Saturday, Oct. 1st
(Burn bans are in effect in Grady and Garvin counties)
Suspects Arrested for Alleged Drug Trafficking
Grady County authorities continue their efforts to rid the streets of illegal pain-killing drugs laced with deadly fentanyl. Deputies arrested two people for alleged drug trafficking after finding an individual wanted for not showing up in court. It happened Tuesday, Sept. 27th when authorities went to the Maverick Inn. Authorities were looking for 29-year old Dustyn Rudder of Chickasha who was wanted for failure to appear following a previous arrest for domestic abuse in the presence of a minor. Authorities found Rudder and several other individuals in a room where illegal drugs were out in the open. Authorities seized more than 60 pills which tested positive for fentanyl, hydrocodone pills, Xanax bars, and more than 15 grams of methamphetamine. Authorities arrested Rudder on his outstanding warrant and also arrested 36-year old Cara Lihn Bromlow of Verden on a drug-related complaint. Both have been charged with a felony for aggravated drug trafficking and remain in the Grady County Jail on $250,000 bond each.
Body of Missing Man Found
The body of a missing Chickasha man was found in a cotton field just outside of town this week. Relatives reported Juan Mata as missing after he didn’t come home from work Tuesday night. His body was found southeast of Chickasha about 8:15 a.m. Wednesday. Grady County Undersheriff Gary Boggess said relatives indicated Mata suffered from a number of health issues and was supposed to see a doctor later that day. No foul play is suspected in connection with Mata’s death.
Lindsay-area Well has Good Production Numbers
A recently filed oil well completion report shows some good production at a site near Lindsay. The Yoshi Well five miles southwest of Lindsay was producing 2,000 barrels of oil-equivalent and more than 1,900 Mcf of natural gas per day. The well is in Section 5 of Township 3 North and 4 West in Garvin County. The spud date for the well in the Springer Formation was last December and it was drilled to a depth of more than 20,000 feet.
Talk Show Topic
State Representatives Dick Lowe (R-Amber) and Brad Boles (R-Marlow) are on our KOOL Konversation program discussing the $1.4 billion in ARPA funded projects that were approved this week by state lawmakers and the drought relief approved for farmers and ranchers. Find a podcast of the program under the Community tab on this website.
Obituaries
Juan Mata
Funeral service for Juan Mata, 80, of Chickasha was held at 1:00 p.m. this afternoon (Saturday) at the First Baptist Church. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.
Roger Ziegenfuss
Funeral service for Roger Ziegenfuss, 82, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, Oct. 7th at Bible Baptist Church. He served in the U.S. Army reserves. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
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Friday, Sept. 30th
(Burn bans are in effect in Grady and Garvin counties)
Consumer Spending 'Steady' in Grady County
A new report indicates that consumer spending has been fairly steady this year. It shows that more than $94 million was spent on taxable goods and services in the month of May. That was down a fraction from April and both are among the top months for spending at retail outlets in 2022. Consumer spending estimates are based the county sales tax revenue. The most recent report shows Grady County received about $707,000 in sales tax revenue in July (which was paid on retail purchases in the month of May). The county has a 3/4ths of a penny sales tax and the revenue generated is distributed to a number of programs which were all approved by county voters. The Grady County Fairgrounds received $236,000; Grady Memorial Hospital received nearly $209,000; county and municipal fire departments shared $118,000 so each one received about $9,000; seven senior nutrition centers shared $118,000 and each one received $17,000. Tuttle EMS received nearly $22,000; and Rush Springs EMS received $5,400.
State Group Meets to Distribute Emergency Drought Funds
The drought of 2022 has been hard on Oklahoma's farmers and ranchers. State lawmakers this week approved providing $20 million for drought relief for producers. One official said they saw the drought coming this past spring and at that time set aside $5 million to help but the drought is much worse than anticipated and its feared that the state could lose many family farms and ranches. Altogether, lawmakers plan to set aside $23 million to help producers who are at the breaking point. Gov. Kevin Stitt recently issued an emergency drought declaration which brought to life a long dormant group called the Emergency Drought Commission. That group will be meeting today to determine how some of the money will be spent.
Rock Island Arts Festival Headlines Weekend Activities
Thousands of visitors will be making their way to Chickasha over the next few days for one of the city’s busiest weekends of the year. Activities start today with the 14th annual Rock Island Arts Festival. 90 artisans and crafters will have items for sale; there's live music and entertainment; and children's activities each day through Sunday. Tomorrow morning is the 6th annual Rock Island Ride bicycle tour with some 300 riders expected. Also tomorrow morning is the Together We Heel (Heal) walk to end domestic violence for the Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network. Also tomorrow is the 5th annual Oklahoma Food Truck Championship with some 30 food trucks lining Chickasha Avenue all competing for $10,000 in prize money.
JSW Spaghetti Day is Today
Spaghetti Day has arrived for a local group. This is the 57th year for the Chickasha Junior Social Workers (JSW) annual fundraiser. A year's worth of planning comes together for the event. Stephanie Adams is this year's chairwoman and says the three months before the event is when they really get busy.
All the proceeds from Spaghetti Day are distributed to local charities. There are two serving times with lunch from 11 to 2 and tonight from 5 to 7:30. It takes place at the Grady County Fairgrounds in the north exhibit building. Dine in or carryout is available.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.23.
London-based Brent crude is $88.49.
Natural gas is $6.87 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,674 and silver is $18.95.
Obituary
Lahoma Spurlin
Funeral service for Lahoma Spurlin, 89, of Chickasha will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4th at Ferguson Funeral Home.
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Thursday, Sept. 29th
(Burn bans are in effect in Grady and Garvin counties)
Grady County Burn Ban Re-instated
A lack of rain, warmer than normal temperatures, dry conditions, and low humidity levels are all factors that were considered in a decision to re-instate a burn ban in Grady County. In a brief special meeting Wednesday county commissioners approved a resolution to put the ban in place immediately. The ban will be in effect for the next two weeks and is effective through Oct. 12th. There should be no trash, brush, or pasture burning during the ban. Farmers and ranchers with prescribed burn plans should follow state department of agriculture guidelines. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson said barbecuing and welding are allowed under certain conditions.
Much of the region hasn’t received any rain since before Labor Day and forecasts are showing little if any rain chances through mid-October. The U.S. Drought Monitor has much of the region from Duncan to Enid and from Norman to Altus in the second highest designation of drought called a D-3 or 'extreme' drought. The highest level is a D-4 or exceptional drought.
Two Teens Die in Caddo County Crash
There's been another fatal traffic accident in the region where teenagers have died. Two Carnegie teens were killed in a one-vehicle accident that happened in Caddo County just after 7:00 p.m. last night (Wednesday). The unidentified boys were 13 and 15 years old. The accident happened near CR 1320 and CS 2585 about 3 1/2 miles east of Ft. Cobb. Two adults in the vehicle with the teens were air lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital with head injuries and both were treated and released. The adults were identified as 33-year old Josh Kestler and 26-year old Erica Mayfield also of Carnegie. The highway patrol reports that Kestler was driving. No details of the crash were provided and the highway patrol says the investigation is on-going. With last night’s deaths, four teenagers have now lost their lives in area traffic accidents over the last couple of weeks. A 14-year old Dibble girl died when she was hit by an SUV after chasing a family pet onto a highway and a 13-year old Lawton boy died in a crash on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike northeast of Chickasha this past weekend.
Biker Dies in Multi-Vehicle Accident
A Blanchard man died when his motorcycle was part of a four-vehicle crash in Norman. 70-year old Garth McDonald died in the crash that happened about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday near I-35 at Indian Hills Road. One of the other vehicles involved was driven by 36-year old Ashley Wescott of Lindsay. She was not injured. The highway patrol is still investigating that deadly crash.
Chix Police Seeks Info on Person of Interest
The Chickasha Police Department is seeking information about a person of interest who may have information about some recent thefts. Officials didn't provide any details about their investigation. Authorities posted a photograph of the individual on the Chickasha Police Department’s Facebook page. Police ask that you take a look at it and if you have information on his name or location you can call the police department's non-emergency dispatch number, 405-222-6050.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.15 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $89.32.
Natural gas is $6.87 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,655 and silver is $18.64.
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Wednesday, Sept. 28th
(A burn ban is in effect for Garvin County)
Fire Damages Two Homes
Chickasha fire crews were dispatched to a blaze that threatened a residential neighborhood yesterday. The fire in the 700 block of West Minnesota was called in about noon. Fire Chief Tony Samaniego-
Samaniego said both homes were occupied when the fire started but everyone managed to escape without injury as did a couple of pets. Samaniego said the cause of the fire was an electric smoker. Marsha Terry and her 89-year old father live at the home where the fire started. Marsha said she wasn’t home when the fire started and was thankful her dad and pets were not hurt. However the home suffered major damage.
Samaniego estimated $75,000 in damage to the Terry home and $25,000 in damage to the duplex.
Suspect Arrested in 'Trucker-Style-Bat' Taser Attack
A woman is arrested for allegedly using a trucker-style bat taser in a robbery attempt. 33-year old Elizabeth Christine Benedict was taken into early Sunday. A probable cause affidavit indicates Chickasha Police were called to the 1400 block of South 17th Street just before 5 a.m. that morning where two victims had been assaulted and had blood on their faces. Paramedics were dispatched but both victims refused treatment. One of the victims said he had given Benedict and another person a ride and that Benedict asked him for money. The victim said he turned his back on the suspect and that's when he was attacked. Officers found Benedict just a couple of blocks away and she told investigators that the two had been arguing all day and that the victim used a taser on her first. Prosecutors have charged Benedict with a felony for attempted robbery with a dangerous weapon. She remains in the Grady County Jail on a $50,000 bond.
Anadarko Moves Forward with New City Manager
Anadarko's new city manager says he will continue efforts to make improvements to the city. Richard Rogalski has been on board for about six weeks after previously serving as the assistant city manager for the City of Lawton. Anadarko Mayor Kelley McGlothlin says many of the Native American tribes in Anadarko are lending a hand with police, fire, and other needs.
Officials are also working to get additional grants to build a walking trail through the city and a new park and amphitheater downtown.
National Horse Group Brings Competition to Chix
As you know, a lot will be happening in Chickasha this weekend. Thousands of visitors will be in town for the Rock Island Arts Festival, the Oklahoma Food Truck Championship, and Rock Island Ride bicycle tour. But there is another event which will draw an estimated 1,000 people from across the country to the area. The Welsh Pony and Cob Society of America based in Stephens City, VA will be holding its American National Show at the Grady County Fairgrounds. There are divisions for adults and children. The first competitions get underway today will run through Sunday.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.50 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $86.27.
Natural gas is $6.65 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,624 and silver is $17.96.
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Tuesday, Sept. 27th
(Burn ban is in effect in Garvin County)
$1 Million Bond set for Suspect in Fatal Crash
A $1 million bond has been set for the Grady County man who allegedly caused that deadly crash on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike Saturday night. 33-year old Eric Nunez of Tuttle was formally charged with felonies which include first degree manslaughter and leaving the scene of a fatality accident and a misdemeanor of possession of paraphernalia in Grady County District Court on Monday. A probable cause affidavit shows that after the crash, Nunez continued down the highway way for about five miles before pulling over. A Chickasha police officer made contact with Nunez and said the pickup he was driving had fresh damage. An odor of alcohol was present and Nunez was confused of his whereabouts. He believed he was in Oklahoma City and that he had not been in an accident. Nunez was taken to the hospital for a blood test but no results were available. Nunez is to back in court Oct. 6th to announce his attorney and again Oct. 12th for a preliminary hearing conference. Several years ago Nunez pleaded guilty to felony drug possession stemming from a 2008 arrest in Tuttle.
Grady County Officials May Re-instate Burn Ban
A burn ban could be re-instated for Grady County. County Commissioners will hold a special meeting tomorrow afternoon to discuss the issue. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson told commissioners at their regular meeting yesterday that the chiefs of many of the county's volunteer fire departments would like to put the ban back into place. This past weekend, eight of the county’s volunteer departments responded to a grass fire south of Rush Springs which closed U.S. Highway 81 for some time due to lack of visibility from the smoke. If approved Grady County would join Garvin County with burns bans. Garvin County officials re-instated a burn ban yesterday which is in effect for two weeks.
State Rep Outlines Some Road, Bridge Projects
A number of state road and bridge improvement projects are scheduled for the region over the next few months. State Representative Brad Boles of Marlow listed some of them in a recent media column. Reconstruction of a portion of State Highway 39 from State Highway 76 west to the East Winter Creek Bridge is a more than $11 million project that is expected to begin next month. A portion of State Highway 19 is scheduled for reconstruction starting five miles east of Highway 81 and east through Alex and ending at Roaring Creek. That is a $45 million project. Reconstruction of a portion of U.S. Highway 277 southwest of Chickasha is a $14.3 million project. Further into the future, grading and bridge projects for the U.S. Highway 81 Bypass of Chickasha could be issued in the 2023 program year. Two projects associated with the bypass total nearly $92 million.
Prescribed Burn Group Meets Tonight
The Caddo and Grady County Prescribed Burn Association will meet in Chickasha tonight. There may be some discussion about the prescribed burning of red cedar trees in crop and pasture lands. Officials say a prescribed burning of the trees could go a long way in preserving ground water. It's estimated that each tree can move between 6 and 11 gallons of water into the air every day - that's about 100 gallons of water per week. The meeting will be held at the Grady County OSU Extension office In Chickasha at 6:30 tonight.
Disabled Vets Must Register with Database
to Continue Receiving State Sales Tax Exemptions
Disabled military veterans are being urged to register with a state-sponsored database in order to keep their sales tax exemption. Veterans with the state-issued "blue" card need to enroll in the database by July of next year or they will lose the benefit. Veterans with 100 percent service-related disabilities are eligible for exemptions of up to $25,000 a year from sales taxes which include city and county-imposed taxes.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $76.71 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $84.06.
Natural gas is $6.90 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,641 and silver is $18.61.
Obituaries
Monty Wendling
Funeral service for Monty Wendling, 60, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29th at Grand Assembly of God. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
Joseph Richardson
Funeral service Joseph Richardson, 28, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1st at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
Clifton Wilson
Funeral service for Clifton Wilson, 50, of Anadarko will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1st at Bethel Baptist Church in Anadarko. Arrangements are with Brown Thomas Funeral Home.
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Monday, Sept. 26th
Suspect Arrested in Connection with Deadly Turnpike Crash
A deadly crash on the H.E. Bailey Turnpike late Saturday night killed a Lawton teenager and hospitalized two other people in the vehicle with him. And the driver of the pick-up alleged to have caused the crash is behind bars on multiple complaints. The accident happened just before midnight Saturday near Mile Marker 89 about five miles northeast of Chickasha. A 13-year old boy died at the scene and two other passengers - a 12-year old boy and a 45-year old man - were both taken to an Oklahoma City hospital where they were admitted. The driver of that vehicle was treated and released. In jail is 33-year old Eric Armando Nunez of Tuttle. The highway patrol reports that an SUV and a pickup driven by Nunez were both westbound on the turnpike. It’s alleged Nunez was traveling at a high rate of speed when he hit the SUV, causing it to careen off the road and overturn several times. Nunez is being held on complaints that include manslaughter, leaving the scene of a fatality accident, and DUI.
Fire Crews Handle Large Grady County Blaze
A number of fire departments were dispatched to a large grass fire south of Rush Springs yesterday. It broke out along an area along U.S. Highway 81 near CR1580 which is about four miles south of Rush Springs. Several large round bales of hay caught fire and the flames came within 50-yards of a home. Authorities are still trying to determine the cause of that fire.
Monthly Expenses for Chickasha Residents
Are Lower the State, National Averages
A new report shows that Chickasha residents pay less for their monthly expenses than the average Oklahoman. The study by DOXO Insights shows that the average cost in Chickasha for the 10 most common household expenses is about $1,391 per month. That's about 15 percent lower that the state average of $1,634 and 30 percent lower than the national average of more than $2,000. The average mortgage payment is $787 and the average for rent is $714. Auto loans average about $424 per month, and utilities are about $225. Auto insurance is next at $176 per month followed by health insurance at $100. Mobile phone service is $84 and cable and internet is $78. The study indicates that 37 percent of the household income for Chickasha residents goes to pay for those expenses. Edmond is the most expensive city in Oklahoma at more than $2,260 per month. Blanchard is the 7th most expensive at $1,968. Chickasha is 44th on the list of cities in the study.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.84 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $85.03.
Natural gas is $6.83 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,649 and silver is $18.59.
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 was held at 10:00 a.m. today (Monday, Sept. 26th) at Fairlawn Cemetery. Arrangements were with McCray Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Baptist Children's Home in Oklahoma City.
Link Jarnagin
Funeral service for Link Jarnagin, 71, of Ninnekah will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27th at Ferguson Funeral Home.
Felicia Kearny
Funeral service for Felecia Kearny, 68, of Chickasha will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 29th at Shepherd Street Christian Church. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
Joseph Richardson
Funeral service for Joseph Richardson, 28, of Chickasha is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
