Saturday, Dec. 11th
Thousands of Meals to be Distributed to Area Students
Some 20,000 meals will be provided to youth in the region next week. The Chickasaw Nation and Chickasha Public Schools are teaming up to provide the meals for children 18 years old and under to help make sure the youth have something to eat over the two-week Christmas break. Students in Chickasha, Pioneer, and Friend schools will be receiving the meals. Donya Charlson leads the Johnson O'Malley Native American program at Chickasha High School. She says the distribution will be held over several days next week. Each student will get enough food for five meals. The distribution will be held over several days. Chickasha High School students will be able to pick up the meals at the high school on Monday; Middle School and Lincoln School students can pick up the meals at their schools on Tuesday; parents of Grand Elementary students can pick up the meals at the school on Wednesday; and parents of Bill Wallace students can pick up the meals at the school on Thursday. Charlson said parents of students in Pioneer and Friend schools can pick up the meals at Chickasha High School either Tuesday or Wednesday between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. in the bus lane at the high school.
Continental Resources 3rd in Active Rig Locations
Continental Resources is among the most active rig operators in the country right now. Numbers from Enverus Rig Analytics show that the Oklahoma City-based company has 22 rigs in operation nationwide which is third best behind Pioneer Natural Resources (26) and EOG Resources (25).
Regional Oil, Gas Activity
Recent well completions include two in Canadian County. Citizen Energy III has one of them near Union City. It was producing more than 200 barrels of oil and 1,500 metric cubic feet of natural gas per day at a depth of nearly 19,000 feet. The spud date for that location was November of 2020 and the completion date was this past May. Devon Energy reported a completion of a well three miles south of Calumet. That location reported daily production of 860 barrels of oil and nearly 8,000 Mcf of natural gas at a depth of 22,000 feet. The spud date was this past February with completion in August. Both are in the Mississippian play.
Energy Group Hosts Sheep, Goat Show
Today is a big day at the Grady County Fairgrounds as the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma holds its SCOOP Winter Classic Sheep and Goat Show. About 200 youth will be showing a combined 400 or more animals. The alliance is a trade association created by the merger of the Oklahoma Independent Petroleum Association and the Oklahoma Oil and Gas Association. Its board of directors includes executives with oil and gas companies which operate in the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province (SCOOP). Bray Haven, who works with the Oklahoma Youth Expo and the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board, coordinates the show. It's a counterpart to the STACK Classic Swine Show that's held in Kingfisher in the summer. Haven said the youth have the opportunity to show their animals twice to different judges. The top prizes are $300 in cash to the grand champions however Haven said more than $10,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded.
More Christmas Parades Tonight
Christmas parades are on tap for a couple of area communities tonight. Anadarko and Blanchard are holding lighted Christmas parades. In Blanchard, local merchants have special sales and activities this afternoon with food trucks, train rides, and photos with Santa. The chamber of commerce will have Shop Blanchard giveaways and Kindergarten students will sing. The city's parks and recreation department will hold a Cajun Christmas, Mardis Gras-style at 6 o'clock. In Anadarko, the theme for the parade is Favorite Christmas movies. That's also set for 6 o'clock tonight.
Talk Show Topics
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. District 3 Grady County Commissioner Ralph Beard is on our KOOL Konversation program. Len Lacefied and Hal Brock with the Southern Plains Medical Group are on Real Estate Today. Find links to both programs under the Community tab on this website.
Friday, Dec. 10th
Former Cop Gets Deferred Sentence for Child Abuse
A former Ninnekah police officer will spend two weeks in jail and gets a deferred sentence after pleading guilty to child abuse. 52-year old Doug Mabry was sentenced by a Caddo County judge this week. Mabry was arrested in April of 2020 after Chickasha police were called to a home where Mabry was accused of using excessive force to discipline a teenager who he said had been disrepectful. Mabry entered a blind plea to the charge back in September and Judge David Stephens handed down the sentence Monday, December 6th. In addition to spending 14 days in jail, on-line court records indicate Mabry was also issued a five-year deferred sentence.
Arrest Warrant Issued for Mother
of Developmentally-Disabled Son
An Anadarko woman is accused of misusing benefits intended for her developmentally disabled son, who was reportedly living in a shed. A felony arrest warrant was isssued for 39-year old Rebecca Ann Payne who is being sought for alleged abuse by a caretaker. The Lawton Constitution reports the warrant was issued following an investigation by Adult Protective Services. Officials say the victim is an Anadarko high school student. School officials reported he had bad hygiene but it had gotten worse from him not bathing for days. A probable cause affidavit indicates the victim told authorities he lives in the shed because there's no room in the house. In an interview with Anadarko police, Payne said her son wanted to stay in the shed because it was like having a place of his own. It has heat and air conditioning and he had access to the house. Payne said she used her son's monthly $459 disability payment to pay for gas and bills and his monthly $245 SNAP benefits to buy food. Authorities have since relocated the victim to his own apartment.
Marlow Women Hospitalized After Crash
Two Marlow women are hospitalized following a traffic accident. 55-year old Joy Shepard was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital where she was last in critical condition. 22-year old Kaylee Shepard was taken to a Lawton hospital where she was last in poor condition. The accident happened about 2:30 p.m. Thursday four miles east of Lawton. The highway patrol reports that Kaylee Shepard drove her car into the intersection of a couple of roads and the car was hit by a pick-up driven by 36-year old Kyle Byington of Elgin. Byington refused medical treatment.
Utility Bills to Increase in Apache
Residents in Apache will be paying more for water and other city utilities after the first of the year. The town board of trustees the approved the increases which will be about 14 percent. A typical residential bill will go up more than $7 to nearly $60 per month for water, sewer, and trash pick-up. KSWO-TV reports that officials indicated the increase will cover necessary repairs and equipment as designated by the six-year budget plan of the Public Works Authority.
Another Busy Weekend on Tap For Festival of Light;
Downtown Shuttles Available to Reduce Wait Time
With two weeks left before Christmas, Chickasha is preparing for another big weekend for Festival of Light visitors. Long lines are anticipated both tonight and tomorrow night for families, school, church and tour buses, and even limousines that patiently wait for the opportunity to drive and/or walk through Shannon Springs Park. It's also another weekend for December at the Depot. There are activities in downtown Chickasha at the Rock Island Railroad Depot from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. tonight and tomorrow night with activities for the kids, pop-up vendors inside and around the depot, and some downtown merchants are open late. Downtown visitors can also ride a shuttle to the park without sitting in the long line of traffic waiting to get in the park. Tickets are just $2 per person for the round trip while children three years and younger ride free.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.94 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $74.42.
Natural gas is $3.81 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,770 and silver is $21.88.
Thursday, Dec. 9th
ARPA Funds Still Available in Grady County
Grady County Commissioners have already distributed more than $3 million dollars in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds received from the federal government. The funds were allocated to assist with groups negatively impacted by the pandemic. Commissioners have approved $1.3 million for Grady Memorial Hospital; 1.3 million for Life Skills Institute/Resurrection House; and $500,000 to county fire departments. District 3 County Commissioner Ralph Beard said there is still about $2 million left in the first allocation of ARPA funds and encourages groups to apply. Applications are available on the on the county's website: www.gradycountyok.com
Applications are screened by a legal firm to make sure they fall within federal guidelines. Beard said the county will receive another allocation of $5 million in ARPA funds next summer.
Dr. A to Chair State NAACP Education Committee
Chickasha Lincoln School Principal Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander has been named chairman of the state NAACP education committee. Dr. A is a life-long educator and pastor having spent 45 years in both fields. As a member of the Oklahoma Education Association, he founded the OEA Black Caucus and is president of Chickasha's Tri-County Branch of the NAACP. He works to increase participation in communities to advocate the pursuit of racial justice with a platform to ensure political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all individuals and to eliminate race and ethnic-based discrimination.
Filing Period Ends for School Boards, Some Town Councils
Yesterday was the final day for candidates to file for school board posts or some town council seats.
Grady County
Laurie Allen filed unopposed for her seat on the Chickasha Board of Education; DeAnn Mittelstaedt is being opposed for her post on the Amber-Pocasset school board by Jeanette Parham; Danielle Epps is being opposed for her Bridge Creek school board seat by Jeana Ely; and Tuttle school board member Tim Hogland is being opposed by Casey Clark. Filing unopposed were Brock Perryman for the seat he was appointed to at Ninnekah; Steven Burton, Jr. at Alex; Chad Tharp at Verden; Garrin Bratcher at Rush Springs; Shaylee Chester at Minco; Scott Taylor at Friend; Jeff Martin at Pioneer; Mark Shaw at Middleberg; and Jimmie Vickery of Minco for Office 4 for the Canadian Valley Technology Center school board. In the Tuttle city council filings, Mayor Aaron McElroy is being opposed by Judy Preston; and two candidates have filed for Ward 3. Dewey Trey Buck and Darrell Alcorn have filed for the seat currently held by Todd Littleton who did not seek re-election.
McClain County
Lonnie Bewley, Kristi Mitchell, and Justin Smith have filed for a seat on the Blanchard school board; Jason Ott and Brandon Hedrick have filed for Dibble school board; and Valory Dalton filed unopposed at Newcastle.
Caddo County
Renee Hill and Clarissa Davilla filed un-opposed for their seats on the Anadarko school board; three candidates have filed for Office No. 2 at Cyril including Kenny Gray, Derek Cocheran, and Connie Clayborn; three candidates have filed at Carnegie including Brad Holsted, Shannon Ware, and William Boettger, Jr. Candidates filing un-opposed were Kellie Hoofard at Cement; Clint Brower at Gracemont; Wesley Hedrik at Binger-Oney; Brent Venable at Ft. Cobb-Broxton; Chaz Hurt at the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center; Nicole Josey at Apache; Sarah Farr at Lookeba-Sickles; Kenneth Spady at Hinton; and Keith Propps at Hydro-Eakly.
Garvin County
Clint Simonton filed unopposed for his post on the Lindsay school board.
Stephens County
At Marlow schools, incumbent Mark O'Neal is opposed by Gena Webb; Courtney Barton filed unopposed at Central High; and Eric Dorman filed unopposed at Bray-Doyle. There is a two-day period to protest applications or for candidates to withdraw.
P and K Equipment Purchases Standridge Equipment
Standridge Equipment Company, the long-time John Deere dealership with locations in Chickasha and Duncan, is under new ownership. The businesses have been purchased by P and K Equipment. The Standridge dealership was locally owned and operated by the Standrige family for more than 50 years. A press release announcing the acquisition indicates that many of the Standridge employees will join P and K. They include Trey Adams and Josh Adams who will continue to lead the Chickasha and Duncan locations. P and K Equipment General Manager Scott Eisenauer said the Standridge family has a long history in the John Deere business and they are honored to continue their legacy. With the addition of the Chickasha and Duncan locations P and K has 20 locations with 18 in Oklahoma and two in Arkansas.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.36 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $75.28.
Natural gas is $3.81 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,783 and silver is $22.31.
Wednesday, Dec. 8th
OHP Continues Probe of Fatal Traffic Accident Near Minco
State troopers are continuing their investigation a fatal crash between a garbage truck and a car in northern Grady County. 55-year old Tammy Pool of Minco died in the accident which happened just before 3:00 p.m. Tuesday one mile east of Minco on State Highway 37. The driver of the trash truck, 25-year old Brandon Ataddlety of Anadarko, was not hurt. Authorities say Ataddlety's condition was apparently normal and he was wearing his seatbelt. Pool was not wearing her seat belt and her condition is under investigation. The accident shut down traffic on the highway for more than five hours.
School Board, Town Council Filing Updates
We have updates after day two of school board and town council filings.
Grady County
No candidates have yet filed for the post up for election on the Chickasha Board of Education. Brock Perryman has filed at Ninnekah; Scott Taylor has filed at Friend; Garrin Bratcher has filed at Rush Springs; Mark Shaw has filed at Middleberg; Jeana Ely and Danielle Epps have filed for Office No. 2 at Bridge Creek. There have been no additional filing at Alex where Steve Burton filed nor at Ampo where DeAnn Middelstaadt and Jeanette Parham have filed for Office No. 2; and Tim Hogland has not yet drawn an opponent at Tuttle. There also has not been any new candidates come forward for Tuttle City Council. Aaron McElroy has filed for mayor and Darrel Alcorn has filed for Ward 3.
McClain County
Brandon Hedrick has filed for Dibble school board and as of late afternoon yesterday there had been no filings for Blanchard or Newcastle school board.
Caddo County
Renee Hill and Clarissa Davilla are still the only candidates who have filed for separate seats on the Anadarko School Board; Wesley Headrick filed for Binger-Oney schools; Brent Venable has filed at Ft. Cobb-Broxton; Clint Brower has filed at Gracemont; two candidates filed at Carnegie, William Boetgger Jr. and Brad Holsted filed for Office No. 2. Sarah Farr has filed at Lookeba-Sickles. There have been no additional filings at Cement where Kelly Hoofard has filed; nor at Cyril where Connie Clayborn has filed. And Chaz Hurt is the only candidate to file for the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center school board. Today is the final day for candidates to file for school board or town council elections.
Bill Would Allow School Districts to Carry Over Local Funding
A state lawmaker wants to remove carryover limits for school district budgets and penalties for violating those limits. State Sen. Jessica Garvin (R-Duncan) has filed SB 1126 which she says would improve accountability and transparency of local school district funding. In a press release, Garvin said she's bothered by the fact that the school funding formula penalizes districts for carryover funds. She says it often leads to impulse purchases that may not be needed just so they don't lose those funds. Garvin said by allowing the funds to be carried over districts could create long-term strategic plans for improving educational outcomes. Those could include facility upgrades, new technology, and incentives for hiring and retaining teachers and support personnel.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.05 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $75.44.
Natural gas is $3.70 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,790 and silver is $22.45.
Obituaries
Phil Gordon
A memorial service for Phil Gordon, 68, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, December 9th at First Baptist Church. He was a long-time attorney and civic leader. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
‘Denise’ Adair
Funeral for Ruby 'Denise' Adair, 48, of Chickasha will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, December 9th at Ferguson Funeral Home.
Walter Hayes
Funeral for Walter Hayes, 80, of Chickasha will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, December 10th at Sevier Funeral Home.
‘Susan’ Kester
A memorial service for Terry 'Susan' Kester, 70, of Chickasha will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 10th at Ferguson Funeral Home.
Dorothy Jolley
Funeral for Dorothy Jolley, 94, of Blanchard will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, December 10th at Ferguson Funeral Home.
Tuesday, Dec. 7th
City Council Flips Vote, Approves Cell Phone Tower Permit
By a one-vote margin, the Chickasha City Council approves a special use permit to allow the installation of a cell phone tower in a mostly residential area. It was the same permit the council unanimously denied early this year. Residents in the neighborhood of 520 S. 8th Street protested the permit. However, the approval came after an attorney for Branch Communications said the Federal Communications Act of 1996 takes away much of a municipal government’s discretion in such matters. David Box said that includes concerns of neighbors against the development.
It was also mentioned that city code is not strong enough to prevent the tower from being installed. Speaking against the permit was attorney Josh Armor representing property owners.
City Manager Tyler Brooks said while he wouldn't necessarily want a cell phone tower in his back yard it was in the best interest of the city to approve it.
The council voted 5-2 to approve the permit during last night's city council meeting with Mayor Chris Mosley and council representatives Zack Grayson, Brian Gerdes, Kelly Boyd, and Georgianne Hebbelthwaite changing their votes to approve the permit while Oscar Nelson and Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander maintained their votes against it.
Other Council Decisions
In other city council action the panel approved a more than $18,000 payment to Bordwine Development for the latest phase of construction of the Badgett Dog Park; approved the appointment of Councilman Brian Gerdes to the Chickasha Industrial Authority; approved the veterinary service contract with the Verden Veterinary Clinic; and deemed outdated police department radio equipment as surplus. The council postponed a decision regarding the final plat of Phase 3 of the home construction project in the Sleepy Hollow Addition.
Filing Period Continues for School Board, Council Posts
Monday was the first day of a three-day period for candidates to file for school board seats and some municipal offices. In Grady County, no one filed for the Chickasha school board post although incumbent Laurie Allen says she intends to run. For Amber-Pocasset schools, DeAnn Middelstaadt and Jeanette Parham both filed for Office 2; For Alex schools, Steve Burton has filed; and for Tuttle schools, Tim Hogland has filed. For Tuttle city council, Aaron McElroy has filed for mayor and Darrel Alcorn has filed for Ward 3. In Caddo County, for Anadarko schools, current school board members Renee Hill and Clarissa Davilla have filed for their respective seats; at Cement schools, Kelly Hoofard has filed; at Cyril schools, Connie Clayborn has filed; at Apache schools, Nicole Josey has filed; and for Caddo Kiowa Technology Center, Chaz Hurt of Carnegie has filed. In McClain County there have been no school board filings for Blanchard, Dibble, or Newcastle. The filing period runs through tomorrow afternoon.
Contributions Sought for Non-Profits Supporting Children
There are a couple of worthy programs seeking contributions to help their missions today. The Darren Cook Foundation is one of them. Cook was the long-time owner of J and W Grill who passed away last year. J and W Grill and several other locally-owned restaurants will donate proceeds of today's sales to Santa's Workshop. The other participating restaurants are Jake's Rib, A and E Grill, and InterUrban. Another program you can support is the Beautiful Day Foundation. Every month, the foundation holds joint birthday partys at area schools serving pizza and drinks, delivering cupcakes to all students, but most importantly, letting each child feel loved by the community. The Foundation is working with Lincoln, Grand, and Bill Wallace schools in Chickasha while Verden and Rush Springs schools have started chapters this year. The group is seeking corporate and individual contributions. Find information on Facebook and Instagram or on the website: www.beautifulday.net
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.49 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $73.08.
Natural gas is $3.65 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,783 and silver is $22.42.
Obituaries
Phil Gordon
Funeral service for Phil Gordon of Chickasha is pending with Sevier Funeral Home.
Susan Hankins
Funeral service for Susan Hankins, 75, of Chickasha was held Tuesday, December 7th at Holy Name Catholic Church. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.
Lloyd Parrett
Funeral service for Lloyd Parrett of Tuttle will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 8th at the First Church of the Nazarene. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
Monday, Dec. 6th
Another Public Hearing Scheduled
for Controversial Cell Phone Tower
A company wanting to build a cell phone tower in a Chickasha neighborhood is again trying to get approval for the project. Branch Communications is looking to construct the tower in the 500 block of South 8th Street. The city council has already turned down the project once. Residents in the area have spoken out against the proposal in previous public hearings held by the city's planning commission and city council and both panels rejected the plan. The city council will hold another public hearing on the special use permit application during tonight's city council meeting.
Other Council Agenda Items
The council will go behind closed doors to discuss a pending investigation, claim, or action regarding the city's economic development agreement and sales tax agreement with Chisholm Trail Development. The group will also get a re-cap of the past year's efforts of the Economic Development Council from the group’s president, Jim Cowan; make an appointment to the Chickasha Industrial Authority; and approve a resolution to schedule the annual city council election next April. The group is also to consider a second payment to Bordwine Development for the company’s continuing work on the Badgett Dog Park. The payment is more than $18,000. Prior to the council meeting Mayor Chris Mosley is to issue a proclamation declaring Chickasha as Christmas Town, recognizing all the holiday events and activities that have taken place and are taking place this time of year. The city council holds its only regularly scheduled December meeting tonight at city hall starting at 6:30.
Board of Education Filings Underway
School board filings are underway in Oklahoma today. For Chickasha Public Schools Office No. 2, the post currently held by Laurie Allen, is a five-year term that is up for election. In Anadarko, there are two seats to be filled. Office No. 2, the seat currently held by Renee Hill is for a five-year term, and Office No. 5 currently held by Clarissa Davilla, is for a 3-year unexpired term. There are school board elections in nearly every school district and career tech district in the state. The filing period runs through 5 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. Candidates will file at the county election board in the county seat where their school district is located. If any races develop school board elections will be held next spring.
Elk Hunts to Temporarily Close Parts of Wildlife Refuge
The State Department of Wildlife will be conducting some controlled elk hunts at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge over the next few weeks. The refuge will temporarily close part of the refuge during those periods. The first hunt will be held tomorrow through Thursday. Among the areas to be closed will be the public use areas west of the Visitor Center. The public areas east of the visitor center will remain open. There will be additional elk hunts next Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (Dec. 13th-15th); and then again on January 3rd-5th. Get more information from the refuge's Facebook page or website.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $66.26 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $69.88.
Natural gas is $4.13 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,783 and silver is $22.37.
Obituary
Ramon Alfaro
Funeral service for Ramon Alfaro, 38, of Chickasha will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 8th at the First and Georgia Church of Christ. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
