Saturday, Sept. 7th
Effort Continues to Clean Up Abandoned Oil, Gas Wells
A new report shows that hundreds of abandoned oil and gas wells throughout the state have been environmentally restored. The Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB) says more than 1,100 of the sites were restored over the last year. Funding for the clean-up comes from contributions from numerous energy industry partners including energy companies and royalty owners. In its annual report the OERB indicates that nearly $12 million was spent to restore those locations. Since the start of the program several years ago, OERB reports contributors have provided more than $160 million to restore nearly 21,000 sites. In addition to restoring abandoned energy fields OERB also promotes energy education. Over the past year the group helped nearly 1,200 teachers and provided nearly $2.6 million for their work in the classroom.
Wildlife Refuge to Host Elk Bugling Tours
Over the next few weeks the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge will hold its annual Bugling Elk tours. The tours go through its Special Use Area during the peak of the elk mating season. The bull elk produces a high-pitched whistling sound. The tours will be held on Saturday and Sunday evenings through Oct. 26th. Early morning tours will be held Sept. 21st and Oct. 5th. The tours are conducted by the Friends of the Wichitas. They are free and last about three hours. Reservations are required and they'll be taken on a first-come, first-served basis starting on Monday. For information check out the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge website.
Talk Show Topic
Chris Wittenbach with the City of Blanchard's Parks and Recreation Department is on the KOOL Konversation discussing a number of upcoming events for that community. Find a podcast of the program on this website under the Community tab.
Obituaries
Thomas Harris
Funeral service for Thomas Harris, 68, of Chickasha will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10th at the Cement School Auditorium. He was a Marine Corps veteran and worked in the energy industry. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Treva Hamilton
A memorial service for Treva Hamilton, 34, will be held at 12:00 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11th at Hope Tabernacle. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
---
Friday, Sept. 6th
Motorcycle Rider Stable After Crash
(EDITOR'S NOTE - This version is corrected from an earlier story which had some erronious information. We regret the error.)
A motorcycle rider was hospitalized after crashing his bike in a Chickasha neighborhood. 27-year old Brett Stone of Chickasha was last in stable condition after being air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital. Chickasha police were dispatched to 18th and Idaho Avenue about 2:30 yesterday afternoon. Peggy Young tells KOOL/RANCH news that she witnessed the crash. She said she was stopped at a stop sign when for an unkown reason Stone laid down his motorcycle down on the street. Police said he was not wearing a helmet.
Dilapidated Boat Docks to be Removed from Lake Chickasha
Chickasha officials look to make Lake Chickasha safer by removing old boat docks that are in disrepair. The city council this week approved a bid from a Gracemont company called Slemp Welding Power Evacuation to remove more than a dozen docks. Officials saying most of them are submerged and a danger to boaters and swimmers. The bid of nearly $50,000 was the lowest of seven bids submitted. The high bid was more than $89,000. Parks and Recreation Department Director Spenser Winzenreid indicated the company could have all the docks removed by the end of the year.
Marlow Company Among Fastest-Growing in the Country
A Marlow company is named one of the fastest-growing private firms in the country. Philtek Services is in the top 25 percent of the list of the 5,000 firms put together by Inc. Magazine. The firm was also recognized as the 4th fastest growing company in Oklahoma with a more than 400 percent growth rate. Philtek was founded in 2013 and is a support personnel firm that provides employees for industrial fabrication and manufacturing facilities across the country. The company has more than 100 employees working in Oklahoma and eight other states. Founder and President Brad Boles said he has a great team committed to provide the best service for their customers and they look forward to building on the momentum the recognition brings.
Cement to Host Annual Jesse James Festival
The Town of Cement will hold its annual Jesse James Festival tomorrow. The infamous outlaw is said to have spent some time in the area in the early 1900s. The Oklahoma Historical Society says that according to legend the Jesse James gang left some of its loot at Buzzard's Roost just east of Cement and some say his brother Frank lived in Cement before building a house near Fletcher. The Cement Historical Museum features a Jesse James Visitors Center. There is entertainment throughout the day starting at 10:00 a.m. including live music, food trucks, vendors, and a mock gunfight. The festival will end with a street dance tomorrow night.
Cattle Producers Seeking Carcass Contest Entries
The Grady County Cattle Producers are now taking entries for the group's annual carcass contest. It's open to children and grandchildren of the organizations members (children ages 9-18). The youth will care for a steer for about six months and will compete next spring for cash awards for best carcass, best weight gain, and best interview. Only 25 spots are available. Entries will be taken until Oct. 15th. For information contact Grady County Cattle Producers President Jake Grossnicklaus or Kelly Burrows at the OSU Extension Office.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.59 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $73.18.
Natural gas is $2.29 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,546 and silver is $29.17.
Obituary
Wanda Wright
Funeral service for Wanda Wright, 90, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 7th at Sevier Funeral Home. She worked in the kitchen for Chickasha Public Schools for nearly 35 years.
---
Thursday, Sept. 5th
Bids Sought for Chix Water Line Project
The Chickasha City Council this week gave its approval to have the public works department seek bids to install a waterline at Ada Sipuel Avenue along the Union Pacific Railroad. The project calls for installing more than 1,000 linear-feet of 16- and 24-inch waterline. A mandatory pre-bid meeting is set for Wednesday, Oct. 2nd and sealed bids are to be submitted to city hall by October 10th at 1:30 p.m. with the bids to be opened that afternoon. A contractor could be recommended to the council at its Oct. 21st meeting. The project may not start until after the first of the year.
Anadarko Veteran Says He Did Nothing Wrong
After Being Charged in Connection with Jan. 6th Riot
An Anadarko Army veteran charged in connection with the Jan. 6th incident in Washington, D.C. says he did nothing wrong. Darrin Bradley is the 12th Oklahoman charged as a result of the mayhem that took place inside the U.S. Capitol that day. Bradley told the Oklahoman that he was there supporting former President Donald Trump and that he didn't break anything or hurt anybody. The Oklahoman reported that the FBI alleges Bradley entered the Parliamentary doors of the Capitol a few minutes after rioters breached that entrance and that he was part of a group that overtook at least one police line. Bradley told the Oklahoman he blames Antifa activists posing as Trump supporters for the violence that took place. Bradley is facing four misdemeanor charges in federal court in Washington, D.C.
City of Chickasha Sets Clean-up Days
Chickasha residents will have an opportunity to get rid of unwanted items - including hazardous chemicals and items - during a fall clean-up campaign next month. During this week's city council meeting the panel authorized the clean-up for Oct. 16th through 19th. Household waste and limbs can be taken to the public works headquarters on North Genenvieve all four days. Officials say individuals have been asking for a hazardous waste collection for several years. That will take place on Saturday, Oct. 19th where residents can drop off pesticides, chemicals, herbicides, batteries, aerosols, used motor oil, light bulbs, and non-latex paint. Items that won't be taken include electronics like televisions, computers, and smoke detectors, and no pharmaceutical waste will be taken. Residents will need to show a current utility bill. The council approved an agreement with a company called Environmental Management to collect the hazardous items. The city will pay the firm nearly $39,000 and the Department of Environmental Quality will provide the city with a $30,000 grant to help with the cost.
Chix Chamber Names New Membership Director
The Chickasha Chamber of Commerce has a new staffer. Maddy Mosley is the chamber's new membership director. She is a Chickasha native, a graduate of Chickasha High school, and earned a bachelor's degree at USAO. She has worked in the health care field and as a real estate agent with Century 21 Mosley. Chamber President Jim Cowan said Mosley will be responsible for recruiting new chamber members and enhancing member engagement. Mosley assumes the role previously held by Whitney Palesano who was recently named the director of alumni relations at USAO.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.66 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $73.25.
Natural gas is $2.15 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,545 and silver is $29.05.
Obituaries
Charlotte Cook
A graveside service for Charlotte Cook, 74, of Tuttle will be held at 2:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6th at Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle. She was a homemaker. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.
Alvin Dickson, Sr.
Funeral service for Alvin Dickson, Sr., 52, of Hollis will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7th at Calvary Community Church in Hollis. He was a U.S. Army veteran and worked as a Certified Nurse Assistant, a restaurant manager, and a roofer. Arrangements are with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
---
Wednesday, Sept. 4th
TIF Districts Get Slim Approval by City Council
In a 5-4 vote the Chickasha City Council approves the creation of two Tax Increment Finance (TIF) Districts in last night's meeting. The vote came after about 90 minutes of discussion as property owners George and Bertha Thomas and Bud and Liz Lowe asked to have their properties removed from one of the districts. Bertha Thomas said the document creating the districts had false statements-
She also said officials may have violated state law.
Jim Cowan with the Economic Development Council was the only person in the audience to speak in favor of the issue-
The 5-4 vote came in an usual way. Normally, the mayor is the final person to vote on any proposal and would break a 4-4 tie. However, Councilman Oscar Nelson was inadvertently skipped when it was his turn to vote and Mayor Zach Grayson's yes vote made it a 4-4 tie. After several seconds of silence Nelson also voted yes to approve the issue.
City manager receives pay hike
Also in last night's council meeting the panel went behind closed doors to evaluate the performance of City Manager Keith Johnson. After a nearly two-hour executive session the panel unanimously approved a five percent pay increase and car allowance to go into effect in the next pay cycle.
New fire trucks to be purchased
The panel also approved the purchase of two new fire trucks with a combined cost of more than $3.1 million. It will be three years before the fire trucks will be delivered. The funds will come from a voter-approved sales tax increase for capital improvements. The council also gave the city manager approval to negotiate a contract with a firm to seek funding for a flood mitigation initiative based on a drainage study done three years ago.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $69.91 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $73.31.
Natural gas is $2.19 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,514 and silver is $28.32.
Obituaries
Carol Cofer
Funeral service for Carol Cofer, 82, of Chickasha will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She worked at Pet Milk and she and her husband Donnie owned and operated Cofer and Sons Furniture Store.
Jo Ann Hoffman
Funeral service for Jo Ann Hoffman, 94, will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 5th at Sevier Funeral Home. She and her husband Henry started Hoffman Trucking Company and several other businesses. She also worked at Southwestern Bell.
---
Tuesday, Sept. 3rd
TIF District Decision Expected
A final decision regarding a plan to create two Tax Increment Finance ( TIF) districts is expected to be made by the Chickasha City Council tonight. The proposal is part of an overall Gateway to Chickasha Economic Development Plan which has been in discussion for several months. The plan has been reviewed in public hearings over the last few weeks with the council hearing opinions both for and against the TIFs.
Fire truck purchases also to be reviewed
The council will also consider spending more than $3 million to purchase two new fire trucks. One is a 100-foot aerial ladder truck and the other is an engine/pumper truck. Fire Chief Tony Samaniego is recommending the trucks be purchased from Sutphen and Heartland Fire Trucks. He said if the buys are approved it would be up to three years before the trucks would be delivered and payment wouldn't start until a year after that. The funds for the fire trucks are coming from a capital improvement sales tax approved by voters.
Flood project consultant recommended
The panel will also consider negotiating a contract with a company to help secure grants for a flood mitigation program. Officials say it is a follow-up to a drainage study done in 2021. The primary goal would be to secure federal funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that may cover most of the project costs. The company recommended to help with that effort is Meshek and Associates which was one of three companies submitting proposals.
Emergency sewer line repairs requested
The council will also consider declaring an emergency for repairs on a ruptured sewer line in the 400 block of Colorado Avenue and will have a closed-door meeting to evaluate the work of City Manager Keith Johnson. The city council meets tonight at 6:30 at city hall.
CV Tech Offers Variety of Programs
Canadian Valley Technology Center provides training in a number of fields to get students ready to enter the work force. Precision machining, nursing, and child care are among them. But CV Tech also offers short-term programs for adults looking to learn the basics of home fix-it-up projects. Scott Smith is among those with the Adult Career and Community Development Program.
CV Tech also offers courses for writers to help them publish and market their books, yoga, quilting, and even guitar and ukulele.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.43 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $75.80.
Natural gas is $2.17 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,527 and silver is $28.71.
Obituaries
Alvin Dickson
Funeral service for Alvin Dickson, 52, is pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
Charlie Mae Fisher
Funeral service for Charlie Mae Fisher, 81, is also pending with Brown-Thomas Funeral Home.
Shirley Lee
Funeral service for Shirley Lee, 78, of Chickasha is pending with Sevier Funeral Home.
---
Monday, Sept. 2nd
No news due to the Labor Day holiday.
---
