LOCAL

Education: Keating Still In Hot Water
Commissioners Postpone Action
KRA Board Will Study Water Rights
Nearly News

Education: Keating Still In Hot Water

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A state senator is taking issue with Gov. Frank Keating’s oft-repeated story about a Fortune 500 company executive criticizing the quality of Oklahoma’s college graduates.

In separate radio interviews in Tulsa last month, Keating said the ‘‘CEO of a Fortune 500 company’’ told him that eight of 10 Oklahoma college graduates could not pass the company’s employment test. The governor has repeated the story several times.

The incident marks the second time Keating has encountered difficulty with educational leaders in the state. Earlier this month, he was quoted as saying the best way to deal with teachers’ unions was “homicide.” The governor later said he was joking.

On Monday, state Sen. Kevin Easley, D-Broken Arrow, produced a letter from Southwestern Oklahoma State University president Joe Anna Hibler that rebuts Keating’s story.

The letter was sent to Gene Nelson of Duncan, a member of the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges.

Keating did not identify the CEO or the company used to illustrate his story, although Hibler said it was a reference to Imation, which operates a plant in Weatherford. Keating recently toured the plant.

Hibler said that during the tour, a low-level local plant manager made the statement Keating quoted.

The statement was not made about the graduates of all Oklahoma colleges and universities, as Keating stated, but was limited to Southwestern State University, Hibler’s letter said.

She also said the statement was about applicants for one specialized technical position, not job applicants in general, as Keating implied. She said the plant manager in Weatherford volunteered to write a letter to Keating explaining the situation.

‘‘I can’t understand why the governor would go out of his way to invent a story that unjustly criticizes state colleges and the graduates they produce,’’ Easley said.

‘‘It hurts our economic development efforts and destroys his credibility.’’

He said Keating knows his story is false but refuses to retract it.

‘‘He’s ignored the facts and created the false perception that Oklahoma college graduates are incompetent,’’ Easley said.

Keating press secretary John Cox accused Easley of ‘‘political grandstanding.’’

His response to Easley’s allegations avoided using ‘‘Fortune 500’’ or ‘‘CEO,’’ substituting, instead, ‘‘a western Oklahoma company’’ and ‘‘management.’’

Commissioners Postpone Action

By BOB PATTERSON

News City Editor

The Ponca City Board of Commissioners, meeting as members of the Ponca City Development Authority, decided Monday to table action on an addendum to a lease agreement between the city and Unitherm Food Systems Inc.

That decision was made after discussion from several sources revealed that there seemed to be a problem with the matter of sub-contractors counting in the full-time equivalent employees.

“I feel that after reviewing the addendum that we still have a matter to be resolved, and I can’t recommend approval of it at this time,” City Attorney Kevin Murphy told Mayor Tom Leonard and the other four city commissioners.

Information available for the commissioners noted that in 1995, PCDA purchased and leased a building to Unitherm under such terms that the rent would be paid by the employment of local people. Unitherm was given a grace period of three years before rent was to be paid.

April 1, 1998, commenced Unitherm’s first rent paying year, which was to be computed as of March 30, 1999. The original agreement provided that if Unitherm provided 70 full-time jobs for the year, Unitherm’s total lease for the year would be paid as an incentive for it establishing its business here in Ponca City.

For every job less than 70, Unitherm was to pay PCDA $936 for rent. These 70 jobs were to be calculated on the basis of full-time equivalent employees.

The formula for determining FTE jobs was total hours worked by hourly workers divided by 2,000 equals total FTEs. Unitherm also received one FTE for each salaried worker.

When it came time this past March to do FTE computations, Unitherm complained that it had paid a lot of money out of independent contractors which it had had to utilize because there were no local qualified personnel who could do the work which it required. There was no provision for it to get any credit under the existing incentive agreement for these type workers.

According to information resources of Murphy, City Clerk Mark LaBossiere and Jan Jarrett, Chamber of Commerce, this new agreement changes the way FTE is calculated and who may be counted as an FTE.

Essentially, FTE is calculated by taking total money paid to or for personnel related to engineering, research, servicing, development, finance, sales or manufacturing of Unitherm’s products divided by $10 equal to the total FTEs.

Attorney David Cummings representing Unitherm said he thought the matter had been resolved with the city attorney, including the sub-contractors that were to be included in the full-time jobs situation.

Jarrett told the commissioners that the addendum does show improvement over the original contract, but if there were some matters that needed to be clarified they should be.

Commissioners felt they had no choice but to table the agreement until the attorneys could get things straightened out. So no action was taken Monday. When the addendum will go before the PCDA again will be determined by the attorneys.

KRA Board Will Study Water Rights

Kaw Reservoir Authority [KRA] at the 11:30 a.m., Thursday luncheon meeting at the Ponca City Library Program Room, will hear about water rights.

Richard Landes, Landes Engineering, will give a brief overview on water rights involving the Oklahoma Water Resources Board; storage contracts with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the existing KRA facility.

The original study for development of the KRA was completed in 1976 and involved ten member communities and three associate members of Breisch Engineering Company, which is no longer in business.

The original study was about distribution of treated water and Phil Cline, Corps of Engineers, is to give an overview of Phase I of the study. He will talk about Planning Assistance to States program for water resource development, this would be 50 percent non-federal match dollars and 50 percent federal dollars.

Jan Holsomback, Corps of Engineers, is slated to discuss the water storage contracts associated with water rights and water resource. Lou Klaver of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board is also on the program.

Action items could include cost sharing and funding options, KRA member assessments and state contribution [50-50].

Nearly News

According to a Conoco news release, its local refinery is undergoing unscheduled downtime on its #5 Fluid Catalytic Cracker.

The work is expected to last until next week and will result in a larger than normal flare.

DEATHS

Delbert N. Thompson
Dale Robert Shaw
Rosie Black Wilds
Gertrude Irene Kincheloe
James Elvester Parent
Kevin Edward Gordon
Wesley Adam Brown
Savannah M. Altman
Arthur Rinehart

Delbert N. Thompson

OKLAHOMA CITY — Delbert N. Thompson, formerly of Arkansas City, Kan., died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000, at the Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He was 72.

The funeral will be held 10 a.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2000, at the Wilson-Little Funeral Home Chapel in Purcell with the Rev. Keith H. Butler officiating. Burial will be in the Hillside Cemetery in Purcell.

Delbert N. Thompson was born July 6, 1927, in Arkansas City, Kan., the son of Arthur Lee Thompson and Betty Beatrice Kindred Thompson. He grew up and attended school in Arkansas City. At the age of 17, he entered the United States Navy and served during World War II. After the war, he returned home and was employed as a butcher. On July 11, 1948, he married Lavona Mae Corbin of Ponca City, and, in 1951, he became employed with Santa Fe Railroad. In 1958, they moved to Purcell where he was employed with the railroad, retiring as a carman on July 8, 1989, after 38 years. He lived in Purcell until 1973, when they moved to the Oklahoma City area.

After retirement, he enjoyed traveling, gardening, working with his hands with wood and ceramics, and making Christmas candy.

Survivors include his wife of the home; two brothers, James Thompson of Watertown, Mass., and Arnold Thompson of Del City; two sisters, Dora Mae Zimmerman of Oklahoma City and Elizabeth Herrmann of Bethany; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one son, Leon Thompson.

Casket bearers will be Garland Anderson, Bill Walraven, Orberry Talbot, Dayle Bartlett, Loc Van Lee and Hale Gibson. Honorary bearers will be Bill, Noble, Marvin, Water and Bobby Corbin, and Harold and Frank Gibson.

Dale Robert Shaw

BLACKWELL — Dale Robert Shaw, resident of Blackwell, died Saturday afternoon, Feb. 26, 2000, at his home in Blackwell. He was 82.

The funeral will be 2 p.m. Thursday, March 2, 2000, in the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell with the Rev. Gale Izard officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home. The American Legion and the VFW will perform the flag presentation.

Dale Robert Shaw was born Dec. 31, 1917, in Ingersoll, Okla., the son of Lester E. and Bessie Mae (Roush) Shaw. As a young boy, he lived in several communities including Ryan, Alva, Elk City, Hollis, Pawhuska and Stillwater, where his father served as pastor of the local Nazarene church. He attended Stillwater High School, graduating in 1936.

He then began working at the J.C. Penney Store in Stillwater and was transferred to the Blackwell store in 1941. He married Alba M. Hogue on March 28, 1942, in Blackwell, and they settled there. He entered the United States Air Force on July 25, 1942, serving in Italy during World War II. Following his discharge, he returned to work for J.C. Penney’s in Blackwell. He was reactivated into the Air Force on Sept. 8, 1948, and served in Seoul, South Korea, during the Korean War. He was discharged as a master sergeant flight chief on Aug. 7, 1952, and returned to Blackwell, where he began working as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service. He also worked for a short time for the Blackwell Zinc Company.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Blackwell. He also held membership in the National Association of Retired Letter Carriers, Blackwell Elks Lodge, American Legion and VFW in Blackwell.

He is survived by his wife of the home; two sons, Barry Dale Shaw of Blackwell and Neil R. Shaw of Tulare, Calif.; his twin sister, Della Leopard of Blackwell; a brother, Walter A. Shaw of Collinsville, Mo.; six grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Hallie and Lea Shaw.

Casket bearers will be Larry J. Tripp, Lowell Rodgers, Ronnie Finch, Gary Leslie, Don Eden and Jack Bell. Honorary bearers will be James Sneath, R.L. Ballard, Ervin Valentine, Walter Lafferty, Max Phillips and Max Payne.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the First United Methodist Church, Sixth and Coolidge, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.

Rosie Black Wilds

SELMER , Tenn. — Rosie Black Wilds, formerly of Ponca City, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000, in Lexington Healthcare Center of Streamwood, Ill. She was 89.

The funeral was to be held at 1 p.m. today, March 29, 2000, in the Shackelford Funeral Home Chapel in Selmer, Tenn., with burial in the Pebble Hill Cemetery in Michie, Tenn.

Rosie Black Wilds was born Sept. 13, 1910, in McNairy County, Tenn., the daughter of Robert Monroe and Linda Wood Black. She married Luke Wilds, now deceased. She was a homemaker and was employed as a nurses aid.

Survivors include four daughters, Phyllis Carpenter of Ponca City, Ermal Rorie of Corinth, Miss., Mary Bagley of Hanover Park, Ill., Vonnie Villanuenva of Zion, Ill.; two sons, Neal Wilds of Cleveland, Ohio, and James Wilds of Selmer, Tenn.; two stepdaughters, Lewell Lee of Michie, Tenn., and Martha Leona Strother of Little Rock, Ark.; 20 grandchildren; 50 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; one son, Dennie Black; one sister, Beulah Lutterall; and a brother, Elvis Black.

Gertrude Irene Kincheloe

BLACKWELL — Gertrude Irene Kincheloe, resident of Blackwell, died late Sunday evening, Feb. 27, 2000, in the Blackwell Nursing Home. She was 90.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2000, at the James W. Roberts Memorial Chapel at the Blackwell Cemetery with the Rev. Geoffrey Pfaff of the First Presbyterian Church in Blackwell officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

Gertrude Irene Kincheloe was born May 20, 1909, in Seymore, Iowa, the daughter of Emzy and Myrtle (Michael) Bishop. As a young girl, she moved with her family to Anthony, Kan., where she grew up and attended school. She married at age 16, and they settled in Anthony. She later married J.V. “Bill” Kincheloe on April 27, 1936, in Wellington, Kan., and they settled in Anthony, Kan.

In 1942, they moved to Blackwell, where her husband worked as the chief engineer for the Blackwell Power Plant, and she was a homemaker. During her children’s youth, she was involved in their many activities including scouting. Her husband preceded her in death on July 20, 1971, and she remained in Blackwell. She was a member of the First Christian Church in Blackwell, the Blackwell VFW Auxiliary and the Army Mothers.

Survivors include two sons, Jim Kincheloe and Max Kincheloe, both of Blackwell; two brothers, Dean Bishop of Blackwell and Richard Bishop of Wichita, Kan.; two sisters, Nellie Faye Dunlap of Lake Isabelle, Calif., and Thelma Adkinson of Florida; seven grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Betty Jo Smith; two sons, Clyde Edward Keeble and Bobby Gene Keeble; two brothers, Howard Bishop and Harlan Bishop; a sister Sarah Mortimer; and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation — Diabetes Fund, c/o Roberts and Son Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.

James Elvester Parent

FAIRFAX — James Elvester Parent, former resident of Fairfax, died Saturday, Feb. 26, 2000, at his home in Grants, N.M. He was 82.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2000, at Kaw City Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

James Elvester Parent was born May 13, 1917, in Pittsburg, Okla., the son of Hillary and Elizabeth Herring Parent. He farmed and ranched in the Fairfax area from 1947 to 1957, when the family moved to Grants, N.M., where he has lived since.

He is survived by his wife, Betty LaRue Parent; four sons, Charles Floyd Parent of Albuquerque, N.M., Billy Dwayne Parent of Pine Valley, Calif., Paul Gene Parent of Oklahoma City, and Jerry Mikel Parent of Pecos, Texas; one daughter, Linda Parent Wagoner of Muskogee; a stepdaughter, Cheryl Undieme of Albuquerque, N.M.; 21 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Maudie Smith Parent, and a son, Leonard Parent.

Friends may view from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Wednesday at Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home in Fairfax.

Kevin Edward Gordon

BLACKWELL — Kevin Edward Gordon, resident of Blackwell, died Monday, Feb. 28, 2000, in the St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, Kan. He was 14.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 2, 2000, in the Blackwell Cemetery with the Rev. Rowland Briggs of the Immanuel Baptist church in Blackwell officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home.

Kevin Edward Gordon was born April 16, 1985, in Wichita, Kan., the son of Franklin Segura and Lavelle Gordon. At the age of 8, he moved with his family to Abilene, Texas, where he attended school for one year. They then moved to Blackwell, where he attended Blackwell public schools. While in school, he participated in the Special Olympics and won several medals. He attended the Immanuel Baptist Church in Blackwell.

Survivors include his parents of the home; two brothers, Calvin Gordon and Melvin Gordon, both of Blackwell; and his grandmother, Delores Segura of Stamford, Texas.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Immanuel Baptist Church, Crisis Closet, 1600 South Thirteenth, Blackwell, Okla. 74631.

Obituaries

Wesley Adam Brown

Wesley Adam Brown, Ponca City resident, died early Monday morning, Feb. 28, 2000, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 93.

The funeral will be held Thursday morning, 10 a.m., in the First Baptist Church Chapel with the Rev. Hance Dilbeck, pastor, officiating assisted by Rev. Louis Headman, pastor of Ponca Indian Nazarene Church. Committal service will be held that afternoon at 3:30 p.m. at the Oaklawn Cemetery in Wynnewood, under direction of the Trout Funeral Home.

Born June 16, 1906, on the family farm near Marlow, he was the son of Zenas Eugene and Zora Leona (Miller) Brown. He received his education in Elmore City schools, a bachelor’s degree from Central State Teacher’s College and a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University.

He taught at Central State in the 1930s, and in the mid 1930s began his civil service career in Indian education as superintendent with the White Eagle Indian schools. On April 13, 1940, he was married to Mary Ralphene (Stone) in Perkins. Mr. Brown worked with the White Eagle schools until the early 1960s. He worked for the Osage Indian schools at Pawhuska in 1962 and the Otoe-Missouria Indian schools in Red Rock.

Following his retirement in 1969, the couple lived in Russellville, Ark., for a short time before returning to Ponca City in 1974. He enjoyed woodworking, remodeling homes and working on his farm. Mr. Brown was a member of the First Baptist Church, the Fellowship Sunday School Class of the church, the Masonic Lodge 308 AF&AM of Red Rock, the Kay County Retired Teachers Association, and member of Oklahoma Education Association and National Education Association.

Wesley loved to hear from former students and the accomplishments of their lives. He was the happiest when they came by to share these with him. He really loved all children and was a great encourager of them and could always see their potential. His profession was well chosen because of that love.

Wesley leaves a host of friends and relatives, and his memory will live on after him. We will miss him very much.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ralphene Brown of the home of Ponca City; and four daughters, Mrs. Wade (Donna) Weigle of Ponca City, Mrs. Jim (Shari) Tarver of Moore, and Mrs. Robert (Belva) Whitley and Joy Isenhower, both of Pearson. Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. Delpha Doss of Oklahoma City and Mrs. Catherine Grady of Dallas, Texas. Additional survivors include six grandchildren, Sheli Tarver, Keli Tarver, Adam Tarver, Mark Whitley, Jana Skinner and Kevin Isenhower. There are four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews surviving. In addition to his parents, three brothers, Lesley, Zack and Floyd Brown preceded him in death.

Honorary casket bearers will be grandchildren.

The family will be at the Trout Funeral Home Wednesday evening from 7 until 8 p.m. to receive friends.

paid obituary

Savannah M. Altman

Savannah M. Altman, longtime Ponca City resident, died early Monday, Feb. 28, 2000, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 88.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, 2000, in the Odd Fellows Cemetery with the Rev. Terry N. Barker, pastor of St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Savannah Altman was born June 27, 1911, in Timbo, Ark.; she was the daughter of Albert and Mamie (Taylor) Hess. On Oct. 19, 1932, she was married to Joe A. Altman in Timbo, Ark. The couple moved to Ponca City in 1933. Mrs. Altman was a member of the Free Will Baptist Church and enjoyed crocheting and gardening.

Surviving are her son, A.J. Altman and his wife Jerry, of Ponca City; a daughter-in-law, Ellen Altman; and nine grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in 1972; and one son, Bob Altman in 1995; three brothers and one sister.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday evening.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Arthur Rinehart

Arthur Rinehart, resident of Ponca City and Rockport, Texas, died Monday morning, Feb. 28, 2000, at Rockport, Texas. He was 81. Survivors include a daughter, Kay Thompson of Ponca City. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

NEWS BRIEFS

Pancake/Sausage Supper — A pancake and sausage supper is planned for 5-7 p.m. Friday, March 3, at the Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm. Cost is $4 per adult and $2 for each child.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

International Club — Members of the International Club will meet for lunch at the Hunan Gardens on North Fourteenth at noon March 1. Contact Nadia Salama, 762-7984, to make reservations.

Every Wednesday ð price clothes and shoes, except priced items. Check our daily specials.

Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of South Avenue and South First Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:54 a.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Poetry Wanted — Sunshine Publishing is accepting poems for the anthology entitled “Whispers in the Wind.” No fee for publication; limit of 3 poems, 25 lines or less. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope to Sunshine Publishing, Attn: Whispers, P.O. Box 413832, Kansas City, Mo. 64141-3832. All writers, experienced or beginners, are encouraged to participate.

State Certified DUI School Bridgeway, Inc. is Kay Co.'s only local non-profit organization that

offers both mid week and weekend DUI Schools and Assessments. Next school scheduled

Friday, March 3rd and Saturday, March 4th starting at 5:00 p.m. We now offer the 24 hr. DUI School. Call 762-1462 for reservations and information. adv.

Tires Slashed — A woman from the 400 block of East Central Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:03 a.m. Monday that several vehicles had slashed tires. An officer was assigned and a destruction of private property report was taken.

Food Orders — Heartland FoodShare orders will be taken March 2 and 3, and March 9 and 10. Volunteer two hours a month to qualify to purchase $16.60 share. Pickup date will be March 25. Orders will be taken Thursdays and Fridays only at RSVP, 113 North Fourth Street.

Navy, CB’s, Coast Guards, Merchant Marines, will have a Navy bean and S.O.S dinner on March

22, at 6:30 P.M. at the Legion Hall, bring any memorabilia or stories. For more information call 762-4038. adv.

Property not Returned — A man from the 1400 block West South Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:16 a.m. Monday that some rental property had not been returned. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Dirty Dogs? Tee-Kay Pets can help! Grooming appointments Monday-Friday Starting at 7:30

a.m. and now on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. Walk-ins welcome. 8:00 to 12:00 weekdays. Tee-Kay Pets 916 East Highland. 762-3020. adv.

Vehicle Removed — A man reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:36 a.m. Monday that a vehicle with flat tires was in the middle of South Avenue at the intersection of South Elm Street. An officer was assigned and the abandoned vehicle was towed from the scene.

Shop With us until 7 p.m. on Thursdays! Mrs. Brown Attic. Ponca Plaza. adv.

Grass Fire — The Communications Center received a report at 10:43 a.m. Monday that a grass fire was burning at Pecan Road and East Prospect Avenue. Four units from the Ponca City Fire Department responded as did Kildare Volunteer Fire Department with a tanker unit. Information was logged that the fire was out at 12:36 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. 765-9689. adv.

Threats — A juvenile from the 500 block of North Second Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department reported at 2:08 p.m. Monday that a threat had been made. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Assault — An employee at the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:37 p.m. Monday that a 17-year-old girl was receiving treatment for injuries from a fight. Two officers were assigned and information was logged.

Parking Problem — A woman from the 1100 block of East Otoe Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:52 a.m. Monday that a vehicle was blocking the alley. An officer was assigned, unable to make contact with the owner, and the vehicle was towed from the scene.

25 Cents a gallon drinking water. Pure Water Wagon 1717 N.5th. adv.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 10:53 a.m. Monday that a 17-year-old boy was being held for auto burglary.

Theft — A woman from the 200 block of South Osage Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:14 p.m. Monday that a check had been stolen.

Burglary — A woman from the 400 block of North Palm Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:39 p.m. Monday that the residence appeared to be burglarized. An officer was assigned and a second degree burglary report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 900 block of North Fifth Street at 1:41 p.m. Monday that an 18-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.

Hit and Run — A woman from the 500 block of West Highland Avenue reported to the Ponca city Police Department at 2:07 p.m. Monday that a post in front of a business firm had been hit. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Kitchen Fire — Units from three Ponca City Fire Department stations responded at 3:12 p.m. Monday to a kitchen fire at a residence in the 600 block of South Eleventh Street.

Accident — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident in the west bound lanes of Lake Road just west of Pecan Road was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:18 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Grass Fire — A woman from the 2000 block of Willow reported to the Communications Center at 3:23 p.m. Monday that a grass fire was burning close to a residence. The Ponca city Fire Department sent units to the scene to handle the situation.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 100 block of North Palm Street at 1:38 a.m. Tuesday that a 19-year-old man was being held for actual physical control, transporting an open container, minor in possession of beer, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Accident — A vehicle accident three miles east on Lake Road was reported to the Communications Center at 6 p.m. Monday. Two units from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the scene.

Requests Assistance — A woman reported to the Communications Center at 6:15 p.m. Monday that her vehicle had hit something in the roadway at the intersection of Oklahoma 156 and U.S. 60 and the vehicle was spilling gasoline. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Department was notified to handle the situation.

Theft — A clerk at Mid-West Easy Stop, 1100 North Union Street reported at 6:52 p.m. Monday that a man had taken two 30-packs of beer without paying. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Bitten by Dog — An employee at the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:10 p.m. Monday that a 40-year-old woman was being treated for being bitten by a stray dog while in the 200 block of South Ash Street. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Assault — An employee at the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:41 p.m. Monday that a 26-year-old man was being treated for injuries that had occurred at Lake Ponca. An officer was assigned and an assault with a deadly weapon report was taken.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Citgo, 400 East South Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:49 p.m. Monday that a man had left without paying for $14.81 worth of gasoline. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Overturned Vehicle — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 12:15 a.m. Tuesday that a semi-box trailer had overturned on U.S. 60 at 8 Mile Road. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Osage County Sheriff’s Office was notified, and two units from the Ponca City Fire Department responded. Information was logged that there were no injuries.

Fire — The Communications Center received a report at 2:31 a.m. Tuesday that a fire was burning at the docks of Mid-America Door, 1001 West Hartford Avenue. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department responded and reported the fire in some trash was almost out upon his arrival.

LIFESTYLES

The Neighborhood Chef
Little News
Sarah Denning Is State Finalist
NOC Needs Information About 1930, 1940, 1950 Alumni

The Neighborhood Chef

by Sherry Muchmore

We’ve received several requests from readers for recipes they’ve used over the years but have either lost or forgotten the recipe. If any of you remember or have these old favorites, please let us hear from you. Wouldn’t you love to have a recipe for fresh yeast rolls that its dough will keep for up to 3 weeks in the refrigerator?

“Greetings from Fresno, California. I have lost my recipe for refrigerator rolls. Do you think one of your readers might have this recipe? It was made with yeast and lasted in the refrigerator in a closed container for up to 3 weeks. It was nice because you could bake only what you needed at the time. I had gotten the recipe at a Tupperware Party. Thanks.”

Patricia (Goldman) Hardy, Fresno, CA

This other request is anonymous but the recipe sounded like something good to try. So please, if you remember the Wilderness filling recipe, share it with us.

“Several years ago, I prepared crepes with a warm pudding-like filling made with cherry pie filling. The filling had almonds in it. I cant find my recipe but the recipe was originally on the Wilderness Pie filling label.”

Several weeks ago, we asked for your favorite vegetable cheese soup recipes. The following soup is one we received that is hearty enough to be a meal in itself. Sue says after you make it the first time, you may want to increase the vegetables, ham and broccoli. I use shredded turkey ham because it gives more flavor. Serve with hot crusty Italian or French bread and enjoy.

Cheddar Cheese Vegetable Soup

Sue Ziegenhain, PC, OK

1 stick ( cup) margarine

or butter

4 stalks celery, diced

2 carrots, diced

1/2 medium - large onion,

diced

1/2 cup flour

3/4 teaspoon paprika

8 cups chicken broth

(4 cans Swanson

chicken broth)

1 cup broccoli pieces

1 cup shredded ham

1 4-ounce bits and pieces

mushrooms

1 pounds Velveeta cheese

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 quart (4 cups) Half &

Half

In a large soup kettle, melt butter; add diced celery, carrots and onion; saute until tender. Stir in flour and paprika. Continue stirring until bubbly. Add broth, broccoli, ham and mushrooms. Stir until smooth. Simmer approximately 1 hour. Add cheese, Half & Half and Worcestershire. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and mixture heated. DO NOT BOIL. Serves 6 to 8

Note: We’ve been told that California Medley cheese soup will once again be served during the Country Harvest Show (Land of Country) at the Hutchins Auditorium sometime around the second week-end in September.

Several years ago many thoughtful people provided comfort and food for our family during some difficult times. Everyone raved about Betsy’s potatoes then and I know you will now. They have that ‘down home goodness.’ A hearty addition to any meal and especially good when teamed with plain cuts of meat, such as chops, chicken breasts or ham.

Betsy’s Scalloped Potatoes

Betsy Carter, Ponca City, OK

6 medium potatoes or 8-10

red potatoes

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon pepper

1 stick of butter or

margarine ( cup)

8 ounces Cheddar cheese,

grated (approx. 2 cups)

1 can cream of mushroom

soup

1 bunch green onions

(chopped)

1/4 cup milk

1 cup sour cream

Boil potatoes and peel after they have cooled. Thinly slice and arrange potatoes in a layer in the bottom of a greased round casserole or rectangular dish. Salt, pepper and dot with butter. Sprinkle with chopped onion. Sprinkle grated cheese on top of this layer. Repeat in layers until all the potatoes have been used.

Meanwhile, heat the mushroom soup, milk and sour cream until warm and blended (don’t boil). Pour over the top of potato layers and bake in a 350 degree oven until bubbly, approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Note: The white potato is also good as a boiling potato. The texture is similar to the red, more of a smooth, less mealy texture.

I couldn't tell you how long its been since I’d had Copper Pennies. Then Pauline Dickey called and asked if we had such a recipe. I searched around and came up with several using similar ingredients with a slight variance in amounts. I think I prefer the sweeter one but chose for yourself.

Copper Pennies

1 10.5-oz. can tomato soup

1/2 cup salad oil

2/3 cup granulated sugar

3/4 cup vinegar

1 teaspoon prepared

mustard

1 teaspoon Worcestershire

sauce

4 cups sliced canned

carrots or 2 pounds

cooked sliced fresh

carrots (1/4 inch thick)

(Cover carrots with

water and cook 8-10

minutes) Drained

1 medium onion sliced in

thin rings

1 small to medium bell

pepper, sliced in

narrow strips

1/2 teaspoon salt

Whisk together and simmer the soup, oil, sugar, vinegar, mustard, salt and Worcestershire sauce until all the sugar has dissolved and/or slightly thickened. Add cooked carrots, bell pepper and sliced onion. Pour marinade and vegetables into a dish; cover and refrigerate overnight. Keeps for at least a week. Makes 6 to 10 servings.

Variation: Less sugar (1/2 cup) and vinegar (2/3 cup) and more Worcestershire (1 tablespoon).

Send your recipes to: The Neighborhood Chef, c/o The Ponca City News, P.O. Box 191, Ponca City, OK 74602, or e-mail me at: chef@poncacitynews.com (All recipes become property of The Ponca City News.)

Little News

A daughter was born at 10:50 p.m. Feb. 24, 2000, to Corp. Todd and Amy Pameticky at the fort Bragg Army Hospital in North Carolina. Kylee Marie Pameticky weighed 6 pounds, 6 ounces, and was 18 inches long.

Maternal grandparents are Bill and Janice Johnston of Melrose, N.M. Great-grandparents are Lela Dean of Artesia, N.M., Charles Johnston of Amarillo, Texas, and the late Raymond Dean.

Paternal grandparents are Jeff and Glenda Pameticky of Ponca City. Great-grandparents are Mildred Pameticky of Ponca City, the late Ed Pameticky, and the late Verle and Florence Muret.

Hannah Beth DelToro was born at 9:25 a.m. Feb. 22, 2000, in Austin, Texas, the daughter of Rachel and Brent DelToro of Cedar Park, Texas. Hannah weighed 2 pounds, 6 ounces, and will remain in the Neonatal ICU at Seton Medical Center in Austin, Texas, until May. Mary Calkin of Ponca City, maternal grandmother, reports that Hannah is doing well. Paternal grandparents are Luz and Lola DelToro of Seabrook, Texas.

Sarah Denning Is State Finalist

Sarah Denning, 6, daughter of Travis and Catrina Denning of Newkirk, has been named as a state finalist in the Miss Oklahoma American Coed Pageant to be held June 16-18 in Tulsa. The pageant is held for girls ages 3 through 17, each competing within their own age division. The winner of each division will receive numerous prizes.

Sarah’s favorite activities include riding her bike and playing soccer. She is sponsored by family, friends and area businesses.

NOC Needs Information About 1930, 1940, 1950 Alumni

Northern Oklahoma College is searching for current addresses of members of the Classes of 1930, 1940 and 1950 to be honored at the annual Alumni Reunion April 29.

Members of these honored classes are invited to send brief bios and photographs by March 31 for inclusion in the reunion souvenir booklet. Information may be sent to Jeanne Ackerson, Director of Alumni, Northern Oklahoma College, P.O. Box 310, Tonkawa, OK 74653-0310, telephone (580) 628-6208.

Addresses are needed for the following graduates:

Class of 1930

Preparatory department: Thurman Dupy, Fred Faris, Garland Fox, Ruby Gardner, Dorothy Hanz, Grace Hunt, Anna Jueschke, Curtis Lewis, Bernal Mornhinweg, Roscoe Newson, Edith Osborne, Helen Prunty, Austin Rynerson, Mary Salyer, Olive Skinner, Ona May Skinner, Geneva Tucker, Glenn Waggoner, James Williams, Lela Williams and James Wyckoff.

Junior college department: Richard Gode, Velma Stark and Charles Winkler.

Class of 1940

Preparatory department: Genevieve Guyle, Nina Mae Miller, Jesse George Morris, Maudine Martini Prunty, Mary Robertson and Clara Frances Wall.

Junior college department: Joyce Marie Abbott, Ida Lorene Affholder, George Louis Alexander, Eugene Harold Anderson, Belle Beatrice Anson, Helen Gene Barclay, Glenn Terrance Bodman, Juanita May Bowman, Lois Adele Brown, Felix Carrol Bryant, Ida Virginia Bushorr, Geneva Dora Byers.

Also, Bernice Alwilda Campbell, Velma Louise Campbell, William Lee Card, Arlene Claybaker, Geraldine Melvena Coombes, Lawrence Dale Davis, Thelma Ruth Delano, Martin Noel DeVore, Mackey Dorrel Ditmore, Pauline Helen Dorman, Jack Franklin Eberle, Robert R. Elliott, J.W. Elkins, Winifred Ellsworth.

Including, Sam B. Foreman, Robert William Foster, Carl William Freeman, Mark N. Freeman, Barbara Jane French, Jack Oron Glaze, Mary Ellen Goodnight, Duane Harold Green, Marjorie Wilma Harris, Josephine Louise Hill, James W. Hock, Robert G. Hornbeck, Phillip Edmond Hughes, Robert H. Jacobs.

And, Orville Stark Kildow, Jack Clayton Kille, Marguerite Marie Killion, Joe J. Knight, Elton Robert Krehbiel, Ruth Jean Marsh, Mary Ella McBee, Virginia Ross McCain, Warren Phil McCartney, Bruce Mervin McConnell, Eva LaRose McConnell, Mary Ruth McKeeman, Carol Ruth Mott, Emerson Bradley Munson.

Also, Joe Wesley Osborne, Gerald Edwin Peck, Raymond Gilbert Plumer, Joyce Marcella Potter, Robert G. Powell, Allen E. Pryor, J. Robert Perkins, Clyde D. Pinkstaff, Pauline Opal Rader, Hugh Wayne Randel, Clifford V. Reed, Elfreda Mary Reid, Johnie G. Riggs, Kenneth Frank Robison, Ruth Lillian Rosebery.

Including, Virginia Clarice Schall, Jim Kay Schisler, Milton H. Schonwaldt, Dean LaGene Schug, June Ella Skalnik, Orlin Dale Smith, Ruth Elva Snyder, Bertha LoVelle States, Marion Irene Stewart, Ella LoDema Taylor, Bill Keith Tearney, Ferne Evella Thomas, Vivian L. Thompson, Jr., Neal R. Vannest, Clifford Willis Wakefield, Lois Mae Wallace, Mildred Blanche Westgate, William R. Willerton, Faye Berneice Wirtz, Laurence Martin Wolf, Doris Ione Wyckoff, Bob H. Young.

Class of 1950

Preparatory (high school) department: Robert Guy Gummow and Carol Fred Hanan.

Junior college department: John Roger Allspaugh, Jack Eugene Avant, Bryce Leon Beck, Jack Lee Beller, Barbara Elizabeth Berglund, Donald Eugene Bogart, Bill Ralph Brown, Lawrence Eldridge Bryan, Charles Francis Butler, Buford Allen Campbell, Robert Bruce Carpenter, Mary Ann Chase, James Henry Childers, Marion Thomas Clifton, Kennith Robert Cook, Sammye Ann Daigle, Ruth Irlene Denton, Lola Marie Dobson, Don Alan Drassen, Patricia Ann Duffy.

Also, John Clarke Estes, Clovis Sylvester Evans, Eldon Clephane Forbis, Mary Lois Frost, Francis Bryan Gates, Ruth Ann Goodwin, Kerney Francis Graham, Richard Edward Green, Albert Dean Hale, Bruce Allen Hannaford, Henry Dexter Harman, Joan Irene Harrisburger, John Chaney Hill, Dorothy Jean Larimer, Stanley Jack LeVeque, Eldon Leon Mannering, William Eugene McClung, Bobby Gene McConnell, Jack Raymond Morgan, Dale Allen Mrazek, Marty Malcomb Mulkey.

Including, Genevieve H. O’Donnell, Walter John Owsley, Robert Edwin Parrish, Wesley L. Pershall, Druscilla Leah Peier, William Emerson Pierce, Bill Gene Powell, Colleen Barbara Priebe, William W. Reynolds, John Adams Robertson, Laura Ruth Sanders, Isaac William Roe, Murel Eugene Schlapbach, Marilyn Schriver, Edith Arlene Shaffer, Waymon M. Underwood, Donald Lee Sloan, Leonard Alan Stangeland, Kenneth Leroy Stewart, Robert Dean Watkins, Ruth Jean Watkins, Kenneth Duane Webb and Charles Joseph White.

BUSINESS

Conoco Executive Notes Future Bright
Conoco Activity Best in Industry
Benefits Above Wages Keeps Employees Happy
Sales Tax Distribution Increases
Chamber Announces Plans For Trip to State Capitol May 9
Big Sky Celebrates New Flights
Barber Attends Conference
Cleveland Attends Seminar

Conoco Executive Notes Future Bright

Editor’s Note: This is the last in a series of three stories based upon a taped interview with Mike Fretwell, General Manager, Mid-Continent Business Unit, Refining and Marketing — North America.

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

Commenting on the future of Conoco here and in general, Mike Fretwell, General Manager, Mid-Continent Business Unit, Refining and Marketing — North America, said, “I think we have a bright and competitive future.” The Conoco executive explained, “We’re trying to find ways to make well thought through investments to secure the future of the plant in terms of lowering the crude oil costs that we put into it. This is a very important strategic step for us.”

Fretwell noted that he came to Ponca City from the International arena and it is interesting to come to an operation that has been in existence for 75 years. He said, “Basically the reason for the location of these refineries is that the oil fields were discovered years ago at the beginning of the century in Oklahoma.

“Today that oil is dwindling and it is expensive and one of the really important things I hope to do and have some legacy about and something I know that other colleagues in the business have been working very hard on is to find our way to connect the refinery to the international markets Canada and the Gulf Coast pipelines.”

Securing the Future of the Refinery

He explained, “Because it is strategically imperative for to us to lower the cost of our crude oil and to be able to make the same products from lower cost inputs. And the clean fuels initiatives are really a part of that whole equation.

“If we can make investments to make clean fuels and at the same time have those investments enable us to make a step change in our ability to process cheaper crude oils then what we are doing with that strategic step is we are really securing the future of the refinery.”

Fretwell continued, “Because staying as we are, processing local crude oils here in Oklahoma and Texas, those crude oil supplies are dwindling and they are expensive. To remain competitive that is probably the biggest single thing that we can do.”

P.C. Refinery Doing Good Job

“The guys have done a terrific job here over the last three or four years since we focused our business and tried to make it efficient and cost competitive and running what we had out there in the plant very well. This refinery compared to all the other refineries that we have anywhere in Conoco actually operates the most reliably and has very good performance characteristics around costs reliability and those are very important things for us in making sure we are competitive,” Fretwell said.

Fretwell continued, “But these are almost prerequisites to be in the business today. Everybody is doing that so what we have to find is the next step change in order to really help business to enjoy better margins continue to prosper.”

Marketers and Transportation

“The marketers and transportation people have done a very good job of concentrating our marketing in areas where we have some supply advantages and we’ll continue to do that.”

He added, “And our ambition is to continue to grow in these targeted markets. We wish to be market leader in those areas, we are number two or three in many of the markets that we serve and we are close to being number one.

“We are number one is some markets and our ambition is in the targeted market that we have identified to be the number one player and to have all the product that we produce here placed in control markets. Controlled from the standpoint that we control the transportation and that really makes us a competitive business unit. So those are the things we’re looking forward to doing in the business to the extent that we can. We are really leaving a legacy behind to say we really have a competitive and bright future.”

Conoco Activity Best in Industry

HOUSTON — Conoco and its equity affiliates added 164 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) to the company’s worldwide proved reserves in 1999, replacing 71 percent of the oil and natural gas produced during the year.

The company has replaced an average of 174 percent of production over the 5-year period between 1995 and 1999, which is among the best in the industry. Reserve additions came primarily from Conoco’s strategic focus areas of North America, Norway, Venezuela, and Indonesia.

Conoco said the 1999 figure was off because of project sequencing, strategic reserve dispositions and capital discipline steps that were instituted in the quarter of 1999 when oil prices hovered around $10.

Conoco Chairman and CEO Archie Dunham said, “I’m very optimistic about Conoco’s growth opportunities as we move forward. I’m satisfied that reserves which we will add in the future will reflect our extremely successful exploration and business development programs.

“Our explorers have been very successful during the past several years as we fundamentally revamped our exploration program,” he said. “Our success rates in 1998 and 1999, 30 percent and 50 percent respectively, demonstrate that exploration is helping us accomplish our goal of at least doubling the value of the company by 2003,” he said.

Additionally, Dunham said the company is in negotiations on several major projects which will add to booked reserves this year.

The company’s 1999 year-end proved reserves declined slightly to 2.55 billion BOE, down 2.7 percent from 1998. International proved reserves — which contribute nearly 75 percent of Conoco’s worldwide reserves — were off by less than one percent to 1.9 billion BOE. Domestic reserves declined eight percent, from 711 million BOE in 1998 to 656 million BOE in 1999.

The company’s 1999 production of 232 million barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) reflects a nine percent increase over 1998. Natural gas production was up 18 Percent over 1998, reaching 101 million BOE (or 606 billion cubic feet of gas), Overall, natural gas accounted for 44 percent of the company’s production.

Conoco, celebrating its 125th anniversary, is a major, integrated energy company based in Houston and active in more than 40 countries.

Benefits Above Wages Keeps Employees Happy

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

Benefits above wages apparently is one of the keys to keeping long term employees, according to a panel addressing the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce’s Thursday Breakfast of Champions.

About 40 Chamber members attended the event sponsored by the Give Ponca the Business committee. The group was welcomed by Chamber Chairman Barry Bickle.

Panel members were Jean Arnold, Temporary Personnel Inc., Steve Crank, Oklahoma Employment Security commission, and Dan Sims, Personnel Staffing Inc. The topic was “how to hire long term employees.”

Arnold suggested that employers should investigate the work history of the applicant, why they left the last position and find out if they are just looking for a paycheck or want a career.

Crank said it was important to spend some time going over the application to make sure it is complete including address and phone number and, making sure the writing is readable, and the applicant is literate. Crank also recommended to look for dates of employment, employers names and former wage information. Crank said for $25 there is a detective site on the Internet that can find out anything about anybody including credit and criminal information.

Sims told that he had called a number of employers in preparation for the panel including Mertz, Conoco and Cookshack. He said these companies have good pay scales and benefits. He indicated that the benefits are one of the secrets that attract longtime employees.

Bickle announced that the next Breakfast of Champions is slated for May 5 and Mary Rhyne, who will talk about the Pride Program.

Sales Tax Distribution Increases

Ponca City sales tax February distribution from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for business conducted during December 1999 totaled $1,129,879 up from December 1998, which totaled $1,073,164.

Marc L. LaBossiere, financial officer for the City of Ponca City said, “When 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 5.28 percent.

This is good news, according to LaBossiere, as it is based on same period sales in 1998, which had been an 6.66 percent increase over the 1997 prior period.

The use tax distribution for Ponca City was $45,055 compared to $37,940 collected in December 1998.

State wide the February distribution by the Oklahoma Tax Commission totaled $86,189,105 representing tax receipts from December business.

The disbursement of sales tax collections to 490 cities and towns $1,163,730 from the $87,352,835 distributed to 487 cities and towns in February last year. The use tax disbursement of $4,825,189 was distributed between 265 cities and towns.

Feb. 2000 Feb. 1999

Barnsdall $10,411 9,725

Bartlesville 1,346,381 1,313,806

Billings 12,514 12,393

Blackwell 157,481 94,362

Braman 1,547 1,310

Deer Creek 1,145 772

Fairfax 13,420 12,614

Kaw City 1,894 2,231

Lamont 1,805 1,892

Marland 1,133 677

Medford 22,006 29,638

Morrison 4,902 4,179

Newkirk 26,383 22,737

Pawhuska 62,067 61,684

Pawnee 37,099 38,745

Ralston 900 1,506

Red Rock 4,910 1,038

Shidler 2,164 1,881

Stillwater 1,280,912 1,211,263

Tonkawa 41,395 45,448

Chamber Announces Plans For Trip to State Capitol May 9

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce announced plans for a Ponca City trip to the State Capitol slated for May 9, at the recent Board of Directors meeting. Another future project will be a Chamber auction. Barry Bickle, Chamber Chairman announced Carla O’Neill will chair the event.

A hand out of the Business Plan 2000-2001 was given to Board members in attendance. The Mission Statement of the chamber is “To serve as the business community’s catalyst for leading the Ponca City area into a growing, diversified and prosperous future.”

Recent ribbon cuttings attended by the Presidents Club and the Ambassadors included The Lost Legend restaurant, Big Sky Airlines and the Ponca City Main Street Authority’s new office.

The Legislative Review Committee met and visited with U.S. Congressman Ernest Istook last Thursday. The education committee was meeting today for a PIE Partners meeting at Conoco’s Fourth Street Clubhouse.

The February Second Friday Forum featured the candidates for the Ponca City Public School Board and also the candidates for Pioneer Technology Center.

The “Give Ponca the Business,” retail committee sponsored a Breakfast of Champions Feb. 24 at Golden Corral with the topic of “How to Hire Employees for the Long Term.”

Leadership Ponca City recently held Education Day. They met with representatives from Pioneer Technology Center, Northern Oklahoma College, University Learning Center, the Ponca City Public Schools and the three private schools. During the next session on March 8 the class will travel to Oklahoma City and the Capitol to learn about State Government.

Carl Renfro, chairman of the Economic Development Advisory Board [EDAB], told about recent developments. He told that EDAB has Commission and is asking for a slight increase. EDAB is in the final stages of developing the Program of Work for this year. He noted that an agreement has been reached by EDAB and Conoco on available lab spaces at the Conoco complex and there are a couple of good prospects for the bays.

He told about the Workforce Council meeting here, and about a manufacturing agent that is to be stationed here and officing at Conoco to help market that space. The agent will be partly funded by the Oklahoma Alliance for Manufacturing and the Oklahoma Technology Commercialization organization.

Big Sky Celebrates New Flights

Big Sky Airlines executives Kim B. Champney, President and CEO, and Craig Denny, executive vice president, cut the ribbon celebrating the airlines new flights to Denver, Colo., Billings and Bozeman, Mont. Members of the Presidents Club and the Ambassadors of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce were on hand for the celebration last week.

Notes/Quotes

Barber Attends Conference

Winnie Barber, Heritage Club Director at Home National Bank, Ponca City, recently attended the National Conference for Bank Senior Program Directors in Gatlinburg. Tenn. Over 600 executives from the banking and travel industries attended the three day showcase for the multi-million dollar travel industry created by U.S. Banking institutions.

As Heritage Club Director, Winnie Barber has organized and led Heritage members on hundreds of tours, social events. and informative seminars. At the Bank Travel Conference, she attended educational session on database management, program operations. marketing and tour guide techniques. “We’re proud of the job Winnie does with our Heritage clients,” said Home National Bank President, Mark Detten.

Cleveland Attends Seminar

Tom P. Cleveland, Ponca City, a Modern Woodmen of America district representative, has completed a five-day educational program at the fraternal life insurance society’s home office in Rock Island, Ill.

The program reinforced the concepts of sound financial planning for families through Modern Woodmen life insurance plans, annuities and IRAs. Modern Woodmen of America is a fraternal life insurance society headquartered in Rock Island.

SPORTS

OSU Final Home Game To Be Teary
Lady Mavericks Advance
Wildcat Calendar

OSU Final Home Game To Be Teary

By The Associated Press

Saturday promises to be a time of high emotional and teary-eyed nostalgia at Oklahoma State. It will be the final game for a class of seniors who have been among the biggest winners in coach Eddie Sutton’s regime. It will be against archrival Oklahoma.

And it will be the final game in creaky old Gallagher-Iba Arena, which opened in 1938-39 and is known far and wide as one of the quaintest, loudest basketball venues in the nation.

Next year, the Cowboys will play in a renovated Gallagher-Iba, which will be quite different from the cozy place they’ve known for more than 60 years.

‘‘I’ll try to get them ready for Oklahoma’’ Sutton said. ‘‘Certainly, there’s a lot of enthusiasm. I’ve never seen such a demand for tickets. It’s a scalpers’ paradise.’’

Sutton is a man who can appreciate tradition. He’s not altogether happy to see old Gallagher-Iba change form.

‘‘I think there’s a danger of losing (atmosphere) when you expand, renovate or build a new arena,’’ Sutton said. ‘‘One of the things you’re going to lose, when this place was rocking, there’s no place louder because the ceiling is so low. But the ceiling will be much higher, so there will be a place for the sound to escape.’’

Oklahoma State and Texas — pending its game Monday night against Kansas — entered the final week just one game behind Iowa State, with Oklahoma and Kansas one more back. That means Texas Tech and Baylor will be the most popular teams in the conference this week since the Cyclones are at Tech on Wednesday and Baylor on Saturday.

‘‘I understand people will be cheering for us,’’ said Baylor coach Dave Bliss. ‘‘Hopefully we’ll finish the season playing well.’’.

As if Marcus Fizer wasn’t doing enought for Iowa State. he now helping Larry Eustachy coach.

Eustachy disclosed Monday he encouraged the Cyclones’ 6-foot-8 star to have a heart-to-heart talk with point guard Jamaal Tinsley about the value of hard work.

‘‘I had Marcus sit down the other day and tell him,’’ Eustachy said. ‘‘Marcus was in the same boat.’’

It wasn’t that Tinsley had been a practice laggard since transferring from junior college and exploding upon the scene as a key element in the Cyclones’ drive to the top of the Big 12.

But his background had not exactly prepared him, Eustachy said, for the day-to-day practice grind everyone needs to compete at the highest collegiate level.

‘‘You’re a product of your practices and Jamaal doesn’t always gear it up in practice. But as a coachable person, he’s been tops.’’

In the meantime, kudos for Fizer keep rolling in. He was named Big 12 player of the week after he scored 35 points in a victory over Texas and 29 in a big win over Oklahoma State, pushing those teams into a second-place tie at 11-3.

The Cyclones stand 12-2 in the league with two games remaining, at Texas Tech on Wednesday and at Baylor on Saturday in the regular season wrapup.

How swimmingly are things going for Iowa State?

Eustachy is even happy with the officials. That, for a college coach, is rare.

‘‘I really think the officiating’s been great,’’ Eustachy said. ‘‘In our most recent game, both teams had three fouls at halftime and it was a very physical but clean game. I think we’re being allowed to play, and that’s great. It’s a real compliment to the guys working the games.’’

Lady Mavericks Advance

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

TONKAWA — It’s a good thing qualifying for the National Junior College Athletic Association Regional Tournament isn’t based on style points.

“It wasn’t pretty,” Northern Oklahoma Women’s coach Greg Krause admitted after his Lady Mavericks struggled to a 64-48 win over Northark Monday night in Piper-Foster Field House.

The win boosted the NOC women into the regional tournament in Shawnee Thursday where they will take on top seeded Northeast Oklahoma (28-2) in the first round at 8 p.m.

“This was a game that shows why you have to play good defense,” Krause said of Monday’s win. “When your shots aren’t falling you’ve got to play good defense to stay in the game.”

The Lady Mavs shot just 38 percent from the field (22-of-57) but made up for it with a tough defensive stand and solid rebounding that allowed the Lady Pioneers almost no second shots.

“I was very proud of the way the players stayed focused,” Krause said. “It’s frustrating when your shots aren’t going down. You have to concentrate on your defense and they did that tonight.”

The first half was a see-saw battle of missed shots and rugged defense.

With just under a minute left in the half, Northark held a 26-25 lead. Then Red Rock’s Denise Jake hit a three-pointer from the wing. Then with the clock running down, the Lady Mavericks got a turnover and Jake fed Deidra Dick for a fast break bucket at the buzzer.

That gave the Lady Mavs a 30-26 halftime lead at the intermission and the momentum.

That momentum carried over into the second half as NOC opened with a 15-5 run that gave the Lady Mavs a 45-31 lead. B.J. Homer powered that spurt with a pair of 3s and a short jumper

Northern still led 45-33 when leading scorer La Queisha Dickerson took over, scoring nine straight points, to boost the Lady Mavericks in front, 56-40.

Dickerson finished with 18 points, 13 of those coming in the second half. Homer, who had four threes, wound up with 17 points on the night and those two were the only NOC women in double figures.

Kim Davis led Northark with 13 points.

“This is a good game for us to have before Region II,” Krause said. “It shows you have to be prepared in all parts of your game. Sometimes the shots just won’t fall.”

The coach also pointed to the strength of center Tia Andrew under the basket.

“Tia only scored four points, but she had six blocked shots and she altered sever others. She also a force in rebounding.

Krause admitted the Lady Mavs are missing the presence of Newkirk sophomore Suzie Eisenhauer, who is out indefinitely with an ankle injury.

“She is the glue for this team,” the coach said. “We miss her rebounding and passing. She is the team leader in assists.”

In the other region qualifying game Monday, Seminole defeated Murray 65-41 and will meet No. 2 seed Bacone (23-5) in the first round in Shawnee at 6 p.m.

The other first round games at the Oklahoma Baptist University Noble Complex Thursday will pit Carl Albert (17-12) against Westark (14-13) at 1 p.m. and Connors (19-10) against Eastern (20-10) at 3.

The semifinals will be Saturday at 1 and 3 p.m. with the women’s finals Sunday at 1.

Northern 64, Northark 48

Northark 26 22 — 48

Northern 30 34 — 64

Northern — La Queisha Dickerson 18, B.J. Homer 17, Denise Jake 7, Lindsey Shiever 5, Tia Andrew 4, Baba Robinson 3, Ranada Collins 2, Stacie Scott 2, Reva Howell 2.

Northark — Davis 13, Hancock 6, Lafargue 6, Wolfe 6, Rackley 5, Merridth 3, Higgins 2, Snell 2.

Wildcat Calendar

Wildcat baseball at Bartlesville on Thursday, March 2 -- challenge Pawhuska and Guthrie at home on Friday, March 3, 2:30 and 4:30 p.m.

Golfers travel to Owasso on Thursday, March 2.

Soccer teams play at Jenks on Friday, March 3 -- girls at 6 and boys at 8 p.m.

Po-Hi tennis teams play on Saturday, March 4, at Putnam City Tournament.

Wildcat relays for tracksters on Saturday, March 4, at Sullins Stadium.