From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, January
7, 1996
LOCAL
Ponca Citian Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy
Glazy Days of Winter
Great Ball of Fire!
County Reviews Employees' Med Coverage
Investors Seek Opportunity To Provide P.C. With Low-Income Housing Venture
Students' Vehicles Should Stay in Po-Hi Parking Lot
Local War Hero Comes Home To Rest
Fate of No. 1 Fire Station Remains Biggest Priority
DUI School Set
DEATHS
Roy Curtis Ingmire
Jessie Luella Rogers
Samuel J. Hudson
Obituaries
Loretta P. Bain
Services Pending
Joseph Earl Hoddy
Lois C. Waugh
Eugene Kirkendall
Dorothy Hula
Jewell Gray
NEWS BRIEFS
BUSINESS
Corporation Commissioner Urges Job Encouragement
John W. Raley Named Partner Of Houston Firm
Commercial Permits Top List
Stirewalt Honored
National Magazines Honor Edward Jones
Hermanson on OBA Board
Cindy Gorrell Honored, Promoted To Assistant VP at Pioneer Bank
North Central Marine Moves Into New Home
Web Service Being Offered By New Business
Job Numbers Hold Steady
Legislators At Friday Forum
LIFESTYLES
Xi Beta Tau Chapter Has Pledge Training
SPORTS
Po-Hi Basketballers Return to Hardwood
Ponca City-Enid Dual Has Postseason Implications
Guthrie Tops Sophomore Girls
TULSA (AP) - Three advocates of ''common law'' will be sentenced April 3 in federal court after pleading guilty to conspiracy.
Kenny F. Moore and Colleen Moore of Bartlesville and Wayne Gunwall of Ponca City entered the pleas Monday.
The three were named in May in a four-count indictment. But they pleaded guilty to just one charge on the day their trial was scheduled to start.
Prosecutors say the suspects conspired to avoid paying income taxes, penalties and interest by intimidating and harassing employees of the U.S. Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service.
Prosecutors say the Moores and Gunwall filed documents in 1993 that claimed two IRS agents owed $7 million to Moore and Gunwall. The suspects also filed a fraudulent document in U.S. District Court called ''Citizens Warrant for Citizens Arrest'' against various federal officials.
Dan Meador of Ponca City is scheduled for trial Wednesday on a charge of obstructing justice by illegally filing a pleading on behalf of Gunwall and the Moores. Meador also is charged with illegally communicating with a member of a grand jury.
THE ICY LAKESHORE at a hibernating Kaw City swimming area is hard evidence that January actually did show up, after a few days of indecision. Weather forecasters now are warning of cold, cold, and then bitter cold, with a 70-degree difference between last Friday's record-setting high temperature of 78 degrees and this Friday's expected low of six-above-zero. (News Photo by Mark Galvin)
BILL MORGAN, an assistant for Don Herbert (Mr. Wizard), from NBC TV's "Watch Mr. Wizard" and Nickelodeon's "Mr. Wizard's World," explains to McCord Elementary students the differences between hydrogen and helium. This experiment should not be tried at home or without adult supervision. The flame was once a hydrogen-filled balloon. (News Photo by Kristi Grabeal)
NEWKIRK - The Kay County Board of Commissioners is reviewing a new method to cover county employee medical claims in an effort to obtain a discount.
In the board's regular weekly meeting, the commissioners said they will consider implementing a program called WorkNet of Oklahoma, which will require employees to be treated by certain preapproved physicians and the county would get a 10 percent discount.
Employees currently are treated by their own doctors, who then submit claims for reimbursement.
In other business, the board approved an application to lay a gas line parallel to a roadway a mile west of Interstate 35 near Hubbard Road.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
One of the nation's largest corporate equity investors in low-income housing plans to expand into Ponca City and wants backing from the city commission.
During a work session Monday, the Ponca City Board of Commissioners received a request to support a joint venture to build affordable housing for the elderly. Garrison Hassenflu, of Garrison Commercial, in Prairie Village, Kan., made the presentation. The proposed complex would include 58 apartment units situated one block east of North Fourteenth Street, on the north side of Princeton Avenue.
Hassenflu, the project developer, is in partnership with Edison Capital Corporation, a subsidiary of Edison International, who is the parent company to the electric utility, Southern California Edison. The subsidy was formed in 1987, as the investment and financial part of a long-term strategy to increase shareholder value, according to the company.
To qualify for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC), created by the Tax Reform Act of 1986, the partners need support of the commissioners to include in their application. Additionally, the partners must contain a market study, an appraisal, and confirm rent is feasible, when applying for the LIHTC.
The developer asked the commissioners to consider conditional approval, since the market study will not be available until mid-January. According to Hassenflu, Gray-Lawrence-Ard & Associates, Inc., of Tulsa, will perform the study.
The value of the tax credits is converted into equity in the project, thereby resulting in reduced debt and more affordable rents. To receive a 10-year stream of federal tax credits, Hassenflu said residents would be required to meet 60 percent or less of the area's median income ($17,232 maximum for an individual or $19,386 maximum for a couple).
"We need supporting information before we proceed," said Mayor Marilyn Andrews. "We're not sure of the need for elderly housing, until we have the study."
Lawrence Yu, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Edison, said, affordable housing comprises one-third of Edison's investment portfolio. At the end of 1995, the company had commitments totaling $450 million, according to data supplied at the Edison website. In addition, Edison closed financing for its 100th project. Edison's portfolio currently totals more than 6,000 housing units with 35 new projects under construction.
The LIHTC is administered by the Internal Revenue Service within the Treasury Department.
Any vehicle driven for the purpose of attending Ponca City Senior High must be parked on the school parking lot, according to the school policy manual.
Citizens living in the vicinity of the school have often found the streets lined with student's vehicles which made trash pick-up, service and maintenance very difficult if not impossible.
This year a special effort will be made to enforce the policy requiring students to park on the lot. Continued violation of the policy will result in suspension from classes.
Parents are asked to help in this endeavor by checking to see that their student's car has a parking lot sticker on the windshield. All vehicles parked on the senior high lot will be required to have a sticker.
It has been noted that some students park off the lot to drive somewhere for lunch. This is one of the causes of truancy, and being tardy to fourth hour. The high school cafeteria offers many choices of food and drink during the lunch hour.
Cars are not permitted to leave the lot at any time without the proper sticker or pass. School officials are asking to please help make the Senior High and surrounding area safer, cleaner and a better place for the students and homeowners.
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
After 53 years, Lt. Gilbert Hadley, Arkansas City native and war hero is coming home to rest. The memorial service for the daring, heroic, hometown boy who helped turn the tide of world history during World War II is to be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home in Arkansas City.
Following the memorial service a full military service and fly-over at Riverview Cemetery will be held, where Lt. Hadley's remains will be buried beneath the tombstone set there more than 50 years ago by his family.
Tuesday, in Tulsa, Lt. Hadley's long overdue medals will be presented by Gov. Frank Keating to his only surviving sibling, Bill Hadley of Bartlesville. Those significant medals include several prestigious World War II medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
After several smaller missions in 1943, 22-year-old Lt. Gilbert "Gib" Hadley and his crew of nine, flew "Hadley's Harem" an unglamorous B-24, on her last fateful mission. They were sent to bomb the Ploesti Oil oil complex in Romania, which supplied 40 percent of the oil for the Germans during World War II. In that mission, the Harem and 197 others like her in the 98th Bomb Group each were to fly more than 2,700 miles from Libya to Ploesti in that raid. They successfully knocked out the strategic enemy stronghold and drastically changed the course of World War II.
But not without great price! Forty-eight of the planes and crews did not return.
"Hadley's Harem" was severely damaged during the massive B-24 attack on the oil refineries. Her nose was blown off, her bombardier killed, her fuselage buckled and her engines shot up or failing. And yet, with great courage and heart, "Hadley's Harem", under Gib's expert piloting, limped hundreds of miles out of enemy territory and eventually crash-landed in the Mediterranean Sea just a few hundred feet from the coast of Turkey. Tragically, Hadley and his co-pilot, Lt. Rex Lindsay were trapped in the damaged cockpit and drowned in the sinking wreckage. They were to remain in that watery grave for more than 50 years.
"It's miraculous he could fly the thing that far - a miracle!" says Roy Newton, a gunner on Hadley's crew who survived and has taken many pictures of the remains of the plane. All seven crew members who survived always credited Hadley's skill, courage, and "moxie" with the saving of their lives, and never forgot his sacrifice.
Newton, now the only surviving crew member of that heroic crew still living, went back to Turkey in 1993 to try to find the place where the Harem went down. He wanted to have the plane raised, feeling it important to retrieve the remains of the men who had saved his life.
"By their skill in flying an entirely unflyable airplane all the way from Romania to Turkey, they gave me a good 50 years on my life, and I feel this was a good payback," says Newton.
The remains of Hadley and his co-pilot were found in 1994 less than a mile from the Turkish shore in 90 feet of water. After several turns and twists in the project, with red tape playing a major role, Newton and a friend spent "a few coins out of their pockets," and raised the B-24. They immediately confirmed their find in the well-preserved wreckage - Hadley's trademarks - his cowboy boots and pearl-handled revolvers.
After two more years of red tape involving the Turkish government and the U.S. Air Force, the remains of Lt. Hadley and Lt. Lindsay have finally arrived to be put to rest in their hometowns, where family and friends have waited more than 50 years for their return.
A memorial service for co-pilot, Lt. Rex Lindsay will be held in his hometown of Gilmer, Texas, on Saturday.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Four proposals on the fate of the No. 1 Fire Station were presented to the Ponca City Board of Commissioners at Monday's work session.
After the defeat of the City's general obligation bond project, the number one priority is what to do with the No. 1 Fire Station. As a result, the fire administration generated several ideas.
One option requires moving personnel and equipment to the other three sub-stations. A ladder truck, three reserve ambulances, a tanker, heavy rescue vehicle and rescue boat would remain at Station One. The main station would not be manned, according to Mullikin.
Mullikin said the department could make it work for a short period of time, possibly six months. However, he said it was not a long term solution. With this option, a bad situation could become worse, he said.
The Fire Chief informed the commissioners that response times to the south and west part of town could be more than six minutes without a station downtown.
The second proposal includes leasing one or more double wide trailer homes to house firefighters. The trailers could be located in the parking lot or south of the Commercial Federal Building. Mullikin said the firefighters would have to run the block to the station, to respond with equipment during night emergencies.
One trailer could be located at Station 2, by the airport, and one could be located at the Public Works garage. The additional costs could run more than $9,000 a year, according to the Fire Chief.
Thirdly, a private company or lending institution could build a new fire station and lease it back to the city. Furthermore, the existing station could be brought up to minimum standards.
Commissioner Greg Gregson said he thought the station should be brought up to minimum standards for the time being and recommended the city temporarily fix the ventilation system.
"On a daily basis, the firefighters have less than acceptable standards," said Mayor Marilyn Andrews. "Whatever happens will be good money after bad."
The city still plans to have a post-election audit, according to City Manager Gary Martin. Commissioners need to decide what questions to ask and Martin will be looking for volunteers.
A state certified DUI school is slated by Bridgeway Inc., for Wednesday and Thursday.
The school is Kay County's only local non-profit organization that offers
both mid-week DUI School and Assessments. The schools are slated from 5
to 10:30 p.m. For reservations call 762-1462.
DEATHS
BLACKWELL - Roy Curtis Ingmire, former Blackwell resident, died Sunday, Jan. 5, 1997, at the Stillwater Nursing Home. He was 80.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Memory Chapel of Hackler Funeral Home in Blackwell. Burial will be at Mt. Vernon Cemetery, east of Salt Fork, Okla.
Roy Curtis Ingmire was born Aug. 13, 1916, in Billings, one of 23 children born to William Henry and Ada Louise (Andrews) Ingmire. He grew up in the Garber area, attending Enterprise School north of Garber.
He was marred to Virginia Mae Kelly on March 8, 1938 in Perry. They first lived in Salt Fork, later moved to Hunter, then to Blackwell in 1956. Ingmire was employed by the Santa Fe and Frisco Railroad for 14 years. In 1962 he and his family moved south of Blackwell, where Ingmire worked at the Goodson Ranch until retirement. He had lived at Sperry for a period of time before moving to the Stillwater Nursing Home in 1991.
Survivors include his wife, Virginia, of the home in Stillwater; four sons, Riley Curtis of Pensacola, Fla., Guy Preston of Apache Junction, Ariz., Kenneth Ray of Guthrie, and James Robert of Dearborn Heights, Mich.; two daughters, Roi Marie Orr of Stillwater, and Treva Mae Rhea of Pass Christian, Miss.; one sister, Ethyl Kriethe of Covington; 13 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and 21 brothers and sisters.
Casket bearers will be Keith J. Ingmire, Marty Ingmire, John Ingmire, Billy Joe Kelly, W.O. Kelly and Armando R. Lopez.
Jessie Luella Rogers, Ponca City resident, died Friday, Jan. 3, 1997, at the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was 79.
The funeral was to be held graveside at 11 a.m. today, at Sunset Lawns Cemetery in El Dorado, Kan., with the Rev. James Mainzer, St. James Catholic Church, Augusta, Kan., officiating. Arrangements were under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.
Jessie Luella (Wright) Rogers was born Dec. 15, 1917, in Atlanta, Kan., the daughter of Robert B. and Hazel (Smith) Wright. She graduated from Arkansas City, Kan. High School and continued her education at Bott's Business College in Ponca City.
On Jan. 1, 1937, she was married to Ralph Reynolds in Winfield, Kan. She was employed as a secretary at Strother Field in Arkansas City, Kan., for several years. Later she was employed by the El Dorado, Kan., Gas Service Co., for more than 20 years. She retired from the gas company in 1978.
On Oct. 6, 1978, she was married to Ralph Rogers and the couple made their home in El Dorado, Kan. before moving to Ponca City in 1979. He preceded her in death in 1982. Mrs. Rogers was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church. She enjoyed dancing and working on ceramics.
Survivors include two brothers, Smith J. Wright of Ponca City and Warren B. Wright of Winfield, Kan.; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and both husbands.
NEWKIRK - Samuel J. Hudson, longtime area resident, died Sunday morning, Jan. 5, 1997, at Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 83.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Miller-Stahl Funeral Chapel with Danny W. Cornish, minister of Newkirk Church of Christ, officiating. Burial will follow in the Blackwell Cemetery. The casket will be open only on the day of service.
Samuel J. Hudson was born July 7, 1913 at Canadian, Texas, the son of Jessie E. and Edna (Shirkey) Hutson. The family moved to Watonga, where he grew up and attended school.
In 1935, Hudson joined the U.S. Conservation Corps (CCC) in Woodward and received his discharge in 1937. On Jan. 24, 1941, he entered the U.S. Army in Oklahoma City and served during World War II with the 120th Medical Battalion Clearing Company.
After his discharge from the U.S. Army at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., on Dec. 15, 1945, he worked as a laborer in construction work.
No known survivors are listed. He was preceded in death by his parents, a step-mother, and one brother, Albert Hudson.
Loretta P. Bain, resident of Ponca City, died Sunday evening, Jan. 5, 1997, at the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was 77.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, at Faith Tabernacle Church, 501 South Fifth Street. Pastor Don Stanton of the Faith Tabernacle Church will preside over the services. Burial will be at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Loretta Padilla was born March 24, 1919, at Verdigris, Okla., the daughter of Laurence Padilla and Caladona Miller Padilla. She was raised in Ponca City, receiving her education in the Ponca City Public Schools.
She was united in marriage to John Henry Bain on July 30, 1963, at Anthony, Kan., with the couple establishing their home in Ponca City. Mrs. Bain was a member of the Faith Tabernacle Church and the Pythian Sisters. Her enjoyments included reading the Bible, fishing, and spending time with her grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, John Henry, of the home; one daughter, Mrs. David (Karen) Griffith Wallace of Ponca City; one brother, Clarence "Bud" Martin of Lakewood, Calif.; two sisters, Jessie Perkey of Farmington, Calif., and Mabel Rogers of Long Beach, Calif.; two grandchildren, Ronald Wallace of Ponca City and Kathleen Redd of Richmond, Ind.; three great-grandchildren, Matthew and Jamie Lynn Wallace of Ponca City and Danielle Redd of Richmond, Ind.; one nephew Robert Stephens of Ponca City and several other nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers, William E. Martin and Eugene LeMaster; two sisters, Opal McColl and Carmelita Padilla; and two grandsons, David Wallace Jr. in 1979 and Kelly Ray Wallace in 1991.
Casket bearers will be Don Wallace, Bob Wallace, Glynn Moore, Dean Stolhand, Dick Robinson and Fred Sturtz. Honorary casket bearers will be Burton Jones and Jerry Pentzer.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Bain's name to the Faith Tabernacle Church, 501 South Fifth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The family will be at the home, 2037 Mary Street.
paid obituary
Joseph Earl "Joe" Hoddy, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday evening, Jan. 6, 1997, at his home. He was 68. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
Lois C. Waugh, former Ponca City resident, died early this morning, Tuesday, Jan. 7, 1997, in Brooksville, Fla., where she was residing. She was 85. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
NEWKIRK - Eugene Kirkendall, Newkirk resident, died early this morning, Jan. 7, 1997, at St. Joseph Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. He was 67. Arrangements are pending with Miller-Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk.
Dorothy Hula, former Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Jan. 2, 1997, in Tulsa. Arrangements for a memorial service in Ponca City are pending and will be announced later.
Lucile Murray, former Ponca City resident, died early this morning, Jan. 7, 1997, in a nursing home in Edmond. She was 88. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
Jewell Gray, longtime Ponca City resident, died early this morning, Jan.
7, 1997, at her home. She was 75. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral
Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Fire - Ponca City firefighters responded to a small grass fire in the 1500 block of Crawford Avenue at 4:49 p.m. Sunday. According to the fire report, the fire burned the siding around the house causing $600 in damage to one corner.
Warrants Served - A 25-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City police officer in the 400 block of South Osage Street at 10:14 a.m. Monday on a city warrant for failure to pay. Another officer arrested a man at North Third Street and East Cleveland Avenue at 2:11 p.m. on a city warrant for failure to appear.
Arrested - Three Ponca City police officers responded to a call from a resident in the 200 block of West Grand Avenue at 11:08 a.m. Monday. The resident reported someone trying to break into the residence. A 28-year-old man was arrested for trespassing and destruction of private property.
Vandalism - A Ponca City police officer took a report of vandalism to a house in the 1000 block of South Sixth Street at 1:38 p.m. Monday.
Larceny - A resident in the 700 block of North Osage Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 4:05 p.m. Monday that a lantern, tent and tools were stolen. An officer took a report.
Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident in the 2600 block of North Fourteenth Street at 4:17 p.m. Monday. An officer indicated one person received minor injuries.
Kicked In - A resident in the 2400 block of Canterbury Avenue contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 5:28 p.m. Monday to report the front door of the residence had been kicked in, however, nothing appeared to be missing. An officer took a report.
Under Suspension - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 21-year-old man at South Fifth Street and East Otoe Avenue at 9:32 p.m. Monday for driving under suspension. A 28-year-old woman was also arrested by an officer at 11:09 p.m. for driving under suspension and driving under the influence.
Subjects Held - A man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer
at West Highland Avenue and North Palm Street at 2:32 a.m. Tuesday for driving
under the influence, transporting an open container and driving left of
center. A 19-year-old woman was also arrested by an officer after a traffic
stop in the 2000 block of North Ash Street at 3:35 a.m. for driving under
suspension and no insurance.
BUSINESS
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
Newly-elected Corporation Commissioner Ed Apple told the Ponca City Rotary Monday that Oklahoma had depended on its natural resources for many years and must now be an intellectual resource.
Apple, who directed many of his remarks to the visiting Ponca City High School seniors Will Oldfield and Risa Freeman, told about his daughters graduating from college and trying to get a job in Oklahoma. He noted that both had to go out of state to Texas to get jobs.
Apple detailed the enthusiasm the people in Texas show to people who apply for jobs, even though they might be turned down. He encouraged each of the business people attending to be enthusiastic and even if they had to turn down youths for jobs to be encouraging in doing so, to tell the persons they are worth something and that someone has a job for them.
Apple was appointed to the Corporation Commission by Gov. Frank Keating to replace J.C. Watts, when Watts was elected to the U.S. Congress. Then he ran for a term of his own and won. Apple mentioned serving in the Oklahoma Legislature with Rep. Jim Holt of Ponca City.
Apple, who ran for reelection on the premise of being a small town representative, drew economic parallels between his hometown of Duncan, which is a base for Haliburton, and Ponca City with Conoco. He talked about the "economic disjointment" the two towns suffered.
Rotarian of the Day was Phyllis Worley, district manager of Oklahoma Natural Gas. She was introduced by Rotary President Jim Littleton. Stan Paynter presented the youth guests, Oldfield and Freeman.
HOUSTON - Former Ponca Citian John Wesley Raley has been named a partner of the international law firm of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P in Houston.
Raley practices in the firm's Houston office and has extensive experience in health law litigation, general tort defense, products liability, personal injury and commercial litigation matters. He received a bachelor of arts, summa cum laude, in 1981 from the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.
In 1984 he received a Juris Doctorate from the University of Oklahoma, where he was a member of the Order of Barristers and was note editor of the Oklahoma Law Review.
He is the son of U.S. District Attorney for Eastern Oklahoma John Raley, Muskogee, and Mary Layne Raley of Tulsa.
Two commercial building permits with total valuation of $1,837,401 were issued during December, by building inspector James Brown. These permits were for the new St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Cancer Clinic and a remodel of Abertsons' for a Bank of Oklahoma branch.
There were no single family or multi-family permits issued. A total of four remodeling addition permits were issued with an valuation of $107,000. There were seven miscellaneous permits issued with an valuation of $7,198. There were 29 inspections made and the building permit revenue for December was $1,349.
There were 34 electrical permits issued and 60 inspections made by Rick Parrack's electrical department. The total electrical revenue was $1,293.
The plumbing department issued 51 permits and 80 inspections were made by Plumbing Inspector Buddy R. Osborn's department. Plumbing revenue totaled $1,150.
There were 32 mechanical permits issued and 61 inspections were made under the direction of Osborn, mechanical inspector. Mechanical revenue totaled $1,178.
Total code enforcement revenue for December was $4,970.
Cathy Stirewalt was named 1996 Employee of the Year for Pioneer Bank and Trust. Carl Renfro, CEO and chairman of the board, made the presentation at the bank's Christmas party. Stirewalt works in the Operations Department. She supervises the vault reception area, main bank tellers, daily balancing, and oversees the bank secrecy act requirements.
The nomination reads: "Cathy excels in each requirement that is necessary to achieve this award. She comes in early and stays late to see a task through to completion She is ready, willing and able to take on new challenges at anytime. Her personal commitment and warm-hearted smile certainly exemplify the Pioneer Bank philosophy."
Cathy has been with the bank three years. She is married to Bobby and they have one daughter, Ruslyn.
Edward Jones scored No. 1 in Registered Representative magazine's 1996 survey of the nation's top eight financial-services firms and made its third appearance on the "Forbes 500" list of the 500 largest private companies in the country, based on revenues.
This is the fourth consecutive year Jones took first place in Registered Representative's survey, which polls 400 brokers who grade their firms on 19 different categories. Jones scored higher than any firm on 15 of those categories.
Ponca City attorney Brian T. Hermanson will be among board members of the Oklahoma Bar Association to be sworn in on Jan. 17 in the Oklahoma Supreme Court Courtroom at the State Capitol Building. Chief Justice Yvonne Kauger will administer the oath of office. William J. Baker, a member of the Stillwater law firm of Hert & Baker, P.C., will be sworn in as president.
Cindy Gorrell has been named 1996 officer of the year and promoted to assistant vice president at Pioneer Bank and Trust.
The announcement was made by Carl Renfro, CEO and chairman of the board at the annual bank Christmas party.
Gorrell has been employed with the bank since 1984. She previously worked in new accounts, all teller lines and Pioneer Bank of the Osage. She was promoted to credit department officer in 1990.
Her areas of responsibility include reviewing loan documentation, booking loans to computer and supervision of two employees.
Renfro stated, "Cindy has done an outstanding job in organizing and administering our credit department over the past four years. She is a self-starter who takes her job very seriously. Under her leadership we have built one of the outstanding credit departments in northeastern Oklahoma."
Gorrell received a bachelor's degree in business administration from Oklahoma University in 1983. Her husband, Paul, is employed at Albertson's Distribution Center.
An established business, North Central Marine Inc., has moved to a new location and new building at 729 North Fourteenth, next to the Crown and Rose English Pub.
The firm had previously been in operation at 334 Pleasant View. Prior to becoming North Central Marine two years ago, the firm had been Dick's Marine for approximately 10 years. The new location allows for both outside and inside display of boats.
Gene Vogt, sales, said the production line will be expanded and boat repair and service will continue. North Central is the authorized sales and service dealer for Champion, Ray Craft, Marada, Grumman Boats, Johnson Outboards, Mariner Outboards and Mercury Outboards. A full line of accessories are also available as well as ski equipment.
Winter hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.
A new business, W.W. & Associates, has announced they have completed a deal to bring Ponca City into the "Age of Information."
Owners Chris and Jackie Wilkinson, say, "Although it's been in the works for a while it will still take some time before all is up and running. We will be adding to our staff and working around the clock to get all Sponsor pages and Home Pages created. We anticipate to be in full swing by mid January."
Ponca City on the NET, www.ponca.com, features community calendar, Moms Corner, Local Good News, Student of the Month, Citizen of the Month, Letters to Ponca Citizens, Your corner of Interest, Internet News.
For more information call 765-4832.
Kay County's unemployment rate is holding steady at 7 percent for both October and November, according to Oklahoma Employment Security Commission. This compares to 6.2 percent a year ago.
A total of 20,160 is listed on the employment roles. A total of 1,520 are shown as unemployed.
Noble County lists 3.4 percent compared to 2.9 for October in both 1996 and 1995; Osage County shows 3.1 percent for November, 3.3 for October and 3.4 percent a year ago; Pawnee, lists 6.7 percent compared to 6.6 in October and 7.2 in Pawnee and 2.1 percent in November and 2 percent in October and 1.9 a year ago.
A Second Friday Forum featuring brief reports from legislators is slated from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday.
Those giving reports include Sen. Paul Muegge and Reps. Jim Reese and Jim Newport.
After the briefing the floor will be open for questions and comments from the audience.
The event is sponsored by the Legislative Review Committee of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Complimentary coffee and doughnuts will be served.
LIFESTYLES
Pledge training for new members of Xi Beta Tau chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority was conducted at the Nov. 11 meeting of the chapter in the home of June Miller. New pledges are Jan Ellison, Brenda Parker, and Cindy Wardlow.
Patsy Bray, vice president and training officer, stated that pledge pins and books had been receieved and she anounced the pledge ritual for Ms. Ellison, Ms. Parker, Ms. Wardlow and Kathy Kuchta would be Nov. 25.
The group heard reports from Sara King, treasurer, and Mrs. Miller, who announced the 1997 Valentine's Dance will be at the Moose Lodge and Founder's Day at the Marland Mansion. Members of Xi Beta Tau chapter are responsible for updating the yearbook. The chapter members also furnished appetizers for the City Council Preferential Tea.
The traveling basket was given by Sammie Coats to Brenda Parker, who also received the mystery gift. Secret sisters were acknowledged.
June Miller gave the cultural program. Coming to the United States in
1974 she was formerly a resident of Scotland. She gave historical and geographical
information about Scotland. Highlighting the presentation was a homecraft
book used in school by Mrs. Miller. This book was an instructional guide
on cookery, laundry and housewifery.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
After a 17-day layoff, the Ponca City Wildcats and Lady Wildcats will resume the high school basketball season tonight in Robson Fieldhouse beginning with the boys' game at 6:15 p.m. Both teams will be looking for their first win of the season against Owasso.
"It's like we're beginning the season all over again," said Wildcat head coach Ken Chronister. "But I feel like we got a lot accomplished over the break."
Owasso's boys come into the game with a record of 7-4 and a No. 12 ranking in the Tulsa World. The Rams own a 3-2 Frontier Conference mark.
Senior guards Brent and Bryant Stokes, 6-0 twin brothers, lead the Rams. Brent is the leading scorer in the conference with an average of 16.8 points per game and Bryant is averaging 10.2.
As a team, Owasso is scoring at a 47.4 clip, just seventh-best in the conference. But the Rams' defense is allowing a league-low 40.6 points per game.
That top-ranked defense will be going against Ponca City's last-rated offense. The Cats (0-4, 0-4) have averaged just 38.5 points per game in getting off to their slow start. Defensively, the Poncans have held opponents to 50.8 points per game - sixth best in the Frontier Conference.
Senior guard Andy Parsons leads Po-Hi in scoring average at 10.3 points per game. Junior guard Micha Alexander is averaging 8 points per game, junior post Jason Shelton 6.5; senior wing Sawyer Blackburn 5.0; junior post Ryan Treadway 4.3; junior guard Ryan Meyer 4.3 and junior post Wesley Swygert 2.8.
In the preseason coaches poll, Owasso was picked to finish eighth in the conference, one notch above Po-Hi. But the Rams returned five starters off last season's 5-18 squad and have already won two more games than last season's club.
In addition to the Stokes brothers, Owasso returned 6-1 senior Benji Pace, 6-5 senior Jared Britton and 5-10 junior Jake Burnett.
While the Wildcats face a stern test, the task for the Lady Wildcats will be even tougher. Owasso went 5-0 in the conference, 8-0 overall during the first semester, won a tournament in Missouri and is currently ranked fourth in Class 6A.
"This will be a tough ball game," acknowledged Lady Cat head coach Larry Rehl. "They are very good."
Owasso's major scoring threats are 5-6 senior guard Natalie Lefler and junior posts Sarah Reese (6-foot) and Jessica Bates (6-2). Amber Penwright, a 5-9 junior, is Owasso's fourth returning starter.
Bates is Owasso's top scorer this season with a 14.9 average, second best in the Frontier Conference. Reese is averaging 13.1 points per game and Lefler 8.8.
Rehl said his squad took seven days off for the holidays before returning to practice. Once back, the Poncans scrimmaged Edmond North and Frontier Friday and then had a controlled scrimmage against Blackwell here Saturday.
"We won every quarter," Rehl said of his team's performance against North and Frontier. "I thought the kids made some strides."
Saturday's action provided a bit of a problem for Po-Hi as leading scorer Lyndsey Warrior sustained a slight ankle sprain.
"I think she'll be alright," Rehl said of his 6-3 senior post who averaged 11 points per game during the first semester. "We'll need a strong game from her and also from (Tiffani) Essary. Owasso is so good at getting second and third shots because of their rebounding. We are going to have to slow them down on the boards," Rehl said.
Essary, a 6-0 junior post, came on the last two games with 6 points against Sapulpa and 8 against Jenks. She averaged 5 points per game overall. Sophomore guard Desiree Cries For Ribs is Ponca City's second leading scorer at 5.8 points per game. Over the break, Rehl moved her from point guard to a wing position and moved junior Natasha Anderson to point.
The Lady Cats' next three highest scorers are Tee West, 5.0 points per game; Keesha West, 4.8; and Anderson, 3.8.
Ponca City (0-4, 0-4) is averaging just 26.5 points per game as a team, lowest in the conference. Owasso's offense is third-best in the league at 49.6. Defensively, Owasso is tops. The Lady Rams have allowed just 37.6 points per game. Po-Hi's defense is third-best in the conference, allowing 37.8 points per game.
"Owasso is very patient and deliberate," said Rehl. "They play a lot of low scoring games. I think we might match up with them better than some, though, because they don't pressure a lot."
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ECU Tournament Notes - Both the Wildcats and Lady Cats will be heading to Ada for the East Central University Invitational which runs Thursday through Saturday. Ponca City and Broken Bow will tangle in both first-round games. The Lady Cats are scheduled to play at 4:20 Thursday and the Wildcats play at 5:40.
The girls' side of the bracket features Po-Hi, unranked Broken Bow, Class 5A No. 2 Ada and Class 4A No. 8 Atoka on one side with 6A No. 1 Sapulpa, 4A No. 15 Star Spencer, unranked Carl Albert and unranked Idabel on the other.
The boys' bracket has Po-Hi, unranked Broken Bow, unranked Ada and unranked Atoka on one side and unranked Carl Albert, unranked Lawton, Star Spencer JV and unranked Idabel on the other.
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
The Wildcat wrestlers start the second semester with a second step toward postseason action.
The Wildcats travel to Enid tonight for their second district dual of the season. They beat district foe Shawnee, 67-6, just before the Christmas break.
A win tonight would set up a showdown with No. 3 ranked Edmond Memorial for the district title and a berth in the Dual State matches.
Dual State started in 1990 and the Wildcats have won their district to qualify for the post season tournament every year except 1993 and 1995. Edmond won the district title in '95, Ponca City last year.
Po-Hi coach Pat Young has elected to keep his lineup the way it has been for tonight's dual, but some major changes may come about in time for the Geary Tournament this weekend.
Tonight's lineup for the Cats include Phillip Gelino (8-4) at 103 pounds, Josh Bailey (6-6) at 112, Willie Ivie (3-4) at 119, Mark Dodgen (10-0) at 125, Matt Dodgen (10-1) at 130, Doug Scott (7-7) at 135, Jacob Beck (8-3) at 140, Justin Hall (3-2) at 145, Toby Redleaf (9-4) at 152, Marciano Villarruel (6-6) at 160, Stockton Graves (11-0) at 171, Jay Bentley (6-5) at 189, Nick Steichen (1-7) at 215 and Cory Burkett (8-4) at 275.
The 3-1 Wildcats could have some changes for the Geary Tournament Friday and Saturday.
According to coach Young, the Dodgen brothers are slated to each drop a weight as will Bentley.
Darrin Smith, who was injured in the Cats' third dual of the season, may return at 145 pounds.
The always-tough Geary Tournament may have its most stellar lineup in years. Teams scheduled to compete include Class 5A's No. 1 ranked Choctaw, Class 4A's top-rated El Reno and Class 2A's No. 1 Tuttle.
The field also includes Broken Arrow, Carl Albert, Del City, Edmond, Geary, Hinton, Little Ax, Midwest City, Mustang, Noble, Ponca City, Putnam City, Putnam City North, Stillwell and Westmoore.
GUTHRIE - A 14-0 first quarter deficit was too great for the Ponca City sophomore girls' basketball team to overcome here Monday as Guthrie went on to post a 43-28 win.
The Ponca City sophomore's fell to 2-2 on the season. Both losses have come against Guthrie.
"We played pretty hard but Guthrie has some pretty good girls," said head coach Brad Larimer after his team's second-semester opener. "Erin (Slater) did a good job inside but we just couldn't make any shots."
Slater topped the Ponca City scoring chart with 8 points. Tia Williams scored 7 points, Gina Hile 5, Emily Smith 4, Romi Foreman 2 and Abby Frick 2.
After the 14-0 first quarter advantage by Guthrie, the Lady Cats crept back into the game by outscoring the Blue Jays 8-2 in the second quarter.
"We were down eight at the half but we had a chance to get within six and missed a layup," said Larimer.
Guthrie then regained control of the game in the third period by outscoring the Poncans 17-9 in the quarter.
"We're doing okay," Larimer said. "Guthrie is a very good basketball team. That was a tough way to open the second half of our season."
The sophomores will get another extended break because of the East Central
Tournament. The next scheduled sophomore game is Jan. 13 at Stillwater.