Saturday, Sept. 24th
City of Chix May Look for New Water Source
Chickasha officials may be faced with the prospect of finding a new water source. Mayor Chris Mosley brought up the issue in his State-of-the City address this week. The city currently gets its water from the Ft. Cobb Reservoir and Mosley said officials with the Ft. Cobb Master Conservancy District which oversees the reservoir recently made the suggestion.
The mayor says it’s not too early to begin the discussion to look at alternatives as officials look toward the city's needs for the second half of the 21s century.
$1 Million Bond Set for Suspect Who Spit on Officer
A suspect accused of spitting on a police officer and vandalizing a law enforcement vehicle is in the Caddo County Jail and is being held on a $1 million bond. A probable cause affidavit states that a Mr. Chen, identified as 47-year old John Doe, is believed to be from California but listed a Minco address. The Lawton Constitution cites the affidavit which charges the suspect with a felony for placing body fluids on a government employee, and misdemeanors for vandalism and public intoxication.
Ft. Sill Soldiers Head to the Ukraine Region
Some Ft. Sill soldiers will be heading overseas for a deployment to Europe. About 300 members of the First Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Division will be supporting NATO troops in the fight to defend Ukraine. A number of HIMARS rocket launchers will be sent with them. A formal Casing of the Colors ceremony was held for the soldiers yesterday. The ceremony wraps the battalion flag for the trip overseas which will be unfurled once they reach their destination.
Blanchard Hosts Mufflers on Main
For the second straight weekend, classic car and truck enthusiasts can check out some of the sharpest such vehicles in the region. Last weekend the Saturday Night Cruisers held their annual care show in Chickasha. Today, the City of Blanchard’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting Mufflers on Main. It features more than 150 vehicles with classy chassis's waxed to the max, shiny chrome, and unique body styles. More than 60 trophies will be awarded in several divisions. There will be live music throughout the day and food trucks will be on hand. It's not too late to register if you have a car or truck you'd like to enter. The actual show will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free.
Talk Show Topic
Krystal Jarnagin and Stephanie Adams with the Chickasha Junior Social Workers are on the KOOL Konversation talking about their group's upcoming Spaghetti Day. Find a podcast to the program under the community tab on this website
Obituaries
Mildred Thompson
A private family service will be held for Mildred Thompson, 95, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
J.V. Lobaugh
A graveside service for J.V. Lobaugh, 91, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday, Sept. 26th at Fairlawn Cemetery. He was a pastor and minister for nearly 60 years. Arrangements are with McCray Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Children's Home in Oklahoma City.
Joseph Richardson
A funeral service for Joseph Richardson, 28, of Chickasha is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
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Friday, Sept. 23rd
Keith Johnson Formally Hired as Chix City Manager
The Chickasha City Council formally hired Keith Johnson to serve as the next city manager. Following a 13-minute closed door session held during a special meeting last night, the council voted 6-0 to hire Johnson, who is currently the County Administrator of Franklin County in Washington State. Council representatives Oscar Nelson, Kia Ginn, and R.P. Ashanti- Alexander were absent from the meeting. Johnson has a long history of working for city, county, and state government agencies, including several years as a comptroller for the State of Oklahoma. Mayor Chris Mosley says Johnson's experience was a key to his selection.
In addition to his government work, Johnson has worked in the private sector as a director for the software company, Oracle. Johnson is expected to start in November. The city council hired Johnson after previous city manager Tyler Brooks resigned this past spring after just six months on the job. Johnson's base salary will be $145,000 per year.
Chix Mayor Presents 'State-of-the-City' Address
The City of Chickasha made a lot of progress over the last year and officials are working to make things even better in the future. That was the subject of Mayor Mosley's State of the City address yesterday. Mosley spoke to a number of business and education leaders discussing a number of issues...including one of financial stability. He said officials spent several months auditing thousands of utility bills and found a number of discrepancies. Mosley said after fixing the problems and raising utility rates, the city will have several million more dollars in revenue over the next several months.
Mosley also said the city is hoping to begin a major drainage project in the next couple of years and the city is looking to build a new raw water treatment plant further into the future.
Ninnekah Man Selected as 'Feel to Love' Winner
A Ninnekah man will be receive a free upgrade to his home heating and and air conditioning system courtesy of a local contractor. Bill Graves was selected to get the new system from DeHart Heating and Air Conditioning and Lennox from the companies' Feel the Love program. Graves was a local banker for many years and served nearly 25 years in the U.S. Air Force. He was nominated for the project by his granddaughter, who said that Bill goes above and beyond for every single person. He's 85-years old and suffering from some health issues and deserves to have someone help him after he's helped so many over the years. The installation of the system will take place at Grave's Ninnekah home today.
Longtime Attorney, CHS Football Announcer Bob Hays Dies
Long-time local attorney Bob Hays has died. Hays practiced law for many years and also served as a municipal court judge. He served on the board of directors for Chickasha Bank and Liberty National Bank. He also spent several years on the USAO Board of Regents, serving for a year as chairman. He grew up in Weatherford and started writing sports for his high school newspaper and continued writing while attending Southwestern Oklahoma State University. He then went to the University of Oklahoma where he earned a degree in journalism and was a sports writer for the Daily Oklahoman. He also earned his law degree at the OU law school. Hays also spent many years as the color commentator for Chickasha High School football games on KWCO radio. Hays was 83 when he passed away at his home Wednesday. Survivors include his wife Shirley, their daughters and their families. Funeral service for Bob Hays will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday Sept. 26th at Epworth Methodist Church. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the USAO baseball and softball programs through the USAO Foundation.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.49 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $90.46.
Natural gas is $7.09 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,664 and silver is $19.34.
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Thursday, Sept. 22nd
Guard Rail Installed at Dangerous Curve
Where A Ninnekah Family was Injured
Grady County officials are hoping an upgrade to county road where a rollover crash hurt several members of a Ninnekah family will prevent future accidents. A guardrail was recently placed along the roadway where a car with a mother and three children ran off a dangerous curve and rolled down a ravine and into a canyon. The Ricky Wells family is grateful for the efforts of Grady County Undersheriff Gary Boggess for having the guard rail placed installed. Boggess told KOCO News that one of things he likes best about his job is to make sure people's lives are safer. Two of the children injured in the accident continue their recovery and the Wells family says the response from the community to help them has been amazing.
Funeral Set for Dibble Teen
The Dibble teenager who died after being hit by an SUV while chasing a family pet on to a highway will be laid to rest Saturday. Sabrina Moreno died in the tragic accident which happened just south of the Dibble Crossroads Tuesday night. The teen had just celebrated her 14th birthday last week. Dibble school superintendent Chad Clanton said Sabrina was a good student in the 8th grade. The school brought in additional counselors and local churches sent support groups to Dibble schools Wednesday to help grieving classmates and staff. A local Girl Scout troop set up a memorial where the accident happened and will also have some fund-raisers to help the family with funeral expenses and other needs. Sabrina's funeral will be at 10 o'clock Saturday morning at the Eisenhour Funeral Home in Blanchard.
Chix Chamber Program Set for Women Business Owners
A program designed for businesses owned by women is being offered by the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce. Cathy Curtis with the State Department of Commerce will discuss tips and tricks in obtaining business grants, business development and women-owned business certification; and state-certified incubator programs. It's part of the Chickasha Chamber's Lunch and Learn Series. It will be held next Wednesday, Sept. 28th at noon at the chamber office. Cost is $10 and individuals wanting to attend should RSVP the chamber by the close of business on Monday.
Chix Library to Register Kids for 'Imagination Library'
We recently reported that the Chickasha Public Library will be joining the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. The country music Hall-of-Famer developed the program nearly 30 years ago to give free books to young children and is mailing books around the world. The Friends of the Chickasha Library will start enrolling children in the Imagination Library during the upcoming Rock Island Arts Festival on Friday, Sept. 30th and Saturday, Oct. 1st. It's for children five and under, and children will receive an age-appropriate book in the mail every month addressed to them. For information visit the Chickasha Public Library or go to the website: www.imaginationlibrary.com
Bedlam Blood Drive This Afternoon
There is always a need for blood donations and KOOL/RANCH radio stations, the YMCA, and the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI) are hosting a Bedlam Blood Drive today. Donor will receive their choice of an OSU or OU blood drive t-shirt. The blood mobile will be in the YMCA parking lot from 12:30 to 5:30 this afternoon. Walk-ins are welcome. To find an upcoming blood drive in your area check out the Oklahoma Blood institute website: www.obi.org
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.94 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $89.83.
Natural gas is $7.78 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,676 and silver is $19.58.
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Wednesday, Sept. 21st
Dibble Teen Dies After Being Hit by SUV
Residents in Dibble are mourning the death of a teenaged girl today. The highway patrol reports the 14-year old ran into the roadway to try and catch a dog, when she was struck and killed by an SUV. She died at the scene. The accident happened just before 9:30 last night on State Highway 76 at 214th Street. The name of the girl was not released. The SUV, a 2022 Lincoln Navigator, was driven by 64-year old Tena Tucker of Lindsay. A passenger was 66-year old Greg Tucker also of Lindsay. Neither of them were injured.
Chix City Council Schedules Special Meeting
to Officially Hire New City Manager
A special meeting of the Chickasha City Council is set for tomorrow night to consider officially hiring the next city manager. In Monday night's regular council meeting, the panel unanimously voted to recommend Keith Johnson for the post. The council will go behind closed doors tomorrow night to discuss the possible approval of an employment agreement with Johnson. In addition, the council will consider an emergency clause to close the public right-of-way in the alley between the 500 blocks of Grand Ave. and Utah Ave. Earlier this week the council approved vacating the property behind a former seafood restaurant in order to build a new convenience store. The special meeting will be held at 6 o'clock tomorrow night at city hall.
Water Leak Causes 'Lights Out' Issue at CHS Sports Arena
An electrical problem at the Chickasha High School Activity Center caused the lights to go out at the CHS Sports Arena over the weekend. Officials had just completed the regional high school cheerleading competition Saturday afternoon when the lights went out. Athletic Director Jerry Don Bray said they traced the problem to a broken water line in one of the bathrooms in the lobby. Water had leaked downstairs into the electrical room and ‘fried’ a panel. Bray said it will take a couple of weeks for a new panel to be delivered and installed. The lights are only out in the basketball arena although the lights in the lobby and auditorium still work. Some of the activities that were scheduled in the fieldhouse over the next couple of weeks will be moved to Myers Fieldhouse at the middle school and some will be held in the old high school gymnasium.
Newest USAO Regent Takes Oath of Office
The newest regent for USAO has been sworn in to office. Elgin Mayor J.J. Francais will serve a seven-year term on the panel. Francais is USAO grad and was sworn in by District Judge Kory Kirkland at this month's regents meeting. Francais received the appointment from Gov. Kevin Stitt. Francais' term runs through June 30th of 2029.
Researchers Find New Use for Old Grady County Oil Well
It's history in the making for a former Grady County oil well which has been transformed into a geo-thermal energy source. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held tomorrow on the outskirts of Tuttle at 508 East Rock Creek Road. The actual well is located in a pasture. The ceremony will be held by the University of Oklahoma's Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy. The website OK Energy Today reports the project has received national attention. After the wells are modified to produce geothermal energy researchers will spend the next year measuring the energy production to see if the output meets their estimates and if the wells will create enough energy to heat two nearby schools.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $84.45 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $90.62.
Natural gas is $7.72 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,682 and silver is $19.53.
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Tuesday, Sept. 20th
Contract Talks to Begin with Potential new City Manager
After interviewing a couple of candidates for the vacant city manager post, the Chickasha City Council picked one of them to potentially be the city's next administrator. Following an executive session during last night's council meeting, the panel unanimously selected Keith Johnson. Johnson has not yet been hired but officials will begin contract talks with him. Officials did not say where Johnson was from or where he currently works.
Tattoo Parlors to be Allowed in Chickasha's Downtown Historic District
The council approved a change in the city's historic zoning ordinance which will allow tattoo parlors to locate in the downtown area. The ordinance currently bans the parlors from the area. There were no comments either for or against the issue during a public hearing on the proposal. The council also approved closing the alleyway and easements just north of the 500 block of Grand Avenue. During a public hearing on that issue, Mike Lawson with Lawson Retail Properties said they are in contract discussions to purchase the property where a former seafood restaurant is located. Plans are to demolish the restaurant and build a new convenience store and gas station. The company has a similar store in Ada. Lawson said they estimate having about 30 employees.
Work to Begin Soon to Add More Lights to Festival of Light
The council also approved a payment of nearly $30,000 to a firm which will install new electrical panels in Shannon Springs Park to be used for the expansion of the Festival of Light. Parks Director Spencer Wizenried said the company is ready to break ground on the work and it is expected to be in service for the 30th annual festival this fall. The council also honored Sandra Robertson who recently retired after a 23-year career with the library.
Grady County Commissioners Sign Off on ARPA Projects
Grady County Commissioners approved some $1.8 million projects to be funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The Chickasha Express Star reports that Rural Water District 6 in Pocasset was awarded $700,000 for wells, hydrants, and system repairs. Rural Water District 7 in Ninnekah was awarded $600,000 for the construction of new water towers and related improvements. Grady County Emergency Management was awarded more than $350,000 for a new command and communications vehicle; the Bridge Creek Fire District will receive $107,000 for medical equipment needed for health and safety projects; and Rural Water District 2 in Amber will get $73,000 for the cleaning, re-coating, and repairs of water towers.
Grady County Fire Board Meets Tonight
The appointment of a new fire chief at the Pocasset Volunteer Fire Department and acknowledging new fire firefighters for the Pioneer and Farwell stations are among the issues to be discussed during the monthly Grady County Fire Board meeting tonight. The group will go behind closed doors to discuss the possible appointment of Cooper Grove to lead the Pocasset department. The panel will also get an update on potential ARPA grants and discuss the month of October as being Fire Prevention Month. The fire board meets at 7 o'clock tonight in the community room of the Grady County Emergency Management Office.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.36 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $92.00.
Natural gas is $7.75 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,674 and silver is $19.29.
Obituaries
Luther Sledge
A graveside service for Luther Sledge, 94, of Chickasha was held at 11:00 a.m. today (Tuesday, Sept. 20th) at Fairlawn Cemetery. He was a U.S. Army veteran. Arrangements were with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
Hugh Givens
Funeral service for Hugh Givens, 85, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21st at the First and Georgia Church of Christ. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
Darlene Baum
Funeral service for Darlene Baum, 77, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21st at Newsong Church of God. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
Phyllis Ladyman
Funeral service for Phyllis Ladyman, 85, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21st at Chickasha's First Assembly of God Church. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Debra Ann Harris
No service is scheduled for Debra Ann Harris, 64, of Chickasha. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
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Monday, Sept. 19th
Chix City Council to Discuss City Manager Candidates
A closed-door session of the Chickasha City Council will be part of tonight's council meeting as the group discusses a couple of candidates for the vacant city manager post. The council held interviews over the last couple of weeks including one this past Friday. It's not clear if the council will be hiring one of the two candidates tonight. The panel will hold two public hearings including one to change the ordinance which bans tattoo parlors in the city's downtown historic district. The Planning Commission is recommending the change. Another public hearing will be held to consider a request for the city to vacate some property between the 500 blocks of Grand Ave. and Utah Ave. in order for a company to build a convenience store.
Council to Nix Hilliary Broadband Proposal; Consider AT&T
Last fall, the city council approved a quote from Hilliary Communications to install broadband internet service at most city buildings. Tonight, the council will consider terminating that quote due to non-performance. The panel will then consider entering an agreement with AT&T to provide that service.
Payment for Hwy 81 Bypass Water Line Construction Proposed
The council will also consider approving a payment of nearly $300,000 to Miller Construction and Sons for water main construction associated with the U.S. Highway 81 Bypass project. It’s the first of three phases to install water lines associated with the bypass west of the city limits. The total estimated cost of water line construction is nearly $950,000. Officials with the state department of transportation are expected to pay for 60 percent of the total cost of water main relocations. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.
Salvation Army to Expand Caddo County Services
The Salvation Army which serves Grady and Caddo counties will soon be expanding its services in Caddo County. For about the last year, the group has been providing help for families one day each week throughout Caddo County from its Anadarko office. Crystal McFarland says within a couple of weeks that office will be open every day.
The Anadarko office is located inside Bethel Baptist Church and will be open a half-day Monday through Friday mornings beginning Oct. 3rd. For information about services call 405-224-5647.
Volunteers Sought for Rock Island Arts Festival
The Rock Island Arts Festival is less than two weeks away. More than 90 spaces have been reserved for the three-day event which is set for Friday, Sept. 30th through Sunday, Oct. 2nd and will be held in the area of Chickasha's Rock Island Railroad Depot. Officials are looking for volunteers to help in any number of ways including visiting with vendors and offering to be a booth sitter, working the festival’s food booth, helping with the dunk tank, and spending some time in the festival's information booth. April Shipley Brenner is the volunteer coordinator. Reach out to her via e-mail: april.shipley@gmail.com
OHCE to Serve Lunch to Military Veterans
Military veterans will be treated to a lunch of beans, cornbread, and cobbler at the Grady County Veterans Center tomorrow. The Grady County OHCE will provide the meal from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 20th at the center which is located in downtown Chickasha at 6th and Chickasha Ave.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $85.11 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $91.35.
Natural gas is $7.76 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,672 and silver is $19.35.
Obituaries
Anna Douglas
Funeral service for Anna Douglas, 85, of Tuttle were held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, Sept. 19th at First Baptist Church of Tuttle. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.
Nathan Bailey
A graveside service for Nathan Bailey, 85, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday Sept. 23rd in the Cement Cemetery. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
