Saturday, May 14th
Grand Jury Finds Mistakes Made
in Governor's 2021 Commutation Order
A scathing report from an Oklahoma County grand jury says accused Chickasha killer Lawrence Anderson should not have been released from prison in 2021 - a move that proved to have led to deadly consequences. Just a few weeks after his release, Anderson was arrested for the fatal stabbing of three people and is said to have admitted cutting out one of his victim's hearts to eat it. The Oklahoman this week reported that the state pardon and parole board knew that Anderson was not eligible for clemency but did nothing to keep him and others like him locked up. Anderson, serving time for a drug offense, was among 400 inmates whose sentences were commuted by Gov. Kevin Stitt in January of last year. The grand jury said evidence indicates that the overall push at the parole board was 'volume' over anything else; and that 'corners were cut' and 'processes ignored' in order to get the highest number of inmates possible onto commutation dockets. The governor described the commutations as giving non-violent, low-level offenders a second chance. The move came after the governor appointed three new members to the pardon and parole board. Prior to the new members taking office, the panel rejected a commutation request for Anderson in 2019. That decision should have prevented Anderson from applying for commutation again for three years. However, he was able to do so within just a few months after the new parole board members took office - and the group twice voted in Anderson's favor. The grand jury criticized the governor for putting improper political pressure on his appointees and that the action was grossly improper. The grand jury also reported that at least one high-level member of the administrative staff became aware of Anderson's case being placed on the pardon and parole docket in error - and that it was found early enough that it could have been easily corrected. However, a decision was made by an unidentified individual to not bring the error to the attention of the pardon and parole board or the governor. A statement from the governor's office called the grand jury report 'the latest in a string of unfounded hit jobs by the Oklahoma County district attorney and other political insiders’.
Continental Resources Revises
Expected Oil, Natural Gas Production
Officials with energy giant Continental Resources say that their production numbers from the SCOOP and STACK plays in central and southern Oklahoma were surprisingly good in the first quarter of 2022. So much so, that those officials have raised its overall natural gas and oil production guidance numbers. Continental CEO Doug Lawler told investors this month that the natural gas guidance numbers were increased from 1.1 billion cubic feet to 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. And that the oil production guidance numbers were increased from 200,000 barrels to 210,000 barrels per day. Continental also has oil and gas locations in South Dakota and other parts of the country. Officials did say the company is challenged by inflation with pressure up 20 percent compared to last year. The firm will allocate up to $125 million toward the inflation concerns.
Obituaries
‘Wayne’ Moore
Funeral service for Forrest ‘Wayne’ Moore of Chickasha and formerly of Alex will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, May 16th at the Alex High School gymnasium. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alex Alumni Scholarship Fund in his name at the First National Bank.
‘Rita’ Davis
Funeral service Marietta ‘Rita’ Davis of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 17th at Southern Oaks Church of Christ. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
Saturday, May 14th
Grand Jury Finds Mistakes Made
in Governor's 2021 Commutation Order
A scathing report from an Oklahoma County grand jury says accused Chickasha killer Lawrence Anderson should not have been released from prison in 2021 - a move that proved to have led to deadly consequences. Just a few weeks after his release, Anderson was arrested for the fatal stabbing of three people and is said to have admitted cutting out one of his victim's hearts to eat it. The Oklahoman this week reported that the state pardon and parole board knew that Anderson was not eligible for clemency but did nothing to keep him and others like him locked up. Anderson, serving time for a drug offense, was among 400 inmates whose sentences were commuted by Gov. Kevin Stitt in January of last year. The grand jury said evidence indicates that the overall push at the parole board was 'volume' over anything else; and that 'corners were cut' and 'processes ignored' in order to get the highest number of inmates possible onto commutation dockets. The governor described the commutations as giving non-violent, low-level offenders a second chance. The move came after the governor appointed three new members to the pardon and parole board. Prior to the new members taking office, the panel rejected a commutation request for Anderson in 2019. That decision should have prevented Anderson from applying for commutation again for three years. However, he was able to do so within just a few months after the new parole board members took office - and the group twice voted in Anderson's favor. The grand jury criticized the governor for putting improper political pressure on his appointees and that the action was grossly improper. The grand jury also reported that at least one high-level member of the administrative staff became aware of Anderson's case being placed on the pardon and parole docket in error - and that it was found early enough that it could have been easily corrected. However, a decision was made by an unidentified individual to not bring the error to the attention of the pardon and parole board or the governor. A statement from the governor's office called the grand jury report 'the latest in a string of unfounded hit jobs by the Oklahoma County district attorney and other political insiders’.
Continental Resources Revises
Expected Oil, Natural Gas Production
Officials with energy giant Continental Resources say that their production numbers from the SCOOP and STACK plays in central and southern Oklahoma were surprisingly good in the first quarter of 2022. So much so, that those officials have raised its overall natural gas and oil production guidance numbers. Continental CEO Doug Lawler told investors this month that the natural gas guidance numbers were increased from 1.1 billion cubic feet to 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. And that the oil production guidance numbers were increased from 200,000 barrels to 210,000 barrels per day. Continental also has oil and gas locations in South Dakota and other parts of the country. Officials did say the company is challenged by inflation with pressure up 20 percent compared to last year. The firm will allocate up to $125 million toward the inflation concerns.
Obituaries
‘Wayne’ Moore
Funeral service for Forrest ‘Wayne’ Moore of Chickasha and formerly of Alex will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, May 16th at the Alex High School gymnasium. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alex Alumni Scholarship Fund in his name at the First National Bank.
‘Rita’ Davis
Funeral service Marietta ‘Rita’ Davis of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 17th at Southern Oaks Church of Christ. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
Friday, May 13th
Grants OK'd for Sheriff's Offices in Illegal Marijuana Fight
A new Oklahoma law has created a program where county sheriffs can get grants to fight illegal marijuana activities. Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed SB 3530 which creates $5 million in total grant funds which will come from the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA). Sheriffs offices can apply for up to $65,000 for one year. It would require that one deputy in each office be assigned to help OMMA compliance inspectors. The bill was proposed this legislative session after inspectors were denied access to properties more 180 times over the last year. Officials say county sheriffs are at ground-zero and they need the resources to enforce laws regulating medical marijuana. The State Bureau of Narcotics has agreed to conduct drug training for deputies.
'Stamp Out Hunger' Food Drive is Tomorrow
Letter carriers and post offices nationwide will participate in what is considered to be the largest one-day food drive in the country. The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is tomorrow. The drive is held to re-stock food pantries in local communities. Steve Riggs is the state spokesman for the drive. He says letter carriers are busier on this one day than they are at Christmas but that they have a passion for battling hunger in their local communities.
All the food collected tomorrow will be distributed tomorrow afternoon and will be shared equally with food pantries in each area. Rural postal patrons are also asked to place food bags next to their mail boxes. Collection boxes can also be found in many post offices.
Kiowa Tribe Election Results Certified
The results of last week’s Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma election have been certified by the Kiowa Election Commission. Lawrence Spottedbird and Jacob Tsotigh are the chairman-elect and vice chair elect; Timothy Satepahoodle is the District 3 legislator-elect for the Medicine Bluff area; and Alana Quetone is the District 4 legislator-elect for the Jimmy Creek area. All will take office in July. There will be a run-off between Kyle Attaddelty and Marlon Toyekoyah for the District 1 legislator post which is the Anadarko area. The run-off will be held during the general election on Saturday, June 4th where tribal members will also vote on the 2022-23 fiscal year budget submitted by current tribal chairman Matt Komalty.
4Her Says Humans, Horses Have Similar Traits
Did you know that horses, like humans are family oriented? And also like humans they can experience loneliness? Sage Payne with the Grady County 4H Horse Club says even in the wild horses are pack animals and thrive in groups. She says horses can have a physical impact on humans.
She also said psychologists have demonstrated that horses could recognize a human's mood from their facial expressions and are able differentiate between anger and happiness.
Talk Show Guests
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir and Undersheriff Gary Boggess are on our KOOL Konversation program. And on Real Estate Today, Chickasha School Superintendent Rick Croslin is the guest. Look for podcasts to both programs under the Community tab on this website.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $106.13 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $107.45.
Natural gas is $7.74 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,820 and silver is $20.80.
Thursday, May 12th
Chix Police Update Info on Weekend Hit-and-Run
Chickasha police continue their investigation of a hit-and-run accident involving a vehicle and woman riding bicycle from the past weekend. Authorities say the accident happened about 12:40 a.m. Sunday. Police say that a bystander heard the accident and saw what was believed to be dark-colored Chevy pickup driving away from the scene. The bystander found the bicycle rider and called 9-1-1. The woman was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital. Police did not release her name and had no update on how seriously she was hurt. Police ask anyone who may have information that could lead to the identification of the pick-up driver to call 405-222-6051 or by calling Grady County Crimestoppers at 405-224-TIPS or leave an anonymous tip on the Grady County Crimestoppers Facebook page.
Turnpike Panhandler Arrested for Driving a Stolen Vehicle
A state trooper arrests a man on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike following an odd confrontation. The trooper initially responded to a call about a man panhandling at the Newcastle toll both Monday morning. A probable cause affidavit indicates that the toll booth operator said the man was asking motorists for gas as they pulled up to pay their tolls. The man had left by the time the trooper arrived however the toll both worker described the vehicle as a dark-colored SUV. A few minutes later the trooper spotted the vehicle on the shoulder of the highway and when he stopped to investigate and called in the tag number, it was discovered that the SUV had been reported stolen. While trying to make contact with the driver, the man sped away and after a short pursuit pulled in to the travel plaza northeast of Chickasha. The man then got out of the SUV and fled on foot, running across the turnpike and was almost hit by oncoming traffic. The man tripped and fell on the shoulder of the roadway where the trooper was able to make the arrest. In custody is 34-year old Kyle Gene Brown of Tulsa. Prosecutors have charged him with a felony for unauthorized use of a vehicle and a misdemeanor for eluding. He remains in the Grady County Jail on a $20,000 bond. An order for a competency evaluation for Brown has been issued.
Chix Antique Auto Club Swap Meet Underway
Chickasha becomes the antique car and truck capital of the state this weekend. The Chickasha Antique Auto Club hosts its spring swap meet. 200-plus vendors are expected to have a wide range of parts and some will have fully-restored antiques for sale or trade. The swap meet is on a 35-acre site owned by the club just east of the Grady County Fairgrounds. However, Chase O'Brien says there also some indoor vendors at the fairgrounds.
Also in the north exhibit building will be a Spring Fling craft show Friday and Saturday. Also on Saturday, the swap meet will host this month's Coffee and Cars Chickasha event Saturday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Organizer Brad Bates says it will be another opportunity to help the family of Kendall Singleton - as Ken continues to recover from severe burns suffered when his funny car caught fire during a race at the Texas Motor Speedway back in May.
Grady, McClain Counties Considered 'Paycheck-Friendly'
A new study indicates that Grady and McClain counties are among the most paycheck-friendly places in the state. The survey from a group called Smart Asset shows that both counties are ranked in to the top 10 Oklahoma counties with that designation. The study measured each county’s income-to-cost of living ratio; unemployment rate; income growth; and tax rates. Harmon County was named the most paycheck-friendly county with a rating of 65.70; McClain County was third with a rating of 62.22; and Grady County was 7th with a rating of 60.53.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $104.68 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $107.51.
Natural gas is $7.61 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,848 and silver is $21.26.
Obituaries
Eveline Hare
A graveside service for Eveline Hare, 78, of Ninnekah will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 13th at the Ninnekah Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Donald Lair
A graveside service for Donald Lair, 90, of Frisco, Texas and formerly of Verden will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 13th at Celestial Gardens Cemetery in Cyril. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
Dorotha Jordan
A graveside service for Dorotha Jordan, 72, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 14th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Wednesday, May 11th
Bicyclist Hospitalized in Hit-and-Run Accident
Chickasha police are looking for the driver of a vehicle that hit and seriously injured a bicycle rider then drove off. The hit-and-run occurred after midnight Sunday in the area of the 1100 block of South 3rd Street. Chickasha Fire Chief Tony Samaniego said that the woman riding the bicycle was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital. Her name has not been released and no information about the accident was immediately available from police. Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to call Chickasha Police or Grady County Crimestoppers hotline at 405-224-TIPS. Tips may also be given anonymously on the Grady County Crimestoppers Facebook page.
Man Accused of Beating Grandmother with Clothes Hanger
A Caddo County man is accused of beating his ill grandmother. Apache police arrested 36-year old Cory Brent Heath after being called to the woman's home last week. The Lawton Constitution cites court documents that allege Heath used a plastic clothes hanger to hit his grandmother in the face and legs and that he slapped and choked her. It's also alleged that Heath took the woman's cell phone so she couldn't call anybody. Prosecutors have charge Heath with a felony for caretaker abuse and a misdemeanor for domestic assault and battery. His bond was set at $50,000. If convicted of the felony Heath faces up to 10 years in prison.
New Law to Reduce Time Bodies Remain at Fatal Crash Sites
A new law will take effect later this year regarding how bodies in fatal automobile accidents are removed from the scene. Currently a body may not be moved until a medical examiner arrives to investigate, even if law enforcement has already conducted an investigation. In at least one instance, it prevented the removal of a body for hours because the medical examiner was unable to get to the scene in a timely manner. The new law will allow law enforcement to remove the body to minimize the trauma being experience by the victim's family. Gov. Kevin signed SB 1123 into law and it will go into effect Nov. 1st.
Grady County GOP to Host State, Federal Candidates
Three Republican Party candidates running for state or federal offices will be part of the next Grady County Republican Party meeting. Gubernatorial candidate Joel Kintzel, state treasurer candidate David Hooten, and U.S. Senate candidate Nathan Dahm will discuss their platforms. The meeting will be held Thursday, May 19th with a free dinner at 6:30 p.m. at Bible Baptist Church followed by the speakers at 7 p.m. The event is open to everyone regardless of political affiliation. The county GOP will also host an education forum at USAO on June 4th which will feature speakers to include some of the candidates for state school superintendent.
Grady County Teacher Awarded Grant for Greenhouse
An Alex teacher receives a grant from the parent company of Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO). Nicole Bauman received one of 64 Teacher Vision grants awarded by American Electric Power (AEP). The company issues up to $70,000 in grants each year across its 11-state service area. The grants range from $100 to $500 and are designed to make creative projects possible for the teachers. Bauman will use her grant for a greenhouse. AEP-PSO says the grants are to help improve student academic achievement and that the firm has a special interest in science, math, technology, electrical safety, and the balanced study of energy and the environment.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $99.76 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $102.46.
Natural gas is $7.38 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,850 and silver is $21.74.
Obituary
Mick Hendrix
A graveside service for Mick Hendrix, 71, of Modesto, California and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 13th at Fairlawn Cemetery. A celebration of life will follow at InterUrban restaurant from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
Tuesday, May 10th
Chickasha School Board Approves Long-Range Plan
The Chickasha Board of Education unanimously approved an extensive five-year plan to make improvements throughout the school district. The panel approved the plan during last night's school board meeting. In a joint effort which included a large community group, the K20 Center at OU and the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, numerous meetings and surveys were completed to get input on improvements needed at each school site. School board member Zach McGill said many hours have been invested in developing the plan over the last 10 months.
The first of four phases will focus on improved student achievement in language arts, math, science, and increasing student participation in college- and career-readiness programs. The second phase is to increase parent and community involvement at all schools; to positively recognize students, staff, and teachers; and to implement consistent discipline procedures at each school. The third phase is to recruit and retain personnel; and develop and enhance employees. The fourth and final phase is to develop and implement a technology plan; an on-going facilities and transportation plan; and maintain financial resources related to facilities, transportation, and technology.
Chix Surgery Center Receives National Accreditation
A new surgery center at a Chickasha medical facility has received national accreditation. CareFirst Wellness Associates reports that the SPMC Ambulatory Surgery Center has received the recognition from the Accreditation Commission for Health Care. The commission is a non-profit group that has been around for more than 35 years and is dedicated to meeting more than 600 standards that facilitate a higher level of performance and patient care. CareFirst recently purchased the Southern Plains Medical Group facilities in Chickasha, Anadarko, and Pauls Valley. SPMC Ambulatory Surgery Center has a new two-room surgical suite which offers out-patient surgeries for patients in southwest Oklahoma. Officials say many times rural Oklahomans drive more than an hour to surgery centers in metropolitan areas where some specialty clinics are backed up six to eight weeks just for an initial appointment. The surgery center will provide corrective vision surgeries, general surgery, orthopedics, pediatric surgeries, women's services, urology, pain management, podiatry, ophthalmology and others.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $103.09 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $105.94.
Natural gas is $7.03 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,856 and silver is $21.79.
Obituaries
Marlon Charlson
A memorial service for Marlon Charlson, 74, of Ninnekah will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 11th at Sevier Funeral Home.
James Daughtry
A memorial service for James Daughtry, 44, formerly of Chickasha, will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 14th at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are also with Sevier Funeral Home.
Monday, May 9th
Chix School Board to Discuss District's 5-Year Plan
For the last 10 months Chickasha school officials have been meeting with the community to discuss long-range plans for the district. Those plans are expected to be finalized tonight by the board of education. The district partnered with about 30 community members, the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, and the K20 Center at the University of Oklahoma to gather information and develop the five-year plan. Community forums were held and surveys were conducted. Four key areas were created including student achievement, culture and community, personnel, and resources. Time lines have been established in each area and if the overall plan is approved annual reviews will be held to measure progress and make adjustments. The school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the school administration building.
Pre-teen Hospitalized After SUV Hits Tree
An SUV driven by a teenager runs off a Caddo County road and hits a tree sending a young passenger to the hospital. An 11-year old boy was taken by an air ambulance to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was admitted in stable condition with head, trunk, and internal injuries. The accident happened just after 3:00 p.m. Saturday about a mile-and-a-half south of Anadarko at the intersection of CS 2670 and CR 1380. The highway patrol reports that the 16-year girl behind the wheel was driving too fast, hit a curb, then ran off the road and hit the tree. The names of the youths were not released as the OHP does not identify juveniles involved in accidents.
Chix Ward 2 Annual Meeting is Tonight
Chickasha residents who live in Ward 2 can meet with their city council representatives this evening. Councilors Nate McCalla and Georgianne Hebbelthwaite will spend some time with their constituents fielding questions and discussing issues on making the city a better place to live. Tonight's meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the Shannon Springs Park bath house. Similar meetings will be scheduled later this year for residents in Wards Three and Four and their council representatives.
City-wide Clean up Underway
Chickasha's City Wide Clean-up Campaign is getting underway today. Residents are encouraged to clean up their yards and neighborhoods and dispose of unwanted items. Large roll-off dumpsters can be found in strategic areas including Centennial Park; at USAO ( just off 18th and Grand); Washita Valley Park; 6th and Frisco; and across the street from the Chickasha Senior Nutrition Center. The dumpsters will be emptied each night. Items that should not be placed in the dumpsters include batteries, tires, pesticides, liquids, (including motor oils), and any hazardous materials.
Town-wide Garage Sales to be held This Weekend
The city is also encouraging residents to have garage sales this weekend in conjunction with the Chickasha Antique Auto Club Swap Meet. Garage sale permits, normally $5 each, are being waived. And on Saturday, the Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents with left-over garage sale items to donate them to Goodwill. There will be a drop-off point in the parking lot next to the Shannon Springs Park swimming pool on Saturday only until 2:00 p.m.
Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma Voters Elect New Leadership Team
Members of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma have elected Lawrence Spottedbird and Jacob Tsotigh as the tribe's new chairman and vice-chairman. In the unofficial results from Saturday's election Spottedbird and Tsotigh collected nearly 57 percent of the vote with 982 votes. The next closest team of current vice chair Rhonda Ahhaity and Kevin Squarcia received 22 percent of the vote or 388 votes. There is a three-day challenge period that runs through Wednesday before the results will be final. Should no challenges be filed Spottebird and Tsotigh will take office in July. Spottedbird will take over for current chairman Matt Komalty who did not run for re-election due to health issues. Also in Saturday's election, Alana Quetone defeated Cole Delaune in the race for District 4 legislator. Quetone received with 56 percent of the vote while Delaune received 44 percent, 83 to 65. A run-off will be needed between Kyle Ataddlety and Marlon Toyekoya in the race for District 1 legislator. Ataddlety picked up nearly 47 percent of the votes with 194 which was 14 votes shy of winning the seat outright. Toyekoyah picked up nearly 16 percent which was 66 votes; with Jared Tartsah finishing a closed third with just over 14 percent or 64 votes. Timothy Satepahoodle ran unopposed for the District 3 legislator.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $109.77 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $112.39.
Natural gas is $8.78 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,858 and silver is $21.76.
