Saturday, March 25th

New System Tells Motorists They are Driving the Wrong Way

A new system intended to notify motorists they are driving on the wrong side of the highway is being installed on some Oklahoma interstates. The system is already in place along I-40 in eastern Oklahoma to the Arkansas broder and is currently being installed on I-35 from Oklahoma City north to the Kansas border. And beginning next week crews will be installing the system on I-40 from Yukon west to the Texas border. It's a $4 million project which will include raised pavement markers that will show red to indicate a motorist is driving the wrong way, lighted signs, and upgraded striping. In a press release, ODOT officials said 49 interchanges along I-40 from Yukon and points west will be modified.  They say internally lit ‘Do Not Enter’ signs will be easier to see at night and a thermal camera system which activates flashing lights will be installed at 10 locations. Officials say the project will cause some temporary ramp closures with detours and that interstate traffic will be narrowed to one lane in the areas where the work will be done.

Plan to Eliminate State Sales Tax on Groceries Being Discussed Again

A proposal that would eliminate the state sales tax on groceries is again making its way through the halls of the state capital. This week the House of Representatives passed a bill which would eliminate the state's 4.5 percent sales tax on groceries. It now goes to the senate for consideration. The house passed a similar measure last year but it stalled in the senate. Gov. Kevin Stitt supports a plan to eliminate the tax and has urged lawmakers for the last two years to send him a bill he can sign into law. You might remember that the measure was discussed during a special session of state lawmakers last summer but the senate didn't approve the measure. At the time Senate President Greg Treat said the senate is for tax reform, they just want to make sure it’s good for the long-term future of Oklahoma. Oklahoma is one of only 13 states which still charges a sales tax on groceries.

Proposal Would Allow Some to Pay Property Taxes Monthly

Also being considered at the state capital is a proposal that would make it easier for some Oklahomans to pay their property taxes. It's HB 2003 which would allow senior citizens and others on fixed incomes to pre-pay their property taxes in monthly installments. Qualifying taxpayers would have to provide a written notice to the county treasurer by Jan. 15th each year. Accounts with delinquent taxes, accounts with an on-going valuation protest, and taxes paid through an escrow account would not be eligible for the installment program. The measure passed the house this week and now goes to the senate for consideration.

Talk Show Topics

The two candidates who are on the ballot for the Chickasha City Council election on April 4^th are on our KOOL Konversation. They are Ward 4 Councilman Kelly Boyd and challenger Eric Anderson. On Real Estate Today this week's guests are Reagan Elkins, Kristyn Allbritton, and Kristen McGregor talking about the Production House, a video and audio recording studio that will be opening in Chickasha later this year. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

Obituaries

Angeline ‘Angie’ Friskel

No service is scheduled for ’Angie’ Friskel, 75, of Chickasha. She was a scrub tech and owned an antique store. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Catherine Robinson

Funeral service for Catherine Robinson, 83, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 1st at the Grady County Fairgrounds. She was a gospel singer and worked at Head Start. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Friday, March 24th

Bill Would Provide Help for Renters 

Living in Unhealthy, Unsafe Conditions

A bill designed to keep renters from living in unsafe conditions is gaining some traction at the state capital. HB 2109 would update the state's Landlord Tenant Act to provide some additional help to those who rent homes or apartments. If signed into law it should protect tenants who have complaints about their living conditions. It would allow courts to require that landlords make needed repairs for the health and safety of their tenants. State Rep. Daniel Pae (R-Lawton) is the author of the bill. He said tenants have little protection under current state law. It would prevent landlords from raising rent, threatening eviction, or decreasing services if tenants have legitimate concerns about the conditions of the home or apartment they are living in. The measure would apply to landlords renting less than 10 units. The bill now goes to the senate where Sen. John Montgomery (R-Lawton) is carrying the bill.

Former Animal Control Officer Pleads Guilty to Animal Abuse

The former animal control officer for the town of Fletcher has pleaded guilty to animal abuse. Timothy Peek was arrested two years ago for leaving animals unattended during the Polar Vortex freeze in February of 2021. Officials say four animals at the shelter were left to fend for themselves for more than four days during frigid arctic temperatures. Peek pleaded guilty to the charge in Comanche County District Court and received a five-year deferred sentence with one year of supervised probation; a fine of $500; will have to perform 100 hours of community service; and undergo drug and alcohol testing.

Chix Chamber, EDC to Hold 'Great Golden Egg' Promotion

Another retail shopping promotion to support Chickasha stores will begin next week. It's the Great Golden Egg Hunt. A total of 1,000 eggs will be hidden at participating retailers and each merchant will have several eggs hidden in their stores each day. Each egg has a prize from one of the participating merchants. After finding an egg shoppers will need to make a minimum $20 purchase. Customers who spend $50 will be entered into a grand prize drawing to win a Golden Egg filled with $500 in gift cards and prizes from the Chickasha Economic Development Council. The promotion will run Friday, March 31st through Saturday, April 8th. Shoppers will need to take a code received from the merchant to the chamber of commerce by Wednesday, April 12^th to get entered into the drawing. The drawing will be live on the chamber’s Facebook page at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 13^th. A printable list of merchants will be available at the chamber on Thursday, March 30^th or the list can be downloaded from the website: www.chickashachamber.com

Pesticide Applicator Training Scheduled

Grady County OSU Extension will be offering a pesticide applicator training program over the next couple of weeks. There is a brief session on Wednesday March 29th at noon for Dicamba training. The next training day will be Thursday, April 6th with morning and afternoon sessions. Topics include late-season disease management, early-season cotton weed management; soybean weed management; sorghum herbicides; and-early season insect management in summer row crops. Individuals must attend in person to get credit. For information contact the Grady County OSU Extension Center by calling 405-224-2216.

Aquarium to host 'World Meteorological Day' Event

Here's a family day trip you might consider this weekend. The Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center will celebrate World Meteorological Day tomorrow. There will be experiments, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for participants. Among those taking part are U.S. Navy meteorology analysts. The event runs from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, March 25^th) and is included in the cost of regular paid admission. You can get more information on the Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Resource Center Facebook page.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.96 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $75.91.

Natural gas is $2.15 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,016 and silver is $23.40.

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Thursday, March 23rd

More Downtown Chickasha Development Underway

Construction crews have begun working on more upgrades in the downtown Chickasha area. Chet Hitt, the California businessman who announced his intentions to invest more than $5 million around the Rock Island Railroad Depot, brought crews in yesterday to begin the transformation. Hitt tells KOOL-RANCH News-

Hitt recently purchased the Mill Building and adjoining property from the City of Chickasha. The Mill Building is expected to be a coffee house with a distillery to be built next to it and the old Savoy Hotel will be a restaurant. Hitt tells the Southwest Ledger that an informal meet-and-greet with the public will be held next week.

Volunteer Fire Departments Receive Check, Pickup

The Grady County Fire Department gets a sizeable donation. Gulfport Energy of Oklahoma City provided the fire department with $20,000 and a 2017 Ford truck. The money will be used to purchase some gas monitors for the volunteer fire departments. Grady County Fire Chief Rodney Gregory said plans are outfit the truck with emergency medical equipment to help first responders provide basic treatment to those who are injured until paramedics arrive.

Arrest Made After Stolen Car Found in Chickasha

A car stolen out of the Stillwater area is found in Chickasha and a suspect has been arrested and charged for being in possession of the vehicle. A probable cause affidavit indicates Stillwater authorities reached out to Chickasha police last Friday saying the car could be found in a residential area. Officers believed they located it at a home in the 1400 block of South 7th Street.  Investigators say they had probable cause to get a search warrant and found the 2008 Mazda Miata in the backyard. Authorities also searched the home and say they found drugs and weapons inside. Police arrested 62-year old David Joseph Voorhies. After spending the weekend in jail Voorhies was charged with felonies which include possession of a stolen vehicle, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, and having a firearm after former felony conviction. Voorhies is out of jail after posting a bond which was only set at $12,500. A preliminary hearing conference is scheduled April 12th.

'Domestic Abuse Survivorship Act' Passes State House

A house bill aimed at limiting the punishment for Oklahomans charged with killing their violent and abusive partners is being considered at the state capital. It's HB 1639 which is called the Domestic Abuse Survivorship Act. It's authored by State Rep. Toni Hasenbeck (R-Elgin). It states that if a defendant is a survivor of domestic abuse - it would limit the punishment that could be issued. It would require that courts consider whether a defendant has been physically, sexually, economically, or psychologically abused. The measure passed the house unanimously and can now be discussed in the senate.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.90 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.69.

Natural gas is $2.17 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,997 and silver is $23.02.

Obituaries

Louis ‘Bud’ McClaflin, Jr.

A graveside service for ‘Bud’ McClaflin, Jr. of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 24th at the Verden Cemetery. He was a truck driver and worked in the oilfield. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Billy ‘Mickey’ Stephenson

A memorial service for 'Mickey' Stephenson of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 25th at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Wednesday, March 22nd

Rural Water District Receives Funds for Upgrades

A large grant and some American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will pay for some needed improvements to a rural water district in Grady County. Nearly $1.1 million will be used to upgrade the Rural Water District 7 system in the Ninnekah area. The district received a $1 million grant from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) for materials and nearly $70,000 in ARPA funds to pay for the construction work. The improvements will include the installation of a new water storage standpipe and the relocation and renovation of an existing standpipe. Officials credit the work of State Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) and State Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) in acquiring the funds. Officials with the OERB estimate that District 7 customers will save more than $1.5 million on the cost of the project compared to traditional financing methods.

Controversial Cockfighting Bill Advances at State Capital

A controversial bill at the state capital about cockfighting has been approved in the state house of representatives and now goes to the senate for consideration. HB 2530 would allow county residents to petition for elections to reduce cockfighting violations from felonies to misdemeanors. The bill’s author,  Rep. Justin Humphrey (R-Lane) said the bill would ensure that people who breed the birds won't be unduly punished and that no person has ever died from cockfighting. Officials with the Oklahoma Gamefowl Commission said cockfighting would still be illegal under the proposal. They say current state law doesn't make it clear about whether a chicken is being raised to fight or as breeding stock. There are producers who say they don't raise roosters for fighting. Animal rights activists are opposed to the bill. Officials with a group called Animal Wellness Action called Oklahoma the cockfighting capital of the United States. Tuttle State Senator Lonnie Paxton is carrying similar legislation with SB 1006. He said he'll work to modify the legislation saying it needs more work before it even comes close to becoming law. Paxton said there has been some pushback as larger counties want to keep cockfighting out of big cities due to tourism and convention issues.

Chickasha Woman Arrested for Alleged Drug Trafficking

There has been another drug bust for the Grady County sheriff's office. Authorities arrested 28-year old Jessica Nicole Wright at a Chickasha motel last Friday. A probable cause affidavit indicates that authorities received a tip that Wright was at the Castle Inn. As part of his on-going investigation of illicit drug sales in the region, sheriff's office DEA agent Lt. Jim Peek alleged that Wright is a primary source of Fentanyl-laced counterfeit drugs. He said the tipster indicated that Wright had just gotten a new supply. Authorities allegedly found more than 80 pills which field-tested positive for having Fentanyl. Wright was taken into custody and has been charged with aggravated trafficking and possession of CDS. She remains in the Grady County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

Chix City Council OKs Veterinary Contract

The Chickasha City Council this week approved a proposal for the city's animal shelter to contract with the Verden Veterinary Clinic for treatment of the animals housed at the shelter. The contract is for $1,100 per month. The council also approved the purchase of a management program for the shelter at cost of $250. The council also approved the renewal of a maintenance contract for the fire department with Zoll Cardiac Monitors at a cost of just over $11,000.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.33 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $75.32.

Natural gas is $2.35 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,964 and silver is $22.59.

Obituary

Steve Largent

Funeral service for Steve Largent, 59, of Chickasha will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 24th at the First Assembly of God Church. He worked in the oilfield and was a mechanic. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, March 21st

Grand Avenue Project Expected to Include Retail Outlets

The Chickasha City Council approved the final plat for work currently being done south of Grand Avenue. Following a brief public hearing during last night’s council meeting the group unanimously approved the plat for the second section of a Planned Urban Development (PUD) known as the Woodlands. Crews have been building roads and installing water and sewer lines over the last few weeks. Developer Eric Fleske told the council that he's anticipating some new retail outlets to locate there.

The council also heard a presentation from Pat Brooks with the Chickasha Community Foundation regarding Phase Two of the proposed downtown park near the Rock Island Railroad Depot. Preliminary plans included a pavilion for entertainment but Brooks said that may not be needed as developer Chet Hitt has plans to build an entertainment venue north of the depot. Brooks said there has been discussion of an option to replace the pavilion-

Brooks said the committee discussing Phase Two will be meeting soon and they could have a proposal for the city council to consider within the next 60 days. He said fundraising could start this summer but that any construction may not begin until next year.

Grant Helps USAO's Communications Department

A grant awarded to USAO will help improve the university's communications program. A $50,000 grant from the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education is being used to purchase equipment to emphasize video production. David Duncan is USAO's digital media technology instructor. He says they have purchased cameras, microphones, and drones - and students are already being trained on some of the new equipment. There has been a lot of recent interest in video production as two courses were taught last fall and enrollment in those courses almost doubled this spring. A course on podcasting is being developed and there are plans for an original student-produced podcast to be developed in the next few weeks. A course in drones and aerial photography will be offered this fall. Duncan said the equipment is expected to give students hands-on experience in everything from making image spots to producing news and sports interviews.

4Her Says Game of Chess Benefits All Age Groups

A Grady County 4Her has discovered the benefits of playing chess. Molly Williamson with the Rock Island 4H Club says that playing the game can improve a person's creative thinking, innovative skills, and even their mental health. She also says it can be beneficial for senior citizens-

She also points to a study that indicates that children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) can reduce their symptoms by playing chess.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $67.64 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $73.79.

Natural gas is $2.22 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,989 and silver is $22.63.

Obituary

Donald ‘Scotty’ Evans

A memorial service for Scotty Evans, 56, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, March 24th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He worked at Delta Faucet and in the oil field.

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Monday, March 20th

Public Hearing Set to Consider Next Phase of New Chix Development

It's a development that has been in the works for more than 15 years. The Woodlands Project is under construction on the south side of Grand Avenue between 4th and 6th Streets. A public hearing to consider the final plat of section two of the planned urban development will be held during a special meeting of the Chickasha City Council tonight. It was first discussed in 2007 and was last updated in 2019.  Also during tonight's meeting, the council will consider declaring some of the police department's weapons and ammunition as surplus and exchange it for about 12,000 rounds of ammunition from R and M Arms of Minco. The group will also hear a presentation from Pat Brooks with the Chickasha Community Foundation and consider awarding veterinary services to the Verden Veterinary Clinic. The council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

Chickasha Citizens Police Academy Begins This Week

The Chickasha Police Department has one or two slots left in a Citizens Police Academy that will begin this week. The program begins Thursday and is an eight-week course that will run through May 11th from 6-9 p.m. each week. There will be a number of hands-on programs including a simulated 'shoot-or-don't-shoot’ exercise, participants will learn about gun safety, and shoot a weapon at the department's firing range. The series will include guest speakers including district attorney Jason Hicks, Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess, and tribal authorities. The academy is free and applicants will undergo a background check. Applications are available on-line in the lobby of the police department at 2001 West Iowa or on-line at www.chickasha.org/CPA

New Program Assists Transitioning Military Veterans

Last week, we reported on a new program for military veterans available through the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs called OK STEP (Oklahoma Specific Training Education Program). The goal is to help veterans transitioning out of active duty and into public life. Program Director Randall Coon tells us-

The service is available to help veterans looking for employment, wanting to train for a new career, or go to college. The program was developed as part of the Oklahoma Veterans Life and Wellness suicide prevention programming and designed to help meet the needs of veterans during gap periods. The service is available throughout a veteran’s lifetime. For information e-mail Coon at okstep@odva.ok.org

Prescribed Burn Group to Hold Annual Meeting

The Grady and Caddo County Prescribed Burn Association will hold its annual meeting tomorrow night. The group is part of the Oklahoma Prescribed Burn Association. The meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 21st at the Caddo County Extension Office in Anadarko. The burn trailer with all of its equipment will be there. Don West is the president of the group. For information, contact the OSU extension offices in Chickasha or Anadarko or visit the website: www.ok-pba.org

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $66.74 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $72.97.

Natural gas is $2.34 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,003 and silver is $22.66.

Obituary

Walter Knight, Jr.

Funeral service for Walter Knight, Jr., 62, of Lawton will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 22nd at New Hope Church of God in Lawton. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Saturday, March 18th

Drug Trafficking Suspect Pleads Guilty

A woman arrested after authorities found more than 3,000 pills laced with Fentanyl in her Verden home will spend more than two decades behind bars. Amanda Songer recently pleaded guilty to several charges in Grady County District Court. Verden Police Chief Jason Cox estimated the street value of the drugs was up to $40,000. At the time of her arrest last July, Songer told investigators that she had been selling the pills for two years. Songer pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated trafficking; having a weapon during commission of a felony; using a security camera or system; and child neglect. She was sentenced to 35-years in prison with 10 years suspended. Prior to her arrest Songer was on probation after pleading guilty to a felony charge of larceny of a vehicle stemming from an arrest in 2020.

Pros, Cons of Proposed 'Ratepayer Protection Act' Debated

There is debate whether a bill being considered at the state capital will or won't increase utility prices in the state. It's SB 1103 which is called the Ratepayer Protection Act. Supporters include former Corporation Commissioner Jeff Cloud who says it would stop the price shocks like the one that occurred in February of 2021. It would require electric utilities to store adequate supplies of natural gas. In an editorial written for The Oklahoman Cloud said if electricity utilities exceed an earnings threshold set by the Corporation Commission, they would have to return 100 percent of the excess earnings to customers - with 75 percent being directly refunded to customers and 25 percent invested to improve grid reliability. However, current Corporation Commissioner Todd Hiett submitted an op-ed piece to The Oklahoman opposing the bill. The former speaker of the house says the measure is opposed by consumer and business advocates - saying it would result in higher costs for electricity users and limit the corporation commission's role in determining those costs.

Study Compares Costs of Gas- and Electric-Powered Vehicles

A new study indicates that it was cheaper to drive a gas-powered vehicle than an electric vehicle in the final three months of 2022. The study by the Anderson Economic Group found that drivers of a typical mid-priced gas-powered car paid about $11.29 to fuel their vehicles for every 100 miles of driving. That's 31 cents cheaper than those who drove mid-priced electric vehicles (who mostly charged their vehicles at home). The cost was $3 less than those who charged their electric vehicles commercially. The report indicated that electric vehicles looked like a bargain during much of 2021 and 2022 but that rising electricity prices combined with lower gas prices late last year made it more affordable to drive a gas-powered vehicle.

Chix Chamber Announces Restaurant Bingo Winners

Three winners were selected at the end of the Clover Days Restaurant Bingo promotion held by the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce this month. Winners are Margaret Davis, Dan Turner, and Whitney Smith.

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. On our KOOL Konversation we have the press conference held this week by District Attorney Jason Hicks regarding the murder case of Lawrence Paul Anderson. Anderson pleaded guilty to three counts of murder and other brutal crimes and will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole. On Real Estate Today is Randall Coon who is the program administrator for the new OK STEP program with the Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

Obituary

Walter Knight, Jr.

Funeral service for Walter Knight, Jr., of Lawton will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 22nd at New Hope Church of God in Lawton. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Friday, March 17^th

Ninnekah Police Arrest Drug Trafficking Suspect

A traffic stop by Ninnekah police leads to the arrest of yet another suspect accused of drug trafficking. 40-year old Ace Ladon Shells, Jr. of Chickasha was arrested this past Monday night. A probable cause affidavit indicates that a Ninnekah police officer pulled over an SUV near U.S. Highway 81 and State Highway 19 for erratic driving and a broken tail light. The officer detected an odor of marijuana inside the vehicle and called the sheriff's office for assistance. Among those responding was Lt. Jim Peek who is also an agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration. Authorities found several baggies which allegedly contained about 20 grams of drugs which field-tested positive for Fentanyl and other drugs and drug items including PCP. The affidavit also indicates that Shells tried to swallow some of the drugs but spit it out. While being booked into jail officers found marijuana in one of his pockets. Prosecutors have charged Shells with felony counts of trafficking, unlawful distribution, and taking drugs into to jail.  Shells remains in the Grady County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

Coach Sought for Alleged Abuse of Female Students

A felony arrest warrant has been issued for a coach at a Caddo County school for allegedly abusing female students. The warrant for felony child abuse was issued last Friday for 33-year old Jacob Peck who is the high school wrestling coach at Hinton. On-line court records indicate that Peck lists a Mangum address.

Pre-War Swap Meet Underway

The history of the early years of transportation can be seen in Chickasha this weekend. It's the Pre-War Swap Meet which celebrates the first 50 years of the automobile. This is the 33rd year for Mike and Susie Ersland to hold the event. Vendors and buyers from across the country make the trek to the swap meet every year which only features modes of transportation prior to World War II. There is also a lot of transportation-related collectibles for sale or trade. The swap meet is being held at the Grady County Fairgrounds today and tomorrow and admission and parking are free.

'Streetery Party' Closes Out Chamber's Clover Days

Today is St. Patrick’s Day - a day when everyone can be Irish. It also marks the final day of the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce’s Clover Days promotion and the Leprechaun Luck Restaurant Bingo game. The Chamber will close out the promotion with its inaugural St. Patrick's Day Streetery Party. The event will be held downtown at 1st and Chickasha Avenue near Brandy's Bar and Grill; Flowershop Winery and Pizzeria; and Canadian River Brewery. It's open to the public and all the establishments will have food and beverages for sale.  There will be live music, a costume contest, and a drawing for $250 in gift cards which is the grand prize for Leprechaun Luck Restaurant Bingo game. It starts at 5:00 p.m. with registration for the costume contest starting 6:00 p.m. The costume contest and drawing for the gift cards will be at 7:00 p.m.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $68.35 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $74.70.

Natural gas is $2.51 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,952 and silver is $21.96.

Obituary

Jerry Coshow

A memorial service for Jerry Coshow, 61, of Joshua, Texas and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, March 23^rd at the First Baptist Church of Blanchard. Coshow was an assistant football coach for Chickasha High School with head coach Tim Reynolds when the team played in back-to-back state championship games in the late 1990s. He had worked as an administrator for Joshua Public Schools near Ft. Worth for the last several years.

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Thursday, March 16th

Triple Murder Defendant Pleads Guilty

Lawrence Paul Anderson, accused of the brutal murders of three people - including a four-year old girl - will spend the rest of his life behind bars. Anderson pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, one count of maiming, and one count of assault and battery with a deadly weapon in Grady County District Court yesterday. Anderson was arrested following the attacks that occurred in Chickasha in February of 2021. District Attorney Jason Hicks said he dropped his request for the death penalty at the request of the victims' families despite the gruesome details.

Anderson was sentenced to life without parole for the murders of his uncle Leon Pye; Pye's four-year old granddaughter Kaoes Yates and their neighbor, Andrea Blankenship. He was sentenced to life for maiming for the knife attack on his aunt, Delsi Pye and life for assault and battery with a deadly weapon and will serve the sentence consecutively meaning he will never be able to apply for parole. Relatives of the victims were allowed to give victim impact statements during yesterday's court hearing where Anderson was called a monster and one screamed and cursed at Anderson saying she hoped he would rot from the inside out. Anderson showed little emotion during the statements. The plea agreement also states that Anderson cannot write a book, appear on TV or a podcast or otherwise profit from discussing the murders. In addition to life in prison Anderson was ordered to pay $9,500 in fines and $40,000 to the victim's compensation fund.

Grass Fires Erupt with help from Wednesday Winds

Grady County fire fighters were called out to battle some grass fires that popped up in Minco and Union City in yesterday's high winds. In addition to fire firefighters being dispatched, employees from the District One Grady County Barn used heavy equipment to cut fire breaks on the blaze west of Minco. No structure damage was reported with the fires.

Energy Prices Tumble

Yesterday was a rough day for energy prices as we hear from Matt Skinner with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission-

London-based Brent crude dipped below $75 to $73.69.

Natural gas is $2.44 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,925 and silver is $22.02.

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Wednesday, March 15th

Triple Homicide Suspect Due in Court

Lawrence Paul Anderson, the triple homicide suspect accused of killing his uncle, his uncle’s granddaughter, and their neighbor has a hearing scheduled in a Chickasha courtroom this morning. Anderson is accused of killing a woman who lived across the street from his aunt and uncle, cooking her heart, and trying to make his relatives eat it. Anderson has been behind bars for more than two years after the homicides occurred in February of 2021. A judge is expected to schedule a trial date in today's hearing. The case got a lot of media attention as Anderson was a convicted cocaine dealer, but was released just a few weeks before the homicides occurred after Gov. Kevin Stitt commuted his sentence at the recommendation of the state pardon and parole board.

Grady County Consumer Spending Lagging

Consumer spending in Grady County last December was down for the third straight month and was at its lowest level in more than a year. It's estimated that $79.6 million was spent on taxable goods and services that month. That’s off 1.9 percent from the previous month and down about 11.5 percent compared to December of 2021. We estimate consumer spending when we see the amount of sales tax revenue the county received from the state tax commission. In February, the county received about $600,000 based on the consumer spending that took place in December. The funds go to several voter-approved projects. The Grady County Fairgrounds received nearly $200,000; Grady Memorial Hospital received $176,000; the county's seven senior nutrition centers shared $100,000 (each center received $14,000); the county's 20 fire districts shared $100,000 (each received about $5,000); Tuttle EMS received $18,000; and Rush Springs EMS collected $4,500.

Jail Trustees to Assist in Chickasha Beautification Effort

A joint effort between the Chickasha Police Department, Grady County Sheriff's Office, and the Grady County Jail is expected to help with beautification efforts in Chickasha. Grady County Jail trustees will be picking up trash along city streets a couple of days a week. Interim Chickasha Police Chief G.G. Music approached Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess about the idea and officials at the Grady County Jail have agreed to allow three or four trustees per day to do the work. The trustees are to be non-violent offenders who will be supervised by a deputy sheriff. The project could start as early as next week. Brandt's Ace Hardware and Ross True Value have offered to provide materials and supplies as needed. Sheriff Boggess says he hopes to expand the project to other towns throughout the county.

Seniors Could Benefit from House Bill Under Consideration

A plan to help Oklahoma's senior citizens save money on their property taxes is being circulated around the state capital. HB 1926 would increase the income qualifier for an additional homestead exemption. The measure would increase the amount from the current $25,000 to $30,000. Officials say some seniors are losing out because of increases in their Social Security benefits. Supporters say the bill would keep pace with cost-of-living adjustments and ensure that seniors can still claim the exemption. The bill passed the house unanimously and will now be considered in the senate.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.33 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $77.45.

Natural gas is $2.57 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,906 and silver is $21.94.

Obituaries

Dysart Dobbins

A memorial service for Dysart Dobbins, 60, of Chickasha will be held at a later date. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

LD Turner

No service is scheduled for LD Turner, 91, of Chickasha. He was a carpenter and started his own construction business. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, March 14th

Fourth Drug Trafficking Suspect Appears in Court

A fourth suspect arrested in connection with an alleged drug trafficking operation in Chickasha has had his initial appearance on the charges filed against him. 53-year old Gregory Otis Johns was taken into custody Friday night and was in Grady County District Court for his arraignment yesterday. Johns was wanted for his alleged involvement of selling Fentanyl-laced pain killers following an investigation by the Grady County Sheriff's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and U.S. Marshals. Johns is charged with aggravated trafficking, drug possession, conspiracy to distribute drugs, and having a weapon while committing a felony. A judge initially set his bond at $100,000 but it was reduced to $50,000 and Johns remains in the Grady County Jail.

Three other suspects held on similar charges

Three other people are also in custody on drug and weapons charges as part of the investigation after authorities converged on a home in the 1200 block of South 9th Street in Chickasha last week. They are Kaley Johns, Braden Harris, and Garret Woodle. Kaley Johns and Brandon Harris are being held on county charges and Woodle is charged with federal crimes.

Driver Hospitalized After Turnpike Crash

A driver is hospitalized after his SUV crashed on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike last night. It happened just after 10:00 p.m. near Mile Marker 61 just east of Fletcher. Injured in the accident was 61-year old Michael Jost of Edmond who was taken to a Lawton hospital and was last in fair condition. The highway patrol reports that Jost veered of the highway came back on the road and hit the concrete median where the  vehicle came to rest.

Mental Health Bills OK'd by State House

Two mental health bills have been approved in the state house of representatives and may now be considered in the senate. HB 2157 and HB 2154 were both authored by State Rep. Cynthia Roe (R-Lindsay). HB 2157 calls for crisis intervention training for at least 20 percent of active duty law enforcement officers. It also would require that an officer must document reasons for NOT getting a mental health evaluation done on individuals who appear to be or state that they are mentally ill, or alcohol- or drug-dependent. HB 2154 expands language which was passed three years ago to protect health care workers at health care facilities. The change would prohibit assault on independent contractors working in or for a health care facility in addition to health care employees. The bill would also require medical facilities to report assault data to the state health department.

Bill Seeks to Ease Restrictions on CDL Testing

A plan to make it easier for Oklahomans to get their Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs) is working its way through the legislative process. HB 2750 is expected to help expedite the process of obtaining CDLs and may also help school districts recruit bus drivers. The measure would allow third-party individuals and groups to conduct the CDL written exams at locations throughout the state. Currently the written exam can only be administered by a state employee. Officials say that using both public and private entities as testing facilities would put more commercial drivers on the road.

'Hoppy Days' Scheduled in Anadarko

Easter is just a few weeks away and the Anadarko Chamber of Commerce will be having an Easter egg hunt with other activities. It's called Hoppy Day 2023 and will include games, a bounce house, live entertainment, and vendors. Hoppy Day will take place Saturday, April 8^th at Anadarko’s Randlett Park. It will begin at 11 o’clock with the games, vendors, and entertainment with the egg hunt starting at 1:00 p.m. There will be three age groups for the egg hunt. The chamber is seeking vendors and musical groups to participate. For information, contact Alicia White or see the Anadarko Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $74.80 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $80.77.

Natural gas is $2.61 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,906 and silver is $21.65.

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Monday, March 13th

Chix Airport Upgrades to be Discussed

The panel that oversees operations at the Chickasha Airport has a special meeting tonight to discuss some possible improvements. The city's Municipal Airport Authority which is a branch of the city council will consider going out for bids to rehabilitate the runway and a parallel taxi-way.  A pre-bid conference for the project is scheduled for next week. Preliminary bids will be received over the next month and the project could be awarded to the winning bidder within 90 days of the bid opening with a contract possibly awarded within 10 days after that. Tonight's meeting will get underway at 6:30 at city hall.

OSBI Seeks Info on 2020 Death of Woman

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is asking for information about the shooting death of a woman whose body was found in Union City three years ago. The agency posted on its authorized Facebook page that the body of 29-year old Jennifer Janelle Jesse was discovered by a passerby on Southwest 44^th Street near Gregory Road on March 11th, 2020. An autopsy conducted by the state medical examiner's office indicated she had been shot several times. Media reports say the agency released photos on March 30th of that year of a man who was believed to have information about Jesse's death. The photos were taken at an Oklahoma City Braum’s restaurant but the only description they could confirm was that he was wearing light blue shoes with pink shoelaces. Individuals who may have knowledge of what happened can send an anonymous e-mail to: tips@osbi.ok.gov or by calling 800-522-8017.

Long-time Resurrection House Director Dies

Kent Hibbard, who spent 30 years helping the homeless in Chickasha has died. Hibbard died five days before his 67th birthday last week. Hibbard was the director of the Resurrection House which started as a one-room dormitory and spent time ministering to those who came to the shelter where he made sure everyone had a purpose. He also pastored at Southern Hills Baptist Church. He is survived by his wife Julie and their three sons and their families. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 14th at Trinity Baptist Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Toxic Waste from Ohio Kept from Coming into Oklahoma

Oklahoma officials blocked a shipment of toxic waste from entering the state. Gov. Kevin Stitt worked with U.S. Senator James Lankford and Congressman Markwayne Mullin to prevent the waste from the East Palestine, Ohio train derailment from traveling to eastern Oklahoma. The governor stated in a post on his Facebook page that there were too many unanswered questions and that it was not in the best interest of Oklahomans. Media reports indicate that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) e-mailed the governor to let him know that the waste was going to be shipped to a facility in Waynoka which specializes in hazardous waste disposal. While it’s not uncommon for hazardous waste to come to the state KOCO-TV reported that the EPA request WAS unusual and state officials felt that was a red flag. The EPA indicated that the shipment was about 2,600 yards of toxic waste and the governor's team said that amount worried them.

Churches, Agencies to Feed Kids During Spring Break

Several churches and relief organizations are working to make sure area youth get some good food during spring break. In Chickasha, The Community Alliance is joining forces with a number of groups to provide free lunches for all youth 18-and under. That will take place at Breakout Ministries at 902 S. 9th Street from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today through Friday. Helping with the project are The Linked Church, Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, Grady County OHCE, and the community alliance.

Salvation Army has stops in Caddo County

The Salvation Army of Grady and Caddo counties will be in Cyril and Anadarko today and in Binger tomorrow with their food truck. They will provide a free hot meal for everyone and provide snack packs for kids. They'll be at the Cyril Housing Authority from 10 to 11 this morning and at the Anadarko Housing Authority from 12:30 to 1:30 this afternoon. They'll be at the Binger Baptist Church from 10 a.m. to noon tomorrow.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.68 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $82.78.

Natural gas is $2.43 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,891 and silver is $20.92.

Obituaries

Tracy Ann Heaton

A memorial service for Tracy Ann Heaton, 62, of Chickasha was held at 2:00 p.m. today (Monday, March 13^th) at Sevier Funeral Home.

Audra Hughes

A private graveside service for Audra Hughes, 81, of Chickasha was held Wednesday, March 8^th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.

Walter Knight, Jr.

Funeral service for Walter Knight, Jr., 64, of Lawton is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Saturday, March 11th

Fourth Drug Trafficking Suspect Arrested

Another drug trafficking suspect wanted in connection with a probe at a Chickasha home this week is behind bars. Grady County deputies arrested 53-year old Gregory Otis Johns of Chickasha last night. An arrest warrant was issued for Johns earlier in the day Friday for felony charges that include aggravated drug trafficking, possession of controlled dangerous drugs (CDS) with intent to distribute, conspiracy to distribute CDS, and having a firearm while committing a felony. Johns was the fourth suspect sought when the U.S. Marshal’s office and Grady County deputies executed a federal arrest warrant in the 1100 block of South 9th Street Wednesday. The federal warrant was for 33-year old Garret Woodle who is in the custody of U.S. Marshals and is being held in a federal facility. Also arrested Wednesday were 28-year old  Kaley Rashell Johns and 31-year old Braden Pierce Harris of Chickasha. All have been charged with alleged drug trafficking. Gregory Johns has been arrested twice before on drug charges. He pleaded guilty in connection with an arrest in 2017 and spent some time behind bars. He also pleaded no contest to another felony drug charge in 2018 and was ordered to attended drug court.

Sheriff's Office Warns of Phone Scam

The Grady County sheriff's office is warning residents of a telephone scam. Officials say some individuals have received phone calls from someone posing as a deputy and asking for money. A post on the sheriff's office Facebook page says anyone receiving the calls should not send money. Investigators are working to identify the culprits.

Town of Amber to Have Boots and Badges Appreciation Day

The community of Amber is holding its boots and badges community appreciation dinner today. It is a hamburger and hot dog cook out to benefit the police and fire departments and its by donation. There are activities for the kids including a bounce house and pony rides and they can get a look inside the fire trucks. There is also a cake auction and a silent auction. It will be held at the Amber-Pocasset high school cafeteria from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Time to 'Spring Forward' into Daylight Savings Time

Oklahoma and much of the country will be switching to Daylight Savings Time late tonight. The change takes place at 2 o'clock tomorrow morning so be sure to move your clocks and watches forward one hour and we'll lose an hour of sleep. Cell phones, most personal computers, and some devices will automatically make the change but if you still have analog alarm clocks or other items you'll have to manually make the change.

Talk Show Topics

Laurie Applekamp with the March of Dimes is this week’s guest on the KOOL Konversation talking about the group's effort to improve health care for babies and expectant mothers in Oklahoma. On Real Estate Today this week’s guest is Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson. There are podcasts for both programs under the Community Tab on this website.

Obituary

Tracy Healton

A memorial service for Tracy Healton, 62, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 13th at Sevier Funeral Home.

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Friday, March 10th

Three Arrested for Suspected Drug Trafficking

Three people are in custody for alleged drug trafficking after authorities find drugs and Fentanyl-laced pills at a Chickasha home. Grady County Deputy Jim Peek who works with the Drug Enforcement Administration assisted U.S. marshals who had a federal arrest warrant for an individual and went to a home in the 1100 block of South 9th Street Wednesday. The arrest warrant was for 33-year old Garret Woodle of Norman who officials allege is a large supplier of Fentanyl-laced counterfeit tablets in Grady County and surrounding areas. Authorities arrested Woodle as well as 28-year old Kaley Rashell Johns and 31-year old Braden Pierce Harris both of Chickasha. A probable cause affidavit indicates there was a fourth suspect who was taken to the hospital for treatment of unknown health issues. We're withholding the name of that individual as formal charges have not yet been filed.

Grady Memorial Installing New MRI

A new Magnetic Resonance Imaging machine (MRI) is being installed at Grady Memorial Hospital. Administrator Kean Spellman said it's a more than $2 million project.

Spellman said the old MRI is about 12 years old.

Arts Council Has Another 'Art Walk'

The Chickasha Area Arts Council will hold another art walk in downtown Chickasha tonight. The walks are held the second Friday of each month. Area artists will be displaying their works at more than 30 downtown locations along Chickasha and Kansas Avenues between 1^st Street and 8^th Street. Among some businesses and groups participating are the Grady County Historical Society, Alexander Eats, the Chickasha Community Theater, Jay's Jewelry and the Okie Mountain Trading Company, The Chickasha Area Arts Council headquarters, USAO's Art Wrecker Studio, the Petroleum Building, the Chickasha Art Center, Canadian River Brewery, and Shakespeare Wine Company. The art walk is from 5 to 8 o'clock tonight.

Salvation Army to Serve Some Caddo County Kids for Spring Break

The Salvation Army which serves Grady and Caddo counties will be taking its food truck to several Caddo County communities next week. The agency will be serving hot lunches and providing snack packs for kids during spring break. They call the food truck Hope on Wheels. On Monday, the food truck will be in Cyril at the Cyril Housing Authority from 10 a.m. to 11a.m. and also at the Anadarko Housing Authority from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. On Tuesday, they will be at the Binger Baptist Church from 10 a.m. to noon.

Fundraiser Saturday for Cyril Girl

There's a fund-raiser for the little girl whose three-year old sister died allegedly at the hands of her caretaker. The event for Adina Brownfield will be held tomorrow night. The body of her sister Athena was found buried in a rural area near Agawam earlier this year. The fundraiser is a barbecue dinner with either pulled pork or chicken that will take place at Lyndsay's Tavern which is just west of Cement on U.S. Highway 277. The fundraiser starts at 6 p.m. and you can get a to-go order by calling 405-999-2713. Live music will start at 8 o'clock with the band Trujillo.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.72 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $81.59.

Natural gas is $2.54 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,838 and silver is $20.11.

Obituaries

Joe Allen

Funeral service for Joe Allen, 83, of Denton, Texas will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 13^th at Erin Springs Baptist Church. He worked for many years with the National Geophysical Data Center, a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Marjorie ‘Joyce’ Hobgood

A memorial service for ‘Joyce’ Hobgood, 82, of Verden will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 14th at the Verden First Baptist Church. She worked for Safeway for over 30 years. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Thursday, March 9th

Numbers Look Good for New Construction in Chickasha

2023 is off to a good start for new construction in Chickasha. We have the building reports for the first couple of months from the city’s Community Development Department. January got the year started with a big number with more than $2.5 million in projects approved. Commercial permits approved include one for SGA Design Group for the new Casey's General Store under construction at U.S. Highway 81 and Almar Drive which is a $1.6 million project. Also, a commercial renovation permit was issued for the Production House downtown Chickasha at the old PSO building at 5th and Chickasha Avenue which is a $60,000 project. Another commercial remodeling permit was issued to Rooster Cogburn who is renovating Roy's Barbecue in the 300 block of Missouri. In residential construction for January, Raush Coleman Homes was awarded permits to build three new single family homes valued at about $160,000 each on Dillard Drive. A residential remodel permit was issued to Rodrigo Torres for a home at 720 W. Minnesota for $140.000 in upgrades.

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February's building report was not as impressive as January with just under $640,000 in new construction approved. In the commercial sector, CDBL was issued a permit for new construction at 413 West Country Club valued at $100,000; and Bassam Zoabi was awarded a permit for new construction at 16th and Grand valued at $80,000. Royal Lantz was awarded a permit for a commercial remodeling project in the 1200 block of East Choctaw valued at $20,000. In residential construction, a permit to build one new home was issued to Cordeiro Home Services in the 300 block of Pondridge valued at just under $190,000. New construction was approved in the 400 and 500 blocks of West Alabama for Lighthouse Residential Homes for total project costs of $55,000. Residential remodeling permits were issued to Bare Bones Construction in the 2300 block of S. 18th for $75,000; Magnolia Nookes in the 900 block of West Kansas for $70,000; Brandon Bickerstaff in the 1200 block of West Dakota for $30,000; Tom Shearer in the 1000 block of Iowa for $15,000; Erica Patrick in the 1900 block of S. 5th for $3,000; and to Lovejoy Construction at 3 Woods Pond Road.

Suspect With Old Warrants Faces A New Drug Charge

A Chickasha man wanted for misdemeanor crimes as far back as seven years ago is now facing a felony drug charge. A state trooper pulled over 42-year old Ronald Gene Ward last weekend for an illegal lane change. The trooper was told that Ward's driver's license had been revoked and that he had outstanding arrest warrants. One was in connection with a misdemeanor drug arrest from 2019 and one was for attempting to obtain property by false pretenses in 2017. In his probable cause affidavit the trooper said he found suspected drugs in the vehicle which field-tested positive for methamphetamine. Ward was taken to jail and prosecutors have charged him with a felony for possession of CDS with intent to distribute. He is out of jail after posting a $15,000 bond.

Chix Rodeo Foundation Seeks Queen, Princess Candidates

Officials with the Chickasha Rodeo Foundation have begun taken applications from young ladies who would like to be candidates for the queen and princess contests this spring. The 84th annual Chickasha rodeo will be held in June. Candidates will sell advance tickets to the rodeo and help promote the event. Queen candidates should be 12 to 18 years old and princess candidates should be 11 and under. The queen winner will receive a 16-foot bumper-pull trailer being manufactured by Jackson Trailers that has an estimated value of $10,000. The princess will receive a new saddle. The registration deadline for candidates is April 15th. Contact Silke Barthelme for information by calling 405-574-4909.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.66 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $82.66.

Natural gas is $2.55 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,823 and silver is $20.18.

Obituaries

Alan Anderson

Funeral service for Alan Anderson, 18, of Lawton will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 11^th at St. James Baptist Church in Lawton. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

James Green

Funeral service for 59-year old James Green of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 14th at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Wednesday, March 8^th

State Voters Reject Plan to Legalize Recreational Marijuana

State Question 820, a proposal seeking to legalize recreational marijuana in Oklahoma, failed in yesterday's special election. The measure failed in all 77 counties with just over 61 percent of voters casting ballots against the measure. In Grady County the count was 6,730 to 2,529; in Caddo County, 2,646 to 1,020; In McClain County, 5,101 to 1,984; in Garvin County, 3,051 to 1,154; in Stephens County,  5,121 to 1,559; and in Comanche County, 6,480 to 4,030.

Crash Leads to Arrest of Drug Trafficking Suspect

A traffic accident leads to the arrest of suspect for allegedly trafficking drugs. The accident happened three miles west of Dibble in rural Grady County early Saturday where a car had crashed into a culvert. A probable cause affidavit said a passenger was trying to hide in a nearby field but investigators found him with a bag which allegedly contained about 30 grams of methamphetamine. 50-year old Todd Alan Furra of Oklahoma City was taken to a hospital to be treated for minor injuries and then cleared to be taken to the Grady County Jail. Prosecutors have charged Furra with felony drug trafficking and he remains in jail on a $40,000 bond.

One Arrested After Pursuit Tops 125 MPH

A high-speed pursuit at speeds that topped 125 miles per hour and went for 30 miles through two counties lands a man behind bars. It started about 1:00 a.m. Monday when a Rush Springs police officer attempted to pull over a speeding motorist. The driver sped south on U.S. Highway 81 to Marlow where Marlow police joined the chase - then to Duncan where Stephens County deputies and Duncan police also joined the pursuit. The motorist ran numerous red lights through Duncan then abruptly stopped just south of that city. Authorities arrested 35-year old Christopher Cornelius McKnight of Shawnee who had a Tennessee driver’s license which had been revoked. McKnight has been formally charged with felony eluding and misdemeanors of reckless driving and possession of marijuana. He remains in the Grady County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

Group Looks to Improve Health Care for State Moms, Babies

Officials with the March of Dimes say Oklahoma received an F on a recent report card regarding pre-mature births. The agency reported that one out of every nine babies born in the state last year were pre-term. Laurie Applekamp with the March of Dimes says that has parents facing difficult situations.

Volunteers with the March of Dimes will be at the state capital tomorrow as part of its national March for Change to encourage lawmakers to pass legislation to help improve health care for Oklahoma's moms and babies. Officials say while the birth rate has been decreasing the maternal mortality rate has been increasing over the last 10 years. Oklahoma's mortality rate of 25 per 100,000 is higher than the national average of 17.3.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.58 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.29.

Natural gas is $2.69 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,820 and silver is $20.21.

Obituaries

LeRoy Carr

A graveside service for LeRoy Carr, 88, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 9th at Pleasant View Cemetery in Pine Ridge, Oklahoma south of Ft. Cobb. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home. He was an ordained Pentecostal minister.

Amy Mason

Funeral service for Amy Mason, 45, of Newcastle will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, March 10th at the First Baptist Church of Newcastle. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, March 7th

Chix City Council OKs Code Enforcement Changes

The Chickasha City Council has approved some revisions to the city's code enforcement regulations designed to give officials more authority to help clean up dilapidated properties. The approval came after a series of public hearings.

Abandoned, Wrecked, and Non-Operating Vehicles

In a 5-4 vote, Mayor Chris Mosley broke a 4-4 tie to allow code enforcement to have abandoned vehicles towed from private property. Also voting for the proposal were Zack Grayson, Nate McAlla, Kia Ginn, and Georgianne Hebblethwaite. Voting against were Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander, Brian Gerdes, Kelly Boyd, and Oscar Nelson.

Unlawful Storage of Abandoned Items

The panel voted 6-3 to approve an ordinance to make it illegal to store abandoned items outdoors in public view - regardless of whether they would be covered with a tarp or under a canopy.  During the public hearing on this issue there was a concern among some councilors that the ordinance seems like city ‘over reach’ – that the city would be going too far in determining if a property was violating codes. Voting yes were Mosley, Nelson, Ginn, Hebblethwaite, Grayson, and McAlla. Voting no were Boyd, Ashanti-Alexander, and Gerdes. Community Development Director Rachel Bernish said the regulations give the city the authority to enforce ordinances that are already on the books. Bernish said the changes are to target absentee property owners she described as ‘slum lords’ who live out of the area or even out-of-state who are unwilling to clean up their properties. She said if local property owners are in a bad situation and need help removing items that the city can help find groups that would provide assistance.

International Property Maintenance Code

The council voted unanimously to have the Community Development Director serve as a hearing officer in demolition cases instead of relying on a panel to make the decision.

Council OKs Sewer Line Relocation Project

Despite Cost Nearly Doubling in Five Years

The council also approved entering into to contract with an Oklahoma City firm to relocate a sewer line near U.S. Highway 62 and U.S. Highway 81. The project was awarded to Matthews Trenching which submitted the low bid of just over $616,000. That price tag is nearly double the original estimate of $319,000 received in 2018 to move the line. Officials said the project sat dormant for several years and that the COVID-19 outbreak, inflation, and rising costs of labor and materials were to blame for the increase.

Warrant Sweep Nets More than A Dozen Arrests

More than a dozen arrests were made by Grady County sheriff's deputies over the weekend after authorities performed a county-wide warrant sweep. Sheriff Gary Boggess said there was a combination of outstanding felony and misdemeanor warrants from Grady and other counties and municipalities. Among the 14 arrests are:

-32-year old Johnell Pimpton, III of Chickasha was wanted for alleged assault and battery by strangulation after two previous felony convictions. A felony arrest warrant was issued for him last November;

-57-year old Richard Shaun Johnson of Alex was wanted for failure to appear after pleading guilty to a felony charge of unauthorized use of a vehicle stemming from a 2019 arrest;

-46-year old Timothy Shawn Yarberry of Minco was wanted in Stephens County on a felony arrest warrant issued just last week for larceny of lost property and some pending Grady County charges, and;

-37-year old Tasha Nicole Provence-Davis of Chickasha was wanted for failure to appear for a misdemeanor embezzlement charge stemming from an arrest last November.

Oklahomans Deciding Recreational Marijuana Proposal

Oklahomans are going to the polls today to decide if recreational marijuana use should be legalized in the state. It's the only issue on the ballot. Polls are open until 7 o'clock tonight.

Chickasha Dog Park Closed for Maintenance

The City of Chickasha's dog park will be closed for the next three days as officials spray for weeds and stickers. The Susan Dale Badgett Dog Park next to Centennial Park will re-open on Friday, March. 10th.

4Her Combines Horsemanship, Archery Skills

A Grady County 4Her is combining two projects into an interesting hobby. Curtis McDermott has discovered an event call Match Archery. He describes two different types of the competition which are sports track and field archery.

Match archery is a fairly new competition in the United States which was introduced in this country in 2001.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.46 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.18.

Natural gas is $2.57 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,847 and silver is $21.05.

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Monday, March 6th

Additional Sewer Line Replacement  Work

for U.S. Hwy 81 Bypass Project up for Review

Another sewer line replacement project connected to ODOT's Highway 81 bypass construction will be up for discussion by the Chickasha City Council tonight. The panel will consider awarding a bid of $616,000 to Matthews Trenching of Oklahoma City. The engineering firm Chisholm Trail Consulting is recommending the bid which officials say was the lowest and best of four bids submitted. This project is for more than 1,100 linear feet of 14-inch in diameter sewer line on the north side of U.S. Highway 62 at U.S. Highway 81. The engineer said it would be necessary to bore and encase about 400 linear feet under Highway 81. The engineer said the city will be responsible for the entire cost of this project. Last month, the city approved a previous sewer line project also associated with the bypass for about $300,000 with ODOT paying about 60 percent of that work.

Public Hearings Set to update Code Enforcement Policies

The council will hold several public hearings to discuss updates to code enforcement policies. One is to make it unlawful to store abandoned items outside in public view regardless of whether the items are covered or sheltered. Another is to give code enforcement officials the authority to tow abandoned wrecked and non-operating vehicles from private property. Another is to adopt amendments to the International Property Maintenance Code and provide that the city's community development department director be the hearing officer in demolition cases. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

Chix Board of Education Also Meets Tonight

The Chickasha school board meets a week earlier than usual tonight since the usual date for the monthly meeting falls during spring break. The group will consider renewing its agreement with Vype Magazine and will consider some overnight travel for administrators to attend a Women in School Leadership conference in Tulsa. The panel will also discuss accepting a $10,000 contribution from Focus Federal Credit Union from the financial institution’s Support Our Schools program. The group will also recognize Deborah Clark with the Quality Academy and Rose Halcomb in the central kitchen as the Chicken Express Employees of the Month. The high school wrestling team will be recognized for its season as it qualified for dual state and finished 4th at the state high school wrestling tournament; Jarret Patty's state wrestling title and unbeaten season; and coach Chad Randle for being named 4A coach of the year. The high school pom team will be recognized for its hip-hop state championship and Ma'lek Murphy will be recognized for being named an all-state football player by the Oklahoma Coaches Association. The school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the school administration building.

OHCE to Hold Discussion on Dangers of Fentanyl

It seems like there is something in the news nearly every day about the dangers of Fentanyl - a drug that the National Institute on Drug Abuse says is a powerful synthetic pain-killing drug similar to morphine but 50 to 100 times more potent. Even a small amount of Fentanyl can be fatal. The Grady County OHCE Family Issues Committee will hold a program about the dangers of the drug tonight. Grady County Deputy Jim Peek, who is also an agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, will share information about the drug. The program will run from about 6 to 7 o'clock tonight and will be held at the Grady County Fairgrounds Community Building.  The program is free and open to the public.

Friend Fire Department Hosts Fundraiser

The Friend Fire Department will hold its annual community appreciation barbecue dinner and cake auction this afternoon and tonight. The annual fund raiser will be held at the Friend School cafeteria from 3:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Donations will be accepted. The cake auction gets underway at 6 o'clock.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.68 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.83.

Natural gas is $3.00 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,856 and silver is $21.24.

Obituary

Fern Allen

Funeral service for Fern Allen, 98, of Chickasha will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 11^th at College Heights Baptist Church. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Saturday, March 4th

State Rep. Boles Looks to the Future

Regarding Old Wind Turbine Blades

Oklahoma is the second-highest wind power state in the country and there is a concern about what to do with old wind turbine blades once they get to the end of their life-cycle. The blades, which are more than 100 feet long and weigh about five tons, last about 20 years. The website OK Energy Today cites a Wyoming newspaper that indicates there is no cost-effective way to recycle them. Most will end up being crushed and buried in landfills. The Cowboy State Daily reported that a study published in the Waste Management scientific journal estimated that 43 million tons of blade waste will be produced annually by the year 2050. Oklahoma currently doesn't have wind turbine landfills but State Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) is looking ahead to try and make plans to control them should that take place. Boles has filed HB 2359 which would require renewable energy recycling facilities to submit a financial security report with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. OK Energy Today recently reported that the bill specifies that firms dealing in the recycling of wind turbine blades would be required to meet the new act if it is signed into law. Last month, North Dakota's governor signed a bill into law to require landfills to get state approval before receiving old wind turbine blades.

USAO Student Group Proclaims 'John Feaver Day'

The Student Government Association at USAO has issued a proclamation recognizing long-time president John Feaver. The group approved a resolution to celebrate John Feaver Day. Halli Humphrey is the vice president of the association.

The resolution proclaims that Sunday, March 5th will be John Feaver Day on campus which just happens to be Feaver's birthday.

Arts Council Hosts Showcase for Chix High School Students

The Chickasha Area Arts Council is teaming up with art students from Chickasha High School for a unique program. A visual arts showcase of the students' work will be held at the arts council's Fine Arts Gallery. Art teachers Adam Heilman and Allison Cofer invite the public see the works of the young artists and show support and encouragement. The event is free and will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. tonight at the arts council gallery at 521 Chickasha Avenue.

Obituary

Margie Akins

Funeral service for Margie Akins, 83, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 6^th at Northside Church of Christ. She worked for Chickasha Public Schools for nearly 50 years and was Support Employee of the Year in 2016. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

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Friday, March 3rd

New Record Set in Jr. Livestock Show Bonus Sale

Buyers were out in full force for the bonus sale which capped off the 87th annual Grady County Junior Livestock Show last night. The total payout for the top 125 animals surpassed $300,000 for the first time at just over $312,000. That's a 17 percent increase or $45,000 more than last year. The actual auction brought in about $160,000 which is an increase of 25 percent or $32,000 from last year. Add-ons totaled $153,000 which is an increase of 8 percent or $12,000 from last year. The top price for any animal sold was $4,000 which was for the grand champion steer shown by Braedon Callis of Minco. The three other grand champion animals received bids of $3,700 each - the grand champion hog was shown by Madilyn Norvell of Amber-Pocasset; the grand champion lamb was shown by McKenna Hurley of Alex; and the grand champion goat was shown by Kolton Kohler of Alex. Officials recognized James Hicks, owner of Hicks Western Wear, for attending his 71st consecutive sale.

Monthly Chickasha Household Expenses Up 10 Percent

A new report shows that average monthly bills for Chickasha households has increased. The report indicates that expenses are up about 10 percent to $1,526 when combining the ten most common household bills. The total is about 12 percent lower that the state average of $1,705 and 34 percent lower than the national average of more than $2,000 per month. Mortgage and rent are the top expenses at more than $760 per month; auto loans are next at more than $400 per month; auto insurance is about $200 per month; mobile phone service is about $80 per month; and cable and internet is estmated at $75 per month. The combined expenses represent more than one-third of the average monthly household income.

Tax Cut, Daylight Savings Time Bills Advance at State Capital

Proposals to eliminate the state sales tax on groceries and to cut individual incomes taxes have advanced to the full House of Representatives. The state sales tax portion on groceries is 4.5 percent. There are two proposals for reducing personal income tax rates - one that would cut the top rate by one-quarter of a percentage point and another that would make the reduction one-half of a percentage point. Either would lead to modest savings for middle income earners. Also, a bill to keep from changing back and forth from Standard Time to Daylight Savings Time was approved in the state senate. The proposal would permanently lock the state in Daylight Savings Time. If passed the measure would not go into effect unless and until lawmakers in Washington, D.C. approve the Sunshine Protection Act. So far 19 states have adopted proposals to permanently stay in Daylight Savings Time.

State Voters to Decide Legalizing Recreational Pot Use

Oklahoma voters will go to the polls next week to decide if recreational marijuana use should be legalized. Those supporting State Question 820 say it would boost the state's economy while building on previous criminal justice reforms. But many law enforcement groups are against the plan saying the campaign supporting the measure is misleading. Early voting is available for Oklahomans today by visiting county election boards until 6 p.m. Precincts will be open Tuesday, March 7^th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.16 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.75.

Natural gas is $2.76 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,854 and silver is $21.23.

Obituary

Kathleen Sullivan

No service is currently scheduled for Kathleen Sullivan, 75, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Thursday, March 2nd

Onward Chickasha Website Updated with Open House Info

The City of Chickasha's push to get feedback and data for numerous proposed community improvements continues. The Onward Chickasha project includes plans for upgrades to city infrastructure, parks and recreation, and other areas. Officials with the Guernsey Engineering firm of Oklahoma City - hired last summer to develop the long-range plans - say they were encouraged by the turnout during last week's open house. It was estimated that nearly 100 people attended and joined the discussion about the early plans. Officials say all the information from that open house is now available on the website Onwardchickasha.org and comments are encouraged since they are seeking input from residents. Also, the initial community survey is still posted on the website so residents and community partners are still asked to submit their thoughts. That survey will be on the website through March 15th.

Air, Car Show to Return to City's Airport

City officials are also making plans for a popular event later this spring. The 5th annual Wings and Wheels Air Show will return in June. The event will be held Saturday, June 3rd at the city’s airport. The event features numerous air show events, a car show, free airplane rides for kids, and food trucks. It's a family-friendly event with free admission. The Wings and Wheels Air Show is produced by David Shultz Air Shows with the help of the city and the Chickasha Wings Flying School.

USAO Hosts Discussion on Ohio Hazardous Chemical Fire

The massive hazardous chemical fire that erupted after a train derailment in New Palestine, Ohio last month has captured the nation's attention. Professors at USAO will hold a panel discussion today regarding the issues that have come to light. New Palestine residents are concerned about their health and the environment and have been highly critical of state and federal agencies in their responses. The USAO panel will include chemistry professor Nicholas Boyde; environmental science assistant professor David Reed; and chemistry instructor and lab coordinator Thomas Wilcock. The program will get underway at 11 o'clock this morning in Davis Hall Room 224. The free program will be hosted by the USAO Foundation and lunch will be provided.

Cattle Show Results of Jr. Livestock Show

Here are results from the cattle show at the Grady County Junior Livestock Show at the Grady County Fairgrounds. The grand champion steer was shown by Braedon Callis of Minco and reserve grand was shown by Sage Schenk of Ampo. The grand champion prospect steer belonged to Carson Caldwell of Minco and the reserve grand was shown by Raegan Wilbourn of Tuttle. The county bred-and-owned steer was shown by Ladd Turner of Ampo.

Heifer Show

The grand champion heifer was shown by Kylie Callis of Minco and the reserve grand belonged to Kamden Fillipo of Rush Springs. Kamden also had the county bred-and-owned heifer. The champion senior showman was Bailee Wilbourn of Tutttle, champion intermediate showman was Cade Jones, and the champion junior showman was Hayes Devine of Verden. Today is the final day of the show which begins with the livestock judging contest and ends tonight with the buyers’ dinner starting at 5:00 p.m.; the awards presentation at 6:15 p.m.; and the bonus sale at 6:30 p.m. The top 125 animals shown this week will be up for auction.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.69 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.89.

Natural gas is $2.81 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,836 and silver is $20.87.

Obituary

Mary Jane Walters

A graveside service for Mary Jane Walters, 80, of Tuttle will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4^th at the Rush Springs Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

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Wednesday, March 1st

Two Convicted in Connection with Death of Blanchard Man

A McClain County jury finds a mother and son guilty of murder and arson in connection with the death of a Blanchard man in October of 2021. On-line court records indicate that this past Monday, 47-year old Debbie Senft and 26-year old Zachary Mussett were found guilty in connection with the death of Andy McGuffee - Senft's half-brother. Blanchard police discovered McGuffee's body at his burned out home and called the OSBI to lead the investigation. Senft and Mussett were arrested a few days later in Wyoming. The jury recommended that both defendants serve life in prison without parole for murder and 35 years for arson. A presentencing investigation has been ordered with formal sentencing to be held May 2nd.

Motel Closes After Complaints of Code Violations

A Chickasha motel has closed after being cited for numerous code violations. The Maverick Inn at 2701 S. 4th Street voluntarily closed its doors after the city's Community Development Department investigated several complaints over the last couple of months. Officials say there were unhealthy and unsafe conditions including numerous electrical violations, missing or expired fire extinguishers, and missing smoke detectors. Authorities also said there had been recent gas and water leaks. It wasn't clear how many individuals were displaced or if owners would make an effort to make repairs and re-open.

New Grady County Undersheriff Sworn In

There's a new second-in-command at the Grady County Sheriff's Office. Kori Brewer was sworn in as undersheriff in a ceremony at the Canadian Valley Technology Center last night. The oath was issued by Sheriff Gary Boggess. Brewer has more than 20 years’ experience in law enforcement. He joined the sheriff's office last year after retiring from the Chickasha Police Department.

Restaurant Bingo Returns with an Irish Theme

The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce is kicking off its latest campaign to promote local restaurants. Using St. Patrick's Day as a general theme it's called Chickasha Clover Days which will run today through March 17th. The Chamber is bringing back Restaurant Bingo and are calling it Leprechaun Luck Restaurant Bingo.  Bingo cards which have the names participating restaurants on them can be picked up and every time a purchase is made the corresponding space is marked off. Participants need to keep their receipts as proof of purchase. Once participants have a Bingo they can submit the winning card and will have a chance to win up to $250 in local gift cards. At the end of the campaign there will be a St. Patrick's Day Streetery Party on Friday, March 17th. Wing T's has designed some Lucky to Live in Chickasha t-shirts as part of the promotion. T-shirts can be pre-ordered until March 6th. For information check out the chamber’s social media outlets or website.

Jr. Livestock Show Sheep, Goat Results

We have results of the sheep and goat shows from the Grady County Junior Livestock Show. For the sheep, McKenna Hurley had the grand champion wether and Kobi Scroggins had the reserve. Scroggins had the grand champion ewe and Hurley had the reserve grand ewe. Brody Scoggins was named champion senior showman, Kobi Scroggins the intermediate showman, and Ryder Drennan the junior showman.

Goat Show

Kolton Kohler of Alex had the grand wether and Jack Ferrell of Ampo had the reserve. Destyn Emerson of Tuttle had the grand champion doe and Kohler had the reserve. Emerson was the champion senior showman, Kohler the intermediate showman, and Gauge Ratzlaff of Alex the junior showman.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.05 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.89.

Natural gas is $2.75 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,842 and silver is $21.10.

Obituaries

Prophet Williams

Funeral service for Prophet Williams, 19, of Lawton will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4th at New Hope Church of God in Christ in Lawton. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Michael Dearinger

No services are scheduled 78-year old Michael Dearinger of Chickasha. He was a U.S. Army veteran and worked at Pet Milk. Viewing will be from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 6th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Feb. 28th

Grady County Sheriff's Office to Hold Warrant Sweep

Grady County residents who have outstanding arrest warrants for failing to pay fines or appear in court might want to take care of those court costs this week. Sheriff Gary Boggess says his deputies will conduct a county-wide warrant sweep this coming weekend.

Boggess said that individuals can avoid jail time by paying fines or appearing at the Grady County Court Clerk’s Office. Individuals can call the court clerk's office to find out what is owed. Law enforcement officials will be out most of the day Saturday looking for individuals who are not up-to-date on their fines.

Dangers of Fentanyl to be Discussed

A program to educate the public about the dangers of Fentanyl will be held next week.  The program will be hosted by the Grady County OHCE and will feature Lt. Jim Peek with the Grady County sheriff's office. Peek is also a task force officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration out of Oklahoma City. For the last year-and-a-half Peek has investigated numerous cases of drug dealing, drug use, and drug abuse including Fentanyl. Peek said Grady Memorial Hospital is seeing as many as three Fentanyl overdose cases every day. He says Fentanyl that is the size of two grains of salt is enough to kill two people. The program will be next Monday, March 6th at 6 p.m. at the Grady County Fairgrounds Community building. It's open to the public and is especially for parents and grandparents who would like more information.

Grady County Junior Livestock Show Swine Results

From the Grady County Junior Livestock Show, Madilyn Norvell of Amber-Pocasset and Kennedy Clark of Minco had the top animals in the swine show yesterday. Norvell had the grand champion market barrow and Clark had the grand champion gilt. Olivia Bradford of Ampo had the reserve-champion market barrow and Wyatt Basford of Ampo had the reserve-grand gilt. The sheep and goat shows will take place today at the Grady County Fairgrounds.

Bill Supports Program to Address Invasive Red Cedars

There's an effort at the state capital to establish a pilot program to address the red cedar infestation problem across the state. State Rep. Mike Dobrinski (R-Okeene) has introduced HB 2239 in an attempt to deal with the issue. Red cedars are known to absorb a lot of groundwater and he said there has been discussion of doing something for years but that now is the time to take action. Dobrinski pointed to studies from 30 years ago that showed what would happen if the red cedar – which is considered an invasive species - was not dealt with. He said you can drive through western and northwestern parts of the state and see those studies were right. He added that water is depleting, and that nothing should get more attention than the threat on the state's water supply. Dobrinski said identifying Canton Lake as a water source for Oklahoma City would get the most attention. He has worked with officials with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission in an attempt to create the Terry Peach North Canadian Watershed Restoration Act which is named after the state's former ag secretary who passed away last year.  Dobrinski’s bill would set aside $600,000 for the program and says there are federal  programs that may be able to provide some funding.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.68 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $82.45.

Natural gas is $2.73 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,817 and silver is $20.67.

Obituaries

Goldia ‘Marie’ Reed

A graveside service for ‘Marie’ Reed, 81, formerly of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 1st at Fairlawn Cemetery.  She was a nurse’s aide and also worked at the Workforce Oklahoma office. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Barbara Gee

A memorial service for Barbara Gee, 60, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, March 2nd at Southern Oaks Church of Christ. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

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Monday, Feb. 27th

Rare February Tornados Touch Down

More than a half-dozen tornadoes skipped across the state last night and that number could be even higher after officials survey areas where severe storms hit. The National Weather Service issued at least 15 tornado warnings during a massive storm system that sped across Oklahoma. If enough tornadoes are confirmed it could set a new record for the number of twisters in Oklahoma in the month of February. Tornado warnings were issued at Carnegie, Ft. Cobb Lake, Gracemont, Minco, Mustang, Yukon, and Norman while others were issued in northern Oklahoma. KWTV News 9 showed at least one home in Minco that had significant damage. There was damage and downed power lines blocking streets in Norman. Straight-line winds recorded at more than 70 mph blew several vehicles off of I-40 in western Oklahoma including a couple of semis. Officials with the National Weather Service will be out looking at damage today to determine how many tornadoes actually touched down.

Road Work Closes SH 39 West of Dibble 

Road construction work on State Highway 39 between Chickasha and Dibble will have part of that highway closed to through traffic for the next few months. Contractors for the state department of transportation are widening about 2 1/2 miles of SH 39 west of State Highway 76. ODOT says the highway could be closed through the summer.

More First-Year Freshmen Succeed at USAO

Some new programs at USAO have been a big help for first-year students. Last fall officials introduced initiatives to assist first-time freshmen with their transition to college life and help them be successful. Officials say as they wrap up the first trimester there is a 91 percent persistence rate for first-time freshmen who are returning for the spring trimester. Among the programs launched includes a year-long seminar designed to help first-year freshmen manage stressful issues that can cause students to drop out. Officials also began a new data-driven approach to better meet the needs of students and faculty – with students meeting with trained success coaches. USAO president John Feaver says the programs have boosted completion rates and students are graduating at a faster pace.

Grady County Jr. Livestock Show Underway

The Grady County junior livestock show gets underway today. The swine show kicks things off as 4H and FFAers from the area bring their animals in for judging this week. The goat and sheep shows are tomorrow with the beef show taking center ring on Wednesday. Thursday, livestock judging teams will put their skills to the test and Thursday night is the grand finale with the premium auction. The top 125 animals shown this week will command top dollar and when factoring in bonus add-ons paid by families, friends, and businesses the total amount paid out to exhibitors could top $200,000.

County Fairgrounds Seeking Bids for 2023-24 Fiscal Year

The Grady County Fairgrounds is soliciting bids for several contracts for the 2023-24 fiscal year. They include concessions management for the indoor arena; concessions and beverage management for the event center; mobile concessions and beverage management for the outdoor arena; as well as lawn maintenance and landscape services. Bids must be submitted by March 22^nd with contracts running from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Vendors can reach out the Grady County Fairgrounds business office for information.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.32 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.16.

Natural gas is $2.45 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,818 and silver is $20.79.

Obituary

Verna Brennan

A graveside service for Verna Brennan, 92, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28^th at Fairlawn Cemetery. She and her husband Jack were known for their Christmas light displays at their home on Miller Drive. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Saturday, Feb. 25th

SH 39 West of Dibble to Close for Construction

A portion of State Highway 39 between Tabler and Dibble will be closed to through traffic starting next week. Work crews have spent the last three months widening about three miles of the roadway from State Highway 76 west to East Winter Creek. Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) say local residents will have access to their homes. Other motorists will have to detour around the project. Passenger car and truck traffic might be able to use county roads to avoid the construction area. Semis and other large truck traffic headed east out of Chickasha will have to take U.S. Highway 62 north and east to Blanchard then go south on SH 76. Westbound traffic from Purcell will have to go north on SH 76 to Blanchard, then hook up with U.S. Highway 62. Officials say to expect the roadway to be closed through the summer. The contractor could qualify for incentive money if the project can be completed within 100 days.

Trooper Finds Cocaine after Traffic Stop

A state trooper finds an estimated 20 kilograms of cocaine after making a traffic stop. It happened in Caddo County this week when a trooper pulled over 58-year old Jeremy Dewayne Mason of South Carolina. The trooper discovered the coke and some $2,000 in cash. Mason is facing felony charges of aggravated trafficking and getting proceeds from drug activity. At his arraignment in Caddo County District Court this week, a judge initially set bond at $250,000 but on-line court records indicates bond was reduced to $125,000. Mason remains in the Caddo County  Jail and is to be back in court in April for a preliminary hearing conference.

Man Pleads Guilty to Posting Compromising Photos of Ex

A Cyril man pleads guilty to putting compromising photos of his ex-girlfriend on-line. 28-year old Allen Jay Redden was arrested by Apache police last August. On-line court records indicate Redden waived his right to a preliminary hearing in November and at that time pleaded not guilty. This week he entered a blind plea of guilty to a felony charge of blackmail and a misdemeanor charge of disseminating private sexual images and was fined $500.

State's Monthly Household Utility Rates Lower Than Most

A new report shows that Oklahomans pay some of the lowest utility bills in the country. The state ranked 10th lowest in the survey done by a group called TN Real Estate. The website OK Energy Today cites the report which indicates that the combined monthly bills of natural gas and electricity is just over $160 per month. The lowest is in Wyoming at just over $95 per month. Hawaii is the state with the highest monthly utility bills at nearly $400 per month (about $235 for natural gas and $160 for electricity).

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Horace Alexander is this week's guest on the KOOL Konversation discussing Black History Month. On Real Estate Today this week's guest is 4th District Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

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Friday, Feb. 24th

Accused Pastor Resigns from Church

A pastor accused of molesting children has resigned. Matthew Reiber stepped down after he was arrested and formally charged with three counts of lewd acts with children. Reiber was serving as a senior pastor at Chickasha's New Life Christian Church. A statement posted on the church's Facebook page says that while Reiber denies the allegations - he has resigned and is no longer affiliated with the church. The post indicated the alleged actions did not occur at the church nor during a church function. It also stated that, if true, the allegations observed are reprehensible and inexcusable but were not consistent with his service. The statement said that Reiber is presumed innocent under the law but the legal system will determine the merits or lack of merits of the allegations. The church asked for prayers on behalf of everyone involved in this horrible situation.

Suspect Arrested after Drugs, Weapons Found in Home

A Chickasha man is in custody after authorities find drugs and weapons in his home. Grady County sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant on a residence in the 1000 block of South 1st Street late Wednesday. A press release from the sheriff's office indicates authorities found nearly 200 grams of marijuana, drug items, and two handguns - one of which may have been stolen out of California. Authorities arrested 53-year old Edward Lee Moore on complaints of possession of a controlled, dangerous substance with intent to distribute; having drugs within 2,000 feet of a school; possession of a firearm after conviction; and having a firearm during the commission of a felony. Prosecutors have not yet filed formal charges against Moore.

Fairgrounds Director Elected to International Post

A staff member at the Grady County Fairgrounds has been selected to serve on an international panel. Jamie Jones who serves as the fairgrounds marketing director was elected to serve a seven-year term on the Young Professionals Steering Committee for the International Association of Fairs and Expositions. The panel represents county and state fairs and expositions across the U.S, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Jones serves Zone 6 which includes seven states stretching from Oklahoma and Texas to Mississippi and Tennessee. The mission of the group is to provide a community for young professionals to share ideas and guide the fair industry's future through leadership development, mentoring, incentives, and education.

State Rep Re-appointed to National Board

A Grady County state lawmaker will continue serving on a national panel. State Representative Brad Boles (R-Marlow) has been re-appointed to the Energy and Environment Committee of the southern office of the Council of State Governments. It's the largest non-partisan group that serves all three branches of elected and appointed state officials. The group holds regional meetings to exchange ideas for effective legislation and organizes programs to create regional strategies that address shared energy and environmental concerns. Boles said the panel works on policies that set the energy industry up for success which he says is an industry that provides thousands of jobs and contributes more state taxes than any other industry.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.39 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $81.95.

Natural gas is $2.31 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,829 and silver is $21.27.

Obituaries

Darald ‘Bub’ Smith

A graveside service for ‘Bub’ Smith, 84, Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, 25th at Fairlawn Cemetery. He retired from Consolidated Freight after a 30-year career. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Glen Ferguson

A memorial service for Glen Ferguson, 88, of Chickasha will be held from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 4th at College Heights Baptist Church. He was a long time minister and served with a number of missionary trips to Africa. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

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Thursday, Feb. 23rd

'Onward Chickasha' Open House is Tonight

The first of several open house events scheduled for Chickasha residents to provide input on a proposed 30-year master plan for the city will be held tonight. Representatives from the Guernsey Engineering firm will be joining city leaders for the come-and-go event for the Onward Chickasha project. Laura Bergey of Guernsey is the project manager and talks about what to expect-

At the end of 18 months the Guernsey team will present a final plan that will include the recommendations of several projects for the city to consider. The open house will be from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Chickasha High School commons area. A community survey is still being held to get input which will be available through March 15th on the website Onward Chickasha.org

Congressman Tom Cole Supports U.S. Effort in Ukraine

4th District Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole was in Chickasha yesterday and we had an exclusive interview with him. Cole said it is beneficial for the U.S. to support Ukraine as that country continues its battle with Russia.

We're coming up on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Some Anadarko Power Outages to Occur Today

Some Anadarko residents will experience power outages today as crews will be replacing utility poles. According to a post on the city of Anadarko's Facebook page crews will be replacing the poles from the 100 blocks of East Kentucky and Virginia to the 500 blocks of West Kentucky and Virginia. The outages will occur between 8:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Suspect Faces Kidnapping, Assault Charges

A Chickasha man is facing kidnapping and other charges after allegedly holding his girlfriend captive. 26-year old Keyvon Jaquez Richardson was arrested last week following a Chickasha police investigation. A woman had called police earlier this month saying that Richardson held her captive and beat her for several hours in January. The woman said she didn't call police earlier because Richardson threatened to kill her baby. The alleged victim still had lingering injuries from the assault. The district attorney's office has filed felony kidnapping and assault and battery charges against Richardson. He remains in the Grady County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

Wildlife Refuge to Conduct Prescribed Burn

A prescribed burn will take place at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge today. Officials say recent weather conditions have presented an opportunity to conduct a burn on the interior pasture near the headquarter’s corrals. Traffic controls will be in place for the duration of the burn and refuge visitors and local residents should expect delays from the refuge headquarters and east along Highway 49 to Burford Lake. Officials say smoke could be visible from several miles away and residual smoke may persist in the area for a few days.

Grady County Cattlewomen Seeking Scholarship Applicants

High school seniors with plans of going to college have been spending a lot of time applying for scholarships. Here's an opportunity for senior girls with an agriculture background. The Grady County Cattlewomen's Association will be awarding a couple of $500 scholarships this spring. Candidates are to be a 4H or FFA member in good standing, attend school in Grady County, and have plans to study ag programs in college. Applications must be submitted by e-mail by April 7, 2023. Contact the Grady County OSU Extension office for more information by calling 405-224-2216.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $73.95 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $80.60.

Natural gas is $2.17 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,834 and silver is $21.73.

Obituary

Larry Rhodes

No services are scheduled for Larry Rhodes, 71, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Wednesday, Feb. 22nd

Pastor Arrested, Charged for Alleged Lewd Acts with Children

A pastor for a Chickasha church was arrested over the weekend for alleged lewd acts with children. 37-year old Matthew Reiber, who is listed as a senior pastor at New Life Christian Church, was arrested by Chickasha police Sunday morning. KFOR-TV reports that police were contacted earlier this month about allegations that Reiber allegedly touched a child inappropriately. Prosecutors have charged Reiber with three counts of lewd acts with children and he is out of jail after posting a $100,000 bond. He's to announce his attorney Monday, Feb. 27th and a preliminary hearing conference is set for Wednesday, March 1^st.

Mother Accused of Child Neglect, Drug Trafficking

The mother of two small children is in jail facing allegations of child neglect and drug trafficking. 26-year old Jamie Edmonds of Chickasha was arrested last week after police were called to do a welfare check on an 8-year old girl at Grand Elementary School. The child's parents failed to pick her up after school on Valentine's Day. School officials also said they were concerned about the child's three-year old sister. A probable cause affidavit indicates police got some help from the Grady County sheriff's office to find the parents who were living at the Maverick Inn. Authorities allegedly found drugs and paraphernalia in their room that were within reach of the children. Edmonds is facing felony charges of child neglect and drug trafficking. She remains in the Grady County Jail on a $150,000 bond.

Bullock Center to Host Black History Month Program

Chickasha's Bullock Memorial Center will host a Black History Month fundraiser and program this weekend. This will be the first in-person event the center has been able to host in four years. On Saturday, Feb. 25th the center will host a spaghetti fundraiser from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Donations are $10 per person with proceeds benefiting the center’s mission to support arts, education, and tutoring programs for children. From about 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. several guest speakers will discuss barriers that have been overcome and achievements attained by the Black community.

Ag Students Promote National FFA Week

FFA students across the country are celebrating National FFA Week. Some Rush Springs students stopped by the station this week to share information about FFA and Oklahoma agriculture.

They also said that Oklahoma ranks second in the nation in beef production and 10th in pork production, and that there are about 87-thousand farms in the state covering more than 35 million acres which is 78 percent of all of Oklahoma's land.

Bill Designed to Include Career-Tech Bound Students

in 'Oklahoma's Promise' Scholarship Program

Oklahoma students who may want to attend career-tech schools after high school could be eligible for scholarships under the state's Oklahoma's Promise program if a bill at the state capital makes its way through the legislative process. It's SB 27 and it would allow students who want to continue their education at career techs to qualify for the Oklahoma Higher Learning Access Program (OHLAP). The program currently is available for college-bound students. In a prepared statement, one state lawmaker said it would help to boost the state's workforce by providing a new pathway for students to earn critically-needed licenses and certifications through career-tech schools. The bill recently passed out of the senate appropriations committee and can now be heard by the full senate.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.16 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.05.

Natural gas is $2.07 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,845 and silver is $21.99.
 

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Tuesday, Feb. 21st

Water Line Project Approved

Last night the Chickasha City Council approved a contract with a firm to build a new main water line which will be associated with the construction of the Highway 81 bypass. The panel voted 8-0 to award the contract to H and H Plumbing which submitted the lowest of three bids for the work. The bid for about 670 linear feet of pipeline was just under $315,000 and it will include a fire hydrant and what's called a blow-off. The line will be about a half-mile north of Iowa Avenue along a county road. With the construction of this line part of an existing water main on Frisco Avenue west of Dan Allen Drive will be abandoned.

Purchase of New Pickups Also OK'd

The council approved the purchase of three new pickups for the Public Works Department. The panel waived the normal bidding process and awarded bids to two dealerships that are on state contract. Two new 2023 Chevy pickups will be purchased from Confidence Chevrolet in Oklahoma City and a new 2022 Dodge pickup will be purchased from Platinum Chrysler-Dodge-Ram-Jeep of Terrell, Texas. The total cost of all three trucks is just under $200,000.

Plat OK'd for New Housing Development

Following a brief public hearing, the council unanimously approved the final plat for the Scissortail Crossing subdivision. The panel also approved a waterline easement for that development which will be located southeast of 29th and Grand Avenue with plans to build more than 40 homes.

Grant Re-imbursements Also Approved

(Editor's Note - A version of this story printed and aired Monday, Feb. 20th contained erroneous information regarding what city funds were used for the reimbursement. The erroneous information was removed from Monday's stories with the correct information published here. We apologize for and regret the error).

The council also approved two more grant reimbursements for Chickasha Today LLC totaling more than $165,000 for improvements made in downtown Chickasha. The funds come from what remained of an economic development sales tax fund which has since expired. In all, Chickasha Today LLC officials say they have invested more than $11.5 million in private funds to renovate and revitalize about 100,000 sq. ft. of property in the 100 block of Chickasha Avenue. The firm has received more than $450,000 in grants from the city.

'Killers of the Flower Moon' Author to Speak at USAO

You may be familiar with the true-crime story in Oklahoma that is being made into a Hollywood film by well-known movie producer Martin Scorcese. Killers of the Flower Moon tells the story of what is called one of the most sinister racial injustices in American history involving the murders of Osage tribal members. The movie is based on a book written by noted author David Gann who will be in Chickasha next week.  Gann will be joined by author, professor and consultant Hannibal Johnson for USAO's Ray and Mary Giles Symposium on Citizenship and Public Service.  The program will be next Friday, March 3rd at USAO's Te Ata Memorial Auditorium beginning at 6:00 p.m. Admission is free but space is limited. Those who would like to attend need to pre-register by going on-line to: www.usao.edu/giles

Southwest District Livestock Show Wrap-up

At the end of the Southwest District Livestock Show last week - in the Swine Show Madilyn Norvell of Ampo had the grand champion barrow; Jancy Rippetoe of Merritt had the reserve; and Ander Thornbrough of Altus had the bronze. Also, two exhibitors were presented with Vernon Crose Memorial Scholarships which were awarded to students who overcame hardships in raising their animals this year. Scholarship winners were Emma Gunn of Rush Springs and Dani Killman of Union City.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.34 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.00.

Natural gas is $2.28 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,840 and silver is $21.87.

Obituary

Billye Brown

No services are scheduled at this time for Billye Louise Brown, 89, who passed away in Chickasha Friday, Feb. 17^th. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Monday, Feb. 20th

Chix Council to Consider Approving Water Line Project

The City of Chickasha continues work which is associated with the construction of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) Highway 81 bypass project. The city council tonight will consider awarding a bid to install 670 linear-feet of a 12-inch diameter water main along a county road about one-half mile north of Iowa Avenue west of 29^th Street. The council is expected to award a nearly $316,000 bid to H and H Plumbing which is the lowest of three bids submitted. Engineers estimated the project to cost nearly $450,000. ODOT will reimburse the city 60 percent of the cost or nearly $190,000.

Group Seeks Reimbursement for Downtown Renovation Projects

(Editor's note - a previous version of this story contained erroneous information. This story has been edited to remove the mistake. We apologize for and regret the error)  

The panel is also to consider approving two more grant reimbursement requests from Chickasha Today LLC for the renovation work done in the 100 block of Chickasha Avenue. The total of the two requests is more than $165,000 and the Economic Development Council recommended the reimbursement be paid. If approved, the funds would come from the remaining balance of an economic development sales tax fund created by a sales tax which is no longer in effect.

Public Works Department seeks Three New Pickups

The council is also to consider waiving customary bidding requirements to spend nearly $200,000 in order to purchase three new vehicles for the Public Works Department from state contract. The requests are to buy two new 2023 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD pickups from Confidence Chevrolet for a total of just over $130,000 and a 2022 Dodge Ram 3500 from Platinum Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram for just over $65,000.

Public Hearing set for Housing Development

The council will also hold a public hearing to discuss the final plat for Scissortail Crossing for EP Leasing and then after the hearing will consider approving the plat. The panel will also consider approving the sewer and water line easements for Scissortail Crossing. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at City Hall.

New Downtown Signs to be Considered

The city's Historic Preservation Committee meets today to consider several sign permit applications in the downtown area. The sign requests are for Rock Island Candy Company at 111 N. 5th Street; Dab Daddy's Dispensary at 411 W. Chickasha Avenue; and Always Real Estate at 218 West Chickasha Avenue.

Workforce Development Board Open in Chickasha

A new regional office is open in Chickasha to connect businesses seeking workers and individuals looking for work. The South Central Oklahoma Workforce Board just opened an office in the former commercial building downtown at 2nd and Chickasha Avenue. Lafonda Colbert is the one-stop operator for the  office.

This is one of several boards across the state including offices in Duncan and Lawton. The group also offers up to $15,000 to pay for training or college for young adults 16-24 years old.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.74 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.00.

Natural gas is $2.27 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,853 and silver is $21.88.

Obituary

Beverly Buelow

Funeral service for Beverly Buelow, 69, of Cyril will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, February 21^st at Ferguson Funeral Home.

Saturday, Feb. 18th

Dad Pleads Guilty to Abusing Infant Child

A Cement father pleads guilty to felony child abuse after allegedly throwing his infant daughter in anger. 30-year old Kyle James Bucher entered a blind plea to the charge in Caddo County District Court this week. He was also facing a misdemeanor drug charge. Bucher was arrested in April of 2022 after allegedly throwing the four-month old. The plea was submitted just a few days before a jury trial was scheduled to start. The judge presiding over the case ordered a pre-sentencing investigation and scheduled the sentencing for April 26th.

Arrests Made after Meth, Fentanyl Discovered in Vehicle

Two people were arrested and charged with alleged drug trafficking after they were pulled over for a traffic violation. 38-year old Devon Mark Daugherty and 40-year old Jamie Elizabeth George both of Chickasha were taken into custody last weekend near 4th and Country Club Road. A deputy sheriff reported the vehicle they were in made an improper turn. Both Daugherty and George had suspended driver's licenses which led to the deputy impounding the vehicle. During a routine search of the vehicle the deputy found a backpack with drug items and drugs which field tested positive for meth and Fentanyl. Both Daugherty and George have been formerly charged with felonies of drug trafficking and some misdemeanors. George remains in jail on a $100,000 bond while Daugherty was released. Both are to be back in court March first for preliminary hearing conferences.

Suspect Allegedly Steals Thousands from Co-Worker

A man who is alleged to have stolen thousands of dollars from a co-worker has been charged with burglary. Grady county authorities were called to a business in the Tuttle area back in November to take a report regarding some money that had reportedly been stolen from a work vehicle. The victim said he had $5,000 in the console of the vehicle. A probable cause affidavit indicates that there was video surveillance showing the suspect taking the money. Authorities arrested 20-year old Jaden Allen Biehl of Noble. He has been charged with third-degree burglary and is out of jail after posting a $7,500 bond.

Voting Underway for Chickasaw Country 'Best of' Awards

The Chickasaw Nation has listed some area destinations which have been nominated for the annual Best of Chickasaw Country awards. In Chickasha, the Festival of Light was nominated in the category of Best Festival; The Rock Island Ride was nominated for the Best Run or Ride; Jake's Rib was nominated for Best Barbecue; Shakespeare Wine Company was nominated for Best Winery or Brewery; and Legends Pubhouse and Grill was nominated for Best Live Performance Venue. Other regional nominees include The Marlow Mercantile as Best Antique Shop and Hot Mess Coffee Company in Lindsay as Best Coffee Shop. The public is invited to vote for their favorites through March 3rd and winners will be announced March 28th. The full list of nominees can be found on-line at: www.chickasawcountry.com

More Southwest District Livestock Show Winners

At the Southwest District Livestock Show underway at the Grady County Fairgounds - in the cattle show Paisley Visnieski of Canute had both the grand champion market and prospect steers; Madison Shout of Piedmont had both the reserve grand market and prospect steers; Amanda Richardson of Chickasha had the bronze market steer and Madilyn Norvell of Ampo had the bronze prospect. In the heifer show, Beau Buchwald of Chattanooga had the grand; Denton Cook of Cordell had the reserve; and Emery Bowers of Mustang had the bronze.

Swine Show

 In the commercial gilt division Gage McNeil of Elgin had the grand; Oakley Cooper of Ampo had the reserve; and Kylee Falasco of Weatherford had the bronze. In the purebred gilt show, Oakley Cooper of Ampo had the grand; Hadley Cooper of Ampo had the reserve; and Brogan Lancaster of El Reno had the bronze.

Broiler Show

In the broiler (chicken) show, Quade Richardson of Arapaho-Butler had the grand; Cassie Ray of Cordell had the reserve; and Brayle Johnson of Clinton had the bronze.

Talk Show Topics

Lafonda Colbert and Erin Glass with the South Central Oklahoma Workforce Board are this week's guest on the KOOL Konversation. Lewis Knisley with the Chickasha YMCA and Gerron Smith with the Chickasha Rotary Club are on Real Estate Today. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

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Friday, Feb. 17th

Ft. Cobb Tech Center Locked Down After Shooting Report

Numerous law enforcement officials converged on the campus of the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center in Ft. Cobb yesterday after a lockdown was implemented. Officials say an individual called the highway patrol and reported that someone shot at him near the school. The campus was placed on lockdown about 11:00 a.m. There happened to be several law enforcement officials on campus at the time preparing for an active shooter drill that was scheduled for next week. After nearly 90 minutes of searching all the buildings on campus officials determined there was no viable threat and the lockdown was lifted just before 12:30 p.m.

Bill Calls for De-regulating Power Companies

Should Oklahomans be able to choose their electricity provider? HB 1602 would de-regulate power providers in the state. Some of Oklahoma largest power providers are opposed to the idea and will be debating against it. The bill was filed by Edmond State Rep. Ryan Martinez and if approved and signed into law it would give consumers the right to choose their electricity provider and create competition among power providers. PSO and OG&E are specifically mentioned in the bill. Both power providers are defending the existing regulatory method which is overseen by the corporation commission.

Firefighter Academy Begins

A number of area volunteer firefighters will be improving their skills in a new fire fighter academy that is underway. Fire crews from the Grady County Fire Department, Amber, Bridge Creek, Dibble, Blanchard, and Washington are taking part in training sessions which will be held over the next few weeks. A post on the Blanchard Fire Department's Facebook page says it will involve a lot of classroom and hands-on training with participants taking a certification test when the training is complete.

Southwest District Livestock Show Update

The Southwest District Livestock Show continues at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Results from the ewe lamb show are: Sayde Allen of Canute had the grand champion; Ashlyn Maddox of Thomas-Fay-Custer had the reserve; and Layne Allen of Canute had the bronze. Results of the wether lamb show are: Kobi Scroggins of Tuttle had the grand; Clay Randall of Canute had the reserve; and Laray Cox of Elgin had the Bronze. Results of the doe goat show are: Addyson Schneberger of Hydro-Eakly had the grand; Destyn Emerson of Tuttle had the reserve; and Madison Church of Canute had the bronze. Results of the wether goat show are: Jack Ferrell of Ampo had the grand; Sayde Allen of Canute had the reserve; and Hazen Pruett of Canute had the bronze.

Swine to Complete this Year's Show

The swine show gets underway this morning with the gilts which will take up much of the day with barrows to begin in the afternoon/evening. The barrow show will resume at 8 o’clock tomorrow morning and it is expected to be completed by noon. At the end of the show officials will announce the winners of the Vernon Crose Memorial Scholarships which are awarded to individuals who have overcome hardships, difficulties, and obstacles with their animals this year.

Grady County Student Serves as State Capital Page

A Ninnekah High School senior was selected to spend some time at the state capital working with a Grady County state lawmaker. Luke Tate served as a page for State Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle). Students spend a week with lawmakers to get a behind-the-scenes look at what happens during the legislative process . That includes helping in committee meetings and daily sessions of the full senate. Tate attended Gov. Kevin Stitt's State-of-the-State address and took part in a mock legislative committee meeting and floor session where students presented and debated bills from the current legislative session.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.49 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.14.

Natural gas is $2.39 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,831 and silver is $21.17.

Obituary

Faith Marie Richards

Funeral service for Faith Marie Richards, 86, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 18^th at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church in Altus. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Thursday, Feb. 16th

State Lawmakers to Consider Bill to Change

How Excise Tax is Determined on Vehicle Purchases

A bill that would change the way the excise tax is determined on the purchase of new and used vehicles is making its way through the state legislature. It's HB 1389...and its author says it is a pro-consumer bill that would figure the excise tax on new and used vehicles based on the net purchase price instead of the the gross purchase price. Currently the tax is levied on the sales price without regard to discounts or trade-in credits. The measure passed out of the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee for Finance this week. It can now be heard before the full Appropriations and Budget Committee in the house.

Another bill would allow option to register vehicles every two years

Also being considered is a proposal to give vehicle owners the option of registering their vehicles every two years. Officials say HB 2011 is a common-sense approach that would save the average Oklahoman time and offer greater convenience when having to renew vehicle registration. That measure also passed out of a House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee and now may also be heard by the full committee.

Child Porn Suspect to Have Trial Date Set

An 18-year old Caddo County teen will be bound over for trial for allegedly having and producing child pornography. Ayden Isaac Jacob Tee of Anadarko was arrested last October following an investigation by the Caddo County Sheriff's Office. He is charged with felonies that include aggravated possession of child porn, procuring and distributing juvenile porn, and violating the state computer crimes laws. It's alleged that Tee received and distributed more than 100 images of child porn through his phone and computer. Tee waived his right a preliminary hearing conference on the charges this week and is to be back in court in April where a judge will schedule a trial date.

Southwest District Livestock Show Continues

Today is day two of the Southwest District Livestock Show at the Grady County Fairgrounds. The cattle and the broiler shows will be held today.  Among the events at the show this weekend, officials will be honoring the founding members who brought the show back to Chickasha in 2002 after it was held for several years in Carnegie and a couple of years in Apache. The six individuals are Jerry Arthur, Ron Justice, Peggy McLemore, Karen Stephens, Rick Maloney, and Jim Yokum who served for several years as the show’s superintendent. All will be recognized during a presentation tomorrow night. At the Ag Mechanics Show yesterday, Canute FFA had the grand champion project with a covered cooker trailer; Mike Miller of Rush Springs was reserve grand with a cattle load-out chute; and Tuttle FFA won bronze with a reverse-flow cooker. Chandler Zimmerman of Elgin FFA was awarded a $1,500 scholarship.

Blood Drive Set this Afternoon

KOOL-RANCH radio stations are again teaming up with the Oklahoma Blood Institute for another community blood drive today. An OBI bloodmobile will be in the YMCA parking lot at 7th and Chickasha Avenue from 12:30 to 5:30 this afternoon. No appointment is needed. The best times to walk in will between 1:45 and 3:30 today. To find an upcoming blood drive in your area go to the website: www.obi.org

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.59 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.38.

Natural gas is $2.47 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,846 and silver is $21.58.

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Wednesday, Feb. 15th

2022 New Construction in Chix Tops 2021 Mark

The number of new construction projects in the City of Chickasha in 2022 grew by more than 25 percent over 2021. The city's Community Development Department approved 217 permits last year which was up from 172 permits the previous year. In the commercial sector, officials signed off on permits for six new projects and 42 remodeling projects. In residential work, 103 permits new projects were approved which included new single-family homes, and 66 remodeling projects were permitted. The total square footage of the projects was up about 12 percent - more than 354,000 sq. ft. last year compared to 315,000 sq. ft. in 2021. The total value of the construction nearly doubled with the 2022 total just over $25.5 million compared to $13.1 million  in 2021.

Verden, Gracemont Voters OK Special School Bond Issues

Voters in Verden overwhelmingly approved a $675,000 special bond issue for the school district in yesterday’s special election. Nearly nine of every ten voters cast ballots in favor of the proposal which passed 71-9. The funds will allow the district to build a security vestibule and a commons area at the high school. It was a similar outcome in Gracemont where nearly 90 percent of the voters cast ballots in favor of a $310,000 bond issue for the school district. The issue passed 77-9 with the funds to help make drainage improvements around the school gymnasium and upgrade and make safety improvements to school playgrounds.

Alex Voters Elect New School Board Member

Skyler Foster has won a seat on the Alex School Board. Foster defeated two opponents in yesterday’s election including veteran incumbent Tom Ketchum. Foster received 54 percent of the vote to avoid a run-off. She received 96 votes, Ketchum received 76 votes, and Shelby Johnson received 7 votes.

Southwest District Livestock Show Underway

Hundreds of youth from southwest Oklahoma will be in Chickasha for the next few days to take part in the Southwest District Livestock Show. More than 1,200 youth are expected to lead more than 2,200 animals through the show rings today through Saturday. It's believed to be the largest regional spring shows in the state trailing only the statewide Oklahoma Youth Expo in the number of participants and animals. Jerry Renshaw is the chairman of the show this year and says a lot of money will be paid out this week.

This is the 21st consecutive year for the show to be held at the Grady County Fairgrounds. The show has been around for more than 50 years and actually got its start in Chickasha. It was held in Carnegie for a number of years, and was briefly held in Apache before returning to Chickasha. Activities start with the judging of the Agriculture Mechanics exhibits where an estimated 90 projects were submitted. The sheep and goat shows will also be held today.

Anadarko Students Honored for 'If I Were Mayor' Essays

Three Anadarko school students were recognized for essays they wrote on the topic of "If I were Mayor." Matthew Toyekoyah submitted the first place essay saying he would like to build a soup kitchen and homeless shelter complex. He would also like to see the city build a sports complex to help youth be physically active. He said the building would be paid for by hosting various tournaments throughout the year. Selected for second place was Miley Olvera, and the third place winner was Skylar Mormann. All are students at Anadarko Middle School and were recognized by the Anadarko City Council.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.06 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.58.

Natural gas is $2.57 per million BTUs.

Gold is  $1,844 and silver is $21.54.

Obituary

Jerry Tucker, Jr.

Funeral service for Jerry Tucker, Jr., 65, of Norman is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home. He worked as a physician’s assistant.

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Tuesday, Feb. 14th

Former Coach's Rape, Sexual Assault Trial Delayed

The rape and sexual assault trial of former girls basketball coach Ron Akins has been postponed. Akins is charged with 10 felonies which include rape, sexual assault, and lewd acts to children under 16 years old.  Akins was arrested in June of 2021 after some current and former girls that he coached at Ninnekah and Friend schools alleged that Akins molested them and groomed them for sex. On-line court records indicate that Akins’ attorneys filed a motion for a continuance citing the discovery of new evidence. Akins trial is now set for Aug. 21st.

Special Bond Elections Today for Verden, Gracemont Schools

Voters in a couple of area school districts are casting ballots in special bond elections today. In Verden, voters will decide a $675,000 bond issue with proceeds to be used to build a security vestibule and a commons area at the high school should it be approved. In Gracemont, voters will decide a $310,000 bond issue to make repairs to the school gymnasium and improvements to the school district's playgrounds. Polls are open until 7 o'clock tonight.

Chickasha Woman's Effort Credited By Governor

in Getting Black History Month Declared in Oklahoma

A Chickasha woman is credited with helping making the month of February Black History Month in Oklahoma. A proclamation issued by Gov. Kevin Stitt mentions Loretta Jackson as helping to lead the effort. The proclamation says in part that Carter G. Wood laid the groundwork for Black History Month in America in 1926 and that Black History Month in Oklahoma was championed by Jackson. It also states that the struggles and triumphs throughout black history are inspiring to all Americans and that Oklahoma has been home to countless black leaders, educators, pioneers, and stewards of justice who demonstrated bravery, faith, and perseverance and serve as lifelong inspirations for present and future generations.

Arson Suspect Pleaded No Contest

to Previous Charge of Vandalism

A Chickasha man is accused of arson and vandalism after allegedly setting a chair on fire at a local motel. The arrest came just days after the suspect pleaded no contest in connection with a previous vandalism charge after being arrested in December. 51-year old Gary Andrew Craig was taken into custody last Friday after Chickasha police were called to the Castle Inn. A probable cause affidavit states the manager told investigators that Craig had a knife and was making racist comments toward her husband. Several witnesses alleged that Craig had set a chair on fire and was letting it burn.  The fire department was called to put out the fire. Craig claimed he was with the police and the ATF. Authorities say the room that Craig was staying in had a lot of damage and estimated the loss at nearly $3,000. Prosecutors have charged Craig with felonies for third degree arson and vandalism and a misdemeanor for obstructing an officer.

Suspect Arrested for Alleged Attack on Farm Co-Worker

A Grady County man is accused of assaulting a co-worker and threatening him with a knife at a Bradley area farm. 26-year old Cody Cove of Bradley was arrested at his home by a sheriff's deputy last Thursday. The victim alleged that Cove had assaulted him over the course of a couple of days and on Thursday threatened him with a knife. Other farm employees alleged that Cove had been high on meth for several days. Prosecutors have charged Cove with a felony for assault with a deadly weapon.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.14 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.61.

Natural gas is $2.40 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,867 and silver is $21.72.

Obituaries

‘Memaw’ Wood

A graveside service for Juanita ‘Memaw’ Woods, 86, of Cement will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15^th at the Ft. Sill National Cemetery in Elgin. She served as the Girl Scout chairwoman for Ft. Sill; worked for the City of Lawton as girls and women's sports coordinator; and for the U.S. Census Bureau. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

‘Dean’ Newton

A graveside service for Garry 'Dean' Newton, 74, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15th at Fairlawn Cemetery. He was a U.S. Army veteran who worked as a floor tech and at Pet Milk. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Monday, Feb. 13th

State Firefighters Attend Destry Horton Fire School

Dozens of firefighters spent some time in southwest Oklahoma this past weekend to take part in the Destry Horton fire school. The training is named in honor of the Rush Springs firefighter who died while fighting a wildfire. This was the 12th annual event hosted by the Oklahoma State University Fire School. Training officer Mike Huff told KSWO-TV that firefighters respond to all types of emergencies and not just fires. The courses provide hands-on experience ranging from basic to advanced wild fires and medical training.

School Audit to be Reviewed by Chix Board of Education

The board of education for Chickasha Public Schools will get a review of the district's audit for the 2021-22 school year in the group's monthly meeting tonight. The panel will also get an update on the district's drop-out report and college readiness efforts. The panel is also to consider exercising an extension of the district's contract with One Net for ethernet services for the 2023-24 school year at a cost of just over $2,500 per month. The group is also to consider approving overnight stays for the high school robotics team for upcoming competitions in Arkansas and Tulsa and the First Robotics World competition in Houston. Other groups seeking approval for overnight stays are the FFA for the Oklahoma Youth Expo; the girls powerlifting team for the state tournament in Durant; and the high school wrestling and swim teams for state tournaments  in Oklahoma City. The panel is also to recognize certified employee Bo Steele and support employee Kyle Horton as the Chicken Express Employees of the Month. The school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the school administration office.

Darko School Board to Consider Heat, Air Bid for One School

The Anadarko school board also meets tonight. The panel is to consider awarding bid packages for the heating and air system at Mission Elementary, and for a district-wide telephone system. The panel will go behind closed doors to consider renewing contracts for several school administrators. Other proposals include considering the approval of fund raisers for the FFA, tennis, baseball, and boys track teams. The Anadarko school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the Anadarko schools administration office.

Crews Move in Ahead of Turf Project at Chix High School

Construction crews will be moving in today to begin preliminary work on the installation of the new artificial turf and track at the Chickasha High School football field. Dan Turner, the district's operations director, said Memorial Stadium will be closed to the public for the duration of the project. Normally, the track area is open for individuals for exercising however the area will be closed for at least the next four months. Officials have targeted a projected completion date of early July.

Chix PD to Begin Citizens Academy

The Chickasha Police Department will once again offer a citizen's police academy. The program aims to help the community better understand police training, procedures, and philosophy. It will be a weekly program which will include classroom and hands-on training. Some of the topics include defensive tactics and the use of force; domestic crisis intervention; crime scenes; patrol procedures; and vehicle stops and operations. Participants must be 18 years old, must not have a criminal record, and pass a background check. The academy is an eight-week course which will meet Thursday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and it will begin on Thursday, March 23rd. There is no cost to attend. Applications are available in the lobby of the police department or on-line at: www.chickasha.org/CPA

Chix Library Chocolate Celebration Tonight

More than 3,000 servings of chocolate will be available tonight during the Friends of the Chickasha Library Chocolate Celebration. It’s the first time in three years for the event to be held in-person. Each of the nearly 20 groups taking part have prepared at least 200 servings of chocolatey goodies just in time for Valentine's Day tomorrow. Some bake sale items will also be available. Proceeds will help the Friends of the Library continue making improvements to the library. Tickets are $6 each and individuals can choose six servings per ticket. The event runs from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. tonight at Epworth Methodist Church.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.72 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.39.

Natural gas is $2.51 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,871 and silver is $21.96.

Saturday, Feb. 11th

State Rep Sells Home to OTA

Ahead of Proposed Turnpike Project

State Rep. Sherrie Conley (R-Newcastle) is facing backlash for making a big profit by selling her home and property to the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority. The Oklahoman reports that Conley's home was in path of the proposed new toll roads that are included in the controversial $5 billon ACCESS Oklahoma Toll Road plan. The Oklahoman reported that Conley and her husband were paid $100,000 over the appraised value of their home and property, received more than $25,000 for moving expenses, and are allowed to stay in the home rent-free for a year. The Oklahoman also report that The Conleys were among nine landowners who sold property to the turnpike authority last year before the work on the proposed toll roads were put on pause due to ongoing litigation.

Pioneer Telephone to End Cell Phone Service

Oklahomans who have cell phone service with Pioneer Telephone Company will have to find a new provider. The company will be discontinuing its cell phone operations later this year. A press release announcing the move indicates it will not affect customers with broadband, hard-line telephone, or iVideo services. Pioneer Telephone serves numerous rural areas including Grady, Caddo, Comanche, and Stephens counties and much of western and northwestern Oklahoma. The firm has been in operation for 70 years. Officials say the move allows the company to focus on its core business of providing broadband services. The company is working with Verizon to ensure that customers maintain their connectivity. Officials say cellular customers don't have to take an action right now. They will be receiving letters in the next few weeks which will have more information. Officials promised to work to ensure the transition will be simple and seamless. Officials are also working to understand what impact the transition will have on its employees.

Oil, Gas Well Completions Reported 

Oil and gas well completions in the area have been submitted to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission. Poloma Operating Company out of Houston filed reports on two wells in the Minco area and one near Yukon. Two Dumbledore Wells are on a single pad about three miles east of Minco in Section 25 of Township 10 North and  Range 7 West in Grady County. The two wells were bringing in more than 500 barrels of oil-equivalent and more than 3,000 metric cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas per day at a true vertical depth of just over 10,000 feet. The well near Yukon is the Roseannadanna Well is about two miles southwest of that city in Section 34 of Township 12 North and Range 6 West in Canadian County. The well was producing nearly 200 barrels of oil-equivalent and about 400 Mcf of natural gas per day at a true vertical depth of just under 9,000 feet.

State Rep Brad Boles Reviews Opening Week of Session

State lawmakers have wrapped up the first week of the legislative session. State Rep. Brad Boles (R-Marlow) re-capped the week in a media release. He cited Gov. Kevin Stitt's State-of-the-State Address where the governor said he wants lawmakers to focus on lowering taxes, developing the state's workforce, improving infrastructure, and diversifying the state's energy grid to help attract more businesses. Boles is the chairman of the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee and meets with industry associations, the corporation commission, the secretary of energy, the Oklahoma Water Resources Board and the State Department of Environmental Quality to review all the bills assigned to the panel. He says he'll have the group's first meeting next week

Talk Show Topics

Chickasha Fire Chief Tony Samaniego and Dr. Bill Worden with Heartland Medical Directions are on our KOOL Konversation program. On Real Estate Today, this week's guests are Cameron Johnston and Evan Blasingame with the CPA firm of Angel, Johnston, and Blasingame. Podcasts of both programs can be found under the Community tab on this website.

Obituaries

Delores Delacruz-Latyon

Funeral service for Delores Delacruz-Layton, 53, of Chickasha will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11th at Full Gospel Church. She worked at the Cottonwood Nursing Center. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Theda Amerson

A memorial service for Theda Amerson, 86, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Feb. 13th at Sevier Funeral Home. She was a homemaker and babysitter.

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Friday, Feb. 10th

Tactical Team Drill Surprises some Chix Residents

About 50 law enforcement personnel from across the state were in Chickasha this week for some training exercises. It caught a lot of people off guard yesterday when they saw officers dressed in tactical gear and carrying firearms in the downtown area near the city’s former police and fire departments. The training was provided by a company called Heartland Medical Direction which hosts training exercises throughout the state. Dr. Bill Wardon is the medical director for Heartland and said they went through several scenarios.

The drills included a medical helicopter landing in the parking lot at 7th and Choctaw Avenue. Agencies from Chickasha and Grady County, along with Caddo, Canadian and Logan counties were in town both Wednesday and Thursday for the training. Wednesday they had classroom lectures in several areas including breaching explosives and even mental health and resiliency training.

Cong. Tom Cole Pans Biden's State-of-the-Union Speech

4th District Congressman Tom Cole (R-Moore) was disappointed in President Biden's State of the Union address this week. Cole said the president didn't mention anything about energy production. In a prepared statement Cole said the president failed to mention a plan to unleash North American energy production to solve (Biden’s) self-created energy crisis.  Cole said the U.S. was an almost entirely energy-independent nation when Biden took office but that has all changed. Cole said because of the president's anti-American energy policies and assault on domestic production, energy prices are the highest they've ever been. Cole also said it's time for the president to stop playing games with the country’s Strategic Petroleum Reserves saying that tapping into the reserves has left America in a vulnerable position and in the hands of other countries that don't have the best interests of the U.S. in mind.

Chix Arts Council Hosts Art Walk Tonight

The Chickasha Area Arts Council is hosting a first-of-a-kind event tonight. A number of businesses in the downtown area have displays of numerous local artists in their store-front windows or inside. About 30 businesses and groups have teamed up with the council to be part of the inaugural walk. Dana Helms helped to organize the event and says it’s patterned off a similar art walk held in Norman. The Art Walk is from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. mostly along Chickasha Avenue from the Rock Island Railroad Depot to 7th Street. Some businesses will be open after their normal business hours.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.06 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.50.

Natural gas is $2.43 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,872 and silver is $22.10.

Obituaries

Jack Parrish

Funeral service for Jack Parrish, 95, of Chickasha was held at 11:00 a.m. this morning at Epworth Methodist Church. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and worked for PSO for nearly 40 years. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home

‘Dody’ Meeks

A graveside service for Delores ‘Dody’ Meeks, 88, of Chickasha will be held by the family at a later date. At one time she was the private secretary for Kevin Eastman who created the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

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Thursday, Feb. 9th

Three Chix City Councilors File Unopposed

Only five candidates filed to run for Chickasha city council this week and four of them currently serve on the panel. The only race that developed is in Ward 4, where Councilman Kelly Boyd is being challenged by Eric Anderson. It's the first time for Anderson to run for public office. Ward 3 Councilman Oscar Nelson, Ward 2 Councilwoman Georgianne Hebblethwaite, and Ward 1 Councilman Brian Gerdes all ran unopposed and will serve two more years on the council. The city council election will be held in April.

Anadarko Mayor has Opponent; Two Council Reps were Unchallenged

In Anadarko, there is a race for the top council post, as Mayor Kelley McGlothin is being opposed by Patrick Michael Hays. Two council representatives ran unopposed and will keep their seats on the panel. Ward One councilor Jayme Miller and Ward 2 councilor Patrick Redbird will serve another term. Municipal elections will be held in April.

USAO Prez Touts Partnership with OU School of Nursing

USAO and Murray State College are combining efforts with the Fran and  Earl Ziegler College OU School of Nursing train more nurses in an attempt to address Oklahoma's nursing shortage. At a press conference announcing the partnership yesterday, USAO president John Feaver said the university has a long and distinguished record of producing students who excel and graduate through the university's health sciences program.

This fall, USAO will offer a guaranteed admission opportunity to six qualified undergraduate students who are majoring in nursing and allow them to pursue their bachelor of science degrees at the OU College of Nursing at Cameron University in Lawton and at Duncan Regional Hospital.

'Onward Chickasha' Community Open House Set

The first community meeting of the Onward Chickasha community development plan is on the calendar. It will be a come-and-go event for individuals to meet with the project team of the Guernsey Engineering firm which was hired to conduct an 18-month study to provide the city with a 20-30 year improvement plan. The meeting will be held Thursday, Feb. 23^rd from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in the Chickasha High School commons area. There will be a number of static displays for residents to view and comment on. In addition to the community meeting, individuals are urged to take an on-line survey to provide input on what they would like to see for the city in the long-term. The survey is on the website:

www.OnwardChickasha.org with the deadline for comments being March 15th.

Chickasha Schools Name First Hall of Honor Members

Chickasha Public School officials have announced the first three individuals to be enshrined in the district's Hall of Honor. The hall was established to celebrate individuals who have contributed to the welfare of humanity and brought unusually positive attention to Chickasha.

Dr. Ada Sipuel-Fisher: She was the valedictorian of the 1941 class of Chickasha's Lincoln High School and civil rights pioneer who broke the color barrier at the OU Law School. She graduated from there in 1952; practiced law in Chickasha and Oklahoma City; taught at Langston University and retired as Langston's Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. She also served as a member of the OU Board of Regents.

Art Griffith: Griffith was a 1915 Chickasha High School graduate who fought in World War I and would serve as the wrestling coach at Oklahoma A and M and lead the  team to eight national titles. He also coached the USA wrestling team to a gold medal in the 1948 Olympics and is in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.

Darrell Harms: Harms was the speech and drama teacher for Chickasha Public Schools for 35 years in the district. He led students to an estimated 180 full-length plays and performances and one-night acts, and was the public address announcer for numerous high school and junior high football and basketball games.  He is already a member of the Chickasha High School Athletic Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held during the annual Chickasha Public School Foundation Gala on March 31st.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.47 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.09.

Natural gas is $2.40 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,393 and silver is $22.47.

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Wednesday, Feb. 8th

USAO to Assist in Filling Nursing Shortage

USAO will be working to help solve the shortage of nursing professionals in the state. USAO and Murray State will be partnering with the Earl Ziegler College of Nursing at OU to offer a guaranteed admission program. A press conference announcing the partnership will be held at the OU Health Sciences Center this afternoon.

Four Incumbents, One Challenger File for Chix City Council

Five candidates have come forward so far to run for Chickasha City Council with one apparent race so far. That's in Ward 4 where incumbent Kelly Boyd is being challenged by Eric Anderson. On Tuesday, Ward 3 councilman Oscar Nelson and Ward 1 councilman Brian Gerdes filed their paperwork to run for re-election. Ward 2 councilwoman Georgianne Hebblethwaite had previously filed. Today is the final day for candidates to file for city or town council posts.

Regional Filings Update

Checking city and town council filings for other area communities:

Alex, Roy Marcum and Jim Bisel have filed for board of trustees;

Minco, Felicia Tinsley and Rex Ramey have filed for separate offices;

Ninnekah, Linda Clark and Teresa Dunn have filed for separate offices;

Rush Springs, Gary Langham and Hank Badertscher have filed for board of trustees and Kathy Adamson has filed for Town Clerk-Treasurer;

Verden, Amber King and Michael Hurley have fled for board of trustees;

Dibble, Matt Alexander has filed for board of trustees;

Blanchard, Michael Scalf and Joseph Davis have filed for separate offices;

Anadarko, Kelly McGlothlin and Patrick Michael Hayes have filed for Mayor; Jayme Miller has filed in Ward 1 and Patrick Redbird has filed in Ward 2;

Cement, Erik Williams, Linda Kawa, and Sarah Jiminez have filed for board of trustees;

Cyril, Monica Cooper, Kathy Castro and Shawn Ream have filed for board of trustees;

Gracemont, Curtis McPherson and Carol Abbott have filed for board of trustees;

Ft. Cobb, Chris Helton and Kendra West have filed for board of trustees;

Apache, Tina Johnson has filed for board of trustees;

Binger, Steve DeVaughn, Robert Doyel, and Mason Smith have filed for board of trustees of trustees and Taryn Gregory has filed for town clerk-treasurer;

Carnegie, Wesley Taylor and Donald Topfi have filed for bd. of trustees;

Eakly, Angel Castillo, board of trustees and Lisa Root, town clerk-treasurer;

Hinton, Casey McLoud, Brandon Hill, Randel House, Janie Smallwood, and Brian Sweeney for board of trustees and Brooke Hoehner for town clerk.

The filing period for municipal offices ends at 5 o'clock this afternoon.

Congressman Tom Cole Schedules Chickasha Stop

4th District Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole will be in Chickasha later this month. Cole will have a legislative update at the chamber of commerce on Wednesday, Feb. 22nd. The program will be at 11:30 a.m. and a box lunch will be available for $10. Contact Whitney Palesano at the chamber to sign up.

Assault Suspect Recently Served Jail Time for Vandalism

A Chickasha man is jailed on a $50,000 bond after being arrested for assaulting his girlfriend. 42-year old James Albert Eudy, II was arrested by Chickasha police last week. A probable cause affidavit filed by Chickasha police indicates an officer was called to the 600 block of North 8th Street last Wednesday morning. The victim said she and Eudy had been arguing when he got physical struck her several times. Prosecutors have formally charged Eudy with a felony for domestic violence-assault and battery. He had just gotten out of jail last month after serving a short sentence after pleading guilty to misdemeanor vandalism charge stemming from an arrest in December.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.14 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.69.

Natural gas is $2.58 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,894 and silver is $22.51.

Obituaries

Jeffrey Douglas

Funeral service for Jeffrey Douglas, 62, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He was a 17-year veteran of the U.S. Navy and worked at Midwest Towers.

Lucy Burkett

A graveside service for Lucy Burkett, 81, of Chickasha will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10th at Fairlawn Cemetery. She was a truck driver with her husband Don and was an accomplished seamstress. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Feb. 7th

Chix Resident Claims Economic Development Council

Not Being 'Transparent' with Use of Hotel-Motel Tax Funds

For the last several months, a Chickasha resident has complained that the city's Economic Development Council (EDC) is not providing information about how the panel is using some of the city's hotel-motel tax revenues. Laurie Allen has been to several city council meetings since December saying the information is public record but that EDC officials say it is not. Allen was in front of the city council again last night saying some information has come forward but she still wants more details. She has gone so far as to notify the state attorney general's office alleging EDC is violating the state's open records act. City Manager Keith Johnson admitted there has been some problems with a lack of transparency by the EDC but says more needs to be done.

Also during the meeting, the council approved a contract to replace a sewer line near 16th and Choctaw which has been dilapidated for several years. The project was awarded to Matthews Trenching at a cost of nearly $320,000. The panel also approved paying city manager Keith Johnson $10,000 for moving expenses which was part of his contract when he was hired last fall.

Candidates File for Area City, Town Council Posts

Three people filed for Chickasha City Council in the first day of filing for office yesterday. Ward 2 Councilwoman Georgianne Hebblethwaite and Ward 4 Councilman Kelly Boyd filed for re-election. Also filing was Eric Anderson in Ward 4. Other filings in the region: In Ninnekah, Teresa Dunn has filed for Office 2 and Linda Clark filed for Office 3 for the town council; In Verden, Michael Hurley filed for board of trustees; In Rush Springs, Hank Badertscher and Gary Langham both filed for board of trustees and Kathy Adamson filed for town clerk-treasurer; In Alex, Jim Bisel filed for board of trustees; and in Minco, Rex Ramey filed for Ward No. 2 for town council. In Blanchard, Joseph Jody Davis has filed in Ward 1 and Michael Scalf has filed in Ward 2 for city council. In Anadarko, Patrick Michael Hayes has filed as a candidate for Mayor; in Cyril, Shawn Ream filed for board of trustees; in Gracemont, Carol Abbott filed for board of trustees; in Binger, Taryn Gregory filed for the town clerk-and-treasurer; and in Hinton, Casey McLoud and Janie Smallwood have filed for board of trustees. The filing period runs through Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Suspect Arrested Nearly a Year After Alleged Kidnapping

There's new information about a man who was arrested last week for kidnapping. It's alleged the incident took place on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike last February. It wasn't until nine months later (last November) that an arrest warrant was issued for 30-year old James Latour Burgess. A probable cause affidavit indicates the victim said he picked up Burgess and his girlfriend in Oklahoma City and agreed to give them a ride to Chickasha. At some point during the trip it’s alleged that Burgess pulled out two weapons and put one of them in the victim's side. He then took the victims' cel phone and told him to go back to Oklahoma City. After dropping Burgess and his girlfriend off the victim drove back to Chickasha where a report was filed with a state trooper. Burgess remains in the Grady County Jail awaiting arraignment.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $74.11 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $80.99.

Natural gas is $2.45 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,882 and silver is $22.25.

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Monday, Feb. 6th

Chix Wal-Mart Evacuated After Report of Threat

Several law enforcement agencies responded to a threat at Chickasha's Wal-Mart store Saturday night. The call came in about 9:30 p.m. Chickasha police and Grady County sheriff's deputies were among those responding. A press release issued by Chickasha police said the store was evacuated as a precaution and later said there was an incident which was not related to the alleged threat but provided no other details. Authorities determined there was no threat to the public.

Kidnapping Suspect Arrested

A man wanted for alleged kidnapping has been taken into custody. Last November, A Grady County judge issued an arrest warrant for 30-year old James Latour Burgess of Oklahoma City stemming from an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. In addition to kidnapping Burgess was also wanted for possession of a firearm after former conviction. No details were available about the investigation. Burgess could have his initial appearance on the charges in Grady County District Court as early as today.

Filing Period Opens for City, Town Council Offices

The filing period is underway for a number of city and town council posts. Candidates for Chickasha City Council will file at Chickasha City Hall and all others in Grady County will file at the Grady County Election Board. Chickasha City Council representatives who seats are up for election include Brian Gerdes in Ward 1; Georgianne Hebblethwaite in Ward 2; Oscar Nelson in Ward 3; and Kelly Boyd in Ward 4. The three-day filing period runs through 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Large Re-imbursement Grant to be Discussed By Chix Council

The Chickasha City Council tonight will consider approving a six-figure grant reimbursement to the group responsible for much of the new development in downtown Chickasha over the last couple of years. It's a $100,000 reimbursement request by a group called Chickasha Today for work done in the 100 block of Chickasha Avenue. The council is also to consider awarding a sewer line replacement project at 16th and Choctaw to Matthews Trenching for nearly $320,000. The panel will also consider a $10,000 payment to city manager Keith Johnson related to his moving expenses; and will consider accepting the appointment of Robert Brooks as City Treasurer. He’s expected to be named to the post to replace previous finance director Cindy Rogers who recently stepped down. The panel will also get an update from Jim Cowan with the Economic Development Council regarding downtown grants. The group will also consider approving engineering studies with Parkhill Engineering for a couple of projects at the Chickasha Airport. One is the make improvements to the runway and taxi way and the second is to design some new hangars for estimated costs of about $87,000 each. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at City Hall.

State Legislative Session Begins Today

State lawmakers are returning to the state capital today for the start of the 2023 legislative session. Thousands of bills have been submitted for consideration. Governor Kevin Stitt will give his State of the State address this afternoon and he's expected to continue his call for an end to the state sales tax on groceries and a cut in state income tax rates.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $73.39 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.94.

Natural gas is $2.41 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,883 and silver is $22.42.

Obituaries

John Nix

Funeral service for John Nix, 90, of Chickasha was held at 2 o'clock today at Holy Name Catholic Church. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.

Rhonda Davis

Funeral service for Rhonda Davis of Lawton is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Saturday, Feb. 4th

Jury Issues Not Guilty Verdict in Manslaughter Trial

A Chickasha man is found not guilty of first degree manslaughter in connection with the death of a bicycle rider. A Grady County jury acquitted Bryan Bingham of manslaughter yesterday. Bingham was charged in connection with the death of Scott Womack in May of 2020. Bingham driving a car that struck and killed Womack as he was riding his bicycle near his home. Bret Burns was Bingham's attorney-

Burns said the jury of 10 women and two men deliberated for about an hour an half before returning the not-guilty verdict.

Kidnapping Suspect Captured

A man wanted for alleged kidnapping has been taken into custody. A felony arrest warrant for 30-year old James Latour Burgess of Oklahoma City was issued by Grady County authorities last November. Burgess was also wanted for possession of a firearm after former conviction. On-line court records indicate the warrant was issued following an investigation by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. No details were immediately available about the investigation. Burgess could have his initial appearance on the charges in Grady County District Court next week.

City of Chickasha Begins 'Onward Chickasha' Project

An effort to develop a comprehensive plan to improve Chickasha's infrastructure and to take the city into the middle part of this century and beyond is in the works - and city officials want public input. It's called ‘Onward Chickasha’ and city leaders will be interacting with residents to find out their ideas of what improvements are needed. Last summer the city council approved the hiring of the Guernsey Engineering Firm out of Oklahoma City to lead the project. Officials will spend the next 18 months putting together the master plan which officials hope will prepare the city for the second half of the 21st century. A community survey is underway right now asking participants to share what they think the city's biggest needs are whether it is better streets, water, and water systems; better police and fire protection; parks and recreation; land use; and housing needs and affordability. Residents have until March 15th to comment. The survey is available on the website: www.onwardchickasha.org

Participants will have to create a user name and password. In addition to the survey there will be an open house later this month for the public to get more information during an informal setting. The survey is the first of many workshops and open-house type programs which will be held over the next year-and-a-half to get the public’s suggestions. There is a citizens committee that is helping to guide the project.  Anyone who would like to serve on the committee or would like other information can reach out to city planner Rachel Bernish at the Community Development Department at city hall.

Talk Show Topics

We are discussing the Onward Chickasha project on Real Estate Today this week. Mayor Chris Mosley, City Planner Rachel Bernish, and representatives of the Guernsey Engineering firm are featured. On the KOOL Konversation this week’s guests are Angie Lewis and Jana Dabney with the Friends of the Chickasha Library. They'll be talking about some of their projects including the return of the group's Chocolate Celebration which is back after a two-year break. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

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Friday, February 3^rd

ODOT Considers 'Tax per Mile Driven' Instead of Gas Tax

Officials with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) are looking for alternative ways to pay for the upkeep and maintenance of state highways. For years road maintenance funds have been paid with funds collected on a state tax on gasoline. ODOT officials say with the higher fuel-efficiency of new cars and trucks and the increasing number of electric vehicles on the road that gas tax revenues are declining. ODOT has created a pilot program called Fair Miles Oklahoma and are looking at alternative ways to collect road repair funds. One proposal is for motorists to pay for every mile that they drive. Officials are studying the options and could have more information later this year. They say the goal is to learn lessons and figure out what works and what doesn’t work for Oklahomans.

Energy Mogul Predicts Favorable Future for Oil and Gas

Oklahoma energy magnate Harold Hamm is optimistic about the future of the energy industry. Hamm, the chairman of Continental Resources, says the country is going to need the oil and gas industry for the next 100 years. He addressed a meeting this week at the Hamm Institute for American Energy in Oklahoma City. The Institute was named for him. He praised the oil and gas workforce calling them the backbone of the industry. Hamm said that’s where he started and it’s where his loyalties lie. Also attending the meeting was Molly Determan who is the president of Energy Workforce. She said they are coming out of some of the most challenging times that the nation and world have faced but are still providing affordable, reliable energy. She said it’s important to end the negative rhetoric about the oil and gas industry which directly impacts its ability to access talent and long-term investments. Determan said its critical that they enable their employees to be advocates for the industry.

Chix Chamber of Commerce Plans Centennial Banquet

2023 is a big year for the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is celebrating its 100^th year. The group is currently planning its annual banquet and is accepting nominations for a number of awards which will be announced at that time. Among the awards are Civic Hall of Fame, Citizen of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, and Small Business of the Year. Nominations can be submitted on-line at:

www.chickashachamber.com/events-and-programs/chamber-banquet

The banquet will be held Friday, April 21^st and individuals are asked to RSVP by April 15^th.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.88 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $82.17.

Natural gas is $2.45 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,923 and silver is $23.49.

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Thursday, Feb. 2nd

Gary Boggess Sworn is as Grady County Sheriff

There was a changing of the guard at the Grady County Sheriff's Office yesterday. Grady County Commissioners appointed Undersheriff Gary Boggess to serve as sheriff in a special meeting. That was followed by Boggess taking his oath of office from District Judge Kory Kirkland. Boggess said he's blessed to have the opportunity and credited retiring sheriff Jim Weir for his work.

Boggess was named undersheriff in May of 2021 following his retirement after a 20-year career at the Newcastle Police Department. He has more than 30 years’ experience in law enforcement. He is a U.S. Army veteran and served in both Operation Desert Storm and Desert Shield and afterwards spent eight years in the Oklahoma National Guard.

Retired Sheriff  Saluted in Final Radio Call

For Weir, he spent 10 years as sheriff and spent 40 years in law enforcement. We wanted to share this post from the Grady County Sheriff's Office Facebook page with Weir's final call from dispatch-

Weir’s retirement was effective Tuesday, Jan. 31^st. By the way, all the Grady County deputies will take their oaths of office to serve under the new sheriff in a ceremonial swearing-in which will be held at Bible Baptist Church this Saturday.

Verden, Gracemont Schools to Have Special Bond Elections

Voters in the Verden and Gracemont school districts will decide bond issues this month. In Verden, a $675,000 bond issue is proposed to include building a security vestibule at the high school. Superintendent Mickey Edwards say the vestibule will double as a commons area and will provide an extra layer of protection for students. A reception area will allow administrative assistants to screen visitors before they are allowed in the building. Edwards said property taxes would not increase if the measure is approved as a current bond issue will come of the tax rolls.  If approved the bonds would be paid off in five-years after they are issued.

Gracemont Plan Detailed

Gracemont school patrons will consider a nearly $310,000 bond issue. Superintendent David Garner said the project was developed after holding a community survey. The funds would be used to improve security; make repairs to the foundation of the gymnasium to fix some drainage issues; and make some safety improvements to playgrounds. Garner said property taxes in the Gracemont School District would not increase should the measure be approved. The proposal is also a five-year bond issue. The elections for both bond issues is Tuesday, Feb. 14th.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.41 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.51.

Natural gas is $2.49 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,968 and silver is $24.43.

Obituaries

Betty Nobles

Funeral service for Betty Nobles, 77, of Tuttle will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3^rd at Sevier Funeral Home in Tuttle.

Timothy Tims

Funeral service for Timothy Tims, 80, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He owned and operated Jimmy's Cleaners for more than 20 years.

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Wednesday, Feb. 1^st

Tanker Truck Hauling Sewage Crashes

A tanker truck carrying thousands of gallons of sewage ran off the road and took out two power poles and crashed through a fence in Ninnekah this morning. It happened about 12:30 a.m. near the Washita Valley RV Park at 1907 North Old Highway 81. The dispatch log from the Grady County Sheriff's Office indicates the truck was hauling about 4,000 gallons of sewage. It's not believed that any of the sewage leaked out of the tanker. Ninnekah police and fire, a sheriff's deputy and Chickasha EMS were called. However, the driver of the truck was not injured. PSO was also called out to replace the poles and there were a few power outages. PSO is not reporting any outages in that area this morning. Also, some cattle may have also gotten out with the broken down fence. At last report, the cattle owner was still looking for a missing donkey.

Pursuit Suspect Wanted from Last Summer Arrested

A suspect wanted in connection with the pursuit of a stolen vehicle last summer was taken into custody recently. An arrest warrant was issued last July for 28-year old Randy Mitchell Reed of Chickasha. He was booked into the Grady County Jail last Friday. KOOL-RANCH news reported on the incident in which a pick-up was stolen from the Chickasha Napa Auto Parts store in early July. The pickup owner’s father called the sheriff’s office as he was following the truck north on U.S. Highway 81. While a deputy was responding he saw a pick up that matched the description of the one reported stolen on a county road between Pocasset and Amber. The pursuit went into and through Amber and ended when the pickup crashed – however the driver fled on foot but the deputy managed to take him into custody at the point. The suspect complained of injuries and he was then taken to an Oklahoma City hospital. Reed was arraigned in Grady County District Court this past Monday on felony charges of endangering others while eluding and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He remains in the Grady County Jail in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

Blood Shortage Continues; Pop-up Blood Drive Set

The winter weather over the past week has forced the cancelation of a lot of blood drives for the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI). The agency has issued an emergency blood shortage and is working to schedule pop-up blood drives. Christi Chambers is the director of the OBI Lawton office. She says every day that blood drives are canceled means that they don't get the more than 1,000 units of blood they need for all the hospitals they serve in Oklahoma and North Texas. Chambers says they need - 

KOOL-RANCH radio and the Chickasha Area YMCA are teaming up with the OBI for a pop-up blood drive. A bloodmobile will be in the YMCA parking lot at 7th and Chickasha Avenue from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow and officials encourage eligible donors to stop in and no appointment is necessary. Other upcoming blood drives can be found on the blood institute’s website: www.obi.org

USAO Program Helps Autistic Students Earn Degrees

A program for autistic college students at USAO is helping the students earn their degrees and help them obtain social skills they'll need in society. Cathy Perri is the director of the Neil-Wint Center for Neurodiversity. She says other USAO students play a big role in serving as mentors.

The program began in 2017 with four students and has grown to 18. Four of the students have earned their college degrees.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.87 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.49.

Natural gas is $2.68 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,943 and silver is $23.57.

Obituaries

Wilma Dee Roberson

No services are scheduled for Wilma Dee Roberson, 85, of Chickasha. She worked for Southwestern Bell for several years. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Alan Joseph Smart

A private memorial service will be held for Alan Smart, 54, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Jan. 31st

Winter Weather Advisory Extended

A traveler's advisory for much of the state has been extended as weather forecasters say periods of freezing rain, sleet, and snow are anticipated through Thursday morning. The National Weather Service now says the winter weather advisory is in effect until 6:00 p.m. Wednesday for periods of freezing rain, sleet, or snow – with some freezing rain possible into Thursday morning.  Additional ice accumulations of up to one quarter-of-an-inch are possible in some areas. Most highways are slick in spots but interior roads could be the most hazardous to drive on. Many schools have gone to virtual learning which means students are at home and in contact with teachers with mobile devices. Today’s closings include the Grady County Courthouse which is expected to re-open an hour later Wednesday morning at 9 a.m. County Commissioner Kirk Painter said individuals summoned for jury duty won't need to report Wednesday until 10:00 a.m.

Jury Selection Begins for Manslaughter Trial

Jury selection began in Grady County District Court yesterday for the trial of a Chickasha man accused in connection with a fatal crash that killed a bicycle rider. Bryan Bingham was charged with manslaughter after the accident which occurred in May of 2020. Scott Womack died in the accident that occurred near his home and Bingham is alleged to have been behind the wheel of the car that hit Womack.

One Dead, One Hospitalized After Ft. Cobb Crash

One person died and another was hospitalized following a traffic accident in Ft. Cobb. 78-year old Gary Orrell of Ft. Cobb died in an ambulance while being taken to a hospital. The accident happened just before 6:00 a.m. Monday. 71-year old Javier Salazar of Carnegie was taken to the Anadarko hospital where he was admitted in serious condition. Also injured was 59-year old Mary Salazar of Carnegie who was also taken to the Anadarko hospital where she was treated and released.

New Grady County Sheriff to be Named Wednesday

A new Grady County sheriff is expected to be named tomorrow. Grady County commissioners held a closed-door session during the group’s Monday morning meeting to discuss the applications of two candidates. Commissioner Kirk Painter said the panel took no action after the executive session but said the new sheriff would be named during a special commissioners meeting scheduled tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. Undersheriff Gary Boggess is believed to be the front-runner for the post. Sheriff Jim Weir who is retiring today recommended that commissioners appoint Boggess to the office.

New Turf, Track, Scoreboard Approved for Chix High School

The Chickasha school board approved multi-million dollar contracts with a several companies yesterday to install artificial turf, a new track surface, and a video scoreboard at the high school football stadium. The total cost of the improvements is about $4.2 million with the funds coming from a $35 million bond issue approved by school district voters last summer. A contract with Field Turf USA and partner company Beynon Track was for $3.5 million. Both companies have installed similar surfaces at high schools and colleges throughout the country. Superintendent Rick Croslin talked about some of the benefits.

The school board also approved a $600,000 contract with Metro Sign Company to install a state-of-the-art scoreboard with a large video playback screen and high-tech sound system. Officials hope to begin work around Feb. 20^th with completion expected in early July.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.98 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.90.

Natural gas is $2.67 per million BTUS.

Gold is $1,919 and silver is $23.22.

Obituary

Marion Lennox, Jr.

Funeral service for Marion Lennox, Jr., 92, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4th at the First Baptist Church in Duncan. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Monday, Jan. 30th

Winter Weather Expected Through Noon Wednesday

Old Man Winter has once again tightened his grip on the Sooner State. Many areas of Oklahoma could see a variety of freezing rain, sleet, and snow over the next three days along with sub-freezing temperatures and wind chill values below zero. A travelers advisory is in effect through noon Wednesday as the entire I-40 corridor could get about an inch of snow and some ice accumulation which will create hazardous driving conditions. Temperatures will be steady in the upper-teens and low-twenties through mid-day Wednesday with highs in the mid-to-upper 30s Wednesday afternoon.

Warming Centers Open During Cold Spell

The Chickasha Community Alliance has opened warming centers for the homeless and for families who may not have proper heating in their homes. During the day, Linked Church at 902 S. 9^th Street will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Heidi Helping the Homeless at 3rd and Minnesota Ave will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Food will be provided at both locations. During the overnight hours The Resurrection House at 7^th and Colorado will be open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.

New Grady County Sheriff May be Named

Grady County Commissioners will meet behind closed doors this morning to consider appointing a new sheriff. Current Sheriff Jim Weir is retiring and tomorrow is his last day in office. Officials are expected to elevate Undersheriff Gary Boggess to the post who (if approved) would serve the remaining two years of the sheriff’s term. Weir said Boggess has been basically running the office over the last year and recommended that commissioners appoint Boggess to the post. A swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday morning. Weir has spent 40 years in law enforcement with the last 10 years as Grady County Sheriff.

Field Turf Bid for CHS Football Field May be OK'd

The Chickasha school board will consider replacing the natural grass at Memorial Stadium with field turf today. It is part of the bond issue approved by voters last summer. The action is to be discussed in a special meeting of board at noon. The panel will consider approving a contract with Field Turf USA for a new football field and eight-lane track. The price tag is just over $3.5 million.  It includes paving, electrical work, fencing, and a metal storage building. The panel will also consider purchasing a new scoreboard for the football field and would include a 20’ X 37’ video board to allow for replays and video ads. Two new play clocks would also be included. The cost of the scoreboard is just over $600,000 and it is from Metro Sign Company. The panel will also discuss considering approving a proposal to surplus all the natural grass and dirt on the field which will have to be removed before the new surface can be installed.

2023-24 School Year Revisions also to be Discussed

The school board will also consider some changes for the 2023-24 school year including spring break for the week of March 18th of 2024 and starting the 4th quarter of the school year March 11th. The group will also consider some changes in the appeal process for students who are suspended. The panel will also consider spending about $12,000 to send the district's administrative team to a conference in Orlando, Florida in June of this year.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.68 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.66.

Natural gas is $3.11 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,938 and silver is $23.70.

Obituary

Stella Carlisle

Funeral service for Stella Carlisle, 89, of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1st at Bible Baptist Church. She owned and operated an antique store and also worked at T, G and Y; Kress Department Store; and Pet Milk. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Saturday, Jan. 28th

More Winter Weather on the Way

Freezing rain, sleet, and snow are all in the forecast for much of next week as another winter storm approaches Oklahoma. After a windy and warm day today with afternoon highs in the low 60s -  tomorrow's forecast is for highs in the 30s with north winds gusting to 30 mph. Precipitation will begin Monday in parts of the state with sleet and snow and steady temps in the 20s through Wednesday. More rain and freezing rain is expected Wednesday and a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain forecast for Thursday. Officials with the National Weather Service say to expect hazardous driving conditions and school officials are keeping a close eye on things in anticipation of cancelling classes.

Warming Centers to Open

The forecast for winter weather has the Chickasha Community Alliance preparing warming shelters for the extended cold weather event. Lt. Crystal McFarland with the Salvation Army of Grady and Caddo counties serves as one of the co-chair of the alliance. She said that beginning tomorrow night, The Resurrection House at 7th and Colorado will serve as an emergency overnight shelter from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. for the duration of the storm. Beginning Monday, day shelters will be open at Linked Church at 902 S. 9th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Heidi Helping the Homeless at 3rd and Minnesota will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Food will be provided at the day shelters. McFarland said the shelters are not just for the homeless but also for individuals who may not have proper heating sources in their homes.  As of now the shelters are expected to be available through Tuesday night and perhaps longer depending on the weather forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.

Assault Suspect Wanted for Five Years Arrested

A domestic violence suspect wanted for nearly five years was arrested this week. An arrest warrant for 42-year old Brandon James Hutchins was issued in June of 2018.  The arrest warrant affidavit filed in the case reports that Hutchins and his then girlfriend got into an argument while driving from Lindsay to Chickasha. They stopped at convenience store where the argument turned physical and it is alleged that Hutchins hit the victim in the face pulled out some of her hair. Two witnesses say they observed parts of the altercation. Hutchins is facing a felony count of assault and battery. He was released from jail after posting a $10,000 bond.  He's to be back in court in April for a preliminary hearing conference.

Blanchard Student Saves Classmates' Life

A Blanchard middle school student is being called a hero after he saved a friend's life. It happened at lunchtime on Thursday when 11-year old Vollie Hines saw him choking and gasping for air. KFOR-TV reports that Hines took action and applied the Heimlich maneuver. After several thrusts to the fellow student’s abdomen a potato chip came out of his mouth. Vollie said he was nervous for his friend and is relieved he will be OK. Principal Paula Floyd shared the heroic deed on Facebook and the Blanchard community is congratulating him for his work. Floyd said the parents of the choking student are grateful that Vollie stepped in as quickly as he did. She said Vollie didn't take any time to think about it and that he did what needed to be done.

Vintage Toy Show Today

Buyers and sellers of collectible toys will meet today at the Southwest Vintage Toy Show. More than 25 vendors will have hot wheels, Star Wars items, action figures, Barbies and G.I. Joes. Some vendors will have video games, baseball and other trading cards, farm toy collectibles, die cast, and pressed steel toys. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Admission is three dollars for adults and children 12 and under get in free.

Talk Show Topic

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Cathy Perri, director of USAO's Neil-Wint Center for Neurodiversity, and program founders Phillip and Katy Wint are guests on the KOOL Konversation program talking about the center and its work with autistic USAO students. Find a podcast of the program under the Community tab on this website.

Obituary

Daija Jones

Funeral service for Daija Jones of Lawton was held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28^th at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Lawton. Arrangements were with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Friday, January 27th

Athena Brownfield's Remains Identified

The State Medical Examiner's office has confirmed that remains of a child found in the Agawam area were those of Athena Brownfield. The news came one day after a funeral for the 4-year old from Cyril. The remains were found last week on property that used to belong to Athena's caretakers, Ivon Adams and Alycia Adams. Brownfield was reported missing from Cyril on January 10th and the remains found a week later on Jan. 17th. Ivon Adams is facing a murder charge in connection with Athena's death, as it is alleged that he beat her to death Christmas Day then buried her little body along a fence line in a field north of Rush Springs. Adams is also charged with child neglect after Athena's sister was found wandering near their Cyril home on January 10th. Alysia Adams is facing two charges of child neglect. Both remain in the Caddo County jail in Anadarko.

Pursuit Suspect is on Probation for 2017 Arrest

The man arrested following a short pursuit in the Tabler area was on probation out of McCurtain County for assaulting a police officer. 32-year old James Dalton Horne of Blanchard was arrested Wednesday night after a Grady County deputy tried to pull him over for speeding. The short pursuit ended when Horne pulled into the driveway of his home near where the pursuit began. A probable cause affidavit indicates the deputy called for back-up and before help could arrive the deputy and Horne got into a scuffle. Authorities were eventually able to take Horne into custody. The affidavit indicates Horne pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting a police officer following a 2017 arrest in McCurtain County. Horne is now facing a similar charge in Grady County along with having a firearm while on probation. He's also facing misdemeanor charges of obstructing an officer and resisting arrest. Horne remains in jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond.

More Winter Weather in the Forecast

Another round of winter weather - this one with freezing rain and ice - is expected to move into the Sooner State early next week. The National Weather Service says an arctic storm system is predicted to arrive Monday afternoon and could drop a wintry mix of precipitation through Thursday. The first precipitation could be freezing rain and sleet Monday afternoon through Tuesday with parts of central, southern, and western Oklahoma seeing ice accumulations of one-tenth of an inch or more.  The forecast also shows chances of freezing rain and snow Wednesday and Thursday.

SCOOP Rig has Good Oil, Gas Production

Drilling efforts in the Lindsay area have paid off for Marathon Oil Company. A completion report filed on the Hard Knox Well show it was producing more than 1,700 barrels of oil-equivalent and more than 1,100 metric cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas per day at a depth of more than 22,000 feet. The well is in the Goddard Formation five miles south of Lindsay. The website OK Energy Today cites Corporation Commission records showing the spud date was January of last year and the completion date was last spring. Officials just recently issued the completion report.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.01 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $87.47.

Natural gas is $2.94 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,946 and silver is $23.84.

Obituary

Noel Lambert

A memorial service for Noel Lambert, 82, of Centerville, Iowa and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28^th at Southern Oaks Church of Christ.

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Thursday, Jan. 26th

Pursuit Suspect in Custody

Law enforcement officials were involved in a pursuit east of Chickasha last night and authorities have a suspect in custody. The pursuit occurred around 7:00 p.m. north of Tabler near U.S. Highway 62 and State Highway 19C (the Alex highway). No details about the pursuit were available but authorities did arrest 23-year old James Dalton Horn. He was taken into custody on complaints of attempting to elude, assault on an officer, obstruction, resisting arrest, and speeding. Prosecutors will decide if any formal charges should be filed.

150+ Pounds of Illicit Marijuana Seized in Union City

A traffic stop in Union City led to a police officer finding more than 150 pounds of illegal marijuana. A post on the Union City Police Department's Facebook page indicates the vehicle was pulled over on U.S. Highway 81 sometime Tuesday. While speaking with the driver the officer noticed a small container of what was believed to be medical marijuana spilled in the console. There were also a number of black bags in the vehicle. The officer was given consent to search and found 162 pounds of pot. The driver allegedly did not have a valid medical marijuana transport license nor a commercial license - and was not following Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority guidelines for transporting the product. Arrested was 39-year old Kae Saetern of Lindsay who was taken to the Canadian County Jail in El Reno on a complaint of trafficking illegal marijuana.

Homeless Survey Scheduled Today

An effort to determine the needs of the homeless in the region will be taking place today. It's called a point-in-time survey and is being conducted by agencies in a federal program under the direction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Grady, Caddo, Comanche, Garvin, and McClain counties are part of the Southwest Continuum of Care based in Lawton. Two surveys will be taking place in Chickasha today. The Chickasha Community Alliance will hold one survey from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church. Individuals will be able to get free COVID tests and vaccines from the Grady County Health Department and the church clothing closet will be open. The second survey will be done by Heidi Helping the Homeless. The results of both surveys will be passed along to determine if areas may qualify for HUD funds to address homelessness. Crystal McFarland with the Salvation Army says that could include rental assistance to prevent evictions or opening community centers. During the last point-in-time survey McFarland said it was determined there was a need for transportation.

Blood Shortage Emergency Declared

A blood shortage emergency has been declared by the Oklahoma Blood Institute. The agency has issued an immediate call for donors of all blood types. Officials say this week's winter weather caused many donors to cancel appointments and that scheduled blood drives had to be postponed. Officials say they typically have a three-to-five day supply of blood on hand which is about 1,200 units but the inventory is well below that level. OBI president and CEO John Armitage says patients throughout Oklahoma rely on blood products to fight cancer, survive trauma, and heal after childbirth. Officials urge regular donors to schedule appointments and encourage individuals who have never donated to consider doing so. One unit of blood can save the lives of three people. There is a community blood drive in Chickasha tomorrow as an 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. Donors will not have to make an appointment but may have to wait for an opening. To find an upcoming blood drive in your area visit the blood institute's website: www.obi.org

Congressman Cole to Have Telephone Town Hall Meeting

4th District Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole (R-Moore) will hold a telephone town hall meeting with constituents next week. Cole said the new Republican majority in the House has hit the ground running and he'll give updates on some of the legislative activity during the first days of the 118th Congress. The telephone town hall will be Thursday, Feb. 2nd from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Participants can sign up on-line at: www.cole.house.gov or contact Cole's Norman office for information.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.15 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.12.

Natural gas is $3.06 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,952 and silver is $23.76.

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Wednesday, Jan. 25th

Funeral for Athena Brownfield set Today

A large gathering is expected today for the funeral of 4-year old Athena Brownfield. She's the Cyril girl who was the subject of an intense search after she was reported missing earlier this month. Her remains are believed to have been found last week in a rural area near Agawam (the State Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet confirmed the identity of those remains). The service will be at 2 o'clock this afternoon in Enid. There has been a concerted effort to make sure that Athena's older sister Adina will be helped with a benefit account which has been established at the First National Bank. The Cyril community organized a t-shirt fundraiser to help and others are holding an on-line raffle. Amanda Widman and Kelly Jensen of Patriot Maid Services hope the raffle will bring in $5,000 and that a corporate donor will match that. Widman said her hope is that Adina can have a car when she gets older and that her college tuition will be paid for. The on-line raffle begins Monday and will end Feb. 10th.

Chix Ass't City Manager, Finance Director Steps Down

The City of Chickasha is losing its assistant city manager and finance director. Today is the last day at city hall for Cindy Rogers. She's spent two years with the city and Mayor Chris Mosley says she has served the city well. Mosley worked closely with her when he served as interim city manager. He said in addition to developing policies and procedures the city never had before, Rogers was able to correct some problems which were causing the city to lose a lot of  money in the water department.

Rogers spent several years working with the Oklahoma State Fair before becoming the city’s finance director. She was named assistant city manager last summer. Rogers has accepted a new post where she will work with a management company which oversees the Myriad Gardens Foundation and the Scissortail Park Foundation in Oklahoma City.

Separate Crashes send Two to Hospitals

Traffic accidents in Grady County sent two people to hospitals yesterday and one of them was weather-related. Just before noon a driver ran off U.S. Highway 277 about a mile west of Ninnekah and hit a tree. 50-year old Manjit Singh of Moreno Valley, California was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital by ground ambulance where he was admitted in critical condition with head and trunk injuries. Last night, a passenger in a car that crashed near the intersection of a couple of county roads three miles south of Tuttle was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital. 46-year old Gwindalon Gillian of Tuttle suffered head injuries and was admitted in serious condition. The driver of the car, 67-year old Teresa Vaughn of Tuttle and another passenger, 51-year old Lynda Landreth of Blanchard were not hurt. That accident happened about 7:15 last night. The trooper investigating that crash said Vaughn was driving too fast for the snowy road conditions.

Suspect Faces Charges for Alleged Crimes in Verden, Chix

A Grady County man is facing charges after arrests in separate incidents in Verden and Chickasha over the last few months. 42-year old Calvin Joe Malone was first taken into custody last August for allegedly threatening his ex-girlfriend with a weapon in Verden. At that time he was charged with a felony for planning, attempting, or conspiring to perform an act of violence then released from jail after posting a $15,000 bond. The second incident happened just a few days before Christmas when it is alleged he stabbed a man in the parking lot of Grady Memorial Hospital. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was picked up last week. Malone is facing a felony charge for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with that arrest. On-line court records also indicate Malone failed to show up for a court appearance on the first charge. Malone is now in the Grady County Jail pending a $100,000 bond and has a preliminary hearing conference is scheduled on Feb. 15th.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.13 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.13.

Natural gas is $3.26 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,942 and silver is $23.57.

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Tuesday, Jan. 24th

Winter Storm to Move Through Oklahoma

A winter storm warning is now in effect for Oklahoma as parts of the state could see six inches of snow or more. There are numerous school closings although Chickasha, Blanchard, and Minco schools are open. A lot of schools districts opted to have virtual learning today. Among the closings are senior nutrition centers in Chickasha, Rush Springs, Anadarko, Lindsay, and Marlow. Other closings include The Caddo Nation and Wichita and Affiliated Tribes offices and today’s Grady County Crimestoppers meeting was canceled.

No Ice Anticipated, but Power Outages Could Occur

There will be periods of rain before the snow comes in with the snow expected to be in central Oklahoma before noon. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson said there could be some downed power lines.

The morning commute will be rain but afternoon travel will be treacherous as roads become slushy or even snow-packed. Snow should be ending late tonight but the winter storm warning is in effect until 6 o'clock Wednesday morning.

Chix School Foundation to Hold Annual Gala

The Chickasha Public School Foundation has several events scheduled over the next couple of months. In February, the group will have programs for 5th grade girls and boys. For the girls it's called Diamonds in the Rough and for the boys it's called Gentlemen of Distinction. It's a day for the students visit with mentors from the community to talk about their dreams and aspirations. In March, the Foundation will hold its major fundraiser of the year with the Foundation Gala. Foundation director Gab Shepard said the gala helps provide grants to teachers throughout the district.

The Foundation also provides free school supplies for all students in the district throughout the year. The gala will be held Friday, March 31st at the Grady County Fairgrounds where the district teacher of the year will be introduced and officials will announce the very first inductions into the school district’s newly created Hall of Honor. Officials will also announce the newest inductees into the district’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.62 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $88.19.

Natural gas is $3.44 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,953 and silver is $23.76.

Obituaries

‘Bunk’ Parrott

Funeral service for Bill ‘Bunk' Parrott, III, 29, of Cement will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26^th at the First Baptist Church of Cement. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. He worked as a roughneck.

Johnny Wilson

A memorial service for Johnny Wilson, 65, of Mustang and formerly of the Verden and Alex area will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26th at Sevier Funeral Home. He was a U.S. Army veteran and worked at Delta Faucet and Mustang Public Schools.

Carol Woods

Funeral service for Carol Woods, 93, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She taught at Chickasha's Northwest Elementary School and was a pianist for several area churches.

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Monday, Jan. 23rd

Winter Storm Approaches Oklahoma

A winter storm racing across the country will be moving across Oklahoma tomorrow and meteorologists are saying it could cause some problems. Weather forecasters are predicting the heart of the storm could dump 3-6 inches of snow or more in areas along and south of the entire I-40 corridor  from the Texas border east to the Arkansas border and south of I-40 to State Highway 7. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch that is effective from 6 a.m. tomorrow morning to 6 a.m. Wednesday morning. So far there have been no cancelations or  postponements but should they develop we'll be sure to pass them along and post them on our Facebook page.

Anadarko Continues Utility Pole Replacement Project

Parts of Anadarko will have brief power outages today as crews continue the city's utility pole replacement program. Those areas will be the 500 blocks of West Alabama St. and West Louisiana St. and the 100 blocks of East Alabama St. and  East Louisiana St. The work will be done on the even-numbered houses on Alabama and the odd-numbered housed on Louisiana.

USDA Grants Available to Small Businesses, Ag Producers

Oklahoma small businesses and agriculture producers can apply for some federal grants to help to install renewable energy systems, or to make energy efficiency improvements. Kenneth Corn is with Oklahoma's Rural Development office for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). He says there are a couple of options available.

Some funds can be used to install geo-thermal systems for electric generation or to buy, build, or install energy-efficient improvements such as heat and air systems, insulation, lighting, cooling or refrigeration units, and replacing inefficient energy systems. The application deadline is March 31st. For information, visit the website: rd.usda.gov

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.31 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $87.63.

Natural gas is $3.17 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,943 and silver is $23.81.

Obituaries

Adrian Drew

No services were held for Adrian Drew, 87, of of Minot, North Dakota and formerly of Chickasha. She worked for Chickasha Public Schools and volunteered with the Grady County Historical Society Museum.

Helen Foley

Funeral service for Helen Foley, 93, of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24th at Ferguson Funeral Home.  She worked at Grady Memorial Hospital and Hermetic Switch.

Saturday, Jan. 21st

Child Murder Suspect Held Without Bond

The man accused of the Christmas Day beating death of Athena Brownfield has been formally charged with murder. Ivon Neal Adams, III had his initial appearance on charges of murder and child neglect in Caddo County District Court in Anadarko yesterday. Judge David Stephens ordered Adams held in the Caddo County Jail without bond. Adams was found in Arizona last week after the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) issued an arrested warrant in connection with Athena's death. Adams filed a pauper's affidavit application to obtain a court-appointed attorney from the state's indigent defense system. Judge Stephens issued a gag order in the case. Adams is to be back in court April 27th.

Thousands Challenge State's Broadband Service Map

A lot of Oklahomans took part in a month-long effort to challenge the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) proposed broadband map of the Sooner State. More than 10,000 responses came in to the state's broadband office challenging the proposal. Right now, the map shows that all areas of the state have service which some say is misleading. The FCC was asking for individuals to give information about their internet service. State officials are working to get $50 million in federal funds to improve broadband service in rural areas. Officials with the state office say the FCC will review the challenges and issue an updated map later this year.

Rural Jobs Act Designed to Help Rural Business, Industry

Five investment firms have been selected to potentially put millions of dollars into rural areas of Oklahoma. The firms would receive federal tax credits on part of their investments. The Oklahoman reported this week on the Rural Jobs Act. It's meant to stimulate Oklahoma's rural economy by giving a tax break to the investors that provide capital or debt-financing to businesses in rural areas. The state is allowed to authorize up to $15 million in tax credits each year beginning in 2026 but the money can been invested as soon as this year. Brent Kisling, director of the state department of commerce, said the financial flexibility will allow Oklahoma businesses to invest in equipment, purchase supplies, or hire employees when they have the opportunity to expand. Most of the funds have to be invested within two years and all funds have to be invested within three years. At least 70 percent of the investments must be made in businesses in rural areas, defined as counties with populations of less than 75,000 or cities or towns with populations of less than 7,000. Details about the program can be found on the state department of commerce website: www.okcommerce.gov

Obituaries

Adrian Drew

No services were held for Adrian Drew, 87, of of Minot, North Dakota and formerly of Chickasha. She worked for Chickasha Public Schools and in her retirement years volunteered with the Grady County Historical Society Museum.

Helen Foley

Funeral service for Helen Foley, 93, of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24th at Ferguson Funeral Home.  She worked at Grady Memorial Hospital and Hermetic Switch.

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Friday, Jan. 20th

Suspected Child Killer Jailed in Caddo County

Ivon Adams, the man accused of the beating death of 4-year old Athena Brownfield is now in the Caddo County jail. Adams, who was arrested in the Phoenix, Arizona area last week, was brought back to Oklahoma yesterday and booked into the jail about 9 o'clock last night. He's facing complaints of murder and child neglect, and could have his initial court appearance and hear formal charges against him today. Adams has been implicated in the death of Brownfield and is alleged to have beaten her to death Christmas Day and then bury her body in the Agawam area. The remains of a child were found in that area earlier this week but officials are awaiting a report from the state medical examiner's office which is still in the process of identifying those remains.

Athena's Funeral Scheduled; Cyril Community Rallies for her Sister

In the meantime, a funeral service for Athena will be held in Enid next week. The service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Stride Center. And in Cyril, the community is rallying behind Athena's sister, Adina, who was found alone near their home by a mail carrier last week which resulted in the start of an extensive search for Athena. A benefit account has been established at the First National Bank and contributions can be made at the branch in Cyril or the banks’ 10 other branches. Also, t-shirts have been designed to help raise funds and they may be purchased through the Family Life Church in Cyril.

New Web Site Seeks Comments on City of Chickasha's Future

A new comprehensive plan for the City of Chickasha’s future is now available on-line. It's called Onward Chickasha. Officials say it a community engagement platform which will serve as the hub for project updates, will include educational components, engagement opportunities, and events. Officials encourage individuals to explore the site and take a look at the inter-active map and leave comments. This is the first of several opportunities the public will have to provide input on the projects being considered. Officials say it takes about 10 minutes to complete. The survey has its own website: Onwardchickasha.org

Robyn Morse to be Inducted into Educators Hall of Fame

A lifelong teacher and educator will be honored for work. Robyn Morse will be inducted in to the Grady County Educators Hall of Fame this weekend. Morse was a teacher for Chickasha Public Schools for several years then moved into administration for about 17 years where she served as a principal and then assistant superintendent of Curriculum and Federal programs. She retired in 2015 but returned to administration for a brief time last year when she served as interim superintendent for Ninnekah Public Schools. Morse has also spent several years on the Chickasha School Board. Morse will be inducted into the hall between the championship games of the Grady County basketball tournament in Verden tomorrow night.

Anadarko Utility Pole Replacement Continues

We have an update on the City of Anadarko's utility pole replacement project. Officials say crews will be in the 100 blocks of West Louisiana and West Alabama Streets today. Officials say there will be some power outages while that work is underway.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.96 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.16

Natural gas is $3.27 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,930 and silver is $24.06.

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Thursday, Jan. 19th

Motorcyclist Critical After Hitting Animal

A Chickasha man is hospitalized in critical condition after hitting a deer while riding his motorcycle. 65-year old Greg Wendler was taken by ground ambulance to an Oklahoma City hospital with arm, shoulder, and internal injuries. The accident happend just before 6:00 p.m. Wednesday southwest of Chickasha near Lake Burtchi. The highway patrol reports that Wendler was wearing a helmet.

Dad Faces Child Abuse Allegation over Infant's Broken Arm

A father is arrested on a child abuse complaint after his month-old child suffers a broken arm. 24-year old Hunter Gilles of Chickasha was taken into custody last week after a warrant was issued for his arrest. A probable cause affidavit states that authorities were called to Grady Memorial Hospital on December 29th where a five-week old baby was being treated for a broken arm. Gilles told investigators that he was feeding the child when she scratched his neck. Gilles said he grabbed the girl's arm and moved it out of the way and heard a ‘pop’ and immediately took the baby to the hospital. Doctors said  the baby suffered a spiral fracture of her left arm and was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital for additional treatment. Gilles has been formally charged with a felony count of child abuse. He remains in the Grady County Jail on a $15,000 bond.

Caddo County Towns Get Funds for Infrastructure Upgrades

A couple of Caddo County communities will be getting some financial help to make infrastructure improvements. Ft. Cobb has received approval for $1 million in funds from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board. The improvements will be financed by a 100 percent principal-forgiveness loan through the Oklahoma Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The public works authority at Ft. Cobb will also receive Rural Economic Action Plan or REAP grants from the Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments (ASCOG) totaling more than $6,000 to help pay for the project. The funds will be used to replace more than a mile of deteriorated water lines. The upgrade is expected to ensure water pressure is maintained in the community and reduce water loss issues from leaks and pipeline breaks.  Ft. Cobb authorities say the grants will save customers more than $1.5 million compared to traditional funding measures.

Anadarko Also Receives REAP Grant

The City of Anadarko has received a $60,000 REAP grant from ASCOG to help replace fire hydrants. City officials say the funds will be used to replace 60 fire hydrants over a three-year period. The city will have to provide $30,000 for the project.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.48 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.98.

Natural gas is $3.31 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,911 and silver is $23.53.

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Wednesday, Jan. 18th

Child's Body Found; No Confirmation

That it May be Missing Cyril Girl

Investigators looking for the body of 4-year old Athena Brownfield discovered the remains of a child in southern Grady County yesterday but they would not positively say that the remains were hers. The body was found in the Agawam area north of Rush Springs. Authorities previously searched the property including the use of dive teams to search a pond. Authorities say the remains were taken to the state medical examiner's office which will determine if the remains are those of Athena. As previously reported Alysia and Ivon Adams are facing charges in connection with Athena's disappearance with Ivon Adams arrested on a murder complaint. Court documents have graphic details of how Athena may have died. It's alleged that Ivon Adams beat the child on Christmas Day to the point where she barely could open her eyes. He then threw her on the floor and punched her in the chest several times and the child stopped moving. It's alleged that Ivon took the body to the Agawam property where he buried her. Alysia Adams was formally charged with two counts of child neglect in Caddo County District Court where a judge initially set bond at $1 million but that was lowered to $500,000. Ivon Adams is still in an Arizona jail after being arrested in the Phoenix area last week.

Fire Damages Ninnekah Pumpkin Patch, Animal Farm

Fire caused a lot of damage at a Ninnekah pumpkin patch and animal farm. The fire erupted Sunday afternoon at Dark Water Ranch and destroyed a gift shop and its contents, damaged a couple of barns, and killed more than a dozen animals. Ranch owner Phllip Anneler said he was running an errand in Chickasha when he got a call from a neighbor who asked if he was burning anything. Phillip said no - so they both hung up and called 9-1-1. Volunteer fire fighters from Ninnekah, Rush Springs, Farwell, and other crews with the Grady County Fire Department were dispatched and others were placed on standby. Anneler estimated damage at about $25,000 and that the fire killed eight chickens and six rabbits however a number of ducks, goats, pigs, and turkeys survived. The fire did not damage the family home or greenhouse. Anneler said the fire may have been sparked by an electrical short in the breaker box that may have occurred due to high winds. Anneler was hoping to open the ranch this spring for visitors to pick their own flowers but the opening has been delayed to late spring or early  summer while they recover from the fire. Anneler says he's grateful for the efforts of the firefighters. He posted a ‘thank you’ message on the Grady County Fire Department’s Facebook page and said once they get back on their feet the ranch will offer free admission to volunteer fire fighters and their families.

Chix City Council OK's Fire Equipment Purchase

The Chickasha Fire Department will be getting new equipment to help them in their efforts. Last night, the Chickasha City Council approved the purchase of more than a dozen Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus tanks and related equipment at a cost of just under $140,000.

30-year old Fire Truck to be Sold to County Fire Department

The council also approved a proposal to sell the fire department's 1992 International pumper truck to the Grady County Fire Department for $5,000. The council initially ok'd a plan to sell the pumper on consignment but fire chief Tony Samaniego said selling it to Grady County would be more beneficial.

Bids to be Sought for Hwy 81 Bypass Sewer Line Project

The council also approved going out for bids for a sewer main replacement project near 29th Street and U.S. Highway 62 related to the Highway 81 bypass project. Public Works Director Jim Crosby said the State Department of Transportation is expected to reimburse the city as much as 60 percent of the cost of that project.

Ammunition to be Traded for New Supply

The council also declared 15 thousand rounds of ammunition as surplus and to exchange it for 9MM ammunition from R and M Arms in Minco.

New Residential Project Approved

The council also approved the final plat for some residential construction in the area of 12th and California Street on the west edge of Shannon Springs Park.

Emergency Planning Committee Meets Thursday

First responders who are part of Grady County's Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) are encouraged to attend the group's first meeting of the year tomorrow. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson said the meetings are for volunteers as well as city and town leaders to discuss how to handle emergencies in the aftermath of tornadoes, floods, fires, and hazardous material spills. Guest speakers will include representatives from OKIE 811, Iron Horse Midstream, and Grady and Caddo County Salvation Army. The meeting will be held at the Canadian Valley Technology Center starting at 11:30 tomorrow morning and lunch will be provided.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.18 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.92.

Natural gas is $3.59 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,917 and silver is $24.38.

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Tuesday, Jan. 17th

OSBI Confirms Missing Girl is Dead

It's news that nobody wanted to hear. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) says the week-long search for little Athena Brownfield is now a recovery operation. The agency announced that special agents and state troopers are searching areas of Caddo County for the child's remains. Dive teams searched a pond in southern Grady County in the Agawam area over the weekend.  The two people entrusted to care for her - Alysia Adams and Ivon Adams - have been arrested. Our partners at KWTV-News 9 report that Alysia and Athena's mom are cousins and that Athena had been with Alysia for about 18 months. Alysia is being held in the Caddo County Jail on two complaints of child neglect. Ivon Adams is still in a Phoenix, Arizona jail awaiting extradition to Oklahoma. He's being held on complaints of murder and child neglect. Authorities say they were able to retrieve evidence from Ivon's cel phone that led to the arrest warrant being issued for a first-degree murder complaint but officials have not stated what evidence that is.

Area School Districts Have February Bond Elections

Verden and Gracemont school districts have special bond elections next month. Voters who would like absentee ballots mailed to them will need to apply for those ballots in the next couple of weeks. They are available to any qualified registered voter in those school districts and individuals don’t need an excuse to vote by absentee. Voters in the Verden school district can pick up applications at the Grady County Election Board and Gracemont school district voters can get them at the Caddo County Election board. Voters may also download applications from the state election board website: oklahoma.gov/elections

The deadline to apply is January 30th and the election is Tuesday, Feb. 14th.

Congressman Lucas Returns to House Ag Committee

Third District Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas is returning to the house agriculture committee. Lucas chaired the panel between 2011 and 2015. Lucas has been in congress for nearly 30 years and has been helping to write every farm bill since 1996. Lucas says it’s the responsibility of the committee to work with both Republicans and Democrats to craft the 2023 farm bill to ensure that farmers and ranchers have the tools and resources they need to thrive in the 21st century. Lucas will also chair the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and will be back on the House Financial Services Committee where he is the longest serving Republican.

Rig Numbers Up Nationally, Down Slightly in Oklahoma

Energy activity nationwide is on the rise however the trend is down a bit in the Sooner State. Here's Matt Skinner with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission with the latest numbers.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.86 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.28.

Natural gas is $3.42 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,909 and silver is $24.06.

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Monday, Jan. 16th

OSBI: Search for Missing Child Now a Recovery Operation

(BREAKING – The OSBI now reports the search for Athena Brownfield has turned into a recovery operation) Authorities are still searching for Athena Brownfield, the four-year old from Cyril who has been missing for more than a week. The man and woman who were her caretakers have both been arrested, and one of them is facing a murder complaint. Cyril residents gathered for a candlelight vigil Saturday night. Divers were called in to search ponds in the Agawam area...about 15 miles from where the child lived. Yesterday, the OSBI was back in Cyril serving a search warrant on the home where Athena lived. It was unclear what investigators were hoping to find. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has issued an alert for Athena. Information can be submitted anonymously to the OSBI via e-mail at: tips@osbi.ok.gov or the agency's toll-free phone number, 800-522-8017.

Rush Springs Driver Hospitalized After Pickup Crash

A Grady County man had to be air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital after his pickup crashed in Duncan. 40-year old Matthew Hesbrook of Rush Springs suffered head, leg, and internal injuries and was last in fair condition. A passenger in the truck, 18-year old Israel Trujillo of Duncan, was not injured. The accident happened east of Duncan just before 11 o'clock last night. The highway patrol reports that for an unknown reason, Hesbrook veered off the road, ran into a ditch, and hit a couple of trees. The cause of the accident is still under investigation.

Chix Arts Council to Host 'Art Walk'

The Chickasha Area Arts Council has come up with a new event to promote local artists. It's called an 'art walk,' where individuals can take a stroll through downtown Chickasha and see the works of local artists. Erin Thompson is with the Arts Council –

It is a free event that will be held the evening of Friday, Feb. 10th. The arts council is seeking contributions from businesses that would like to support the event and pay a stipend to the artists. Reach out to the Arts Council on Facebook or at the arts council store downtown at 521 Chickasha Avenue.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.86 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.28.

Natural gas is $3.42 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,920 and silver is $24.36.

Obituaries

Juanita Walker

Funeral service for Juanita Walker, 102, of Ninnekah will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 17^th at Sevier Funeral Home. She worked at Pet Milk, and owned and operated a Conoco gas station with her husband Louie.

Larry Bob Short

Funeral Service for Larry Bob Short, 69, of Chickasha will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 19th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He was a mechanic and spent a lot of time at the Lawton Speedway and served as the exaulted ruler at the Elks Lodge.

Claudene Alt

Funeral service for Claudene Alt, 93, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Jan. 20th at Parkview Christian Church. She and her husband Jack owned and operated the Big Burger Drive In and they also ran a Century 21 office and the Alt Lock and Safe Company. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Saturday, Jan. 14th

Both Caretakers of Missing Cyril Girl Arrested;

One Faces Murder Complaint, Child Still Missing

Both caretakers of Athena Brownfield - the four-year old girl reported missing from Cyril this week - are in custody. Alysia Adams and Ivon Adams were both arrested Thursday in separate parts of the country. Alysia Adams was taken into custody at the Grady County Sheriff's Office in Chickasha and Ivon Adams was arrested in Phoenix, Arizona. Reports indicate that Ivon Adams has been arrested on pending complaints of murder and child neglect. Alysia Adams is facing two complaints child neglect. It's not clear how authorities were able to track down Ivon Adams in Arizona. KSWO-TV reports court documents say investigators issued a warrant for his arrest after allegedly finding evidence on his cell phone. During his court appearance in Phoenix, a judge set bond at $1 million if he opted to remain in Arizona. Adams told the judge he wanted to get back to Oklahoma and ‘take care of it.’ Ivon Adams is expected to be returned to Oklahoma within the next 30 days. Regarding the search for Athena, Investigators spent much of the day Friday searching an area north of Rush Springs in the Agawam area. Nearby residents say Alysia Adams was known to spend time in that area. Back in Cyril, the community is expected to hold a candelight vigil for Athena tonight.

GOP Lawmakers at Odds over Ukraine Troops at Ft. Sill

Some Republican state lawmakers have an issue with a fellow party member who crtitcized the training of troops from the Ukraine at Ft. Sill. Sen. Nathan Dahm filed a resolution at the state capital to reject the move to train about 100 Ukranian troops there. But other senate GOP members, including president pro tem Greg Treat, issued a statement supporting the action. Dahm filed a resolution which would direct the Pentagon, Department of Defense, and the federal government to no longer send foreign troops to the state for training - after the Ukranian military fired a rocket into Poland that killed two civilians. Dahm said we don't need the troops training in Oklahoma where citizens could be under the constant threat of a similar failure. But Treat and other senate leaders say Oklahoma has had partnerships with military forces from partner countries and other allies for decades, and that cutting those ties could jeopardize the United States. The statement says Dahm's resolution does not speak for the vast majority of Oklahomans who welcome training exercises to defend the land we love and our neighbors in foreign countries.

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Erin Thompson and Dana Helms with the Chickasha Area Arts Council are on our KOOL Konversation program. And on Real Estate Today the guest is Ashton Bennett with Evans National which develops employee benefit plans for businesses. Find podcasts to both programs under the Community tab on this website.

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Friday, Jan. 13th

Arrest Made in Missing Child Case

Four-year old Athena Brownfield of Cyril is still missing. And while officials continue their efforts to find her, the OSBI has arrested the caretaker responsible for her well-being. 31-year old Alysia Adams was taken into custody at the Grady County Sheriff's Office just after 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The OSBI says she was arrested on two complaints of child neglect. Both Athena and her 5-year old sister were in the care of Adams and her husband. Regarding the search for Athena, authorities are looking over video surveillance which has been submitted and are following tips which have come in - including some from out of state. The OSBI suspended trash pick-up services in Cyril in an attempt to find clues as to Athena's whereabouts.

Road Work to Close Part of SH 39

Road construction work continues in Grady County on State Highway 39 west of the Dibble Crossroads. Contractors are widening the highway as part of a more than $10.5 million project to make travel on that section of the highway safer. Department of Transportation officials are planning to close the highway to through traffic early next month. Local traffic will be able to access county roads while the highway is closed. Beginning on Monday, Feb. 6^th (weather permitting) the highway is expected to be closed for more than three months. The contractor, Silver Star Construction of Moore, would qualify for a significant bonus if they can get the highway re-opened within 100 days which would be around the Memorial Day weekend in May.

Other Highway Projects to Begin

ODOT officials also say that other road construction projects in Grady are expected to get underway next month including upgrades to State Highway 19 between Alex and Bradley. Another project is U.S. U.S. Highway 277 southwest of Chickasha from the Lake Burtschi turn-off to the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. Both of those roadways will be open during construction.

WWI Soldier to Get Headstone

A headstone for a forgotten World War I soldier will be dedicated later this month. The marker for 21-year old Ivan Brady will be placed at the abandoned Mt. Scott Cemetery near Lake Elsworth. The Lawton-Ft. Sill Chamber of Commerce says the effort is due to the help of a patriotic woman named Melanie Jackson. Bruce Dwyer, the adjutant for the Mt. Scott Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, will make some comments. The ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21st.

Snags Delay Start of Abandoned Oil, Gas Well Clean-up

The Sooner State is moving forward with a plan to use millions in federal funds to plug abandoned oil and gas wells. However, officials with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission say there have been some issues to contend with. One of them is the loss of the initial selected bidder chosen to be the 'third party' administrator of the $25 million. According to the website OK Energy Today, there is no date when Oklahoma will officially launch the project. In the meantime, a new federal office has been established to handle clean-up projects nationwide. Officials with the U.S. Department of the Interior say they want to ensure that there is efficient use of the Biden Administration's $4.7 billion investment in the clean-p campaign.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.39 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.03.

Natural gas is $3.69 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,908 and silver is $23.95.

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Thursday, Jan. 12th

Search for Missing Cyril Girl Continues

Hundreds of volunteers combed the community of Cyril yesterday looking for four-year old Athena Brownfield. The child was reported missing on Tuesday but reportedly had not been seen for several days. The child was reported missing after a postal worker found Athena’s five year old sister alone and called police. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) is leading the effort to locate Athena and there's word that the FBI is involved although they are not on the scene. Search dogs from the Department of Corrections were brought in to assist in the ground search where authorities say all abandoned properties, vacant buildings, and bodies of water have been checked. There have been air searches with the Highway Patrol using helicopters with infrared cameras, and the state Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs brought in drones to survey the area. A command post at the Family Life Church serves as the focal point for searchers. The OSBI continues asking anyone who may have information to call their toll-free hot-line at 800-522-8017 or e-mail information to: tips@osbi.ok.gov

City of Chickasha December Construction Report

Nearly $1.8 million in new construction projects were approved by the City of Chickasha's Community Development Department last month. Officials issued 15 permits in residential and commercial work. At the top of the list was nearly $200,000 in renovations for Elite Star Construction for improvements at 323 W. Chickasha Ave. RiderVale Construction was issued a $150,000 permit for a remodel project at 3102 S. 4th. Among the new home construction, LandMark Fine Homes was issued permits to build eight new homes – all of which are in the $170,000 range. A $50,000 remodel project was approved for Eyes on Properties at 107 Windsor; a $21,000 residential remodel project was ok'd for Guss Construction at 706 Idaho; a $20,000 residential remodel effort got a stamp of approval for Jannelle Pichon at 610 Pennsylvania; and a $10,000 remodel project was ok'd for George Samuel at 24 Highland Drive.

New Voting Precinct Named in Chickasha

Some Chickasha voters will be casting ballots in a new precinct this year. Precinct No. 3 which has been at the Holiday Inn Express at 2610 S. 4th Street is moving. The new location will be close by at Grand Assembly of God Church at 102 E. Almar. The first election for the new location will be March 7th. Grady County Election Board secretary Katrina Hughes said that all registered voters in that precinct will be receiving  new voter identification cards in the mail.

Chix Chamber to Host Workforce Development Program

Many employers face numerous challenges in their searches to find qualified workers to fill vacant slots. The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a program later this month designed to help. The monthly Lunch and Learn program will feature a representative from the South Central Oklahoma Workforce Board. It will be an opportunity for any small business owner and human resources officers for larger companies to get tips and tricks to recruit skilled employees, understand local labor markets, and manage changes in the workforce. The program will be held Thursday, Jan. 26th at noon at the Chamber office. It's exclusively for chamber members and there is a $10 fee for lunch. Seating is limited. Interested chamber members are asked to RSVP by Tuesday, Jan. 24th.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.41 per barrel.

London-based Brent is $82.67.

Natural gas is $3.67 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,887 and silver is $23.84.

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Wednesday, Jan. 11th

Searchers in Cyril Look for Missing Three -Year Old

A three-year old child is missing from Cyril and numerous law enforcement agencies and volunteers are helping with the search. The OSBI reports that Athena Brownfield was reported missing from her home yesterday although reports say she had not been seen since Saturday. Cyril police called in the Caddo County Sheriff's Office and the OSBI to assist with the investigation. A search team of about 250 people gathered late yesterday afternoon. Authorities say a sister of Brownfield also went missing over the weekend but she was found on Monday. No details were made available about where or when the sibling was located. A command post has been set up at the Family Life Church in Cyril. Authorities ask anyone who wants to aid in the search to first check in with the command post and ask for the OSBI. Anyone who may have information can contact the OSBI by calling 800-522-8017 or e-mail info to: tips@osbi.ok.gov

Minco-Area Father Accused of Child Abuse

A Minco area man is accused of beating his 10-month old child. 41-year old William Olen Hatcher has been charged with felony child abuse after his arrest. The Lawton Constitution reports that Hatcher told deputies with the Caddo County Sheriff's Office that the child fell on some blocks. However officials alleged that the child's head injuries could only have come from being beaten. Hatcher was arraigned on the felony charge in Caddo County District Court on Monday and his bond was set at $250,000. He's to announce his attorney March 13th and a preliminary hearing conference is set for March 23rd.

Pursuit, Crash Close Turnpike 

A pursuit by law enforcement on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike late yesterday resulted in a crash and the turnpike had to be shut down for nearly two hours. The Highway Patrol reported the turnpike was shut down in both directions northeast of Chickasha near mile marker 92 about 5:45 last night and re-opened about 7:30. No details about the pursuit or crash were released.

Homeless Count Set for Jan. 26th

Chickasha area agencies will be part of a southwest Oklahoma effort to get an idea of the extent of homelessness in the region. The Chickasha Community Alliance and Heidi Helping the Homeless will be part of a Point-in-Time effort on Thursday, Jan. 26th. The alliance which includes the Salvation Army of Grady and Caddo Counties, the Life Skills Institute, and Resurrection House will hold its point-in-time event at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The health department will have flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, individuals will be able to apply for SNAP benefits, and survival kits will be available. Heidi Helping the Homeless will have a similar point-in-time event at its location at 3rd and Minnesota Ave. that same day. Both are in conjunction with the Continuum of Care based in Lawton which serves southwest Oklahoma. The Point-in-Time event Is to help the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) get better information in order to assist communities that apply for funding to try and prevent homelessness.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.12 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $80.10.

Natural gas is $3.64 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,888 and silver is $24.04.

Obituaries

Joseph Phillips

A memorial service for Joseph Phillips, 30, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13^th at New Life Christian Church. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Sonja Hightower-Smith

Funeral service Sonja Hightower-Smith, 82, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14th at McRay Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Jan. 10th

Grady County Sheriff to Retire

After a more than 40-year career in law enforcement, Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir is retiring. Grady County commissioners accepted Weir's retirement letter in their meeting yesterday. Weir will be stepping down at the end of the month. Weir has spent 10 years as sheriff and was first elected in 2012,  and was in the middle of his third term. Weir cites personal reasons for his decision to retire. He was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year. He said it has been an honor and privilege to serve and he'll miss working with the deputies and all county employees. He also said that working with other elected officials has been the highlight of his law enforcement career. Weir is recommending that commissioners appoint Undersheriff Gary Boggess to fill out the two years remaining on his term. He said Boggess’ combination of education, training, experience, skills, and leadership would be hard to find in anyone else. He said Boggess has been basically running the sheriff's office over the last year and has already attended the sheriff's academy.

Chix PD Dispatcher Awaiting Heart Transplant

A dispatcher for the Chickasha Police Department is hospitalized and awaiting a heart transplant. Jerry Rich has been a communications specialist for the department for nearly five years. A post on the department's Facebook page says anyone who has called the dispatch center has likely spoken with Rich. The post indicates that Rich and his wife are grateful for the prayers, help, and support from the community. A Go Fund Me page has been established for those who would like to provide financial support.

Former Band Director to Serve Time in Federal Prison

A former band director for Marlow Public Schools will serve some time in a federal prison. 46-year old William Joseph Daniel was indicted on two counts of sexual battery by a federal grand jury for improper sexual incidents with a student. A press release from the U.S. Department of Justice indicates Daniel was accused of two separate incidents of inappropriate contact with a student between February and May of last year. Charges were filed against him in June and he pleaded guilty in July. Daniel faced a maximum sentence of life in prison but a U.S. District Judge sentenced him to 18 months behind bars. That will be followed by three years of probation and he will have to register as a sex offender.

School Bus Drivers Sought

Many school districts are facing shortages of bus drivers and Chickasha Public Schools are among them. Director of Operations Dan Turner says starting pay at Chickasha is just under $16 per hour, hours are flexible, and it’s a good part time job for retirees and college students. Individuals need a commercial driver's license and there is a class coming up the week of February 6th. For information reach out to Turner by calling 405-222-6500.

Anadarko to Begin Power Line Maintenance Project

A program to replace many of the aging utility poles in Anadarko will soon get underway. City officials say the pole replacement and utility line maintenance project has been in the works for quite some time and they are ready to go. There will be brief power outages and officials say contractors will be in neighborhoods 24 hours prior to the work in those areas. They’ll be placing door hangars at homes to make residents aware of when the work is expected to take place.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $74.63 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.65.

Natural gas is $3.91 per million BTUs.

Gold $1,879 and silver is $23.69.

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Monday, Jan. 9th

Suspect Charged with Lewd Acts Bound Over for Trial

A Cement man will stand trial on more than a half-dozen charges of lewd acts to a child. 48-year old Lonnie Franklin Henson waived his right to a preliminary hearing on the charges in Caddo County District Court in Anadarko last week.  Henson was arrested in March of 2022 following an investigation by the Caddo County Sheriff's Office. He was initially charged with five counts of lewd acts to a child under 16 and prosecutors added three additional charges in April. Henson is being held in the Caddo County Jail.  Henson is to be back in court March 8th when a trial date could be set later in the year.

Busy County Fairgrounds Wraps Up Another Good Year

The Grady County Fairgrounds continues hosting numerous events. Marketing Director Jamie Jones said the facility had about 320 event-days last year. Here's a summary of the last half of 2022 starting with the attendance at Grady County Fair-

Upcoming events at the fairgrounds include the extreme dwarfanators wresting this weekend; the southwest vintage toy show Jan. 28^th; the Southwest District Livestock Show next month; and the Grady County Junior Live Stock show in March.

CHS Ag Educators to be Noted for National Award

The Chickasha Board of Education holds its first meeting of the new year tonight. The panel will consider some minor changes in the job description for the Individual Education Plan instructors. Chickasha agriculture teachers Kolby and Emily Schmidt will be recognized for their work as they were recently presented an award from the National Association of Agriculture Educators. Chicken Express Employees of the Month come from the Chickasha High School. Miranda Molder is the certified employee and Terri Snyder is the support employee of the month. Dominic Neff will be recognized as the support employee of the quarter. The school board will meet at 6 o'clock tonight at the school administration building.

Anadarko Superintendent to Have Annual Review

The Anadarko school board also meets tonight and will hold its annual evaluation of Superintendent Jerry McCormick in a behind closed-door segment. The panel will then consider retaining both McCormick and Assistant Superintendent Daniel Pittman for the 2023-24 school year. That meeting will also get underway at 6 o'clock tonight. The group is also scheduled to hold a special meeting at noon tomorrow to discuss bids received for $835,000 in general obligation bonds and award them to the lowest bidder; and to employee Stephen McDonald and Associates as the district's financial consultant.

Regional Prescribed Burn Association to Get Equipment

Members of the Oklahoma Prescribed Burn Association will be featured at the first Grady and Caddo County Prescribed Burn Association meeting of the year tomorrow night. John Weir and Harry Fritzer will be bringing a burn trailer and equipment to the local group. It includes drip torches, fire rakes, road signs, hand held radios, a weather instrument, a 60-gallon UTV sprayer, and other items. That meeting will be held at 6:30 tomorrow night (Tuesday, Jan. 10^th) at the Grady County OSU Extension Office in Chickasha. The meeting is open to all interested parties including firefighters who would like to learn about the benefits of prescribed burning.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $73.77 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $78.57.

Natural gas is $3.71 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,876 and silver is $23.96.

Obituary

Judy Ann Mayrhofen

Funeral service for Judy Ann Mayrhofen, 79, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11^th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

Saturday, Jan. 7th

State Population Tops 4 Million Residents

New numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau show that the number of people living in Oklahoma has topped the 4 million mark. Data shows that Oklahoma was 10th among the 50 states for population growth with nearly 27,000 people migrating to the Sooner State between July of 2021 and July of 2022. The Oklahoman reports that Oklahoma is one of just four states to have a population between 4 million and 5 million residents. By the way, Florida leads the list of states where people are moving to with nearly 318,000 relocating to the Sunshine State with Texas second with more than 230,000 transitioning to the Lone Star State. On the other end of the spectrum, California tops the list of states where people are leaving with more than 340,000 people headed elsewhere with New York second with nearly 300,000 residents leaving.

Gubernatorial Inauguration Ceremony Set

Officials are making final preparations the inauguration of Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt. The event will be held on Monday as the governor prepares to begin his second term in office. Also at the state capital this week officials announced leadership roles in the State House of Representatives. State Rep. Brad Boles of Marlow will be chairman of the House Energy and Natural Resources Committee. State Representative Dick Lowe of Amber will serve as an assistant whip and State Representative Toni Hasenbeck of Elgin will serve as a presiding officer.

State Tax Revenues Hit Record Level

2022 was a record-breaking year for gross tax receipts being deposited into the state's bank account. State Treasurer Randy McDaniel says the state received an all-time high of nearly $17.5 billion in various tax revenues. That's nearly 15 percent higher than the previous year. The website OK Energy Today reports that combined sales and use taxes brought in $7 billion; gross income tax collections were $6 billion; gross production taxes on oil and natural gas were $2 billion; corporate tax collections were about $1 billion; motor vehicle tax collections were $870 million; and medical marijuana taxes brought in nearly $55 million which was down about 17 percent compared to 2021.

OSBI Seeks Info on Garvin County Cold Case

The OSBI is re-opening a nearly 20-year cold case regarding the murder of a woman in Garvin County. 30-year old Sheila Ann Deviney died in fire in her Maysville home on Jan. 6th of 2004. The medical examiner's office ruled her death a homicide and that she died from burns and smoke inhalation. Persons who may have information about the death of Deviney are asked to reach out to the OSBI anonymously by calling 800-522-8017 or by sending an e-mail to tips@osbi.ok.gov

Obituary

Dorothy Williams

A private memorial service will be held for Dorothy Williams, 96, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Friday, Jan. 6th

Chix Fire Department Continues Updating Fleet

The Chickasha Fire Department continues efforts to replace some of its older fire trucks and ambulances. The city council this week approved the purchase of a new brush truck. The city received four bids from three vendors which ranged from $154,000 to $193,000. A bid of nearly $180,000 from Emergency Vehicle Sales from Oklahoma was approved. $154,000 of that will be reimbursed by Grady County ARPA Funds.

City Council OKs Air Show Promoter

The council this week also approved a proposal to contract with a firm to bring in performers for the city’s annual Wings and Wheels Air Show in June. The council authorized officials to contract with David Schultz Air Shows at a cost of just under $6,000. That's the same company the city has worked with for the air show over the last several years.

Grant for Safety, Medical Supplies Approved

The panel also accepted a OneOK Emergency Responder Grant of nearly $2,400 for the police department to purchase safety and medical supplies for employees, citizens, and volunteers.

Prescribed Burns Scheduled for Wildlife Refuge

Prescribed burns at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge are expected to wrap up this weekend. Officials say weather conditions have been favorable for the burns. They are conducted under a strict set of guidelines and weather conditions in order to provide for public and firefighter safety and to limit potential smoke impacts. The burns are not held if weather conditions do not meet the guidelines. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service uses prescribed burns to restore and revitalize refuge eco-systems; reduce the potential for catastrophic wildfires; and to control invasive plant species. They also help to preserve and maintain natural environment processes which support various plant communities and promote forage for bison, elk, and deer.

USAO Student to Study Overseas

A USAO student will be studying abroad after receiving a scholarship from the State Regents for Higher Education. Yukon junior Chelsea Fuston received the Brad Henry International Scholar funds named for the former governor.  Fuston will spend the spring trimester studying at Swansea University in Wales. It's not the first time that Fuston has had the opportunity to study internationally. She has taken part in USAO-organized trips to Belize and Italy. After graduation she plans on pursuing a law degree and a master's degree in public policy. Fuston says she's passionate about how policies and laws impact people particularly those who are underserved and unrepresented.

Grant to Library to Help with Early Literacy 

A new grant for the Chickasha Library will help purchase materials to support early literacy programs. The library received a $2,000 Ready-2-Read grant from the State Department of Libraries and Friends of Libraries in Oklahoma. The grant comes from ARPA funds and is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The materials are designed to enhance pre-reading skills for infants, toddlers, and pre-schoolers.

Obituaries

Harry ‘Cowboy’ Ellis

Funeral service for ‘Cowboy’ Ellis, 69, of Lawton was held at 11:00 a.m. today (Friday, Jan. 6^th) at the Friendship Pentecostal Holiness Church in Lawton. Arrangements were with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Dovie Clouse

Funeral service for Dovie Clouse, 89, of Moore and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Thursday, Jan. 5th

Verden Citizens Aid in Arrest of Suspect

Responsible for School Lockdown

Verden schools were locked down for a couple of hours Wednesday after Verden police received information that a dangerous suspect may be hiding somewhere on the middle school campus. Police Chief Jason Cox says the situation began to unfold very early Wednesday morning when a police officer tried to make a traffic stop on a vehicle that did not have a tag. The driver of the vehicle managed to hide for a short time before the officer was able to locate the vehicle. Officials found a weapon and some drugs in the car and arrested the driver, 48-year old Jerrell Wayne Quisenberry of Chickasha. Quisenberry told police that a passenger in the car fled on foot. Later in the morning, authorities interviewed Quinsenberry's girlfriend who told them the suspect called her and said he was somewhere at the middle school and needed a ride. The lockdown was issued around 9 a.m. while authorities searched for the suspect. The lockdown was lifted just before noon after authorities were unable to find anyone. Later in the day, Chief Cox said that parents and grandparents of Verden students received information that the suspect was in Chickasha and Cox notified Chickasha police. Officials arrested William Preston Dehart in broad daylight in a residential neighborhood in the area of 15th and Florida, which is just a few blocks away from the Chickasha Middle School and USAO. DeHart, believed to be a member of the Aryan Brotherhood, was wanted in Garfield County (Enid) and  he was taken there. Quisenberry was charged in Grady County District Court with possession of a firearm after former felony conviction. Despite his criminal history his bond was only set at $10,000 and he is already back out on the streets.

Chix High School Students to Have Virtual Learning Friday

A water line break discovered at Chickasha High School is forcing some changes for high school students later this week. Students will be in the classroom today but Superintendent Rick Croslin says that high school students will have virtual learning tomorrow. Students at all other schools in the district will still be in the classroom on Friday. Croslin said repairs to the water line will get underway tomorrow and are expected to be completed over the weekend. High school students should be able to return to classrooms on Monday.

Bullock Memorial Center to Hold MLK Jr. Day Benefit

A Chickasha group will honor the legacy of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. later this month. The Bullock Memorial Center will be serving a meal on Martin Luther King Junior Day on Monday, Jan. 16th. They'll be serving chicken wings, beans, cornbread and dessert for a $15 per person donation from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. that day. Proceeds will help the non-profit center promote its mission to educate and inspire younger generations. For information contact Bullock Memorial Center Foundation co-chair Charlotte Oliver by calling 405-274-6268 or Bruce Alexander at 405-650-4521.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.84 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $77.84.

Natural gas is $4.17 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,854 and silver is $23.67.

Obituaries

‘Bob’ Wade

A memorial service for Robert ‘Bob’ Wade, 73, of Chickasha will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7^th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

‘Billy’ Brooks

Funeral service for William ‘Billy’ Brooks, 46, of Lindsay will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday Jan. 9th at Vimy Ridge Baptist Church. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Wednesday, Jan. 4th

'Separation Agreement' OK'd for Suspended Chix Police Chief

The City of Chickasha is looking for a new police chief. Last night the Chickasha City Council approved a separation agreement with Chief Kathryn 'Dee' Rowell who had been on administrative leave for more than three months. Following a closed-door session that lasted nearly 30 minutes the panel approved the agreement and to resolve all pending matters. Among those pending matters were a discrimination complaint that Rowell filed against the city with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and information resulting from pending investigations. The measure passed with a 7-0 vote. City officials did not say why Rowell was suspended other than it was a personnel issue and they could not comment. Rowell was the city's first female police chief. She led the department for 3 1/2 years after being hired in March of 2019. She previously spent 32 years with the Ft. Worth, Texas police department and rose through the ranks to serve as a captain and command 200 other officers. Assistant Chickasha Police Chief G.G. Music has been serving as interim chief since Rowell's suspension.

Rock Island Railroad Mill Building Property Sold to Developer

The council also approved the sale of city-owned property near the Rock Island Railroad Depot to a developer who has promised a multi-million dollar investment in that area. The council first approved declaring as surplus the property where the Mill Building is located adjacent to the depot and the leg lamp. The council then approved a bid of $130,000 for the parcel of land from Chet Hitt and his Victor Valley Mortuary Company. Hitt approached the city last month with a proposal to invest $5 million in the depot area to build a distillery, a restaurant, and make other improvements in the continuing development of that area.

Re-zoning Requests Approved

The council also approved a re-zoning proposal for vacant property at 17th and Iowa. Property owner Elsie Wilkerson asked for the change in order to sell the property to an individual who wants to build a small drive-through convenience store there. The council also approved re-zoning property at 1420 N. 16th from industrial to residential for Buffie Howe in order to build a home. There are more than 100 acres in that area and much of the acreage will still be allowed to be farmed.

Other City Council Notes

The council also authorized the transfer of a police department handgun to retired police Sgt. Kori Brewer per the city's collective bargaining agreement with the police union. Brewer recently retired after 20 years of service and is now a deputy with the Grady County Sheriff's Office. The council also presented fireman Mike Peek with a 25-year service pin and certificate from the Oklahoma Municipal League for his long service.

Trio of Elected Officials Sworn In

Three Grady County Elected Officials took their oaths of office yesterday.

District Judge Kory Kirkland led the swearing in ceremony at the Grady County Courthouse Monday. Taking their oaths were Assessor Bari Firestone and new county commissioners Gary Bray and Zach Davis. All will serve four-year terms.

Wanted Suspect Arrested After Shooting His Mother

An Anadarko man was arrested for shooting his mother over the weekend.  21-year old Malackhi Wolfe has been formally charged with felony counts of assault with a deadly weapon and using a firearm with the serial number removed. The Lawton Constitution reports that Anadarko police arrested Wolfe after shooting his mother in the stomach on New Year's Eve. On-line Caddo County court records indicate that Wolfe was wanted for a previous weapons charge. A felony arrest warrant was filed in September for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Wolfe remains in the Caddo County Jail as bond has has not yet been set.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.93 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $82.10.

Natural gas fell to $3.99 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,868 and silver is $24.62.

Obituary

Alda Joyce Updegrove

A graveside service for Alda Joyce Updegrove of Cement will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday. Jan. 6th in the Cement Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Jan. 3rd

Chix City Council to Consider 'Separation Agreement'

with Suspended Police Chief

The Chickasha City Council will go behind closed doors tonight to discuss a separation agreement with police chief Dee Rowell. Rowell has been on paid administrative leave since late August but officials have not indicated why she was suspended. Rowell has filed a discrimination complaint against the city with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Panel to Consider Land Sale for Proposed Downtown Development

The council will consider selling the surface rights of property near the Rock Island Railroad Depot to a developer who wants to invest more than $5 million around the depot area. Chet Hitt presented proposal to the council last month which included building a distillery, a restaurant, and a gift shop in the area. This particular tract includes the Mill Building next to the depot. The council must first deem the property surplus with Hitt offering $130,000 for that property.

Public Hearings Also Scheduled

The council will also hold several public hearings, including one to consider changes to the city's land development code. A public hearing is also scheduled for a rezoning request at 1627 West Iowa for applicant Elsie Wilkerson. Wilkerson has been trying unsuccessfully to sell the lot on the southeast corner of 17^th and Idaho on vacant property which used to be laundromat. Wilkerson told the planning commission recently she has an interested buyer that would like to open a small drive-through convenience store to serve the school, hospital and doctors’ offices nearby. A public hearing will also be held for a rezoning request at 1420 N. 16th Street for applicant Buffie Howe. There are 116 acres that Howe would like to re-zone from industrial to residential use to build a home. The planning commission has recommended that both re-zoning proposals be approved.

Grady County Officials Sworn In

Two new Grady County Commissioners and the current county assessor were all sworn in to office this morning. District One Commissioner Zack Davis and District 3 Commissoner Gary Bray - along with County Assessor Bari Firestone all took their oaths of office from District Judge Kory Kirkland prior to this morning's county commissioners meeting. Davis defeated incumbent Commissioner Mike Walker and Bray defeated incumbent Commissioner Ralph Beard in last year's elections.

Fatal Crash Near Lindsay Under Investigation

One person died and a passenger was hospitalized after an SUV ran off the road and overturned near Lindsay. The driver of the SUV, 46-year old William Brooks of Lindsay was thrown out of the vehicle and died at the scene. The passenger, 29-year old Brook Wood also of Lindsay was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital with arm and trunk injuries. The accident happened just before 8:00 a.m. Monday on a county road about three miles south and one mile east of Lindsay. The cause of that crash is still under investigation.

Driver Hospitalized After SUV Rollover in Caddo County

A driver had to be air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital after crashing his pickup near Apache over the weekend. 29-year old Shade Nahquaddy of Lawton suffered arm, leg, and internal injuries in the crash that happened about 3:30 a.m. Sunday, New Year's Day. Nahquaddy was eastbound on State Highway 19 west of Apache when for an unknown reason the truck veered off the highway and rolled several times.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.26 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.46.

Natural gas is $4.47 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,838 and silver is $24.48.

Obituaries

Travis Wallis

Funeral service for Travis Wallis, 41, of Chickasha was held at 10 a.m. this morning at Ferguson Funeral Home.

Linda Schmidt

Funeral service for Linda Schmidt, 73, of Chickasha was held at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon at the First Church of the Nazarene. Arrangements were with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Donna Mealer Chappell

Funeral service for Donna Chappell, 58, of Lindsay will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday Jan. 4th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

Michelle Mendoza

Funeral service for Michelle Mendoza, 31, of Lawton is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Monday, Jan. 2nd

No news due to holiday.

Saturday, Dec. 24th

Fire Damages Used Appliance Store

An early-morning fire at a Chickasha used appliance store caused an undetermined amount of damage. The fire erupted near 4^th and Washington just before 8:00 a.m. Fire crews were summoned to the store and witnesses said they saw smoke and flames coming out of the roof. No one was in the business at the time.  The business owner said a neighbor who lives across the street called him about the fire. The owner said a transformer in the alley blew which he believed led to the fire. As of this report fire officials had not yet started their investigation. The owner said he did not have insurance.

One Driver Hospitalized Following Near Head-on Crash

A Rush Springs woman had to be air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital after a near head-on collision. 36-year old Alisha Kenyon suffered head injuries in the crash that happened just south of Duncan Friday morning. The highway patrol reports that an oncoming vehicle driven by 28-year old Nickelas Pollard of Tulsa crossed over the center line of the roadway and struck Kenyon's vehicle. Kenyon was last in stable condition and Pollard refused treatment at the scene. The trooper investigating the accident reported that Pollard was distracted just prior to the crash.

Home Explodes Shortly After Family Leaves 

A Blanchard family is lucky to alive to celebrate Christmas after their home explodes. Their brand new home was destroyed Thursday just minutes after they left to get out of the bitter cold. KFOR-TV reports the family spent 2 ½ years building the home and they had just moved in this past Monday. However, freezing pipes and a malfunctioning heating system forced the family to leave and find a warm place to go.  Kelly Hall is the CEO of a group called the Homeless Military Veterans that has stepped in to help. Hall said the family lost everything including Christmas presents. Hall said the family has asked for prayers and community support. Anyone who would like to help the family or any homeless veteran can reach out to the website www.homelessmilitaryveterans.com or see the group’s Facebook page. The group lists an Oklahoma City address.

Southwest Power Pool Issued Energy Emergency

It wasn't publicized during the height of the bitterly cold weather this week but we can now tell you that the Southwest Power Pool issued an energy emergency yesterday. The Power Pool is part of the country's power grid that supplies electricity to states in the middle of the U.S. from Texas to Montana. The website OK Energy Today reports that the power pool issued a level one emergency alert at 8:27 a.m. CDT Friday. It is the lowest of three possible alerts and does not require the public to conserve energy. The alert puts member states on notice that all available resources were being committed to meet power obligations while also saying it was not at-risk of meeting required operating reserves. You might remember that the Southwest Power Pool was put under a lot of strain during the Polar Vortex weather phenomenon in February of 2021.

Minco Donor Pay Off School Lunch Debt

Minco Public Schools recently received an unexpected contribution. Superintendent Kevin Sims said an anonymous donor paid off all the school lunch debt owed by families.

Sims said some families owed upwards of $300 because they were unable to pay even though they may have been on a reduced-fee program. Sims was grateful for the contribution and said the district reached out to school patrons via text messages and social media to let them know that all the outstanding balances were paid off. Sims encourages families enroll their children in the free and reduced lunch program. There is no cost and all applications remain confidential.

Obituary

Jimmie Cooper

Funeral service for Jimmie Cooper, 77, of Tuttle will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 28th at Trinity Crossing Church of Tuttle. He was a U.S. Air Force Veteran. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.

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Friday, Dec. 23rd

Deep Freeze Continues One More Day

Sub-freezing temperatures and dangerous wind chills will be around for one more day but weather for the Christmas holiday is expected to be better. Single-digit temperatures will be hanging around until noon and the forecast high of 22 degrees won't be reached until late this afternoon. The region will not get above freezing until Saturday afternoon with a forecast high of 34 degrees with Christmas Day afternoon temps forecast to be in the low 40s. High winds yesterday caused of lot of power outages and even some downed power lines for some utilities. Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) reported about 1,300 power outages from Rush Springs to Elgin. There are no outages listed on the PSO website this morning. There were just a handful of co-op outages from Lindsay to Binger and from Duncan to El Reno yesterday. As of this morning there was only one REC member in Garvin County without power.

Warming Centers Remain Open

Chickasha warming centers will be open through tomorrow (Saturday). Linked Church at 9th and Oregon and Heidi Helping the Homeless at 3^rd and Minnesota will be open during the day. The Resurrection House and Life Skills Institute at 7th and Colorado will have its emergency shelter open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. tonight and tomorrow night.

Blood Donors Needed During Cold Spell

The frigid weather has taken a toll on blood donations. Officials with the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) encourage donors to keep their appointments even as the region continues to be in the deep freeze. OBI Director Christi Chambers stopped short of saying there is a blood emergency but said current supplies are low and ask donors to brave the cold weather-

There is another community blood drive in Chickasha today. The OBI bloodmobile will be in the YMCA parking lot at 7^th and Chickasha from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. The names of all donors throughout the OBI territory today will go into a drawing for a 250 gift card. Look for upcoming blood drives in your area by going to the blood institute's website at www.obi.org

KOOL 105.5 to Air 'The Imaginaries' Christmas Concert

Chickasha's hometown musical duo, The Imaginaries will have a special holiday program on our sisters station KOOL 105FM this weekend. Maggie McClure and Shane Henry have pre-recorded a 30-minute performance that will air at 7:00 p.m. Saturday on KOOL 105.5FM and on the KOOL 105.5 Facebook page. The program will be re-broadcast noon Christmas Day (Sunday) only on KOOL 105.5FM.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.49 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $80.98.

Natural gas is $5.00 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,806 and silver is $23.97.

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Thursday, Dec. 22nd

Gov. Stitt Issues Statewide Emergency Due to Weather

Today is the first full day of winter and Oklahoma along with many parts of the country are experiencing brutally cold and snowy conditions. In Oklahoma, The National Weather Service issued travelers’ advisories for much of the state until noon while wind and wind chill advisories are in effect until noon tomorrow. Gov. Kevin Stitt signed an executive order declaring a statewide emergency. The order temporarily suspends requirements for size and weight permits of oversized vehicles which transport materials and supplies needed for emergency relief and power restoration. The executive order is in effect for seven days.

Warming Centers Open for Duration of Frigid Conditions

Local relief agencies are offering warming stations for the homeless who face life-threatening cold weather conditions. The Chickasha Community Alliance which includes the Salvation Army, the Resurrection House, Life Skills Institute, and numerous church and other groups are assisting. Linked Church at 9th and Oregon will have a day center open today, tomorrow, and Saturday and will provide soup and coffee. The Resurrection House and Life Skills Institute at 7th and Colorado will have an emergency shelter open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. tonight, Friday night, and Saturday night to Sunday morning. Heidi Helping the Homeless at 3^rd and Minnesota will be open during the day and will provide transportation for individuals to the homes of local relatives and friends.

Chickasha Firm's 'Jobsite Challenge' Helps Salvation Army

A Chickasha company continues its creative holiday tradition of raising funds to help needy families. CMSWillowbrook began a competition among its many jobsites in 2020 to raise funds for the Salvation Army which serves Grady and Caddo counties. This year the competition brought in more than $5,000 with the Page Woodson Project of Northeast Oklahoma City responsible for the largest donation of $2,200. CMSWillowbrook matched the jobsite contributions to give a total of $11,000 to the Salvation Army. CMSWillowbrook Marketing Coordinator Jessica Williams said they appreciate their team members, vendors, subcontractors, and architects for supporting the cause and making a difference.

Festival of Light Open, but Some Attractions Closed Tonight

Chickasha's Festival of Light will be open tonight but some of the attractions will not be operating. The ice skating rink and the Ferris wheel will be closed due to the cold weather and food trucks may also not be open. The gift shop will be open with coffee, hot cocoa, food items, and gifts.

Grady County Sheriff's Office Employees Honored

Several employees at the Grady County Sheriff's Office were honored for their work over the past year. Deputy Keith Williams received the Purple Heart and Life Saving Award for his work on Aug. 12th when he and a civilian were injured. Williams was struck in the back of the neck but was able to remove a civilian and render first aid to the individual who had been shot in the chest. Deputy Danny Booth also received a Life Saving Award for his effort to render aid and security. Sgt. Justin Johnston and Deputy Howard Jamison receive Life Saving Awards for helping a teenaged girl who overdosed on fentanyl in October by giving her Narcan. From the Dispatch Center - Sgt. Amanda Cox, Corporal Kayla Bailey, and Dispatcher Haylee Coatney received commendation letters for the way they handled a shots fired and officer down call Aug. 1st. That was an hours-long event and the dispatchers kept their cool and handled nearly 30 other calls during that incident.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.29 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $82.20.

Natural gas is $5.33 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,823 and silver is $23.89.

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Wednesday, Dec. 21st

Drug Trafficking Suspect Held on $1 Million Bond

A Chickasha man is behind bars on a $1 million bond after authorities find fentanyl powder in his motel room. Documents filed in Grady County District Court indicate that sheriff's deputy Jim Peek, an agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), said he obtained information about a large shipment of fentanyl powder at the Maverick Inn over the weekend. Peek and Deputy John Cordell went to the motel just after midnight Saturday night and located a couple of bags of the suspected powder with one of them being stored in the toilet tank. The substance field-tested positive as fentanyl and authorities arrested 32-year old Christopher Sebastian Rowe. Rowe has a criminal record dating back to 2013 including convictions of possession of a stolen vehicle, weapons charges, and escape from the state Department of Corrections. Rowe is facing new felony charges of aggravated trafficking and having weapons.

Suspect Accused of Teen Rape

A Grady County man is charged with raping a teenager. 40-year old Cody Rountree of Rush Springs was arrested after the alleged victim came to the sheriff's office more than a year ago to report that she had been raped by Rountree for several years. A warrant for Rountree's arrest was issued just last week and he was taken into custody this past Monday. Prosecutors have charged him with one felony count of rape. He is out of jail after posting a $7,500 bond and he's to be back in court for a preliminary hearing conference Jan. 4th.

Man Accused of Sharing Nude Photos of Ex-Girlfriend

A suspect is accused of sharing nude pictures of his ex-girlfriend without her approval. 27-year old Colin John Manning of Washington, Okla. was arrested last week. A probable cause affidavit indicates the woman started getting friend requests on Snapchat from people she didn't know. One of the individuals told her Manning was trying to sell a photograph for $30. An arrest warrant for Manning was issued last week and he was arrested Friday night. Prosecutors have charged him with a felony count of disseminating private sexual images. He is out of jail after posting a $10,000 bond and is to be back in court Jan. 4th for a preliminary hearing conference.

Another High-Speed Chase Leads to Arrest

Another high speed pursuit in the area lands an Oklahoma City man behind bars. This happened the night of Wednesday, Dec. 14th when Grady County deputies attempted to make a traffic stop on a pickup outside of Tuttle and the motorist did not pull over. Dispatch notified deputies that the truck had been reported stolen out of Okmulgee. The motorist eventually gave up the chase near the Norman Spur on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. Arrested was 54-year old Travis Phillips who is facing charges which include endangering others while eluding; unauthorized use of a vehicle; and misdemeanor drug charges. He remains in the Grady County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Final 'Buy Chickasha' Campaign Winner Confirmed

A winner has finally been confirmed for the final and largest prize in the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce Buy Chickasha promotion. April Rowell was certified as the winner of the $5,000 in gift cards yesterday (Tuesday). Potential winning numbers which were drawn last Thursday and Friday were not claimed. Rowell’s winning number was drawn on Monday and came from Friendly Travel.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.09 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.99.

Natural gas is $5.33 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,811 and silver is $24.11.

Obituary

Patricia Fitzpatrick

Funeral service for Patricia Fitzpatrick, 79, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27^th at New Song Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Dec. 20th

OSU Fire School Holds Exercises in Chix

A number firefighters spent time in Chickasha last night taking part in training exercises put on by the Oklahoma State University Fire School. About 20 firefighters from across the state spent a couple of hours of getting hands-on experience in putting out fires. John Carpenter, who retired from the Chickasha Fire Department a few years ago, has been with the fire school for about three years where he currently serves as assistant director of the hazardous materials program. He explains the three parts of the training that took place-

Members of the Chickasha Fire Department and volunteers with the Grady County Fire Department also took part in the exercises held in front of the leg lamp in downtown Chickasha. The leg lamp was not damaged. Chickasha Fire Chief Tony Samaniego said the training was funded through the Oklahoma Pipeline Awareness Liaison. The group's website describes it has being a member-driven organization of pipeline operators dedicated to improving public awareness of pipeline transportation and safety.

Caddo County Storyteller Named State Poet Laureate

A Cyril man will serve as the state poet next year. Jay Snider was appointed as State Poet Laureate by Gov. Kevin Stitt. Snider's specialty is cowboy poetry and preserving the stories of the state's Western heritage. He has numerous contributions to the Chisholm Trail Heritage Center in Duncan and for taking part in many regional and national events. Snider tells KSWO-TV that he was fortunate to be raised by a lot of guys who were good storytellers. He says it’s important to capture their stories before they are gone.

Anadarko High School Band Prepares for San Antonio Trip

It's been a three-year wait for the Anadarko High School band but they will finally get to go San Antonio over the holidays to take part in festivities prior to and during the Alamo Bowl. Band Director Jessica Stone said they first starting make plans to go in 2019 but the trip was postponed indefinitely because of COVID. They resumed fund-raising earlier this year and was able to collect about $41,000 for the 32 band members to go. Stone talks about all their activities.

The band will leave on a charter bus on Monday. The game is next Thursday, Dec. 29th in the AlamoDome which will feature the University of Texas vs. the University of Washington.

New Number Drawn for Chix Chamber's Big Gift Card Prize

Chickasha Chamber of Commerce officials say there is still not a winner for the $5,000 in gift cards for the Buy Chickasha campaign. Another number was drawn yesterday and whoever has that ticket has until 2 o'clock this afternoon to get their number certified. The new number is 36491 and came from Wing T's. Contact the chamber by calling 405-224-0787.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.19 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.80.

Natural gas is $5.85 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,815 and silver is $23.98.

Obituary

Greg Remy

A graveside service for Greg Remy, 53, was held at the Pleasant Hill Woods Memorial Cemetery in Cement at 2:00 p.m. today (Tuesday, Dec. 20^th). Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.

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Monday, Dec. 19th

Grady County Consumer Spending Steady

Consumer spending in Grady County was steady in the month-to-month numbers in the most recent reporting period available. It's estimated that $94.4 million was spent on taxable goods and services in September. That's up just slightly from August and is the third-best month for spending in 2022 to date. The number is up 19 percent compared to the same time last year. We estimate consumer spending when we see the sales tax revenue report from the county. The county's bank account collected more than $708,000 in sales tax revenues last month which were the sales taxes paid on purchases made in September. Here's the breakdown on where that money went: The Grady County Fairgrounds received more than $236,000; Grady Memorial Hospital, $209,000; Grady County Fire Departments shared $118,000 so each of the 20 departments received about $6,000; the county's senior nutrition centers also shared $118,000 so each of seven locations received about $17,000; Tuttle EMS collected $22,000; and Rush Springs EMS received $5,400.

State Rep Addresses Grady County Earthquake Issue

State lawmakers in the region may be working on some policy to address the swarm of earthquakes that have occurred recently in Grady County. State Representative Brad Boles’ (R-Marlow) district includes a section of Grady County that has experienced numerous tremors recently. He speculates why those may be occurring and how they may work to help residents in that area.

Save A Life this Holiday by Donating Blood

There are a couple of community blood drives with the Oklahoma Blood institute today. And donors get their name in a drawing to win a $250 gift card that will be issued today from all the donors in this region. A blood drive is underway until 10:30 this morning at Badgett Corporation located at 4009 S. 4^th Street. Then later today KOOL-RANCH Radio and the YMCA team up for a blood drive from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with the OBI Bloodmobile that will be in the YMCA parking lot at 7^th and Chickasha Ave. Walk-ins are welcome at either location. Donors will also get a holiday-themed long-sleeve t-shirt and an ornament for the tree. To find upcoming blood drives in your area go to the website: www.obi.org

Funeral Home Offers New Service

A local funeral home is offering a new way to preserve the memories of those who have passed on. Ferguson Funeral Home has partnered with a New Mexico firm to preserve the cremated remains of loved ones into stone-like solidified remains which can be touched and held. Chris Ferguson said the process creates a solid and clean form which resembles a collection of polished stones. Ferguson is working with Justin Crowe of Parting Stone to offer the service. Crowe said those who have cremains of loved ones in the home makes the experience uncomfortable for some, so his firm created an alternative method to preserve the ashes and help families feel a meaningful connection with their loved one.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $74.29 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.04.

Natural gas is $6.60 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,806 and silver is $23.52.

Obituaries

Seth McCool

Funeral service for Seth McCool, 40, of Mt. View and formerly of the Chickasha and Verden area will be held at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon (Monday, Dec. 19^th) at the United Methodist Church in Mt. View. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Arrangements are with Ray and Martha's Funeral Home in Mt. View.

Robert Sims

Funeral service for Robert Sims, 76, of Ninnekah will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Dec. 20th at the First Baptist Church of Ninnekah. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Saturday, Dec. 17th

Has Oklahoma Had its Last Energy Boom?

There's been slow improvement in Oklahoma’s energy sector over the last year or so but a new report indicates things may never return to the glory days of when hydraulic fracturing created a boom about 10 years ago. The Oklahoman reports that there are fewer jobs in the sector now than when fracking in shale deposits had the industry going like gang-busters starting in 2014. The report cites that low energy prices, energy policy, and lingering effects of COVID-19 are a few of the reasons. One economist says there are fewer people working in the industry today than what had been typical in the past when oil was hovering around the current price of about $80 a barrel. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show about 30,000 Oklahomans currently hold down drilling and extraction jobs. That's less than half the number of workers in 2014 at the height of the western Oklahoma shale boom when oil was $100 a barrel. The Oklahoman also reports that there are fewer oilfield service-related jobs today. Other reasons for the decline include that Oklahoma has diversified its economy so it is not as dependent on the fossil fuel industry. New jobs have been created in other sectors that require the same skill-sets as some of the oilfield jobs that come and go. Some of them are in the aerospace industry. The report also shows that some energy companies are shifting their focus from production and growth to returning profits to investors.

State Lawmakers Just Week's Away from Legislative Session

State lawmakers are already making preparations for the next legislative session which will get underway in February. State Rep. Dick Lowe (R-Amber) talks about a couple of bills he'll be working on –

Rep. Lowe and Rep. Brad Bowles (R-Marlow) are this week's guests on our Real Estate Today program. On our KOOL Konversation this week’s guest is Jermaine ‘Bird’ Burdow, a speaker with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes who tells us his faith helped him get through difficult times in his life. Find podcasts to both programs under the Community tab on this website.

Obituaries

Seth McCool

Funeral service for Seth McCool, 40, of Mt. View and formerly of the Chickasha and Verden area will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 19^th at the United Methodist Church in Mt. View. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Arrangements are with Ray and Martha's Funeral Home in Mt. View.

Robert Sims

Funeral service for Robert Sims, 76, of Ninnekah will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday Dec. 20th at the First Baptist Church of Ninnekah. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

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Friday, Dec. 16th

Tempers Flare at Corporation Commission Meeting

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission on Thursday voted to close the utility rate cases regarding storm costs associated with the February 2021 Polar Vortex. The vote came after heated exchanges between commission chair Dana Murphy and member Bob Anthony. From the start of the rate-increase process last year Anthony has fought against the plans for utilities to pass their fuel costs on to consumers. OK Energy Today reports that Anthony accused Murphy of a cover-up in yesterday's meeting. He said the panel failed to hold public hearings on the efforts of PSO, CenterPoint Energy and others to use the Winter Securitization Act approved by state lawmakers and the governor. Murphy said the approvals included reviews and that compliance reports were filed but Anthony disagreed. Anthony said staff members of the Corporation Commission hindered and stonewalled his efforts to learn details of the act. Murphy and member Todd Hiett voted to close the cases while Anthony opted not to vote.

Driver Hospitalized Following Ninnekah Crash

One person was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital following a two-car collision in Ninnekah Wednesday night. The accident happened about 7:30 p.m. near U.S. Highway 81 and South 16th Street. Ninnekah Police officer Ryan Ersland said a Rush Springs woman was attempting to enter the highway from the Dollar General Store parking lot when her car was hit by a northbound vehicle.  The unidentified Rush Springs woman was taken by medical helicopter to OU Medical Center where she was last in stable condition. The driver of the other vehicle was an unidentified juvenile who was taken by private vehicle to Grady Memorial Hospital for treatment. It was not known if the teen was admitted. The northbound lanes of the highway were closed for about 45 minutes after the crash.

New Superintendent Named for Alex Schools

A new superintendent has been named for Alex Public Schools. Just last week we reported on the retirement of current administrator Keith Weldon which will be effective at the end of the school year. A post on the Alex Public Schools website says the new superintendent is Ead Simon who has been in the Roff school system for 21 years. Simon will finish out the school year at Roff and will begin duties at Alex July 1st. Simon and his wife Lana will be in the Alex community in the coming months and the school board encourages patrons to welcome them to the Longhorn family.

It's the Last Weekend for Festival of Light Shuttle Service

This is the last weekend for Festival of Light visitors to take a shuttle from downtown Chickasha to Shannon Springs Park. This may be the biggest weekend of the season for visitors wanting to see the lights so the shuttle service provides a good option to avoid an extended wait time. The shuttles leave from the Leg Lamp and the Rock Island Railroad Depot about every 30 minutes between 6 and 11 tonight and tomorrow. Round-trip tickets are $2 per person. Some downtown restaurants and stores will be open. Officials say that the Red Ryder BB Gun and quilt exhibit will not be open this weekend due to some unforeseen issues.

Chix Chamber Announces Gift Card Winning Numbers

The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce announced the winning ticket numbers for the $10,000 in gift card give-aways yesterday. We've not yet heard of any winners claiming their prizes. The winning number for the $5,000 in gift cards is 43517; the winning number for the $3,000 in gift cards is 44912; and the winning number for the $2,000 in gift cards is 21029. Prizes must be claimed by 3:15 this afternoon or new winning tickets will be drawn. The numbers are available on our Facebook page and on the Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.11 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $81.21.

Natural gas is $6.97 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,795 and silver is $23.23.

Obituary

Holly VanOrder

A memorial service for Holly VanOrder, 38, of Chickasha will be held at noon Saturday, Dec. 17^th at Sevier Funeral Home.

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Thursday, Dec. 15th

State Panel to Again Consider Utility Rate Hikes

Some Oklahoma utility companies are again asking the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to let them pass along their high fuel costs to customers. Utility officials say the costs continue to be associated with the sub-freezing temperatures that occurred in February of 2021 during a weather phenomenon we've come to know as the Polar Vortex. Officials with Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), CenterPoint Energy (now Summit Energy), Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OG&E), and Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) were seeking the approval. Several utilities have already received approval to pass some of those costs on to consumers. Monthly utility bills have already increased by around $5 per month with those increases effective for the next 20 years or even longer. The requests were to be heard in today's meeting of the Corporation Commission. Also at the meeting, officials with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) were to ask for a moratorium on rate hikes and customer disconnects.

States Blame Oklahoma for Most Illegal Pot Trafficking 

There are claims around the country that Oklahoma is the No. 1 source of illegal marijuana trafficking in some states. That's according to officials with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN). Bureau spokesman Mark Woodward tells KOCO-TV that eastern states from Rhode Island to Florida are pointing to Oklahoma for problems in those areas. Woodward said a lot of the illicit pot in Oklahoma can be traced to criminal groups in China, Russia, and Bulgaria. Woodward said the state has an estimated 2,000 farms that are under investigation for fraudulently obtaining their licenses or moving their product from those farms to the black market. Woodward said the agency has received a commitment from state lawmakers to provide the office additional funds so agents can have a 24-7 focus on the criminal elements within the marijuana industry.

Carnegie Man Arrested After Pursuit

A high-speed pursuit from Verden to Chickasha early Wednesday lands a Caddo County man in jail. Verden Police Chief Jason Cox said it began to unfold about 1:15 a.m. Wednesday when police radar indicated a motorist driving 60 mph through town in a 35 mph zone. Officer Jeryt Henson attempted to make a traffic stop but the driver sped away. Speeds topped 100 miles per hour as the chase went eastbound on U.S. Highway 62 with the motorist running several vehicles off the road. The driver was still traveling at 100 miles per hour when he approached the Chickasha fire station at 16th and Choctaw. The motorist eventually pulled over at 4th and Choctaw where he was arrested without incident. In custody is 54-year old Dee Neal Cook who listed a Carnegie address. Cook claimed that he was trying to get away from someone who wanted to kill him. He also allegedly admitted to being high on meth. Prosecutors have charged Cook with felony charges of endangering others while eluding and reckless driving. Cook is currently on probation after serving time for pleading guilty to felony weapons charges out of Caddo County following a 2018 arrest. He's also facing municipal charges out of Mt. View. Cook remains in the Grady County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

Chix Chamber to Hold 'Buy Chickasha' Gift Card Drawings

A few fortunate shoppers will be able to buy some extra Christmas presents this holiday season. The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce will hold its Buy Chickasha campaign gift card drawings this afternoon. $10,000 in gift cards will be given away with the top prize being $5,000 in gift cards to merchants who participated in the Buy Chickasha promotion. Over the last month, shoppers were able to get one ticket to the drawing for every $10 in merchandise they purchased.

Officer, Civilian to be Honored by Chix Police Department

The Chickasha Police Department will be honoring two individuals for their work this year. Sgt. Scott Ely was named the officer of the year and Animal Control Officer Layce Graham was named Civilian of the Year. Both will be recognized at a reception at the police department Wednesday, Dec. 21^st.

Animal Shelter Offers Low-Cost Spay-Neuter Clinic

Pet owners who are considering spaying and neutering their dogs and cats can get a discount on those services next week. The Chickasha Animal Shelter will provide the low-cost sterilization procedure next Wednesday, Dec. 21st. Pets will need to be dropped off at the shelter between 6 and 7 in the morning and they will be taken to an Oklahoma City veterinarian. The fur babies will be back later that afternoon and can be picked up between 5 and 6. For information, contact the shelter by calling 405-222-6093 and leave a message.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.28 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $82.70.

Natural gas is $6.43 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,789 and silver is $23.37.

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Wednesday, Dec. 14th

Fed, State Agents Continue Hand Sanitizer Fires Probe

Investigators with the federal Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) were in Chickasha yesterday looking around the office of a company linked to those massive hand sanitizer fires that took place this past summer. Bordwine Development Company was fined a record $6 million by the DEQ for the alleged introduction of hazardous materials into the environment and because he didn't have a permit to store millions of gallons of expired hand sanitizer at the former Chickasha Manufacturing Company and other locations which burned to the ground. KFOR TV reported that Assistant State Fire Marshal James Fullingim said they have no indication that someone intentionally set the fires but that they know someone did something - and that it could have been a careless act. KFOR also reported that Bordwine's attorney filed new documents saying Bordwine followed DEQ rules pointing to agency guidelines that require an item to be solid waste before it becomes hazardous. A statement from the DEQ stated that expired hand sanitizer is hazardous waste as it exhibits the characteristic of ignitability. DEQ believes the exceptions cited by Bordwine's attorney aren't applicable in this situation. An administrative hearing on the matter will be held in March.

Grady County Firefighters Benefit from Grant 'Challenge'

Grady County rural fire departments get an early Christmas present. Oklahoma Farm Bureau, the Grady County Farm Bureau, and State Sen. Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) combined to give a total of $1,200 to the Grady County Fire Board this week. The funds were presented to the Grady County Fire Department at this week's Grady County Commissioners meeting. Stormy Duffle is the president of the Grady County Fire Board.

Steve Standridge with the Grady County Farm Bureau said the state offiice issued a challenge to Grady County to raise funds and Sen. Paxton also helped out. Standridge said $100 will be going to each of the 12 rural fire departments.

State Airport May be New Home for Special Ops Pilots

An Oklahoma National Guard air base may soon be the nation's hub for special operations pilots. According to the Military Times, Will Rogers World Airport has been tabbed to be a new location for a new armed overwatch fleet. The air force plans to replace more than a dozen MC-12 Liberty Reconnaissance training planes. Officials say Will Rogers would receive 28 new planes and about 80 personnel to support the mission of the 310th Special Operations Squadron. Before the change takes place the airport must pass a review of its ability to meet the fleet's operational needs and how the new planes could affect existing missions and an environmental impact study must also be performed. Both are expected to take place next year.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.39 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $80.68.

Natural gas is $6.93 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,819 and silver is $23.88.

Obituary

James 'Glynn' Richardson

A memorial service for ‘Glynn’ Richardson, 61, of Spring, Texas and formerly of the Chickasha and Amber area will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17th at Newsong Church.

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Tuesday, Dec. 13th

Early Morning Storms Included Tornado Warnings

A series of tornado warnings were issued for parts of the region early this morning as thunderstorms moved through central Oklahoma. The first warning was issued just before 5 a.m. as strong thunderstorms moved through the Chickasha area and into Lindsay. The National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for southeastern Grady, northeastern Garvin, and southern McClain counties. Radar indicated a possible tornado near the rural Grady County community of Bailey with the storms tracking toward Erin Springs and Lindsay. Another tornado warning was issued a few minutes later for southern McClain County and parts of Cleveland County. There have been no immediate reports of damage from these storms in this area, however there were reports of damage in the eastern McClain County town of Wayne south of Purcell. It's a very rare occurrence for tornados to form in December but the spring-like weather system moving across the state overnight was favorable for tornado development. Rainfall totals from the storm included 2.2 inches of rain west of Rush Springs at the Acme Mesonet station, nearly an inch of rain in Chickasha and Apache; six-tenths of an inch of rain at Ft. Cobb, and about a half-inch of rain at Minco.

Residential Construction Leads Chix Building Report

Nearly $900,000 in new construction projects in the City of Chickasha were approved by the city's Community Development Department last month. Officials approved 15 permits for residential and commercial construction. Residential construction included a new home on Country Club Drive for Merrick Construction for $400,000; and a new home in the Sleepy Hollow Addition for Raush-Coleman Homes valued at $160,000. Remodeling permits were issued to Grayline Properties for a home in the 2000 block of S. 13^th for $80,000; to Killian Renovation for a home in the 1300 Block of W. Missouri for $54,000; to Bordwine Development for a home in the 1900 block of Louisiana for $50,000; to Jarrod Short for a home at 16 Highland Drive for $40,000; to Bingham Rentals for a home at 138 Orchard for $25,000; and one to an unlisted vendor in the 1200 block of S. 14^th Street for $20,000. A commercial remodeling permit was issued to an unlisted vendor for upgrades in the 1600 block of S. 4^th Street for $18,000.

City of Anadarko Employees Reach Milestones

A number of employees for the City of Anadarko were recognized for their service to the community. According to a recent post on the city's Facebook page - Regina Jones was honored for 25-years; Police Chief Eric Harlan, police officer Todd Palmer, Kay Howard, and Rocky Barlett were honored for 15 years; Assistant Police Chief Dustin Chandler, Megan Shosh, Max Franklin, and Jo Spangelhour were recognized for 10 years; and police officer Jordan Stone was recognized for five years of service.

Utility Provides Thousands of LED Bulbs to Needy Families

Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) is teaming up with several relief organizations to provide free LED light bulbs to needy families. Nearly 120,000 of the energy-saving bulbs have been provided by PSO's Shine-A-Light program. LED bulbs can last 25 times longer than incandescent bulbs. This year 22 food pantries serving 100 communities are taking part including the Salvation Army serving Grady and Caddo counties; the Compassion Center and Assumption Catholic Church in Duncan; and the food bank and Salvation Army in Lawton.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $73.17 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $77.99.

Natural gas is $6.59 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,798 and silver is $23.71.

Obituary

Sara Adkins

A memorial service will be held at a later date for Sarah Adkins, 84, of Chickasha. She was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Monday, Dec. 12th

First Responders Intervene in Suicide Threat

There were some tense moments for Chickasha police and first responders after they were dispatched to an individual threatening suicide near the downtown area. Authorities were summoned to the railroad overpass in the 100 block of East Choctaw Ave. just before 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Traffic was detoured around the area while first responders talked to the individual. In a press release, police said officials talked to the individual for about an hour and were able to prevent anything from happening. The individual was not injured and taken to a medical facility for evaluation.

Driver Hospitalized After Turnpike Crash

A driver is hospitalized after the car he was driving veered off the interstate and hit a tree. The crash happened about 3:00 a.m. Sunday near mile marker 77 on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike just west of Chickasha. The trooper dispatched to the accident reported that the vehicle was eastbound on the highway when it careened off the road. 23-year old Alexander Osmond of Surprise, Arizona was taken by ground ambulance to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was last in fair condition. Osmond was wearing his seatbelt. The accident remains under investigation.

Chix School Sup't to get Annual Performance Review

Chickasha school superintendent Rick Croslin will undergo his annual performance review in a closed-door session which is part of tonight’s monthly meeting of the Chickasha Board of Education. Croslin has been with the district for about 2 1/2 years, coming on board in March of 2020. The panel will also discuss a cooperative agreement with Pioneer Schools to allow its students to participate in middle school soccer for the spring of 2023. The group will also discuss a memorandum of understanding with the three unions within the district: the Chickasha United Teaching Association, The Chickasha Association of Support Employees, and the Chickasha Organization of Professional Administrators. The panel will recognize the Chicken Express Employees of the Month for both November and December. The November employees were Mike Elliott and Janice Cockrum at Lincoln Elementary and the December employees are Peggy Leonard and Leta Pruitt at the middle school. The school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the school district's administration building.

Anadarko School Board Also Meets

The Anadarko school board will also hold its monthly meeting tonight. The panel will consider the Title Seven Impact Aid Indian Policies and Procedures, and fundraisers for the FFA and honor society.  The panel is also expected to approve an overnight trip request for the high school band to perform at the Alamo Bowl in San Antonio later this month. The trip is scheduled for Dec. 26th through 30th. No. 12-ranked Washington will face No. 20-ranked Texas in the contest. The Anadarko school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the Anadarko school administration office.

'Live' Chocolate Celebration to Return to Chix Library

Following two years of virtual celebrations the Friends of the Chickasha Library will hold its annual Chocolate Celebration in person next year. Several thousand servings of chocolate will be available at the fundraiser and the library friends are seeking corporate and table sponsors. Each table sponsor should provide 200 individual servings of chocolate. Usually there are 15-20 tables with an estimated 4,000 individual treats available. Sponsors can reach out to the library for information by calling 405-222-6075 or Angie Lewis at 405-779-6969 or e-mail angieslewis13@gmail.com. Tickets for the chocolate celebration will be available after the first of the year. Tickets are $6 each and allows individuals to select six chocolate servings. The 11th annual chocolate celebration will be Monday, Feb. 13th at Epworth United Methodist Church.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.02 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.10.

Natural gas is $6.24 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,803 and silver is $23.66.

Saturday, Dec. 10th

State Official Concerned About Mixed Energy News

Tax collections on oil and gas production in the state have been fairly strong this year. However, State Treasurer Randy McDaniel says a downward trend could be getting underway. He said that falling energy prices means the state receives less in tax revenues from oil and gas production. While gross receipts to the treasury over the past year set a record high for six straight months, November collections fell below $160 million. It was the first time since April that month-to-month collections fell. McDaniel said while lower prices at the pump are providing needed relief for consumers, the slowdown in demand and drop in commodity prices will impact collections in the future. The website OK Energy Today reports the monthly Oklahoma Business Conditions Index fell quite a bit last month. The index issued by Creighton University fell from 51.3 to 39.8. It’s the first time in two years that the index has been below 50. It indicates a forecast for an economic slowdown over the next three to six months.

Regional Well Completions Submitted

A number of energy companies have filed oil and gas well completion reports for wells in the region. Citizen Energy reports three wells near Pocasset are producing about 12,000 metric cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas per day. The wells are in section 20 of Township 8 North and Range 7 West which is three miles south of Pocasset. They were drilled to a depth of nearly 25,000 feet.

Marathon Oil reports two significant gas wells in the Alex area. The Gretsky wells were producing about 21,000 Mcf of natural gas per day. They are in section 11 of Township 4 North and 6 West five miles south of Alex. The wells were drilled to a depth of more than 25,000 feet.

Continental Resources filed completion reports on three Grady County wells on a single pad producing about 14,000 Mcf of natural gas and more than 900 barrels of oil per day. A location was not listed in the report on the website ok energy today.

CPRP Services has a well three miles north of Lindsay in McClain County bringing in nearly 800 barrels of oil and 1,000 Mcf of natural gas per day. The Blanca well is in section 4 of Townshp 5 North and Range 4 West and was drilled to a depth of 19,000 feet.

Camino Natural Resources reported on the Cattlemens wells southwest of El Reno. Two wells have combined to produce nearly 800 barrels of oil and more than 5,000 Mcf of natural gas per day. The wells are one mile south of El Reno and west of U.S. Highway 81 and were drilled to a depth of more than 18,000 feet.

Obituary

Nidia Reed

Funeral service for Nidia Reed, 67, of Oklahoma City will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14th at Greater New Zion Baptist Church in Oklahoma City. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Friday, Dec. 9th

Numerous Earthquakes Shake Grady County

Some Grady County families have been dealing with a number of earthquakes that have been occurring over the last few weeks. About 20 earthquakes have been rattling the region and one family is worried that the tremors could damage their home. Kevin McMomas told KOCO News that his home is old and sits only a sand rock base without a concrete slab. He said they usually hear a 'boom' and then they feel a wave and the whole house shakes. There has been oil and gas drilling activity in the region and the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has ordered companies to stop their operations while officials investigate what might be causing the tremors.

Forgery Victim Sues Bank

We have a follow-up to a story we had several weeks ago about a Chickasha woman charged with more than 90 counts of forgery. Tamara Walters was arrested in October after writing more than $400,000 in fraudulent checks on her mother's checking account. Walters’ mother is now suing the bank for allowing that to happen. The lawsuit was filed against Liberty National Bank in Oklahoma County District Court last week. The checks were written over a period of about a year with most checks being for $3,000 or more. Walters told police that she had a gambling addiction and spent the money at a casino. Walters is out of jail after posting a $100,000 bond. A preliminary hearing conference has been scheduled for Jan. 18th.

Suspect Charged in Alleged Animal Cruelty Case

Chickasha police investigate a disturbing case of animal cruelty. Authorities were called to a home near 19th and Montana this past Tuesday. A probable cause affidavit indicates an individual called police and told them that a dog had died inside her neighbor's home. The officer dispatched to the residence said when he got to the door he detected a strong odor of feces and urine. The woman who answered the door did tell the officer that one of her dogs had died. The officer found the dead animal and two other dogs which appeared to be suffering from starvation as they had sunken stomachs and visible bones. There was dog food in the home but it was not accessible to the animals. The officer arrested Tabatha Davidson-Riley for animal cruelty. The dead animal and two surviving dogs were turned over to animal control. Prosecutors have charged Davidson-Riley with a felony for animal cruelty and she is out of jail after posting a $10,000 bond.

CareFirst Clinic Welcomes New Doctor

A new family medicine physician is on board at a Chickasha medical clinic. Dr. Ahmad Musa is on staff at CareFirst Wellness Associates which was previously Southern Plains Medical Center. Mura is originally from Jordan and talks about his early training.

After some time in Chicago he went to New York to earn his accreditation that allows international doctors to work in the U.S. Mura and his family live in Newcastle.

Inaugural Wine, Craft Show is Saturday

A first-time event will be held at the Grady County Fairgrounds this weekend. It's the Chickasha Wine and Craft Show which will feature more than 70 vendors to include wine, beer, home decor, jewelry, art, woodwork, and baked goods. Admission is free and it is a family-friendly event. Photos with Santa will be available. It will be held in the north exhibit building at the fairgrounds from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 10^th)

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.46 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.15.

Natural gas is $5.96 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,806 and silver is $23.27.

Obituary

Karry French

Funeral service for Karry French, 56, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, December 10th at the First Baptist Church of Verden. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home. 

Ollie 'Juanita' Snider

Funeral service for Juanita Snider, 89, of Blanchard will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12th at the Tri-City Worship Center in Newcastle. Arrangements are also with McRay Funeral Home.

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Thursday, Dec. 8th

Updated List of School Board Filings

Unless there were some 11th hour filings for school board posts late Wednesday, here is the list of candidates who filed for posts on regional school boards:

Grady County

Zack McGill ran unopposed for his seat on the Chickasha school board; John Nicholas filed unopposed at Amber-Pocasset; Ryan Beck was unopposed at Minco; Del Ford was unopposed at Rush Springs; Michele McRay ran unopposed at Pioneer; and Jessica Hammons was unopposed at Friend. Three candidates have filed at Alex with incumbent Tom Ketchum drawing Skyler Foster and Shelby Johnson as challengers; Stevie Kaye McMillan and Norman Wood filed at Verden; Russell Thompson and Mark Fulton filed at Ninnekah; and John Oaks and Glenda Fenimore filed at Middleberg. There will be two school board races in Bridge Creek where Robyn Esparza and Micah Regier filed for Office 1 and Sharita Hill and Terry Fincent filed for Office 3.

McClain County

Jacob Zweifel filed unopposed at Blanchard; Steve Long and Veronica Rivera filed at Dibble; Tiffany Elcyzyn filed unopposed at Newcastle; and Doyle Greteman filed unopposed for Mid America Technology Center school board.

Caddo County

Kathy Kappelle filed unopposed at Anadarko; Steve Pelzer and Karen Glass filed at Cement; Sean Hughes filed unopposed at Cyril; Cassi Crowell was unopposed at Ft. Cobb-Broxton; Timberly Goucher was unopposed at Gracemont; Dustin Tackett was unopposed for his post on the Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center school board; Jennifer Dorsey was unopposed at Binger-Oney; Katrina Wetselline was unopposed at Boone-Apache; Michael Longhat was unopposed at Carnegie; Michael Brown was unopposed at Lookeba-Sickles; Jodi Combs filed unopposed at Hinton; LaNae Meacham and Amber Sturgeron filed unopposed for separate seats at Hydro-Eakly. There is a two-day period for candidates to withdraw and for individuals to protest the filing of any of the candidates.

Tuttle FFA Livestock Judging Team Wins National Contest

The Tuttle High School FFA livestock judging team was recognized at the state capitol recently after winning a national competition. Team member Cheyenne Emerson tells the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network about the team’s advisors C.L. McGill and Carey Middlestaadt, starting with McGill-

Two Oklahoma college livestock judging teams also were recognized at the state capital for winning national titles. They are Oklahoma State University and Northern Oklahoma College.

Chix Library Names New Director of Youth Program

There's a new face at the Chickasha Public Library. Drew Cooper is the new youth library director. She recently moved to Oklahoma from South Carolina where she also served as youth library director. Chickasha Library Director Lillie Huckaby said Cooper is eager to work with area youth and is making plans for all ages and already has some projects going this month. A meet-and-greet reception for Drew Cooper will be held at the library from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. this afternoon and evening

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.01 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $77.17.

Natural gas is $5.72 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,794 and silver is $22.89.

Obituaries

Bradley Rubac

No service is scheduled for Bradley Rubac, 65, of Minco. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.

Dorothy Wright

A graveside service for Dorothy Wright, 87, of Norman and formerly of the Tuttle and Minco area will be at 1:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9^th at Fairlawn Cemetery in Tuttle. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.

Albert Kinsey

Funeral service for Albert Kinsey of Chldress, Texas will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He was a U.S. Army veteran.

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Wednesday, Dec. 7th

City of Chix Seeks Bids on Water, Sewer Line Projects

Some water and sewer line projects for the City of Chickasha are expected in the coming year. This week the city council approved the re-bidding of a sewer line replacement project near the intersection of U.S. Highway 62 and 16th Street, a line that has been in need of replacement for about four years. Previous bids for the project were rejected because they were higher than engineer's estimates. The council also approved going out for bids for the second part of a water-line relocation project associated with the Highway 81 bypass.  The project is eligible for nearly 60 percent reimbursement from the state department of transportation.

DHS Now Able to Help Chix Residents Pay Water Bills

Chickasha residents having difficulties paying their water bills may be able to get some financial assistance. The city council approved a contract with the Department of Human Services (DHS) to help customers who meet DHS guidelines. The agency receives federal funding to help provide relief to low income families. Funds can be used to pay delinquent accounts and prevent households from getting their water services cut-off.  The program is similar to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) which helps households pay summer cooling and winter heating costs. Households will be eligible for one-time assistance.

Final Payment Approved for Festival of Light Upgrade

The city council also approved a final payment of just over $5,000 associated with the installation of new electrical panels at Shannon Springs Park for the Festival of Light (FOL). The panels were added to the section of the park north of the dam for the new Frozen Forest light display which added 500,000 lights to FOL. The project was awarded to ETI of Chickasha for a total of just over $100,000. The Festival of Light provided the funds for that project.

Veterans Program to be held at Festival of Light Tonight

Today marks the 81st anniversary of Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor which led to the United States getting involved in World War II. Area military veterans are invited to take part in a special program at Chickasha's Festival of Light tonight. A short presentation will be held at the Amphitheater for veterans and their families at 6:00 p.m. Parking will be available around the gift shop area. Veterans will have access to all the attractions until 8:00 o'clock this evening.

More Candidates File for Regional School Board Posts

Today is the final day for candidates to file to run for school board offices  Here is a partial list of candidates who have filed-

Grady County

Zack McGill has filed at Chickasha;  Steve McMillan has field at Verden; Mark Fulton and Russell Thompson have filed for the same office at Ninnekah; Tom Ketchum and Shelby Johnson have filed for the same seat at Alex; John Nicholas has filed at Amber-Pocasset; Del Ford has filed at Rush Springs; Michelle McRay has field at Pioneer; Jessica Timmons has filed at Friend; and Glenda Fenimore and Josh Oaks have filed for the same office at Middleberg.

McClain County

Steve Long has filed at Dibble; Tiffany Elcyzyn has filed at Newcastle, and Doyle Greteman has filed at Mid America Technology Center.

Caddo County

Sean Hughes has filed at Cyril; Cassi Crowell at Ft. Cobb-Broxton; Timberly Goucher at Gracemont; Jennifer Dorsey at Binger-Oney; Katrina Wetselline at Boone-Apache; Michael Longhat at Carnegie; Michael Brown at Lookeba-Sickles; Jodi Combs at Hinton; LaNae Meacham and Amber Sturgeon have filed for two different seats at Hydro-Eakly; and Dustin Tackett at Caddo Kiowa Technology Center.

The filing period closes at 5 o'clock this afternoon.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $74.25 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.97.

Natural gas is $5.47 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,786 and silver is $22.62.

Obituaries

George Graham

A memorial service for George Graham, 66, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 8th at Sevier Funeral Home.

Johnny Bond

Funeral service for Johnny Bond, 78, lifelong Grady County resident will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10th at Cowboy Country Church. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Dec. 6th

Developer Proposes Investment in Downtown Chix

An Anadarko native who went on to thrive as a California businessman is turning his attention to Chickasha. Chet Hitt made a presentation to the Chickasha City Council last night with a plan to invest several million dollars in the downtown area. Hitt said he is under contract to purchase several properties including the old Savoy hotel and hopes to bring more eating establishments, a souvenir shop, and even horse stables to the area around the Rock Island Depot. We talked to Hitt after his presentation-

Hitt has built successful businesses in both California and Arizona. The city council may ask him to submit a request for a proposal for his plan which could top the $5 million mark. If approved Hitt hopes to begin construction next year.

Ninnekah Students Back in Class After Threat

Students in the Ninnekah school district are back in the classroom today after a day of virtual learning yesterday after a threat was issued toward the district. Superintendent Ashley Davis posted a letter on the district's website last night saying school officials received information Sunday night about a threat to student safety. The threat was turned over to Ninnekah police and the Grady County Sheriff's Office. The shift to virtual learning was made to allow law enforcement time to conduct the investigation and reach all parties involved as well as to protect students and staff. Davis thanked law enforcement for their quick action to investigate the threat.

Alex School Superintendent Stepping Down

Alex school superintendent Keith Weldon is retiring. Weldon notified the school board recently that he'll be stepping down at the end of the school year. Weldon has been with the district for three years but he has spent about 34 years in education as a teacher and an administrator. He began his teaching career in Wichita, Kansas and he also taught in Stonewall, Okla. He served as principal in the Varnum and Colcord school districts then served as superintendent at Calumet for 19 years before being hired at Alex. A search for a new superintendent is underway.

School Board Candidate Filings

A number of candidates came forward to file for school board posts on the first day of filing yesterday. In Grady County school districts, Zack McGill has filed for re-election for Chickasha school board; John Nicholas has filed for re-election at Amber-Pocasset; Mark Fulton and Russell Dean Thompson have filed at Ninnekah; incumbent Tom Ketchum and Shelby Johnson have filed at Alex; Del Ford filed at Rush Springs; and Josh Oaks filed at Middleberg. In McClain County, incumbent Steve Long has filed for re-election at Dibble; incumbent Tiffany Elcyzyn has filed at Newcastle; and Doyle Greteman of Lindsay has filed for school board at Mid-America Technology Center. In Caddo County, Cassie Crowell has filed at Ft. Cobb-Broxton; Katrina Wetselline has filed at Apache; LaNae Meacham has filed at Hydro-Eakly; and Dustin Tackett has filed for re-election to the Caddo-Kiowa Technology Center school board. The filing period runs through tomorrow.

Pursuit Suspect Was 'Trying to Spread God's Message'

Now an update to a story we first aired over the weekend about a woman who led Rush Springs police on a pursuit. The suspect told officers she was not running...she was ‘trying to spread God's message’. A probable cause affidavit indicates the woman was driving 73 miles per hour in a 55-mile per hour zone. The pursuit lasted nearly 25 minutes as the chase went north on Highway 81 to Chickasha. A county deputy deployed stop sticks near U.S. Highway 81 and State Highway 19 but she kept going. She eventually came to a stop in a residential area at 16th and Alabama where she was taken into custody without incident. When asked if she was under the influence of drugs she said ‘yes, marijuana and life’. Arrested was 31-year old Adrianna Laue of Ft. Worth, Texas. She has been formally charged with misdemeanors which include eluding, possession of marijuana, and a municipal DUI. She remains in jail on a $4,000 bond.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.93 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $82.68.

Natural gas is $5.58 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,787 and silver is $22.69.

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Monday, Dec. 5th

'Threat' Brings Virtual Learning Day to Ninnekah Schools

Authorities with Ninnekah Public Schools are taking precautions after an unspecified threat was made toward the district. A statement posted on the district's website last night does not provide a lot of information but indicates that law enforcement was notified and made contact with an unidentified individual who is reported to have made the threat. Out of precaution Ninnekah schools will have virtual learning today. Officials said student and staff safety are a priority and the move to virtual learning was made in order to verify all safety measures.

Multi-Vehicle Morning Crash Closes H.E. Bailey Turnpike 

A four-vehicle pile-up northeast of Chickasha on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike shut down a portion of the interstate this morning. The accident occurred in the westbound lanes 6:45 a.m. near mile marker 89. Westbound traffic was diverted onto the shoulder to get around the crash site. The highway patrol reported it was an injury accident but provided no other details.

One Teen Dead, One Injured After High-Speed Pursuit

One Caddo County teenager is dead and another hospitalized following a high-speed pursuit and crash in western Oklahoma over the weekend. The highway patrol reports that officers from the Sayre and Cordell police departments were involved in the pursuit when the crash occurred about 3:00 a.m. Saturday. A 15-year old girl driving a 2001 GMC Yukon lost control of the vehicle then ran off the road and hit a building in Sayre. A 13-year girl riding in the SUV was pinned inside the wreckage for about 30 minutes and died at the scene. The driver was taken to a hospital in Elk City where she was last in good condition. Both teenagers had Apache addresses but their names were not released. Authorities have not indicated why they were pursuing the vehicle.

Open Records Questions to be Discussed By Chix City Council

The Chickasha City Council will go behind closed doors tonight to discuss the state's open meeting and open records acts as they pertain to the city's Economic Development Council (EDC). In October, a resident sent an e-mail to city hall questioning the way the EDC uses some of its funding. The individual said since the EDC receives funding from the city the agency should have to abide by those acts. However, EDC officials say since private funds are also involved it is not required to release that information.

New 'Grapple' Truck Purchase Proposed

The council is to discuss spending nearly a quarter-million dollars for a new grapple truck for picking up brush and limbs. The current truck has been unreliable and repairs have been costly. The cost of the new truck is just over $233,000 and it is being purchased from a state contract.

Public Hearing Scheduled for Residential Use-on-Review Request

The panel will also hold a public hearing to consider a use-on-review request from Micah McCarty. McCarty is wanting to build a more than 600 square-foot building in the 600 block of S. 22nd Street that will not be on a lot with a home, although a home is expected to eventually be built at that address. The building also won't meet the city's facade requirements. Officials say there have been no complaints about the proposal and the planning commission has recommended that the council approve the use-on-review.

School Board Filings Underway in Many Areas

The filing period is underway for candidates who want to run for posts that are open on school boards throughout the state. Candidates must be residents within the office boundaries within the school district in which they live. Candidates must file their declarations at the county election board where their school district is located. It's a three-day filing period - so the filing deadline is at 5 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. Individuals may withdraw their candidacy anytime through 5 p.m. Friday and individuals wanting to protest the filing of a candidate may do so Thursday or Friday before 5 p.m. each day. Should three or more candidates file for one office a primary election will be held Feb. 5th. If two candidates file  for the same office the election will be held April 4th. If no candidates file then no election will be needed.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.98 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.57.

Natural gas is $6.28 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,808 and silver is $23.27.

Obituary

John ‘Rick’ Everly

Funeral service for Rick Everly, 76, of Edmond and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

Saturday, Dec. 3rd

One Arrested Following Early-Morning Pursuit

A pursuit that started in Rush Springs and ended in Chickasha before dawn this morning lands one person behind bars. Scanner reports indicated the pursuit began around 4:30 a.m. when Rush Springs police attempted to make a traffic stop. The motorist opted to make a run for it and headed north on U.S. Highway 81. The pursuit continued through Ninnekah and in to Chickasha and at some point got to the area of 16^th and Country Club Road. The chase continued north on 16^th Street and ended near 16^th and Grand Ave. after authorities deployed stop sticks to disable the vehicle. In custody is 31-year old Adrianna Laue. No hometown was available. She is being held in the Grady County Jail on complaints of eluding and speeding.

State Office Urges Oklahomans to Check FCC Map

to Confirm or Update Accuracy of Broadband Service 

A new state agency that will oversee the expansion of broadband service across the state needs your help. The Oklahoma Broadband Office would like Oklahomans to check their addresses on a map made available by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to see if it matches what the FCC has listed for you. Kirk Martin is the interim director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office. He said they have reason to believe that some of the information on the map is not accurate and in some cases lists service where it isn't even available. Users will be able correct any inaccurate data that may be listed. This process will help determine how much federal funding Oklahoma will receive to improve broadband service especially in rural areas. Broadband service varies widely from county to county. The map shows that only about 19 percent of Grady County residents have reliable internet service while only 8 percent of Caddo County residents do. The deadline to check the map is Jan. 13th of 2023. The website is:

broadbandmap.fcc.gov/home

Grady County Lawmaker to Lead State Senate Panel

A Grady County state lawmaker will serve as chairman of a state senate committee during the upcoming legislative session. Sen. Lonnie Paxton of Tuttle will chair the Energy and Telecommunications panel. Paxton was appointed to the post by Senate President Pro Tem Greg Treat. Paxton was also appointed to serve on the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee as was Kingfisher State Senator Darcy Jech.

Community Christmas Parades Held Today

Several communities in the region have Christmas parades today.  Marlow had its parade this morning while Chickasha and Anadarko have parades tonight. In Chickasha, the theme is Christmas Movies and will feature about 50 entries. The parade route is along Chickasha Avenue and will start near the YMCA and head east to 1st and Chickasha to Avenue and end at the Leg Lamp and the railroad depot. Anadarko’s parade theme is Elf on the Shelf and will start at the railroad tracks and run west on Main Street. Both parades start at 6 p.m.

Obituaries

John ‘Rick’ Everly

Funeral for ‘Rick’ Everly, 76, of Edmond and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7^th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and National Guard.

Louis ‘Javare’ Lipscomb

Funeral for ‘Javare’ Lipscomb, 34, of Lawton is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Friday, Dec. 2nd

USAO President to Retire

USAO president John Feaver will be stepping down from his post. Feaver announced his decision to retire yesterday though his retirement is not effective until December of 2023. For more than 20 years Feaver has led the university to great heights and worked to preserve the history of what was the first all-women's college west of the Mississippi River. Feaver is currently the longest tenured president of all of the state's colleges and universities with 22 years at the post. However he's been associated with USAO over the course of five decades. He was appointed to the faculty in 1980; named a vice president in 1988; and became just the 12th president in USAO's 114-year history in 2000 succeeding Roy Troutt. In a prepared statement, Feaver said it is not enough to say that leading the university has been the honor of his life. He said the college has stood the test of time despite many headwinds and that he will always be humbly thankful to have been part of the institution for so long. The university's board of regents will begin its search immediatetly for the next president.

Gracemont Crash Victims Identified

The highway patrol has released the names of three people previously unidentified who died or suffered life-threatening injuries in that head-on collision north of Gracemont Wednesday night. 47-year old Jennifer Embree and 24-year old Aaron Wipf - both of Oklahoma City - perished in the accident. 52-year old Christopher Mosley of Elk City continues to battle life-threatening injuries. All were in a vehicle that investigators say crossed the center line of the highway and collided with an oncoming vehicle. The driver of that vehicle, 27 year old Antoinette Evilsizor of Arizona, also died.

Suspect Charged After Second Arrest 

for Alleged Illegal Transportation of Drugs

A man initially arrested in October for the alleged illegal transportation of marijuana, then released after prosecutors dismissed the case, has been re-arrested. Verden police arrested Xulin Zheng of Elmore City on October 6th. A probable cause affidavit indicates that an officer made a traffic stop on a van speeding through a school zone. Zheng was behind the wheel of the van and the officer detected a strong odor of marijuana inside. There were some language barriers between the two men and they tried to use a translation app to help communicate. Zheng did ask to talk to his attorney. In a search of the vehicle, authorites found more than 34 pounds of marijuana. Prosecutors this time have formally charged Zheng with one felony count of trafficking. He is out of jail after posting a $30,000 bond.

Minco Honey Festival is Tomorrow

The town of Minco will host its annual honey festival tomorrow. This is the 32nd year for the festival always held the first Saturday in December. There will be tours of the Ross Honey Company; the Great Plains Cotton Gin; and the wind turbines that surround the community. There's a honey bake-off, a morning pancake breakfast, and more than 100 arts and crafts vendors. Minco's Favorite Son, Emmy Award-winning Lucas Ross from Freedom 43's Rise and Shine morning television show will also be on hand.

Grant Issued to Friends of the Chickasha Library

Here's an early Christmas present for the Friends of the Chickasha Library. The group has received a $5,000 grant from the Arvest Foundation. Arvest Bank representatives Leslie Sanchez and Zac Robbins presented the contribution which will help distribute free books to children throughout Grady County. The library recently partnered with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library which mails free books to the homes of children five years old and younger each month. Cindy Wheeler with the Friends of the Library said early literacy is important for children and the funds will make a huge difference to families in the area.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.22 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.42.

Natural gas is $6.74 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,813 and silver is $22.88.

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Thursday, Dec. 1st

Three Die in Caddo County Head-on Crash

A head-on collision in Caddo County killed three people and left one person in critical condition. The accident happened just before 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30th on U.S. Highway 281 about five miles north of Gracemont. The highway patrol reports the driver of one vehicle crossed over the center line of the highway and hit an oncoming car. The only deceased victim to be named is 27-year old Antoinette Evilsizor of Cottonwood, Arizona. She was driving the car that was hit by the vehicle which crossed into her lane of travel. None of the three individuals in the other vehicle have been identified as investigators have been unable to notify relatives. A 47-year old woman from Oklahoma City who was driving the car and a 24-year old Oklahoma City man perished. A 52-year old man from Elk City who was also a passenger had to be air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital and was last in critical condition.

Suspect Arrested After High-Speed Chase

A high-speed pursuit from Pocasset to Amber last week lands a man in jail. 40-year old Trent Proctor of Norman was arrested following the pursuit last Friday afternoon. A probable cause affidavit indicates that a Grady County deputy spotted a vehicle with an expired tag leaving the Salt Creek Casino. When the deputy tried to make a traffic stop, the driver of the vehicle sped away southbound of Highway 81 then turned east onto CR 1280 toward Amber. Speeds topped 100 miles per hour as the suspect vehicle forced motorists to pull of the narrow road. The vehicle reportedly went airborne over the railroad tracks in Amber and continued east through town and put several more motorists in harms’ way. The pursuit ended when the suspect turned onto a dead-end road and crashed into a tree. Proctor was not seriously injured but an ambulance from Tuttle was dispatched and he was taken to a Norman hospital for treatment. After being treated Proctor was taken to the Grady County Jail. During a routine search of the car deputies allegedly found Fentanyl-laced pain pills and meth. Prosecutors have charged Proctor with felony trafficking and eluding. He remains in jail on a $300,000 bond.

New Chickasha Police Officer Sworn In

A new officer has joined the Chickasha Police Department. Justin Veach was sworn in to his new post recently. Veach is a 2017 Chickasha High School graduate and in just three years earned a degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University. After his 2020 graduation from Southwestern Veach began his law enforcement career in Gracemont. A Chickasha Police Department Facebook post indicates Veach is passionate about law enforcement and he is excited to be back in his hometown.

Chix Library Again Offers Food-for-Fines in December

We’ve turned the calendar to the month of December and as has been the case for more than 20 years, the Chickasha Public Library offers its food-for-fines program. Anyone who has overdue books or materials they have borrowed from the library and have not returned, they can pay their fine by donating non-perishable food items which will be given to the Chickasha Emergency Food Pantry. No minimum donation required. Last year, more than $1,600 in fines were forigven. Library patrons who don’t have overdue items and the general public are invited to help out with the food drive.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.55 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.43.

Natural gas is $6.93 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,793 and silver is $22.30.

Obituaries

Roy True, Jr.

Funeral service for Roy True, Jr., 91, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2^nd at Ferguson Funeral Home.

Jan Bailey

Funeral service for Jan Bailey, 76, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3rd at McRay Funeral Home.

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Wednesday, Nov. 30th

Lawsuit Claims Negligence in Minco Welder's Death

It was September of last year when Joey Bonds of Minco died in a welding accident after a tanker-trailer he was working on exploded.  Bonds widow, Kristin, has filed a civil lawsuit in Grady County District Court alleging negligence in connection with her husband’s death. The Oklahoman reports that the tanker-trailer Joey Bonds was working on carried hazardous materials the day before the explosion - one so violent that many believed it was an earthquake. Named in the lawsuit are Firestone Trucking Company, which owned the tanker-trailer; CFT LLC which is a transport company also owned by Firestone; and Zurich American Insurance Company. The Oklahoman reports that CFT had been cited by a federal agency for three serious safety violations that resulted in Bonds' death. Attorney Bret Burns is seeking a judgement of more than $75,000 for Firestone's alleged negligence of safety laws.

Two Drivers Injured in Separate Crashes with Animals

Separate traffic accidents involving vehicles hitting animals sends two people to hospitals. One crash happened northeast of Lindsay just before 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.  24-year old Cheyenne Watson of Krebs swerved to avoid a deer, ran off the road, flipped end-over-end, and landed upside down off the roadway. Krebs was taken to a Norman hospital with neck injuries and was admitted in fair condition.

             A truck driver ran into some cattle standing in the road near Gotebo. That accident happened Monday evening about 2 1/2 miles south of that Kiowa County town. 72-year old Ronald Nabors of Eufaula was driving his semi northbound on State Highway 54 when he hit three cows. The semi ran off the road and overturned and Nabors was pinned in the cab for about 20 minutes. He was airlifted to an Oklahoma City hospital with arm and internal injuries and was last in stable condition.

Chickasha Schools Create 'Wall of Honor'

Chickasha Public Schools has created a new Wall of Honor to recognize former students and/or employees. Superintendent Rick Croslin said candidates should be those who have made a difference in the district or the community-

Croslin said nominees must have brought unusual positive attention to CHS or modeled the highest personal and professional qualities for students. Nominations are due by Jan. 20th. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the school district's website.

Rock Island Ride Distributes Funds to Non-Profits

Back in October more than 300 cycling enthusiasts spend some time in the Chickasha area for the annual Rock Island Ride bicycle tour. Tour organizers recently distributed more than $10,000 raised during the event to several non-profit organizations. The Salvation Army which serves Grady and Caddo counties, the Emergency Food Pantry, and the Mobile Meals program each received $3,000; the Shop with a Cop program for the Chickasha Police Department received $1,000; and the Rock Island Ride 4H group was awarded $200 for having the most enthusiastic stop during the ride. The funds were made possible by a portion of the entry fees in the ride and corporate donors.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.20 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.03.

Natural gas is $7.24 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,773 and silver is $21.67.

Obituaries

Clifford Hartman

Funeral service for Clifford Hartman, 92, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2nd at Laverty Baptist Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

‘Micki’ Kiser

Funeral service for Mildred 'Micki' Kiser, 100, of Palestine, Texas and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday afternoon at McRay Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Nov. 29th

New Natural Gas Processing Plant to be Built

A Texas-based energy firm announces plans to build a natural gas cryogenic processing plant just outside Chickasha next year. Iron Horse Midstream officials report the plant will be able to process 200 million cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas per day. The website OK Energy Today reports that the plant is expected to be operational in about a year. The company already has an existing 120-acre complex in Grady County and the two plants combined will be able to process up to 425 Mcf of natural gas per day. Officials also say the plants should be able to produce even more depending on customer needs. Iron Horse CEO Tim Roberts said as production activity in the area continues to increase that building this second plant is a natural and necessary growth opportunity. He added that expanding their processing provides capacity where it is needed - in the core of the basin - where they have access to numerous high-quality, residue gas markets. The Iron Horse system includes some 300 miles of high- and low-pressure natural gas gathering pipelines.

GMH, Five Oaks Begin Software Upgrades

Software upgrades are underway at Grady Memorial Hospital and the Five Oaks Medical Group. Officials say they are converting to a new patient record system to provide faster service and the most accurate records and charts which is expected to dramatically increase the ability to serve their patients. Officials say as with all new systems there will be an adjustment period and there may be some delays over the next 60 to 90 days. Officials thank everyone for their understanding as the improvements are being made.

Chickasha's Lighted Christmas Parade is Saturday, Dec. 3rd

Chickasha's annual lighted Christmas parade will be one of the largest ever. Nearly 50 entries have registered for the parade which will be held this Saturday night Dec. 3rd. Chamber of Commerce officials say the parade is expected to last about an hour. The theme of the parade is Christmas movies and entries are to feature decorations based on a holiday film. Parade participants can begin checking in about 5:00 p.m. at 7th and Chickasha Avenue and line up west toward the high school. The parade will begin at 6:00 p.m. with the route running east on Chickasha Avenue and ending at the Leg Lamp and the Rock Island Railroad Depot. Judges will be selecting a first, second, and third place float or entry with first place winning $300; second place winning $200; and 3rd place winning $100. The parade honorees are Dr. Abby Housmann and Dr. Luke Toho from Grady Memorial Hospital.

Pesticide Application Certification Program Offered

Ag producers wanting to earn their pesticide application certification have a chance to do that this week.  Topics to be covered include an herbicide program for wheat producers and new products that are available; a review of required regulations that private applicators in Oklahoma have to meet; and aspects of CoAXium wheat production and Agressor AX herbicide. The program will be held at the Grady County Fairgrounds Thursday, Dec. 1st with registration starting at 9:00 a.m. and the program running until about 1:30 p.m. with lunch provided. The certification is being hosted by the Apache Farmers Co-op.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.24 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.19.

Natural gas is $6.71 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,766 and silver is $21.47.

Obituary

Charles Butler

Funeral service for Charles Butler, 79, of Lawton will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30^th at the Greater Faith Apostolic Church in Lawton. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Monday, Nov. 28th

City of Chix to Apply for Grant for Upgrades at Shannon Springs Park

With the Festival of Light (FOL) underway at Shannon Springs Park the Chickasha City Council is applying for a grant that –if approved - would help pay for some needed upgrades at the park. During last week’s council meeting the panel passed a resolution to apply for a $2 million grant from the State Department of Transportation to improve sidewalks and other infrastructure at the park which has been eroding over the years. If approved, the city would have to provide a 20 percent match or $400,000 toward the grant to help improve the 'walkability' of the park.

Another Payment Made for Shannon Springs Park Electrical Work

The council also approved the third installment of paying for additional electrical panels at the park needed for more lights for FOL. This installment was for more than $47,000 payable to Electrical Technologies, Inc. of Chickasha.

Inflation Blamed on Cost Increase for H-Tea-O Project

The council gave its approval to change an economic development agreement with Moonlight Ownership Company. That firm is bringing in the H-Tea-Oh business which is being located at 4th and Missouri. Officials with the State Department of Transportation indicated that inflation caused costs of some items to increase by an additional $5,700 which increases the project to more than $37,000.

Council OK's Lease For Site to Collect Limbs, Brush

The council also approved leasing some city-owned land to Waste Connections which is the contractor that provides the city's trash pick-up services. Waste Connections will lease about 10 acres of property near the Public Works Headquarters for $2,000 a month. The area will be used as a storage site for limbs and brush until the debris can be properly disposed of. The agreement is for one year and is to automatically be renewed each year unless the lease is terminated.

Tattoo Parlor Permit Issued

Following a brief public hearing the council also approved a use-on-review permit for a new tattoo parlor in the downtown area for Garrett Hall. The permit did have the support of the Planning Commission. Fees are $1,100 per year and $275 per artist. It allows the city to check the parlor for up-to-date state health licensing.

Teens Hospitalized After Caddo County Crash

Two teenagers are hospitalized after a car ran off a Caddo County road, hit guard rail, and landed in a creek. 19-year old Samuel Lankister of Ft. Cobb and 18-year old Jesse Hefley of Elgin were both air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital and were last in fair condition. The highway patrol reports the accident occurred on CR 1325 about a half-mile east of Ft. Cobb just after 1:00 a.m. this morning. Both teens were wearing their seatbelts. The cause of the crash is still under investigation.

Driver Hospitalized After Roll-Over Accident Near Alex

A Lindsay woman was hospitalized after being thrown out of her car after it crashed and rolled in foggy conditions. 23-year old Krystal Torres was taken by ground ambulance to an Oklahoma City hospital where she was admitted in fair condition. The accident happened about 7:30 Saturday night near the intersection of SH 19 and CS 2890 which is three miles west of Alex. The trooper investigating the accident alleged Torres had been drinking.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.28 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $83.63.

Natural gas is $7.02 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,776 and silver is $21.74.

Obituaries

J.B. Shaw

A graveside service for J.B. Shaw, 94, of Lawton and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29th at Fairlawn Cemetery. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Charles Butler

Funeral service for Charles Butler, 79, of Lawton is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Saturday, Nov. 19th

Chickasha's Festival of Light Opens Tonight

The holiday season for Chickasha officially begins today with the opening of the Festival of Light. It's a special year for organizers as this marks the 30th year for the event at Shannon Springs Park featuring more than 40 acres of holiday lights, displays, and activities. Some of the founding families who helped to kick off the first festival in 1993 will be on hand to flip the switch to turn on an estimated 4 million lights that will shine this year. Festival of Light director Logan Lassley says the festival has expanded to use a portion of the park that hasn't been used before.

About a half-million blue-colored lights adorn the Frozen Forest. Visitors will be able to drive or walk through the park. Some of the highlights of the festival innclude the more than 160-foot tall lighted Christmas tree and the glimmering bridge of lights over the pond. There are family activities which include a Ferris wheel, carousel, an ice skating rink, and carriage rides. Lassley said the festival will include a lot of locally-owned companies with souvenirs and other items for sale.

Local food trucks will also be on hand. The festival opens nightly at 6 p.m. It's a given that many visitors will also spend some time in downtown Chickasha to check out the new 50-foot tall permanent leg lamp which is an identiical copy of the one in the classic holiday movie A Christmas Story. For details about the festival see the Festival of Light Facebook page or the website: www.chickashafestivaloflight.org

PSO Seeks Approval to Buy Wind, Solar Farms

An Oklahoma utility is looking to buy some new alternative energy properties. Public Service Company of Oklahoma is seeking permission from the Oklahoma Corporation Commission to buy three wind farms and three solar facilities. The price tag for the nearly 1,000 megawatts of new, cost effective renewable energy is nearly $2.5 billion. Customers would see their electric bills go up if the purchase is approved. PSO officials said the fuel-free plan would help meet projected power needs - while protecting customers from volatility in energy costs which they say has been driven by high natural gas and power prices. The website ok energy today reports that the six projects are located in and Kansas and Texas and PSO selected them after a competive bidding process. Some of the properties are still under construction. If approved - and after all the facilities are on-line by the end of 2025 - average residential electric bills for PSO customers could increase about $3.50 per month.

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Friday, Nov. 18th

U.S. Highway 81 Bypass Project Slowly Progressing

The U.S. Highway 81 bypass project around Chickasha is slowly moving along. The bypass will eventually take traffic on the highway west of the city easing the big truck traffic that goes through the downtown area. The start of the actual road construction is still a couple of years away. District 7 Engineer for the State Department of Transportation Jay Earp gives an update-

Earp said the road construction will take place in several phases starting with dirt work in a couple of years. He's anticipating part of the bypass will be open by the end of the decade. Earp said the cost of the project is approaching $300 million.

Suspect Arrested After Lengthy Sexual Assault Investigation

A Chickasha man is facing rape and sexual assault charges. 38-year old Edgar 'Souk' Burrowns was arrested this week following a more than six-month investigation by Chickasha police. A probable cause affidavit indicates that an officer was summoned to Grady Memorial Hospital in March to talk to a man who alleged he was sexually assaulted by Burrowns. An arrest warrant was issued Nov. 8th and he was arrested Nov. 16th. He's facing charges of rape, sodomy, and permitting a person under 21 to possess or consume alcohol or drugs. Burrowns remains in the Grady County Jail on a $250,000 bond.

Anadarko Suspect Sought in Connection with Burglary, Stabbing

Caddo County authorities are seeking an Anadarko man wanted for stabbing a victim during a burglary attempt. An arrest warrant was issued for 21-year old Jeremiah Nimsey this week. A probable cause affidavit indicates that police were called to a home in the 200 block of Northwest 3rd Street last Friday morning to investigate the break-in. A victim was taken to a Lawton hospital. The victim's condition is not known. A witness told police that they saw Nimsey attack the victim. Nimsey is wanted for assault with a dangerous weapon and first degree burglary.

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we’re talking about this weekend. Logan Lassley with Chickasha's Festival of Light will be on our KOOL Konversation talking about the holiday light display which opens this weekend. Ray Walker with the Oklahoma Insurance Department will be on Real Estate Today program to talk about the Medicare enrollment that is underway.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.64 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $89.78.

Natural gas is $6.37 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,779 and silver is $21.43.

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Thursday, Nov. 17th

Police Name Those Involved in Fatal Home Invasion Shooting

Chickasha police have released the names of the individuals involved in a fatal shooting in a residential area earlier this week. The shooting victim was identified as Varnell Tall, Jr. No hometown was provided. Authorities say Tall kicked in the door of a home in the Shadow Valley addition Tuesday afternoon and was shot by the homeowner identified as Logan M. Wasson. Wasson was briefly taken into custody for questioning then released. Authorities have not said why Tall was trying to break into the home and that the cause and nature of the disturbance is still under investigation.

Cyril Family Escapes Fire Uninjured

Fire destroys the Caddo County home of a young family with a newborn. The flames destroyed the home of Trenton Lepree and Brooke Delk of Cyril around midnight Tuesday. KSWO-TV reports that Brooke was giving the baby a bath when she smelled something burning. She  opened the bedroom door and was hit by a cloud of smoke. She woke up Trenton and all were able to get out unhurt, however a family pet perished. Brooke said the dog had been barking and believes he was trying to alert them to the fire. Investigators say the cause of the fire was a propane heater. A group out of Lawton, Ellipsis has arranged for the family to stay in a furnished home rent-free until February. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.

Driver Hospitalized After Head-on Collision with Semi

A driver is hospitalized after she made a U-turn on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike Spur and was hit head-on by a semi. 36-year old Deserae Dowdy of Blanchard was taken by ground ambulance to an Oklahoma City hospital where she was admitted in fair condition. The accident happened just before 1 o'clock this morning. The highway patrol reports that Dowdy was traveling west on the spur near mile marker 101 about four miles south of Tuttle and missed her exit. She made a U-turn and was headed east in the westbound lanes when the accident occurred. The truck driver, 32-year old Audon Lara of Enid was not hurt. The roadway was closed for about 90 minutes.

Crash Closes U.S. Highway Briefly

A traffic accident that occurred near the Grady and Caddo county line shut down U.S. Highway 277 for about an hour last night. The accident happened about 6:30 p.m. near CS 2770 which is about a mile east of the county line. No details of the accident were available.

Nation's Top Dogs Make Stop in Chickasha

Hundreds of the top dog breeds across the country are in Chickasha to participate in the Sooner Circuit Cluster of Dog shows. A couple of regional kennel clubs, including the Town and Country Kennel Club of Norman, are hosting the shows at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Handlers are exhibiting the dogs and working to earn points to qualify for the national Eukanuba and Westminster Kennel Club Dog Shows next spring. Admission is free for spectators with competitions beginning about 8:00 a.m. each day through Sunday in the Event Center at the fairgrounds.

OHCE Celebration of Crafts Show

Also at the fairgrounds this weekend will be the Grady County OHCE Celebration of Crafts Show. More than 40 vendors will have holiday gift items available and many of them are hand-made. There will also be holiday foods available for purchase. There is also an informal quilt exhibit. The crafts show will be held in the north exhibit building of the fairgrounds. Friday hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday hours are 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is also free.

Producers Asked to Take Drought Study Survey

Ag producers are encouraged to take part in a survey that officials hope will improve future drought and forage monitoring and predictions. The National Drought Mitigation Center and USDA Climate Hubs are conducting the survey for the Western Great Plains and the Southwest part of the country. Officials are asking producers to provide on-the-ground reports of end-of-season forage production in the pastures they manage or monitor. The information provided will remain confidential. It could take 10 to 20 minutes to complete the survey. The link to the survey is: ssp.qualtrics.com

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.59 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $92.86.

Natural gas is $6.20 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,785 and silver is $21.33.

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Wednesday, Nov. 16th

Home Invasion Suspect Shot, Killed by Homeowner

Chickasha police say a home invasion suspect is dead after being shot and killed by the homeowner. Interim Police Chief G.G. Music said officers were called to a home at 3015 Westbrook about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday to investigate a disturbance. The home is in the Shadow Valley housing development in southwest part of Chickasha. Music said the homeowner told officers an individual came to the home and kicked in the door. Music said the homeowner fired a number of shots from a rifle and the suspect died at the scene. It's believed the two men knew each other but authorities have not indicated how. The victim's name has not been released as authorities were working to notify relatives. The homeowner, whose name was not released, was taken to the police department for questioning then released. Reports indicate the information from the investigation will be turned over to the district attorney to determine if any charges should be filed.

Drug Trafficking Suspect Jailed

Another drug trafficking arrest has been made in the on-going battle to get counterfeit pain meds off the streets. 34-year old Victoria Heskett of Chickasha was arrested Sunday night at the Maverick Inn. A probable cause affidavit indicates that Grady County Deputy Jim Peek - who also works with the Drug Enforcement Administration - and Deputy Chris Kennell went to conduct a 'knock and talk' investigation with Heskett for her alleged involvement with selling prescription pain pills with Fentanyl. She allegedly told them she was not doing so but that she was aware of a large fentanyl distributor from Oklahoma City coming to the area. Peek and Kennell obtained a search warrant and found a number of pills that field-tested positive for having Fentanyl. Heskett was taken into custody and the district attorney's office has charged her with one felony count of trafficking. Heskett remains in jail on a $250,000 bond. Also arrested was 31-year old Jaron Garrett Burton who had an outstanding warrant for a traffic ticket.

Grady County Property Tax Statements Mailed

Grady County property owners should be receiving their 2022 property tax statements if they haven’t received them already. County Treasurer Robin Burton said the office mailed 39,000 statements earlier this month. Most went to property owners while about 8,000 statements were mailed to mortgage companies whose customers have their property taxes included in their monthly mortgage payments. Burton said the 39,000 statements represent nearly $84 million in property tax revenue, most of which goes to school districts. Some taxes also go to fire departments and emergency medical services, health, and general county expenses. Property owners have the option of paying the entire amount due or they can pay half by January 15, 2023 with the second half due by April 15, 2023. Taxes can be paid by check through the mail or by placing them in the drop box outside the county courthouse. Taxes can also be paid in person at the treasurer’s office in the county courthouse. Individuals can pay with a credit or debit card or by e-check however fees are applied to those payments although the fees do not go to the county.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.92 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.86.

Natural gas is $6.03 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,785 and silver is $22.07.

Obituaries

Teddy Jo Ann Watson

Funeral service for Teddy Jo Ann Watson, 91, of Oklahoma City and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18th at Deer Creek Church of Christ in Edmond at Northwest 178^th and MacArthur. Viewing will be held 5:00 pm. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17^th at Sevier Funeral Home.

Jack Weaver

Funeral service for Jack Weaver, 78, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 18th at Epworth United Methodist Church. He spent several years as Chickasha’s city manager in the 1970s. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Nov. 15th

Festival of Light to Begin 30th Season

The countdown is on for the opening of Chickasha's Festival of Light. The holiday attraction brings tens of thousands of people to the city every year. This is the 30th anniversary for the festival created in 1992. Organizers will be recognizing some of the founding families who provided some of the financial backing to make that first year possible. The season begins this Saturday night with an opening ceremony at the park beginning about 5:00 o'clock. There will be performances by the Chickasha and Blanchard high school choirs and individuals will give a short history of the festival. Festival of Light director Logan Lassley said a couple of favorite events are returning.

Officials are still looking for groups to volunteer to be part of the live nativity and groups can call 405-224-6225 for details and reserve dates and times. The ice skating rink is back as are carriage rides, a Ferris wheel, and a carousel. The gift shop will feature local vendors and concessions and some local food trucks will be available. Lassley said there will be an estimated 4 million lights in the park including the new Frozen Forest with 500,000 new lights. The festival will run nightly starting Saturday night and running through New Year’s Eve.

Bag of Military Uniforms Left in Chickasha Yard

A Chickasha man is hoping to find the owner of a bag of military uniforms that was left in his yard. Christopher Danforth was leaving for work one morning when he saw a black bag with a U.S. Army insignia next to a tree. Inside were two full sets of dress blues, two white shirts in plastic bags, a pair of patent leather shoes, a tie, a razor, and some old airplane tickets. Danforth told KSWO-TV that he doesn't know if someone may have stolen the bag and left it there, if somebody lost it, or if it belongs to a homeless veteran - but that it belongs to somebody. Danforth said he values military service members and their sacrifices and that's why it’s important to him to return the items to the owner. Officials at the Ft. Sill Army base in Lawton say they are also trying to find the owner or owners of the items.

Grady County Fire Board Meets Tonight

Discussions on open meeting act procedures and rulings by the Oklahoma State Firefighter Pension Board are on tap for the monthly Grady County Fire Board meeting tonight.  The panel will also get an update on American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA funds. The group will go behind closed doors to discuss the acknowledgement of two new volunteers - Dallas Smith at Naples and Kimberly Ashbey at Friend. They will also discuss applications of new firefighters Leonard Santos at Ninnekah and Brandi Martinez at Acme. The fire board will meet at 7 o'clock tonight in the conference room of the Grady County Emergency Management Office.

Masonic Lodge to Hold Historic Cornerstone Ceremony

(Editor's Note: This is a corrected version of one that was previously published. The time of the ceremony has been changed) A special ceremony will be held by the Chickasha Masonic Lodge this weekend. Members of Lodge No. 94 will dedicate a cornerstone on the historic Masonic Lodge building in downtown Chickasha. The ceremony will be identical to the one that President George Washington performed when laying the cornerstone of the U.S. Capitol in 1793. Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley is to issue a proclamation for the event which will be held at noon this Saturday, Nov. 19th at the lodge located at 112 1/2 South 6^th Street. State Masonic Lodge officials will be on hand for the ceremony which is open to the public. The cornerstone will be set with a time capsule to include a variety of items which will be opened sometime in the future.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.87 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.14.

Natural gas is $5.93 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,779 and silver is $21.99.

Obituary

Mary Naney

Funeral service for Mary Naney, 87, was held at 1:00 p.m. today (Tuesday, Nov. 15^th) at Sevier Funeral Home.

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Monday, Nov. 14th

Chix Schools May Seek Grants to Help Pay for Safe Rooms

Among the projects included in a $35 million bond proposal for Chickasha Public Schools that passed this summer are new safe rooms at Lincoln Elementary and Grand Elementary schools. Superintendent Rick Croslin said the costs of the projects are rising so they are looking at applying for additional federal funds that may be available to help pay for them.

The gymnasium at Lincoln Elementary and the library at Grand Elementary will double as safe rooms.

Chix Schools Site Teachers-of-the-Year Named

Five Chickasha teachers will be recognized for their work in the classroom. The Site Teachers of the Year are Allison Cofer at the high school; Cheryl Music-Sweeden at the middle school; Mandy Brooks at Lincoln Elementary; Lisa Youngblood at Grand Elementary; and Brandi Mantooth at the Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center. All will be introduced during tonight’s board of education meeting and are candidates for the District Teacher of the Year Award with the winner to be selected next spring. Also during the school board meeting tonight, a couple of Lincoln school employees will be honored as the Chicken Express Employees of the Month. The certified employee is Mike Elliott and the support employee is Janice Cockrum. The school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the school administration building.

Trio of USAO Alums Honored

Three USAO alumni were noted for their efforts during recent Homecoming ceremonies on campus. Chris Willard and Lonnie Iannazzo were inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame and Reagan Elkins received the young alumni award. Willard graduated in 2007 and is currently a senior vice president with Warner Brothers Discover. Ianazzo is a 2004 graduate and is a technology producer for a special effects company. Elkins is a 2013 graduate and began his own production company, Intellego Media. He produces commercials and music videos and worked closely with the producers of A Cowgirl's Song, the movie that was filmed entirely in Chickasha two years ago.

Tuttle Road Project Delayed

A utility project in Tuttle that will close down a portion of State Highway 92 has been delayed. A portion of the highway south of Main Street in Tuttle was to be closed this morning for utility work to be done by the city of Tuttle. The State Department of Transportation says the project is now scheduled to begin tomorrow, weather permitting.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $88.96 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $95.99.

Natural gas is $5.88 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,758 and silver is $21.57.

Obituary

Patricia Smith

Funeral service for Patricia Smith, 74, of Chickasha will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 17^th at the Ninnekah Church of Christ. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Saturday, Nov. 12^th

Navy Veteran Addresses Veterans Day Gathering

A Grady County ceremony recognizing the men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces was among many events held on Veterans Day across the country yesterday. The ceremony is usually held at the Grady County Veterans Memorial in Chickasha's Shannon Spring Park but was moved indoors to the Chickasha Elks Lodge due to cold weather. Navy Veteran Ron Pearson was the guest speaker. Pearson served three tours in Vietnam and suffers from the effects of Agent Orange, a chemical used to burn foliage in the conflict.  Pearson said while all those who served and those who died while in the armed forces fought and continue to fight for the freedoms America enjoy - individuals don't have to join the military to protect them.

Pearson said the battle to preserve freedom is as simple as voting and speaking out about injustices. Grady County is the home of one of the oldest military veterans in the state. Burrel Gamble of Chickasha - now 101 years old - served as a pilot in World War Two and the Korean War.

County Fairgrounds Hosting Alpaca and Dog Shows

The Grady County Fairgrounds hosts a number of unique events throughout the year. And a couple of them are happening over the next two weeks. This weekend it's an event for Alpaca ranchers across the country called the Alpaca Blast-Off. Debbie Ashley is the president of Alpacas of Oklahoma and gives a description of the animals.

This is the second consecutive year for Alpacas of Oklahoma to hold this event in Chickasha. The event runs today and tomorrow and admission is free and open to the public. Vendors will have Alpaca fleece items for sale. Next weekend, the fairgrounds will host the Sooner Circuit Cluster of Dog Shows, where many top breeds from across the country will be competing for points to qualify for prestigious competitions such as the Westminster and the Eukanuba national dog shows.

'The Imaginaries' Release New Music

One of Grady County's favorite local recording groups, The Imaginaries, has released some new songs for the holidays. Maggie McClure and Shane Henry released them this week and debuted one of them at the grand opening of the new downtown park last week. They include This Christmas; Things are Gonna Be Alright; and several songs from the movie A Cowgirls Song including Oklahoma Stars;  Don’t Fence Me in; and Just Breathe with Darci Lynne.

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Shirley Burns and Tammy Watts with the Grady County OHCE, which is the Oklahoma Home and Community Education group will be on our KOOL Konversation. On Real Estate Today are Chickasha School Superintendent Ric Croslin and Director of School Operations Dan Turner. There are podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

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Friday, Nov. 11th

Chix Police Department Announces Promotion

A four-year veteran of the Chickasha Police Department has earned a promotion. Officer Scott Ely was promoted to the rank of sergeant in a ceremony at the police department yesterday. Interim Police Chief G.G. Music said Ely was among three candidates who applied and went through a rigorous process of testing and interviews.

The promotion process also included an interview with the chief and an oral board assessment where candidates had to complete 10 tasks under time and pressure. Ely will be one of the first-line supervisors on the night shift beginning this weekend.

Utility Work to Temporarily Close SH 92 in Tuttle 

A construction project in Tuttle will close down a portion of State Highway 92 next week. The turn lanes from Main Street which is State Highway 37 on to southbound State Highway 92 to Rabbit Road will be closed. That will start at 8:00 a.m. Monday and run through Wednesday. The reason for the closure is to allow the City of Tuttle to perform some utility work.  The intersection is expected to re-open next Thursday.

Anadarko Couple's Baby Born on the way to the Hospital

An Anadarko couple is celebrating the early birth of their baby girl. Natalie and Toby Anderson were on their way to a Lawton hospital Tuesday night when the child decided to enter the world before they reached their destination. KSWO-TV reports that Toby was at the wheel and they were near Lake Ellsworth when Natalie said the baby was coming. They had no choice but to pull over to the side of the road where Toby was able to assist with the delivery. The couple then called 9-1-1 and Apache EMS, the Porter Hill Fire Department, and the Comanche County Sheriff's Office all responded to take them the rest of the way.  Little Stella Kate checked in weighing 8 pounds and 9 ounces and everyone is doing fine.

Brewery Earns Awards at International Beer Competition

A Chickasha brewery earns some world-wide recognition in a recent beer competition. The Canadian River Brewery (CRB) received three medals during the Denver International Beer Competition. CRB's Baumholder brew, a Belgian Abbey Style Ale earned two medals - a gold medal in its category and a bronze medal in the Best of Show category. CRB’s Remediator brew which is a collaboration with Viridian Coffee also earned a bronze medal. The Denver competition has become one of the largest and most prestigious beer competitions in the country with more than 800 beers from more than 300 breweries entered. CRB co-owner Nigel Dunham said it is a great honor to receive this kind of validation at such a prestigious international competition.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.47 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.67.

Natural gas is $6.24 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,762 and silver is $21.58.

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Thursday, Nov. 10th

Consumer Spending Down Slightly in Grady County

Consumer spending at retail outlets throughout Grady County was down about 5 percent from July to August of this year. July has been the best month for consumer spending to date for 2022 – estimated at $95.5 million. The August estimate was $94.4 million. The estimate is based on the county’s monthly sales tax revenue. In October, the county received $708,000 which was sales taxes collected on purchases made in August. Here's the breakdown of how the sales tax revenue is spent (as approved by county voters): The Grady County Fairgrounds received $236,000; Grady Memorial Hospital received $209,000; $118,000 was divided equally among seven senior nutrition centers and each received $17,000; another $118,000 was divided equally among the 20 fire districts and each received $5,900; Tuttle EMS received $22,000; and Rush Springs EMS collected $5,400.

More Drought Relief Approved for State Ag Producers

Another $12 million in drought relief has been approved for Oklahoma ag producers. The state's Emergency Drought Commission allocated the funds in a meeting yesterday. State Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur –

The application deadline for this latest round of drought relief is Monday, Nov. 28th. Arthur said that $4.5 million remains in the drought relief fund and the commission will have another meeting next month to consider distributing those funds.

National Guard Unit Joins Battle Against Fentanyl

Some Oklahoma National Guard troops were among groups to get some specialized training to learn about opioid and Fentanyl-related deaths.  Members of the 63rd Civil Support Team attended recent training offered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The agencies shared information on how to combat the drugs. A press release issued by the National Guard stated that over the last 10 years the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says the number of opioid and Fentanyl overdose deaths has risen from 2,600 per year to more than 75,000 per year. Officials say they want to raise awareness on how severe Fentanyl can be and educate Oklahomans that it doesn’t take much to place the deadly drug into what looks like candy that kids can get a hold of.

Veterans Day Ceremonies This Weekend

Veterans Day is tomorrow and many ceremonies and parades will be held throughout the country. In Chickasha, the forecast for chilly weather will move the ceremony indoors. Instead of holding the ceremony at the Grady County Veterans Memorial at Shannon Springs Park, the Oklahoma Veterans Recognition Committee will move the program to the Chickasha Elks Lodge at 1818 W. Country Club Rd. The ceremony is open to the public and it will begin at 11:00 a.m. The Elks Lodge will serve a free lunch to veterans and their guests afterwards. Tomorrow morning, Verden Public Schools will hold a breakfast for veterans and active military at 8:00 a.m. and a program will be held at the school gymnasium at 9:00 a.m.  On Saturday, the town of Blanchard will hold its annual Veterans Day Parade starting at 10:30 a.m.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.83 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $92.65.

Natural gas is $5.86 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,710 and silver is $21.21.

Obituaries

Olivia Craine-McDowell

Funeral service for Olivia Craine-McDowell, 97, of Anadarko will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 19^th at Grace Christian Fellowship Church in Anadarko. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Arthur Slinkard

A memorial service for Arthur Slinkard, 74, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11th at Holy Name Catholic Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

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Wednesday, Nov. 9^th

Oklahoma Governor Wins Re-election

Gov. Kevin Stitt will serve another four years at the state capitol. With more than 1.1 million Oklahomans going to the polls, Stitt was re-elected to his second term in office, collecting more than 55 percent of the vote to defeat Democratic challenger Joy Hoffmeister and two other candidates. In Grady County, nearly 18,000 voters went to the polls and Stitt picked up more than 68 percent of the vote. In Caddo County, more than 7,000 voters cast ballots and Stitt received nearly 59 percent of the vote. In McClain County, 15,000 ballots were cast with the governor receiving 67 percent of the vote; In Garvin County, there were more than 8,000 votes and Stitt received 68 percent. In Stephens County, 13,000 votes were cast and Stitt won that county with 68 percent.

Caddo County District 3 Voters Elect New Commissioner

There was a county commissioner race in Caddo County. Voters in district three elected Democrat Robert Weaver to the post. Weaver received more than 54 percent of the vote to defeat Republican Ricky Schuermann. Unofficial results show Weaver winning 1,491 to 1,234.

Apache Voters Approve Sales Tax Hike

Also in Caddo County, voters in Apache passed a one-half of one percent increase in the sales tax rate. Unofficial results indicate it passed with nearly 60 percent approval, 224 to 155.

Suspect Jailed for Lewd Acts with a Teenager

Previously Arrested Twice This Year

A man who was arrested earlier this year on separate complaints of domestic violence and larceny has been arrested again - for allegations of having an inappropriate relationship with a teenager. 21-year old Justin Joseph Gelnar was most recently arrested by Chickasha last Friday. A probable cause affidavit indicates the girl's mother came home and found him with her 15-year old daughter. Gelnar then ran out of the house. Investigators later found Gelnar at a room at the Castle Inn where – according to the the affidavit - he admitted having inappropriate relations with the teen. Gelnar was first arrested by a Grady County sheriff’s deputy in February. Prosecutors charged him with a felony for domestic assault and he was was released on bond. His second arrest was in May, when Chickasha police arrested him in connection with a larceny investigation and prosecutors charged Gelnar with a misdemeanor. He's facing two felony counts of lewd acts to a child in connection with last week's arrest and he remains in jail on a $275,000 bond.

Soup Kitchen Volunteers to be Recognized

The Chickasha community is encouraged to show their appreciation to the volunteers and donors who help to operate the Chickasha Soup Kitchen. The volunteers serve about 150 meals per day, five days a week. Gina Crosley is a moderator for the soup kitchen's board of directors. She says those who volunteer to cook and serve clients are true treasures. The soup kitchen is a 100-percent volunteer operation and includes individuals from religious groups, civic clubs, and businesses. A come-and-go appreciation luncheon for those individuals will be held Saturday, November 12^th from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the soup kitchen which is located at 520 West Pennsylvania Ave.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $88.91 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $95.36.

Natural gas is $6.14 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,712 and silver is $21.46.

Obituary

Erika Osborne

Funeral service for Erika Osborne, 79, of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10^th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Nov. 8th

Downtown Chix Lamp Shades Struck Down Again

The issue of putting lamp shades and/or angels on the lamp posts in downtown Chickasha for the holidays was a major topic of discussion during last night's Chickasha City Council meeting. The first 45 minutes of the meeting included more than dozen people addressing the panel with the majority speaking in favor of the lamp shades. Among those speaking against them and the leg lamp that was recently erected downtown was Alva Charlson.

Speaking for the lamp shades was Jill Brinkley.

During its October 17^th meeting the council voted unanimously against a proposal to buy the lamp shades. Last night, the council voted to re-consider that decision and four members changed their votes to ‘yes.’ They were Mayor Chris Mosley, and councilors Zach Grayson, Oscar Nelson, and Kia Ginn. Maintaining their ‘no’ votes were Brian Gerdes, Nate McCalla, Georgianne Hebbelthwhaite, and Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander. The proposal failed on the 4-4 vote as five votes are needed to pass any issue. Councilman Kelly Boyd did not attend last night’s meeting. City attorney Amanda Mullins had recommended that the council not approve the purchase of lamp shades over a concern of copyright or trademark infringement issues. Supporters say they had done some research and believed there were no copyright or trademark issues.

Council OKs Ambulance Purchase

The council gave its approval to buy a new ambulance for the fire department. The purchase was pending approval for reimbursement from the Grady County 522 EMS District. Mayor Mosley said the District approved the reimbursement at a cost not to exceed $350,000. Fire Chief Tony Samaniego said the time-line to get the new ambulance would be between July of next year and July of 2024.

New Bay Doors OK'd for Fire Station

The council also approved the purchase of five bay doors to replace the current doors at fire station No. 1. An $84,000 bid from Duncan Overhead Doors was the winning bid.

Dispatch Center to be Moved to Police Department

 The panel also approved using $55,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to move the police department's dispatch center from the basement of Fire Station No. 2 to the police department. The project was approved to ensure the health and safety of city employees.

Mid-Term Elections Underway

It is Election Day across the country. In the Sooner State, Oklahomans are voting for candidates which include governor, lieutenant governor, state superintendent of schools, labor commissioner, and corporation commissioner. There are also some state house and senate seats up for election. At the federal level, all five of the state’s U.S. House of Representative seats are on the ballot as are both U.S. Senate seats. Polls are open until 7 o'clock tonight.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $91.79 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $97.92.

Natural gas is $6.94 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,675 and silver is $20.82.

Obituaries

Pauline Smith

Funeral service for Pauline Smith, 85, of the Cement area will be held at 2:00 p.m. today (Tuesday, Nov. 8^th) at Sevier Funeral Home.

Chris Miller

Funeral service for Chris Miller, 88, of Verden will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9th at the First Baptist Church of Verden. Arrangements are with McCray Funeral Home.

Guy Huggins

Funeral service for Guy Huggins, 59, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 12th at Bible Baptist Church. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Friends Fur Change, Santa's Workshop, or the Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network.

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Monday, Nov. 7th

Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Governor, Parole Board

in Connection with a 2021 Triple Homicide in Chickasha

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and the state pardon and parole board are being blamed for the deaths of three Chickasha residents that occurred last year. Attorneys have filed a federal lawsuit against the governor and the parole board in connection with the case of Lawrence Paul Anderson. The Oklahoman reports that Anderson - a convicted drug offender - had his sentenced commuted even though a grand jury investigation found Anderson was ineligible for commutation. Just a few weeks after his release in January of 2021 Anderson was arrested in connection with the deaths of his uncle Leon Pye, Pye’s 4-year old granddaughter Kaeos Yates, and a neighbor, Andrea Blankenship. The story received a lot of publicity when it was reported that Anderson cut out Blankenship's heart to eat it. The governor's office calls the lawsuit a political stunt since it was filed just a few days before tomorrow's election in which Stitt is running for re-election. A spokeswoman said the lawsuit could have been filed several months ago. She said if it was a serious lawsuit it would have been filed at that time instead of waiting until four days before the election.

Two Teens Hurt, One Critically, in Crash

Two teenagers were injured and one of them was last in critical condition after a weekend crash. A 16-year old boy who was a passenger in the car was pinned in the wreckage for an unknown period of time before Chickasha fire and EMS were able to get him out. The teen was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital. The 17-year old driver was treated and released. The names of the teens were not publicized. The accident happened at 1:45 Saturday afternoon about a mile west of the Norge Highway on Country Club Road. The highway patrol reports that the vehicle was traveling at a high rate of speed when it ran off the road, overturned several times, struck a fence, and came to rest in a field. Both teens were wearing their seatbelts.

Lt. Gov. Praises Chickasha 'Leg Lamp'

A large crowd turned out Saturday night for the opening of the first phase of Chickasha's new downtown park which included the lighting of the permanent 50-foot tall leg lamp that stands next to the Rock Island Railroad Depot. Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell was on hand for the ceremony. Pinnell is the secretary of tourism and said in order to promote growth in the state, the state must support tourism. And the leg lamp is a prime example.

Pinnell said tourism is the third largest industry in the state.

Meet-and-Greet Tonight for New Chix City Manager

Chickasha's new city manager was in attendance for Saturday night's celebration. Keith Johnson officially starts his new job today. Johnson was hired for the post earlier this year. He's been serving as the county administrator for Franklin County in Washington State. A meet-and-greet reception will be held prior to tonight's city meeting starting at 5:45 p.m. in the city council chambers at city hall.

Council May Consider Lamp Shade, Angel Compromise

Last month, the city council unanimously voted down a proposal to purchase decorative lamp shades similar to the one topping the 50-foot tall leg lamp to place on light poles in downtown Chickasha. Some residents opposed the proposal from the city’s economic development council, saying that lighted angels which had been used the last 20-years represented Christian beliefs during the holidays. The council may consider a compromise tonight as officials will propose a plan to use both the angels and the lamp shades. The council meeting will get underway at 6:30 tonight.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $92.61.

London-based Brent crude is $98.57.

Natural gas is $6.40 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,680 and silver is $20.73.

Obituary

‘Cabo’ Wilkerson

Funeral service for Carey ‘Cabo’ Wilkerson of Ninnekah will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 10^th at the Alex Southern Baptist Church Chapel. Viewing will be Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9^th at Ferguson Funeral Home. Cabo was a U.S. Air Force veteran, a long-time Chickasha firefighter, and he and his wife Tez portrayed Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus for many years. Memorial contributions may be made to the India Shrine-Transportation Fund or the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief Fund.

Saturday, Nov. 5th

Opening Ceremony for Chix Leg Lamp Tonight

A big celebration will be held in downtown Chickasha tonight for the debut of the permanent version of the gigantic leg lamp which was recently constructed next to the Rock Island Railroad Depot. The entire structure is 50-feet tall and is modeled from the leg lamp featured in the holiday movie 'A Christmas Story.' Jim Cowan with the economic development council says not everyone likes the leg lamp but it has received international attention.

The leg lamp is the first phase of a new downtown park that will be built in the next few years. Nearly $1.5 million in private funds were raised for this project. The opening ceremony will get underway about 5:30 this afternoon with entertainment from local children's dance studios, members of the Chickasha Community Theatre will perform excerpts from the groups upcoming holiday performance ‘A Christmas Story; The Musical’, and there will be a Red Ryder BB gun exhibit on display. Oklahoma Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell will be on hand for the ceremony. Cowan said there are some surprises in store for the evening. The lamp will officially be lit at 7 o'clock followed by a free concert from The Imaginaries, Maggie McClure and Shane Henry, who have done a lot over the last few years to promote Chickasha in their music videos, and were co-producers of the motion picture A Cowgirl's Song which was filmed entirely in Chickasha.

Meet-and-Greet Set for New Chix City Manager

Chickasha's new city manager will have his first day on the job next week. Keith Johnson will officially take his post on Monday. A meet-and-greet reception for Johnson will be held before the city council meeting Monday evening, starting at 5:45 p.m. in the city council chambers at city hall. In a prepared statement, Mayor Chris Mosley said the city council is excited to have Johnson continue moving the city in a positive direction. Mosley said his experience in finances will be an asset to the city. Johnson  previously served as the county administrator in Franklin County, Washington.

Lamp Shades vs. Angels, Part 2

A proposal to put lampshades on some light poles in downtown Chickasha is back on the city council agenda Monday night. Last month, the council unanimously voted against purchasing some lamp shades to adorn the light poles. The lamp shades are somewhat similar to the lamp shade on the 50-foot leg lamp by the railroad depot. There were complaints at the last city council meeting about not using the lighted angels which have been a fixture during the Christmas season downtown for about 20 years. Officials say many of those angels had fallen into disrepair. Officials will ask the city council to consider a compromise by using both the angels and the lamp shades. The city council will meet at 6:30 Monday night at city hall.

KOOL-RANCH Radio Stations Mourn Death of Long-Time Associate

KOOL 105.5, 106.1 The Ranch and Mollman Media are saddened to hear of the death of our friend and colleague Guy Huggins. He passed away last night after having heart bypass surgery earlier in the week. Guy was part of our broadcasts of high school football games, the co-host of the Saturday morning football coaches show, and the Saturday morning Swap  Shop program. Guy was a gentle giant who loved to help people, put a smile on their faces, and share stories of his days playing football at Kansas State.  Funeral services have not yet been set.

Carey 'Cabo' Wilkerson Also Passes Away

We also have learned of the death of Carey 'Cabo' Wilkerson. He was a retired firefighter and best known as being one of Santa Claus' top assistants during the Christmas season for more than 40 years. Funeral arrangements are also pending for ‘Cabo’ Wilkerson.

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Friday, Nov. 4th

What's on Area Ballots on Election Day?

As we draw closer to next Tuesday's mid-term elections there are national and state offices up for grabs but some areas have local races. That's not the case in Grady County, where voters will cast ballots in elections for governor, Lt. governor, attorney general, state treasurer, labor commissioner, state school superintendent, and corporation commissioner. There are also the two U.S. Senate seats, District 4 U.S. House of Representatives, and judicial retention posts to consider.

Caddo County

There is a county commissioner post to be filled. Republican Ricky Schuermann and Democrat Robert Weaver are on the ballot for the District 3 Commissioner seat. Voters in Apache will decide if the city sales tax should be increased by one-half of one percent.

McClain County

There is a race for District 42 State Representative between Republican incumbent Cindy Rowe and Democratic challenger Steve Jarman. There are also a couple of local judicial posts up for election. District Judge candidates are incumbent Michael Tupper and challenger Patrick Crowe. Associate District Judge candidates are incumbent Charles Gray and challenger William Devereaux.

Garvin County

There is also the district judge race between Michael Tupper and Patrick Crowe and a race for Associate District Judge between incumbent Steven Kendall and challenger Laura McClain.

Stephens County

There are four judicial elections including District Judge in Office 2 of District 5 between Brent Russell and Bobby Lewis; in Office 3 of District 5 between Neil West and Jay Walker; and in office 4 of District 5 between Scott Meadors and Brad Cox. There is also a race for Associate District Judge between Anthony Sykes and Lawrence Wheeler.

Early Voting Continues through Tomorrow

Oklahoma voters can still cast ballots before next Tuesday's general election. In-person, absentee voting can be done at election boards until 6 p.m. today and again from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. tomorrow. Regular voting precincts will be open on Tuesday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Foster Homes Needed Throughout the Region, State

There is a tremendous need for foster families in Oklahoma. There are an estimated 6,700 children in DHS custody statewide and officials say the children all need safe and secure homes. Lourie Myers is a DHS foster care recruiter for the region. She says there are 125 children from Grady and Caddo counties in foster care and most of them are under five years old. In addition, most of them are being cared for in other counties and more than 30 children are separated from their siblings.

For information on becoming a foster family visit the website: www.okfosters.org

Overturned Truck Temporarily Closed Caddo County Highway

An overturned dump truck closed down a highway near Anadarko last night. It happened at the intersection of State Highway 9 and CS 2580 six miles west of Anadarko just before 8:30 p.m. The highway patrol did not provide any details about what happened. The roadway was shut down for about an hour.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $88.17 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $94.67.

Natural gas is $5.97 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,648 and silver is $19.78.

Obituaries

Viola Bollman

Funeral service for Viola Bollman, 72, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5th at Sevier Funeral Home.

James ‘Sleekie’ Slater

Funeral service for ‘Sleekie’ Slater, 58, of Midwest City will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5^th at the Divine Wisdom Worship Center in Midwest City. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Thursday, Nov. 3rd

New Chix Park with Permanent Leg Lamp Grand Opening Set

The grand opening of the first phase of Chickasha's newest park will be this weekend. The downtown park features what officials say is the world's tallest permanent leg lamp. It’s a tribute to the leg lamp featured in the holiday movie classic "A Christmas Story." The lamp will officially be turned on Saturday night and the public is encouraged to attend. Jim Cowan with the Economic Development Council says-

Crews have spent the last year working on this first phase of the park which next to the Rock Island Railroad Depot. Nearly $1.4 million in private funds were raised to build this phase. Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell will be on hand for the ceremony. Food trucks will also be available and entertainment includes actors from The Chickasha Community Theatre as they'll perform and sing segments from their upcoming performance of 'A Christmas Story: The Musical.’ Tim Elliott and Pat Brooks with the Chickasha Community Foundation will have short introduction with the flip-of-the-switch set for about 7 o'clock. Afterwards, the musical duo of The Imaginaries, Maggie McClure and Shane Henry will hold a free concert.

Anadarko Police Identify Suspect who Stole Ambulance

Anadarko police have identified the woman who stole an ambulance from the fire department and drove it to the hospital. 34-year old Thelma Rosalyn Sikes was taken into custody at the hospital. Police Chief Eric Harlan said the ambulance had a GPS tracker on it and they were able to find the unit within a couple of minutes after it was stolen. Harlan said she sideswiped a vehicle on Central Boulevard during the one-mile trip to the hospital. Sikes was arrested on complaints of larceny of a vehicle; leaving the scene of an accident; driving under the influence of intoxicants; and disturbing the peace. Harlan said they've had issues with Sikes before. On-line court records indicate she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of domestic assault in the presence of a minor two years ago and was sentenced to 9 months in jail. She also had previous arrests for public intoxication. Sikes told police she wanted to go to the hospital because she was constipated.

Cyril Teen Allegedly Shoots His Dad

A Cyril teenager has been charged as a youthful offender after allegedly shooting his father last month. 17-year old Lance Moore appeared in Caddo County District Court in Anadarko this week. He's facing a charge of shooting with intent to kill. The Lawton Constitution reports that Moore shot his father in the back Oct. 23rd. Moore is to be back in court for a preliminary hearing conference on December 1st.

USAO, State Regents Team up for 'Teacher Pipeline' Program

USAO has teamed up with the Oklahoma Regents for Higher Education to support what's called the teacher pipeline - an effort to encourage more individuals to be teachers. It's called the Oklahoma Future Teacher Scholarship and Employment Incentive program. It's also known as ‘Inspired to Teach’ which is a program created in the Oklahoma legislative session earlier this year. The program offers more than $5,000 scholarships to students. It includes scholarships of $1,000 per academic year for up to three years for full-time students who have earned less than 90 credit hours. The scholarship increases to $2,500 for the final academic year for full-time students with more than 90 credit hours. Dr. Sarah Layman is Dean of USAO's School of Education and also director of teacher education. She said the hope is the program will help ease the teacher shortage issue in the state by providing an incentive to attract candidates to the teaching field and help ensure they stay in Oklahoma.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is at an even $90 per barrel.

London-Based Brent crude is $96.16.

Natural gas is $6.27 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,621 and silver is $18.95.

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Wednesday, Nov. 2nd

Chix PD Seeks Info on Dangerous Shoplifting Suspect

Chickasha Police are looking for information about two people involved in a shoplifting incident earlier this week and one of them should be considered armed and dangerous. A press release from the police department indicates that officers were dispatched to Wal-Mart Monday about a man and woman shoplifting. When store officials tried to make contact with the individuals a suspected identified as Justin Knight is alleged to have pulled a knife and started chasing the employee. The suspects ran out of the store and left in a green, older-model minivan driven by an unknown third person. Knight is Caucasian, about 6-1 and 140 pounds with short, black hair. He has a tattoo of an AK-47 on his right cheek, another tattoo near his right eyebrow, and another above the bridge of his nose. A photo of Knight, an unidentified woman, and the mini-van are all posted on the police department's Facebook page. Knight was just released from prison this past April after serving time for endangering others while eluding. A few weeks later, on-line court records show he was arrested on complaints of possession of a firearm after conviction and possession of a stolen vehicle but that case was dismissed. Anyone with information is asked to contact Chickasha police at their non-emergency number: 405-222-6050.

'Persons-of-Interest' Sought for Theft are Identified

Police department officials also posted on Facebook that they have been able to identify two persons-of-interest wanted for questioning in connection with a theft from a local business. Authorities say they did get some leads from the public from the photos posted on social media over the last few days. Their names were not released.

OSBI Seeks Info on 30-year Old Chickasha Cold Case

The OSBI is asking for information about a Chickasha cold case. Kathyrine 'Mookie' Moore of Chickasha went missing in October of 1992. She was last seen about 8:00 p.m. on October 6th of that year walking from West Elementary School to her home in the 1200 block of Henderson. Her body was found five days later southwest of Ninnekah. The medical examiner determined she had been strangled. Anyone with information about the death of ‘Mookie’ Moore is asked to contact the OSBI anonymously by calling 800-522-8017 or by e-mailing information to tips@osbi.ok.gov

Woman Steals Anadarko Ambulance, Drives to Hospital

A bizarre incident in Anadarko yesterday where a woman stole an ambulance. A post on the fire department’s Facebook page says the unidentified woman walked into the fire station just after 10 o'clock Tuesday morning, stole the ambulance, drove down Central Boulevard to Physicians Hospital and sideswiped at least one vehicle along the way. As she attempted to enter the hospital she was taken into custody. The social media post indicates there was minor damage to the ambulance and the other vehicle but no one was injured.

Early Voting Underway in Oklahoma

In-person, absentee voting begins today - ahead of next Tuesday's general election. You can cast ballots at the election board in the county in which you are registered to vote. Early voting can be done today, tomorrow, and Friday between 8 a.m. at 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. You'll need your voter registration card and an ID.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $88.37 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $94.80.

Natural gas is $5.71 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,658 and silver is $19.70.

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Tuesday, Nov. 1st

Gov. Kevin Stitt Campaigns in Chickasha

Gov. Kevin Stitt discussed issues ranging from the economy to school choice to economic development during a campaign stop in Chickasha yesterday. It was the second stop of the day for Stitt who was in Burns Flat Monday morning to announce that an aerospace company will be moving its headquarters from Mexico to Oklahoma. Stitt said Premium Aerospace Center will be investing millions of dollars at the Oklahoma Air and Space Port and creating hundreds of new jobs.

The company is expected to upgrade commercial airplanes including 737s and larger aircraft. Stitt addressed all the negative campaign ads being aired against him over the last few weeks and said that $50 million in dark money is being provided mostly by Native American tribes which are angry at the governor for his actions regarding gaming compacts between the tribes and the state. Stitt spent a few minutes with the media following his meeting with the public and discussed how the state was able to provide $23 million in drought relieve to agriculture producers.

Stitt is seeking a second term in office in next week's general election. His chief opponent is Democrat Joy Hoffmeister.

5 Arrested in Lindsay For Allegedly Selling Prescription Meds

Five people have been arrested in Lindsay after authorities say they were selling prescription pain-killing meds. Garvin County Sheriff Jim Mullet says they believe the individuals were also selling the meds in Grady and Stephens counties. In custody are 68-year old Betty Williams who was prescribed hydrocodone, oxycodone and other meds every 30 days. Mullet said the pills could be sold on the street for up to $20 each. Also arrested were 49-year old Karen Thompson, 34-year old Matthew Johnson, 25-year old Kalyn Steakly, and 25-year old Fury Stinnett. Mullet said they could also face racketeering charges. Investigators were led to the group after carrying out a search warrant for an unrelated child pornography investigation.

Former CHS Football Coach Steve Shklar Dies

Former Chickasha High School football coach Steve Shklar has died. Shklar was 71 when he passed away last Thursday. He was head coach for Chickasha a couple of years back in the 1980s and an assistant for previous head coach Dennis Cavalier. Shklar left Chickasha to coach at Yukon and he also coached at Alva and most recently was the head coach in Sperry, Oklahoma where he guided the team to the semi-finals of the Class 2A playoffs in 2019. A funeral service will be held tomorrow at 4 p.m. at the Sperry High School Football Field. Arrangements are with Johnston Funeral Home in Sperry.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.53 per barrel.

London-based crude oil is $94.38.

Natural gas is $6.36 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,657 and silver is $19.93.

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Monday, Oct. 31st

(Burn ban remains in effect for Oklahoma County)

Chickasha Police Seek Persons-of-Interest

The Chickasha Police Department is asking the public for help in locating two persons-of-interest in connection with a theft from a local business. Authorities are looking for a Caucasian male and female. In a photo posted on the police department's Facebook page, the male appears to be 25-35 years old. He has a short gray moustache and beard and appears to have brown hair. He was wearing a stocking cap and a blue-and-white plaid, long-sleeve shirt. The woman appears to be 30-40 years old with short, blond hair. She was wearing a black shirt and a blue-jean jacket and glasses. See the photo on the police department's Facebook page and if you have information about them call the police department's non-emergency number: 405-222-6050.

Gov. Kevin Stitt to be in Chickasha Today

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt will be in Chickasha today for a mid-day meet-and-greet. The governor will be at Standley Systems for an informal gathering at noon. Standley Systems headquarters is at 6th and Iowa Ave. across the street from the Chickasha Library. The event is open to the public and a light lunch will be provided. Stitt is looking for a second term as governor in next week's election. His top challenger is Democrat Joy Hoffmeister with Independent Ervin Yen and Libertarian Natalie Bruno also on the ballot.

Early Voting Begins Wednesday for General Election

Early voting begins this Wednesday for next week's general election. Individuals can cast ballots at the election board office in the county in which they are registered to vote. Early voting is Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Early voters will have to show their ID and voter registration cards. Regular precincts will be open next Tuesday, Nov. 8th from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Chickasha Ne'ewollah Festival Tonight

Downtown Chickasha will be invaded by hundreds of trick-or-treaters tonight. The Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Ne'ewollah Festival with many businesses offering treats for the youngsters and a number of activities to be held including a carnival at the YMCA, disc golf, a petting zoo, and festive photo-booth opportunities.. Trick-or-treating will only be on Chickasha Avenue between 4th and 8th Streets. There is a costume and pet parade, and a costume contest with some cash prizes awarded. The costume contest will be held in front of the KOOL-RANCH studios on the corner of 7th and Chickasha Avenue starting at 5:30 p.m. The Ne'ewollah Festival runs from 5 to 7 o'clock tonight.

State's Air and Space Port to Make 'Big' Announcement

State officials are being mum about what is said to be a big announcement for Oklahoma's Air and Space Port this morning. According to the OK Energy Today website the announcement is expected to bring significant jobs and investments to the region. Gov. Kevin Stitt is to be on hand for the announcement.  The facility is the former Clinton-Sherman Air Base in Burns Flat.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $87.90 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $95.77.

Natural gas is $5.68 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,641 and silver is $19.02.

Saturday, Oct. 29th

(Burn ban remains in effect for Oklahoma County)

Biker Hospitalized After Crash

A motorcycle rider is in fair condition after crashing his bike. 22-year old Jace Tunstall of Blanchard was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was admitted in fair condition with head, arm, leg, and trunk injuries. He was not wearing a helmet. The accident happened just after 11:15 p.m. Friday about a half-mile south of Tuttle on CS 2980. It wasn't clear what happened although it had been raining much of the evening and the roadway was wet. The highway patrol reports that officials are still investigating the accident.

Grady County Jury Duty Canceled Next Week

Grady county residents who received a summons for jury duty next week are off the hook. Officials at the Grady County courthouse say the jury docket has been canceled.

Refuge Considers Building Cell Phone Tower

Officials with the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge are considering building a cell phone tower in the refuge. Authorities are seeking public comment on the proposal. They say the tower would be valuable to help with emergency responses and improve communication throughout the refuge as there is limited cell service in the area. The tower would support multiple cellular carriers, radio equipment, and provide fiber-optic cable for use at the visitor's center and new administrative and maintenance complex. The proposal is to build a 320-foot tower southeast of State Highways 49 and 115 just east of the visitors center. A draft of the proposal is available on the refuge website fws.gov/media or you can e-mail: wmr_publiccomments@fws.gov

Public comments need to be submitted by midnight on Monday, Nov. 28th.

Report: Feds Concerned About Texas Power Grid

There are concerns that the power grid south of the Red River is no stronger or better than when it nearly collapsed during the Polar Vortex that occurred in February of 2021. The Polar Vortex brought an extended period of sub-zero temperatures to Oklahoma, Texas and many states in middle America. The website OK Energy Today cites a report from the Austin American-Statesman that the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission says the grid is just as vulnerable now as it was more than a year and a half ago. The Texas Public Utility Commission denies the report with one official saying it contains inaccuracies.

State Rig Count Steady

The number of rigs searching for oil and gas in Oklahoma is holding steady. Baker Hughes is reporting that the Sooner State added one more rig this week which bring the total to 66. That's an improvement from the same time a year ago when the rig count was only 43. There are a few rigs going up in the Chickasha area. There is one northwest of Ninnekah near the U.S. Highway 81 and State Highway 19 junction. Two rigs are going up east of Chickasha with a site is under construction just east of the H.E. Bailey and U.S. Highway 62 intersection. Another is near the U.S. Highway 62 and State Highway 92 junction.

'Haunted Hotel' Open One Night Only

For those of you wanting a little scare in your Hallowe'en weekend the USAO Art Wrecker Studio is hosting a Haunted Hotel tonight. The Art Wrecker studio is on Chickasha Avenue next to MidFirst Bank. Admission is $12 at the door and it will be open for those who dare to enter from 7 to 10 o'clock tonight.

Anadarko Chamber to Host Trunk-or-Treat

Ghosts and ghouls, princesses and pirates and others are welcome to a trunk-or-treat event in Anadarko tonight. The Anadarko Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event in the parking lot of Warrior Fieldhouse near the high school. Businesses, tribal groups, churches, and others are welcome to set up a spot to provide treats for the kiddos. There's no need to contact anyone to reserve a space just show up and decorate your area. One trunk-or-treat vendor will receive a gift basket of $100 in items and gift cards from Anadarko area merchants. Trunk-or-Treat in Anadarko runs from 6 to 8 p.m.

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Friday, Oct. 28th

(Burn ban remains in effect for Oklahoma County)

Many Oklahoma Counties Said to be 'Child Care Deserts'

Grady County and others in the region are among 34 counties that are considered to be child care deserts. A child care desert is identified as an area where there is not enough licensed child care operations to support the needs of working families. McClain, Cleveland, Canadian, Comanche, and Garvin counties are also considered to be child care deserts. The state Department of Human Services has grants available to help increase accessibility to quality child care in those areas. The grants can be used to create new child care programs or help existing programs increase their licensed capacities. Applications for the grants will be accepted through July 31^st of next year or until funds are depleted. For information visit the website: www.okchildcaregrants.com

Crash Sends Three People to Hospitals

Three people are hospitalized after two vehicles collide near Elgin.  78-year old Renate Goucher of Chickasha was last in critical condition while 70-year Marvel Goucher of Verden and 73-year old Betty Cade of Lawton were both last in fair condition. The accident happened just before noon yesterday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 277 and Porter Hill Road about four miles west of Elgin. The highway patrol reports that the Gouchers were in a vehicle that was westbound on the highway and failed to stop at a stop sign. Their car was hit by a van driven by Cade. Renate Goucher was air-lifted to a Wichita Falls hospital. Marvel Goucher and Cade were taken by separate ground ambulances to a Lawton hospital. The trooper investigating the crash says inattention to driving may have led to the crash. All three individuals were wearing their seatbelts.

Chickasha Library Programs

Here are a couple of items from the Chickasha Public Library. The Friends of the Library used book sale wraps up this weekend. A lot of materials are available including books of fiction for all ages, non-fiction books, DVDs, books on CD, and reference materials. All proceed will be used to purchase new books and materials. The used book sale runs through tomorrow. And the libary's monthly Let's Read About It series which was scheduled for next week has been postponed. The program has been re-scheduled for Monday, Nov. 14th. The book to be reviewed is called The Plague of the Doves by Louise Erdrich. It is a fictional story based on real events from the 1890s that explores racial injustice and its effects on the relationship between Native American and Caucasian communities in North Dakota. For information on either program contact the Chickasha Public Library.

Talk Show Topics

Lourie Myers with the state Department of Human Services foster family program will be on our KOOL Konversation. On Real Estate Today our guests are USAO men's basketball coach Chris Francis and women's basketball coach Darrick Matthews. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $89.08 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $96.96.

Natural gas is $5.19 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,653 and silver is $19.21.

Obituaries

Wanda Craddock

 Funeral service for Wanda Craddock, 89, of Chickasha will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29th at the First Baptist Church of Ninnekah. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Elizabeth ‘Deanna’ Nabors

Funeral service for ‘Deanna’ Nabors, 85, of Weatherford and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Oct. 31st at Sevier Funeral Home.

Thursday Night High School Football

Chickasha 50, Mustang JV 36

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Thursday, Oct. 27th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Cleveland and Oklahoma counties)

Chix Schools Among Districts Getting Grants

to Purchase Electric School Buses

KOOL-RANCH news recently reported that the Chickasha Public School district was among 400 districts nationwide to receive a federal grant to help purchase electric school buses. More than $26 million in grants were issued under the Biden Administration's Clean School Bus rebate competition. The grant recipients were formally announced in a ceremony yesterday. The website OK Energy Today reports that officials hope the electric buses will accelerate the transition to zero-emission vehicles and produce cleaner air in and around schools and communities. Many of the grant applicants received help from the Lion Electric Company, a Canadian-based manufacturer of EV buses. Chickasha received nearly $2 million to help purchase five buses. Chickasha officials hope to have the buses added to the fleet some time next spring.

'Not Guilty' Verdict Rendered in Negligent Homicide Trial

A Grady County jury finds a Chickasha woman not guilty of negligent homicide. Rebecca Cook was charged with a misdemeanor in connection with a traffic accident that killed a Minco teenager in April of 2019. The verdict was issued yesterday following a 2 1/2 day trial in Grady County District Court. The accident resulted in the death of 17-year old Logan Dobson who was a junior at Minco High School.

Help for the Homeless and Needy Families Set Friday

Recently the Chickasha City Council heard comments from citizens that the city needs to be doing more to help the homeless. There is a group called the Chickasha Community Alliance which been working to lend a hand. The alliance includes service organizations like the Salvation Army of Grady and Caddo counties and Life Skills Institute as well as local churches.  The alliance will be hosting what it calls a point-in-time count and a resource fair tomorrow for those experiencing homelessness. The resource fair will be held at the First Baptist Church parking lot from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow. A hot meal will be provided, as will hygiene products, survival kits, flu shots, take-home COVID 19 tests, and resource lists of locations of where assistance may be available. Lt Crystal McFarland with the Salvation Army said the meal and resources are available for any needy family in the area.

National FFA Convention Underway

A lot of FFA students from the region are attending the National FFA Convention in Indiana this weekend.  It's the 95th annual convention with an estimated 65,000 FFA members, advisors, and guests attending. Scott Stumpf is the CEO of the National FFA Organization. He says the event connects students to the ag industry. He talks about one of the most interesting exhibits.

Oklahoma has about 2,000 FFA students at the convention.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $87.91 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $95.69.

Natural gas is $5.61 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,665 and silver is $19.31.

Obituaries

Loretta Jackson

Funeral service for Loretta Jackson, 87, of the Chickasha and Verden area will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29th at Sevier Funeral Home.

Haril Walker

A memorial service for Haril Walker of Chickasha will be held Saturday, Oct. 29^th at Cowboy Country Church. A meal for the family will be held at noon with the memorial service to begin at 1:00 p.m.

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Wednesday, Oct. 26th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Cleveland and Oklahoma counties)

'A Cowgirls Song' Wins Awards at Film Festival

A movie filmed in Chickasha a couple of years ago earned some hardware in a recent film festival. 'A Cowgirls Song' picked up eight awards from The Wild Bunch Film Festival in Tucson, Ariz. According to a Facebook post from The Imaginaries (Maggie McClure and Shane Henry), the movie received the award for Best Modern Day Western Feature. In that same category Savannah Lee May was named Best Actress; Darci Lynn Farmer was named Best Supporting Actress; Tim Armstrong was named Best Director; The Imaginaries-written song, Hailey's Comet which was performed by Savannah Lee May was named the Best Score or Song; the cast won Best Ensemble; it was named Best Family Western; and Cheryl Ladd was named the Director's Choice for Best Actress.

Governor Touts New Laws Helping Military Veterans

Gov. Kevin Stitt was in southwest Oklahoma yesterday and held a ceremonial bill-signing event for legislation supporting veterans who served in the armed forces. The event was hosted by the Lawton-Ft. Sill Chamber of Commerce and the governor discussed the benefits of the measures which were all signed into law. Among them is SB 401 which provides total tax exemptions to veterans. The measure allows the state's estimated 36,000 retired service members to deduct their retirement income from state income tax; SB 1670 provides sales tax exemptions to widows of military members who died in combat; HB 3649 provides sales tax-exemptions to veteran-affiliated organizations; HB 3709 allows veterans in public retirement systems to purchase military service credits; and HB 1067 establishes a program to ensure dignified burials for certain veterans.

One Arrested After Convenience Store Knife Fight

Two men get into a knife fight at a convenience store and one of them was arrested on an assault complaint. Chickasha police were called to the Love's North convenience store early Saturday morning to investigate. A probable cause affidavit indicates one of the men tried to buy beer but he was told the store couldn't sell beer after midnight. The store clerk alleged that the suspect started causing a disturbance and another customer intervened and pushed the suspect out the door. Both men produced knives. The suspect is alleged to have tried to stab the other customer and threatened to kill him. The intervening customer cut the suspect's hand and finger. Paramedics were called but the suspect refused treatment. Police arrested 46-year old Antwan Johnson but the other customer was not. Prosecutors have charged Johnson with a felony of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and a misdemeanor for public intoxication. He remains in jail on a $50,000 bond.

Downtown Chix to Have 'Haunted Hotel'

Hallowe'en is just a few days away and there will be a haunted house to visit for those who have the courage to do so. Actually, it is a haunted hotel that has been created by USAO students at the University's Art Wrecker studio in downtown Chickasha. Studio director Jordan Vinyard said they have actual pieces of the historic Alpine Hotel that was once a downtown focal point. It's said there will be bizarre environments, elaborate costumes, and plenty of scares. It will be open one-night only, Saturday, Oct. 29th from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance on-line at usao.edu/hauntedhouse or $12 at the door.

Chix Chamber of Commerce Honored at State Meeting

The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce earns some state recognition. The chamber picked up the honors at the annual Oklahoma Chamber of Commerce Executives Awards meeting in Tahlequah last weekend. The group was presented with a Communications Excellence Award for the Chickasha Chamber Chatter Podcast and its 2022 Chickasha Community Guide. The chamber’s membership coordinator Whitney Palesano was recognized for graduating from the Chamber Management Institute.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.32 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.52.

Natural gas is $5.61 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,673 and silver is $19.63.

Obituary

Ronnie Climer

Funeral service for Ronnie Climer, 63, of Chickasha will be held at 10:-00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28^th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Oct. 25th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Cleveland and Oklahoma counties)

Suspect Faces 91 Counts of Forgery

More than 90 felony charges of forgery have been filed against a Chickasha woman for allegedly writing dozens of checks to herself totaling more than $400,000.  49-year old Tamara Radonna Walters was arrested by Chickasha police last week. A probable cause affidavit indicates that Walters forged 91 checks between January of 2021 and December of 2021. The document also indicates that Walters managed to gain possession of an individual's checkbook and that Walters was not listed as an authorized signer on the account. All 91 checks were for more than $3,000 each and the total amount taken was nearly $450,000. The affidavit indicates that Walters admitted to the forgery, that she had a gambling addiction and spent the money at a casino. Walters was arraigned on the charges in Grady County District Court yesterday and she is out of jail after posting a $100,000 bond. She's to announce her attorney Nov. 3rd and a preliminary hearing conference was set for Nov. 9th.

Jury Selection Begins in Negligent Homicide Trial

A woman charged with negligent homicide in connection with the traffic death of a Minco teenager is on trial this week. Jury selection began yesterday in Grady County District Court in the case against Rebecca Cook of Blanchard. Cook was charged with a misdemeanor following the fatal accident that occurred in April of 2019. The accident claimed the life of 17-year old Logan Dobson who was a junior at Minco High School. The accident happened on U.S. Highway 81 about a mile north of the Chickasha Airport. The highway patrol reported that Cook was southbound on the highway and turned in front of an oncoming pickup – and the pick-up crashed into Cook’s vehicle. Dobson was a passenger in the pick-up.

Burn Bans Lifted for Several Area Counties

Burn bans which have been in effect for a number of area counties have been lifted. That includes Grady, Stephens, Garvin, and McClain counties. Oklahoma and Cleveland counties remain under burn bans. Much of the state has received beneficial rainfall over the last couple of days. Rainfall totals at Mesonet sites throughout the region show that Chickasha has received  1 3/4 inches of rain; Minco, 2 ¼ inches; Rush Springs 1.6 inches; Ft. Cobb received about two inches; and Apache about 2.3 inches.

Schlumberger Changes Company Name

There has been a name change for an energy company whose name is often mispronounced. Schlumberger has announced that it is now known as SLB. According to the website OK Energy Today, the Houston and Paris-based firm is rebranding itself as a technology firm going after more clean-energy space work. Schlumberger has been the world's biggest oilfield services provider. Company officials say the name change couldn't have come at a better time at a critical point in the industry. The representative said digital is the future of the industry.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $84.58 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.26.

Natural gas is $5.20 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,643 and sliver is $18.77.

Obituaries

Brent Layton

Funeral service for Brent Layton, 59, of Pocasset will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26th at Erin Springs Baptist Church in Lindsay. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Shirley Ibsen

Funeral service for Shirley Ibsen, 85, of the Chickasha and Ninnekah area will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 27th at Chickasha's First Assembly of God Church. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Deacon Slater

Funeral service for Deacon Slater, 58, of Midwest City is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Monday, Oct. 24th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Grady, Garvin, McClain, and Cleveland counties)

Proposed Sales Tax Increase for Chix to be Considered

The Chickasha City Council will discuss a proposal to ask voters to increase the city's sales tax tonight. The topic is the only item to be reviewed during a special work session. Mayor Chris Mosley said a 1/4-cent increase in the city sales tax rate would bring in about $875,000 more per year with the funds to be used for police, fire, and safety measures. Any sales tax increase proposal would have to get the approval of city voters before it could be enacted. The city's current sales tax rate is 3.75 percent. No formal action can be taken during tonight's work session. If the council does eventually decide to call for an election it wouldn't take place until after the first of the year. The work session is open to the public and will get underway at 6 o'clock tonight at city hall.

New Businesses Seek Sign Permits

A number of new businesses opening in downtown Chickasha are looking to put signs on their buildings. Six new businesses will have their sign permit applications considered by the city's Historic Preservation Committee today. They are: L and L Emporium at 313 Chickasha Ave.; Brink's Boutique at 408 Chickasha Ave.; Dab Daddy's Dispensary at 411 Chickasha Ave.; Downtown Tattoo at 421 Chickasha Ave.; Roberto's Tex-Mex and Cantina at 117 N. 2nd; and Courtesy Loans at 302 Kansas Ave. The Historic Preservation Committee meets at 4 o'clock this afternoon at city hall.

Turnpike Crash Slows Sunday Traffic

 An accident on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike just outside of Chickasha slowed traffic on the interstate for a short time yesterday. The accident happened just after 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the westbound lanes of the highway near mile marker 86. The highway patrol did not give any details about the accident other than it was a vehicle collision. The inside westbound lane of the turnpike was closed for about 30 minutes

Grady County Historical Society Prepares for Annual Meeting

The Grady County Historical Society and Museum keeps getting new items almost on a weekly basis. Museum curator Pat Cunningham describes some recent donations from hundreds of miles away that are more than 100 years old.

Cunningham said the family has promised even more contributions. The historical society’s annual meeting and banquet will be held Monday, Nov. 7th at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Guest speaker is Oklahoma author and historian John Dwyer. Stop by the museum for information or check out the Grady County Historical Society's Facebook page.

CHS Native American Group Sets Indian Taco Sale

The Chickasha High School's Johnson O'Malley (JOM) Native American program will be holding a benefit Indian Taco sale next month. The Masonic Lodge will be helping with the project. The fundraiser will be held Wednesday, Nov. 16^th but you can place orders now until Monday, Nov. 14th. The Indian Tacos are $8 each and can be picked up at the Masonic Lodge at 112 ½ S. 6^th St. Orders of five or more can be delivered. E-mail: chickashajom@gmail.com for tickets and other information.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.05 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.50.

Natural gas is $4.96 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,653 and silver is $19.15.

Obituaries

Donald ‘Don’ Tallent

A memorial service for ‘Don’ Tallent, 92, of Chickasha will be held in Delta, Colorado next spring. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Jim ‘Coop’ Cooper

A memorial service for Jim ‘Coop’ Cooper, 69, of Ninnekah will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27th at the First Baptist Church of Ninnekah. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Saturday, Oct. 22nd

(Burn bans remain in effect for Grady, Garvin, McClain, and Cleveland counties)

Child Sex Offender Sentenced

A Florida man pleads guilty to child molestation charges filed against him in Caddo County. 54-year old Robert Elgin Mister Messer of Bradenton, Fla. was arrested by Anadarko police in February of 2021 on allegations of child sexual abuse. After initially pleading not guilty to the charges in January of this year he admitted guilt last month. Yesterday, District Judge Kory Kirkland sentenced Messer to serve three consecutive 25 year prison  terms - though 15-years of each sentence were suspended which means Messer will be behind bars for 30 years so he'll be nearly 80 years old before he would be eligible for parole.

Ninnekah Wells Produce Lots of Natural Gas

A lot of natural gas is being produced at wells drilled just outside of Ninnekah. Continental Resources filed completion reports on the wells with the state corporation commission recently. The George wells are four wells on a single pad about three miles northeast of Ninnekah. They were bringing in a combined 35,000 Mcf of natural gas and about 1,200 barrels of oil per day. The wells are in Range 6 North and 6 West in Township 17. The wells are in the Woodford formation and were drilled to depths of about 25,000 feet.

USAO Prof is Part of Civil War Documentary

A USAO professor is featured in a new documentary about the Civil War. Dr. James Finck appears in the documentary entitled The Battle of Honey Springs. Directed by Oklahoma native Bryan Beasley, the film references the largest Civil War engagement in the area that was Indian Territory well before Oklahoma statehood. Finck is an associate professor of history at the university and he has spent much of his career researching The Battle of Honey Springs. Every summer, he teaches a course at the historic site which is in eastern Oklahoma near Checotah. He has his students lead tours and explain the relevance of the site to the histories of both Oklahoma and the United States. By the way, the documentary won the Oklahoma Showcase Award at its world premiere at Oklahoma City's DeadCenter Film Festival, and won best documentary at DocOKC and the Bass and Belle Film Fest in Muskogee. It is expected to air in syndication on PBS affiliates around the country next spring.

Talk Show Topics

Debbie Ashley with Alpacas of Oklahoma is this week's guest on the KOOL Konversation. She'll be talking about the group's Alpaca Blast Off national show that will be held in Chickasha next month. On Real Estate today this week's guests are Pat Cunningham with the Grady County Historical Society and author/historian John Dwyer discussing the society's upcoming annual meeting and Dwyer's new book. There are podcasts to both programs under the Community tab on this website.

Obituaries

Jim ‘Coop’ Cooper

A memorial service for Jim ‘Coop’ Cooper, 69, of Ninnekah will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 27th at the First Baptist Church of Ninnekah. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

High School Football Scores

Clinton 40, Chickasha 7

Anadarko 49, Mt. St. Mary 9

Blanchard 47, Bridge Creek 0

Tuttle 40, Tecumseh 6

Newcastle 51, Classen SAS 12

Hinton 19, Minco 18

Elmore City 20, Rush Springs 8

Stratford 28, Dibble 6

Apache 16, Walters  0

Carnegie 21, Empire 14

Lindsay 28, Community Christian 14

Marlow 28, Sulphur 10

8-Man

Cyril 18, Alex 0

Corn Bible Academy 58, Bray-Doyle 12

No. 3 Tipton 46, No. 6 Mt. View-Gotebo 0

Maud 52, Maysville 6

Waurika 56, Central High 6

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Friday, Oct. 21st

(Burn bans remain in effect for Grady, Garvin, McClain, and Cleveland counties)

OKC Police Officer, Wife Arrested in Grady County

An Oklahoma City police officer and his wife were arrested at their Grady County home yesterday. Arrest warrants for drug allegations had been issued for 49-year old Dean Yancy Walt Forbes – who is a sergeant with the Oklahoma City Police Deparatment - and 47-year old Sandra Joy Forbes. They were taken into custody at their home near Alex. Sgt. Forbes has been an Oklahoma City police officer for about 15 years, according to Grady County Undersheriff Gary Boggess. Grady County's DEA officer Deputy Jim Peek began investigating the couple last month when they both overdosed on cocaine and magic mushrooms. Dean Forbes reportedly told investigators he spent about $1,000 a month on illicit drugs. Forbes is on administrative leave from his post with Oklahoma City police. Both are charged with felonies which include distribution of a controlled, dangerous substance; possession of CDS; and maintaining a place for keeping or selling drugs. They could have their initial appearances on the charges in Grady County District Court today.

Verden Suspect Faces Sexual Battery Allegations

A Verden man is arrested for the alleged sexual battery of a female relative. 42-year old Jose Ernesto Ramirez was taken into custody this week after the victim reported the alleged assault. In a probable cause affidavit, it states that the woman told Verden Police Chief Jason Cox that the assaults have being going on for several days. She alleged that Ramirez physically kept her from leaving the house and going to work, and that he took her cell phone away from her. She said Ramirez threatened her life and the lives of her pets and even the lives of police if they were to show up. The victim managed to get out of the house when she told Ramirez she had to go work. Cox arrested Ramirez at the home without incident. Prosecutors have charged Ramirez with a felony count of sexual battery and misdemeanors of domestic abuse and threatening violence. He remains in the Grady County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Anadarko to Host Kids, Kites, and Frights

There are a couple of events in the area which are expected to draw some big crowds this weekend. In Anadarko it's Kids, Kites, and Frights with numerous activities at the Anadarko Airport. The City of Anadarko is bringing in a Missouri firm called Great American Kites. These are some of the largest kites you will ever see. Sean Beaver says one of them is similar to a wind sock which is nearly the length of a football field.

In addition to the kites, there are numerous activities for kids and adults. There's a 5K and fun-run in the morning where participants are encouraged to wear super hero costumes. There is a Hallowe’en costume contest, food trucks, vendors, a car show, Native American exhibits and cornhole and arm wrestling tournaments. Activities at the airport begin at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning.

Blanchard Hosts Blowin' Smoke BBQ Cook-off

In Blanchard, it’s the annual Blowin' Smoke Barbecue Cook-off where teams are competing for a $500 top prize. Activities begin in Lions Park at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow with vendors and live music. Judging starts at 3:30 p.m. with tasting starting at 4:30 p.m. You have to buy a wristband to taste the entries. Adult wristbands are $10 and they are $5 for kids. The event is put on by the Blanchard Chamber of Commerce.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.98 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $92.38.

Natural gas is $5.36 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,629 and silver is $18.32.

Obituaries

Haril Walker

Funeral service for Haril Walker, 84, of Chickasha will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

LaVonda Davis

A memorial service for LaVonda Davis, 69, of Chickasha will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Katherine ‘Kay’ Leduc

Memorial service for ‘Kay’ Leduc, 80, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, Oct. 24^th at the First Baptist Church of Verden. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

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Thursday, Oct. 20th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Grady, Garvin, McClain, and Cleveland counties)

State, Federal Officials Asked to Investigate

Another Another Massive Hand Sanitizer Fire

There was another huge hand sanitizer fire at a storage site between Chickasha and Ninnekah yesterday. It was the third such fire that has taken place over the last three months. Yesterday, it was at H and B Machine and Manufacturing which is just south of the U.S. Highway 81 and State Highway 19 junction. That's just a half-mile from where the first hand sanitizer fire destroyed the former Chickasha Manufacturing Company.  News reports indicate that Ninnekah Police Chief Scott Miller and District Attorney Jason Hicks both asked the OSBI to take over the investigation and officials have also asked federal agencies to look into the matter. As many as 2,000 pallets of expired hand sanitizer were believed to be inside and outside the metal building at the Ninnekah property. Bordwine Development Company was reported to have been leasing the facilities to store the expired sanitizer where the fires occurred. The state department of environmental quality issued a $6.6 million fine against the company after authorities say the firm dumped thousands of gallons of sanitizer into bar ditches near the site of the first two fires back in August.

Chix City Council to Discuss Proposed Sales Tax Hike

Chickasha residents may be asked to increase the city sales tax to help pay for police, fire, and safety measures. The Chickasha City Council will have a special work session next week to discuss the plan. The council will discuss proposing a ¼-penny sales tax increase to residents when they meet Monday night. Mayor Chris Mosley estimated it could bring in $875,000 a year and  based his estimate on last year's sales tax revenues. A number of residents attended this week's city council meeting to complain of increased crime activity in their neighborhood. Any sales tax increase proposal would have to get the approval of city voters. Should the council follow-through with sending the issue to voters an election would not be held until next year

Matriarch of Stidham Trailer Company Dies

A co-founder of one of Chickasha's well-known horse-trailer manufacturing companies has died. Anita Stidham, the wife of the late Jack Stidham passed away Monday. She was 91. The Stidhams opened their company in 1958 during a time when Chickasha was known as the Horse Trailer Manufacturing Capital of the World. Anita was born in McClain County in 1931 and the family moved to the Hawkins Community north of Alex when she was a child. In addition to running the trailer company Jack was also a well-known fiddle player. A graveside service for Anita Stidham was held at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon (Thursday, Oct. 20^th) at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.

Coffee with a Cop Set for Friday Morning

Chickasha residents have an opportunity to meet some of the city's police officers in an informal gathering. Coffee with a Cop will be held in downtown Chickasha tomorrow morning at Iron Tree Coffee at 115 South 4^th which is right behind Jay's Jewelry. Parking is available in the municipal parking lot in the 300 block of Kansas Avenue. Coffee with a Cop will run for a couple of hours from about 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

U.S. Senate Candidate Stops in Chickasha

U.S. Senate candidate Madison Horn spent some time in Chickasha this week. The Democrat is among those looking to unseat incumbent Republican James Lankford. She says Democrats and Republicans have to work together to battle economic issues like inflation and rising interest rates.

Horn is one of three candidates looking to oust Lankford. Also on the ballot are Independent candidate Michael Delaney and Libertarian candidate Kenneth Blevins.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.55 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $92.41.

Natural gas is $5.46 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,639 and silver is $18.53.

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Wednesday, Oct. 19th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Grady, Garvin, McClain, and Cleveland counties)

OSBI: Man Fatally Shot by Anadarko Police was Armed

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) reports that the man who was shot and killed by Anadarko police this past weekend was armed. The agency posted updated information on its official Facebook page indicating that police saw Angel Jiminez with a gun as he began running away after the vehicle he was in was pulled over for a traffic violation. Officers gave Jiminez numerous commands to drop the weapon. He did not comply, and Jiminez turned toward officers with the gun. That's when the officers fired their guns. Authorities still have not indicated why the vehicle was pulled over.

Grady County Burn Ban Extended

Grady County Commissioners extended a burn ban for the region this week. The ban continues through next Monday, Oct. 24th. While the area did see between one and one-and-a-half inches of rain over the weekend and has had cooler temps the last few days - the forecast is for temps to climb to the mid-80s Friday through Sunday and winds to increase which will elevate the fire threat for much of western Oklahoma. The latest burn ban map on the State Department of Agriculture website shows that Garvin, McLain, and Cleveland counties also remain under burn bans. Bans have been lifted in Stephens, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties.

More Drought Relief Approved for Ag Producers

More drought relief has been approved for the state's farmers and ranchers. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission has approved an additional $5 million to help producers. Trey Lam with the conservation commission says more than 1,300 applications have been filed as producers look for help to clean out ponds, drill water wells, and other projects. Lam said producers should stop by their local FSA office before applying. Lam said producers cannot double-dip for projects. If they've already been approved for a project through FSA they won't be available for drought relief for the same project. For grazing losses, Lam said FSA is accepting applications from all livestock producers and not just cattle. The payment rate for drought is equal to 60 percent of the lesser of monthly feed costs for covered livestock, or the normal carrying capacity of the eligible grazing land.

Leg Lamp Topped with Lamp Shade

One of the final pieces of Chickasha's permanent leg lamp was hoisted into place yesterday. The 10-foot tall pale-yellow lamp shade was lifted above the 30-foot leg near the Rock Island Railroad Depot. Crews from Johnson's Cranes were challenged by some light winds but the connection was made without any problems. Jim Cowan with the Economic Development Council says there are still a few things to do before the project is considered complete.

The Saturday, Nov. 5th opening will be highlighted by a performance of The Imaginaries, Maggie McLure and Shane Henry.

Winter Gas Bills Expected to be Higher

If you heat your home with natural gas you’ll probably be paying more this winter.

That’s Matt Skinner with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.82 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $90.03.

Natural gas is $5.74 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,644 and silver is $18.49.

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Tuesday, Oct. 18th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Grady, Stephens, Garvin, McClain, Cleveland, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

Chix Residents Air Concerns of Crime Increase

Chickasha residents speak out about a rise in crime in their neighborhood. A number of individuals voiced their concerns during last night’s city council meeting. About 10 individuals spent nearly an hour describing what they say are drug houses and increasing problems of vandalism and vagrancy. Many of them live close to the middle school and Centennial Park. Marsha Strunk told the council her son recently installed security cameras at her home. She said the video surveillance showed 40 people go in and out of the house next door within a 24-hour period and most of them only stayed a few minutes. She said the area has become a dangerous place for children.

Others said that police staffing is at an all-time low and that at times only two officers are patrolling the streets. Others called for the council to come up with additional funds to hire more police officers.

Council Votes Down Lamp Shades for D'Town Light Poles

Angels or lampshades? Also at last night's council meeting some residents spoke out against a proposal to buy and install lamp shades to put on the light posts in downtown Chickasha for the upcoming holiday season. The lamp shades were proposed to replace the lighted angels that have adorned the street lights for about the last 20 years. One resident said the lamp shades would move the city away from the Christian values that the angels represent.

Jim Cowan with the Economic Development Council (EDC) said the angels had fallen into a state of disrepair and it was recommended they not be used anymore. He said the EDC came up with the recommendation for the lamp shades. The council unanimously voted against the purchase of the lamp shades and asked Cowan to see if the angels could be repaired or perhaps the EDC could buy some new angels.

Man Shot by Anadarko Police Dies

A man shot by Anadarko police Sunday night has died and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has been called in to investigate. The OSBI identified the man who died as 26-year old Angel Jiminez. A post on the OSBI Official Facebook page provided this time-line of what happened. Anadarko police made a traffic stop on a vehicle about 9 p.m. Sunday at 4th and Louisiana. That's a residential area just a couple of blocks from the Anadarko City Hall. The unidentified officer called for back-up and began questioning the individuals in the vehicle. One of the officers was helping Jiminez get out of the vehicle - then Jiminez ran from the scene.  A short foot pursuit began and Jiminez was shot about a block away. Officers rendered aid until paramedics arrived. Jiminez was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. A gun was recovered at the scene but it wasn't made clear if Jiminez was armed. The OSBI says the investigation is on-going and the results will be turned over to the district attorney

Teen to Donate Hair to Cancer Victims

A Cement teenager wants to help children diagnosed with cancer. Cement FFA reporter Mark Sanders fills us in-

Sanders will let us know when Cash will have his hair cut.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.46 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $91.62.

Natural gas is $6.00 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,657 and silver is $18.65.

Obituary

Rebecca ‘Becky’ Chaney

Funeral service for ‘Becky’ Chaney, 67, formerly of Chickasha will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 20th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Monday, Oct. 17th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Grady, Stephens, Garvin, McClain, Cleveland, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

OSBI Investigates Officer-Involving Shooting in Anadarko

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has been called in to investigate an officer-involved shooting in Anadarko. Very little is known about what happened but our partners at KWTV News 9 report that one person was taken to the hospital. It wasn't known how seriously the individual was injured. Two officers were reportedly involved and they were not hurt. Witnesses say the shootout took place in the street in the 300 block of West Texas.

Chix Officials to Consider Engineering Contract

for Upgrades to Water Distribution System

The Chickasha City Council will consider entering into a contract with Chisholm Trail Consulting for an engineering project for improvements to the city’s water distribution system. The discussion will take place during the Chickasha Municipal Authority portion of tonight’s city council meeting. The area being considered for the upgrades include from 2nd Street to Shepherd Street and from Alabama Avenue to Missouri Avenue; Virginia Avenue from Shepherd Street to Henderson Street; and constructing water mains in the 300 block of Missouri Avenue.

Lake Chickasha Oil and Gas Leases to be Discussed

The council will consider approving oil and gas leases on thousands of acres of land owned by the city at Lake Chickasha. The proposed leases with Dutton Resources include 10 sites ranging from 80 acres to 620 acres.

Bullet-proof Vests; Downtown Holiday Decorating also on the Agenda

The panel will also consider accepting a bullet-proof vest partnership grant of more than $4,000 from the Office of Justice program; a request from the Chickasha Area Arts Council to decorate the pocket park at 6th and Chickasha Avenue for the upcoming holiday season; and a similar request from Masonic Lodge No. 94 to decorate the lot at the southwest corner of 6th and Chickasha Avenue for the holidays. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

Two County School Districts Receive Federal Grants

A couple of Grady County School districts have received some large grants from the U.S. Department of Justice. Chickasha and Ninnekah school districts have both received $500,000 grants to be used for violence protection programs. The districts were among seven Oklahoma school districts to receive the grants from what's known as the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). Nearly $72 million in grants were distributed nationwide.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.61 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $91.93.

Natural gas is $6.45 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,662 and silver is $18.51.

Obituaries

Delbert Akins

Funeral service for Delbert Akins, 81, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18th at Northside Church of Christ. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Colby Rogers

A viewing for Colby Rogers, 45, of Chickasha will be from 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 18th at Ferguson Funeral Home. The family will also hold a visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. that afternoon.

Bill Furra

Funeral service for Bill Furra, 70, formerly of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 19^th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

Saturday, Oct. 15th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Grady, Stephens, Garvin, McClain, Cleveland, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

Truck Driver Hospitalized Following Crash

A Blanchard truck driver is hospitalized after his big rig hit a car then ran off the road and overturned. 71-year old Lewis McConnell was taken by ground ambulance to an Oklahoma City hospital with head, arm, and leg injuries and was last in stable condition. The accident happened just before 3:00 p.m. Friday on State Highway 17 about 4 ½ miles west of Rush Springs. The highway patrol reports that McConnell was eastbound on the highway when a car pulled out in front him from a private drive. McConnell hit the car, ran off the highway, and the semi rolled onto its driver's side. McConnell was pinned in the cab for more than an hour and a half. The driver of the car, 68-year old Kathy Christian of Marlow, was taken to a Duncan hospital in a private vehicle where she was treated and released. The roadway was closed for more than four hours after the crash.

Workers Dies After Strange Oilfield Site Accident

A bizarre accident at an oilfield site near Dibble claimed the life of man last weekend. KWTV News 9 cites McClain County officials as saying the accident occurred south of Dibble near State Highway 76 and what is known as Peanut Road. Authorities said the man was standing near a load of unknown materials. The rigging on the load broke causing the materials to fall on the victim and trapping him underneath. It was the second oilfield related fatality in the area in less than a week. 20-year old Tanner Snider of Alex died in an oilfield accident west of Ninnekah just a few days before.

Teen Killed in Traffic Accident Memorialized at Football Games

A high school football player who died in a traffic accident is remembered as a gentle giant. 17-year old Tristan Manning of Lindsay died last Sunday when he hit an oncoming semi that was attempting to turn in front of him. He was a junior at Lindsay high school and died just a few days before his 18th birthday. Manning played both football and basketball for Lindsay and also excelled in the classroom. The Lindsay football team had a huge game scheduled with Washington this week and the team and school officials decided to play the game because that's what Tristan would have wanted. At least one other area football game held a moment of silence to honor Tristan. The Blanchard Lions recognized him Thursday night before their game with Classen SAS.

ARPA Funds to Help Upgrades at State's Air and Space Port

A state senator is looking to better utilize the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Park in western Oklahoma. Sen. Darcy Jech (R-Kingfisher) says some ARPA funds are being directed to the site which is  also known as the Oklahoma Air and Space Port. Jech says the runway is the longest and widest in the country which is ideal for military and civilian use. Two U.S. Air Force bases use it for flight training and the highway patrol has driver training there. There are three water wells on site that provide water to the area and a waste water treatment facility all in need of upgrades. The funds will help offset the cost of maintaining the concrete runway and allow for renovations to buildings and hangars. Jech says the ultimate hope is that commercial businesses take interest in the park.

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Friday, Oct. 14th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Grady, Stephens, Garvin, McClain, Cleveland, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

Another Drug Trafficking Suspect Arrested

Grady County's Drug Enforcement Administration officer makes another drug trafficking arrest.  Authorities arrested 43-year old Lacey Nicole Montgomery this week. Deputy Jim Peek with the Grady County Sheriff's office arrested Montgomery early Thursday morning. A press release from the sheriff's office indicates that authorities were dispatched to the U.S. Highway 81 and State Highway 19 junction late Wednesday regarding an individual who allegedly overdosed after taking a counterfeit painkiller laced with fentanyl. First responders had given the victim Narcan and took her to the hospital. The victim told investigators that she allegedly purchased the pills from Montgomery. Peek and Ninnekah police went to Montgomery's home where she was arrested. The victim also claimed she had been buying fentanyl-laced pills from Ronnie Null who was arrested earlier in the week in connection with a previous investigation. Montgomery has already served time for previous arrest. She was arrested and charged for distribution in 2016 and pleaded guilty in 2018. Court records show she was sentenced to 20 years in prison with 10 years suspended but it wasn't clear when she was released. Montgomery is facing new charges of trafficking and distribution. She remains in the Grady County Jail in lieu of a $300,000 bond.

Supect Arrested Following Child Porn Investigation

A child porn investigation leads to the arrest of a Chickasha man. 21-year old Zachary Quaid Wikel was taken into custody Tuesday afternoon. A probable cause affidavit indicates that in August of last year, the OSBI received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children about an individual who was downloading child pornography from the Internet. The affidavit indicates the FBI also was investigating child porn allegations against Wikel. Investigators traced the illicit material to Wikel's IP address. Authorities asked that Wikel be charged with two counts each of possession and distribution of child porn. At his initial appearance in Grady County District Court yesterday prosecutors charged Wikel with just one count of having the graphic material. He remains in the Grady County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

Officials Close Attic to Grady County Courthouse

Officials at the Grady County Courthouse have closed the attic of the building to the general public due to safety concerns. County commissioners this week approved the recommendation to close the attic by county safety director Bobby Cantu. The Express-Star reports that Cantu said the attic has become hazardous due to the clutter, taped-up wires everywhere, low ceilings, and running water and gas pipes. Plus, the records are inaccessible for people who are unable to navigate the area. Cantu suggested that public records that are currently in the attic be moved to a safer location for the public and county employees. Cantu suggests that many of the paper documents could be digitized to minimize storage overall.

State Rep Appointed to National Education Panel

State Representative Dick Lowe has been named to a national education group. The Amber Republican will serve with a group known as the Education Commission of the States. It is an agency that brings together policymakers across the country to create more effective education policy. Gov. Kevin Stitt appointed Lowe to the panel. In a prepared statement, Lowe said it's vitally important that we have well-researched policies in place to help Oklahoma children succeed and he looks forward to serving in his new role. Lowe is the vice chairman of the House Appropriations and Budget Subcommittee on Education and also serves on the House Common Education, and the Higher Education and Career Tech committees.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $89.11 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $94.57.

Natural gas is $6.74 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,661 and silver is $18.73.

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Thursday, Oct. 13th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Grady, Stephens, Garvin, McClain, Cleveland, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

OSBI Investigates Body Found in Rural Grady County

Agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Iinvestigation (OSBI) have been called in to look into the report of a body found in a vehicle near Cement. Grady County Undersheriff Gary Boggess said the sheriff's office got a call Wednesday morning about an SUV found in a field on County Street 2780 south of U.S. Highway 277 east of Cement. A body inside the Honda Oddyssey was in an advanced stage of decomposition. The state medical examiner was called in but there was no immediate word on how the individual may have died. Boggess said authorities are looking into the possibility that the body may be linked to a missing persons case out of Pottawatomie County. An individual was reported missing from that area in early September.

PSO Begins Street Light Replacement Project

Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) in the process of replacing all the street lights in the communities the utility serves. Spokesman Tim Hushbeck says crews will be changing out the lights in Chickasha early next year.

Hushbeck said there are more than 1,100 street lights in Chickasha. They'll be switching to LED lights which are brighter, use less energy, and are more durable.

Chix Fire Chief Completes Leadership Training

Chickasha Fire Chief Tony Samaniego recently completed an extensive training program for fire chiefs. Samaniego attended the Oklahoma Executive Fire Official Leadership program. Samaniego said about 25 fire chiefs completed the 160 hours of training using curriculum from the International Public Safety Leadership and Ethics Institute. It was developed to bring the concepts of leadership and ethics to the forefront of an individual’s career. Topics included Ethics and the Challenge of Leadership, Ethical Leadership in Organizations, and Development of a Personal Philosophy of Leadership and Ethics. The program took place over several months.

Antique Auto Club's Fall Swap Meet Underway

Chickasha's population will grow exponentially over the next few days as the fall swap meet hosted by the Chickasha Antique Auto Club is underway. Organizers say it’s the largest swap meet of its kind in the state. It brings together antique auto enthusiasts not only from across the country but around the world – many of whom are looking for hard-to-find parts to use in their restoration projects. Even fully restored vehicles will be featured and perhaps find a new home. It's for all transportation related items, including muscle cars, street rods, and special interest vehicles. The swap meet runs through Saturday. It's held at the auto club's 35-acre site next to the Grady County Fairgrounds and there are vendors at the fairgrounds as well. Admission is free. Paid parking benefits local charities.

USAO to Hold Technology Workshop for Girls

5th and 6th grade girls in the region will have an opportunity to perform science experiments and take part in other hands-on engineering projects. USAO will be hosting its annual Women in Science and Technology workshop. Led by Dr. Jeanette Loutsch, the students will have seven different work stations featuring projects in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields. All the instructors are women as they work to encourage students to consider a non-traditional career. There is a $5 registration fee and while snacks will be provided throughout the day, students should bring a sack lunch. The event will be held Saturday, Nov. 5th starting at 8 a.m. Space is limited so advance registration is requested although walk-ins will be welcome. Register on line at usao.edu/wts

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $87.27 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $92.45.

Natural gas is $6.43 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,682 and silver is $19.14.

Obituary

Earl ‘Skip’ Caldwell

A graveside service for Earl ‘Skip’ Caldwell, 79, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

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Wednesday, Oct. 12th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Grady, Stephens, Garvin, McClain, Cleveland, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

Three Suspects Arrested for Alleged Drug Distribution

(EDITOR'S NOTE - This story has been updated from the story that aired on the 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. news)

We have an update to a story we first aired this morning about the arrests of suspects for alleged drug distribution. Authorities arrested three people Monday afternoon on drug complaints. A probable cause affidavit indicates that Lt. Jim Peek with the Grady County Sheriff's Office, who is assigned as a Task Force Officer with the Drug Enforcement Administration, made contact with a confidential informant to purchase counterfeit painkillers laced with fentanyl. The informant arranged a purchase in a residential area not far from Washita Valley Park. Following the buy, officers pulled over a vehicle the suspects were in and made the arrests. Arrested were 38-year old Lana Marie Kiplinger, 42-year old Ronnie Dean Null, and 26-year old Brandon Lee Freeman, all of  Chickasha. Kiplinger and Null have both been charged with conspiracy to distribute CDS within 2,000 feet of a park. Kiplinger is also charged with having contraband in jail. Freeman has been charged with endeavoring and conspiring to deliver or manufacture CDS. Kiplinger and Freeman are both being held in the Grady County Jail on $250,000 bond each. Null is being held on a $50,000 bond.

Sheriff's Office Employee Earns State Honor

A long-time employee of the Grady County Sheriff's Office receives a state award. Sabra Martin was named the Administrative Assistant of the Year at the recent Oklahoma Sheriff's Association annual banquet. A post on the Grady County Sheriff's Office Facebook page says she has a lot of different duties and is a vital asset to the day-to-day operations of the office.

Duncan Author to Headline Historical Society Event

A regional author will again headline the annual Grady County Historical Society annual meeting and banquet. Duncan author and historian John Dwyer is back to discuss his newest book. The annual meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 7th at 6:30 at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Reservations are needed by Tuesday, Nov. 1st. For information, contact Pat Cunningham at the Grady County Historical Society Museum in Downtown Chickasha.

GMH Foundation Schedules Golf Scramble Benefit

The Grady Memorial Hospital Foundation is getting ready for its annual benefit golf scramble. The event will be held at the Chickasha Golf and Country Club on Friday, Oct. 21st. There are morning and afternoon flights available. Entry is $125 per player and there are several levels of sponsorship. The foundation is a non-profit group separate from hospital operations and relies on the generosity of donors to assist the medical services and programs at Grady Memorial. Entry fees and corporation sponsorships are all tax deductible. For information contact Amber at 405-779-2266.

Entries Sought for Blanchard's 'Blowin' Smoke Cook-off'

Calling all competitive barbecuers. The 4th annual Blowin' Smoke Cook-off will be held in Blanchard. The event is set for Saturday, Oct. 22nd at Lion's Park. $800 in prize money will be awarded to the top barbecue cookers with $500 going to the first place team. The deadline to enter is Wednesday, Oct. 19th. Entry fee is $150 per two-person team and teams should contact the Blanchard Chamber of Commerce to sign up. The day gets started at 2:30 with a cornhole tournament, plus there will be live music and a beer garden. Individuals can purchase a wristband to sample the barbecue. The wristbands will be $10 for adults and $5 for kids and you can vote for your favorite. The judging starts at 3:30 p.m. and the tasting will start at 4:30 p.m.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $89.35 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $94.29.

Natural gas is $6.59 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,676 and silver is $19.21.

Obituaries

Gene Melies

A graveside service for Gene Melies, 68, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 14^th at the Ft. Sill National Cemetery. He was a U.S. Air Force veteran. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Terry Bogle

Funeral service for Terry Bogle, 60, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14th at First Baptist Church. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

Donna Metcalf

No service is scheduled for Donna Metcalf, 75, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Oct. 11th

(Burn bans remain in effect in Grady, Garvin, Stephens, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

Grady County Burn Ban Extended

A burn ban in Grady County has been continued. County Commissioners this morning approved extending the burn ban through next Tuesday, Oct. 18^th. While afternoon highs have been in the 60s, 70s, and low 80s the last several days and there has some rain showers, much of the region has received less than one-half inch of rain. Officials in one nearby county allowed a burn ban to expire. Burn bans are also still in effect for Garvin Stephens, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties. For a map of all Oklahoma counties under burn bans go to:

www.okforestry.maps.arcgis.com

OSBI Seeks Info on Anadarko Cold Case

The OSBI is seeking information regarding a cold case out of Anadarko. Ruth Lucille Lee, 31, suffered a violent death more than 50 years ago. The agency posted on its Facebook page that Lee's body was discovered in her apartment on September 25th, 1972. She had been stabbed and strangled to death. Anyone with information is asked to contact the OSBI. Anonymous tips can be e-mailed to: www.osbi.ok.gov or by calling 800-522-8017.

Suspect Accused of Embezzling from Former Employer

A Chickasha man is accused of embezzling from his former employer. An arrest warrant for 20-year old Elijah Wayland was issued Sept. 28th and Grady County deputies picked him up last week. A probable cause affidavit shows that officials with the E-Z Go Convenience Store on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike allege that Wayland embezzled thousands of dollars from the store between October and December of last year. Store officials had video surveillance that allegedly show Wayland taking money out the safe drop box and several registers. Wayland is facing a felony charge of embezzlement and he remains in the Grady County Jail on a $5,000 bond.

Public Hearing Set for Chix Land Development Code

The Chickasha Planning Commission will hold a public hearing today to discuss a Land Development Code. The code is designed to promote the health, safety, and general welfare of residents and to bring about coordinated and economic development of the city. The Planning Commission meets at 4 o'clock this afternoon at City Hall.

City Council to Discuss Land Development Code;

Consider Recognizing 1930s Lynching Victim

After the planning commission's public hearing on the Land Development Code the draft will be considered during a special work session of the city council tonight. The city council will meet at 6 o'clock at city hall. The council will also discuss a proposed resolution commemorating the life of Henry Argo. Argo was reportedly killed in the last known lynching in Oklahoma in May of 1930 which took place in Chickasha. Argo - who was black - was accused of an attack against a white woman and her child. No one was ever arrested for Argo’s murder.

ODOT Seeks Comment on Goldsby Project

The State Department of Transportation is seeking input on a proposal to replace the State Highway 74 bridge at I-35 in Goldsby. Initial plans are to widen I-35 to six lanes and bring the interchange up to current standards. A virtual open house - which includes short videos that detail some of the design options - is available on ODOT's website. Go to:

www.odot.org/SH74Goldsby

The deadline to submit public comments is Monday, Oct. 31st.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $91.13 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $96.18.

Natural gas is $6.43 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,668 and silver is $19.25.

Obituary

Bettie Jo Higgins

A memorial service for Bettie Jo Higgins, 90, of Ninnekah will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 13^th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Monday, Oct. 10th

(Burn bans remain in effect for Grady, Stephens, Garvin, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

Teenager Dies in Crash with Semi

A Lindsay teenager has died after the SUV he was driving hit a semi. The accident happened on State Highway 76 about a mile south of Lindsay just after 2:00 p.m. Sunday. The unidentified 17-year old was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was pronounced dead. The highway patrol reports that the teen was northbound on the highway when a southbound semi attempted to turn onto a county road. The teen hit the semi head on. The driver of the semi, 52-year old Travis Christensen and a passenger, 37-year old Keisha Nitz, both of Washington, OK were not injured. The highway patrol is still investigating the fatal crash.

Motorcycle Crashes Injure Riders;

Two Accidents Involved Animals

There have been three motorcycle accidents in the region over the last few days and two of them involved animals. Sunday afternoon, a  motorcycle hit a cow on  State Highway 39 west of Dibble. 32-year old Jesse Foster of Oklahoma City was westbound on the highway about four miles west of the Dibble Crossroads when he hit the animal. Foster was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital by Chickasha EMS where he was admitted in fair condition with head, arm, leg, and trunk injuries. He was wearing his helmet. Last Thursday, 48-year old Glendon Smith of Marlow hit a deer on a county road west of Marlow. He was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital and was last in critical condition. Saturday night, a motorcycle rider crashed when he failed to go around a curve in the east part of Chickasha near Jungle Ice Fun Zone. Chickasha police are still investigating that crash. The unidentified driver was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital and authorities say he was last in critical condition.

Woman Jailed Again in Connection with Neglect Case

Officials want to revoke the probation of a woman who pleaded guilty to neglecting her elderly father. A warrant was issued last week for the arrest of 50-year old Kristal June Lee. She was taken into custody last Thursday evening. Lee pleaded guilty in 2020 to a felony charge of neglect stemming from a 2019 case where she left her 80-year old father alone. He suffered from dementia. Lee was sentenced to seven years in prison with five years suspended. Lee remains in jail on a $20,000 bond.

Roof Repairs May Soon Begin on Some Chix Schools

Work on some of the first projects associated with the passage of the Chickasha Public Schools Safety and Security bond could get started soon. The Board of Education is expected to approve more than $4.7 million in roof repairs and replacements when the panel meets tonight. The group will discuss a proposed contract with Exterior Solutions Group of Edmond for the roofs on the high school, the middle school, and Lincoln School. The panel will also consider updating school policy for service animals for students and staff. Service animals can only be dogs that are certified as service animals, and not animals that may be considered emotional support or therapy animals. The panel is also to recognize the Chicken Express Employees of the Month. The certified employee is Lindsey Kemp and the support employee is Ashley Nitzinger both of Grand Elementary. The school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the school district’s administration office. The meeting will be live-streamed on the school district's website through YouTube.

Chix City-Wide Clean-Up Campaign Underway

The City of Chickasha is beginning a week-long fall clean-up campaign today. The city, Waste Connections, and the Economic Development Council are combining efforts for the clean-up. Residents are encouraged to take bulky and unwanted items to the city's Public Works Department where there will be several large roll-off dumpsters. The site will be open extended hours throughout the week - from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. today through Friday and from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. It doesn't cost anything to dispose of the items but residents will have to show a utility bill. Items that cannot be dropped off include tires, batteries, motor oil, hazardous chemicals and materials, pesticides, paint, and appliances with Freon. Limbs and brush are allowed although no contractors are allowed.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $92.64 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $97.92.

Natural gas is $6.77 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,688 and silver is $19.82.

Obituary

Alfretta Boardingham-Gill

A graveside service for Alfretta Boardingham-Gill, 77, of Oklahoma City and formerly of Anadarko and Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11th at Memory Lane Cemetery in Anadarko. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Saturday, Oct. 8th

(Burn bans in effect for Grady, Stephens, Garvin, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

Grammy-award Winning Recording Artist Jody Miller Dies

Jody Miller, whose singing career spanned six decades and earned her a Grammy Award has died.  Miller, who lived in Blanchard for many years, was 80-years old when she passed away Thursday. Her record label says she died after a battle with Parkinson's disease. Miller's singing career took off after a meeting with actor Dale Robertson who was also an Oklahoma native. Miller was best-known for her 1965 song Queen of the House, an answer to fellow-Oklahoma recording artist Roger Miller's King of the Road. (The two are not related). She was nominated for a Grammy for Queen of the House and the song was named Best Country Vocal Performance. She toured with the Beach Boys and performed alongside the Rolling Stones. Glen Campbell and Leon Russell helped with several of her records. Over the last 30 years she was a Christian recording artist. In 2016, Gov. Mary Fallin declared June 29th as Jody Miller Day in Oklahoma. Funeral service for Jody Miller will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11th at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Blanchard. Memorial contributions may be made in Jody's name to the church or to the Blanchard High School band and music programs.

CHS Head Football Coach Resigns

Chickasha High School head football coach Eric Gibson has resigned. Superintendent Rick Croslin confirmed with KOOL/RANCH News that Gibson's resignation from the district was effective Sept. 30th. Gibson was placed on administrative leave last month after some unspecified complaints were made about Gibson's actions. An official statement from the district indicated that Gibson was placed on paid administrative leave for ‘poor judgement pertaining to interactions and word choices’. Officials did not elaborate on what that meant. Gibson had only spent six months as the head football coach. He was hired in March after previous head coach Jerry Don Bray stepped down to focus solely on his athletic director duties. Gibson coached only two games - the season opening win over El Reno and a loss to Marlow. Ross Carter, who was named interim head coach after Gibson's suspension, will remain as interim head coach for the rest of the season. Gibson's resignation is expected to be formally approved by the school board when the panel meets Monday night.

Illegal Marijuana Confiscated by Verden Police

Verden police confiscated about $150,000 worth of illicit marijuana in a traffic stop. A post on the police department's Facebook page indicates that Capt. Matt Perry made a traffic stop in a school zone and upon searching the vehicle he found about 34 pounds of illegal marijuana buds which were believed to have been headed out of state. The driver was arrested and taken to the Grady County Jail on a complaint of illegal trafficking but he was released after prosecutors opted to not file charges at this time.

Bids to Replace Old Sewer Line Higher than Estimated

Chickasha city officials will consider rejecting all bids received to replace a sewer line just west of downtown Chickasha. In special meetings of the Chickasha City Council and the city's Muncipal Authority meeting Monday night, engineers are recommending that all bids be rejected as they are over the estimated cost of replacement. The engineering estimate is about $163,000. The lowest of the two bids submitted was nearly $285,000 and the highest was more than $460,000. The sewer line targeted for replacement is near the intersection of U.S. Highway 62 and 16th Street (16^th and Choctaw). It's for nearly 300 linear feet of 12-inch diameter sewer line inside a 20-inch diameter steel casing to go underneath the highway. The engineer says the work is needed to remedy an on-going situation in which the existing sewer line has failed and the city has been compelled to use a bypass pump for an extended period of time. The council will also consider approving a request from Camino Natural Resources to drill a couple of wells in the city limits. The proposed well site is just east of the intersection of U.S. Highway 62 and H.E. Bailey Turnpike. The council is also expected to issue a truck route to keep big trucks headed to and from the site off the city's main roads. The meeting is slated to start at 6:00 p.m. Monday at city hall.

Football Scores

Chickasha 23, Woodward 0

Blanchard 30, Tuttle 28

Perkins-Tryon 34, Anadarko 20

Newcastle 68, Bridge Creek 0

Christian Heritage Academy 28, Minco 7

Dibble 44, Elmore City 6

Rush Springs 20, Wayne 16

Apache 44, Cordell 0

Snyder 28, Carnegie 16

Marlow 27, Dickson 0

Central High 60, Alex 22

Velma-Alma 50, Cyril 0

Grandfield 46, Bray-Doyle 0

Lindsay 44, Little Axe 0 (Thursday)

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Friday, Oct. 7th

(Burn bans in effect for Grady, Stephens, Garvin, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

Oilfield Accident Claims Life of 20-year Old

A tragic oilfield accident claimed the life of a young Grady County man. 20-year old Tanner Snider of Alex died in the accident that happened south of Chickasha Wednesday afternoon. Grady County Undersheriff Gary Boggess said the accident happened at Cactus Rig No. 154 just west of the U.S. Highway 81 and State Highway 19 junction. Boggess said crews were pulling a pipe out of the ground when a joint broke and the pipe hit Snider in the face and killed him instantly. There has been an outpouring of love and support on social media for Tanner's family and friends. He had just proposed to his fiancee a couple of weeks ago, and posts say that he was a cowboy and learning how to play the guitar.

Biker Critical After Collision with Deer

A motorcycle rider is in critical condition after he hit a deer. 48-year old Glendon Smith of Marlow was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital with head and leg injuries. The accident happened about a mile west of Marlow on a county road just after 9:00 p.m. Thursday. Smith was not wearing a helmet.

Suspect Jailed in Baseball Bat-Attack

One man is in jail and another is recovering from injuries after he was allegedly hit in the head with a baseball bat. Chickasha police were called to the Castle Inn late Monday evening. A probable cause affidavit indicates the two men got into an argument and the suspect hit the victim in the body with the bat twice and once above his right eye. The victim was taken by ambulance to the hospital where he received seven stitches. Police arrested 20-year old Randall Alen Leitner who was listed as homeless on the affidavit although on-line court records show him to be from Noble. Leitner has been formally charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and remains in the Grady County jail on a $15,000 bond.

Sexual Assault Suspect Arrested

A Rush Springs man is in custody for the alleged rape and sexual assault of a woman. 51-year old Keith Robert Gregg was arrested by a Grady County sheriff's deputy earlier this week. Authorities were called a rural home near Cox City early Tuesday morning where the 19-year old victim alleged that Gregg assaulted her at his home. The woman made the call from a neighbor’s residence. A probable cause affidavit indicates the victim and Gregg had both been drinking and the victim claimed he made inappropriate and unwelcome advances. The victim was taken to a shelter in Chickasha for assistance. Authorities went to Gregg’s home later Tuesday to interview him. The affidavit indicates that Gregg admitted to some of the allegations. Prosecutors have formally charged Gregg with rape, sexual battery, and providing alcohol to a person under 21 years old. He remains in the county jail on a $100,000 bond.

USAO Names Employee of the Year

A custodian at USAO is recognized for her work. Angela Kinzinger was named the university's employee of the year for 2022. Kinzinger has been with USAO for five years and is part of the physical plant operations which oversees groundskeeping, building maintenance, motor pool, and carpentry. President John Feaver says her record of service shows how deserving she is of the award and is proud to count her as part of the university's dedicated staff.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $88.45 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $94.42.

Natural gas is $6.92 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,716 and silver is $20.76.

Talk Show Topics

Jim Cowan with the Chickasha Economic Development Council is this week's guest on the KOOL Konversation. Tim Hushbeck with Public Service Company of Oklahoma is this week's guest on Real Estate Today. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

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Thursday, Oct. 6th

(Burn bans are in effect in Grady, Stephens, Garvin, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

Tractor Driver Critical After Being Hit by Truck

A tractor driver remains in critical condition after a pickup crashed into him. 60-year old Donnie Rogers of Oklahoma City was taken by Chickasha EMS to an Oklahoma City hospital after the crash yesterday morning. The accident happened about 9 a.m. on U.S. Highway near Old Fred Road in Ninnekah. The highway patrol reported that Rogers was driving a John Deere tractor northbound on the highway. Trailing behind was a Ford F350 pickup driven by 35-year old Justin Henington of Rush Springs. The trooper's report indicates that Henington became distracted and failed to slow down. Henington swerved to try and avoid a collision but was unable to do so. Rogers was ejected from the tractor and suffered head, trunk, and internal injuries. Henington refused treatment at the scene. The accident closed both northbound lanes of U.S Highway 81 for nearly 3 1/2 hours.

Businesses Evacuated After Crew Ruptures Natural Gas Line

Several businesses near downtown Chickasha had to be evacuated yesterday after a construction crew hit a natural gas pipeline. It happened just before 11:00 a.m. Wednesday. Crews were digging behind the Wing T's store at 8th and Chickasha Avenue when they ruptured the pipeline. That's right across the street from the YMCA. The Chickasha Fire Department arrived and went door-to-door to evacuate about a one-square block area. Summit Energy workers were summoned to turn off the gas to the pipeline and make repairs. The businesses were allowed to re-open around 1 o'clock.

State Lawmakers Approve ARPA Projects

State lawmakers approved spending more than $1.4 billion in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. During a special session last week officials authorized funding for about 50 projects out of some 1,400 requests. Most of the funding is geared toward improving mental health services, infrastructure upgrades, and putting a priority on projects that will improve economic development offerings. State Representative Brad Boles discusses another critical area that will share the funds-

The funding proposals now go to Gov. Kevin Stitt for his consideration.

Retired Educators to Host Candidate Forum

Retired educators in Grady, Caddo, and Kiowa counties are combining efforts to hold a forum for candidates who are on the ballot for the Nov. 8th mid-term election. Among the confirmed candidates are Jena Nelson, the Democratic candidate for state school superintendent and state Labor Commissioner, Republican Leslie Osborn. The forum will be held Monday Oct. 10th at the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center. There will be a meet-and-greet with candidates starting at 4:30 and the forum will begin at 5:30.

Anadarko Library Offers Adult Basic Education Class

The Anadarko Public Library is now offering weekly Adult Basic Education classes. The programs are free and open to the public each Monday from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The class is being conducted by the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center. For information, contact the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $87.76 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $93.37.

Natural gas is $6.93 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,724 and silver is $20.60.

Obituaries

Alfretta Boardingham-Gill

Funeral service for Alfretta Boardingham-Gill, 77, formerly of Anadarko is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Helen Handke

Funeral service for Helen Handke, 94, of the Verden and Lake Chickasha area will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8th at the First Baptist Church of Verden. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

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Wednesday, Oct. 5th

(Burn bans are in effect for Grady, Stephens, Garvin, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

High Bond Set for Child Sexual Assault Suspect

A Grady County judge set a high bond for a Chickasha area man facing nearly a dozen charges of child rape and sexual assault. 61-year old Bryan Shaun Lile remains in the Grady County in lieu of a $500,000 bond. Lile was arraigned on 11 felonies in Grady County District Court yesterday. Grady County deputies were summoned to a home near Pocasset on Sept. 3rd where it is alleged that Lile was showing a 10-year old girl pornography and X-rated pictures on his phone. On Sept. 13th, investigators took the child to the Mary Abbott House in Norman for a forensic interview and she alleged there were 10 occasions when she was assaulted. Lile is facing one count of rape and several counts of lewd acts with a child. He's to be back in court next Tuesday to announce his attorney with a preliminary hearing conference set next Wednesday.

Farmers Can Now Apply for Drought Relief Funds

Agriculture producers can now begin applying for drought relief approved by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission this week. Each county will have $33,000 to distribute. Producers are eligible for up to $7,500 in drought relief which is part of an 80-20 match. Producers have until December 2nd to fill out the applications with their local conservation districts. In Grady County, the office is at 9th and Choctaw in Chickasha. There are three offices in Caddo County - the South Caddo Conservation District in Anadarko; the West Caddo Conservation District in Ft. Cobb; and the North Caddo Conservation District in Hinton.

Crews Demolish Former Restaurant

to Make Way for New Convenience Store

Demolition has begun on a former Chickasha restaurant to make way for a new convenience store. Crews spent much of yesterday at the former Fisherman's Seafood and Bar in the 500 block of Grand Avenue. The City of Chickasha recently vacated the easements in the alley just north of Grand Avenue to make room for a new Roasters' Market Convenience Store and coffee shop. It will be the second location for Lawson Retail Properties. Mike Lawson said their first location opened in Ada two years ago.

Chickasha Schedules Fall Clean-up Days

Chickasha officials are combining efforts for a community-wide fall clean-up campaign. The City of Chickasha and The Economic Development Council will provide an area for residents to take their unwanted items and debris. This is similar to the spring clean-up campaign however, instead of several roll-off dumpsters located throughout the city there will be just one location. They will be at the city's Public Works Department which is north of the animal shelter on Genevieve Street. The dumpsters will be available all next week - Monday, Oct. 10th through Friday, Oct. 15th from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday, Oct 16th from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You will have to show a copy of your Chickasha water bill. Items which cannot be placed in the dumpsters include hazardous waste, pesticides, Freon, paint, motor oil, batteries and tires.

Voter Registration Deadline Looms for Nov. 8th Election

The mid-term elections are about a month away and that means the deadline to register to vote Tuesday, Nov. 8th is coming up. Election board officials say individuals who have never registered to vote and want to cast ballots have until next Friday, Oct. 14th to do complete registration. Voters who may need to update their registration because of a name change or a new address are also encouraged to update their registration. Also, registered voters who would like an absentee ballot mailed to them have until Monday, Oct. 24th to apply. You can register to vote at your local county election board or go to the state election board website and use the voter portal. The website is: www.oklahoma.gov/elections

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.52 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $91.80.

Natural gas is $6.83 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,714 and silver is $20.46.

Obituaries

Anna Edens

A graveside service for Anna Edens, 85, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Anita Hood

A graveside service for Anita Hood, 86, of Oklahoma City and formerly of Cement will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, Oct. 10th at the Cement Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Tuesday, Oct. 4th

(Burn bans are in effect for Grady, Stephens, Garvin, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties)

Suspect Arrested for Child Sex Crimes

A Chickasha man is in the Grady County Jail facing nearly a dozen charges of sex crimes against children. Grady County deputies arrested 61-year old Brian Shaun Lile yesterday afternoon. On-line court records indicate that a warrant was issued for Liles’ arrest on Sept. 22nd. The warrant was for one count of rape by instrumentation to a child under 12 years old. He's facing 10 other charges which include performing lewd acts to children and in front of children under 12 years old. Lile is expected to have his initial appearance on the charges in Grady County District Court today.

City of Chickasha to Sell Vacant City-Owned Lots

A number of vacant or un-used lots owned by the City of Chickasha are going to be sold. Last night the city council approved selling the lots, many of which are large enough to build single-family homes, with a couple of the lots large enough to build duplexes. Parks and  Recreation Director Spencer Wizenried says some of the lots are in the flood plain and would have to be built up out of the flood plain before construction could begin. He said city crews currently mow all of the sites and that takes time away from other projects. Details of the lots are available at city hall. Officials will be taking sealed bids on the properties in the near future.

Pursuit Suspect Faces Eluding, Weapons Charges

The man arrested by Apache police over the weekend after leading authorities on a high-speed chase has been formally charged with two felonies in Caddo County District Court. Brett Allen Howard of Oracle, AZ is charged with eluding or attempting to elude and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Howard was arrested Saturday - two days after eluding police in a chase that topped 110 miles per hour. Authorities found a number of rifles and thousands of rounds of ammunition in his vehicle. Howard remains in the Caddo County jail on a $20,000 bond.

Some Drought Relief Approved for Ag Producers

The Oklahoma Conservation Commission will be sending out more than $2.5 million in emergency drought relief to Oklahoma farmers and ranchers. Each of the state's 77 counties will have $33,000 to distribute. These will be cost-share funds that will be available at an 80-20 match. The maximum funds for each producer will be $7,500. State Representative Dick Lowe (R-Amber) said the funds will be distributed by county conservation districts. The staff of the county conservation districts will attend training on the program today. Producers can reach out to their local districts starting tomorrow and producers will have until Dec. 2nd to apply.

Food Truck Championship Winners Announced

We have the winners of the Oklahoma Food Truck Championship which drew thousands of people to Chickasha last weekend. The overall winner was Mindy Mae's Fat Stacks which was the winner of the Savory Category. Creek Bottom Burgers of Verden was the second-place finisher in that division. The Sweet Division winner was Metro Minis with Scotty's Treats the runner-up. The Most Creative food truck was Some Like it Tot, and the fan favorite was Afonsno's Smoked Barbecue.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.63 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $88.86.

Natural gas is $6.47 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,717 and silver is $20.94.

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Monday, Oct. 3rd

(Burn bans are in effect in Grady and Garvin counties)

Pedestrian Killed in Caddo County Accident

An Anadarko man died this past weekend after being hit by an SUV. 58-year old Charles Tustison of Anadarko was walking in the area of 38105 CS 2650 about two miles south of Anadarko just before 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The Highway Patrol reports that Tustison was struck by an SUV driven by 37-year old Leah Kaulity also of Anadarko. Kaulity and two children in the SUV with her were not hurt.

Grady County Truck Driver Involved in Fatal Crash

The highway patrol continues to investigate a deadly crash that occurred over the weekend involving a Grady County truck driver. The accident took place about 10:00 a.m. Saturday near Coalgate in southeast Oklahoma. The highway patrol reports that a semi driven by 53-year old Russell Dyer of Alex was southbound on a county road and went left-of-center while attempting to turn onto a state highway. The semi was hit by a pickup driven by 78-year old Martin Brown of Coalgate who died of his injuries. Dyer was not injured.

Chix City Council to Consider Declaring

Some City-Owned Property as Surplus

Chickasha city officials will consider declaring a number of city-owned lots as surplus and authorize the sale of those properties. During tonight's city council meeting, the panel will consider locations at 1103 N. 11th; 2111 Dakota; 1407 S. 1st; 923 Minnesota; a parcel of land in the Kenwood addition; and 1007 N. 9th as surplus. Only the surface rights will be sold. If approved, the city will accept sealed bids on those properties with a time and date to be published by a legal publication.

Signal Light Repair Project to be Discussed

The council is also to consider spending about $60,000 to repair the signal lights at 9th and Grand which were damaged in recent traffic accident. The panel is expected to award the project to Traffic Signals, Inc.

Public Hearing to be Held for Use-on-Review Permit

The panel is also to hold a public hearing regarding a proposed use-on-review permit for Josh Woods on property in the 1800 block of West Grand and to consider requests from the Chamber of Commerce. One of them is to hold the annual Neewollah Festival for Halloween on Monday, Oct. 31st; and the  other is to close a portion of Chickasha Avenue the evening of Saturday, Nov. 5th for the grand opening of the first phase of the new park being built next to the Rock Island Railroad Depot. The council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

Caddo County Pursuit Suspect Arrested

A man who initially managed to elude Caddo County authorities after a high-speed pursuit was eventually arrested - and he was found to have weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition in his vehicle. On Thursday, September 29th Apache police were dispatched to the town's sports complex to investigate a verbal disturbance. KSWO-TV reports that the suspect led authorities on a chase at speeds that topped 110 miles per hour and he managed to get away. However, the suspect returned to Apache on Saturday and authorities arrested 53-year old Brett Howard of Arizona on a complaint of felony eluding. In a routine search of Howard's vehicle authorities found several rifles and an estimated 4,000 rounds of ammunition.

Drought Relief for Ag Producers Nears

State agriculture producers are a little closer to getting some drought relief. The Oklahoma Emergency Drought Commission met last Friday and authorized a program proposed by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to distribute $3 million to help producers.

That’s K.C. Shephard with the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.49 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $87.96.

Natural gas is $6.76 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,672 and silver is $19.36.

Obituaries

Roger Ziegenfuss

Funeral service for Roger Ziegenfuss, 82, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7th at Bible Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Army reserves. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Saturday, Oct. 1st

(Burn bans are in effect in Grady and Garvin counties)

Suspects Arrested for Alleged Drug Trafficking

Grady County authorities continue their efforts to rid the streets of illegal pain-killing drugs laced with deadly fentanyl. Deputies arrested two people for alleged drug trafficking after finding an individual wanted for not showing up in court. It happened Tuesday, Sept. 27^th when authorities went to the Maverick Inn. Authorities were looking for 29-year old Dustyn Rudder of Chickasha who was wanted for failure to appear following a previous arrest for domestic abuse in the presence of a minor. Authorities found Rudder and several other individuals in a room where illegal drugs were out in the open. Authorities seized more than 60 pills which tested positive for fentanyl, hydrocodone pills, Xanax bars, and more than 15 grams of methamphetamine. Authorities arrested Rudder on his outstanding warrant and also arrested 36-year old Cara Lihn Bromlow of Verden on a drug-related complaint. Both have been charged with a felony for aggravated drug trafficking and remain in the Grady County Jail on $250,000 bond each.

Body of Missing Man Found

The body of a missing Chickasha man was found in a cotton field just outside of town this week. Relatives reported Juan Mata as missing after he didn’t come home from work Tuesday night. His body was found southeast of Chickasha about 8:15 a.m. Wednesday. Grady County Undersheriff Gary Boggess said relatives indicated Mata suffered from a number of health issues and was supposed to see a doctor later that day. No foul play is suspected in connection with Mata’s death.

Lindsay-area Well has Good Production Numbers

A recently filed oil well completion report shows some good production at a site near Lindsay. The Yoshi Well five miles southwest of Lindsay was producing 2,000 barrels of oil-equivalent and more than 1,900 Mcf of natural gas per day. The well is in Section 5 of Township 3 North and 4 West in Garvin County. The spud date for the well in the Springer Formation was last December and it was drilled to a depth of more than 20,000 feet.

Talk Show Topics

State Representatives Dick Lowe (R-Amber) and Brad Boles (R-Marlow) are on our KOOL Konversation program discussing the $1.4 billion in ARPA funded projects that were approved this week by state lawmakers and the drought relief approved for farmers and ranchers. Our guest on Real Estate is Chantry Banks with Preservation Oklahoma discussing endangered historical sites in the state. Find podcasts to both programs under the Community tab on this website.

Obituaries

Juan Mata

Funeral service for Juan Mata, 80, of Chickasha was held at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon (Saturday) at the First Baptist Church. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.

Roger Ziegenfuss

Funeral service for Roger Ziegenfuss, 82, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7th at Bible Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Army reserves. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

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Friday, Sept. 30th

(Burn bans are in effect in Grady and Garvin counties)

Consumer Spending 'Steady' in Grady County

A new report indicates that consumer spending has been fairly steady this year. It shows that more than $94 million was spent on taxable goods and services in the month of May. That was down a fraction from April and both are among the top months for spending at retail outlets in 2022. Consumer spending estimates are based the county sales tax revenue. The most recent report shows Grady County received about $707,000 in sales tax revenue in July (which was paid on retail purchases in the month of May). The county has a 3/4ths of a penny sales tax and the revenue generated is distributed to a number of programs which were all approved by county voters. The Grady County Fairgrounds received $236,000; Grady Memorial Hospital received nearly $209,000; county and municipal fire departments shared $118,000 so each one received about $9,000; seven senior nutrition centers shared $118,000 and each one received $17,000. Tuttle EMS received nearly $22,000; and Rush Springs EMS received $5,400.

State Group Meets to Distribute Emergency Drought Funds

The drought of 2022 has been hard on Oklahoma's farmers and ranchers. State lawmakers this week approved providing $20 million for drought relief for producers. One official said they saw the drought coming this past spring and at that time set aside $5 million to help but the drought is much worse than anticipated and its feared that the state could lose many family farms and ranches. Altogether, lawmakers plan to set aside $23 million to help producers who are at the breaking point. Gov. Kevin Stitt recently issued an emergency drought declaration which brought to life a long dormant group called the Emergency Drought Commission. That group will be meeting today to determine how some of the money will be spent.

Rock Island Arts Festival Headlines Weekend Activities

Thousands of visitors will be making their way to Chickasha over the next few days for one of the city’s busiest weekends of the year. Activities start today with the 14th annual Rock Island Arts Festival. 90 artisans and crafters will have items for sale; there's live music and entertainment; and children's activities each day through Sunday. Tomorrow morning is the 6th annual Rock Island Ride bicycle tour with some 300 riders expected. Also tomorrow morning is the Together We Heel (Heal) walk to end domestic violence for the Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network. Also tomorrow is the 5th annual Oklahoma Food Truck Championship with some 30 food trucks lining Chickasha Avenue all competing for $10,000 in prize money.

JSW Spaghetti Day is Today

Spaghetti Day has arrived for a local group. This is the 57th year for the Chickasha Junior Social Workers (JSW) annual fundraiser. A year's worth of planning comes together for the event. Stephanie Adams is this year's chairwoman and says the three months before the event is when they really get busy.

All the proceeds from Spaghetti Day are distributed to local charities. There are two serving times with lunch from 11 to 2 and tonight from 5 to 7:30. It takes place at the Grady County Fairgrounds in the north exhibit building. Dine in or carryout is available.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.23.

London-based Brent crude is $88.49.

Natural gas is $6.87 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,674 and silver is $18.95.

Obituary

Lahoma Spurlin

Funeral service for Lahoma Spurlin, 89, of Chickasha will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Thursday, Sept. 29th

(Burn bans are in effect in Grady and Garvin counties)

Grady County Burn Ban Re-instated

A lack of rain, warmer than normal temperatures, dry conditions, and low humidity levels are all factors that were considered in a decision to re-instate a burn ban in Grady County. In a brief special meeting Wednesday county commissioners approved a resolution to put the ban in place immediately. The ban will be in effect for the next two weeks and is effective through Oct. 12th. There should be no trash, brush, or pasture burning during the ban. Farmers and ranchers with prescribed burn plans should follow state department of agriculture guidelines. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson said barbecuing and welding are allowed under certain conditions.

Much of the region hasn’t received any rain since before Labor Day and forecasts are showing little if any rain chances through mid-October. The U.S. Drought Monitor has much of the region from Duncan to Enid and from Norman to Altus in the second highest designation of drought called a D-3 or 'extreme' drought. The highest level is a D-4 or exceptional drought.

Two Teens Die in Caddo County Crash

There's been another fatal traffic accident in the region where teenagers have died. Two Carnegie teens were killed in a one-vehicle accident that happened in Caddo County just after 7:00 p.m. last night (Wednesday). The unidentified boys were 13 and 15 years old. The accident happened near CR 1320 and CS 2585 about 3 1/2 miles east of Ft. Cobb. Two adults in the vehicle with the teens were air lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital with head injuries and both were treated and released. The adults were identified as 33-year old Josh Kestler and 26-year old Erica Mayfield also of Carnegie. The highway patrol reports that Kestler was driving. No details of the crash were provided and the highway patrol says the investigation is on-going. With last night’s deaths, four teenagers have now lost their lives in area traffic accidents over the last couple of weeks. A 14-year old Dibble girl died when she was hit by an SUV after chasing a family pet onto a highway and a 13-year old Lawton boy died in a crash on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike northeast of Chickasha this past weekend.

Biker Dies in Multi-Vehicle Accident

A Blanchard man died when his motorcycle was part of a four-vehicle crash in Norman. 70-year old Garth McDonald died in the crash that happened about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday near I-35 at Indian Hills Road. One of the other vehicles involved was driven by 36-year old Ashley Wescott of Lindsay. She was not injured. The highway patrol is still investigating that deadly crash.

Chix Police Seeks Info on Person of Interest

The Chickasha Police Department is seeking information about a person of interest who may have information about some recent thefts. Officials didn't provide any details about their investigation. Authorities posted a photograph of the individual on the Chickasha Police Department’s Facebook page. Police ask that you take a look at it and if you have information on his name or location you can call the police department's non-emergency dispatch number, 405-222-6050.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.15 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $89.32.

Natural gas is $6.87 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,655 and silver is $18.64.

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Wednesday, Sept. 28th

(A burn ban is in effect for Garvin County)

Fire Damages Two Homes

Chickasha fire crews were dispatched to a blaze that threatened a residential neighborhood yesterday. The fire in the 700 block of West Minnesota was called in about noon. Fire Chief Tony Samaniego-

Samaniego said both homes were occupied when the fire started but everyone managed to escape without injury as did a couple of pets. Samaniego said the cause of the fire was an electric smoker. Marsha Terry and her 89-year old father live at the home where the fire started. Marsha said she wasn’t home when the fire started and was thankful her dad and pets were not hurt. However the home suffered major damage.

Samaniego estimated $75,000 in damage to the Terry home and $25,000 in damage to the duplex.

Suspect Arrested in 'Trucker-Style-Bat' Taser Attack

A woman is arrested for allegedly using a trucker-style bat taser in a robbery attempt. 33-year old Elizabeth Christine Benedict was taken into custody early Sunday. A probable cause affidavit indicates Chickasha Police were called to the 1400 block of South 17th Street just before 5 a.m. that morning where two victims had been assaulted and had blood on their faces. Paramedics were dispatched but both victims refused treatment. One of the victims said he had given Benedict and another person a ride and that Benedict asked him for money. The victim said he turned his back on the suspect and that's when he was attacked. Officers found Benedict just a couple of blocks away and she told investigators that the two had been arguing all day and that the victim used a taser on her first. Prosecutors have charged Benedict with a felony for attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon. She remains in the Grady County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

Anadarko Moves Forward with New City Manager

Anadarko's new city manager says he will continue efforts to make improvements to the city. Richard Rogalski has been on board for about six weeks after previously serving as the assistant city manager for the City of Lawton. Anadarko Mayor Kelley McGlothlin says many of the Native American tribes in Anadarko are lending a hand with police, fire, and other needs.

Officials are also working to get additional grants to build a walking trail through the city and a new park and amphitheater downtown.

National Horse Group Brings Competition to Chix

As you know, a lot will be happening in Chickasha this weekend. Thousands of visitors will be in town for the Rock Island Arts Festival, the Oklahoma Food Truck Championship, and Rock Island Ride bicycle tour. But there is another event which will draw an estimated 1,000 people from across the country to the area. The Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America based in Stephens City, VA will be holding its American National Show at the Grady County Fairgrounds. There are divisions for adults and children. The first competitions get underway today will run through Sunday.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.50 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $86.27.

Natural gas is $6.65 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,624 and silver is $17.96.

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Tuesday, Sept. 27th

(Burn ban is in effect in Garvin County)

$1 Million Bond set for Suspect in Fatal Crash

A $1 million bond has been set for the Grady County man who allegedly caused that deadly crash on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike Saturday night. 33-year old Eric Nunez of Tuttle was formally charged with felonies which include first degree manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatality accident and a misdemeanor of possession of paraphernalia in Grady County District Court on Monday. A probable cause affidavit shows that after the crash, Nunez continued down the highway way for about five miles before pulling over. A Chickasha police officer made contact with Nunez and said the pickup he was driving had fresh damage. An odor of alcohol was present and Nunez was confused of his whereabouts. He believed he was in Oklahoma City and that he had not been in an accident. Nunez was taken to the hospital for a blood test but no results were available. Nunez is to back in court Oct. 6^th to announce his attorney and again Oct. 12^th for a  preliminary hearing conference. Several years ago Nunez pleaded guilty to felony drug possession stemming from a 2008 arrest in Tuttle.

Grady County Officials May Re-instate Burn Ban

A burn ban could be re-instated for Grady County. County Commissioners will hold a special meeting tomorrow afternoon to discuss the issue. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson told  commissioners at their regular meeting yesterday that the chiefs of many of the county's volunteer fire departments would like to put the ban back into place. This past weekend, eight of the county’s volunteer departments responded to a  grass fire south of Rush Springs which closed U.S. Highway 81 for some time due to lack of visibility from the smoke. If approved Grady County would join Garvin County with burns bans. Garvin County officials re-instated a burn ban yesterday which is in effect for two weeks.

State Rep Outlines Some Road, Bridge Projects

A number of state road and bridge improvement projects are scheduled for the region over the next few months. State Representative Brad Boles of Marlow listed some of them in a recent media column. Reconstruction of a portion of State Highway 39 from State Highway 76 west to the East Winter Creek Bridge is a more than $11 million project that is expected to begin next month. A portion of State Highway 19 is scheduled for reconstruction starting five miles east of Highway 81 and east through Alex and ending at Roaring Creek. That is a $45 million project. Reconstruction of a portion of U.S. Highway 277 southwest of Chickasha is a $14.3 million project. Further into the future, grading and bridge projects for the U.S. Highway 81 Bypass of Chickasha could be issued in the 2023 program year. Two projects associated with the bypass total nearly $92 million.

Prescribed Burn Group Meets Tonight

The Caddo and Grady County Prescribed Burn Association will meet in Chickasha tonight. There may be some discussion about the prescribed burning of red cedar trees in crop and pasture lands. Officials say a prescribed burning of the trees could go a long way in preserving ground water. It's estimated that each tree can move between 6 and 11 gallons of water into the air every day - that's about 100 gallons of water per week.  The meeting will be held at the Grady County OSU Extension office In Chickasha at 6:30 tonight.

Disabled Vets Must Register with Database

to Continue Receiving State Sales Tax Exemptions

Disabled military veterans are being urged to register with a state-sponsored database in order to keep their sales tax exemption. Veterans with the state-issued "blue" card need to enroll in the database by July of next year or they will lose the benefit. Veterans with 100 percent service-related disabilities are eligible for exemptions of up to $25,000 a year from sales taxes which include city and county-imposed taxes.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.71 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $84.06.

Natural gas is $6.90 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,641 and silver is $18.61.

Obituaries

Monty Wendling

Funeral service for Monty Wendling, 60, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29^th at Grand Assembly of God. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Joseph Richardson

Funeral service Joseph Richardson, 28, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1st at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Clifton Wilson

Funeral service for Clifton Wilson, 50, of Anadarko will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1st at Bethel Baptist Church in Anadarko. Arrangements are with Brown Thomas Funeral Home.

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Monday, Sept. 26th

Suspect Arrested in Connection with Deadly Turnpike Crash

A deadly crash on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike late Saturday night killed a Lawton teenager and hospitalized two other people in the vehicle with him. And the driver of the pick-up alleged to have caused the crash is behind bars on multiple complaints. The accident happened just before midnight Saturday near Mile Marker 89 about five miles northeast of Chickasha. A 13-year old boy died at the scene and two other passengers - a 12-year old boy and a 45-year old man - were both taken to an Oklahoma City hospital where they were admitted. The driver of that vehicle was treated and released. In jail is 33-year old Eric Armando Nunez of Tuttle. The highway patrol reports that an SUV and a pickup driven by Nunez were both westbound on the turnpike. It’s alleged Nunez was traveling at a high rate of speed when he hit the SUV, causing it to careen off the road and overturn several times. Nunez is being held on complaints that include manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatality accident, and DUI.

Fire Crews Handle Large Grady County Blaze

A number of fire departments were dispatched to a large grass fire south of Rush Springs yesterday. It broke out along an area along U.S. Highway 81 near CR1580 which is about four miles south of Rush Springs.  Several large round bales of hay caught fire and the flames came within 50-yards of a home. Authorities are still trying to determine the cause of that fire.

Monthly Expenses for Chickasha Residents

Are Lower the State, National Averages

A new report shows that Chickasha residents pay less for their monthly expenses than the average Oklahoman. The study by DOXO Insights shows that the average cost in Chickasha for the 10 most common household expenses is about $1,391 per month. That's about 15 percent lower that the state average of $1,634 and 30 percent lower than the national average of more than $2,000. The average mortgage payment is $787 and the average for rent is $714. Auto loans average about $424 per month, and utilities are about $225. Auto insurance is next at $176 per month followed by health insurance at $100. Mobile phone service is $84 and cable and internet is $78. The study indicates that 37 percent of the household income for Chickasha residents goes to pay for those expenses. Edmond is the most expensive city in Oklahoma at more than $2,260 per month. Blanchard is the 7th most expensive at $1,968. Chickasha is 44^th on the list of cities in the study. 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.84 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $85.03.

Natural gas is $6.83 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,649 and silver is $18.59.

Obituaries

Mildred Thompson

A private family service will be held for Mildred Thompson, 95, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

J.V. Lobaugh

A graveside service for J.V. Lobaugh, 91, of Chickasha was held at 10:00 a.m. today (Monday, Sept. 26th) at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements were with McCray Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Children's Home in Oklahoma City.

Link Jarnagin

Funeral service for Link Jarnagin, 71, of Ninnekah will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

Felicia Kearny

Funeral service for Felecia Kearny, 68, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29th at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Joseph Richardson

Funeral service for Joseph Richardson, 28, of Chickasha is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Saturday, Sept. 24th

City of Chix May Look for New Water Source

Chickasha officials may be faced with the prospect of finding a new water source. Mayor Chris Mosley brought up the issue in his State-of-the City address this week. The city currently gets its water from the Ft. Cobb Reservoir and Mosley said officials with the Ft. Cobb Master Conservancy District which oversees the reservoir recently made the suggestion.

The mayor says it’s not too early to begin the discussion to look at alternatives as officials look toward the city's needs for the second half of the 21s century.

$1 Million Bond Set for Suspect Who Spit on Officer

A suspect accused of spitting on a police officer and vandalizing a law enforcement vehicle is in the Caddo County Jail and is being held on a $1 million bond. A probable cause affidavit states that a Mr. Chen, identified as 47-year old John Doe, is believed to be from California but listed a Minco address. The Lawton Constitution cites the affidavit which charges the suspect with a felony for placing body fluids on a government employee, and misdemeanors for vandalism and public intoxication.

Ft. Sill Soldiers Head to the Ukraine Region

Some Ft. Sill soldiers will be heading overseas for a deployment to Europe. About 300 members of the First Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Division will be supporting NATO troops in the fight to defend Ukraine. A number of HIMARS rocket launchers will be sent with them. A formal Casing of the Colors ceremony was held for the soldiers yesterday. The ceremony wraps the battalion flag for the trip overseas which will be unfurled once they reach their destination.

Blanchard Hosts Mufflers on Main

For the second straight weekend, classic car and truck enthusiasts can check out some of the sharpest such vehicles in the region. Last weekend the Saturday Night Cruisers held their annual care show in Chickasha. Today, the City of Blanchard’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting Mufflers on Main. It features more than 150 vehicles with classy chassis's waxed to the max, shiny chrome, and unique body styles. More than 60 trophies will be awarded in several divisions. There will be live music throughout the day and food trucks will be on hand. It's not too late to register if you have a car or truck you'd like to enter. The actual show will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.

Talk Show Topics

Krystal Jarnagin and Stephanie Adams with the Chickasha Junior Social Workers are on the KOOL Konversation talking about their group's upcoming Spaghetti Day. Also, Anadarko Mayor Kelly McGlothlin and City Manager Richard Rogalski are on Real Estate Today. Find podcasts to both programs under the community tab on this website

Obituaries

Mildred Thompson

A private family service will be held for Mildred Thompson, 95, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

J.V. Lobaugh

A graveside service for J.V. Lobaugh, 91, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26^th at Fairlawn Cemetery. He was a pastor and minister for nearly 60 years. Arrangements are with McCray Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Children's Home in Oklahoma City.

Joseph Richardson

A funeral service for Joseph Richardson, 28, of Chickasha is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

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Friday, Sept. 23rd

Keith Johnson Formally Hired as Chix City Manager

The Chickasha City Council formally hired Keith Johnson to serve as the next city manager. Following a 13-minute closed door session held during a special meeting last night, the council voted 6-0 to hire Johnson, who is currently the County Administrator of Franklin County in Washington State. Council representatives Oscar Nelson, Kia Ginn, and R.P. Ashanti- Alexander were absent from the meeting. Johnson has a long history of working for city, county, and state government agencies, including several years as a comptroller for the State of Oklahoma. Mayor Chris Mosley says Johnson's experience was a key to his selection.

In addition to his government work, Johnson has worked in the private sector as a director for the software company, Oracle. Johnson is expected to start in November. The city council hired Johnson after previous city manager Tyler Brooks resigned this past spring after just six months on the job. Johnson's base salary will be $145,000 per year.

Chix Mayor Presents 'State-of-the-City' Address

The City of Chickasha made a lot of progress over the last year and officials are working to make things even better in the future. That was the subject of Mayor Mosley's State of the City address yesterday. Mosley spoke to a number of business and education leaders discussing a number of issues...including one of financial stability. He said officials spent several months auditing thousands of utility bills and found a number of discrepancies. Mosley said after fixing the problems and raising utility rates, the city will have several million more dollars in revenue over the next several months.

Mosley also said the city is hoping to begin a major drainage project in the next couple of years and the city is looking to build a new raw water treatment plant further into the future.

Ninnekah Man Selected as 'Feel to Love' Winner

A Ninnekah man will be receive a free upgrade to his home heating and and air conditioning system courtesy of a local contractor. Bill Graves was selected to get the new system from DeHart Heating and Air Conditioning and Lennox from the companies' Feel the Love program. Graves was a local banker for many years and served nearly 25 years in the U.S. Air Force. He was nominated for the project by his granddaughter, who said that Bill goes above and beyond for every single person. He's 85-years old and suffering from some health issues and deserves to have someone help him after he's helped so many over the years. The installation of the system will take place at Grave's Ninnekah home today.

Longtime Attorney, CHS Football Announcer Bob Hays Dies

Long-time local attorney Bob Hays has died. Hays practiced law for many years and also served as a municipal court judge. He served on the board of directors for Chickasha Bank and Liberty National Bank. He also spent several years on the USAO Board of Regents, serving for a year as chairman. He grew up in Weatherford and started writing sports for his high school newspaper and continued writing while attending Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He then went to the University of Oklahoma where he earned a degree in journalism and was a sports writer for the Daily Oklahoman. He also earned his law degree at the OU law school. Hays also spent many years as the color commentator for Chickasha High School football games on KWCO radio. Hays was 83 when he passed away at his home Wednesday. Survivors include his wife Shirley, their daughters and their families. Funeral service for Bob Hays will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday Sept. 26th at Epworth Methodist Church. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the USAO baseball and softball programs through the USAO Foundation.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.49 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $90.46.

Natural gas is $7.09 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,664 and silver is $19.34.

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Thursday, Sept. 22nd

Guard Rail Installed at Dangerous Curve

Where A Ninnekah Family was Injured

Grady County officials are hoping an upgrade to county road where a rollover crash hurt several members of a Ninnekah family will prevent future accidents. A guardrail was recently placed along the roadway where a car with a mother and three children ran off a dangerous curve and rolled down a ravine and into a canyon. The Ricky Wells family is grateful for the efforts of Grady County Undersheriff Gary Boggess for having the guard rail placed installed. Boggess told KOCO News that one of things he likes best about his job is to make sure people's lives are safer. Two of the children injured in the accident continue their recovery and the Wells family says the response from the community to help them has been amazing.

Funeral Set for Dibble Teen

The Dibble teenager who died after being hit by an SUV while chasing a family pet on to a highway will be laid to rest Saturday. Sabrina Moreno died in the tragic accident which happened just south of the Dibble Crossroads Tuesday night. The teen had just celebrated her 14th birthday last week. Dibble school superintendent Chad Clanton said Sabrina was a good student in the 8th grade. The school brought in additional counselors and local churches sent support groups to Dibble schools Wednesday to help grieving classmates and staff. A local Girl Scout troop set up a memorial where the accident happened and will also have some fund-raisers to help the family with funeral expenses and other needs. Sabrina's funeral will be at 10 o'clock Saturday morning at the Eisenhour Funeral Home in Blanchard.

Chix Chamber Program Set for Women Business Owners

A program designed for businesses owned by women is being offered by the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce. Cathy Curtis with the State Department of Commerce will discuss tips and tricks in obtaining business grants, business development and women-owned business certification; and state-certified incubator programs. It's part of the Chickasha Chamber's Lunch and Learn Series. It will be held next Wednesday, Sept. 28th at noon at the chamber office. Cost is $10 and individuals wanting to attend should RSVP the chamber by the close of business on Monday.

Chix Library to Register Kids for 'Imagination Library'

We recently reported that the Chickasha Public Library will be joining the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The country music Hall-of-Famer developed the program nearly 30 years ago to give free books to young children and is mailing books around the world. The Friends of the Chickasha Library will start enrolling children in the Imagination Library during the upcoming Rock Island Arts Festival on Friday, Sept. 30^th and Saturday, Oct. 1st. It's for children five and under, and children will receive an age-appropriate book in the mail every month addressed to them. For information visit the Chickasha Public Library or go to the website:

www.imaginationlibrary.com

Bedlam Blood Drive This Afternoon

There is always a need for blood donations and KOOL/RANCH radio stations, the YMCA, and the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) are hosting a Bedlam Blood Drive today. Donor will receive their choice of an OSU or OU blood drive t-shirt. The blood mobile will be in the YMCA parking lot from 12:30 to 5:30 this afternoon. Walk-ins are welcome. To find an upcoming blood drive in your area check out the Oklahoma Blood institute website: www.obi.org

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.94 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $89.83.

Natural gas is $7.78 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,676 and silver is $19.58.

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Wednesday, Sept. 21st

Dibble Teen Dies After Being Hit by SUV

Residents in Dibble are mourning the death of a teenaged girl today. The highway patrol reports the 14-year old ran into the roadway to try and catch a dog, when she was struck and killed by an SUV. She died at the scene. The accident happened just before 9:30 last night on State Highway 76 at 214th Street. The name of the girl was not released. The SUV, a 2022 Lincoln Navigator, was driven by 64-year old Tena Tucker of Lindsay. A passenger was 66-year old Greg Tucker also of Lindsay. Neither of them were injured.

Chix City Council Schedules Special Meeting

to Officially Hire New City Manager

A special meeting of the Chickasha City Council is set for tomorrow night to consider officially hiring the next city manager. In Monday night's regular council meeting, the panel unanimously voted to recommend Keith Johnson for the post. The council will go behind closed doors tomorrow night to discuss the possible approval of an employment agreement with Johnson. In addition, the council will consider an emergency clause to close the public right-of-way in the alley between the 500 blocks of Grand Ave. and Utah Ave. Earlier this week  the council approved vacating the property behind a former seafood restaurant in order to build a new convenience store. The special meeting will be held at 6 o'clock tomorrow night at city hall.

Water Leak Causes 'Lights Out' Issue at CHS Sports Arena

An electrical problem at the Chickasha High School Activity Center caused the lights to go out at the CHS Sports Arena over the weekend. Officials had just completed the regional high school cheerleading competition Saturday afternoon when the lights went out. Athletic Director Jerry Don Bray said they traced the problem to a broken water line in one of the bathrooms in the lobby. Water had leaked downstairs into the electrical room and ‘fried’ a panel. Bray said it will take a couple of weeks for a new panel to be delivered and installed. The lights are only out in the basketball arena although the lights in the lobby and auditorium still work. Some of the activities that were scheduled in the fieldhouse over the next couple of weeks will be moved to Myers Fieldhouse at the middle school and some will be held in the old high school gymnasium.

Newest USAO Regent Takes Oath of Office

The newest regent for USAO has been sworn in to office. Elgin Mayor J.J. Francais will serve a seven-year term on the panel. Francais is USAO grad and was sworn in by District Judge Kory Kirkland at this month's regents meeting. Francais received the appointment from Gov. Kevin Stitt. Francais' term runs through June 30th of 2029.

Researchers Find New Use for Old Grady County Oil Well

It's history in the making for a former Grady County oil well which has been transformed into a geo-thermal energy source. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held tomorrow on the outskirts of Tuttle at 508 East Rock Creek Road. The actual well is located in a pasture. The ceremony will be held by the University of Oklahoma's Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy. The website OK Energy Today reports the project has received national attention. After the wells are modified to produce geothermal energy researchers will spend the next year measuring the energy production to see if the output meets their estimates and if the wells will create enough energy to heat two nearby schools.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $84.45 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $90.62.

Natural gas is $7.72 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,682 and silver is $19.53.

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Tuesday, Sept. 20th

Contract Talks to Begin with Potential new City Manager

After interviewing a couple of candidates for the vacant city manager post, the Chickasha City Council picked one of them to potentially be the city's next administrator. Following an executive session during last night's council meeting, the panel unanimously selected Keith Johnson. Johnson has not yet been hired but officials will begin contract talks with him. Officials did not say where Johnson was from or where he currently works.

Tattoo Parlors to be Allowed in Chickasha's Downtown Historic District

The council approved a change in the city's historic zoning ordinance which will allow tattoo parlors to locate in the downtown area. The ordinance currently bans the parlors from the area. There were no comments either for or against the issue during a public hearing on the proposal. The council also approved closing the alleyway and easements just north of the 500 block of Grand Avenue. During a public hearing on that issue, Mike Lawson with Lawson Retail Properties said they are in contract discussions to purchase the property where a former seafood restaurant is located. Plans are to demolish the restaurant and build a new convenience store and gas station. The company has a similar store in Ada. Lawson said they estimate having about 30 employees.

Work to Begin Soon to Add More Lights to Festival of Light

The council also approved a payment of nearly $30,000 to a firm which will install new electrical panels in Shannon Springs Park to be used for the expansion of the Festival of Light. Parks Director Spencer Wizenried said the company is ready to break ground on the work and it is expected to be in service for the 30th annual festival this fall. The council also honored Sandra Robertson who recently retired after a 23-year career with the library.

Grady County Commissioners Sign Off on ARPA Projects

Grady County Commissioners approved some $1.8 million projects to be funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The Chickasha Express Star reports that Rural Water District 6 in Pocasset was awarded $700,000 for wells, hydrants, and system repairs. Rural Water District 7 in Ninnekah was awarded $600,000 for the construction of new water towers and related improvements. Grady County Emergency Management was awarded more than $350,000 for a new command and communications vehicle; the Bridge Creek Fire District will receive $107,000 for medical equipment needed for health and safety projects; and Rural Water District 2 in Amber will get $73,000 for the cleaning, re-coating, and repairs of water towers.

Grady County Fire Board Meets Tonight

The appointment of a new fire chief at the Pocasset Volunteer Fire Department and acknowledging new fire firefighters for the Pioneer and Farwell stations are among the issues to be discussed during the monthly Grady County Fire Board meeting tonight. The group will go behind closed doors to discuss the possible appointment of Cooper Grove to lead the Pocasset department. The panel will also get an update on potential ARPA grants and discuss the month of October as being Fire Prevention Month. The fire board meets at 7 o'clock tonight in the community room of the Grady County Emergency Management Office.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.36 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $92.00.

Natural gas is $7.75 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,674 and silver is $19.29.

Obituaries

Luther Sledge

A graveside service for Luther Sledge, 94, of Chickasha was held at 11:00 a.m. today (Tuesday, Sept. 20^th) at Fairlawn Cemetery. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Arrangements were with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Hugh Givens

Funeral service for Hugh Givens, 85, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21st at the First and Georgia Church of Christ. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Darlene Baum

Funeral service for Darlene Baum, 77, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21^st at Newsong Church of God. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Phyllis Ladyman

Funeral service for Phyllis Ladyman, 85, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21^st at Chickasha's First Assembly of God Church. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Debra Ann Harris

No service is scheduled for Debra Ann Harris, 64, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Monday, Sept. 19th

Chix City Council to Discuss City Manager Candidates

A closed-door session of the Chickasha City Council will be part of tonight's council meeting as the group discusses a couple of candidates for the vacant city manager post. The council held interviews over the last couple of weeks including one this past Friday. It's not clear if the council will be hiring one of the two candidates tonight. The panel will hold two public hearings including one to change the ordinance which bans tattoo parlors in the city's downtown historic district. The Planning Commission is recommending the change. Another public hearing will be held to consider a request for the city to vacate some property between the 500 blocks of Grand Ave. and Utah Ave. in order for a company to build a convenience store.

Council to Nix Hilliary Broadband Proposal; Consider AT&T

Last fall, the city council approved a quote from Hilliary Communications to install broadband internet service at most city buildings. Tonight, the council will consider terminating that quote due to non-performance. The panel will then consider entering an agreement with AT&T to provide that service.

Payment for Hwy 81 Bypass Water Line Construction Proposed

The council will also consider approving a payment of nearly $300,000 to Miller Construction and Sons for water main construction associated with the U.S. Highway 81 Bypass project. It’s the first of three phases to install water lines associated with the bypass west of the city limits. The total estimated cost of water line construction is nearly $950,000. Officials with the state department of transportation are expected to pay for 60 percent of the total cost of water main relocations. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

Salvation Army to Expand Caddo County Services

The Salvation Army which serves Grady and Caddo counties will soon be expanding its services in Caddo County. For about the last year, the group has been providing help for families one day each week throughout Caddo County from its Anadarko office. Crystal McFarland says within a couple of weeks that office will be open every day.

The Anadarko office is located inside Bethel Baptist Church and will be open a half-day Monday through Friday mornings beginning Oct. 3rd. For information about services call 405-224-5647.

Volunteers Sought for Rock Island Arts Festival

The Rock Island Arts Festival is less than two weeks away. More than 90 spaces have been reserved for the three-day event which is set for Friday, Sept. 30th through Sunday, Oct. 2nd and will be held in the area of Chickasha's Rock Island Railroad Depot. Officials are looking for volunteers to help in any number of ways including visiting with vendors and offering to be a booth sitter, working the festival’s food booth, helping with the dunk tank, and spending some time in the festival's information booth. April Shipley Brenner is the volunteer coordinator. Reach out to her via e-mail: april.shipley@gmail.com

OHCE to Serve Lunch to Military Veterans

Military veterans will be treated to a lunch of beans, cornbread, and cobbler at the Grady County Veterans Center tomorrow. The Grady County OHCE will provide the meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20th at the center which is located in downtown Chickasha at 6th and Chickasha Ave.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.11 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $91.35.

Natural gas is $7.76 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,672 and silver is $19.35.

Obituaries

Anna Douglas

Funeral service for Anna Douglas, 85, of Tuttle were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19^th at First Baptist Church of Tuttle. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.

Nathan Bailey

A graveside service for Nathan Bailey, 85, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday Sept. 23rd in the Cement Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.