Saturday, July 8th
'Wanted' Suspect in Custody After Pursuit
A wanted Minco man is in custody and facing a several charges after a pursuit in Caddo County. 22-year old Williams Alan Hatcher of Minco is facing multiple felony charges in connection with the incident. The Lawton Constitution cites Caddo County court documents that indicate it took place Thursday, June 29th. A Hinton police officer made a traffic stop on Hatcher at the Sugar Creek Casino. The officer discovered that Hatcher had outstanding warrants and Hatcher sped away. The pursuit went in to a rural area where Hatcher is alleged to have driven through the fence and yard of a home where a man, his children, and pets were playing. The chase came to an end when Hatcher crashed in a bar ditch and was arrested after a short foot pursuit. Hatcher is charged with felony assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, endangering others while attempting to elude and some misdemeanors. His bond was set at $100,000.
Suspect Arrested for Alleged Rape of Teen
An Anadarko man is accused of raping a teenaged girl after he had her eat edible marijuana. 21-year old Toby Olen Coley was arrested after a six-month investigation by Anadarko police and the district attorney's office. The Lawton Constitution cites court documents indicating that the 17-year old victim alleged Coley raped her in August. She also claimed Coley sexually assaulted her several months before after they had been drinking. The victim's mother filed the report last December. Coley told investigator's the report was false, and he refused to take a lie detector test because he didn't do anything wrong. Coley is being held in the Caddo County Jail on a $50,000 bond. Coley is charged with felony rape and a misdemeanor for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Talk Show Topic
State Senator and author Darrell Weaver is this week's guest on our KOOL Konversation. Find a podcast of the program under the Community tab on this website.
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Friday, July 7th
Rush Springs Driver Air-Lifted After Crash
A driver had to be air lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital after being thrown out of his pick up after it ran off the road and crashed. 35-year old Robert Wilkinson of Rush Springs suffered leg injuries in the crash and was last in fair condition. The accident happened about 12:30 yesterday afternoon just southeast of Chickasha near South Mockingbird Road and Quail Lane. The trooper dispatched to the crash said that Wilkinson failed to go around a curve, ran off the road and rolled, ejecting him from the truck. The trooper said Wilkinson was not wearing his seat belt.
Port-a-Potty Arrestee Back in Custody
After Being Accidentally Released From Jail
The man arrested after locking himself in a port-a-potty this week is back in custody after he was inadvertently released from jail. We reported yesterday that Shawn Lang of Duncan was arrested after a call came in about a suspicious person being on some property in Rush Springs. Lang locked himself in the port-a-potty and officers sprayed pepper spray through the vents to get him out. He then fought with officers before they were able to take him in to custody. KSWO-TV reports that a clerical error led to Lang's release. The station reported that law enforcement officials worked with Lang's family to convince him to turn himself back in. Lang is not facing any additional charges. He is facing a felony charge of assault and battery on a police officer and misdemeanors which include resisting arrest, drug possession, trespassing, and disturbing the peace.
State Senator-Author Publishes Book
About Dealing With Child's Cancer Death
An Oklahoma State Senator who at one time led the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and is in the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Hall of Fame is now a published author. Republican Darrell Weaver of Moore is in his second term serving district 24. The Comanche native is a Christian author who recently released his second book 'The Ashley Weaver Story: A John the Baptist Moment.' It was written about his teenaged daughter who died of brain cancer when she was 15 years old. The book was released just ahead of would have been Ashley's 35th birthday. Weaver said it was difficult for him and his wife Dr. Kim Weaver to deal with their daughter's death and wanted to share their experiences to help others dealing with the deaths of loved ones.
Weaver will have a book signing at the Weaver Clinic in downtown Chickasha at 512 Chickasha Avenue from about 10:00 a.m. to noon and books will be available. Copies of his first book 'Undercover Drug Agent: A Walk of Faith' will also be available. Both can be purchased on Amazon.
New Anadarko School Board Member to be Sworn In
An accountant and financial advisor will be joining the Anadarko school board. Richard Ross was appointed to the panel to fill the remaining months of a vacant Ward 3 seat. The school board approved the appointment held this past Wednesday. Ross is set to take his oath of office at the regular Anadarko school board meeting on Monday. Superintendent Jerry McCormick said Ross previously worked at Western Farmers Electric Co-op and serves on the Anadarko Public School Foundation. Ross will serve out the remaining few months of the term in Ward 3 which runs through June 30, 2024. He will have to run for the post next year should he want to remain on the board.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.80 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $76.52.
Natural gas is $2.61 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,921 and silver is $22.90.
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Thursday, July 6th
Semi Driver Hospitalized After Near Head-on Collision
Two semis were involved in a near head-on collision south of Anadarko and one of the drivers was hospitalized with trunk injuries. 51-year old Mario Watson of Chickasha was taken by ground ambulance to an Oklahoma City Hospital where he was admitted in stable condition. A passenger, 59-year old Timmy Manning of Cyril, was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was treated for head and trunk injuries and released. The other truck driver, 40-year old Phillip Stroll of Elgin, was not injured. The accident happened about 11:00 a.m. Wednesday on State Highway 8 about three miles south of Anadarko. The highway patrol reports that Watson was traveling at an unsafe speed and ran off the highway - over-corrected - and struck the other semi, then Watson's semi rolled onto its side. The trooper said neither Watson nor his passenger were wearing their seatbelts while Stroll was buckled up.
Child Hospitalized After Crash Near Tuttle
A three-year old girl was one of four people taken to a hospital following a near head-on collision near Tuttle Tuesday night. The accident happened about 8:00 p.m. near State Highway 4 and Fox Lane. The highway patrol reports that a northbound vehicle driven by 21-year old Alyssa Todd of El Reno turned in front on an oncoming vehicle driven by 35-year old Alicia Strause of Roosevelt. The child was in the Strause car, and the girl was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital and admitted in good condition. Strause was not hurt. Todd and a passenger, 22-year old Greyson Barker of Yukon were also taken to an Oklahoma City hospital. Todd suffered leg and internal injuries and was admitted in stable condition while Barker was treated and released.
Suspect Arrested After Barricading Himself in Port-a-Potty
A port-a-potty was the scene of a brief standoff between a man and Grady County deputies this week. A probable cause affidavit indicates authorities were called to the Rush Springs area at 789 State Highway 17 to investigate a suspicious person on Monday. The individual had locked himself inside the port-a-potty. Deputies sprayed pepper spray through the vent which forced the man out. A brief scuffle ensued and the man twice kicked a deputy in his chest. Deputies eventually subdued the suspect and he was taken to jail. In custody is 46-year old Sean Dwayne Lang of Duncan. He's been charged with a felony for assault and battery on an officer and a number of misdemeanors including resisting arrest, possession of meth, and public intoxication. His bond was set at $50,000.
Rush Springs Woman Charged After Bizarre Incident
A follow-up today on the woman who tried to drive off in a Rush Springs police officer's cruiser. 21-year old Rochelle May High of Rush Springs is facing several charges in connection with the incident. It happened last Saturday night after Sgt. Stephen Fish pulled High over and discovered she didn't have a driver's license. High was handcuffed and placed in the back of the cruiser - but she managed to get out of the cuffs, climb over the back seat, and tried to drive off. Media reports indicated that Sgt. Fish attempted to stop her from driving away but was dragged a few feet after grabbing the door handle. Pastor Tom Handke with the Rush Springs Assembly of God Church and other good Samaritans witnessed the incident and ran to help. The cruiser came to a stop after hitting a retaining wall at the church. Fish suffered some scrapes and bruises but no serious injuries. High was eventually arrested and taken to the Grady County Jail. She has been formally charged with felonies for assault on an officer and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon as well as numerous misdemeanors. Her bond is set at $125,000.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.79 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $76.65.
Natural gas is $2.66 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,924 and silver is $23.32.
Obituaries
Hada Terrell
Funeral for Hada Terrell, 81, of Tuttle will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 8th at Sevier Funeral Home in Tuttle. She was a machinist, a mail carrier, and delivered newspapers. She was the sister of Ealmer Klippel who served as a Grady County Commissioner for several years.
Conway Hubbard
Funeral for Conway Hubbard, 77, of Oklahoma City will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 8th at the Divine Wisdom Worship Center in Midwest City. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
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Wednesday, July 5th
City of Chix Provides Details of Sales Tax Election
For Water Treatment Plant, Capital Improvements
Chickasha residents will go to the polls in 32 days to consider a sales tax proposal that - if passed - would pay to build a new $74 million water treatment plant. Officials have posted extensive information on the city's website about the history of the current plant and why a new plant is needed. Officials say the more than 70-year old plant is past its useful life and is at risk of catastrophic failure. The Department of Environmental Quality has told city leaders that one way or another, a new plant needs to be built. The City has published information on its website that officials hope may answer questions that residents may have about the upcoming sales tax election.
Sales tax proposal details
Voters will decide if a permanent 1 1/2 percent sales tax should be implemented to pay for the facility as well other capital improvements. Officials say a current 3/4 of percent sales tax expires at the end of the year. If approved, the overall sales tax would increase by 1/2 of 1 percent. The increase is expected to bring in more than $4.5 million per year with $3 million each year to pay for a loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to build the plant. About $1.5 million per year would be used for capital improvements including a new fire station, a new firetruck, and equipment for the fire and police departments; street repairs and construction; and construction or relocation of water and sewer lines associated with the Highway 81 Bypass. If the sales tax doesn't pass, water rates will increase by more than 80 percent in order to pay only for the water plant and that no funds would be available for the capital improvement projects. The information can be found on the city's website: www.chickasha.org
The election is set for Tuesday, Aug. 8th.
Watchdog Group Questions Supreme Court Justice's Actions
Over Wife's Ownership Connections to Grady County Oil and Gas Lease
A tract of land in Grady County is at the center of an ethics controversy surrounding a U.S. Supreme Court Justice. The website OK Energy Today posted information first published by The Intercept which indicates Justice Samuel Alito has a conflict of interest regarding rulings in favor of the oil and gas industry and against the Environmental Protection Agency. The report indicates that Alito's wife owns part of a section of land near a Minco-area oil and gas lease. The Intercept reports that Alito's wife agreed in June of last year to lease 160 acres to Tulsa-based Citizen Energy and that she would receive a 3/16ths royalty. The report indicated that if any oil and gas were discovered and produced, it could amount to a small fortune for the Alito family. An official with a watchdog group called the Revolving Door Project said 'there need not be a specific case involving the drilling rights associated with a special plot of land for Alito to understand what outcomes in environmental cases would buttress his family's net wealth.'
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.79 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $74.65.
Natural gas is $2.71 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,936 and silver is $23.09.
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Tuesday, July 4th
No news do to the holiday.
Monday, July 3rd
Rush Springs Officer Uninjured After Bizarre Incident
A Rush Springs police officer avoids injury after a suspect he detained tried to run him over with the officer's patrol car. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess says deputies and state troopers were called to assist the officer Saturday afternoon. A woman had been detained and handcuffed for an unknown reason and she managed to slip out of the handcuffs and tried to steal the officer's vehicle. Boggess said she tried to run the officer over and then hit the car she was initially driving, then crashed into a retaining wall at the Rush Springs Assembly of God Church. State troopers worked the accident and the sheriff's office is working the criminal part of the incident. Boggess did not name the officer involved. The woman was taken into custody on complaints of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and eluding.
Trio Arrrested After Alleged Illegal Marijuana Found
Three people are in custody after a deputy attempted to serve tax documents on a marijuana grow operation. Sheriff Boggess said Deputy Larry Schones went to the facility but no one responded. Schones then went to a Chickasha home at 125 Ruskin Place where he detected a strong odor of marijuana and saw in plain sight several pounds of suspected illegal marijuana. A request for a search warrant was approved and the sheriff's office narcotics division was summoned. The deputies confiscated about 35 pounds of illegal weed which was believed to have a street value of about $35,000. The suspects were arrested on complaints of trafficking and maintaining a residence for keeping or selling drugs.
Chix Officials Consider Location for Third Fire Station
Chickasha city officials are looking at opening a third fire station. The city council tonight will consider the city's annual contract with the Grady County 522 EMS District. The city is expected to receive more than $576,000 from the district. In addition, the city will ask the district for $750,000 for capital improvements to help the city purchase the Chief Fire and Safety buildings in the 300 block of Washington Avenue. The council will also consider purchasing a battery-operated Jaws of Life tool for the fire department for just under $40,000.
Oil and Gas Leases May be Awarded
The council will also consider awarding a couple of oil and gas leases. One is for 300 acres at Lake Chickasha to Todco Properties and the other is for 40 acres in Section 4 of Township 6 North and Range 7 West in Grady County to Camino Natural Resources.
City Pool to be Evaluated; Should it be Repaired or Replaced?
The council will also consider contracting with a company to evaluate the swimming pool at Shannon Springs Park. The pool is about 40 years old and Parks and Recreation Director Spencer Winzenreid said it’s becoming more time-consuming and expensive to open the pool every year. Winzenreid is a proposing an inspection of the pool by a firm called Paddock Enterprises of Oklahoma City after the swimming season ends. If the $9,500 cost of the evaluation is approved it would include estimated costs of renovations and estimated costs of a new pool. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.
Holiday Hours Differ for City, County Offices
Chickasha City Hall and all city offices are open today but will be closed for the 4th of July tomorrow. The Grady County Courthouse is closed today as work crews are re-tiling the courthouse vestibule, and will also be closed tomorrow for the holiday. The courthouse will re-open on Wednesday.
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 $1,920 and silver is $22.97.
