Local News
Minco may lose grocery store, tax revenue
Minco could soon be without a grocery store -- and nearly 33 percent of the town’s sales tax could vanish with it.
Minco’s loss could be Tuttle’s gain.
The co-owner of Williams’ Discount Food Store in Minco may build a new store in Tuttle rather than replace his fire-ravaged structure in Minco, he said.
Jim Williams, co-owner, has asked the Tuttle City Council for a sales tax break if he decides to build in Tuttle instead of Minco.
“Right now, we have options in Tuttle to pursue before we look at Minco again,” Williams said. “If the city council votes against the (sales tax break), we’ll go back and take a look at Minco.”
The Tuttle store is currently on Main Street. Williams is considering building a new store behind the Family Dollar Store and the Sonic Drive-In in Tuttle.
A new store in Tuttle would cost $3.8 million to build, while a new store in Minco would cost $2 million.
“We can’t afford to do both,” Williams said.
Said Tuttle City Manager Tim Young: “The council is studying the issue and its options and has not made a decision yet.”
* Williams Discount Food means more to Minco than Tuttle in sales tax. Tuttle’s population is about 6,000, and Williams’ store produces a little more than 5 percent of the town’s sales tax revenue. Minco is a town of 1,800 residents, and Williams produced 33 percent of town’s tax revenue last year.
* On a per penny/resident basis, Tuttle brings in $4.75 each month, while Chickasha garners $12; Mustang, $9; and Newcastle, $13.
* Tuttle’s sales tax rate is 4 percent. That’s on top of the state’s 4.5 percent and Grady County’s one-fourth percent.
* A survey will soon be distributed to Tuttle citizens in hopes of learning their shopping habits and desires, Young said. Residents will receive the survey in their water bills and can also visit the city’s Web site to find it. Surveys are due July 15. “Any adult in the Tuttle area may fill out a survey,” Young said. “It’s not restricted to residents.”
* Young said sales tax revenue is up 13 percent from last year, thanks to more people moving to the area.
* Young said utility rates are being adjusted. “Water bills are up one percent to six cents per 1,000 gallons, the first increase in two years,” Young said. “Sewer bills will be up five percent, the first increase since 1999. We will create a new base fee of $7 for gas, with no further increases, and we will no longer have a minimum rate for gas. The last gas increase was in 1992. We need this to help maintain systems because we have increased our infrastructure, but we have fewer employees.”
* Young said despite the increase in the base rate for natural gas, Tuttle residents’ pay an average of $30 less than Oklahoma City residents, who are on ONG.
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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
