Saturday, July 1st
Town Halls Set for Chix Sales Tax Proposal
Chickasha city officials will hold several town hall meetings over the next few weeks to answer questions about a proposed sales tax plan that would pay to build a new $74 million water treatment plant. Officials have proposed a 1 ¼ cent sales tax. If approved, it would replace a 3/4 of a penny sales tax which will be expiring this year with the result being an increase of 1/2 of one cent. The first meeting will be Monday, July 24th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at city hall. The second will be Thursday, July 27th from 6 to 8 p.m. at city hall. The third will be Saturday, July 29th from 8 to 10 a.m. at the library; and the 4th will be a virtual zoom meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 1st from noon to 1 p.m. Voters will decide the sales tax proposal in a special election on Tuesday, Aug. 8th.
Fireworks and the 4th of July Illegal in Many Cities
America will be celebrating its 247th birthday next week. The 4th of July weekend is here and with it the opportunity to purchase and shoot fireworks. It is illegal in many cities and towns to shoot fireworks within the city limits and that includes Chickasha. The fine for anyone ticketed for doing so is $174. Officials with the police department say it has been several years since anyone was given a ticket. The last was in 2019 and before that, 2014. Generally, officers will simply issue a warning if they are called to look into a fireworks complaint.
Well completions
Marathon Oil reports a location bringing in about 1,100 barrels of oil and 1,100 Mcf of natural gas per day southwest of Lindsay. It's the Dean Well in section 30 of Township 4 North and Range 4 West five miles southwest of Lindsay in Garvin County. True vertical drilling depth was 11,000 feet and total drilling was more than 21,000 feet.
EOG Resources
A report on the Candi Well four miles northeast of Blanchard. The well is in Section 23 of Township 8 North and Range 4 West in McClain County and was bringing in just over 200 barrels of oil and 150 Mcf of natural gas per day. True vertical depth was nearly 9,300 feet and total drilling was more than 20,000 feet. EOG also filed a completion report on the Wilson Well two miles south of Newcastle in Section 4 of Township 8 North and Range 4 West also in McClain County. It was producing 320 barrels of oil and nearly 300 Mcf of natural gas per day. True vertical depth is 9,600 feet and total drilling was nearly 20,000 feet.
Citizen Energy of Tulsa
Two wells on a single pad southwest of Mustang. The Walther wells are in Section One of Township 10 North and Range Six West in Canadian County. They were producing about 420 barrels of oil and nearly 1,200 Mcf of natural gas per day. True vertical depth was 9.400 feet with total drilling at more than 17,000 feet.
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Friday, June 30th
State Receives Federal Broadband Expansion Funds
$1.2 billion. That's the budget for the state broadband office to build a statewide network to provide high-speed internet service to all corners of the Sooner State. Much of the money are federal funds from what's called the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment program (BEAD). The Oklahoman reports that the Biden administration announced that nearly $798 million in BEAD grants will be provided to Oklahoma. The funds are part of the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act approved by Congress in 2021. The state broadband office received another $400,000 in grants which provides the remaining portion of the budget. Internet service providers who agree to provide internet service at affordable prices will be able to apply for the grant funds through a competitive process to build networks capable of providing higher uploading and downloading speeds. The state office also plans to spend some of the money to support programs to train a workforce to help the providers install and operate the networks to make sure broadband expansion is done effectively and efficiently. State officials expect to receive about 20 percent of the BEAD funds within a year and the remainder over the following three years.
Regional July 4th Celebrations
There will be several opportunities over the next few days to enjoy professional fireworks displays for the 4th of July. They start tonight with Anadarko's Honor America celebration. Activities will begin at 5:30 p.m. at Randlett Park. There are games and activities, more than a dozen food trucks, other vendors, and live music. The fireworks will begin at 9:45 p.m. and our sister station New Country 985 will broadcast patriotic music in synch with the show. Monday night, Blanchard will hold its Independence Day celebration behind the Sonic Drive In. There will also be family-oriented games, live music, and fireworks. In Chickasha, a new event will be held Tuesday morning July 4th. It’s called the Stars and Handlebars Parade. It is open to families, individuals, and groups who would like to dress up and decorate their bicycles and ATVs in red, white, and blue and ride through Shannon Springs Park. A small fee benefits USO Oklahoma. Advanced registration is requested on the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce website by Monday, July 3rd. Participants can also register at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the park with the parade starting at 10 a.m. The Chickasha fireworks show will be at the park Tuesday night. Marlow will also have its big 4th of July celebration on Tuesday with a downtown parade at 10 a.m. followed by activities at Red Bud Park.
Chix Community Theatre Has Final Weekend of Shrek, Jr.
The Chickasha Community Theatre's presentation of Shrek, Jr. hits the stage for three more performances this weekend. There are performances at 7:30 tonight and tomorrow night with a final matinee performance Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock. Advanced tickets may be purchased at Jay’s Jewelry or tickets will be available at the door.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $67.70 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $72.26.
Natural gas is $2.76 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,911 and silver is $22.63.
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Thursday, June 29th
Onward Chickasha Open House Tonight
The latest information regarding a plan to guide the City of Chickasha to the middle part of this century and beyond can be reviewed tonight. The Onward Chickasha project will have an open house at Chickasha City Hall this evening. The Oklahoma City-based engineering and architectural firm of Guernsey Consultants has been hired by the city council to do a detailed survey which will take about a year-and-a-half to complete. The study is still in its early stages. Guernsey representative Laura Bergey says tonight's open-house will allow individuals to review and discuss the work done so far and provide input on a preliminary draft of the community's vision and goals for the future. The open-house is a come-and-go event in the first-floor lobby of city hall from 5:30 to 7:30 tonight. Other information is available on-line at: OnwardChickasha.org
Bucket Truck Fire Slows Turnpike Traffic
A commercial truck fire slowed traffic on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike yesterday. It happened just before 1:00 p.m. in the west bound lanes of the interstate near mile marker 97. The driver was able to pull the bucket truck onto the shoulder of the highway forcing officials to close the outside lane for about 45 minutes. The highway patrol and several other first responders were summoned. No details about the incident were available. The truck remained on the shoulder until crews returned to remove it just after 6:30 last night. Traffic was again narrowed to one lane and it took crews three hours to remove the truck.
Life Skills Institute Works to Rebuild Lives
Chickasha's Life Skills Institute (LSI) has a mission of providing a way for men and women facing hardships to get on their feet and improve their lives. Director Zack Bowles says it's for those who are experiencing financial devastation, addiction, homelessness, or other issues and help guide them to independent living. It is a faith-based program and just like the name implies LSI provides life skills training and work-readiness programs which can last from one to two years. Individuals can work and do have to pay for their stay however they can qualify for some one-time assistance after successfully completing the program.
Bowles says the monthly fee is income based and daily meals are provided. Residents are also encouraged to take part in community service projects. Life Skills Institute recently received an ARPA grant of $900,000 from Grady County Commissioners to help build a new women's dormitory which is under construction.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.56 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $74.03.
Natural gas is $2.66 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,913 and silver is $22.97.
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Wednesday, June 28th
Crash Sends Blanchard Man to Hospital
A Blanchard driver was hospitalized after two pick-ups collide between Chickasha and Dibble yesterday. 60-year old Michael Lamb was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital by Chickasha EMS with unknown injuries. He was admitted in stable condition. The accident happened at the junction of State Highway 39 and the Alex Highway, which is CS 2940. The highway patrol reported that Lamb failed to yield from a stop sign, and was hit by an eastbound pickup driven by 67-year old Ronald Smith of Purcell. Neither Smith nor an unidentified 16 year old passenger were injured.
Repairs to Chix Intersection Underway
Looks like repairs to a busy Chickasha residential intersection are getting underway. A backhoe is now on site at 14th and Missouri, where crews have to replace storm drain pipes and repair the roadway.
Chix Schools Enrollment Scheduled
Chickasha school officials are getting things ready for enrolling students for the upcoming year. According to the district's website, enrollment will be on-line. That process will start in just two weeks, on Wednesday, July 12th. This will be for first-time students, or, students who are returning from out-of-district or home-school situations. That will include students who did not finish out last year, and pre-kindergarten students. For students who have applied for a transfer, officials ask that they not start the enrollment process until they have been notified that the district has space available. For information, contact the Chickasha Schools Enrollment Center at 7th and Kansas Avenue, downtown.
Ag Dealership Partners With Investment Firm
One of Chickasha's leading farm tractor and machinery dealerships is continuing to make improvements. Parallel Ag, which purchased Livingston Machinery Company a couple of years ago, has partnered with a private equity firm to assist with the dealership’s growth. Midwest Growth Partners (MGP) is now on board to bring additional capital to the company. MWG has experience in advancing what it calls the endless economic potential of America's smaller communities. Parallel Ag president Shawn Skaggs says MGP is a good match for them.
Skaggs said the Chickasha dealership has been able to add equipment to the shop area which has helped their technicians become more efficient. There are also have to remodel. Parallel Ag also been able to open dealerships in Lubbock, Texas and Liberal, Kansas.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $67.70 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $72.26.
Natural gas is $2.76 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,915 and silver is $22.91.
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Tuesday, June 27th
County Fairgrounds Hosts Youth Brangus Show
Another national livestock show is underway at the Grady County Fairgrounds this week. It's the International Junior Brangus Breeders Association. Some 250 youth from across the country will be showing about 550 head of cattle. Briana Hicks is the president of the group.
Hicks is 22 years old and recently graduated from Texas A and M with a bachelor's degree in animal science and plans on continuing her education to get a master's degree in ag leadership. The show runs through Saturday and there is no cost to attend any of the activities.
Fire Hydrant Flushing to Affect Chix Neighborhood
Parts of Chickasha may experience low water pressure over the next few days. Crews with USW, the private contractor for the city’s water services, will be flushing some fire hydrants. The area affected is north of Frisco Avenue between 6th and 16th Streets.
Repair on Rain-Damaged Intersection Delayed
City officials were hoping that work to repair the 14th and Missouri intersection would start last week however the effort has been delayed. Public Works Director Jim Crosby said the firm hired for the project said a trailer had broken down and they were making repairs yesterday. In an e-mail, Crosby tells KOOL News that they could be moving equipment in today to begin work. The intersection has been closed for more than a month after heavy rains damaged the storm drain pipes underneath the streets.
Grady Courthouse to Close July 3rd and 4th
Grady County employees will be getting an extra day off next week in addition to the July 4th holiday. County Commissioners decided to close the courthouse on Monday, July 3rd to re-tile the courthouse security vestibule. That project is expected to take four days to complete and it's hoped crews can start Saturday and be done by the end of the day Tuesday. The courthouse will re-open for business as usual on Wednesday, July 5th. The weekly county commissioner's meeting normally held on Monday will be at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 5th.
CV Tech Students Do Well at National Event
A number of students from the Chickasha campus of the Canadian Valley Technology Center placed in the top 10 in national competitions recently. Lindsay Palesano, Terrie Clark, and Ashley Keeton finished second in creative problem solving for post-secondary students in the Future Health Professionals Division; top-10 placers were Hannah Turner, in post-secondary nutrition; and Kylie Childress in post-secondary medical law and ethics. Trenton Rippey placed third in secondary prepared speech in pre-engineering for Skills USA. Trinity Badillo, Payton Morgan, and Mia Pecina in the business office class placed third in the post-secondary small business management division of the Business Professionals of America. Rippey was also one of four state officers from the Chickasha campus at the national conference. The others were Zoey Howry, Abby James, and Yesenia Ramirez.
Chix Resident Accepted in to Leadership Oklahoma
A Chickasha resident has been selected to take part in the next Leadership Oklahoma program. Jim Cowan, the president of the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce and director of the Economic Development Council has been accepted into the program. He'll be among 50 participants who will spend one day a month over the next several months visiting several communities. A press release indicates participants will have engaging discussions, work on collaborative problem-solving, and get a better understanding of the social, environmental, and economic challenges facing the state.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.37 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $74.18.
Natural gas is $2.79 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,932 and silver is $23.13.
Obituaries
Terry Morgan
A memorial service for Terry Morgan, 55, of Chickasha, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 30th at Faith Latino Church in Oklahoma City. He was the kitchen manager for Hutch's and previously was the store manager for the Chickasha Travel Plaza. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Ronnie Thomas
A private memorial service for Ronnie Thomas, 61, of Chickasha will be held by the family at a later date. He worked for the City of Chickasha's water maintenance department. Arrangements are also with Ferguson Funeral Home.
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Monday, June 26th
Pilot Makes Emergency Landing in Field
The pilot of a small airplane was forced to make an emergency landing in a field near Rush Springs over the weekend. This happened about 2:15 Saturday afternoon. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess says the unidentified pilot had just left the Lawton airport and was experiencing some problems and was looking for a place to land. Boggess said the pilot thought about trying to land on Highway 81 but found a field just south of Rush Springs and was able to land safety. The pilot was the only occupant of the plane and he was not hurt. The only information available about the plane was that it was a four-seater. The landing was made in a field two miles south of Rush Springs near CS 2820 and CR 1560.
Chix PD Recieves Grant to Offer Mental Health Counseling for Staff
We reported last week that a grant for the Chickasha Police Department will provide mental health counseling for police personnel. Police Chief G.G. Music was on our KOOL Konversation program over the weekend and said the counseling is not just for the police officers on the street.
The $4,000 grant from the Oklahoma Electric Co-op Round-up program will pay for 400 hours of counseling.
Open House for Onward Chickasha Survey Set
The on-going work of a firm putting together a 20-30 year plan for the city of Chickasha has re-scheduled an open house that was postponed earlier due to weather concerns. The most recent information of the Onward Chickasha project will be on display later this week. The Guernsey Engineering firm out of Oklahoma City is leading the effort. Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley said it is a detailed plan, with officials seeking community input about the city's future.
This week's open house will be Thursday evening from 5:30 to 7:30 at Chickasha City Hall.
Soldiers Return From Overseas Deployment
A welcome home ceremony held over the weekend for a number of Ft. Sill soldiers who returned from a lengthy deployment. Members of the First Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Division spent nine months in Europe assisting NATO. The soldiers spent time in Germany, Poland, and Estonia. Battalion Commander Emilian Tellado said it was not standard work for the troops. He said what they did made an impact on Europe and their work will always be remembered.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.16 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $73.85.
Natural gas is $2.73 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,941 and silver is $23.03.
