Saturday, May 27th

 

Authorities Investigate Separate 'Shots Fired' Reports

The Memorial Day weekend got off to a bizarre start as officials were called to investigate reports of shots fired in both Chickasha and Alex. In Chickasha, Police Lt. Gillian O'Brien says authorities were dispatched to the neighborhood at 6th and Illinois about six o'clock last night where there was a report of one man shooting at another man from his backyard. Authorities arrested 46-year old Jonathan Bridges who was taken to the Grady County Jail on complaints of having a firearm while on probation and reckless conduct with a firearm. Bridges was on probation after pleading guilty to a drug charge stemming from an arrest in 2015. No one was injured in the shooting.

Second incident occurred in Alex

Grady County deputies were summoned to a home in the Alex area to investigate a shots fired report. Sheriff Gary Boggess tells KOOL-RANCH News that there was an argument and that one person fired shots into the air. No arrests were made and no one was injured.

 

Tire Blowout Sends Chix Driver to the Hospital

A Chickasha driver is hospitalized after a tire blew out on his pickup while driving down the turnpike. 43-year old Curtis Reece suffered trunk and internal injuries in the accident that happened near mile marker 98 on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. He was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital and admitted in good condition. The accident happened about 11:30 Friday morning in the eastbound lanes of the turnpike near the State Highway 4 junction. The blowout caused the truck to run off the highway and hit a culvert. Reece was wearing a seat belt.

 

Memorial Day Ceremonies Include 'TAPS Across America'

Many Americans will set aside some time this weekend to honor those who gave their lives to protect the freedoms Americans treasure.

 

              

 

KOOL-RANCH radio stations will be joining thousands of radio stations across the country to participate in the TAPS Across America event at 3:00 p.m. Monday.

Grady and Stephens County Programs Scheduled

There will be a number of organized Memorial Day programs in local communities. One will be at the Grady County Veterans Memorial at Chickasha's Shannon Springs Park at 11 o'clock Monday morning. In case of rain, the ceremony will be moved to the Chickasha Elks Lodge. In Stephens County, the Stephens County Honor Guard, AMVETS, VFW, DAV, and the American Legion will have several joint services. The first will be at the Comanche cemetery at 10 a.m.; followed by a program in Duncan at Memorial Park north of the Earl Halliburton Memorial at noon; with a final program at the Marlow Cemetery at 2:00 p.m.

 

Report: Oklahoma Leads Country in Drone 'Preparedness'

There's a new report that shows Oklahoma is tops in the nation when it comes to preparedness for the drone industry. OK Energy Today cites the study from George Mason University. Officials say the No. 1 ranking is due to the leading efforts of OU, OSU, and the University of Tulsa. All are leaders in national efforts investing in Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Advanced Air Mobility research and development which is designed to strengthen economic and national security. OSU established its Unmanned Systems Research Institute in 2015 and just recently launched the Oklahoma Aerospace Institute for Research and Education. Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas - who chairs the house Science, Space, and Technology Committee - has written a bill called the National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility and Research Act. The measure was passed out of that committee. He said it would provide for a coordinated Federal effort to accelerate the U.S. leadership in drone technology. Lucas said the U.S. is already dangerously behind China when it comes to the production of drones. The drone technology market was $5 billion in 2018; is expected to grow to more than $60 billion by 2025; and to more than $115 billion by 2035 which could create more than 250,000 jobs.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. On the KOOL Konversation our guest is Ginna Waddell with the Department of Human Services OK Fosters program. On Real Estate Today our guests are Shae Mortimer with the City of Chickasha and Mitch Williams with Chickasha Wings talking out the Wings and Wheels Air Show and Car Show at the Chickasha Airport next week. Find podcasts of both programs under the community tab on this website.

 

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Friday, May 26th

 

Effort to get Resource Officers in All Public Schools Underway

Improving safety in Oklahoma schools was the primary focus of a couple of bills passed by state lawmakers this year. HB 2903 and HB 2904 create a pilot program for school safety and provided more than $95,000 to every Oklahoma school district for School Resource Officers (SRO). Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess tells KOOL-RANCH news he'll be asking county commissioners for a budget increase of some $650,000 in the upcoming fiscal year to initially pay for the salaries of seven new deputies who will be assigned as SROs, as well as purchase vehicles for them. Boggess said the school districts would re-imburse the county for the salaries. State Representative Dick Lowe (R-Amber) was one of the authors of the legislation. He said parents want their children to be safe at school and that the bills represent an investment in school safety for school districts of all sizes. School resource officers will have to take active-shooter emergency response training from CLEET.

 

Burglary Suspect was on Probation for Previous Crime

A suspect is charged with burglary after allegedly kicking in the door of a Chickasha home. 37-year old Bryson Scott Johnson of Alex was arrested by Chickasha police last week after authorities were called to a home in the 300 block of South 6th Street to investigate a possible burglary in progress. A probable cause affidavit indicates an officer saw Johnson walked out the back door of the house. When asked if he was supposed to be there and he told the officer that he had permission to be there. The resident, who had gone next door after hearing a loud bang on her door, told investigators Johnson did have not permission from her to be there. Johnson is said to have admitted to kicking in the door and he was taken into custody. Johnson has been charged with a felony count of first degree burglary. He is currently on probation after pleading guilty to a felony assault with a deadly weapon charge in connection with a 2018 arrest after an incident in Bradley. Johnson is being held in the Grady County Jail on a $100,000 bond.

 

Broadband Office 'Listening Tour' in Chickasha Tonight

Today's the day that officials with the Oklahoma Broadband Office will be in Chickasha as part of its statewide listening tour. Director Mike Sanders and his staff are making several stops over the next few weeks to get information about the lack of high-speed internet in rural areas. He said the need was really brought to light about three years ago.

 

              

 

Officials with the state broadband office will be at the Chickasha Public Library tonight from 4:30 p.m. to about 8:00 p.m.

 

Special Olympics Benefit Walk Again Successful

A big milestone was reached for Stewart and Beth Ann Meyer this year. Every May for the last 23 years the couple and a team of supporters walk 125 miles from Chickasha to Stillwater to raise money for Oklahoma Special Olympics. Beth Ann shared on her Facebook page that the team raised more than $13,000 this year and that their total contributions since the first walk have topped $200,000. Beth Ann said they’ll be adding to that total when they re-schedule Craig’s Walk which had to postponed because of weather conditions.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.83 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.26.

Natural gas is $2.31 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,965 and silver is $23.23.

 

Obituary

Carl Douglas ‘Doug’ Schnider

Funeral service for Doug Schnider, 67, of Tuttle will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 30th at Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle. He was a self-contracted house painter and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

 

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Thursday, May 25th

 

New Phase of 'Onward Chickasha' Survey Underway

The firm gathering input to guide the City of Chickasha into the middle part of the century and beyond is still in the early phases of its work. Called the Onward Chickasha program the group gathered information earlier this year on what residents and other stakeholders thought were important issues to consider. Now the group has created what it calls a 'visual preference survey'. It shows images of potential development and design alternatives and is now asking participants to choose the ones they like best. The input will lead to policy-making and create a consensus of what homes, stores, offices, and streets should look like. The new survey is posted on the website: www.onwardchickasha.org

 

Minco and Blanchard Voters to Decide Hotel-Motel Taxes

Voters in Minco and Blanchard will be going to the polls next month to decide if hotel and motel taxes should be implemented. Both communities are proposing a 5 percent excise tax for hotel and motel users. The Minco proposal calls for the proceeds to go into the city's general fund and each year the city council would determine how to use those funds. In Blanchard, the proposal calls for the proceeds to go into a Blanchard Tourism Revenue Fund to encourage, promote, and foster tourism in Blanchard. The issues will be decided in special elections which are scheduled Tuesday, June 13th.

 

Dep't of Corrections to host Hiring Event for Hinton Prison

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections (ODOC) has a number of job openings at the Hinton prison. The agency recently re-opened that facility after a contract with a private firm operating the Sayre prison was not renewed. In addition to the need for corrections officers, there are numerous other positions available including LPNs and RNs, construction and maintenance, food service, and lab technicians. ODOC officials will be holding a hiring event in Chickasha looking for candidates in a couple of weeks. It will be held at the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission Office on Wednesday, June 7th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office is located in the commercial building downtown Chickasha at 2nd and Chickasha Avenue. Candidates must be at least 20-years old, have a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, and pass a background check and drug screening.

 

Rush Springs Community Names Watermelon Festival Queen

There's new royalty in Rush Springs. Lilly Ball will be the queen of this year's Watermelon Festival. She was one of three candidates in the running for the post and was selected by the community this past weekend. The 17-year old will be a senior at Rush Springs High School this fall where she is a three-sport athlete in softball, track, and basketball. She's also in FFA and on the yearbook staff. She hopes to earn a scholarship to play softball or run track in college. Her parents are Daniel and Lindsay Ball. The watermelon festival will be held the second Saturday in August.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $74.34 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $78.36.

Natural gas is $2.40 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,981 and silver is $23.24.

 

Obituaries

Melvin Judkins

A graveside service for Melvin Judkins, 87, formerly of Newcastle was held at 10:00 a.m. this morning (Thursday, May 25^th) at Resthaven Cemetery in Oklahoma City. He was the head of the maintenance department at Newcastle Public Schools and at one time served on the school board there. He was also a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.

Ricky Peterman

A graveside service for 52-year old Ricky Peterman will be held at 3:00 p.m. this afternoon (May 25^th) at Rose Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Jody Jacques

Funeral service for Jody Jacques, 48, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 26th at Bible Baptist Church. He was a scrub tech, a musician, and a U.S. Navy veteran.

Joe Griffin

A graveside service for Joe Griffin, 85, of Blanchard was held earlier this week. He worked for Western Electric in Oklahoma City and was a U.S. Army veteran. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

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Wednesday, May 24th

 

Suspected Drug Trafficker Arrested After Traffic Stop

A joint investigation by the District Attorneys Drug Task Force, DEA agent Jim Peek with the Grady County Sheriff's Office, and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics led to a traffic stop on a motorist at the Campus Corner Convenience Store at 16^th and Grand Ave. in Chickasha Monday night. A probable cause affidavit indicates that a K-9 officer was brought in and alerted officers that drugs may be in the vehicle. Authorities say they found more than 1,000 grams of drugs which field-tested positive as methamphetamine and other drugs which field-tested positive as Fentanyl. Authorities arrested 48-year old Jerrod Alan Halbrooks of Elgin. Prosecutors have charged him with one felony count of aggravated trafficking with bond set at $500,000. He's to announce his attorney June 1st and a preliminary hearing conference is set for June 7th.

 

Shop Fire Totals Building, SUV

Fire destroyed a metal shop building west of Chickasha Monday afternoon. Chickasha Fire Chief Tony Samaniego said fire crews were dispatched to the blaze just before 5 p.m. with Verden and Pioneer volunteer departments and Grady County Fire Chief Rodney Gregory called in to assist. Samaniego said the fire damaged about 60 percent of the 2,500 sq. ft. building along with a Cadillac Escalade SUV that was inside. Officials say the fire may have been started from an acetylene torch. Total damage was estimated at about $200,000. There were no injuries and crews were on the scene for about two hours.

 

Suspect Arrested After Body Found at Wildlife Refuge

A suspect is in custody in connection the death of a woman whose body was found in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The FBI arrested Tevin Semien on a pre-meditated murder complaint. He was taken to a Texas jail. KSWO TV reports that federal court documents show that authorities searched the victim's home in Lawton and found evidence of a violent struggle and that the victim's car was missing. Texas authorities found the suspect driving the victim's car in Dallas on Sunday and a high-speed pursuit began. The chase ended when the car was driven into a lake. Semien was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit. Semien reportedly admitted killing the victim with a brick. Authorities have only identified the victim by her initials.

 

Cyril Mail Carrier Earns USPS Hero Award

The letter carrier who discovered a little girl wandering the streets of Cyril which led to the discovery of a child's body has been recognized for her efforts. Maci Myers has been presented a Postmaster General Hero Award which is one of the most prestigious honors issued by the United States Postal Service. Myers discovered the five-year old girl in January which led to the investigation into the death of four-year old Athena Brownfield. Athena's body was found buried on a farm in Agawam about a week later.

 

State Broadband Office 'Listening Tour' in Chix Friday

Here's a reminder that representatives of the Oklahoma Broadband Office will be in Chickasha this week. It's part of a statewide 'listening tour' as officials gather information about the needs of high-speed internet in rural areas. The information will be used to develop a five-year plan for the state to have improved broadband service. Residents, business owners, school and town leaders, tribal groups, and non-profits are encouraged to attend. The meeting will be at the Chickasha Public Library Friday night from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 pm. Participants can register in advance and get more information on-line at: www.oklahoma.gov/broadband

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.91 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $76.84.

Natural gas is $2.32 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,994 and silver is $23.37.

 

Obituaries

Mignonne McDaniel

A graveside service for Mignonne McDaniel, 64,  of Oklahoma City and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, May 26th at Rose Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Dennis Wilkerson

A memorial service for Dennis Wilkerson, 71, of Cyril will be at 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 26th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He was the Chief of the Anadarko Fire Department for many years.

 

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Tuesday, May 23rd

 

Fugitive On the Run for Years is in Custody

Royce Lee Jarnagin, one of the top 10 most wanted fugitives in Grady County, is behind bars. Jarnagin was arrested at a Chickasha home last night after authorities received a tip regarding his whereabouts. Jarnagin had been eluding authorities for six years. A warrant was issued for his arrest in March of 2017. He was wanted for domestic assault and battery resulting in great bodily harm and for failure to appear. Grady County deputies surrounded a home in the 1500 block of South 20th just after 6 p.m. Monday and Jarnagin was arrested without incident. Jarnagin could have his initial appearance on the charges in Grady County district court today.

 

Exploitation Suspect to Enter Plea

An Anadarko woman accused of taking advantage of an elderly person will be entering a plea in connection with her arrest. An arrest warrant was issued for 45-year old Jenna Sue Johnson last September for the alleged exploitation of an elderly person or disabled adult. Johnson waived her right to a preliminary hearing and is expected to enter a plea in front of District Judge Kory Kirkland in Caddo County District Court on July 5th.

 

Veterans Group to Hold Memorial Day Ceremony

Memorial Day weekend is just ahead. It marks the unofficial start of summer and many families across the country will take advantage of a three-day weekend since Memorial Day is a national holiday. Memorial Day is always the last Monday of May and it is set aside to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. There will be a formal ceremony at the Grady County Veterans Memorial in Shannon Springs Park on Monday, May 29th. The Oklahoma Veterans Recognition Committee holds the first of two ceremonies at the memorial each year on Memorial Day. The other is Veterans Day in November. Guest Speaker will be Chickasha City Councilman and Vice Mayor Zach Grayson. He was a member of the U.S. Army Reserves and served two tours in Iraq. The ceremony will be Monday at 11 a.m. at the memorial which is on the west side of Shannon Springs Park. In case of inclement weather the ceremony will be held at the Chickasha Elks Lodge, 1818 W. Country Club Road.

 

4Her Has Tips for Stressed Teens

There is a study which indicates nearly half of all teenagers experience consistent stress. Pressures in school, work, relationships, peer pressure, and even poor time management are some of the reasons. Maggie Evans with the Grady County Rock Island 4H Club has some recommendations on how teens can deal with stress.

 

              

 

She also says that teens should find someone to talk to about their stressors whether it’s a parent or trusted relative, teacher, or a pastor. She says if stress or anxiety disrupts daily activities than individuals should seek the help of a counselor.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.99 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $75.99.

Natural gas is $2.40 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,974 and silver is $23.26.

 

Obituary

'Berniece' Steelman

A celebration of life for Julia 'Berniece" Steelman, 103, was held at 10:00 a.m. this morning at Sevier Funeral Home. She and her husband Elmer founded Steelman's Decorating in downtown Chickasha in 1960.

 

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Monday, May 22nd

 

Motorcyclist Dies in Ninnekah Crash

A motorcycle rider died when his bike ran off the highway and crashed in Ninnekah over the weekend. 52-year old Ricky Peterman of Lexington died in the crash that happened just before 7:00 p.m. Saturday. Ninnekah Police Chief Scott Miller cited witness reports which indicated that Peterman was southbound on U.S. Highway 81 near Quail Road at a high rate of speed when he failed to negotiate a curve and ran off the roadway.

 

Suspect in Fake Shots-Fired Call at Tech Center Pleads Guilty

A report of a gunman firing shots at the Caddo Kiowa Technology Center in Ft. Cobb in February had that campus on lockdown for several hours. Numerous law enforcement authorities on campus for a training session that day spent several hours searching for a suspect. It turned out the report was fake and authorities eventually arrested 34-year old Donald Steve Tee Jr. of Ft. Cobb as a suspect. Tee pleaded guilty to a felony charge of a terrorism hoax in Caddo County District Court earlier this month. Formal sentencing is set for June 22nd.

 

Investigation Continues into Body Found at Wildlife Refuge

Officials still have not released the name of a woman whose body was found in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge last week. A passer-by found the woman's body under a blanket last Wednesday. Officials say they 'believe' they know who the woman is based on tips received from the public which led to the search of a home in Lawton where the woman may have lived. The FBI and the OSBI are jointly investigating the case. Authorities have not yet said how the woman may have died. At last report authorities said they were still trying to notify next of kin.

 

Chickasha Firm Employee Named a Top Young Achiever

A state publication recognizes a young professional working for a Chickasha-based firm. Bryan Miles, Director Operations of Willowbrook Development Company's Tulsa Office, was among a number of individuals selected by the Journal Record as being an Achiever Under 40 years old. Awards are presented to individuals who focus on making Oklahoma a better place to live. Miles has worked in construction management for 20 years. Among projects he's worked with include those for Bixby and Tahlequah Public Schools, OSU, Tulsa Tech, Connors State College, the Oklahoma Military Department, and the city of Pryor.

 

Artscope Summer Camp has Openings

Summer vacation is here and there are a number of activities to keep kids busy. The Chickasha Area Arts Council is once again holding its Artscope camp. This is the 25th year for Artscope which offers a number of courses for young artists in visual arts, music, theatre, and dance. Co-directors are Emily Hector-Godwin and Jeanie Lee. Artscope runs for two weeks from June 5^th through June 16^th at USAO from 9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Cost is $195 per student. Registration is still open and students can sign-up on-line at www.chickashaarts.org

Funding for Artscope is provided by community donors, the Chickasha Area Arts Council, The Oklahoma Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, and USAO.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.55 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $75.58.

Natural gas is $2.59 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,001 and silver is $24.06.

 

Saturday, May 20th

 

USDA Program May Interest Rural Electric Co-ops

A new USDA program offering loans and grants to electric coops to help them upgrade their systems is a topic of interest for the general manager of the Oklahoma Rural Electric Cooperatives Association. Chris Meyers tells OK Energy Today that co-ops will take a hard look at the program offering more than $10 million to boost clean-energy systems in rural areas. Meyers said there is always growth on the system and a need to replace aging infrastructure. He added that with the push toward electric vehicles and other issues they are going to need substantial investments in both rural and urban power grids. Called The NEW Empowering Rural America program (NEW Era), Meyers said it appears that the program is primarily in support of renewables and carbon reduction but there is room for projects that would make the transmission system more efficient and/or resilient.

 

PSO Agrees to Lower Rate High Request

Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) has agreed to lower a rate increase request by half its original amount. After several months of negotiations PSO officials agreed to lower its request from nearly $300 million to $155 million. Ok Energy Today reports that PSO reached the agreement with the state attorney general's office. A joint stipulation and settlement agreement were filed earlier this month by the attorney general, AARP, and the Public Utilities Division of the Corporation Commission. The proposal will be heard by an administrative law judge next week. Under the original request, residential customers would have seen monthly bills increase more than $14 per month. Under the agreement the increase would be about $3.60 per month. PSO said the need for the increase was driven by the cost of replacing outdated grid infrastructure, investments in renewable wind generation assets, the rising cost of doing business, meeting evolving customer needs such as EV charging stations, and transitioning away from coal.

 

Oil and Gas Well Activity

We have a number of oil and gas well completion and production reports to pass along.  Continental Resources filed reports on a number of wells in Grady and Garvin counties. A couple of wells south of Alex are the Silver Stratton Wells in Section 7 of Township 4 North and 5 West in the Woodford Formation. Combined they were producing about 1,100 barrels of oil and nearly 18,000 Mcf of natural gas per day. In Garvin County, Continental reported five wells on a single pad north of Hennepin producing more than 3,300 barrels of oil and more than 5,000 Mcf of natural gas daily. They were drilled to a true depth of more than 12,000 feet. Continental also reported two wells on a single pad near Ratliff City producing about 1,400 barrels of oil per day. They are the Moonraker Wells in Section 33 of Township 1 North and Three West. The wells were drilled to a true depth of nearly 8,000 feet. EOG Resources reported on the Galaxy Well north of Minco. It's in Section 24 of Township 10 North and 5 West. It was producing more than 460 barrels of oil and 300 Mcf of natural gas at a true vertical depth of 8,900 feet.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. On our KOOL Konversation our guest is Mike Sanders who is the director of the Oklahoma Broadband Office. On Real Estate Today our guest is Zach McGill who is Vice President of Engineering with HSI Sensing.  Find podcasts of both programs under the community tab on this website.

 

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Friday, May 19th

 

Chix Voters to Decide Sales Tax Plan

to Build New Water Treatment Plant 

Chickasha voters will decide if a city sales tax should be implemented in order for the city to build a new water treatment plant. In a special meeting last night the Chickasha City Council set the election for August 8^th. The measure calls for a 1 1/4 cent sales tax to cover the estimated $73 million price tag of the facility. Mayor Chris Mosley said a current 3/4 of a cent sales tax expires in December. So if the sales tax proposal is approved there would a slight increase in the local sales tax rate to 4 1/4 percent starting January 1, 2024.

DEQ Issued Mandate for Plant Improvements

Mosley said they have spent the last 18 months working with Municipal Finance Services and the Public Finance Law Group to develop a plan. That became necessary when the State Department of Environmental Quality issued the city an order to make improvements to the city's drinking water.

 

 

The city can apply for bonds from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) to pay for the project. The sales tax would be used to pay off the bonds.

City Water Rates Would Increase Dramatically if Sales Tax Doesn't Pass

However, OWRB representatives said the city had to have a contingency plan in place if the sales tax measure doesn't pass. The council last night also approved a resolution to dramatically raise water rates should voters say no to the sales tax increase. Officials say water rates would increase more than 80 percent. The average household using 5,000 gallons of water per month currently pays $34 a month - which would go up to nearly $62 per month - and that doesn't include costs for sewer and trash pick-up services that are also on monthly utility bills.

Officials: Sales Tax is the Best Option

Officials say the sales tax rate is the better option as out-of-town shoppers would help pay for the project. A 4.25 per cent sales tax rate would still keep Chickasha in the middle of the pack of similar sized cities. Blanchard and Purcell are at 5 percent; Tuttle, Pauls Valley, Weatherford, and Clinton are at 4.5 percent; and Newcastle is at 4 percent. The combined total for city, county, and state sales taxes would put Chickasha at a 9.5 percent rate.

 

Emergency Repairs OK'd for Chix Intersection

The city council also approved an emergency to make repairs to a storm damaged intersection. The intersection of 14th and Missouri Avenue was heavily damaged during torrential rains that occurred last weekend. The emergency means that the city does not have to go out for bids to make repairs. Public Works Director John Crosby says he’ll be working over the next week to find potential contractors and estimates the cost could top $200,000. He estimates crews will have to replace about 50 feet of storm drains in each direction and replace several man-holes. He's hoping to start work in about 30 days and anticipates it would take two months or longer to make the repairs.

 

USAO Regents Narrow List of Presidential Candidates

The USAO Board of Regents has narrowed its list of potential candidates to be the university's next president. The panel spent several hours interviewing candidates on Wednesday. Officials say 12 candidates applied and that the regents have whittled the list down to four finalists. There will be another round of interviews some time over the next couple of months. Current president John Feaver will be retiring December 31st after leading USAO for more than 20 years and being affiliated with the university since the early 1980s.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.86 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $75.86.

Natural gas is $2.59 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,986 and silver is $23.83.

 

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Thursday, May 18th

 

Chix City Council to Consider Sales Tax Election

The Chickasha City Council will hold a special meeting tonight to discuss scheduling an election asking city voters to increase the city's sales tax rate. Proceeds from the increase - if approved - would help pay for the construction of a new water treatment plant and various infrastructure repairs. During tonight's meeting, the council will consider asking voters to approve a 1.25 percent sales tax rate with the proceeds dedicated to those projects. Mayor Chris Mosley said a current 3/4ths of a penny sales tax being used for capital improvements is set to expire at the end of the year. If voters approve the new rate, the sales tax rate would increase from its current 3.75 percent to 4.25 percent. The proposal calls for the special election to be held August 8th. Earlier this week, the council approved going out for bids to find an engineering firm to design the new water treatment plant. The estimated price tag for a new plant is $73 million and officials said they also will attempt to get state and federal funds to help pay for the project.

Council expected to approve emergency for street repair project

The council will also consider a recommendation to declare an emergency to repair a storm-damaged intersection. Officials want to waive the competitive bidding requirements normally needed for such repairs. However, they say it's critical to the lives and health of residents and if not approved could lead to the destruction of property and cause economic loss the city or its inhabitants. The damaged intersection is at 14th and Missouri Ave. Tonight's special meeting will get underway at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

Chix City Hall to Update Utility Software;

No In-person or On-Line Payments Available Friday

In other news from Chickasha City Hall officials say they will be updating software for utility accounts tomorrow - and they won’t be unable to open or close any accounts while that work is being done. They also won't be able to accept in-person or on-line payments. Officials say customers can use a drop-box in the alley next to city hall or use the kiosk inside the Homeland grocery store to make their payments. The on-line system is expected to be back in operation on Saturday and in-person payments are anticipated to resume on Monday. Officials say customers who are facing a possible cut-off of services have another couple of days to make a payment. That has been extended to next Tuesday, May 23rd.

 

Chickasha School Year Comes to an End;

Long-time Employees Are Recognized

Today is the last day classes for students in Chickasha Public Schools. A number of staff members were recognized for their long tenure with the district this week. Johnny Riley has been a bus driver 35 years. Those with 30 years of service include Glena Brock at Grand Elementary; Charlotte Tapp at the middle school; and Renee Stallings at Bill Wallace. Those with 25 years of service include the husband and wife team of Zach and Angela Widener. Zach is a high school teacher and Angela is a high school librarian and the cross country and tennis coach. Those honored for 20 years of service include Adult Education teacher Angie Humphrey and triplets Jamie Saunier, Kristen Saunier, and Rachelle Saunier who work in transportation and maintenance. By the way, graduation ceremonies for high school seniors will be tomorrow night at 7 o'clock at the high school activity center. For those unable to attend it will be available on the school district's YouTube channel.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.42.

London-based Brent crude is $74.17.

Natural gas is $2.34 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,999 and silver is $23.68.

 

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Wednesday, May 17th

 

More County Illegal Grow Operations Shut Down;

Sheriff Steps up Efforts to Eliminate Illicit Drug Trade

Illegal marijuana growing facilities in the Alex and Rush Springs areas were shut down yesterday. Local, state, and federal agencies were involved in the raids according to a post on the Grady County Sheriff's Office Facebook page. Sheriff Gary Boggess says it’s part of his work to get illegal drugs out of the area. That includes drug traffickers who are bringing in deadly Fentanyl and other dangerous narcotics which kill thousands of people around the country every year.

 

              

 

The work is the primary responsibility of Capt. Jim Peek who works with the Drug Enforcement Administration. He is commissioned to work nationwide but his primary focus is the Grady County area. In addition to drug investigations he has a presentation which he gives at area schools and civic groups which shows the dangers of Fentanyl.

 

             

 

If you're group would like to schedule a program with Capt. Peek you can reach out to the sheriff's office by calling 405-224-0984.

 

Suspect Accused of Cattle Rustling

A Caddo County man is charged with cattle rustling. 31-year old Joshua Milton Bybee of Apache is accused of stealing several cows and a calf from a neighbor and selling them at a livestock auction. On-line court records show that Bybee is facing five felony charges of larceny of domestic animals and a misdemeanor for obtaining cash and merchandise by bogus check or false pretenses. He is out of jail after posting a $7,500 bond. He's to be back in court June 29^th for a preliminary hearing conference.

 

State Broadband Office Begins 'Listening Tour'

Officials with the Oklahoma Broadband Office are criss-crossing the state on what they call a 'listening tour'. They are getting public input to help develop a plan to get high-speed internet service to rural Oklahoma. It's called the ‘Let’s Get Digital: Oklahoma Broadband Tour’. Mike Sanders is the director of the office and says the number of Oklahomans who don't have access to high-speed internet is staggering.

 

              

 

Sanders will be in Chickasha next week as part of the listening tour. He'll be at the Chickasha Public Library on Friday, May 26^th at 4:30 p.m. Those wanting to attend are asked to register in advance by going to: oklahoma.gov/broadband/outreach

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.86 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $75.02.

Natural gas is $2.38 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,989 and silver is $23.85.

 

Obituary

Lois Snodgrass

A graveside service for Lois Snodgrass will be held at 2:00 p.m. today (May 17^th) at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

 

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Tuesday, May 16th

 

Grady County Sees Consumer Spending Increase

Consumer spending throughout Grady County in the most recent reporting period was the highest it's been in about five months. It's estimated that the February number topped $89.5 million. That's an increase of 14.8 percent from January and the best since last September. We estimate consumer spending when we see the sales tax revenue for the county. The April sales tax collections of $672,000 comes from the purchases of taxable goods and services made in February. Here's a breakdown of where that money goes which were all approved by county voters. The Grady County Fairgrounds collected $224,000; Grady Memorial Hospital received $198,000; the 20 fire districts equally shared $112,000 so each one collected $5,600; the seven senior nutrition centers also shared $112,000 so each received $16,000;  Tuttle EMS picked up $21,000; and Rush Springs EMS collected $5,000.

 

Chix School Superintendent Joins City Council

The Chickasha City Council now includes two administrators from Chickasha Public Schools. Superintendent Rick Croslin joined the panel last night. The council unanimously approved Mayor Chris Mosley's recommendation for Croslin to fill a vacant Ward 2 post. Croslin then took his oath of office and joined the panel for the rest of last night's meeting. He'll hold the office through April of next year. Croslin joins Lincoln School Principal Dr. R.P. Ashanti-Alexander who also serves on the council.

Panel approves going out for bids to design new water treatment plant

The council approved going out for bids to find an engineering firm to design a new water treatment plant. The plant would increase the city's water treatment capability from 4 1/2 million gallons to six million gallons of water per day. Estimated cost of the facility is about $73 million. The panel also approved the purchase of a new $112,000 truck to clean out sewer lines.

Zoning exemption for goats, horses in city limits denied

A proposal for a special zoning exemption to allow horses and goats on property in the city limits was unanimously turned down by the council. Davina and Roosevelt May were seeking the exemption to allow the animals on about 7 1/2 acres of property in the 2400 block of S. 24th. Despite a planning commission recommendation to approve the exemption the council denied the request after some neighbors argued against part of the proposal during a public hearing.

Retired fighter recognized; 4th of July parade OK'd

The council also recognized the service of firefighter John Marshall Clift. Mayor Mosley presented Clift with a retirement watch for his 25 years of service. The council also approved a 4th of July parade to go through Shannon Springs Park to be held prior to the annual fireworks display. The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce will organize the parade to include decorated ATVs, motorcycles, and bicycles.

 

Grady County VFW Faces Crossroads in Meeting

An important meeting will be held for military veterans tonight if they want to keep the local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) post from closing. Grady County VFW Post 11201 will have an election of officers and if there aren't enough veterans to fill every office the post will have its charter revoked. VFW is for any veteran who has served in a war zone whether they saw combat duty or not. Tonight's meeting will be held at the Grady County Veterans Center downtown Chickasha at 6th and Chickasha Avenue starting at 6:30 p.m.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.11 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $74.17.

Natural gas is $2.38 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,014 and silver is $24.06.

 

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Monday, May 15th

 

Chix City Council to Seek Bids to Design New Water Treatment Plant

The Chickasha City Council is expected to approve going out for bids to find an engineering firm to lead the work to design a new water treatment plant. A feasibility study is available for potential firms to review. The move should take place tonight during a regularly scheduled city council meeting. The existing water plant treats about 4 1/2 million gallons of water per day. The project calls for the new facility to process up to 6 million gallons of water per day. The estimated cost of the new plant is $73 million with potential funding sources being local funds in addition to state and federal aid.  Interested firms are to submit proposals by May 19th.

School superintendent recommended to fill empty council seat

Chickasha School Superintendent Rick Croslin may have some extra duties soon. Mayor Chris Mosley is recommending that Croslin fill a vacant seat on the city council. The seat has been empty since Nate McCalla stepped down from his Ward 2 post earlier this year. The council will vote on the recommendation tonight.

Officials recommend truck purchase to clean sewer lines

The council may also purchase a used sewer jet and flusher truck to clean out city sewer lines. Officials are recommending a 2015 Ford F-450 diesel truck from J and R Equipment of Oklahoma City at a cost not to exceed $112,000. It's a diesel truck which has equipment that can clean lines blocked by tree roots, grease, sludge, rags, and foreign objects. Officials say the truck would be easier to drive and maneuver than a current 16-year old truck which is constantly in the shop. Officials say it costs $3,000 a week to rent smaller models which are in high-demand and that it is hard to find companies to respond to calls in a timely manner.

 

Local Companies Approved for Dep't of Commerce Program

Several area firms have been approved to participate in a state program that will help them expand their operations. They are taking part in the Oklahoma Innovation Expansion Program (OIEP) through the Oklahoma Department of Commerce. The agency received more than 220 applications after opening the program earlier this year. 178 were approved for a combined total of more than $13 million in assistance. The program will make monthly cash payment awards to companies in the form of payroll tax rebates to help them grow and boost business expansion investments in the state. To receive an award the applications had to be innovative projects which would expand the capabilities of existing companies and lead to supply chain resiliency or be designed to target new markets. Companies were required to have a minimum annual payroll of $625,000 and a minimum capital investment of $50,000. Regional companies approved include HSI Sensing of Chickasha for $150,000; Taylor and Sons Pipe and Steel of Chickasha for $135,000; Rivers Edge Countertops of Newcastle for $40,000; and Matador Foods of Blanchard for $24,000. Department of Commerce officials say every dollar in OIEP funding is leveraging more than $7 in private sector funds.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.04 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $74.17.

Natural gas is $2.27 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,020 and silver is $24.22.

 

Saturday, May 13th

Weather Service Works to Determine Tornado Count

Officials with the National Weather Service are working to confirm how many tornadoes may have touched down in this spring's most recent outbreak. Officials began surveying 13 areas of damage where twisters were reported Thursday night. One of them was near the town of Cole, which was just hit by an EF-3 tornado last month that caused massing destruction and killed three people. Weather service crews are looking through data from possible tornadoes near Ninnekah, Rush Springs, Dibble, Tuttle, and Bridge Creek. There was significant damage in downtown Noble. Authorities have not yet released the ratings on Thursday night's twisters.

Spotter Sees Twister Near Alex

Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson said a storm spotter in Alex reported a weak tornado touched down briefly, spinning up some hay in a field. Thompson said no significant damage was reported from tornado warnings that were issued in Rush Springs or Ninnekah. There were damage reports in the Dibble area in McClain County.

 

Two Suspects Arrested in Connection with Lawton Break-in

Suspects from Chickasha and Cement have been arrested in connection with a burglary in Lawton. Christopher Warren Marker of Chickasha and Ester Knight of Cement, both 34, were reportedly caught in the act of breaking into a wrecker company. Both have been formally charged in Comanche District Court with burglary and knowingly receiving, concealing, and/or with holding stolen property. Knight's bond was set at $50,000 and Marker's bond was set at $10,000.

 

State Gets Millions in Fed Funds to Build EV Charging Network

Oklahoma has received millions of dollars in federal funds which will be used to build an electric vehicle (EV) charging network. Officials with the State Department of Transportation (ODOT) will hold a meeting later this month to explain how it intends to use the $66 million over the next five years through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program (NEVI).  The website OK Energy Today reports the funding for the first year is nearly $23 million which will be used to start construction of charging stations along interstate highways. ODOT is mobilizing business leaders, manufacturers, contractors, vendors, and other interested parties to join efforts to bring EV charging stations to the Sooner State. The state agency will be releasing a Request for Proposals or RFPs for stakeholders to review. Companies will be able to receive up to 80 percent of their costs to build, operate, and maintain compliant EV charging stations. There will be a virtual Zoom meeting on Tuesday, May 30th for those interested in getting details. The RFPs are expected to be posted in July with proposals to be submitted in September and selected proposals to be awarded funding in October.

 

Talk Show Topics

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess and Capt. Jim Peek with the Drug Enforcement Administration are on the KOOL Konversation program. On Real Estate Today, guests are broker Suehzen Mosely with Century 21/Mosley Real Estate and staff members Kayla Quillin, Maddie Mosley, and Blair Schoppa. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

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Friday, May 12th

 

Tornadoes Again Strike Central Oklahoma

Another round of severe weather last night had the National Weather Service issuing several tornado warnings. There were reports of more damage in the small town of Cole which was which was hit by an EF-3 tornado last month. A tornado in downtown Noble caused structure damage and downed power lines. Officials in McClain County set up a command post in Goldsby to assist.

Several Grady County Tornado Warnings Issued

Several tornado warnings were issued in Grady County as the massive storm system continued to build. The first was issued just east of Tuttle which was followed by warnings for storms south of Ninnekah and in Rush Springs. There were no immediate reports of damage. The threat for severe weather will continue tonight and through the middle of next week as weather forecasters say thunderstorms could bring baseball sized hail, 80 mile per hour winds, locally heavy rain, and tornadoes.

 

State Dep't of Corrections Re-Opens Hinton Prison

The Oklahoma Department of Corrections is re-opening the prison in Hinton. The Great Plains Correctional Center had been closed for about two years after a contract with a private operator was not renewed. The prison is within the district served by State Rep. Dick Lowe (R-Amber). In a prepared statement, Lowe said it's great to see the facility back up and running and that it will bring a number of jobs back to Caddo County. Corrections officials say the decision to re-open the Hinton facility was made after a contract with a private firm operating the prison in Sayre was not re-newed. Employees at the Sayre prison will have the opportunity to make the transition to Hinton. Officials have begun moving inmates from Sayre to Hinton and the facility is expected to be fully operational by July 1st.

 

Letter Carriers to 'Stamp Out Hunger' with Food Drive

Letter carriers in local neighborhoods are joining fellow carriers across the country for a nationwide food drive. The National Association of Letters Carriers hold their Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive the second Saturday in May every year to re-stock local food pantries. Postal patrons should have received a plastic bag in the mail this week as well as a post card to remind them of the food drive. Postal customers are asked to put non-perishable food items in the bags and place them next to their mail boxes tomorrow and they'll be picked up when mail is delivered. Donation boxes are also located in many post offices for those who have post office boxes. The drive is supported by the Regional Food Banks of Oklahoma.

 

Lots to do in Chickasha This Weekend

(EDITOR'S NOTE - The Extreme Monster Truck Spring Nationals scheduled for the Grady County Fairgrounds this week have been postponed until August. For those who purchased tickets in advance, those tickets will be honored at the August show)

There is a lot of activity in and around Chickasha over the next several days. The Chickasha Antique Auto Club continues its spring swap meet just east of the Grady County Fairgrounds. There is also an arts and crafts show piggy-backing with the swap meet in the north exhibit building at the fairgrounds. There are also town-wide garage sales all weekend.

Monthly Art Walk on Tap

Also scheduled tonight is the monthly art walk in downtown Chickasha held on the second Friday of each month. Dozens of artists will display their works with many businesses open after hours. There will also be performing artists ranging from musicians, to belly dancers, to glass blowers. It costs nothing to take the family for a walk downtown to enjoy the art and interact with the artisans.  That will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. weather permitting.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.87 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $74.98.

Natural gas is $2.19 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,008 and silver is $23.94.

 

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Thursday, May 11th

 

'Suspicious' Fire Destroys Vacant Commercial Building

A fire that destroyed a vacant warehouse near downtown Chickasha yesterday remains under investigation. The blaze destroyed a building that was previously used by the Stephens Oil Company in the 500 block of North 6th Street. Chickasha Fire Chief Tony Samaniego said a 9-1-1 call alerted authorities to the fire about 12:30 yesterday afternoon. The metal building was nearly fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. Samaniego said their efforts were hampered because none of the three nearby fire hydrants were fully functional. So they called in support from the Grady County Fire Department with Ninnekah and Friend volunteer departments sending in tankers to provide water to help douse the flames. Samaniego said the building had been vacant for years. The 3,000 sq. ft. building was a total loss with the value estimated upwards of $45,000. Samaniego said the cause of the fire is suspicious in nature. Building owners said that they have had issues with transients going in and out of the building. Crews were on the scene for more than three hours.

 

OHCE Groups Celebrate Their 'Week'

Oklahoma Home and Community Education groups across the state are marking OHCE week. There are OHCE groups in every county and there are about 3,000 members statewide. There are six OHCE groups in Grady County with a combined membership of more than 100 women and men. Each holds monthly educational meetings and discuss the needs of the communities they serve. Coming up this summer, Grady County OHCE will hold a ‘Kitchen Basics for Youth’ class. Tammy Watts reviews the course.

 

              

 

 

She said the final day of the program there will be a food showdown competition. Classes will be held each Tuesday and Thursday in July at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Contact the Grady County OSU Extension Office for information by calling 4054-224-2216.

 

Obituary

Mary Wood

A memorial service for Mary Wood, 100, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 15^th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

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Wednesday, May 10th

 

CV Tech School Board sets Multi-Million Bond Issue Election

Voters in Grady and Canadian counties will decide a multi-million dollar bond issue for the Canadian Valley Technology Center school district later this year.  A $75 million bond issue will be on ballots. Superintendent Gayla Lutts says among the improvements will be safety and security upgrades for the Chickasha campus and improvements and expansion of  the first responder program at the El Reno campus.

 

              

 

The special bond election will be on ballots in September.

 

Antique Auto Swap Meet About to Begin

Vendors for this weekend's Chickasha Antique Auto Club's spring swap meet will be arriving today. The spring swap meet attracts thousands of visitors around the world looking for hard-to-find parts or even fully restored vehicles. While the vendors will be arriving today the swap meet won't officially open until tomorrow and will run through Saturday. Most of the vendors will be on the 30-plus acre site owned by the antique auto club just east of the Grady County Fairgrounds. Other vendors will be located on the fairgrounds property in the north exhibit building where there will also be an arts and crafts show Friday and Saturday. Admission to the swap meet is free while paid parking will benefit local charities. In support of the swap meet there will be town-wide garage sales and residents will not have to get permits from city hall.

 

Chickasha Altrusa Group Honored at District Convention

A Chickasha group receives some recognition at a multi-state meeting.  Altrusa International of Chickasha was presented with a Distinguished Service Award at the Altrusa District 8  conference in Tulsa recently. Members of more than 100 Altrusa clubs from Oklahoma, Missouri, Kansas, and Arkansas attended. The award was issued for the Chickasha group’s work with the Chickasha GED Awards and Reception program for issuing scholarships and awards to graduating GED students for more than 20 years. The local group won first place in membership growth and placed third in the district display competition. Altrusa President-elect Cassie Poole was presented with the Rising Star in Leadership award; Laura Wijkowski was inducted to serve on the district board; Christy Clift was inducted as first vice governor for the district; and Altrusa Foundation president-elect Sarah Davis was recognized as the district's newest member.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $73.71 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $77.44.

Natural gas is $2.27 per million BTUS.

Gold is $2,038 and silver is $25.81.

 

Obituary

Albert Parker

A graveside service for Albert Parker, 85, formerly of the Bradley area will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 15th at the Alex Cemetery. He was a U.S. Navy veteran. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

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Tuesday, May 9th

 

OHP Continues Investigation of Fatal Crash

The highway patrol is still investigating a fatal crash that occurred just outside Ninnekah yesterday. A semi and an SUV collided at the intersection of U.S. Highways 81 and 277 just after 4 p.m. Killed in the crash was 48-year old David Boyd of Ft. Smith, Arkansas who was the driver of the SUV. A passenger, 53-year old Lisa Boyd also of Ft. Smith, was taken to a Norman hospital by Chickasha EMS where she was treated and released. The driver of the semi, 55-year old Anthony Phillips of McLoud, was not injured. A portion of Highway 81 was shut down for about four hours after the crash.

 

Suspects Formally Charged After Drug-related Arrests

Four people arrested in Chickasha for drug-related crimes last week were formally charged in Grady County District Court yesterday. Traydon Sledge, Sandra Robinson, Kristi Robinson, and Cameron Mitchell were all arrested last Friday following an investigation by the Grady County Sheriff's Office and Drug Enforcement Adminstration. 31-year old Traydon Sledge was charged with distribution and his bond set at $175,000. Prosecutors also filed a motion to revoke his probation from a previous guilty plea of a drug charge stemming from a 2014 arrest. 59-year old Sandra Robinson was charged with distribution and maintaining a place for keeping or selling drugs with her bond at $100,000. Sandra’s daughter, 34-year old Kristi Robinson was charged with felony child neglect and misdemeanor drug charges with bond set at $50,000. 24-year old Cameron Mitchell was charged with two misdemeanor drug charges and his bond was set at $2,500.

 

Anadarko Boil Order issued After Water Line Repair

Residents in Anadarko are encouraged to boil their tap water following repairs of a water line break. The break was discovered last week on Central Boulevard near East 3rd Street. City Manager Richard Rogalski said crews initially tried to patch the ruptured pipe but were unsuccessful. They spent all day Monday replacing a five-foot section of the 12-inch diameter pipe and much of the city had no or low water pressure. The cost for parts and a new valve was about $4,000.  Rogalski said the state Department of Environmental Quality issued the voluntary boil order to run for 48-hours or until they get two consecutive negative tests for bacteria.

 

Public Hearings on Tap for Chix Planning Commission

Public hearings for a zoning exemption to allow horses and goats in one Chickasha neighborhood and use-on-review permit for a home day care in another will be held by the Chickasha Planning Commission this afternoon. Davina and Roosevelt May want to have horses and goats at their home in the 2400 block of South 20th. Terry and Kimberly Cole are asking for a use-on-review for a day care in the 1100 block of South 5th Street. Another public hearing will be held for a rezoning request for Mike McGill to expand his OK Carpet Store at 15th and Missouri.

 

Construction Impacts Highway 9 Traffic Near Ft. Cobb

Here’s a traffic advisory for motorists in Caddo County. Portions of State Highway 9 between Ft. Cobb and the Apache Y will be closed intermittently due to ongoing highway construction. There could be delays and congestion and officials with the state department of transportation suggests motorists find an alternate route. ODOT also says motorists should be aware of lane shifts through the summer while the construction project is underway.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $73.16 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $77.01.

Natural gas is $2.24 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,036 and silver is $25.82.

 

Obituaries

Mack Alexander

Funeral service for Mack Alexander, 61, of Norman and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 11th at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Delores Austin

Funeral service for Delores Austin, 84, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 13th at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

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Monday, May 8th

 

Sheriff's Office, DEA Make More Drug Arrests

Armed with arrest warrants, law enforcement officials rounded up of several more suspected drug dealers late last week. Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess said deputies and agents with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) made a number of arrests in Chickasha during pre-dawn hours Friday. Boggess posted information on the sheriff's office Facebook page that four individuals were arrested on drug charges which include distribution of Fentanyl near a school, conspiracy to distribute controlled and dangerous drugs, maintaining a dwelling to distribute drugs, drug possession, and child endangerment. Boggess identified the suspects as Traydon Sledge, Sandra Robinson, Kristi Robinson, and Cameron Mitchell. All are expected to have their initial appearances on the charges in Grady County District Court today.

 

Anadarko Water Line Break May Leave City Without Water

The City of Anadarko could be without water for much of the day. A broken main water line was discovered late last week and authorities say they'll begin repairs this morning. Officials announced on the city's Facebook page that much of the community may have no or low water pressure for six to eight hours. Officials say if that happens that the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) will require a boil order for 48 hours. The Facebook post indicates that individuals who have questions can call water plant supervisor Kim Goodin, 405-933-4655.

 

Chickasha School Classes End Soon; Officials Plan for Summer School 

There are just two weeks of classes remaining in the school year for Chickasha Public Schools. Graduation is set for Friday, May 19th. Tonight, the Chickasha school board will consider a proposal for summer school for students in the middle school, Lincoln, Grand, and Bill Wallace schools. Summer school for Grand and Bill Wallace will be June 5th through 29^th while it will be different for Lincoln and Middle School students. The plan is to hold summer school for just one week in late July as a 'jump start' to next school year which will begin in early August. That will be a four-day program to run July 24th through 28^th, pending school board approval.

Officials seek additional funds for new athletic projects

The school board will also consider a change-order for the construction underway for the new track-and-field competition area and the new football field. Officials are asking for an additional $10,000 to purchase covers for the sand pits to minimize wind erosion and to prevent weed and grass from growing. The funds would also be used to purchase some coverings for the new track that is being installed around the football field. They would help protect the track surface from damage by the cleats of football players who walk across the track. The funds would come from the bond issue passed last fall the fund the projects.

Employees to be cited for going 'Above and Beyond' their duties

The panel is to recognize a number of employees as going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty or what officials call the ABCD awards. They are Melissa James at Bill Wallace; Anita Nacoste-Wilkins at Grand; Michelle Fowler at Lincoln; Kendra Curtis at the middle school; Pam Brandt at the high school; Cindy Ferguson at the adult learning center; Evelyn Taylor-Griswold in child nutrition; Jeff Kinsey in maintenance; Mike Minard in transportation; and Patty Balinger at the administration office. The school board meets at 6 o'clock tonight at the school administration building.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.34 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $75.30.

Natural gas is $2.14 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,031 and silver is $25.87.

 

Saturday, May 6th

 

Broadband Service Expanding in Rural Areas

There is some progress regarding the expansion of broadband service in Oklahoma. 100,000 Oklahomans who previously did not have access to high-speed internet are now connected to the World Wide Web. A group called the Cooperative Broadband Coalition made the announcement this week. KOKH-TV reported that the group's chairman said that 10 electric co-ops with fiber subsidiaries are seeing expansion rates as high as 52 percent in rural areas - collectively adding about 2,000 subscribers each month. It was noted that having broadband service helps people get connected to tele-medicine, virtual learning, and allow them to work at home. A state broadband office has been created to assist with the expansion of broadband service to rural areas.

 

More on PSO's Plan to Use Green Energy to Produce Electricity

We have another follow-up regarding the corporation commission's approval of Public Service Company of Oklahoma's (PSO) plan to purchase wind and solar farms. The massive $2.5 billion effort will allow PSO and its parent company American Electric Power (AEP) to slowly reduce its dependence on natural gas to power its electricity production - and at the same time lower the monthly bills of consumers. The website OK Energy Today reports that Corporation Commission chairman Todd Hiett praised the plan, saying it's one of the most well-structured settlements he has seen and believes it has adequate protection for rate payers. He said it sets up a framework that protects consumers and at the same time meet the needs of the company for capacity. Commission member Kim David said she appreciates the fact that PSO's parent company wants to be green and that there are tax credits available for green energy generation - adding that she appreciates the fact that future project requests will include other sources of energy in addition to solar and wind. There will be a temporary increase in monthly bills in 2025. It's estimated that the average PSO residential household using 1,100 kilowatt hours of electricity per month will pay about $2 a month more. In 2026 rates are projected to drop about $2.65 per month which would be about 65 cents less per month than current costs.

 

Additional Grady County FFAers Awarded at State Meeting

A few more Grady County FFA students were recognized for their achievements at the state FFA convention in Tulsa this week. Amanda Richardson and Allyson Arthur of Chickasha and Aaron Chestnutt of Rush Springs were all noted for their accomplishments. Richardson earned first place in the Agriculture Communications Proficiency Award area and received a $1,000 scholarship. Arthur earned a second place in the Agricultural Processing Proficiency Award area. Chestnutt won the talent show competition which had more than 50 participants. It's the third straight year for Chestnutt to take part in the talent show. He plays guitar harmonica, and sings - ala Bob Dylan. He covered the Zach Bryan song Something in the Orange. He's hoping to perform at the National FFA Convention this fall.

 

Talk Show Topics

Tammy Watts with Grady County OHCE is this week’s guest on the KOOL Konversation. On Real Estate Today guests are from Canadian Valley Technology Center including Superintendent Gayla Lutts, Chickasha Campus Director Ronnie Bogle, and Marketing Director Kathy Knox. We have podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

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Friday, May 5th

 

Biological Mother of Athena Brownfield Arrested

There is a new development regarding the investigation into the death of Athena Brownfield. She's the four-year old girl from Cyril who was reported missing earlier this year and her body found buried in the Agawam area. The OSBI arrested Brownfield's biological mother, Jasmin Brownfield yesterday. Details of her arrest were not available, but there are reports she was taken to the Payne County Jail. Brownfield is facing two charges of child neglect by abandonement in Caddo County. Athena Brownfield was first reported missing in January. Her five-year old sister was found wandering in a Cyril neighborhood when a letter carrier reported the child was alone. That led to a week-long search for Athena and the arrests of two people who were supposed  to be taking care of the children. Ivon and Alysisa Adams were both taken into custody. Investigators allege that Ivon beat Athena to death and then buried the body.  Ivon Adams is facing a murder charge and is being held in the Caddo County jail without bond. Alysia Adams is jailed on two counts of child neglect in Caddo County. They have preliminary hearing conferences later this month.

 

Corporation Commission OKs PSO's Renewable Energy Project

The Oklahoma Corporation Commission gives PSO approval to move forward with a nearly $2.5 billion purchase for a renewable energy project. PSO is working to purchase three solar farms and three wind farms located in Kansas and the Texas Panhandle. The move is expected to provide PSO with nearly 1,000 megawatts of power production capacity. Just last week, Oklahoma Attorney General Genter Drummond announced a settlement between PSO and a number of groups supporting the project. Gentner said it offered significant protections for PSO customers. Initially, PSO consumers will see their bills increase about $2 per month beginning in 2025 but they would drop about $2.60 per month in 2026.

 

Earthquake Recorded in Grady County

Some of the rumbling and shaking some Grady County residents may have experienced Thursday morning may not have been from thunderstorms that moved through the region. An earthquake was recorded in the Pocasset area. The Oklahoma Geological Survey indicates that a minor tremor was recorded about 6:38 a.m. It intially registered 3.2 on the Richter Scale but was revised downward to 2.7. The epicenter was about four miles west-northwest of Pocasset at a depth of about three-and-a-half miles. There was no word of damage.  A number of area residents reported to the geological survey that they felt the tremor. Others who may have felt the quake are asked to report their experiences on the website: www.earthquake.usgs.gov

 

Andarko to Host 2nd Annual First Responder Day

First responders from across the state will be in Anadarko tomorrow for a meet-and-greet with residents. The Anadarko Police Department and Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 118 are serving as hosts. There will be a helicopter, K-9 officers, and taser demonstrations and others. Kid-friendly activities include a bounce house and face painting, and free hot dogs, ice pops, and chips. The free event takes place from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. tomorrow at the Anadarko Police Department.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $68.56 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $72.50.

Natural gas is $2.10 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,045 and silver is $26.17.

 

Obituary

Herbert Chasten

Funeral service for Herbert Chasten, 89, of Chickasha and formerly of Ft. Cobb will be held Thursday, May 11th in Rose Hill, North Carolina.  Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

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Thursday, May 4th

 

Some Opposed to Add Chisholm Trail to National Trail Program

A plan developed by the National Park Service would designate the Chisholm Trail and the Great Western Trails in the central plains region as National Trails. But the proposal is facing some Oklahoma opposition. Some of those against the plan say it would put privately-owned property under government control - and landowners who agree to allow easements along the trail would be subject to being told how they can use their land. The two trails were largely used in the late 1800s for cattle drives that ran from San Antonio, Texas to Kansas and Nebraska. In Oklahoma, the Chisholm Trail runs roughly along U.S. Highway 81. A feasibility study and an environmental assessment for the project was completed in May of 2019. Grady County Commissioners recently voted to not support the proposal.

 

Youth Rodeo State Finals in Chix This Weekend

Youth rodeoers from Oklahoma and nearby states are headed to Chickasha this weekend for the state finals of the Heart of Oklahoma Youth Rodeo Association. Some members come from as far away as Mississippi. Riders ages 19-and-under will compete in the season finale. Members compete about once a month from August through April of each year accumulating points in each event in hopes of making it to the state finals. Competitions this year have been in Woodward, Shawnee, Duncan, and Chickasha. There are four different age groups in events that include barrel racing, break-away roping, team roping, tie-down calf roping, and steer stopping. More than 170 youth will compete in events at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Check-in is today with the Grand Entry kicking off the event tomorrow morning. Rodeo events are scheduled Friday and Saturday and there will be a Cowboy Church Sunday morning, followed by an awards ceremony.

 

YMCA's Open Streets Returns for 6th Year

Downtown Chickasha will again be a hub of activity this Saturday for the 6th annual Open Streets campaign. Open Streets is part of an international campaign to encourage families to be active and live healthy lives. More than 30 vendors will have booths with various activities like jump rope, hula hoop, corn hole and others. Among the most popular areas will be inflatable water slides. The Chickasha Fire Department and Grady County Sheriff's Office will have touch-a-truck events and several food trucks will be on hand. Chickasha Avenue will be closed to through traffic from the railroad depot from 1^st through 3^rd Streets. Activities are all free although food trucks will charge for their products. Open Streets will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.

 

FFAers Recognized at State Convention

Some regional FFA students are making things happen at the state convention this week. Clara Duncan of Chickasha was named the new state FFA reporter and the Amber-Pocasset chapter won the Sweepstakes Award. It's the 19^th time since 1992 that Ampo won the award by compiling the most points collectively out of some 275 single-teacher chapters in career development events. Billy Scott is the ag teacher for Ampo FFA.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $68.60.

London-based Brent crude is  $72.33.

Natural gas is $2.17 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,046 and silver is $25.90.

 

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Wednesday, May 3rd

 

State Marks Anniversary of May 3rd Tornadoes

Today is the 24th anniversary of the May 3rd, 1999 tornado outbreak in Oklahoma. One of the largest and deadliest tornadoes that Monday night caused death and destruction along a nearly 40 mile path through central Oklahoma. One of the first tornadoes touched down east of Apache and levelled a home south of Verden and caused significant damage at the Chickasha airport. A few minutes another twister first touched down near Amber at 6:23 p.m. and grew to a powerful EF-5 tornado with wind speeds of more than 300 miles per hour. The twister destroyed a mobile home park in Bridge Creek where four people died then moved on to the Moore and Oklahoma City areas causing widespread distruction. Wikipedia reports the twister was on the ground for nearly an hour-and-a-half and killed 36 people and injured hundreds more. Nearly 10,000 homes and apartments, 260 businesses, 11 public buildings, and seven churches were either destroyed or damaged resulting in an estimated $1 billon in damage. 

 

Chix City Council Schedules Special Budget Work Session

With just two months left in the fiscal year for city, county, and state governments, the push is on for officials to finalize budgets for the 2023-24 fiscal year which starts July 1st. The Chickasha City Council will hold a work session this weekend to discuss budgets for it’s three branches of city governments including all the departments at city hall; the Chickasha Municipal Authority; and the airport. The work session will be at city hall at 10:00 a.m.  Saturday, May 6th and is open to the public. A final budget proposal will undergo a public hearing during a regularly scheduled council meeting with a final budget to be approved prior to June 30^th.

 

Chickasha's Juneteenth Celebration Returns

For the first time in four years, Chickasha will have a Juneteenth celebration. Juneteenth marks the anniversary of when slaves in the south first heard the news that they were free. It came more than a year and half after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in June of 1863. The celebration will be a two-day event on Friday June 16th and Saturday, June 17th. Friday evening at Washita Valley Park there will be a barbecue cook-off, an outdoor movie, and family-friendly games. Saturday morning there will be a parade, followed by opening ceremonies at the park at 11:00 a.m. with live music, food, and more games that afternoon. For more information see the Chickasha Juneteenth Celebration Facebook page.

 

Chickasha Clean-up Campaign Underway

The City of Chickasha will hold a city-wide clean-up campaign for the rest of the week. There will be one site for residents to take debris and unwanted items. Roll-off dumpsters will be at the Public Works Headquarters on Genevieve Street north of the Grady County Fairgrounds and the city's animal shelter. The site will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. today, tomorrow, and Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Users will have to show a utility bill from the city. They will not be accepting motor oil, paint, hazardous chemicals or materials, or tires.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.66 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $75.32.

Natural gas is $2.21 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,024 and silver is $25.59.

 

Obituaries

Jason South

A memorial service for Jason South, 56, of Chickasha will be held at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 10^th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He was a well-known hairdresser.

Peter Richardson

Funeral service for Peter Richardson, 49, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 13th at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

Hebert Chasten

Funeral service Hebert Chasten, 89, is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.

 

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Tuesday, May 2nd

 

FEMA Opens Disaster Asssistance Centers

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has opened disaster recovery centers in McClain and Pottawatomie counties to help survivors and all those affected by the tornadoes and severe weather that swept through those areas April 19^th and 20^th. The McClain County site will be at the Cole Community Center and will be open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Storm victims will be able to apply for assistance, learn the status of FEMA applications, and get help to understand any letters they may have received from FEMA. There will be information about the Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster assistance loan program and officials will provide referrals to other agencies that may offer assistance. Storm victims don't have to visit a disaster recovery center to apply for help. Officials say the fastest and easiest way to apply is by going to the website:

www.disasterassistance.gov

 

Proposed TIF District Comes Under Fire

A proposal to create what's called a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) District is being considered by a city panel. Such a district can be formed to help provide tax relief to developing businesses in a designated area. The plan being considered by The Chickasha Industrial Authority (CIA) came under some criticism during last night's city council meeting. Torry Wise said there are already measures in place that can help with business development.

 

              

 

 

The CIA discussed the idea in a recent meeting but took no action.

 

RV Park Expansion Approved

The council approved the expansion of an RV park in the city limits. The panel ok'd the plan for the Pecan Grove RV Resort located on Almar Drive between 4th and 9th Streets. The council first approved the re-zoning of a residential area to commercial use for the expansion then approved a use-on-review permit. Both had been recommended by the city's planning commission. The expansion will allow park owners Glen and Gina Snedeker to add 14 more spaces which will bring its total number available to 124.

Lake Chickasha-area Mineral Rights to be Auctioned

The council also approved scheduling an auction for the mineral rights on about 460 acres of city-owned property at Lake Chickasha. The auction will be held during a future council meeting.

Cost for Airport Fuel Pump Project Increases

The group also approved an increase in the price for upgrading and replacing fuel pumps at the Chickasha Airport. Last month, the panel approved spending up to $50,000 but that was increased to a cost of $55,000.

No Action Taken on 'Pending Investigation' of EDC

The council spent just over an hour in a closed-door session to discuss a pending investigation of the Chickasha Economic Development Council in regards to use of taxpayer funds. The council took no action on the matter.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.66 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.54.

Natural gas is $2.32 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,994 and silver is $25.00.

 

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Monday, May 1st

 

Lake Chickasha Mineral Rights to be Discussed

Auctions for the mineral leases of about 500 acres of land around Lake Chickasha will be considered by the Chickasha City Council tonight. There is a 360-acre tract and a 130-acre tract available. If approved, the leases will be put up for sale at an auction to be held during a future meeting.

Panel to consider RV Park Expansion Plan

The council will hold a couple of public hearings to consider a re-zoning request for the expansion of an RV park. Glen and Gina Snedeker are looking to expand the Pecan Grove RV Resort. The first public hearing is to consider rezoning property at 402 West Almar Drive from residential to commercial use. The second public hearing is to consider a Use on Review permit to allow for the expansion. This would be phase five of the park.

ODOT Grant to Help Make Improvements to City Park

The council will also consider an agreement with the state Department of Transportation (ODOT) to upgrade the walking trails at Shannon Springs Park. The city has been approved for an 80-20 matching grant with ODOT to make the improvements. The total cost of the proposal is just over $1.8 million with the city's share to be about $360,000.

Executive Session Set to Discuss 'Pending investigation' of EDC

The council will go behind closed doors to discuss what officials say is a 'pending investigation' into the Chickasha Economic Development Council in conjunction with the use of taxpayer funds, including funds dispersed pursuant to grants.

Bids for Water System Upgrades to be Sought

In the Chickasha Municipal Authority section of the meeting the panel will consider advertising for bids for water distribution upgrades for a section of town east of 4th Street between Missouri and Alabama Avenues. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.

 

USAO Professor to Discuss Research in Europe

A USAO professor will be presenting an original research paper in Germany. Dr. Zach Simpson, professor of religion and philosophy will discuss his research at the Institute for American Religious and Philosophical Thought in Berlin June 12^th-15^th. A press release from the university indicates it is part of a larger research project which examines how western ideas of individuality evolved and what they might mean for society. The theme of the conference focuses on borders and boundaries and welcomes scholars with inter-disciplinary backgrounds to discuss their work.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.78 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $79.54.

Natural gas is $2.41 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,994 and silver is $25.38.

 

Obituary

Loretta McGill

Funeral service for Loretta McGill, 69, of Rush Springs will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 2^nd at Ferguson Funeral Home. She was a beautician and cared for individuals with disabilities.

Saturday, April 29th

 

Rural Lawmakers Work to Build a Better Future for Non-Urban Regions

New policies, procedures, and laws to help spur development in rural Oklahoma are always being considered at the state capital. But there are several factors involved that no one can control including the economy, federal environmental policy, and the weather. The Oklahoman reports that state lawmakers in rural areas gather weekly to discuss issues. State Senator Darcy Jech (R-Kingfisher) whose district includes Caddo County leads a group of rural senators. They agree that agriculture and oil and gas production are at the top of the list but are difficult to manage. Among the areas that are key for the long-term include broadband service. Officials say the service is not just for cell phones. It's needed for modern irrigation systems, fire management, and business needs. Workforce development is also critical. While career-tech centers are doing what they can, Gov. Stitt this year formed the Workforce Transformation Task Force to come up with recommendations. Lawmakers are also considering a bill which would create an Oklahoma Workforce Commission. Health care is also important as officials say there has been a shortage of health care access in rural areas over the last three decades. Economic development is another area of concern. Last year, rural state lawmakers were able to get $250 million in Progressing Rural Economic Prosperity funds approved in an attempt to get new projects started.

 

Weekend Fundraisers

Juneteenth

There are a couple weekend fundraisers designed to support some good programs and allow individuals to stay out of the kitchen. Today, Chickasha's Bullock Memorial Center will hold a baked-potato fundraiser to support the Juneteenth Celebration which will be held in mid-June. Chickasha hasn't had a Juneteenth celebration since before the pandemic. It runs from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Bullock Center at 917 S. 1st. The donation is $10 per person.

Naples Fire Department

Tomorrow, the Naples Fire Department will hold its community appreciation fish fry. It is free and open to the public but donations are welcome. In addition to the fish fry there will be a silent auction. The event will be from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. tomorrow (Sunday, April 30^th). The Naples Fire Department is on the Alex Highway north of State Highway 39.

 

Talk Show Topics

Candace Smith and Bud Andrus with the Chickasha Antique Auto Club are guests on the KOOL Konversation. Spencer Wizenried, the director of the City of Chickasha’s Parks and Recreation Department is this week’s guest on Real Estate Today. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.

 

Obituary

Loretta McGill

Funeral service for Loretta McGill, 69, of Rush Springs will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 2nd at Ferguson Funeral Home. She was a beautician and cared for individuals with disabilities.

 

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Friday, April 28th

 

Attorney General Approves Agreement Allowing

PSO to Pursue Purchase of Wind and Solar Farms

Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) and its parent company American Electric Power (AEP) get to move forward with plans to purchase a number of wind and solar farms. If approved, the purchase is expected to eventually lower utility costs for consumers – however that would occur after a brief increase in rates. Oklahoma Attorney General Genter Drummond approved a settlement agreement with PSO allowing the utility to continue efforts to purchase three wind farms and three solar farms. If approved, it is expected to provide nearly 1,000 additional megawatts of power production capacity to the utility. The combined cost of the farms is $2.5 billion. If approved by the Corporation Commission the purchase would increase monthly bills by about $2 per month in 2025, but the following year utility bills would go down about $2.60 per month. The acquisition is also expected to allow PSO to provide more power in times of need.

 

Efforts to Record Histories of Indigenous Peoples'

Experiences in Abusive Boarding Schools Gets Support

A national project to record the oral histories of survivors and descendants of Native Americans who suffered abuse while attending federal boarding schools as children is expected to begin soon. The Interior Department has announced a partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities to document the experiences of thousands of Native American, Alaska native, and Native Hawaiian students. Many of the boarding schools were said to have sought to 'civilize’ Indigenous students through abusive practices. The Oklahoman reports that the National Endowment for the Humanities has contributed $4 million to the project and will look for other ways to support research, educational programming, and gatherings.

 

Remains Found in Duncan Identified as Missing Woman

Skeletal remains found in Duncan have been identified as a woman who went missing last summer.  84-year old Margie Pickens was reported missing from her home last June and that began a weeks-long search effort throughout the Duncan area. The Duncan Banner reports the Duncan Police Department confirmed remains found in a field by a utility worker last week were those of Pickens. Foul play is not suspected but the state medical examiner's office will determine her cause of death.

 

Retiring USAO Prez to Salute Final Graduating Class

This will be a special weekend for USAO's spring graduates as well as university president John Feaver. This will be the final commencement for Feaver who is retiring at the end of the year. Feaver has spent more than 20 years leading the university and said he is proud to have been part of the history of the univeristy and all the changes that have taken place during his tenure. Weather permitting, commencement will be outdoors on the oval tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. The state chancellor for higher education, Allison Garrett, will deliver the commencement address.

 

4H'er Says Humans, Horses Have A Lot in Common

Did you know that horses have many of the same qualities as humans? Mesa Payne with the Grady County 4H Horse Club says horses are family-oriented, thrive in social settings, and can even suffer from lonliness. Also-

 

              

 

 

She also said riding horses strengthens a person’s core, trunk, coordination, and balance.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $74.76 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $78.37.

Natural gas is $2.36 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,992 and silver is $25.12.

 

Obituaries

Kenneth Pogue

Funeral service for Kenneth Pogue, 85, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 28^th at Sevier Funeral Home.

Billy Hare, Jr.

Funeral service for Billy Hare, Jr., 57, of Ninnekah will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, May 1st at Ferguson Funeral Home. He owned and operated an oilfield disposals company.

 

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Thursday, April 27th

 

Big Sign-on Bonuses Offered to New Oklahoma Teachers

State School Superintendent Ryan Walters has announced a proposal to offer new Oklahoma teachers up to $50,000 to work in state classrooms. The bonuses will be offered to early childhood education and special education teachers and they would have to work in the state for five years. Walters said the bonuses would draw teachers from other states and other job sectors to help alleviate Oklahoma's teaching shortage especially in rural areas and high-poverty schools. The Oklahoman reports that the state would use private funds for an out-of-state advertising campaign to promote the program. The State Department of Education said it is financing the program with $8 million in ARPA funds and another $8 million in funds from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Officials say it is a one-time bonus plan and they are already accepting applications for next school year. There's no guarantee that the bonuses would continue after 2024. State Rep. Mark McBride of Norman said while the state is recruiting new teachers - something should also be done to show appreciation to teachers who are already in Oklahoma classrooms.

 

Grady County VFW In Danger of Losing Charter

A Grady County veterans group is in danger of losing its charter. The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 11201 will have a meeting next month to elect new officers and if seven positions aren't filled the post will permanently close. Officials are requesting that all current VFW members attend. The VFW is for any veteran who has served in a war-zone whether they saw combat duty or not. A meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 16th at 6:30 p.m. at the Grady County Veterans Center in Chickasha at 6th and Chickasha Avenue. If there are not enough members to fill the offices the state and national VFW offices will close the post after the state convention in June. The VFW is a community-based organization. For information contact Eric Anderson by calling 405-412-5739.

 

Three USAO Faculty Members Honored

USAO regents have recognized three faculty members for their work. Chemistry instructor and lab coordinator Thomas Willcock was presented with the Superior Teaching Award in part for his enthusiastic support for his students. Professor of Theatre Arts Katie Davis received the Faculty Service Award for her work in recruiting students and for serving as director of the Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series; and Assistant Professor of Environmental Services Dr. David Reed received the Scholarly Activity Award for his prolific and consistent output of peer-reviewed research.

 

New Date Set for Native Art Center Re-opening

The re-opening of the Jacobson House Native Art Center has been re-scheduled. The event is now set for Saturday, May 20^th. Among the collection are photos of several of the Kiowa Six artists from 1929 with their OU art professor Dr. Oscar Jacobsen. There is also a photo of Lois Smoky who is the only female member of the renowned Kiowa art students taught by Dr. Jacobsen nearly 100 years ago. The grand-re-opening of the center will be Saturday, May 20^th from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  The center is located at 609 Chatauqua Avenue in Norman.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $74.30.

London-based Brent crude is $77.69.

Natural gas is $2.12 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,007 and silver is $25.29.

 

Obituaries

Mary Wood

A memorial service for Mary Wood, 100, of Chickasha will be held at a later date. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

Peggy Harwell

A graveside service for Peggy Harwell, 91, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, April 28^th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

Nancy Nichols

Funeral service for Nancy Nichols, 80, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, April 28^th at Ferguson Funeral Home.

Loretta Reynolds

A graveside service for Loretta Reynolds, 75, of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 3rd at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

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Wednesday, April 26th

 

Admitted Triple Murderer Formally Sentenced

Lawrence Paul Anderson stepped inside a Grady County courtroom for perhaps the last time this week. Anderson was formally sentenced for his admitted role in the brutal killings of three people, including a four-year old girl. Anderson pleaded guilty to three counts of murder, assault, and maiming in a plea deal with prosecutors last month. District Judge Kory Kirkland issued the formal sentence this week - three consecutive life terms without parole and two additional consecutive life terms. Anderson pleaded guilty to killing his uncle, Leon Pye; Pye's four-year old granddaugther Kaeos Yates; and a neighbor, Andrea Blankenship. The killings drew national attention as Anderson cut out Blankenship's heart and tried to make his family eat it.

 

Vacant Home Destroyed By Fire Torn Down

That fire at a vacant Chickasha home yesterday morning caused so much damage that officials had to demolish the remnants for safety reasons. Chickasha Fire Chief Tony Samaniego said the home was nearly fully engulfed when crews arrived about 4 a.m. Tuesday. The chief said no one was in the home at the time but there was evidence that transients may have been staying there. There were some tense moments as one firefighter nearly fell in to the basement but he was not seriously injured. About a dozen firefighters spent about four hours on site. Samaniego said the fire started from trash barrels near the home where someone appeared to be burning some wire to recycle the copper. The chief did not believe the fire was intentionally set. Samaniego estimated the value of the 1,000 sq. ft. wood-frame home at about $30,000.

 

Hospital Inks New Contract with Blue Cross-Blue Shield

Grady Memorial Hospital officials say a new two-year contract has been signed with Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Oklahoma. The agreement includes the addition of Blue Advantage PPO which previously was out-of-network for the hospital and the Five Oaks Medical Group. Hospital officials say the contract provides a means for patients to receive local medical care and save money. Grady Memorial will remain in-network with numerous other Blue Cross-Blue Shield programs including Blue Traditional; Blue Choice PPO; Blue Preferred PPO; BlueLincs HMO; Medicare Advantage PPO; Medicare Advantage HMO, and BluePlan 65 Select.

 

Broadband Expansion Bill Continues Path at State Capital

A bill to expand broadband service to rural Oklahoma passes another hurdle at the state capitol. The state senate unanimously approved HB 1977 with amendments this week. It would require the state Department of Transportation (ODOT) pass emergency rules to provide for broadband fiber conduit for internet service providers for all new construction. State Senator Lonnie Paxton (R-Tuttle) sponsors the legislation in the senate. The website OK Energy Today indicates the legislation will likely end up in a conference committee then return for quick votes in both the senate and house before it can be sent to the governor for his consideration. The amount of broadband funding for Oklahoma is expected to be announced this summer and could exceed $750 million.  Proposals to build broadband transmission lines could be accepted sometime next year.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.07 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $80.77.

Natural gas is $2.31 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,009 and silver is $25.28.

 

Obituary

John Robert ‘Rob’ Mallouf

A memorial service for Rob Mallouf, 56, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 28th at Chickasha’s First Baptist Church. He was car salesman much of his life but he served a short time as the head football coach at East Central University in Ada and led the team to a national championship in 1993. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

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Tuesday, April 25th

 

Two Counties to Get FEMA Assistance for Tornado Damage

McClain and Pottawatomie counties have been approved for federal assistance as a result of last week's tornado outbreak. President Biden approved Gov. Kevin Stitt's request for disaster help yesterday. It includes FEMA funds to supplement state tribal, and local government recovery efforts, as well as grants for housing and home repair grants and low-interest loans to cover uninsured property losses. Grady County was not included in the declaration but there was some damage. Here's County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson-

 

              

 

 

Thompson encourages property and business owners to report damage on line at www.damage.ok.gov He said it would help give the county a better chance of getting disaster funds but it's not a guarantee. Thompson said residents and business owners can follow the Grady County Emergency Management Facebook page for information.

 

Chix Fire Crews Dowse Early-Morning Fire

Chickasha firefighters were dispatched to an early morning fire in the north part of town. The fire erupted about 4:00 a.m. at a home at 7th and Illinois Avenue. We don't have a lot of information about the fire but a police officer we spoke to said the home was unoccupied and there were no injuries. Listen to KOOL-RANCH News later today for an update.

 

'Possible Threat' at Friend School Found Not Credible

A possible threat was reported at Friend School last week. Thankfully, authorities determined that the threat was not credible. The Grady County Sheriff's Office posted information about the incident on its Facebook page yesterday. A post attributed to Sheriff Gary Boggess indicated deputies responded immediately to last Thursday’s incident and an ensuing investigation found no evidence of a credible threat.

 

Medical Episode Causes Multi-Vehicle Crash

Two people, including a teenager, were last in critical condition after a multi-vehicle accident near Purcell last night – however a Lindsay family involved somehow escaped serious injury. The crash happened just before 6:00 p.m. when a driver suffered a medical episode and crossed the center line of the roadway and hit two oncoming vehicles. In critical condition is 45-year old Gene Blevins of Seminole who suffered the medical issue. The teenager was an unidentified 17-year old girl from Lexington who was driving one of the other vehicles. The family from Lindsay, Kendrick and Jewell Johnson and their two young children were taken to the Purcell hospital where they were all treated and released.

 

Grady County Jail Website Down Due to Tech Upgrade

For those who check the Grady County Jail's website to see recent arrests there has not been any new arrests posted for the last week. We checked with jail administrator Jim Gerlach yesterday and he said that officials are switching over to a new system. The previous system is being replaced with a new $60,000 software system being installed by Tiger Commissary. Gerlach said they are working on some technical issues and hope to have the website back in operation later this week.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.76 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $82.73.

Natural gas is $2.27 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,995 and silver is $25.27.

 

Obituaries

Elbert ‘Wayne’ Wendling

Funeral service for Wayne Wendling, 88, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 26th at the Alex Southern Baptist Church. He and his wife ran a dairy farm and raisled cattle in the Dibble area. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

Becky Cravens

A memorial service for Becky Cravens, 67, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, April 30th at Chickasha’s First Christian Church. She worked for the district court judges in Chickasha and Anadarko. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

 

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Monday, April 24th

 

March Construction in Chix Tops $1 Million

More than $1 million in new construction projects were approved by Chickasha city officials last month. The March building report from the city's Community Development Department shows 20 permits were issued which included 8 commercial and 12 residential projects. The total value of the combined projects was not available as all the information was not provided.

Commercial

The commercial sector included a new building for Brad Bates at Bate's Truck Repair for $125,000. Commercial remodel permits included one for developer Chet Hitt for the Mill Building at the railroad depot downtown, and one for Willowbrook Construction for Hitt's project at the old Savoy Hotel across the street. Others went to a company called Open Skies Group for work in the 600 block of Chickasha Avenue; one for Grand Assembly of God; one for Wesley Guenther in the 2200 block of S. 4th; one for the City of Chickasha in the 800 block of South 7th; and one for Johnny Torres in the 300 block of Chickasha Avenue.

Residential

In residential construction, permits for Home Creations to build four more new homes on Dusky Valley Lane were approved as was one for Shirley Akins in the 3400 block of West Carolina. Residential remodel permits were approved at 14th and Dakota Avenue; two in the 700 block of South 5th; one in the 3400 block of South 4th; one near 17th and Missouri Avenue; and one in the 800 block of South 16th. The value of the new construction approved last month was up about 30 percent from February. For the first three months of the year new construction is about $4.1 million.

 

Teens Injured in Weekend Rollover

Four Stephens County teenagers were hurt in a weekend traffic accident. The crash happened just before 7:00 a.m. Saturday about eight miles east of Marlow on State Highway 29. The highway patrol reports the car ran off the highway, hit a culvert and a mail box, and rolled an undetermined number of times. Two teens were taken to an Oklahoma City hospital including the unidentified 17-year old driver from Duncan. He suffered head and neck injuries and was last in fair condition. A passenger, 18-year old Camden Propest also of Duncan suffered a head injury and was last in stable condition. Also in the vehicle were 18-year old Brian Zhang and 18-year old Gabriel Cooper both of Marlow. They were taken to a Duncan hospital and were treated and released.

 

USAO History Book Available

The more than 100-year history of USAO has been compiled in a new book. It's called The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma - Celebrating A Tradition of Different. History professor James Finck has spent the last five years fine-tuning the research done by a previous instructor.

 

            

 

 

The book traces the early history of the university when it was initially the Oklahoma Industrial Institute and College for Girls, to the Oklahoma College for Women, the transition to co-educational instruction with the Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts in 1965, then to its current name in 1974. The book is available at the USAO Foundation office located in Troutt Hall.

 

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