|
From the pages of The Ponca City News, Wednesday, February 07, 2001 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS LOCALNearly News Nearly NewsThe Marland Mansion continues to garner attention across the nation. George Harman passed on to The News a copy of a story in the travel section of Jan. 28 issued of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about Marland and the Marland Mansion. The article, written by Pamela Selbert, also includes a map of Oklahoma and directions to Ponca City. -—— In other Ponca City recognition , a caller, who is a stockholder in Coca-Cola, sent a Ponca City News picture and story about the old Coke sign on the side of the burnt out building on South Second to the company. The company sent a nice letter to the stockholder and Coca-Cola T-shirt. -—— Anyone wanting to remember just when the filming of the Conoco commercial was, it wasn’t last week as implied in today’s Mid-Week section on Page 6C. The actual filming in Ponca City occurred the last full week of January and photos were made available to The News shortly after that, not Feb. 1. They must have had a good time anyway — whenever they filmed the event. Final Plat Approved For Fox Run EstatesBy JEFF POLITTE News Staff Writer Planning Commissioners approved the final plat for Phase I of the new Fox Run Estates subdivision during a regular session Tuesday night. The proposed subdivision, to be developed by Evans and Associates Construction Company Inc., is expected to include 30 lots on 40 acres on property located across from Lew Wentz Municipal Golf Course or the 2000 to 2500 block of L.A. Cann Drive. This property is expected to come up for annexation vote next month. According to Lee Evans, of Evans and Associates Construction Company, the covenant at the subdivision will restrict homes to 1,600 to 2,500 square foot and up. The plat for Phase I will come before city commissioners on Monday. Phase II will be completed as future housing demands necessitates. The board also approved an ordinance requiring applicants to submit a certificate of ownership list when seeking zoning changes. According to Chris Henderson, Community Development director, the new law is intended to ensure everyone is notified when zoning changes are requested. Newkirk Main Street Hears About PlanningNEWKIRK — Newkirk Main Street’s monthly breakfast was held Jan. 26 at Smith Country Restaurant with 23 people in attendance. Jim Watters, business consultant with Oklahoma Main Street program, presented the program on business planning. According to Watters, planning is an important part of any business — new or established. If you are a retailer, it is important to know the selling season for your particular business. You need to know who your customers are. You need to set goals — keeping it simple. Check out your competition regarding market prices and the demand for your merchandise. Unique products are less price sensitive. Cash is the premier asset of the business. Cash cures most business problems you will have. Track it, protect it, measure it frequently and know the daily cash position of the company. According to the US News, the reason customers leave is: • 1 percent die; • 3 percent move; • 5 percent develop other friendships; • 9 percent competition; • 14 percent product dissatisfaction; • 68 percent attitude, indifference of an employee. Customer service consists of courtesy, product knowledge, store hours, sales training, policies, deliveries, credit and returns. If your company’s goal is not 100 percent customer satisfaction, whom are you planning to disappoint? Customer loyalty is the result of achieving a high level of customer satisfaction with extraordinary customer service. Ken Blanchard, author of the “One Minute Manager,” offers a very good description. “… by taking care of customers to the point where they become raving fans … an unpaid part of your sale force.” Customers equal profit; most everything else is overhead. Last but not least — don’t wait until the end of the year to measure progress. The Breakfast on Main Street is held the last Friday of each month at 7 a.m. at Smith Country. This is a Dutch treat breakfast and everyone is invited and encouraged to attend. EDAB Agenda Includes Budget For Fiscal YearBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor The requested budget support for the Economic Development Advisory Board for the upcoming fiscal year will be voted on at the 7:30 a.m., Thursday meeting at the Public Safety Center, according to the agenda. No dollar figure was specified. The only other action item listed is the approval of the January minutes. Organization reports includes reports on new industry by committee chairman Mark Detten. Reports are to include Unitherm building status; Gas-to-Liquids; contacts and prospects; venture capital and a report on Carbon Fibers status. George Ferguson, chairman of the retain/expand existing industry, is to report on the contact/visitation programs. Other reports will be given on the technology accelerator and bandwidth project status. There is a place on agenda for comments from the board and from the public. LettersIssue Non-partisan A disturbing thing happened at my civic club. I had an announcement made that there would be a non-partisan forum presented on Feb. 8 on the topic of campaign finance reform and its impact on preserving our democracy. When it was announced that the Kay County Democratic Party was sponsoring the event there were many snickers and a number of “yeah, right” comment from the audience. The reaction underscores the importance of the forum. Most people do not understand that this is a truly non-partisan issue. America’s chief advocate is none other than Republican Senator John McCain. Another chief advocate is conservative columnist and television political analyst and commentator Arianna Huffington. This is a front-burner issue that our congressional delegation will be asked to vote on this spring. The range of opinions is just as broad among Democrats as among Republicans. I personally believe, from my experiences as a candidate for congress in the past election cycle, that the influx of uncontrolled money into the political system at all levels is the single greatest threat to our national security at this time. It is so huge, but somewhat out of sight from the average citizen, that we cannot fully comprehend its magnitude or its danger. I have personally contacted the leadership of the Republican Party in Kay County and invited them to participate. I hope we all will take this seriously as citizens, not as political partisans. Garland McWatters Chair Kay County Democrats Proud of Students We just returned from an adventure we will not forget in our lifetime! We had the privilege of being sponsors on the trip to Washington, D.C. with the Ponca City Marching Band to represent Oklahoma at the Inaugural Parade. Despite “messy” weather (causing us to return a day later than planned), a broken down bus, and 48-50 hours on a bus, it was a fantastic trip! The approximately 180 students behaved in an excellent manner. They followed the expected guidelines for the trip and didn’t complain about them, at least not that we heard. The 40 or so parents that accompanied us were cooperative and ready to help at a moment’s notice. The scheduling done by the band directors ran smoothly. Jerry and Sue Winkle, we appreciate your taking the time to be a part of this memorable trip. Thank you, Ponca City, for your financial support to make this possible. You should be proud not only of these band students, but also of our athletes, orchestra ,vocal music, vo-ag, robotics and Great Race participants, plus the numerous other clubs and organizations in which our high school students are involved. These activities make Ponca City Public Schools a “cut above.” Involvement is vital in promoting community spirit for these young people as they grow into productive citizens of our country. Ponca City, when you see a young person encourage them to be community minded, and tell them “thank you” for their enthusiasm and dedication. John and Sharon Scroggins More Pay Needed In his article in the Jan. 31 Ponca City News, Brandon Dutcher stated, “In the 2000 legislative session, teachers and public employees got their pay raise. This year it’s the taxpayers’ turn.” Certainly, there should be tax reform in our state. Yet, reform should proceed prudently and not on the backs of teachers or public employees. Brandon doesn’t seem the least bothered that public employees in Oklahoma rank 50th in the nation in average pay. There is more at stake here, though, than the needs of teachers and public employees namely, our school-age children and those same “poorest citizens” that are served by state agencies like the Department of Human Services. We must retain competent, experienced people to serve these populations. We cannot do this without paying teachers and public employees properly. Last year’s raises were much appreciated, but are only a first step in addressing woefully inadequate compensation. Yes, let’s have meaningful tax reform that spurs growth in Oklahoma, but let’s not stampede over teachers and public employees in the process. John Hunt Birthday Dance Saturday Will Honor Lorena DeRoinRED ROCK — There will be a birthday dance to honor Mrs. Lorena DeRoin, this Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Otoe-Missouria tribal complex, Red Rock. The all gourd dance will begin at 2 p.m., with supper to follow at 5 p.m. More gourd dancing will follow in the evening. The head staff for this dance will be; Rev. Thomas Roughface, Master of Ceremonies; Leonard Cozad Jr., Head Singer; Roberta Gardipee, Head Lady Dancer; Ponca American Legion Post No. 38 will be host Gourd Dancers, and Wesley Hudson will be the Arena Director. A special invitation has been extended to all the American Indian War Mothers Association, and to all gourd dancers. Lorena K. DeRoin was born February 9, 1915, to George Kihega and Grace Hudson Kihega of Red Rock. She is a member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe and belongs to the White Pigeon Clan. Mrs. DeRoin of Red Rock, is the 1999-2001 National President of the American War Mothers Association. Mrs. DeRoin was elected National President in October 1999, at the National American War Mothers Convention that was held in Tulsa. Mrs. DeRoin joined the Otoe War Mothers Chapter in 1962. She served on all standing committees in the local chapter, and was president of the local chapter. She also has held various positions within the State Organization, and was State President in 1982-1984. On a National level Mrs. DeRoin has held positions such as; Americanism, Chaplain, Historian, Budget/Finance, Membership, 4h Vice-president, I" Vice-president, and a Color Bearer. She served as a Page in New York City, and Mistress of Ceremonies on three occasions on Mothers Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, DC. She also laid the Wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Mrs. DeRoin has also served on the Advisory Board of N.O.D.A., Enid, and has been a member of Native American Indian Women’s Association (N.A.I.W.A.). Mrs. DeRoin retired from the Bureau of Indian Affairs in June 1980 as an employee of the old Chilocco Indian School. Mrs. DeRoin is currently employed with the Otoe-Missouria tribe’s Elder Program. Mrs. DeRoin has two children, her son Logan DeRoin, a Navy Veteran resides in Broken Arrow, with his wife Cathy and their children. Her daughter Melba and son-in-law Ernest Toppah reside in Carnegie, Okla., along with their children. Mrs. DeRoin has lots of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and many relatives. The Otoe-Missouria Tribe is very proud of Mrs. DeRoin. She is the only American Indian thus far, to achieve the prestigious office of, National President of the American War Mothers. Her office is headquartered in Washington, D.C. Her term will be up at the next Convention to be held in Raleigh, N.C., in October 2001. Everyone is welcomed and invited to attend this special occasion this Saturday beginning at 2 p.m.. Please bring your own dishes and chairs and help us celebrate. Frontier School Election Highlight Of Busy MonthRED ROCK — A busy month is scheduled for students attending Frontier Schools. Election Day is Tuesday, Feb. 13. Thomas Butch Butler, Casey Camp-Horinek, Steve Kienholz and Travis Young have filed for Office 1, currently held by Kienholz. The district asks for your support in the millage elections. A question will be on the ballot making the levies permanent. If the permanent levies are passed, the voters could later reverse the action through the election process by having 10 percent of the registered voters in the school district sign a petition calling for such an election. The millages are used for maintenance and operation of the school and are not for new construction. Parent/Teacher Conferences are scheduled for March 15 from 4 to 7 p.m. and March 16 from 8 a.m. to noon. If parents cannot make the times, please contact your child’s teacher. Parents are encouraged to attend the 4-County Livestock Show on Feb. 9 and 10 in Perry. The Noble County Spring Livestock Show is Feb. 19-22, the lamb lead contest is at 2 p.m. along with the sheep show at 5 p.m. on Monday, swine show on Tuesday at 5 p.m., the beef show at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, and the livestock judging contest at 9 a.m. The premium sale is at 6 p.m. on Thursday. Retired Educators Change MeetingThe Kay County Retired Educators Association has changed its meeting place for the February meeting. The organization of retired educators and support personnel will meet at 11:30 a.m. Monday at the Blackwell Methodist church, Sixth and Coolidge, where lunch will be served. The program will be given by Ponca City native Les Gilliam. Ray Sinor will give the legislative report. DEATHSConnie G. Jester Services PendingConnie G. JesterWICHITA, Kan. — Connie G. Jester, resident of Wichita, died Monday evening, Feb. 5, 2001, in Wichita. He was 61. Survivors include a son, Mark Jester of Ponca City. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel. FuneralsThursday Dick J. DouglasDick J. Douglas — Graveside service at 2 p.m. in the James W. Roberts Chapel in Blackwell Cemetery under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home. Lorene Ruth BlackstockLorene Ruth Blackstock — Funeral at 11 a.m. at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Shidler. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa at 3 p.m. under direction of Johnson’ Funeral Directors. NEWS BRIEFSBurglary — A man in the 3500 block of North Union Street reported a vehicle had been burglarized and vandalized to Ponca City police at 7:27 a.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Soccer sign up. Saturday, February 3rd. From 9a.m. to 1p.m. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. Februrary 5th, 6th, 7th. 4p.m. to 8p.m. Register at Quantum Computer Service 312 East Grand. 762-9056. adv. OSU Class — Oklahoma State University will present a free class on vegetable gardening from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Thursday at 930 North Portland on the OSU campus in Stillwater. Drop-ins are welcome. Call 405-713-1125 for more information. Subject Held — An officer in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue reported a 28-year-old man was taken into custody for trafficking cocaine at 12:48 p.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Don Sawyer “The Chimney Sweep”. In business for 26 years, no mess. 762-8883. adv. Round-Up Club — Members of the Marland Round-Up Club will meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Kenneth Evans home. Pauline’s Hot beef sandwich, $7.95. Wednesday night, February 7th. For reservations call 765-5460. adv. Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at a business in the 200 block of East Highland Avenue reported a gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday. A description was given of the vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Monday 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv. Calling All Hands — Stage hands that is. Help Ponca Playhouse built sets for their play Saturday starting at 9 a.m. Free coffee and donuts will be furnished. Subject Held — An officer at the Ponca City Police Department, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue, reported a 46-year-old woman was taken into custody on Kay County and city warrants for failure to appear and failure to pay and for trafficking cocaine at 2:21 p.m. Tuesday. Head Country, One half bar-b-que chicken with choice of vegetables, $4.25, Thursday, 11 am until gone. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv. American Legion — The regular meeting of the American Legion will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the post. 50-year awards will be given during the meeting. Court Allen Construction. Brick, flagstone, concrete, walkway’s, patios and planters. Call 765-2720. adv. Subject Held — A Ponca City booking officer reported a 39-year-old man was being held on city warrants for driving under suspension and giving false information to a police officer and on a Okfuskee County felony warrant for driving under intoxication and a 30-year-old woman on an Okfuskee County felony warrant for driving under intoxication at 2:50 p.m. Tuesday. Fuller Brush, Watkins and Vision for Life products available at 300 West Highland, (Ponca Glass building). 762-6522. adv. Subject Held — An officer in the 400 block of South Sunset Avenue reported an 18-year-old man was taken into custody on a Kay County warrant for the use of a stolen credit card at 3:14 p.m. Tuesday. Jim Bowen Construction Custom homes, room additions and remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv. Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Triple T No. 3, 720 South Waverly Street, reported a $17.62 gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 7:31 p.m. Tuesday. A description was given of the vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Valentine Salad Luncheon - Thursday, Feburary 8, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. First Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. Adults $5. Preschool $1.50. adv. Domestic — A domestic argument in the front yard of a residence in the 600 block of West Emporia Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 9:31 p.m. Tuesday. Two officers responded to the scene and a warrant request was made for assault and battery. Maytag Scratch-n-Dent Sale. Laundry, cooking, refrigerators. Copeland’s, 315 East Grand. adv. Fire Run — An officer reported a small fire behind a residence in the 400 block of South Pine Street to the Communications Center at 4:27 a.m. Wednesday. Unit one with the Ponca City Fire Department handled the call. Windshield Chips repaired professionally. Guaranteed and insurance approved. Ponca Glass, 300 W. Highland and Pine. 762-6522. adv. LIFESTYLESBenefit Event at Marland Mansion Slated Feb. 24 Benefit Event at Marland Mansion Slated Feb. 24St. Joseph Medical Foundation, Inc. will host its “Think Spring Fling” annual event Saturday, Feb. 24 from 7 - 11 p.m. at the Marland Mansion. The event will benefit SJRMC staff education and training. “We are very excited about this event,” said Sandy Gearhart, St. Joseph Medical Foundation director. “Our first annual event was a great success and we expect this one to be even better. Deanna Carter, Gayla Gelven and Heather Johnson, and their committees have done a wonderful job making sure that this is going to be a fun night. We are all very appreciative of the community support we have received through the donation of auction items and door prizes, as well as monetary contributions.” “Think Spring Fling” will feature both a live and silent auction, door prizes, heavy hors d’oeuvres, valet parking, and a cash bar. Live music will be provided by Legacy, a local band that plays oldies, soft rock and contemporary music. Door prizes this year include a $100 shopping spree at a local grocery store, a Cookshack, Inc. smoker donated by Stuart Powell, and a large Bath and Body Works basket. Among the auction items this year are two private airplane ride/dinner combinations, a jewelry cleaner, cleaning services, OU and OSU sports packages, Ponca City High School football package, Craftsman Tools, and several art pieces. Tickets are $35 per person and are available at Pioneer Bank & Trust, Home National Bank, Bank of America, Cherokee Strip Credit Union, or by calling St. Joseph Medical Foundation, 763-0872. SPORTSMonday Evening Quarterback Monday Evening Quarterbackby Fred Hilton News Sports Editor It’s doubtful the several hundred Po-Hi students who packed the east end seats of Robson Field house for Friday’s basketball game between Ponca City and Stillwater ever hear the 1960’s Beach Boys’ song “Be True to Your School,” But they sure live up to the message. The Wildcat coaches and school administrators note that Ponca City teams get some of the best fan support of any team in the Frontier Conference — and that includes some high-profile teams like Tulsa Union and Jenks. “(Opposing) coaches are always asking me how we get our students out (to support the teams),” Wildcat wrestling coach Todd Steidley says. “We have some of the best fans in the state.” “Having the students in the stands means a lot to he players,” says Lady Wildcat basketball coach Jamie Burtner, who was a player at Po-Hi and knows the feeling of playing before a cheering crowd. Boys’ basketball coach Ron Arthur can even put a number to having a large group of fans behind his team. “The home crowd is worth at least 10 points,” he says. Given the closeness of most of the Cats’ game this season, that is often the margin of winning or losing. The Wildcats are 5-2 in conference games at home. The Ponca City wrestling team is 5-1 in home duals, losing only to Class 2A’s No. 1 Perry. Tuesday night’s crowd, which watched the roundballers beat Sand Springs, 51-43 in the girls’ game and 71-61 in the boys’, wasn’t nearly as large as the estimated 2,300 fans who packed the 2.500-seat Robson to see the Poncans split with Stillwater last Friday. That was one of the largest crowd in Robson since the mid-1980s, according to the Athletic Director’s office. And the gate, which brought in better than$5,000 is certainly the largest since Athletic Director Rusty Benson has held the post. But even the several hundred fans who were there are more than most teams can draw on a Tuesday night. “There are games on the road where we have more fans in the stands than the home team,” Burtner says. The Frontier Conference schedule makers try to help the school’s gate receipts by scheduling the best rivalries on Fridays, when students don’t have to go to classes the next morning. “Thus, the Ponca City-Stillwater games, the Sapulpa-Sand Springs match-ups and the rivalry between teams like Union and Jenks, are scheduled on Fridays as much as possible,” Arthur points out. The basketball and wrestling coaches all agree that the fan support has gone a long way in the resurgence of their teams this season. The wrestlers are closing in on a Top Five ranking while the basketball teams have already bettered last year’s 7-16 records. The Wildcats are currently 11-9, the Lady Cats 10-10. The Ponca City athletic department and the school administration have given the student fans a little extra help this year. They are offering students winter sports passes, which allow them to attend all basketball games and wrestling matches from eighth grade contests, through the high school games for $15. That’s a better than $50 value for one low price. It’s a good deal for both student fans and student athletes. Wildcats Step Past SanditesBy DAVID DAVIS News Sports Writer The Ponca City stayed a step ahead of Sand Springs, but the Sandites never quit chasing the Wildcats until there was about 10 seconds remaining in the game when coach Steve Cooper signaled his team to back off and let the clock run out. Ponca City won 71-61, but it wasn’t an easy win. It was a don’t-look-back kind of game. Sand Springs was always right behind the Wildcats. “Sand Springs kept at us,” Ponca City head coach Ron Arthur said. “They’d get close, then our guys would step up.” Arthur said they talked about putting teams away when the Wildcats had them down. “We talked about killer instinct and putting teams away,” he said. “But, it was a great win after an emotional game like Stillwater.” The Wildcats stepped out with a 22-12 first quarter. The Sandites pushed Ponca City in the second quarter with 16 points. The Wildcats have a tendency to start off fast, then slip in the second quarter. But the Wildcats kept their footing and scored 16 points to maintain the 10 point lead. It was the third quarter on Tuesday when the Wildcats slipped. Ponca City scored nine points. The Sandites put together another double-digit quarter with 15 points to make the score 49-45. The Sandites stayed close. With 5:30 left in the game, the Wildcats went ahead by nine points. Justin Clemons came back for Sand Springs with two quick 3-pointers to pull the Sandites to within four, 57-53. Josh Pitts hit 1-of-2 free throws to make the score 58-53. “Josh’s one point was just as important as Billy’s 13,” Arthur said. “Josh does a lot of the dirty work that doesn’t show up in the books.” Kris Upchurch stole the ball and found Billy Broughton under the basket for a spectacular alley-OOP to put the Wildcats ahead, 60-53. Sand Springs made the score 60-55. Broughton made a couple of free throws with 3:33 remaining in the game to put the Wildcats ahead by seven.. Twenty seconds later, the Sandites sent Broughton to the line again for two more shots. He made both to put the score at 64-57. With 2:41 remaining, Broughton was fouled in the act of shooting. The field goal was good for two points. He made his sixth straight basket to make the score 69-59. With 2:04 seconds left, Upchurch hit a three-pointer to end Ponca City’s scoring. Four Wildcats scored in double figures. Blaine Petrie scored 15; Tim Frick, 14; Billy Broughton, 13; Kris Upchurch, 11; Jared Brashears and James Anno, 6; Kyle Geheb, 5; and Josh Pitts, 1. The Wildcats held Sandite Justin Clemons to 15 points, six points below his average. Keandre Rose hit 11 and Greg Lumsden scored 9. Lady Cats Hold Off Sand SpringsBy DAVID DAVIS News Sports Writer Jena Birdsong scored 12 of her 15 points in the first quarter to propel the Ponca City Lady Cats to a 51-43 win over the Sand Springs Sandites Tuesday at Robson Fieldhouse. Birdsong’s points included the successful launch of three 3-point shots that put the Lady Cats into orbit high above Sand Springs by the score of 17-7. Po-Hi junior point guard Courtney Birdsong, who dislocated her kneecap Jan. 23 at Owasso, re-injured the knee after a steal and attempted layup with 5:56 remaining in the second period. Courtney left the court with assistance, but returned in the second half with a heavier wrap on her knee. Amanda Summers, a 5-foot-4-inch junior, entered the game for Courtney and immediately hit two consecutive 3-pointers to put the Lady Cats ahead 23-10. Ponca City coach Jamie Burtner said Summers responded at a time when Sand Springs closed the gap to seven points and mounted a challenge. “She came in and hit two big three point shots that put us back up by 13,” Burtner said. “But, everybody stepped it up when they had to.” The Lady Cats took a 33-19 lead into the third quarter. The Sand Springs Lady Sandites came out of the locker room ready to play and closed to within seven points. The Lady Cats scored seven points in the third while the Lady Sandites scored 12 to make the score 40-33. Sand Springs pulled to within six points in the middle of the fourth. Lady Sandite Lori Wossom, who scored only three points in the first half, hit 14 in the second half. It appeared she would get two more shots off and tie the game. However, the Lady Cat defense didn’t let up. The girls continued to harass and harry Sand Springs to keep them out of their game plan. Ann Ziegenhain played an aggressive game in the middle and under the basket where the 6-feet-1-inch sophomore pulled down five rebounds and scored six points in limited playing time. Sophomore Jamie Prado scored four points and pulled down six rebounds to give the 5-feet-10-inch sophomore 105 rebounds for the season. Tara Cries For Ribs scored four points below her 12.4 scoring average for 8. Amanda Summers, Courtney Birdsong and Ann Ziegenhain each scored 6 points. Melissa Fore and Jamie Prado put in 4, and Lyndsi Frederick put in 2 points. Lori Wassom scored 14 for the Lady Sandites. Brook Clay and Lindsey Hart each scored 8. Cowboys Take to Air AgainLINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — One day after an emotional win in Oklahoma State’s first game since a plane crash killed 10 people, the Cowboys had to board a plane again Tuesday. Oklahoma State made its first road trip since the Jan. 27 crash that killed two players and eight other members of the traveling party. All three planes carrying players, coaches and staff arrived safely Tuesday evening in Lincoln. The team left Stillwater, Okla., late in the afternoon aboard three corporate jets. The original plan was to take two jets and a Beechcraft King Air — the kind of plane that crashed late last month while returning from Colorado — but coach Eddie Sutton said a friend of the program came forward Tuesday and provided a third jet. The players that arrived on the first two planes were ushered away from waiting media at the Lincoln Municipal Airport by Oklahoma State staff and not allowed to talk. “We just felt it would be better this way,” said Tom Dirato, radio and television coordinator for the school. “It just didn’t serve any purpose to have to live this over and over again,” he said. “We’re trying hard to heal and every time this comes back up, it sets us back a little.” Sutton’s plane took off later than planned because Cowboy forward Andre Williams had car trouble and was delayed in getting to the airport. Teammates Victor Williams, Fredrik Jonzen and Maurice Baker also flew on Sutton’s plane. Members of a support group called the Spurs, who act as hostesses for the basketball program, gave small gifts to the players as they arrived at the Stillwater airport. The players wore black warm-up suits and were quiet as they boarded the jets. Reserve center Jack Marlow carried an Indian symbol called a Dreamcatcher, a round hoop with weavings and hanging feathers. Another player, Jason Keep, walked around the front end of the first plane and looked the plane over getting on board. The Spurs applauded Sutton as he arrived with his wife, Patsy. He shook hands with the pilot and co-pilot as he got on board. A man and a young woman prayed together on the patio area where people can watch the planes take off and arrive. Sutton said he and athletic department officials were still working to secure larger charter planes for remaining road games. Sutton called the National Basketball Association office on Monday trying to get access to one of the league’s planes, but that all of them were in use. “The only one we could find seats 127 passengers, and I didn’t think we could take that many people to Lincoln,” Sutton said. On Tuesday, he called the president of Ozark Airlines, the company used by Missouri’s basketball team. “I gave them our dates and he’s going to see if there’s any way he can help us out,” Sutton said. The Cowboys played their first game since the crash Monday night, beating Missouri 69-66. After the game Sutton and his players cried in celebration. Nebraska coach Barry Collier expected more emotions Wednesday. “Every time the thought of their team comes to mind I think of the tragedy first. I can only imagine what they’re going through,” Collier said. Three days after the crash, Williams said it would probably be a while before any of the players wanted to get on a small plane. But Sutton said Monday night that the players opted to fly on the small jets as opposed to taking a bus, which he said he would have done if they wished. “They all thought that 55 minutes (by plane) sounds better than eight hours, so all of them were OK with it,” he said. Fredrik Jonzen, whose roommate Nate Fleming was among those killed, said last week that the crash was “a tragic accident” that shouldn’t deter the team from continuing to travel as it always has. “Even though it’s going to be tough right now to get on a plane, you still have to remember accidents can happen any day,” he said. “They can be in a car, in a plane, whatever.” Freshmen JV Defeats Enid Waller by a PointThe ninth grade junior varsity boys beat Enid Waller varsity 39-38 in a close game from start to finish. The first quarter ended with the score of 12-11. The two team flip-flpped in the second quarter with Enid scoring 12 and Ponca City 11 to tie the game at 23. Coach Steve Larimer said the JV shot okay, but made some bad choices on offense. He said the team hustled and played really hard on defense. Waller outscored the junior varsity 11-8 in the third to take a three point lead into the fourth period. “The JV made three big defensive stops with 1:30 left in the game,” Larimer said. “The score was 39-38 and that’s how it ended.” Ronnie Teague scored 14 points, Derek Viljoen, 9; Nick Durham, 6; Robert James, 5; Jared Yaffe, 3 and T. C. Hankins, 2. The JV team record is 5-4. The team finishes its season Feb. 13 against Enid Longfellow next Tuesday. OutdoorsSpecial Goose Season NearsThe Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has set a Conservation Order Light Goose Season (COLGS) to allow hunters the opportunity to increase the harvest of light geese. The Conservation Order is authorized by Congress and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to help reduce a mid-continent light goose population that is damaging their breeding habitat in the Artic. The Conservation Order will begin Feb. 12 and will run through April 1, 2001. It removes all daily limits and possession limits on snow, blue and Ross’ geese. In addition, hunters will be allowed to use unplugged shotguns and electronic calls. Legal shooting hours will begin 30 minutes before legal sunrise, and end 30 minutes after legal sunset. All other waterfowl regulations, including the mandatory use of federally approved non-toxic shot will remain in effect during the Conservation Order. “This is a very serious problem for migratory bird management,” said Mike O’Meilia, migratory bird biologist for the Department. “We know that if light goose populations are not reduced, they will continue todamage their breeding habitat. The fear is that they can destroy the Artic ecosystem and many of the wildlife species that depend on that habitat.” One breeding area for the mid-continent light goose population is in the coastal lowlands of Hudson Bay. The area is comprised of a very fragile tundra habitat and biologists believe light geese have already degraded the area to the extent that it may not recover in our lifetimes. “The COLGS is a management action designed to help reduce this goose population to a level that is in balance with their environment,” added O’Meilia. “This is a unique situation and hunters are being given the opportunity to play a critical role in its outcome.” Large concentrations of light geese migrate across Oklahoma during the fall and spring. Most of these geese travel across the eastern third of the state. Hunters can participate in the Conservation Order, as concentrations of these geese may stop over in the state to feed and rest until the weather allows them to travel further north. State’s Deer Meat Is Safe To EatRecent media reports linking eating wild deer meat to a form of “mad cow disease” have been sensationalized, and hunters should not been worried about their venison, according to officials with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. A degenerative brain disease similar to mad cow disease - called Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in deer and elk - has been recently confirmed in a captive elk herd in Oklahoma County, but has never been documented in wild deer or elk in Oklahoma. Even if the disease did exist in wild herds, there has never been a confirmed case of a hunter contracting it through hunting or eating venison. “Chronic Wasting Disease has occurred in Colorado and Wyoming for 30 years, but nobody who has hunted there or eaten venison from those animals has come down with CWD,” said Mike Shaw, wildlife research supervisor for the Wildlife Department. “A hunter from Vinita contracted Creuztfelt-Jacob Disease (CJD), a related spongiform encephalopathy, in 1999, but the National Center for Disease Control never established a positive connection to his eating deer meat. We even investigated the possible link by sampling 16 deer from the area where the man hunted. None of the deer tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease. In addition, we have tested more than 200 deer from other parts of the state, and those deer have all been negative for CWD.” In fact, nationally there are over 11 million big game hunters, and only two confirmed reports of hunters contracting Creuztfelt-Jacob Disease, Shaw said. The Center for Disease Control investigated both cases and concluded that their contracting CJD was coincidental to hunting. “There is always a risk involved with handling any type of animals, domestic or wild, but that risk is very small,” he said. “The odds are many times greater that someone would be struck by lightning or die from a bee sting.”* Shaw said there are two precautions that anyone concerned about chronic wasting disease can take. Wearing protective gloves when dressing and butchering animals and avoiding consumption of brain and spinal cord tissue are good precautionary measures. Dr. Gene Eskew, a veterinarian with the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, said the captive elk in Oklahoma County are under quarantine, and they do not believe any infected elk have been killed for human consumption. Only four of the 140 elk have contracted the disease thus far. Agriculture Department officials will be watching for additional elk deaths, and will test the animals immediately through the National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa.
Copyright© Ponca City News, 1998 |