Saturday, Oct. 14th
One Dead, One Taken to Hospital after Domestic Shooting
One man is dead and another was taken to a hospital following an argument that escalated into violence. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess said his office received a phone call about shots being fired at a Rush Springs area home about 4:30 p.m. Friday. KSWO-TV reports that Boggess said one man stabbed another and the stabbing victim shot and killed his attacker. The stabbing victim was taken to a hospital to be treated for a leg injury. Boggess said no arrest was made and that the case has been turned over to the district attorney's office to determine if the shooting was in self-defense.
Theft Suspect Recently Freed After Guilty Plea to Previous Charges
A man with an obscenity tattooed on his forehead has been arrested for allegedly stealing oilfield equipment. This was just weeks after he was released from jail after pleading guilty to drug trafficking and other charges. 43-year old Harley Justin Adams of Apache who has 'F*** IT" was arrested by Grady County deputies early Thursday morning. Details of his arrest weren't available but on-line court records indicate he was formally charged with a felony for larceny of oilfield equipment and a misdemeanor for eluding. His bond was set at $50,000. Adams recently pleaded guilty to couple of charges out of Caddo County including felony possession of stolen vehicle in connection with an arrest in Apache last December. He was then arrested by Caddo County authorities in May and in July he pleaded guilty to felonies of drug trafficking, having a stolen vehicle, having a firearm while committing a felony, and obstruction. Adams was sentenced to five years with all but 67 days suspended and then released.
Expectant Mother Accused of Smoking Meth Charged with Neglect
A pregnant woman is facing a child neglect charge for allegedly smoking meth and harming her unborn child. 25-year old Crista Lynn Hays of Chickasha was arrested by the District Six Task Force this week. A probable cause affidavit indicates that an agent reviewed a video call Hays had with her fiancee who is in the Grady County Jail. A comment was made about Hays smoking and what it could do the fetus. Agents later talked to Hays who said she is in her 31st week of pregnancy with the baby due in December, and that she admitted smoking meth about 10 times during the pregnancy. Hays told the agent that a recent exam showed she was not positive for meth. Hays bond was set at $25,000 and she is to be back in court Nov. 8th.
Talk Show Topics
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson is our KOOL Konversation program. On Real Estate Today, our guest is Jay Earp with the State Department of Transportation. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.
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Friday, Oct. 13th
Chix Mayor Discusses City's Recent Growth
Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley says the city has a lot going for it with the all the growth that has taken place in the last few years. In his State-of-the-City address yesterday Mosley reflected on development that has happened in just the last couple of years in both the commercial and residential sectors.
He said the city has set records for sales tax revenues in two of the last three months and estimated that it could reach a record $15 million this year. He said consumer spending at retail outlets from July through September was about $135 million. The mayor said the reason is that more than just Chickasha residents are spending money in the city on a regular basis.
He also said the number of people visiting Chickasha this year could reach 4 million individuals who are coming to town for events like the Festival of Light, the Leg Lamp, and the Oklahoma Food Truck championship.
Mayor supports TIF proposal
The Mayor did briefly mention the proposal to create a new Tax Increment Finance District which the city council will be considering in the near future. He supports the move, saying it would help to fund water, sewer, and street projects. He said the city does face challenges and there is a lot of work to do but when all is said and done - the harvest will be bountiful.
Ex-Con Back in Jail for Alleged Axe Handle Assault
A Chickasha man with a lengthy criminal record is back in jail for allegedly using an axe handle to attack another man. 60-year old Andon Lamont Johnson - also known as Shoopy - was arrested by Chickasha police earlier this week. Prosecutors have formally charged Johnson with a felony for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and his bond was set at $200,000. On-line court records show Johnson spent 17 years behind bars after pleading guilty to assault charges stemming from a 2004 arrest.
Talk Show Topics
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson will be on our KOOL Konversation program discussing winter weather preparedness. On Real Estate Today, our guest is Jay Earp with the State Department of Transportation. He'll be discussing many of the local road and bridge repair projects currently underway, the updated eight-year plan for the region and the state, and the latest on the U.S. Highway 81 bypass of Chickasha.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.91 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $86.00.
Natural gas is $3.34 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,900 and silver is $22.26.
Obituary
Valt Harris
A graveside service for Valt Harris, 73, of Ninnekah will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 16th at the Ninnekah Cemetery. He was a U.S. Army veteran, a concrete finisher, and ran an RV park. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
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Thursday, Oct. 12th
Chix Mayor to Give State-of-the-City Address
Plans to build a new water treatment plant and an update on the U.S. Highway 81 bypass project are a couple of topics that could be addressed by Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley in his annual State-of-the-City address today. The mayor is expected to discuss a wide range of issues during his presentation at the Grady County Fairgrounds. The annual address is hosted by the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce.
Second Person Dies after Cyril Crash
A second person has died as a result of a traffic accident that occurred during a thunderstorm in Cyril last week. 72-year old Cris Naputi of Lawton recently passed away from injuries he sustained in the crash. 67-year old Brenda Naputi also of Lawton died in the crash. It happened on U.S. Highway 277 east of Cyril last Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 4th.
Former Governors in Chix to Commemorate
Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation Work
A couple of former Oklahoma governors will be in Chickasha tonight. Govs. Frank Keating and Brad Henry will be promoting the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation and celebrating its 77 years of work. It’s the 77 for 77 Campaign as the foundation is holding events in each of Oklahoma's 77 counties. The district chair for this region is Dr. Bruce Storms. The program will be held at Brandi’s Bar and Grill from 5:30 to 7:30 tonight.
Site Teachers Honored at Chix Public Schools
Chickasha Public Schools are recognizing some teachers for their work. Each fall the district honors one teacher at each school as the Site Teacher of the Year. This year they are - high school teacher Bethany Goble; middle school teacher Greg Gibson; Lincoln Elementary teacher Mike Elliott; Grand Elementary teacher Megan Crowder; and Bill Wallace teacher Mary Curtis. The announcement was posted on the Chickasha Public Schools Facebook page and website. All are now candidates for the district teacher of the year award which will be announced at the Chickasha Public School Foundation Gala next spring.
Solar Eclipse Watch Parties in Chix, Anadarko
Many Oklahomans are anticipating the solar eclipse that will take place on Saturday. It won't be a total eclipse but much of central Oklahoma could see about 80 percent of the event as the moon blocks much of the sun's rays from reaching Earth.
Chickasha
The watch will be held at the Leg Lamp and families are invited to bring blankets and lawn chairs. About 100 solar glasses and hand-held viewers will be available for sale with proceeds going to the Chickasha Community Foundation.
Anadarko
The Anadarko Community Library will host a program at the Randlett Park basketball courts from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. which will include some inter-active science and art activities. The library will have a limited supply of eclipse glasses. The eclipse will begin about 10:20 a.m. with the peak about 11:48 a.m. and ending about 1:23 p.m.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.49 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $85.82.
Natural gas is $3.38 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,894 and silver is $22.35.
Obituary
Lonnie ‘Babe’ Layman
Funeral service for Lonnie ‘Babe’ Layman, 74, of Chickasha will be at held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, October 16th at Bible Baptist Church. He was a U.S. Army veteran, owned and operated his own welding company, and also taught welding at the Canadian Valley Technology Center. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
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Wednesday, Oct. 11th
Results from Tuesday's School Bond Elections
Voters in the Ninnekah Public School District gave their overwhelmingly approval to a couple of school bond issues in yesterday’s special elections while voters in the Blanchard Public School District passed just one of two bond issues.
Ninnekah
More than three out of every four voters supported a $19.6 million plan to build a new gymnasium, and to make improvements to the high school and the district’s ag barn. The unofficial vote was 175 to 53 (76 percent). A second $400,000 bond to purchase school buses and other vehicles passed by a similar margin, 174 to 57 (75 percent).
Blanchard
School district voters narrowly defeated a $69 million bond that would have funded numerous projects. The plan fell 42 votes shy of the 60 percent super-majority needed for passage (870 to 650 or 57 percent). Among the projects it would have funded were new classrooms for the high school, a gymnasium that was to double as a storm shelter, and a new fieldhouse for football and a new soccer program. Voters did pass a $1.5 million transportation bond 993 to 534 (65 percent).
Second Expansion for Grady County Jail Underway
The Grady County Jail will be expanding again. A groundbreaking ceremony was held yesterday for the project that will adding space to the jail annex. Here’s Jail Administrator Jim Gerlach-
The expansion will add about 10 cells with room for an additional 40 inmates and has an estimated cost of $4.2 million. It will increase the total capacity of the main jail and the annex to a combined 800 inmates. It’s already the third largest jail in Oklahoma. Officials say taxpayer funds will not be used to pay for the project. Funding will come from the Grady County Criminal Justice Authority which oversees the jail operations. The panel recently approved a budget of just over $14 million for the fiscal year. Gerlach said they have paid the $18 million debt on the original jail down to about $5 million.
Awareness Walk Fundraiser set for Local ALS Group
There is a concerted effort to create a local support group for those who have lost loved ones to Lou Gehrig's disease. The actual name of the affliction is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). It's a progressive disease that affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord but does not affect the brain itself. Kenny Howell and Dwight Sehon both lost their wives to ALS and there have been several other Chickasha residents who have died or are currently battling ALS. Howell and Sehon are among those spearheading a walk to help raise awareness about Lou Gehrig's disease and raise money to help local families who are affected by it. It's called ALS: Walk for the Cure. It will be held on Sunday Nov. 12th which will be the second anniversary of the death of Kenny's wife, Marla. There will be a one mile, two mile, and three mile walk. Information can be found on the group’s Facebook page ALS: Walk for the Cure. T-shirts are available for $25 each.
'Fright Night' Set on Perfect Date for the Event
Several groups are combining efforts to hold Chickasha's first-ever Fright Night. The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce and the Chickasha Community Theatre are co-sponsoring the event on an appropriate night - this Friday, the 13th. The main event will be an adult-oriented costume parade led by a horse-drawn hearse that will begin at the Shakespeare Wine Company and end at the Leg Lamp. There is a pumpkin carving contest, pumping decorating, and costume parties. There will be ghost stories after the parade. Activities start about 6 p.m. with the parade at 7:30 p.m. Organizers suggest that parade attendees be 18 and older. The ghost stories will be at 9 p.m. at the community theatre.
Caddo County Traffic Advisory
Traffic on State Highway 9 between Ft. Cobb and the Apache Y will be intermittently narrowed to one lane for the next few weeks. Officials with the state department of transportation say it’s part of an on-going project. A pilot vehicle will be leading traffic through the work zone for the duration of the project which is expected to run through the end of October.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.97 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $87.65.
Natural gas is $3.38 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,883 and silver is $22.24.
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Tuesday, Oct. 10th
Voters Deciding Bond Issues
for Ninnekah, Blanchard School Districts
Voters in the Ninnekah and Blanchard school districts will decide special bond issues today. In Ninnekah, voters will decide two issues totaling nearly $20 million. The first proposal is for $19.6 million to build a new gymnasium, and renovate, repair, and remodel the ag barn. The second proposal is a $400,000 transportation bond to purchase school buses and other vehicles. Officials say there would be no property tax increase should the measures pass.
Blanchard School District Also with Two Bond Issues
The first proposition for Blanchard Public School District voters is a $69 million bond issue to build new classrooms at the high school, an auxiliary gym at the high school that would serve as a storm shelter; purchase property for a future school site; build a new fieldhouse for football and a new soccer program; and move the baseball and softball fields to the high school campus. A second bond issue is a $1.5 million transportation bond. Blanchard school officials also say there would be no property tax increase if the measures are approved. Polls are open until 7 o'clock tonight.
TIF District for Chix on Special Work Session Agenda Tonight
Should another Tax Increment Finance District be created for the City of Chickasha? It will be discussed in a special work session of the city council tonight. A proposal was brought before the council last month where officials said they wanted to consider forming two TIF districts although no locations were announced. City Manager Keith Johnson said the talks are in the very early stages-
Tonight's work session is open to the public. It will get underway at 6:30 tonight at city hall.
Transportation Commisson Updates Eight-Year Work Plan
The Oklahoma Transportation Commission approved a new eight-year plan for highway improvements for the state. Jay Earp is the engineer for District Seven of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) which serves Grady, Caddo, Comanche, and Stephens counties He talks about the overall plan for the state and what is planned for south central Oklahoma.
Earp said the plan calls for road construction on the U.S. Highway 81 west bypass of Chickasha to begin in 2028. The plans can be seen on the state department of transpotration's website: oklahoma.gov/odot
Verden Casino Closing
The Kiowa Casino in Verden will be closing at the end of the month. Officials with the Kiowa Tribe and the Kiowa Casino Operations Authority say the casino will be closing its doors on Tuesday, Oct. 31st. The casino opened in 2010 and provided more than 13 years of service to the area. Officials say the decision was not made lightly, and they extend their deepest gratitude to their guests, team members, and the Verden community for their unwavering support. The casino will be reducing their hours of operation over the next few weeks. As of this week, they will be closed Monday and Tuesday, and will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $86.38 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $88.15.
Natural gas is $3.38 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,871 and silver is $21.92.
Obituaries
Patricia Skitt
Funeral service for Patricia Skitt, 62, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12th at Sevier Funeral Home. She worked at Delta Faucet and Wal-Mart.
Connie Dabney
A family graveside service for Connie Dabney, 87, of Edmond and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Oct. 16th at Fairlawn Cemetery. She was an active member of the Daughters of the American Revolution and many local organizations. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
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Monday, Oct. 9th
SWAT Team Arrests Man After Standoff
There were some tense moments for Chickasha police and the Grady County Sheriff's Office over the weekend. Saturday afternoon, a man barricaded himself inside an apartment at the Carriage Plaza Apartments at 1920 S. 22nd Street and fired shots at police. Chickasha police records indicate officers were called to the complex about 4:25 p.m. for an undisclosed reason. Information posted on the Grady County Sheriff's Office Facebook page indicates that police summoned the sheriff's office SWAT team for help. Several apartments were evacuated and the SWAT team tried to get the man to surrender peacefully but he refused to do so. The SWAT team then launched tear gas into the apartment and the man still refused to surrender. The team then made the decision to force its way into the apartment and was able to take the man into custody. No one was injured during the ordeal. Arrested was 33-year old Travis Rose who was handed over to the police department. Rose is being held in the Grady County Jail on complaints of discharging a firearm, threatening acts of violence, and resisting arrest.
Former Sheriff Jim Weir Inducted into Sheriff's Hall of Fame
Former Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir has been inducted to the Oklahoma Sheriff's Association Hall of Fame. Weir spent more than 15 years with the sheriff's office. He was first hired as a deputy in 2006 after retiring from the Oklahoma City police department following 25 years of distinguished service. In 2007 he was named deputy of the year then was promoted to undersheriff in 2008. He was elected sheriff in the fall of 2012 and retired earlier this year after serving a decade as sheriff.
Chickasha Truck Driver Uninjured After I-35 Crash
A Chickasha truck driver was not injured in a recent crash where his big rig was rear-ended in a Garvin County accident. 59-year old Tracy Johnson was southbound on I-35 when an SUV was merging onto the interstate. The highway patrol reports that the SUV driver attempted to pass a third vehicle and ran into back of Johnson's Freightliner. The SUV driver from Wynnewood was flown by a medical helicopter to an Oklahoma City hospital with head injuries where he was admitted in stable condition. The accident happened at mile marker 74 on I-35 about 12:30 p.m. last Wednesday.
Local Bank Offers 'Live Teller' ATMs
ATM machines are quite handy when you need some quick cash but you don't get to have a conversation with a friendly teller when you make your transaction. Arvest Bank will change that in Chickasha this week. They are opening a new ATM which will allow customers to have face-to-face communications with Arvest tellers via a video screen. The ATM is at 413 West Country Club Road where associates will be on hand from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday of this week to show how it works. The ATM live tellers will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular ATM services will still be available 24 hours a day. The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon for the new ATM at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning.
Chix Community Blood Drive Today
KOOL and RANCH Radio stations along with the YMCA are co-hosting another community blood drive today with the Oklahoma Blood Institute. The OBI Bloodmobile will be in the YMCA parking lot at 7th and Chickasha Ave. from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. today and you don't need an appointment. The best times for walk-ins will be from 12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. and almost any time after 3:00 p.m. Your single blood donation can save the lives of three people. For an upcoming blood drive in your area, go to the website obi.org.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.79 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $84.58.
Natural gas is $3.34 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,864 and silver is $21.81.
Obituary
Thomas Ropp
Viewing for Thomas Ropp, 66, of Ninnekah will be from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He operated his own dirt yard, worked at a chemical plant, and as a crane operator.
