Your Local News

 

Saturday, December 23rd

 

 

Energy company Announces New SCOOP Wells in Grady County.

According to oilandgas360.com, Gulfport Energy announced the results of recent Grady County well Production. Gulfport brought the Serenity on line, and it produced a 24-hour initial peak production rate of 15.7 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, composed of 70 percent natural gas, 19 percent natural gas liquids, and 11 percent oil. When normalized to the company's standard 7,500-foot lateral, the well-produced an initial rate of 19.6 million cubic feet, and is age equivalent to the Meramec...

 

CMS is raising awareness in our young

Chickasha Middle School students collected 303 pounds of food for their School Pantry. The student pantry helps students who are in need. The Program teaches our kids the importance of taking care of others. To make a tax-deductible donation, call 600-3136 or visit regionalfoodbank.org.

 

Area No Hunger Holiday

Monday, Paw Paw’s Hamburgers in Tuttle and Chickasha will have its 3rd Annual, "No Hunger Holidays Meal" for Christmas Day. Dinner will be served from noon until 6, or until the food is gone. Dustin Payne will open the doors to everyone in need of a great meal. If you like to volunteer, come by Paw Paw’s on Christmas Day, or call Paw Paw’s in Chickasha at 224-1695, or Tuttle at 405-689-6080.

 

South Western Oklahoma State University Fall Honor role Has our children making top grades.

Honor rolls at the Weatherford, and Sayre Campus have been announced for the 2017 fall semester. Making the President’s Honor Roll or earning all A’s in 12 or more hours during a semester are:

Anadarko				Brooke	Barger
	Anadarko			Tanner	Dearman
	Anadarko			Whitnie	Holten
	Anadarko			Tucker	Sullivan
	Apache			Bobbi	Loflin
Blanchard				Kayla	Nicole
	Blanchard			Lauren	Coats
	Blanchard			Shelby	Lankford
Chickasha		Shawnee		Edward	Jones
		Chickasha		Lauren	Lessig
		Chickasha		Charles	Mosley
		Chickasha		McKinzi	Peschl
		Chickasha		Beverly	Smith
Cyril			Nancy			Parks
Rush Springs			Toby			Clampitt

Along with 725 students! There were 864 who made the Dean’s Honor Roll.

Named to the fall semester lists were: https://bit.ly/2zfXQSE

 

Here’s what we’re talking about this Weekend.

After the morning 8 o’clock news, the 4^th District Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole is our guest on KOOL conversation. At 8:30 USAO President John Fever is our guest on Real Estate Today with John Mosley. If you miss the shows we Have links to both programs… on KOOL 1055 FM . com under the community tab above.

 

Friday, December 22nd

 

Restaurant Avoids Damage from Cooking Incident

Smoke seen coming out of a downtown Chickasha restaurant caused some tense moments early today. The Chickasha Fire Department was summoned to Temazcal Mexican Restaurant about 7:15 a.m. A passerby called authorities after seeing the smoke coming out of the restaurant at 2nd and Choctaw Ave. No one was at the restaurant when fire crews arrived. Officials said they used a thermal imaging device to determine a hot spot in the kitchen area. Crews found a couple of pots with grease or oil that were left simmering. Restaurant owner Rafael Pacheco said someone typically comes into the restaurant very early to begin simmering food for the day. He said one of the cast-iron pots had a tiny hole which caused oil to leak out, which burned the meat that was cooking. Pacheco said that there was no damage to the kitchen. He said they called plumbers and the gas company to make sure there were no other problems. The restaurant was able to open at its regular time today.

               

Killer Sentenced to Life Without Parole

A Caddo County man convicted of killing his girlfriend will likely spend the rest of his life in prison. 63-year old Merwin Michael Hill of Eakly was found guilty by an Oklahoma County District Court jury last month. A judge approved the jury's recommendation of life in prison without parole. Hill was convicted of stabbing Joyce Grant three times in the back during an argument at her Oklahoma City home in February of 2016. The website NewsOK.com reports that Grant contacted police more than a dozen times in the weeks leading up to her death, to report suspicious activity and harassing phone calls. Grant is reported to have called 911 and giving Hill's name, concerned that he was stalking her. Hill was also convicted of larceny of a vehicle, for taking Grant's car after killing her.

 

Flu Numbers Continue Climbing

Another 65 flu cases have been reported by the state health department in the last week. That increases the total number of the flu this season by 30 percent. More than 260 flu cases have been confirmed since the flu season began Sept. 1^st. Six Oklahomans have died from the flu virus. Grady and Comanche counties have each reported four flu cases so far. Caddo and McClain counties each have reported three. Stephens County has had five flu reports, while Garvin County has had no flu cases. The flu season runs through mid-May.

 

You Drink, You Drive, You Lose

Area law enforcement groups are putting an extra effort into making roadways safe over the next few days. Chickasha police and others have implemented the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign, and will be looking for impaired drivers. Developed by the National Transportation Highway Safety Administration, the campaign is designed to make individuals aware of the lives they put at risk while drinking and driving. Officials also encourage those who may be attending holiday parties where alcohol is served to have someone take them home if they feel they've been drinking too much.

 

Sheriff's Office Issues Most Wanted List

Each week, the Grady County Sheriff's Office issues a list of individuals who have outstanding warrants. Here's public information officer Lisa Hatchett.

 

               

 

If you have information regarding any of these individuals, you're asked to contact the Sheriff's office.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Congressman Tom Cole is this week's guest on our KOOL Konversation program. One of the main topics of discussion will be the passage of the tax reform measure this week. On Real Estate Today with John Mosley, this week's guest is USAO President John Feaver. Both programs air tomorrow morning. The KOOL Konversation, right after the 8 o'clock news, followed at 8:30 by Real Estate Today. Look for links to both programs on our website, kool 1055 fm - dot - com. You'll find them under the Community Tab.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $58.36 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $64.90

Natural gas is $2.60 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,272 and silver is $16.27.

 

Thursday, December 21st

 

Attorneys Intensify Suspended School Employee Issue

Attorneys on both sides of the situation involving several suspended Chickasha school employees are writing more about the alleged wrong-doing. School board attorney Richard O'Carroll writes that problems within the district have been going on a long time. In a report on KOCO Channel Five, the station reports that O'Carroll says they are dealing with people who believe they are entitled to use the school as their personal property, and its been going on for decades. O'Carroll accuses some of the employees of embezzlement and failture to report child abuse, but has not provided any details. Woody Glass is the attorney for the suspended employees. He writes that the district has posted comments publicly that places the workers in a false light, and that the allegations are unsupported by fact. Glass also says the district's statements are an example of its retaliatory motive. The five employees are on paid leave for ten days, while an independent investigation by school officials looks into the allegations.

 

Newcastle Community Rallies for Family of Injured Teens

A community is praying for a Christmas miracle after the son of a local minister is critically injured when his pick up hit a semi. 16-year old Caleb Freeman suffered severe head injuries in the crash that happened Wednesday night. He and his younger brother were headed to the OU basketball game, and were minutes away from the Lloyd Noble Center when the accident happened. 14-year old Clayton Freeman was also hurt, but is expected to recover. The Freemans are the children of Jeremy and Emily Freeman. Jeremy is the minister of the Newcastle First Baptist Church. The church and community are rallying behind the family, and asking for continued prayers for Caleb. Among those offering their support were OU head basketball coach Lon,Kruger and star freshman Trae Young, both of whom reached out to the Freemans after hearing of the accident.

 

Trial Set for Man Accused Child Sexual Assault Case

A trial is scheduled early next year for a Caddo County man accused of having sex with a 13-year old girl which began at church camp. 21-year old Ryan William Biggins of Binger is charged with rape and sodomy in connection with the incident that occurred in July of 2015. Court documents show the Caddo County Sheriff's Office and OSBI were part of the initial investigation. It's alleged that the two first had relations at Falls Creek when Biggins was 18. It's also alleged he later sneaked into the girl's home. Biggins has pleaded not guilty to the allegations. The trial is set for March of 2018.

 

Alex FFA Update

The Alex FFA Chapter had a successful year. President Dustin Tolson has a re-cap.

 

                

 

The group will hold its annual fish fry and trophy auction on Saturday, Feb. 10th at the Alex High School.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX up to $58.09 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude rises to $64.56.

Natural gas falls to $2.64 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,268 and silver is $16.21.

 

 

Wednesday, December 20th

 

 

School Board Delays Hiring Interim Superintendent

After a nearly 3 1/2 hour closed-door meeting, the Chickasha school board takes no action on hiring a long-term interim superintendent. The board of education met for a special meeting for the second night in a row Tuesday. A special meeting was held Monday evening to interview three finalists, and last night's meeting was scheduled to consider hiring one of them. But after returning to open session, school board president Chris Ludwell said they would take no action and tabled a decision, which may be made at a future meeting. There was another large crowd at Tuesday's gathering. Many continuing to show support for several school employees who have been suspended with pay, while officials investigate allegations of embezzlement and failure to report child abuse. About 100 people were on hand Tuesday night. More than twice that number turned out for Monday's special meeting. Only three school board members attended Tuesday's session. Ludwell, Doug Brown, and Julie Badgett-Sinn. Julie Hibbard was a no-show for the second straight meeting, and newly-appointed school board member, Ginny Howell, did not attend. Howell has not yet been sworn in, after being appointed to the panel during Monday's tumultuous special meeting.

 

Lawton Police Issue Silver Alert

A Silver Alert has been issued for a Lawton man who has been reported missing. The Lawton Police Department has issued the alert for 61-year old Donald Burque. He was reported missing about 12:30 a.m. Wednesday. Authorities say he suffers from dementia and high blood pressure. The only description we have of Burque is that he is Caucasian, and may be wearing a red shirt, a blue sweater, blue pants, white shoes, and a camouflage jacket. He may also be wearing glasses. If you come in contact with Donald Burque, call local authorities or the Lawton Police Department.

 

Update on Silver Alert

Lawton police cancel a Silver Alert for Donald Burque, mid-morning Wednesday. Authorities say Burque was found safe in Lawton but provided no details.

 

Teens Hospitalized After Crash with Semi

Yesterday's rain may have played a factor in a traffic accident where a couple of teenagers were hurt when their pickup crashes in a semi. The unidentified boys from Newcastle were taken to an Oklahoma City hospital, where the 16-year old driver was last in critical condition. The 14-year old passenger was last in fair condition. The driver of the semi, 31-year old Alexander Stout of Tennessee, was not hurt. The accident happened at I-35 and Highway 9 near Riverwind Casino about 5:30 p.m.Tuesday. The highway patrol reports that the pickup was trying to merge onto northbould I-35 when the driver lost lost control on the wet on-ramp and hit the semi.

 

Earthquakes Shake State

A few Grady County residents were startled by an earthquake Tuesday morning. A tremor measuring about 2.8 on the Richter Scale hit just after 8:30 a..m. The U.S. Geoligical Survey reports the quake was located between Ninnekah and Alex. On social media, some reported hearing a "boom" at the time of the quake and thought their home was hit by a truck. Others said they felt some shaking. It was one of four earthquakes to rattle the Sooner State Tuesday. The largest was in Woodward County about 5:30 a.m. which registered 4.0 on the Richter scale.

 

New Events Set for Grady County Fairgrounds

The new executive director for the Grady County Fairgrounds and Events Center has already scored a couple of new events. Andy Maher says one of them is a first-ever event set for the end of March.

 

                

 

The other is the Oklahoma High School Rodeo Association state finals, set for the week of May 29th. The finals are moving to Chickasha from Woodward. The association will also have a regular-season event in Chickasha the weekend of March 23rd.

 

Fair Board Seats Up for Election

The seats of three members of the Grady County Fair Board come up for election next month. The posts are held by Beth Norvell in District 1; Steve Standridge in District 2; and Eddie Rathun in District 3. The filing period will be the week of Jan. 8th through 12th, with candidates to file at the Grady County Election Board. The election will be held Jan. 31st at the county barns in each district. Winners will serve three-year terms.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX up to $57.75 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $63.78.

Natural gas is $2.73 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,268 and silver $16.25.

 

 

Tuesday, December 19th

 

Supporters Rally for Suspended School Employees

A huge crowd in attendance at last night's special meeting of the Chickasha school board. At least 300 people were on hand to rally in support of four school employees suspended last week. Many of the supporters carried signs saying I Support the Four, Make CPS Great Again, and #BBT4. The crowd forced the school board to move the meeting from its regular location at the school administration building to the high school auditorium. While the meeting was to appoint a new member to the school board, the crowd was there to rally behind four suspended employees. There were also reports that a fifth unidentified employee has also been suspended. While the school board spent two-hours in a closed-door session to discuss the appointment, many in the crowd spoke in favor of Pam Huggins, Yohance Brown, Pete Bush and Stacy Crutchfield. Family members of the suspended workers thanked the crowd for supporting them, including Jayce Brown, daughter athletic director Yohance Brown.

 

                

 

The attorney for the school board said constituents have brought complaints to the panel against the suspended employees. Those complaints include embezzlement and failure to report child abuse. It’s not known which employees are facing which allegations. When the school board returned after the initial private meeting, the panel voted 3-0 to appoint former educator Ginny Howell to serve a one-year term. Member Julie Hibbard was absent. Many in the crowd wanted the board to schedule an election for the post, instead of making an appointment. The school board held a second closed-door meeting to interview candidates who applied for the district's long-term interim superintendent post.  Board president Chris Ludwell says the group interviewed three finalists out of eight candidates who applied. The school board took no action. Another special meeting of the school board is scheduled late this afternoon to consider hiring the interim administrator.

 

Burn Ban Starts in Stephens County

Stephens County is the first county in the region to implement a burn ban. The county is part of an area that is in a moderate drought designation according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The ban includes trash, brush, pasture burning, campfires, and bon fires. The burn ban is for 30 days although commissioners can remove it any time.

 

Duncan Fairgounds Manager Fired

Also out of Stephens County, commissioners fire the director of the Stephens County Fair and Expo Center. Mike Anderson was fired following an audit that determined he was receiving full-time pay while working less than his full-time status. It's alleged Anderson was overpaid by more than $15,000 and that there was a widespread lack of internal controls on payroll, purchases, and payments. The review from the state auditor was for the period between July of 2014 and March of 2017.  Anderson had been on administrative leave for about a month.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was up to $57.47 a barrel.

London-based brent crude is $63.65.

Natural gas is $2.74 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,268 and silver is $16.25.

 

Monday, December 18th

 

Grass Fires Threaten Chickasha Homes

Chickasha residents joined firefighters in beating back flames from a number of wildfires that erupted this past weekend. As many as four wildfires burned along the H.E. Bailey Turnpike in the southwest part of Chickasha late Saturday night, sending residents scrambling to prevent the flames from causing damage. Local photographer Jim Tibbetts' home was among those threatened. After dowsing the flames with the help of neighbors and fire crews, he turned to his Facebook page to thank all those who helped. Tibbets says the fire got within two feet of a storage shed and within 20 feet of his home, but avoided any property damage.

 

Motel Shooting Suspects in Custody

Now an update on that shooting that took place a couple of weeks ago at a Chickasha motel. Reports are that Chickasha police have arrested two men in connection with the shooting. The Chickasha Express-Star reports that 29-year old Eric Chance Fuller of Chickasha and 38-year old Jeremy Lynn Willis of Alex were taken into custody last week. The men are accused of shooting Austin Brooks, who suffered a gunshot wound in the neck at America's Best Value Inn the morning of Dec. 7th. The website On Demand Court Records indicates that Fuller is charged with drug trafficking and having a firearm after conviction. He remains in jail pending a $200,000 bond. Willis was the alleged trigger man, charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon, and having a firearm after conviction. He remains in jail in lieu of $250,000 bond.

 

New School Board Member May be Appointed

Officials have apparently found an individual to fill a vacant spot on the Chickasha school board, after a member resigned last week. The panel will have a special meeting tonight to appoint a resident to Office No. 1. Amos Franco resigned from the post last week, saying he needed to take care of some family issues. The school board will have a closed-door meeting to discuss candidates and is expected to announce an appointment afterward. The agenda for the meeting doesn't name the candidate nor candidates who may be considered. The special meeting will begin at 5:30 this afternoon at the school administration building.

 

No Interviews for Interim Super Expected

The school board will NOT be holding interviews for the long-term interim superintendent position for Chickasha Public Schools. A post on a social media page last week from a group calling itself Friends of Chickasha Schools anticipated the school board would hold interviews for the interim administrator tonight, but the measure is not part of the agenda for tonight's meeting.

 

Family, Friends Mourn Death of Rev. Larry Hatfield

Some sad news to pass along this morning. Our dear friend Rev. Larry Hatfield passed away over the weekend. Rev. Hatfield has been part of our KOOL 105.5 morning show with his Coffee with Hatfield program for several years. His stories brought hope, humility, and often a little humor into our lives. He had retired as an Assembly of God preacher in recent years, but continued recording his daily radio programs. He would generally stop in to the radio stations around the time he would visit patients at the hospital and nursing homes. We will continue running some of Rev. Hatfield's programs over the next several days. We have an archive of numerous Coffee with Hatfield programs on our website, which date back a couple of years. Should you find the need to hear his inspirational and thought-provoking comments, you can find them under the Community Tab. His funeral is pending, and we'll bring you the information as soon as we're notified. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Helen, their children and families.

 

Special Session II to Begin

State lawmakers are heading back to Oklahoma City this morning for another special session. Gov. Mary Fallin called a second special session, to try to fill the remaining gap in the state budget that wasn't filled during an eight-week special session earlier this fall.

               

Kiowa Tribe Schedules Toy Giveaway

A toy distribution for members of the Kiowa Tribe is set for this week. Hundreds of toys were collected at the Kiowa Tribe's Casinos in Verden and Devol. Toys will be given away on Wednesday, December 20th from noon to 2:30 p.m. at the new Kiowa Tribe Anadarko service office and at the Red Buffalo Hall in Carnegie. Toys are available on a first-come first serve basis. Children must be present with their parents.

 

Energy and Metals

Energy prices were slightly lower last week.

Crude oil on the NYMEX higher Friday to $57.30 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude down to $63.23

Natural gas fell to $2.61 per million BTUs.

Gold up for the week to $1,261 and silver up to $16.15.

   

 

Get TuneIn and hear our unique music blend anywhere you go.