Saturday, Oct. 19th
Feds Close Lindsay Bank
The First National Bank of Lindsay was closed by the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Friday with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) appointed as receiver. It's the first bank failure in Oklahoma in ten years. News reports indicate that to protect depositors the FDIC has entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with First Bank and Trust of Duncan which will assume the insured deposits. The sole office of the First National Bank of Lindsay will re-open as a branch of First Bank and Trust Company on Monday. All depositors of the closed bank will automatically become depositors of First Bank and Trust and their insured deposits will continue to be covered by the FDIC. Customers do not have to change their banking relationship to maintain deposit insurance coverage. Over the weekend customers will still have access to their insured deposits via checks, ATMs, and debit cards. Checks drawn on the bank will continue to be processed and loan customers should continue making payments. For un-insured deposits FDIC will make half of those funds available to depositors starting Monday. That could be increased as assets from the failed bank are sold. Customers with accounts of more than $250,000 should contact the FDIC to discuss their deposits.
Talk Show Topic
Peggy Hammond and Kari Taylor with the Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network (ICAN) along with Capt. Carrie Boggess of Grady County Sheriff's Office are guests on the KOOL Konversation to talk about October being Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Find a podcast of the program under the Community tab on this website.
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Friday, Oct. 18th
Mother, Children Safe After Attack at Their Home
A Grady County mom and her two young children survive a late-night attack and a suspect is in jail in connection with the confrontation. Sheriff's deputies were called to a home in the Alex area to investigate a disturbance. In a probable cause affidavit it's alleged the suspect was trying the throw the victim out of the house. During the attack the victim said she heard a snap and thought one of her ribs had been broken. The victim and children managed to get away and went to a neighbor's house. The victim later went to a hospital to be treated for her injuries. Authorities arrested 41-year old Robert Justin Davis of Newcastle who investigators say had been drinking. Davis has been charged with a felony for assault and battery and domestic abuse. He remains in the Grady County Jail in lieu of a $100,000 bond and is to be back in court next month for a preliminary hearing conference.
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The investigation is among many conducted by law enforcement agencies called out to look into reports of domestic violence. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. There is help and resources available for victims. If there's imminent danger officials say to call 9-1-1. To find a safe place and resources reach out to the Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network (ICAN) by calling 405-222-1818 any time of day or night.
Antique Auto Swap Meet Continues Through Saturday
It's another good turnout for the Chickasha Antique Auto Club's fall swap meet. More than 100 vendors have a variety of car and truck parts and transportation related items for sale or trade. Hundreds if not thousands of visitors find their way to the swap meet each year. The swap meet takes place on the club's spacious 35-acre site next to the Grady County Fairgrounds. There are also vendors inside the north exhibit building at the Fairgrounds where a fall craft show is going on today and tomorrow with more than 50 vendors. Admission is free to both events. Paid parking benefits local charitable organizations.
Funny Car Champion to be at Olde Town Chix Car Show
Along with the swap meet there's a big car show downtown Chickasha tomorrow. It's the first ever Old Towne Chickasha Car Show with more than 30 categories of cars and trucks. There will be a special appearance from Shane Lawson, the driver of the new Chaos Funny Car champion Man O' War. Lawson won the title over the Labor Day weekend and it's his first title in more than 20 years of racing. He gives a lot of credit to Chickasha's own Kendal Singleton who has been helping him for some time-
Man O' War is a 3,500 horsepower funny car that will be fired up during the show. Lawson's 9-year old daughter Pamela is following in her dad's footsteps and runs in the junior dragster and funny car circuits. Pamela's funny car will also be on display. The car show along with the monthly Cars and Coffee at the Leg will get underway at 8 o'clock tomorrow morning downtown at the Leg Lamp.
World's Largest Kites in Anadarko Tomorrow
Tomorrow is also a big day in Anadarko for the annual Kids, Kites, and Frights. The world's largest kites will be flying at the airport with lots of activities scheduled. There is a hay bale maze, face painting, inflatables, a petting zoo, a costume contest, and a pumpkin pie eating contest. There's also a chili cook-off, lots of vendors and informational booths, and food trucks. It's a free event that will run from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. tomorrow.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.41 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $74.15.
Natural gas is $2.35 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,727 and silver is $32.28.
Obituaries
Eddie Fowler
A private graveside service will be held for Eddie Fowler, 47, of Chickasha. He worked as a tree trimmer, at a lumberyard, and most recently at Aggreko. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
Bobby Russell
A graveside service for Bobby Russell, 94, of Chickasha will be at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 22nd in Amarillo, Texas. He was a U.S. Navy veteran who served during the Korean Conflict and in Vietnam and also served in the Naval Reserves for a total of 30 years of military service. He also worked at Pet Milk. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.
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Thursday, Oct. 17th
Suspect Arrested for Alleged Child Abuse, Neglect
Caddo County authorities have arrested a suspect for allegedly beating a 1-year old child. 24-year old Jacob Honeycutt was arrested after Ft. Cobb police were called to an apartment where a baby girl had bruises on her face and neck. The Lawton Constitution cites a probable cause affidavit which indicates paramedics were called to treat the child and that her injuries were so severe she had to be air-lifted to an Oklahoma City hospital. Honeycutt said the baby had been struck with a plastic baseball bat by another child. Honeycutt was at the apartment when police arrived but he fled from the scene, however he was later arrested at Ft. Cobb Lake. Honeycutt, who lists a Carnegie address, has been charged with felony counts of abuse and neglect as well as a misdemeanor for obstructing an officer. He remains in the Caddo County Jail on a $250,000 bond. Honeycutt is already on probation after pleading guilty to a burglary charge in 2020. Prosecutors now want to revoke his probation in that case and a hearing set for next week.
Groups Unite to Reduce Domestic Violence Numbers
Oklahoma has the dubious distinction of being among the top five states per capita in the country for domestic violence. Law enforcement and domestic violence service organizations are combining efforts to get the numbers down. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Capt. Carrie Boggess with the Grady County Sheriff's Office has some nationwide numbers-
In this region the Intervention and Crisis Advocacy Network (ICAN) is available 24-7 to help victims and their children get out of violent relationships. 405-222-1818 is the number to call to talk to a live person to get help. The recent Together We Heal Walk to raise awareness about domestic violence brought in more than $14,000 to support ICAN programs.
Deadline Looms to Apply for Nov. 5th Absentee Ballots
Voters who want to cast ballots by mail ahead of the Nov. 5th election need to get applications for those ballots in the next few days. Officials say the deadline to request absentee ballots is next Monday, Oct. 21st. Anyone can vote by mail and don't need any reason to do so. Two mailings have to take place. Ballots are first mailed to voters who then need to mail them to their county election boards by Nov. 5th. Voters can apply for the ballots on-line by using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections
Applications can also be downloaded from the website or picked up at county election boards and then mailed in. Anyone with questions should contact their local county election board.
Firm Helps Caddo County Sheriff with Calendar Project
Officials with the Caddo County Sheriff's Office say they have hired a company to solicit funds by telephone for a 2025 sheriff's office calendar. According to a post on the sheriff's office Facebook page a firm called Hometown Publishing is making phone calls to raise funds which will be used to support the sheriff's office community outreach programs. Anyone who may be unsure about phone calls they receive should reach out to the sheriff's office by calling 405-247-6666.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.69 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $74.57.
Natural gas is $2.36 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,697 and silver is $31.84.
Obituary
Kaaren Berry
Funeral service for Kaaren Berry, 82, of Ninnekah was held at 10:00 a.m. this morning (Thursday, Oct. 17th) at Sevier Funeral Home. She was an administrative assistant at Chickasha High School for several years.
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Wednesday, Oct. 16th
Grady County Precincts to Have Security on Election Day
When Grady County voters cast their ballots on Election Day they will notice some extra security at the polls. Grady County sheriff's deputies and municipal law enforcement officers will be on site at all county precincts on Tuesday, Nov. 5th. A post on the Grady County Sheriff's Office Facebook page says the added security is to ensure the safety of citizens and precinct workers. Officials say there has not been a threat towards any of the precincts.
Jeep Driver Dies After Hitting Calf
A Marlow man died when his Jeep hit a calf that had wandered onto the roadway. The highway patrol reports that 48-year old Todd Cox died in the crash that happened eight miles east of Lawton Monday night. After hitting the calf the Jeep veered off the road, rolled several times, then crashed through a fence, ejecting Cox from the vehicle.
Chickasha Fall Clean-up Campaign Begins
The city-wide fall Clean-Up Chickasha campaign is underway. Residents can collect their unwanted items and take them to the city's Public Works Department and get rid of it. There will be large roll-off dumpsters at the facility which is on Genevieve Street north of the Grady County Fairgrounds and the city's animal shelter. There is a separate site for brush and limbs. The site will be open from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. today, tomorrow, and Friday and from 8:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday. Users will have to show a utility bill. Shae Mortimer with the city of Chickasha says for the first time they'll accept hazardous waste, including-
The city received a grant from the State Department of Environmental Quality which will be used to help pay a firm to dispose of those hazardous items. Some things they won't take include electronics, smoke detectors, and medical waste. She also said they won't take latex paint which is not hazardous, however Mortimer said you can take the lid off of latex paint and let it dry and then it can be thrown away in your regular trash.
Vendors Arrive for Chix Antique Auto Club Fall Swap Meet
Antique car and truck enthusiasts will be coming to Chickasha in droves this weekend. The Chickasha Antique Auto Club hosts its 56th annual fall swap meet. The swap meet doesn't officially open until tomorrow but vendors will be arriving today to set up shop on the club's 35-acre site just east of the Grady County Fairgrounds. Some vendors will also be set up in the north exhibit building of the fairgrounds. The meet is attended by people from across the country and around the world. The swap meet runs Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and admission is free. Paid parking benefits local charities.
Chix to Host Jr. High Cross Country All-Star Competition
Hundreds of junior high school cross country runners from across the state will be in Chickasha this week for the 31st Annual All-Star Cross Country Meet. It's hosted by Jimmy Brackeen who coached for many years at Marlow. Brackeen says about 1,300 runners will compete over two days. Class A through Class 4A competitors will run tomorrow and those in Classes 5A and 6A will run Friday. Brackeen talks about the length of the courses-
The competition has been held at the Chickasha Sports Complex for several years. The races start about 9:00 a.m. both mornings.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.59 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $74.24.
Natural gas is $2.49 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,696 and silver is $32.10.
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Tuesday, Oct. 15th
City of Chix Begins First Steps To Flood Prevention Project
Last week the Chickasha City Council approved an agreement with an engineering firm to upgrade a flood prevention study and take steps to find the funding needed to implement that project. Edward Perez is the city's Emergency Management Director. He said one of the first things the city must do is the revise a 2021 study he says is already outdated-
Perez said he was able to find a preliminary hazard mitigation grant of $500,000 with some of the funds used to hire an engineering firm to revise that four-year old plan. The city council approved an agreement with an Oklahoma firm called Meshek and Associates which Perez says has had success in obtaining larger federal grants-
'BRIC' stands for Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities. Perez said the city is also collaborating with the Chickasaw Nation and Grady County commissioners and that the project is aligned with the federal Justice 40 initiative which works to ensure that benefits reach disadvantaged communities. The city must first apply for the BRIC grant then all grant requests will be considered early next year. Grants won't be awarded until next fall.
Chix Schools Seeks 'Hall of Honor' Candidates
Chickasha Public School officials are seeking nominations for the district's Hall of Honor. Candidates must be a graduate, former employee, volunteer, school board member, or a community supporter of the district. Candidates must have contributed to the welfare of humanity to an unusual degree, brought unusually positive attention to the district, or modeled the highest personal and professional qualities for students. Nominations are due by Friday, Nov. 22nd. Inductees will be selected in January and recognized at the Chickasha Public School Foundation annual gala in April. Applications are available at the administration building and they can also be found on the school district's website.
Energy and Metals
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $70.04 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $73.65.
Natural gas is $2.46 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,671 and silver is $31.35.
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Monday, Oct. 14th
Consumer Spending Slows in Grady County
Consumer spending slowed in the area over the summer. In Grady County, spending from mid-August to mid-September was estimated to be $62.4 million. That's down 26 percent from the previous month and is off 34 percent compared to the same time last year. For the City of Chickasha consumer spending was just under $33 million for the mid-August to mid-September time frame. That number is up 2.4 percent from the previous month but down 5.1 percent compared to the same time last year.
Sales Tax Revenues
As far as sales tax revenues are concerned Grady County collected $468,000 this month which was down from $631,000 from the previous month and down from $710,000 from last year. The City of Chickasha received $1.4 million in sales tax revenues which is up from the $1.3 million the previous month and the previous year.
Chix School Board to Discuss Union MOUs
The board of education for Chickasha Public Schools will meet tonight and among the items on the agenda is to consider memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with two unions within the district. One is with the Chickasha Organization of Professional Administrators regarding the high school principal. Background information provided with the agenda indicates the responsibility of the principal extends beyond the current contract of 220 days. The memorandum calls for the principal to start July first for 238 days with 10 days of paid vacation.
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The other MOU is with the Chickasha United Teaching Association. While the district extended the length of school days this year officials did not increase contracted hours for certified employees. That has caused an issue covering duties before and after school and at lunch. The MOU would allow school principals to use certified employees beyond their contracted hours to help.
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The school board is also to consider a resolution calling for the annual school election in early 2025 to fill Office No. 5 on the board. That seat is held by Christy Clift.
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Also up for discussion is an MOU with the Chickasaw Nation for a summer feeding program next year. The Chickasaws would provide households of children who qualify for free and reduced price lunches with $120 ($40 per month for three months) to help families pay for food when the children are not in school. It is available for students regardless of tribal membership.
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The school board will also recognize a couple of middle school employees as Chicken Express Employees of the Month. They are certified employee Hope Link and support employee Mindy Crow. The school board meets at 6:00 p.m. tonight at the school administration building.
State, National Rig Counts Hold Steady
The rig counts in Oklahoma and across the nation stay relatively steady. Here's Matt Skinner with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission-
Energy Prices
Crude oil on the NYMEX is $73.56 per barrel.
London-based Brent crude is $77.07.
Natural gas is $2.58 per million BTUs.
Gold is $2,677 and silver is $31.55.
Obituary
Wilma Briley
Funeral service for Wilma Briley, 96, of Blanchard will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 15th at Bible Baptist Church. She worked at American Optical for 30 years. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society for Breast Cancer Awareness.
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