Local News
Related Photos
-
USAO senior and graphic design major Robert Cole
-
will have about 35 pieces of his digital photography on display at Java Dave’s Coffee Cafe, 1724 S. 4th St., in Chickasha. Most of the photos were taken during the USAO Art and Drama Departments’ trip to New York City earlier this year. Cole has shown his work at Salon 220 and at several school shows. The show is now open and will run for the next two weeks. At right is a detail of a photo of a New York City street scene by USAO graphic design major Robert Cole.
Discussion
City plans review of TIF ideas
At a short City Council Meeting, council members voted in favor of two important projects.
The council voted to retain The Benham to review TIF plans and to give Midwestern Pet Foods $10,000 to extend a rail spur to its factory on 9th Street.
The Benham Group and engineer Bert Smith have a contract with the city to develop and review and plans for a TIF district in Chickasha.
TIF stands for Tax Increment Financing.
"A TIF is a five to 20 year property tax exemption based on increased value of the project property due to new construction or significant improvements," according to Web sites.
The TIF district has not been accepted with open arms in Chickasha. Many believed the district would provide tax advantages to developers, not business and property owners.
The area in question, an 85-acre plot south of Grand Avenue, is a low lying area, and Smith will ensure that required changes have been met to raise the ground. Developer Steve LaForge said plans for the district will be sent to the city this week, but more construction will not begin until the economy gets better.
"With county sales tax revenue the lowest its been in a long time, Its not exactly a retail market right now," he said. "I am still confident people want retail in Chickasha, but I'm not confident that any retailers will come to Chickasha right now."
City Manager Larry Shelton said Smith will review LaForge's plans, and if they are feasible the city will continue the process which has become a lengthy endeavor.
What is TIF?
Tax Increment Financing, or TIF, is a public financing method which has been used for redevelopment and community improvement projects. TIF is designed to channel funding toward improvements in distressed or underdeveloped areas where development might not otherwise occur.Often, when a municipality rehabs a site the surrounding property value increases. This increased site value and investment sometimes generates increased tax revenues. The increased tax revenues are the "tax increment."
source: wikipedia.org
- Local News
-
-
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?
-
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.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Transformations
