LOCAL

Execution Thursday For Ponca City Man
1999 Eagle Viewing Set for January 23

Execution Thursday For Ponca City Man

By PATTI PFEIFFER

News Staff Writer

McAlester — Preparations are under way at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary for the execution of a Ponca City man. John Walter Castro Sr. is scheduled to die by lethal injection at 12:01 a.m. Thursday.

Castro was sentenced to death for the 1983 murder of a Ponca City woman, Beulah Grace Cox. In April of that year Castro shot the 31-year-old OSU student in the back of the head after she had offered and given him a ride. Her skeletal remains were found in a remote Noble County location four months later.

However, it was not the only murder Castro committed. Only two months after the Cox murder, he stabbed 29-year-old Rhonda Pappan to death during an attempted armed robbery at a Ponca City restaurant she managed.

He was also sentenced to death for the Pappan murder, however the sentence was reversed and remanded by an appellate court.

Castro’s execution plea for clemency was unanimously denied by the State Parole Board Dec. 21 which cleared the way for the execution of the 37-year-old man.

On Wednesday morning Castro will be taken to a special holding cell located adjacent to the chambers where his death sentence will be carried out.

There will be a total of three executors who will administer the three different drugs to Castro through intravenous lines — one executor for each drug. The first drug administered causes unconsciousness. The next one stops respiration and the heart stops with the last one. However, the executors do not know which drug they are administering.

According to Lee Mann, administrative assistant to the warden, the executors are known to no one and are required to never disclose to anyone the duty they have done. “The executors are paid in cash so there is no record of their identity,” Mann said.

Castro will be allowed visitors all day Wednesday and a special visitation has been granted for him for today says Correctional Training Officer Bruce Cummings.

The inmate is allowed five witnesses and two clergy to be present during the execution. Although their names are not released, Cummings says he does not believe that Castro’s family members are among those listed.

Also in attendance will be a large number of family members of the victims. “There will be 10 or 11 members of the Pappan family present and three, I believe, from the Cox family,” says Attorney General Spokesman Gerald Adams. “It’s unusual for so many family members to be present — this will be the largest number of witnesses gathered for an execution.”

According to Castro’s defense attorney Steve Presson, his client’s mood reflects the fact that no last minute reprieves are expected.

“He is depressed,” Presson said from his Norman office this morning. “But he will be visited by his mother, son and the friends that have been with him throughout.”

Castro has ordered his last meal which will consist of a large pizza with everything on it, except anchovies, six glazed doughnuts, and a strawberry shake.

Ponca City Defense Attorney Kenneth Holmes remembers his client most favorably. “John Walter was the most honest client I have ever had. He admitted what he had done and never told a lie — and in my business that is sometimes rare,” Holmes said. “I will miss him.”

Castro’s execution will mark the third in Oklahoma within a one-month period.

1999 Eagle Viewing Set for January 23

By PATTI PFEIFFER

News Staff Writer

Plans for the 1999 Eagle Viewing have been finalized and with one exception, the day is expected to be as full and exciting as last year’s event.

Entitled “A Day in Kay County” this year the event has been expanded to not only involve eagle watching but to encourage participants to visit area attractions and stores says Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA) Spokesperson Drake Rice.

The day will begin at 10 a.m. January 23 with an indoor educational program at the Kaw City Community Center and then proceed onto an eagle watching caravan near the north side of Kaw Lake and ends several hours later on the other side of the lake with refreshments at the Kaw Hydroelectric Plant as well as a historical presentation and more eagle watching south of Kaw Dam.

On hand again this year will be Assistant Director of the Bartlesville’s G.M. Sutton Avian Research Center Alan Jenkins. At 11:30 a.m. at the Hydroelectric Plant, Jenkins and his live American Bald Eagle “Sequoyah” will present a natural history presentation of the American Bald Eagle.

Absent this year will be the Golden Eagle “Ebony” and his trainer Phil Henderson. Ebony died early in December from a fungal disease of the airways.

“OMPA regrets the death of Ebony,” Rice said. “Phil and Ebony contributed greatly to the success of the Eagle Viewing since OMPA started co-sponsoring the event at the Kaw Lake Reservoir years ago. They will be missed at this year’s Eagle Viewing.”

A slide presentation, also on the history of the American Bald Eagle, will be given by Mark Howery, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) biologist at the Kaw City Community Center.

In addition Erich Langer, Public Outreach Coordinator with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will provide information on Oklahoma’s endangered and threatened species at the Kaw Dam.

The annual day-long event is sponsored by The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority, the City of Ponca City, the Kaw Lake Association, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Payne County Audubon Society.

For more information about the eagle viewing event, contact Kathy Tippin, Executive Director of the Kaw Lake Association at (580)-762-9494 or 1-888-291-4995 extension 2920. For more information regarding the American Bald Eagle contact Jeremy D. Garrett, ODWC Natural Resource Specialist at (405)-521-4616.

DEATHS

Leslie Elaine Psikal
R. J. Elmore
Melvin Buffalohead

Leslie Elaine Psikal

NARDIN — Leslie Elaine Williamson Psikal, Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Jan. 3, 1999 at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. She was 45.

The funeral will be held graveside at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin. The Rev. Rich Longcrier, Blackwell First Baptist Church, will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Blackwell.

Leslie Elaine (Denton) Williamson Psikal was born Feb. 13, 1953, in Ponca City to Lester Franklin and Evelyn Eulon (Conklin) Denton. She lived in Blackwell until age six when she moved with her family to Nardin. She attended Nardin schools, then graduated from Deer Creek High School in 1972.

She married Brian Williamson in Tonkawa where they made their first home. The couple later made their home in Florida, Ponca City, Bartlesville and Tulsa. She later returned to Ponca City to make her home.

On March 28, 1991, she was married to John Edgar Psikal and the couple made their first home in Newkirk. A year later they moved to Ponca City. She attended Longwood Baptist Church.

Survivors include her husband, John Psikal of Ponca City; one son, Jason Wade Williamson of Colorado; three step-daughters, Deena Martin and Susie Sawyer, both of Newkirk and Melissa Psikal of Ponca City; one step-son, Jeff Psikal of Newkirk; her mother, Evelyn Denton of Nardin; one brother, Cary Dean Denton of Blackwell; and six grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one son, Ryan Shane Williamson; her father; and her grandparents.

Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Psikal’s name to the Ponca City Humane Society, 900 West Prospect, Ponca City, OK 74601.

R. J. Elmore

NEWKIRK — R.J. Elmore, Newkirk resident, died Monday morning, Jan. 4, 1999, in the Ponca City Nursing Home. He was 84.

The funeral will be graveside at the Newkirk Cemetery at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 6. The Rev. John Tramel, minister of Newkirk First Baptist Church will officiate.

R.J. Elmore was born Sept. 6, 1914 in Randlett, the son of Fred and Mary Madeline (Dice) Elmore. He grew up and received his education in Chickasha. During World War II he served stateside in the U.S. Army.

On Aug. 12, 1941, he married Hazel Adeline Carr in Ponca City and they established their first home in Arkansas City. The couple moved to Wichita, Kan., and various other locations with his job with the railroad. Elmore retired from the L&N Railroad in April 1979 in Louisville, Ky. They moved to Newkirk in July 1991. He enjoyed being at home, working on cars and camping.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel, of the Newkirk home; one daughter Roberta Elmore of the home; three granddaughters; three great-granddaughters; and one great-grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son.

Services Pending

Melvin Buffalohead

Melvin Buffalohead, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday evening, Jan. 4, 1999, at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was 75. Evening prayer services will be conducted at 7 p.m. daily through Thursday at the Ponca Indian Full Gospel Church. Other arrangements will be announced later by Grace Memorial Chapel.

NEWS BRIEFS

Do You Know CPR? — Free one time per month classes in cardiopulmonary resuscitation given by the Ponca City Fire Department training center. Adult Heartsaver Class will be 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, at the Hutchins Memorial Auditorium Sunshine Room (south side). All classes are conducted according to the American Heart Association standards. For additional information call 765-3178.

Every Wednesday ๐ price clothes, shoes except priced

items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and

Central. adv.

Graffiti — At 9:21 a.m. Monday police received a report of graffiti painted in a building in the 2700 block of North Fifth Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Carpet Need cleaning? Confused about who or what to use?

Call Floorcraft 762-8381, let us help you make the right choice.

Call Mr. Clean at Floorcraft. adv.

Arrest — A 20-year-old man was arrested at 10:12 a.m. Monday from the 2100 block of North Ash Street on Kay County warrants for failure to pay.

Being Relocated, or in town for a short time? We have homes

available by the month or longer. All homes are full furnished with

appliances, furniture, linens, pots and pans. Inclusive of cable,

local phone, and utilities. Please call 580-762-7980 or 580-718-0681.

adv.

Vehicle Vandalism — A woman in the 400 block of North Thirteenth Street contacted police at 11:12 a.m. Monday reporting a window broken out of a vehicle.

Youth Bowling League beginning Fri., Jan. 8th, 4 p.m. and Sat.,

Jan. 9th, 11 a.m. All ages welcome. Win awards and patches. Scholarship program. 2000 Lake Road. 762-3333. adv.

Forged Check — A forged check at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, was reported to police at 11:12 a.m. Monday.

Stolen Checkbook — A man in the 2100 block of John Street reported a stolen checkbook to police at 5:01 p.m. Monday.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-

8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. adv.

Stalking — At 2:16 p.m. Monday a woman in the 1600 block of North First Street reported that someone was stalking her. An officer was assigned.

Free Dryer with wash. Union North. Tuesday thru Sunday,

7 a.m.-9 p.m. Grand Opening.1904 N. Union. 762-7124. adv.

Minor Accident — A minor accident at North Fourteenth Street and East Highland Avenue was reported to police at 3:31 p.m. Monday.

Extra Patrol — Extra police patrol was requested at 6:32 p.m. Monday in the 300 block of North Oak Street after a resident reported that his garage had been broken into.

Threats — At 6:52 p.m. Monday a woman in the 100 block of North Palm Street reported threats being made towards her.

Harassment — A woman in the 400 block of West Ponca Avenue advised police at 7:43 p.m. Monday that a man had been harassing her.

Bad Check — An insufficient check was reported at 8:26 p.m. Monday at Old West Liquor, 3211 North Fourteenth Street.

Open Door — At 1:44 a.m. Tuesday police were advised of an open door at Pemberton’s Chevrolet, 3330 North Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned and the building was secured.

Looking for a Bargain? — Just phone The News, 765-3311 and ask for someone to take a news brief to advertize your upcoming event, or whatever you have to sell. It’s easy and it gets results!

LIFESTYLES

Helpful Hints Are Memorable
Jennifer Buxton Honored

Helpful Hints Are Memorable

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

This is a story about some useful tips I learned over the years from my Aunt Nettie that I wish to pass along. A lesson in how to keep from losing your gloves. Take them off, fold each one in half and put one in each pocket of your coat. This is much safer than wadding up the pair and trying to keep them in one pocket, where they can easily spill out unnoticed.

Now if this fails, try the old cord fastened to each glove and run through the arms of your coat, with a glove dangling out each arm. (See — it is true that everything you needed to know you learned in kindergarten). One may want to use a large safety pin to secure the cord in place at the neck of the coat. (A old satin covered robe cord works fine.)

Another trick to keep from leaving your coat at the office or at a friend’s house — try putting your car keys in the pocket and chances are you can’t leave without your coat. Course you’d have to be rather foolish to go outside in this one digit degree weather without your coat anyway.

An additional “cool” helpful hint is how to keep from forgetting frozen food at work (purchased from the Schwan man, by working folks who are too busy or too lazy to shop), is to put your car keys with the food in the company’s refrigerator. Sure the keys maybe a little cold when you retrieve them, but what the heck, you’re going to be hauling frozen food home anyway.

While we’re on this hint kick, here’s one on how to keep from writing 1998 instead of 1999 on your checks. Take an ink pen right now and fill the year slot with 1999 and that should get you through the orientation period.

Jennifer Buxton Honored

Jennifer Buxton, 4-H student at Frontier, was recently named to the Noble County 4-H Hall of Fame. Her name will be added to the Hall of Fame plaque and hung, along with her portrait, in the Noble County Courthouse for the next two years. Buxton was honored for her accomplishment at the Noble County 4-H Achievement Banquet recently by Beth Bolay, president of the Noble County 4-H Adult Leaders.

Selection depends on the individual’s state support, application form, 4-H record books, community service, projects and an interview.

Buxton is immediate past president of the Frontier 4-H Club and has been a 4-H member for 10 years. Among her awards are the Kansas City Youth Conference trip, Outstanding Senior Record Book, trip to Denver Western Round-up, Oklahoma state winner in her Home Environment project, Grand Champion Fashion Revue winner, and Citizenship Washington Focus trip. She was awarded membership in the coveted Oklahoma 4-H Key Club and has just returned from National Club Congress held in Atlanta, Ga.

Buxton is a senior at Frontier Public School, a member of the 101 Chapter National Honor Society, and has been listed on the Principal/Superintendent Honor Roll since 1990. She also received Academic Letters in 1996, 1997 and 1998, and was named student of the month in 1991, 1995, and 1997.

She is the daughter of Karen Buxton and David Benham, Marland; and Howard Buxton, Ponca City. Her grandparents are Margaret Buxton, Ponca City; and Kenneth and Patty Evans, Marland. Her great-grandmother is May Evans, Marland.

BUSINESS

City Sales Tax Returns Up For September
Bank Announces Three Promotions
Myers Takes Over As Chamber Chair
P.C. Optometrists Participate
Behrens New Dealer
Tax Seminar
OERB Restoring Hundreds Of Abandoned Oil Field Sites
Jobless Rate Remains High
School Bond Vote Friday Forum Topic

City Sales Tax Returns Up For September

Ponca City sales tax return from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for business conducted during October was up considerably compared to the same time period last year. Ponca City coffers received a total of $973,617 up from $707,795 for the same time frame in 1997.

Marc LaBossiere, finance director for the City of Ponca City, notes that when comparing year over year sales tax collections, the recent voter-approved dedicated 1/2 cent sales tax to renovate and expand the No. 1 Fire Station must be considered. This tax equates to 14.29 percent of total collections, or $139,088.25 in the current month. This tax went into affect Dec. 1, 1997, and will expire on Nov. 30, 1999.

Factoring out the new dedicated tax, and comparing year-over-year collections on retail sales, total sales tax collections in the current month have increased from the, same period of the prior year by 17.9 percent.

This is a significant increase in collections and is obviously good news to the City, and reflects that positive activity is occurring in our local economy, according to LaBosiere. The Finance Department will analyze Tax Commission reports by SIC code in an attempt to determine which sectors are experiencing growth, as soon as reports are received later this month.

Use Tax

In addition to the sales tax, the City of Ponca City receives a use tax, which is paid on catalog sales or materials purchased out of state and delivered here. The use tax distributed by the Oklahoma Tax Commission to the City in October totaled zero, compared to the same time frame in 1997, which totaled $36,165.

City Sept. 98 Sept. 97

Barnsdall $9,167 $11,441

Bartlesville 946,717 946,879

Billings 10,230 9,215

Blackwell 84,165 87,952

Braman 2,721 2,381

Burbank 576 454

Deer Creek 2,145 712

Enid 1,187,8499 1,162,947

Fairfax 12,534 12,629

Kaw City 2,327 2,706

Lamont 2,017 1,725

Marland 969 875

Medford 20,554 10,165

Morrison 8,810 3,290

Newkirk 25,155 24,278

Pawhuska 53,667 55,053

Pawnee 36,764 29,090

Perry 80,034 37,694

Pond Creek 7,009 6,281

Ralston 1,170 973

Red Rock 841 708

Shidler 1,903 2,122

Stillwater 1,060,453 998,042

Tonkawa 40,273 38,147

Bank Announces Three Promotions

Carl Renfro, chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Pioneer Bank and Trust, recently announced promotions for three employees — Eric Kurtz, Cindy Gorrell and Michelle Carter.

Kurtz has been promoted to vice president from assistant vice president. He has been with the bank for seven years and is in the commercial loan department.

He is a past president and drive chairman for the United Way of Ponca City, on the Bluestem Girl Scout Council board, a member of the Pioneer Tech bid assistance advisory committee and is on the advisory finance committee of the City of Ponca City.

Kurtz graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan., with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is currently in his third year at the Graduate School of Banking at the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

He received a scholarship for this program through the Oklahoma Bankers Association. Kurtz and his wife, Christy, have a daughter, Kasha, and twins, Chase and Candice.

Ms. Gorrell has been promoted from assistant vice president to vice president and auditor. She has been with the bank for 15 years and will be responsible for internal control at all locations. She is a 1983 graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She is a member of the Kiwanis Club.

Ms. Gorrell and her husband, Paul, are both graduates of Ponca City High School.

Michelle Carter is the new assistant cashier, formerly the personnel and employee benefits administrator. She has been with the bank four and one-half years and will be responsible for the daily operations of the data center, payroll, accounts payable and employee benefits.

Ms. Carter is treasurer for Pioneer Transit and is a member of the Landmark Conservancy. She is a Ponca City High School graduate and she and her husband, Bret, have a son, Clay.

“The Board of Directors is pleased to announced the promotions of these individuals in light of their past performance and new areas of responsibilities,” said Renfro. “They have all exhibited strong leadership abilities and will benefit the Bank for years to come,” Renfro concluded.

Myers Takes Over As Chamber Chair

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

Newly elected chairman of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce is Craig A. Myers, who succeeds Richard Severance.

Myers joined Pioneer Bank and Trust as vice president and cashier in November. Prior to that he served as president of Monumental Enterprises Inc., a Ponca City based company, currently managing and operating the Marland Estate Hotel and Conference Center.

Myers received a bachelor of science degree in finance from Oklahoma State University in 1983 and became a certified public accountant in 1987. His past employment positions include, KPMG Peat Marwick Public Accountants; vice president of accounting for Magnolia Life Insurance Company and controller for Liberty Life Insurance Company.

Since his return to Ponca City in 1996, Myers has been involved in community activities. He is a member of Kiwanis and serves on the new Industry Committee of the Ponca City Economic Development Board.

He is also will chair the Business Plan Committee-Phase II of the Ponca City Native American Foundation. He and his wife Monya and children David, Tiffany and Jonathan are members of First Baptist Church.

Other Chamber Officers

Additional officers elected at the December Chamber Board meeting are Barry Bickle, chairman-elect; Karen Furman, vice chairman; Jim Lindsay, treasurer; Richard Severance, immediate past chairman, and Jan Jarrett, president.

Myers has listed at the 1999 Chamber objectives to co-partner with the City of Ponca City, Ponca City Tomorrow, Main Street, Tourism and the School Board; show value to the members of the Chamber; become proactive rather than reactive; assist the Economic Development Advisory Board in defined objectives of obtaining new quality employment opportunities for area residents, and ensure that board attendance is at least 80 percent at every month meeting and that board members assign themselves to at least one sub-committee.

Division and Committee Chairs

Division chairmen are Myers, Organizational and Membership Development; Barry Bickle, Governmental Affairs, and Karen Furman, Business & Community Development.

Committees and chairmen for 1999 are Ambassadors, Jean Arnold; President’s Club, C.W. Barber; Legislative Review, Steve Crank; Paul Revere Committee, Dolley Rolland; Give Ponca the Business, Debbi Weatherly; Health and Medical, Sue Lunsford; Education, Sandy James; Leadership Ponca City, tri-chairs are Carole Jeffries, Don Nuzum and Pat Morris.

Notes & Quotes

P.C. Optometrists Participate

Three Ponca City optometrists are participating in the Vision USA program, which offers free eye exams to qualified families. Those participating are doctors William Stuever, Gary Dorman and Donald Kelle.

To qualify for the free eye care, participants must have a job or live in a household in which at least one member is working part-time; have no health insurance that covers eye exams; meet certain income criteria based on household size; not have had an eye exam at a doctor’s office within the last two years and submit an application form by January 22, 1999. For more information call 1-800-766-4466.

Behrens New Dealer

Lindsay Manufacturing has announced that the newest dealer for the Silent Partner Central Vacuum line is Clyde Behrens. Behrens has been providing quality flooring since 1956.

The Silent Partner Central Vacuum is the “quiet” unit from the Vacu-Maid product line. These units operates at 74db and lower. This is lower than conversation level. This system is convenient, light weight and can add value to homes. For more information contact Clyde Behrens.

Tax Seminar

State tax practitioners can get a jump on April 15 by attending Oklahoma State University’s “Tax Update for Tax Practitioners” workshop at the OSU-Tulsa Conference Center, 700 North Greenwood, Thursday and Friday.

Sponsored by the OSU School of Accounting and the College of Business Administrations Business Extension, the workshop covers the latest changes in tax law. It also highlights technical corrections, rules and regulations that clarify previous tax changes. The two day workshop includes information about handling the Technical Corrections Act, work incentives, education credits and IRA rollovers.

Kaye Rote, a certified tax instructor who also teaches courses in tax law, business planning and how to handle payroll taxes, will conduct the workshop. A former IRS employee, Rote owns a tax firm.

Participants should be well-versed in tax law and have experience in preparing returns. Cost is $175 per person, which includes a copy of the U.S. Master Tax Guide, individual materials, and refreshments.

For more information OSU Business Extension, (405)744-5208.

OERB Restoring Hundreds Of Abandoned Oil Field Sites

Hundreds of newly restored oil field sites are evidence that the Oklahoma Energy Resources Board (OERB) has been busy in 1998, despite tough economic times for the states petroleum industry.

With oil prices at historic lows, the OERB restored nearly 500 sites during the year, bringing the four-year total for the industry-funded environmental program to 1,210.

“I think it really speaks well for Oklahoma’s producers and royalty owners, that in spite of the tough times they are facing, they continue to support OERB. That demonstrates that the industry is committed to doing the right things.” said OERB Executive Director Mike Terry.

OERB’s environmental restoration program targets abandoned or orphaned Oilfield sites recommended by the Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). The sites typically have been abandoned for more than 40 years, although today’s petroleum industry has taken responsibility for cleaning them up.

According to figures from OERB’s environmental consultant, BEACON Environmental Assistance Corp. of Edmond, 483 sites were restored during 1998. While that number fell short of the 539 restored in 1997, the result was achieved in the face of falling oil and gas prices lowering OERB revenues.

Oklahoma producers and royalty owners contribute an assessment of one-tenth of one percent on all oil and natural gas sold in the state. With oil prices falling to historically low levels, many producers are struggling to stay in business. Support for OERB and its programs remains high, however.

“We at OERB are certainly grateful for the continuing support of the state’s petroleum industry, because we understand what they are going through,” Terry said.

OERB was created in 1993 by the Oklahoma Legislature and is funded through a voluntary one tenth of one percent assessment on oil and natural gas producers and royalty owners. Any contributor who does not wish to participate in the OERB can receive a refund of his contribution.

Jobless Rate Remains High

According to the preliminary Oklahoma Security Commission report, Kay County’s unemployment rate for November was 6.5 percent, which was down from October, which listed 7.2 percent, but up from November 1997, which showed 5.1 percent.

The preliminary OSCE report shows that the November rate for the state as 3.9 percent, which was down rout-tenth’s of a percent from the revised October estimate of 4.3 percent.

Nearby Payne County’s 1.7 percent unemployment was the state’s lowest among the 77 counties in Oklahoma for the eighth straight month. Kay County ranked 15th in unemployment.

School Bond Vote Friday Forum Topic

The Second Friday Forum at Pioneer Technology Center will be on the School Bond Issue. The event is slated to being at 8 a.m. and end at 9 o’clock.

The public is invited to hear Ponca City Public Schools Superintendent Dr. William White’s presentation. The vote will be Feb. 9.

Complimentary coffee and doughnuts will be served. The forum is sponsored by the Legislative Committee of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.

SPORTS

Enid Hoping To End Years of PC Control
8th Grade Cougar Basketbal
Young PC Runner Sixth In Jr. Olympics

Enid Hoping To End Years of PC Control

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Mention Ponca City-Enid and fans envision one of the state’s longest and fiercest high school rivalries.

Except in wrestling.

Ponca City has long had one of the state’s major wrestling programs. The Wildcats have won state championships. They have sent numerous wrestlers off to major college teams. They boast two Olympic gold medalists.

Enid had its first state qualifier last year in the five-year career of current coach Cory Clayton.

Long the doormat of the region, the Plainsmen may be turning the corner just in time to give the Wildcats a battle tonight (7 p.m.) in Enid’s Mark Price Arena.

In year’s past, the Wildcats had little to do but show up for a win and, in more recent times, add one more district notch toward their match toward Dual State.

Coach Clayton hopes that is no longer the case.

“Ponca City has one of the great programs in the state and Todd Steidley is a great coach, as was Pat Young,” he said Monday.

“For a long time Ponca City had easy wins against us. Now, we can hopefully make it kind of exciting.”

Clayton has reason to be hopeful. The Plainsmen have some wrestlers with impressive numbers.

Enid’s schedule resembles a travelogue. First the Plainsmen went to the Southwest Shootout in Rio Rancho, N.M. The Shootout featured teams from Texas and New Mexico which engaged in 10 duals in two days. More recently, the Plainsmen wrestled in the Kansas Duals in Chaparral, Kan.

The busy schedule left Enid with an 8-5 dual meet record in addition to a couple of top five finishes in regular tournaments like the one in Putnam City.

By contrast, the Wildcats are 2-2 in duals and have been in two tournaments.

The Plainsmen look to be especially tough in the lighter weights.

Shawn Isaac, last year’s state qualifier, returns at 112-pounds and currently sports an 11-2 record with 10 falls. Enid’s 103 pounder Ryan Seals looks to join Isaac in a trip to the state tournament this year. He is 17-1 with 12 falls.

Enid 119-pounder Billy Hart had a 12-6 record with seven falls.

Further down the lineup, 140-pound Levi Craig is 16-4 with 14 pins.

The rest of the Enid lineup includes Derek Podolony at 125 pounds, Rudy Barnes at 130, Deandre Dority at 135, John Schreck at 145, Jeff Smith at 152, Michael Waugh at 160, Russ Choate at 171, Beau Brumfield at 189, Brandon Jenkins at 215 and Cory Hunter at heavyweight.

“We are still a pretty young team,” Clayton said. “I have a lot of sophomores and juniors in the lineup. But they are coming along pretty well.”

Clayton thinks he has the Enid program on solid footing now.

“The junior high teams are now competitive. We have three junior highs and two have teams that are competitive. Plus we have some good coaches at the junior high level and as assistants at the high school. That is what has made the program much better.”

Should the Wildcats beat Enid, the Plainsmen offer Ponca City a slim chance of returning to Dual State despite a close and controversial loss to Edmond Memorial last December.

If Enid can beat both Memorial and Edmond Santa Fe, there is a possibility of a three-way tie for the district title and the berth in Dual State.

The Wildcat lineup for tonight will look pretty much like it did before Christmas.

Coach Steidley said earlier either Demont Swindall or Phillip Brotherton will go at 103 pounds, Tony Arbona at 112, Shawn Lee at 119, Josh Bailey at 125, Clint Stafford at 130, Scott Steichen at 140, Matt Littleton at 145, Michael Osborn at 152, Blaine Empting at 160, Toby RedLeaf at 171, Jason Leavitt at 189, Jason Neurenberg at 215 and Justin Burns at heavyweight.

8th Grade Cougar Basketball

Woodward 35, Girls Blue 23

WOODWARD — The Mid-High 8th grade girls blue basketballers (6-3) started the New Year off with a bit of disappointment, Monday, falling to Woodward, 35-23.

Despite playing their foes close through 3 1/2 quarters, the Lady Cougars faltered late. Down by just one late in the game, 23-21, the Poncans were outscored 15-2 in the final moments to take the defeat.

“We played real well for 3 1/2 quarters, but we unraveled after that,” said coach Calvin English. “We got into early foul trouble, too, and we had two girls foul out.

“But I thought we played real well after coming back from Christmas break.”

All told, the Lady Cougars had 19 fouls to Woodward’s three.

Jamie Prado led the Lady Cougars with 10 points, followed by Melissa Fore with 4, Kelli Wedd with 3, while Brittany Cook, Jerri Garza and Laura Sprehe all had 2.

The Lady Cougars play again today at the Mid-High, taking on Enid Waller.

Young PC Runner Sixth In Jr. Olympics

Ponca City’s 12-year-old distance runner Chelsie Baldwin moved another step up in national recognition, finishing sixth in the USTFA Junior Olympics National Cross Country meet in Lisle, Ill., last month.

Running against over 300 runners in her age division, Baldwin finished the 3,000-meter run in 11:14, just 23 seconds behind the first-place finisher.

Approximately 3,000 runners took part in the age-bracketed event.