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Mollman Media News

2020, March 9th-14th

Saturday, March 14th

 

State Has Another Presumptive Positive Coronavirus Case

The state health department reports that an Oklahoma County woman is the 4th presumptive positive case of the coronavirus in Oklahoma. Officials say a woman in her 60s had recently traveled to Florida. She is being quarantined in her home. Officials say the case is unrelated to the previous COVID-19 cases in Oklahoma. Two of those were in Tulsa County and one in Jackson County.

 

COVID-19 Test Kits Limited in Oklahoma

State officials say that materials to complete a COVID-19 test have been limited in Oklahoma. The state health department did receive an additional 500 test kits and additional kits have been ordered, but the number they receive will depend on national supply. Officials are prioritizing the tests for those individuals who meet guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control, which include those who may have symptoms and exposure to a positive case, or travel to areas of geographical spread, which includes travel within the United States.

 

USAO to Adjust Class Schedules

Like most colleges and universities across the state, USAO is developing a system to have students continue their studies outside the classroom after spring break because of the coronavirus. The university said it will transition to alternative instructional delivery methods, once classes resume March 23rd. President John Feaver said in a prepared statement that university officials are monitoring the spread of the coronavirus and its potential impact to the campus. He said the health and safety of students, faculty and staff are the university's first priority. While classes will not meet in person, the university itself will remain open. Offices will be open during regular business hours next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday then will close Thursday and Friday. The offices will reopen on March 23rd.

              

Stand-off Ends with Arrest

A standoff between law enforcement and a man with outstanding warrants ends when authorities use gas and an explosive distraction to get to the suspect. Chickasha police were called to a home in the 1700 block of South 7th late Thursday night. The caller told police a man at the home had outstanding warrants, and the caller did not want him there. When police arrived, the suspect ran into the house and barricaded himself inside. The special response teams from both the police department and the Grady County Sheriff's Office were dispatched. The standoff lasted more than five hours before authorities used OC gas and the explosive distraction to gain access to the home and take the suspect into custody. Arrested was 27-year old James Burgess of Chickasha who had warrants out of Grady and Oklahoma counties and out of Texas.  Burgess was initially taken to the Grady County Jail but has since been transferred to the Oklahoma County Jail to face the Oklahoma County charges.

 

Union City Homicide Victim Identified              

The OSBI has released the name of the woman whose body was found in Union City this past week. The agency identified the victim as 30-year old Jennifer Jesse. Authorities have not yet said how she might have died but the agency is investigating her death as a homicide. Jesse's body was found on the side of the road in Union City Wednesday morning. The OSBI asks that anyone who has information to let them know. Send an e-mail to: tips@osbi.ok.gov

 

Police Arrest Domestic Violence Suspect

A Chickasha man faces a felony assault charge for allegedly attacking a relative. Police were dispatched to a home on North 11th Thursday night to investigate a reported assault. They arrested 36-year old Edwin Demarco Johnson. On Friday, prosecutors charged Johnson with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. He remains in jail on a $45,000 bond. A preliminary hearing conference is scheduled for April 14th.

 

Sheriff's Office Wanted List

The Grady County Sheriff's Office has an updated 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 by calling 405-222-5085.

 

 

Friday, March 13th

 

 

Grady Memorial Prepared for Coronavirus

Grady Memorial Hospital has a plan in place should the coronavirus be detected in the area. Hospital Administrator Kean Spellman says there are no cases in the county. The state health department reports only three confirmed cases in the Sooner State and one of those individuals has fully recovered. Spellman said the hospital knows the coronavirus is a real threat and they have been talking about it for about a month. Spellman said the hospital has always had a plan in place to deal with infectious diseases and are trying to follow recommendations from the state health department and the Centers for Disease Control.

 

              

 

Spellman and the hospital’s infection preventionist Brad Warden say there is no community threat of the coronavirus. Should the hospital have to implement its emergency plan, they would ask anyone who suspects they have coronavirus symptoms to call their doctor or a special yet-to-be-determined phone number to minimize contact with other individuals. Spellman said the hospital can test anyone for coronavirus but that the test costs $199.

              

Man Pleads Guilty to Drug, Weapons Charges

A man suspected of distributing drugs and having weapons pleads guilty to those charges. 27-year old Garrett Matthew Browning of Duncan entered the plea in Grady County District Court this week. He received a five-year prison sentence for pleading guilty to a felony drug charge. Browning was arrested in connection with an incident in Rush Springs about a year ago. Police found him with drugs and paraphernalia after responding to a suspicious person report at a convenience store. Browning also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug and weapons charges.

 

Bomb Threat Suspect in Custody              

A man accused of making a bomb threat towards a local restaurant is behind bars. The arrest was made after he led police on a short pursuit, then managed to elude authorities for a couple of hours in a wooded area west of Ninnekah. Court documents indicate a 9-1-1 call was made to the Grady County Sheriff's Office just after 4:00 p.m. Monday regarding a bomb threat at the McDonald's on the turnpike. A probable cause affidavit indicates authorities traced the call to an area outside of Ninnekah, where authorities found a stranded vehicle. Investigators say that vehicle fled from Ninnekah police when an officer tried to make a traffic stop on that vehicle earlier in the day.  Authorities searched the wooded area for a couple of hours, then got a tip from a motorist who saw the suspect and told them where he was. In custody is 26-year old Caleb Harris of Temple. He's been formally charged with a felony for making a false bomb threat and a misdemeanor for eluding. His bond is set at $50,000.

 

Burglary Suspects Face Felony Charges              

Chickasha police arrest two men in connection with a recent residential burglary. The arrests stem from a break-in at a home at 10th and Kansas that occurred Feb. 22nd. Police arrested one suspect at the home while the other managed to get away. 44-year old Allen Haile of Newcastle was the first to be arrested. He's been charged with a felony count of burglary and a misdemeanor for obstructing an officer and is out of jail on bond. The second suspect, 52-year old Jessie David Avery of Chickasha, was arrested last Friday. He's also facing a felony burglary charge. He remains in jail on an $8,000 bond.

 

Chickasha Community Foundation Issues Grants

Several local groups will benefit from grants issued from a local foundation. The Chickasha Community Foundation (CCF) recently issued four grants totaling more than $120,000. The Grady County Historical Society received a grant for $30,000 for building repairs; the Chickasha Area YMCA received a $32,000 for upgrades; the USAO Foundation was awarded a $40,000 grant to help build the new baseball and softball practice facilities; and the Chickasha Festival of Light received $20,000 to help cover the cost of the ice skating rink at Shannon Springs Park this past season. The CCF  was established in 2011 by the Doris Wilkes Trust, which provided a $2.4 million endowment to be used for charitable, historical, and educational needs. The endowment has provided more than $1 million in grants to groups since its inception.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Grady Memorial Hospital Administrator Kean Spellman and hospital infection preventionist Brad Warden are guests on the KOOL Konversation discussing the hospital's readiness for the coronavirus. On Real Estate Today with John Mosley our guest is Jim Cowan, the new director for Chickasha's Economic Development Council. We have links to those programs under the Community Tab on this website.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $31.50 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $33.22.

Natural gas is $1.84 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,585 and silver is $15.74.

 

 

Thursday, March 12th

 

Baby Born at a County Home Tests Positive for Meth

A baby born at a rural Grady County home tested positive for illegal drugs and two men are in custody for allegedly manufacturing drugs at that home. It's reported that DHS received an anonymous call about a possible near-death home birth of a child on Saturday, March 7th. The newborn was initially taken to a Duncan hospital where the infant tested positive for meth. The baby was then air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital. The current condition of the infant is not known. The information is contained in probable cause affidavits filed in the arrests of two men. DHS contacted the Grady County Sheriff's Office to investigate and officials obtained a search warrant for the home where there baby was born. Authorities found items they believed were used for making meth including a plastic tub, chemicals, and plastic tubes. Investigators called in a meth lab cleanup crew from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. Two men in the home at the time of the search were arrested. Prosecutors have charged 49-year old Marty Tate of Rush Springs and 54-year old John Michael Anderson of Mustang with felony counts of manufacturing drugs. Both men remain in the Grady County jail with bond set at $75,000 for each. Tate also had an active warrant out of Cotton County as being a fugitive from justice.

 

OSBI Investigates Union City Homicide

A homicide investigation is underway in Union City where a woman's body was found. Union City police received a 9-1-1 call just before 9 a.m. Wednesday when someone saw the woman's body on the side of a road. Union City authorities called in the OSBI to lead the investigation. There's no word yet on the name of the victim and authorities have not indicated how she may have died. Officials say they'll wait until they get the official word from the state medical examiner's office.

 

Nursing Home Cancels Visits Due to Coronavirus

A Chickasha nursing home has canceled visits to their residents because of the coronavirus threat. Shannon Springs Nursing Home is asking family members of their residents, nursing home volunteers, and contractors to not visit the facility for the time being. The Chickasha Express-Star cites a statement issued by nursing home officials that said there are no suspected cases of, or exposures to the coronavirus at the facility. Administrator Tina Stults said they are taking steps to be pro-active against the spread of the illness. The statement indicated officials have reviewed their infection prevention and control policies and its disaster plan, and that the move is key to preventing coronavirus and other common viruses. Officials said they will re-evaluate the situation every two weeks.

 

 Near Head-on Crash Injures One             

A near head-on collision near Blanchard sends one person to the hospital. The accident happened about 7:40 a.m. Wednesday U.S. Highway 62 and CS 2950 which is about five miles southwest of Blanchard. Officials with the Grady County Fire Department said an eastbound vehicle crossed the centerline and sideswiped an oncoming SUV, sending the SUV into the ditch. One person was taken by ambulance to Grady Memorial Hospital with what was believed to be non-life threatening injuries. Grady County Fire Department spokesman Buddy Myers said the driver that crossed the center line may have fallen asleep behind the wheel.

 

Life-Size Puppet Show to hit USAO Stage              

A night of family entertainment hits the stage at USAO tonight. It's a unique performance by a group called DLUX Puppets, which uses life-size puppets in their shows. Tonight, they'll feature their adaptation of Alice in Wonderland. DLUX Puppets is a nationally-recognized performance company based in Las Vegas. The show is the last in this year's series of the university’s Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series. The program will be held at the Davis Hall Little Theatre at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for students and seniors 60 and over.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $32.98 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $35.79.

Natural gas is $1.88 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,636 and silver is $16.68.

 

Obituaries

Sam Zeiset

A funeral service for 73-year old Sam Zeiset of Verden was held today. Arrangements were under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.

Kylie Hughes

Funeral for 21-year old Kylie Hughes of Alex will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, March 18th at Sevier Funeral Home of Chickasha.

 

 

Wednesday, March 11th

 

Oklahomans Stuck on Cruise Ship

Hope to Return to Sooner State Soon

26 Oklahomans on a cruise ship where the coronavirus sickened passengers and crew members may soon be allowed to return to their homes. The state health department reports that as long as those individuals show no symptoms of the illness when they get off the ship, they will be allowed to return to the Sooner State where they will be quarantined in their homes. Should they show symptoms when they disembark they will be isolated and monitored in California. The Grand Princess cruise ship left San Francisco on Feb. 21st bound for Hawaii and returned to the California coast last week. The ship is currently docked off the coast of Oakland, Calif. Oklahoma State and county health officials will be in contact with the travelers once they return to the state to monitor them for potential symptoms. In the meantime, a second Tulsa resident has been diagnosed with the coronavirus. Health department officials say it’s considered ‘presumptive’ until testing is confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta. So far, 17 Oklahomans have been tested for the coronavirus with 15 of them being negative.

 

Chickasha Man Named to National Board

A Chickasha man has been elected to serve on a national panel. Chris Ferguson was elected as the District 7 director of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards. He was elected to the post during the group’s annual meeting in Florida recently. Ferguson is currently the director of the Oklahoma Funeral Board, a post he has held for the last seven years. A press release states he has helped to pass a number of bills regarding funeral consumer legislation, and has been involved in a number of health department committees and legislative studies involving the Oklahoma funeral service sector. Ferguson will represent Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Louisiana on the national board. The board is headquartered in Fayetteville, Ark. Founded in 1904, the conference is composed of funeral service licensing and regulatory agencies throughout the U.S. and Canada.

 

Big Birthday Set for Chickasha Library              

The Chickasha Public Library is reaching a big milestone this year. The Library is turning 115 years old and a week-long celebration will be held March 23rd-28th. On that Monday at 6:00 p.m., Pat Cunningham with the Grady County Historical Society Museum will talk about the founding of the library. On Thursday, March 26th at 6:00 p.m., staff members will talk about the library’s history. A big birthday party is set for 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 28th, where Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley and Melody Kellogg, the director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries will have presentations. Artifacts from the library's past will be on display all week.

 

Voter Registration Deadline Nears

for Chickasha City Council Election

Chickasha residents who want to vote in the April 7th city council election are urged to make sure their voter registration information is up-to-date. Anyone not currently registered to vote who may want to cast ballots that day will need to get registered. The deadline for either is this Friday, March 13th. Applications are available at the Grady County Election Board. You can also download them from the state election board website: www.elections.ok. gov There is only one Chickasha city council race on the April 7th ballot. It's in Ward One, where City Councilman David Sikes is being challenged by Dewey Mosshart.

 

Leadership Chickasha Reunion Scheduled

Individuals who are alumni of the Leadership Chickasha program are invited to a reunion to meet with fellow alums. The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce started the program in the 1980s to help current and new residents, business owners, and government and education leaders to learn more about their community and hone their leadership skills. The alums will be joined by the newest grads of the Leadership Chickasha program, which will wrap up their series of lessons tomorrow afternoon. This is the first official reunion of Leadership Chickasha graduates. There will be a happy hour to reminisce from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12th at The Canadian River Brewing Company. There's no charge to attend.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $34.36.

London-based Brent crude is $37.22.

Natural gas is $1.92 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,663 and silver is $17.04.

 

Obituary

Serge West

A memorial service for 47-year old Serge West of Blanchard will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, March 14th Special Young Adults in Chickasha. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

Tuesday, March 10th

 

 

City of Chix Releases Statement Regarding Injured Officer

The City of Chickasha has issued a statement following media reports about the termination of a police officer injured in a shootout. Former Sgt. Matthew Schoolfield's last day on the job was Feb. 28th. Schoolfield told an Oklahoma City television station that he was offered a position with the police department at a pay rate below what he was making when he suffered serious injuries in September of 2017. In the statement, the city says considerable misleading, and at times false information was distributed about the city's position concerning Schoolfield's continued employment. While the city doesn't normally comment on personnel issues, the statement indicates that Schoolfield was offered a full-time civilian position with the police department. The position included benefits and participation in the state retirement fund, and the pay rate was close to the base rate of pay Schoolfield was receiving as an active duty sergeant. The statement says the city regrets that a mutually acceptable understanding could not be reached and that the city appreciates Schoolfield's years of honorable and dedicated service. City officials hope Schoolfield can return to active employment with the city at another position in the future.

 

Questions Raised About Chix Sidewalk Project

Some concerns raised about the construction of a sidewalk in Chickasha that will connect the downtown area to Wal-Mart on First Street. About 30 residents attended a program at Lincoln School last night regarding the work that will be done. One resident said the sidewalk will be right outside her front door. Another said it would allow pedestrians to look inside her home. Others asked why they weren't asked for input about the construction when those plans were being discussed. Scott Vaughn, the engineer for the project, said the construction is expected to start next week. It will cover about 6,200 feet which is a little more than a mile. Vaughn said the contractor will have to remove some obstacles in the path of the sidewalk.

 

              

 

Vaughn said the contractor, Luckinbill Construction, is expected to complete about two blocks per week and hopes to be done in about six weeks, or about the end of April.

              

Oil Well Completion Work Halted After Alex Tremor

Last week's earthquake near Alex forced an oil company to stop the completion work on one of its wells in that region. The website www.okenergytoday.com reports that Continental Resources called the Corporation Commission to discuss the matter. Continental decided to halt the completion of the Galvin-3-22-15xhw well. Company officials also decided to not even begin completion on another nearby well.  The earthquake last Thursday registered 3.4 on the Richter Scale.

 

Oil Prices Plummet by the Largest Margin in Years

The price for crude oil had its biggest one day drop in nearly 20 years yesterday. The price fell almost 25 percent to $31.13 per barrel. Matt Skinner with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission talks about the factors responsible for the price drop.

 

              

 

Skinner said the move is viewed as an effort to destroy many U.S. shale producers and take the U.S. out of the running on the global oil market. With crude oil on the NYMEX dropping more than $10 a barrel yesterday, London-based Brent crude fell more than $11 a barrel to $34.36. Natural gas was higher yesterday to $1.78 per million BTUs. Precious metals rose Monday, with gold climbing to $1,857 and silver to $17.07.

 

Monday, March 9th

 

Weather Service Predicts Active Severe Weather Season

The severe weather season is just getting underway in Oklahoma. The National Weather Service based in Norman predicts we could see more than our fair share of thunderstorms and tornadoes. So says Grady County Emergency Management Director, Dale Thompson.

 

              

 

The recent tornado in Tennessee which claimed the lives of about two dozen people serves as a serious reminder to be prepared for severe weather at any time. The safest place to be is in a storm shelter but if you don't have one, get to the lowest level of your home, in the center part, and the smallest room. Go to the Federal Emergency Management website at www.fema.gov to get information about protecting your family during times of severe weather.

 

Audit of Chix Schools to be Heard by School Board

The annual school audit and the calendar for next school year are to be discussed during tonight's Chickasha Board of Education meeting. Steve Blasingame of Angel, Johnston, and Blasingame CPA is to review the audit from the 2018-19 school year. The panel is to consider the job description for the assistant superintendent who serves as the director of curriculum and personnel. The panel will recognize a number of student groups for their recent accomplishments, including the high school cheerleaders who won a national competition, and the archery team for its performance at the state tournament. The panel will also honor Elaine Murray for her 40 years of continuous employment with the district. The group will also thank Steve LaForge for his recent contribution of $18,000 to extra-curricular activities. The school board meets at 6:00 p.m. tonight at the school administration building.

 

Two  Community Meetings in Chix Tonight

We want to remind you about a couple of community meetings for Chickasha residents tonight. The construction of a sidewalk on 1st Street which will connect the Rock Island Depot with Wal-mart will be discussed in detail. That will be at 6:30 p.m. at Lincoln School. And, residents in Ward 2 can meet with their city council representatives and city officials in a 6:30 p.m. meeting at city hall.

 

Arts Council Already Preparing for Rock Island Event

While the first day of spring officially arrives next week, the Chickasha Area Arts Council is already preparing for a big event this fall. The 12th annual Rock Island Arts Festival will be held the first weekend in October. The arts council is already receiving a number of applications from vendors, musicians, and performers. Booth space fees are $100 and there is a $25 early bird discount for those who apply and pay in advance by May 31st. The arts council is a non-profit organization. Also scheduled to return as part of the event are the third annual Oklahoma Food Truck Competition and the Rock Island Ride charity bicycle event. Details on those events will be released later. Applications are on the festival's website: www. rockislandartsfestival.org

              

Eastern Red Cedar Program Set              

A workshop to help landowners control eastern red cedars will be held in Purcell this week. Information will include prescribed burning, mechanical control, chemical control, and potential funding sources for control. It will also provide information on alternative uses for cedars. The program will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 11th at 22199 State Highway 74. That’s about a mile-and-a-half west of west of Green Avenue on Highway 74. For details contact the McClain County OSU Extension office by calling 405-574-2174.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $41.28 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $45.27.

Natural gas is $1.71 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,670 and silver is $16.88.

 

 

Weather

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