Tuesday, April 23rd

Jury Selection Begins for Suspect Accused of Murder, Animal Cruelty

A woman arrested for murder and numerous counts of animal cruelty more than three years ago may finally go to trial. Jury selection began yesterday in Stephens County District Court for Karen Jean Pritchard of Marlow. Pritchard was arrested in February of 2021 after investigators were initially called to look into reports of a puppy mill. Authorities found nearly 170 neglected animals on Pritchard's property. Pritchard was later charged with murder after the body of Ashley Anderson was found rolled up in a tarp and stuffed in a metal shipping container. Media reports at the time indicate that Anderson was believed to have been working for Pritchard. The two had gotten into an argument and Pritchard said she accidentally ran into Anderson with her pickup, and Anderson died of those injuries. Pritchard is facing life in prison if convicted of murder and up to five years behind bars on each of 138 counts of animal cruelty.

Alleged Phone Thief Also Accused of Kicking Cop

A Caddo County woman is charged with crimes ranging from robbery to assault on a police officer. 46-year old Ellen Twohatchet of Ft. Cobb was arrested by Anadarko police last week. KSWO-TV reports that officers were called to a business where it was alleged that Twohatchet ran up to a woman in a car to use her phone. Court documents indicate that Twohatchet reached inside the vehicle, grabbed the phone, and then broke it. Police later found Twohatchet and after placing her in handcuffs she allegedly kicked an officer in the face. Twohatchet is charged with felonies of robbery and assault on a police officer and misdemeanors of public intoxication and malicious injury to property. Her bond was set at $22,000. She's facing four years to life in prison if convicted.

Speaker Named for USAO Graduation Ceremony

Graduation time is nearing for seniors at USAO. Commencement for the 2024 graduating class will be this weekend. Guest speaker is Cliff Hudson, former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Sonic Corporation. Hudson spent nearly 35 with Sonic where he also spent time as general counsel, chief financial officer, and chief operating officer. He holds degrees from OU and the Georgetown University Law Center. He is the recipient of a number of honors from OU including the Regents Award and an honorary doctorate's degree. The ceremony is scheduled to be outdoors on the USAO Oval at 11:00 a.m. Saturday morning weather permitting.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $82.85 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $87.29.

Natural gas is $1.79 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,295 and silver is $27.00.

Obituaries

Gloria Prince

Funeral service for Gloria Prince, 79, of Chickasha will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, April 25th at Ferguson Funeral Home. She was the widow of the late Doug Prince, a former Grady County commissioner.

Darryle Phillips

No service is scheduled for Darryle Phillips, 78, formerly of Chickasha. She was a nurse at Grady Memorial Hospital for several years. Arrangements are with Ferguson Funeral Home.

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Monday, April 22nd

Water Line Project Closes Chickasha Street

Starting this morning, First Street in Chickasha will be closed between Alabama and Missouri Avenues for a couple weeks of while crews finish a water line project they've been working on over the last month. Motorists will have to use Second Street or Sheppard Street to go north or south however city officials say all the cross streets should remain open. The improvements are being funded in part by a Community Development Block Grant.

Economic Development Officials Revise Strategy

Economic development has a lot of meanings and for many it means job creation. Chickasha Economic Development President Jim Cowan said the effort used to be trying to attract large manufacturing companies but the focus has changed to find smaller companies and to help existing businesses. However he said the effort is still there to try to entice the larger companies to locate to the area.

Cowan is expecting some activity this summer but was not at liberty to elaborate.

Chix Fire Department Looks to Add to Staff

The Chickasha Fire Department is currently accepting applications for new candidates. Fire Chief Tony Samaniego says they are looking to fill two or three positions and are encouraging men and women to apply.

After hiring there will be an in-house six-to-eight week academy. The application period runs through the first of May.

Chickasha Clean-up Days Scheduled

City officials have announced dates for the community-wide spring clean-up campaign. It will be held Wednesday, May 15th through Saturday, May 18th. Residents will be able to take trash and unwanted items to the public works headquarters on North Genevieve for free. Residents will have to show proof of residency with a utility bill, or stop by city hall to request a dump ticket. Hours of operation will be Wednesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Items that will not be accepted include tires, batteries, oil, paint, liquids, pesticides, Freon, or hazardous materials.

Energy and Metals

Crude oil on the NYMEX is $83.14 per barrel.

London-based Brent crude is $87.11.

Natural gas is $1.75 per million BTUs.

Gold is $2,374 and silver is $28.17.

Obituaries

Dixie Cobb

Funeral service for Dixie Cobb, 94, of Chickasha was held at 11:00 a.m. this morning (Monday, April 22^nd) at College Heights Baptist Church. She helped to start Sooner Horse Trailers in Duncan.  Arrangements were with Sevier Funeral Home.

David Cowan, Jr.

Funeral service for David Cowan, Jr., 84, of Verden was held at 2:00 p.m. this afternoon (Monday, April 22^nd at McRay Funeral Home. He was a special education teacher, served as the director of the Oklahoma Regional Education Service Center, and was an adjunct professor at USAO.

Toni Caicco

A graveside service for Toni Caicco, 76, will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 23^rd at Fairlawn Cemetery. She was born in Chickasha, lived in Dibble, and worked for the unemployment office. Arrangements are with Sevier Funeral Home.

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