From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, January
28, 1997
LOCAL
Warmer Weather on the Way
Monthly Customer Count At Recycling Center Up
Renaming of County Road May be on Next Agenda
Letters Say:
Inventors II, Science Show, Set Wednesday
Kay County Inmate Taken To DOC for Execution
Frosty Inside Warms Kaw City Audience
Newkirk Chamber Banquet Begins Year With New Look
Train Speed May Be Increased To 55 MPH Through Ponca City
DEATHS
Frieda L. Roach
Clifford George Honick
Johnny Vern Dewey
Obituaries
Vernon Fisher
Raymond Joe Wear
Regina Faye Comer
Funerals
Violet Chisholm
Ruth McGrew
Velma Lucille Bynum
Claudia Round
NEWS BRIEFS
BUSINESS
No Boom, No Bust For Global Economy
Chamber Interim CEO Introduced During Monthly Board Gathering
Cable Productions Win MIDIs
New Graphics Company To Support Conoco, Others
Marks 125th Year
Project 1000 Job Fair
SCORE Seminars
Winfield's Crayola Plant To Be Shut Down in '97
Ranch House Super Club Reopens With New Owner
ONG Employee Ends 35 Years With Company
LIFESTYLES
Alpha Chi Omega Alumnae Honor Active Members
Little News
SPORTS
Lady Mavs Continue Their Winning Ways
Bedlam Lived Up To Billing on TV
Mavericks Get Complete Game, Victory
From Staff and AP Reports
Sub-freezing temperatures and wind chills below zero will give way to sunny skies and highs in the 40s and 50s across Oklahoma Wednesday.
Ponca City and area dropped to a frigid 3 degrees this morning before finally climbing to 18 by 11 a.m.
The National Weather Service said it will be chilly tonight, but skies will be clear. Lows will be in the teens and 20s.
Wednesday will be mostly sunny, but clouds will increase across northwestern Oklahoma Wednesday afternoon. Highs will be in the 40s and 50s.
It will be mostly cloudy and colder Wednesday night. There is a chance of snow flurries in the eastern part of the state. Lows will be in the teens and 20s.
In the extended forecast, it will be mostly sunny but cold Thursday. Highs will range from the 20s and 30s in eastern Oklahoma to the 40s elsewhere.
Friday and Saturday will be partly cloudy and warmer. Highs will be in the 50s and 60s and lows in the 20s and 30s.
In its second year of operation, the Ponca City Recycling Center increased its average monthly customer count by more than 400.
According to John Meadows, waste reduction coordinator, an average of 1,200 to 1,300 customers visited the recycling center each month in 1996.
Average yearly volumes on the following recyclables accepted at the center are: cardboard - 220 tons; newspaper - 300 tons; office paper - 30 tons; magazines - 40 tons; computer paper - 20 tons; aluminum cans - 2.5 tons; tin/steel/metal - 30 tons; glass - 25 tons and 100 pieces of auto batteries.
The facility also accepts telephone books. All items should be separated and placed in the proper containers. Tin/steel cans must be rinsed and caps and rings must be removed from glass recyclables.
Material received at the center is currently being brokered through H.E.W. Waste Systems, located in Stillwater, according to Meadows. All paper material, except for the cardboard, is loaded into gaylord boxes and placed in a trailer box, supplied by H.E.W.
Once the trailer is full, H.E.W. brings an empty trailer and takes the full trailer back to the processing center where the product is baled and forwarded to market.
Meadows confirmed the Recycling Center does not have a contract set up with any vendors due to the fact that the center wants to be open to take advantage of changing market prices. This keeps the center from being locked into a low price, he said.
Furthermore, all metal products are picked up by Ponca Iron and Metal. Glass is currently taken to the landfill and used as a bulking agent for daily cover.
The Recycling Center is a manned drop-off facility, which helps reduce the chance of contamination to the materials that are brought for recycling. The center is located at 1001 West Prospect Avenue. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The center is closed Sunday, Monday and official city holidays.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - The Kay County Board of County Commissioners decided to consider a pleasant-sounding name for a county road that runs the north-south length of the county.
At the request of Jerry Neville of Ponca City, the commissioners next week may change the name of Countyshed Road to Pleasantview Road, since part of the road already is named Pleasantview.
When the county named all the mile roads for 911 emergency identification purposes, Countyshed Road became the name of the north-south mile road that runs from Chilocco Indian School Land at the northern edge of Kay County straight south to the Noble County line.
Fourteenth Street in Ponca City and the road through the Pleasantview community north of Ponca are parts of the same mile road. It was named Countyshed Road presumably because it also runs past the District Two county shed on the west side of Newkirk.
Because District Two Commissioner Wayne Leven was on vacation this week, the other commissioners scheduled a decision for next Monday's meeting.
In other action, the commissioners approved a $4,100 claim from Brawley Engineering for bridge inspections.
The engineering firm lately has been inspecting many of the county's 370-plus bridges. Commission chairman Rex Purdy said all county bridges are on a schedule to be inspected either every year or every two years.
Editor, The News,
At the encouragement of my children, I am writing this letter. It is a warning especially for senior citizens, but it could happen to anyone.
I have always had complete faith in the tellers at drive-in banks. In December I had $200 cash and two small checks to deposit so I took it to the drive-in bank. The teller said there is only $100 here, so immediately I thought I must have left part of it on the table at home. Went home to check, but it wasn't there. I talked to the girl, and two more people in authority. They assured me it couldn't be, and gave me no help whatever; in other words, it was me. I did have $200 cash and the other $100 has never shown up, so what would you think? I'll never send or receive cash in the tube anymore. I hope you learn from my experience. My apologies to all the honest tellers.
Millie Tomblin
Inventors II, a science show for children will be coming to Ponca City, Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the gymnasium of Washington Elementary School.
Science has been discovered to be the subject most appealing to elementary aged children. With this in mind, Inventors II should prove to be a huge success.
The Washington PTA is proud to bring these types of shows into the community. They are educational, entertaining and fun to watch. A similar show has been scheduled for March.
Feb. 3, the Washington School PTA will be celebrating their founding birthday from 5:30-8 p.m. in the school's cafeteria. During Founders Night, Washington PTA members and their children will enjoy free chili and hot dogs, drinks and desserts. PTA membership will be sold at the door for $2.50. After dinner, members and their children can play BINGO and have a chance to win a variety of prizes donated by local merchants. Gift Certificates from Hastings and El Chico are just a couple of the great prizes that will be given away.
Founders Night is sponsored by the Washington PTA and United Supermarkets (Washington's Friend in Education).
The Washington PTA is a group of parents and staff working together to improve parent-teacher communications, provide family together times, coordinate volunteers to help in the classroom and donate needed equipment to the school.
For more information, please call 767-8080.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - Convicted death penalty inmate Christopher Howard Davis was taken Monday to the state Department of Corrections facility in Lexington, where he has been scheduled to die by lethal injection on April 16.
Davis, whom jurors found responsible for the October 1995 stabbing death of his aunt Billie Jo Pollard, was the county's first death penalty case prosecuted since District Attorney John Maddox took office.
Kay County Sheriff Marion Van Hoesen said two deputies turned Davis over to the corrections department shortly before noon Monday. Van Hoesen said the last death-penalty case handled by the sheriff's department was probably 10 years ago, before he took office.
Two weeks ago, Davis appeared before Associate District Judge Leslie Page so the judge could impose the death penalty decided by jurors Dec. 2 in the first-degree murder case against him.
Jurors found Davis, 22, guilty of killing Pollard, his mother's sister who raised him. The woman was repeatedly stabbed in the chest and abdomen during an alcohol-related struggle in the home they shared in Ponca City.
Judge Page scheduled the execution for 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, at the state penitentiary in McAlester.
Defense attorneys Steven Hess of Norman and Tom Salisbury of Tonkawa told the judge they were preparing an application for a stay of execution. The murder case has an automatic appeal to a higher court.
Maddox and First Assistant District Attorney Lisa Goodspeed Tate presented the case to the jury and secured a guilty verdict just before Thanksgiving. The jury delivered the death sentence the following Monday.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
KAW CITY - It was frosty outside - and Frosty inside at the Kaw City Chamber of Commerce Banquet Monday evening. The temperature outside was frigid, but the wit and style of Frosty Troy soon warmed the audience.
Editor of the Oklahoma Observer, Troy's theme for the evening was "What Is Right With Oklahoma." Troy listed many attributes of Oklahoma including scholastic excellence, award winners of Grammys and the only state to have three premiere ballerinas.
Troy told that in the past Oklahoma's economy was a two legged stool depending on oil and agriculture. He said that has changed as the state has been diversifying, and 65,000 jobs have been created under the Quality Jobs program in the last 36 months. He said this was because the State Chamber and other chambers across the state got in and fought for the cause.
Troy told about numerous awards the state industries have been awarded because of productivity. He mentioned the General Motors Plant that has the highest productivity in the world of the GM family. He also mentioned the Ford Glass plant that has the highest productivity. The new Xerox plant in Oklahoma City is the first Xerox plant in the world that came in ahead of schedule and below budget.
He told about a program at Oklahoma State University that included the distance language training program that is helping schools across the nation teach a foreign language. The world wide distance learning for all of the Armed Forces is done at OSU.
Troy also praised the Oklahoma University Press that publishes worldwide. This year 57 languages are spoken on the campus of OU and Oklahoma ranks 17th in the nation in foreign students. OU enrolled more National Merit students than any other university, according to Troy.
Master of ceremonies for the evening was Jack Mason. He presented a special award from the Chamber to Linda and Ron Kirk, who were the directors of the recent play "A Womanless Wedding." This event was held recently and drew a packed house of 300 at the new community building, where the banquet was also staged. The community came together to finish the donated building.
Artie Hurst, 1995 "Citizen of the year," and incoming Kaw City Chamber president, presented the 1997 Citizen Award to David Burgert, a long time City employ. Burgert was praised for his many city duties and volunteer activities.
Bob Collyar, retiring Chamber president, told about the success of Mayfest, Christmas in July, the Eagle Watch and the Womanless Wedding. He also thanked his board of directors. Collyar received the Past President's Award from Jack Mason.
Mason recognized guests from other chambers including Tonkawa, Fairfax, Shidler. Also recognized were Miss Kaw Lake, Rhonda Nida of Red Rock and Miss Junior Kaw Lake, Amber White of Tonkawa.
Special recognition was given to representatives from Kay Electric Cooperative and the Kaw Lake Association, O.D. Freeman, mayor of Kaw City and members of the Kaw Tribe.
Introduced as members of the board of directors of the Chamber were Diana Wise, John Rogers, Artie Hurst, Herb Lucas, Bob Collyar and Barbara Palmer.
The invocation and benediction were by Ron Kirk. The meal was served by Raymond Hendrie of Enid.
NEWKIRK - With a turnout of some 200 people, the Newkirk Chamber of Commerce kicked off 1997 with everything new.
Past chamber president Mike Landis turned the reins to new president Debbie Leaming.
And last year's Citizen of the Year Les Leaming announced the name of this year's winner, Janice Shinn of Albright Title & Trust Co.
Shinn, whose selection brought a surprise visit from out-of-town relatives, was temporarily overtaken by emotion after the announcement. She joins the list of 40 past winners since 1957, including businessman Marvin Johns, historian Karen Dye, former mayor Garry Bilger and bank officer Mary Austin.
The chamber's 1997 directors are Debbie Leaming, Tresa Engle, Kate Williams and Mickael Lewis. Along with Debbie Leaming, this year's officers and staff are Mary Austin as president-elect and Dollie Testerman as secretary.
The chamber celebrated 78 years of service with the banquet at Newkirk Elementary School.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Burlington Northern/Santa Fe Railroad Company can now take steps to increase train speeds to 55 miles per hour through Ponca City The Ponca City Board of Commissioners repealed Section 34-260 of the city code at their meeting Monday. The railroad company originally made the request last spring.
Commissioner Dick Bird opposed the item saying, "We don't allow our motorists to drive this fast on any street. I am concerned about the safety of our citizens."
In new business, the board voted to proceed with condemnation of a utility easement across Anthony Properties for a sanitary sewer interceptor for Lowe's. Public Works Director Ken Parr informed the board that to construct the line, it was necessary for the city to acquire easements off of four property owners. Three property owners donated the easement since the sewer would benefit their property at no cost to them.
Extensive negotiations began with Jay Anthony on Nov. 4, 1996. According to Parr, Anthony would be willing to donate the easement with the understanding the city would grant him future curb cuts on Prospect Avenue along with waiving any assessment of cost for the future extension of Fifth Street across his property.
Parr said Anthony was informed that those items could only be addressed at the time of specific project needs and would not be considered associated with the acquisition of the necessary easement. In mid-December, the property was appraised and a final offer of $8,238 was made for both the permanent utility easement and the temporary construction easement. The offer was rejected. Commissioners authorized staff to proceed but the lines of communication will be kept open.
The public hearing to rezone property in the 500 block of South Fourth Street was removed from the agenda since the meeting had previously been held, according to Planning Director Harold Harris. Commissioners approved designating the adjacent area a Planned Unit Development.
In addition, the board took the recommendation of the Planning Commission to close an alley in the 3500 block of North Fourteenth Street. Shaw's Gulf Convenience Stores agreed to build a six foot masonry wall across the eastern part of their property as requested from the residents in the area.
Traffic Engineer Mike Lane presented The Ninth Anniversary Street Improvement Sales Tax Report and announced a copy would be available at the Ponca City Library.
In other business, the Ponca City Fire Department received approval to enter a contract with Pierce for two pumper trucks. City Manger Gary Martin said this was highly unusual but was the firm's requirement. A purchase order has already been completed, according to Fire Chief Larry Mullikin.
In addition, the board approved nominations for the Marland Estate Commission board as well as fee changes to students visiting the mansion. Individual student fees were increased to $2 and the student group fee was reduced to $1. The board also approved new hours of operation, since Adams confirmed winter and summer hours were unnecessary. Monday through Saturday the Mansion will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays tourists may visit from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Additionally, commissioners accepted the Park and Recreation Advisory Board recommendation to deny a grey water system at a private cabin on the west side of Lake Ponca. The request was a variance from the Standard Operation Procedure.
In old business, the board approved an ordinance assessing the cost of street lighting for Virginia Street from Highland Avenue to Gary Avenue, excluding four residents who did not have property on the front street. Mayor Marilyn Andrews disagreed, saying that the residents should equally be assessed, if anything.
Commissioner Lyn Boyer requested the item related to waterline improvements along Flormable Street and Central Avenue be pulled from the consent agenda for more information. Parr informed the board that the project included construction of approximately 1,700 of linear feet of six inch waterline and related appurtenances. The city was furnishing the material and contracting the installation with Sober Brothers, Inc., in the amount of $17,656.25. Commissioners approved the work, which will eliminate low water pressure for area residents.
City claims totaling $1,794,256.33 were approved for invoices processed Jan. 9 through Jan. 23.
On the consent agenda, the commission approved the following with one motion:
- Accepted material bids for rock, asphalt, concrete, oil, sand, Portland Cement and sodium chloride for Public Works/Street and Drainage Division.
- Approval to submit a letter authorizing which city employees can sign-off on the Wastewater Treatment Plant's monthly Discharge Monitoring Reports which is submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency.
- Declared residential structures located at 312 South Fifth Street and 317 South Fourth Street surplus and bids will be solicited for their sale.
- Authorized execution of change order No. 6 with Western Summit constructors, Inc. for the Water Treatment Plant Phase 1 Improvements Project totaling $15,637.
- Execution of change order no. 1 with Ram Engineering and construction, Inc. for the Northwest Water Transmission Pipeline phase 2 project in the amount of $13,381.55.
- Approved removal of 2-hour parking restrictions on the south side of the 100 block of East Central Avenue.
After reconvening to the Ponca City Utility Authority, Bird requested that the item regarding septic tank haulers be pulled from the consent agenda. Parr told members they had no problems and monitoring on discharge was adequate. The request to allow septic tank haulers to use the city's sanitary sewer and approved amendment No. 1 to the Agreement for Engineering Services for the Sanitary Sewer Improvements in the amount of $134,071.30, was approved.
Board members approved consent agenda items including payment of $14,625.40
for the Eastside Sewer System Evaluation, sludge equipment procurement bidding
and construction, and the preliminary design of the Union Street waterline.
DEATHS
Frieda L. Roach, longtime Ponca City resident, died early Sunday morning, Jan. 26, 1997, at Deaconess Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was 76.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Trout Funeral Home chapel with the Rev. Buddy Bolin, pastor of Asbury United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery.
Frieda L. (Jones) Dougrey Roach was born Oct. 10, 1920, in Asher, the daughter of Fred Roscoe and Anna Bertha (Hughbanks) Jones. She received her education in Shawnee, graduating from Shawnee High School in 1939. After graduation she moved to Denver, Colo., to live with a sister during World War II.
She was married to John M. "Jack" Dougrey on April 1, 1945, in Denver, Colo., and the couple moved to Troy, N.Y., where she was active as a den mother in Boy Scouts, an active member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church as well as the Troy women's society. The couple moved to Ponca City in 1961. Mr. Dougrey preceded her in death in 1978. Mrs. Roach was employed at Montgomery Ward, White's News Agency, and as secretary at Mistletoe Express for 10 years. She was later employed with the Kay County Assessors Office for 10 years, retiring in 1983.
On Aug. 12, 1983, she was married to Frank. L. Roach in Shawnee, and the couple made their home in Farmington, N.M., for three years before returning to Ponca City in 1986. Mrs. Roach was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church.
Survivors include her husband, Frank L. Roach, of the home; two sons, John M. Dougrey Jr. of Houston, Texas, and David F. Dougrey, Oklahoma City; one daughter, Mrs. Dale (Patricia Ann) Wood of Yukon; one sister, Mary Jane Wimmer of Ockelata; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. She was preceded in death by her first husband, parents, and one brother.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Roach's name to the Asbury United Methodist Church, 700 West Liberty, Ponca City, OK 74601.
Casket bearers will be Brandon Anderson, Ross Bailey, Greg Roach, Don Crosson and Bill Farmer. Honorary casket bearers will be Tom Gaden, Ron Wimmer and Max Stokesberry.
The family will be at 1521 West Broadway.
BLACKWELL - Clifford George Honick, lifelong Kay County resident, died Sunday evening, Jan. 26, 1997, in the Blackwell Regional Hospital in Blackwell. He was 93.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday in the Roberts Funeral Home chapel in Blackwell with the Rev. Craig Ortwein, Christ Church of Newkirk, officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery.
Clifford George Honick was born March 18, 1903, on a farm south of Peckham, to Edward and Florence (Claycamp) Honick. He grew up east of Blackwell, except for a brief period when he moved to Arizona due to his father's health. Following his father's death, Honick moved back to the farm and attended Lost Creek Rural School, then graduated from Blackwell High School in 1921. He began farming the home place after graduation.
On Dec. 24, 1925, he was married to Fannie Mae Riggs in Blackwell and they established their home on a farm northeast of Blackwell. In 1947, they moved back to his birthplace and continued farming for 30 years. He moved to Newkirk after the death of his wife on Aug. 8, 1977. At Newkirk he continued to sell Farm Bureau Insurance and worked until retirement at age 75. He was a member of the Farm Bureau and the Blackwell First Christian Church.
Survivors include three grandchildren, Lore Heath of San Diego, Calif., Lesa Honick of Newport Beach, Calif. and Greg Honick of Orlando, Fla.; one great-grandchild, Hayley Heath of San Diego, Calif.; and one sister, Wave Elliott of Oklahoma City. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by a son, Dr. Gerald Honick; a step-father, Edward T. Spires; and one brother, Donald Spires.
Casket bearers will be Ray Glenny, Clifford Honick, Delmar Tiemann, Dan Godbehere, Carl Turk and Warren White.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Honick's name to the Blackwell First Christian Church, c/o Roberts Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.
BLACKWELL - Johnny Vern Dewey, former Blackwell resident, died Jan. 15, 1997, in the Okmulgee (Okla.) Hospital, after a short illness. He was 35.
A memorial service was held on Jan. 18 at the Henryetta Church of Christ, with Gerald Kahlden Jr. officiating. A second service was also held later that same day at the Blackwell Church of Christ, with David Ridenour officiating. Burial was in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Shurden Funeral Home of Henryetta and Hackler Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Johnny Vern Dewey was born March 31, 1961, in Blackwell, the son of Russell and Sondra (Bass) Finley. He was later raised by his mother and adoptive father, James Dewey.
He was married to Laurey Beck on July 14, 1979, in Blackwell. At the time of his death, Dewey was pastor of the Henryetta Church of Christ.
Survivors include his wife, Laurey, 510 Lookout, Henryetta, OK 74437; one daughter, Kaetlyn and one son James, of the home; one brother Mitchell Dewey, of Marble Falls, Texas; two sisters, Sheri Sharp and Shanie Day, both of Blackwell; his father, Russell Finley of Mathis, Texas; maternal grandmother Maxine Bass and paternal grandmother Frances Finley, both of Blackwell. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Sondra Dewey; one sister, Jaelyn Dewey; and both grandfathers, Vern Finley and Johnny Bass.
Casket bearers for the Blackwell service were Mike Quirey Darrell Gingerich, Mike Fox, Jeff Fletcher, Jeff Byers, Mike Neal, Carl Parcher and Wayne Foftner.
Vernon Fisher, No. 5 Misty Isle, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 1997, 5:05 p.m. at St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma City. He was 69.
The funeral service will be Wednesday, 4 p.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church the Rev. Ed Coy Light, pastor, officiating, assisted by the Rev. Truman Fisher. Arrangements are under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Born Jan. 30, 1927, in Ponca City, he was the son of Harold Orby and Gladys Ellen Clarkston Fisher. He attended Ponca City schools, graduating from Ponca City High School in 1946. He also attended Northern Oklahoma College.
In high school he had been active in football and wrestling and was a member of the San Diego YMCA wrestling team as well as the Great Lakes Training Center wrestling team.
Mr. Fisher served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Hall stationed in the Pacific. He was an avid sportsman, having made several fishing trips to Canada and Mexico and was an active trapshooter. He also loved traveling and had made trips to Europe several times as well as numerous ship cruises.
He retired from the Brick Layers and Allied Crafts Union in Tulsa in 1989, where he was a member for 50 years. He was a full fledged journeyman, a master craftsman, and past president of the union. He was a member of the American Legion.
Survivors include a brother, Harold Fisher of Ponca City; two nephews, Harold Bruce Fisher of Tahlequah and Dana John Fisher of Portland, Ore.; a niece Kymberly Fisher of Edmond; two great nephews; Robert and Ryan Fisher; and one great-niece, Kari Stanley. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Neal Fisher.
Honorary casket bearers will be Bruce Davis, Larry Logan, Vic Webb, Don Carder, Cash Larimer, Junior Gilliland, Frost Nix, Tommy Williams, Dale Beal, Leroy Poplin, Jerry Marlar, Don Taylor and Ed Hall.
Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, c/o Paula Coppock, Pioneer Bank and Trust, P.O. Box 111, Ponca City, OK 74602.
No visitation will be held at the funeral home, however, the family will be at No. 5 Misty Isle.
paid obituary
Raymond Joe Wear, longtime Ponca City resident, died early this morning, Jan. 28, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 69. Survivors include his wife, Josephine "Jo," of the home. Arrangements and funeral mass are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
Regina Faye Comer, Ponca City resident, died Monday, Jan. 27, 1997, at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was 45. Survivors include her husband, David, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.
Wednesday
Violet Chisholm - Funeral at 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Ponca City. Burial will be in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery under direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Ruth McGrew - Funeral to be at 10 a.m. at Blackwell United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery under direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.
Thursday
Velma Lucille Bynum - Funeral at 2 p.m. at Blackwell First Christian Church. Burial will be in Blackwell IOOF Cemetery under direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.
Claudia Round - Funeral to be at 2 p.m. at the Ponca City First United
Methodist Church. Other arrangements will be announced later by Trout Funeral
Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Burglary - The Ponca City Police Department received a call from the Holiday Inn, 2215 North Fourteenth Street, at 8:47 a.m. Monday advising officers that a wallet had been stolen. An officer took a report.
Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident at South Fourth Street and East South Avenue at 10 a.m. Monday.
City Warrant - A 19-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at the police department at 11:54 a.m. on a city warrant.
Mail Stolen - A resident in the 400 block of North Lake Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 12:01 p.m. Monday to report someone stole the mail from the top of a mailbox. An officer took a report.
Larceny - The Ponca City Police Department received notice at 12:50 p.m. Monday that jewelry was stolen in the 2400 block of Copperfield Circle. An officer took a report.
Auto Theft - An 11-year-old girl was arrested at the Ponca City Police Department by an officer at 2:57 p.m. Monday for larceny of auto.
Warrant Served - A Ponca City police officer took a 33-year-old
man into custody from the Blackwell Police Department at 5:19 p.m. Monday
on a city warrant for failure to pay.
BUSINESS
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
OKLAHOMA CITY - "There will be no boom or bust in global industrial markets," predicts Nariman Behravesh, chief international economist and research director of DRI/McGraw-Hill. Behravesh made the prediction at the Oklahoma State University 1997 Economic Outlook Conference.
Additionally, he predicted that emerging markets will grow faster than industrial markets. Other trends were that inflation and real interest rates are likely to remain low and create a favorable environment for investment.
Behravesh also noted that private capital will continue to pour into emerging markets. He said the investments had quadrupled over the last five years.
Another anticipated trend is that world trade will grow twice as fast as output.
Dr. Gerald Lage, OSU professor of economics, predicted steady but moderate growth in close synchronization with the national economy. He noted that Oklahoma's per capita personal income will grow slowly in 1997, but is unlikely to close the gap between the national income levels. Oklahoma is behind the national income levels by 20 points.
OSU head of the Department of Agricultural Economics Dr. Alan Barkema, said that because of the recent Farm Bill, farm income has shot up. He said that crop prices are solid and the cattle market has slumped but is on the rebound. He said there is a trimming of farm debt and farm trade is on the rebound with record farm exports.
Karen Thoms, speaking on Welfare Reform for the Oklahoma Department of Human Services, said that Oklahoma had a significant reduction in the number of persons participating in Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Oklahoma has had a 31 percent decline from 1993 to 1996.
She talked about making welfare a transition to work program. This requires single parents to participate for at least 20 hours a week the first year and they must work 30 hours a week by FY 2000. Two-parent families must work 35 hours per week by July 1, 1997. This trend will have an affect on the state's economy.
The Outlook conference was sponsored by the College of Business Administration of OSU.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
Jack Shilling, retired businessman, was introduced as the interim CEO at the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Board meeting Friday by Chairman Larry Felix.
Shilling officially started Monday and had attended the finance and executive committee meeting and was at the board meeting. Shilling said, "It is indeed an honor to be asked to fill this position. It is nice to get back into the loop."
Shilling has been retired about three years. His background includes being vice president/human resources manager for Heartland Federal Savings and Loan, vice president human resources/administrative services director for Security National Bank and Trust Company, Norman , and 20 years in the military.
He had also been involved with several Chamber Committees over the years, including Night For Education.
"Sailing for Excellence," is the theme for 1997, Felix announced. He said the program of work will soon be available for board members. The chairman also called attention to new committee preference sheets that will be mailed to members telling about the committees, when they meet, the goals and the chairman.
Felix introduced new officers: Scott Dean, chairman elect; Phyllis Worley, vice chairman, and Tim Burg, immediate past chairman. New board members are Connie McAbee, Craig Myers, Dollie Roland, Glenn Perkins and Russ Shields. Named as committee chairmen are Dave Mueller, legislative review; Stuart Powell, infrastructure; Russ Shields, Paul Revere; Paula Coppock, Give Ponca The Business.
Leadership tri-chairs are Randol Marzuola, Karen Dean and Pat Morris. Keni Ray will head up the education committee and Charles Ziegenhain will chair the President's Club. Craig Myers and Bonnie Wetzel will be in charge of events. Mary Kay Liston is the communication's chairman and will be handling the Chamber newsletter. Connie McAbee is to chair the Ambassadors and Cathy Ferguson is heading the organizational round table.
Reports were given by the various Chamber committees, plus the Economic Development Foundation (EDF). Pat Mulligan, chairman, reported that EDF is working with Conoco to rent some of the space available there. Also there is a construction, maintenance and engineering firm interested in space at the Whirlpool site. This would be the U.S. headquarters center for the firm, Mulligan said.
Scott Dean announced that Centerline is going to build its own building and there will be vacancies at the business incubator at Pioneer Technology Center.
Burg told that not all of the funds allotted for the EDF and City's sale tax elections had been used, so these funds are to be returned to the Chamber.
The Chamber bucks program has been a success and last month some $30,000 were sold. The program is designed to keep dollars in Ponca City. The program was initiated 18 months ago and to date over $300,000 have been sold. Several companies are using the Chamber bucks for bonuses or incentives.
Upcoming events include the Chamber banquet on Feb. 7 featuring Gov. Frank Keating. A total of 350 of 400 tickets had been sold as of Friday. The event is always a sellout.
The next Friday Forum featuring area legislators is slated for Feb. 14 at Pioneer Technology Center.
Breakfast of Champions is set for Feb. 21 and will feature Leo Presley as the speaker.
All of the monthly Business After Hours have sponsors for 1997 and one has already been booked for 1998.
The board applauded Lisa Coy of the staff for her efforts during a transitional period between chief executive officers.
Two second place awards for Community Programming - one for a video on the Standing Bear Project and one for a video for the school bond election - were received by Post-Newsweek Cable of Ponca City during the MIDI Awards at the Mid-America Cable Association meeting in Kansas City.
This the fifth consecutive year Post-Newsweek has been recognized.
The Standing Bear Project video was directed and produced by the Ponca City Native American Foundation by Larry Hill, Post-Newsweek production director and Julie Ray, Post-Newsweek production assistant. Assisting on the project were Steve Scott, Connie McAbee, celebration committee chairman and Betty Durkee, project director. Chairman of the foundation is Carl Renfro.
The video tells the story of the beginning of the Standing Bear Project through interviews with tribal elders and members of the Standing Bear committee. Included are scenes from the blessing of the ground and the first powwow held in 1994.
A video on the school bond issue tied for second place. It was directed and produced by Hill, Ray and Carey Head, co-chairman of the campaign. The video was produced in support of the campaign and aired on Post-Newsweek Cable. It was also used by committee members speaking to various civic groups.
Post-Newsweek competed against cable advertising systems under 15,000 subscribers in a four-state area consisting of Oklahoma, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.
Hill has been with Post-Newsweek Cable for two years and Ray for five.
A new graphics company has arrived in Ponca City to provide services to Conoco and other area businesses.
With the unusual name of Manzanita Alliances Inc., the Houston-based company provides graphics and desktop publishing, as well as technical writing, foreign language translations, multimedia and creative design. In May of this past year, Manzanita began providing services to the graphics department of Conoco's upstream business unit in Houston and Ponca City.
Several former Conoco employees made the transition to being employees of Manzanita, including Dan Hermes, Manzanita's site supervisor at Ponca's Conoco complex. He has been joined by Roger Hall, a graphic designer. Both are lifelong residents of the city.
According to Manzanita's Bernita Henderson, the Conoco contract has "placed us in Ponca City, and provided us the opportunity to develop local clients." Our motto is 'Any Communication, Any Language, Any Media.' We combine writing and graphics in the best possible ways to get across our clients' messages, from purely technical information to highly creative promotional material. And we produce all of that as hardcopy and printed pieces, on CD ROM or video or on the Internet."
Ms. Henderson, who coincidentally is also an Oklahoma native, emphasizes that Manzanita is both a local company and a company with major city resources. "We provide the best mix of local service and talent backed up by technology and other resources that may be only available in a large city such as Houston."
Manzanita offices in Ponca may be reached by contracting Dan Hermes at Manzanita Alliances, 1000 South Pine Street, Conoco Center, Okla. 74602.
The firm of Edward Jones, which began in 1871, got its start as the bond house of Whitaker & Co. Today, 125 years later, Edward Jones is the largest financial-services firm in the nation in terms of offices.
Gene Hines and Joe Alcott, representatives, said they are proud to represent the only firm in the financial-services industry that serves individual investors exclusively.
Project 1000 Job Fair is a program developed by concerned state leaders to stop the "brain drain" from Oklahoma by encouraging 1000 businesses to hire at least one additional college graduate. The goal is to home grow quality jobs for college graduates, according to Ed Apple, Corporation commissioner.
The event is slated for April 11 at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Employer check-in begins at 8 a.m. The job fair starts at 10 a.m., and concludes at 3 p.m. Box lunches will be provided at 12:30 p.m. Registration is $50 and the deadline is April 1. For more information contact Sarah Penn (405) 521-2824.
TULSA - Tulsa SCORE Chapter 194 will hold three Small Business seminars during February. The Pre-Business Workshop will be held at the Tulsa Technology Center, Career Service Center, 3420 South Memorial Drive. The workshop is from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with registration beginning 30 minutes prior to the beginning class the cost is $20.
Two financial briefings are slated on how to qualify for business loans and other financing. The morning session is set for Feb. 3 from 9:30 to 11 a.m., presented by officials of Tulsa National Bank at the Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. The evening session is Feb. 19, 6:30-8 p.m., presented by officials of BancFirst at 7625 East 51st. There is no charge for the financial briefings.
WINFIELD - The Binney-Smith Crayola plant at Winfield, Kan., is closing according to a recent announcement by the company. The plant employs 345.
The company is consolidating its North American manufacturing operations and the Winfield operation will be transferred to Easton, Penn. The shutdown is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
The plant had operated in Winfield for over four decades beginning in 1952. The company produced Crayons, markers and paint out of a 400,000-square-foot facility on Winfield's southeast side.
Thomas Muller, Binney & Smith's president and CEO, said "Binney & Smith is committed to continuing its track record for growth in the personal development industry. Reducing operating costs through consolidation is necessary to enhance our cost competitiveness and profitability."
Muller said the company would work with employees to help them and their families during the transition.
Employees with satisfactory work records will be offered other positions with the company in Easton or at facilities operated by Hallmark Cards, Binney & Smith's parent company, according to officials of the company.
The Ranch House Supper Club is reopening under new ownership of Sheila Maner. The grand opening is set for Jan. 31.
The supper club has 12,000 square feet and East Coast chef Gordon Rader will be serving steaks, seafood and Cajun/Caribbean cuisine.
Ms. Maner owns and operates 55,000 square feet of restaurant/space, making her the leading privately-owned female restaurateur in the state.
She says, "Ponca City has always been such a beautifully maintained and cultural city making it a state showplace. I hope to indulge the area with stimulating entertainment while providing a new standard in fine dining and cuisine."
Ms. Maner also owns Maxwell's Pancake House and City Boots Steakhouse in Enid along with City Boots Country Club in Stillwater.
Chef Rader, a native of Oklahoma City, is skilled in French cuisine and imparts a unique twist to his cuisine including Caribbean Jerk Ribs and other Cajun specialties. Rader has been associated with Colby Hill, La Karena and Anthony's Al Dente restaurants in New Hampshire. He studied French cuisine under the world-renowned chef Jean Lu Colbert as well as obtaining a Ph.D. in philosophy from St. Mary's College.
Club coordinator Darren Nichols, former chef of the American Legion and grandson of long-time Ponca City resident and supper club owner, Pauline Adams, says that while the Ranch House has been open several weeks, advertising and promotion will not begin until the club has all major bookings in place and the staff fully trained. "We want it running smoothly like a well-oiled machine so that our guests' dining experience will only be delightful and unforgettable," Nichols said.
On Jan. 31, the supper club will feature the Pavlovian Dogs with special guest Mark Cruz. Plans are being made to book nationally known acts such as Ian Moore and The Jeff Healy Band. The Ranch House will be focusing on developing a venue for the best in blues, jazz, light pop/rock and retro.
"Ponca City is a wonderfully historic community and we are hoping to provide a dining/entertainment forum that is equally unique," says Maner.
Presently the schedule calls for the grand opening on Jan. 31. Dinner will be served from 5 to 10 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, and from 5 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Live entertainment is planned weekly with a nominal cover charge.
Frank Rorie, Ponca City, manager - distribution for Oklahoma Natural Gas Company in Tulsa, retired Jan. 1 after working for the company for 35 years.
Rorie was employed as a skilled laborer in Ponca City in 1961. He was named distribution foreman in 1973 and became distribution superintendent in 1975. Rorie became Tulsa manager - distribution in 1986.
A native of Mountain View, Ark., Rorie graduated from Harrisburg High School in Harrisburg, Ark. Rorie is a member of the American Gas Association Distribution Construction and Maintenance committee, the Oklahoma Gas Association and served on the operating committee of the Oklahoma One-Call Inc.
Rorie and his wife, Sharon, reside in Ponca City. They have two daughters,
Catherine Ivers of Alamosa, Colo., and Cynthia of Tulsa. They also have
three grandchildren.
LIFESTYLES
Delta Lambda Delta Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega sorority entertained active members at a recent luncheon at the Amarillo Grill. Co-hostesses for the event were Melinda Glasgow and Sandra Hudack.
Active Members attending were Katie Block, Nu Chapter at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Suzanne Scott, Gamma Epsilon Chapter at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. Active member Amy Wilhite, Psi Chapter at The University of Oklahoma, Norman, was unable to attend. The active members were introduced by Pauletta Beaty, vice-president, and each told about activities taking place at their respective chapters. Gifts were presented to the girls by Melinda Glasgow, Rush Board chairman.
Ms. Glasgow gave information about the 50-Year Reunion Celebration at Gamma Epsilon Chapter at Stillwater. The Reunion will be held March 8 at the Chapter house. A luncheon will be held at the Student Union. Area alumnae of Gamma Epsilon who have not received information or need to make reservations whould call Ms. Glasgow, 628-2897, as soon as possible.
Sandra Hudack, Panhellenic Representative, announced that scholarship applications have been sent to counselors at all area high schools so any Senior girls planning to go through rush when they attend college may apply. These scholarships are awarded by the Kay County Panhellenic Association and winners will be announced in April.
The door prize was won by Geri Nesbit. The next meeting will be held Feb. 25 at the home of Marianne Bryant. At this meeting members will be asked to bring paper goods and personal items to be donated to the Domestic Violence Center. Domestic Violence is the National Altruism for Alpha Chi Omega.
Kevin Jacob Strait is the name selected by Stan and Carla Strait, Route 3, for their son born Jan. 22 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The baby was born at 4:52 a.m. and weighed 9-pounds, 2-ounces. He was 20 and 3/4-inches long.
Kevin Jacob has a sister, Katie Marie Strait.
Maternal grandparents are Don and Carl Lou Myers of Ponca City and Mrs. Leora Strait of Garber is the paternal grandmother. Great-grandparents are D. P. and Ethel Mae Myers of Garber and Lula Sheffer of Bald Knob, Ark.
Danny and Tiffany Davis announce the birth of a son, Michael Christopher Davis, Dec. 19 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7-pounds, 6-ounces and was 19-inches long. He has a sister, Danielle Lynn Davis, 4.
John and Kristi Hanna of Ponca City are the maternal grandparents. Paternal grandparents are James Davis of Kingsland, Ark., Helen Davis of Perry and Sandy Smith of Tye, Tex.
Maternal great-grandparents are Wendell and Wilma Wilkins of Ponca City
and the late Marjorie Moriarty. Also John and Dorothy Hanna of Ponca City.
Paternal great-grandmother is Mrs. Mary Davis of Bearden, Ark. Maternal
great-great-grandparents are Mrs. Alpha Hanna of Miami and the late Mark
Hanna.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
TONKAWA - Northern Oklahoma's Lady Mavericks are on quite a tear. Monday night in Foster-Piper Fieldhouse NOC won for the 10th time in 12 games - and made it look easy.
Northern jumped out to a 15-3 lead over Western Oklahoma and never looked back in registering the 83-46 blowout win. In their last two home games, the Lady Mavs have outscored their opponents 186-96, an average of 93-48.
The win over Western was especially sweet because it was the Bi-State West opener for both teams and Western swept the season-series last season.
"It's very rewarding," head coach Greg Krause said of the win over Western. "Last year sort of hurt, going through that 10-win season. And I attribute a lot of that to those three knee injuries. But you still always believe you should do better. We just need to keep making statements to get back on track and get back to where we were."
Prior to last year's 10-21 season, the Lady Mavericks were back-to-back Bi-State West champs. And although the division matchups are just beginning, they seem poised to make another run at the Bi-State West title. The next two games will be key.
Northern travels to St. Gregory's Thursday and then, after a non-district game Saturday at home against Crowder, hosts Seminole Monday.
"St. Gregory's beat us twice last year, too, so we have a lot to play for. Getting that first road win is another motivator," said Krause of Thursday's matchup. "This is a big game."
Against Western, the 11-8 Lady Mavs got their running game going early and hit 6 of their first 12 field goal attempts to go up 15-3 at the 14:11 mark.
Then the bench-play of point guard Brandi McClellan and off guard Jennifer Whittet provided another spark for the Lady Mavs.
After Western cut the lead to 22-14 with seven minutes left, Whittet and McClellan combined to score 17 of NOC's final 19 points as Northern built a 41-20 halftime lead.
"I was probably most pleased with the spark we got off the bench," Krause commented. "I was just real happy they came off the bench and got after them hard. That was important for us. The team effort off the bench was a key for us."
McClellan ended up with 14 points off the bench, Whittet had 13 and Chanda Myers 12. And even though 6-0 freshman Mandy Perkins had just 2 points, she was also a factor with eight rebounds and four steals.
The only starters in double figures were Lynetta Geter with 19 points and Michelle Brown with 10. T.J. Humphreys ended up with 5 points and five others scored 2 points for NOC - Sherry Butts, Jill Kliewer, Perkins, Cathy Rogers and Danielle Monie.
The crushing second-half blow was a 14-1 run over a five-minute span that turned a 51-29 lead into a 65-30 runaway with 10:16 left to play.
During that 14-1 stretch, McClellan had two layups and a jumper, Myers hit a trey and another long two-pointer and Brown made 3 of 4 free throws.
"We had some good fast breaks, traps and steals," said Krause. "But they didn't cover transition very well. We've got good team speed and that's an asset we're going to keep developing."
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
STILLWATER - The name of the game is Bedlam.
On Monday night, before a national television audience and over 6,000 fans jammed into Gallagher-Iba Arena, it lived up to its name.
Like most hyped events, Bedlam games between the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State don't always live up to the billing. But sometimes they do. That's how the game got its name.
This one did.
It had the ups and downs of a game between to evenly matched teams. It had leads that were lost, crucial shots that fell and crucial shots that didn't fall.
In the end the crucial shots fell for OSU and didn't for OU. The Cowboys won 73-72 in overtime.
But that's only part of the story. There was also a story within a story. The inner story was the struggle between two individuals - Chianti Roberts and Nate Erdmann. The two seniors are the leaders of their respective teams, if not always in the statistical column then certainly on the floor.
On Monday night both had their low points and both had their moments of glory.
Due to different defensive strategies by coach Eddie Sutton and Kelvin Sampson, they went one-on-one only part of the time. Roberts guarded Erdmann most of the game but Sampson elected to put Lou Moore on Roberts when the Sooners were on defense.
Erdmann won the battle. Roberts won the war. Erdmann outscored his counterpart 29-18. But Roberts got his final shots to go in the hole and they proved the difference in the game.
Roberts hit a six-footer with just .7 of a second left to send the game into overtime. He then sank two free throws with 11.6 seconds left in OT that put the Pokes ahead to stay.
Erdmann missed his last two shots from the field and didn't get the ball when the game was on the line.
"Lou (Moore) and Cory (Brewer) had good looks, their shots just didn't fall," Sampson said, sidestepping the question of why Erdmann didn't get the shots in the final minutes of overtime.
Neither Roberts nor Erdmann started the game like they would be the heroes at the end.
Erdmann hit a pair of free throws to give the Sooners a 2-0 lead at the start of the game then went scoreless until 6:38 left when he sank a 15-foot jumper. At that point he was one-for-eight from the field.
But in the final minute of the first half, Erdmann canned two three-pointers to give the Sooners a 32-30 halftime lead.
Roberts drove the lane for the Cowboys' first basket and hit a 15-footer to give his team a 6-5 lead. But he drew two fouls in the first 1:22 of play and was whistled for a third with 14:45 remaining in the first half, prompting a prolonged stay on the bench. He finished the first half with four points.
Roberts got the first two OSU baskets of the second half and fed Maurice Robinson to tie the score at 36-all.
That's when Erdmann took command. Hitting from every angle, the OU guard scored 15 points as OU went on a 17-3 spree, opening a 53-39 lead midway into the second half.
But that's when the supporting casts came into play. OSU's Marlon Dorsey and Adrian Peterson sank back-to-back three pointers to cut the lead to eight points.
That was the start of the OSU comeback that ended when Roberts banked in the final shot of regulation play to tie the score at 61.
That shot wasn't supposed to be Roberts'.
"We planned for me to bring it up and pass to either Marlon or Adrian for the shot," Roberts said. "But they (the Sooners) were on both of them."
"Chianti is experienced enough and smart enough to know when the other players weren't open to take it to the basket," Sutton said.
That's why Roberts and the Cowboys were winners Monday night.
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
TONKAWA - Unlike past games that led to defeat, Northern never let its opponent back in the game Monday night after taking an early lead. Instead, the Mavericks continued to pour in buckets and ended up with a convincing 98-74 win over Western Oklahoma in Foster-Piper Fieldhouse.
During a stretch that saw the Mavs lose 12 of 16 games, Northern often got off to good starts but usually allowed a second half run that would cost the Mavericks a victory. But by the time Western put together a 13-3 run midway through the second half the game was already out of hand.
Northern led 47-25 at the half and 65-40 with 11:50 to play when the Pioneers made their final push. But after closing to 16 points at 69-53 with 9:22 left, Western was pushed back as the Mavs got a dunk from Steven Lookout and a jumper from DeShawn Denson to get the lead back to 20 at 73-53.
Western never got closer than 17 points the rest of the way and faded late as the Mavericks closed the game on a 13-6 flurry.
Northern just missed hitting the century mark when Chauncey Webb's last-second three bounced off the rim.
"The key to this game was the tempo," said NOC head coach Mick Weiberg. "They wanted to run and press. They are the team that's been scoring 100 and lead the region in scoring. But the only way to win in this league is to control the tempo."
Northern controlled the tempo by not getting into a helter-skelter affair with the quick Pioneers. The Mavs took the open layup off the break when it was there but also pulled the ball out and worked their offense when the break wasn't there.
"We play better when we're not in a hurry and for the most part we didn't get hurried by Western," said Weiberg.
Despite making just 2 of 7 field goal attempts in the first five minutes of the game, Northern still led by one at 7-6. Then the Mavs got hot. They ended the half hitting 18 of their final 25 shots and were 4-for-4 from the line.
Western wilted under that flurry, but not until the final five minutes. Led by sophomore Blake Sonne and freshman Denson, the Mavs closed out the half on a 18-3 run.
Newly-reinstated sophomore swingman Mark Passley, back after a two-game suspension, got the run started with a jumper at the 4:43 mark and NOC led 31-22.
Sonne then took charge with a layup off a steal, a three-pointer and then another layup. After a Western bucket, Denson exploded with two nice driving layups and a three-pointer for a 45-24 lead with 1:08 left in the half.
Freshman center Casey Roberts capped the run with a six-footer and Northern led 47-25 after 20 minutes of action.
The Mavs continued to shoot well from both the line and the field and easily countered the Pioneer's one second-half run.
Denson led Northern with 22 points, followed by Bryan Stevens with 15, Sonne 13, Richard Whitfield 12 and Lookout 10. Also scoring were Passley, 7; Roberts, 6; Eric Hurst, 4; Joe Patmon, 2; Kyle Dean, 2; Chris Beech, 2; and Cory Campbell, 2 points.
For the game, NOC was 34-for-60 from the field (56.7 percent) and 21-for-27 from the line (77.8). Western ended 23 of 66 from the field (34.8) and 21 of 30 from the line (70.0).
Northern is now 9-12 on the season but 1-0 in Bi-State West play. The
Mavericks next travel to St. Gregory's Thursday and then host Seminole Monday
in two crucial Bi-State West games.
Copyright ©1997 - The Ponca City News