Today we close out the Chickasha Future Farmer of the week with President Blake White and FFA Reporter Cody Bell closing out the year.

Monday, Dec. 17th

Consumer Spending Still Healthy in Grady County

A lot of money continues being spent at Grady County retail outlets. Consumer spending in September topped $123 million. That number is based on the sales tax revenue collected by the county last month. While consumer spending was down about 7 percent from the previous month it was an increase of 80 percent compared to September of 2017. Grady County sales tax revenue in November – which was collected on consumer spending in September – was $927,000. County sales tax revenue topped $1 million in each of the two previous months. Here's how the county sales tax revenue is distributed, with each one approved by county voters. The Grady County Fairgrounds collected nearly $309,000; Grady Memorial Hospital received more than $273,000. Each of the 20 fire districts in the county receive more than $7,700 and each of the seven senior nutrition centers collects about $22,000. Tuttle EMS picks up about $28,000 and Rush Springs EMS collects more than $7,000. The county’s use tax collections for November was $275,000 up from $92,000 in November of 2017. Use taxes are paid on Internet purchases.

City of Chickasha Consumer Spending Also Good              

In the City of Chickasha, consumer spending for September was estimated at just under $30 million. That's steady from the previous month, and up about 30 percent compared to September of 2017. The city collected about $1.1 million in sales tax revenue in each of the last couple of months. Chickasha’s use tax collections for last month were $85,000 which is down from $120,000 from November, 2017.

Former State Lawmaker Prepares for New Post

Former State Representative Leslie Osborn, who will be the state's next labor commissioner, has spent the last few weeks learning the ins and outs about the agency she'll soon be leading. Osborn served 10 years in the State House of Representatives in District 47 which included parts of Grady County. Osborn was elected Labor Commissioner last month. Osborn says she asked the current deputy labor commissioner Jim Buck if she could shadow some of the employees at the agency to learn what they do.

Osborn will be sworn into office on Jan. 14th.

DHS Now Accepting LIHEAP Applications On-Line

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has $10 million available to help low income families pay home heating bills this winter. The money comes from the federal government for DHS' Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). DHS is now accepting applications on-line. Eligible households already receiving public assistance have already been notified by mail that they qualify, and those families will not have to apply. Any households which are not pre-authorized but receive help from DHS can apply on-line at www.okdhslive.org Only one LIHEAP payment per household is allowed each year. A news release from DHS says Native American families can apply for tribal programs but cannot receive help from both the tribal program and DHS. Applicants for LIHEAP must provide an ID, Social Security number, income verification, and the most recent heating bill for their home.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was down Friday to $51.20 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude was down to $60.28.

Natural gas was down to $3.83 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,243 and silver is $14.70.

Saturday Dec. 15th

Former Louisa, Virginia man was charged in his wife’s death after interstate 44 accident last week. Kool News Reported the Dec. 5th fatal car and semi accident, where 29 year old Ashley Pugh, of Bumpass, Virginia, died at mile marker 90 of I-44. Where A Chevy Cavalier carrying the Pughs,’’ and a semi-truck were both eastbound, and the car struck the tractor-trailer. The driver of the car, Shawn Pugh, 37, also of Bumpass, was transported to Grady Memorial Hospital, treated and released. Shawn Pugh was arrested on warrants from Louisa, VA. for multiple charges. The strange thing about this tragedy was…According to Det. Chuck Love of the Louisa County, VA. Sheriff’s Office, some Warrant charges may be dropped against Shawn Pugh, because Ashley Pugh, who died in the I44 crash, was the victim in the pending charges against her husband.

According to THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Oklahoma is still trailing behind neighboring states in per-student spending.

The National Center for Education Statistics report shows that Oklahoma's annual expenditures were nearly $1.3 billion, below the regional average for the 2015-16 school year,The region of  Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, New Mexico, Colorado and Texas, spent an average of roughly $9,900 per student, but Oklahoma lagged behind by about $1,800. And according to the Oklahoma State School Boards Association, Even after Adjusting the figures to include the $480 million increase in state funding this year It still puts Oklahoma behind about $1,100,. State superintendent, Joy Hofmeister has asked lawmakers to approve a $440 million… increase in the education budget for 2019.

Holiday Dress-Up Week.

According to the Grand Avenue Calendar Next week you will see students having their Holiday Dress-Up Week. Monday is Grinch Day so they’ll wear green or dress like a Grinch; then each day through Friday they will dress for the Holla—Day. To see what they’re wearing each day go to the school calendar at chickasha.k12.ok.us

Insurance on the Oklahoma exchange

Oklahomans have until the end of the day to buy insurance on the exchange and Oklahomans who don't sign up will have to find another form of coverage, or go without for 2019. People who still want to sign up need to create an account on HealthCare.gov and collect documents of any family members to be covered, and your last year’s income. Then estimate next year's income. For a family of four, estimates between $25 thousand and $100 thousand, would have at least one option for a plan with no premiums. But remember, The lowest-premium plan may not work for you because of other out-of-pocket costs like deductibles,.

A Grady County Native is the new Oklahoma’s Secretary of Agriculture.

Governor-elect Kevin Stitt has selected Blayne Arthur as member of his cabinet. Arthur is the executive director of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, and From 2011 through 16 was the Deputy Commissioner of Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. Arthur grew up in Grady County, and graduated from Chickasha High School; furthering her education at Oklahoma State University, with a degree in agriculture economics. In 2016 She received the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association - Distinguished Service Award, and in 2017 received the Significant Women in Oklahoma Agriculture award.

Here are some local events you may want to go to.

*Santa will be stopping in town at PetSense this afternoon, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Bring your pets and kidos to meet Santa, and get some great holiday pictures. Donations for Second Chance Animal Sanctuary a non-profit shelter and is completely dependent upon donations.

* Free Luncheon

Michigan Avenue Baptist Church are having a free luncheon at 728 W. Michigan Ave., immediately following Sunday morning services. Those who attend services will also receive Christmas gifts. Transportation is available by texting (405) 822-0111.

Nationwide Bomb Threats Included Several In Oklahoma.

Law enforcement agencies across the country have responded to a wave of bomb threats sent to businesses by email Thursday. Stating “"a person carried an explosive device into the building where your business is conducted." Going on to ask for payment of 20, thousand bitcoin to not detonate the explosive. The Oklahoma City Police Department has investigated many bomb threats made across the metro, and Edmond PD says at least five threats were reported, but none were credible Local officials say the threats are all connected to the nationwide investigation, and the FBI is now assisting; Believing the emails may be a hoax, and were "meant to cause disruption and/or obtain money." But the FBI is asking the public to be vigilant.

7 flu deaths in Oklahoma So far,

The Oklahoma State Department of Health, has announced the death of another person from the flu, bringing the total to seven this season. All were 50-years-old or older, and since Sept. 1^st over 150 were hospitalized. Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus which is spread by coughing, sneezing or touching a surface handled by others. So please ask your doctor if you require a vaccination.

Friday Dec. 14

 “Oklahomans have until Saturday to buy insurance on the exchange

Grady County Native selected as Oklahoma’s Secretary of Agriculture

Governor-elect Kevin Stitt has selected Blayne Arthur as member of his cabinet as Secretary of Agriculture. Arthur, the executive director of the Oklahoma 4-H Foundation, and From 2011 through 16 was the Deputy Commissioner of Oklahoma Department of Agriculture. Arthur grew up farming wheat, horses and cattle in Grady County, and her mother, Dr. Peggy Clark, was a veterinary medical officer for the USDA. Arthur graduated from Chickasha High School and furthered her education at Oklahoma State University, earning a degree in agriculture economics. In 2016 She received the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association - Distinguished Service Award, and in 2017 received the Significant Women in Oklahoma Agriculture award.

Here are some local events you may want to go to.

Santa spoted.

Santa will be stopping in town at PetSense on Saturday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m in the afternoon.

Bring your pets and kidos to meet Santa, and get some great holiday pictures. Donations for Second Chance Animal Sanctuary a non-profit shelter and is completely dependent upon donations.

Free meal and gift.

Michigan Avenue Baptist Church are having a free luncheon at 728 W. Michigan Ave., immediately following the morning services. Those who attend services will also receive Christmas gifts. Transportation available by texting (405) 822-0111.

Nationwide Bomb Threats Included At Least 10 In Oklahoma.

Law enforcement agencies across the country have responded to a wave of bomb threats

 sent to businesses by email yesterday. Stating “"I write to you that my recruited person carried the explosive device into the building where your business is conducted." Going on to ask for payment of 20, thousand bitcoin to not detonate the explosive. The Oklahoma City Police Department has investigated at least 10 bomb threats made across the metro, but none were credible. Edmond PD says at least five threats have been reported. Local officials say the threats are all connected to the nationwide investigation, and the FBI is now assisting believing the emails may be a hoax, and were "meant to cause disruption and/or obtain money." But the FBI is still asking the public to be vigilant.

The Oklahoma State Department of Health, has announced the death of another person from the flu, bringing the total to seven this season. All were people 50-years-old or older, and 5 of the deaths occurred in Northeast Oklahoma, one in the Southwest and one in Tulsa County. Since Sept. 1^st  approximately 152 were hospitalized this season. Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory illness caused by a virus which is spread coughing, sneezing or touching a surface handled by others. So please ask your doctor if you require a vaccination.

Obits:

Graveside service for Jimmy Dean Dorman will be 2:30, Saturday, at Rush Springs Cemetery under the direction of Sevier Funeral Home. He was raised in Rush Springs and later moved to Chickasha, he worked for Triad Energy as a field supervisor for 15 years. Condolences may be made to the family at www.sevierfuneralhome.com.

Graveside services for Frankie Lou Greaves, of Chickasha, OK will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery, Saturday, at 2PM. Pastor Kim Hayes will officiate. Frankie and her husband Byron operated a dairy farm in Chickasha, Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery after a graveside service under the direction of McRay Funeral Home.

Thursday, Dec. 13th

Blayne Arthur to Serve as Next State Ag Commissioner

Grady County has plenty of representation at the state capital but there will soon be a direct link right to the governor's office. Blayne Arthur will be serving as the next state agriculture secretary. Gov.-elect Kevin Stitt made the appointment this week. Arthur will be the first woman to serve the post. She is no stranger to the department though. Arthur was the deputy state agriculture secretary for a time, before she took her current post as director of the Oklahoma 4H Foundation. Arthur says she's looking forward to returning to the agency.

Arthur is married to Jarrod Arthur of Chickasha. She is the daughter of David Spencer and the late Peggy Clark of Chickasha.  Her maternal grandmother is Mary Spurlin, and her aunt is former State Representative Susan Winchester.

Teen Was Headed to School When Fatal Crash Occurred            

The teenager who died in a traffic accident near Lindsay will be laid to rest on Monday. 17-year old Lauren Delarosa-Hull was on her way to school Tuesday morning when the crash happened south of Lindsay. Lindsay High School principal Chuck Karpe said Lauren was a home-school student, but  she would ride the Lindsay school bus to the technology center in Wayne every morning where she was taking cosmetology classes. Karpe said Lauren had a number of friends in the Lindsay school district and knew many teachers. She even gave a presentation about the technology center to the Lindsay board of education recently and she worked at a couple of downtown businesses. Lauren was on track to graduate in the spring. The funeral for Lauren Delarosa-Hull will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Dec. 17^th at the Smith and Turner Mortuary in Yukon.

Woman Hospitalized After Car Hits Tractor

A woman is hospitalized after her car runs off the road and hits a tractor. 54-year old Renee McCain suffered arm and internal injuries in the crash that happened near Ninnekah Tuesday afternoon. She was last in fair condition. The accident happened about four miles west of the junction of Highways 81 and 277. The state trooper at the scene said that McCain failed to go around a curve, ran off the road and hit a fence, then re-entered the highway and went into a slide before hitting the tractor. McCain was wearing her seat belt and the airbags in the car did deploy.

New X-Ray Machine to be Installed at County Courthouse  

It may soon be easier to get through the security checkpoint at the Grady County Courthouse. County commissioners have approved the purchase of an X-ray machine. The winning bid of just over $24,000 was awarded to Pemica, Inc. The company is based in Florida but also has operations in several states including Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana. The company's website says they've been providing scanners and various hazardous material detection systems for jails, government offices, and airports for the last 18 years. There's no word on when the new X-ray machine might be installed.

Man Accused of Burglary,Theft in Two Counties               

A man who just received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to burglary and grand larceny charges in Garvin County is now facing similar charges in Grady County.  28-year old Jerry Brewer of Lindsay has only been on probation for a few weeks after pleading guilty to charges stemming from his arrest in September. Now he's facing similar charges in Grady County. Authorities allege he was responsible for the theft of a pickup and a travel trailer from the Bradley area which occurred back in September. Grady County investigators were notified by Garvin County that they had a possible suspect -  identified as Brewer - in the Pauls Valley jail.  On-line court records indicate Brewer pleaded guilty to the Garvin County charges on November 5th. An arrest warrant for the Grady County charges was issued Nov. 16th, and he was booked in the Grady County Jail earlier this week. Brewer bond is set at $8,000,

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was down to $51.15 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude was down to $60.15.

Natural gas was down to $4.13 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,246 and silver is $14.80.

Wednesday, Dec. 12th

Driver Avoids Serious Injury After Stray Bullet Hits Car

An odd story today about a Chickasha man who says a stray bullet hit his car while he was driving down the highway. Gene Diaz said he was a split-second away from being hit by the bullet. Instead, after the bullet entered the passenger side of his car, it hit the steering column. Hot pieces of shattered metal fell and hit his leg and Diaz did suffer some burns. He told KFOR-TV that it felt like someone poured hot oil on him. Grady County Deputy Sheriff Phillip McCarthey say the incident happened at night, and that the bullet may have come from someone illegally hunting deer, coyotes, or wild hogs. Investigators don't have any leads and are asking anyone who may have information about the incident to contact the sheriff’s office by calling 405-222-5085. In the meantime, Diaz says everyone who handles a firearm should have gun safety training.

Lindsay Teen Dies in Near Head-on Collision              

Sad news to report out of Lindsay, where a teenager lost her life in a near head-on collision. The accident happened about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, on State Highway 76 about three miles south of Lindsay. We don't know the name of the girl, who was only 17. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol does not release the names of juveniles who are involved in traffic accidents. The OHP reports the teen was northbound on the highway when her car crossed the center line and collided with a southbound pick-up. The driver of the pick-up, 31-year old Justin Murphy, and a passenger, 35-year old Renoldo Flores, who are both from Texas were not hurt.

Man Charged With Assault in Golf Club Attack

A Blanchard-area man is charged with felony assault for allegedly breaking a man's arm with a golf club. 55-year old Jerry Lynn Buchanan has been formally charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in Grady County District Court. Buchanan was arrested late last week after a deputy sheriff was called to Grady Memorial Hospital to investigate an assault complaint. A man suffered a broken arm after being hit several times with a golf club. Buchanan told investigators he was defending himself when he and the victim got into a scuffle. Buchanan suffered minor head injury that did not require medical treatment. Buchanan remains in the Grady County Jail pending a $100,000 bond.

GPS Aids Police in Finding Stolen Car

A GPS tracking device leads police to a stolen car, and authorities arrest the driver on a number of complaints. A woman called Chickasha Police last week to report that her car was stolen. Authorities called the dealer where the car was purchased. Thanks to the satellite technology, the car was detected a couple of hours later in the area of 29th Street and Highway 62. The man driving the car said he had just borrowed it, and was about to return it. Police also found items in the car that were reported stolen in a previous burglary. Authorities arrested 19-year old Dalton Cordell Null of Chickasha and he has been formally charged with felonies of unauthorized use of a vehicle and possession of stolen property. Null remains in jail on a $25,000 bond.  Null had been arrested for burglary about a year ago and was scheduled to enter a plea on the charge next month.

Inhofe Tells How Funding for Border Wall is Possible

Oklahoma U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe says President Trump does have a plan to come up with the money he's requesting to build a wall to secure the nation's border with Mexico. Inhofe says the Joint Committee on Taxation has evaluated The Wall Act, which has been sent to the president.

Inhofe said the bill would not impact legal immigrants who have been approved to receive tax credits.

FSA County Committee Election Results

Ag producers throughout Oklahoma cast ballots last month in their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee elections. Mark Jackson with the Grady County FSA Office has the results for both Caddo and Grady counties.

The members will serve three-year terms on their county committees beginning January 1st.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was up to $51.65 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude rose to $60.20.

Natural gas was down slightly to $4.40 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,249 and silver is $14.74.

Tuesday, Dec. 11th

CHS Locked Down for Drug Search; Nothing Found

Chickasha school officials and Grady County law enforcement say no contraband was found during a random search at Chickasha High School yesterday. A lockdown was put in place Monday morning as a Grady County deputy sheriff and his drug dog searched a few classrooms and went through the parking lot. Deputy Phillip McCarthey and his partner Ice performed the search. Officials say while Ice had several hits on backpacks and vehicles, nothing was found. High School Principal Rhonda Snow described the situation as a ‘regular’ lockdown, where classes continued normally, but students were not allowed to leave the campus. Snow said there is a higher-level of lockdown status which she called "lockdown-plus" which is one where the school takes precautions for potential intruders.

Southern Plains Med Center Expands to Pauls Valley              

The Pauls Valley area was devastated with the closing of the hospital in that community a couple of months ago. However some medical services are resuming in Pauls Valley this morning, as Southern Plains Medical Center will be working with some doctors in that area to establish a clinic. Southern Plains CEO Len Lacefield said they will initially partner with Drs. Tammy Jarvis and Susan Jones. Lacefield said Jarvis was left without an office when the hospital closed.

Lacefield said Southern Plains is also working to offer laboratory and radiology services. He said they are also working with the City of Pauls Valley to try and re-open the hospital on a limited basis.

CHS Activity Center May Get New Name

The Chickasha High School Activity Center, which includes a 1,200-seat sports arena and a 1,000-seat auditorium, could bear a new name soon. The board of education will consider naming the activity center after someone in the community. Superintendent Jack Herron would not release any names being considered.  He did say a list of possible candidates was compiled by school and community leaders for the board to review. The school board meets at 6:30 tonight at the school administration building.

 Planning Commission to Hold Public Hearings              

A number of public hearings are scheduled for the City of Chickasha's  Planning Commission today. One is a request is to re-zone a former church at 2902 Country Club Road from residential to general commercial use. Another is to consider approval of an alternate exterior facade for the proposed USAO softball facility improvements. Another hearing is to consider a one-chair home beauty salon at 505 S. 22nd Street. The group will also hold a hearing on a request to vacate an alley in the 400 block of West Missouri for the planned Domino's Convenience Store that has been approved for that site. The Planning Commission meets at 4:00 p.m. this afternoon at city hall.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX fell to $51 a barrel yesterday.

London-based Brent crude dropped to $59.97.

Natural gas was up to $4.54 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,252 and silver is $14.70.

Monday, Dec. 10th

Missing Elderly Blanchard Man is Found

A Silver Alert issued for a missing Blanchard senior citizen has been canceled. The McClain County Sheriff’s Office had issued the alert for 85-year old Walter Heironimus. Authorities said he had left his home in his pick-up Sunday morning and didn’t return. Our partners at KWTV News 9 are reporting that Heironimus was located sometime last night, but it wasn't clear where or when he was found. Reports indicate that Heironimus is OK and was to be reunited with his family.

City Sales Tax Revenues Grow               

Sales tax revenues are soaring in the region and the energy industry is the main factor. For the City of Chickasha, sales tax revenues have been right around $1 million each month for 2018. City Manager John Noblitt says it's a big help in taking care of some financial concerns he's faced in his nearly two years on the job.

Noblitt is projecting the city will collect about $12 million in sales tax revenue this year.

Chickasha School Board Candidate Withdraws

One of the candidates who filed for Chickasha school board last week has withdrawn her candidacy. Ginny Howell has decided not to run for the post she was appointed to earlier this year. That means Cara Gerdes, the only other candidate to file for that ofice, will serve the remaining years that are left in that post. Howell tells KOOL/RANCH News that she talked to Gerdes about her reasons for wanting to serve and that their ideals are very similar. Plus, Howell said Gerdes does have children attending Chickasha schools. Gerdes will take over Howell's post after the school election in February.

Thieves Burglarize Volunteer Fire Department

Investigators are still looking for individuals who burglarized the Porter Hill volunteer fire department over the weekend. Thieves broke in Friday night and stole several thousand dollars in bunker gear, life-saving equipment, and radios. One firefighter called the thieves low-lives, and that the individuals must be in sad shape to steal from a fire department. An on-line fund-raiser is underway to help replace the equipment.

Grady County OHCE to Provide Holiday Dinner to Veterans

The Grady County DAV chapter will hold a Christmas dinner for all military veterans and their families this coming weekend. Grady County OHCE will prepare the meal, and welcome all veterans to stop by and enjoy the food and fellowship. The dinner will be held Saturday, December 15^th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the DAV headquarters at 6th and Chickasha Avenue.

Caddo County Ag Programs on the Horizon

There are a number of programs for livestock and grain producers in the Caddo County area scheduled in the next few weeks. Cattle producers will meet Monday, December 17th for a program with OSU Livestock Specialist Marty New. He will discuss winter supplements for cattle. That's a 6:30 p.m. meeting. The next morning, at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 18th, OSU Grain Marketing Specialist Kim Anderson will provide some updates. Also coming up, all current restricted-use pesticide licenses will be expiring at the end of the month, so there are a couple of training programs on the calendar. One will be held in Hinton on Thursday, December 20^th at noon at The Hot Spot, and one will be held Thursday, January 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center in Ft. Cobb. Packets are $20. For information on these programs contact the OSU Extension Office in Anadarko.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was up last week to $52.61 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude was also up to $61.67.

Natural gas was up Friday but down for the week to $4.49 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,252 and silver is $14.64.

Closing out the Chickasha Future Farmer of the week with President Blake White and FFA Reporter Cody Bell closing out the year.

Monday, Dec. 10th

Missing Elderly Blanchard Man is Found

A Silver Alert issued for a missing Blanchard senior citizen has been canceled. The McClain County Sheriff’s Office had issued the alert for 85-year old Walter Heironimus. Authorities said he had left his home in his pick-up Sunday morning and didn’t return. Our partners at KWTV News 9 are reporting that Heironimus was located sometime last night, but it wasn't clear where or when he was found. Reports indicate that Heironimus is OK and was to be reunited with his family.

City Sales Tax Revenues Grow               

Sales tax revenues are soaring in the region and the energy industry is the main factor. For the City of Chickasha, sales tax revenues have been right around $1 million each month for 2018. City Manager John Noblitt says it's a big help in taking care of some financial concerns he's faced in his nearly two years on the job.

Noblitt is projecting the city will collect about $12 million in sales tax revenue this year.

Chickasha School Board Candidate Withdraws

One of the candidates who filed for Chickasha school board last week has withdrawn her candidacy. Ginny Howell has decided not to run for the post she was appointed to earlier this year. That means Cara Gerdes, the only other candidate to file for that ofice, will serve the remaining years that are left in that post. Howell tells KOOL/RANCH News that she talked to Gerdes about her reasons for wanting to serve and that their ideals are very similar. Plus, Howell said Gerdes does have children attending Chickasha schools. Gerdes will take over Howell's post after the school election in February.

Thieves Burglarize Volunteer Fire Department

Investigators are still looking for individuals who burglarized the Porter Hill volunteer fire department over the weekend. Thieves broke in Friday night and stole several thousand dollars in bunker gear, life-saving equipment, and radios. One firefighter called the thieves low-lives, and that the individuals must be in sad shape to steal from a fire department. An on-line fund-raiser is underway to help replace the equipment.

Grady County OHCE to Provide Holiday Dinner to Veterans

The Grady County DAV chapter will hold a Christmas dinner for all military veterans and their families this coming weekend. Grady County OHCE will prepare the meal, and welcome all veterans to stop by and enjoy the food and fellowship. The dinner will be held Saturday, December 15^th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the DAV headquarters at 6th and Chickasha Avenue.

Caddo County Ag Programs on the Horizon

There are a number of programs for livestock and grain producers in the Caddo County area scheduled in the next few weeks. Cattle producers will meet Monday, December 17th for a program with OSU Livestock Specialist Marty New. He will discuss winter supplements for cattle. That's a 6:30 p.m. meeting. The next morning, at 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 18th, OSU Grain Marketing Specialist Kim Anderson will provide some updates. Also coming up, all current restricted-use pesticide licenses will be expiring at the end of the month, so there are a couple of training programs on the calendar. One will be held in Hinton on Thursday, December 20^th at noon at The Hot Spot, and one will be held Thursday, January 3rd at 2:00 p.m. at the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center in Ft. Cobb. Packets are $20. For information on these programs contact the OSU Extension Office in Anadarko.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was up last week to $52.61 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude was also up to $61.67.

Natural gas was up Friday but down for the week to $4.49 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,252 and silver is $14.64.

Saturday, Dec. 8th

Mom Faces Child Abuse Charge

A mother is charged with child abuse after investigators claim a 3-year old boy was malnourished and kept in a locked room. 27-year old Deonna Clanton surrendered to authorities Friday after a nearly six-month investigation by the Department of Human Services and the Grady County District Attorneys Office. Clanton listed a Lawton address but was living in Chickasha at the time the complaints were first reported. An affidavit from the district attorney says DHS received a referral about the case in June. It’s alleged the child was dehydrated, underweight, and suffered bug bites on his groin and head. Clanton told investigators she thought the child drank too much water, and locked him in his bedroom at night so he couldn't get access to fluids. Clanton is facing a felony charge of child abuse by injury. She remains in jail in lieu of a $150,000 bond. She's to announce her attorney on Dec. 20th with a preliminary hearing conference set for Jan. 2nd.

Homicide Suspect was on Probation for Manslaughter               

Now a follow-up to a story we had this week about a man arrested in connection with an Anadarko homicide. 51-year old Emmett Dewayne Mckenzie, Jr. was a person of interest regarding the stabbing death of Humberto Marron. KOOL News has learned that the McKenzie is on probation in connection with another death that occurred nearly 10 years ago. McKenzie was initially charged with second degree murder in a case dating back to 2009. He reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, where he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison and 10 years’ probation. McKenzie has been charged with first degree murder in connection with Marron's death. Bond was denied. Prosecutors also want to revoke his probation from the 2009 case.

Kids Take Part in Shop-with-a-Cop

Several Chickasha youngsters got out of class Friday to spend some time shopping for Christmas. About two dozen children from Bill Wallace and Grand Avenue Elementary schools took part in the second annual Shop with a Cop program. Police officers and teachers helped the children pick out clothing, toys, and other gifts. Assistant Police Chief G.G. Music says the kids were thinking more about others than themselves. The kids and police officers spent a couple of hours at Wal-Mart and there as a special visit from Santa Claus. The Subway restaurant at Wal-Mart provided lunch for everyone. All the money for Shop with a Cop came from donations from individuals, businesses, and civic clubs in the community.

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend.  Jenna Cansler and Sarah Keeth with Red Rock Behavioral Health Services are on our KOOL Konversation program. Chickasha City Manager John Noblitt is our guest on Real Estate Today with John Mosley. We have links to both programs elsewhere on this website. Find them under the Community tab.

Friday, Dec. 7th

Manslaughter Charge Filed After Fatal Crash

There’s another twist in that deadly traffic accident that occurred northeast of Chickasha earlier this week. Grady County prosecutors are filing a felony first degree manslaughter charge against Shawn Pugh. Investigators believe Pugh was at the wheel of a car that hit a semi – an accident which killed a woman riding in Pugh's vehicle. You'll recall that the Oklahoma Highway Patrol arrested Pugh after the crash when they found out he was wanted in Virginia. We've been unable to find out why he was wanted. Authorities did say he had a suspended Virginia driver's license. Pugh had to be taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries he suffered in the crash, but then was taken to the Grady County Jail. His bond was set at $150,000.

Man Arrested at Casino on Drug Complaint

A Marlow man is accused of dealing methamphetamine. 38-year old Justin Russell Maddox has been charged with a felony count of distribution of a controlled, dangerous drug and misdemeanor charges of drug possession and obstructing an officer. He's being held in the Stephens County Jail on a $50,000 bond. The Lawton Constitution reports that Maddox was arrested at a Duncan casino after he got aggressive with a deputy sheriff who asked for his identification. Maddox was on probation after pleading guilty to a previous drug charge back in 2011. A hearing to revoke his 10-year deferred sentence on that charge is scheduled later this month.

Number of New Construction Permits Drop

New construction permits for Chickasha were way down last month. Requests for permits typically drop off in the fall and winter months. The city's Community Development Department approved seven permits totaling just under $64,000. All were for construction in residential areas for storage or re-modeling work. New construction through the first 11 months of 2018 is more than $23 million.

More Hotel Construction Expected

More hotel rooms could be in the future for Chickasha. The city council this week approved the sale of city-owned property near the Grady County Fairgrounds. City Manager John Noblitt said a developer wants to build two more hotels. A Best Western Plus is already under construction in that area and a Fairfield Inn is nearing construction south of the city. Noblitt said the hotels will be beneficial for the numerous events that are held at the fairgrounds as well as for the many baseball and softball tournaments held at the city's sports complex. There's no timetable on when the construction of the newest motels might begin.

Storm Siren Improvements Planned

A federal grant could help the City of Chickasha repair or replace a number of storm sirens. The city has been approved for a more than $110,000 FEMA grant for the project. The city will have to chip in about $35,000 to match the grant. Chickasha Fire Chief Brian Zalewski said there are plans to install a brand new storm siren at the sports complex. There is not one there now.

Governor Issues State of Emergency for Winter Storm               A state of emergency is in effect for the entire state as Oklahomans brace for the first winter storm of the season. Gov. Mary Fallin issued the order before the storm's arrival. Several activities this weekend have been re-scheduled or postponed. USAO commencement is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. this afternoon instead of this evening. The Santa's Workshop motorcycle toy run that was scheduled for tomorrow has been re-scheduled for next Saturday, Dec. 15th. If you know of any other cancelations or postponements, let us know so we can pass the word along.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was down to $51.49 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude falls to $60.06.

Natural gas was down to $4.32 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,247 and silver is $14.60.

Thursday, Dec. 6th

Survivor of Fatal Crash Faces Charges in Virginia

The man who survived that fatal crash on the H.E. Bailey turnpike this week was arrested, after authorities find out he was wanted in his home state of Virginia. Shawn Pugh was taken into custody after being treated for injuries he suffered in the crash. A woman in the car, Ashley Pugh, died at the scene. It wasn't clear how the two are related. The highway patrol posted a photo of Shawn Pugh and a brief description of the accident on its Facebook page. It wasn't immediately known what charges Pugh is facing in Virginia. The OHP says traffic homicide investigators are processing Pugh's vehicle. Authorities say statements Pugh made are inconsistent with physical evidence and it’s not clear who was driving the car. Troopers are also asking any witnesses who may have seen the crash to contact the Lawton Highway Patrol office by calling 580-353-0783.

Anadarko Stabbing Death Suspect in Custody

Anadarko police have made an arrest in connection with the stabbing death of a man that occurred earlier this week. Emmett McKenzie, Jr. was taken into custody yesterday afternoon on a first-degree murder complaint. McKenzie was a person of interest being sought in connection with the death of Humberto Marron. Marron was dropped off at the Anadarko hospital with multiple stab wounds early Tuesday morning and died minutes later. It wasn't clear who took Marron to the hospital. Anadarko Police Chief Eric Harlan thanked Marron's family, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the District Attorney's Task Force for their help in the investigation. McKenzie could have his initial appearance on the murder complaint today.

Former Chix Teacher Runs Unopposed for School Board

Looks like a former Chickasha schools educator will now serve on the district’s board of education. Robyn Morse filed unopposed for a seat on the school board during the three-day filing period which ended yesterday. Morse retired from Chickasha schools a few years ago, and became an outspoken opponent of a controversial self-paced curriculum for high school students implemented by former superintendent Dave Cash.  An investigation is continuing into that system where there were allegations of grade- and attendance-tampering. Morse will serve a five-year term in Office No. 5. Julie Hibbard, who previously held that office, did not run for re-election.

Two Chix School Board Seats to be Filled in Feb. Election             Voters in the Chickasha school district will decide who will fill two un-expired seats on the school board. For Office No. 1, Ginny Howell and Cara Gerdes have filed. Howell was appointed to that post earlier this year. And for Office No. 2 - Tim Miller, Laurie Allen, and former school board member Bruce Storms has filed. There is a two-day protest and withdrawal period before the filings are considered final. The school election will be held in February.

Opioid Issues Affect Grady County               

A recent survey shows how the nationwide opioid epidemic impacts Grady County. The survey indicates that so many of the addictive prescription pain killers have been issued to regional patients, that every Grady County adult could have nearly 200 10-milligram hydrocodone tablets. That's according to a 2017 survey by the Oklahoma Prescription Monitoring Program. Officials with Red Rock Behavioral Health Services want to see that number dramatically reduced. You are encouraged to talk to your health care provider about ways to manage pain without having to take a prescription opioid. There's also a web site you can check out: www. okimready.org

Dowtown Chickasha Christmas Parade Tonight

Downtown Chickasha will be abuzz with excitement tonight for the city's annual night-time lighted Christmas parade. The Main Street Merchants Association have gathered dozens of floats and walking groups for the event. The theme is the Magic of Christmas. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top three floats. The parade will start at 7:00 p.m. with the route beginning at the YMCA and finishing at the railroad depot. We understand the jolly old elf himself, Santa Claus, will take a break from his work at the North Pole to be part of the parade. After the parade will be the official lighting of the new 35-foot tall Christmas tree at the depot, which has already been lighting up the area the last couple of weeks. There will also be a faux snowball fight with fake snow provided by a snow cannon.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is lower to $52.89 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $61.56.

Natural gas climbs to $4.47 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,241 and silver is $14.44.

Wednesday, Dec. 5th

Virginia Woman Dies in Turnpike Crash

A woman has died after the car she was riding in crashes into a semi and lands upside down. 29-year old Ashly Pugh of Bumpass, Virginia died in the accident that happened on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike northeast of Chickasha about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday. The driver of the car, 37-year old Shawn Pugh, also of Bumpass, Virginia suffered head and trunk injuries. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital where he was treated and released. The highway patrol says both vehicles were traveling east on the interstate, when the Pugh vehicle tried to merge into the lane that the big rig was in. Neither the driver nor the passenger of the semi were hurt. They were identified as Jennifer and Bobby Hontz of Knob Noster, Missouri.

Elderly Burn Victim Succumbs to Injuries

A Chickasha woman who suffered second and third-degree burns when a space heater ignited her clothing has died. 89-year old Lois Jantz was injured a few weeks ago. Chickasha Fire Chief Brian Zalewski said that Jantz was walking by the electric space heater when it caught her clothing on fire. She died from her injuries the day before Thanksgiving.

Anadarko Stabbing Death Under investigation

Anadarko police are investigating the stabbing death of a man who was dropped off at the city's hospital. Authorities say 36-year old Humberto Marron suffered multiple stab wounds and was taken to Physician's Hospital early Tuesday  morning. He died shortly after his arrival. Few details are being discussed by police right now. KWTV-News 9 cites Police Chief Eric Harlan as saying they don't want to compromise the investigation. Authorities have identified a person of interest but it's not known if any arrests have been made. Anyone has information about what happened is asked to call Anadarko police.

School Board Candidate Filing List Grows

Longtime Chickasha school board member Bruce Storms wants to serve again. Storms was the only new candidate to file for the Chickasha board of education in the second day of school board filing yesterday. Storms is the third candidate to file for an unexpired term for Office No. 2, the seat currently held by Shawna Covington. Tim Miller and Laurie Allen have also filed. Ginny Howell and Cara Gerdes are still the only candidates to file for the unexpired term in Office No. 1. Robyn Morse has filed unopposed so far for a five-year term in Office No. 5. Checking some other school board filings - Crystal Shebester has filed at Alex; Matt Caves has filed at Ampo; Naomi Dietrich and Dale Thompson have filed for Office No. 4 at Ninnekah; Kay Winn has filed at Verden; Deserae Butler and Michelle McCray have filed for separate offices at Pioneer; Caleb McClung has filed at Friend; Josh Oaks and Mark Shaw have both filed for Office No. 2 in Middleberg; Joe Harris has filed at Rush Springs; and Lance McKee has filed at Minco.

Two Arrested, One Charged in Road Rage Incident

A road rage incident leads to the arrest of two drivers for pulling guns on each other. A state trooper was dispatched to a minor traffic accident just north of Cihckasha on Highway 81 last Friday. An OHP affidavit says the disagreement started when one pickup passed another on a bridge, and one driver is alleged to have intentionally rear-ended the other. A truck driver who witnessed the incident provided a video of what happened. 48-year old Clinton Arlton Wood of Chickasha and 43-year old Byron Thomas Bullington of Ninnekah both spent the weekend jail. Wood has been charged with a felony for pointing a firearm. He is out of jail after posting a $5,000 bond. Prosecutors declined to file charges against Bullington.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is up to $53.25 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is  $62.08.

Natural gas is up to $4.45 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,243 and silver is $14.56.

Tuesday, Dec. 4th

Several Candidates File for Chickasha School Board

Five candidates filed for the three offices that are up for election on the Chickasha school board during the first day of filing for board of education seats on Monday. For Office No. 1, Ginny Howell and Cara Gerdes have filed for an un-expired term. Howell was appointed to the post earlier this year. For Office No. 2, Laurie Allen and Tim Miller have filed for that unexpired term. That post is currently held by Shawna Covington, who was also appointed  to the panel this past year. As of late yesterday, Covington had not yet filed. In Office No. 4, Robyn Morse has filed for the post currently held by Julie Hibbard. That is for a full five-year term. Hibbard had not yet filed as of late yesterday. Candidates have until 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 5th to file for school board seats. School elections will be held in February.

Shadow Valley Housing Revision Approved               

A new housing development which was unanimously voted down by the Chickasha City Council earlier this year, has now been approved by a split vote of the panel. In a 5-4 vote, the council approved a revised version of the Shadow Valley Development on Country Club Road. Switching their vote to support the development were Mayor Chris Mosley and council members Eugene Nelson, David Sikes, Kim Loggins, and Zack Grayson. Maintaining their opposition to the plan were Mark Keeling, Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander, Jim Hopkins, and Joe Molder. Earlier this year, the council passed an ordinance that said developers would have to wait a year before bringing back plans that had been rejected by the council. City Manager John Noblitt tells why this plan was brought back so quickly.

Noblitt said the first proposal had about 30 homes in a much larger area while the revised plan is for only about 13 units. Chickasha resident Glen Thompson spoke against the proposal back in October and again last night.

Thompson said rental properties de-value single family homes in the neighborhoods where they are built.

Chix Police Chief Steps Down; New Chief Named

The City of Chickasha will be getting a new police chief. We reported yesterday that current Police Chief Greg Anderson is stepping down as of Dec. 14th. He says he's stepping down for personal reasons after spending just nine months on the job. City Manager John Noblitt said Anderson told him last month of his plans to resign. Noblitt has already tabbed a new police chief who is expected to be on board in about 90 days. Noblitt says he has picked Kathryn Rowell, a long-time employee with the Ft. Worth, Texas police department. Noblitt said she was a finalist when Anderson was hired earlier this year. Rowell is expected to start March 1^st and will be the city’s first female police chief.

Caution Advised for On-Line Shoppers               

More and more people are shopping on-line, but consumers should be careful when doing so. Grady County 4H President Beth Armstrong has some words of advice from OSU Extension.

Armstrong said on-line credit card purchases are covered by the Fair Credit Billing Act, which allows consumers to dispute charges and withhold payment until the creditor investigates the situation.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is up to $52.95 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is up to $61.69.

Natural gas is down to $4.34 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,244 and silver is $14.54.

Monday, Dec. 3rd

Homicide Investigation Continues

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the death of a Ninnekah area man. Grady County Undersheriff Phil Blevins says the death of 67-year old Roy Lee Fulton Sr. is considered a homicide. Investigators are not releasing much information about Fulton's death because of its sensitive nature. Blevins said Fulton suffered some type of trauma but was not specific. Authorities were called to Fulton's home west of Ninnekah Friday night. A relative had become concerned because she had not heard from him in a couple of days. Blevins says they have conducted a number of interviews and are narrowing down a list of suspects. Agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spent much of the overnight hours Friday and into Saturday morning gathering evidence.

Fiery Crash Sends 5 to Hospital; Child in Fair Condition

Two vehicles crash and burn near Marlow sending several  people to the hospital, including two small children. One child was hospitalized in fair condition with head injuries. The accident happened southeast of Marlow late Saturday afternoon. In one of the vehicles were 29-year old Christopher Sylve of Ninnekah and an unidentified 4-year old boy from Duncan. In the other vehicle were 52-year old Larry Bryant, 52-year old Kimberly Rost, and an unidentified 6-year old girl all of Duncan. All were taken to a Duncan hospital, and all but the 4-year old boy were treated and released. The state trooper investigating the crash says Syvle failed to yield at an intersection  and both vehicles became fully engulfed in fire after the collision.

Re-Zoning Requests Highlight City Council Agenda               

The Chickasha City Council meets for its final regular meeting of 2018 tonight. The panel has a number of re-zoning issues to review, including one for the Shadow Valley housing development along Country Club Road. That plan has been revised from a previous proposal which was turned down by the council a couple of months ago. The council will also consider re-zoning property near 4th and Missouri for what is expected to be a new gas station-convenience store on the southwest corner of that intersection. The council is also to review a proposal to re-zone much of Honda Lane to light industrial use. The group will also consider selling about four acres of city-owned land along the Grand Avenue corridor near the Grady County Fairgrounds to a developer for $48,000. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall.

School Board Filings Begin

Filings for school board posts open this morning and three offices are up for grabs on the Chickasha board of education. Those are the posts held by Julie Hibbard, Ginny Howell, and Shawna Covington. Hibbard serves in Office No. 4 and the term runs for five years. Howell serves in Office No. 1 and Covington in Office No. 2. Both were appointed to their seats earlier this year and they must file if they want to try and stay on the panel. Candidates must file at the election board in the county seat where the district is located. The filing period runs through Wednesday and the annual school elections will be In February of 2019.

Lincoln School  Lego League Heads to State Competition            A big achievement for the Lincoln School robotics team. The group won a regional competition in Oklahoma City last month and will now go on to a state competition. The Lincoln Lego League is part of the international FIRST Robotics project. FIRST is an acronym which means For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.  Instructor Brandon Willis says the teams have to design and build a robot to perform certain tasks with a solar system-themed challenge-

The state contest will be held in Shawnee on Saturday, December 15th.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $50.93 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude fell to $58.71.

Natural gas was up $4.83 per million BTU.

Gold is $1,229 and silver is $14.46.

Today we close out the Chickasha Future Farmer of the week with President Blake White and FFA Reporter Cody Bell closing out the year.

Monday, Dec. 3rd

Homicide Investigation Continues

Authorities are continuing their investigation into the death of a Ninnekah area man. Grady County Undersheriff Phil Blevins says the death of 67-year old Roy Lee Fulton Sr. is considered a homicide. Investigators are not releasing much information about Fulton's death because of its sensitive nature. Blevins said Fulton suffered some type of trauma but was not specific. Authorities were called to Fulton's home west of Ninnekah Friday night. A relative had become concerned because she had not heard from him in a couple of days. Blevins says they have conducted a number of interviews and are narrowing down a list of suspects. Agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spent much of the overnight hours Friday and into Saturday morning gathering evidence.

Fiery Crash Sends 5 to Hospital; Child in Fair Condition

Two vehicles crash and burn near Marlow sending several  people to the hospital, including two small children. One child was hospitalized in fair condition with head injuries. The accident happened southeast of Marlow late Saturday afternoon. In one of the vehicles were 29-year old Christopher Sylve of Ninnekah and an unidentified 4-year old boy from Duncan. In the other vehicle were 52-year old Larry Bryant, 52-year old Kimberly Rost, and an unidentified 6-year old girl all of Duncan. All were taken to a Duncan hospital, and all but the 4-year old boy were treated and released. The state trooper investigating the crash says Syvle failed to yield at an intersection  and both vehicles became fully engulfed in fire after the collision.

Re-Zoning Requests Highlight City Council Agenda               

The Chickasha City Council meets for its final regular meeting of 2018 tonight. The panel has a number of re-zoning issues to review, including one for the Shadow Valley housing development along Country Club Road. That plan has been revised from a previous proposal which was turned down by the council a couple of months ago. The council will also consider re-zoning property near 4th and Missouri for what is expected to be a new gas station-convenience store on the southwest corner of that intersection. The council is also to review a proposal to re-zone much of Honda Lane to light industrial use. The group will also consider selling about four acres of city-owned land along the Grand Avenue corridor near the Grady County Fairgrounds to a developer for $48,000. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. tonight at City Hall.

School Board Filings Begin

Filings for school board posts open this morning and three offices are up for grabs on the Chickasha board of education. Those are the posts held by Julie Hibbard, Ginny Howell, and Shawna Covington. Hibbard serves in Office No. 4 and the term runs for five years. Howell serves in Office No. 1 and Covington in Office No. 2. Both were appointed to their seats earlier this year and they must file if they want to try and stay on the panel. Candidates must file at the election board in the county seat where the district is located. The filing period runs through Wednesday and the annual school elections will be In February of 2019.

Lincoln School  Lego League Heads to State Competition            A big achievement for the Lincoln School robotics team. The group won a regional competition in Oklahoma City last month and will now go on to a state competition. The Lincoln Lego League is part of the international FIRST Robotics project. FIRST is an acronym which means For the Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology.  Instructor Brandon Willis says the teams have to design and build a robot to perform certain tasks with a solar system-themed challenge-

The state contest will be held in Shawnee on Saturday, December 15th.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $50.93 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude fell to $58.71.

Natural gas was up $4.83 per million BTU.

Gold is $1,229 and silver is $14.46.

Saturday, Dec. 1st

Homicide Investigation Underway in Rural Grady County

County and state investigators are looking into the death of a Grady County man. Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir confirms that his office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation are gathering evidence. Sheriff’s deputies were called out to a home in the western area of rural Grady County between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. Friday. Weir said a relative found the man's body in his home. Weir provided no details on how the man may have died, but they were looking for suspects. Anyone that may have information is asked to call 9-1-1, the sheriff's office, or leave an anonymous tip on the Chickasha and Grady County Crimestoppers Facebook page.

Fire Damage Minimal at Pocasset Home              

Homeowners near Pocasset catch a big break when a fire starts in their attic. The owners were out of town at the time but fortunately relatives who stopped by to feed their cats saw smoke coming out of the roof. Grady County fire crews from Pocasset and Harold volunteer Fire Departments were called out to the home of Trey and Amanda Thorsen about 9:00 p.m. Friday. The fire started in the attic above a bedroom closet. Damage to the home was limited to about $5,000. Investigators traced the cause of the fire to an electrical short. About nine firefighters from the two volunteer departments spent about an hour putting down the flames.

Severe Storms Drop at Least One Twister

It was a volatile weather night to close out the month of November with strong thunderstorms and even a tornado pummeling much of the eastern part of the state. The tornado touched down in Sequoyah county near Sallisaw, with early estimates of the twister being an EF-2. One business and mobile home were destroyed however there are no immediate reports of deaths or injuries. One family had to be rescued from their storm cellar. In this region, small hail and high winds struck several areas, and delayed many high school football playoff games.

Regional Food Bank Welcomes Matching Grants, Donations

While most of us count our blessings this holiday season, many struggle to even put enough food on the table for their families. The Regional Food Bank continues to provide food in many communities in western Oklahoma, including Chickasha and Anadarko. The food bank recently received a holiday match from Chesapeake Energy and other groups which will double all contributions to the food bank, up to $600,000. Officials say normally every one dollar donated to the Food Bank will provide four meals. Now, that one dollar will provide eight meals thanks to the recent match. Tax deductible donations may be made at www.rfbo.org

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend: Brandon Willis with the Chickasha Public Schools  robotics teams is on our KOOL Konversation talking about the recent success of the Lincoln School FIRST Lego League and the upcoming high school robotics season. On Real Estate Today with John Mosley, guests are Vic Byrd and Grayson Ardies with the Oklahoma Aeronautics Commission. We have links to both programs elsewhere on this website. You’ll find them under the Community tab.

Tuttle Football Team Wins 4A Crown

The Tuttle Tigers have won the Class 4A high school football championship. The Tigers defeated Bethany 35-28 in a storm-delayed title game at Yukon last night. It’s the third football title for Tuttle but their first one since 2005. The Tigers went undefeated this year finishing with a perfect 14-0 record.

Friday, Nov. 30th

More Counterfeit Bills Found               

For the second time in the last three months, some counterfeit money has been found in Chickasha. Earlier this week, Chickasha police were notified of a fake $20 bill at a store in the 700 block of Grand Avenue. There's no word on the changes that were been made to the bill, or if it was an isolated incident. Back in September, Chickasha police warned of a number of fake $100 bills that had been turned over to them.  At that time, authorities said it appeared some of those bills were actually $10 bills which had been washed and re-printed.

Energy Servicing Company Expands               

A relatively new energy company is growing.  Bison Oilfield Services has reportedly closed a deal to acquire S and S Star Water Solutions, an infrastructure firm operating in the SCOOP, STACK and Merge regions. The Oklahoman reports today that the acquisition makes Bison the state's largest privately held energy services firm with more than 1,500 employees working out of 17 locations. In a press release, Bison CEO North Whipple said it’s a big milestone for his company since it only started three years ago. He said a recent downturn presented some challenges for the industry. But as other service companies down-sized, re-structured, or re-located to Texas, Bison went all-in on Oklahoma. The firm has 300 transport trucks and 25 commercial disposal facilities.

More Permits to Drill Approved in the SCOOP

Yesterday we told you about two big oil producing wells for Continental Resources in the Tabler area. Also this week, the Oklahoma Corporation Commission has issued Contintental a permit to drill at another location in that area, about a mile west of the Tabler Y. The permit is for the Nancy J No. 2-33-28-21. It's in Section 33 of Township 7 North Range 6 West. The Corporation Commission approved additional permits to drill to a couple of other companies in neighboring counties. TRP Operating was issued a permit to drill in McClain County. That's the Bengy No. 1 H-25-36 which is just southeast of Newcastle. In Canadian County, Roan Resources was issued a permit to drill Barbaro 5-32-29-10-5. That's near Mustang, southwest of the junction of State Highways 4 and 152.

New Paved Parking Lot to Benefit Chix Schools, Hospital

A new paved parking lot between the Chickasha High School baseball field and Grady Memorial hospital will benefit both the school district and the hospital. Contractors are working on the project right now. The Chickasha Board of Education and the Grady Memorial Hospital Authority have both signed off on the project, which is being paid for by the hospital. The property is owned by the school district. School officials allowed hospital employees to park in that area during the construction of the hospital's new surgery and imaging center. The hospital has also agreed to maintain it for 20 years. The hospital and school district will have joint use of the area.

Sweet! Minco Honey Festival is Tomorrow

Another great small-town Oklahoma festival is on tap in Grady County tomorrow. The Minco Honey Festival attracts thousands of visitors every year. The 28th annual event will open with a pancake and sausage breakfast - and you're encouraged to use honey instead of syrup for the flap-jacks. There will be arts and crafts, a tractor pull, a honey-bake off, free food samples - including milk, chocolate milk, and cheese from the Braum's Dairy - and a visit from Santa. The annual festival is hosted by the Minco Chamber of Commerce and local businesses.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was up yesterday to $51.45 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude was up to $59.51.

Natural gas lost a nickel to $4.65 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,227 and silver is $14.33.

Thursday, Nov. 29th

State's Best Producing Wells This Week in Grady County

Two of the largest producing oil wells in the state this week are in Grady County. Both are Continental Resources locations east of Chickasha.  The Triple H-3-30-31 is producing more than 1,300 barrels of oil-equivalent on a daily basis. The other is another Triple H well just south of that location which is producing about 1,100 barrels of oil-equivalent per day. Both are located about four miles east of the Tabler Y in Sections 19 and 30 in Township 7 North Range 5 West. Spud dates for the wells was November of last year, with a completion date of this past March. Continental filed the production reports with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission.

Man Jailed for Allegedly Breaking in to Relative's Home

A Chickasha man is in jail after its alleged he broke into a relative's home. 43-year old Michael Ray Pena was arrested early Wednesday morning after the break-in near 12th and Dakota. A police affidavit alleges Pena shattered the glass front door to get inside. The relative living there believed Pena was high. Pena was at the home when police arrived, and the affidavit states Pena told authorities he knew what he did was wrong but didn't know why he did it. Pena admitted to using meth earlier. Pena has been charged with misdemeanor count of burglary. He remains in jail in lieu of a $2,000 bond.

Man Allegedly Runs Over Woman's Arm With Car

In a KOOL News follow-up, the man arrested on an outstanding felony warrant for assault went before a Grady County judge yesterday. 63-year old Patrick Norman Wilson of Lawton is charged with assault and battery with a deadly weapon. Court documents indicate the charge stems from an incident which took place in the parking lot at Salt Creek Casino back in May. It's alleged that Wilson and a woman were arguing and that Wilson backed into the woman with his car and she fell to the ground. The victim said Wilson ran over her wrist several times. Paramedics were called but the victim refused treatment. Wilson remains jail pending a $25,000 bond.

Community Mourns Death of 'The Popsicle Man'

The Ninnekah community is mourning the death of The Popsicle Man. Edgar Wright would ride his motorized scooter through  town most afternoons giving free popsicles to kids. Wright passed away Tuesday afternoon after just recently turning 79 years old. Wright would begin his popsicle deliveries promptly at 3:30 each afternoon and would distribute free popsicles to children along a two-mile route. He was featured on   KFOR TV’s Is This a Great State or What segment a couple of years ago. A memorial service for the Popsicle Man will be at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the First Baptist Church of Ninnekah.

Tips to Light Up Your Home Safely

Holiday decorations are already being displayed in neighborhoods and homes. If you're just getting started, Grady County 4H President and state 4H ambassador Beth Armstrong has some tips to help you light up your home safely.

She says if you have old lights with frayed wires, loose connections, or cracked sockets, those are fire hazards and should be thrown away.

Holiday Performances in Chickasha               

A couple of entertaining shows will hit the stage tonight. The Chickasha Community Theatre will debut its holiday program, Dashing Through the Snow. Show times are 7:30 p.m. tonight, tomorrow night and Saturday night, with a 2:00 p.m. matinee performance Sunday afternoon. All performances are at the historic Washita Theatre downtown. For one night only, USAO is hosting the Reduced Shakespeare Company, in the abridged edition of The Ultimate Christmas Show. That's a 7:30 p.m. performance tonight only at USAO’s Te Ata Memorial Auditorium.

Energy and Metals               

Crude oil on the NYMEX is down to $50.29 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude falls to $58.76.

Natural gas continuing its climb, up to $4.71 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,230 and silver is $14.37.

Wednesday, Nov. 28th

Rush Springs, Fletcher Schools Schedule Bond Elections

Two school districts in the region have scheduled special bond elections after the first of the year. In Rush Springs, voters will decide a $16.5 million plan for the construction and remodeling of school sites. In Fletcher, there's an $810,000 proposal to replace the roof on the elementary school. Fletcher Superintendent Shane Gilbreath said the current flat roof has a lot of leaks and they want to replace it with a pitched roof. New heat and air units will also be installed. Gilbreath said there will be two bond issues coming off tax rolls this year, so if the measure is approved property taxes will not go up. The election date for both Rush Springs and Fletcher school bond issues is Jan. 8th. The deadline to register to vote in those elections is Dec. 14th.

Assault Suspect Behind Bars

A Lawton man wanted for a felony assault and battery charge is behind bars. 63-year old Patrick Norman Wilson was taken into custody by a Grady County deputy sheriff Tuesday afternoon. It wasn't immediately known where authorities found him. An arrest warrant was issued for Wilson six months ago. The Lighthorse Police Department of Ada requested the warrant. Details behind the arrest warrant weren't available this morning. The warrant is for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for an incident that occurred this past May.

Shoppers Warned of Holiday Scams

'Tis the season of giving but you should be on the lookout for scams that seem better than they really are. One social media scam is called Secret Sister, where individuals are asked to send gifts to six people, and those people in turn are supposed to send gifts back to that person. Sean Rose with the Oklahoma Division of the Better Business Bureau says-

Rose says the scam is similar to a chain letter. He says if you would like for a friend to give you gift, just give them your list and have them select one.

Salvation Army Offers Pay for Bell Ringers

The Salvation Army is looking for bell ringers to man their red kettles in the region. And while the faith-based organization is looking for volunteers, they are also hiring seasonal help. Lt. David Brittle says they need bell ringers in Chickasha, Anadarko and the Tri-City area to help them reach their goal of collecting $60,000 which will benefit needy families in the Grady and Caddo county areas. The pay is $8 per hour, and individuals can work part time or full time. Brittle says it’s a good short-term job for college or high school students. Individuals can work anywhere from two to eight hours per day, Monday through Saturday. They do not work on Sunday. Interested applicants, or civic, church, or student groups that would like to volunteer to ring the bell as a community service project can contact the Salvation Army by calling 405-224-5647.

Library's Food For Fines, Elf-on-the-Shelf to Return

A couple of notes from the Chickasha Library. Starting December 1st, the library will again offer its Food for Fines program. Individuals who have overdue books or materials can donate food in place of the monetary fine. All food donations will be given to the Emergency Food Pantry. It runs the entire month of December. The amount of food donated does not have to match the fine. Officials say the value of the contributions are normally much more than the fine. Also, many patrons bring in non-perishable foods even if they don't have overdue items. Officials say any materials that have been lost or damaged are not eligible for the Food for Fines program. Also starting December 1st, the Elf on the Shelf will begin reading his way through the children's section. Children are invited to stop in each day to find the elf, and enter a drawing to be held  December 21^st to win the elf and take him home.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is down to $51.56 a barrel.

London-based Brent crude is down to $60.21.

Natural gas is up to $4.26 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,219 and silver is $14.24.

Tuesday, Nov. 27th

Fire Destroys Home; Residents Escape Unharmed

A two-alarm fire early this morning destroys a Chickasha home. Chickasha and Ninnekah firefighters were summoned to the fire near 16th and Pikes Peak Road about 2:00 am. Buddy Myers with the Grady County Fire Department said the couple was awakened by fire in their bedroom. They were able to escape without any injuries. As many as 15 firefighters were paged out to the fire. In addition to losing their home, the couple's van was also destroyed. Damage estimate to the house and van is about $65,000. Myers said a space heater in the bedroom was to blame for the fire. The couple is staying with local family members.

Road Up Mt. Scott May Be Closed Another Six Months               

Mt. Scott is a popular tourist destination however the road to the top of the mountain has been closed for repairs for several weeks. Now, officials say the road may remain closed until next summer. Officials with the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge say heavy rains washed out a portion of the road back in September. KSWO-TV reports that while making repairs, officials found more than 100 other places where the foundation or culverts need to be fixed. The roadway is more than 80 years old, as it was part of a federal WPA project in the 1930s. While the road is closed to motor vehicles, visitors can walk or bike up the mountain but that is not an option for many visitors. Officials estimate 60,000 people drive up Mt. Scott every year. They say it is a major attraction, and the road repair is a high-priority project.

Chickasha to Combine Water Meter Bills               

The City of Chickasha will soon be combining water bills for customers who have a meter for their house  and a separate meter or meters for irrigation purposes. That means residents who have multiple meters will see their bills combined into a single monthly statement. Officials say the transition won't take place all at once, but it will start with the December billing cycle and phased in over the next several months. Sewer bills will continue to be billed on house meters only. Anyone have questions should contact city hall by calling 222-6015.

Late Pastor's Radio Programs in Book Form and On-line

It's been almost a year since the death of Rev. Larry Hatfield. He was a dear friend of ours at 106.1 The RANCH, our sister station KOOL 105.5, and the many listeners of his daily radio program Coffee with Hatfield. He passed away last December at the age of 73. Now, his widow Helen and their daughter Glenna have published a paperback book with transcripts of many of those radio programs. The book has the same name as his radio show. The books are $10 and may be purchased at Crystal's Shear Magic at 4th and Chickasha Avenue, which is next to Jay's Jewelry. We also have many of his Coffee with Hatfield radio programs on our website www.kool1055fm.com under the Community Tab.

Jody Miller, Others to Join State Music Hall of Fame

Jody Miller, the Grammy-award winning resident of Blanchard, will be among ten women inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame today. Miller won the Grammy for Best Female Vocalist in 1966 for her recording of “Queen of the House”. The song was an answer to fellow Oklahoma Grammy winner Roger Miller's “King of the Road”. The two are not related. Other inductees in the 2018 Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame class include Gayla Peevey, the childhood singer of "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas"; Molly Bee, who covered the holiday classic “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"; and Susie McEntire of the renowned McEntire family. Others are Gail Davies, the first female record producer in country music; Evelyn LaRue Pittman who wrote the opera “Freedom Child” about the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.; Katrina Elam, who has written songs for Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, and Reba McEntire; Gus Hardin, an Academy of Country Music (ACM) award winner; and Kellie Coffey, also an ACM award winner. Lorrie Collins, half of the rockabilly duo the Collins Kids will be inducted posthumously. The induction ceremony will be held at the Oklahoma History Center.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is up to $51.63 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude tops $60 to $60.48.

Natural gas was down to $4.24 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,230 and silver is $14.38.

Monday, Nov. 26th

Death of Imprisoned Child Molester

Ruled to be From Natural Causes

There is new information today regarding the prison death of long-time school administrator and Duncan preacher Jody Hilliard. Hilliard died in a state prison in Boley, Okla. back in October. Hilliard had been sent to prison after pleading no contest to child molestation charges. An autopsy from the state medical examiner's office said Hilliard's probable cause of death was atherosclerotic and hypertensive cardiovascular disease. Hilliard was 73 when he died. That was about three months after a Stephens County judge sentenced Hilliard to serve seven years for pleading no contest to five charges that stemmed from his  arrest back in 2016.

Crash Involving Semi Closes Highway

A traffic accident involving a semi shut down traffic on U.S. Highway 62 east of Chickasha last night. The accident happened near the Tabler Y just after 11:00 p.m. Sunday. The Highway Patrol said there were no injuries. The crash closed the highway for nearly two hours, and it was re-opened about 1:00 a.m. this morning.

Chickasha Water Fluoridation Process Recognized

Chickasha is among several Oklahoma communities recognized for maintaining a consistent level of fluoride in its drinking water. The State Health Department reports 13 cities across the state have been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control for their efforts. Health officials say adding fluoride to water is effective in preventing tooth decay. Community water fluoridation has been recognized by the CDC as one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20^th century. Authorities say studies indicate that for every one dollar a community invests in water fluoridation $20 are saved in dental treatment costs.

Governor-elect Transition Team Has Local Tie               

There is a local connection to Oklahoma Governor-elect Kevin Stitt's transition team. Blayne Arthur is one of nine additional members named to help Stitt with his Oklahoma Turnaround team. Arthur has family that lives in the Chickasha area. She is the executive director for the Oklahoma 4H Foundation. She previously served five years as the deputy commissioner for the state Department of Agriculture. The transition team will develop policy proposals for the 2019 legislative session and help put together Stitt's budget proposal. Stitt will take office in January.

Red Kettle Campaign Underway               

Nearly nine cents of every dime donated to the regional Salvation Army benefits needy families in Grady and Caddo County. Lt. David Brittle says the agency's biggest fund raiser of the year, the current Red Kettle Drive, helps its many programs.

While the church headquarters is in Chickasha, it is working with Southwest Youth and Family Services in Anadarko to help families in the Caddo County Area. Brittle says they are working to partner with a church in the Anadarko area by the first of the year.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $50.42 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $58.80.

Natural gas is $4.30 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,226 and silver is $14.49.