Saturday, January 16th

 

Verden Police Seek Pursuit Suspect

Verden police are asking for help in finding a man who led police on a pursuit through rural parts of Grady and Caddo County yesterday. The suspect crashed his car then was able to elude authorities on foot. The chase began about 3:30 yesterday. The pursuit went south of Verden then into Caddo County, where the suspect crashed and rolled upside down about four miles south and one mile east of Anadarko. The highway patrol said CR 1360 and Turnpike Road was closed for about 45 minutes. Verden police posted on its Facebook page that they are looking for Trevor Jay Stevens of Chickasha in connection with the pursuit. In a check of on-line court records, Stevens had an emergency protective order filed against him in Grady County in May of 2019. Anyone with information is asked to contact Verden police, the Grady County Sheriff's Office, or local law enforcement.

 

Rollover Accident East of Chickasha              

Emergency crews are on the scene of a rollover accident east of the Tabler Y at this hour (7 a.m. Saturday). The Highway Patrol, Grady county sheriff's deputies, and Chickasha EMS were called out about 6:15. The accident is on State Highway 39 about a ½ mile west of Highway 19C which is the Alex Highway. Unconfirmed reports indicate a car was westbound on Highway 39 when the driver lost control and crashed. A passenger was ejected and was transported to the hospital. It was reported the driver left the scene.

 

Fire Destroys Barn              

Also this morning, firefighters were summoned to a barn fire north of Alex. The barn is said to be a total loss. Buddy Myers with the Grady County Fire Department says volunteers with the Alex Fire Department were called out about 6:30 a.m. to the fire, which is about two miles norht of Alex. No word yet on what might have sparked that blaze.

 

Stephens County Gets 'Purple Heart' Designation              

Motorists in Stephens County will soon see road signs indicating that it is known as a Purple Heart County, recognizing military veterans who died or suffered injuries while serving in the armed forces. Stephens County deputy sheriff Robbie Blackford came up with the idea last fall. He tells KSWO TV that he first talked to the sheriff and then approached county commissioners, who quickly approved the suggestion. Blackford was awarded a Purple Heart while in combat in 2007 and that he wanted to pay respect to his brothers and sisters who died and those who survived their injuries. Blackford got some help for the project from the Mt. Scott Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The signs will be posted at the county lines on U.S. Highway 81 north and south, Highway 7 east and west, and on Highways 29 and 53.

 

Sheriff's Office Updates Wanted List

The Grady County Sheriff's Office has updated its list of outstanding warrants. Here's public information officer Lisa Hatchett.

 

              

 

If you have information regarding any of these individuals, your asked to contact the sheriff's office by calling 405-222-5085.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Zelda Sullivan with the Oklahoma Blood Institute is our guest on the KOOL Konversation. Anadarko City Manager Kenneth Corn is our guest on Real Estate Today. Find  links to both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituaries

Natalie Rutherford

Graveside service for Natalie Rutherford, 86, of Duncan will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 18th at the Bradley Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Juanita Van Skike

Services are pending for Juanita Van Skike of Las Vegas, Nevada, formerly of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

Friday, January 15th

 

Proposed RV Parking Ordinance goes to Chix City Council

(Editor's note - this story has been updated to show the correct date for the upcoming city council meeting. We apologize for the error.) A new ordinance being proposed by Chickasha city leaders would regulate the parking of recreation vehicles, boats, and water craft in the city limits. A public hearing on the proposal will be held during next week's city council meeting. Officials say there currently is not an ordinance concerning  the parking of RVs on any residential, commercial, or industrial-zoned property.  Some of the proposed guidelines in residential areas would include that no part of an RV should extend over a public easement or right-of-way; and an RV should not be used for housekeeping, living, or sleeping quarters. If it’s in the front yard, it must be parked on a paved surface but not an improved gravel surface. A gravel surface would be ok for the side or back yard. The issue has been recommended for approval by the Planning Commission and administrators. The city council will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19th at city hall.

 

Suspect Faces Child Molestation Allegations

A Grady County man is accused of child molestation.  57-year old Ron Merritt of Ninnekah was arrested by a Grady County deputy Tuesday afternoon after a warrant had been issued for his arrest. A probable cause affidavit alleges that Merritt sexually assaulted a 10-year old girl three times between October and November of last year. Prosecutors have charged Merritt with two counts of lewd acts to a child. He is out of jail after posting a $50,000 bond. Merritt is to announce his attorney on Feb. 5th with a preliminary hearing conference set for Feb. 24th.

 

Former Kiowa Tribe Chairman, J.T. Goombi, Dies

The former Chairman of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma, J.T. Goombi has died. Goombi passed away Tuesday night after a battle with COVID-19. He was 83. Goombi was an advocate for numerous Native American tribes across the country for years. Most recently, he was elected to serve on the Kiowa Tribe's legislature. Among the many groups he worked with include the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Congress of American Indians, he served as chairman of the United Tribes of Oklahoma and Texas, and chairman of the 28 Treaty Tribes of Oklahoma. He had been hosting a weekly radio program, Issues from a Native Perspective on our sister station, New Country 985 KACO. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 19th at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Ft. Cobb.

 

Silver Alert for Fletcher Woman Canceled

A Silver Alert which had been issued for a missing Fletcher woman has been canceled. The Comanche County Sheriff’s Office originally issued the alert for 60-year old Cassie Riley Thursday evening. An e-mail from the sheriff's office just after 9:00 a.m. today (Friday, Feb. 15^th) indicated that Riley had been located and she is OK.

 

More Okla. Counties OK'd for Fed Storm Damage Funds

More Oklahoma counties have been approved for federal help to pay for recovery and clean-up costs related to last October's ice storm. McClain, Stephens, and Comanche counties are among the 16 additional counties approved for FEMA assistance. That's 29 total counties approved to get FEMA funds to help in their recovery work. Previous counties approved include Grady, Caddo, Canadian, and Oklahoma counties. Total damage and recovery costs statewide are estimated at $30 million. In Chickasha costs are estimated around $1.5 million and in Anadarko it’s about $200,000.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $53.47 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $56.42.

Natural gas is $2.66 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,851 and silver is $25.42.

 

Obituary

Herman Waters

A family service will be held at a later date for Herman Waters, 91, of Chickasha. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

Thursday, January 14th

 

Wildfire Threat Elevated

Conditions will be favorable for an outbreak of wildfires today and tomorrow. Buddy Myers with the Grady County Fire Department says all the pieces needed for wildfires will be in place.

 

              

 

Myers encourages residents to do what they can to prevent wildfires. That includes putting off the burning of any trash  or brush piles, being mindful of towing trailers and equipment by making sure there are no dragging chains, and by not throwing cigarette butts out the window.

 

Fire Damages Alex Mobile Home

Firefighters were dispatched to a mobile home fire in Alex early this morning. Volunteers from the Alex and Bradley departments were called out just before 1:30 a.m. to the fire that was within a few blocks of the fire department. Crews saw fire and smoke coming from a bedroom when they arrived. No one was home when the fire started. Crews were able to contain the damage to the bedroom of the 1,800 sq. ft. mobile home which is a rental owned by Danny Harrison. Investigators believe a short in an electric space heater may be to blame but they'll know more when they return to complete their investigation this morning. Estimated damage was about $15,000. Fire crews spent about two hours putting that fire out.

 

State National Guard Troops Head to Nation's Capitol

Members of The Oklahoma National Guard are headed to the nation's capitol to help provide security for next week's inauguration of president-elect Joe Biden. The Oklahoman reports that 400 soldiers and airmen will be part of what is expected to be 20,000 guard members from across the country to help guard against any violence that may erupt. The FBI has warned that armed protests are possible at all 50 state capitals and in Washington, D.C. in the days leading up to the inauguration next Wednesday. In a news release, the Oklahoma National Guard indicates it will assist the District of Columbia National Guard with crowd management, traffic control, communications, logistical, and medical support. In Oklahoma City, state lawmakers and state employees are being advised to stay away from the capital building should any protests break out there.

 

Suspect Pleads No-Contest in Drunk Driving Arrest

A Chickasha man will serve 90 days in jail and have a seven-year suspended sentence after pleading no contest to a felony DUI charge. Documents filed in Grady County District Court indicate that back in September, 61-year old Ted McKenna was at the wheel of a car that caused a traffic accident south of 29th and Grand Avenue and that he left the scene on foot. He was found an hour later about two miles from the accident site. McKenna's blood-alcohol level at the time was 0.13 which is well over the limit considered to be under the influence of alcohol. McKenna also pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of leaving the scene of an accident. He was also ordered to pay $600 in fines. On-line court records indicate McKenna pleaded guilty to a previous felony DUI charge in 2008.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $52.91 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $56.06.

Natural gas is $2.71 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,838 and silver is $25.24.

 

Obituary

Paula Lucas

A memorial service for Paula Lucas, 87, of Chickasha will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16th at the Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

Wednesday, January 13th

 

Sheriff's Vehicles to get Dash Cams

A grant awarded to the Grady County Sheriff's Office will help pay for dashboard cameras to be installed in many of the sheriff's office vehicles. Sheriff Jim Weir said the dash cams will be able to work hand-in-hand with other equipment the deputies have.

 

              

 

Weir says the video systems will be useful in showing the deputy's performance should their actions be called into question.

 

Amber Mayor Elected Prez of Oklahoma Council of Mayors

Amber Mayor Craig Parham will be leading a statewide group of mayors this year. Parham was elected president of the Mayors Council of Oklahoma which includes mayors from small towns and large cities alike. Norman Mayor Breea Clark will serve as vice president of the group. Mike Fina is the executive director of the council. In a press release, Fina said both Parham and Clark have shown strong leadership skills that will be important as they enhance the goals and objectives of the council. Parham has served as Mayor of Amber since 2001 and has helped to oversee the construction of a new community center, administrative offices, water tower, sewage system, improvements to the cemetery, and improvements to the fire department.

 

Pair Arrested for Alleged Drug Trafficking, Child Neglect

Two Chickasha men face drug trafficking and child neglect charges. 48-year old Daniel Lee Maxwell and 33-year old Matthew Dan Lane were arrested by Chickasha police last week. A probable cause affidavit indicates that authorities responded to a call at a home near 15^th and Dakota regarding a man being held at gunpoint.  The homeowner gave police consent to search the house where Maxwell, Lane, and Lane's teenaged son had been staying. The affidavit alleges investigators found meth, drug items, and numerous firearms. Maxwell and Lane both remain in the county jail. Bond was set at $75,000 for both men.

 

Alleged Stalker Behind Bars

Another Chickasha man is jailed after being arrested for stalking. An arrest warrant affidavit filed by Chickasha police indicates that Ronnie Dean Yates violated a protective order filed against him last September. Police were called to a home in mid-December where Yates was allegedly throwing rocks at the residence, and that he had been sending threatening messages to the victim. Yates was taken into custody last Friday and this week was formally charged with stalking, threatening violence, and violation of a protective order. He remains in jail on a $50,000 bond.

 

Ag Marketing Meeting for Livestock Producers Set

Insects, mites and other pests that affect livestock is the subject of the next ag marketing meeting with Grady County OSU Extension. Dr. Justin Talley will discuss controlling insects which are known by the scientific name of arthropods. The meeting will be next Tuesday, Jan. 19th at 7 a.m. at the Grady County office. It will also be available via the Zoom platform. Masks will be required for producers who would like to attend in person.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $53.21 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $56.58.

Natural gas is $2.75 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,852 and silver is $25.31.

 

Obituary

Patty Sisco

A memorial service for Patty Sisco, 76, of Chickasha will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16th at First Assembly of God. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

Tuesday, January 12th

 

Fire Destroys Cement Area Home

Another area family is picking up the pieces after a fire destroys their home. It happened south of Cement in the pre-dawn hours Monday. Firefighters from Cement, Acme, New Hope, Apache and Comanche County were dispatched to the fire just before 4 a.m. Media reports indicate the home was occupied when the fire started. KSWO-TV cites neighbors as saying the individuals in the home were able to get out safely. There's no word on how that fire may have started. Fires have destroyed three homes over the last three days. The others occurred west of Rush Springs and in Bradley.

 

Church to Serve as COVID-19 Vaccination Site

A Chickasha church is working with the state health department to provide a location for COVID-19 vaccinations. The vaccinations will be available this Friday at Epworth Methodist Church. However, the health department's vaccine portal indicates that no appointments are available. Church officials announced via social media that the church does not have any control over appointments. Oklahomans wanting to get the vaccine can register through the portal: which is vaccinate.oklahoma.gov

There is a questionnaire users will have to fill out. Those currently eligible to get the vaccine include health care workers, first responders, and individuals who are 65-and-older.

 

Public Hearings set for Chix Planning Commission

Some public hearings are scheduled in front of the City of Chickasha's Planning Commission this afternoon. Brannan Bordwine is asking to re-zone property at 828 S. 4th Street from local commercial use to general commercial use.   Cedar Creek Consulting has public hearings for preliminary plats of The Villas Addition along Grand Avenue. Another hearing concerns a recreational vehicle parking and storage ordinance. Regardless of rulings made by the planning commission the issues will be forwarded to the city council for final approval or denial.

 

Second Arrest Made in Dibble-area Theft

Grady County authorities have made a second arrest in connection with the theft of some items from a Dibble area home. 29-year old Ronald Ralf Alspaugh of Blanchard was taken into custody last week after a warrant had been issued for his arrest. Prosecutors have charged him with felonies that include knowingly concealing stolen property, conspiracy, and having a firearm after former felony conviction. Previously, Stormy Kirkland was arrested and charged in connection with that mid-December theft. On-line court records indicate that last summer, Alspaugh was given a three-year suspended sentence after pleading no contest to a felony domestic assault charge following a 2019 arrest. Alspaugh is out of jail on the most recent charge after posting bond.

 

Suspect Faces Vehicle Theft Charge              

A Chickasha man is arrested and charged in connection with an auto theft. 29-year old Jacob Daniel Farley was taken into custody last week after a warrant was issued for his arrest. Farley was wanted in connection with the theft of a vehicle in the Rush Springs area last October. Farley has been formally charged with larceny of a vehicle and he remains in the county jail pending a $10,000 bond. Farley pleaded guilty to a previous charge of having a stolen vehicle after a 2018 arrest by Chickasha police and was sentenced to one year in jail and one year of probation.

              

Energy and Metals

Crude on the NYMEX is $52.25 is per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $55.66.

Natural gas is $2.74 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,860 and silver is $25.56.

 

Obituary

Charles Dungan

A private family graveside service will be held at Fairlawn Cemetery for Charles Dungan, 86, of Chickasha. He owned and operated Chickasha Lumber from the 1960s to the early 1990s. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

Monday, January 11th

 

Couple Hospitalized After Propane Explosion

A man and his wife suffered severe burns in a propane explosion at a home between Rush Springs and Sterling. It happened about 6:00 p.m. Saturday on the west edge of Grady County on CR 1530. Grady County Fire Department Public Information Officer Buddy Myers says the couple was staying in an 1,800 sq. ft. metal building while a new home was under construction. Myers says investigators believe there was a propane leak which was ignited by an unknown source. Todd and Pam Fasett were both air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital where they are being treated for severe burns. Farwell and Acme firefighters spent about 2 1/2 hours at the scene. The loss to the metal building and its contents were estimated at more than $160,000.

 

Fire Destroys One Mobile Home, Damages Another              

Volunteer firefighters also responded to a fire in Bradley that destroyed one mobile home and damaged another. Alex, Bradley, and Naples fire fighters responded to that call about 5:00 p.m. Sunday. Myers said the mobile home that was totaled was being used for storage and was next to the other mobile home which was occupied by the owners. The second mobile home received minor damage from the radiant heat of the initial fire. No one was injured. Investigators believe the fire started in the living room and the cause of the fire is under investigation. Damage was estimated at $6,000. 23 firefighters and 12 trucks were sent to battle that blaze and were on the scene for about two hours.

 

Co-op Agreement Would Allow Pioneer Students

to Play Spring Soccer at Chickasha Middle School

A co-op agreement to allow 7th and 8th grade students at Pioneer School to play soccer at Chickasha Middle School will be considered by the Chickasha school board tonight. It's the first such co-op agreement to be discussed after Chickasha schools revised its policy to allow students from other districts to compete in extra-curricular activities which aren't offered by a student's home school district. If approved, the agreement would be for the upcoming spring soccer season. The school board will also consider accepting a more than $400,000 grant from the Chickasaw Nation to help pay for distance-learning costs associated with COVID-19. The panel will meet at 6:00 o'clock tonight at the Chickasha High School Activity Center Auditorium. The meeting will also be video-streamed on the school's YouTube channel. A link can be accessed on the district's website.

 

Anniversary Marked for Sipuel-Fisher's Civil Rights Work

This week marks an historic week for civil rights in America and it has a Chickasha connection. It was 73-years ago that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Ada Lois Sipuel-Fisher, allowing her to become the first black student to attend the OU School of Law. Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander, Chickasha City Councilman and principal at Chickasha’s Lincoln School, says the action was one of the many steps leading to the Supreme Court’s Brown vs. Board of Education ruling which led to desegregation in public schools throughout the country. Sipuel-Fisher graduated from Lincoln High School in 1941. Ashanti-Alexander says he'll spend part of the week helping his students learn of Sipuel-Fisher’s work.

 

              

 

It was Jan. 12, 1948 that the Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Sipuel-Fisher's favor just four days after hearing arguments in the case. Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley has proclaimed this week as Dr. Ada Lois Sipuel-Fisher Educational Justice week in the city.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $52.24 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $55.99.

Natural gas is $2.70 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,849 and silver is $25.22.

 

Obituary

Troy Rodney Certain

Funeral for Troy Rodney Certain, 55, of Lawton will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 16th at Friendship Pentecostal Church in Lawton. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

Saturday, January 9th

 

Arrests Made Following Two Grady County Pursuits

A second high-speed pursuit took place in Grady County this week. We previously reported on one of them which involved a chase from Elgin to Chickasha where an Arkansas man was arrested for eluding and driving a stolen pick-up on Tuesday night. About 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, a Minco police officer clocked a Camaro speeding at 100 miles per hour southbound on U.S. Highway 81. Grady County sheriff's deputies and state troopers were dispatched to assist. The pursuit didn't last long as the driver lost control and crashed about four miles south of Pocasset. EMS was summoned however the driver and two passengers suffered minor injuries and did not have to be taken to the hospital. A Minco police affidavit alleges the driver admitted stealing the car, and got scared when the police officer caught him speeding. The driver also confessed to be high on meth. Authorities did find drugs and weapons in the car. Authorities arrested 22-year old Jarrett Reed Norfolk of Weatherford, while the two passengers were released. Norfolk is facing charges which include endangering others while attempting to elude, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and possession of a firearm after former felony conviction. Norfolk was arrested in the Weatherford area in 2019 on a previous complaint of unauthorized use of a vehicle.  His bond was set at $25,000.

 

Woman Charged with Embezzling from Her Employer

A Grady County woman is facing a felony embezzlement charge after allegedly stealing thousands of in merchandise and cash from the store where she worked. The items included food, toilet paper, cigarettes, underwear, dog treats, and Christmas decorations. A warrant had been issued for the arrest of 42-year old Heather Jacquelyn Saxon of Minco and she was booked into the county jail earlier this week. A probable cause affidavit indicates that Saxon was caught on video surveillance at the Dollar Store in Minco taking a number of items and stealing money from the cash register. It's alleged that she had taken more than $1,000 in merchandise from the store between August 29th and September 27th of last year. Saxon issued a written statement admitting she had taken more than $4,000 in items and cash over several months. She claimed she had financial problems because of medical costs and that her fiancee had lost his job. Saxon is out of jail after posting a $5,000 bond.

 

Grady County Man Charged with Lewd Acts With Teen

A Bradley man is behind bars, accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a teenager. 19-year old Nickolas Dalton Ellis is charged with two counts of lewd acts to a child under 16. Court documents say the mother of the victim called the Grady County sheriff's office just after Thanksgiving that her 14-year old daughter had been the victim of a sexual assault. A warrant for Ellis’ arrest was issued this past Monday. He was booked into the county jail yesterday afternoon. He could have his arraignment on the charges on Monday.

 

Sheriff's Office Updates Wanted List

The Grady County Sheriff's Office has updated its list of individuals who have outstanding warrants. Here's public information officer Lisa Hatchett-

 

              

 

If you have information on any of these individuals you're asked to reach out to the sheriff's office by calling 405-222-5085.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Sara King with the State Health Department is on our KOOL Konversation to discuss the COVID-19 vaccination process and the new health department portal to register to get the vaccine. On Real Estate Today, guests are Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir and Public Information Officer Lisa Hatchett. Find links to both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituaries

Esta Marie Bryant

 Services for Esta Marie Bryant, 72, of Oklahoma City are pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Betty Jo Porter

A graveside service for Betty Jo Porter, 93, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

R.A. Everett, Jr.

A graveside service for R.A. Everett, Jr., 95, of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13th at Fairlawn Cemetery. He was a U.S. Navy veteran whose unit helped to build the airbase and radar towers on Iwo Jima during World War II. Memorial contributions may be made to the J.D. McCarty Center in Norman. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Bob Riggs

No services are scheduled for Bob Riggs, 96, of Chickasha. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served during World War II. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

Friday, January 8th

 

Manhunt Suspect Jailed on a $150,000 Bond

A KOOL-RANCH News follow-up today regarding the man who managed to escape police custody in Cyril earlier this week. 18-year old Eli Edwards Martin, who shows a Woodward address, is charged with felonies that include drug trafficking and having firearm with a removed serial number. Martin was arrested after escaping custody from Cyril police and was taken back into custody following a manhunt. On-line records from Caddo County District Court indicate that Martin is charged with drug possession, escape, obstruction, and committing a felony with a firearm. Martin remains in the Caddo County Jail on a $150,000 bond. He's to be back in court Feb. 8th to announce his attorney and a preliminary hearing conference is set for Feb. 18th.

 

Pursuit Suspect Faces Stolen Vehicle Charge

Also today, new information also about that high-speed pursuit between Elgin and Chickasha earlier this week. Comanche County prosecutors have charged Briar Yates with endangering others while eluding, driving a stolen vehicle, and driving without a license or insurance. The OHP reported that Yates is from Arkansas. The pursuit unfolded Tuesday night, when Elgin police saw Yates with a stolen pick-up. As police attempted to make a traffic stop, Yates sped away, with speeds reached 75 miles per hour in residential areas of Elgin, and reached 100 miles per hour when Yates headed east on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. The pursuit lasted about 40 minutes, and ended after state troopers deployed stop sticks on the turnpike near Mile Marker 76 which is four miles southwest of Chickasha. Yates remains in the Comanche County Jail in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

 

Chix Sports Complex Prepares for Active Spring             

The Chickasha Sports Complex is in a quiet period right now as the winter weather is not conducive for baseball or softball games. However Kyle Marks, the city's parks and recreation director, says action will be picking back up soon. Marks said that starting in a couple of weeks there are tournaments scheduled every weekend through June. He said many out-of-state teams are looking for places to play during the pandemic.

 

              

 

Marks says they are getting all the fields prepped and ready to go for the months ahead.

 

Absentee Ballot Applications Needed

For Upcoming Lindsay, Purcell Elections

Individuals wanting to vote by mail-in ballot in next month's Lindsay Board of Education primary election or the City of Purcell special election should apply to get those ballots now. County election boards in McClain and Garvin Counties can accept applications for absentee ballots through Feb. 2^nd but officials say it’s better to apply for them as early as possible. Absentee ballot applications are available at either the McClain or Garvin County election boards or can be filled out on-line at the state election board website, www.elections.ok.gov

The reason to apply early is that two mailings are needed. The first is for the election board to mail out the ballots and the second is for the voters to mail ballots back. The ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on the day of the election which is Tuesday, Feb. 9th.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $50.83 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $54.38.

Natural gas is $2.72 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,891 and silver is $26.61.

 

Obituaries

Quintin Turner

A memorial gathering for Quintin Turner, 50, of Waco, Texas and formerly of the Verden and Pioneer Area will be held by the family Saturday, Jan. 9^th at Chickasha’s Full Gospel Church. A meal will be served at 11:30 a.m. A memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. which will be followed by burial in the Laverty Cemetery.

Zella Harris

A funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 6th for Zella Harris, 94, of Weatherford, formerly of the Chickasha and Cement area. She and her late husband Virgil operated a number of businesses in Cement including the Texaco and Apco stations, the hotel, and laundry. They were members of Grand Assembly of God for many years before moving to Weatherford in 2009. Burial was in the Cement Cemetery.

 

Thursday, January 7th

 

Suspect Back in Custody After Manhunt

There was a manhunt in Caddo County yesterday after a man managed to escape the custody of Cyril police. Authorities spent several hours tracking Eli Martin who is alleged to have had a history of violence. KSWO-TV reports that Martin was eventually located in Fletcher and taken back into custody. Cyril police, the Caddo and Comanche county sheriff's offices, and state troopers were all part of the search. Martin reportedly was in handcuffs after initially being arrested in Cyril. The town of Fletcher notified residents on its Facebook page that Martin might be headed in that direction. The post was updated about 7 o'clock last night indicating that Martin was back in custody. It wasn't clear why Martin was arrested in the first place or how he got away.

 

Anonymous Tip Helps Authorities Find Wanted Man

An anonymous tip helps a Grady County deputy and Alex police with the arrest a man who had an outstanding warrant. The call came in before noon Sunday, where the wanted man was spotted at an Alex convenience store. A probable cause affidavit indicates the tipster gave authorities a description and the tag number of the SUV the man was driving. Alex Police Chief John Littrell was able to make a traffic stop and identified the man who was wanted for a misdemeanor breaking and entering charge. While doing an inventory of the SUV authorities found enough drugs to warrant a drug trafficking charge. In custody is 35-year old Kevin Carl Braziel of Chickasha. Braziel was serving a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to a felony domestic abuse charge just a few months ago. Braziel remains in the Grady County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

 

State's Daily COVID-19 Death Toll Hits Record-High Number

The state health department reported 62 new deaths from the coronavirus on Wednesday which is a record number of deaths for one day. It takes the total number of deaths in Oklahoma to 2,633.  Two of the new deaths were in Grady County and both were men in the 65-years-and-older category. Grady County now has had 39 deaths from the virus out of 4,173 positive tests and there are 356 active cases. In Chickasha there have been 23 deaths out of 1,719 positive tests and there are 132 active cases. Among the Chickasha deaths is 22-year old Tony Sutton. He was among five family members who tested positive for COVID-19 in early December. He passed away from the illness just four days before Christmas. The health department says there are nearly 2,000 people hospitalized with the coronavirus.

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Portal Now Open

The health department's new on-line portal to register for the COVID-19 vaccine is now activated. You can register to get the vaccine although you may not be able to get an appointment right away. The vaccine protocol is in Phase Two which is for first responders, anyone 65 years and older, and teachers. Access the portal at: vaccinate.oklahoma.gov

By registering on-line, you'll be able to find out when you will be eligible to get the vaccine and will also be notified when it is your time to get vaccinated.

 

Chix Library's Chocolate Celebration Canceled

The pandemic has forced the cancelation of a popular fundraiser for the Chickasha library. The annual Chocolate Celebration that was scheduled for February has been called off. Library Director Lillie Huckaby said while the event won't be held this year they are encouraging their normal sponsors to consider their usual contributions. The event which is hosted by the Friends of the Library brings in several thousand dollars to help fund library improvements. The celebration is usually held just before Valentine's Day. Huckaby also indicated that the library's Food for Fines program will be wrapping up this week. The library has been accepting food donations in place of fines for overdue items since December 1st. Many patrons who don't have overdue materials also bring in non-perishable food, all of which is given to the Emergency Food Pantry. The Food for Fines program ends on Saturday, Jan. 9th.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $50.63 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $54.30.

Natural gas is $2.71 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,917 and silver is $27.16.

 

Obituaries

Joyce Pechacek

Funeral service for Joyce Pechacek, 85, of Chickasha will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8th at Sharon Baptist Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Bobby Baker

A private graveside service for Bobby Baker, 81, of Chickasha will be in Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Gregory Muse

Funeral service for Gregory Muse, 47, will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9th at the First Baptist Church of Snyder. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

Wednesday, January 6th

 

Turnpike Pursuit Leads to Arrest

A pursuit on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike reached speeds of 100 miles per hour yesterday as authorities chased down a stolen pickup. The pursuit began in Elgin and came to an end a few minutes later in Chickasha when troopers used stop sticks to disable the pick-up. KSWO-TV reports an Elgin police officer discovered the pickup was stolen after running its tag. The officer tried to pull the truck over but the driver sped away with speeds in residential areas of Elgin reaching 75 miles per hour. The driver led authorities to the H.E. Bailey Turnpike and headed east when state troopers joined in. News reports indicate the unidentified driver was arrested while a passenger in the truck was released.

 

Suspected Thief Caught; 1 Arrested for Harboring Fugitive

A man wanted for stealing a pickup from a county commissioner's office is in custody as is a woman who is accused of hiding the man from authorities. Grady County deputies arrested 44-year old Aaron Doyle Sanders at a home in Alex last Wednesday. He was wanted for stealing a truck from the District 2 Grady County Commissioners barn in Chickasha back in September. Sanders, of Chickasha, also had outstanding warrants from Seminole County for burglary, sexual battery, and false personation. Also arrested was 33-year old Tara Pauline Wolfe, also of Chickasha, who was taken into custody and has been charged with harboring a fugitive.  Both remain in the Grady County Jail.

 

Burglary Suspect Arrested in Connection with 2nd Break-in

A man is arrested a second time within a year on burglary complaints. 53-year old Jessie David Avery, who listed an Oklahoma City address, was arrested New Year’s Eve by Grady County deputies after a warrant was issued for his arrest. No information was available regarding the warrant. Earlier in the year, Avery was arrested by Chickasha police after being implicated in a residential burglary-in-progress that occurred in February. Avery was out of jail on bond awaiting a preliminary hearing conference on that charge when he was re-arrested last week. Avery remains in the Grady County Jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond.

 

Animal Shelter Volunteers Seek Upgrades to Shelter

Volunteers at the City of Chickasha's animal shelter encouraged the city council to replace many of the shelter's cages and kennels they say are dangerous to the animals. Carolyn Blevins was one of the volunteers who addressed concerns during Monday night’s city council meeting.

 

              

 

Blevins said the shelter housed 733 animals in 2020 and 686 in 2019. She said they have had to use zip ties and baling wire to hold some of the cages together and several animals have been injured because of the outdated equipment. The council voted unanimously to go out for bids for new kennels and cages.

 

New Website Created to Help Oklahomans

Get Appointments for COVID-19 Vaccinations

Individuals who want to get the COVID-19 vaccination will soon have an easier way to schedule appointments.  The state health department has created an on-line registration portal which will be available tomorrow (Thursday, Jan. 7^th). Individuals will be able to find out when they are eligible to get the vaccine, how to schedule an appointment, and when it is their turn. The portal is available for pre-registration now at: www.vaccinate.oklahoma.gov but individuals won’t be able to schedule an appointment until tomorrow. The health department is also exploring options to better help those who don’t have access to a computer or the Internet with scheduling appointments.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $49.33.

London-based Brent crude is $53.60.

Natural gas is $2.70 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,958 and silver is $28.01.

 

Obituaries

Kathryn Stripling

No services will be held for Kathryn Stripling, 95, of Chickasha. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Jerry Weber

Funeral service for Jerry Weber, 44, of Chickasha will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9^th at the First Baptist Church of Anadarko. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Andy Stephenson

A private service will be held for Andy Stephenson, 67, of Tulsa and formerly of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

Tuesday, January 5th

 

Revisions Made to Chix Flood Prevention Study

A second public hearing on a flood prevention study for the City of Chickasha lasted over an hour during last night's city council meeting. Officials with the engineering firm of Smith Roberts and Baldischwiler added some revisions to the study which was first discussed by the council last month. The study, which is officially called a Master Drainage Plan, recommends numerous projects to deal with storm water coming into and leaving Chickasha and takes into consideration 5-year, 10-year, 50-year, and 100-year floods. The projects are broken into five phases but it is an expensive plan - one that City Manager John Noblitt says the city council will have to decide how to  pay for it.

 

              

 

Any general obligation bonds would have to get approval of city voters. The council was to consider adopting the study during the meeting, but postponed that to a future meeting, as suggestions brought up during last night's public hearing are considered.

 

Walking Trail Study Nixed by Council              

In a 5-4 vote, the council voted down a proposal to approve a contract for engineering services to build a walking and biking trail on 17th Street. City Manager John Noblitt said the council could have taken advantage of some 50-50 matching fund grants which he said are use-it or lose-it funds. The consensus of the council was that the city could not afford its 50 percent of the cost of the engineering services. Voting against the plan were Oscar Nelson, Zach Grayson, Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander, Clark  Van Dyck and Brian Gerdes. Voting in favor were Mayor Chris Mosley, Kim Loggins, Jim Hopkins, and David Sikes.

 

Elected Official Take Oaths of Office

Four Grady County elected officials were sworn in to office in a formal ceremony at the county courthouse yesterday. Sheriff Jim Weir, District Two County Commissioner Kirk Painter; County Clerk Jill Locke, and Court Clerk Lisa Hannah took their oaths of office from District Judge Kory Kirkland.

 

              

 

All four were elected to four-year terms which will end in early 2025.

 

Abandoned Mill Destroyed by Fire

Fire crews battled a blaze at an abandoned Chickasha mill near 6th and Michigan Avenue Monday. A Grady County deputy said he was first on the scene when he noticed the smoke.  Interim Chickasha Fire chief Tony Samaniego said crews were hampered in their efforts because two nearby fire hydrants were not working properly. Tanker truck from the Ninnekah and Pioneer Volunteer Fire Departments were called in and the Tuttle Fire Department also responded. No nearby homes were damaged in the fire and no injuries were reported. Samaniego said the fire was a result of transients who started a fire in the building. A damage estimate was not available. We have some video of the fire posted on our Facebook page.

 

Conservation Reserve Program Sign-up Underway

Landowners can now apply for USDA's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). It's a program that's been around for nearly 40 years and Farm Broadcaster Ron Hays says it’s one of the most popular conservation programs.

              

Sign-up runs through Feb. 12th. Landowners can reach out to their local Farm Service Agency offices to get the details.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $47.62 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $51.09.

Natural gas is $2.58 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,951 and silver is $27.65.

 

Obituaries

Budd Carr, Jr.

A graveside service for Budd Carr, Jr., 88, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6^th at Fairlawn Cemetery. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and worked for PSO for 32 years. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Carol Sellers

A graveside service for Carol Sellers, 70, of Lawton will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7th at Chickasha's Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

Monday, January 4th

 

OSBI Investigates Chickasha Man's Death

Authorities are investigating the death of a Chickasha man. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is calling the death of Jerry Weber suspicious. Very little information is being released by the OSBI. Spokeswoman Brook Arbeitman did not indicate how Weber may have died but did say the medical examiner will determine the cause. It will be several weeks before a report is available. No other information was provided.

 

First Responders Next in Line for COVID-19 Vaccinations

First responders are next in line to get the COVID-19 vaccinations. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson says his office is working to establish some outlets throughout the county to make the vaccine available.

 

              

 

The vaccine will also be available to Oklahomans who are 65-years and older. While we await the Grady County dates, times, and locations - Stephens County will hold COVID-19 vaccinations every Thursday beginning this week at the Stephens County Fairgrounds in Duncan from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Chix City Council to Discuss Flood Prevention Study Again

The Chickasha City Council holds its first meeting of the New Year tonight. Among the issues to be reviewed include the flood prevention study which was discussed at last month's meeting. The second of two public hearings on the study is part of tonight's meeting, and afaterwards the panel will consider accepting the study. Engineers are proposing improvements that could cost as much as $12 million if they are implemented. The study can be viewed on the City of Chickasha's website.

 

Council to Consider Bike Trail;

Economic Development Funds              

The council will also consider a proposal to build a walking and biking trail on 17th Street. The panel will discuss entering into a contract with an engineering firm to design the trail. The group will also consider issuing an additional $40,000 in economic development funds to Mark McPherson with Great Plains Land and Cattle Company for the renovation work underway at the old Chickasha Star newspaper office. Two new businesses have already opened in that building.

 

Chix PD May Get New Dispatch Consoles              

The group will also consider accepting a sole-source bid for a radio control system for the police department for more than $180,000. The bid comes from a state contract with a company called Bearcom. Authorities say that two radio control systems installed 18 years ago have deteriorated to the point that they are no long reliable, and that the radio tower and equipment took a hit by lightning in 2017. The city did get an 80-20 grant to help purchase the system. The city's portion of the cost is $44,000. The council will also go behind closed doors for the annual evaluation of city manager John Noblitt. The council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

Changes Take Place at Grady County Courthouse Annex

There are some changes to the Grady County courthouse annex. The Emergency Management Office now takes up the eastern half of the building at 3rd and Pennsylvania - and the election board has expanded to the western half of the building. Election Board Secretary Katrina Hughes says the entrance to the election board is on the west side which is the previous entry door to emergency management. The district attorney's office moved to the former law office across the street west of the courthouse.

 

Bridge Work Closes Ninnekah Street

A road closure in Ninnekah will affect traffic for some time. Dell Street will be closed down from Old Highway 81 east to the Senior Citizens Center for an indefinite period of time for some bridge repair work. The notice was posted on the Grady County Fire Department's Facebook page.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $48.52 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $51.80.

Natural gas is $2.53 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,938 and silver is $27.51.

 

Obituary

Larry Wilson

Funeral service for Larry Wilson, 77, of Chickasha is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Saturday, January 9th

 

Arrests Made Following Two Grady County Pursuits

A second high-speed pursuit took place in Grady County this week. We previously reported on one of them which involved a chase from Elgin to Chickasha where an Arkansas man was arrested for eluding and driving a stolen pick-up on Tuesday night. About 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, a Minco police officer clocked a Camaro speeding at 100 miles per hour southbound on U.S. Highway 81. Grady County sheriff's deputies and state troopers were dispatched to assist. The pursuit didn't last long as the driver lost control and crashed about four miles south of Pocasset. EMS was summoned however the driver and two passengers suffered minor injuries and did not have to be taken to the hospital. A Minco police affidavit alleges the driver admitted stealing the car, and got scared when the police officer caught him speeding. The driver also confessed to be high on meth. Authorities did find drugs and weapons in the car. Authorities arrested 22-year old Jarrett Reed Norfolk of Weatherford, while the two passengers were released. Norfolk is facing charges which include endangering others while attempting to elude, unauthorized use of a vehicle, and possession of a firearm after former felony conviction. Norfolk was arrested in the Weatherford area in 2019 on a previous complaint of unauthorized use of a vehicle.  His bond was set at $25,000.

 

Woman Charged with Embezzling from Her Employer

A Grady County woman is facing a felony embezzlement charge after allegedly stealing thousands of in merchandise and cash from the store where she worked. The items included food, toilet paper, cigarettes, underwear, dog treats, and Christmas decorations. A warrant had been issued for the arrest of 42-year old Heather Jacquelyn Saxon of Minco and she was booked into the county jail earlier this week. A probable cause affidavit indicates that Saxon was caught on video surveillance at the Dollar Store in Minco taking a number of items and stealing money from the cash register. It's alleged that she had taken more than $1,000 in merchandise from the store between August 29th and September 27th of last year. Saxon issued a written statement admitting she had taken more than $4,000 in items and cash over several months. She claimed she had financial problems because of medical costs and that her fiancee had lost his job. Saxon is out of jail after posting a $5,000 bond.

 

Grady County Man Charged with Lewd Acts With Teen

A Bradley man is behind bars, accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a teenager. 19-year old Nickolas Dalton Ellis is charged with two counts of lewd acts to a child under 16. Court documents say the mother of the victim called the Grady County sheriff's office just after Thanksgiving that her 14-year old daughter had been the victim of a sexual assault. A warrant for Ellis’ arrest was issued this past Monday. He was booked into the county jail yesterday afternoon. He could have his arraignment on the charges on Monday.

 

Sheriff's Office Updates Wanted List

The Grady County Sheriff's Office has updated its list of individuals who have outstanding warrants. Here's public information officer Lisa Hatchett-

 

              

 

If you have information on any of these individuals you're asked to reach out to the sheriff's office by calling 405-222-5085.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Sara King with the State Health Department is on our KOOL Konversation to discuss the COVID-19 vaccination process and the new health department portal to register to get the vaccine. On Real Estate Today, guests are Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir and Public Information Officer Lisa Hatchett. Find links to both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituaries

Esta Marie Bryant

 Services for Esta Marie Bryant, 72, of Oklahoma City are pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Betty Jo Porter

A graveside service for Betty Jo Porter, 93, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, Jan. 11th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

R.A. Everett, Jr.

A graveside service for R.A. Everett, Jr., 95, of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 13th at Fairlawn Cemetery. He was a U.S. Navy veteran whose unit helped to build the airbase and radar towers on Iwo Jima during World War II. Memorial contributions may be made to the J.D. McCarty Center in Norman. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Bob Riggs

No services are scheduled for Bob Riggs, 96, of Chickasha. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served during World War II. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

Friday, January 8th

 

Manhunt Suspect Jailed on a $150,000 Bond

A KOOL-RANCH News follow-up today regarding the man who managed to escape police custody in Cyril earlier this week. 18-year old Eli Edwards Martin, who shows a Woodward address, is charged with felonies that include drug trafficking and having firearm with a removed serial number. Martin was arrested after escaping custody from Cyril police and was taken back into custody following a manhunt. On-line records from Caddo County District Court indicate that Martin is charged with drug possession, escape, obstruction, and committing a felony with a firearm. Martin remains in the Caddo County Jail on a $150,000 bond. He's to be back in court Feb. 8th to announce his attorney and a preliminary hearing conference is set for Feb. 18th.

 

Pursuit Suspect Faces Stolen Vehicle Charge

Also today, new information also about that high-speed pursuit between Elgin and Chickasha earlier this week. Comanche County prosecutors have charged Briar Yates with endangering others while eluding, driving a stolen vehicle, and driving without a license or insurance. The OHP reported that Yates is from Arkansas. The pursuit unfolded Tuesday night, when Elgin police saw Yates with a stolen pick-up. As police attempted to make a traffic stop, Yates sped away, with speeds reached 75 miles per hour in residential areas of Elgin, and reached 100 miles per hour when Yates headed east on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. The pursuit lasted about 40 minutes, and ended after state troopers deployed stop sticks on the turnpike near Mile Marker 76 which is four miles southwest of Chickasha. Yates remains in the Comanche County Jail in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

 

Chix Sports Complex Prepares for Active Spring             

The Chickasha Sports Complex is in a quiet period right now as the winter weather is not conducive for baseball or softball games. However Kyle Marks, the city's parks and recreation director, says action will be picking back up soon. Marks said that starting in a couple of weeks there are tournaments scheduled every weekend through June. He said many out-of-state teams are looking for places to play during the pandemic.

 

              

 

Marks says they are getting all the fields prepped and ready to go for the months ahead.

 

Absentee Ballot Applications Needed

For Upcoming Lindsay, Purcell Elections

Individuals wanting to vote by mail-in ballot in next month's Lindsay Board of Education primary election or the City of Purcell special election should apply to get those ballots now. County election boards in McClain and Garvin Counties can accept applications for absentee ballots through Feb. 2^nd but officials say it’s better to apply for them as early as possible. Absentee ballot applications are available at either the McClain or Garvin County election boards or can be filled out on-line at the state election board website, www.elections.ok.gov

The reason to apply early is that two mailings are needed. The first is for the election board to mail out the ballots and the second is for the voters to mail ballots back. The ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on the day of the election which is Tuesday, Feb. 9th.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $50.83 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $54.38.

Natural gas is $2.72 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,891 and silver is $26.61.

 

Obituaries

Quintin Turner

A memorial gathering for Quintin Turner, 50, of Waco, Texas and formerly of the Verden and Pioneer Area will be held by the family Saturday, Jan. 9^th at Chickasha’s Full Gospel Church. A meal will be served at 11:30 a.m. A memorial service will be at 1:00 p.m. which will be followed by burial in the Laverty Cemetery.

Zella Harris

A funeral service was held Wednesday, Jan. 6th for Zella Harris, 94, of Weatherford, formerly of the Chickasha and Cement area. She and her late husband Virgil operated a number of businesses in Cement including the Texaco and Apco stations, the hotel, and laundry. They were members of Grand Assembly of God for many years before moving to Weatherford in 2009. Burial was in the Cement Cemetery.

 

Thursday, January 7th

 

Suspect Back in Custody After Manhunt

There was a manhunt in Caddo County yesterday after a man managed to escape the custody of Cyril police. Authorities spent several hours tracking Eli Martin who is alleged to have had a history of violence. KSWO-TV reports that Martin was eventually located in Fletcher and taken back into custody. Cyril police, the Caddo and Comanche county sheriff's offices, and state troopers were all part of the search. Martin reportedly was in handcuffs after initially being arrested in Cyril. The town of Fletcher notified residents on its Facebook page that Martin might be headed in that direction. The post was updated about 7 o'clock last night indicating that Martin was back in custody. It wasn't clear why Martin was arrested in the first place or how he got away.

 

Anonymous Tip Helps Authorities Find Wanted Man

An anonymous tip helps a Grady County deputy and Alex police with the arrest a man who had an outstanding warrant. The call came in before noon Sunday, where the wanted man was spotted at an Alex convenience store. A probable cause affidavit indicates the tipster gave authorities a description and the tag number of the SUV the man was driving. Alex Police Chief John Littrell was able to make a traffic stop and identified the man who was wanted for a misdemeanor breaking and entering charge. While doing an inventory of the SUV authorities found enough drugs to warrant a drug trafficking charge. In custody is 35-year old Kevin Carl Braziel of Chickasha. Braziel was serving a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to a felony domestic abuse charge just a few months ago. Braziel remains in the Grady County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

 

State's Daily COVID-19 Death Toll Hits Record-High Number

The state health department reported 62 new deaths from the coronavirus on Wednesday which is a record number of deaths for one day. It takes the total number of deaths in Oklahoma to 2,633.  Two of the new deaths were in Grady County and both were men in the 65-years-and-older category. Grady County now has had 39 deaths from the virus out of 4,173 positive tests and there are 356 active cases. In Chickasha there have been 23 deaths out of 1,719 positive tests and there are 132 active cases. Among the Chickasha deaths is 22-year old Tony Sutton. He was among five family members who tested positive for COVID-19 in early December. He passed away from the illness just four days before Christmas. The health department says there are nearly 2,000 people hospitalized with the coronavirus.

 

COVID-19 Vaccine Portal Now Open

The health department's new on-line portal to register for the COVID-19 vaccine is now activated. You can register to get the vaccine although you may not be able to get an appointment right away. The vaccine protocol is in Phase Two which is for first responders, anyone 65 years and older, and teachers. Access the portal at: vaccinate.oklahoma.gov

By registering on-line, you'll be able to find out when you will be eligible to get the vaccine and will also be notified when it is your time to get vaccinated.

 

Chix Library's Chocolate Celebration Canceled

The pandemic has forced the cancelation of a popular fundraiser for the Chickasha library. The annual Chocolate Celebration that was scheduled for February has been called off. Library Director Lillie Huckaby said while the event won't be held this year they are encouraging their normal sponsors to consider their usual contributions. The event which is hosted by the Friends of the Library brings in several thousand dollars to help fund library improvements. The celebration is usually held just before Valentine's Day. Huckaby also indicated that the library's Food for Fines program will be wrapping up this week. The library has been accepting food donations in place of fines for overdue items since December 1st. Many patrons who don't have overdue materials also bring in non-perishable food, all of which is given to the Emergency Food Pantry. The Food for Fines program ends on Saturday, Jan. 9th.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $50.63 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $54.30.

Natural gas is $2.71 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,917 and silver is $27.16.

 

Obituaries

Joyce Pechacek

Funeral service for Joyce Pechacek, 85, of Chickasha will be at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 8th at Sharon Baptist Church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Bobby Baker

A private graveside service for Bobby Baker, 81, of Chickasha will be in Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Gregory Muse

Funeral service for Gregory Muse, 47, will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 9th at the First Baptist Church of Snyder. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

Wednesday, January 6th

 

Turnpike Pursuit Leads to Arrest

A pursuit on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike reached speeds of 100 miles per hour yesterday as authorities chased down a stolen pickup. The pursuit began in Elgin and came to an end a few minutes later in Chickasha when troopers used stop sticks to disable the pick-up. KSWO-TV reports an Elgin police officer discovered the pickup was stolen after running its tag. The officer tried to pull the truck over but the driver sped away with speeds in residential areas of Elgin reaching 75 miles per hour. The driver led authorities to the H.E. Bailey Turnpike and headed east when state troopers joined in. News reports indicate the unidentified driver was arrested while a passenger in the truck was released.

 

Suspected Thief Caught; 1 Arrested for Harboring Fugitive

A man wanted for stealing a pickup from a county commissioner's office is in custody as is a woman who is accused of hiding the man from authorities. Grady County deputies arrested 44-year old Aaron Doyle Sanders at a home in Alex last Wednesday. He was wanted for stealing a truck from the District 2 Grady County Commissioners barn in Chickasha back in September. Sanders, of Chickasha, also had outstanding warrants from Seminole County for burglary, sexual battery, and false personation. Also arrested was 33-year old Tara Pauline Wolfe, also of Chickasha, who was taken into custody and has been charged with harboring a fugitive.  Both remain in the Grady County Jail.

 

Burglary Suspect Arrested in Connection with 2nd Break-in

A man is arrested a second time within a year on burglary complaints. 53-year old Jessie David Avery, who listed an Oklahoma City address, was arrested New Year’s Eve by Grady County deputies after a warrant was issued for his arrest. No information was available regarding the warrant. Earlier in the year, Avery was arrested by Chickasha police after being implicated in a residential burglary-in-progress that occurred in February. Avery was out of jail on bond awaiting a preliminary hearing conference on that charge when he was re-arrested last week. Avery remains in the Grady County Jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond.

 

Animal Shelter Volunteers Seek Upgrades to Shelter

Volunteers at the City of Chickasha's animal shelter encouraged the city council to replace many of the shelter's cages and kennels they say are dangerous to the animals. Carolyn Blevins was one of the volunteers who addressed concerns during Monday night’s city council meeting.

 

              

 

Blevins said the shelter housed 733 animals in 2020 and 686 in 2019. She said they have had to use zip ties and baling wire to hold some of the cages together and several animals have been injured because of the outdated equipment. The council voted unanimously to go out for bids for new kennels and cages.

 

New Website Created to Help Oklahomans

Get Appointments for COVID-19 Vaccinations

Individuals who want to get the COVID-19 vaccination will soon have an easier way to schedule appointments.  The state health department has created an on-line registration portal which will be available tomorrow (Thursday, Jan. 7^th). Individuals will be able to find out when they are eligible to get the vaccine, how to schedule an appointment, and when it is their turn. The portal is available for pre-registration now at: www.vaccinate.oklahoma.gov but individuals won’t be able to schedule an appointment until tomorrow. The health department is also exploring options to better help those who don’t have access to a computer or the Internet with scheduling appointments.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $49.33.

London-based Brent crude is $53.60.

Natural gas is $2.70 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,958 and silver is $28.01.

 

Obituaries

Kathryn Stripling

No services will be held for Kathryn Stripling, 95, of Chickasha. Burial will be in Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Jerry Weber

Funeral service for Jerry Weber, 44, of Chickasha will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 9^th at the First Baptist Church of Anadarko. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Andy Stephenson

A private service will be held for Andy Stephenson, 67, of Tulsa and formerly of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

Tuesday, January 5th

 

Revisions Made to Chix Flood Prevention Study

A second public hearing on a flood prevention study for the City of Chickasha lasted over an hour during last night's city council meeting. Officials with the engineering firm of Smith Roberts and Baldischwiler added some revisions to the study which was first discussed by the council last month. The study, which is officially called a Master Drainage Plan, recommends numerous projects to deal with storm water coming into and leaving Chickasha and takes into consideration 5-year, 10-year, 50-year, and 100-year floods. The projects are broken into five phases but it is an expensive plan - one that City Manager John Noblitt says the city council will have to decide how to  pay for it.

 

              

 

Any general obligation bonds would have to get approval of city voters. The council was to consider adopting the study during the meeting, but postponed that to a future meeting, as suggestions brought up during last night's public hearing are considered.

 

Walking Trail Study Nixed by Council              

In a 5-4 vote, the council voted down a proposal to approve a contract for engineering services to build a walking and biking trail on 17th Street. City Manager John Noblitt said the council could have taken advantage of some 50-50 matching fund grants which he said are use-it or lose-it funds. The consensus of the council was that the city could not afford its 50 percent of the cost of the engineering services. Voting against the plan were Oscar Nelson, Zach Grayson, Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander, Clark  Van Dyck and Brian Gerdes. Voting in favor were Mayor Chris Mosley, Kim Loggins, Jim Hopkins, and David Sikes.

 

Elected Official Take Oaths of Office

Four Grady County elected officials were sworn in to office in a formal ceremony at the county courthouse yesterday. Sheriff Jim Weir, District Two County Commissioner Kirk Painter; County Clerk Jill Locke, and Court Clerk Lisa Hannah took their oaths of office from District Judge Kory Kirkland.

 

              

 

All four were elected to four-year terms which will end in early 2025.

 

Abandoned Mill Destroyed by Fire

Fire crews battled a blaze at an abandoned Chickasha mill near 6th and Michigan Avenue Monday. A Grady County deputy said he was first on the scene when he noticed the smoke.  Interim Chickasha Fire chief Tony Samaniego said crews were hampered in their efforts because two nearby fire hydrants were not working properly. Tanker truck from the Ninnekah and Pioneer Volunteer Fire Departments were called in and the Tuttle Fire Department also responded. No nearby homes were damaged in the fire and no injuries were reported. Samaniego said the fire was a result of transients who started a fire in the building. A damage estimate was not available. We have some video of the fire posted on our Facebook page.

 

Conservation Reserve Program Sign-up Underway

Landowners can now apply for USDA's Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). It's a program that's been around for nearly 40 years and Farm Broadcaster Ron Hays says it’s one of the most popular conservation programs.

              

Sign-up runs through Feb. 12th. Landowners can reach out to their local Farm Service Agency offices to get the details.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $47.62 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $51.09.

Natural gas is $2.58 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,951 and silver is $27.65.

 

Obituaries

Budd Carr, Jr.

A graveside service for Budd Carr, Jr., 88, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6^th at Fairlawn Cemetery. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and worked for PSO for 32 years. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Carol Sellers

A graveside service for Carol Sellers, 70, of Lawton will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 7th at Chickasha's Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

Monday, January 4th

 

OSBI Investigates Chickasha Man's Death

Authorities are investigating the death of a Chickasha man. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation is calling the death of Jerry Weber suspicious. Very little information is being released by the OSBI. Spokeswoman Brook Arbeitman did not indicate how Weber may have died but did say the medical examiner will determine the cause. It will be several weeks before a report is available. No other information was provided.

 

First Responders Next in Line for COVID-19 Vaccinations

First responders are next in line to get the COVID-19 vaccinations. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson says his office is working to establish some outlets throughout the county to make the vaccine available.

 

              

 

The vaccine will also be available to Oklahomans who are 65-years and older. While we await the Grady County dates, times, and locations - Stephens County will hold COVID-19 vaccinations every Thursday beginning this week at the Stephens County Fairgrounds in Duncan from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

 

Chix City Council to Discuss Flood Prevention Study Again

The Chickasha City Council holds its first meeting of the New Year tonight. Among the issues to be reviewed include the flood prevention study which was discussed at last month's meeting. The second of two public hearings on the study is part of tonight's meeting, and afaterwards the panel will consider accepting the study. Engineers are proposing improvements that could cost as much as $12 million if they are implemented. The study can be viewed on the City of Chickasha's website.

 

Council to Consider Bike Trail;

Economic Development Funds              

The council will also consider a proposal to build a walking and biking trail on 17th Street. The panel will discuss entering into a contract with an engineering firm to design the trail. The group will also consider issuing an additional $40,000 in economic development funds to Mark McPherson with Great Plains Land and Cattle Company for the renovation work underway at the old Chickasha Star newspaper office. Two new businesses have already opened in that building.

 

Chix PD May Get New Dispatch Consoles              

The group will also consider accepting a sole-source bid for a radio control system for the police department for more than $180,000. The bid comes from a state contract with a company called Bearcom. Authorities say that two radio control systems installed 18 years ago have deteriorated to the point that they are no long reliable, and that the radio tower and equipment took a hit by lightning in 2017. The city did get an 80-20 grant to help purchase the system. The city's portion of the cost is $44,000. The council will also go behind closed doors for the annual evaluation of city manager John Noblitt. The council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

Changes Take Place at Grady County Courthouse Annex

There are some changes to the Grady County courthouse annex. The Emergency Management Office now takes up the eastern half of the building at 3rd and Pennsylvania - and the election board has expanded to the western half of the building. Election Board Secretary Katrina Hughes says the entrance to the election board is on the west side which is the previous entry door to emergency management. The district attorney's office moved to the former law office across the street west of the courthouse.

 

Bridge Work Closes Ninnekah Street

A road closure in Ninnekah will affect traffic for some time. Dell Street will be closed down from Old Highway 81 east to the Senior Citizens Center for an indefinite period of time for some bridge repair work. The notice was posted on the Grady County Fire Department's Facebook page.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $48.52 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $51.80.

Natural gas is $2.53 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,938 and silver is $27.51.

 

Obituary

Larry Wilson

Funeral service for Larry Wilson, 77, of Chickasha is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

Saturday, January 2nd

 

Info Still Sought on Missing Marlow Teen

A Marlow teenager has now been missing for more than two months and officials are renewing their efforts to find her. 16-year old Kaylen Harrell was reported missing on October 30th. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released a fax with her photo and description early this morning. There are no details about Kaylen's disappearance. She is Caucasian; five feet, six inches tall; brown hair and brown eyes; and at the time weighed 145 pounds. Officials believe she could be in the Marlow area and may travel to Rush Springs and Chickasha. Anyone with information regarding Kaylen Harrell is asked to contact local authorities or The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children by calling 1-800-The-Lost.

              

Family Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Their Home

A Chickasha family is celebrating the 100-year anniversary of their home. Bill and Geraldine Hodges purchased what is now known as the Huseman-Hodges home at 901 S. 17th Street back in 1970. The two-story, wood frame home is noticeable by its green-and-white striped awnings over the windows. Susan Hodges-Scott is the daughter of Bill and Geraldine. Susan and her husband Paul live in Duncan and said family members quietly marked the anniversary. A photo was submitted to the Chickasha Express-Star. The home was designed and built by architect A.G. Huseman in 1920. The article states that Huseman had the lumber pre-cut and shipped from Philadelphia and that his name was stamped on the back of each board. The home has two fireplaces with the letter "H" built into the brick on the hearth. While the home has been remodeled over the years, the history and character of the house remain. It has the original oak woodwork and flooring, original brick fireplaces (both downstairs and upstairs); three sets of original French doors; and original glass doorknobs. The Hodges are planning a Roaring 20s-style party when they can all be together.

 

Where Will U.S. Space Command Headquarters Locate?

Is Oklahoma still in the running to be the home of the new U.S. Space Command headquarters? Oklahoma City at one time considered applying to try and get the headquarters near Tinker Air Force Base. The website OK Energy Today cites a report from The Air Force Times that Oklahoma City did not formally apply. The Air Force is expected to announce the location early this year. Potential sites are Peterson Air Base in Colorado, which is currently the interim headquarters for the Space Command; Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico;  and Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Chickasha Parks and Recreation Department Director Kyle Marks is on our KOOL Konversation program. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson is our guest on Real Estate Today. Find links to both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituary

Gene Pearson

A graveside service for Gene Pearson, 80, of Ada and formerly of Alex was held in the Alex Cemetery on Saturday, Jan. 2nd.

 

Thursday, December 31st

 

Cyril Church Burglarized

Investigators are looking for an individual who broke in to the First Baptist Church of Cyril last weekend. The thief even stole one of the church vans. The break-in was discovered a couple of days after the church held its Christmas service. The thief also took about $40 in cash and a 10-pound  bag of  chicken strips. Pastor Donny Crittendon tells KSWO-TV that the thief had to be someone familiar with the church, because they avoided security cameras and seemed to know their way inside the church. Crittendon said it’s disappointing. Many church members told him they would have given the thief what he needed had he just asked. The van is a white, 2008 model, 15-passenger Chevrolet that has First Baptist Church, Cyril, Oklahoma on the back window. Anyone with information is asked to contact Cyril police.

 

Chix City Council to Hold Public Hearing on Flood Study

Chickasha residents will have an opportunity to comment publicly on a proposal designed to alleviate flooding in the city. On Monday, Jan. 4^th, the city council will have the last of two public hearings on a master drainage study that was reviewed by the council earlier this month. The council hired an engineering firm to do a complete study of the region, and develop a detailed plan which engineers say may reduce flooding after times of extremely heavy rainfall. The estimated price tag of the proposal is between $9 million and $12 million. A PowerPoint presentation on the study can be viewed on the city's website: www.chickasha.org After the public hearing, the council will consider adopting the study. Also during Monday's meeting, the council will go behind closed doors for it’s annual evaluation of city manager John Noblitt. The group will also present a retirement watch to long-time parks and recreation department employee Troy Maloney.

 

Crash Shuts Down Turnpike

A crash on the H.E. Bailey turnpike shut down traffic on the interstate for over an hour yesterday. The highway patrol reported a rollover accident at mile marker 90 northeast of Chickasha about 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. The roadway was re-opened about an hour and a half later about 6:15 p.m.. No details of the accident were available.

 

Regional First Responders Get COVID-19 Vaccinations

The state health department is distributing the second phase of COVID-19 vaccinations to county health departments. Debra Johnson, with District 5 of the state health department, says about 150 first responders received their vaccinations at the Anadarko First Baptist Church on Tuesday. Yesterday, about 500 vaccines were sent to Hinton to vaccinate first responders there. In Grady County, officials are in the process of scheduling vaccinations for first responders, and are looking at some dates next week. Health department officials in District 8, which includes Stephens and Garvin counties, say first responders in those areas can get vaccinations in Ardmore today. Those in Stephens County may opt to wait to get their shots next week in Duncan. The Duncan Banner reports that a clinic will be set up at the Stephens County Fairgrounds next Thursday, Jan. 7th.

 

Housekeeper Arrested for Alleged Theft

A housekeeper accused of taking money from her employer is also accused of hitting him with her SUV. Rush Springs police and a Grady County deputy were called to a home just north of Rush Springs on Sunday. A man alleged a woman he had hired to clean his house had taken some money from the home, and when he confronted her with the allegation in the driveway, she hit him with her SUV and knocked him down. Authorities found the woman at a Rush Springs convenience store and brought her back to the man’s home and the two started arguing. The woman claimed she was a victim, saying the man forced himself on her. The woman, 50-year old Laura Renee Copeland of Rush Springs, was arrested but the man was not. Prosecutors have charged Copeland with assault with a dangerous weapon and petty larceny. She remains in the county jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $48.40 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $51.34.

Natural gas is $2.42 per million BTUs.

Gold is just under $1,900 and silver is $26.66.

 

Obituaries

Martha Felton

A graveside service for Martha Felton, 91, of Chickasha will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2^nd at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Orva Littrell

No services will be held for Orva Littrell, 86, of Chickasha. She worked for the ASCS office for 30 years. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Jim Whitcomb

A private service will be held at a later date for Jim Whitcomb, 75, of Chickasha. He was a certified gemologist and served in the National Guard for 22 years. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Jack Holt

A private service will be held at a later date for 68-year old Jack Holt of Chickasha. He was a long-time auto salesman, the son of the late Alton Holt.

 

Wednesday, December 30th

 

Chickasha Mother Critical After Shooting

A Chickasha mother is fighting for her life after being shot by her husband on Christmas Eve. Ana Sanchez was listed in critical condition in an Oklahoma City hospital yesterday, five days after being shot in the chest and in one of her legs. In documents filed by Chickasha police at the Grady County Courthouse, officers were called to a home in the 1400 block of South 5th Street about 1:30 a.m. Christmas Eve morning. A teenaged boy in the home said his parents were arguing and that his father had shot is mother. When police arrived they found the injured woman, and the suspect went to the kitchen to get a knife and tried to stab himself. Authorities were able to take the man into custody without incident. Authorities arrested 70-year old Oseas Sanchez-Orta. Prosecutors have charged him with shooting with intent to kill. He remains in the Grady County Jail on a $500,000 bond. The court documents did not indicate a motive for the shooting.

 

Suspects In Custody in Separate Molestation Investigations

Grady county authorities make arrests in separate child sexual abuse investigations. One stemmed from an incident first reported in October in the Norge area. A probable cause affidavit indicates the mother of an 11-year old girl reported the child had been molested. The child alleged the suspect molested her two years ago when he took her deer hunting. Authorities arrested 32-year old Nicholas Alexander Armstrong of Chickasha last week. Prosecutors have charged him with two counts of lewd acts with a child under 16 years old. He remains in jail on a $150,000 bond. The other investigation began just before Thanksgiving in the Bridge Creek area where two girls who are 9- and 11-years old told an aunt that they had been molested. Investigators tracked down 51-year old Thomas Ray Steaveson of the Blanchard area. Prosecutors have charged him with two counts of lewd acts with a child under 16 years old. Steaveson also remains in jail on a $150,000 bond.            

 

Deputies Nab Suspect in Rural Burglary

A woman from the Dibble area is arrested in connection with a theft from a home in the east part of Grady County. One of the home owners reported on Dec. 15^th that a safe and several guns had been taken. A few days after the burglary the safe was found in a barn at a nearby home. Investigators were made aware of a suspect while helping Chickasha police at a disturbance at the Maverick Inn on Christmas Eve. The suspect, 32-year old Stormy Jo Kirkland, had a warrant out for her arrest out of McClain County. Kirkland has been charged in Grady County with a felony count of possession of stolen property. She remains in jail on a $100,000 bond.

 

New Staff Member on Board at  Grady OSU Extension              

The Grady County OSU Extension Office has a new extension educator. Ally Minor joined the staff this week. She's originally from Arkansas, and has a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Oklahoma State and is pursuing a master's degree in Rangeland Ecology and Management from Colorado State. She's also serving in the U.S. Army Reserves and volunteers for Oklahoma Blue Thumb helping people to protect water in their area. In addition to extension education, Minor will be working with 4H and youth development projects.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $48 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $51.09.

Natural gas is $2.44 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,883 and silver is $26.45.

 

Obituary

Dalifan Huffines

A graveside service for Dalifan Huffines, 94, of Chickasha will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5^th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

Tuesday, December 29th

 

Senior Citizen Faces Felony Charge After Shooting

A 70-year old man is behind bars after a shooting at a Chickasha home last week. The suspect was taken into custody in the early morning hours of Christmas Eve which was last Thursday. Chickasha police have not released any information about their investigation. Unconfirmed reports indicate a woman was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital. Oseas Sanchez-Orta of Chickasha was booked into the Grady County Jail on a complaint of shooting with intent to kill. After spending the weekend in jail, prosecutors have charged Sanchez-Orta with felony of shooting with intent to kill. He remains in jail on a $500,000 bond. He's to announce his attorney on Jan. 22nd with a preliminary hearing conference set for Feb. 10th.

 

Graveside Service Set for Hall-of- Fame Coach 

A graveside service will be held Thursday for Coach Jerry Jobe who passed away over the weekend. Jobe, a Chickasha native who played and coached at Chickasha High School, then coached at Southwestern Oklahoma State and at Oklahoma Christian was 85 years old. Jobe was inducted into six halls of fame, including the Chickasha schools and Chickasha Athletic Halls of Fame, the Southwestern and Oklahoma Christian Halls of Fame, the Oklahoma Coaches Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Jobe will be laid to rest at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 31^st at in Chickasha's Rose Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

Group Continues Fight Against Human Trafficking

A southwest Oklahoma group's mission is to prevent human trafficking. The Red Cord is a non-profit group that brings education, awareness, and training to law enforcement groups, first responders, educators, and others to help them  understand the nature of human trafficking. Ahsa Morin is with the Red Cord.

 

              

 

The group will be hosting is 4th annual Freedom Gala at the Comanche County Fairgounds in Lawton on Jan. 30th. For information visit the group’s website: www.theredcord.org

 

Ice Storm Outages Lead to Utility Questions

A number of Oklahoma utility companies came under fire after the October ice storms as thousands of homes and businesses went without power for days or even weeks. The Oklahoman reports that the Public Utilities Division of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission is asking electric service providers how they handled outages and what they propose to do to prevent future situations. The panel is also reaching out to electric customers to get input. The Oklahoman reports some state lawmakers argue that utilities and regulators need to do more to improve electrical systems in order to handle future severe weather events.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $47.62 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $50.86.

Natural gas is $2.31 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,881 and silver is $26.36.

 

Obituaries

Derek Vaughn

Graveside service for Derek Vaughn, 53 will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31st at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Linda Rakes

No services will be held for 77-year old Linda Raikes. Burial will be in Evergreen Cemetery in Minco. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Nancy Cole

A graveside service for Nancy Cole, 69 will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 2^nd at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

Monday, December 28th

 

Chickasha Hall of Fame Coach Jerry Jobe Dies

He led the Chickasha High School boys basketball teams to state championships as both a player and a coach. Jerry Jobe passed away on Saturday at the age of 85. His death comes just two weeks after his wife Laura Beth passed away. Born and raised in Chickasha, Jobe helped the Fightin’ Chicks win a state title as a player in 1953. 10 years later, he coached the team to a state title. He would go on to coach at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford where he won 198 games in 11 seasons, then went to Oklahoma Christian where he won 211 games in eight seasons. He is in the Chickasha Hall of Fame and the Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Fame. After he retired from coaching he spent 13 years with the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association. The funeral service for Jerry Jobe has not yet been scheduled.

 

Lawmaker Looks to Reduce DPS Logjam

A state lawmaker is working to reduce the long wait times at DPS offices when it comes to getting drivers licenses. Amber State Representative Dick Lowe says career tech schools may help to ease the pressure by offering the testing. He says the Moore-Norman Technology Center was first to offer the testing and that officials are looking to expand the testing to other career techs.

 

              

 

Lowe said it’s not career-tech's intent to take over all the testing but to be a partner with DPS to reduce wait times.

 

Chix Schools to Crack Down on Failing Distance Learners

Chickasha schools are cracking down on virtual students who aren't doing their assigned work. Superintendent Rick Croslin said nearly half of the district's virtual or blended-learning students - and about one in four remote-learning students are failing at least one class. In a memo sent to teachers and administrators, Croslin said the numbers are staggering and don't meet the district's expectations. He said more than 200 students will return to traditional classroom studies when classes resume next month. Croslin said that when students come back to school after the first of the year, virtual students who are not logging in and failing two or more classes will have to return to classroom study. He said principals will have the discretion to develop a plan to improve a student's performance. Blended students must have passed all courses to continue in that system. Students who are failing one or more courses will need to enroll in full-time traditional classes or virtual - although virtual students are not eligible to participate in sports, band, or other extra-curricular activities. Remote students must be passing all classes in order to continue with that option when the district is in the orange or red coronavirus status. Any remote student failing one or more classes will not be eligible to continue in that system. The only exception will be for student quarantines, snow days, or a principal's discretion.

 

OHP Seeks Cadets for 2021 Academy

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol is accepting applications for the next cadet training program. The 67th academy will begin in the summer of 2021. Currently 65 cadets have been accepted. Officials say about half the state's troopers are set to retire within the next three years so there is a need for replacements. DPS has entered into an agreement with Oklahoma Career Tech testing centers to provide entrance exams for trooper candidates so applicants can stay near their home town instead of traveling to Oklahoma City.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $48.23 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $51.29.

Natural gas is $2.52 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,883 and silver is $26.51.

 

Obituaries

Kathleen Askins

Funeral service for Kathleen Askins, 76, of Chickasha will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30^th at Southern Hills Baptist Church. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Renae Jeter

Graveside service for Renae Jeter, 61, of Chickasha will be at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 30th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Lawrence Richardson

Funeral service for Lawrence Richardson, 59 will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 5th at the Church of the Living God PG & T.  Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Gregory Muse

Funeral service for Gregory Muse, 47 is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.