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Saturday, November 18th

 

Gov's Partial Veto May Lead to Another Special Session

Drama over budget issues at the state capital continue. After lawmakers finally passed a make-shift budget bill following eight weeks of turmoil in a special session, Gov. Mary Fallin vetoes part of the plan. And, Fallin wants lawmakers to return for another special session to iron out some issues that weren't addressed over the last two months. The governor said the bill doesn't provide a long-term solution to recurring budget deficits. And within three months, lawmakers will be facing a $600 million shortfall when the next regular session of the legislature begins. Fallin said the constant budget crisis has put lawmakers in survival mode, and that she wants the state to thrive. She said that can only happen when officials can adequately and consistently fund core services. And that will only happen when they find sustainable and predictable revenue sources. Among programs that Fallin kept in place were funding for the DHS Advantage Waiver program, the Health Care Authority won't have to reduce SoonerCare provider rates, and mental health cuts won't be as severe as first thought.

 

Ninnekah Man Arrested Again on Burglary Allegations

For the second time in two weeks, a Ninnekah man is arrested on allegations of burglary. 56-year old Tommy Overstreet was picked up on a warrant from the Grady County sheriff's office late Thursday. The most recent complaint stems from a break-in that occurred in Ninnekah on Oct. 30th. An arrest warrant affidavit indicates that Overstreet is seen on video surveillance breaking into a building, and stealing an airbrush and art supplies. His photo was placed on social media where someone identified him. Overstreet was out of jail after posting bond on recent charges of breaking into a shed at another Ninnekah home, where he's accused of taking a generator, a welder, and some shop tools.

 

Holiday Lights Begin to Shine

Many Oklahoma communities are already in the holiday spirit, with several light displays opening this weekend. Chickasha's Festival of Light opens its 25th year at Shannon Springs Park tonight with some 3 million lights adorning the 43-acre park. A ferris wheel has been added to the attractions this year, and the event has the tallest lighted Chrismas tree in the state at more than 160 feet tall. In Lawton, they'll start their holiday spectacular with a lighted parade tonight. More than 60 entries will start at Central Mall and finish at Elmer Thomas Park. Yukon is also among central Oklahoma towns putting up light displays to create holiday cheer and attract visitors to their community with Christmas in the Park, where they boast 4 million lights. Each of the light displays will be open nightly through New Year's Eve.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. You'll be seeing the Salvation Army red kettles in many areas soon. Lt. David Brittle with the Salvation Army division which serves the Grady and Caddo county areas is on our KOOL Konversation Program to talk about their efforts, and how you can help needy families. On Real Estate Today with John Mosley, Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir and public information officer Lisa Hatchett will give an update on the new security room under construction at the Grady County courthouse, and other topics. We have links to both programs on this website. Find them under the Community tab.

 

 

Friday, November 17th

 

 

Festival of Light Begins Silver Season

Chickasha's Festival of Light will open its 2017 campaign this weekend. This is the 25th year for the attraction, which features about 3 million lights at Shannon Springs Park. Among the new features this year are a new animated display, and a new design for the archway that enters the park. There's also a Christmas village and food truck vendors. However, Jen Jantzen with the festival is really enthusiastic about one particular addition.

 

               

 

Of course, you can't miss Oklahoma's tallest lighted Christmas tree, which is more than 160 feet tall. The festival opens tomorrow night, and runs every night through New Year's Eve.

 

Family Recovering After Fire

The joy of the holidays, however won't be as happy for one family. Three generations, though, are counting their blessings after a fire leaves them homeless. Betty Austin had lived in the wood-framed home for nearly 40 years. Now she, her daughter, two grandchildren and a nephew are picking up the pieces. Austin said she was sleeping when the fire started. Her nephew was able to wake her up and get her out, and neither were injured. Austin said many household items were damaged or destroyed, however said those can be replaced. She did lose alot of family photos, including some of her late husband. The Red Cross and Salvation Army have helped to provide a room at a local motel as well as some clothing for her family, which includes granddaughters who are 10 and 16. The fire came just a few days after another tragic loss - the death of Austin's mother-in-law. The funeral was just held last Friday. Austin and the family are trying recover on a limited income. She's a three-time cancer survivor and on disability, and her nephew is also disabled. Her daughter works at a local convenience store.

               

Railroad Work to Temporarily Close Highway

U.S. Highway 81 between Chickasha and Minco will be closed to through traffic Monday and Tuesday, November 20th and 21st. Union Pacific Railroad will be doing some maintenance on their line just north of the junction of Highways 81 and 62. The highway will be open to local traffic, however passenger cars and trucks will have to detour at Reding Road. Southbound truck traffic will be detoured at Minco, east on Highway 37 to Tuttle, then south on Highway 92. Northbound truck traffic will be detoured downtown Chickasha, at Highway 62, east to Highway 92, and north to Highway 37. The maintenance work is expected to be completed late Tuesday afternoon.

 

Sheriff's Office Food Drive Underway

The Grady County Sheriff's Office will again help to make sure hungry children have enough to eat over the Thanksgiving holiday. For the last several years, the agency has partnered with Chickasha's Homeland grocery store to help youth that participate in the backback programs at their schools. Lisa Hatchett with the sheriff's office says they work with every school in the county.

 

                

 

Last year the drive provided food to about 1,000 children. When you shop at Homeland, you can pay an extra $5 to donate a bag of food to the drive. Sheriff Jim Weir and some deputies will be at Homeland for the drive tomorrow, from 10 to 1.

 

Dogs and Craft Show at County Fairgounds

Today marks the second of four days of the Sooner Circuit Cluster of dogs shows at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Today is the final day for the show hosted by the Canadian Valley Kennel Club of El Reno. Tomorrow and Sunday are set aside for the Sooner Kennel Club out of Norman. Also at the fairgrounds is the Grady County OHCE Celebration of Crafts show. That’s a two-day event today and tomorrow in the north exhibit building. More than 40 vendors on hand, and a concession stand will be open. Admission is free to both the dog shows and craft show and sale.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX down to $55.14 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude falls to $61.35.

Natural gas down to $3.05 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,283 and silver is $17.09.