Saturday, October 24th
Fatal Crash Reported near Rush Springs
At least one person is dead following an early morning traffic accident between Rush Springs and Sterling. First responders were dispatched to the crash about 6 a.m. at State Highway 17 and CR 2770 about five miles west of Rush Springs. No information about the crash was immediately available. The intersection was closed for more than four hours.
One Hospitalized Following Caddo County Accident
A fiery near head-on collision in Caddo County sends one person to the hospital. 19-year old Kiera Wishon of Anadarko was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital with leg injuries where she was last in fair condition. The accident happened about 5:30 p.m. Friday on State Highway 58 two miles north of Eakly. The highway patrol reports that Wishon crossed over the center line into the path of an oncoming semi. The semi driver took evasive action but Wishon's car hit the big rig then careened off the highway and caught fire. The driver of the semi, 64-year old Terry Lierle of Hydro, was not injured.
Wanted Drug Trafficking Suspect Surrenders
A Chickasha man wanted for alleged drug trafficking is in custody. 22-year old Lawrence Paul Anderson, II self-surrendered to authorities Wednesday afternoon. A judge issued a warrant for Anderson’s arrest on October 7th. He's facing two felony charges of drug trafficking. No information was available regarding the warrant. On-line court records indicate the charges were requested by the Drug Enforcement Agency. It's not known if Anderson's arrest is connected to the statewide investigation into the sale of counterfeit Oxycodone that investigators say has led to the deaths of two people in Grady County and as many as 10 people statewide. Anderson's bond is set at $500,000. Anderson is also charged with a misdemeanor for assault and battery following a separate investigation by Chickasha police.
Rape Suspect Behind Bars
A Chickasha man is arrested and charged with rape. 18-year old Jeremiah John Davis was arrested by Chickasha police Thursday afternoon and booked into the Grady County Jail. No information about the allegation was immediately available. Prosecutors have charged Davis with one count of rape in the second degree. He remains in jail on a $150,000 bond. Davis is to announce his attorney November 5th and a preliminary hearing conference is scheduled for Nov. 17th.
New Telephone Area Code to Change the Way You Call
If you have a telephone number with a 405 area code, you will soon have to include the area code when you make a call within the 405 region. Why? The Oklahoma Corporation Commission will be adding a new area code to the region that is currently served by 405. The new ‘572’ area code will be activated in May of next year. Starting today, you will be able to make a call with or without the area code. However, in April of next year you will be required to use all ten digits of the phone number you are calling. The new area code will not change existing numbers with the 405 area code. There will be no changes in the local call boundaries when the new area code goes into effect.
Obituary
Jamie Sanders
A private graveside service will be held for Jamie Sanders, 53, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
High School Football Scores
Bethany 40, Chickasha 12
Tuttle 14, Ada 0
Newcastle 49, Washington 16
Bridge Creek 37, Douglass 16
Ringling 21, Dibble 6
Hobart 34, Apache 14
Carnegie 36, Walters 12
Frederick 53, Lindsay 16
Marlow 41, Marietta 0
Alex 44, SW Covenant 38 (Thurs)
Strother 50, Bray-Doyle 0
Maysville 15, Paoli 0
Mt. View-Gotebo 48, Fox 0
Rush Springs at Wynnewood (Saturday)
Anadarko at Heritage Hall (Saturday)
Friday, October 23rd
Churches to Distribute 1,500 Food Boxes
There's another food distribution program set for Chickasha this week. Michigan Avenue Baptist Church and Break Out Ministries have been working to coordinate a Farmers to Families food giveaway. It's taken about a month to organize the project. Jeff Willoughby said they had to make sure the church's 501(C)3 non-profit status was certified and that they could get enough volunteers to help distribute all the food that will be given away.
Earlier this week, the Chickasha Emergency Food Pantry teamed up with the Regional Food Bank to distribute about 13,000 pounds of food to needy families in the region. The distribution will take place from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. tomorrow at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, 728 West Michigan Avenue. Traffic could be an issue. Willoughby said the route will start at 9th and Choctaw Avenue and go north on 9th Street to Oklahoma Street, where traffic will circle around to get to the church.
Sheriff's Office Warrant List
The Grady County Sheriff's Office has updated its list of individuals who have outstanding warrants. Here's Public Information Officer Lisa Hatchett.
If you have information regarding any of these individuals, contact the sheriff's office by calling 405-222-5085.
High School, Jr. High Rodeoers to Compete
Teenaged cowboys and cowgirls will be ridin' and ropin' in the area this weekend. The Oklahoma High School and Junior High School Rodeo Associations will be taking part in events in both Chickasha and Marlow. At the Grady County Fairgrounds in Chickasha it starts with a separate barrel racing competition with an exhibition this afternoon then an open barrel race at 6:30 tonight. Junior high rodeo events in Chickasha will begin at 10:00 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. The high school riders will have cutting competitions in Marlow starting at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow and 10:00 a.m. on Sunday. About 250 competitors are expected.
Talk Show Topic
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson will be on our KOOL Konversation to discuss winter weather preparedness. Find a link to the program under the Community tab on this website.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $40.64 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $42.46.
Natural gas is $3.00 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,911 and silver is $24.82.
Thursday, October 22nd
Sales Tax Collections Down for Chickasha; Grady County
Sales tax income for the City of Chickasha and for Grady County continues to fall below numbers from a year ago. In Chickasha, sales tax revenues collected from the Oklahoma Tax Commission this month were down 19 percent from October of 2019 - from $1.1 million last year to $890,000 this year – that’s a drop of about $220,000. The $890,000 received this month is also down nearly 10 percent from last month's total. At the county level, sales tax revenue this month is less than half what it was in October of 2019 - from $906,000 last year to $440,000 this month. The month-to-month collections for the county was actually up about 17 percent from the $375,000 collected last month. Use tax collections, which are those paid on Internet purchases, were up from last year in Chickasha - from $70,000 to $86,000. Grady County's use tax collections were lower - from $129,000 last year to $66,000 this year.
Driver Hospitalized After Pickup Rollover
A pickup rollover near Ninnekah sends a man to the hospital. The accident happened about 11:30 last night, two miles south of Ninnekah on U.S. Highway 81. 28-year old Timothy Holloway of Oklahoma City was taken to an Oklahoma City with head injuries and admitted in fair condition. The highway patrol reports that Holloway was southbound on the highway when he became distracted and the pickup ran off the roadway and rolled one time. Holloway was pinned in the cab of the truck for about 20 minutes. The trooper investigating the accident said Holloway's condition was normal and that he was wearing his seat belt.
Grady County Jury Docket Canceled
Grady County residents who may have gotten a notice for jury duty are off the hook. The jury term that was scheduled to start next week has been canceled. District Judge Kory Kirkland said it has been called off to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The term was to run Oct. 26th through Nov. 6th. Kirkland apologized for the short notice but said recent events made it impossible to conduct the trials at this time.
Photos of Retired Judges Sought
Judge Kirkland is also asking for some help to create a new Wall of Fame so to speak for all of the special judges who have served throughout the history of Grady County. Currently, portraits of all the district judges who have served are in the main courtroom of the courthouse. With the recent retirement of special Judge Tim Brauer, Kirkland wanted to recognize those individuals as well. There are two judges that Kirkland is seeking photographs for - Richard Weldon and Brent Smalling. Kirkland said he has checked with the historical society and local photographers and has not had any success. He asks anyone who may have photographs of Judges Weldon and Smalling to contact his office.
Chix Library Receives Healthy Lifestyles Grant
The Chickasha library has received a grant designed to help readers live healthier lifestyles. The Oklahoma Department of Libraries provided a nearly $6,000 grant to fund a number of Health Aging Initiative classes. The funds will also be used to purchase disc golf kits which can be loaned to library users, a sidewalk obstacle course for kids, and virtual healthy food preparation and cooking demonstration programs. The library can also create Facebook portals to help seniors in nursing homes and assisted living centers connect with their families. The state department of libraries issued 23 of these health literacy grants totaling more than $160,000.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $40.03 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $41.73.
Natural gas is $3.02 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,920 and silver is $25.04.
Obituaries
Brent Hill
A memorial service for Brent Hill, 50, of Blanchard will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, October 23rd at Chickasha's First Baptist Church. He worked at the church for the past 25 years. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
Rudolph Hodge
Funeral service for Rudolph Hodge, 70, of Chickasha will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 26th at Ferguson Funeral Home. He was a U.S. Army veteran and worked for PSO for 30 years. Masks and social distancing will be required and temperatures will be taken at the door prior to the service.
Wednesday, October 21st
Police Officer Talks Down Domestic Violence Suspect
A Minco police officer is credited with diffusing a tense domestic violence situation this past weekend after a father is alleged to have used his own son as a human shield. Corporal Ryan Clanton was called to investigate the disturbance Sunday morning, after a woman called police and told them her daughter had endured several hours of physical and verbal abuse. A probable cause affidavit indicates the victim tried to call 9-1-1 but the suspect took the phone and broke it. The victim eventually found a way to call her mother and ask her to come by to take her and the kids to safety. When the mother arrived, the suspect is alleged to have threatened to shoot and kill the victim. The mother then called police. When the officer arrived, that's when the suspect is reported to have grabbed the child and sat down on the porch with the child in front of him. The officer was able to talk the suspect into surrendering without incident. In custody is 35-year old Brenton Christopher Sanders. Prosecutors have charged him with felony counts child abuse and domestic assault and battery in the presence of a child, and two misdemeanor charges of interrupting an emergency phone call. Sanders remains in the Grady County Jail on a $75,000 bond.
Salvation Army Prepares for Red Kettle Drive
The Salvation Army which serves the Grady and Caddo County areas are like all Salvation Army locations across the country, preparing for the annual Red Kettle Drive. Bryan Brynlee with the regional agency says the bell-ringing will begin November 19th. As always, they are seeking volunteers to ring the bells. He says there is any easy way to sign up. Just go to the website: www.registertoring.com
The Salvation Army will also hire bell ringers at $9 per hour and they’ll be able to work up to 40 hours per week. Last year, the Grady and Caddo County Red Kettle drive collected $75,000 and was one of just two locations in the Oklahoma and Arkansas region to meet their goals. The bell-ringing campaign will run through Christmas Eve.
Several Chickasha Teachers Honored
Several teachers in the Chickasha school district are being recognized for their work in the classroom. Each school has selected their Teachers of the Year. At the high school its social studies teacher Bo Steele; at the Middle School it’s another social studies teacher Betsy Phillips; at Lincoln its 5th grade teacher Joanie McDonald; at Grand Elementary its 3rd grade teacher Jennifer Phillips; and at Bill Wallace its pre-K teacher Donna Osborn. Later in the school year one of them will be named the District Teacher of the Year and will go on to compete for State Teacher of the Year honors.
Grady County OHCE Holds Fall Conference
The Grady County OHCE groups have been trying to get a few things done during the pandemic. The groups spring and summer conferences were canceled as were their home-cooked meals and Indian Tacos at the Grady County Fair, and the annual Celebration of Crafts Show in November. The group managed to hold a combined spring, summer, and fall conference at the Grady County Fairgrounds yesterday. County president Myrtle Elston said they recognized two military veterans with Quilts of Honor including Rick Stitt, an Air Force Veteran who has been volunteering to mow lawns for needy families and Air Force veteran Homer Hulme who is a regular contributor to worthy causes.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $41.46 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $43.16.
Natural gas is $2.91 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,921 and silver is $25.15.
Obituaries
Gerald Scott, II
A graveside service for Gerald Scott, II, 46, of Oklahoma City will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 22nd at the Amber Cemetery. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
Elizabeth “Ann” Erwin
A graveside service for Ann Erwin, 86, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 6th at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Alyssa Seevers
A graveside service for Alyssa Seevers, the infant daughter of Derek and Amanda Seevers of Chickasha, will be at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, October 24th at the Verden Cemetery. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
Tuesday, October 20th
Water Company VP Discusses Chickasha Water Problems
For more than an hour last night, an official with Chickasha's water treatment plant talked to the city council about why the city's drinking water was in such bad condition last month. Aaron Voss is Vice President of Operations for U.S. Water Services Corporation, the private company which operates the city's water treatment plants. Voss blamed part of the problem on issues that have affected the drinking water for many years. The city gets its water from the Ft. Cobb Reservoir and officials say the water in the reservoir "turns over" every summer and in doing so introduces high levels of various minerals into the pipelines. Voss said-
Voss also said that the minerals adhere to the water lines and that chemicals introduced cause those minerals to 'slough off' the lines and into the water which presents more challenges. He said the current treatment plant is unable to properly treat a large volume of water which contains an excessive level of minerals.
The water problems surfaced around the Labor Day weekend in early September. Voss said they were finally able to get the problems to subside around September 29th. However, some council reps say there are still some neighborhoods experiencing problems. Voss also stated that way to solve some of the problems is to build some new water treatment facilities but he did not say what the cost of those new facilities might be. City officials will be posting Voss's presentation on the city's website and on social media in the next few days.
Another Drug Trafficking Suspect in Custody
Local law enforcement officials arrest another individual on complaints of drug trafficking. Ninnekah police and Grady County Sheriff's deputies arrested 35-year old Eric Hooper of Chickasha following a traffic stop in Ninnekah last Thursday morning. A probable cause affidavit indicates the officers were at the Valero station at U.S. Highway 81 and U.S. Highway 277 when they witnessed a driver revving his engine and screeching his tires heading north. The driver pulled over and officers recognized Hooper from previous encounters. Hooper is said to have told officers they knew he doesn't have a driver's license. The officers detained Hooper because in previous run-ins he had tried to elude them. Hooper gave consent to search the car and authorities found several baggies of a substance that tested for methamphetamine. Hooper was taken to the Grady County Jail on a complaint of drug possession. At his initial appearance in district court yesterday Hooper was charged with a felony for drug trafficking and his bond was set at $50,000.
Historical Society Prepares for Annual Meeting
The Grady County Historical Society is preparing for its annual membership meeting. Normally the group holds a formal banquet and has a guest speaker but the pandemic has changed that format. Instead, the group will hold an informal gathering and urges current and new members to pay their annual dues and also donate the cost of last year's banquet ticket. Museum curator Pat Cunningham said the membership meeting will be held Monday, November 2nd starting at 4:30 p.m. at the museum at 415 W. Chickasha Ave. Hors d’oeuvres will be served at Alexander Eats which is inside the museum. The historical society has a number of membership options with individual annual memberships starting at $50 and business memberships starting at $200. Memberships for students are only $10. Those who plan to attend are asked to RSVP by Oct. 30th by calling 405-224-6480 or e-mail gradycomuseum@gmail.com
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $40.83 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $42.62.
Natural gas is $2.79 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,910 and silver is $24.78.
Monday, October 19th
Washita River Bridge Reconstruction OK'd for 2021
The Oklahoma Transportation Commission has approved a multi-million dollar bridge construction project just east of Chickasha. Earlier this month, the panel signed off on nearly $12.5 million project to replace both U.S. Highway 62 bridges over the Washita River which are just east of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. The bid came under the engineer’s estimated cost of nearly $14 million. The low bid on the project was awarded to Manhattan Road and Bridge Company of Tulsa which was one of six bids submitted. Construction is expected to start after the first of the year. State Department of Transportation officials say they'll work on one bridge at a time so traffic will be narrowed to one lane in each direction during construction. It's the second big project for Grady County awarded by the commission over the last couple months. Also getting started next year will be the widening of Old U.S. Highway 81 between Chickasha and Ninnekah.
Chickasha Water Issues On Tap for Council Meeting
The Chickasha City Council will get an update on the city's drinking water issues when it meets tonight. Officials with USW, the private contractor hired by the city to treat the city's water, will try to explain why the city's water was in bad shape last month. For an extended period of time the city's tap water was discolored and smelled and tasted bad. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.
Festival of Light Opens Nov. 21st
The 28th annual Chickasha Festival of Light is just over one month away. The event at Shannon Springs Park has drawn visitors from across the country and around the globe. An estimated 3 million lights will shine at the park which includes the estimated 25,000 lights on the more than 160-foot tall Christmas tree. Elizabeth Allen with the Festival of Light says the ice skating rink is coming back.
The Ferris wheel and horse-drawn carriage rides will also return. The Festival of Light will open the Saturday before Thanksgiving, November 21st and run nightly through Thursday, December 31st.
United Way of SW Oklahoma Fundraiser Set
The United Way of Southwest Oklahoma is gearing up for its annual fundraising campaign. The Great Plains Technology Center of Lawton is hosting a golf tournament at the Ft. Sill Golf Course. It is a four-person scramble set for Friday, November 6th. Organizers are also seeking teams and corporate sponsors with all proceeds going to the United Way of Southwest Oklahoma. Contact coordinator Jenna Alston at the Lawton tech center for information by calling 580-250-5612 or jalston@greatplains.edu
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $40.88 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $42.93.
Natural gas is $2.77 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,916 and silver is $24.92.
Obituaries
Ralph Frederick “Rick” Ford
Funeral service for Rick Ford, 68, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, October 21st at First Baptist Church. He ran Ford Energy Company and served as president and treasurer of Chickasha's Little League baseball program for many years. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Heart Association.
