Local News
Chickasha bucks unemployment trend
As unemployment continually rises across the U.S. and Oklahoma, in Chickasha unemployment numbers are decreasing.
Oklahoma's unemployment rate crept up to 7.1 percent in October, an expansion of 0.3 percentage points in one month, according to the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. When Compared to October 2008, it was an increase of almost 3 percent. National unemployment crested the 10 percent mark, but in Chickasha the rate has dropped by 0.2 percent from 7.6 in July to 7.4 in October.
"While it is difficult to find work, things are getting better," said Max McKnight, Economic Development Council president. "Recent months in Grady County have been trending downward."
He said that unemployment peaked at 7.6 percent in July, a 3.6 percent increase when compared to the year before. McKnight said that there are 23,660 workers in Grady County, and each incremental increase equals roughly 100 jobs. He said that at this time last year the economy was in a free fall, but jobs have started reappearing in the marketplace.
McKnight said that numerous businesses in the county have increased hours, hired more staff and seem to be surviving. He could not divulge the names of the companies, but said they were largely manufacturing firms.
Even though things are looking up, McKnight does not want to count his chickens before they hatch.
"Unfortunately I feel like the recovery is going to be in small steps, where a year ago it was falling in big steps downward," McKnight said.
Senior Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., is working to take those small steps. Last week he and Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., submitted a coauthored bill to the Senate. Their bill was written to spark new jobs in Oklahoma and other parts of the country.
The Inhofe-Boxer EDA reauthorization bill calls for the Economic Development Agency to kick into high gear and create a bevy of jobs. The EDA works in economically distressed communities to create wealth and minimize poverty through the promotion of favorable business environments that attract private investment and long-term growth.
Inhofe said he looks forward to the entire Senate passing the bill.
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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
