Saturday, June 22nd
No Recount Sought in Close Grady County Court Clerk Race
The results of this week's primary election were certified by the state election board last night following a three-day period where candidates could file petitions for re-counts in closely contested elections. One of those close elections was in the Republican primary for Grady County court clerk where only 73 votes separated the two candidates. Mica Selzer-Hackney collected 50.6 percent of the vote over Carolyn Bowen (2,856 to 2,783). Bowen did not file for a recount so Selzer-Hackney will be the new court clerk as no Democrats filed for the office. Selzer-Hackney, who has worked at the court clerk's office for 20 years will succeed Lisa Hannah who is retiring at the end of the year. Selzer-Hackney will officially assume the office in January.
Officials Search Wildlife Refuge for Another Missing Person
Another missing persons report had authorities searching the Wichita Mountains Wildife Refuge this week. Authorities say an abandoned vehicle was found in the Post Oak and Treasure Lake parking area Tuesday night. KSWO-TV reports that several law enforcements agencies joined the search effort including state troopers, the Comanche County Sheriff's Office, and the Lawton Fire Department. Drones and K9 officers were also brought in to help. Parts of the refuge were closed including Elk Mountain, Bat Cave, and Heart Rock. Authorities did not release the name of the missing person. It's the second time within the last month that authorities have conducted a search for a missing person at the refuge. 30-year old Keith Carlson of Tuttle went missing May 21st and his abandoned pickup was found in the refuge. Carlson still has not been located.
Father, Son Face Drug Charges After Traffic Stop
A father and son are facing drug charges after their arrests. Robert Wayne Wilkinson, Sr., 61, and Robert Wayne Wilkinson, Jr., 35, were arrested by a Grady County deputy following a traffic stop. A probable cause affidavit indicates the deputy pulled over a vehicle in a neighborhood near USAO. Both men had suspended driver's licenses and the vehicle did not have insurance. Authorities found what appeared to be methamphetamine and drug items in the car. Both men were arrested and the car impounded. Both men have been charged with misdemeanors and are out of jail after posting $2,500 bond each. Neither man has any prior convictions. Their cases have been scheduled to be on the misdemeanor disposition docket next month.
Veteran Ampo Teacher, Coach Dean Guthrie Dies
Longtime Amber-Pocasset teacher and coach Dean Guthrie has died. Guthrie's career spanned six decades beginning in 1974 teaching social studies and coaching baseball and basketball. He retired from teaching in 2010 but continued to drive a school bus until the end of the past school year. He was also a licensed preacher and served as deacon for the First Baptist Church of Amber. Guthrie was 76 when he passed away Thursday. He is survived by his wife of Sharon and sons and daughters-in-law Scott and Mandy; David and Amanda; and Eric and Brandi and their families. Funeral service for Dean Guthrie will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 25th at the First Baptist Church of Amber. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Chickasha Rodeo Wraps up Tonight
The Chickasha rodeo will have its second and final performance tonight at the Grady County Fairgrounds. Before the rodeo there will be a parade in downtown Chickasha starting at 4:00 p.m. The Grand entry for the rodeo this evening will start at 8:00 p.m. The winner of the queen contest will also be announced tonight.
Talk Show Topic
Blanchard City Manager Robert Floyd and Parks and Recreation director Chris Wittenbach are this week's guests on the KOOL Konversation. Find a podcast of the program under the Community tab on this website.
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Friday, June 21st
Project Would Get Trauma Kits in All Grady County Classrooms
Emergency management groups have launched an effort to help teachers in Grady County schools save the lives of students who might be injured in an active-shooter situation. The Grady County Emergency Management and Chickasha Emergency Management agencies have announced a campaign called 'Stop the Bleed.' The goal is to have specialized trauma kits in every Grady County school classroom for the upcoming school year. Here is Chickasha Emergency Management Director Edward Perez-
The trauma kits would include essential medical supplies including tourniquets. Grady County Emergency Management Director Dale Thompson said that the average arrival times for first responders is 7-10 minutes - but that life-threatening bleeding can result in death in less than five minutes. Perez says Chickasha Fire Chief Tony Samaniego and EMTs will be meeting with Chickasha teachers before school starts this fall-
Perez says the kits will cost about $50 each and that there are 1,000 classrooms in Grady County. Perez said they are seeking contributions to pay for the kits. Individuals can reach out to the Grady County Emergency Management Agency to do that.
Two Motorcyclists Injured in Separate Accidents
Two motorcycle riders are hospitalized following separate accidents that occurred in the Elgin area last night. 63-year old Timothy Harris of Fletcher hit a deer on U.S. Highway 62 southwest of Elgin just after 11:00 p.m. He was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital and admitted in fair condition. He was not wearing a helmet. In the other accident, an unidentified teenager also from Fletcher failed to negotiate a curve and ran off Porter Hill Road east of Elgin just before 8:00 p.m. The 17-year old was also air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was admitted in fair condition. The teen was wearing a helmet.
Chickasha Rodeo Weekend is Here
The 85th annual Chickasha rodeo gets underway tonight. It's an open rodeo so local cowboys and cowgirls will be competing. There are three queen contestants - 16-year old Calista Castrellon, 16-year old Heidi Hembree, and 12-year old Emmy Foster. The reigning queen is Marissa McDermott who says the candidates have been working the last couple of months to promote the rodeo-
The winner of the queen contest will be named tomorrow night. Grand entry times are 8 o'clock tonight and tomorrow night at the Grady County Fairgrounds. There will be a rodeo parade in downtown Chickasha at 4 o'clock tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.17 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $85.69.
Natural gas is $2.68 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,377 and silver is $30.80.
Obituaries
Brady Lovie, Jr.
Funeral service for Brady Lovie, Jr., 82, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, June 29th at the Church of the Living God, P.G. of T. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
Billie Scott
Funeral service for Billie Scott, 59, is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
Thursday, June 20th
Suspect Arrested For Allegedly Selling Drugs to Informant
A Chickasha man with history of drug crimes was arrested last week after allegedly selling fentanyl to a confidential informant. Authorities arrested 42-year old Antwon Owens. A probable cause affidavit indicates that the informant was able to purchase about two grams of fentanyl from Owens for $250 at a Chickasha home back in January. Owens has been charged with two felony counts of drug trafficking in connection with this arrest and remains in jail on a $100,000 bond. Owens was previously convicted of drug trafficking in 2002, pleaded guilty to drug charges in 2008, and is awaiting sentencing in connection with a 2021 arrest for drug distribution.
Kidnapping, Assault Suspect in Custody
A Grady County man is facing sexual assault and kidnapping charges after allegedly breaking into a Verden home. 52-year old David James Moore was arrested after authorities were called to the victim's home over the weekend. A probable cause affidavit alleges Moore broke into the home by forcibly removing a window air conditioner, attacking the victim, and holding her against her will. After an argument Moore left the home. Moore was later taken into custody at another Verden residence. He's facing felony charges of kidnapping, sexual battery, and burglary and a judge set his bond at $75,000.
Summer Arrives Today; Chix Chamber Sets Christmas in July
Today we say goodbye to spring and welcome the arrival of summer. The Summer Solstice occurs at 3:50 Central Time this afternoon and we'll have more than 12 1/2 hours of sunlight. That means hot weather is on the way and the forecast is for 100 degree temperatures next week. With that in mind the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce has made plans for another Christmas in July celebration. The month-long event will include various retail campaigns to encourage shopping with local merchants, free evening movies outdoors at the leg lamp, and a Christmas Cool Down Block Party at the end of the month. The first activity will be the Parade of Stars and Handlebars the morning of July 4th at Shannon Springs Park. Entry fees are $10 per person or family, and $25 for groups or clubs. Register on-line at:
www.chickashachamber.com/christmasinjuly
Non-profit Group to hold Ladybug Release
There is an unusual event in Duncan tomorrow night. Thousands of ladybugs will be released to benefit a community garden. The non-profit group Think Ability will introduce 20,000 ladybugs to its garden. This is the fifth year for the project. Ladybugs are garden-friendly creatures that eat aphids which damage flowers and plants. The release will be a community event featuring family-friendly activities including ladybug corn hole, pin the ladybug on the flower, face-painting, temporary tattoos, arts and crafts, and free refreshments. You can also purchase ladybugs and similar plant-friendly bugs to help protect your garden. Think Ability helps individuals with intellectual disabilities. The event will be from 6 to 8 p.m. tomorrow night at the Think Ability Community Garden at 2109 West Beech Street in Duncan. For information see the Think Ability Community Garden Facebook page.
USAO Regents Honor Employee of the Year
A human resource specialist at USAO has been named the university's employee of the year. Jana Ware was recently honored by USAO regents. Ware has worked at USAO for five years and previously worked in the admissions office and the assessment office. She's held her current post since last fall where she is responsible for recruiting new faculty and staff. By the way, she's also a USAO alum. USAO president Kayla Hale said that Ware shows kindness, patience, loyalty, honesty, and extraordinary work ethic.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.60 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $85.33.
Natural gas is $2.87 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,348 and silver is $30.60.
Wednesday, June 19th
Primary Election Results
Grady County
Sheriff Gary Boggess gets a landslide victory in yesterday's Republican primary election. Boggess, who was appointed to the post last year, picked up nearly 75 percent of the vote in his race with Jeff Franklin. Boggess says he'll be working to get more deputies in the field-
Boggess wins the post since no Democrats filed for the office.
Locke wins re-election
County Clerk Jill Locke was re-elected as she picked up 60 percent of the vote over challenger Neva Ford. Locke talks about what she'll focus on in her next term-
Like the sheriff's race, no Democrats filed to run for county clerk.
Commissioner races goes to a run-off
The District Two County Commissioner race will go to a run-off. Incumbent Kirk Painter and Ruth Bingham were the top two vote-getters of the three candidates on the ballot but neither received a majority of votes. Bingham picked up 691 votes or about 39 percent and Painter received 674 votes or about 38 percent. The third candidate, Garland Terry, received 410 votes or about 23 percent of the vote. The commissioner race will be decided in the August 27th Republican run-off election as no Democrats filed for that office.
Court Clerk race goes down to the wire
The court clerk's race was the closest of the contests with less than 75 votes separating the two candidates. Unofficial results show Mica Selzer-Hackey with 50.6 percent of the vote with 2,856 - and Carolyn Bowen with 49.4 percent with 2,783. Bowen has until Friday afternoon to decide if she wants to file for a recount.
Caddo County
Sheriff Spencer Davis wins re-election collecting 62 percent of the vote over Brynn Barnett in the Republican Primary. No Democrats filed for that office.
Tip Leads to Recovery of Stolen Farm Equipment
Grady County deputies have recovered more than $100,000 in stolen farm equipment. Undersheriff Kori Brewer tells KOOL/RANCH News that authorities spent much of the day yesterday at an undisclosed location south of Ninnekah where they found trailers, cattle equipment, an ATV, and other items. A post on the sheriff's office Facebook page indicates that Deputy Danny Booth with the county's agriculture crime unit got a tip about the stolen equipment and obtained a search warrant for the property. When authorities arrived a suspect fled in a stolen vehicle and deputies gave chase. The pursuit was ended after officials say it got too dangerous. At last report investigators were working to get an arrest warrant for the suspect.
Two Seriously Injured in Dibble Crash
Two people are hospitalized with one in critical condition after a pickup crashed near Dibble yesterday. A passenger, 61-year old Oseas Barron-Torres was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was admitted in critical condition. The driver, 28-year old Roberto Castellan-Iglesias was admitted in good condition. Both men are from Dibble. The accident happened just before 2:30 yesterday afternoon on State Highway 76 about a mile south of the Dibble Crossroads. The highway patrol did not report what happened saying the accident is still under investigation.
Suspect Faces Drug Trafficking Charges After Traffic Stop
A traffic stop leads to the arrest of Cement man who is now facing charges of drug trafficking and distribution. A Grady County deputy pulled over 53-year old Jeffrey Remy early Monday morning after he failed to dim his high beams. A probable cause affidavit says he was detained because his driver's license was expired and his explanation didn't add up. The deputy found more than 10 grams of fentanyl and meth as well as drug items in the vehicle. Remy remains in the Grady County Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.57 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $85.33.
Natural gas is $2.91 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,342 and silver is $29.89.
Tuesday, June 18th
State's Primary Elections Underway
Polls are just now opening for primary elections taking place today. Republicans and Democrats will cast ballots in their respective primaries to select candidates for the general election this fall. Some local races only have Republican or Democratic candidates.
Grady County
There are only GOP candidates for four county offices and Democrats cannot vote in the Republican primary. There is a race for sheriff, as Grady County Sheriff Gary Boggess is on the ballot with Jeff Franklin. Boggess was appointed to the post last year. Both have served in law enforcement for many years. There are also county-wide elections in the Republican Primary for county clerk where incumbent Jill Locke is facing Neva Ford; and for court clerk where current court clerk employees Mica Selzer-Hackney and Carolyn Bowen are running for the post held currently by Lisa Hannah who is retiring. Also on the ballot are three Republicans for District Two County Commissioner. Incumbent Kirk Painter is being challenged by Garland Terry and Ruth Bingham.
Caddo County
There is one county office on the Republican ballot as Sheriff Spencer Davis is being challenged by Brynn Barnett. There are a few state representative and state senate seats as well as for corporation commission and U.S Congressional offices. Polls are open until 7 o'clock tonight. KOOL/RANCH have special election coverage of the Grady and Caddo County elections after the polls close.
Chix Council Approves 2025 Budgets
The Chickasha City Council approved 2025 fiscal year budgets for the various entities at city hall in its meeting last night. The panel made no changes to the budgets all of which had public hearings at a city council meeting last week. The budgets passed by 8-1 votes with Councilman Charlie Burruss abstaining from voting on each of the proposals.
Software program approved for police department
The council also approved a grant for the police department to obtain software than can track the locations of police officers and other city employees in the field. Known as the GeoSafe program, the software can pinpoint the location of individuals and share the information with other law enforcement groups that also have the software. It would allow those agencies to respond quicker to emergencies. Chickasha Police Chief G.G. Music said he has written a grant that would pay for two years of the service. It allows up to 50 licenses which could be obtained by Chickasha firefighters and employees in the Community Development Department. Music said it is an important piece of equipment.
Music said other agencies that have the subscription include the Grady County Sheriff's Office, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and a number of regional police departments.
Planning Commission, Library Board appointments OK'd
The council also approved the appointment of Eric Anderson to serve on the Planning Commission. He'll replace longtime commission member John Grote. The panel also approved the re-appointment of Annick Bellemain to the library board, and appointed Sandra Thompson and Deb Abraham to the library board. All their terms are for three years through June 30, 2027.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $80.33 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $84.23.
Natural gas is $2.80 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,326 and silver is $29.26.
Obituary
Allen "Doug" Meeks
Funeral service for Doug Meeks, 72, of Minco will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 20th at Friendship Methodist Church. He worked at Delta Faucet, hauled gravel for Grady County, and was also the fire chief at the Harold Fire Station for many years. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
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Monday, June 17th
Chix City Council to Consider Budgets
(EDITOR'S NOTE - A previous version of this story contained erroneous information about public hearings on the budgets. We apologize for the misinformation)
A more than $75 million budget for all the entities at Chickasha City Hall for the 2025 fiscal year will get one more look at tonight's city council meeting. The panel will consider resolutions to approve the spending plans. There are three main sections of the budget: The General Fund, The Chickasha Municipal Authority, and the Airport. The budget includes expenses of more than $27 million from the general fund; nearly $24 million from the municipal authority; more than $10 million from the Capital Improvement Project dedicated sales tax fund; and more than $4 million from another Capital Project Fund. In addition to the budget the council will also consider approving a pay request of more than $164,000 for the ongoing construction of new airport hangars; a final payment of more than $100,000 for water line improvements; and consider a new fee schedule for the coming year. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.
Summer Projects Underway at Chix Public Schools
Maintenance crews at Chickasha Public Schools are spending the summer getting all school sites ready for when classes begin in August. Among the projects include painting at the middle school and the installation of big-screen TVs in classrooms at both the middle school and high school. Teachers in both schools will also be receiving new laptops that will have wireless connection to the 75-inch TVs. The laptops can be used like a tablet with touch-screen capabilities and can connect to the TVs from anywhere in the classroom. A post on the school district's Facebook page says it will elevate classroom dynamics for teachers and students by allowing ultimate flexibility for instruction.
State Group Awards Chix Chamber Tourism Promotions
Efforts to promote tourism in Chickasha garners more state recognition. The Oklahoma Tourism Industry Association presented a number of Red Bud Awards at its annual convention. The highlight was the tourism initiative developed by the Chamber of Commerce called Visit Chickasha, which was awarded the Organization of the Year in the small budget category. The chamber also won a Merit Award for the best website for Visit Chickasha.com; best marketing campaign for Christmas Town; and a Merit Award for Best Partnership for the Rock Island Weekend. Also, the publication Oh-18 received a Redbud Award for Best Marketing Publication in the small budget category. Chamber President Jim Cowan said Chickasha continues to exceed visitor expectations for a town of its size and it's a testament to all the great things that are happening.
Norge, Pioneer Fire Dep't to Hold Founder's Day Celebration
The Town of Norge will hold its annual Founders Day Celebration and Pioneer Fire Department appreciation dinner at the end of the month. According to the Oklahoma Historical Society, the community was settled about 1907 and was initially called Norden. It was changed to Norge in March of 1908. Activities will be Saturday, June 29th with a parade from Norge to Pioneer School and back. There will be a lot of activities at Royce Park after the parade with inflatable games and other activities for the kids as well as the fire department's appreciation dinner.
Aquaculture Specialist to Headline Ag Producer Meeting
Grady County agriculture producers will gather tomorrow morning for the second of their two monthly meetings. Guest speaker will be OSU Extension Aquaculture Specialist Marley Beem. The group meets the first and third Tuesday mornings at 7 a.m. at the extension office at 9th and Choctaw.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $78.45 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $82.62.
Natural gas is $2.88 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,334 and silver is $29.27.
