Saturday, June 4th
Man Critically Injured in Turnpike Crash
A driver is fighting for his life after a one-vehicle accident on the H.E Bailey Turnpike. 45-year old Maximiliano Olvera of Oklahoma City suffered numerous injuries in the crash which happened about 2:30 this morning in the eastbound lanes of the turnpike near mile marker 97 - not far from the toll booth. The highway patrol reports that Olvera struck a guard rail cushion and a concrete barrier. He was trapped in the truck for about 30 minutes before being rescued by the Bridge Creek Fire Department. The trooper called out to the crash said Olvera had fallen asleep at the wheel.
Suspect Allegedly Has 25+ Pounds of Fentanyl
A traffic stop leads to the arrest of a man for allegedly having more than 25 pounds of the deadly pain-killing drug Fentanyl. An agent with the state bureau of narcotics pulled over a pickup on the H.E. Bailey turnpike in Chickasha Thursday afternoon when the driver made an improper lane change. A probably cause affidavit indicates the agent's K9 partner indicated that drugs may be inside the vehicle. The agent found nearly a dozen bundles wrapped in black tape which the agent said field tested as positive for Fentanyl. The driver, 21-year old Carlos Floriano-Torres of El Paso, Texas was arrested on a drug complaint and taken to the Grady County Jail. Prosecutors have formally charged Floriano-Torres with aggravated drug trafficking. He has not yet had his initial appearance on the charge.
Longtime Newspaper Publisher Frances Settle Dies
Frances Settle, a longtime co-owner and publisher of a number of Grady County newspapers has died. She was 86 when she passed away at her home in Lyons, Kansas earlier this week. Frances and her husband Marshall published the Chickasha Star, Minco Minstrel, and Tuttle Times from the mid-1970s to the mid-1990s. The couple also published a number of Kansas newspapers. Frances was born in Walters, Oklahoma in 1935 and graduated from Anadarko High School. She and Marshall were married for more than 50 years until his passing in 2006. Survivors include son John and his wife Paula and their family of Oklahoma City; and son David and his wife Anita and their family of Lyons, Kansas. A memorial service will be held in Chickasha at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Press Association.
Talk Show Topics
Here is what we're talking about this weekend. USAO history professor James Finck is this week’s guest on the KOOL Konversation. The guest on Real Estate Today is Joe Dorman, the director of the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy. Find podcasts to both programs under the Community tab on this website.
Obituary
Vera Taylor
A graveside service for Vera Taylor, 101, of Chickasha and formerly of Rush Springs will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 6th at the Rush Springs Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
Friday, June 3rd
New Court Date Set for Coach Charged with Child Rape
Former high school and junior high school girls basketball coach Ron Akins was back in a Grady County Courtroom yesterday. Akins is facing a number of charges for allegedly raping and sexually assaulting players he was coaching. Back in May, Akins' attorney waived his client's right to a preliminary hearing. Yesterday's court date was to schedule Akins' next court date. Online court records show that the case has been placed on a disposition docket Sept. 13th. Akins is charged with 10 felonies which includes rape, sexual battery, and lewd or indecent acts to children under 16. Several of Akins’ alleged victims have also filed a federal lawsuit against Akins and a number of others for failing to take action when they were notified about the allegations against the former coach.
Woman Uses Sister's Name to Avoid Arrest
A woman wanted for driving a stolen vehicle is accused of using her sister's identity in an attempt to avoid arrest. Authorities issued an arrest warrant for 36-year old Amy Lynn Barnes last month. Grady County Sheriff’s deputies had reached out to Barnes' sister about a pending court case against her. The sister said Barnes suspected her sister had given her name because she had done it previously. Authorities were able to locate Barnes and arrested her last week. She's facing felony charges of having a stolen vehicle and false impersonation and a misdemeanor for having marijuana. Barnes remains in the Grady County Jail on a $15,000 bond.
Shannon Springs' Park Pool Opening Delayed
Mechanical issues have delayed the opening of the City of Chickasha's public pool at Shannon Springs Park. Officials initially filled the pool on Tuesday in hopes of opening on Wednesday. However, crews found a faulty valve that had to be replaced. They had to drain some of the water out of the pool in order to replace make repairs. It’s not clear when the pool may open.
Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma Has Special Election Tomorrow
Members of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma will go to the polls tomorrow in a special election. The election is to fill a vacant seat on the Kiowa Tribe's legislative body. It's for District 7, where former legislator Jacob Tsotigh resigned to run for the vice chairman post alongside chairman candidate Lawrence Spottedbird. Spottedbird and Tsotigh did win the election and will take office next month. There are five candidates on tomorrow’s ballot - Joshua Tonacut, Shane Tartsah, Warren Queton, Spencer Onco, and Mark Cody.
State High School Rodeo Finals in Chickasha
Oklahoma high school rodeo’ers are in Chickasha this weekend. It's the state finals for the cowboys and cowgirls as they look to earn enough points to qualify for the national high school rodeo which will be held in Gillette, Wyoming this summer. More than 125 competitors are at the Grady County Fairgrounds looking to make the top 15 in their respective events. The first go-round was held yesterday and the second go-round is today. The top 15 in each event after today’s competition advance to the short-go tomorrow where the top four in each event will advance to the national high school finals rodeo next month. An awards ceremony will wrap up the event on Sunday.
Other Weekend Events
Other goings-on in Chickasha this weekend...The Chickasha Community Theatre is hosting the first of back-to-back weekends of shows. Disney's The Little Mermaid, Jr. opened last night. There are shows at 6:30 tonight and tomorrow night and at 2:00 p.m. Sunday. The show will also run next Thursday through Sunday.
Wings and Wheels Air Show is Tomorrow
Also, the City of Chickasha is hosting its Wings and Wheels Air Show at the airport tomorrow. There will be vintage airplanes on display, a number of acrobatic acts, and a veteran's parachute jump. The airport opens at 8 a.m. for the vintage plane display, the car and truck show, and registration for free plane rides for children ages 8-17. The free plane rides run from 9:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. The air show events start at noon starting with the veteran’s parachute jump bringing in an American flag. There are food trucks on hand and free water will be available. Admission and parking are free.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $116.87 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $117.61.
Natural gas is $8.48 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,869 and silver is $22.43.
Thursday, June 2nd
OSBI Investigates Officer-Involved Shooting in Chickasha
Officials with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) are looking into an officer-involved shooting that occurred in Chickasha Tuesday night. The OSBI reports that Chickasha police were dispatched to a neighborhood near 18th and Idaho about a shirtless man in the street yelling obscenities. The man did not comply with officers and retreated inside his home. A few minutes later, he came out of the house with a rifle. Again, the man did not comply with police and an officer fired an undetermined number of shots with at least one of them striking the man. The man was identified as 34-year old Justin Keith Henderson who was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries. The name of the officer who discharged his weapon was not released.
Two Suspects Arrested for Having Stolen Pickup
Two Chickasha men are facing felony charges after they were found to be in possession of a stolen vehicle. One of the men is also accused of having a firearm after a previous conviction. The arrests of 24-year old Justin Chance Knight and 20-year old Steven Ryburn started with a Grady County Sheriff's Office investigation of pickup stolen from Chickasha last week. A probable cause affidavit indicates the owner had posted a photo of the truck on Facebook and offered a reward. The owner told deputies that he was contacted by an unknown person about setting up a meeting. The owner then called authorities to let them know that they were going to get together at Hawkins Church north of Alex. As the owner met with two individuals, deputies converged on the church and arrested the pair. Authorities found a .22 caliber revolver that was alleged to have been in Knight's possession. Knight has a previous conviction of endangering others while attempting to elude stemming from a 2019 arrest. Knight remains in the Grady County Jail in lieu of a $150,000 bond. Ryburn is out of jail on a $7,500 bond.
Lawsuit Delays Opening of New Caddo County Casino
A new casino in Caddo County may be temporarily barred from opening. The Warm Springs Casino at the Apache Y is the subject of a federal lawsuit that has been filed against leaders of the Ft. Sill Apache tribe and the U.S. Department of the Interior. The Oklahoman reports that the Kiowa and Comanche nations have jointly filed the lawsuit. A federal judge heard arguments in the case earlier this week. The Oklahoman reports that the case begins a new chapter in a long dispute over the Ft. Sill-Apache tribe's gaming rights in southwest Oklahoma - on land promised to the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache tribes in an 1867 treaty. Decades after that treaty, Ft. Sill-Apache descendants were forced to the area as prisoners of war. The new lawsuit contends the Ft. Sill-Apache tribe has no jurisdiction over the land under Warm Springs Casino. But federal regulators have already given verbal approval to the casino. The Oklahoman reports that government funding fueled by gaming operations is at stake on both sides. While the Ft. Sill-Apache tribe wants to grow its economic base, the Kiowa and Comanche tribes both want to maintain their own revenue streams. Both the Kiowa and Comanche tribes have casinos within 30 miles of Warm Springs Casino.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $115.26 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $122.61.
Natural gas is $8.70 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,859 and silver is $22.13.
Obituary
Peggy Jo Conner
Funeral service for Peggy Joe Conner, 64, of Tuttle will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, June 3rd at Snow Hill Baptist Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.
Wednesday, June 1st
Some Damage Reported from Early Morning Storms
Strong thunderstorms rumbled across much of Oklahoma last night and this morning and there is a report of at least one home damaged in the Chickasha area. A roof was blown off the home of Mike Parham in the Norge area. Parham posted a photo of the damage on his Facebook page. He also said a shed had been blown away. Fortunately no one was injured. There were no tornado warnings issued for Grady County in the storms that moved through between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. Television meteorologists reported that radar-indicated winds in parts of Grady County reached 80 miles per hour. Chickasha and Apache received the most rain in the region at about 1.5 inches; Rush Springs collected an inch of rain; Minco about seven-tenths; and Ft. Cobb's rain gauge showed about three-quarters-of-an-inch. Rain and thunderstorms are again forecast for much of the region tonight. A flash flood watch is in effect until 1:00 a.m. Thursday.
Truck Driver Sentenced in Connection with 2018 Fatal Crash
A semi driver charged with a misdemeanor in connection with a fatal traffic accident that occurred four years ago is sentenced to one year in jail with six months suspended. 30-year old Koby Keaton Griffin of Childress, Texas entered a blind plea of guilty to a misdemeanor charge of negligent homicide in Grady County District Court. 60-year old Joyce McDaniel was killed in the three-vehicle crash just south of Minco on U.S. Highway 81 in March of 2018. The Highway Patrol reported at the time that McDaniel had stopped on the highway to allow traffic to clear before turning on to a county road. Her car was rear-ended by Griffin’s semi and pushed into oncoming traffic where McDaniel's car was then hit by an oncoming pickup. Griffin told authorities that the brakes on his big rig failed. In addition to his jail sentence Griffin was also ordered to pay $750 in fines, perform 100 hours of community service, and to complete a driver improvement course.
Suspect Charged in Theft of Lawn Mowing Equipment
A Chickasha man is facing a charge of grand larceny in connection with the theft of more than $11,000 in lawn maintenance equipment. 32-year old Andrew Marcus Middleton, also known as Andrew Morris, was arrested by Chickasha police over the weekend. A probable cause affidavit indicates that an officer was called out to check out a suspicious vehicle towing a trailer. Just minutes before, the sheriff's office received a call about a trailer with the equipment being pulled by a white SUV. A few minutes later a state trooper stopped the SUV just east of Chickasha near Jay’s Mini Stop. Middleton was the driver and told authorities he had purchased the items although he didn't have any receipts. The owner of the trailer and equipment identified the items as his. Prosecutors have charged Middleton with a felony and he remains in the Grady County Jail on a $7,500 bond. Just last year, Middleton pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in connection with a previous theft in Chickasha. He was given a 30-day suspended sentence in connection with that case.
State Rig Count Up Slightly
Oklahoma's rig count continues a slow climb, which bucked the national trend for last week. The Sooner State now has 59 active oil and gas rigs, up one from the previous week. Nationwide, the rig count fell by one to a total of 727. That number is about 50 percent higher than a year ago when it was 442 rigs.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $114.67 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $122.84.
Natural gas is $8.15 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,833 and silver is $21.50.
USAO Softball Team Finished Third in National Tournament
The USAO softball team came within one win of playing for a national championship at the NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, Georgia last night. Needing two victories to get to the title game, the No. 5-ranked Drovers defeated No. 11-ranked Southeastern of Florida 2-1 in 10 innings in their first game. The Drovers then played No. 1-ranked Mobile, Alabama in a game that also went 10 innings and was won by Mobile, 4-3. The Drover season ends with a 53-10 record and a third place finish in the national tournament. Mobile will go on to play Oklahoma City University for the NAIA national title this afternoon.
Tuesday, May 31st
Memorial Day Ceremony Held at Shannon Springs Park
Memorial Day ceremonies nationwide yesterday paid tribute to the men and women in the armed forces who died while serving their country. One of those ceremonies was held at the Grady County Veterans Memorial in Shannon Springs Park. The names of the 162 Grady County military veterans who died while on active duty were read aloud. Chickasha City Manager Tyler Brooks, a U.S. Air Force veteran, said the memories of battles fought by soldiers are never over and talked about the War of 17.
Brooks said while we take time to honor those who have died, we need to remember the living as well. He said help is available for veterans who may be struggling with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Veterans, or anyone who knows a veteran suffering with PTSD can reach out to veterans groups such as the Grady County Disabled American Veterans, VFW, or American Legion for help.
Grady County GOP to Host Education Forum
The three Republican candidates for State Superintendent of Schools will be part of an education forum in Chickasha this week. April Grace, Superintendent at Shawnee Public Schools; John Cox, Superintendent at Peggs Public Schools; and Ryan Walters, state education secretary will speak. Others include Deborah Campbell, a Republican candidate for House District 50 which includes the Duncan area; Jenni White from Reclaim Oklahoma Power Empowerment (ROPE) who will discuss SB 1647 which is the school choice bill; certified teacher and doctoral student Mark Ousley will discuss critical race theory and social and emotional learning in the classroom; and Sandy Harrell, who is a member of the state Republican party’s education committee is also part of the forum. The program will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, June 4th at the USAO Ballroom. The forum is open to the public and not just members of the Republican Party.
State Wheat Harvest Begins
The wheat harvest is underway in Oklahoma. Most of the work is taking place in southern and southwest Oklahoma like Altus, Chattanooga, and Walters - with some test cuttings as far north as Piedmont and Okarche. Farm broadcaster Ron Hays says projections for this year's crop are low.
On the other end of the spectrum though Hays said a test cutting in the tri-city area is showing some promise. One location in Newcastle was in full harvest with about 50 bushels per acre and test weights at 60 pounds per bushel.
Food Bank Has Two Grady County Sites for Summer Program
The Regional Food Bank is working to make sure Oklahoma children have something to eat this summer. A couple of sites in Grady County will offer food to youth while school is out. The Chickasha YMCA will be serving lunch Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and a snack from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Rush Springs Baptist Church will serve a morning snack between 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and lunch from noon to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday (except holidays). All the meals and snacks are prepared and packaged by volunteers in Hope's Kitchen which is the Regional Food Bank's production kitchen.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $115.07 per barrel.
London-based Brent Crude is $119.43.
Natural gas is $8.73 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,852 and silver is $21.83.
Drovers Continue Play in NAIA Softball World Series
The USAO softball team picks up another win at the NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, Georgia. After suffering a 3-0 loss to Mobile, Alabama on Saturday, the Drovers bounced back with a 6-0 win over Freed-Hardeman, Tennessee yesterday. USAO is among the final four teams remaining in the tournament. The Drovers will face Southeastern Florida in an elimination game this afternoon.
Obituary
Debra Wallin
A graveside service for Debra Wallin, 64, of Ninnekah will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 1st at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
Monday, May 30th
No news due to the Memorial Day Holiday
