Local News
Jail security called ‘hassle’
Verden Police Officer Jeff Franklin said this week that new security measures at the Grady County Jail make it more difficult for law enforcement to do its job. But Sheriff Art Kell said the measures were necessary.
Officers must now obtain a vistor’s pass from the front desk before moving around inside the jail, even if they are in uniform. Previously, officers had freedom to walk around inside the jail without identification.
“It’s messed up,” he said. “We can’t even go in and get our paperwork out of dispatch. If we’re arresting people with warrants out of Grady County, it shouldn’t be this big a hassle. You have to get a visitor pass just to book a prisoner.”
Kell said the jail authority has hired a consultant who it hopes can help the jail earn federal certification. for the jail to be certified, additional security measures had to be put in place.
He said only one other jail in Oklahoma is certified.
“The first thing is security,” Kell said. “We have a lot of federal inmates and they’re paying the bills and making the jail prosperous. With so many people coming in and out, we don’t want inmates to walk out or to have access to information they shouldn’t have.”
Kell said officers are required to sign in so that they may be accounted for if there is a fire or emergency situation.
“My deputies have the same problem, but I haven’t heard too many complaints,” Kell said. “We’re just trying to get things right and in order, and the Criminal Justice Authority is trying to work with other police agencies.”
Kell said officers must take all prisoners into the “Sally Port,” a new fenced security enclosure on the southwest side of the jail. The port is lined by a tall chain-link fence with a razor top. Officers must drive inside the port and close the gate before they can left prisoners out of their vehicles.
Officers must also remove their guns and go through a secured door before booking prisoners.
If federal inmates are present, the officer must wait until they are out of the area before booking prisoners.
“Once it is certified, the jail will have a lot more clout and it will keep the Justice Department happy and keep us from getting in trouble with them,” Kell said.
District 3 Commissioner Jack Porter said the jail was operating “pretty close to basic jail security.”
In other business, commissioners on Monday:
• Heard from representatives of the Ninnekah Fire Department who brought the board inventory lists of fire department equipment and said their ISO review was completed on Friday, Dec. 11. Grady County is preparing to take over the Ninnekah Fire Department, at its request. The board will further discuss the move at the Monday, Dec. 28 meeting.
• Accepted a bid from Joe Watt Auto Sales, Inc. of Vinita on the trade of a 2003 Hummer for two vehicles for the Grady County Sheriff’s Office. The cost of the vehicles was $27,598 minus $17,000 for the trade of a 2003 Crown Victoria, leaving a balance of $10,598.
Deputy Sheriff Gary Journeycake told the board the Hummer, which was donated to the sheriff’s office, is “inefficient and is not a practical vehicle to drive on the street,” and that his office will “try to phase out two cars a year and replace them with more efficient vehicles.”
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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
