Saturday, Aug. 24th
State Reps: State Education Department 'Dropped the Ball'
Regarding Notification of Changes of State Testing Methods
A report from the state department of education indicated that proficiency rates for Oklahoma school students had increased last school year. But State Rep. Dick Lowe of Amber is among those who say a change in how state academic tests were scored cannot be compared to scores from the previous year. In a joint media statement, Lowe and State Rep. Mark McBride of Moore say that the change in the scoring method was not 'communicated' to educators, parents, nor the public. Lowe and McBride are the top two members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education. They say state education leaders dropped the ball on telling anyone about the revision. They said the report left districts shocked and surprised and that it puts a false narrative out there. The lawmakers said while they don't want to diminish the work of state educators, the truth must be told. Lowe and McBride said they are seeking guidance to explain how to interpret the test scores and share that information with school administrators, who can then share the information with parents and education stakeholders. McBride said had the state department of education done its job to discuss details of the new scoring system before the results were released, there wouldn't have been a misunderstanding. McBride said he can only hope education department officials do better in the future.
Suspect Arrested for Alleged Ft. Cobb-area Thefts
Caddo County authorities have made an arrest in connection with some recent burglaries and thefts in the Ft. Cobb area. A post on the Caddo County Sheriff's Office Facebook page indicates that a search warrant was issued at a home early Friday morning as a result of a recent investigation. Deputies arrested Jeffrey Lee Jones on complaints of knowingly concealing stolen property and drug possession. The post says that the sheriff's office has a new investigator whose primary focus is on property crimes. Authorities say residents can help by going to sheriff's office website to leave tips: www.caddocountysheriff.com
Grady County Fair Concludes Today
Today is day third and final day of the 109th Grady County Fair. It started this morning with the 4H and FFA tractor driving contest; the swine, rabbit, and poultry shows; and the commercial vendors opening at 9:00 a.m. Afternoon events include the FFA Olympics, the mullet contest, the pet show, and the dairy and beef cattle shows later this afternoon. The kiddie tractor pull will be at 6 o'clock tonight. The carnival opened at noon, and the American Rodeo Qualifier will finish things off at 8 o'clock tonight. After the rodeo country music recording artist Rodger Craeger will perform.
Talk Show Topic
Here's what we're talking about this weekend. On the KOOL Konversation is Chickasha Fire Chief Tony Samaniego to give details about the Citizens Fire Academy that will be held this fall. Find a podcast under the Community tab on this website.
Obituary
James 'Jim' Johns
Funeral service for Jim Johns, 89, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27th at Bible Baptist Church. He was a manager at Dunn's Food Center for more than 20 years and was a master craftsman in woodworking. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
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Friday, Aug. 23rd
Chix Fire Department to Hold Citizens Academy
A first-of-its-kind program to give Chickasha residents the chance to see what firefighters do on a daily basis will be coming up this fall. The Chickasha Fire Department will have a Citizens Fire Academy. It's a six-week program that will include hands-on activities and guest speakers. Fire Chief Tony Samaniego says it's important that citizens understand the challenges that firefighters face. His hope is that at the end of the program individuals will have a clearer view of day-to-day fire operations and gain a better understanding of the services that firefighters and paramedics offer. The academy will be held on Tuesdays from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. beginning Oct. 8th and running through Nov. 12th. There is no charge to attend. Applications are being accepted through Sept. 6th and are available on-line at: www.chickasha.org/CFDCitizens
Applicants will be notified by Sept. 13th if they are selected.
County Fair Queen Named
A Chickasha teen will reign over the Grady County Fair. Makayla Morris was named fair princess during opening ceremonies last night. Erin Guyton of Minco was named Miss Congeniality and Madison Dunn of Rush Springs was named Miss Photogenic. The Little Miss winner was Madison Eitland of Tuttle. Top placers in the cake contest in the senior division went to Patty Ennen as her dark butter chocolate cake was named grand champion; and Rosalie Bush was reserve grand with her dark butter Red Velvet cake. In the junior division, Claire Jansen had the grand champion with a fresh strawberry cake and Emma Riley had the reserve with a dark butter chocolate cake of her own. What's on tap for Day Two of the Grady County Fair today? Stock shows get underway this morning with both the goat and sheep shows. The commercial vendors open at 10:00 a.m., the carnival begins at 6:00 p.m., and live music begins at 7:00 p.m. with the Southern Sailor Band. The rodeo starts at 8:00 p.m. and there will be a band afterwards.
YMCA to Hold Block Party for Anniversary
The Chickasha Area YMCA celebrates a big milestone. The Y is marking its 35th anniversary this weekend. It has grown to serve hundreds of members and youth. Lewis Knisley is the director-
Chickasha Mayor Zach Grayson issued a proclamation commemorating the anniversary saying the Y has been a cornerstone in the community providing invaluable services and programs that promote healthy living and social responsibility. The Y will hold a block party tomorrow morning from 9:00 a.m. to noon and the 700 block of Chickasha Avenue will be closed for the event. There will be water slides, inflatables, a dunk tank, several food trucks, and tours of the facility. They will also have a special introductory price for new members - just $19.89 – the price marks the year the YMCA was founded.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $73.75 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $77.92.
Natural gas is $2.03 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,533 and silver is $29.84.
Obituary
Mary Bell
A graveside service for Mary Bell, 87, of Chickasha was held at 10:00 a.m. today at the El Reno Cemetery. She was a longtime home economist and 4H agent for OSU Extension. Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of El Reno and Trinity Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.
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Thursday, Aug. 22nd
Grady County Fair Opens
The 109th Grady County Fair begins today. The doors will open at noon for the commercial vendors who spent much of the day yesterday organizing their booth spaces. Many of the more than 100 vendors will be in the north exhibit building at the Grady County Fairgrounds and some will be in the event center. The first activity will be the youth horse show at 10:00 a.m. From noon to 2:30 p.m. the cake show entries will be accepted with judging at 3:00 p.m. The formal opening of the fair will be at 6:00 p.m. with fair honorees Billy Scott, and Eddie and Linda Rathbun being recognized. That will be followed by the cake auction and the announcement of the winners of the fair princess and little miss competitions which were held earlier this week. The carnival also opens at 6 p.m. There will be live music from Tim Brauer and the First Look Band at 7:00 p.m.
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One of the events at the fair this weekend is the American Rodeo Contender qualifier that will be held in the outdoor rodeo arena Friday and Saturday nights. Mike Scott with S3 Pro Rodeo is promoting the event-
This is the third year for the qualifier to be held at the fairgrounds and Scott is expecting more than 1,000 contestants.
Early Voting Begins Ahead of Next Week's Elections
In-person, absentee voting is underway for some areas ahead of next Tuesday's primary run-off elections however not all Oklahomans will be going to the polls. In Grady County is the Republican run-off for the District 2 Grady County Commissioner post. Incumbent Kirk Painter is facing challenger Ruth Bingham for the seat. No Democrats filed for the post. Some regional school districts have special bond elections including Blanchard, Lindsay, Marlow, and Hinton. In-person, absentee ballots may be cast at the election board office in the county where voters are registered. Early voting can be done today and tomorrow from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Regular voting will be at local precincts next Tuesday, Aug. 27th from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
USAO Students Return; Traffic Through Campus Minimized
The USAO campus is quite active today as it is move-in day for students. To make the effort safer for students and their parents, northbound traffic on 17th Street between Grand and Alabama Avenues is closed to non-university traffic until 2:00 p.m. The southbound lane of 17th will be open through campus however motorists should use extreme caution due to the increase of pedestrian activity. Officials urge motorists to use an alternate route around the area, perhaps 20th Street to avoid the congestion.
FFA Chapters to Receive STEM Grants
A couple of regional FFA chapters get a boost for their Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs. The Carnegie and Mt. View-Gotebo chapters have been awarded funds from the parent company of Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO). The American Electric Power Foundation doled out more than $36,000 to 17 Oklahoma FFA chapters. The grants range from $700 to $2,500 and are being used for projects that include veterinary science and greenhouse and watering systems. The grants will be awarded at five regional FFA Chapter Officer Leadership Training (COLT) conferences.
Chix Community Alliance Opens 'Cooling Station'
While afternoon temperatures have moderated a bit over last couple of days with highs in the mid-90s, triple digit temps are expected to return tomorrow and could be around through the middle of next week. The Chickasha Community Alliance will open an official 'Cooling Station' to help those who need to get out of the heat. The cooling station is at 902 S. 9th Street and will be open from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. through Wednesday, August 28th.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.18 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $76.41.
Natural gas is $2.18 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,543 and silver is $30.03.
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Wednesday, Aug. 21st
Mother Accused of Child Neglect, Drug Use
A woman is jailed on charges of child neglect and drug possession after authorities were called to a Grady County home over the weekend. It a happened Sunday afternoon just south of Minco after the women reportedly passed out after using drugs. A Grady County deputy found the woman unresponsive in a bathroom with multiple needles around her. A probable cause affidavit indicates the deputy administered two doses of Narcan to wake her up. The deputy then field-tested some of the liquid in one of the syringes and determined it to be methamphetamine with fentanyl. The woman identified as 33-year old Adonia Gabrielle Brown did not want to go to the hospital so she was taken into custody. Two children in the home were turned over to their father. Prosecutors have charged Brown with a felony for child neglect and misdemeanors for having drugs. She remains in jail on a $10,000 bond. Brown is to be back in court Sept. 11th for a preliminary hearing conference.
Volunteers Battle Numerous Fires
A number of grass fires kept volunteer firefighters hopping yesterday. A post on the Grady County Volunteer Fire Department's Facebook page says that Ninnekah firefighters were summoned to a blaze just northeast of that community. At the same time Ninnekah and Farwell departments were dispatched to another grass fire in the Ninnekah area along Old U.S. Highway 81. Farwell and Acme stations responded to a fire northwest of Rush Springs, and Naples was summoned to help with a grass fire in the Blanchard area. There were no reports of property damage at any of those locations.
Report: Chix May Top List of Locations
For State's First Buc-cee's Convenience Store
Could Chickasha be Oklahoma's first location for a popular Texas-based convenience store chain? There's a report that indicates industry experts believe that Buc-cee's may have Chickasha near the top of their list. A story on the website of Lawton radio station KLAW says Chickasha might win out over cities like Ardmore, Norman, and even Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Buc-cee's and its Beaver logo is known for its Texas-style barbecue, fudge, and kolaches. There are locations in several states from Florida to Colorado. The article states that you can't discount Chickasha's reputation as a tourist destination citing the 250,000 visitors at the Festival of Light each year. The report says that the H.E. Bailey Turnpike between Lawton and Oklahoma City - with Chickasha in the middle - has a lot of commuter traffic.
Caddo County Church to Celebrate 150th Anniversary
A Caddo County church will be celebrating its 150th anniversary this weekend. Rock Spring Indian Church was organized in 1874 and is said to be the first Baptist church among Oklahoma Plains Indians. The church was founded by the Rev. John McIntosh, a citizen of the Creek Nation who is said to have been the first known Baptist missionary to the tribes. The church is four miles north of Anadarko at U.S. Highway 281 and CR 1300. The church will celebrate with a meal Friday night at 6:00 p.m. with music and gospel Saturday and Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $73.57 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $77.60.
Natural gas is $2.16 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,543 and silver is $30.04.
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Tuesday, Aug. 20th
Pro and Con TIF District Opinions Voiced in Public Hearing
It was another marathon meeting for the Chickasha City Council last night. The panel held a second and final public hearing regarding a proposal to create two Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts. The public hearing lasted nearly two hours of the three-hour meeting with eight individuals addressing the panel. They included three former mayors who all support the proposal while a fourth submitted a letter announcing his backing of the project. Among those speaking against the plan was George Thomas who owns property along U.S. Highway 62 which would be located in one of the districts. He said while supporters indicate the districts would encourage new investors and businesses to locate here, there are some are already here and they have been for years-
Former Mayor Hank Ross said TIF districts are helping many Oklahoma communities grow-
Former Mayor Chris Mosley backed the plan and a letter from former mayor Charles Ferguson also encouraged the current council to support the TIFs. Greg Elliott was mayor when the city's first TIF district was created along Grand Avenue and said it was a successful venture. He said that the new proposal would also benefit the city-
Bud Lowe is another property owner in the proposed TIF District. He said that he doesn't want Chickasha to be like metro communities-
The council will vote on the TIF districts at its Tuesday, Sept. 3rd council meeting.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $73.96 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $77.51.
Natural gas is $2.23 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,560 and silver is $30.17.
Obituaries
Gerald Coleman
Funeral service for Gerald Coleman, 86, of Amber will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21st at College Heights Baptist Church. He worked for Watershed Research for more than 30 years and was a military veteran serving in the Navy and National Guard. Arrangements are with McRay Funeral Home.
Donna Biggs
No service will be held for Donna Biggs, 74, of Chickasha. She was a teacher and worked on the family farm. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
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Monday, Aug. 19th
Proposed TIF Districts to get Second Public Hearing
A second and final public hearing on two proposed Tax Increment Finance Districts for the City of Chickasha will be held by the city council this evening. Called the Gateway to Chickasha Economic Development Project Plan, the proposal has been under consideration for the last several months - first by a review committee which recommended the proposal be adopted - and then by the city's planning commission which held its own public hearing and also recommended the plan be approved. It calls for creating two districts, one if which is a majority of the downtown area and the other along U.S. Highway 62 east of downtown to the junction of the H.E. Bailey Turnpike. The council will not make a final decision tonight. That will take place during the Tuesday, Sept. 3rd council meeting.
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The council will consider declaring an emergency due to flooding in the basement at city hall. It calls for the panel to waive the normal competitive bidding requirements and approve payment of more than $82,000 for work performed by Groundworks of Stillwater.
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The council will consider approving final payments to a firm for the installation of water lines. The panel will review three payments totaling more than $550,000 to Marsau Enterprises. The city received some Community Development Block grants to help pay for that work.
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Also to be considered, reimbursing Grady County District Two more than $750,000 for its help in the paving of 29th Street between Highway 62 and Grand Avenue; 16th Street between Country Club Road and Pikes Peak Road; a section of Cottonwood Road east of U.S. Highway 81; and a portion of North 4th Street.
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The panel will also consider paying more than $240,000 for the construction of new hangars at airport. The contractor for that work was Diversified Construction of Oklahoma.
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The group will also consider the purchase of three new Dodge Ram 4500 pickups from Joe Cooper Dodge/Ram for the Public Works Department for a combined total of more than $215,000.
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The panel will also consider accepting more than $40,000 through the office of the Oklahoma Attorney General and the state Opioid Abatement Board to be spent on opioid remediation efforts. The city council meets at 6:30 tonight at City Hall.
Grady County Fair is this Weekend
It's Grady County Fair Week! The first activities take place tonight with the princess and little miss contests. Tomorrow, individuals wanting to enter still exhibit items for OHCE, 4H, Open Class, and ag mechanics areas can do that from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday will be set-up day for the more than 100 commercial vendors to prepare their booth spaces. The 109th Grady County Fair runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at the Grady County Fairgrounds.
Anadarko to Host Circus
The City of Anadarko will be hosting a circus next month. The Culpepper and Merriweather Circus will bring its big tent to the Caddo County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, Sept. 25th. The group has been featured on the A&E Network, Nickelodeon, and OETA. It's a one-day only event and the public is invited to the tent-raising ceremony that morning. Advanced tickets can be purchased at city hall or the library.
Ag Producers Meet Tomorrow
Grady County ag producers will have its second August meeting tomorrow morning. Raedan Sharry will have information on fertility research. Ag producers meet the first and third Tuesday's of the month at 7:00 a.m. at the OSU Extension Office at 9th and Choctaw.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $75.86 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $78.98.
Natural gas is $2.13 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,537 and silver is $29.48.
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