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Today Let’s meet Canadian Valley Technology Center “Spotlight person of the week’”Morgon Carter, Morgon is a home schooled Junior, from Ninnekah, and is studying “Health Careers I, at CV Tech. Tune in Friday the 22nd, to 106.1 The Ranch FM, (the 7AM and 8AM News) to hear the story.

 

 

 

 

Monday, March 25th

 

One Dead in Crash Near Alex

A Lindsay woman died in a terrible crash on a Grady County highway. 24-year old Cassandra Steakley died when her car hit a semi head-on near Alex. The accident happened just before 10:00 a.m. Sunday on State Highway 19 about a mile west of Alex. The highway patrol reports that Steakley was westbound on the highway when she crossed over the centerline and crashed into the semi. It took two hours for crews from the Grady County fire department could get her out of the wreckage. The driver of the semi, 42-year old James Bish, Jr. of Anadarko was not injured. The accident shut down Highway 19 for several hours.

 

New Deputy Chief on Board at Chickasha Fire Dep't.

The Chickasha Fire Department has a new deputy fire chief. Tony Samaniego has been on board for about a month. Samaniego spent nearly 14 years at the Newcastle Fire Department, and says he's been on the road a lot over the last seven years working with the Oklahoma State University Fire Service Training program.

 

              

 

Samaniego will be working with a new training coordinator with the fire department who is expected to be on board soon.

 

Chix Library to Close for New Door Installation

The Chickasha Library will be getting some new doors this week. But the library will have to close for a couple of days in order for the doors to be installed. The library will be open for its regular hours today, but it will be closed all day tomorrow and Wednesday. Director Lillie Huckaby says the library should re-open for normal hours on Thursday.

 

 Rig Count Down in Oklahoma, Nation             

The number of rigs drilling for oil and natural gas are down across the state and around the country. The count in Oklahoma was down two rigs to 109 this past week. That number is also down about 10 percent from the same time last year. Nationwide, the rig count is down 10 locations to 1,016 - which is a little higher than for the same time a year ago.

 

CV Tech Campus Director to Receive Leadership Award              

A top award will be presented to the campus director of the Chickasha site of Canadian Valley Technology Center. Ronnie Bogle will receive an Outstanding Leadership Award from the Oklahoma Career Tech Equity Council. Bogle was selected for the honor for his support of what is known as the PIVOT work-prep program. It helps students to set and reach career goals. The award to be presented at this week's Making it Work Day awards program in Oklahoma City. Bogle has been an educator for 17 years and has been with CV Tech for 14 years.

 

Regional Youth Get Top Dollar at Stock Show

A couple of regional youth did very well at the Oklahoma Youth Expo (OYE) this month. Farm broadcaster Ron Hays tells us-

 

              

 

The largest amount paid was $85,000 for the grand champion steer shown by Sierra Collins from Tillman County 4H. The Grand lamb sold for $15,000 which went to Lydia Stryka of Yukon. Overall, more than $1.2 million was paid to more than 200 youth who exhibited the top animals at OYE.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $59.04 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $67.03.

Natural gas is $2.75 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,323 and silver is $15.52

 

 

Saturday, March 23rd

 

 

 Man Who Pled Guilty to Assault Faces Stolen Gun Charge             

Chickasha police arrest a man after finding a stolen handgun in his car. And it’s not his first time being in trouble with the law. 21-year old Jacob Shane Annesley of Chickasha is charged with knowingly concealing stolen property and for being a felon in possession of a weapon. He's also facing misdemeanor charges of drug possession, DUI, and driving under suspension. Chickasha police pulled Annesley over in Shannon Springs Park just after midnight Thursday on a traffic stop. In a probable cause affidavit, the officer alleges Annesley was under the influence and that the suspect admitted having drugs and a gun in the car. The gun had recently been stolen from Chickasha and was placed in NCIC, which is the National Crime Information Center database. On-line court records indicate Annesley pleaded guilty to felony assault and battery in Cleveland County in 2017 and was given a four-year deferred sentence. Annesley remains in the Grady County jail in lieu of $25,000 bond.

 

Another Texas Energy Firm Growing in SCOOP, STACK

A Texas-based energy company reports that 2018 was its busiest year ever. Officials with Blue Sage Capital of Austin credit activity in the SCOOP and STACK regions as the reason. The website www.okenergytoday.com reports Blue Sage Capital saw the exit of three of its portfolio companies and the addition of two others. One of those companies, Cobalt Environmental Solutions, opened saltwater disposal wells in both the SCOOP and STACK. One of them is located between Chickasha and Dibble on State Highway 39 just east of Highway 62. Cobalt also opened greenfield facilities in Dibble and Cole. Company officials say the operations should provide meaningful cash-flow, and create a larger geographic footprint. The firm is also working to expand operations and has already been permitted for future disposal facilities. In addition, Blue Sage recently wrapped up an investment in All-State Industries of Des Moines, Iowa, which has several manufacturing facilities in the Midwest and Texas. All-State is a leading manufacturer of non-metallic components for original equipment manufacturers across a wide range of end-markets.

 

New Door Installation to Briefly Close Chix Library

The Chickasha Public Library will be closed for a couple of days next week, so that some new automatic doors can be installed. Library director Lillie Huckaby says the library will be closed on Tuesday, March 26th and Wednesday, March 27th. Huckaby says the company installing the doors needs two consecutive days of mild temperatures and no rain to install the new entry doors. Funding for the doors is being provided by the City of Chickasha and the Friends of the Chickasha Library.

 

Suprise Birthday Party Set for Twin WW II Vets

We've had an interesting request to announce a surprise birthday party for twin brothers who served in World War II. So please don't tell Elmer and Delmer Conder about the party. The Conders will be 96 years old on Monday. They still work every day at their used car dealership. Elmer was a fighter pilot and Delmer was in the military police and worked in a German POW camp. The surprise birthday party will be at the Conder’s dealership at 1 o'clock Monday afternoon.

 

State Ranch Horse Group Returns to Chickasha              

The Oklahoma Ranch Horse Association has returned to Chickasha. The group originally formed here about five years ago and moved to other locations. But the organization has outgrown those locations and has scheduled several competitions at the Grady County Fairgrounds this year. This weekend is the first of four competitions in 2019. Sissy Smith is the president of the group and says about 150 competitors of all ages will be taking part in about a dozen events.

 

              

 

Riders from Oklahoma, Arkansas and north Texas will be in for the event. Smith is 76 years old and still competes in many events, including cow cutting. Admission is free for spectators. Events are all day Saturday and Sunday at the non-climate controlled indoor arena at the fairgrounds.

 

 

Friday, March 22^nd

 

Thief Steals Truck, Trailer From Repair Shop

A thief goes through a lot of trouble to break into a business just outside of Chickasha. It happened Monday night at Bates Repair Shop south of Chickasha on Highway 81 where a pickup and a flatbed trailer were stolen. When he got to the shop Tuesday morning, owner Brad Bates tells KFOR-TV he noticed damage to a fence, and immediately knew it wasn't a minor incident.

 

              

 

Bates has video surveillance of the crook, who stole a 2012 Chevy Silverado 2500 pickup and the trailer. Sheriff Jim Weir says the thief used an ATV to go through a wooded area behind the business to gain access. Once in the truck, he crashes through the locked gate of the fence and drives away. Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to call the sheriff's office or Grady County Crimestoppers at 405-224-TIPS.

 

Two Hospitalized After Car Collides with Semi

Two women are hospitalized after a car they were in slams into a semi that was turning in front of them. 29-year old Kortney Lavey of Marlow and 27-year old Krystin Kirkendall of Lindsay were last in fair condition at a Purcell hospital. The driver of the semi and a passenger, identified as 35-year old Mukand S. Sidhu and 22-year old Manjinder Singh, both of Edmonton, Alberta Canada, were not injured. The accident happened just before midnight on State Highway 19 about three miles north of Pauls Valley. The highway patrol reports that the semi was trying to turn south onto the highway. The car the women were in hit the rear trailer area of the semi.

 

Anadarko Man Faces New Drug Trafficking Charges

An Anadarko ex-con is back in jail on drug trafficking charges. 50-year old Keith DeShawn Miller was arrested by Anadarko police following a traffic stop earlier this week. Documents filed in Caddo County District Court indicate officers found 20 grams of methamphetamine in his car. Miller has a long history of drug-related convictions. He was out of jail on bond following a previous drug-related arrest just three months ago. In addition to drug trafficking, Miller is also facing several misdemeanors in connection with this week's arrest. He remains in the Caddo County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

              

Bridge Creek School Burglary Suspect in Custody              

A suspect is in custody in connection with a burglary that occurred at Bridge Creek School last December. 23-year old Derek Alexander Carr of Newcastle has been formally charged with felony burglary and a misdemeanor for vandalism in connection with the theft. Documents filed in Grady County District Court say Carr broke in to the football fieldhouse and stole a big screen TV and other electronics. Carr remains in the Grady County Jail on a $17,000 bond, which includes a failure to appear following a felony DUI arrest last year.

 

'Walk with a Doc' set Tomorrow

Local doctors are practicing what they preach when encouraging us to get more exercise. Walk with a Doc is set for tomorrow morning, a program held the 4th Saturday of every month. This month, Dr. Mitch Coppedge will be the doctor who will give a short presentation to participants, and then join them with a stroll which will last about an hour. The program is free and you can bring the kids and pets, but please have your pet on a leash. The program was created by Grady Memorial Hospital and the Five Oaks Medical Clinic. Weather permitting, Walk with a Doc will be held at Shannon Springs Park starting at 9 o'clock in the morning. In case of rain, and there is rain in the forecast tomorrow, it will be moved to the Chickasha High School Activity Center.

 

Talk Show Topic

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Chickasha Fire Chief Brian Zalewski and new Deputy Fire Chief Tony Samaniego are this week's guests on our KOOL Konversation. We have a link to the program under the Community tab on this website.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $59.98 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $67.86.

Natural gas is $2.82 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,318 and silver is $15.50.

 

 

Thursday, March 21st

 

Consumer Spending Climbs in Grady County

The latest consumer spending numbers show a slight increase across Grady County, while spending in the City of Chickasha was down. The numbers reflect the purchases of taxable goods and services in January, which are typically down from the holiday shopping period in December. Throughout Grady County, consumer spending rose just over 2 percent to an estimated $118 million. That number is an increase of more than 13 percent compared to January of last year. The county collected $886,000 in sales tax revenue this month from that consumer spending in January. The county collected an additional $113,000 in use taxes which are those paid on Internet purchases. The use tax number is down substantially from last month's $186,000 but up from $98,000 from last year.

 

 Consumers Spend Less in City of Chickasha             

Checking the City of Chickasha, consumer spending was down about 13.5 percent from December to January to about $25 million. That number is also down about 1 percent compared to January of 2018. The city collected $951,000 in sales tax revenue from that retail business. The city's use tax collections of $76,000 were down considerably from $126,000 last month. However, the number was better than the same time a year ago when it was $56,000.

 

Most Alcohol-selling Businesses Aren't Selling to Minors

Merchants that sell alcohol are checked from time to time to make sure they aren't selling to minors. Red Rock Prevention Services will monitor retailers about once a month to make sure they are following the law. Sarah Keef with Red Rock discusses a couple of recent alcohol compliance checks in Grady County.

 

              

 

A retailer caught selling to minors is fined and asked to have employees attend a Responsible Beverage Service and Sales training session. It's a two-hour program that is provided at no cost.

 

Police Seek Owners of Firearms Taken Years Ago 

Some firearms stolen from a Chickasha home some 20 years ago are at the Duncan Police Department. Authorities are trying to find the rightful owners of a rifle or shotgun which are in the unclaimed property inventory at Duncan. Officials say the firearms were taken in a theft in Chickasha sometime in the mid-1990s. The Chickasha Police Department has a post regarding the firearms on its Facebook page. The owner or owners will have to identify the firearms through a serial number, unique markings, or a photograph. E-mail Capt. Joe Shoemake at the Duncan Police Department for information: joe@duncanok.gov

 

Chickasha Chamber to Resume Legislative Breakfast Meetings

A program to help Chickasha Chamber of Commerce members keep up with what's happening at the state capital will resume next week. It's called a Legislative Breakfast, which will be held once each month during the legislative session. The first program of the year will feature Chickasha State Representative David Perryman and Marlow State Representative Brad Boles. The legislative breakfast will be next Friday, March 29^th at the InterUrban Restaurant. Breakfast is served at 7:30 a.m. with the meeting starting at 8:00 a.m. Cost is $15 for chamber members and $20 for potential chamber members. Officials ask those who plan to attend to RSVP the chamber by noon on March 28^th by calling 405-224-0787.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $59.83 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $68.50.

Natural gas is $2.82 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,327 and silver is $15.62.

 

 

Wednesday, March 20th

 

 

 

Congressman Cole Visits Chickasha

Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole spent some time in Chickasha yesterday, and we had a chance to talk with him for a few minutes. Cole said he has a good relationship with President Trump. Of course, both are Republicans, but Cole says whether you agree with him or not, Trump is trying to accomplish the projects he set out to do in his campaign, including building a wall along the southern border. Cole says he talks with the president often.

 

              

 

Cole will be this week's guest on our Real Estate Today program with John Mosley this Saturday morning on our sister station, KOOL 105.5 FM. The interview airs at 8:30 a.m..

 

New Oil, Gas Well Completions Near Pocasset

There are some new well completions to report in Grady County. EOG Resources is reporting about 1,200 barrels of oil-equivalent and 1,000 metric cubic feet of natural gas per day in three wells which are located about eight miles west of Pocasset. All are in Section 29 of Township 8 North, Range 5 West. The drilling depths for each well are about 21,000 feet.

 

Vandalized Track Hoe Leads Anadarko to Start Curfew

A spring break curfew is in effect for kids in Anadarko. The curfew was put into place after an expensive piece of equipment was damaged by vandals. A brand new track hoe was on the site of a sewer project, when authorities say someone used a metal pipe to break out the windows and damage control panels. Damage is estimated to be several thousand dollars. City Manager Kenneth Corn tells KSWO-TV that they are working hard to improve the city. He said city officials want to be good stewards of tax money, and that it’s unfair for everyone to pay for the mischief of other people. Minors are to be off Anadarko streets by 10 p.m., otherwise the youth as well as their parents can get a ticket. Police are still trying to find the culprits who damaged the track hoe.

 

2 X 4 Used to Vandalize Convenience Store

A Chickasha man is arrested and charged after its alleged he vandalized a convenience store with a 2 x 4.  Chickasha police were dispatched to the Valero North store at 4th and Texas about 10:30 Monday night. Zachary James Ervin, 25, was taken into custody. Yesterday, prosectors charged Ervin with felony assault and battery with a dangerous weapon and a misdemeanor for vandalism. Ervin remains in the Grady County Jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond. He's to announce his attorney April 18th with a preliminary hearing conference set for May 1st.

 

Former State Rep Supports Transparency at State Capital

Efforts at the state capital to create more transparency in state government have the backing of the director of the Oklahoma Institute for Children’s Advocacy. Joe Dorman says Senate Bill 1, the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT), would help the legislature identify economies and efficiencies for possible savings; examine the structure and design of agency programs; provide objective performance measures for agency programs; and monitor compliance with state law and relevant standards to an agency program. In his weekly media column, Dorman says he appreciates the work of Senate President Greg Treat to give lawmakers the tools they need to provide effective government oversight.

 

Circus Schedules Two Chickasha Shows Today

The circus will be in town this afternoon at tonight. The Carden International Circus will have two performances at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Each show will run about two hours, and families can bring the kids out about an hour before each show for pre-carnival activities like camel, elephant, and pony rides. The circus will feature aerial and acrobatic acts, and tigers. Performances are at 4:30 and 6:30 tonight.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $59.03 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $67.61.

Natural gas is $2.87 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,302 and silver is $15.30.

 

 

Tuesday March 19th

Governor Appoints Kristin Stacy to Board of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

 

If you’re headed to OKC, construction could cause interruptions and closures on I235.

According to ODOT, The Off-Broadway Project phase begins Monday, and part of Interstate 235 in the middle of 50th and 63rd Street will be under construction for 2 years, as the city rebuilds ramps, and widened lanes between Edmond and downtown Oklahoma City. Expect at least five full-weekend closures planned for this project, and one on I-44,”

 

The City of Chickasha Has Announced a Ward 4 Meeting.

The Chickasha’s City Council is holding the Ward 4 Meeting for residents on Tuesday, April 9. The meeting will be held at 6:30 in the evening at the Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, located at 117 N. 4th Street. Ward 4 Council Members are Zachary Grayson and Jim Hopkins remind you, the Ward Meetings are an opportunity for residents to meet their elected officials and share ideas. Residents of Ward 4 may also share their thoughts using the new Citizen Feedback Form, available at chickasha.org.

 

Amazon sets the path for students to engineering. 

Amazon announces it will begin funding computer science courses in dozens of schools across the state. As a part of the Amazon Future Engineer program designed to get kids into STEM careers. It aims to reach students in underprivileged communities. Almost 30 schools are in Oklahoma. For more information on the program Go to www . amazon future engineer . com    

(or click HERE. )        

 

The 91st Scripps National Spelling Bee is May 29th through 31st,

And out of over 500 spellers, 5 are from Oklahoma  and 2 from central Oklahoma– 11 year old Shawn Terrado,  from Elgin; and 12 year old Meena Seshadri,  from Norman;. Bee Week 2019, will take place at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland. Spellers and their families will arrive Sunday, May 26, and the competition will begin on Monday, May 27. For more information go to spellingbee. com

 

 Funeral service for Peggy Underwood, age 77, will be held on Wednesday morning at 10 at the South Main Street Church of Christ in Alex, OK. Interment will be in the Alex Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.

 

Monday March 18th

Oklahoma House Bill authorizing certain personnel to carry a handgun on school property is up for debate.

House Bill 2336 presented by The bill’s author, Rep. Sean Roberts, has passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives, and If signed into law, it will allow districts to authorize certain personnel to carry a handgun on school property, as long as the personnel hold a valid reserve peace officer certification, or possesses a valid handgun license. Rep. Roberts, said some districts struggle to find personnel willing to undergo the required private security guard training. House Bill 2336 would allow districts to work with law enforcement on alternative instruction.

 

Chickasha School Officials Delay on-line posting of audit.

More information today about a story we reported last week regarding a recent audit of Chickasha Public Schools. A detailed audit of the school district was discussed at last week's school board meeting. The audit found incidents of over-spending, mis-managed funds, and not following proper purchasing procedures. Board president Doug Brown initially said, the audit would be posted on the school district's website. but the posting must wait until school officials review the issue at the next school board meeting in April. The audit is a matter of public record, and a copy can be requested: By submitting an open records request form at the school administration building, but the district can charge a fee for printed pages.

 

Amazon sets the path for students to engineering. 

Amazon announces it will begin funding computer science courses in dozens of schools across the state. As a part of the Amazon Future Engineer program designed to get kids into STEM careers. It aims to reach students in underprivileged communities. Almost 30 schools are in Oklahoma. For more information on the program Go to www.amazonfutureengineer.com    

For more information on the program click HERE.    

     

Duncan man accused of shooting his brother’s car.

25-year-old Jacob Austin Berry of Duncan is accused of shooting his brother’s Ford Mustang in the 600 block of North 1st Street last week. In Stephens County District Court he was charged with a felony count of… use of vehicle to facilitate intentional discharge of weapon. According to court documents, Duncan Police responded and reported windows had been shot out and a copper jacket bullet retrieved from between the front window and the vehicle’s dash. Berry was held on $150 thousand dollar bond after confessing to shooting up his brother’s car.

 

OHP reported 2 Wrecks in our area over weekend.

First, a Personal injury accident occurred Sat. morning around 10  on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike at mile marker 58 one mile east of Fletcher. According to OHP, a 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by 34 year old Sommer Paige Walsh, of Wichita Falls was west bound on I-44, and got sleepy then departed the roadway to the right, and flipped.  The driver and all 3 passengers were ejected from the vehicle. Walsh, Cynthia  Hamic, and 2 Juvenile, females were Transported by Survival Flight to OU Medical Center with serious condition including head, arm, leg, and trunk injuries.

 

The second was also a Personal injury accdent Sat. night about 6 miles South of 1440 Rd. east of 2510 Rd. and, northwest of Apache. OHP reported a 2010 Honda ATV driven by 60 year old Debra R. Schultz, of Apache, was westbound on private property when the Schultz struck a terrace overturning the ATV.  Schultz was transported by Survival Flight to OU Medical Hospital, and Admitted in good condition with head, and trunk injuries.

 

Switzer Firm to Install Scoreboards at Chickasha Sports Complex

Former OU and Dallas Cowboy football coach Barry Switzer was in Chickasha last Friday

to announce a partnership between the City and a scoreboard company he has part ownership in. Switzer's company, Youth Scoreboards, will install new free digital scoreboards at the city's sports complex. Initially, the company will install six new scoreboards, and city council has approved the agreement. Switzer said, they'll re-coup their investment through advertising on the 4’ X 8’ foot video screens. And once the scoreboards are paid for, the company will donate a percentage of its ad revenue to the Chickasha.