Saturday, Feb. 12th
Energy Companies' Plans to Recoup Storm Costs From Consumers Ok'd
Customers of Centerpoint Energy and Public Service Company of Oklahoma will be paying the massive costs that both utilities experienced in purchasing the fuel needed for customers during an extended period of sub-freezing temperatures in February last year. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission voted 2-1 this week to approve the plans. Commissioners Dana Murphy and Todd Hiett voted in favor of the plans while Commissioner Bob Anthony voted against them. The utilities can sell bonds to recover their costs and their customers will see their monthly bills increase over 15 or 20 years to pay for those bonds. Centerpoint Energy is passing along nearly $88 million in costs. The average residential consumer will be required to pay an extra $4.36 per month for the next 15 years. Centerpoint customers enrolled its voluntary fixed price billing plan and low-income households that receive assistance to pay their bills will not have to pay the extra costs. PSO will re-coup nearly $690 million in costs. Residential consumers using 1100 kilowatt-hours of electricity each month will see their monthly bills increase by just over $4.00 per month for the next 20 years.
Shooting Suspect Released from Hospital, Taken to Jail
An Anadarko man accused of three separate shootings is now in jail. Garrick Boyiddle had been hospitalized after being injured in an officer-involved shooting following a high speed chase back in December. Boyiddle is facing three charges of shooting with intent to kill. They stem from three separate incidents that took place in Anadarko over a 30-day period from November to December. The OSBI is still investigating the officer-involved shooting. Boyiddle is being held in the Caddo County Jail on a $500,000 bond. In addition, Boyiddle has a revocation conference in March to determine the status of his 2016 conviction of assault with a dangerous weapon.
Former Grady County Sheriff Larry Crabb Passes Away
Former Grady County Sheriff Larry Crabb has died. Crabb was 64 years old when he passed away on Wednesday. He spent more than 20 years in law enforcement. He was the under-sheriff for Kieran McMullen and served as sheriff for several months after McMullen resigned and before Art Kell won the 2008 election. He also worked for the Grady County Jail and the Grady County and Rush Springs fire departments. Crabb was born in Duncan and lived in the Rush Springs area most of his life. Survivors include his wife Gennifer. They were married for more than 22 years. Funeral service for Larry Crabb will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 17th at the Vimy Ridge Baptist Church near Rush Springs.
Southwest District Livestock Show Results
We have the winners of the sheep and goat shows from this week's Southwest District Livestock Show at the Grady County Fairgrounds. The grand champion wether lamb was shown by Colt Randall of Canute; reserve grand was shown by Sayde Allen also of Canute; and the bronze was shown by Ashlyn Maddox. Sayde Allen also had the grand champion ewe; while Kolby Scroggins of Tuttle had the reserve and Laray Cox of Elgin had the bronze.
Goat Show
In the goat show, the grand champion wether was shown by Kenna Gay of Canadian County; Sayde Allen of Canute had the reserve; and Emry Lee of Elgin had the bronze. The grand champion doe goat was also shown by Kenna Gay of Canadian County; Addyson Schneberger of Carnegie had the reserve; and Destyn Emerson of Tuttle had the bronze. The show concludes today at the conclusion of the swine show.
Talk Show Topics
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Lewis Knisley with the Chickasha Area YMCA is on the KOOL Konversation. Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley, City Manager Tyler Brooks, and Public Works Director David Buchanan are on Real Estate Today. Find links to both programs under the Community tab on this website.
Obituary
Chester Heavin
Funeral service for Chester Heavin, 97, of Norman and formerly of the Chickasha and Grady County area will be at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 15th at the First Baptist Church of Ninnekah. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
Friday, Feb. 11th
Chix Mayor Optimistic About His Next Two Years in Office
Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley says he's looking forward to continued growth and making improvements in the city's overall infrastructure over the next couple of years. Mosley ran un-opposed for his third two-year term as mayor this week. Mosley spent much of last year as the acting city manager and since Tyler Brooks was brought on board for that position last fall, Mosley said city hall has a great team of administrators that will be able to make some things happen.
Mosley is anticipating more commercial development and the building of more new homes over the next couple of years. He says residents will be seeing information about proposed water rate increases in the next few months that he says are needed to help pay for the repair and/or replacement of aging water lines and higher costs the city is facing for water and water treatment.
Another Drug Trafficking Suspect Arrested
A Chickasha woman is arrested for allegedly selling pain pills laced with fentanyl. 18-year old Marcia Luna was arrested this week after a confidential informant working with law enforcement was able to buy the pills at the Castle Inn. A probable cause affidavit indicates the informant met with officials with the Drug Enforcement Agency at the Grady County Sheriff's Office to set up the buy. The informant told authorities that they had purchased about 50 of the pills from Luna over the last six months. Luna has been charged with distribution of a controlled and dangerous substance and possession with intent to distribute. She remains in the Grady County Jail on a $100,000 bond.
U.S. Senator Schedules Chickasha Visit
Oklahoma U.S. Senator James Lankford will be in Chickasha for a meet-and-greet with constituents. Lankford will be at the Chamber of Commerce to discuss recent events in Washington, D.C. next Friday, Feb. 18th from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The program is open to anyone who would like to hear from Lankford.
State Treasurer Candidate Also to be in Chix
The chamber will be hosting an open program with Clark Jolley who has announced his candidacy for Oklahoma State Treasurer. The former state senator will be at the chamber on Wednesday, February 23rd at 8:30 a.m.
Top Cattle Winners at the Southwest District Livestock Show
We have the results of the cattle show at the Southwest District Livestock Show that's underway at the Grady County Fairgrounds. For the market steers Claire Collins of Frederick had grand champion; Tommy Glover of Elgin had the reserve; and Madison Short of El Reno had the bronze. For prospect steers Taylor Glover of Elgin had the grand champion; Madison Short of El Reno had the reserve; and Cierra Collins of Frederick had the bronze. In the heifer show, Reagon Wilburn of Tuttle had the grand champion; Madilyn Norvell of Amber-Pocasset had the reserve, and Hays Devine of Verden had the bronze. Over 1,000 youth throughout southwest Oklahoma are showing animals this week. This is the 20th year for the show to be back in Chickasha and the show has been on-going for more than 50 years.
'Orphan Train' Program Set For Chix Library
It was called the largest child migration in the history of the United States. Known as the Orphan Train, more than 250,000 orphaned and unwanted children were taken out of New York City and given away at train stations across the country between 1854 and 1929. The Chickasha Public Library will host a program about the Orphan Train next month. Alison Arthur, a humanities scholar who wrote a book called The Riders of the Orphan Train, will be part of the program. Many of the children weren't orphans - they were surrendered by parents who were too poor to keep them. The 76-year so-called 'experiment' is filled with the spectrum of human emotion and reveals a lot of information about the successes and failures of the American Dream. The event is a one-hour multi-media program which combines a dramatic reading by Arthur of her novel, live music, and a video montage of photographs and interviews of survivors. The program will be held Thursday, March 3rd at 6:30 at the library. It is free and open to the public.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $89.88 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $91.41.
Natural gas is $3.96 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,827 and silver is $22.95.
Thursday, Feb. 10th
Commercial Building Damaged by Fire
There were some anxious moments for the owners and operators of a commercial building that caught fire Wednesday. The Chickasha Fire Department was called out to the single-story bulding at 4th and Washington just before 10:00 a.m. The building housed Bad Boy Signs and Brothers Roofing. The building had just been purchased by Blaise and June James who own a used appliance store next door. June said as she drove up she saw some white smoke coming out of the roof...then saw smoke inside the building and called it in. No one was inside the building when the fire started. Fire Chief Tony Samaniego said a preliminary investigation indicated that the fire started from an electrical short in the ceiling. Damage was estimated at $40,000.
Chix Mayor, Two Councilmen, Run Opposed for Re-Election
Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley will continue to be at the helm of city government for another two years. Mosley filed unopposed for his post during the three-day filing period which ended yesterday. Two other city council members also ran unopposed and will serve two more years on the panel. They are Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander in Ward 3 and Zach Grayson in Ward 4. There will be just one city council seat that will be filled in the April 5th city council election. That will be in Ward 1 where Kea Ginn and David Lucas filed for the post. The winner will take the seat currently held by David Sikes who did not run for re-election. No candidates filed for the Ward 2 post that was also available. Nate McCalla, who was recently appointed to the post did not file.
Inmates Face Charges in Connection with Jail-Break Attempt
Several inmates at the Caddo County Jail are accused of trying to break out of jail. Eight inmates have been charged in connection with the attempted jail break that occurred last month. The Lawton Constitution cites documents that indicate the inmates tried to escape the night of January 13th. Arrest warrants have been issued for Charles Esposito, Micah Christopher, Sentrell Johnson, and Jirschelle Britton, all of Anadarko; John Paul Williams-Ryan of Apache; Jesse Couturier of Carnegie; Tyler Cuccias of Clinton; and Terrence Sherrills of Kansas City, Missouri.
Search Begins for Ninnekah School Superintendent
The search for a new superintendent is underway for Ninnekah Public Schools. A press release from the school district indicates the school board has approved a partnership with the Oklahoma State School Boards Association to conduct the search. Previous superintendent Todd Bunch resigned after allegations of the sexual assault of girls basketball players arose last summer. A federal lawsuit was filed against the district, Bunch, former girls basketball coach Ron Akins, and others in connection with those allegations. Robyn Morse has been serving as the interim superintendent. The school district has launched on on-line survey to get feedback from the public on what qualities and experiences they would like to see from the new administrator. School board president Dustin Tate said they want to keep the public informed and involved regarding school board decisions. The survey is on the school district's website and will be available until Monday, March 7th. The district will be accepting applications and resumes through March 10th and they hope to have a new superintendent in place as soon as possible after the application period ends.
Southwest District Livestock Show Begins
More than 1,000 youth will be leading about 2,500 animals through show rings at the Grady County Fairgrounds over the next several days. The Southwest District Livestock Show is underway today and runs through Saturday. The youth will be competing for as much as $1,500 that will be awarded to those who show some of the top animals. Cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and chickens are all being shown. There is also an agriculture mechanics show where individuals and teams will display their talents. Officials say this stock show is the second largest youth show in Oklahoma. The only one larger is the Oklahoma Youth Expo.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $89.66 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $91.55.
Natural gas is $4.01 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,834 and silver is $23.39.
Obituary
Pauline Crow
A graveside service for Pauline Crow, 91, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 11th at the Rush Springs Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Wednesday, Feb. 9th
Regional Election Results
Bridge Creek School Bond Comes up Short
A proposal to build a new early childhood center in the Bridge Creek School District came up a few votes short of the super majority needed for passage in yesterday's school bond election. The $44 million plan needed 60 percent approval but picked up just over 57 percent (426 for and 318 against) so the measure failed by 20 votes. Officials were hoping to build not only a new early childhood center with a safe room but also some additional classrooms for the high school and middle school.
Marlow School Bond Issue Passes
Marlow school district voters passed a $34 million bond issue by a 3-to-1 margin (780 to 260), The plan will allow the district to build a new performing arts center, a new fieldhouse, and some new classrooms. It is a 20-year plan and property taxes will increase nearly 10 percent with the approval.
Blanchard Voters Approve Sales Tax Hike for Road Improvements
In Blanchard, city voters approved a one-cent increase in the municipal sales tax that will be dedicated to street and road improvements. The measure passed by a more than two-to-one margin (627 to 299).
Run-offs Needed for Blanchard, Carnegie School Board Races
In the Blanchard school board primary there will be a run-off between Kristi Mitchell and Justin Smith. Mitchell picked up 42 percent of the vote (371); Smith received 37 percent (327); and a third candidate, Lonnie Bewley, received just under 21 percent (182). In the Carnegie school board primary there will be a run-off between Shannon Ware and Brad Holsted. Ware received 47 percent of the vote (196); Holsted collected 39 percent (163); and William Boettger, Jr. received 13.5 percent (56).
Voters Say 'No' to Caddo County Tech Center Bond Levy Proposals
Voters in the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center school district voted down two proposals by huge margins. Nearly eight out of every 10 voters turned down a building fund levy measure (1,729 no votes and 481 yes votes) and seven out of every eight voters turned down a proposal to make any approved building levy funds permanent (1,844 no votes and 353 yes votes).
Chickasha City Council Filings, Day Two
Today is the final day of the filing period for candidates who want to run for a seat on the Chickasha City Council. No candidates filed yesterday so only the three candidates who filed on Monday are official candidates. They are Mayor Chris Mosley, Ward 4 incumbent Zach Grayson, and resident David Lucas who has filed in Ward 1. Candidates have until 5 o'clock this afternoon to file at city hall.
Union City Police Chief Funeral Service is Friday
The funeral service for Union City Police Chief Richard Stephens will be held later this week. Stephens died last Friday after a six-week battle with COVID-19. The funeral will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, February 11th at Crossings Community Church in Oklahoma City with burial to follow in the Mustang cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Mission 22 which is a charity to help prevent soldier suicide or to a local charity in his name. Visitation will be from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, February 10th) at McNeil Funeral Service in Mustang.
Suspect Accused of Assaulting Parents, Animal Cruelty
A Tuttle man is behind bars accused of locking his parents out of their home during last week’s winter storm and for mistreating animals. 44-year old Chad Tylor Watts was arrested following an investigation by the Tuttle Police Department and Grady County Sheriff’s Office. A probable cause affidavit alleges Watts was high on PCP and cocaine at the time. He argued with his parents that they had poisoned him when he came back from time traveling. Watts believed he was Dr. Who and had an IQ of 2500. The affidavit also alleges Watts assaulted his parents and locked them out of the house when the wind-chill temperature was 10-below zero. It's also alleged that Watts put a puppy in a refrigerator and then took it outside into the winter weather with some other animals. Watts has been formally charged with four felonies - two for assault and battery and two for animal cruelty. Watts was already facing felony charges of domestic abuse stemming from an arrest back in December. He remains in the Grady County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $89.36 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $90.78.
Natural gas is $4.25 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,827 and silver is $23.22.
Obituaries
Devon Stephens
Funeral service for Devon Stephens, 23, of Oklahoma City and formerly of Chickasha will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 10th at Grand Assembly of God. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
Michael Mosley and Jeanne Mosley
A joint memorial service for Michael Mosley, 53, and Jeanne Mosley, 57, of Oklahoma City will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, February 11th at the First Baptist Church of Verden. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
Connie McKenna
Funeral service for Connie McKenna, 76, of Alex will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 12th at Sevier Funeral Home of Chickasha.
Tuesday, Feb. 8th
Burn Ban Lifted in Grady County; Continues in Others
A burn ban for Grady County was lifted by county commissioners yesterday while commissioners in neighboring counties extended similar bans. Commissioners opted to lift the ban in Grady County which was first implement in late December. Authorities will allow outdoor burning but ask that no burning take place if the wind is blowing over 5 mph. Individuals who decide to do a controlled burn should contact the sheriff's office ahead of time so as to prevent fire departments from responding. County commissioners will re-visit the burn ban issue at next week's meeting. Commissioners in Caddo and Comanche counties have extended burn bans for another two weeks which will be through February 21st. Stephens, Garvin, and McClain counties also still have burn bans in place.
Alleged Arsonist Arrested
A suspected arsonist is arrested in connection with a fire that destroyed a Chickasha home. The FBI was called in to lead the investigation as the suspect is of Native American descent. Authorities were called to a home in the 1000 block of South 20th Street last Thursday morning. Fire Chief Tony Samaniego said police officers arrested a suspect who was running from the area. Samaniego said the home had a value estimated at $125,000 and that it was a total loss. The fire chief said it was believed the suspect had been living in the home. A preliminary investigation indicated the fire started in the living room and that an accelerant was likely used. Samaniego credited the quick response of the police department to catch the suspect. The name of the suspect was not immediately available.
Chickasha City Council Filings, Day One
Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley was one of three people to file for Chickasha city council yesterday. Mosley is seeking his third term as mayor. Also filing yesterday was Ward 4 councilman and vice mayor Zach Grayson. One other candidate to file was David Lucas who filed in Ward 1. The filing period runs through 5 p.m. tomorrow at city hall.
Chickasha City Council OKs Penalty for
Excessive Late Payments of Water Bills
The Chickasha City Council made quick work of a number of ordinance updates during its meeting last night. The panel took just under 30 minutes to approve a change in the enforcement of the non-payment of water bills. Customers who have been disconnected for non-payment four or more times in a calendar year will be subject to a chronic disconnect service charge of $75 which was included as part of a new fee schedule the council approved last night.
Former Grady County Assessor Passes Away
Long-time Grady County Assessor Weldon Foster has died. Foster spent 20 years as the county assessor, retiring in 1991. He was 92 when he passed away last Friday. Foster was a U.S. Army veteran who was awarded a Purple Heart after being injured in Korea. Foster spent more than 30 years in the assessor’s office, starting in 1960 and winning his first election in 1971. He was also a long-time member of the Chickasha Lions Club. Survivors include his wife Fern. They were married for 71 years. Funeral service for Weldon Foster will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, February 10th at Trinity Baptist Church in Chickasha. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
Some Voters Casting Ballots Today
Today is election day for some voters. Bridge Creek school district voters will decide on a $44 million bond issue which would allow the district to build an early childhood center with a safe room, and additional classrooms at the high school and middle school. Voters in the Marlow school district will decide on a $34 million bond proposal for projects which include a new performing arts center, new classrooms, and safe rooms. Patrons in the Friend school district will decide two bond issues. One is for $385,000 to renovate the gymnasium and install technology equipment district-wide. The second is for $215,000 to purchase two school buses. In Blanchard, city voters are deciding on a proposed 1-cent sales tax increase with the funds dedicated to road and street improvements. There are school board primary elections for voters in the Blanchard and Carnegie school districts. Voters in the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center school district which includes Verden and much of Caddo County have two propositions - one for a building fund levy and another to make any approved building fund levy permanent. Polls are open until 6 o'clock tonight.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $91.32 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $92.62.
Natural gas is $4.23 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,819 and silver is $22.89.
Obituaries
John Schlecht
Funeral service for John Schlecht, 82, of Ninnekah will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, February 10th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He was a U.S. Navy veteran.
Dewey Wilson
Funeral service for Dewey Wilson, 76, of Oklahoma City will be held at 11:00 Saturday, February 12th at the Divine Wisdom Worship Center in Midwest City. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
Monday, Feb. 7th
Chix Schools to Release Info on Long-Range Study
Last year Chickasha Public Schools partnered with the Oklahoma State School Boards Association and the K20 Center at OU to develop a long-range plan for the district. School officials and a group of about 30 residents have been reviewing some of the ideas over the last few months. School Superintendent Rick Croslin said a proposed plan should be out in a few weeks.
Croslin said some of the ideas will be culminated into a proposed bond issue that will be taken to school district voters this fall.
Filing Period for Chix City Council Underway
The filing period is open for candidates wanting to run for Chickasha City Council. The post for mayor and one seat in each of the city's four wards are up for election. The filing period runs through Wednesday and candidates will file at city hall. Candidates must have lived in their respective wards for the previous six months. The city council election will be held in April.
Chix City Council to Consider Ordinance Changes
A number of proposed changes to city ordinances will be discussed by the city council tonight. Among them are water fees and excessive false alarms. The council will also consider changes to the master fee schedule. The group will consider the third in a series of payments for the construction of the city's dog park. Bordwine Development has submitted documents for $23,000 for the most recent work completed. The panel will consider approving the YMCA’s annual Open Streets program for Saturday, April 30th and will consider approving activities in October which include the Rock Island Ride Bicycle Tour and the annual Oklahoma Food Truck Championships, both of which are during the Rock Island Arts Festival the first weekend in October. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.
State Legislative Session Opens
Oklahoma's lawmakers will be gathering at the state capital today for the beginning of the 2022 legislative session. Gov. Kevin Stitt will open the session with his state-of-the-state address and outline some of his proposed budget items. Lawmakers are expected to have more than $10 billion to dole out. Amber State Representative Dick Lowe says most if not all state agencies are hoping for additional money.
The legislative session runs through the end of May.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $92.31 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $93.27.
Natural gas is $4.57 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,812 and silver is $22.74.
Obituary
Daisy Sprowls
Funeral service for Daisy Sprowls, 78, of Pocasset will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, February 12th at the Pocasset First Baptist Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
