Saturday, July 24th
Search Continues for Missing Anadarko Woman
The search for a missing Anadarko woman is expanding. Today is day three of the search for 55-year old Dawn Sherrill. She was recently diagnosed with brain cancer and had surgery just a few weeks ago. She left her home in her boyfriend's pickup Wednesday night and hasn't been seen since. KFOR-TV reports that pilots from the Chickasha Wings Flying School were part of an air search yesterday. Pilot Brandon Albert said three pilots covered about 900 square miles over the region and they'll be out again today. Sherrill's son Dylan told KFOR that he's worried and is hoping that someone knows where she might be.
Dylan said his mother could be disoriented or confused after having brain surgery and she's supposed to go to the doctor Monday. Dylan says he has reached out to mail carriers, sanitation workers, and wind farmers to be on the lookout in rural areas and he's also reached out to Ft. Sill for help. Dawn Sherrill could be driving a 2007 red Ford F-150 pickup with a smoker in the back. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Caddo County Sheriff's office or local law enforcement.
Caddo County Livestock Killed; Reward Offered
Ranchers in Caddo County are reporting that their livestock are being killed and properties vandalized over the last few weeks. Many reports are from the Ft. Cobb and Broxton area. In addition, a new wind farm under construction in the region has also been victimized by theft and vandalism. Residents in the area are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators. A post on the Caddo County Sheriff's Office Facebook page says tips can be submitted on the agency's website:
www.caddocountysheriff.com
City of Chix Seeks Code Enforcement Officer
The City of Chickasha is in search of a new Code Compliance Officer. Responsibilities include inspecting residential, commercial, and industrial properties in need of cleaning, clearing, alterations, or remodeling. The candidate will also enforce property maintenance codes, inspect structures for safety violations, and provide guidance to citizens on codes and general appearance questions. The officer also investigates citizen complaints to determine if there are health or safety hazards and nuisances. A complete job description and applications are available on the city's website: www.chickasha.org
Grady County Sheriff Updates Wanted 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 you’re asked to contact the sheriff's office by calling 405-222-5085.
Obituary
Donald Habener
Funeral service for Donald Habener, 65, of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 27th at Ferguson Funeral Home.
Friday, July 23rd
Silver Alert Issued for Missing Anadarko Woman
The search continues for a missing Anadarko woman who recently had brain cancer surgery. The Caddo County Sheriff's Office has issued a Silver Alert for 55-year old Dawn Sherrill. She was last seen at her home south of Anadarko Wednesday night. Sherrill's son, Dylan, tells KFOR-TV that doctors found masses on his mother's brain just a few weeks ago. One mass was removed and another was inoperable. Dylan said shortly after his mother's diagnosis, he took her car keys away because driving would be too dangerous. But Dawn left Wednesday night in her boyfriend's dark red, 2007 Ford F-150 pickup with Oklahoma tag number DLN-579. It has a smoker in the back and a black tailgate. Authorities say Dawn could be anywhere in the Anadarko, Carnegie, Apache, Fletcher, Elgin or Lawton area. Dawn Sherrill is Caucasian, with brown hair past her shoulders and wears glasses. She was last wearing tan Capri pants, and a smokey-gray scrub top that says Anadarko Vet - a top she wears at her work at a local veterinary clinic. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Caddo County Sheriff’s office or local law enforcement.
Minco Man Wanted for Child Molestation
Caddo County authorities are looking for a Minco man alleged to have molested two young girls. An arrest warrant has been issued for 59-year old Warner Watt who is facing felony charges of lewd molestation. The Lawton Constitution cites Caddo County court documents indicating Watt told the children's parents that he was drunk on moonshine and got “handsy” with the girls who are 10- and 14-years old. Watt faces up to 25 years in prison on each felony lewd molestation count if convicted.
Chix Police Officer Commended for Life-Saving Skills
A Chickasha police officer is credited for her life-saving skills. According to a post on the Chickasha Police Department Facebook page, Officer Kristen Thomas was dispatched to a call about an unresponsive person on Sunday, July 11th. Thomas began live-saving measures which included CPR. The post says that Thomas' quick thinking, calm demeanor, and decisive actions saved the life of the individual.
D'town Chix to Host 'Christmas Cool Down' and Block Party
The Leg Lamp has returned to downtown Chickasha to highlight the city's Christmas in July retail promotion. The 40-foot tall leg lamp received international attention last fall with mostly rave reviews about the iconic lamp featured in the holiday movie, The Christmas Story. The lamp is part of a Christmas Cool Down and Block Party that will be held downtown tomorrow night. It's a free event that will be held at the Rock Island Railroad Depot starting at 5:00 p.m. with kids activities which include inflatable slides, arts and crafts, and face painting and food trucks will be on hand. At 6:00 p.m. there will be free Jungle Ice Snow cones with the Summer Santa Snow Cone Social, and free photos with Summer Santa. A free concert starts at 7:30 p.m. with Billy Davis and the Band of Brothers opening before the featured duo of Maggie McLure and Shane Henry, also known as The Imaginaries. A short fireworks show will follow the concert. Officials encourage those who plan on attending to bring lawn chairs.
Talk Show Topic
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Ahsha Morin with The Red Cord, southwest Oklahoma's anti-human trafficking group, will be on our KOOL Konversation. Find a link to the program under the Community tab on this website.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.91 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $73.79.
Natural gas is $4.00 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,801 and silver is $25.26.
Thursday, July 22nd
Arrests Made in Connection with Multi-County Crime Spree
A lengthy investigation by the Grady County Sheriff's Office and other law enforcement agencies has helped officials solve a multi-county crime spree. The crimes include identity theft, forgery, eluding, and porch piracy. Grady County Undersheriff Gary Boggess issued a press release saying the investigation had been on-going for several months and credits the work of Deputy Stacy Carpenter. Carpenter worked with the Grady County Fugitive Task Force and officials from Moore, Del City, Midwest City, and Shawnee. The investigation led to arrest warrants being issued for Nicole Stowers of Del City and Michael Ramsey of Shawnee. Authorities arrested Stowers last week while she attempted to elude police in Moore. Stowers is in the Grady County Jail pending a $100,000 bond and Ramsey is currently in the Pottawattamie County Jail. Both are also being held in connection with similar crimes in Canadian County.
The Red Cord Sets 'Stop (human) Trafficking' NOW Event
A southwest Oklahoma group is leading the battle against human trafficking.It's called The Red Cord, a non-profit group whose mission is to help victims trying to escape their captors and to educate law enforcement, first responders, and teachers to recognize warning signs of human trafficking. Ahsha Morin with The Red Cord says-
The Red Cord will hold its third annual Stop the Traffic Night of Worship, or, Stop the Traffic NOW program in Lawton next week. It is a free, family-friendly event with live music from local worship bands, face-painting, sno-cones and inflatable games for the kids. The event will be Friday, July 30th at Lawton's Elmer Thomas Park and participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets. For information visit the website www.theredcord.org or see the Red Cord on Facebook or # Stop Human Trafficking
Protesters March on Kiowa Tribal Complex
A protest was held at the Kiowa Tribe Complex in Carnegie yesterday as members of the tribe’s executive and legislative branches disagree over the use of COVID-19 funds. A group estimated at between 100 and 150 people - including three trbial legislators - marched through Carnegie and to the Kiowa Complex, which was closed to the public. The Lawton Constitution reports that members of the legislative branch say that Chairman Matt Komalty is violating the tribe’s constitution under his plan to spend nearly $51 million in ARPA COVID-19 funds. Legislator Anita Johnson says the funds cannot be distributed without first being approved by a vote of tribal members. Komalty was out of town and not available for comment. The newspaper reported that a second protest is to be held in the near future at the Bureau of Indian Affairs Headquarters in Anadarko.
E-Sports, Skeet Shooting to be Offered at Chix High School
Students at Chickasha high school will have a couple of new extra-curricular activities to take part in during the upcoming school year. The board of education has approved E-Sports and clay-target shooting programs. E-Sports is a video-game competition that is growing in popularity among public schools, and a number of Oklahoma school districts already have organized teams. Chickasha will take part in The Western Oklahoma E-Sports League with competition to start this fall. Regarding the clay-target shooting program, the school district's resource officer, Deputy Mark Ingram with the Grady County Sheriff's Office will direct the program. It will be part of the Oklahoma Scholastic Shooting Sports Program and the Oklahoma State High School Clay Target League. The shooting sports season will begin after archery season ends.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.30 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $72.23.
Natural gas is $3.96 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,800 and silver is $25.13.
Wednesday, July 21st
Arrests Made After 125 mph Pursuit
A woman and a man were taken into custody following a high-speed chase through parts of two counties on Tuesday. The chase began in Mustang in the noon hour and ended just north of Chickasha about 1:15 p.m. Authorities say the pursuit began after a woman was accused of writing a bad check at a bank in Mustang. The pursuit went west out of Mustang and into Union City, then south on U.S. Highway 81 through Minco. Union City police, Grady County sheriff’s deputies, and state troopers were all part of the pursuit with speeds reaching 125 miles per hour. Our partners at KWTV-News 9 and helicopter pilot Jim Gardner had live coverage of the pursuit. The car veered into oncoming traffic several times forcing a number of cars and trucks off the highway. The pursuit came to an end just north of the Chickasha airport after authorities deployed stop sticks which disabled the vehicle. With guns drawn authorities removed a female driver and a male passenger without incident. The names of the two individuals were not immediately available.
Nathan McCalla Joins Chix Planning Commission
A new member has been appointed to the City of Chickasha's Planning Commission. Nathan McCalla will serve the remaining months of an unexpired term on the panel which runs through June 30, 2022. Mayor Chris Mosley nominated McCalla to fill the vacancy left after Marilyn Feaver stepped down from the post. The city council unanimously approved McCalla's appointment this week.
Open Streets Program set for September
The city council also approved a request to hold an annual Open Streets program. Normally held in the spring, the event was canceled last year and this past spring due to the pandemic. The request came from the YMCA which has served as one of the main sponsors of the event for the previous three years. Open Streets is a family-friendly event designed to get people outdoors and encourage physical activity. The event will be held on Saturday, September 11th along Chickasha Avenue from the Rock Island Railroad Depot to 3rd Street. Individuals are encouraged to bring their bicycles, roller skates, and skateboards, and about two dozen vendors will be on hand. The event will run from about 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Misty McClellan Joins American Red Cross Staff
The newest member of the American Red Cross that serves central and southwest Oklahoma is looking forward to her new duties. Misty McClellan was named the region’s executive director earlier this month. McClellan previously served as the director of alumni services at the University of Science and Arts. McClellan will be in many communities to discuss the work of the Red Cross.
She said many local volunteers deploy to national emergencies including disasters following hurricanes that occur this time of year.
Rep. Boles Appointed to Hydrogen Task Force
State Representative Brad Boles has been appointed to serve on a state task force. The Marlow Republican is serving on the Hydrogen Production, Transportation, and Infrastructure Task Force. Boles said the hydrogen industry has the potential to be a multi-billion dollar industry for the state, but right now there is not a lot of working knowledge of that sector. He said the task force wants to create a positive business atmosphere where Oklahoma can be a national leader in that area. He said it will allow lawmakers the chance to learn more about hydrogen and how it could be utilized to create new jobs and diversify the state's economy.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $67.42 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $69.35.
Natural gas is $3.88 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,305 and silver is $25.23.
Tuesday, July 20th
Home Invasion Suspect Shot by Homeowner
A man suspected of a home invasion is hospitalized after being shot by the homeowner, after authorities say the suspect broke in to confront his estranged wife. The break-in occurred before dawn on Saturday, July 10th at a home east of Chickasha near Cimarron Trailers. In a press release issued by the Grady County Sheriff's Office, authorities were dispatched to a 9-1-1 call to investigate a report that a man shot an intruder. Chickasha and Ninnekah police and Grady County sheriff's deputies all responded and an OSBI crime scene investigator was also summoned. Authorities reviewed video from a doorbell camera system that showed a man ring the doorbell and repeatedly tried to turn the knob on the door, which the homeowner said he had locked. The suspect broke the front door glass and reached through to unlock the door to get inside. A woman inside said she heard the glass breaking and told the unidentified home owner that someone had just broken in and the homeowner got a handgun from a nightstand drawer. The intruder forced a bedroom door open and the homeowner fired one shot and the suspect fell onto the hallway floor, and was held at gunpoint until authorities arrived. Grady County Undersheriff Gary Boggess identified the suspect as Blake Hill who was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital where he is in serious condition this morning. Details of the investigation have been turned over to the district attorney's office and no formal charges have yet been filed.
Update on Grady County Courthouse 'Wet Well'
Now an update to a story we aired yesterday about work being done at the Grady County Courthouse that should prevent future issues of sewage back up in the building. Work crews are installing what amounts to a super-sized septic tank. The tank is 16 feet tall and four feet in diameter and will be buried on the west side of the courthouse. It will be made of concrete and will have a capacity of about 1,250 gallons of sewage. We initially reported that northbound traffic on 4th Street would be closed off, but emergency management director Dale Thompson said that likely won't happen. However, the breezeway area between the courthouse and the jail will be inaccessible. The “wet well’ as officials call it is similar to a lift station which will pump the sewage into the city's sewer lines. Officials will be also able use a septic tank service to remove the sewage. The $300,000 project is expected to take about two weeks to complete.
Waste Connections has New Bulk Pick-up Days in Chix
Chickasha residents now have new bulk pick-up days for large trash items they want to get rid of. Waste Connections, the city's private trash contractor, made the changes last month. For residents who have their trash picked up on Mondays, the bulk pick up is on the first and third Monday's of the month. For those who have trash service on Tuesday, the bulk pick up service is the first and third Wednesdays of the month. For customers whose normal trash pick-up day is Wednesday, the bulk service is the 2nd and 4th Mondays. And for customers with a Thursday service, bulk pick up is the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays. Calendars that show the new service days can be picked up at city hall. Waste Connections will pick up as much as two cubic yards of bulk items each day which can include appliances, furniture, and mattresses. They will pick up limbs but they must be cut, then tied and bundled in less than 4-foot lengths. They will not pick up hazardous materials, liquids, tires, batteries or paint. Call Waste Connections for info at 405-222-0109.
Chix City Council Revises Sidewalk Ordinance
to Allow for Crosswalk Murals Downtown
The Chickasha City Council has approved some changes to the city's sidewalk ordinance which clears the way to improve crosswalks in downtown Chickasha. The panel unanimously approved the change following a three minute public hearing during last night’s council meeting. Jim Cowan with the Economic Development Council was the only person who addressed the council during the hearing, saying the changes will help the city match similar codes in cities like Ardmore. Cowan hopes to take advantage of grants to paint murals in the city's downtown crosswalks which he says would trigger more economic development in the area. Cowan is hoping some of the work can be completed prior to the Rock Island Arts Festival and the State Food Truck Championships which will be held the first weekend in October.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $66.42 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $68.62.
Natural gas is $3.78 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,817 and silver is $25.22.
Monday, July 19th
Project Underway to Prevent Raw Sewage
from Backing Up into Grady County Courthouse
Grady County Commissioners recently approved a nearly $300,000 project they hope will put an end to the sewer back-up problems that caused the Grady County Courthouse to close for nearly two weeks. Commissioners approved a bid from H and H Plumbing and Utilities of Oklahoma City to install what is called a wet well, which will hold waste water from the courthouse before it is pumped into the city's sewer system. The project will include the installation of a grinder to break up debris into small particles which is expected to prevent the sewage from back-flowing into the courthouse. The wet well will be placed on the west side of the courthouse off of 4th Street so northbound traffic on 4th will be blocked off for about two weeks. Individuals needing to access the courthouse should use 3rd Street to get to the courthouse parking lot. Signage is expected help guide traffic in that direction.
Chix City Council to Consider Agreements
with Lawton and OU Police Departments
The Chickasha City Council will discuss a couple of agreements for the police department tonight. One is a memorandum of understanding with the Lawton Police Department regarding the use of Lawton's police academy. The other is a memorandum of understanding with the University of Oklahoma and the university's police department. The council will hold a public hearing regarding the revision of city ordinances as they pertain to decorative sidewalks, discuss some changes for the use of the city's sports complex by various leagues, and consider adopting an agreement with an E-Sports group called Mission Control to create a video gaming network. The panel will also go behind closed doors to discuss the status of negotiations with both the Chickasha Fraternal Order of Police and the Chickasha Firefighters Association, as well as memorandums of understanding with the two unions that address confidential employee matters. The group will also discuss the ongoing lawsuit filed against the city by the firefighters. The council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.
Heat and Air System Upgrades on Agenda
for Anadarko School Board Special Meeting
A bid for the continued heating, ventilation, and air conditioning replacement plan for Anadarko schools will be considered by the Anadarko school board in a special meeting tonight. The panel will meet to review Phase Two of the program - with alternates - and assign the bid packages to general contractor Joe Hall. The meeting will be held at the Anadarko school administration building at 6 o'clock tonight.
KOOL-RANCH Hosts Community Blood Drive
KOOL-RANCH radio stations will be hosting another community blood drive with the Oklahoma Blood institute tomorrow from noon to 5 p.m. An OBI bloodmobile will be at the YMCA parking lot at 7th and Chickasha Ave. Donors will get a free t-shirt and a mini-health check. Call George Plummer at the KOOL-RANCH business line at 405-224-150 for an appointment however, an appointment is not needed.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.81 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $73.59.
Natural gas is $3.67 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,803 and silver is $25.40.
Obituary
Lillian Steelman
A wake service for Lillian Steelman, 72, of the Amber-Pocasset area will be at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 20th at Holy Name Catholic Church. A funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 21st at the church. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ampo School Library.
