Saturday, July 6th
Holiday Drownings Have OHP Urging Water Safety
State troopers are encouraging Oklahomans to be extra careful on waterways for the rest of the Independence Day Weekend. At least four people have drowned in lake-related accidents since Thursday. Trooper Ryan Griffith said that every one of the drownings were avoidable. He suggests anyone going in the water should wear a life jacket.
Anadarko Cleaning Up After Storms
Anadarko residents are spending part of their 4th of July weekend cleaning up from Thursday night storms. Residents who have downed trees and limbs can take those items to the city roll-off site today until 6:00 p.m. today (Saturday, July 6th). Residents will have to show a copy of their utility bill.
Rush Springs Fire Department Adding Volunteers
The Rush Springs Fire Department is looking for some additional volunteers. The department posting on its Facebook page that no experience is necessary and they will provide training. Candidates must be 18 years old. They would like to add four more volunteers to their staff.
Energy Week-in-Review
It was an up-and-down week for energy prices. We get a re-cap from Dave Lanning with the Radio Oklahoma Network-
Crude oil on the NYMEX closed the week at $83.16 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $86.54.
Natural gas is $2.32 per million BTUs.
Gold is just under $2,400 and silver is $31.69.
Talk Show Topic
This week's guest on KOOL Konversation is Teresa Ferguson with the Anadarko Community Library. There is a podcast of the program under the Community tab on this website.
---
Friday, July 5th
Storms Knock Out Power in Several Counties
More than 2,000 power outages are reported in central and southwest Oklahoma as strong thunderstorms have been pummeling the area since late Thursday afternoon. Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) has more than 1,500 customers without power from Chickasha and Ninnekah to Lawton. Hundreds of electric co-op members are also without electricity. CK Energy reports more than 260 outages throughout Grady, Caddo, and Canadian counties; Rural Electric Co-op reports 75 members without power in Grady, McClain and Garvin counties; and OEC reports just a handful of members without power in Canadian County.
City of Anadarko deals with power issues
Parts of Anadarko were without power for several hours last night and early this morning after strong thunderstorms moved through the area yesterday. A post on the City of Anadarko's Facebook page indicates that a number of utility poles were damaged and had to be replaced and crews would be working overnight to get power restored. The post indicated that the outage includes an area from West Central Boulevard to West Colorado Avenue and from 6th Street to 9th Street including the Sunset area. Mayor Kelly McGlothlin said power was restored about 4:00 a.m. today (Friday).
Shoplifting Suspects Sought in Cement, Anadarko
Caddo County authorities are looking for shoplifters in two separate incidents. The sheriff's office is looking for suspects wanted for shoplifting at the Dollar General Store in Cement last month. Photos of a man and woman have been posted on the sheriff's office Facebook page. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office. And the Anadarko Police Department is looking for shoplifters at Walmart. Photos are posted on the Anadarko Police Department's Facebook page.
Researchers Say Climate Change Will
Increase Social Injustice for Native Americans
University of Oklahoma researchers say a proposed cobalt-nickel refinery in the Lawton area is an example of how they contend that climate change is likely to intensify hazard risk and social injustice for Native Americans. The publication Indian Country Today reports that citizens of the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache nations don't want the plant on their ancestral lands. A recent article cites Theresa Tsoodle of Anadarko who is a university research associate and a traditional knowledge keeper for Indigenous scientists. She said it is hard to withstand extreme rainfall events if the land's surface area has been altered from mining or drained for farming. The plant is being proposed by Bartlesville-based Westwin Elements.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.87 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $87.31.
Natural gas is $2.35 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,363 and silver is $30.83.
Obituaries
Henry Alexander
Funeral service for Henry Alexander, 75, Henry Alexander will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, June 13th at St. Stephens Baptist Church in Duncan. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
---
Thursday, July 4th
No news due to the holiday.
---
Wednesday, July 3rd
Chix Councilman Wants More Civility in Council Meetings
New Chickasha City Councilman John Smith wants to prevent verbal attacks from being made against council members by individuals who may be addressing the council during a citizen comment section during meetings. This past Monday, Smith said that he and fellow new council representatives Erica Alexander and Charlie Burruss attended a training session held by the Oklahoma Municipal League and learned that certain protocols should be in place-
City Manager Keith Johnson supported Smith's proposal-
Smith said the citizen communications section of the meeting is important for individuals to address concerns that aren't on the agenda. But said attacks on council members that have occurred in recent meetings should not occur.
Wife of Former Chickasha City Manager Dies
The wife of former Chickasha City Manager Larry Shelton has died. Carolyn Shelton was 73 when she passed away on Sunday. The Sheltons lived in Chickasha for about 20 years until he retired in 2011 to enter the private sector in engineering and county planning and development jobs. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary earlier this year. A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 5th at the IOOF Cemetery in Norman. Arrangements are with Havenbrook Funeral Home in Norman.
More Independence Day Fireworks and Events Set
The 4th of July holiday is just around the corner and there are a number of festivities in the area tonight. Grand Assembly of God will hold its Freedom Fest 24 tonight. Activities start at 6:00 p.m. with free food, games, live music and fireworks. Salt Creek Casino in Pocasset will have fireworks and the City of Tuttle will have fireworks tonight as well. Tomorrow for the 4th, the Chickasha Chamber of Commerce will hold its Stars and Handlebars Parade through Shannon Springs Park at 10:00 a.m. Tomorrow night there will be fireworks at the park.
Tattoo Artists Dominate OKC Competition
Chalk up more awards for local tattoo artists. Several staff members at Downtown Tattoo in Chickasha come home with a dozen trophies from the Oklahoma City Tattoo Festival this past weekend. Garrett Hall won first in Cover-up and Female Medium Black-and-Gray; runner-up in Large, Female, and Medium Black-and Gray; Best-of-Day Black-and-Gray; and third overall for Best-of-Day. Jayden Washabaugh was runner-up, 3rd, and 5th in Best-of-Day Black-and-Gray; and Greg Martinez was third for Male Large Black-and-Gray and 4th for Best of Day.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.83 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $86.31.
Natural gas is $2.44 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,356 and silver is $30.42.
---
Tuesday, July 2nd
Chix Council Rep Displays Bad Water Sample
as Panel Gets Update on New Water Plant Plans
How's this for timing? Last night, the Chickasha City Council got an update on plans to build a new water treatment plant - as officials also fielded complaints about cloudy and dirty water coming out of city faucets. City Councilman Charlie Burruss brought a pint-sized jar of discolored water to the meeting and asked if anyone else was having similar issues. City Manager Keith Johnson said there have been some recent water line breaks that may have caused some problems but also cited another reason.
Johnson said in spite of the water quality it is safe to drink. He recommended that households and businesses open their taps for a few minutes to help move the debris through the system.
Water plant design plans are on schedule
Officials from Freese and Nichols, the Oklahoma firm designing the new water treatment plant, gave about a 15-minute slide-show presentation regarding the preliminary design for the facility. It was the first update on the plan since it was introduced in January. Engineer Jason Cocklin told the council this was Phase 2 of a five-phase program-
He said the 6 million gallon per day level is expected to be enough for the next 30 to 40 years and that the design would allow the plant to process up to 8 million gallons per day should that be needed. Cocklin also said officials will pre-treat the water which comes from the Ft. Cobb-Reservoir at a site west of Chickasha - a process that had been discontinued due to some Department of Environmental Quality issues at that location.
Cocklin anticipates they'll have the final plans drawn up by next spring with bids to be taken between March and May. Construction could get underway next summer and it is anticipated to take 18 months. Early estimates are that the plant could be on-line by the end of 2026.
Grow Facility Robbery Suspects Are Formally Charged
The four suspects arrested in connection with the armed robbery of a marijuana grow facility in Grady County over the weekend have had formal charges of conjoint robbery filed against them. Bond for Herbert Morris, 20, was set at $300,000; bond for Geane Johnson Jr., 25, was set at $150,000 (Johnson is also charged with possession of a firearm after felony conviction); and bond for Ameil Rainger, 20, and Anthony Rainger, 21, was set at $50,000 each. All of them are reported to have Oklahoma City addresses. They were arrested early Saturday morning when law enforcement were summoned to the facility between Alex and Tabler when the manager witnessed the hold-up while viewing remote video surveillance of the property.
Blanchard Independence Day Celebration Tonight
The City of Blanchard will host its annual Independence Day celebration tonight. Activities at Lion's Park begin at 6:00 p.m. with family games and activities, food trucks, and live music from SuperFreak and The Oklahoma Symphonic Band. The fireworks will start at dusk.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.97 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $87.19.
Natural gas is $2.45 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,334 and silver is $29.61.
---
Monday, July 1st
Robbery at Grow Facility Injures One; Four Suspects Arrested
Law enforcement agencies nab several suspects red-handed for allegedly robbing a rural Grady County marijuana grow facility. A post on the Grady County Sheriff's Office Facebook page indicates authorities were notified by the manager of the facility who was monitoring video surveillance just before 2:00 a.m. Saturday. The facility is in a rural part of the county between Alex and Tabler. Sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement converged on the site and saw several individuals trying to make a run for it. Two suspects were immediately taken into custody and two others arrested following a brief search. One of the employees inside the facility was injured and had to be taken to an Oklahoma City hospital with unknown injuries. Investigators say they recovered a weapon. Four individuals ranging from 20- to 24-years old have been booked into the Grady County Jail and are being held on complaints of burglary and assault with a deadly weapon.
Chix Council to Get Update on Water Treatment Plant Plans
What's the latest news about a new water treatment plant for the City of Chickasha? Some information will be announced tonight as the city council will be getting an update from the firm that is engineering and designing the facility. The city obtained a multi-million dollar loan from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board to finance the design, engineering, and construction of the plant. City voters approved a sales tax increase to pay for the note. The last report indicated that construction could start next year (2025).
Road project and road striping work also to be considered
The council will also consider a change to an inter-local agreement with Grady County regarding the Cottonwood Road overlay project, and will consider spending more than $55,000 for road striping work. The council meets at 6:30 tonight at city hall.
ATV Driver Critical, Child Passenger Treated and Released After Crash
An ATV driver is critically injured in a weekend accident. It happened Saturday afternoon in Grady County between Minco and Union City. 36-year old Catherine Lepelley of Minco was giving a 10-year old girl a ride on the ATV when it went into a broad slide and rolled several times. While Lepelley had to be air lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital, the child was treated and released. Niether rider was wearing a helmet. The girl's name was not released.
Mesonet Website Discussion Set for Ag Producers
Grady County agriculture producers will meet tomorrow morning for the first of their two July meetings. Wes Lee, OSU specialist with the Oklahoma Mesonet weather website is the guest speaker. Producers meet at 7:00 a.m. on the first and third Tuesday of every month at the Grady County OSU Extension Office.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $81.78 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $85.26.
Natural gas is $2.56 per million BTUs.
Gold is 2,339 and silver is $29.49.
Obituaries
Caleb Johnson
Funeral service for Caleb Johnson, 21, was held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, July 1st at the First Baptist Church of Anadarko. Arrangements were with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
Loretta Atchley
A graveside service for Loretta Atchley, 88, formerly of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 3rd at Fairlawn Cemetery. She worked at JC Penny and a drug store. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Janet Breedlove
A private memorial service was held for Janet Breedlove, 67. She worked at Canadian Valley Technology Center and Chickasha Roofing. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.
Kelly Elston
A private service will be held for Kelly Elston, 63, of Chickasha. She worked in the transportation industry. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
---
Saturday, June 29th
Scam Suspect Arrested; Some Victims Get Their Money Back
We have more information about a driveway-improvement scam reported by Verden Police and the Grady County Sheriff's Office. Verden Police Chief Jason Cox said at least three individuals fell victim to the ploy and all initially lost thousands of dollars. Thankfully, they were able to get their money back after Cox and other investigators responded. Cox said he had one of the victims call the scammer to come back to talk about the project and police were waiting on him when he returned. The chief said he knows of at least one other victim who has not been able to get their money back. Authorities say the scammers were going door-to-door telling people they were doing work for the county and offered to improve their driveways. No formal charges have yet been filed against the suspect. Cox urges anyone who may have been contacted by the scammers to call Verden police or the sheriff's office.
Brush Fires Erupt in Triple-Digit Temps;
One Firefighter Treated for Suspected Heat Illness
Brush fires kept Grady County firefighters battling flames in the heat of the day yesterday. At least one fire fighter was transported to be treated for a suspected heat-related illness. The first call went out just before 3 p.m. in the Tabler area and another fire erupted around Pocasset. Crews from Naples, Ninnekah, Alex, Bradley, Friend, Pocasset, and Harold departments were all called out and mutual aid was provided by Dibble and Blanchard departments. Afternoon temperatures hit about 105 yesterday with the heat index up around 110 while crews beat back the flames. It wasn't clear if there was any property damage and there is no report on what might have sparked the flames.
Water Line Rupture Leaves Neighborbood Without Water
A Chickasha neighborhood is still without water this morning following a water main break. It is about a two-square block area in the 900 block of Frisco Avenue which is north of Choctaw Avenue. Crews were called out just before 5:00 p.m. Friday and believed a 20-inch water main had broken. It's not known how many households are affected nor how long repairs might take.
Cat Rescued from Storm Drain
A happy ending for a cat that was trapped in a storm drain. KOOL News went to check on the water line break at 9th and Frisco Avenue early this morning and we found Joe Nixon and Billy Johnson working to get the cat out-
Nixon estimated the cat to be two or three years old.
Talk Show Topic
This week's guest on the KOOL Konversation is Destiny Lillich with the Oklahoma Blood Institute. There is a podcast of the program under the Community tab on this website.
Obituaries
Loretta Atchley
A graveside serice for Loretta Atchley, 88, formerly of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 3rd at Fairlawn Cemetery. She worked at JC Penney and a drug store. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Kelly Elston
A private service will be held for 63-year old Kelley Elston of Chickasha. She worked in the transportation industry. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
---
