.70 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $72.26.

Natural gas is $2.76 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,911 and silver is $22.63.

 

---

 

Thursday, June 29th

 

Onward Chickasha Open House Tonight

The latest information regarding a plan to guide the City of Chickasha to the middle part of this century and beyond can be reviewed tonight. The Onward Chickasha project will have an open house at Chickasha City Hall this evening. The Oklahoma City-based engineering and architectural firm of Guernsey Consultants has been hired by the city council to do a detailed survey which will take about a year-and-a-half to complete. The study is still in its early stages. Guernsey representative Laura Bergey says tonight's open-house will allow individuals to review and discuss the work done so far and provide input on a preliminary draft of the community's vision and goals for the future. The open-house is a come-and-go event in the first-floor lobby of city hall from 5:30 to 7:30 tonight. Other information is available on-line at: OnwardChickasha.org

 

Bucket Truck Fire Slows Turnpike Traffic

A commercial truck fire slowed traffic on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike yesterday. It happened just before 1:00 p.m. in the west bound lanes of the interstate near mile marker 97. The driver was able to pull the bucket truck onto the shoulder of the highway forcing officials to close the outside lane for about 45 minutes. The highway patrol and several other first responders were summoned. No details about the incident were available. The truck remained on the shoulder until crews returned to remove it just after 6:30 last night. Traffic was again narrowed to one lane and it took crews three hours to remove the truck.

 

Life Skills Institute Works to Rebuild Lives

Chickasha's Life Skills Institute (LSI) has a mission of providing a way for men and women facing hardships to get on their feet and improve their lives. Director Zack Bowles says it's for those who are experiencing financial devastation, addiction, homelessness, or other issues and help guide them to independent living. It is a faith-based program and just like the name implies LSI provides life skills training and work-readiness programs which can last from one to two years. Individuals can work and do have to pay for their stay however they can qualify for some one-time assistance after successfully completing the program.

 

              

 

 

Bowles says the monthly fee is income based and daily meals are provided. Residents are also encouraged to take part in community service projects. Life Skills Institute recently received an ARPA grant of $900,000 from Grady County Commissioners to help build a new women's dormitory which is under construction.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.56 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $74.03.

Natural gas is $2.66 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,913 and silver is $22.97.

 

---

 

Wednesday, June 28th

 

Crash Sends Blanchard Man to Hospital

A Blanchard driver was hospitalized after two pick-ups collide between Chickasha and Dibble yesterday. 60-year old Michael Lamb was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital by Chickasha EMS with unknown injuries. He was admitted in stable condition. The accident happened at the junction of State Highway 39 and the Alex Highway, which is CS 2940. The highway patrol reported that Lamb failed to yield from a stop sign, and was hit by an eastbound pickup driven by 67-year old Ronald Smith of Purcell. Neither Smith nor an unidentified 16 year old passenger were injured.

 

Repairs to Chix Intersection Underway

Looks like repairs to a busy Chickasha residential intersection are getting underway. A backhoe is now on site at 14th and Missouri, where crews have to replace storm drain pipes and repair the roadway.

 

Chix Schools Enrollment Scheduled 

Chickasha school officials are getting things ready for enrolling students for the upcoming year. According to the district's website, enrollment will be on-line. That process will start in just two weeks, on Wednesday, July 12th.  This will be for first-time students, or, students who are returning from out-of-district or home-school situations. That will include students who did not finish out last year, and pre-kindergarten students. For students who have applied for a transfer, officials ask that they not start the enrollment process until they have been notified that the district has space available. For information, contact the Chickasha Schools Enrollment Center at 7th and Kansas Avenue, downtown.

 

Ag Dealership Partners With Investment Firm 

One of Chickasha's leading farm tractor and machinery dealerships is continuing to make improvements. Parallel Ag, which purchased Livingston Machinery Company a couple of years ago, has partnered with a private equity firm to assist with the dealership’s growth. Midwest Growth Partners (MGP) is now on board to bring additional capital to the company. MWG has experience in advancing what it calls the endless economic potential of America's smaller communities. Parallel Ag president Shawn Skaggs says MGP is a good match for them.

 

              

 

Skaggs said the Chickasha dealership has been able to add equipment to the shop area which has helped their technicians become more efficient. There are also have to remodel. Parallel Ag also been able to open dealerships in Lubbock, Texas and Liberal, Kansas. 

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $67.70 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $72.26.

Natural gas is $2.76 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,915 and silver is $22.91.

 

---

 

 

Tuesday, June 27th

 

County Fairgrounds Hosts Youth Brangus Show

Another national livestock show is underway at the Grady County Fairgrounds this week. It's the International Junior Brangus Breeders Association. Some 250 youth from across the country will be showing about 550 head of cattle. Briana Hicks is the president of the group.

 

              

 

 

Hicks is 22 years old and recently graduated from Texas A and M with a bachelor's degree in animal science and plans on continuing her education to get a master's degree in ag leadership. The show runs through Saturday and there is no cost to attend any of the activities.

 

Fire Hydrant Flushing to Affect Chix Neighborhood

Parts of Chickasha may experience low water pressure over the next few days. Crews with USW, the  private contractor for the city’s water services, will be flushing some fire hydrants. The area affected is north of Frisco Avenue between 6th and 16th Streets.

 

Repair on Rain-Damaged Intersection Delayed

City officials were hoping that work to repair the 14th and Missouri intersection would start last week however the effort has been delayed. Public Works Director Jim Crosby said the firm hired for the project said a trailer had broken down and they were making repairs yesterday. In an e-mail, Crosby tells KOOL News that they could be moving equipment in today to begin work. The intersection has been closed for more than a month after heavy rains damaged the storm drain pipes underneath the streets.

 

Grady Courthouse to Close July 3rd and 4th

Grady County employees will be getting an extra day off next week in addition to the July 4th holiday. County Commissioners decided to close the courthouse on Monday, July 3^rd to re-tile the courthouse security vestibule. That project is expected to take four days to complete and it's hoped crews can start Saturday and be done by the end of the day Tuesday. The courthouse will re-open for business as usual on Wednesday, July 5th. The weekly county commissioner's meeting normally held on Monday will be at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 5^th.

 

CV Tech Students Do Well at National Event

A number of students from the Chickasha campus of the Canadian Valley Technology Center placed in the top 10 in national competitions recently. Lindsay Palesano, Terrie Clark, and Ashley Keeton finished second in creative problem solving for post-secondary students in the Future Health Professionals Division; top-10 placers were Hannah Turner, in post-secondary nutrition; and Kylie Childress in post-secondary medical law and ethics. Trenton Rippey placed third in secondary prepared speech in pre-engineering for Skills USA. Trinity Badillo, Payton Morgan, and Mia Pecina in the business office class placed third in the post-secondary small business management division of the Business Professionals of America.  Rippey was also one of four state officers from the Chickasha campus at the national conference. The others were Zoey Howry, Abby James, and Yesenia Ramirez.

 

Chix Resident Accepted in to Leadership Oklahoma

A Chickasha resident has been selected to take part in the next Leadership Oklahoma program. Jim Cowan, the president of the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce and director of the Economic Development Council has been accepted into the program. He'll be among 50 participants who will spend one day a month over the next several months visiting several communities. A press release indicates participants will have engaging discussions, work on collaborative problem-solving, and get a better understanding of the social, environmental, and economic challenges facing the state.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.37 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $74.18.

Natural gas is $2.79 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,932 and silver is $23.13.

 

Obituaries

Terry Morgan

A memorial service for Terry Morgan, 55, of Chickasha, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 30th at Faith Latino Church in Oklahoma City. He was the kitchen manager for Hutch's and previously was the store manager for the Chickasha Travel Plaza. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Ronnie Thomas

A private memorial service for Ronnie Thomas, 61, of Chickasha will be held by the family at a later date. He worked for the City of Chickasha's water maintenance department. Arrangements are also with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Monday, June 26th

 

Pilot Makes Emergency Landing in Field 

The pilot of a small airplane was forced to make an emergency landing in a field near Rush Springs over the weekend. This happened about 2:15 Saturday afternoon. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess says the unidentified pilot had just left the Lawton airport and was experiencing some problems and was looking for a place to land. Boggess said the pilot thought about trying to land on Highway 81 but found a field just south of Rush Springs and was able to land safety. The pilot was the only occupant of the plane and he was not hurt. The only information available about the plane was that it was a four-seater. The landing was made in a field two miles south of Rush Springs near CS 2820 and CR 1560.

 

Chix PD Recieves Grant to Offer Mental Health Counseling for Staff

We reported last week that a grant for the Chickasha Police Department will provide mental health counseling for police personnel. Police Chief G.G. Music was on our KOOL Konversation program over the weekend and said the counseling is not just for the police officers on the street.

 

              

 

The $4,000 grant from the Oklahoma Electric Co-op Round-up program will pay for 400 hours of counseling.

 

Open House for Onward Chickasha Survey Set

The on-going work of a firm putting together a 20-30 year plan for the city of Chickasha has re-scheduled an open house that was postponed earlier due to weather concerns. The most recent information of the Onward Chickasha project will be on display later this week. The Guernsey Engineering firm out of Oklahoma City is leading the effort. Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley said it is a detailed plan, with officials seeking community input about the city's future.

 

              

 

This week's open house will be Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 at Chickasha City Hall.

 

Soldiers Return From Overseas Deployment

A welcome home ceremony held over the weekend for a number of Ft. Sill soldiers who returned from a lengthy deployment. Members of the First Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Division spent nine months in Europe assisting NATO. The soldiers spent time in Germany, Poland, and Estonia. Battalion Commander Emilian Tellado said it was not standard work for the troops. He said what they did made an impact on Europe and their work will always be remembered.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.16 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $73.85.

Natural gas is $2.73 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,941 and silver is $23.03.

Saturday, June 24th

 

Energy Firm Touts High-Producing Well

An Oklahoma energy firm is pleased with the initial output of a McClain County well. EOG Resources, which is based in Houston but has an office in Oklahoma City, reports a well near Newcastle is producing 1,000 barrels of oil and nearly 1,300 Mcf of natural gas per day.  The  Warhawk Well is in Sn section 7 of Township 9 North, Range 4 West a few miles northwest of Newcastle. It is in the Woodford formation of the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province (SCOOP). The well was drilled to a true vertical depth of nearly 9,000 feet. It took about four months to drill the well. It was spudded in January and completed April 25th.

State rig count steady; nation's count declines

Oklahoma's rig count held steady over the last week. There are 42 active drillings operating which is down from 60 rigs working at this same time last year. Nationwide the rig count stands a 682 which is off six from last week and down from 753 a year ago.

 

Chix Rodeo Now Set for Tonight and Tomorrow Afternoon

Rain postponed the opening of the annual Chickasha rodeo last night. Officials with the Chickasha Rodeo Foundation say there will still be two performances. Tonight's rodeo will get underway as scheduled, with Grand Entry at 8 p.m. and the winner of the queen contest will be announced. The second performance will be at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. For those who purchased advance tickets, they can be used at either performance. Also, The Chickasha Rodeo Parade will take place as scheduled this afternoon in downtown Chickasha, starting at 4 o'clock.

 

Thousands of Ladybudgs Released into Duncan Community Garden

Here's an interesting story out of Duncan. Thousands of ladybugs have been released into the city's community garden -12,000 of them! While most bugs are considered pests and nuisances, ladybugs actually serve as an organic pesticide. Sheila DeCarlo is the manager of Duncan's Think Ability Garden.  She tells The Duncan Banner that the ladybugs eat the eggs of aphids, spiders, and whiteflies which do a lot of damage to vegetable plants. She says ladybugs take to plants with a little bit of water on the leaves. And, like most creatures including humans, they don't like being in the heat of the day, so they try to find a place to hide from the sun.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Chickasha Police Chief GG Music is our guest on the KOOL Konversation. And Zack Bowles, director of the Like Skills Institute is the guest on Real Estate Today. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituary

Marilyn Hudson

Funeral for Marilyn Hudson, 80, of Edmond and formerly of Chickasha will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, June 26th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Friday, June 23rd

 

Broadband Listening Tour Continues 

Officials with the Oklahoma Broadband Office continue their work to get information about high-speed internet deserts in the Sooner State. Representatives are criss-crossing the state holding listening tours to hear from residents about their issues with slow internet. Mike Sanders is the director of the state broadband office. He told members of the state broadband commission this week that it will be several months before a statewide map will be available showing which areas have the biggest need for the service. He estimates there are nearly 800,000 Oklahomans who have inadequate connectivity to the world wide web.

 

Saddle Up for the Chickasha Rodeo

Grab your jeans and cowboy hats and ride out to the annual Chickasha rodeo this weekend. The Chickasha Rodeo Foundation presents its 84th annual rodeo at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Cowboys will try to tame the rough stock with bronc busting and bull-riding, and will work to beat the clock and other contestants in speed events that include barrel racing, calf-roping, steer wrestling and team roping. The rodeo is both tonight and tomorrow night, with the Grand Entry starting at 8:00 p.m. both nights. The rodeo parade will wind down Chickasha Avenue at 4 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.

 

'Christmas in July' to Feature New Parade

The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Council are getting ready for the annual Christmas in July celebration. A new event is called The Parade of Stars and Handlebars, which is a patriotic parade that will be held the morning of Independence Day, July 4th. It is a family-oriented event inviting residents to ride their bicycles and ATVs through Shannon Springs Park. The event is open to families and any groups or clubs. There is a registration fee with proceeds benefitting USO Oklahoma. Fees are $10 per person or family and $25 for groups. Participants can register on-line by Monday, July 3rd at chickashachamber.com or, register the morning of Tuesday, July 4th at 9 a.m. in the front parking lot of the park. The parade will start at 10 a.m. All entries will receive coupons for a free snow cone from Jungle Ice Fun Zone. Later that night will be the annual fireworks display at the park.

 

Patriotic Groups Unite

A couple of national patriotic groups are joining efforts to promote their missions of supporting military veterans and families. The Patriot Guard Riders and Wreaths Across America have signed a memorandum of understanding to build stronger awareness for their missions while supporting events across the country. The Patriot Guard Riders is a national non-profit group founded in 2005 and there are members in all 50 states. The group supports first responders as well as military veterans. Wreaths Across America was founded in 2007 and is known for its annual wreath-laying ceremony each year. Their mission is to remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach future generations the value of freedom. This year, the annual wreath-laying ceremony will be Saturday, December 16th.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.51 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $74.14.

Natural gas is $2.61 per million BTUS.

Gold is $1,927 and silver is $22.55.

 

Obituaries

Shannon Cooper-McAlester

Obituaries today include 43-year old Shannon Cooper-McAlester of Oklahoma City. Funeral will be held at 11:30 next Tuesday morning, June 27th at Western Avenue Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Thursday, June 22nd

 

Verden Police Arrest Suspected Drug Traffickers

Two suspected drug traffickers are behind bars after Verden police noticed a couple of suspicious vehicles in town. This happened just after midnight Tuesday when an officer saw a car and a motorcycle driving around town. The vehicles pulled over at the water department and the officer went to talk to them. A post on the Verden Police Department's Facebook page indicates the officer detected an odor of marijuana in the car and the driver indicated it was not hers, but it belonged to the man on the motorcycle. He did not have his medical marijuana license with him. Following a routine check, both individuals had had their driver's licenses suspended. It was also found that the car had a false license plate. The officer then saw the motorcycle rider toss a bag near the front tire of the car. The bag contained drugs which field tested positive for meth and Fentanyl. Authorities arrested 48-year old Daniel Clay Mahan and 36-year old Kristi Skinner, both of Oklahoma City. The social media post indicates that Mahan has a lengthy criminal record, including convictions of drug charges and assault with a deadly weapon. Both suspects were booked into the Grady County Jail on complaints of aggravated trafficking. Mahan has had his initial appearance and he remains in jail on a $100,000 bond. Skinner has not yet been formally charged.

 

Mental Health Grant Approved for Chix Police Department

Police officers and other first responders often find themselves in dangerous and even deadly situations. There has been a concerted effort to help them deal with the mental strain of their occupations. This week, the Chickasha City Council signed off on a grant which will pay for mental health counseling for police officers. Police Chief G.G. Music requested a $4,000 grant from Oklahoma Electric Co-op's Operation Round-up grant program. It will pay for mental health counseling services for not only police officers but also their family members. Music detailed several incidents that officers have had to deal with over the last several years: a teenager killed by his neighbor; a woman stabbed to death by her husband; an officer-involving shooting where more than 200 rounds were fired and an officer was permanently disabled; and several Fentanyl related deaths and overdoses.

More from this week's city council meeting

Chickasha city hall will be getting some upgrades on its fire protection system. The city council this week accepted a nearly $26,000 bid from Alpine Fire Protection of Yukon to make the improvements. The council also approved the city’s annual contract with the Grady County Criminal Justice Authority which operates the Grady County Jail to house individuals arrested by Chickasha police. Also approved was the declaration of a number of items at the city animal shelter as surplus and the authorization of the city manager to dispose of the items. Some of the inventory includes traps that don't work, damaged fiberglass cat kennels; office equipment, and non-working exit signs.

 

Visitors Center to Open Downtown Chix

Downtown Chickasha will soon have an official visitors center. The city council, under its municipal authority title, approved a lease agreement with the Chickasha Community Foundation and Whitney Palesano. Palesano and her family will operate the center which will be known as Downtown Mercantile. The store will be located in the renovated Freight Building near the leg lamp. Palesano, who works for the Chamber of Commerce, will keep her post with the chamber while also operating the visitors center.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.53 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $77.12.

Natural gas is $2.60 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,936 and silver is $22.88.

 

Obituary

Deena Jamison

A private memorial service will be held for Deena Jamison, 59, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Wednesday, June 21st

 

Chix Council OK's Intersection Repair; Work May Start Soon  

Chickasha officials say work to repair a damaged intersection could start as early as this Friday. The city council last night approved a nearly $288,000 bid from Mayfield Contracting of Clinton to repair the intersection of 14^th and Missouri which has been closed since it was damaged after heavy rains earlier this spring. Public Works Director Jim Crosby told the council that the company estimates that it may only take about three weeks to make repairs.

Water distribution upgrade approved; state asked to provide more funds

The council also approved a nearly $570,000 bid to upgrade the water distribution system east of 4th and Missouri, although the approval is subject to the availability of funds. The bid went to Marsau Enterprises of Enid. KOOL/RANCH News reported yesterday that the city was reaching out to the state  department of commerce asking the agency to increase a Community Development Block Grant the city is getting to help pay for the project as the estimated cost of the work was about $200,000 more than estimated. The city does have to provide some matching funds, and the council did approve providing an additional $25,000 in order to receive an additional $180,000 from the department of commerce. The state panel will meet next week to consider the request.

Airport project to lift off

The council also approved a nearly $600,000 project for the city's airport. The council awarded a nearly $466,000 contract to Tri City Seal to rehabilitate runways and taxi-ways. The panel also approved a grant application from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission to help pay for much of that work.

Panel OK's zoning exemption for animals

The city council did a complete 180 on a previous decision about a zoning exemption to allow horses and goats in the city limits. After denying the exemption last month, the panel voted 6-0 to authorize the move. In a public hearing last night applicant Roosevelt May said they had resolved some differences with neighboring property owners who initially protested the plan, saying the animals would be kept in the back of the seven-acre lot in the 2400 block of S. 24th. He said the family's two daughters are barrel racers and that the horses would be well taken care of. No one spoke against the exemption during the hearing.

No action taken on EDC issue

The council went behind closed doors to get at update from the city attorney regarding the Chickasha Economic Development Council and its use of taxpayer funds. The panel met for an hour and a half in executive session and made no comment other than to say no action would be taken at this time.

 

Grow Facility Goes Up In Smoke

Fire caused heavy damage to a marijuana grow facility northeast of Chickasha earlier this week. The fire was called in just before 5 o'clock Monday morning at what used to be the pro shop at the former Riverbend Golf Course. The Chickasha fire department was initially called out, then volunteers from Amber, Friend, and Naples were dispatched. Grady County Fire Chief Rodney Gregory says the 5,000 sq. ft. metal building sustained about $20,000 in damage. It was unclear how much of the marijuana was destroyed. He said the fire may have been sparked by an electrical short. Gregory said crews were on the scene for about two hours. Gregory also said crews responded to a grass fire southwest of Pocasset just before noon Monday. Gregory said a burn pile got out of control on CR 2810 west of Highway 81. Pocasset was dispatched and Chickasha was called to assist. Crews were on the scene about an hour. About a half-acre of grassland was scorched.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.38 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $75.90.

Natural gas is $2.49 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,943 and silver is $23.31.

 

---

 

Tuesday, June 20th

 

Chix Officials Ask for More Grant Funds for Water Line Replacement

A few months ago, Chickasha officials announced an effort to improve part of the city's water distribution system. Water lines and fire hydrants in the neighborhood east of 4th and Minnesota need to be replaced. The city has already been approved for a Community Development Block of Grant to help pay for the project. However, the lowest of three bids received was more than $200,000 higher than engineers estimated. Officials are asking the State Department of Commerce for additional funds. While the original construction budget was estimated at $331,000 - the lowest of three bids received was more than $537,000. In a letter from Mayor Chris Mosley to the commerce department dated June 2nd, he's asking for an additional $180,000 and said the city would provide an additional $25,000. Mosley said they could consider slimming down the project, but that it is not a good alternative as existing waterlines are subject to frequent breakages and are undersized. Mosley is expected give an update on the request for additional funds during tonight's city council meeting.

Another public hearing set for request to have horses and goats in the city limits

The council will also hold a second public hearing regarding a special zoning exemption to allow horses and goats in the city limits. The request from Davina and Roosevelt May would allow the animals on seven acres of property in the 2400 block of South 24th. Last month the council unanimously voted against the request after some neighbors protested. The proposal went back to the city's planning commission which recommended the exemption be approved, as it did the first time it was considered.

'Twisters' crew asks for more street closings

The film crew building sets for the filming of the Twister sequel is asking the city for additional street closures next month. Dirt Road Films is requesting that 17th Street between Iowa and Dakota Avenues, and Minnesota Avenue between 16th and 18th Streets be closed from July 1st through July 14th. Upwards of 500 people have been working in the area over the last few weeks.

Resolution to pass new fiscal year budget to be discussed

The council will also consider a resolution to approve the city budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which will start July 1st. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

Businessman, Civic Leader Ron Saxon Dies

Longtime homebuilder and pilot Ron Saxon has died. Saxon was a crop duster who would eventually be involved with the Civil Air Patrol. He opened a real estate office and began building homes in the early 1970s. He served on the Chickasha City Council and the Chamber of Commerce. Saxon was 80 when he passed away last Saturday. Survivors include his wife, Dayliene; and their two sons and their families. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, June 22nd at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

Chix Group Wins State Tourism Awards

Chickasha's Economic Development Council (EDC) picked up some top honors at the State Department of Tourism's Redbud Awards.  The EDC won the Merit Award for Outstanding New Attraction for the permanent Leg Lamp in downtown Chickasha. The panel also won for Outstanding Media Coverage for the Nov. 5^th grand opening celebration of the leg lamp. News of the leg lamp spread across the country on radio and TV stations and newspapers. The Redbud Awards recognize state tourism attractions, and destination market organizations for their efforts to serve and promote the state's tourism industry.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.78 per barrel.

London based Brent crude is $76.61.

Natural gas is $2.63 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,964 and silver is $24.30.

 

Obituaries

Doris Miller

A graveside service for Doris Miller, 82, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 21st at Fairlawn Cemetery. She was a lab tech for American Optical.  Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral home.

Connie Painter

A private memorial service will be held at a later date for Connie Painter, 60, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Monday, June 19th

 

Chix Gets One Bid to Repair Storm-Damaged Intersection

Chickasha city officials are recommending that a Clinton company be awarded a contract to repair the intersection of 14th and Missouri which nearly collapsed following heavy rains earlier this spring. The city's engineering firm is recommending a bid from Mayfield Contracting. It's a nearly $288,000 bid and was the only one that was received. The city council declared an emergency to repair the intersection which has been closed since the damage occurred. Officials said it was apparently due to the failure of the storm sewer system underneath the intersection. Public Works Director John Crosby said parts of the drain underneath both 14th Street and Missouri Avenue will likely have to be replaced. The proposal is on the agenda for tomorrow night's city council meeting.

 

Verden School Superintendent Discusses Upcoming School Year

Summer vacation for most schools is reaching its halfway point. In Verden, Superintendent Mickey Edwards says teachers will report on Monday, August 7th with the first day of classes on Thursday, August 10th. Edwards says they will have 165 days of instruction. For the first semester, classes will be held Monday through Friday. After the first of the year, they'll have school just four days a week.

 

              

 

 

Edwards is hoping construction on the new security vestibule at the high school could begin this fall. Voters approved a $675,000 bond issue for the project which Edwards says could begin in October with a completion date perhaps by the end of the school year.

 

No Tuition, Fee Increases at USAO for Coming Year

USAO students won't be facing tuition or fee increases for the upcoming school year. University regents unanimously voted to keep costs at their current levels. On average, an Oklahoma resident taking 15 credit hours at the university can expect to pay about $4,100 per semester or about $8,200 for the year. President John Feaver said it is the university's duty to ensure that a quality college education remains accessible and affordable for all. First-time students who will be attending full time have the option to  pay slightly higher costs and lock in that rate for four years.  Students taking 15 credit hours per semester would pay about $4,700 for each term.

 

Maloney, Richie Take Top Honors at Juneteenth Barbecue Cook-off

We have some follow-up to this past weekend's Juneteenth Celebration at Chickasha's Washita Valley Park. The winners of the barbecue cook-off competition were Phyllis Maloney for her ribs and Terry Richie for his chicken. Both received a $100 cash prize and a medal. The top three placers in the rib division were Maloney in first; Terry Richie in second and Carl Johnson in third. In the chicken division it was Richie in first; Phyllis Maloney in second and Edith Givens in third.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.78 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.61.

Natural gas is $2.63 per million BTUs.

Gold $1,962 and silver is $24.29.

 

Obituaries

Becky Stephenson

Funeral service for Becky Stephenson, 58, or of Rush Springs was held at 10:30 this morning at the Southern Oaks Church of Christ. She was the postmaster at Alex for many years. Arrangements were with McRay Funeral Home.

Louis Bryant

Funeral service for Louis Bryant, 83, of Oklahoma City will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 24th, at the First Baptist Church in Snyder. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Saturday, June 17th

 

Former Jailer Sentenced for Inmate Assault

Former Grady County jail employee Johnnie Drewery will himself serve some time behind bars. Drewery was recently sentenced after pleading guilty to a federal charge of civil rights violations. The incident occurred in July of 2020 when Drewery and other jailers were placing an inmate in a holding cell when the inmate spit on Drewery. The Southwest Ledger cited court documents indicating that Drewery screamed for the cell door to be re-opened and that he rushed in and repeatedly punched and kneed the inmate. The inmate suffered a fractured rib. Drewery pleaded guilty to the federal charge in January of 2022. A federal judge recently sentenced Drewery to 30 days in jail on weekends, perform 104 hours of community service, and four years’ probation.

 

SCOOP Well Completions

Completion reports have been filed on a few more oil and gas wells in the SCOOP region. CPRP Services of Oklahoma City show nearly 1,500 barrels of oil and nearly 1,600 Mcf of natural gas per day being produced from two wells on a single pad in McClain County south of Dibble. The Guinness wells are in the Woodford formation in Section 29 of Township 6 North Range 4 West and were drilled to a depth of nearly 12,000 feet. CPRP also reported production of 2,300 barrels of oil and more than 3,000 Mcf of natural gas per day for two Dogfish Fed wells in Section 6 of Township 5 North Range 4 West, also in the Woodford formation. Those wells were drilled to a depth of more than 11,000 feet.

 

Chickasha, Nation Commemorate Juneteenth

Chickasha and communities across the country are celebrating Juneteenth this weekend. Juneteenth, which is officially called Juneteenth National Independence Day, marks the day that the last of enslaved African-Americans received word of their emancipation following the Civil War. While President Abraham Lincoln freed slaves in in Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, it wasn't until June 19th, 1865 that Major General Gordon Granger notified those still enslaved in Texas that they were free. Chickasha Juneteenth activities include a parade with opening ceremonies at Washita Valley Park at 11 o'clock. Mayor Chris Mosley will read a proclamation and guest speaker is Dr. Tonnia Anderson with the Ada Sipuel-Fisher Center for Social Justice and Racial Healing at USAO. Activities at start at noon with live music, lots of activities for the kids, free food, and vendors will be on hand.

 

Talk Show Topics

Jim Cowan with the Chickasha Economic Development Council and the Chamber of Commerce is our guest on the KOOL Konversation. Verden School Superintendent Mickey Edwards is our guest on Real Estate Today. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituary

Becky Stephenson

Funeral service for Becky Stephenson, 58, of Rush Springs will be held at 10:30 a.m.  Monday, June 19th at the Southern Oaks Church of Christ in Chickasha. She was the postmaster at Alex for many years. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Friday, June 16th

 

Consumer Spending on the Rise

Cash registers at Grady County retail outlets have ringing a lot more over the last couple of months. Consumer spending for the region in March was estimated at $92.5 million - and that's the third straight monthly increase. The number is about 3.1 percent higher than February but it was off a fraction from March of 2022 by less than 1 percent. The $92.5 million figure is the largest since September of last year. We estimate consumer spending when we see the sales tax revenue for the county. The April amount was about $694,000 which represents the taxable goods and services purchased in February. Here is a breakdown of where the sales tax money goes. The Grady County Fairgrounds received $231,000; Grady Memorial Hospital received $205,000; the 20 county fire districts shared $116,000 and each one collected $5,800; the seven senior nutrition centers also shared $116,000 and each picked up more than $16,000; Tuttle EMS collected $21,000 and Rush Springs EMS received $5,300.

Chickasha Consumer Spending 

The most recent numbers for the city of Chickasha show consumer spending from March which was estimated to be $32 million. That number is based on city sales revenues in May which were just over than $1.2 million.

 

Lawton, Duncan Evaluating Storm Damage

Officials in Lawton and Duncan are tallying up damage from strong storms which moved through those areas last night. Large hail and 70 mph winds were reported in Lawton and Public Service Company of Oklahoma reported as many as 17,000 customers without power in those regions. PSO officials also said the utility sustained substantial damage to its power grid including transmission structures, broken poles, cross arms, and downed wires.

 

Onward Chickasha Program Rescheduled 

The Chickasha area managed to avoid much of the severe weather which pummeled parts of central and southwest Oklahoma last night. But the threat of bad weather forced officials to postpone the open house for the Onward Chickasha long-range planning meeting. Officials have re-scheduled the program for Thursday, June 29^th between 5:30 and 7:30 that evening at Chickasha City Hall.

 

Chix Public Pool Opens Today

After some delays the public swimming pool at Chickasha's Shannon Springs Park will be opening today. The pool will be open from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. today and tomorrow and will be closed Sundays (except for parties). The regular hours for the pool are Monday through Friday 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The pool is operated by the YMCA. Corbin Lee with the Y says they have a staff of 12 including the lifeguards who undergo 36 hours of training.

 

           

 

YMCA members get to swim free all summer long. Admission for non-YMCA members is $5 per person. The pool does offer private parties seven days a week. Swimming lessons for children are available and there are several two-week sessions throughout the summer with the first session starting Monday. Reach out to the Y for information about the parties and swimming lessons.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.62 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $75.67,

Natural gas is $2.53 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,976 and silver is $24.09.

 

Obituaries

Ruby Howard

No services are scheduled for Ruby Howard, 74, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Thursday, June 15th

 

'Onward, Chickasha' Open House Tonight

Chickasha residents can meet with city leaders and the engineering firm putting together a plan to guide the city into the middle part of the 21st century tonight. There's an open house at city hall which will be another opportunity for residents to submit ideas. Laura Bergey is with the Guernsey Engineering firm which is leading the project-

 

              

 

There will be informational displays and opportunities to discuss the work done so far in the come-and-go event. The open house will be in the lobby of city hall from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. tonight.

 

Chix City Council to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Budget

Also tonight, the Chickasha City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed city budgets for the upcoming fiscal year which begins in just a couple of weeks. The public hearing will be part of a special city council meeting which will get underway at 6:30 tonight in the city council chambers at city hall.

 

Chickasha Hosts Mayors Council Conference

Mayors from communities across the state are meeting in Chickasha today and tomorrow. The Mayors Council of Oklahoma is holding its annual conference at USAO. Amber Mayor Craig Parham is the current president of the council and says the conference has been instrumental in helping him make his community better.

 

              

 

Mike Fina is the executive director of the group-

 

              

 

Holt is the mayor of Oklahoma City and Bynum the mayor of Tulsa.

 

Cyril Honors Memory of Athena Brownfield

The community of Cyril has memorialized Athene Brownfield, the four-year old reported missing in January and her body found at a farm several miles from her home. A granite bench with her photo, some butterflies, and an inscription was unveiled at the Cyril Town Plaza. The inscription etched into the bench reads: 'Little Sister' Athena Alexandria Brownfield. There are no footprints too small to leave an imprint on this world. Sweet little Athena, taken from us too soon, your smile was contagious. Your laugh could fill a room. When God was searching for the most beautiful angel, He found you. Love conquers all, our shy butterfly, now resting in the arms of Jesus, dancing in the sky.' Authorities arrested her caretakers in connection with Athena’s death. Ivon Adams is charged with murder and child neglect. Alysia Adams is charged with two counts of child neglect. Preliminary hearings are scheduled in October.

 

Anadarko Seeks Vendors for 'Honor America' Celebration

With the 4th of July quickly approaching there are a lot of communities marking the holiday with Independence Day events. In Anadarko, the Anadarko Chamber of Commerce will once again host its Honor America Celebration. It will be Friday evening, June 30th at Randlett Park. There will be family-friendly fun and games, food trucks and vendors, and fireworks at dusk. Organizers are looking for vendors and food trucks to take part. Contact Alicia White with the chamber by June 23^rd for the details. Information is available on the Anadarko chamber's Facebook page.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $68.27 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $73.20.

Natural gas is $2.34 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,946 and silver is $23.49.

 

Obituaries

Steven Verhines

Obituaries today include 66-year old Steven Verhines of Chickasha. He was a teacher at Friend School. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, June 21st at Friend School Auditorium. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dementia Society of America or Chisholm Trail Hospice.

 

---

 

Wednesday, June 14th

 

Doctors Save Life of Child who OD'd; Two Suspects in Custody

A 9-month old baby who officials say overdosed on opioids is expected to be okay after doctors gave the child Noxalone. And two people are in jail charged with child neglect for allegedly allowing the overdose to occur. Chickasha police were dispatched to the emergency room at Grady Memorial Hospital Sunday afternoon. The child was brought in because he was having difficulty breathing and turning blue. A probable-cause affidavit indicates that hospital staff believed the child was experiencing an opioid overdose and gave the child Noxalone, or Narcan, which saved the child's life. Doctors found a piece of burnt foil inside the child's mouth, which is alleged to have been used by someone who ingested drugs. Officers believed that a two-year old in the home may have placed the foil in the baby's mouth. Authorities arrested the child's mother, 21-year old Lauren Elizabeth Lane, and her brother, 20-year old Jason Cordova Lane after finding drugs in their home. Both have been formally charged with felony child neglect and misdemeanor drug charges with bond set at $100,000 each.

 

Suspect Arrested in Connection with Gun Theft

Chickasha police made quick work of a recent burglary that took place at a veteran-owned company. Saturday, officers were dispatched to the Two Vets Clothing Store in the 1400 block of South 4th Street to investigate a report of a firearm being stolen. And one of the store's owners, Army reserve veteran Zach Grayson, was holding the suspect until police arrived. A probable cause affidavit indicates that video surveillance showed the suspect putting a pistol in his pocket and leaving the store. The suspect returned a few minutes later and attempted to take another pistol and that's when Grayson, Chickasha's vice mayor, stopped the man and called police. Authorities say the suspect was living in a home a few blocks away so officials obtained a search warrant and found the first pistol that was stolen. Authorities arrested 31-year old Theodes Shells on a complaint of grand larceny. Authorities later found out that Shells was listed as sex offender out of Lubbock, Texas after being convicted of aggravated assault on a child in 2012. Authorities say there is no record of Shells completing any type of sex offender registration as required by law. Shells is in the Grady County Jail on a $150,000 bond and is facing felony charges of grand larceny, being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and failure to register as a sex offender.

 

Blanchard Voters Approve New Hotel-Motel Tax

Voters in Blanchard overwhelmingly approved a new hotel-motel tax in yesterday’s special election. The measure passed with more than 70 percent of the vote. Just over 300 ballots were cast with the unofficial vote being 217 to 92. The 5 percent tax will be placed in a special tourism fund and used to encourage, promote, and foster tourism.

Minco Proposal Fails by Single Vote

In Minco, however, a similar 5 percent hotel-motel tax failed by one vote. The measure needed a simple majority to pass but the unofficial vote was tied at 42-42.

 

Nation Celebrates Flag Day

Today is Flag Day - set aside to commemorate the adoption of the Stars and Stripes as the official flag of the United States. The flag was adopted by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1777 while the Revolutionary War was still in progress. KenLynn Chaney with the Grady County Rock Island 4H Club has a few guidelines to follow when flying the flag.

              

       

 

There are a couple of locations where tattered flags can be taken so they can be properly retired. They are the Grady County Veterans Memorial at Shannon Springs Park and the boy scout headquarters at 18th and Iowa Avenue. The boy scouts will occasionally have flag retirement ceremonies.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.42 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $74.29.

Natural gas is $2.34 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,963 and silver is $23.96.

 

---

 

Tuesday, June 13th

 

USAO Regents Name New President

USAO will begin a new era this summer. The board of regents has announced that Dr. Kayla Hale has been named the university's next president. Hale will be the 13th president for the University and will take the helm from retiring president John Feaver in August. Hale comes from the University of Tulsa, where she has worked for 25 years and most recently served as vice president of university advancement and alumni engagement. She has 35 years’ experience in higher education advancement. Hale says among her initial goals is student recruitment.

 

              

 

Hale is a USAO alum and attended in the early 1980s. She said Feaver was her history professor. She says she's worked a lot with Feaver in recent years at the state level to enhance the efforts of Oklahoma's colleges and universities. She will be USAO's first female president. Feaver is retiring after being with the university for more than 40 years which includes more than 20 years as president.

 

Minco, Blanchard Voters to Decide Hotel-Motel Tax Issues

Voters in Minco and Blanchard head to the polls today for special elections. Those casting ballots will decide if the communities should implement hotel-motel taxes. Both communities are seeking a 5 percent hotel-motel tax to be charged to individuals who rent hotel or motel rooms. Polls are open until 7 o'clock tonight.

 

Public Hearing Set for Special Zoning

to Allow Horses, Goats in Chix City Limits

A request for a special zoning exemption to allow horses and goats in the Chickasha city limits will again be addressed by the city’s planning commission this afternoon. A public hearing will be held on the matter regarding property in the 2400 block of South 24th Street. The Chickasha City Council recently denied a request for the exemption which is being sought by Davina and Roosevelt May. The planning commission will also hold a public hearing to consider a request for an exemption to the city's facade requirements on an oversized building. That request is for applicant Jim Camp on Mockingbird Lane.

 

ODOT Schedules Transporation Needs Surveys

Improving the transportation needs of those with disabilities, senior citizens, and low-income families is a goal of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). Officials will have a series of regional meetings over the next couple of weeks to get public input on what officials call the 2023 Coordinated Transportation Plan. Oklahomans can take part in an on-line survey as well as a series of virtual meetings. The central region virtual meeting will be on Thursday, June 22nd with the southwest region virtual meeting to be held on Wednesday, June 28th. The on-line survey can be found at surveymonkey.com

Additional information is available on-line at oklahoma.gov/odot

 

Chix Tattoo Parlor Earns National Awards

A Chickasha business picked up a number of awards for its work. Garrett Hall of Downtown Tattoo received the awards at the National Tattoo Arts Festival in Oklahoma City this past weekend. Awards included best large black and gray tattoo; best small black and gray tattoo; best large color; and best cover up. Downtown Tattoo is at 421 Chickasha Avenue.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $67.12 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $71.84.

Natural gas is $2.27 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,976 and silver is $24.25.

 

Obituary

Jo Ann Polly

A gathering of friends of Jo Ann Polly, 86, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 16^th at the Cowboy Church in Apache. She worked for the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission offices in Chickasha and Anadarko. Memorial contributions may be made to breast cancer research. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

--

 

Monday, June 12th

 

Onward Chickasha Update Set Thursday

The most recent work of an engineering firm which is generating a 30-year plan for the City of Chickasha will be on display this week. Officials with the Guernsey Engineering firm of Oklahoma City will present a draft of a community vision statement and have an update of an on-going survey which is gathering ideas for the city's long-range plans. Laura Bergey is one of the Guernsey officials leading the project.

 

              

 

A come-and-go open house will be held Thursday evening in the lobby of Chickasha City Hall from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 

State Mayors' Conference in Chickasha This Week

Mayors from communities across the state will be meeting in Chickasha this week. The Oklahoma Municipal League will hold its annual Mayor's Conference. Some officials will be arriving as early as tomorrow as board meetings for the Mayors Council of Oklahoma and the Municipal League will be held at Canadian Valley Technology Center. By the way, the president of the Mayors Council is Mayor Craig Parham of Amber. In his welcoming address on the municipal league's website, Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley says the city is a great example of how a future-focused community can collaborate to inspire change. He says the city has made changes over the last couple of years to its internal processes and have partnered with the business community for positive impacts on the city.

 

Chix School Board to Discuss 2023-24 Budget

A preliminary budget for next school year is among the issues to be reviewed by the Chickasha school board tonight. Officials say the district has received a record level of gross production revenue this year although officials say that will impact state-aid chargeables. Officials also say new state laws regarding teacher pay raises will mean that the district will have to shell out an additional $1 million for teacher salaries. The state will provide additional funds for those raises but it's not clear how much. The additional funding does not include raises for support employees. The school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the school administration building.

 

Teens Injured in Caddo County Crash

Several teenagers avoided serious injury when the car they were riding in ran through a T-intersection and crashed through a fence in Caddo County. The accident happened in Eakly just before 3 o'clock Sunday morning. One of the six teenagers crammed into a 2017 Dodge Challenger was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City Hospital with leg injuries. She was admitted in good condition. Three of the teens, including the 16-year old driver, were taken by private vehicle to an Oklahoma City hospital and all were treated and released.  The teens were all 16-18 years old and were from Carnegie, Mt. View, Tuttle, and Mustang. The highway patrol reported the driver's condition was apparently normal and cited inattention inside the vehicle as the cause of the accident.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.17 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $74.79.

Natural gas is $2.25 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,980 and silver is $24.38.

 

Obituaries

Mary Belle Carr

Funeral service for Mary Belle Carr, 89, of Alex was held at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon at the Alex Church of Christ. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.

Karen Cox

A private graveside service was held for Karen Cox, 76, of Tuttle. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.

 

Saturday, June 10th

 

Proposed PSO Rate Hike Still Pending

A proposed $155 million rate hike for Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) is still under consideration. Earlier this spring, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission sent a proposed agreement regarding the rate hike to an administrative law judge who has yet to make a decision. The website OK Energy Today reports that this week the commission considered an option which would have allowed the panel to rule on the matter without the judge's ruling. But officials decided they did want to hear from the judge who spent three days in a hearing with PSO and various groups that both supported and opposed the increase. Commission Chairman Todd Hiett said he's opposed to the settlement agreed to by PSO, the commission's public utilities division, Attorney General Gentner Drummond, and AARP. The commission had scheduled a hearing on the matter next month but now it may be mid-August before that happens and a ruling may not be made until September at the earliest.

 

Chickasha Dog Park Gets Formal Ribbon Cutting

A formal ribbon cutting and grand opening for the City of Chickasha's dog park was held yesterday. The Susan Dale Badgett Memorial Paws Park was formally christened as members of the Badgett family, city leaders, and others joined the celebration. Gail Ulrich of Gordonville, Texas is one of Susan's sisters. She said after Susan died of liver cancer in 2019 they wanted to do something special for her and that a dog park was the perfect choice.

 

              

 

The park has been open for about a year. It includes of number of benches which have the names of several of her golden retrievers etched in them. The Badgett family donated $100,000 to the city to create the dog park which is in the middle of town at Centennial Park. There are separate sections for large and small dogs and the family plans to add additional agility equipment in the future.

 

SCOOP Well Completion Report Filed

An Oklahoma energy company filed a completion report on a well in the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province (SCOOP) region. Continental Resources filed the paperwork on a well in southern Garvin County south of Elmore City bringing in about 255 barrels of oil and nearly 400 Mcf of natural gas per day. It’s the Highlands Well in section 13 of Township 1 North and Range 2 West in the Woodford formation. The spud date was October of 2022 and it was drilled to a true vertical depth of nearly 13,000 feet.

 

Talk Show Topics

Dr. Tonnia Anderson with the Ada Sipuel-Fisher Center for Social Justice and Racial Healing at USAO will talk about the upcoming commemoration of Juneteenth. State Rep Dick Lowe (R-Amber) and State Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) are on Real Estate Today.  Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituaries

Mary Belle Carr

Funeral service for Mary Belle Carr, 89, of Alex will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 12th at the Main Street Church of Christ in Alex. She and her husband L.B. owned and operated a dairy farm and ranch. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Karen Cox

A private graveside service for Karen Cox, 76, of Tuttle will be held at a later date. She worked at Tinker Air Force Base for many years. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.

 

---

 

Friday, June 9th

 

Death of Convenience Store Clerk Under Investigation

Authorities are looking into the death of convenience store clerk who died on the job early Thursday. Chickasha police were summoned to the Love's Country Store on Choctaw Avenue just after 7 o'clock yesterday morning. The day crew coming on shift called to report their co-worker was unresponsive in the bathroom. In a press release, authorities say they discovered the body of 32-year old Jessica Poteet. Video surveillance shows Poteet putting a sign on the front door about 4:00 a.m. indicating that she was going to clean the bathroom. The video shows Poteet going into the bathroom alone. Authorities have not indicated how Poteet died. The police department, the District Attorney’s Task Force, and the state medical examiner's office are all part of the ongoing investigation.

 

Suspected Drug Dealer Arrested

At about the same time authorities were investigating Poteet's death the Grady County Sheriff's Office and DEA agents arrested a suspected drug dealer across the street. Sheriff Gary Boggess said agents set up the sting operation in the parking lot of Null's Used Tires. No additional details were provided.

 

New Police Chief Appointed in Minco

Officials in Minco have appointed a new police chief. The town council named Frederick Johnson as the new chief during a special meeting last night. Johnson was named the town's top cop following the resignation of previous chief Josh Fletcher earlier in the week. Fletcher stepped down after the council slashed the police department's budget by half.  Several other officers also resigned.

 

Governor Signs School Safety Bills

Gov. Kevin Stitt signed a number of bills into law this week including several which are designed to improve security in public schools. One measure requires school districts undergo a risk assessment and another will have them hire resource officers. State Representative Dick Lowe (R-Amber) helped to author the legislation. All public schools would have to undergo an initial risk and vulnerability assessment from the Oklahoma School Security Institute or a national qualified assessor by July of 2026. Districts will be required to have the assessments every five years. Also, a three-year pilot program for school safety provides districts with more than $95,000 a year for each of those years to hire resource officers or make necessary security upgrades. The bills go into effect next month.

 

Shannon Springs Park Swimming Pool Opening Soon

City officials also say they are almost ready to open the public swimming pool at Shannon Springs Park. The pool has been undergoing some repairs over the last couple of months and officials began filling the pool yesterday. We’ll pass along information about the pool opening and summer hours when that information is provided. The pool is managed by the YMCA.

 

Downtown Chickasha Art Walk Tonight

Downtown Chickasha will be active tonight as the monthly downtown art walk will take place. A number of downtown businesses and venues will be open after hours hosting local artists. Among them will be a go-kart re-furbisher who will be at the leg lamp. The art walk extends from the railroad depot and the leg lamp along Chickasha Avenue to 6th Street and a number of stores and venues on side streets will also be open. There will be live music at the Stage behind Brandi's and the Flower Shop Winery and Pizzeria and at the Shakespeare Wine Company. The art walk runs from 5 to 8 o'clock tonight. The art walk is held the second Friday of each month.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.29 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $75.96.

Natural gas is $2.35 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,977 and silver is $24.45.

 

Obituary

Junior Crumm

A private graveside service for Junior Crumm, 93, of Chickasha will be held by the family at a later date. He was a long haul truck driver. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Thursday, June 8th

 

Woman Arrested for Alleged Child Neglect, Drug Complaints

A Chickasha woman is in custody for alleged child neglect and living in a home where drugs are used and sold. Authorities arrested 66-year old Devenua Burgess late Monday. A probable cause affidavit from the Grady County Sheriff's Office indicates that officers were called to the Burgess home to do a welfare check on an infant and to notify Burgess that she had an outstanding warrant dating back to 1996. It’s alleged that a five-month old infant had been left alone on several occasions and that the child had fallen off a bed. It was also alleged that individuals smoked crack around the child. Authorities said they found crack cocaine in some lip balm tubes. Burgess is facing felony charges of child neglect and maintaining a home for keeping or selling drugs. She remains in the Grady County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

 

Part of Action Movie Sequel to be Filmed in Chix

Many motorists have seen some construction going on in a Chickasha neighborhood and have been curious as to what is being built. We can now officially report that a film production company is working on some sets for the sequel to the 1996 movie ‘Twister’. The construction is going on in the area of 17th and Minnesota Ave. The Chickasha City Council this week approved some street closures for Dirt Road Films, LLC associated with the movie ‘Twisters’. Officials say Chickasha is able to host the project since the Oklahoma Department of Commerce has named Chickasha a film-friendly city.  Crews told the city’s Community Development Department there will be two or three days of filming sometime between June 19th and June 26th. The original film starred Helen Hunt and the late Bill Paxton. Part of that movie was filmed in Wakita, Okla. The website Collider reports that there's no official word if Hunt will appear in the sequel. The website Imdb lists the stars of the sequel as Katy O'Brian, Kiernan Shipka, and Daisy Edward-Jones. The director is Lee Isaac Lang and writers are Michael Crichton and Mark Smith. The projected release date is the spring of 2024.

 

Leadership Chickasha Program Accepting Applications

A popular program to develop future community leaders is making plans for its next class. The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce is preparing for its upcoming Leadership Chickasha series. Students meet once a month from September through March to learn the ins and outs of city and county governments, the Chickasha school district, Canadian Valley Technology Center, and USAO, and develop leadership skills. The classes are all day on Thursdays of each month. The 2023-24 class will be limited to 25 members. For information contact the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce.

 

State Job Search Office Opens in Anadarko

Anadarko now has a local office for job seekers. The Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) has opened several community outreach offices in communities that do not have workforce offices and Anadarko is among them. Officials are at the Anadarko Public Library every Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. OESC officials say it should be easier for individuals and companies to do business with the agency as people don't always have the means to drive out of town for help. For Anadarko area residents the nearest OESC office is about 20 miles away in Chickasha.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.53 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.95.

Natural gas is $2.33 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,961 and silver is $23.78.

 

Obituaries

Judy Kauley

Funeral service for Judy Kauley, 76, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 9th at the First Baptist Church. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Linda Thomas

Funeral service for Linda Thomas, 74, formerly of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 13^th at the Northeast Missionary Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Wednesday, June 7th

 

Chix Mayor Discusses Joint Street Upgrade Pact with County

The Chickasha City Council this week approved an agreement with Grady County officials to assist with some road and street upgrades. Mayor Chris Mosley said the city and the county previously joined efforts to make improvements on Pikes Peak Road from 4th Street to 16th Street. Mosley said the county has resources that the city doesn't.

 

              

 

The areas targeted for repairs are 29th Street north of U.S. Highway 62 and north of the railroad tracks; Cottonwood Street from 4th Street east to the railroad tracks; and 4th Street north of the Grady County Courthouse from the first set of railroad tracks and north to the stop sign.

 

Demand for Foster Homes Soars

The number of children in foster care in Oklahoma is alarming. There are more than 6,500 children in foster care in Oklahoma and less than 2,500 foster homes to care for them. In Grady County, there are nearly 120 children in foster care and only 22 foster homes available. Ginna Waddell with the OK Fosters program through the Department of Human Services is seeking families to assist kids in foster care, so they can stay within their local community.

 

              

 

For information about becoming a foster family, visit the website ok fosters.org

 

Grand Opening Set for Badgett Dog Park

The City of Chickasha will have an official grand opening for the city's dog park later this week. The Susan Dale Badgett Memorial Paws Park opened last summer. The Badgett family contributed $100,000 to build the facility which has separate sections for large and small dogs. Residents are encouraged to bring their dogs to the park for the event. There will be bags full of treats for the dogs and dog owners can register to win a dog grooming gift certificate. There will be a couple of food trucks for humans, and appropriately one of them is Dogg-n-It. Uptown Scoops will also be there. The grand opening will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11 a.m.  There ceremony will be held at the corner of 7^th and Idaho Ave.

 

Church to Celebrate 130th Anniversary

A Chickasha house of worship is celebrating its 130th anniversary. St. Luke's Episcopal Church will have an open house this Saturday with a come-and-go reception from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It's one of the city's oldest churches - opening in 1893 just a year after Chickasha was founded. The first Baptism took place in April of that year. The church has the distinction of being the oldest church building in the city, having been in continuous service since it was built in 1900.  It's the second oldest Episcopal Church building in Oklahoma. One of the highlights of the day will be the opening of a time capsule that was buried nearly 40 years ago in 1986. The church is located at 6th and Kansas Avenue.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.74 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.29.

Natural gas is $2.26 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,960 and silver is $23.70.

 

---

 

Tuesday, June 6th

 

G.G. Music Named New Chickasha Police Chief

Chickasha officials kept things in-house when hiring the city's new police chief. G.G. Music who has served as interim police chief over the last five months had the interim tag removed from his title during last night's city council meeting. City Attorney Amanda Mullins gave Music his oath of office-

 

              

 

Music has been with the department for 23 years.

Council approves Henry Argo Resolution

Also during the meeting, the council unanimously approved a resolution commemorating the life of 19-year old Henry Argo, a black man who was killed by a white mob in 1930. The resolution was issued to acknowledge the historical significance of the event as an unjust instance of mob violence against Black people in American history and to condemn racial discrimination. It is said that the attack was the last public lynching in Oklahoma.

Police Union Contracts OK'd

The council also approved contracts with the Fraternal Order of Police Local 129 following an 18-minute closed door meeting. The contracts for the current and the next fiscal year received unanimous approval.

Mineral Rights Leased on Numerous City-owned Sites

The council also held auctions for a number of oil and gas leases at nearly 40 sites within the city limits. Among the largest leases approved was one for the mineral rights on about 300 acres of city-owned land around Lake Chickasha. The only bid submitted was for $500 an acre and a 3/16th royalty for three years from a firm called ToddCo. That will give the city an upfront payment of $150,000.

Day Care Center, Re-zoning Requests Approved

The panel also approved a use-on-review for a day care at 1128 S. 5^th Street for Kimberly and Terry Cole. The group also approved a re-zoning request for Mike McGill and OK Carpet at 15^th and Missouri to re-zone a small piece of property from residential to commercial use to expand his store.

 

Minco Police Chief and Several Officers Resign

Turmoil in Minco as the police chief and several police officers walk off the job. The Minco-Union City Times posted the news on its Facebook page. The paper indicates that Police Chief Joshua Fletcher resigned during last night's city council meeting. In his resignation letter Fletcher said the city has become a toxic and hostile place to work and that he is resigning due to massive budget cuts to the department. He said the cuts will cause the department to be overworked, under-trained, and poorly equipped and that he cannot approve or be complicit in the poor decisions being made by the Minco City Council. The resignations leave just one police officer on duty. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess told our partners at KWTV-News 9 that deputies will respond to calls in Minco if there is a life-threatening situation. In addition to the officers leaving, the newspaper also reported that the city council recently fired its city attorney and that Mayor Keith McMullen resigned after serving in that capacity for the last eight years.

 

Hiring Events Scheduled

A couple of hiring events are to be held in Chickasha this week. The State Department of Corrections will hold interviews for a number of positions open at the Great Plains Correctional Center in Hinton. The openings include corrections officers, nursing staff, food service, and construction and maintenance personnel. That will be held at the Oklahoma Works office downtown at 205 Chickasha Avenue from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow.

Friday job fair to give early preference to military veterans

On Friday, a number of companies and even the City of Chickasha will be on hand for a community hiring event and will be giving a preference to military veterans. Loves, Amazon, American Tissue of Oklahoma City, and Express Employment will also be on hand. The event is being hosted by the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission (OESC) and will be held at the Chickasha Library Friday, Nov. 9th from noon to 3:00 p.m. The first hour-and-a-half is set aside for veterans then will be open to the community from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Job seekers are encouraged to dress ready to interview and bring resumes.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.15 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.71.

Natural gas is $2.24 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,978 and silver is $23.67.

 

Obituary

Bonnie Carter

A private memorial service for Bonnie Carter, 80, of Chickasha will be held by the family at a later date. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Monday, June 5th

 

City, County to Consider Agreement for City Street Repairs

A joint agreement between the City of Chickasha and Grady County Commissioners to repair several Chickasha streets will be considered by the city council tonight. It calls for repairs on North 29th Street north of the railroad tracks; Cottonwood Street from 4th Street east to the railroad tracks; and North 4th Street from the first set of railroad tracks and north to the stop sign. The agreement is to run through next June.

New police chief expected to be sworn in

A new police chief for the City of Chickasha is expected to be sworn in during tonight's city council meeting. There's no word on who the new chief is. G.G. Music has been serving as interim chief for the last five months. The council approved a separation agreement with previous Chief Kathryn 'Dee' Rowell this past January. Rowell was the city's first female police chief, coming to Chickasha after several years with the Ft. Worth, Texas police department. She spent nearly four years at the post.

Resolution to commemorate life of lynching victim to be considered

The panel is also to consider a resolution to commemorate the memory of a man who died in what is believed to be the last public lynching in Oklahoma. The resolution would commemorate the memory of Henry Argo and condemn racial discrimination. Argo, a Black man, was just 19 years old when was shot and stabbed to death by a white mob in May of 1930. The resolution is to honor the life of Argo who was a victim of racism; acknowledge the historical significance of the event as an unjust instance of mob violence against Black people in American History; and condemn those who participated in or who aided and abetted the unlawful violence. It would also encourage education about Argo's legacy, including the horrors of the violence itself and the history of racism that fueled the violence. The city council meets tonight at 6:30 p.m.

 

Train Derailment Investigation Underway

Authorities are investigating a train derailment that happened in Marlow yesterday. About a dozen cars left the tracks near Highway 29 and Railroad Street near several homes...but none were damaged. Grain and flour spilled out of several cars and blocked a number of intersections. Fortunately no one was hurt. Union Pacific crews were sent to assess damage and look into what happened.  Marlow Police Chief Jason Miller tells our partners at KWTV News 9 that railroad officials sent 10 semis full of large equipment to clean up the mess.

 

Agencies Working to Help Inmates Find Jobs Upon Release

A couple of state agencies are working together to help those convicted of crimes to find jobs after they leave prison. The state Department of Corrections and the Central Oklahoma Workforce Innovation board recently hosted a Fair Chance Hiring Event. Corrections officials took a number of currently incarcerated men and women who are nearing their release dates to the job fair.  Employers from dozens of industries had one-on-one discussions with candidates, reviewed resumes, and conducted interviews. Inmate Troy Henning said it was a major boost. He said not a lot of people will give you a second chance. He said it gives them hope, a fighting chance, and an opportunity to return to society and live a real life.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.74 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.13.

Natural gas is $2.17 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,960 and silver is $23.56.

 

Obituaries

Barbara Morris

Funeral service for Barbara Morris of Ninnekah will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 6th at Bible Baptist Church. She and her husband Junior owned and operated a dairy farm which is still in the family. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Maria Del Rosario Alvarez de Gonzales

Funeral service for 70-year old Maria Del Rosario Alvarez de Gonzales of Anadarko is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Saturday, June 3rd

 

State Budget Approved Without Governor's Signature

The State of Oklahoma's $13 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year will become law without the signature of Gov. Kevin Stitt. The governor has 10 days in which to sign off on bills approved by both the house and senate but that didn't happen. In a prepared statement, the governor said lawmakers relied on one-time revenue to support recurring costs that exceed recurring income by about $220 million. They also used about $2 billion of the state's rainy day fund - reducing the state's savings account to $4.2 billion. The governor said those moves were neither sustainable nor fiscally-wise. He said because of objections to the unique process by which the bill made its way to his desk that it will become law without his signature.

 

Wings and Wheels Air Show, Car Show Headlines Weekend Events

Organizers are hoping Mother Nature cooperates for the 5th annual Wings and Wheels Air Show and Car Show today. The event will be held at the Chickasha Airport and will feature a number of flying acts and a huge car show. The car show has been a big hit with more than 50 classic cars and trucks, muscle cars, and antiques entered in previous years. Registration for the car show begins at 8 a.m. and there is no fee to enter. More than a dozen trophies will be awarded. Free airplane rides for kids 8-17 will be from 9 to noon, weather permitting. There are lots of kid-friendly activities as well and several food trucks will be on hand. The air show is scheduled to start at noon. Admission and parking are free.

Elks Lodge kids fishing derby also going on

Also this morning, The Chickasha Elks Lodge will hold its annual kids fishing derby at Shannon Springs Park. The pond was stocked with 2,000 pounds of catfish yesterday with many of them at least 12 inches long. Laforge Enterprises provides the fish every year. Registration starts at 8 o'clock this morning and fishing will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Among the prizes are three lifetime fishing licenses each worth $400. One will be given away in each of three age divisions.

 

'Stamp Out Hunger' Food Drive Successful

Oklahomans in central and Western Oklahoma came through in a big way in last month's Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. Officials with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma say the agency received more than 547,000 pounds of food and more than $70,000 as a result of the effort.  The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is a national program put together by the National Association of Letter Carriers in conjunction with the U.S. Postal Service. The food drive is held the second Saturday each May. All donations remain within the more than 200 communities served by the Regional Food Bank including many in the Grady and Caddo county area.  Officials say the drive helps to keep the shelves of emergency food banks stocked through the summer. Since 1992 the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive has collected more than 13 million pounds of food and raised more than $10 million to fight hunger in Oklahoma.

 

Ninnekah Fire Department to Hold Community Appreciation Meal

The Ninnekah Volunteer Fire Department will hold its community appreciation dinner tomorrow. Fire fighters will be serving free barbecue sandwich meals with dessert and drinks. Donations are welcome. There will be a number of silent auction items as well. It will be at the Ninnekah School cafeteria from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow.

 

Obituary

Syble Harris

Funeral service for Syble Harris, 92, of Chickasha will be at 1:30 p.m. Monday, June 5th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Friday, June 2nd

 

Child Sex Crimes Suspect Surrenders

A Caddo County man charged with numerous sex crimes against children voluntarily surrendered to authorities this week. 42-year old Kelly Ryan Lee of Carnegie, charged with seven felony counts of child sexual abuse, turned himself in Wednesday. An arrest warrant for Lee was issued last Friday following an investigation by the Caddo County Sheriff’s Office. One of two alleged teenaged victims came forward last month saying that Lee assaulted him and another teenaged boy several times between November of 2020 and November of 2022. Lee is out of jail after posting a $35,000 bond. He is represented by attorney Keenan Haught of Hinton. A preliminary hearing conference is set for August. 4th.

 

State National Guard Troops Head to U.S.-Mexico Border

National Guard troops from Oklahoma and several other states will soon be headed to the U.S.-Mexico border in an attempt to prevent illegal immigrants from getting into the United States. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is among governors from a dozen states from Arizona to Florida who are sending a combined total of about 1,200 troops to the border. In a prepared statement, Stitt said it is in the best interest of Oklahoma and the nation to take decisive action to address the federal government's utter failure to secure the southern border. Stitt did not say how many of the state’s 2,500 National Guard troops would be dispatched. U.S. Border patrol facilities have reported record numbers of detainments as thousands of people flee violence and poverty in countries around the world.

 

Air Show, Car Show set at Chickasha Airport Tomorrow

High-flying daredevils and formation flyers are among the acts that will take to the sky over the Chickasha airport this weekend. The 5th annual Wings and Wheels Air Show and Car Show is set for tomorrow. Among the acts is the husband-and-wife team of Kyle and Liz Franklin with Franklin’s Flying Circus. They perform at airshows all over the country. Kyle is a third-generation pilot who has been around planes his whole life. He’s been performing professionally for more than 25 years starting when he was 17 years old. Franklin talks about their plane.

 

              

 

The couple actually assemble and dis-assemble the plane before and after every show. Activities at the airport begin at 8:00 a.m. with the car show. There are a lot of kid-friendly activities, free airplane rides for children 8 to 17 years old from 9 a.m. to noon, and the air show will run from about noon to 2 p.m. Numerous food trucks will be on hand. Admission and parking are free.

 

High School Rodeo State Finals in Chix This Week

Teenaged rodeo competitors are spending a few days in Chickasha for the Oklahoma High School Rodeo Association state finals. From bull riding and barrel racing, to goat tying and team roping, competitors are working to collect enough points in each event to qualify for the National High School Rodeo later this summer. Camree Slavin leads the boys’ all-around standings by more than 20 points over Dessa Hext. Heston Harrison leads the girls’ all-around competition by 24 points over Hazen Parks. The rodeo runs through Saturday evening at the Grady County Fairgrounds. The final go-round will be Saturday night with the Grand Entry at 5:45 p.m. followed by the finals at 6 p.m.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.10 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $72.68.

Natural gas is $2.16 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,997 and silver is $24.03.

 

Obituaries

Christopher Crawford, Jr.

A graveside service for Christopher Columbus Crawford, Jr., 88, of Hollis will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 3^rd at Fairmount Cemetery in Hollis. He was a U.S. military veteran. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Thursday, June 1st

 

Chix School District Shuts Down E-mail Scam 

Chickasha school officials say they were recently notified about an e-mail account that may have been compromised.  A post on the district's Facebook page indicated that several unauthorized e-mails were sent asking recipients to click on links and attachments to provide log-in information for various accounts. Officials say they immediately disabled the account once it was discovered. The post indicated that the district will never ask for log-in credentials or other sensitive information in an e-mail. They urge individuals to take extra precaution when receiving suspicious e-mails and that it’s good practice to never open attachments or click on any links you weren't expecting to receive. They recommend changing passwords immediately if you think an account has been compromised.

 

Contractor Still Sought to Repair Chickasha Intersection

Chickasha city officials are trying to expedite work at a busy residential intersection damaged by recent rains. But they are running into some problems that are hampering their efforts. Heavy rains last month led to the damage at 14th and Missouri. That intersection has been closed as the pavement buckled and caused serious damage. While the city council declared an emergency and waived bidding requirements, City Manager Keith Johnson said they have not been able to find any contractors willing to take on the project. He said many of them have larger projects they are working on. Officials say even after they find a contractor it will take several weeks to make repairs. It's estimated the cost could  surpass $200,000.

 

Routine Maintenance to Impact H.E. Bailey Traffic

Here is a traffic advisory for motorists on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike through Chickasha. The turnpike will occasionally be narrowed to one-lane through the weekend and into early next week for routine maintenance. Tonight, southbound traffic will be affected from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. Friday morning. Southbound traffic will again be affected from 7:00 p.m. Sunday to 7:00 a.m. Monday. Then northbound traffic will be affected from 7:00 p.m. Monday to 7:00 a.m. Tuesday.

 

Pulitzer Prize-Winning Kiowa Author

to be Honored at Oklahoma History Center

A renowned author of the Kiowa Tribe will be honored in a legacy reception at the Oklahoma History Center tonight. N. Scott Momaday was the first indigenous writer to win a Pulitzer-prize. Momaday is known worldwide as a poet, novelist, artist, teacher, and story-teller. His works celebrate and preserve American Indian heritage. His novel 'House Made of Dawn' won a Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1969. He later received a National Medal of Arts from President George W. Bush in 2007. Among those at the ceremony will be Kiowa Tribe Chairman Lawrence Spottedbird.

 

              

 

Spottebird will have the welcoming speech and Kiowa Tribe Vice Chairman Jacob Tsotigh will serve as master of ceremonies. The Black Leggings Color Guard will also be part of the program. Momaday, who lives in New Mexico, will not be able to make the trip but several family members will be in attendance.

 

Grady County Commissioners Set Surplus Sale

Grady County officials have scheduled the annual sale of surplus equipment no longer needed by various departments. Among the items up for grabs are a 1995 Ford F-350 brush truck; a 2014 Ford F-250 4X4; a rescue boat; a skid steer; an air compressor; and a lot of tires. A lot of office equipment will be on the auction block including computers and computer equipment; copiers and printers; a desk; chairs; and book cases. The surplus sale will be held at the Grady County Fairgrounds Thursday, June 15th starting at 9 a.m. Contact the Grady County clerk's office for a detailed list.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $68.09 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $72.66.

Natural gas is $2.27 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,977 and silver is $23.52.

 

Obituary

Carolyn Kay Tramell

Funeral service for Carolyn Kay Tramell, 82, of Chickasha will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, June 2nd at Ferguson Funeral Home. She owned and operated Carolyn Kay's Flower shop for more than 30 years.

 

---

 

Wednesday, May 31st

 

Proposed City of Chix Budgets Unveiled;

Public Hearing Scheduled Later this Month

More than $36 million is proposed for the upcoming fiscal year for the three entities within the City of Chickasha. In a special meeting last night, the city council reviewed the budget suggestions for the City of Chickasha, the Chickasha Municipal Authority, and the Chickasha Airport. The total $36 million proposal for 2023-24 is a slight increase over the current fiscal year. For the City of Chickasha, leaders have proposed increasing the general fund spending from $21.2 million to $21.4 million. Officials are projecting a slight increase in sales tax revenue for the coming year - from about $15 million to $15.3 million. City Manager Keith Johnson said the budget includes full staffing for the police department although that won't happen right away. The department has had a shortage of officers for a couple of years. The proposed police department budget includes funding for 28 patrol officers, four detectives, and administrative staff.

Slight increase proposed for CMA; slight decrease for Airport

For the Municipal Authority, the proposed spending plan grows from $15 million to $16.5 million. The proposed budget for the airport is lower - from $1.5 million to $1.2 million. Johnson said they hope to have the nearly 180-page budget posted on the city's website today for public viewing. The council is expected to hold a special meeting June 15th which will include a public hearing on the proposed budget. The spending plan must be finalized by June 20^th for the fiscal year which begins July 1st.

 

City of Chix to Acknowledge Deadly 1930 Lynching

Today is a dark day in the history of Chickasha. It was May 31, 1930 that a black man was killed in what is believed to be the last public lynching in Oklahoma. 19-year old Henry Argo was accused of attacking a white woman and her child. It's reported that as many as 2,000 people may have stormed the jail where Argo was being held. The National Guard had been called in to subdue the crowd but was unable to do so. Argo died after being shot in the head and stabbed but no one was ever arrested or held accountable for his death. City Councilman Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander has been working for several years to have city officials admit that an injustice occurred in Argo’s death.

 

              

 

The city council is expected to adopt a resolution noting the tragic event during a regular meeting scheduled Monday, June 5th.

 

Caddo County Child Sex Crimes Suspect Sought

Authorities are looking for a Caddo County man wanted for multiple counts of child sex crimes. Last Friday a judge issued an arrest warrant for 42-year old Kelly Ryan Lee of the Carnegie area. The warrant was issued following an investigation by the Caddo County Sheriff's Office. One of two alleged victims came forward earlier this month saying the Lee assaulted him several times between November of 2018 and November of 2021. Lee is facing seven felony counts of child sexual abuse.  A photograph of Lee was posted on the sheriff's office Facebook page. The post also indicated that Lee may be driving one of two vehicles - a dark gray GMC four-door pick up with an OU tag on the front - or a blue, two-door Pontiac. He may be pulling a small bumper-pull travel trailer as he is known to frequent area lakes. Authorities say Lee should not be approached and anyone with information about him is asked to reach out to local law enforcement.

 

Charges Filed After Man Shoots at Neighbor

A Chickasha man accused of shooting at his neighbor is facing two charges in connection with the incident. 46-year old Jonathan O’Neal Bridges was arrested at his home last Friday night after police responded to a shots-fired call near 6^th and Illinois Ave. No one was injured. Bridges is already on probation after pleading guilty to a drug charge stemming from a 2015 arrest. He now is facing a felony charge of possessing a firearm while on probation and a misdemeanor for the reckless handling of a firearm. His bond was set at $25,000.

 

Hit-and-Run DUI Suspect Arrested, Charged

Tuttle police arrest a suspected drinking driver following a hit-and-run that happened Monday night. It happened on State Highway 37 about three miles east of downtown Tuttle. Assistant Police Chief Michael Scott said the suspect ran a stop sign at Cemetery Road and broadsided an east-bound pickup. The suspect drove away but a witness called police and followed the vehicle for about a mile before police pulled him over. 22-year old Brian Shane McConnell of Tuttle reportedly told police he had three or four beers and refused to take a field-sobriety test. McConnell has been charged with a felony for leaving the scene of an injury accident and a misdemeanor for DUI. His bond was set at $100,000. The driver of the pick-up that was hit suffered a minor shoulder injury and refused medical treatment from paramedics.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.46 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $73.54.

Natural gas is $2.33 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,975 and silver is $23.36.

 

Obituaries

Jean Vonzell Johnson

Funeral service for Jean Vonzell Johnson, 67, of Anadarko will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 3rd at the First Baptist Church of Anadarko. Arrangements are with Brown Thomas Funeral Home.

Kathy Spivey

A memorial service for Kathy Spivey, 64, of the Chickasha and Amber area will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 3rd at the Dibble Middle School Gymnasium. She was an advocate for people with disabilities and worked with boards under three governors to promote equality for all.

Justin Powell

A memorial service Justin Powell, 41, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday June 5^th at Sevier Funeral Home.

Juanita Hicks-Brown

Funeral service for Juanita Hicks-Brown, 90, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 10th at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

---

 

Tuesday, May 30th

 

Memorial Day Ceremony Honors

Military Personnel Who Died in Service

A ceremony paying respect to those who died during active duty in the U.S. military was held in Chickasha on Memorial Day yesterday. The forecast for rain and the showers that did fall prior to the ceremony forced officials to move the program from the Grady County Veterans Memorial at Shannon Springs Park indoors at the Chickasha Elks Lodge. Sherri Lewis with the Oklahoma Veterans Recognition Committee said the ceremony honors the millions of fallen and injured military personnel and the thousands who are still considered missing.

 

              

 

The names of the more than 160 Grady County individuals who died while serving their country were read aloud. Guest speaker Zach Grayson, a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves, urged individuals to contact elected state and national officials to urge lawmakers to support legislation which ensures that wounded veterans receive their disability benefits.

 

Chix City Council to Consider Extending Deadline

for Firms to Submit Qualifications for Water Plant Design

At Chickasha City Hall officials are asking to extend a deadline related to construction plans of the city's proposed multi-million dollar water treatment plant. It's among several topics to be discussed in special meetings of the Chickasha City Council and the municipal authority tonight. Officials have been asked to extend a deadline for engineering firms to submit requests for qualifications that want to participate. The original deadline was May 19^th but officials are asking to extend it until Friday, June 9th. Firms are being asked to submit designs for a more than $70 million water treatment plant. The State Department of Environmental Quality issued consent orders in December of 2021 directing the city to deal with a number of deficiencies at the plant which is about 60 years old.

Budgets and MOU with Caddo Nation discussions also to be held

The council will also discuss proposed budgets for the municipal authority and the airport authority for the upcoming fiscal year which begins July 1st. The panel will also consider a memorandum of understanding with the Caddo Nation for a mutual aid partnership when it comes to emergency management assistance. The special meetings will get underway at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

State Lawmakers Pass Record Budget

Oklahoma state lawmakers wrapped up the 2023 legislative session as required last week. They passed a record budget of nearly $13 billion with education and teachers being among the big winners. Lawmakers added $625 million to the education budget with about $285 million of that going for teacher pay raises. Public school teachers will receive raises between $3,000 and $6,000 based on years of experience. They'll also get six weeks paid maternity leave which is a first.

 

Lawmakers Over-ride Some Gubernatorial Vetoes

State lawmakers over-rode more than a dozen gubernatorial vetoes. Among them are those which will continue state funding for the Oklahoma Education Television Authority (OETA) for public television and one that will provide protections for Native American students who want to wear tribal regalia at public school graduation ceremonies.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.67 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.95.

Natural gas is $2.18 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,971 and silver is $23.37.