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Mollman Media News

2019, Jan. 2nd-5th


 

 

 

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Monday, Jan. 7th

Crews Clean Up Fuel Spill Near Bridge Creek Schools

Crews are cleaning up a fuel spill near Bridge Creek school this morning after a semi crashes. The highway patrol reports that it’s a single vehicle accident, but there's no word on injuries. Authorities say up to 300 gallons of fuel may have spilled onto the roadway, and crews from the Department of Environmental Quality are working to clean it up. The accident is in a rural area, about three miles west of Bridge Creek school near CS 2920 and CR 1230. The accident happened just after 4 o'clock this morning.

 

Resident Falls Victim to Jury Duty Phone Scam

At least one person may have fallen victim to a telephone scam this weekend, where callers were impersonating Grady County deputies. Officials say individuals identifying themselves as deputies were calling people and telling them they missed jury duty and that an arrest warrant has been issued. The caller says to pay for the warrant over the phone with a credit card or go to jail. Sheriff's office Public Information Officer Lisa Hatchett said one person called the sheriff's office and said they did give their credit card number before realizing it may be a scam. It wasn't known if the individual suffered a loss. Sheriff Jim Weir says his deputies will never make these calls and that if you suspect such a call to just hang up, and not give any credit card or bank information over the phone. He asks that you also call the sheriff's office dispatch number, 405-224-0984 to report the incident.

 

Highway 18 Bypass Utility Relocation to be Discussed

The Chickasha U.S Highway 81 bypass project will get some discussion during tonight's Chickasha City Council meeting. The council will review a proposal to work with an engineering firm to re-locate water and sewer lines along the proposed route under an agreement with the State Department of Transportation.  The estimated cost is more than $1.2 million, though the city will be reimbursed for a lot of that cost. City Manager John Noblitt said the agreements must be approved for the project to continue. Noblitt said the work has been moved up in ODOT's eight-year plan, so it wasn't budgeted for the current fiscal year. Noblitt is proposing the use of money from the city's capital drainage improvement fund. The city is expected to be reimbursed more than $570,000 for the re-location of the water mains. Noblitt said the city does not qualify for re-imbursement for sewer line re-location.

 

Flood Prevention Project up for City Council Discussion               

A proposal to minimize flooding in the east part of Chickasha will also be reviewed by the city council tonight. The panel will discuss a possible agreement with an engineering firm to construct a water detention area along East Ada Sipuel Avenue and Grand Avenue extension. The engineering fee is estimated to be nearly $80,000 and officials are asking to use economic development funds for the project. The council will take a look at a second bid to replace the roof at Fire Station No. 2. The roof was damaged in a 2017 hail storm and the initial bids came in over projected costs of repairs and improvements that were sought. Officials are recommending a bid of just under $50,000 from Ground Zero out of Newcastle. That's still about $5,000 more than the insurance settlement. The council will also recognized Amanda Forward as the city's employee of the month. She works in the city clerk's office. The council meets at 6:30 p.m. at city hall.

 

Chickasha Rotary Club Speech Contest Announced

Cash prizes will be awarded to some high school students who compete in an upcoming speech contest. The Chickasha Rotary Club is encouraging students throughout Grady County to participate, writing and presenting a speech based on the club's four-way test. Every week, the club ends its program with four questions of ethics and standards - Is it the Truth; Is it Fair to All Concerned; Will it build good will and better friendships; and will it be beneficial to all concerned. There is no cost to enter. The top three students will awarded cash prizes with a top prize being $300. Entries are due Jan. 16th, with the contest to be held during the group's meeting on Thursday, Jan. 24th. Entry forms are available on the website www.Chickasharotary.org or call Cody White at 405-219-0176.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $47.96.

London-based Brent crude is $57.06.

Natural gas is $3.04 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,292 and silver is $15.81.

 

 

Saturday, Jan. 5th

 

BREAKING - Telephone Scam Reported in Grady County

The Grady County Sheriff's Office says a jury duty telephone scam has been reported by several individuals. Callers say they are from the sheriff's office and telling people they have missed jury duty.  The scammer says a warrant has been issued for their arrest and that individuals should pay for their warrants over the phone with a credit card or they'll go to jail. Sheriff Jim Weir says you should never give any credit card or bank information to these scammers. Weir said deputies will never make these calls nor would they ask for credit card information. Weir says anyone who gets such a call should just hang up, and then call the sheriff's office dispatch number, 405-224-0894 to report the incident.

 

Top Construction Projects in Chickasha for 2018

We wanted to spend some time this weekend reviewing some of the top construction projects that got started in Chickasha last year. As we reported yesterday, more than $23 million in new construction won approval through the city's Community Development Department. Much of that was in the first half of the year. About $11 million in construction got underway in the first quarter, including the Best Western Plus Hotel in January, a $3.5 million development. In February, the Aldi's building permit was approved for $2 million to renovate the former Staples store. March was led by the CTAP Pipe Yard on North 4th Street, which was a $3.2 million project. April saw a spike in residential construction, with the permits for 35 new homes to be built by Lance Windell Construction. Together those totaled more than $3.5 million. The months of May and June saw few high-dollar projects, though the construction of the newest building in the Shoppes at Chisholm Trail at 4th and Grand got underway near the Cotton Patch Cafe. The last large development for 2018 started in September, with CMS Willowbrook contracting to build the new addition to the Grady County Jail at $3.2 million.

 

Newcastle Credit Card Scam Suspects are Juveniles               

Authorities have captured two juveniles in connection with that credit card scam in Newcastle. As many as six people had their credit card information stolen, and the crooks managed to gets hundreds if not thousands of dollars from an ATM in Newcastle. Newcastle police had video surveillance from the ATM showing a young man withdrawing funds. The suspect apparently returned to that ATM, and a police officer eventually recognized him. Authorities arrested that teen and an under-aged female. Police have not released the suspects' names. Normally, law enforcement does not identify the names of juveniles.

 

Commercial Vehicle Involved in Pre-Dawn Crash               

There's word of an early morning traffic accident involving a semi or other commercial vehicle in Grady County. The Highway Patrol was dispatched to a crash on State Highway 37 and CS 2870, which is four miles east of Minco. The accident happened just before 4:00 a.m. this morning and closed down the highway in both directions. Traffic was diverted for more than two hours before the highway was  re-opened about 6:00 a.m.

 

Coal Company Acquires Oil and Gas Acreages               

An Oklahoma coal company has acquired assets that include oil and gas acreage being actively developed in the SCOOP and STACK plays. Alliance Resource Partners of Tulsa has announced its purchase of $176 million in partnership interests in AllDale Minerals LP. The website www.okenergytoday.com reports the deal is part of Alliance's move into the oil and gas industry, and gives Alliance control of nearly 42,000 net royalty acres in oil and gas plays. In addition to the SCOOP and STACK plays, the acquisition includes areas in the core of the Anadarko, Permian, and other basins. However, it is concentrated in the Chickasha and Kingfisher areas as well as the Bakken plays in North Dakota. The acreages are being actively developed by Continental Resources, Devon Energy, Anadarko Petroleum, Pioneer Natural Resources, and Concho Resources. Right now there are more than 3,800 wells producing more than 2,600 barrels of oil-equivalent per day on that acreage. Nearly 500 wells are being drilled on the acquired properties and another 860 wells are permitted.

 

Talk Show Topic

Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Chickasha Mayor Chris Mosley and City Manager John Noblitt are guests on our KOOL Konversation. We have a link to that program under the Community tab on this website.

 

 

Friday, Jan. 4th

 

Winter Storm Deaths include Grady County Man

At least five people have died in winter storm-related traffic accidents over the last couple of days, including a Grady County man. 76-year old Ramos Francis of Chickasha died after his pickup ran off the road and hit a tree. The accident happened just after 7:00 a.m. Thursday on U.S. Highway 81 about a mile north of Pocasset. The state trooper dispatched to the accident said that Francis may have been driving at an unsafe speed.

 

Ward Meetings Being Scheduled at Chickasha City Hall               

In an effort to improve transparency at Chickasha City Hall, a series of meetings between residents and city leaders will be held over the next few months. Residents in each of the city's four wards are encouraged to attend the meetings and discuss their concerns and learn about city projects. The meetings will include Mayor Chris Mosley, City Manager John Noblitt, and the two city council representatives in the ward. The first meeting is for residents in Ward One and will be Tuesday, Jan. 15th. Ward One councilmen Mark Keeling and David Sikes are also expected to attend. The meetings will start at 6:30 p.m. and will be held at city hall.

 

New Chickasha Construction Permits OK'd

New construction in Chickasha approved in December totaled just under $500,000. The city's Community Development Department approved 16 permits which included both commercial and residential areas. Among the commercial projects given the go-ahead was a $200,000 renovation at Braum’s and a $150,000 permit for the new Tropical Smoothie Restaurant that will be locating near the Cotton Patch Cafe. Also in the commercial sector, Gilbert Copeland was authorized for a $65,000 expansion for Nana Sue's Laundromat at 3rd and Dakota, and American Tower Corporation won approval for a $15,000 project on North 4th Street. In residential construction, officials approved 10 permits to install storm shelters. Also, Loretta Jackson was approved for a $6,000 remodel to a home in the 1200 block of South 1st. For the 2018 calendar year, nearly $24 million in new construction was approved. That's down from more than $51 million from 2018 - a year that included one $25 million permit for Optum Energy to renovate the former Delta Faucet building. In 2016, the city approved just under $19 million in new construction.

 

Former Commissioner to be Recognized                              

A former Grady County commissioner will be honored for his commitment to public service today. An appreciation for Windle Hardy will be held at the Grady County Courthouse this afternoon. Hardy served as county commissioner for District One for at least the last eight years. The informal gathering will be from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. this afternoon.

 

Early Voting Ends Today for Area School Bond Elections

Today is the last day for voters in the Rush Springs and Fletcher school districts to vote early ahead of next Tuesday's special bond elections. Rush Springs voters will decided on a more than $15 million construction project. In Fletcher, voters to decide an $800,000 bond issue for school improvements. In-person, absentee voting may be done at election boards in Grady and Comanche counties until 6:00 p.m. today. Otherwise, voters can cast ballots at their regular precincts on Tuesday.

 

New Oklahoma U.S. Representative Takes Oath of Office

A Chickasha connection to Washington, D.C. is now in place. Oklahoma Congressman Kendra Horn took her oath of office in the nation's capitol yesterday. The Oklahoma City Democrat has roots in Chickasha where her parents still live. Horn upset incumbent Republican Steve Russell for the District 5 congressional seat in November.  In a statement, Horn said she wants to work to lower health care costs and improve access to education. Among her first official duties, she voted for Nancy Pelosi to return to her post as House Speaker.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX was up to $47.09 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude was up to $55.95.

Natural gas was lower to $2.94 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,293 and silver is $15.78.

 

 

Thursday, Jan. 3rd

 

Winter Storm Closes Schools, Government Offices               

A winter storm that could drop six or more inches of snow in central Oklahoma has forced schools and some government offices to close. Students in a number of public school districts were set to return to the classroom today, but many administrators decided to cancel school and activities. The Grady County Courthouse is also closed. Senior nutrition centers in Chickasha, Ninnekah, Rush Springs and Cement are among those that are closed and Head Start programs are shut down. That includes the Kiowa Tribal Head Start programs in Anadarko, Carnegie, and Lawton. The Department of Public Safety shut down non-essential services in Grady, Caddo, Comanche, and Stephens counties, as well as McClain, Cleveland, Oklahoma, and Canadian counties. Roadways are becoming slick and hazardous and officials are discouraging travel.

 

Election Boards Open for In-Person, Absentee Voting

While the Grady County Courthouse is closed, the Grady County Election Board is open for in-person, absentee voting for patrons who want to vote in the special bond elections in the Rush Springs and Fletcher school districts next week. The election board is actually part of a federal agency and is open today. The Grady County Election Board is located in the district attorneys complex which is separate from the courthouse.

 

Three Hurt in Head-on Crash

Three people are hospitalized and two suffer life-threatening injuries after two pickups collide head-on. The accident happened about seven miles east of Chickasha on U.S. Highway 62 Wednesday morning. 31-year old Anthony Mans of Blanchard was the driver of one pickup. 40-year old James Cannon of Lindsay was a passenger in the other pickup. Both were air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital where they were admitted in critical condition. Both men were trapped in their vehicles for 30 minutes before first responders from the Naples Fire Department could get them out with the Jaws of Life. The driver of the pick-up Cannon was in - 45-year old Kevin Milligan also of Lindsay  - was taken to an Edmond hospital where he was admitted in fair condition with arm injuries. The accident happened just before 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, not far from the Highway 62 and Alex Highway junction. The Highway Patrol reports that Mans’ pickup  crossed the center line. The highway was closed for more than 2 1/2 hours after the accident.

 

Arrest Made in Caddo County Shooting               

A shooting at a rural Caddo County home lands one man in jail in connection with a domestic violence investigation. 30-year old Ricky Ray Lawrence of Elgin has been formally charged with a felony for discharging a firearm into a dwelling. Authorities were summoned to a home in the Crows Roost area north of Ft. Cobb Lake last week. A probable cause affidavit at the Caddo County Courthouse says a woman at the home was beaten and dragged out of her house and that shots were fired into the home. Lawrence remains in the Caddo County Jail in lieu of a $75,000 bond. Lawrence is also facing a misdemeanor vandalism charged following his arrested in connection with a separate Caddo County investigation last September.

 

Credit Card Cloning Suspect Sought

In Newcastle, police are looking for help to identify a person of interest in connection with credit card cloning investigation. Authorities say the individual used cloned cards at the Focus Federal Credit Union ATM this past Sunday, and at least six individuals from the Norman and Noble area say they have been victimized. Krystal Ross of Noble was one of those whose bank account was drained. She said her bank had already flagged the withdrawals and closed her account. If you have information, you're asked to contact Newcastle Police by calling 405-387-5525.

 

Bill Filed to Increase State's Minimum Wage

State lawmakers might deal with legislation to raise the state's minimum wage during the upcoming legislative session. State Senator George Young, D-Oklahoma City has filled SB 102, calling for the minimum wage to increase from  $7.25 to $10.50 an hour. That would match the federal minimum wage if it makes it through the legislative process. 20 states increased their minimum wages with the start of the New Year.

 

Historical Program to Feature Work of Minority Farmers               

Here's an opportunity to look back on the early days of agriculture and its impact on the Grady County area, especially when it comes to minority farmers. Local historian Loretta Jackson is getting ready for her 10th annual story-telling and soul-food evening. Jackson's African American Historical Society is a non-profit group that focuses on the collection, preservation, and exhibits of minority culture. She was instrumental in relocating the Verden one-room school house to Chickasha a number of years ago. The program will be held Saturday, Feb. 9th at USAO. Tickets are available through Jan. 25th. For information, contact Jackson by calling 405-224-5297.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is up to $46.54 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude climbs to $54.91.

Natural gas is up to $2.96 per million BTUs.

Gold is $1,289 and silver if $15.64.

 

 

Wednesday, Jan. 2nd

 

County Elected Officials Sworn In Today

Several county government officials who were elected or ran un-opposed for their posts last fall will be taking their oaths of office this morning. At the Grady County Courthouse in Chickasha they are District 3 County Commissioner Ralph Beard, District 1 Commissioner-elect Michael Walker, Assessor Bari Firestone, and Treasurer Robin Burton. At the Caddo County Courthouse in Anadarko they include County Commissioners Benny Bowling and Brent Kinder, Assessor Ed Whitworth, Ttreasurer Regina Mosier, and new county clerk Rhonda Johnson.  Johnson takes over from long-time court clerk Patrice Dolch, whose retirement was effective Monday.  Dolch served as Caddo County Clerk for about 17 years.

 

Study to Focus on Opioid Abuse in 4 Oklahoma Counties

Duncan and Ardmore are among four Oklahoma communities to take part in a program to combat opioid abuse. McAlester and Tahlequah are the other areas to be targeted for the three-year program announced by the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences. The program is being funded by two federal grants totaling about $1.8 million. Health officials say more than 800 Oklahomans died for overdoses in 2016 - a rate that is more than 21 people per 100,000 population and higher than the national rate. A study indicates that Oklahoma overdose deaths could increase to nearly 32 people per 100,000 within the next six years unless drastic steps are taken. The website www.newsok.com reports that physicians and staff will be in each community to provide education, treatment, community events, and working to educate citizens to recognize and react to opioid abuse.

 

Chickasha Police Department Readies for Citizens Academy

The Chickasha Police Department will be offering another citizens police academy starting next month. The academy will meet a couple of times a month for several  months. Several police officers will be leading the programs including Andrew Peck, who says the class is being updated from the last time it was offered.

 

               

 

Code Enforcement and Animal Control will be among the areas covered. The academy is open to adults and participants must pass a routine background check. Applications may be picked up at the police department. There is no charge to attend the program which begins Thursday, February 7th.

 

Missing Norman Man Found in Western Oklahoma

A Norman man who went missing last week has been found in western Oklahoma. 30-year old Trent Thomas Fowler was reported missing by family members last Thursday. Relatives were concerned because Fowler is not an outdoorsman and didn’t think he could handle the cold weather. His pickup was found on a county road near Erick, which is west of Elk City on Monday. Fowler was found at a home in the Erick area Tuesday afternoon. Fowler is safe and has been re-united with his family.

 

Halliburton Announces New Board Chairman

Halliburton has a new chairman of the board for 2019. Jeff Miller - who had been serving as the company's president and chief executive officer - took the reins yesterday from former board chairman Dave Lesar, who retired. The website www.okenergytoday.com reports that Robert Malone will continue as the lead independent director for the Halliburton board. His duties include serving as a liaison between the independent directors and the director, and  approving agendas and presiding  over meetings of the independent directors.

 

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX begins the New Year at $45.41 per barrel.

London-based-Brent crude opens at $52.28.

Natural gas fell below $3 on Monday to $2.94 per million BTUs

Gold is $1,287 and silver is $15.50.


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