Local News
Express-Star welcomes new editor
A longtime journalist has circled back to Chickasha again and landed in the managing editor’s chair.
Kellly S. Wray, who was sports editor in Chickasha during the mid-1990s, was hired last week as the new managing editor of The Express-Star. His first day on the job was Wednesday.
“The building is the same, and the mission is the same,” said Wray, who was sports editor of The Express from August 2004 to January 2007. “The people have changed, but they’re still intent on delivering a good product that represents the events and issues that Chickasha residents care about, just like we did in the ‘90s.”
“This is sort of a homecoming for me. This is where I started my career, so I’ve come full circle. I look forward to seeing some old friends and making some new ones.”
In 1996, managing editor Kent Bush led The Express to a first place finish in the Oklahoma Press Association’s annual newspaper contest. Wray helped the sports section place third that year and then left to write sports for his hometown paper, The Duncan Banner, in 1997. The Express won the OPA contest again that year.
“I think a lot about Kent and that staff and the product we built,” Wray said. “I hope I can help do the same here into the next decade. Hopefully, I’ve learned some things in the last 12 years, and I hope to put those into positive use here.”
After leaving Duncan in the late 1990s, Wray wrote for newspapers in Sulphur and Lawton, Okla. He then entered the higher education field and taught journalism at Southeastern Oklahoma State University and Eastern Oklahoma State College.
He was an adjunct instructor at the University of Oklahoma while managing editor of The Newcastle Pacer from 2004-07. Under his direction, The Pacer won OPA’s Better Newspaper Contest in 2005 and 2006.
Wray is a graduate of Empire High School, which is just southwest of Duncan. He earned a bachelor’s in communications and a master’s in behavioral science from Cameron University in Lawton.
“We are excited to get someone with an Express-Star background to manage the day to day news operation of the newspaper,” Editor and Publisher Jerry Pittman said. “Kelly brings a wealth of experience, fresh ideas and energy to our newsroom. He is a welcomed addition to the Express-Star management team.”
Wray married the former Julie Hathaway of Oklahoma City on May 16. The couple will be moving to Chickasha in late June.
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Transformations
What comes to mind when you think of the word, “Transformation”?Do you have fantastic thoughts of people or things changing into something amazing for example, Clark Kent turning into Superman or Bruce Banner becoming the Incredible Hulk or possibly something a little more down to earth like a caterpillar miraculously changing into the beautiful butterfly?
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GRADY COUNTY FAIR RESULTS
Plants
Potted Plants
(Several varieties combined)
First: (Adult) Ann O'Bar
Second: (Adult) Joyce Riker
Third: (Adult) Jallane Link -
AROUND THE AREA
SEPTEMBER 2
Poetry Reading
• When: Sept. 2, 7 p.m.
• Where: Eduardo’s Mexican Restaurant, Private Room, 3127 S. 4th St., Chickasha
• Details: Featured Poet is Carol Hamilton, writer, storyteller and Poet Laureate of Oklahoma 1995-97Hamilton’s website is www.carolhamilton.org. There is no admission fee to attend the Poetry Reading, and refreshments are available for purchase. For more information, contact Rockford Johnson, 224-0160 or 317-7506. -
Duncan nips Chicks for straight-game win
Duncan got their eighth match win of the season Tuesday, beating Nancy Waters’ Lady Chicks in straight games at the Activity Center.
The Chicks looked like they had a little hangover from Monday night’s tough road loss at Tecumseh, coming out flat again and dropping their first two games by identical 25-17 scores.
They came out firing on all eight cylinders for game three, running out to a 15-9 lead on the strength of a 7-0 run with Shelby Crosley serving, but the Demons battled back to tie it late and the Chicks let it slip away, 25-21. -
STATE SPORTS BRIEFS
NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has named walk-on Patrick O'Hara as the starting place-kicker for the seventh-ranked Sooners.
Stoops said on his radio show Tuesday night that O'Hara won the competition with Jimmy Stevens, freshman Michael Hunnicutt and redshirt freshman Bryce Easley. -
OSU's Gundy still learning on job
STILLWATER (AP) — Mike Gundy hasn't lost his love for dialing up the right play to keep Oklahoma State's offense purring along.
That passion, which he has called the most enjoyable part of his job as head coach, was bred into him as an offensive coordinator. And he is a former starting quarterback for the Cowboys. -
Whimsical metal work, jewelry part of big art show at USAO
A showing of whimsical metal work and jewelry is scheduled to be on display at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma during Helen’s Show Sept. 10-Oct 1.
The show will feature the work of USAO graduate Helen Shafer. The exhibition will be open daily during normal business hours in the Davis Hall Third Floor Art Gallery on the USAO campus. The show is free and open to the public. An opening reception is scheduled Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. in the gallery. -
High-speed chase lands 1 in jail
A high-speed motorcycle chase down Highway 81 last Wednesday landed a Ninnekah man in jail and a felony charge of eluding a police officer.
Court records show that James William Hutchins, 21, blew by Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Timothy Parrish at U.S. Highway 81 and County Road 1460 and was clocked going 144 miles per hour in a posted 70 miles per hour zone.
Parrish reported that he was sitting stationary at that location at about 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25 when he observed a red motorcycle traveling southbound. He engaged his emergency lights and siren and pulled onto the roadway behind the Triumph motorcycle. -
5 inmates denied parole
Parole was recently denied for five Grady County inmates serving sentences with the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
The following individuals were denied at the August Pardon and Parole Board meeting:
• Jeremiah Daniel Cline, who is serving a five-year sentence for distribution of a controlled dangerous substance and a five-year sentence for possession of a controlled dangerous substance, began his sentence in August 2008.
• Warren P. Diego, who is serving a 15-year sentence (10 years PTS) for lewd molestation, began his sentence in February 2009. -
Judge recuses herself from pharmacy case
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state district judge has stepped aside from the first-degree murder trial of a pharmacist accused in the fatal shooting of an unconscious would-be robber.
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Transformations
