Saturday, Sept. 28th
More Broadband Grants Approved
A state agency approves a number of new broadband expansion grants to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to get high-speed internet into rural parts of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Broadband Governing Board approved nearly $160 million in ARPA grants this week. That is expected to get reliable and affordable high-speed internet to nearly 30,000 homes and businesses.
Grady County
Southern Plains Cable was approved for a nearly $7 million grant for the Marlow area; a $6.2 million grant for the Cox City area; a $2.1 million grant for the Alex area; and a nearly $2 million grant for the Sterling area.
Caddo County
Southern Plains Cable was also awarded a more than $4.6 million grant for the Cogar area. The Carnegie Telephone Company was awarded a nearly $2 million grant for the Carnegie area.
Garvin County
Trace Fiber Networks was awarded two grants for more than $20 million. Pioneer Telephone was awarded two grants totaling $1.3 million for the Lindsay area.
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ISPs will provide some matching funds to pay for their projects. The broadband governing board will have one more round of grant awards through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.
Thousands to Gather for Rock Island Weekend
Downtown Chickasha will be thriving today with all the events associated with the Rock Island Weekend. It kicks off this morning with the Rock Island Ride bicycle tour. More than 150 registered ahead of the event and organizers are beginning same-day registration right now at Brandy's in the Old Town District. The ride will start at 9 a.m. Today will be day two of the Rock Island Arts Festival going on in the 400 and 500 blocks of Chickasha Avenue with more than 100 vendors. The big draw will be the Oklahoma Food Truck Championship with more than 30 trucks on hand. Also the Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network (ICAN) is partnering with a number of groups for the annual Together We Heel (Heal) walk against domestic violence that will start at the Leg Lamp with some individuals showing solidarity with victims by wearing red high heels to raise awareness about domestic violence and to raise funds to help victims and their families.
Talk Show Topic
This week's guest on the KOOL Konversation is Linda Medford who is the Southwest Oklahoma Regional Preparedness Program Manager with the American Red Cross. A podcast of the program can be found under the Community tab on this website.
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Friday, Sept. 27th
More Illegal Grow Facility Suspects Arrested
We have an update on that search warrant served on an illegal marijuana grow operation this week. A total of 10 people were arrested in the raid that occurred north of Chickasha Wednesday afternoon. The sheriff's office SWAT team discovered about 16,000 plants, 150 pounds of processed marijuana, and more than $7,000 in cash. During their arraignments in Grady County District Court yesterday eight men and two women - all Asian Nationals - were formally charged with single counts of drug trafficking. All remain in the Grady County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bond each. If convicted they all face maximum punishment of 20 years in prison and/or fines of $100,000.
Anadarko Library Warns of Phone Scam
Another telephone scam to warn you about. This one is a caller posing as someone representing the Anadarko Community Library. Reports are that a caller is trying to collect fines or anything else monetary according to a post on the 'Anadarko, OK What's Happening' Facebook page. The post says the library does not and will not call patrons to collect fines over the phone.
Oklahoma Utilities Send Crews to Hurricane-Stricken Areas
Hurricane Helene made landfall in the Florida Panhandle last night and much of the southeast part of the country will be impacted by the massive storm for days. Some Oklahoma utilities are responding by sending power crews to that area. Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) is sending about 85 workers from its Lawton, Tulsa, and McAlester service areas to help Florida Power and Light. Mike Hixson with PSO said about 30 technicians only recently returned from the Louisiana area after repairing damage left in the wake of Hurricane Francine-
Oklahoma Gas and Electric (OGE) sent about 100 line restoration crew members to Georgia to help with power restoration efforts.
Rock Island Weekend Underway
The Rock Island Weekend begins today in downtown Chickasha. The Rock Island Arts Festival kicks things off in the 400 and 500 blocks of Chickasha Avenue with about 100 vendors. There will be food trucks on hand both today and tomorrow. Something new will be a mural competition where artists will have 24 hours to complete their projects. Also part of the arts festival will be an exhibition from local artist Wes Hallmark. He will have a number of pieces on display at USAOs Art Wrecker Studio downtown. He says he's only recently gotten serious about his work-
The exhibit includes dozens of items, some so small they fit in your hand to one nearly 12-feet tall that he has been working on for about a year. The exhibit will be tomorrow evening from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX opened at $67.66 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $71.60.
Natural gas is $2.59 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,685 and silver is $32.06.
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Thursday, Sept. 26th
One Dead, One Hospitalized After Crash
State troopers continue to investigate a deadly crash that claimed the life of a Grady County woman and sent a second person to a hospital. Killed in the accident was 50-year old Tara Allen of Minco. The accident happened just before 7:30 last night about a half-mile west of Tuttle on State Highway 37. Authorities have not said how the accident may have happened. Allen's car collided with an SUV that was driven by 29-year old Jerry Spain of Arkansas. Spain was pinned in his vehicle for about 30 minutes before being freed by the Tuttle Fire Department using their jaws-of-life. Spain suffered leg injuries and was air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital where he was last in stable condition. The accident closed the highway for more than four hours.
Another Illegal Grow Facility Taken Out
Several suspects are in custody after Grady County sheriff's deputies take down another illegal marijuana grow facility. This one was located just north of Chickasha. Sheriff Gary Boggess said there were thousands of plants and about 150 pounds of finished project found at the site about two miles north of the Chickasha airport. Boggess said his SWAT team executed a search warrant at 1704 County Street 2840 which is an Amber address. Deputies estimated there were 16,000 plants inside. A photo is posted on the sheriff's office Facebook page. Boggess said that the facility's license from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics had been revoked and its license from the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority was expired. Deputies have arrested eight Asian Nationals on complaints of aggravated drug trafficking. All are men who are 45 to 71 years old. Just last week deputies served a search warrant on an illegal grow in Pocasset where they found hundreds of plants in and around that site. Boggess said the two facilities are not connected.
Suspect Arrested for Alleged Drug Trafficking
A Chickasha man is jailed on a six-figure bond for alleged drug trafficking. 44-year old Joseph Dixon was arrested last weekend after a sheriff's deputy made traffic stop in a Chickasha neighborhood near Arkansas Avenue and Shepherd Street. Dixon was a passenger in the car. A probable cause affidavit indicates Dixon was a known distributor. The deputy said that Dixon had drugs that field tested positive as being Fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Dixon has been formally charged with felonies that include drug trafficking and distribution, and misdemeanors for having drug items and obstructing an officer. His bond was set at $200,000. Court records show Dixon pleaded guilty to previous drug and weapons charges stemming from arrests in 2013.
Chix Schools Receives OU 'K-20 Center' Grant
The Chickasha school district has a received a grant from the University of Oklahoma designed to assist and follow 7th and 8th grade students through their senior years in high school and beyond. It's the Gear Up for Success Grant from the K20 Center. A program will be held at the middle school tonight. Families can get information on how they can support students and learn about ways to pay for college. It's a free program tonight at Chickasha Middle School Auditorium from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and presentations will be available in English and Spanish. Free pizza will be served and students can play games to win an Echo Dot.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $68.74 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $72.39.
Natural gas is $2.67 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,692 and silver is $32.57.
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Wednesday, Sept. 25th
Chickasha Clean-Up Days Scheduled
The City of Chickasha will have a city-wide fall clean-up campaign. It is scheduled for Oct. 16th through 19th and citizens are encouraged to take unwanted items and debris to the public works headquarters at 502 N. Genevieve Street. The city will have roll-off dumpsters at the facility for residents to place their unwanted items in. There will also be a limb drop-off area. Users will need to have with them a current utility bill to show proof of residency. The Community Development Department will provide a dump ticket for those who live in the city limits but do not have a water bill due to ongoing work or code violations. Public Works will have the gates open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
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On Saturday only they will accept tires and some hazardous items including anti-freeze, motor and gear oil, batteries, corrosives, fluorescent lights, aerosol and oil-based paint, and pesticides. Items they won't accept are electronics, medical waste, and latex. Refrigerators and air conditioners will have to have the Freon removed by a technician and users will have to provide a certificate saying the Freon has been removed. For more information visit the City of Chickasha website: www.chickasha.org
Voter Registration Deadline Nears
The deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 5th general election is fast approaching. The last day to register is Friday, Oct. 11th. Applications must be received by the state or county election board offices by midnight that night in order to vote in November. Applicants will be notified in writing when their application has been processed and will receive a Voter identification Card in the mail. The easiest way to register to vote is to go to the state election board website www.elections.ok.gov
Look for the OK VOTER PORTAL. While the election is Nov. 5th individuals can apply for an absentee ballot to vote early by mail. In-person, absentee voting will be available at county election boards on Wednesday, Oct. 30th through Friday, Nov. 1st. from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday, Nov. 2nd from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Bank Foundation Provides Grant for Salvation Army Project
The Salvation Army serving Grady and Caddo counties gets a boost to provide some clothing items to needy children. The Arvest Foundation provided a $5,000 grant for the Salvation Army's 'Shoes, Shirts, and Skivvies' program. It's a back-to-school initiative by the Salvation Army to provide essential clothing to the kids. Karene Sandra is the Arvest Community Bank President in Chickasha. She said Arvest is committed to supporting the youth in the area and proud to help with the effort. Salvation Army Lt. Crystal McFarland said they are fortunate to have great community partners who help those in need. McFarland said they have been able to help nearly 250 children this year.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.06 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $71.71.
Natural gas is $2.59 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,681 and silver is $32.13.
Obituary
Keith Tampkins
Funeral service for Keith Tampkins, 60, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26th at First Baptist Church. He was a vocational rehabilitation counselor. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.
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Tuesday, Sept. 24th
PSO Schedules Regional Power Line Upgrade
Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) will be making improvements to some of its transmission lines in the Chickasha area next year. Mike Hixson is the utility's external affairs manager and describes the project-
Hixson said the project will be starting next spring and will take several months to complete.
USAO Makes Top 20 Status Again
USAO continues to get national recognition. For the third straight year the university has been named a top 20 public liberal arts college in the 2025 U.S. News and World Report edition of best college rankings. The rankings evaluate nearly 1,500 colleges and universities in more than 15 areas of academic quality, with an increased emphasis on social mobility and outcomes for graduating students. The National Liberal Arts Colleges category includes schools emphasizing under-graduate education that award at least half of their degrees in liberal arts fields (which includes military academies). USAO President Kayla Hale said to be recognized in the top 20 shows the dedication of faculty and staff who work to ensure students have the skills and knowledge needed for a successful future.
Red Cross Seeks Volunteers
The American Red Cross is looking to add to its volunteer base. Linda Medford is the regional preparedness program director for much of southwest Oklahoma. She talks about a couple of areas where individuals can help-
They are also looking for individuals to be a disaster preparedness presenter to offer programs to civic groups and schools. Medford said The Red Cross teamed up with the Salvation Army of Grady and Caddo Counties to assist with a wildfire in Lawton last weekend. For information visit the website: www.redcross.org
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $72.23 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $75.69.
Natural gas is $2.66 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,656 and silver is $31.26.
Obituary
Mark Chappell
Funeral service for Mark Chappell, 62, of Tuttle will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25th at Trinity Crossing in Tuttle. He was an electrician. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home of Tuttle.
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Monday, Sept. 23rd
Fall Arrives with Flooding Rains
Torrential rains in part of Oklahoma on the first day of fall yesterday (Sunday) were a welcome relief from the heat. But too much rain caused flooding issues in some areas. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for the Tri-City area as Blanchard, Tuttle, Newcastle, and Bridge Creek were getting rain that was falling at rate of as much as four inches per hour. The flood warning issued about 2:15 p.m. and was in effect until 6:15 p.m. No damage was reported. Rainfall totals from Mesonet sites show that Norman received more than 4.7 inches of rain; Rush Springs collected 2.6 inches; Chickasha nearly 1.9 inches; and Minco 1.7 inches. Caddo County missed out on the heavy rain as Apache received about eight-tenths and Ft. Cobb picked up just over a half-inch of rain. The storms also cause sporadic power outages in Chickasha, Minco, Blanchard, and Tuttle. At one point there nearly 2,000 combined outages between Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) and electric co-op members last night.
Native American Tribes to Host Disability Awareness Day
Several Native American tribes will combine resources to help disabled tribal citizens find employment. A Disability Awareness Day will be held in Anadarko next Monday, Sept. 30th. The program will be held at the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes COVID Command Center in Anadarko from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. that day. There will be information about training and tuition assistance, clothing and transportation assistance, and counseling and guidance services. Also taking part will be the Apache Tribe, the Delaware Nation, and the Comanche Nation. Adrian Smith is the Director of the Vocational Rehabilitation Program with the Wichita and Affiliated Tribes. He says for those who can't make it to the program there are other options available.
There will also be a couple of motivational speakers.
Chickasha to Close out September with Rock Island Weekend
Chickasha will be the place to be for the upcoming weekend. It's called the Rock Island Weekend and includes four events that will bring thousands of visitors to town. It starts Friday with the 16th annual Rock Island Arts Festival. About 100 vendors will line the 400 and 500 blocks of Chickasha Avenue with art work, home decor, jewelry, clothing, etc. There will be a children's area with an art tent, inflatables, and a sand pit and will take place both Friday and Saturday. Saturday morning kick off with The Rock Island Ride with as many as 300 riders expected. Rides will be from 10 miles long to 63 miles. Also Saturday morning is The Together We Heel Walk against domestic violence hosted by the district attorney's office and law enforcement groups. Individuals are encouraged to a walk a half-mile in heels to raise awareness about domestic violence and raise funds to assist victims. Also Saturday is the Oklahoma Food Truck Championship which will feature more than 30 food trucks competing for a total of $10,000 in prize money. There will be live music throughout the day which will be capped off with a free concert by Summer Breeze that evening.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $71.21 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $74.67.
Natural gas is $2.47 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,647 and silver is $30.96.
Obituaries
Kristianna 'Anna' Saenz
A memorial service for 'Anna' Saenz, 23, of Cement will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26th at Ferguson Funeral Home.
Vicki Underwood
A memorial service for Vicki Underwood, 71, of Chickasha will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29th at Grand Assembly of God. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
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