Saturday, June 1st
Family Seeks Help in Finding Missing Grady County Man
Relatives of a missing Tuttle man are hoping someone has information about their loved one. 30-year old Keith Carlson was reported missing nearly two weeks ago. His family reported him missing Tuesday, May 21st and later that night his abandoned pickup was found at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. KSWO-TV reported that search teams which included officials from the refuge, state troopers, and deputies from the Comanche County Sheriff's office were unable to find him. Carlson is Caucasian, about 5-feet, 9 inches tall and weighs about 165 pounds. He has short brown hair and may have a slight moustache and goatee. Anyone with information is asked to call the family at 405-822-1402.
Lindsay Woman Dies in Fatal Crash
One person has died and two others were injured after a Jeep and a pickup collide near Lindsay. 36-year old Amanda Medellin of Lindsay died in the crash that happened on SH 76 about three miles south of Erin Springs just after 8 o'clock Friday morning. The highway patrol reports she was driving the Jeep which backed out of a private drive and was hit by an oncoming pickup. An un-named 17-year girl who was passenger in the Jeep was taken to a Norman hospital where she was admitted in stable condition. The man driving the pick-up was identified as 34-year old Jonathan Bennett of Blanchard who was taken to the Lindsay hospital where he was treated and released.
Inmate Who Pleaded Guilty to Assault, Intimidation
Now Charged with Child Sex Crimes
A man already in jail serving time after pleading guilty to charges of assault and battery and intimidating a witness last year is facing some new charges. 39-year old Sean Paul Crow of Rush Springs is now accused of committing child sex crimes. Last December, Crow was sentenced to a year in a the county jail followed by nine years' probation after pleading guilty to the assault and intimidating a witness charges. Earlier this week, he was charged with four counts of lewd acts to a child under 12 years old. It's alleged that Crow inappropriately touched a child between September of 2021 and October of 2023. If convicted he could be sentenced to up to 100 years in prison.
Talk Show Topic
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. On our KOOL Konversation program are the two Republican candidates for Grady County Clerk - current clerk Jill Locke and challenger Neva Ford. There is a podcast of the programs under the Community tab on this website.
Obituary
Jay Clingman
A private family service will be held for Jay Clingman, 63, of Tuttle. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, worked in the oilfield, and was co-owner of Production Chemical and Service Company. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
---
Friday, May 31st
Huge State Budget Bill Sent to Governor
A nearly $12.5 billion budget for the State of Oklahoma for fiscal year 2024-25 is now under consideration by Gov. Kevin Stitt. The State House of Representatives brought the legislative session to and end yesterday sending the plan to the governor. The four-month session started in February and ended a day earlier than constitutionally required. House Speaker Charles McCall (R-Atoka) said the House created a House Budget Transparency Portal, an accessible on-line method giving Oklahomans unprecedented access to the budget process. The House sent more than 430 bills to the governor which included a record $1.5 billion in new funding for public schools; $18 million for pay raises for county sheriffs and deputies; and $200 million to the Rural Economic Transportation Reliability and Optimization Fund. State lawmakers also eliminated the 4.5 percent state grocery tax.
Chix Airport to Host Wings and Wheels Air Show, Car Show
Final preparations are underway today for the City of Chickasha's 6th annual Wings and Wheels Air Show and Car Show. A number of activities will take place at the city's airport tomorrow including several high-flying daredevil acts. One of them is called Roll'n Thunder featuring a race between an airplane and a jet car. Mark Smith drives the jet car he calls Slayer and tells what the audience can expect-
He says they burn about 100 gallons of jet fuel during the race. The engine is out of a U.S. Navy Banshee jet which produces about 12,000 horsepower and 6,000 pounds of thrust. The day begins at 8 a.m. with registration for the car show, games and activities for kids, and free airplane rides for kids under 17. The airshow starts at noon and will run about two hours. Admission and parking are free.
Sherri Coale to Address Women's Conference
A program designed to help women in leadership roles balance their efforts at work and at home will be held next week. The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce will host a half-day conference called Equilibrium. Whitney Palesano with the chamber who helped develop the chamber’s monthly Professional Women's Network Program tells what to expect in next week's conference-
The conference is for women in business, government, and education and will feature former OU women’s basketball coach Sherri Coale as the keynote speaker. Other speakers include USAO president Kayla Hale and Grady County 4H Educator Liz Taylor. Equilibrium will be held at USAO next Thursday, June 6th. Palesano said the program is nearly sold out and that the last day to register is tomorrow, June 1st. Participants can register on-line:
chickashachamber.com/pwnetwork
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.91 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $81.86.
Natural gas is $2.57 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,364 and silver is $31.43.
Obituaries
Leroy Schein
A memorial service for Leroy Schein, 76, of Pocasset will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 3rd at the Pocasset United Methodist Church. He worked and retired from Western Farmers Electric Co-op. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Pocasset Lions Club.
Pat Fraser
Funeral service for Pat Fraser, 82, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 7th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She was a homemaker and a caregiver.
---
Thursday, May 30th
TIF District Review Committee Gets Update
The committee appointed to recommend - or not recommend - the creation of two Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts in the City of Chickasha got an update on the proposals in a special meeting at city hall yesterday. Officials are calling it ‘The Gateway to Chickasha Increment District’. Nate Ellis, representing the firm developing the plan, reminded the panel of the proposed sites. One is mainly downtown Chickasha and the other is along U.S. Highway 62 east of downtown. Ellis reminded the group on why such TIF districts are created-
He said the funds created by the districts would help pay for a portion of the more than $500 million in infrastructure improvements which have been identified city-wide. Ellis said the funds could be used to make improvements in areas outside of the TIF districts. He gave an estimate of the potential funding that might be created.
Those matching funds would come from the state from what’s knows as the Leverage Fund Act. The committee did not act on a proposed resolution to create the districts. The panel will meet again June 12th for that. The resolution would first go to the city's planning commission for consideration, then to the city council where two public hearings would be held. Those hearings could be held in as August with a final city council decision perhaps in a September meeting.
Former Anadarko School Employees Charged with Sex Crimes
Two former Anadarko school employees are facing sexual battery charges in connection with incidents that allegedly happened several years ago. 48-year old Jim Pahcoddy has been charged with eight counts and 52-year old Keith Knight is facing one such charge. Both were taken into custody yesterday after arrest warrants were issued. Both men had their initial appearances on the charges in Caddo County District Court yesterday as well. On-line court records show that Pahcoddy was released on a $25,000 bond and Knight was released on a $10,000 bond. No information was available about the allegations as Judge David Stephens has sealed the documents associated with the case. Anadarko school officials say the incidents are alleged to have happened many years ago. A letter from Anadarko School Superintendent Jerry McCormick said school officials have cooperated with the investigation by the Anadarko Police Department. It also states that while the alleged incidents occurred some time ago they are taking the matter seriously and are committed to maintaining a safe and supportive environment going forward.
Grady County Street and Bridge Signs Stolen
Grady County authorities say a number of road and street signs have been stolen in recent days. Officials say more than 20 signs were taken between Chickasha and Minco along CS 2850 which runs north and south about two miles east of U.S. Highway 81. A post on the Grady County Sheriff's Office Facebook page says stop signs, weight limit signs on bridges, and street signs were reported stolen over the weekend. Officials ask anyone who may have information to call the District One barn at 405-381-3272. Anyone who may see signs dumped on the side of the road are asked to return them to the county barn.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.23 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $83.60.
Natural gas is $2.49 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,354 and silver is $31.58.
Obituary
Shirley Campopiano
A graveside service for Shirley Campopiano, 76, of Chickasha was held yesterday (Wednesday) at Fairlawn Cemetery. She was a waitress and owned a residential cleaning service. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.
---
Wednesday, May 29th
City of Chix Schedules Street Improvement Projects
A number of street and road improvements in the City of Chickasha will be getting underway next week. The upgrades include 29th Street from U.S. Highway 62 south to Grand Avenue; 16th Street from Country Club Road south to Pikes Peak Road; and North 4th Street from Frisco Avenue north to Tryon Avenue. Public Works Director Jim Crosby says the combined cost of the projects is about $650,000 and they are included in the city's 2023-24 fiscal year budget. Crosby said they'll be starting the 29th Street project next week. The estimated cost of that project is more than $360,000. Crosby says traffic on 29th Street will be narrowed to one lane and that there will be delays while that work is being done. He advises motorists to find an alternate route. Later in June city crews will work on the 16th Street project which has an estimated cost of $180,000. The North 4th Street project will follow with that cost at more than $100,000.
Chix School Officials Propose Changes for Next School Year
(Longer days starting in August, 4-day weeks next Spring)
Chickasha school officials are asking patrons what they think about some proposed changes for next school year. Among them are going to a four-day week the final two months of the year in April and May. Officials say in order to do that school days would be extended 15 minutes from the start of school in August through April, and scheduled snow days would be moved to the latter part of the year. There would be no changes to fall break, the week-long Thanksgiving break, or the break between Christmas and New Year. A post on the school district's Facebook page and website indicate the changes would help the district be more competitive in recruiting top teachers and support personnel, and provide opportutities for tutoring, enrichments, and academic growth for students on those days off next April and May. The survey is posted on the district's website and the last day to respond is this Saturday, June 1st.
USAO Names New VP for Academics
A new vice president will soon be in place at USAO. Dr. David Evans will serve as the Vice President of Academic Affairs. A press release from the university indicates Evans will serve on the president's leadership team and oversee educational policy and academic programs. Among his other duties will be building partnerships with public schools and community programs, private industry and businesses, and local and state governments. Evans comes to USAO after serving as interim president of American University in Bulgaria. He also spent time as president of Southern Vermont College, and dean of the Petree College of Arts and Sciences at Oklahoma City University.
Recent Rush Springs Grad Named Watermelon Fest Queen
The Rush Springs community has selected this year's royalty for the annual watermelon festival. Audrey Heath will reign over the festival coming up later this summer. Audrey just graduated from Rush Springs High School where she was a Valedictorian. She plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond and major in nursing. She'll spend the summer traveling the state to promote the festival with her first event this Saturday at Chickasha's Wings and Wheels Air Show and Car Show. The 79th annual Rush Springs Watermelon festival will be Saturday, Aug. 10th at Jeff Davis Park.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $79.83 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $84.22.
Natural gas is $2.59 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,367 and silver is $32.21.
Obituaries
Nannie 'Nan' Kilby
Funeral service for Nan Kilby, 79, of Tuttle will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 30th at Snow Hill Baptist Church in Tuttle. She worked at Cedar Springs Pharmacy for 35 years. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.
Lois Stinnett
A graveside service for Lois Stinnett, 81, of Chickasha and formerly of Cement will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 31st at the Cement Cemetery. She spent several years as a librarian at Rose State College. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
---
Tuesday, May 28th
Grady County Soldiers Who Died in Battle
Are Honored in Memorial Day Ceremony
Hundreds of thousands of men and women who died while serving in U.S. military branches since America was born were honored during Memorial Day ceremonies held nationwide yesterday. At the Grady County Veterans Memorial in Chickasha’s Shannon Springs Park, the names of the 158 county soldiers who died in times of war and conflict were read aloud. Marine Corps Veteran Gary McNatt, who is the commander of the local American Legion was the speaker.
The ceremony is one of two programs held at the memorial each year. There is also a program on Veterans Day.
One Dead, One Hospitalized Following Crash Near Carnegie
One person died and another was hospitalized following a single-vehicle crash near Carnegie last night. 48-year old Chastity Clark of Mt. View was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital where she was pronounced dead of her injuries. A second passenger identified as 38-year old Justin Dirickson of Carnegie was also air-lifted to an OKC hospital where he was admitted in fair condition. The accident happened about 9:45 last night on State Highway 9 about a mile west of Carnegie in Kiowa County. The highway patrol said the accident is still under investigation and was trying to determine who was driving the vehicle.
Chix TIF District Committee to Consider
Resolution to Form Two Such Districts
The City of Chickasha’s Special Tax Increment Finance District Committee is expected to consider a recommendation to create two such districts when the panel meets tomorrow. The group will also discuss the proposed infrastructure projects within those districts and their related costs, and draft a Gateway to a Chickasha Economic Development Project plan. The panel meets in a special meeting scheduled for 1:30 tomorrow afternoon at city hall.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $77.72 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $82.12.
Natural gas is $2.52 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,345 and silver is $31.72.
Obituary
Scharleene Bowen
Funeral service for Scharleene Bowen, 94, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, May 31st at McRay Funeral Home. She worked at Walmart for 25 years.
---
Monday, May 27th
No news due to the Memorial Day holiday.
---
