LOCAL

Voters Go to Polls Tuesday For Annual School Elections
Argus Hamilton’s Column Begins In Today’s News
Nearly News

Voters Go to Polls Tuesday For Annual School Elections

Area voters will go to the polls Tuesday for annual school elections.

Polls will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. (see list of polling places on page 6A).

Two candidates — Norris Frederick and David Kinkaid — are seeking a seat on the Ponca City Board of Education for Office 6, a four-year term.

Frederick, who was appointed to the board last February to fill the seat of Steve Stalcup, is a native Ponca Citian. He has been a Conoco employee for 25 years, with the entire career being spent in the Ponca City Refinery.

David Kinkaid attended schools in Ponca City and graduated from Po-Hi in 1963. He received his doctorate degree in veterinary medicine from OSU and runs his own veterinary hospital.

Also on the ballot will be the annual mill levies as well as a vote to make them permanent while Pioneer Technology Center will be asking for an additional mill, generating about $200,000, to meet the future facility and equipment goals.

Superintendent Dr. Doug Major said the final bond payment will be made this year. “In May 2001, the final payment for the construction bond voted in 1991 will be made and Pioneer Tech will become debt-free,” he said.

Two separate questions will be on the ballot Tuesday for PTC. The first question will ask voters to approve the five building mills and the second will ask voters to make them permanent.

Major said even if the voters make the levies permanent, the board would review the levies each year and not ask for more than needed.

Ponca City schools will not ask for additional millage levies. The district’s present mill levies are 10.22 for the local support levy, 5.11 for the emergency levy and 5.11 for the building fund levy.

Superintendent Dr. Bill White stresses these are not tax increases.

“Six questions regarding the mill levies will be on the ballot Tuesday,” White said. The first three questions ask for the passage of the emergency, building and local support levies. The second three questions ask voters to make the levies permanent.

White stresses that a “no” vote means the district would lose about $3.5 million in its budget.

“If the levies fail, we will ask the voters to approve them again in April. If they still fail, we would be annexed with another school whose levies passed,” he said. Ultimately, the voters would end up paying the taxes the district was annexed to.

Argus Hamilton’s Column Begins In Today’s News

Starting today in The News, hometown favorite Argus Hamilton will be sharing his insights into political and current events.

Better known as Jimmy Hamilton, son of Methodist Minister The Rev. Argus Hamilton, when he attended Po-Hi back in the late 1960s, Argus has won fame as a standup comedian, television performer and newspaper columnist.

Hamilton holds the record for the most guest appearances on the old “Tonight Show” when Johnny Carson was host.

His most recent performance in Ponca City was the pre-Millennium comedy night at The Poncan Theatre on Jan. 30, 1999.

As a columnist, Hamilton has been labeled “The Will Rogers of the Baby Boom” by no less than Robin Williams.

Today’s Argus column appears on Page 2A.

Nearly News

There is a connection to the “Life is Like a Box of Chocolates” feature on the front page of today’s Daily Oklahoman “Oklahoma Now” section. One of the daughters of the couple featured is Cathy Ferguson, who is director of Ponca City Tomorrow. That’s quite a family, too!

DEATHS

Leopoldine Barbara Decker
Viola E. Farnam
John B. Rouse Sr.
Paul Oscar Brown
Ludi Marie Robinson Maples

Leopoldine Barbara Decker

NEWKIRK — Leopoldine “Pauline” Barbara Decker, longtime Newkirk resident, died Sunday morning, Feb. 11, 2001, in the Terrace Garden Nursing Home in Wichita, Kan. She was 94.

A prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the chapel of Miller-Stahl Funeral Home. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14, in St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Newkirk with the Rev. Richard Beckman as celebrant. Burial will follow in Newkirk Cemetery.

Leopoldine “Pauline” Barbara Decker was born Nov. 5, 1906, in Vienna, Austria, the daughter of Jarslov “Jerry” and Rosa Grimmlinger Prokesh. She received her education in Vienna and Tisnovic, Bohemia.

She immigrated with her parents to America and arrived in Kildare on Jan. 2, 1921. She attended Foster School to learn the English language and then attended St. Mary’s Catholic School. She continued her education, earning a degree in business from Botts Business College in Ponca City. She received her naturalization as a U.S. Citizen in 1935. She served as district deputy for the Catholic Daughters of America, Ponca City Council 82.

She married Francis Serephine “Frank” Decker on May 29, 1937, in Ponca City. They established their home on his farm where she lived until 1987, when she moved into Newkirk. In 1997, she moved to Wichita, Kan., to be closer to her daughter.

Pauline was very active as a translator for the prisoners of World War II being held in the Tonkawa Camp. She was also a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Blackwell and had served as president for St. Joseph Altar Society. She was a member of the Duck Creek Workers, the Peckham 4-H Club, and had served as secretary of the Peckham PTA. She had also served as president of the Ponca City Deanery, was a member of the Oblates of St. Benedict in Ponca City, had served as president of the Newkirk Red Rose Garden Club, and was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church and St. Francis Altar Society in Newkirk.

Survivors include two sons, Francis Leo Decker of Allen, Texas, and Jerome Maurice Decker of Garland, Texas; two daughters, Angela Hart of Pinehurst, N.C., and Jeannette Bender of Wichita; nine grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband in 1980; two brothers, Godfrey Prokesh and Hugh Prokesh; and one grandchild.

A memorial fund has been established with St. Francis Catholic Church through Eastman National Bank, Box 468, Newkirk, Okla. 74647-0468.

Viola E. Farnam

Viola E. Farnam, longtime Ponca City resident, died Friday, Feb. 9, 2001, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 79.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2001, at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Harvey Fix, pastor of Bethel Tabernacle, officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Viola E. Farnam was born on Nov. 1, 1921, in Sparks, the daughter of Clarence L. and Ora Heard Winn. She was raised in the Sparks area and graduated from Sparks public schools. She married Virgil Farnam on Oct. 31, 1943, in Ponca City. He preceded her in death Sept. 14, 1982. The couple made their home in Ponca City, where he worked for Conoco, and she was a homemaker. She enjoyed sewing, reading, and her church, Bethel Tabernacle, where she was a member.

She is survived by three sons, Virgil Farnam of Palmdale, Calif., John Farnam of Tulsa and James Farnam of Ponca City; one twin sister, Vivian Greenhagen of Ponca City; and one grandchild.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; one daughter, Amy Vian Hadley; and one brother, John K. Winn.

Casket bearers will be Mike Stewart, Terry Mullenax, John Schauf, Dusty Rhodes, Justin Mullenax and Phil Stokesberry.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, Kay County Chapter, P.O. Box 1151, Ponca City, Okla. 74602.

John B. Rouse Sr.

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — John B. Rouse Sr., father of Wilma Brown of Ponca City, died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2001, at his son’s home in Perry. He was 84.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13, at the Forrest Hill Cemetery near Ashton, Kan.

John B. Rouse Sr. was born Sept. 9, 1916, in Marshall, the son of Albert and Fannie Creekmore Rouse. He was reared and educated in the Three Sands and Billings areas. He served in the United States Army during World War II. He married Lucille Roley on June 6, 1941, in Winfield, Kan. The couple made their home west of Arkansas City. She preceded him in death in January of 1985. He later married LouDel Green Marshall on Sept. 2, 1985, in Perry. She preceded him in death in 1995.

He was employed as a pumper for Total Refinery for over 37 years, retiring in 1978. He was a longtime member of the Union of Operating Engineers.

Survivors include one son, John B. Rouse Jr. of Perry; two daughters, Wilma Brown of Ponca City and Bonnie Woods of Free Port, Texas; three sisters, Flossie Evans of Mulvane, Kan., Faye Gang of Stillwater and Jerry Harris of Ponca City; seven grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; both wives; two brothers, Bud Rouse and Claude Rouse; and three sisters, Florence Esther, Trula Marshall and Bessie Easter.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Judith Carns Hospice of Stillwater, c/o Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home, 100 East Kansas Avenue, Arkansas City, Kan. 67005.

Funerals

Tuesday

Paul Oscar Brown

Paul Oscar Brown — Memorial service at 11 a.m. at the Marland Methodist Church.

Thursday

Ludi Marie Robinson Maples

Ludi Marie Robinson Maples — Funeral at 1 p.m. in the First Baptist Church worship center. Burial to follow in the IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

NEWS BRIEFS

Basketball Tournament — Everyone is invited to attend the sixth grade basketball tournament at Washington Elementary School Feb. 12-17. Games start at 5 each evening except Wednesday when no games are scheduled. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for students. A concession stand will be available.

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.

Burglary — A woman in the 2000 block of North Fifth Street reported her residence was burglarized overnight to Ponca City police at 9:07 a.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and advised it was a civil matter. No report was taken.

Free Delivery!! Valentine’s gifts, balloon bouquets and candy. $15 minimum. Carla’s Hallmark, 405 East Grand, Downtown. 765-3094. adv.

Burglary — A man in the 200 block of North Peachtree Street reported to Ponca City police at 12:49 p.m. someone had tried to break into his residence. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

PrimeTimers: Take a Discover Oklahoma Trip, March 7-11 with PrimeTimers. Detailed itinerary available at Pioneer Bank. Sign-Up deadline February 22, 2001. 765-5651. adv.

Accident — A minor backing accident in a parking lot near the intersection of North Ash Street and West Emporia Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 3:22 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of East Chestnut Avenue and North Third Street reported a 21-year-old woman was taken into custody after a traffic stop on a Cowley County, Kan., warrant for fraud at 4:35 p.m. Saturday.

Accident — A driver with Jay Warner Wrecker Service reported a minor accident at Ponca City Country Club, 1101 North Pecan Road, to Ponca City police at 6:13 p.m. Saturday. A vehicle had hit a stone wall. An officer was assigned and a minor accident report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer in the 600 block of West Highland Avenue reported a 33-year-old man, 42-year-old man and a 53-year-old man were taken into custody for public intoxication after a bar check at the Latino Club, 601 West Highland Avenue.

Theft — A man came to the front lobby of the Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue, to report to Ponca City police a 2 inch drop hitch had been stolen from his pickup truck while it was parked at North Park Cinema, 800 East Prospect Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — A hit-and-run accident in the 100 block of Lansbrook Road was reported to Ponca City police at 11:58 p.m. Saturday. A vehicle had been hit while parked on the street sometime between 8:30 p.m. and midnight. A private property accident report was taken.

Burglary — A man told Ponca City police he had interrupted two subjects trying to break into trucks at T and J Manufacturing, 4409 North U.S. 77 access road, at 11:51 p.m. Sunday. The man also said he believed one of the subjects was hiding in the bushes. The call was transferred to the Kay County Sheriff’s Office, who responded to the scene along with two Ponca City police officers. Neither of the subjects were located.

Subject Held — An officer in the 600 block of North Eighth Street reported a 25-year-old man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for driving under intoxication, failure to yield in a left turn and operating a motor vehicle with a foreign drivers license with a suspension in Oklahoma at 12:33 a.m. Sunday.

Accident — A vehicle accident in Wal-Mart parking lot, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, was reported to Ponca City police at 9:10 a.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Intoxicated Subject — A man in the 800 block of South Sixth Street reported to Ponca City police at 12:11 p.m. Sunday an intoxicated man was in his garage and refused to leave. Two officers responded to the scene and a man was taken into custody for public intoxication.

Burglary — A resident advised a vacant rental property in the 400 block of North Seventh Street had been broken into to Ponca City police at 1:36 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. An extra patrol was also requested for the area.

Fire Run — A woman reported some smoke was coming out of a residence in the 200 block of North Sixth Street to the Communications Center at 4:50 p.m. Sunday. All stations with the Ponca City Fire Department were advised and the fire was extinguished.

Disturbance — A man in the 700 block of West Highland Avenue requested an officer respond and remove his brother-in-law from his residence at 5:10 p.m. Sunday. Two officers responded to the scene and the 27-year-old caller was taken into custody for assault with a deadly weapon and on a Kay County warrant for failure to pay.

Accident — A hit-and-run accident in Wal-Mart parking lot, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, was reported to Ponca City police at 6:49 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, advised an 18-year-old woman and two juvenile girls were taken into custody for grand larceny at 8:13 p.m. Sunday.

Stolen Vehicle — A man reported his pickup had been stolen while parked at a business in the 200 block of South Pine Street to Ponca City police at 8:48 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. The information was also sent to surrounding agencies.

Fire Run — A vehicle fire in the 2200 block of Jane Street was reported to the Communication Center at 7:55 p.m. Saturday. Engine three with the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the scene and advised the fire was out on arrival.

Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of North Birch Street and West Highland Avenue reported a 36-year-old woman was taken into custody after a traffic stop for driving under intoxication, improper backing and driving under revocation at 8:32 p.m. Saturday.

Disturbance — A caller advised Ponca City police at 9:02 p.m. Saturday of a domestic argument in progress at a residence in the 800 block of South Fifth Street. No report was taken because the victim refused to cooperate.

Accident — A hit-and-run accident in Wal-Mart parking lot, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, was reported to Ponca City police at 9:12 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

LIFESTYLES

Little News

Little News

Mason Gregory Coleman

Kevin and Lisa (Bakker) Coleman of St. Louis, Mo. announce the birth of a son, Mason Gregory Coleman, at 7:48 p.m., Jan. 19, 2001. He weighed 6 pounds, 12 ounces, and measured 19 1/4 inches long.

Grandparents are former Ponca Citians, Marv and Janet Bakker of Ames, Iowa, Lomar and Zelda Coleman of Hannibal, Mo.

SPORTS

Monday Evening Quaterback
Wildcat Swimmers Finish Fifth and Sixth
Shidler Advances In Class A Playoffs
Eighth Grade

Monday Evening Quaterback

By Fred Hilton

News Sports Editor

This could be a Cinderella story.

But not many Cinderellas are over 6-feet tall and weight 215 pounds.

Wildcat wrestler Joey Childers wouldn’t fit in glass slipper, either. But he has fill a pair of wrestling shoes very well by being the biggest surprise of a surprise season for the Wildcat matmen.

After unsuccessful stints in baseball and football during his freshman and sophomore yeas. Childers found his sport as a senior in wrestling.

“I just wanted to go out and have some fun,” Childers said of his first and only year on the mat. “I really didn’t thing I would win a match . I just wanted to avoid getting pinned.”

But Childers did win He won 12 matches, seven by falls.

“There is no telling how good he would have been if he had been in wrestling since the seventh grade,” coach Todd Steidley says. “He could have been one of the best in the state,”

Steidley almost didn’t let Childers come out. His reputation had preceeded him,

“Coach was afraid I wouldn’t come to practice or do all the things it takes,” Childers said. “But a couple of my friends on the team talked him into letting me come out.”

The rest, as they say is history.

As expected, Childers has learned and improved with very match. But his rate of improvement has surprised everyone, himself included.

“I had just wanted to try it and maybe make the varsity team,” Childers said.

He has been instrumental in the success the Wildcats have had this season. He, 119-pounder Shawn Lee and 145-pounder Matt Littleton are the only seniors on the team. Yet Steidley credits their senior leadership for helping the Cats become one of the top 10 teams in the state in Class 5A.

Ponca City has won 10 duals this rebuilding. season, losing only to state powers Broken Arrow, Del City, Perry and Sand Springs. The Wildcats beat Class 3A’s No. 2 Blackwell.

The dual segment of the season ended over the weekend on a down note when the Cats were beaten 44-18 by Westmoore in the first round of Dual State.

“We were pretty disappointed we didn’t do better at Dual State,” Childers said. “But we have to put all that behind us and get ready for the regional tournament.”

The Class 5A regional tournament will be held Friday and Saturday at Jenks.

Childers has no illusions about his chances of qualifying for the state tournament.

“I’m just going to go out and do he best I can,” he says. “And maybe I can help some of the other guys qualify for state.”

Whatever happens in this tail-end of this season, it will be a year to remember for Joey Childers.

Wildcat Swimmers Finish Fifth and Sixth

TULSA — The Wildcat swim team was in Tulsa Friday and Saturday for the Frontier Conference Championships.

The boys finished sixth of seven teams. The girls placed fifth as a team, but Lady Cat Kayla Mills won first in the 100 meter back stroke by a full second ahead of the second place winner.

“This was a great win for Kayla,” coach Dave Strah said. “She should have a fun race at state in that event.”

He said all the Wildcat swimmers swam well, but ran into a numbers game at the conference meet.

“To do well,” he said. “You need four kids in each event and we’re not quite deep enough to do that, yet.”

The top 16 swimmers on Friday returned to the pool in the finals on Saturday.

“We put all but three of our 19 swimmers in the finals, he said. “Those kids did great.

“Also, freshman Lady Cat Elisebeth Tucker qualified for the state meet in the 50-meter free style by three-one-hundreths-of-a-second.”

Sunita Chahar, Kayla Mills, Andra Nuzum and Catherine Sonnichsen placed second in the 200 meter medley relay.

The boys also had some nice finishes. Eric Whitebay led the boys with a strong second place finish in the 500 meter free style.

Ben Dickey finished fifth in the 100 meter fly and 100 meter back stroke. Matt Dickey finished fifth in the 100 meter free style.

Freshman Bryce Dotson had the biggest drop in time and showed the most improvement with a 1:03.48 in the 100 meter free style and 28.82 in the 50 meter free style. His previous best in the 100 meter was 1:10.00.

“Bryce is going to do well for the Wildcats over the next three years,” Strah said. “He is a great addition to the team.”

The Wildcats travel to Oklahoma City for the state meet February 23-24.

Shidler Advances In Class A Playoffs

By DAVID DAVIS

News Sports Service

SHIDLER — Derek Cargill scored 48 points from outside and Adam Wood stuffed the basket for 20 points from the inside as Shidler beat Pond Creek-Hunter, 80-56.

Cargill shot 6-of-13 from 3-point range, 9-of-14 from 2-point range and 12-of-15 from the free throw line for his points. He scored 22 points in the first half and 26 in the second half.

Wood made 16 of his points in the first half by making eight of his first 10 shots.

In spite of the pace set by the torrid Tigers, the Panthers stayed within 10 points by shooting free throws. Pond Creek-Hunter scored 12 points in the first half. Wood picked up his third personal foul only 18 seconds into the third period, which forced him to sit much of the remaining game.

Shidler coach Dale Bledsoe said the only thing he addressed at the half was keeping Pond Creek-Hunter off the foul line.

“Play soft and don’t let them penetrate. Keep them off the free throw line. That’s all I tol them at halftime,” he said. “They played good in every other way.”

Overall, the Panthers made14-of-18 from the free throw line, but only two points came in the second half. Without the benefit of foul shots, Pond Creek-Hunter could not pull closer than 10 points. But, they did not quit and forced Shidler to keep scoring until 6:30 remained in the fourth quarter when the Tigers went on a quick 8-0 run.

Shidler picked up four quick points, then Cargill was fouled on a 3-point shot. He converted the free throw to complete a 4-point play that put the Tigers ahead 65-47.

Brad Deterding scored 17 for the Panthers.

Shidler (18-5) plays No. 4 Medford (22-1) 8 p.m., Thursday at Cherokee.

“Whoever wins this game will go to state,” Bledsoe said. “The loser has a chance, but it will be a much more difficult road.”

Pond Creek-Hunter plays Cherokee earlier in the day at 3 p.m..

Eighth Grade

PC Red JV Girls 29

Stillwater 21

The eighth grade Red JV defeated Stillwater 29-21 at the Blackwell Invitational Tournament Saturday for seventh place.

The middle school girls play Stillwater for their final game of the season at 4 p.m., Tuesday, in East Middle School Gym.

Cari Lehman led the junior varsity with 11 points. Dara Moyer scored 6; Patton Theobald and Natalie Yozzo, 3; Morgan Hudsonpillar, Shea Schutte and Michelle Brewer each scored 2 points.