Saturday, March 6th
Next Chix City Manager May be Hired Next Week
After interviewing two candidates for the vacant city manager post the Chickasha City Council may be ready to fill the seat. The council held a closed-door meeting Thursday for interviews and now have scheduled a special meeting Tuesday for another interview with one of those finalists. The agenda for the meeting is to discuss the hiring of any individual salaried public officer or employee. This will be another meeting that is closed to the public. The city council has been looking for a new city manager since former manager John Noblitt resigned in January.
Coronavirus Numbers Declining in Some Areas
The number of positive coronavirus cases in Grady County is on the decline. For the first time in nearly five months the state health department has moved the county out of the Orange risk category to Yellow, which is no more than 13 cases per 100,000 in population. Grady County is among 47 counties that are now in the Yellow risk area as are McClain, Garvin, and Stephens counties. Still in the Orange category are Caddo, Canadian, and Comanche counties. Grady County had been in the Orange category since last September. There have been nearly 5,700 positive tests in Grady County with 76 deaths. There are 146 active cases.
Some Chix Students to Return to Classroom Learning
The county's improvement in coronavirus cases means that some Chickasha Public School students will return to the classroom. School officials say it eliminates the option for students who are in the temporary remote status who had been taking classes from home. Those students will be required to return to the classroom on Monday. It does not affect the students who are on the virtual or blended pathway programs. Chickasha's total number of positive COVID-19 test is 2,348 and there have been 45 deaths. There are 70 active cases in the city.
Semi Driver Sentenced in Negligent Homicide Case
A semi driver will spend some time in jail after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors in connection with a deadly accident involving a motorcycle. 45-year old Allen James Rainey of Wichita, Kansas entered a blind plea to a misdemeanor charge of negligent homicide in Grady County District Court this week. He was sentenced to one year in jail with six months suspended and fined nearly $300. The accident occurred in March of 2018 at U.S. Highway 81 and Pikes Peak Road. Rainey was at the wheel of a semi that struck and killed Jason Reagor, also of Kansas. A reconstruction of the accident indicated that Rainey's pre-impact speed was 52 miles per hour in a 45-mile per hour zone. The report said his speed was between 37 and 45 miles per hour upon impact. Witnesses say Reagor had signaled to make a turn prior to the accident.
Continental Resources Completes Weatherford Gas Wells
Continental Resources just recently filed completion reports of two large gas wells north of Weatherford. The website www.okenergytoday.com reports the wells were producing more than 29,000 metric cubic feet (MCF) of natural gas per day. The Truman location was producing more than 16,000 MCF of natural gas per day from a depth of nearly 25,000 feet. The Switzer location was producing more than 13,000 MCF from a depth of more than 24,000 feet in the Mississippian play. Spud dates for both wells were in March and April last year with completion dates of July and August.
North Texas to See Wind Farm Construction
The largest wind farm operator in the Sooner State has begun its next project south of the Red River. Enel Green Power's next wind farm will be southwest of Wichita Falls, Texas. OK Energy Today cites a report from Energy Global that the 79 wind turbines will make up the first hybrid project to integrate wind-generated power and battery storage at one site. Power from the 350 megawatt project will be sold to Kellogg Company.
Friday, March 5th
Child Hospitalized After Falling Out of Moving Truck
A 3-year old Pocasset boy is hospitalized after falling out of a moving truck. The unidentified boy was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital with head and arm injuries and admitted in good condition. The child was a passenger in 1997 Freightliner driven by 31-year Kendall Zeiset also of Pocasset who was not injured. The accident happened on an asphalt Caddo County road about five miles west of Lookeba. Zeiset told the trooper investigating the accident that he hit a pothole and the passenger door opened, causing the boy to fall out of the truck and land in a ditch. The trooper believed a defect in the truck may have caused the door to open. The boy was not in a car seat.
Volunteer Firefighters Tackle Numerous Fire Calls
Nearly every volunteer fire department in Grady County was summoned to battle fires or answer medical calls Thursday. Grady County Fire Department spokesman Buddy Myers said 70 firefighters and nearly 50 fire trucks were dispatched at some point. It started about 10:45 a.m. with a grass fire at the former Riverbend golf course. Crews got that fire contained in about 90 minutes but were called back out on a re-kindle a couple of hours later. Volunteers were called out to help the Chickasha Fire Department battle a fire at Country Club Road and the Norge Highway. Rush Springs was called out to a Union Pacific Railroad engine on fire near Agawam. An electrical issue may have been the cause and no one was hurt. Rush Springs also responded to a carport fire about three miles north of Rush Springs which caused about $10,000 in damage. There was also a fire southeast of the Tabler area. In all, Myers said about 150 acres of grassland burned and two of the grass fires were started by people welding. He said anyone who might be welding to take precautions to prevent fires from starting. He said much of the state could see extremely high fire danger early next week.
Record Amount Paid at Jr. Livestock Show Premium Sale
A record amount of cash was paid out during the 85th annual Grady County Jr. Livestock Show premium sale last night. Nearly $250,000 was distributed to the youth. The actual auction of animals brought in nearly $130,000 with an additional $120,000 in add-ons which were paid by family, friends, and businesses. The grand champion steer from Blake Janssen of Ampo and the reserve grand champion goat by Jack Ferrell, also of Ampo each brought a record $3,500. The reserve grand steer belonging to Sage Schenk of Ampo brought $3,000. The three other grand champion animals brought $3,200 each. Kaylee White of Rush Springs had the grand market hog, Taylor McGill of Tuttle had the grand champion lamb, and Destyn Emerson of Tuttle had the grand champion goat. The youth get to keep their animals, and now will head to the Oklahoma Youth Expo later this month.
Talk Show Topic
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Grady County District Attorney Jason Hicks talks about his frustration with the state pardon and parole board and the state's criminal justice reform program on our KOOL Konversation. This is part one of a two-part program as we will air Hicks’ press conference that he held following the murder charges filed against triple murder suspect Laurence Paul Anderson. Find a link to the program under the Community tab on this website.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $63.83 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $66.74.
Natural gas is $2.74 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,695 and silver is $25.44.
Thursday, March 4th
OSBI To investigate State Pardon and Parole Board
Gov. Kevin Stitt has asked the OSBI to determine if any wrong-doing took place within the state pardon and parole board in regards to triple homicide suspect Lawrence Paul Anderson. Anderson had been released from prison just three weeks before his alleged crimes. The Oklahoman reports that the findings may worsen the battle between advocates pushing for criminal justice reform and prosecutors who say the reform efforts have gone too far and endanger the public. The governor told the OSBI that information had been presented to him which raises concerns that violations of state law and/or violations of the rules of the pardon and parole board may have been committed. The letter also mentions the early release of another inmate. The OSBI probe will focus on how Anderson's case to commute his sentence came up in 2020, after the pardon and parole board initially rejected the commutation request in 2019.
Some Chix Students May Return to Classrooms
Chickasha school officials are telling parents that students on a remote status education program may be returning to the classroom. According to a post on the school district’s Facebook page, officials say there is a downward trend in positive COVID-19 cases in Grady County. Officials say there is a possibility the county could change from a red to a yellow designation. The county would have to fall below 14.9 positive cases per 100,000 in population in order for that to happen. Currently, it’s at 15.1 positive cases per 100,000. The post said school officials should know tomorrow afternoon if the status improves. If that happens the students will return to in-person instruction on Monday, March 8th. The change would not affect students who are on the virtual pathway of learning.
New Chickasha Police Officers Sworn In
Several Chickasha police officers took their oaths to protect and serve this week. Chickasha native Walker Powell, 23, previously worked as a detention officer and for Union Pacific Railroad. Malik Boardingham, 24, is originally from Anadarko and attended UCO on a football scholarship while studying criminal justice. Andrew Kammerlocker, 28, is from Newcastle and graduated from Oklahoma State with a psychology degree. Christopher Butler, 32, is from Moore and previously worked as a hospital security officer and for the Oklahoma City Housing Authority. The veteran of the new officers is Edward Bayones, who begin his law enforcement career in 2002 in Marlow and also served as a federal police officer. He's a U.S. Army veteran where he served in the Middle East during Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He also served with the Oklahoma National Guard and is now part of the Oklahoma Air National Guard where he serves as a flight medic.
Premium Sale for Grady County Jr. Livestock Show Tonight
The premium sale of the 85th annual Grady County Junior Livestock show will bring the week-long event to a close tonight. A buyer's dinner will be held at the Grady County Fairgrounds at 5:30 p.m. with the sale itself getting underway at 7:00 p.m. Nearly 125 animals will be led through the show ring. Those with the top animals of the show include Blake Janssen of Ampo with the grand champion steer and Sage Schenk also of Ampo with the reserve grand. Kaylee White of Rush Springs had the grand champion market hog and Hadley Cooper of Ampo had the reserve. Taylor McGill of Tuttle had the grand champion lamb and Ainslee McComas of Ampo had the reserve Destyn Emerson of Tuttle had the grand champion goat and Jack Ferrell of Ampo had the reserve.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $61.28 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $64.07.
Natural gas is $2.81 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,713 and silver is $25.93.
Obituaries
Robert Null
Funeral service for Robert Null, 59, of Chickasha will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 6th at Chickasha Life Church. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Agatha Bell
Funeral service for Agatha Bell, 40, of Hollis will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 6th at Calvary Community Church in Hollis. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
Wednesday, March 3rd
Drugs, Stolen Items Found at Dibble Area Home
One person is custody and authorities are looking for two others after investigators find drugs and dozens of stolen items at a home near Dibble. Grady County Sheriff Jim Weir says deputies were called out late Monday night by McClain County authorities to a home just west of the Grady-McClain county line. A Texas man who reported his vehicle stolen said he was able to trace the vehicle on an app to that location. When the man pinged the vehicle, deputies saw its lights flashing and heard the horn honking behind a mobile home off the roadway. Deputies saw two people leave the trailer, get in different vehicles and drive through a pasture to get away. Weir said authorities obtained a search warrant and talks about what they found-
Deputies arrested 32-year old Kimberly Sue Siemens on complaints that include possession of stolen property and possession of drugs with intent to distribute. The sheriff said an arrest warrant has been issued for 38-year old Samuel Mirach. He's Caucasian, 6-3 and 220 pounds with brown hair and green eyes and has a tattoo of an unidentified name on the left side of his neck. Weir said Mirach should be considered to be armed and dangerous, and asks anyone who might see him or know where he is to call 9-1-1 or local law enforcement. Weir said Mirach pleaded guilty to being an accessory to murder out of Cleveland County in 2007 and was released from prison after serving 10 years of a 35-year sentence. Weir said they do not know the name of the third suspect.
Couple Face Child Pornography Charges
A Chickasha man and his wife are facing child porn charges after authorities say they were found with hundreds of lewd pictures and videos. Documents on file at the Grady County Courthouse show that investigators with the Department of Homeland Security discovered Mark and Tina Moreland with nearly 600 images of child porn on a cell phone and on a computer system in December of 2019. Arrest warrants were issued just last week and both were taken into custody. Both are facing felony charges of possession of child porn and violating the state's computer crimes act. Bond has been set at $500,000 each. They face up to life in prison and thousands of dollars in fines if convicted.
Finalists to be Interviewed for Chix City Manager Post
The Chickasha City Council is moving quickly to find a new city manager. The panel will have a special meeting tomorrow night to interview two finalists. The interviews will be held during an executive session which is closed to the public. Mayor Chris Mosley said the two finalists were among 10 individuals who applied. Mosley said they were set to interview a third finalist but that candidate withdrew their name from consideration. Mosley, who is temporarily serving as acting city manager, said the council was originally going to hire an interim city manager but has decided against that move.
Verden, Cement Voters OK School Bond Issues
Voters in Verden and Cement school districts approve special bond issues by wide margins in special elections yesterday. In low voter turnout, just over 50 voters in Verden approved a $250,000 bond issue to purchase three buses. The measure passed 45 to 7. Fewer than 60 voters cast ballots for two bond issues for Cement schools. A $245,000 bond issue to make upgrades to the cafeteria kitchen, some bathrooms, and to purchase lawn mowers and maintenance equipment passed 53 to 5. A $55,000 bond issue to purchase a school bus passed 53 to 6.
Hay Destroyed, Grassland Charred by Flames
A wildfire fire destroyed dozens of large hay bales and charred several acres of grassland east of Chickasha yesterday. Grady County Fire Department spokesman Buddy Myers says smoke from the fire may also have caused a multi-vehicle pileup on the turnpike. Volunteer firefighters from Amber, Friend, and Naples departments were called out about 5:15 p.m. Tuesday to mile marker 89 on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. The fire destroyed about 75 large round bales of hay and burned about 50 acres of grassland. About 20 firefighters and 14 trucks were on the scene for about three hours. The cause of the fire couldn’t be determined but may have been from a vehicle dragging a chain or a discarded cigarette. Myers also said several other departments were dispatched to battle smaller fires yesterday. Pocasset, Rush Springs and Bailey fire departments were called out. Myers said while the area has had some recent moisture, vegetation is dry and conditions are ripe for rapid spread of any fire that breaks out. He also said while the vegetation is dry, the ground beneath is wet – which causes problems for firetrucks.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $59.75 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $62.70.
Natural gas is $2.83 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,722 and silver is $26.65.
Obituary
Perry Pape
Funeral service for Perry Pape, 61, of Anadarko will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, March 5th at Ferguson Funeral Home.
Tuesday, March 2nd
City of Chickasha Hires Contractor
to Pick Up Brush from October Ice Storm
It's been more than four months since an October ice storm paralyzed much of central and western Oklahoma. The City of Chickasha has finally received FEMA funds to hire a contractor to help remove the numerous downed trees and limbs which have been sitting on the curbside since then. The city only had one crew available to do the work. Last night, the Chickasha City Council approved a $171,000 contract with Greenbelt Turf Management Company of Wilson, Okla. It was the lowest of four bids submitted for the project with the highest being $630,000. Ward 2 Councilman Clark Van Dyck was concerned that the bid was half that of the next lowest bid. Mayor Chris Mosley said that officials checked with three other cities that also contracted with Greenleaf - Newcastle, Warr Acres, and Del City - and all said they were happy with the company’s work. Mosley noted that firm did use subcontractors to help with those projects.
Chix City Council OKs Advertising for Dog Park Construction
The council also approved going out for bids to build a dog park at Centennial Park. Mayor Mosley said that the Badgett Family has donated $100,000 to build a more than 1 1/2 acre park. The preliminary design shows there will be separate areas for large and small dogs and that the park will be fenced in so the dogs can be off their leashes. Councilman Oscar Nelson asked if there would be additional police patrol around the park due to a recent stabbing there and that a dog was stolen out of a car recently just a few blocks from the park. There was also concern about liability issues but Mayor Mosley said that numerous signs would be posted around the park to help with that issue.
Hall of Fame Coach Joe Tunnell Passes Away
Legendary high school football coach Joe Tunnell has died. Tunnell coached for more than 40 years and won more than 300 games with stops at Lindsay and Rush Springs, winning at least 100 games at each school. The Oklahoma Coaches Association Hall of Famer won two state championships at Rush Springs. After retiring in 2000, he worked with the Oklahoma Coaches Association where he just retired last year. Tunnell was 83 when he passed away at his Rush Springs home this morning. Funeral service is pending.
Bridge Replacement Project Underway
Contractors for the State Department of Transportation have started the initial work to replace two bridges on U.S. Highway 62 just east of downtown Chickasha. The Manhattan Bridge Company of Tulsa was awarded a $12 million contract to build new bridges over the Washita River just east of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. ODOT resident engineer Reece Knight says both bridges will be completely removed and new bridges built in their place. The parallel bridges will each be widened from 28 feet to 44 feet and will include full-size shoulders. Crews have started the work to construct crossover lanes. Motorists will need to be cautious as traffic will be down to one lane in each direction on one bridge while the other bridge is being built. Construction is expected to take about a year.
Verden, Cement Voters to Decide School Bond Issues
Voters in the Verden and Cement school districts have special bond elections today. In Verden, there's a $250,000 bond issue to purchase two new school buses for rural routes and a 44-passenger activity bus. In Cement, there are two bond issues - one for $245,000 for renovations to the cafeteria kitchen and student bathrooms at the high school and elementary schools. It would also pay for exterior paint at the high school and some new mowers and maintenance equipment. There is also a $55,000 bond issue to purchase a new bus. Polls are open until 7:00 p.m. tonight.
Grady County Jr. Livestock Show Underway
Grady county youth are hoping to earn bragging rights for having the top cattle, sheep, swine, and goats this week. The annual Grady County Junior Livestock show is underway at the Grady County Fairgrounds. The best animals shown this week will command top dollar at the premium sale which is the highlight of the week. In the swine show yesterday, the top honors were shared by Kaylee White of Rush Springs FFA and Hadley Cooper of Ampo 4H. Kaylee had the grand champion market hog and Hadley Cooper had the reserve-grand. Hadley had the grand champion breeding gilt and Kaylee had the reserve-grand. In the showmanship competition, Chyann Emerson of Tuttle FFA was senior showman; Lindsay Massey of Verden FFA was intermediate showman; and Kendyll Dunn of Alex 4H was the junior showman. Today both the sheep and goats shows will be held. At the premium sale Thursday night, more than $125,000 is expected to be paid to the top exhibitors between the auction and additional funds provided by family, friends, and businesses.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $60.64 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $63.69.
Natural gas is $2.77 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,729 and silver is $26.39.
Obituaries
Robert “Bob” Bates
A memorial service will be held at a later date for Robert “Bob” Bates, 92, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home. Bates was a U.S. Air Force veteran.
Tim Ketchum
A memorial service for Tim Ketchum, 56, of Chickasha will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 5th at Southern Oaks Church of Christ. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
Monday, March 1st
Chix City Manager Applicants to be Reviewed
The Chickasha City Council tonight will sift through the names of a number of candidates who have applied for the vacant city manager position. That will take place during a behind-closed-doors session as part of tonight's only regularly scheduled city council meeting for the month of March. The group is expected to schedule interviews with some of the applicants. The panel is expected to hire a contractor to help clean up the brush that still remains from last October's ice storm. There will also be discussion to solicit bids for what will be known as the Badgett Dog Park. The Badgett family has donated several thousand dollars to the city to build a dog park at Centennial Park. Bids are to be in to city hall later this month. The group is also to approve going out for bids to install water and sewer lines for the development of The Villas at Grand Avenue. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.
Virtual Re-Districting Town Hall Meeting Tonight
State lawmakers will hold a virtual town hall meeting this evening to discuss re-drawing state and federal district lines. Legislators will provide an update and discuss actions regarding the proposed changes. Tuttle State Senator Lonnie Paxton chairs the senate redistricting committee. He said the rules, guidelines, and map parameters are one of the key components in the open and transparent redistricting process. The virtual town hall meeting will be held at 6 o'clock tonight and will be accessible from the state House of Representatives website at www.okhouse.gov Individuals may submit one house and one senate map with the deadline to submit them of April 4th.
Chix Firefighters Call Attention to Rare Diseases
Chickasha firefighters took some time this past weekend to promote Rare Disease Day. The last day of February is set aside to raise awareness for rare illnesses. Annaliese Smith, the 7-year old daughter of Chickasha firefighter Dallas Smith and wife Darci, has Wolf- Hirschhorn Syndrome which affects about one of every 50,000 babies. Annalise was born with a heart defect, a cleft palate, and has developmental delays. Some Wolf-Hirschhorn children cannot walk, but Annalise is good on her feet and loves to dance. She is non-verbal, but is able to communicate through signing. She has a therapeutic program to help improve her quality of life.
Passport Program Begins at Chickasha Retail Outlets
A new retail promotion is underway in Chickasha in which shoppers can qualify to win up to $500 in gift cards. The Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council have begun the Chickasha Passport Program. Starting today, shoppers are encouraged to travel to participating retail outlets. For every $10 spent, customers will receive a sticker they can place on their passport, with a maximum of three stamps per day. Once the passport is filled out, it will need to be mailed or dropped off at the chamber office. On April 1st, a drawing will be held live on the Chamber's Facebook page, where eight of the $500 gift-card bundles will be awarded. Chickasha Wings is a co-sponsor of the Passport Program. The passports are available at participating merchants and can also be downloaded from the chamber's website.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $61.50 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $66.13.
Natural gas is $2.77 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,742 and silver is $26.91.
