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Mollman Media News

2020, Nov. 2nd-7th

Saturday, November 7th

 

Woman Charged with Arson, Theft

A woman faces arson and burglary charges after officials say a fire was intentionally set at a Chickasha home. 29-year old Tara Faith Wilkinson of Chickasha was arrested this week following a blaze that occurred in the 1200 Block of California last Sunday. Interim Fire Chief Tony Samaniego says no one was home when fire crews responded and they were quick to knock down the blaze. In a probable cause affidavit, Samaniego said he suspected arson because power was out at the home and his investigation determined that someone had lit some papers on fire on a dining room table.  Damage estimate was between $8,000 and $10,000. The chief said the suspect reportedly lived at the home for a short time with another individual and that person had a victim's protective order against Wilkinson. The resident also said a video game console and other items were missing from the home and suspected Wilkinson had taken them. On Wednesday night, authorities arrested Wilkinson on arson and burglary complaints after finding one of the stolen items in her car. Wilkinson remains in jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond.

 

Power Restoration Work Continues              

Power companies in Oklahoma continue whittling down the number of power outages following last week's ice storm. There are still more than 2,500 electric co-op member-customers without power stretching from Mustang to Clinton and south to Lawton. CK Energy reports 1,500 outages in Caddo County; nearly 550 in Canadian County; more than 100 in Grady County; and about 50 in Comanche County. REC is down to five outages all of which are in Grady County. OG&E still has 40,000 outages that crews are working to restore.

              

State Lawmakers Unite for Diabetes  Awareness              

A number of Oklahoma state lawmakers are working to raise awareness about diabetes. November is set aside as Diabetes Awareness Month.  At the state capital this week, a bi-partisan group of lawmakers announced they are looking to propose legislation which, if approved, would help the more than 366,000 Oklahomans who have been diagnosed with the disease. A state capital press release said lawmakers this year made progress to make continuous glucose monitoring devices more accessible. For 2021 the group wants to work to make needed medications and supplies more affordable and accessible. Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in Oklahoma and was said to be the under-lying cause of 1,300 deaths in the state in 2018.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. The Salvation Army is getting ready for its annual Red Kettle Drive. Bryan Brinlee with the Salvation Army over Grady and Caddo Counties is on our KOOL Konversation program. On Real Estate Today we have Daren Coats, Vice President of the Oklahoma Blood Institute. We have links to both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituary

Charlotte Fitch

A graveside service for Charlotte Fitch, 92, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9th in Resthaven Memory Gardens in Oklahoma City. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

High School Football Scores

Chickasha 59, Elgin 14

No. 6 Blanchard 7, No. 3 Tuttle 0

No. 10 Newcastle 49, Elk City 21

No. 9 Kingfisher 42, No. 7 Anadarko 22

Perkins-Tryon 41, Bridge Creek 7

Minco 14, Hobart 7

Dibble 44, Wynnewood 0

Headlton 44, Rush Springs 26

Apache 60, Carnegie 22

Marlow 34, Tishomingo 0

Lindsay 34, Comanche 20

Empire 58, Cyril 8

Tipton 50, Central High 22

Mt. View-Gotebo 52, Thackerville 0

Maysville 36, Temple 0

 

Friday, November 6th

 

Hundreds Still Without Electricity

There are still a lot of people without electricity - nine days after an ice storm paralyzed much of central and western Oklahoma. Most of the outages are in Caddo County where CK Energy reports nearly 2,100 of its members still without electricity. The co-op also reports that more than 170 members in Grady County and nearly 670 members in Canadian County are still without power. CK Energy spokesman Boyd Lee said thousands of poles were damaged or destroyed in the storm and that the outage is a long-duration event.

 

Coronavirus Update              

Another Chickasha resident has died from COVID-19. The state health department said a man 65 years old or older was among the most recent deaths attributed to the illness. Chickasha has now had 11 people die from the virus and there have been 18 people throughout Grady County who have lost their lives. Statewide, the death toll from the virus topped 1,400 yesterday as more than 20 new deaths were added to the total. They were among the 2,100 new cases of the illness Thursday which is the highest one-day total since the virus first appeared in March. The number of total positive tests will likely top 130,000 today. The health department reports 1,055 people are hospitalized with COVID. Oklahoma City hospitals have moved into the third tier of a four-tier plan put in place to deal with the pandemic.

 

One Hospitalized After Anadarko Crash

In Anadarko, a woman was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital after her SUV was rear-ended and it veered off the road and hit a tree. 65-year old Annella Revis of Sapulpa suffered head and trunk injuries in the crash. She was admitted to the hospital in serious condition. The accident happened about a mile north of Anadarko on U.S. Highway 281 just before 7:00 a.m. Thursday. The highway patrol reports that Revis' SUV was hit from behind by a pick-up driven by 26-year old Cole Nation of Anadarko (Nation was not injured). The trooper investigating the crash reported that Nation was following to close and was unable to stop when Revis slowed down for an unknown reason.

 

Blood Supply Still Critically Low

There is still a critical need for blood donations as the pandemic has canceled many blood drives throughout the state. KOOL 105 and 106.1 The Ranch and the Oklahoma Blood Institute are again combining efforts today to help re-stock supplies. The OBI bloodmobile will be across the street from our studios at 7th and Chickasha Avenue - in the parking lot of the YMCA – between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. today. You don't need an appointment. Donors’ names will be placed in a drawing to win a $500 gift card. Also, a USAO blood drive canceled last week because of the ice storm has been re-scheduled for Monday, Nov. 16th.  Individuals who had appointments will have to re-schedule.  That blood drive will be held in the USAO Student Union ballroom to allow for social distancing. For information on an upcoming blood drive in your area visit the website: www.obi.org

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $38.79 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $40.93.

Natural gas is $2.94 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,955 and silver is $25.86.

 

Obituaries

Cindy Brand

A graveside service for Cindy Brand, 62, of Alex will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, November 7th at the Alex Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

Thursday, November 5th

 

Details of Recent Arrest Connected

to the Sale of Counterfeit Pain Killers

State and federal drug agents continue a months-long investigation into the sale of counterfeit pain pills laced with Fentanyl which has led to at least 10 deaths in Oklahoma, including two in Grady County. One of the most recent arrests in Chickasha was last month, when a special agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration indicates a confidential source was able to buy the illicit drugs on two occasions. A probable cause affidavit indicates that on Aug. 21st, the source purchased 14 tablets for $400 - then on Aug. 24th, the source bought another 100 tablets for nearly $2,000. Both purchases were made inside a vehicle in the parking lot of a Chickasha convenience store. On Oct. 7th, an arrest warrant was issued for Lawrence Paul Anderson of Chickasha who was taken into custody a short time later. Anderson has been charged with two felony counts of drug trafficking and he remains in jail on a $500,000 bond.

 

11th Chickasha Death Linked to COVID-19

Grady County has had another person die from the coronavirus. The state health department reports the victim was a Chickasha man who was at least 65 years old. He is the 11th person in Chickasha to die from the illness and the 18th death in Grady County. His death is now included among the nearly 1,400 Oklahomans who have died from COVID-19. The number of people now hospitalized with the infection increased substantially yesterday, up to 1,026. Chickasha has 46 active cases of the illness and Grady County has 155. Statewide, there were more than 1,200 new individuals who have tested positive for the illness which takes the total number statewide to nearly 128,000.

 

Blanchard Sets Veterans Day Activities for Saturday              

The City of Blanchard will celebrate Veterans Day early this year with two events this weekend. A formal ground-breaking ceremony for the new Veterans Memorial Park will take place Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. which will be followed by the city's Veterans Day parade at 10:30 a.m. The ground-breaking will be held at at the site where the memorial will be built which is right on Veteran's Memorial Highway near downtown.

 

USAO Gets High Mark from National Group

USAO gets a top grade for its inter-disciplinary studies program. The American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA) has given the university an A in the ACTA’s annual edition of its "What Will They Learn" survey. A press release indicates that USAO is the only university in Oklahoma to  get an A and one of just 23 nationwide to do so. The survey determines the quality of a university’s general education program based on a number of subjects identified as critically important to a 21st century education. Those subjects include composition, literature, math, economics, and U.S. government or history.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $39.15 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $41.23.

Natural gas is $3.04 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,918 and silver is $24.57.

 

Obituaries

Ann Erwin

A graveside service for Ann Erwin, 86, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 6th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Ruby Dreadin

Funeral service for Ruby Dreadin, 87, of Chickasha will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 10th at Northside Church of Christ. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

LC Cook

Funeral service for LC Cook, 89, of Lawton is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

 

Wednesday, November 4th

 

New State Lawmakers Elected

Two new faces from this region will be joining lawmakers at the Oklahoma state capital next year. Republican Dick Lowe of Amber wins the House District 56 post and Republican Jessica Garvin of Duncan wins the Senate District 43 post. Lowe defeated Democrat and Amber Mayer Craig Parham for the House District 56 seat by a two-to-one margin, receiving 67 percent of the vote. Lowe thanked those who voted for him.

 

 

Lowe said he wants to work to improve health care and broadband service in rural areas. Lowe fills the post previously held by Democrat David Perryman of Chickasha who did not run for re-election. Garvin defeated Democrat Terri Reimer of Marlow. Garvin won by a four-to-one margin for the post that includes Duncan, Marlow, Rush Springs, western McClain County, and Newcastle. Garvin will take the post previously held by Sen. Paul Scott who lost to Garvin in the GOP primary. In another regional race for the state capital, Elgin Republican Toni Hasenbeck won re-election by defeating Democrat Jennifer Kerstetter by a four-to-one margin.

 

Locke Keeps Grady County Clerk's Post

Grady County Clerk Jill Locke wins easily in her re-election bid. Locke defeated Democrat Frieda Willis by collecting 80 percent of the vote. Nearly 23,000 votes were cast in Grady County yesterday.

 

Bice Defeats Horn; other U.S. House, Senate Results

In Oklahoma's congressional races, Republican Stephanie Bice defeated incumbent Democrat Brenda Horn in the hotly contest District 5 race. Bice received 52 percent of the vote. 4th District Congressman Tom Cole wins re-election with 67 percent of the vote. 3rd District Congressman Frank Lucas received nearly 80 percent of the vote to keep his post. Oklahoma U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe won re-election by picking up 63 percent of the vote in a five person race. His closest challenger was Democrat Abby Broyles who received about 32 percent of the vote.

 

Grady, Caddo County Voters Cast Ballots for Prez Trump

In county voting in the presidential race, President Trump received more than 80 percent of the vote in Grady County and more than 70 percent of the vote in Caddo County.

 

Storm Damage Cleanup Continues

Grady County residents and businesses that suffered property damage from last week's ice storm are asked to report that damage to the state department of emergency management. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson says damaged or destroyed trees do not count as property damage. Thompson said to provide information to the website: www.damage.ok.gov

 As far as downed and damaged trees, Thompson said anyone needing a place to take the brush should contact their town first. For those who live in the county, residents should contact the county commissioner barn in the district in which they live as each barn has different guidelines. Thompson said to watch the Grady County Emergency Management Facebook page for updates.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $37.66 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $39.71.

Natural gas is $3.06 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,891 and silver is $23.76.

 

Obituary

Margery McDoniel

A private funeral mass and burial will be held for Margery McDoniel, 87, of Chickasha. She was the wife of long-time doctor Bill McDoniel. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Mobile Meals or the Chickasha Public School Foundation.

 

Tuesday, November 3rd

 

Prez, Local, State Offices on Ballot in Today's Election

While Americans head to the polls to cast their ballots for President of the United States, in Oklahoma there are a number of local and state races to be decided. In Grady County, there is a race for county clerk where incumbent Republican Jill Locke is being challenged by Democrat Frieda Willis. Voters will be choosing a new state representative and a new state senator in this region. In House District 56, a new state representative will fill the seat held the last eight years by Democrat David Perryman of Chickasha who opted to not run for re-election. On the ballot are Republican Dick Lowe and Democrat Craig Parham. That district runs from Chickasha west to the Hobart area and includes much of Caddo County including Anadarko, Ft. Cobb, and Carnegie. In the central and southern part of Oklahoma voters will elect a new state senator in District 43 as incumbent Republican Paul Scott was defeated in the GOP primary in June. On the ballot are Republican Jessica Garvin and Democrat Terri Reimer. That district runs from Newcastle south to include portions of Rush Springs, Marlow, and Duncan. In House District 65 which includes parts of southern Caddo and western Stephens Counties and much of Comanche County, incumbent Republican Toni Hasenbeck is challenged by Democrat Jennifer Kerstetter. Polls are open until 7 o'clock tonight. If you are in line when the polls close you will be allowed to vote.

              

Knife-Wielding Voter Charged with Assault

A man arrested for waving a knife while voting last week has been formally charged with assault. 27-year old Ford William Filson of Chickasha was arrested at the Grady County Election Board last Thursday. It's alleged that Filson threatened election board workers with a buck-knife prior to voting. Deputies arrested Filson on a complaint of interfering with the voting process. Prosecutors have charged him with a felony count of assault with a dangerous weapon. Filson is out of jail after posting a $25,000 bond. He's to announce his attorney later this month and the case has been placed on the county's disposition docket on Dec. 15th.

 

Brush Only Allowed at Chickasha Dumpsite              

Chickasha City Manager John Noblitt spent a few minutes during last night’s city council meeting discussing the city's efforts to remove downed trees and limbs left over from last week's ice storm. Noblitt said the city will move from east to west to pick up brush on the curbside. As we have been reporting, Noblitt said residents can take debris to the city's public works department for free disposal but asked that it be only trees and limbs.

 

              

 

The public works facility on North Genevieve Street is open seven days a week. Individuals must show a water or utility bill from the city.

 

Pesticide Container Recycling Day Set

Agriculture producers or anyone needing to safely dispose of pesticide containers may do so later this month. The OSU South Central Research Station in Chickasha will take those containers on Tuesday, Nov. 17th between 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. The containers must be triple rinsed and the labels and the lids must be removed. Officials say the empty pesticide containers are the only things that will be taken on this date. For information, contact the Grady County OSU Extension Office.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $36.81 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $38.97.

Natural gas is $3.24 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,898 and silver is $24.23.

 

Obituaries

Bonnie Burnett

A graveside service for Bonnie Burnett, 86, of Chickasha will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 4th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Laverne Russell

A graveside service for Lola “Laverne” Russell, 84, formerly of Pocasset will be at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, November 4th the Amber Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Paul Kuykendall

Funeral service for Paul Kuykendall, 71, of Amber will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 4th at the First Baptist Church of Pocasset. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served during the Vietnam War. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Sylvia Chaney

A memorial service for Sylvia Chaney, 91, of Chickasha will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, November 5th at Chickasha’s New Song Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

Monday, November 2nd

 

Many Still Without Power After Last Week's Ice Storm

A handful of Chickasha residents are still without electricity today as crews are into their 6th day of repairing damaged power lines after last week's massive ice storms. The website for Public Service Company of Oklahoma shows 15 customers without electricity in the city limits. The city is under an emergency disaster declaration but it's not a state of emergency according to city manager John Noblitt.

 

              

 

The city-wide tree and brush removal program will take several weeks. The public works department is open seven days a week for residents to take trees and limbs to dump for free (residents do have to show a water or utility bill). Otherwise, the brush can be stacked on the curb and city crews will come by and pick them up at no cost. More than 10,000 electric co-op members are still without power statewide including more than 7,500 members with CK Energy. In Grady County there are still about 300 outages with CK Energy reporting 173 without power and OEC with 108.  In Caddo County, nearly 4,700 co-op members remain with electricity in Caddo County. Nearly all are with CK Energy while eight are with OEC. In Canadian County, there are more than 2,800 co-op members still in the dark. Nearly 1,850 are with CK Energy, about 1,000 are with Cimarron Electric, and two are with OEC. REC is reporting just two outages in Garvin County and one in McClain County.            

 

Longtime Firefighter Retires              

A Chickasha firefighter will be recognized for nearly four decades of service. Capt. David Wright will be honored for his 38-year career with the city during tonight's city council meeting. He began in 1981 and was promoted to driver in 1993. He has served as a captain for the last 17 years. The council will hold a public hearing to determine for a use-on-review for a nail salon to be operated in a residential area. The request is from Malyssa Rutlege at 308 Flanders. The city’s Planning Commission is recommending that the use-on-review be approved. The council is expected to approve an annual amnesty program for those who owe fines to the library. Each December, the library waives the fines as long as individuals donate food which will be given to the Emergency Food Pantry. The council is also to consider releasing abatement liens on a number of properties purchased by Hillary Communications. The statute of limitations has expired on the liens with some of them dating back more than 10 years. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at City hall.

 

County Commissioners To Change Meeting Locale              

(EDITOR'S NOTE - A previous story regarding the change of meeting locations had the wrong date for when the change was to occur. We apologize for the error.)

Grady County Commissioners met at the Grady County Courthouse this morning as they usually do every Monday. It will be the final meeting at the courthouse for the foreseeable future. Beginning next Monday, November 9th, the commissioners will hold their weekly meeting in the community building at the Grady County Fairgrounds at 9 a.m. until further notice. Two offices within the courthouse remain closed today due to coronavirus quarantines. The county clerk and court clerk offices will be re-opening later this week. The county clerk’s office is expected to re-open tomorrow while the court clerk's office is planning to re-open on Wednesday.

 

Farm Finance Program to be Discussed

Grady County OSU Extension will have a marketing meeting tomorrow morning. OSU Farm Finance Specialist Dr. Courtney Bir will be the guest speaker, talking about a new OSU program to help producers identify specific areas of concern in their operations. Producers can attend the 7:00 a.m. meeting in person or via zoom but those planning to take part should register by 4 o'clock this afternoon. Contact the extension office by calling 405-224-2216.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $35.79 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $37.46.

Natural gas is $3.35 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,888 and silver is $24.01.

 

Obituary

William Pope

Funeral service for William Pope, 77, of Ninnekah will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 4th at Southern Oaks Church of Christ. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

 

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