Your News provided by

Today lets meet Chickasha Future Farmer of the week Chapter Farmer. Blake White

Saturday, Sept. 15th

Wrongful Termination Lawsuit May be Settled out of Court

A long-time City of Chickasha employee who filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against the city may be settling the lawsuit out of court. Juliana Buckmaster worked many years in the utility billing department. She was terminated late last year, allegedly for blowing the whistle on alleged wrong-doing at city hall. Buckmaster filed the wrongful termination suit in Grady County District Court in January. She was seeking damages in excess of $10,000 - though an exact total is not known.  According to an item on the agenda for the city council meeting on Monday, city administrators are recommending the council approve Buckmaster's pension. She is requesting a lump-sum payment. The issue on the agenda is scheduled to be discussed in open session instead of an executive session, which is normally the case when the council reviews personnel issues.

Chickasha Teens Wanted on Caddo County Charges

Felony arrest warrants have been issued for two Chickasha teenagers in connection with some thefts in Caddo County. Michael Crawford and Clayton Jason Grayson, both 17, are charged as youthful offenders. The Lawton Constitution reports both teens have been charged with first-degree robbery in connection with the allegations. No information was available on the theft the teens were alleged to have been involved in.

Another Large Well Reported in the STACK               

Marathon Oil is reporting one of its wells north of El Reno is doing just fine. The Siegrist well in the STACK play is bringing in 1,100 barrels of oil-equivalent, and more than 1,600 mcf of natural gas per day. The site is just off Highway 81 near Concho. The spud date was this past January, and finished in May, with production starting in June.

Antique Auto Group Holds Coffee and Cars

If you enjoy seeing automobiles of the past, head to downtown Chickasha this morning. The Chickasha Antique Auto Club is holding its third Thursday coffee and cars. A number of fully-restored antiques will be on display. You're welcome to take photographs, and chat with the owners about their pride and joy. There's free coffee and donuts as long as they last. Coffee and Cars runs from 9 to noon today at the Rock Island Railroad Depot. The group is also getting ready for a huge swap meet. The 50th annual event will be held Oct. 18th through the 20th on and next to the Grady County Fairgrounds. Hundreds of vendors from across the country will have hard-to-find parts and numerous transportation related items. The auto club is still seeking vendors for that weekend. It's dubbed the largest swap meet in Oklahoma. Go to the web site, www.chickashaautoswapmeet.com or call 405-224-OKLA.

Anadarko Hosts Wings and Wheels

If you like both cars and airplanes, head to Anadarko today for the town's annual wings and wheels event. There's a car show, family activities, food trucks, and children ages 8 to 18 can take a free airplane ride. Wings and Wheels will be at the Anadarko Airport from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today.

High School Football Scores

El Reno 53, Chickasha 26

Blanchard 48, Newcastle 14

Minco 42, Okla. Chr. Academy 20

Rush Springs 46, Oklahoma City Patriots 0

Allen 12, Dibble 6

Mangum 28, Apache 22

Tecumseh 59, Bridge Creek 7

Marlow 14, Washington 3

Davenport 80, Alex 58

Cyril 52, Bray-Doyle 6

Waurika 64, Carnegie 14

Friday, Sept. 14th

Stabbing Victim was Wanted for Questioning in 2017 Homicide

The man found stabbed to death in Carnegie this week was wanted for questioning in connection with a homicide that happened about a year ago. Officials wanted to talk to Byron Tongkeamah regarding the death of 30-year old Cindy Kaudlekaule of Carnegie, whose body was found along a rural road near Carnegie in October of last year. This past Wednesday, Tongkeahmah’s body was found with multiple stab wounds at an abandoned home in Carnegie. There are reports he was be-headed. A woman was also founded with stab wounds, but survived. She was taken to a hospital where she is expected to fully recover. Officials are not releasing her name. Anyone with information regarding Tongkeamah's death is asked to contact the FBI by calling 405-290-7770

Bicycle Rider Recovering After Being Hit by Pickup

A Cyril woman is recovering after the bicycle she was riding was hit by a pickup. 59-year old Holly Pahdocony was last in fair condition in an Oklahoma City hospital with neck, trunk, leg, and internal injuries. The accident happened just after 6:30 p.m. Thursday near the intersection of a couple of county roads southwest of Cyril. The highway patrol reports that Pahdocony was hit from behind by a pickup driven by 43-year old Melissa Klingman of Anadarko. Klingman was not injured.

Rush Springs Pursuit Suspect Behind Bars

A Duncan man is charged with assault after ramming a Rush Springs police cruiser twice during the course of a pursuit. 37-year old Joey Dean Bray was arrested Monday, after a Rush Springs officer was called to check on a report of an alleged intoxicated driver of a vehicle that was stolen out of Lindsay. After a short pursuit, it's alleged the officer had Bray trapped on a dead-end street, but Bray rammed the police cruiser twice and got away. A second police officer caught Bray after he crashed his vehicle into a log. The first officer did go to the hospital for treatment of minor injuries suffered in the crash. He was treated and released. Bray is facing felony charges of assault with a deadly weapon and unauthorized use of a vehicle. He pleaded guilty to previous Grady County charges, one in 2004 for stealing anhydrous ammonia and one in 2005 for bail jumping. Bray was also awaiting a court appearance on a felony DUI charge out of Garvin County stemming from an arrest last August. Bray remains in the Grady County Jail pending a $40,000 bond.

Cancer Survivor Attends Training on Bone Marrow Donations

A two-time cancer survivor will spend part of his weekend learning how to better support some fairly new cancer treatments. Howie Jackson will be traveling to Minnesota for training to encourage the continued funding of a federal program which he says is critical for cancer patients.

About 50 people from across the country will be part of the weekend training. Jackson also says it will help the advocates to be active at the grass-roots level to promote bone marrow and cord blood donations. Jackson was the first adult in Oklahoma to receive a cord blood stem cell donation, and he's been cancer-free for nearly 16 years.

Talk Show Topics

Here’ what we’re talking about this weekend. Cassandra Ersland and Misti McClellan with USAO will be on the KOOL Konversation to discuss Giving Week at the university. On Real Estate Today with John Mosley, the guests are Scott Smith with the Oklahoma Manufacturers Alliance and Dick Lowe with the Business and Industry Services division of Canadian Valley Technology Center. We have links to both programs elsewhere on this website. Find them under the Community tab.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX falls to $68.59 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude dips to $78.18.

Natural gas was also down, to $2.81 per million BTUs

Gold was down slightly to $1,210 and silver is $14.25.

Thursday, Sept. 13th

County Emergency Management to Aid in Hurricane Recovery

A number of Oklahomans are already on the east coast, preparing for the arrival of Hurricane Florence. Among them is Amanda Wilkerson, with the Grady County Emergency Management office. It's her first deployment since earning her certification as a professional emergency manager. The state office of emergency management called Grady County on Tuesday afternoon, and Wilkerson was on a plane early Wednesday morning to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. She says more Sooner State resources will be brought in.

The storm is expected to arrive on shore tomorrow afternoon, and could batter an area from South Carolina to Virginia for several days.

FBI Investigates Fatal Stabbing in Carnegie

The FBI has been called in to lead the investigation into a fatal stabbing in Carnegie. A second stabbing victim, a woman, was hospitalized with knife wounds and her condition unknown. Authorities have not yet released the names of the victims. Carnegie Police were initially called to the home inside the city limits Wednesday morning. The Bureau of Indian Affairs was also on the scene. News reports indicate the man and woman were squatting in an abandoned home. Neighbors told reporters that numerous people would come and go from the home, and that a lot of fights would take place. The FBI asks anyone with information to contact them by calling 405-290-7770.

Energy Companies Continue SCOOP Exploration

We have more energy-related activity to tell you about in Grady County. Continental Resources continues its aggressive search for oil and gas in the SCOOP, which is short for the South Central Oklahoma Oil Province. A relatively new company, Roan Resources, is also active in the region. We told you earlier this week about some permits to drill in Grady County approved by the Corporation Commission. The state agency approved four permits for Continental Resources in multi-pad locations near the Tabler Y. Roan Resources was approved for three permits to drill at a location south of Tuttle. The website www.okenergytoday.com reports Roan Resources was formed with contributions from Linn Energy and Citizen Energy. It now has 150,000 net-acres within the SCOOP and STACK plays. Roan officially took over the first of the year, and was producing about 40,000 barrels of oil-equivalent per day by the end of the first quarter with growth expected through the second half of the year.

Caddo-Kiowa Tech Center Marks 50th Anniversary

This year marks the 50th anniversary of what we know today as the Career Tech education system. Initially called the vo-tech, the system provides education and job training skills to adults and high school students. In Ft. Cobb this afternoon, officials are marking the golden anniversary of the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center. Caddo Kiowa was the second such district to be created, just a few minutes after the Bartlesville district became the first such district. Caddo Kiowa Superintendent Tony Hancock says current enrollment is about 600 students.

An open house and formal ceremony will be from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. today with guest speakers to include former superintendents and administrators, as well as alumni who have excelled after graduating from Caddo Kiowa.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX rises above $70 to $70.37 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is up to $79.74.

Natural gas had a slight gain to $2.84 per million BTUs.

Metals are higher, with gold up to $1,211 and silver up to $14.27.

Wednesday, Sept. 12th

Regional Consumer Spending Remains Healthy

Consumer spending throughout Grady County continues at a brisk pace. It's estimated that $126 million was spent on taxable goods and services in the region in June. While that's down 3.8 percent from the previous month, May could have been the best month ever for consumer spending. The June spending was up more than 50 percent compared to the same time a year ago. We estimate consumer spending when we see the sales tax revenue collected by the county. The sales tax report for August shows the county received $949,000 which was paid on those goods purchased in June. Here's where the Grady County sales tax revenue goes: Nearly $316,000 goes to the county fairgrounds and Grady Memorial Hospital receives almost $280,000. Each of the 20 fire districts receive almost $8,000 and each of the seven senior nutrition centers receive more than $22,000. Tuttle EMS receives more than $29,000 and Rush Springs EMS receives more than $7,000. In addition to the sales tax revenue, Grady County also received $162,000 in use tax revenue, which comes from sales taxes paid on Internet purchases.

Spending at Chickasha Retailers Remains Strong

The city of Chickasha saw consumer spending also at a good level in June, although down from the previous month. About $26.5 million was spent at city retail outlets in June. That’s down about 9.7 percent from the previous month, but up more than 12 percent compared to a year ago. The city collected $993,000 in sales tax revenue in August. The city collected an additional $119,000 in use taxes, which is up 19 percent from last year.

Plan Calls for Holiday Lights in Dowtown Chickasha

City leaders want downtown Chickasha to piggyback off the success of the Festival of Light. Officials are considering the purchase of a large Christmas tree and decorative lights for downtown. The Economic Development Council (EDC) is recommending that the city spend some $90,000 to light up downtown during the holiday season. The funds would purchase a 35-foot tall Christmas tree to be placed at the Rock Island Railroad Depot and also to string some lights throughout the 300 and 400 blocks of Chickasha Avenue.  The EDC is asking the Chickasha Industrial Authority, which is an economic development arm of the city, to purchase the tree and lights. The Industrial Authority met briefly yesterday to hear about the project, and have a special meeting scheduled Friday morning to decide on whether to spend the money. City Manager John Noblitt says if the project is approved, the funds would be paid out of the city's hotel-motel tax collections.

Family of Cancer-Stricken Mom Appreciates Support

A local family is thankful for the outpouring of support for a mother with cancer. Emily Dyan Walker Mitchell is being treated for stage four colon cancer. Emily and her husband Michael have two children - 13-year old Preston and 5-year old Cameron. Numerous benefits have been held over the last few weeks to raise the funds for the family. Among the fundraisers, a concert that featured a number of regional bands, and the Chickasha Elks Lodge put together fund raisers to include a pancake breakfast, a spaghetti dinner, and a silent auction. Emily's co-workers with Developmental Disabilities Services have donated their vacation time to her, and Michael's co-workers at Chickasha Public Schools say they'll donate their time off to him. There are numerous donation jars in local businesses, an account has been established at the First National Bank, and a Go Fund Me account has also been set up.

Producers Can Apply Now for Tariff Relief

Farmers and ranchers can now apply for relief from tariffs that are being placed on commodities sold overseas. The Market Facilitation Program announced by the Trump administration includes a number of crops, as well as assistance for dairy and swine producers. Mark Jackson is with the Grady County Farm Service Agency.

Jackson said producers must wait until after harvest of the eligible crops to apply, with applications accepted through Jan. 15th. If deemed necessary, a second payment rate will be announced in early December.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is up to $69.25 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.06.

Natural gas was up to $2.82 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,196 and silver is $14.19.

Tuesday, Sept. 11th

New Construction in Chickasha is Down

After a good first half of the year, new construction projects in Chickasha have slowed considerably. Only eight permits totaling just under $225,000 were approved by the city's Community Development Department in August. Three of the eight permits approved were for commercial projects. One is for Johnny Trammell at 317 Chickasha Avenue for $150,000. Another went to Williford Construction in the amount of $25,000 for a remodeling project 528 West Iowa. The other was for an $8,000 remodel for Michael Ersland at 1610 West Alabama. Five residential remodel permits were awarded, totaling about $40,000. New construction in Chickasha since January is $18 million.

More Good Wells Reported for Continental Resources

Continental Resources is reporting some big producing wells in the STACK play, including a couple of natural gas wells in Caddo County. The wells are southwest of Hydro in section seven of Township 12 North Range 13 West. The Harris well and the Joe well both had productions of more than 14,000 MCF of natural gas per day. In Blaine County, about nine miles south of Watonga in section three of Township 15 North Range 13 West, Continental reports  it's Nelda well producing nearly 1,900 barrels of oil and nearly 13,000 MCF of natural gas per day.

Permits to Drill in Grady County Approved

A couple of permits to drill in Grady County were approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission yesterday. Continental was given the go-ahead to drill a couple of miles east of the Tabler Y in Section 25 of Township 7 North  Range 6 West. It's called Pyle No. 5. Travis Peak Resources was allowed a permit to drill about four miles northeast of Amber in Section 35 of Township 9 North Range 6 West. It's called the Ragsdale No. 1.

Circus Prepares for Two Shows

The circus comes to town today. Carson and Barnes will put up their massive tent this afternoon at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Brooke Caper with the circus says a treat for the whole family.

The public is invited to see the elephant wash at 3:00 o'clock this afternoon, as the two pachyderms get treated to what Caper calls a spa day. They will also bring dinosaurs to life during the circus. There are two performances, one at 4:30 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m.. The show will last about two hours, with an intermission.

Genealogy Workshop Set at Chickasha Library

Researching your family history has become a lot easier in recent years with the development of websites like ancestry.com. The Chickasha Public Library will be offering programs for beginners as well as advanced genealogists later this month. The program will include Delores Smith, a retired educator and current volunteer at the Oklahoma History Research Center; and former local resident, Nancy Calhoun, head of the genealogy and local history department of the Muskogee Public Library. There will also be a panel discussion with the speakers. The program is free, but space is limited and officials ask that you register in advance. It's set for Tuesday, Sept. 25th at the library. For information, visit the library or call 405-222-6075.

Mt. Scott Road Closed for Repairs

If you were planning a trip up Mt. Scott over the next couple of days, you'll have to postpone your visit. The road up the mountain is closed for repairs.  Workers discovered a hole in the road about half-way up the mountain. It started small, but had grown to about eight feet wide when crews began repairs yesterday. Park rangers believe recent rains washed out the ground underneath the pavement.  Over the next few days, officials will be inspecting the road for any other problems. In the meantime, the road is closed to all motorized traffic, as well as bicycle riders, walkers and runners.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX falls to $67.54 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude was up slightly to $77.34.

Natural gas was up to $2.80 per million BTUs.

Gold was down to $1,198 and silver dips to $14.14.

Monday, Sept. 10th

Grady Memorial Hopes to Add 3D Mammography Machine

The new surgery and imaging wing at Grady Memorial Hospital is up and running. Hospital officials hope to add a new 3D mammography machine to the imaging center. Hospital administrator Kean Spellman said it will allow for improved detection of the early stages of breast cancer. Plus, there's an added benefit for patients who undergo the procedure.

Spellman said it would also reduce the number of false-positives seen with the current two-dimensional machine. The cost of the 3D machine is $300,000. First National Bank has come through with a $50,000 challenge grant and will donate an additional $50,000 once it’s initial contribution is matched. The hospital foundation will be hosting a fund-raising golf scramble at Winter Creek Golf and Country Club on Friday, Sept. 21st to help with the fund-raising effort.

Four Injured in Head-on Crash

A head-one collision near Sterling yesterday sends four people, including a toddler, to the hospital. The accident happened south of Sterling on State Highway 65 just before 5:00 p.m. Sunday.  Admitted to a Lawton hospital was 68-year old Patsy Catlett of Lawton. She was last in good condition with leg, trunk, and internal injuries. Three people in the other vehicle were taken to a hospital and were treated and released. The driver, 62-year old Rickey Reynolds and 35-year old Oliver Reynolds both of Fletcher, and an unidentified two-year old boy from Burkburnett, Texas suffered minor injuries. The highway patrol reports the accident happened when the SUV driven by Catlett crossed the center line of the highway and hit the Reynolds’ vehicle, causing it to roll one time. Everyone was wearing their seatbelts.

Emergency Manager Earns Certified Professional Status

A staff member of Grady County Emergency Management has reached a lofty goal. Amanda Wilkerson is now a certified professional emergency manager. To qualify, individuals must attend 1,000 hours of training, and earn 24 college credit hours. Wilkerson is only the ninth person in the state to achieve certified status, and the third in Grady County to do so. The others are Grady County Emergency Management director Dale Thompson and Sean Douglas with Tuttle emergency management. Wilkerson has been with the Grady County office for six years, beginning part time in 2012 and starting full time in 2016.

State Congressmen Back Broadband Expansion in Rural Areas

Improving broadband technology in rural Oklahoma is getting some attention from Oklahoma's congressional delegation. The group sent a letter on the issue to the Federal Communications Commission. We get a report from Carson Horn with the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network.

Lucas said if the FCC decides that some rural areas should be served, they may not get funding help from the Universal Service Fund for up to 10 years. Lucas said that could adversely affect economic development in rural areas.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was down last week to $67.75 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude fell to $76.83.

Natural gas slipped to $2.77 per million BTUs.

Gold is just under $1,200 and silver is $14.24.

Today lets meet Chickasha Future Farmer of the week Chapter Farmer. Clay Grossnicklaus

Tuesday, Sept. 11th

New Construction in Chickasha is Down

After a good first half of the year, new construction projects in Chickasha have slowed considerably. Only eight permits totaling just under $225,000 were approved by the city's Community Development Department in August. Three of the eight permits approved were for commercial projects. One is for Johnny Trammell at 317 Chickasha Avenue for $150,000. Another went to Williford Construction in the amount of $25,000 for a remodeling project 528 West Iowa. The other was for an $8,000 remodel for Michael Ersland at 1610 West Alabama. Five residential remodel permits were awarded, totaling about $40,000. New construction in Chickasha since January is $18 million.

More Good Wells Reported for Continental Resources

Continental Resources is reporting some big producing wells in the STACK play, including a couple of natural gas wells in Caddo County. The wells are southwest of Hydro in section seven of Township 12 North Range 13 West. The Harris well and the Joe well both had productions of more than 14,000 MCF of natural gas per day. In Blaine County, about nine miles south of Watonga in section three of Township 15 North Range 13 West, Continental reports  it's Nelda well producing nearly 1,900 barrels of oil and nearly 13,000 MCF of natural gas per day.

Permits to Drill in Grady County Approved

A couple of permits to drill in Grady County were approved by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission yesterday. Continental was given the go-ahead to drill a couple of miles east of the Tabler Y in Section 25 of Township 7 North  Range 6 West. It's called Pyle No. 5. Travis Peak Resources was allowed a permit to drill about four miles northeast of Amber in Section 35 of Township 9 North Range 6 West. It's called the Ragsdale No. 1.

Circus Prepares for Two Shows

The circus comes to town today. Carson and Barnes will put up their massive tent this afternoon at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Brooke Caper with the circus says a treat for the whole family.

The public is invited to see the elephant wash at 3:00 o'clock this afternoon, as the two pachyderms get treated to what Caper calls a spa day. They will also bring dinosaurs to life during the circus. There are two performances, one at 4:30 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m.. The show will last about two hours, with an intermission.

Genealogy Workshop Set at Chickasha Library

Researching your family history has become a lot easier in recent years with the development of websites like ancestry.com. The Chickasha Public Library will be offering programs for beginners as well as advanced genealogists later this month. The program will include Delores Smith, a retired educator and current volunteer at the Oklahoma History Research Center; and former local resident, Nancy Calhoun, head of the genealogy and local history department of the Muskogee Public Library. There will also be a panel discussion with the speakers. The program is free, but space is limited and officials ask that you register in advance. It's set for Tuesday, Sept. 25th at the library. For information, visit the library or call 405-222-6075.

Mt. Scott Road Closed for Repairs

If you were planning a trip up Mt. Scott over the next couple of days, you'll have to postpone your visit. The road up the mountain is closed for repairs.  Workers discovered a hole in the road about half-way up the mountain. It started small, but had grown to about eight feet wide when crews began repairs yesterday. Park rangers believe recent rains washed out the ground underneath the pavement.  Over the next few days, officials will be inspecting the road for any other problems. In the meantime, the road is closed to all motorized traffic, as well as bicycle riders, walkers and runners.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX falls to $67.54 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude was up slightly to $77.34.

Natural gas was up to $2.80 per million BTUs.

Gold was down to $1,198 and silver dips to $14.14.

Wednesday, Sept. 12th

Regional Consumer Spending Remains Healthy

Consumer spending throughout Grady County continues at a brisk pace. It's estimated that $126 million was spent on taxable goods and services in the region in June. While that's down 3.8 percent from the previous month, May could have been the best month ever for consumer spending. The June spending was up more than 50 percent compared to the same time a year ago. We estimate consumer spending when we see the sales tax revenue collected by the county. The sales tax report for August shows the county received $949,000 which was paid on those goods purchased in June. Here's where the Grady County sales tax revenue goes: Nearly $316,000 goes to the county fairgrounds and Grady Memorial Hospital receives almost $280,000. Each of the 20 fire districts receive almost $8,000 and each of the seven senior nutrition centers receive more than $22,000. Tuttle EMS receives more than $29,000 and Rush Springs EMS receives more than $7,000. In addition to the sales tax revenue, Grady County also received $162,000 in use tax revenue, which comes from sales taxes paid on Internet purchases.

Spending at Chickasha Retailers Remains Strong

The city of Chickasha saw consumer spending also at a good level in June, although down from the previous month. About $26.5 million was spent at city retail outlets in June. That’s down about 9.7 percent from the previous month, but up more than 12 percent compared to a year ago. The city collected $993,000 in sales tax revenue in August. The city collected an additional $119,000 in use taxes, which is up 19 percent from last year.

Plan Calls for Holiday Lights in Dowtown Chickasha

City leaders want downtown Chickasha to piggyback off the success of the Festival of Light. Officials are considering the purchase of a large Christmas tree and decorative lights for downtown. The Economic Development Council (EDC) is recommending that the city spend some $90,000 to light up downtown during the holiday season. The funds would purchase a 35-foot tall Christmas tree to be placed at the Rock Island Railroad Depot and also to string some lights throughout the 300 and 400 blocks of Chickasha Avenue.  The EDC is asking the Chickasha Industrial Authority, which is an economic development arm of the city, to purchase the tree and lights. The Industrial Authority met briefly yesterday to hear about the project, and have a special meeting scheduled Friday morning to decide on whether to spend the money. City Manager John Noblitt says if the project is approved, the funds would be paid out of the city's hotel-motel tax collections.

Family of Cancer-Stricken Mom Appreciates Support

A local family is thankful for the outpouring of support for a mother with cancer. Emily Dyan Walker Mitchell is being treated for stage four colon cancer. Emily and her husband Michael have two children - 13-year old Preston and 5-year old Cameron. Numerous benefits have been held over the last few weeks to raise the funds for the family. Among the fundraisers, a concert that featured a number of regional bands, and the Chickasha Elks Lodge put together fund raisers to include a pancake breakfast, a spaghetti dinner, and a silent auction. Emily's co-workers with Developmental Disabilities Services have donated their vacation time to her, and Michael's co-workers at Chickasha Public Schools say they'll donate their time off to him. There are numerous donation jars in local businesses, an account has been established at the First National Bank, and a Go Fund Me account has also been set up.

Producers Can Apply Now for Tariff Relief

Farmers and ranchers can now apply for relief from tariffs that are being placed on commodities sold overseas. The Market Facilitation Program announced by the Trump administration includes a number of crops, as well as assistance for dairy and swine producers. Mark Jackson is with the Grady County Farm Service Agency.

Jackson said producers must wait until after harvest of the eligible crops to apply, with applications accepted through Jan. 15th. If deemed necessary, a second payment rate will be announced in early December.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is up to $69.25 per barrel.

Over the next few weeks we will highlight some outstanding FFA Members. This week lets meet “Chickasha Future Farmer of the week," Greenhand, Claire Carver

Your News provided by

Over the next few weeks we will highlight some outstanding FFA Members. This week lets meet “Chickasha Future Farmer of the week," Greenhand, Claire Carver

Monday, Sept. 10th

Grady Memorial Hopes to Add 3D Mammography Machine

The new surgery and imaging wing at Grady Memorial Hospital is up and running. Hospital officials hope to add a new 3D mammography machine to the imaging center. Hospital administrator Kean Spellman said it will allow for improved detection of the early stages of breast cancer. Plus, there's an added benefit for patients who undergo the procedure.

Spellman said it would also reduce the number of false-positives seen with the current two-dimensional machine. The cost of the 3D machine is $300,000. First National Bank has come through with a $50,000 challenge grant and will donate an additional $50,000 once it’s initial contribution is matched. The hospital foundation will be hosting a fund-raising golf scramble at Winter Creek Golf and Country Club on Friday, Sept. 21st to help with the fund-raising effort.

Four Injured in Head-on Crash

A head-one collision near Sterling yesterday sends four people, including a toddler, to the hospital. The accident happened south of Sterling on State Highway 65 just before 5:00 p.m. Sunday.  Admitted to a Lawton hospital was 68-year old Patsy Catlett of Lawton. She was last in good condition with leg, trunk, and internal injuries. Three people in the other vehicle were taken to a hospital and were treated and released. The driver, 62-year old Rickey Reynolds and 35-year old Oliver Reynolds both of Fletcher, and an unidentified two-year old boy from Burkburnett, Texas suffered minor injuries. The highway patrol reports the accident happened when the SUV driven by Catlett crossed the center line of the highway and hit the Reynolds’ vehicle, causing it to roll one time. Everyone was wearing their seatbelts.

Emergency Manager Earns Certified Professional Status

A staff member of Grady County Emergency Management has reached a lofty goal. Amanda Wilkerson is now a certified professional emergency manager. To qualify, individuals must attend 1,000 hours of training, and earn 24 college credit hours. Wilkerson is only the ninth person in the state to achieve certified status, and the third in Grady County to do so. The others are Grady County Emergency Management director Dale Thompson and Sean Douglas with Tuttle emergency management. Wilkerson has been with the Grady County office for six years, beginning part time in 2012 and starting full time in 2016.

State Congressmen Back Broadband Expansion in Rural Areas

Improving broadband technology in rural Oklahoma is getting some attention from Oklahoma's congressional delegation. The group sent a letter on the issue to the Federal Communications Commission. We get a report from Carson Horn with the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network.

Lucas said if the FCC decides that some rural areas should be served, they may not get funding help from the Universal Service Fund for up to 10 years. Lucas said that could adversely affect economic development in rural areas.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was down last week to $67.75 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude fell to $76.83.

Natural gas slipped to $2.77 per million BTUs.

Gold is just under $1,200 and silver is $14.24.

Saturday, Sept. 8th

Tuttle Man Who is an Illegal Immigrant May Be Deported

The family of an illegal immigrant who has lived in Grady County for a decade fears the worst, saying he is being treated unfairly. Relatives of Didier Pineda say he is being denied due process in his attempt to stay in America. Pineda is from Honduras. He's lived in Oklahoma for 10 years, owns his home in Tuttle, and has never been in trouble with the law.  KWTV News 9 reports that Pineda has been in a detention center in Okmulgee since checking in with immigration officials more than two months ago. Didier had a hearing in Dallas this week. His wife Melisa and their immigration attorney say they were in the courthouse waiting for the hearing to start, when they found out it was changed to another time and another courtroom - and the hearing was held without Pineda's attorney. Melisa and the family attorney say time is running out, and are afraid Pineda will be deported any day. The attorney is trying to schedule another hearing.

Wind Energy Giant Sells Assets Within its Company

Next Era Energy, which operates a number of wind turbines in the Rush Springs and Minco areas, is selling more than $1 billion of its assets within the company. Next Era Energy Partners has agreed to purchase 11 wind and solar projects - including those in the Sooner State - from NextEra Energy Resources. The website www.ok energytoday.com reports it’s a nearly $1.3 billion purchase, which includes $930 million in tax-equity financing and $38 million debt. Assets in a number of other states, including Texas and Kansas are included. It consists of more than 1.3 megawatts of electrical power generated by the wind farms. The transaction comes a week after NextEra Energy's western Oklahoma wind projects were accused of possibly violating a state law that prevents wind farms close to the installations of military bases. Next Era Energy Partners is based in Florida.

Alex and Cement Host Activities

A couple of small-town events are being held in the area today. In Alex, residents are celebrating the community’s 140th birthday.  The town was named in honor of Uncle Red Alexander, a Civil War captain who moved to the area in 1878. He controlled much of the region in the Washita Valley of Indian Territory, as his wife was a member of the Chickasaw tribe. The first post office in Alex was established in 1885, and the town was incorporated in 1910. There was once a newspaper there, called the Alex Tribune which was in operation from 1907 to 1942. Editions of the paper are available on-line. Among the activities parade, live entertainment and vendors at the park, a fishing tournament, a car show, and a community dinner. In Cement, a legendary bank robber will be celebrated. It’s the town's first-ever Jesse James Festival. Events all day including a car show. There are many stories that the famed bank robber spent time in that area and is said to have hidden some of his stolen loot in area hills.        

USAO Sets Giving Day

USAO students, faculty and staff will be working on a project to benefit the university. USAO's third annual "Giving Day" will be later this month. In addition to raising funds for the university, students will also learn the importance of volunteerism. Students, alumni, professors, and campus officials and employees will spend 12 straight hours reaching out to others mainly through their social media networks. The goal is to raise $100,000 for the university, to make up for cuts in state funding. The days before the Sept. 20th marathon is called TAG week, to include a blood drive, helping with Chickasha's Festival of Light, taking food and clothing donations, and conducting a voter registration drive. Last year, Giving Day brought in more than 400 gifts. For information, go on-line to www.givingday.usao.edu

High School Football Scores

Chickasha 27, Harrah 7

Blanchard 34, Anadarko 0

Tuttle 34, Plainview 19

Rush Springs 45, Hollis 16

Crossings Christian 14, Minco 6 (OT)

Alex 48,Central High 0

Mt. View-Gotebo 44, Cyril 8

Lindsay 43, Bridge Creek 14

Apache 29, Hobart 26

Lexington 44, Dibble 8

Cache 26, Marlow 0

Friday, Sept. 7th

Drug Trafficking Suspect was Wanted for Violent Bethany Crimes

An Oklahoma City teenager facing drug charges in Chickasha was arrested on unrelated charges as he showed up for a court appearance this week. 19-year old Dominique Wimms was arrested by Chickasha police in April. He was picked up on a traffic stop when officers allege he had thousands of dollars worth of methamphetamine and marijuana. He was formally charged with trafficking and intent to distribute. He was released after posting a $100,000 bond. Wimms showed up for a scheduled preliminary hearing conference this week. As he checked in to the Grady County courthouse, a deputy found he was wanted in Oklahoma County in connection with a burglary and a drive-by shooting that occurred in Bethany in July of 2017. Wimms was booked into the Grady County Jail, and is being held for Oklahoma County officials. Wimms conference on the Chickasha drug charges was re-scheduled for Oct. 3rd.

Bugs Destroy Reding Cornfield Maze

What had become an annual fall tourist attraction in Chickasha over the last few years won't be happening this year. This was supposed to be the 10th year for the Reding Farms cornfield maze....but nearly the entire field fell victim to bugs recently. Millions of aphids attacked the field within the last few weeks, and the bugs destroyed much of the field in about 24 hours. Lady bugs are natural enemies of the aphids, but they didn't arrive in time to help. The maze has hosted thousands of visitors each year. In addition to facing the challenge of the maze, tourists were treated to hay rides, including a haunted hay ride, and live music. Among the maze themes they've used over the years are OU and OSU; the Oklahoma City Thunder; and even a 50th anniversary of Charlie Brown. The Redings hope to be back next year.

Alex Residents to Celebrate Founders Day

A big day in the town of Alex tomorrow. The annual Founder's Day celebration will be held. There's a car show, live entertainment, a parade, a bass tournament, and vendors in the park. It all starts at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning, with a community dinner served at 4:30 in the afternoon.

Talk Show Topic

Here’s what we’re talking about this weekend. An effort to raise awareness about  domestic violence is coming up later this month. Eric Feuerborn with the Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network, along with  Grady County Assistant District Attorneys Kara Bacon and Tracy Dorman will discuss the Together We Heel walk and other issues on our KOOL Konversation. We have a link to the program elsewhere on this website. You’ll find it under the Community tab.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was down to $67.77 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude was down to $76.50.

Natural gas slips a notch to $2.77 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,205 and silver is $14.17.

Thursday, Sept. 6th

Grady County Jail Inmate Dies

A Grady County jail inmate was found dead in his cell last month. Jail administrator Jim Gerlach confirmed the report. The as-yet unidentified inmate was found in his cell the night of August 21st. Investigators say the inmate apparently took his own life. A preliminary report from the state medical examiner's office indicates the inmate died by hanging. Jail investigator Johnny Drewery said the inmate used a bedsheet to hang himself from his bunk. The inmate wrote a suicide note on a manila envelope. The contents of the note were not disclosed. Authorities are not yet releasing the name of the inmate, saying they will wait until their investigation is complete which could be early next week. They did say the 22-year old had been in jail about three weeks. He was arrested by Chickasha police following a burglary. He had been awaiting a court appearance on charges of burglary, malicious injury to property, and assaulting a  corrections officer.

State Auditor Begins Reviewing Overpayment of County Officials

State Auditor Gary Jones hopes to uncover just how Grady County elected officials got overpaid. Jones was in Chickasha yesterday to address county commissioners and the excise board regarding the over-payment issue that was brought to light last month. Jones has staff members combing through records as part of a detailed audit at the Grady County courthouse trying to find the details. Jones said he was surprised to hear of the over-payment, and said there is enough blame to go around - including his own office – for not finding the error. He says the ultimate goal in the detailed audit is to-

Jones hopes to have the audit completed by the time he leaves office in January. The results will be given to the district attorney and the state attorney general for their review. In the meantime, excise board chairman Jerry White said it would be a miscarriage of justice of the elected officials had to repay the overage.

Police Look Into Numerous Shots-Fired Reports

Chickasha police say they have been called out to a number of shots-fired reports in the last month. Since August 1st, police have investigated seven such reports scattered throughout the city, but no arrests have been made. Public Information Officer Lt. Scott Weaver said the most recent report was Monday night, when a 9-1-1 caller reported hearing gun fire near 29th and Grand. Other reports have come from the 1100 block of Texas and in the 600 block of West Missouri. Weaver says in each of the reports, officers were unable to find any bullet holes in homes nor any spent bullet casings. Weaver said he could not say if the reports are the result of drive-by shootings. He said usually when officers respond to such a call, there are citizens near the location flagging them down, but that has not been the case. Weaver says some shots-fired calls are the result of an engine backfire or fireworks. He encourages residents to call 9-1-1 if they suspect shots are fired in their neighborhoods.

Chickasha Drinking Water Treatment Process Resumes

Tap water in Chickasha may have a chlorine-like smell for a short time. It's to be expected, as the contractor for the city's water treatment plant completes an annual process of working to reduce bacteria throughout the city’s water system. Debbie Seagroves is the project manager for USW which operates the city's fresh water and waste water treament plants. During the entire month of August, the water treatment chemicals were changed to mostly chlorine. That reduces the bacteria which can lead to the development of trihalomethanes, which the EPA warns can lead to cancer. On September 1st, officials began re-introducing a combined treatment of chlorine and ammonia, called chloramines. Seagroves says crews will start flushing the city's fire hydrants today and will spend a couple of weeks to remove the chlorinated water from the system. If you're tap water is cloudy and/or smells like swimming pool water, run your tap for a few minutes to clean out the line that runs from your meter to your home.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is  down to $68.72 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude falls to $77.27.

Natural gas dips to $2.79 per million BTUs.

Metals were up. Gold rises to $1,210 and silver is up to $14.31.

Wednesday, Sept. 5th

City Officials Again Consider Storm-Water Drainage Plan

City of Chickasha officials are working with a state agency to do something about the flash flooding that occurs during periods of heavy rain. City Manager John Noblitt told the city council last night that he is working with the state emergency management office to do a more comprehensive city-wide study of flooding. A controversial plan developed by previous City Manager Alan Guard that would have increased water rates for residents and businesses to alleviate flooding was voted down a  couple of years ago. Noblitt said that plan was designed more for the downtown area. Noblitt thinks state officials might come through with some matching grant funds for more studies of Line Creek  which runs through the north part of town, and Congo Creek which runs from the south to the east. Noblitt is hopeful that the state could provide anywhere from 60 to 80 percent of the funds needed.

Knife-Weilding Woman Attacks Victim  in Alley

A woman is recovering after police say she was attacked by someone with a knife. It happened in the alley behind the Love's store on Choctaw Avenue early Sunday morning. The victim suffered about a four-inch gash on the left side of her face that goes from her ear to under her chin. Police say after the attack, the victim rode her bicycle to a nearby friend’s house where the police and an ambulance were called. The victim was taken to the hospital, where she was treated and released. Authorities say the victim was un-cooperative and did not give a description of the suspect.

Hit-and-Run Suspect Followed, Found in Shed

A hit-and-run driver was taken into custody over the weekend, after the victim followed him and called police. The accident happened near Taco Bell in the Southland Shopping Center. The victim followed the suspect to a neighborhood in the 2200 block of South 13th, where the suspect ran from his truck. Police found him hiding in a shed, along with a two-year old boy who was in the truck with him. 24-year old Dakota Norton, who lists a Marlow address was taken into custody and spent the  weekend in jail. He was formally charged with a misdemeanor of leaving the scene of an accident. Norton is out of jail after posting bond.

DHS Seeks Foster Families

There are more than 200 children in foster care in Grady and Caddo counties, but only 24 foster homes. Lourie Myers with the Department of Human Services says the agency is always looking for foster families, and that it’s important for the kids to stay as close to their families as possible.

Myers says being a foster parent is an opportunity to be a positive influence on the lives of children. Foster families receive monthly DHS payments, and the agency provides 100 percent of the children's medical, dental, and counseling needs. To learn how to be a foster parent, contact a local DHS office or go on-line to www.okfosters.org.

Well Completed in the Minco Area

There’s another drilling rig completion in Grady County. The Corporation Commission reports it’s about three miles west of Minco in section 30 of Township 10 North Range 7 West.  It's bringing it about 200 barrels of oil and 2,200 cubic feet of natural gas per day at a depth of about 16,000 feet.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is up slightly to $69.87 a barrel.

London-based Brent creeps up to $78.17.

Natural gas was down to $2.82 per million BTUs.

Gold is down a bit to $1,199 and silver falls to $14.15.

Tuesday, Sept. 4th

Police Union Talks on Tap for City Council

A closed-door session is set for the Chickasha City Council when it meets for the first of two scheduled September meetings tonight. The executive session is to discuss the status of negotiations for the new fiscal year contract with the Fraternal Order of Police Local 129. The council will also consider accepting a $200,000 grant from the Federal Aviation Administration which will pay for fencing and gates at the airport. The panel may decide to approve a contract with a firm to appraise some city-owned property near the city’s sports complex. It's recommended the panel spend a little more than $13,000 to contract with Valbridge Property Advisors for that appraisal. The group will also award retirement watches to a couple of long-time city employees. Steve Sanders has worked for 22 years with the lake maintenance department and Chris Dennis has worked for 16 years with the fire department. The council will also recognized police officer Derek Hunt as the city's employee of the month. The council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

State Official to Discuss County Audits

State Auditor Gary Jones will be in Chickasha tomorrow to discuss his office's role in auditing county finances. The discovery that Grady County elected officials were being overpaid will be the primary discussion. Jones will address a special meeting of Grady County commissioners and the county excise board. The meeting is open to the public. It will get underway about 8:30 a.m. Tuesday in Courtroom No. 1 at the Grady County Courthouse.

Arrest Warrant Issued for Carnegie Man

Authorities in Caddo County are looking for a Carnegie man implicated in the death of his cousin. An arrest warrant has been issued for 39-year old George Allen Kodaseet last week. Authorities say his cousin died in a traffic accident in which Kodaseet was drinking and driving. The accident occurred last November. Kodaseet is charged with first-degree manslaughter after former conviction. On-line court records indicate he pleaded guilty to a felony charge of possession of a stolen vehicle from a 2003 arrest.

Biker Injured in Weekend Accident

A motorcycle rider is hospitalized after crashing his bike into a pickup over the weekend. 19-year old Kyle Hamlett of Gotebo was last in stable condition with head, arm, leg, and trunk injuries. The accident happened about 2:00 a.m. Sunday in Gotebo. The highway patrol reports that Hamlett broadsided an oncoming pick up when it turned in front of him. Four people riding in the pick-up were not injured.

Truck Driver Charged With Unlawful Removal of Body

A Michigan truck driver is charged with the unlawful removal of a body, when the remains of his fiance were found in his semi. Charles Lockhart was arrested last week after the body of Jennifer Jadrich was found in the cab of his truck at the Lawton-Duncan Y. The Duncan Banner cites an OSBI report that says Lockhart gave conflicting stories. One of them indicated the couple had an argument, and that she left with some people he didn't know. When she returned, he said Jadrich was drunk or high, or both. Lockart said they had spent the night in Tulsa and that when he woke up Jadrich was dead. However, he didn't call authorities until he drove to the Duncan area. Lockhart is in the Stephens County Jail pending a $250,000 bond. A preliminary hearing conference is set Sept. 27th.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was down Friday but up for the month of August to $69.80 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $77.42.

Natural gas was also up for August to $2.91 per million BTUs.

Metals lost ground last month. Gold is $1,200 and silver is $14.29.

Over the next few weeks we will highlight some outstanding FFA Members. This week lets meet “Chickasha Future Farmer of the week," Greenhand, Claire Carver

Saturday, Sept. 1st

Police Stand-off Ends with Arrests

A tip about a stolen vehicle at a Chickasha motel leads to a stand-off between Chickasha police and a man who had an outstanding warrant. It happened Thursday night at America's Best Value Inn on the south side of Chickasha. Reports indicate that authorities spotted a man on a second floor balcony, and as they approached him he made a move toward his waistband that made police think he was armed. The suspect then barricaded himself in a room along with a female companion who also had an outstanding warrant. Unconfirmed reports are that a police tactical team shot tear gas into the room, which forced the two individuals out where they were arrested. In custody are 39-year old Gerald Lee Huggins and 33-year old Tabitha Horry. Huggins was wanted for a probation violation on a charge of felonious pointing of a firearm. Horry was wanted for non-payment of a fine related to a drug charge dating back to 2013.

Pair Nabbed for Having Stolen Vehicle

Minco police have made two arrests after finding two people with a stolen vehicle. No details are available but the Grady County Jail log indictes that authorities arrested 42-year old Christopher Sanchez and 36-year old Tammy Sanchez on complaints of possession of a stolen vehicle. They'll spend the long Labor Day weekend in jail, and could be arraigned on Tuesday, if prosecutors decide to file charges.

Threats Made Toward Apache Schools

In Caddo County this week, an increased police presence at the Apache High School after a student made threats. School officials say a male student posted a picture on social media posing with a gun and making threats. The student is not currently in class. Administrators did not believe it was a viable threat. The district did send messages to parents. While officials did not think it was a viable threat Apache police and Caddo County sheriff's deputies were brought in for enhanced presence for a couple of days.

State Auditor to Address Elected Official Overpayment Issue

The over-payment of salaries to Grady County elected officials will be front and center in a special meeting of Grady County Commissioners next week. State Auditor Gary Jones will address the commissioners as well as the county excise board next Wednesday. Jones was asked by district attorney Jason Hicks to discuss the issue with local officials. The meeting will be held at 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 5th. in Courtroom No. 1 at the Grady County courthouse. The meeting is open to the public.

Anadarko Purse Snatcher Sought

Anadarko police are looking for a purse-snatcher. A felony warrant was issued for the arrest of 28-year old Seneca Cozad. The Anadarko woman is being charged with robbery by force and fear. No details about the incident are available. If you have information regarding Cozad’s whereabouts you’re asked to contact Anadarko police or the Caddo County Sheriff's Office.

Friday Night Area High School Football Scores

Chickasha 28, Marlow 24

Blanchard 50, Elgin 13

Tuttle 26, Kingfisher 14

Anadarko 44, Lexington 8

Minco 14, Dibble 0

Alex 60, Laverne 30

Cyril 52, Corn Bible Academy 16

Carnegie 54, Mt. View-Gotebo 38

Friday, August 31st

High-Speed Pursuit Suspect Surrenders

A man who led Chickasha police on a pursuit that topped 100 miles per hour a few weeks ago is in custody. 44-year old William Earl Bitsche surrendered to authorities at the Grady County Jail just before noon Thursday. An arrest warrant had been issued for Bitche after a late-night chase earlier this month. Chickasha police were called to a home to investigate a report of domestic violence, when they allege Bitsche sped away from the area. The chase went to rural areas of Grady County to the Verden area and back. Two police cars were  damaged in the pursuit. Bitsche is charged with two felonies - assault with a deadly weapon and endangering others. He's also facing a misdemeanor charge of domestic abuse. Prosecutors also want to revoke a suspended sentence Bitsche received after pleading guilty to a burglary charge stemming from an arrest back in 2015. He's being represented by attorney Bret Burns. Bitsche's bond is set at $40,000. A preliminary hearing conference is scheduled for Oct. 3rd.

Federal, State Agencies Discuss Chickasha Airport Upgrades

Chickasha city leaders spent a couple of hours yesterday with state and federal officials discussing the future development of the city's airport. Jimmy Pierre with the Federal Aviation Administration and Grayson Ardies from the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission met with the city council, the airport advisory board, and local pilots. Ardies said local, state, and federal officials want to make the airport the best it can be for this area. The city has obtained numerous grants from the FAA for airport expansion and look to apply for additional grants. Some ideas for development include a longer runway, additional hangars, and the installation of  approach lights. Officials also discussed recruiting aviation-related industries to expand operations to the area, especially since there is an industrial park adjacent to the airport.

Motorcycle Rider Injured After Swerving to Avoid Livestock

A Cyril man is recovering after he crashed his motorcycle to miss a couple of cows on a county road. 44-year old David Hastings was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital with leg, trunk, and internal injuries. He has been upgraded from serious to fair condition. The accident happened about 2:30 a.m. Thursday two miles north of Cyril. The highway patrol reports Hastings veered off the road when he saw the cows and ran into a ditch. He was wearing a helmet.

Need for Coffee Leads to Turnpike Crash

There were no serious injuries in a traffic accident on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike we told you about yesterday. Trooper Patrick Surber said there were actually two accidents that happened in the westbound lanes of the interstate near Mile Marker 90 about 6:30 a.m. Thursday. The first accident happened when a driver was reaching for his coffee. He lost control of the car and hit the center median and the vehicle became disabled. The second vehicle hit the first, then ran off the highway, rolled and landed upside-down. The driver was taken to the hospital where she was treated and released. Surber said she avoided serious injury because she was wearing her seat belt and the air bags in her car deployed. Surber said the first driver was given a ticket for inattentive driving. The names of those involved in the crash were not available. Surber said one was from Oklahoma City and the other from Tulsa.

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. There is a big need for foster families throughout the state. Lourie Myers and Ethel Pennington with the Department of Human Services will have information on becoming a foster family on our KOOL Konversation. On Real Estate Today with John Mosley, the topic is electric cars with Mark Faulkinberry of Western Farmers Electric Co-op. We have links to both programs elswhere on this website. You'll find them under the Community tab.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX tops $70 to $70.25 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $77.77.

Natural gas up slightly to $2.87 per million BTUs.

Gold climbs above $1,200 to $1,212. Silver is up to $14.70.

Thursday, August 30th

Crash Stalls Traffic on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike

Breaking news this morning, as a traffic accident on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike northeast of Chickasha is causing some problems. Both westbound lanes of the turnpike at Mile Marker 90 are shut down at this time. Emergency crews are on the scene. This is a couple of miles east of the EZ Go and the McDonald's on the turnpike. The accident is not affecting traffic headed to Oklahoma City. It's not known if there are any injuries.

Energy Sector Growth Continues

The growth is continuing for the energy industry in the Sooner State. A new report indicates an improvement in that sector from this same time a year ago. Matt Skinner is with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

There are a number of high-producing wells in the SCOOP and STACK plays. Continental Resources is reporting one of them is producing more than 2,000 barrels of oil and nearly 10,000 million cubic feet of natural gas per day. It’s located near the small town of Fay, which is west of Watonga. Marathon Oil has a 1,000 barrel-per-day well about five miles north of Greenfield, which is between Hinton and Watonga. In the SCOOP, Contintental Resources has wells producing in southeast Grady County near Purdy. They are in section 30 of Township 3 North, Range 4 West. One of three wells in that section is producing 1,000 barrels of oil and 1,200 million cubic feet of natural gas daily. The other is bringing in about 750 barrels of oil a day. In other activity, the Corporation Commission approved two permits to drill in this region yesterday. One is in Grady County about five miles east-southeast of Tuttle in Section 15 of Township 9 North, Range 5 West. The other is in McClain County near the town of Cole, in Section 19 of Township 7 North, Range 3 West.

Domestic Violence Suspect Arrested After Hitting Woman, Teen

A Grady County man is jailed following a domestic violence incident in Tuttle. 41-year old Chun Zachary Lambert is being held on complaints of domestic violence and child abuse. Tuttle police were called to a home Tuesday afternoon, where it was alleged Lambert and a woman were arguing and that he hit her in the face. A 14-year old boy in the home tried to intervene, and authorities say Lambert punched him in the face, too. Lambert left the home in his vehicle, but police were able to track him down about two miles away. Lambert remains in the Grady County Jail, awaiting his initial appearance should prosecutors decide to file charges.

Credit Card Skimmer Found in Minco

In Minco, authorities say a credit card skimmer has been found at a convenience store. Police are advising residents and customers of the store to check their bank statements for suspicious purchases that may have been made between August 16th and August 29th. Authorities found the skimmers on the gas pumps at Mac's Corner  Store yesterday. Minco police posted the warning on its Facebook page. Officials say the skimmers have been removed and they are hoping to find the individuals responsible.

Caddo County Stock Show Exhibitors Prepare for Premium Sale

The top animals shown at the Caddo County Fair this week are heading to the premium sale next week. More than 60 4H and FFA students hope for top prices from the bidders. The grand champion market steer was shown by Tucker Freie of Ft. Cobb-Broxton 4H and the reserve grand belongs to Ryder Klaasen of Hydro Eakly FFA. Klaasen had the Grand Champion prospect steer while fellow Hydro-Eakly FFAer Skylar Sturgeon had the reserve. Grand champion heifer belongs to Cody Courtney of Ft. Cobb-Broxton FFA and the reserve was shown by Stetson Hall of Anadarko 4H. Stetson had the grand champion bred-and-owned heifer while the reserve shown by Jordyn Jackson of Anadarko 4H. Grand barrow was shown by Sage Smith of Hydro-Eakly 4H, and the reserve shown by Creden Woods, also of Hydro-Eakly 4H. Grand gilt honors went to Sierra Weathers of Hinton FFA with the reserve belonging to Tanner Vonallman of Lookeba-Sickles FFA. Grand market lamb was shown by Baylee Nix of Carnegie FFA and the reserve shown by Avary Bellamy of Ft. Cobb-Broxton FFA. Grand ewe lamb went to Baylor Pearson of Lookeba-Sickles FFA and the reserve went to Barrett Stinton of Binger-Oney FFA. Grand wether goat was also shown by Baylor Pearson of Lookeba-Sickles with the reserve weather goat shown by Addyson Schneberger of Carnegie 4H. Grand doe goat was shown by Karleigh Cooper of Lookeba-Sickles 4H and the reserve was shown by Kizer Schneberger of Carnegie 4H. The horse show for the Caddo County Fair will be this Saturday with registration at 8:00 a.m. and the show at 9:00 a.m.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX up to its highest price in August, to $69.51 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $77.14.

Natural gas is higher, to $2.89 per million BTUs.

Metals fall again. Gold down to $1,202 and silver down to $14.67.

Wednesday, Aug. 29th

Grady County Voters Split on Re-electing County Commissioners

One Grady County Commissioner is re-elected, while another is defeated in two very close races in yesterday's primary run-off election. District 3 Commissioner Ralph Beard edged challenger Lee Dorman by just 66 votes. District 1 Commissioner Windle Hardy lost his re-election bid to Michael Walker by only 80 votes. The unofficial tally in Beard’s win was 533 to 467. Beard was on edge since the news came out a couple of weeks ago about Grady County elected officials being overpaid. He felt voters might hold the commissioners accountable and vote them out of office.

Voters did opt for change In District 1 as Walker defeated the incumbent 1,233 to 1,153. Hardy, the current chairman of the county commissioners, will hold office until early January, until Walker takes the oath of office.

Ninnekah School Bonds OK'd in Close Votes

Ninnekah school patrons narrowly approved two school bond issues in yesterday’s special school bond election. Two proposals totaling $550,000 both received just enough votes for the 60 percent super-majority needed for passage. A $375,000 transportation bond passed by eight votes, 239 to 146; while a $175,000 plan for construction passed by 18 votes, 250 to 137. Some of the funds from the construction bond will remodel the high school science lab. Ninnekah Superintendent Todd Bunch said-

Other money from the construction bond will be used to install lights at the softball field. The transportation bond will allow the district to purchase three school buses and two people movers.

Grady County Lawmaker Wins GOP Labor Commissioner Bid

In other election results, State Rep. Leslie Osborn wins the GOP nomination for state labor commissioner. Osborn, who served northern Grady County in District 47 for six years, defeated Cathy Costello in the primary run-off election. Osborn picked up just over 52 percent of the vote. She'll face Democrat Fred Dorrell and Independent Brandt Dismukes in the general election in November.

Pioneer School Locked Down

Pioneer School was placed on lockdown yesterday when a man wanted for Grady County warrants ran from deputies. It happened about 2:30 p.m. when a deputy sheriff spotted the man walking near the school. The man ran to a nearby wooded area where law enforcement set up a perimeter. Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir did not believe the suspect was a serious threat to the school, but it was placed on lockdown as a precaution. Classes were dismissed at the usual time yesterday. The man managed to elude authorities. Weir described him as Caucasian, wearing black jeans with no shirt, short brown hair and perhaps a slight beard and mustache. If you know anything about this individual, you're asked to call the sheriff's office, or Grady County Crimestoppers at 405-224-TIPS.

National Tool, Equipment Chain to Open in Chickasha

A California-based discount tool and equipment retailer will be bringing a store to Chickasha. Harbor Freight, which has 900 stores nationwide, will be locating in the Chickasha Square Shopping Center near Atwoods. The firm will be leasing a 29,000 sq. ft. building and it will be one of the company's largest stores in Oklahoma, which includes locations in Lawton, Norman, and Oklahoma City. Developer Brannan Bordwine first made the announcement on Facebook last week, and a news release regarding the expansion was issued by the Chickasha Economic Development Council. Mayor Chris Mosley said landing a commitment from a national tenant like Harbor Freight is a huge win for the city. He said the investment shows the strength of the local economy. Bordwine said construction is expected to start this fall, with an opening date set for some time next year.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is down slightly to $68.53 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is down to $75.95.

Natural gas slips to $2.85 per million BTUs.

Metals were lower, gold down to $1,210 and silver dropped back under $15 to $14.77

Tuesday, August 28th

One Company Evacuated when Pickup Hits Gas Pipeline

Natural gas spews into the air yesterday when a pickup crashes into a high-pressure natural gas pipeline. One company was evacuated and nearby roads were closed to through traffic after the accident about 1:30 p.m. Monday. It happened next to Morris Motorsports at U.S. Highway 81 and Pikes Peak Road, the dividing line between the cities of Chickasha and Ninnekah. Workers at Signature Quarters were evacuated, while employees of Morris Motorsports were asked to move to the western part of their warehouse.  The Chickasha Fire Department was on standby until crews from Centerpoint Energy could arrive and shut down the line. Gusty winds help to disperse the gas which minimized the evacuation area. There was no fire and the driver of the pickup that hit the line was not injured.  We have video of the scene posted on our Facebook page.

Local Isssues to be Decided in Today's Primary Run-off Election

Oklahomans are heading to the polls today for the primary run-off elections. There are a couple of local elections, where some Grady County voters will be electing county commissioners. In District 3 which is the southern part of the county, Democrats will choose between current commissioner Ralph Beard and Lee Dorman. Neither were able to secure better than 50 percent of the vote in the June primary. Since there is no Republican candidate, the winner will be elected. It's a similar story in District 1 which is the northern part of the county. Current commissioner Windle Hardy and opponent Michael Walker are facing off. Neither received more than 50 percent in a three-person race back in June. And since there are no Democrats running, the winner will be elected. One other local election in Grady County is for Ninnekah school district patrons. They will decide two special bond issues. One would modernize the high school science lab and the other would allow the district to purchase school buses and people movers to transport students to and from extra-curricular activities. Those bonds total $550,000 and both require 60 percent super-majority to pass. Polls will be open until 7:00 p.m. tonight. We'll broadcast election updates regarding the county commissioner races and the Ninnekah school bond election after the polls close tonight.

Rotarians to Gives Bikes to Some Kids with Perfect Attendance

Kids in Chickasha schools have an incentive to attend classes this year. The Chickasha Rotary Club will be giving away a total of 32 bicycles to students who have perfect attendance during the four nine-week terms during the year. The program is known as Roll Call. One boy and one girl in grades three through six at Grand Avenue and Lincoln schools will receive a bicycle after each nine-week period. The names of all students who have perfect attendance the previous 45 days will go into a drawing. Rotary Club President John Gorton says research supports a strong link between attendance and student achievement and that students who are chronically absent in the third grade are less likely to be reading at grade level.  Gorton said the club will be tracking attendance numbers and hopes this unique program will reflect a positive change.

Soil Health Workshop Set

Area farmers can find out how to grow better crops with a workshop set at a Chickasha-area farm. The Grady County Conservation District and the local Natural Resources Conservation Service are partnering with the Oklahoma Conservation Commission to hold the workshop at the Oscar Nelson sod farm on Friday. The workshop will include cover crops and incorporating grazing management techniques. Speakers will include soil scientist Greg Scott and soil health educator Blane Stacy, both of whom are with the Conservation Commission. There will also be a demonstration of a rainfall simulator. The program is this Friday morning from 9 a.m. to noon and is open to the public. For information, contact the Grady County Conservation District or NRCS office.

Grady County Well Completions, Permits

Apache Corporation reported the completion of a couple of wells in Grady County. The Oklahoma Corporation Commission reports both are northwest of Alex in section 33 of Township 6 North and Range 6 West. Both were drilled to a depth of about 20,000 feet. The spud dates were January 9th and 10th. A permit to drill in Grady County was issued to Baker Brent Oil and Gas about four miles west of Pocasset in section 35 of Township  9 North and Range 8 West.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX had a slight gain, to $68.87 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is slightly higher, to $76.21.

Natural gas was down to $2.87 per million BTUs.

Gold is up $1,220 and silver is back over $15 to $15.06.

Monday, August 27th

Primary Run-off Elections Tomorrow

Oklahomans will head to the polls tomorrow for the primary run-off elections. Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians will be choosing candidates for governor to be on the general election ballot in November. The GOP has the largest ballot with candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state auditor and inspector, and labor commissioner. Corporation Commissioner Dana Murphy is on the GOP ballot for Lt. Governor. She was at the Grady County fair over the weekend, and says she's hoping for a good voter turnout to advance to the November election.

Murphy is facing Matt Pinnell for the Republican nomination for Lt. Governor. Also on the GOP ballot in Grady County in the northern district, county commissioner Windle Hardy, in a run-off over Michael Walker. On the Democratic ballot in the southern part of the county is county commissioner Ralph Beard, in a run-off with Lee Dorman. The winners of both will go on to serve as county commissioners. Also, Ninnekah school patrons will decide two bond issues totaling $550,000 for construction projects and transportation.

Grady County Deputies Earn Promotions

Two deputies earn promotions with the Grady County Sheriff's Office. Phillip McCarthy has been elevated to sergeant. McCarthy has worked in law enforcement off and on for 30 years, starting as an MP with the army. He also served as a federal police officer at Tinker Air Force Base. McCarthy started with Grady County as a reserve officer in 2010 and started full time the following year. McCarthy is one of two K9 handlers for the sheriff's office. Deputy Rex Brown has been promoted to corporal. He's been in law enforcement for 35 years. He previously served as police chief in Hobart and graduated from both the OSBI andFBI Academies. He also holds an advanced certification from CLEET with nearly 3,000 hours of training.

Grady County-held Properties to be Sold

A rare opportunity for Grady County residents as county commissioners will hold an auction of a number of properties in the county’s possession. The treasurer's office will sell nearly 70 parcels of land Wednesday morning. Properties will be sold as-is with properties sold to the highest bidder. Bidders will also be required pay for advertising and deed expenses. Deeds to the properties will be filed by the county clerk then mailed to the winning bidders after the sale. Winning bidders will not receive a warranty deed or an abstract – only a county tax deed. Bidders are asked to contact the treasurer's office today or tomorrow, or by early Wednesday morning before the sale time of 9:00 a.m. The auction will be held in Courtroom No. 1 at the courthouse. A complete listing of the properties can be seen at the treasurer’s office or this website: www.oktaxrolls.com

Tortured Syrian Journalist to Speak at USAO

He twice was detained and tortured, then forced to leave his home country of Syria. Qutaiba Idlibi will be the keynote speaker of USAO’S  7th annual Ableseon Religious Reconciliation Lecture next month. Idlibi’s theme is “Stories of Revolution, Religion, and Pre-War Syria”. Idlibi was denied a bachelor's degree in Damascus for his work as a citizen journalist. The program will be Tuesday, Sept. 11th, at 7:00 p.m. in the USAO Ballroom and is free and open to the public.

Energy and Metals

The price of crude oil on the NYMEX was up 5 percent last week, to $68.72 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude topped $75 and is up to $75.82.

Natural gas was down about 1 percent last week to $2.91 per million BTUs.

Metals had an up week as well. Gold is $1,210 and silver is $14.85.