Saturday, Jan. 28th
More Winter Weather on the Way
Freezing rain, sleet, and snow are all in the forecast for much of next week as another winter storm approaches Oklahoma. After a windy and warm day today with afternoon highs in the low 60s - tomorrow's forecast is for highs in the 30s with north winds gusting to 30 mph. Precipitation will begin Monday in parts of the state with sleet and snow and steady temps in the 20s through Wednesday. More rain and freezing rain is expected Wednesday and a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain is forecast for Thursday. Officials with the National Weather Service say to expect hazardous driving conditions and school officials are keeping a close eye on things in anticipation of cancelling classes.
Warming Centers to Open
The forecast for winter weather has the Chickasha Community Alliance preparing warming shelters for the extended cold weather event. Lt. Crystal McFarland with the Salvation Army of Grady and Caddo counties serves as one of the co-chair of the alliance. She said that beginning tomorrow night, The Resurrection House at 7th and Colorado will serve as an emergency overnight shelter from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. for the duration of the storm. Beginning Monday, day shelters will be open at Linked Church at 902 S. 9th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Heidi Helping the Homeless at 3rd and Minnesota will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Food will be provided at the day shelters. McFarland said the shelters are not just for the homeless but also for individuals who may not have proper heating sources in their homes. As of now the shelters are expected to be available through Tuesday night and perhaps longer depending on the weather forecast for Wednesday and Thursday.
Assault Suspect Wanted for Five Years Arrested
A domestic violence suspect wanted for nearly five years was arrested this week. An arrest warrant for 42-year old Brandon James Hutchins was issued in June of 2018. The arrest warrant affidavit filed in the case reports that Hutchins and his then girlfriend got into an argument while driving from Lindsay to Chickasha. They stopped at convenience store where the argument turned physical and it is alleged that Hutchins hit the victim in the face pulled out some of her hair. Two witnesses say they observed parts of the altercation. Hutchins is facing a felony count of assault and battery. He was released from jail after posting a $10,000 bond. He's to be back in court in April for a preliminary hearing conference.
Blanchard Student Saves Classmates' Life
A Blanchard middle school student is being called a hero after he saved a friend's life. It happened at lunchtime on Thursday when 11-year old Vollie Hines saw him choking and gasping for air. KFOR-TV reports that Hines took action and applied the Heimlich maneuver. After several thrusts to the fellow student’s abdomen a potato chip came out of his mouth. Vollie said he was nervous for his friend and is relieved he will be OK. Principal Paula Floyd shared the heroic deed on Facebook and the Blanchard community is congratulating him for his work. Floyd said the parents of the choking student are grateful that Vollie stepped in as quickly as he did. She said Vollie didn't take any time to think about it and that he did what needed to be done.
Vintage Toy Show Today
Buyers and sellers of collectible toys will meet today at the Southwest Vintage Toy Show. More than 25 vendors will have hot wheels, Star Wars items, action figures, Barbies and G.I. Joes. Some vendors will have video games, baseball and other trading cards, farm toy collectibles, die cast, and pressed steel toys. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Admission is three dollars for adults and children 12 and under get in free.
Talk Show Topics
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. Cathy Perri, director of USAO's Neil-Wint Center for Neurodiversity, and program founders Phillip and Katy Wint are guests on the KOOL Konversation program talking about the center and its work with autistic USAO students. On Real Estate Today this week’s guests are Jim Cowan with the Chickasha Economic Development Council and Logan Lassley with the Chickasha Festival of Light. Find podcasts of both programs under the Community tab on this website.
Obituary
Daija Jones
Funeral service for Daija Jones of Lawton was held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28th at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Lawton. Arrangements were with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
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Friday, January 27th
Athena Brownfield's Remains Identified
The State Medical Examiner's office has confirmed that remains of a child found in the Agawam area were those of Athena Brownfield. The news came one day after a funeral for the 4-year old from Cyril. The remains were found last week on property that used to belong to Athena's caretakers, Ivon Adams and Alycia Adams. Brownfield was reported missing from Cyril on January 10th and the remains found a week later on Jan. 17th. Ivon Adams is facing a murder charge in connection with Athena's death, as it is alleged that he beat her to death Christmas Day then buried her little body along a fence line in a field north of Rush Springs. Adams is also charged with child neglect after Athena's sister was found wandering near their Cyril home on January 10th. Alysia Adams is facing two charges of child neglect. Both remain in the Caddo County jail in Anadarko.
Pursuit Suspect is on Probation for 2017 Arrest
The man arrested following a short pursuit in the Tabler area was on probation out of McCurtain County for assaulting a police officer. 32-year old James Dalton Horne of Blanchard was arrested Wednesday night after a Grady County deputy tried to pull him over for speeding. The short pursuit ended when Horne pulled into the driveway of his home near where the pursuit began. A probable cause affidavit indicates the deputy called for back-up and before help could arrive the deputy and Horne got into a scuffle. Authorities were eventually able to take Horne into custody. The affidavit indicates Horne pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting a police officer following a 2017 arrest in McCurtain County. Horne is now facing a similar charge in Grady County along with having a firearm while on probation. He's also facing misdemeanor charges of obstructing an officer and resisting arrest. Horne remains in jail in lieu of a $25,000 bond.
More Winter Weather in the Forecast
Another round of winter weather - this one with freezing rain and ice - is expected to move into the Sooner State early next week. The National Weather Service says an arctic storm system is predicted to arrive Monday afternoon and could drop a wintry mix of precipitation through Thursday. The first precipitation could be freezing rain and sleet Monday afternoon through Tuesday with parts of central, southern, and western Oklahoma seeing ice accumulations of one-tenth of an inch or more. The forecast also shows chances of freezing rain and snow Wednesday and Thursday.
SCOOP Rig has Good Oil, Gas Production
Drilling efforts in the Lindsay area have paid off for Marathon Oil Company. A completion report filed on the Hard Knox Well show it was producing more than 1,700 barrels of oil-equivalent and more than 1,100 metric cubic feet (Mcf) of natural gas per day at a depth of more than 22,000 feet. The well is in the Goddard Formation five miles south of Lindsay. The website OK Energy Today cites Corporation Commission records showing the spud date was January of last year and the completion date was last spring. Officials just recently issued the completion report.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.01 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $87.47.
Natural gas is $2.94 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,946 and silver is $23.84.
Obituary
Noel Lambert
A memorial service for Noel Lambert, 82, of Centerville, Iowa and formerly of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28th at Southern Oaks Church of Christ.
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Thursday, Jan. 26th
Pursuit Suspect in Custody
Law enforcement officials were involved in a pursuit east of Chickasha last night and authorities have a suspect in custody. The pursuit occurred around 7:00 p.m. north of Tabler near U.S. Highway 62 and State Highway 19C (the Alex highway). No details about the pursuit were available but authorities did arrest 23-year old James Dalton Horn. He was taken into custody on complaints of attempting to elude, assault on an officer, obstruction, resisting arrest, and speeding. Prosecutors will decide if any formal charges should be filed.
150+ Pounds of Illicit Marijuana Seized in Union City
A traffic stop in Union City led to a police officer finding more than 150 pounds of illegal marijuana. A post on the Union City Police Department's Facebook page indicates the vehicle was pulled over on U.S. Highway 81 sometime Tuesday. While speaking with the driver the officer noticed a small container of what was believed to be medical marijuana spilled in the console. There were also a number of black bags in the vehicle. The officer was given consent to search and found 162 pounds of pot. The driver allegedly did not have a valid medical marijuana transport license nor a commercial license - and was not following Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority guidelines for transporting the product. Arrested was 39-year old Kae Saetern of Lindsay who was taken to the Canadian County Jail in El Reno on a complaint of trafficking illegal marijuana.
Homeless Survey Scheduled Today
An effort to determine the needs of the homeless in the region will be taking place today. It's called a point-in-time survey and is being conducted by agencies in a federal program under the direction of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Grady, Caddo, Comanche, Garvin, and McClain counties are part of the Southwest Continuum of Care based in Lawton. Two surveys will be taking place in Chickasha today. The Chickasha Community Alliance will hold one survey from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Michigan Avenue Baptist Church. Individuals will be able to get free COVID tests and vaccines from the Grady County Health Department and the church clothing closet will be open. The second survey will be done by Heidi Helping the Homeless. The results of both surveys will be passed along to determine if areas may qualify for HUD funds to address homelessness. Crystal McFarland with the Salvation Army says that could include rental assistance to prevent evictions or opening community centers. During the last point-in-time survey McFarland said it was determined there was a need for transportation.
Blood Shortage Emergency Declared
A blood shortage emergency has been declared by the Oklahoma Blood Institute. The agency has issued an immediate call for donors of all blood types. Officials say this week's winter weather caused many donors to cancel appointments and that scheduled blood drives had to be postponed. Officials say they typically have a three-to-five day supply of blood on hand which is about 1,200 units but the inventory is well below that level. OBI president and CEO John Armitage says patients throughout Oklahoma rely on blood products to fight cancer, survive trauma, and heal after childbirth. Officials urge regular donors to schedule appointments and encourage individuals who have never donated to consider doing so. One unit of blood can save the lives of three people. There is a community blood drive in Chickasha tomorrow as an OBI bloodmobile will be in the YMCA parking lot at 7th and Chickasha Ave. from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Donors will not have to make an appointment but may have to wait for an opening. To find an upcoming blood drive in your area visit the blood institute's website: www.obi.org
Congressman Cole to Have Telephone Town Hall Meeting
4th District Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole (R-Moore) will hold a telephone town hall meeting with constituents next week. Cole said the new Republican majority in the House has hit the ground running and he'll give updates on some of the legislative activity during the first days of the 118th Congress. The telephone town hall will be Thursday, Feb. 2nd from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Participants can sign up on-line at: www.cole.house.gov or contact Cole's Norman office for information.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.15 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $86.12.
Natural gas is $3.06 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,952 and silver is $23.76.
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Wednesday, Jan. 25th
Funeral for Athena Brownfield set Today
A large gathering is expected today for the funeral of 4-year old Athena Brownfield. She's the Cyril girl who was the subject of an intense search after she was reported missing earlier this month. Her remains are believed to have been found last week in a rural area near Agawam (the State Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet confirmed the identity of those remains). The service will be at 2 o'clock this afternoon in Enid. There has been a concerted effort to make sure that Athena's older sister Adina will be helped with a benefit account which has been established at the First National Bank. The Cyril community organized a t-shirt fundraiser to help and others are holding an on-line raffle. Amanda Widman and Kelly Jensen of Patriot Maid Services hope the raffle will bring in $5,000 and that a corporate donor will match that. Widman said her hope is that Adina can have a car when she gets older and that her college tuition will be paid for. The on-line raffle begins Monday and will end Feb. 10th.
Chix Ass't City Manager, Finance Director Steps Down
The City of Chickasha is losing its assistant city manager and finance director. Today is the last day at city hall for Cindy Rogers. She's spent two years with the city and Mayor Chris Mosley says she has served the city well. Mosley worked closely with her when he served as interim city manager. He said in addition to developing policies and procedures the city never had before, Rogers was able to correct some problems which were causing the city to lose a lot of money in the water department.
Rogers spent several years working with the Oklahoma State Fair before becoming the city’s finance director. She was named assistant city manager last summer. Rogers has accepted a new post where she will work with a management company which oversees the Myriad Gardens Foundation and the Scissortail Park Foundation in Oklahoma City.
Separate Crashes send Two to Hospitals
Traffic accidents in Grady County sent two people to hospitals yesterday and one of them was weather-related. Just before noon a driver ran off U.S. Highway 277 about a mile west of Ninnekah and hit a tree. 50-year old Manjit Singh of Moreno Valley, California was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital by ground ambulance where he was admitted in critical condition with head and trunk injuries. Last night, a passenger in a car that crashed near the intersection of a couple of county roads three miles south of Tuttle was taken to an Oklahoma City hospital. 46-year old Gwindalon Gillian of Tuttle suffered head injuries and was admitted in serious condition. The driver of the car, 67-year old Teresa Vaughn of Tuttle and another passenger, 51-year old Lynda Landreth of Blanchard were not hurt. That accident happened about 7:15 last night. The trooper investigating that crash said Vaughn was driving too fast for the snowy road conditions.
Suspect Faces Charges for Alleged Crimes in Verden, Chix
A Grady County man is facing charges after arrests in separate incidents in Verden and Chickasha over the last few months. 42-year old Calvin Joe Malone was first taken into custody last August for allegedly threatening his ex-girlfriend with a weapon in Verden. At that time he was charged with a felony for planning, attempting, or conspiring to perform an act of violence then released from jail after posting a $15,000 bond. The second incident happened just a few days before Christmas when it is alleged he stabbed a man in the parking lot of Grady Memorial Hospital. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he was picked up last week. Malone is facing a felony charge for assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with that arrest. On-line court records also indicate Malone failed to show up for a court appearance on the first charge. Malone is now in the Grady County Jail pending a $100,000 bond and has a preliminary hearing conference is scheduled on Feb. 15th.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.13 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $86.13.
Natural gas is $3.26 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,942 and silver is $23.57.
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Tuesday, Jan. 24th
Winter Storm to Move Through Oklahoma
A winter storm warning is now in effect for Oklahoma as parts of the state could see six inches of snow or more. There are numerous school closings although Chickasha, Blanchard, and Minco schools are open. A lot of schools districts opted to have virtual learning today. Among the closings are senior nutrition centers in Chickasha, Rush Springs, Anadarko, Lindsay, and Marlow. Other closings include The Caddo Nation and Wichita and Affiliated Tribes offices and today’s Grady County Crimestoppers meeting was canceled.
No Ice Anticipated, but Power Outages Could Occur
There will be periods of rain before the snow comes in with the snow expected to be in central Oklahoma before noon. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson said there could be some downed power lines.
The morning commute will be rain but afternoon travel will be treacherous as roads become slushy or even snow-packed. Snow should be ending late tonight but the winter storm warning is in effect until 6 o'clock Wednesday morning.
Chix School Foundation to Hold Annual Gala
The Chickasha Public School Foundation has several events scheduled over the next couple of months. In February, the group will have programs for 5th grade girls and boys. For the girls it's called Diamonds in the Rough and for the boys it's called Gentlemen of Distinction. It's a day for the students visit with mentors from the community to talk about their dreams and aspirations. In March, the Foundation will hold its major fundraiser of the year with the Foundation Gala. Foundation director Gab Shepard said the gala helps provide grants to teachers throughout the district.
The Foundation also provides free school supplies for all students in the district throughout the year. The gala will be held Friday, March 31st at the Grady County Fairgrounds where the district teacher of the year will be introduced and officials will announce the very first inductions into the school district’s newly created Hall of Honor. Officials will also announce the newest inductees into the district’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.62 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $88.19.
Natural gas is $3.44 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,953 and silver is $23.76.
Obituaries
‘Bunk’ Parrott
Funeral service for Bill ‘Bunk' Parrott, III, 29, of Cement will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26th at the First Baptist Church of Cement. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. He worked as a roughneck.
Johnny Wilson
A memorial service for Johnny Wilson, 65, of Mustang and formerly of the Verden and Alex area will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26th at Sevier Funeral Home. He was a U.S. Army veteran and worked at Delta Faucet and Mustang Public Schools.
Carol Woods
Funeral service for Carol Woods, 93, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She taught at Chickasha's Northwest Elementary School and was a pianist for several area churches.
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Monday, Jan. 23rd
Winter Storm Approaches Oklahoma
A winter storm racing across the country will be moving across Oklahoma tomorrow and meteorologists are saying it could cause some problems. Weather forecasters are predicting the heart of the storm could dump 3-6 inches of snow or more in areas along and south of the entire I-40 corridor from the Texas border east to the Arkansas border and south of I-40 to State Highway 7. The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch that is effective from 6 a.m. tomorrow morning to 6 a.m. Wednesday morning. So far there have been no cancelations or postponements but should they develop we'll be sure to pass them along and post them on our Facebook page.
Anadarko Continues Utility Pole Replacement Project
Parts of Anadarko will have brief power outages today as crews continue the city's utility pole replacement program. Those areas will be the 500 blocks of West Alabama St. and West Louisiana St. and the 100 blocks of East Alabama St. and East Louisiana St. The work will be done on the even-numbered houses on Alabama and the odd-numbered housed on Louisiana.
USDA Grants Available to Small Businesses, Ag Producers
Oklahoma small businesses and agriculture producers can apply for some federal grants to help to install renewable energy systems, or to make energy efficiency improvements. Kenneth Corn is with Oklahoma's Rural Development office for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). He says there are a couple of options available.
Some funds can be used to install geo-thermal systems for electric generation or to buy, build, or install energy-efficient improvements such as heat and air systems, insulation, lighting, cooling or refrigeration units, and replacing inefficient energy systems. The application deadline is March 31st. For information, visit the website: rd.usda.gov
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.31 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $87.63.
Natural gas is $3.17 per million BTUs.
Gold is $1,943 and silver is $23.81.
Obituaries
Adrian Drew
No services were held for Adrian Drew, 87, of of Minot, North Dakota and formerly of Chickasha. She worked for Chickasha Public Schools and volunteered with the Grady County Historical Society Museum.
Helen Foley
Funeral service for Helen Foley, 93, of Chickasha will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She worked at Grady Memorial Hospital and Hermetic Switch.
