News

Rig Report: U.S. oil, gas rig numbers dipped last week

From Staff Reports

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

The latest Baker Hughes Rig Count released on Friday confirmed what a recent Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank Survey declared in slumping oil and gas drilling activity in the region.

This is the mini still that Chet Hitt acquired as his first step in developing a distillery in downtown Chickasha. Photo provided

Entrepreneur Hitt receives 3-year extension on development of distillery in Chickasha

Mike W. Ray

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Entrepreneur Chet Hitt was granted a 36-month extension by the Chickasha Municipal Authority to construct a distillery behind the Mill Building he bought and renovated three years ago.

Barbra Coffee

Coffee to lead state’s Office of Economic Development, Growth and Expansion

News Staff

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

From staff reports The Oklahoma Department of Commerce announced that Barbra Coffee is the new Executive Director of the Oklahoma Office of Economic Development, Growth, and Expansion. The announcement was made Dec. 29, 2025.

This ramshackle building at 512 S. 18th Street in Chickasha was one of two adjoining vacant, dilapidated houses that the City Council voted Jan. 5 to condemn and demolish. City of Chickasha

Two houses in Chickasha marked for demolition

Mike W. Ray Southwest Ledger

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Two adjacent dilapidated, vacant buildings erected more than a century ago were condemned recently by the Chickasha City Council.One is a 782 squa re-foot structure at 514 S. 18th Street that was built in 1918, and the other is an 828 square-foot structure at 512 S.

Federal lawmakers sign off on National Defense Authorization Act

M. Scott Carter Southwest Ledger

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY – Federal lawmakers recently signed off on the final version of the National Defense Department Authorization Act, a measure which earmarks $900 billion to country’s defense department and includes a plan to restore chiropractic services at several military bases.

ODOT contract to inventory billboards and junkyards

Mike W. Ray Southwest Ledger

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY – A $1.32 million contract was approved last week for an inspection and inventory of billboards and junkyards across Oklahoma. The state Transportation Commission awarded the contract to WSB, an architecture, engineering, and construction company.

Chickasha City Council approves crematorium, 2 plats, selling water for energy production

Mike W. Ray Southwest Ledger

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

CHICKASHA – The City Council has authorized human cremations in town, voted to sell water for production in the oil patch, and approved plans for two residential developments.In a split vote, Ferguson Funeral Home was authorized to operate a human crematorium in their building at 804 W. Utah Avenue.

Poultry companies respond to court filing in 20-year lawsuit

M. Scott Carter Southwest Ledger

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY – Six of the poultry companies involved in a 20-year pollution battle against the state have filed an appeal with U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit in Denver.The appeal, dated Jan.

Gabe Woolley

Lawmaker aims to expand voter accountability for public universities

M. Scott Carter

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY - A conservative state lawmaker has filed legislation that would give the Oklahoma Legislature the ability to freeze, suspend, or withhold state funds from public colleges and universities they have issues with.State Rep.

Education, reading scores to headline upcoming legislative session

M. Scott Carter

Tuesday, January 13, 2026

OKLAHOMA CITY - State lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Feb. 2 for the first day of the Second Session of the 60th Oklahoma Legislature.They’ve got a lot to do.

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