Saturday, Nov. 18th
Report: Extreme Winter Weather 'Could' Cause Problems with Power Grid
Lengthy periods of sub-freezing temperatures in the Sooner State this winter could lead to rolling blackouts. That's according to a new report from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. The non-profit group takes a look at power reliability in the U.S. and develops standards for a secure supply of power. Oklahoma is part of the multi-state Southwest Power Pool which serves a number states from Texas to Montana. The report says the power pool reserves are lower this year than last, and that planned rolling blackouts may be necessary should extreme winter weather strike. The Oklahoman reports that PSO and OG&E are preparing for the possibility of extreme weather. PSO officials said they are focused on meeting the needs of their customers in all types of weather. Spokesman Wayne Green said ahead of every winter the utility reviews equipment and procedures and makes investments when necessary. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's forecast for the Midwest shows equal chances of above or below normal precipitation levels. The National Weather Service is predicting near normal temperatures for the winter.
Ag Groups Satisfied with Farm Bill Extension
Agriculture groups overall are pleased with the extension of the 2018 Farm Bill approved by Congress this week. The Farm Bill expired at the end of September but the House and Senate have both approved extending the bill through September of next year. The bill now goes to President Biden for his expected approval. The American Farm Bureau said it was grateful for the extension which will avoid serious program disruptions. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association said it is thankful for extending programs which farmers and ranchers depend on. About 75 percent of the current farm bill’s funding goes toward food assistance programs so the extension means that SNAP benefits are safe for now. Nine percent covers crop insurance, 7 percent covers commodities, and another 7 percent is for conservation
Talk Show Topics
Cathy Nestell with the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is this week's guest on the KOOL Konversation. And Boyd Lee with CK Energy joins us on Real Estate Today. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.
Obituary
Buren Thompson
Funeral service for Buren Thompson, 95, of Cement will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21st at the Pentecostal Holiness Church in Cement. He worked in the commercial trade sector and helped to build Grady Memorial Hospital. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
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Friday, Nov. 17th
Festival of Light Opens This Weekend
The switch flips this weekend for the 31st edition of Chickasha's Festival of Light. It's become one of the state's largest displays of Christmas lights and has received a lot of national and international attention. An estimated 4 million lights will twinkle at Shannon Springs Park this year. Festival of Light Director Logan Lassley said there will be a lot of new activities north of the park dam this year.
The festival features a souvenir and gift shop with local vendors.
There will be a soft-opening at the park tonight which will be a walk-through only event although bicycles are welcome. The park will open to drive-through traffic tomorrow night. The festival opens at 6 p.m. each night and will run through New Year's Eve. By the way, the festival is among the nominees by USA Today for favorite light display in the country.
Accessory to Murder Suspect Jailed on $500,000 Bond
A six-figure bond has been set for one of the two suspects accused in the deaths of a Chickasha woman and her unborn baby. Katrina Johnson had her initial appearance in Grady County District Court on a charge of accessory to murder. A judge set her bond at $500,000. Katrina Johnson and her husband Kenneth Johnson are both implicated in the deaths of Ashley Cannon and her unborn baby. Cannon was eight-month’s pregnant when she was killed in her Chickasha apartment three years ago. A preliminary hearing has been set for Dec. 6th.
Marlow Suspect Accused of Lewd Acts with a Child
A Marlow man is accused of lewd acts with a child in Grady County. 68-year old David Norris Crichton is facing up to 20 years in prison if he's convicted. KSWO-TV cites court documents which indicate the young victim recently contacted authorities and told them the incident happened about four years ago. Crichton's bond was set at $100,000. A preliminary hearing conference has been scheduled for next month.
ALS Walk Draws Big Turnout to Support Local Family
There was a big turnout for last weekend's benefit walk to help a Chickasha family battling Lou Gehrig's Disease. The walk was organized by individuals who have lost their loved ones to the illness known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Kenny Howell, whose wife Marla died from ALS two years ago, estimated as many as 250 people took part. Howell was thankful for all the work that was done to put together the walk in such a short amount of time.
The funds will go to the family of Merita and Dennis Beaty as Dennis was recently stricken with the disease for which there is no cure.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.90 per barrel.
London-based Brent is $77.42.
Natural gas is $3.06 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,993 and silver is $24.14.
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Thursday, Nov. 16th
Driver Arrested 2nd Time for Eluding
A driver who reportedly led Anadarko police on a pursuit through a school zone this week had pleaded guilty to a previous charge of attempting to elude. Christopher Vasquez, 25, of Anadarko was arrested Monday. KSWO-TV cites Caddo County court documents indicating that officers lost sight of Vasquez during the chase - but he was eventually found and taken into custody. Vasquez has been charged with endangering others while attempting to elude, obstruction, driving without a license, and possession of drug items in connection with this week's arrest. His bond was set at $20,000. Vazquez has a long criminal history which includes pleading guilty to a previous charge of attempting to elude in 2018 and burglary in 2017.
Nation's Top Dogs Being Shown at Grady County Fairgrounds
Hundreds of the top dog breeds in the country will be in Chickasha over the next few days. It's the Sooner Circuit of Dog Shows. The Town and Country Kennel Club and the Canadian Valley Kennel Club team up every year to hold the event at the Grady County Fairgrounds. It's four days of competition with exhibitors working to earn their animals enough points to qualify for national dog shows next spring. The shows run today through Sunday. Admission is free all weekend.
OHCE Celebration of Crafts Show also this weekend
Also this weekend at the fairgrounds is the Grady County OHCE annual Celebration of Crafts Show. More than 40 vendors will have a lot of gift items available including holiday foods. The Celebration of Crafts is Friday and Saturday in the north exhibit building at the fairgrounds.
PSO Joins Effort to Warn of Utility Scams
Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) joined a number of other utilities across the country and Canada to warn customers of utility scams. Yesterday was Utility Scam Awareness Day. PSO says customers across the state have reported scams or attempted scams more than 250 times so far in 2023. The day is an annual observance of Utilities United Against Scams. The theme this year was Screen the Search which reflects the increase in scams using digital methods. Signs of scams include demands for immediate payment, threats to disconnect service immediately, and requests for a specific payment such as a pre-paid debit card. Officials say if you are suspicious of a caller claiming to be from PSO to hang up and call 1-833-PSO-POWR.
The Great American Smokeout is Underway
Many smokers and tobacco users who have been trying to quit are urged to try again today during the Great American Smokeout. It's always held the Thursday before Thanksgiving and encourages tobacco users to quit for at least one day. The Oklahoma Tobacco Helpline offers some tips which include making small changes in your routines by avoiding situations that make you want to smoke. Keep mints and gum handy and reach for those items instead of a cigarette. If you normally smoke after you eat, take a short walk instead. Try hanging out at places where smoking isn't allowed, and calculate the money you'll save by not smoking. With cigarettes now right around $10 a pack you could save $70 a week if you smoke a pack a day. That's about $300 per month and more than $3,500 a year! For other information, call 1-800-QUIT-NOW or go on-line to www.okhelpline.com
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.66 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $81.18.
Natural gas is $3.19 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,968 and silver is $23.76.
Obituary
Melissa Zimmer
Funeral service for Melissa Zimmer, 46, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She worked with the Chickasha Opportunity Workshop.
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Wednesday, Nov. 15th
Minco Voters Say 'No' to School Bond Proposal
Minco school district voters turned down that multi-million dollar proposal to build a new football field and locker rooms in yesterday's special school bond election. Nearly two out of every three voters said 'no' to the more than $22 million proposal. Nearly 63 percent of those who cast ballots opposed the plan. 342 votes were cast against and 202 for the bond issue. The proposal was to build a new football field with artificial turf and an eight-lane track around it, plus some locker rooms for the football and track teams. Minco School Superintendent Kevin Sims posted a message on Facebook last night saying school officials will re-group after the holidays and start working on a better plan.
Friend School Voters Approve Special Bond Issue
Friend school district voters gave resounding support to a $400,000 bond issue in yesterday’s election. More than four out of every five voters approved the proposal which will allow the district to install four heating and air systems in school buildings and purchase some playground equipment. The measure passed with more than 85 percent of the vote, 93-15.
New Assistant Chief Named for Chix Police Department
The Chickasha Police Department has a new assistant police chief. Officials have announced that Daimon Alexander - who has been serving as the police chief in Binger - will take the post. Alexander has spent more than 30 years in law enforcement. He was with the Oklahoma City Police Department for more than 25 years working his way from patrolman to field training officer and becoming a lieutenant to work crime scenes and domestic violence cases. He was promoted to captain and returned to the patrol division. He retired from OKC in 2016 then joined the Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse patrol serving as the tactical team commander. He's spent the last couple of years at Binger. He holds a Master of Arts degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Oklahoma, a Bachelor's degree from OSU, and has had training at the FBI Executive Leadership Institute. He and his wife Joey have three children.
Lindsay School Band Director to be in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The band director at Lindsay High School has been selected to take part in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Shelby Lam will be the only Oklahoman performing with the Band Directors Marching Band. The group will feature more than 400 band directors nationwide. Lam is a 2011 graduate of Marlow High School and a 2015 grad of Southwestern Oklahoma State. She will play the piccolo as the band will play “76 Trombones”, “The Thunderer”, and “The Stars and Stripes Forever” along the 2 ½ mile parade route. In addition to being in the parade the group will also play at next Monday's wreath-laying ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. The band will play “Star Spangled Banner”, “Amazing Grace”, and “Taps”.
State National Guard Troops Get Visit from Oklahoma Officials
Oklahoma National Guard troops serving in South Africa got a recent visit from several Oklahoma officials. Gov. Kevin Stitt, U.S. Senator James Lankford, and U.S. Congressman Markwayne Mullin spent some time with guard members in the Horn of Africa where the soldiers serving as part of Task Force Tomahawk. Mullin said seeing members of the National Guard in action was inspiring and humbling. He said they are oceans away from their families but their mission is a vital national task of security and they are confronting the growing terrorist threat in the region. The troops are expected to return to Oklahoma in about three months.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.26 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $82.47.
Natural gas is $3.11 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,975 and silver is $23.44.
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Tuesday, Nov. 14th
Man Faces Manslaughter Charge After Fatal Crash
A KOOL/RANCH News update today about the man arrested in connection with that deadly crash on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike early Saturday morning. A Lawton man, 35-year old Marshall James Point, was initially arrested on a negligent homicide complaint. Grady County prosecutors have charged him with felony first degree manslaughter. Point is also charged with misdemeanors for driving under the influence of drugs and inattentive driving. A judge set Point's bond at $500,000. A probable cause affidavit filed by State Trooper Bryce Stout indicates that Point rear-ended a vehicle, causing it to run off the interstate and roll several times. 61-year old Hildreth Overcash of Oklahoma City was killed in the crash. Stout said in his affidavit that Point admitted eating some gummies that are like magic mushrooms a couple of days before the accident occurred. Blood was drawn to get his blood-alcohol content level but the results weren't immediately available. Point is to be back in court Dec. 6th for a preliminary hearing conference.
Double Homicide Suspect Booked into the Grady County Jail
A suspect charged with aiding in the deaths of a Chickasha woman and her unborn baby was booked into the Grady County Jail yesterday. 42-year old Katrina Johnson was transferred in from the Oklahoma County Jail after she was arrested by a fugitive task force last week. She could have her initial appearance on the charge in front of a Grady County judge as early as today. County prosecutors filed charges again Katrina and her husband Kenneth last week in connection with the 2020 deaths of Ashley Cannon and her unborn child. Katrina Johnson is charged with being an accessory to murder. Kenneth Johnson is charged with murder and is serving time in the Lawton Correctional Facility on an unrelated charge.
Jail Inmate Uses Broom to Break Cell Window
A Grady County jail inmate is in more trouble. 36-year old Matthew Dan Lane of Chickasha has been charged with breaking a window in the day room of the jail's third-floor pod. A probable cause affidavit indicates the incident occurred this past May when Lane got a broom and started hitting a cell door until the window broke. He's been charged with a felony for injuring a public building and his bond was set at $10,000. Lane was serving an 8-year prison term after pleading guilty in connection with a 2021 arrest for having drugs with intent to distribute.
Minco, Friend School District Voters Cast Ballots Today
Voters in a couple of Grady County school districts go to the polls to decide special bond elections today. Voters in the Minco School District will decide a more than $22 million bond issue to build a new football field with artificial turf and eight-lane track, as well as new loccer rooms for the football and track teams. Voters in the Friend School District will consider a $400,000 bond issue to purchase and install heating and air systems on several buildings and to purchase some new playground equipment. Precincts are open until 7 o'clock tonight.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.26 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $82.52.
Natural gas is $3.20 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,950 and silver is $22.46.
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Monday, November 13th
Suspect Arrested In Connection with Deadly Crash
One person was arrested in connection with a deadly weekend crash in Grady County. 35-year old Marshall James Point of Lawton was taken into custody on complaints of negligent homicide and distracted driving. The accident happened about 4:30 a.m. Saturday near mile marker 72 about eight miles southwest of Chickasha. 61-year old Hildreth Overcash of Oklahoma City died as a result of injuries she sustained in the crash. A passenger in her vehicle, 66-year old Janice Miller also of Oklahoma City, was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital where she was being treated for head and trunk internal injuries. No details of the crash have been released.
Filming to Resume in Chix; Streets to be Closed
With the Screen Actors Guild strike now over film crews have returned to Chickasha to finish their work on the Twisters movie. The City of Chickasha is closing some streets in the area of 17th and Minnesota and 17th and Iowa today to allow the crews to wrap up their production. The work is expected to take about three weeks. Officials ask that residents not bother the crew nor the actors while they are on the set.
Chix' In-Town Limb Drop-off Site to Close for the Season
The City of Chickasha will soon close its in-town limb drop-off location for the season. Residents who have limbs and brush to get rid of will have just one more day to take the debris to the Public Works Headquarters which is on Genevieve Street north of the animal shelter. The last day will be this Saturday, Nov. 18th from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. There is a fee to drop off the brush and the fee will be added to the users’ next utility bills. Limbs and brush can still be taken to the Alex landfill over the next few months. The in-town drop-off site will re-open next spring.
Salvation Army Begins Christmas Campaigns
The Salvation Army which serves Grady and Caddo Counties has begun its annual Red Kettle bell-ringing campaign for the upcoming holiday season. Officials have a goal of raising $65,000 which will be used throughout the 2024 calendar year to help families get through hard times. Lt. Crystal McFarland said any groups or individuals who would like to volunteer to be part of the bell ringing campaign can go to the website: www.registertoring.com and pick the days and times they can help out. McFarland also said The Salvation Army's Angel Tree campaign is also underway. There are Christmas trees at the Wal-Mart stores in Chickasha and Anadarko and on them are Angel cards which have a list of items the children have asked for. McFarland said there are nearly 400 of these 'Angels' this year.
That is an increase of nearly 100 children from last year.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.17 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $81.43.
Natural gas is $3.03 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,943 and silver is $22.17.
Obituaries
Mark Stallbaumer
A funeral mass for Mark Stallbaumer, 82, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 16th at Holy Name Catholic Church. He was a Boy Scout and Cub Scout leader, and a Paul Harris Fellow with the Rotary Club. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Orlin Akins
Funeral service for Orlin Akins, 86, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday Nov. 16th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She and her husband raised cattle and she was active with Southern Oaks Church of Christ.
Bob ‘Bobby Joe’ Wenninger
A graveside service for Bobby Joe Wenninger, 90, of Cordell will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, Nov. 17th at Fairlawn Cemetery in Chickasha. He worked in the oilfield. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
