From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, February
11, 1997
LOCAL
School Elections Under Way Today
Nearly News
Poncan Honors Volunteers With Free 'Big Night'
Officials Fine-Tune County Road Names
Several DOC Inmates From County Being Considered for Early Release
Electron Corp. Files Defamation Lawsuit
PLAN Assessment Test Results Available to Parents Thursday
Career Awareness Month Gives Unique Opportunity
Concerned Parents, Students Speak Out About Future of OASIS Program
Appointments Made to Boards
Injured Burbank Man In Critical Condition
Weekend Fires Cause Damage To Two Houses
DEATHS
Fredrick Donald Leatherman
Arthur Roy Whittenburg
Evelyn L. Ware
Gina M. Zalewski
Obituaries
Billie J. Montgomery
NEWS BRIEFS
BUSINESS
Sykes Reports Record Earnings
Kruse Elected State President Of Interior Designers Society
Bank's Roots Deep in Community Despite Changes in Ownership
Local Housing Among Most Affordable
Inn Being Transformed Into Modern Guesthouse
Trotter Hosts Doctors
Presley To Speak At Breakfast
Legislators At Friday Forum
LIFESTYLES
VFW District Meeting Will Be At Cushing
Anthropological Meeting Slated
SPORTS
In Women's Game: Northern Not Sharp But Wins
Wildcat Wrestlers End Dual Season at Union
News Sports Editor
Home Defeat Hurts Mavs' Bid
Jenks Matchup Could Be Playoff Preview for Girls
Frontier Gets Test From Garber but Sweeps
From Staff and AP Reports
Ponca City voters are joining those across the state today for annual school election.
Polls remain open until 7 p.m.
Voters in most school districts are voting for school board candidates plus three separate millage levies. The levies include a General Fund Levy, an Emergency Fund Levy and a Building Fund Levy.
Ponca City voters will vote on the three levies as well as choosing between Stephen Stalcup or David Kinkaid.
Other area candidates: Blackwell - Greg Martin or Kathleen Brown; Billings - Tim Heinrich, Gay Unruh or Richard Lee; Tonkawa - Mary Perks or Robert London; Frontier - Tom Hawkins or Richard Oltmann for Office 2 and Alice Kelly, Deborah Jake or Rexford Tautfest for Office 3; Braman - Dean Meador or Julie Ray; and Kaw City - Stephen Treat or George Ehler .
Voting only for the mill levies are Newkirk, Deer Creek-Lamont, Shidler and Peckham.
Elsewhere, Oklahoma voters will decide a variety of issues at the polls today, from funding new library books to the construction of a city administration building in Bartlesville.
Bartlesville voters face five bond questions, including $3 million to build a new administration building and demolish the existing one.
School districts across the state put millage issues on the ballot.
A mill is one-tenth of a cent, or $1 for every $1,000 in assessed property value. The Oklahoma Constitution provides that voters annually consider property tax levies of 20 mills - a 10-mill local support levy, a 5-mill building levy and a 5-mill emergency levy.
''It's certainly an important matter facing any school district since it does affect a major portion of our revenue,'' Oklahoma City school Superintendent Marvin Crawford said. ''The district just cannot operate if the millage vote is not affirmative.''
The state matches the districts' millage collections and contributes other money to the schools.
In addition, voters in Pittsburg, Coal, Haskell, Latimer, LeFlore and McCurtain counties will decide today if they should double a two-mill tax on private property to generate an additional $852,000 each year for the Southeastern Public Library System of Oklahoma.
Because property valuations differ in each county, the amount of tax revenue raised by one mill is also different.
Larry Felix the new Chairman of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, received a premature promotion by The News when he was identified as the Chief Executive Officer of St. Joseph Medical Center in the Chamber banquet story on Sunday. Actually Felix is the Chief Operating Officer. Apologies to the real Chief Executive Officer Garry England.
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NN has to admit computers are bringing us closer together, after receiving an E-mail from a young man in New York, looking for an internship in the religious field in the Ponca City area. Drew Supa writes from Binghamton, N.Y., that he is a Youth Ministry Major and has a real love and heart for children and young teenagers, and wants to find an internship in that field, somewhere near Ponca City. He is 20 years old and "on fire" for the Lord, he says, and his grandmother, an American Indian, grew up in Ponca City, along with most of his family. He has never been in our part of the country, but is hoping to find an opening in his field in this area. Anyone interested in Drew should contact NN, and we'll contact him via computer on your behalf.
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The "Twister" beat goes on. After finishing 1996 as the No. 2 biggest money-maker of the year, the film whose crew headquartered in Ponca City during the spring and summer of 1995 has been nominated for two Academy Awards - "Sound" and "Visual Effects."
Members and volunteers who hold membership playing cards of the Poncan Theatre will be treated to a movie, "Big Night," Thursday at an annual "thank you night."
Anyone who would want to get in on the action of volunteering, or having a membership with the Poncan Theatre, is also invited to the event.
Activity starts at 7 p.m. with the honoring of volunteers by Sandy James and Laurie McReynolds, chairmen of the awards program.
"Big Night," will be shown at approximately 7:30 p.m., with popcorn and soft drinks also served free to members and volunteers.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - County commissioners continued fine-tuning the names of mile roads Monday, including redesignating a north-south road that bisects the county between Blackwell and Ponca City.
In its regular weekly meeting at the courthouse, the board officially renamed "V" Street east of Blackwell to Ranch Drive Road, which extends from the state line south to Noble County. The southern portion of the renamed road is Oklahoma 156, also dubbed "101 Ranch Memorial Road."
The board also clarified that a two-block stretch of Coleman Road near U.S. 77 north of Ponca City will be remain named John B. Hayes Road, with no name change for any other portion of Coleman Road.
And it clarified that, except where municipal areas dictate otherwise, addresses along all numbered highways will not change names, such as with U.S. 77, where portions of the north-south highway run along the mile road called Pleasant View Road and other portions veer away.
The decision will not affect Ponca City's Fourteenth Street, which is on the same north-south mile line.
The action has been necessary to coordinate the work of emergency 911 workers and postal workers county-wide, and the commission appointed a committee last week to address it.
In other action, the commissioners took a step to ensure all handicapped voters have a designated location when casting their ballots. At election board secretary Carol Stafford's request, the board agreed that simple cardboard curtains at the precincts could fulfill the need immediately.
Stafford indicated, as money allows, she may begin purchasing and equipping the precincts with tabletop booths specifically designed for handicapped voters such as those in wheelchairs.
The board approved a resolution to participate in a job training program for unemployed youths via the North Central Area "C" Private Industry Council and Opportunities, Inc.
The commissioners also decided to leave open the county courthouse's community room in the basement, after incidents of visitors "rifling through lunches" and disrupting trays of appetizers raised the issue that it perhaps should be closed to the public or otherwise controlled.
County Clerk Pam Goodno told the board she had "no problem with leaving it open because it's always been a community room," and it's the only place in the courthouse where the public can smoke.
"With a convenience, there's always a risk," said Commissioner Wayne Leven, as the board decided to take no action on the matter.
And the board also avoided the formation of a "circuit engineering district" proposed by the statewide Association of County Commissioners of Oklahoma and piloted by counties in southern Oklahoma.
The county currently uses private firms for engineering work.
Commissioner Dee Schieber said he doubted the new district could provide engineering services any cheaper than the private ones.
Chairman Rex Purdy said he felt the county should "stay like we are" and watch how well the pilot program works for southern Oklahoma.
Several Oklahoma inmates will be considered this month for parole, for pre-parole conditional supervision or for mandatory parole review by the State of Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.
Cases are scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 25, and at 8 a.m. each day on Feb. 26, 27 and 28 at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center in Oklahoma City.
Comments concerning any inmate on the docket must be submitted in writing and be received by the Pardon and Parole Board at 4040 North Lincoln, Suite 219, Oklahoma City, Okla., 73105-5221 no later than noon on Feb. 18. Individual board members' names and addresses can be obtained by telephoning 405-427-8601, pressing "1" and following telephone menu instructions.
The following inmates sentenced from the District Courts of Kay County are scheduled on the regular parole docket:
Cory W. Bayless, incarcerated since August 1996 on a seven-year sentence with four years suspended after being convicted of marijuana possession with intent to distribute.
Nicole D. Champlin, incarcerated since November 1996 on a five-year sentence with three years suspended after being convicted of assault and battery on a police officer.
Danny Hurt, incarcerated since July 1986 on a 50-year sentence after being convicted of uttering a forged instrument after two former felony convictions.
Ramon J. Martinez, incarcerated since February 1994 on a 25-year sentence after being convicted of larceny of a motor vehicle after former felony conviction and two concurrent five-year sentences from Rogers County.
Robert D. McCauley, incarcerated since July 1990 on a 35-year sentence after being convicted of armed robbery after two former felony convictions.
Terry L. Webster, incarcerated since April 1991 on a 15-year sentence after being convicted of procuring a child younger than 18 to an indecent act, after two former felony convictions.
Deborah Bullington, incarcerated since April 1985 on a three-year sentence after being convicted of forgery.
The following inmates sentenced from the District Courts of Kay County are scheduled on the pre-parole conditional supervision docket:
Derek B. Lofton, incarcerated since August 1996 on a five-year sentence after being convicted of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Jason R. Muehlberg, incarcerated since October 1994 on a 35-year sentence with 15 years suspended after being convicted of burglary of a vehicle after two or more former felony convictions.
Dennis B. Simpson, incarcerated since December 1994 on a 20-year sentence with 10 years suspended after being convicted of obtaining cash and/or merchandise by bogus check, after former felony conviction, and a 25-year concurrent sentence from Noble County.
The following inmate sentenced from the District Courts of Kay County is scheduled on the mandatory parole review docket:
Michelle L. Harrison, incarcerated since December 1996 on a five-year sentence after being convicted of unlawful marijuana delivery.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
BLACKWELL - An apparent political squabble here has prompted one of the city's largest employers to file a defamation lawsuit against three individuals and a group critical of the current municipal government.
Electron Corporation is asking for a trial by jury in a slander, libel and invasion of privacy suit filed against former state representative Ray Davis, former mayor Bill Coussens, former city manager Joe Dickinson, and the group called Citizens for Honest Government (CHG).
Filed in Oklahoma City, the suit seeks punitive damages exceeding $75,000, alleging that handbills circulated by the group and statements in television interviews since August have defamed Electron and its employees, specifically the company's Blackwell plant manager, Richard Hicks, who also is a member of the municipal authority.
The suit claims the defendants slandered the company and Hicks during a December interview on Ponca City television station KPOC by imputing that the foundry conducted "unlawful and/or disreputable" dealings with the city.
Allegedly describing improper dealings as "hanky panky," "thievery," and "some sort of fraud," the defendants said the company received $210,000 worth of improper credits from the city, the suit says.
The suit's libel claim stems from alleged statements in handbills circulated in December and in a letter to the editor written by Coussens, and statements printed last year in The Blackwell Journal-Tribune.
Coussens was in a close race for mayor last year against current mayor Louis Gose. CHG chairman Davis will be one of three candidates in a runoff election next month for the city finance commissioner post.
The civil suit's third claim of "false light/invasion of privacy" charges the defendants knew their statements were false and had a "reckless disregard of the truth."
The case follows a town meeting two weeks ago that called city leaders, power utility spokesmen and officials from the Electron Corporation to what was publicized as a chance for both sides to clear up their differences.
The civil suit was filed by the Walker, Ferguson and Ferguson law firm of Oklahoma City.
Results of the recent PLAN assessment taken by Ponca City sophomores will be discussed with parents Thursday at 7 p.m. in Room 111 at Ponca City High School. Presenters will be Peggy Krider, counselor; and Peg Jordan, assistant principal.
PLAN is a guidance resource designed by American College Testing Program for use at the tenth grade level. It includes four academic tests: English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning; an interest inventory; a study skills assessment; and a student information section.
The academic tests are designed to provide early feedback about students' comparative strengths and weaknesses, guide courses selection for 11th and 12th grade, familiarize students with the ACT Assessment, and provide an estimate of how students will perform on the ACT Assessment.
The interest inventory enables students to reference their vocational interests to career families or specific occupations, links 2-year and 4-year post-secondary programs and majors to occupations, and relates students' career interests to required levels of academic preparation.
The study skills assessment provides an overall picture of effective study skills as compared to that of his or her peers and helps motivate the student to strengthen study skills. The student information section, in combination with other PLAN data, will provide useful check-points for successful post-secondary planning.
Ponca City sophomores took the assessment in October. Results have recently been presented to students in English classes.
February has been designated as Career Awareness Month at Ponca City High School by the Ponca City DECA Chapter and the School-to-Work Advisory committee. Activities include a proclamation by the mayor, a career fair, and career days at various businesses; plus a poster contest for local elementary students.
The Career Fair will be held at the Old Girl's Gym on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The purpose of the Career Fair is to give students an opportunity to talk with current employers on how they can start preparing now for the careers that they would like to have once they finish their education, whether that formal education ends with high school or college. Students also have the opportunity to learn about career opportunities that are currently available.
The following businesses have confirmed participation in this year's career fair: Anthony's, City of Ponca City, Dr. Stuever, Conoco, Cookshack, Edwin Fair Clinic, Express Personnel Services, JTPA, Kay County District Attorney Office, KIXR, Lewis and Associates, Marine Corps, Mertz, Inc., Oklahoma State Employment Service, Bowker Auto Mall, Personnel Staffing, Inc., Ponca City Board of Realtors, Ponca City School System, The Designers, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Post Office, Ponca City Country Club, Hair Unlimited, Wells Plumbing, Ponca City Police, Taylor Oilfield Clinic, Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City Fire Department, Sykes Enterprises, St. Joseph's Hospital, Thorn Apple Valley, Wal-Mart, TNT Construction, Pioneer Technology Center, Express Personnel, and Mid-America Door.
During the month of February, Ponca City High School students will be given the opportunity to visit one of seven area businesses to gain on site information concerning various careers. Businesses participating in the on site visitations this year include Pioneer Bank and Trust, Oklahoma Natural Gas, Conoco, Sykes Enterprises, Cookshack and St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center. Students were able to sign up for these Career Days this past week.
By KRISTI GRABEAL
News Education Editor
Close to 20 citizens and students of Ponca City spoke for more than two hours at Monday night's regular board meeting to voice their concerns about the future of the OASIS Program at Ponca City Mid High.
In the public comment portion of the agenda Carolyn Berry, teacher at the Mid High, told the board that she is tired of hearing about teachers at the school being "evil people" and wanted citizens to know that the OASIS program is alive and well.
Jennifer Wirtz, Felisha Bales and other Mid High students said the OASIS Program had deteriorated since the resignation of Kathleen Stoeckley and requested her reinstatement as a teacher.
Several parents of students in the program told the board they felt it had gone downhill and requested a qualified teacher be in charge.
Other Activity
February Employee of the Month awards were presented to: Belinda Stevenson, certified teacher; Emma Bryer, support teacher; and Marsha Engle, friend of education. Jeff Denton also presented certificates of honor to more than 60 employees of the child nutrition program.
Several discussion topics were on the agenda and included reports from Linda Thompson, School-to-Work Program from Pioneer Technology Center. Thompson told the board that the School-to-Work program has basic steps they wanted residents to know. She said the program is voluntary and that Project Partners is being put together by local people to build educational opportunities started by local teachers. A few of the other steps were to gain higher expectations from students and that parents must be active partners in a child's education.
Dr. John Scroggins gave the board a recommendation from the Valedictorian Committee. The committee said that they don't want to deny financial assistance any student who has achieved high academic success. They proposed a separate distinction for the purpose of the Valedictory Scholarships with all individuals with a 4.0 or above GPA being given Valedictorian status.
The consent calendar on the agenda included travel requests made by Carolyn Berry to attend the National Service Learning Conference in Orlando on March 19-22, and Gary Gallagher to travel to Paris, France, in March.
Gifts were also discussed at this time and included $800 donated from Conoco to Garfield Elementary School and $4,080 donated by Thorn Apple Valley to be used for limited English proficient students.
The board approved unanimously by a vote of 7-0 a partnership with the Grand Avenue Church of Christ to offer additional opportunities for limited English students. The Grand Avenue Church of Christ has a full-time Spanish Ministry with a growing population of Spanish speaking members. In addition to the Spanish speaking minister, Raul Salcedo, there are other individuals in the congregation who are bilingual and speak Spanish. The church will now form a partnership with Ponca City Public Schools to promote additional opportunities for students of limited English.
Also approved at the meeting will be the moving of the kindergarten students back to their home schools and to locate the Four-Year-Old Preschool Program at the old Lincoln School. The savings will be $26,000 in rent for Angela Hall and one custodian position. The west half of the old Lincoln building will have to be demolished at an approximate cost of $50,000.
A new schedule will occur at the high school in August of 1997 as approved by the board. A "flexible schedule" will be introduced at the high school that requires six classes but permits a student to take a seventh class. The board decided that athletics occur during the sixth period.
During the Superintendent's report, Dr. Bill White told the board that several items originally on the agenda should be tabled. Those items included talking about the new weight room facility, reorganizing the structure of the Mid-High cheerleaders and delaying the decision to convert from MAS, Inc. to ADPC for financial systems.
The board convened into executive session at 11:10 p.m. to discuss the renewal or non renewal of contracts of the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, assistant superintendent of operations, and the administrator for the division of finance for the 1997-98 school term.
After the board returned from executive session at 1:10 a.m., it unanimously renewed the contracts of both Dr. John Scroggins, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, and Dr. Joe Surber, assistant superintendent of building operations. Russ Allen, administrator for the division of financial services, turned in a letter of resignation to be effective after his contract expires.
Six Ponca City citizens were appointed for various boards and commissions by Mayor Marilyn Andrews, and confirmed by the Ponca City Board of Commissioners Monday.
L. Michele Jean and Billy T. McClelland were appointed to the Historical Preservation Board. Their term expires May of 1999.
In addition, Derrin K. Hiatt has been chosen to fill an unexpired term on the Traffic Commission. His term expires May of 1999.
Also filling unexpired terms, Glen L. Mair and Dale (Sue) Wheeler were approved for the Ponca City Tourism Authority, a term which expires May of 1997.
Furthermore, Michael Taylor, was selected to fill an unexpired term on the Planning Commission. His term will expire May of 1999.
A Burbank man remains in critical condition after an accident 3.9 miles south of Shidler on Oklahoma 18.
Hospital officials confirmed Brad A. Tubbs, 33, is in critical condition from head, trunk internal, trunk external, leg and arm injuries received last Friday.
The victim was transferred by Life Watch from St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and admitted to Wesley Medical Center, in Wichita, Kan.
Ponca City firefighters battled two house fires this past weekend. No injuries were reported.
Within two minutes, firefighters were in the 200 block of South Lake Street to extinguish a structure fire which originated in the lounge area. According to Acting Assistant Fire Chief Gary Fike, the fire ignited from solid fuel at 8:20 a.m. Saturday. The fire report indicated that an estimated damage of $5,500 was confined to the area where the fire originated. Eleven firefighters and two engines were at the scene.
In addition, 13 firefighters and three engines assisted in extinguishing
a fire in the 900 block of Drummond Avenue at 6:37 p.m. Sunday. Assistant
Fire Chief Dewayne Ham specified that the fire originated in the kitchen
in the stove area. Estimated damages of $10,000 were reported. Investigation
of the fire revealed that no smoke detector was present.
DEATHS
BRAMAN - Fredrick Donald Leatherman, Braman resident, died Monday afternoon, Feb. 10, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. He was 75.
The funeral will be held graveside at 10 a.m. Wednesday, in the Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home, Blackwell. The Rev. Don Martin, First United Methodist Church of Braman will officiate. Friends may visit at the funeral home in Blackwell until 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, then the casket will be closed.
Fredrick Donald Leatherman was born March 24, 1921, in Uncas to True and Anna Marie (Christianson) Leatherman. He grew up and attended schools in Uncas. Following his education he began farming.
On July 1, 1938, he was married to Gladys Lucille Rhodes in Winfield, Kan., and the couple established their home on a farm near Newkirk, then moved to a farm seven miles west of Braman. After his retirement in 1968, the couple moved into Braman. Leatherman was a member of the Braman First United Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Lucille, of the Braman home; two daughters, Ruth Allen of Braman and Freda Veach of Blackwell; five sons, Don, Danny, and Ronnie, all of Braman, Bill of Luther, and Larry of Blackwell; one sister, Tilly Crenshaw of Alva; 15 grandchildren; and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Judith Ann Leatherman; his parents; one brother, Robert Leatherman; and four sisters, Dessa Baker, Mabel McDonough, Georgie Mannion, and Bessie Chambers.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Leatherman's name to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, c/o Roberts Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.
BLANCHARD - Arthur Roy "Art" Whittenburg, father of Jackie Tarr of Ponca City, died Feb. 7, 1997, in Blanchard. He was 60.
The funeral was held Feb. 10, at the Crossroad to Life Baptist Church at Blanchard with the Rev. Stephen Ussery officiating.
Arthur Roy Whittenburg was born Dec. 25, 1936, in Durant, the son of Walter and Alice Pearl (Smithey) Whittenburg. He was first married to Cora Mae Whittenburg of Ponca City.
He later married Arlene Horton on June 2, 1963, and the couple made their home in Blanchard in later years. Whittenburg had been employed as a truck driver for Serta Mattress Co. since 1965. After he was baptized in 1981, Whittenburg became active in church activities and served in various churches as Sunday School director, assistant song leader and Training Union captain. He also had served on the building committee, pastor's council, and building and grounds committee. At the time of his death he was a member of The Crossroad to Life Baptist Church in Blanchard, where he had been caretaker of lawn. Whittenburg enjoyed a variety of hobbies including spending time with his wife working outdoors, fishing, and observing nature.
Survivors include his wife, Arlene, of the home; three daughters Jan Burge of Oklahoma City, Jackie Tarr of Ponca City, Debbie Starkey of Yukon; three sons, Billy Gene Whittenburg of Durant, Thomas Ray Richardson of Oklahoma City and Arnold McBee of Blanchard; 15 grandchildren; and numerous friends.
Casket bearers were Dusty Adams, Mark Adams, David Starkey, Billy Gene Whittenburg, Thomas Ray Richardson and Arnold McBee.
SEMINOLE - Evelyn L. "Trixie" Ware, former Shidler resident, died Sunday, Feb. 9, 1997, at her home in Seminole. She was 65.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, in the Swearingen Funeral Home Chapel in Seminole with Mr. Frank Hester and the Rev. Nick Hamilton officiating. Burial will be in the Little Cemetery under direction of Swearingen.
Evelyn L. "Trixie" (Bivin) Ware was born Jan. 24, 1932, in Joplin, Mo., the daughter of Farrel and Margaret (DeWitt) Bivin. She was married to I.J. Ware on Oct. 25, 1949, in Shidler. She was a member of the Shidler Baptist Church. The family moved from Shidler to Seminole in 1982. Mrs. Ware was an employee of the Okie Smoke Shop.
Survivors include her husband, I.J. Ware, of the Seminole home; two daughters, Debbie Chesser of Holdenville and Rita Scott of Shawnee; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother.
Casket bearers will be C.M. Clark, Jim Morgan, Rob Pyron, Gary Tolson, Ken Taylor, and Tom Key.
ENID - Gina M. Zalewski, granddaughter of Genevieve Nicholson of Ponca City, died Sunday, Feb. 9, 1997 at St. Mary's Mercy Hospital in Enid. She was 26.
The funeral will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, with Rev. Leon Grider, officiating in the Henninger-Allen Funeral Home Chapel. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Alva (Okla.) Municipal Cemetery with the Rev. Landis Trekell officiating.
Gina M. Zalewski, was born Sept. 12, 1970, in Alva, the daughter of Eddie and Betty (Nicholson) Zalewski. Miss Zalewski had lived in an Enid group home and was a member of the Olivet Baptist Church.
Survivors include her parents, Betty and Lyle Smith of Las Vegas, Nev., and Eddie Zalewski of Okeene; two brothers, Brian Zalewski of Rush Springs and Doug Smith of Las Vegas, Nev.; one sister, Kay Smith of Cheyenne, Wyo.; and grandparents, Genevieve Nicholson of Ponca City, Beulah Zalewski of Okeene and Esther Smith of Hunter. She was preceded in death by two grandfathers, Edward Zalewski and Howard Nicholson.
The funeral service for Bill Montgomery, former Ponca City resident, was held Wednesday, Jan. 22, 1997, at 10 a.m. at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Cordell, with Father Bill Ross officiating. Burial was in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Oklahoma City under the direction of Loftiss Funeral Home of Cordell.
Bill was born Oct. 21, 1916, in Wichita, Kan. to William V. and Anna (Lyons) Montgomery and passed away Jan. 19, 1997, at the age of 80.
Bill was married to Dortha M. Venator on Oct. 21, 1939, in Ponca City. He was a long-time employee of Tapp Dairy in Ponca City before moving to Oklahoma City in 1956. Bill worked as a custodian for Sacred Heart Catholic Church for 29 years before his retirement in 1986, at which time they moved to Cordell. Bill was a loving, caring, hard-work man, who will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Bill was a member of the St. Anne's Catholic Church of Cordell. He enjoyed working and making things from wood.
Survivors include his wife, Dortha, of the home in Cordell; son, Stephen Montgomery and wife, Jeri, of Oklahoma City; daughter, Janice Donica of Cordell; grandchildren, Shawn Williams and husband, Stephen, of Cordell, Kim Donica of Miami, Fla., Stephen Montgomery II and wife, Tracy, of Oklahoma City, and Bryan Montgomery and wife, Amanda, of Oklahoma City; great-grandchildren, Ryaln James Montgomery and Trysten Nicole Montgomery of Oklahoma City and Bradley Randel Williams of Cordell; two brothers, J.K. Montgomery and wife, Elizabeth, and John Montgomery and wife, Farena; and four sisters, Mrs. Glen (Eileen) Burgell, Mrs. Clarence (Jackie) Cook, Mrs. Bonnie Gray, all of Ponca City and Mrs. Dee (Eleanor) Leven of Newkirk.
He was preceded in death by his parents, one sister, Maxine Irons and son-in-law, Darryl Donica.
Casket bearers were Stephen Montgomery II, Bryan Montgomery, Stephen Williams, Dee Leven, Hugh Leven and Wayne Leven.
55 and Older Club- Members of the 55 and Older Club will have a Valentine Party Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at 111 West Grand Avenue. The group plans to play cards and games with Mrs. Helm's alternative center students. Members and guests are welcome to attend the regular meetings Tuesday and Thursday, 1-4 p.m.
Round-Up Club to Meet - Marland Round-Up Club will meet Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the home of John Pulliam. Members are reminded this is a change from the regularly scheduled meeting time.
Equine Club to Meet - The North Central Equine 4-H Club will have its next meeting at the Smith home Thursday at 6 p.m. For more information call 765-7719.
Neighborhood Watch Program - Let's all do our part to keep our neighborhoods safe. Contact Major Van Hoesen of the Police Department about the next informational meeting about the Neighborhood Watch program.
Flag Missing - An employee of the Lew Wentz Golf Course contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 7:20 a.m. Monday to report a flag stolen. An officer took a report.
Mailboxes Vandalized - The Ponca City Police Department received calls of vandalism to mailboxes on Kyme Drive, El Camino Street, Woodthrush Road and Berkshire Drive Monday. Telecommunication officers recorded the information.
Warrants Served - At 9:32 a.m. Monday, a 22-year-old woman was arrested at the Ponca City Police Department on a city warrant for failure to pay. At 10:02 a.m., a 61-year-old man was also arrested at the department for failure to pay.
Escape From Arrest - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 23-year-old man at North First Street and Hazel Avenue at 2:23 p.m. Monday on a city warrant for failure to pay and escape from arrest.
Accident - A non-injury accident at East Hartford Avenue and Joe Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:52 p.m. Monday.
Collision - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a non-injury accident in the 3200 block of North Fourteenth Street at 3:36 p.m. Monday.
Forgery - A forgery report was taken at Triple T, 1301 West Highland Avenue, at 4:10 p.m. by a Ponca City police officer.
Extra Patrol - The manager of Pure Water Wagon, 1717 North Fifth Street, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 4:41 p.m. Monday to request extra patrol due to vandalism to the building.
Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 32-year-old woman at the police department at 5:25 p.m. Monday on a city warrant.
Wreck - A non-injury accident occurred at U.S. 60 and U.S. 77 at 5:59 p.m. Monday, according to the Ponca City Police Department. An officer took a report.
Shoplifter - A Ponca City police officer took a 17-year-old girl into custody at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, at 6:05 p.m. Monday for petit larceny. The officer returned at 7 p.m. to arrest a 25-year-old man for petit larceny.
Concealing Stolen Property - A 36-year-old man was arrested by
a Ponca City police officer at 10:43 p.m. Monday on a Kay County warrant
for failure to appear on grand larceny, knowingly concealing stolen property
and false pawn declaration.
BUSINESS
TAMPA, Fla. - For the fourth the quarter of 1996 Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated (SEi), with operations in Ponca City, posted record earnings per share, net income and revenues of $0.17, $3.7 million and $36 million, respectively.
These results represent a substantial increase from the $0.03 and $457,000 of earnings per share and net income, respectively, in the fourth quarter of 1995 which included a one-time charge of $950,000 associated with the grant of stock options, and revenues of $23.3 million. On a consecutive quarter basis, the fourth quarter operating results reflect continued significant quarter-to-quarter growth from the third quarter of 1996 with earnings per share increasing 42 percent on revenue growth of 26 percent.
For the year ended Dec. 31, 1996, net income was $9.7 million and earnings per share totaled $0.49, both substantial increases over the $2.2 million of net income and $0.13 per share earned last year, which included one time charge of $950,000 relating to the grant of stock options. In addition, revenues for 1996 rose 57 percent to $117 million compared to revenues of $74.6 million for 1995.
John H. Sykes, president and chief executive officer, said, "Our strong financial performances reflects the continued improvement in operating margin that increased to a stronger than expected 14.6 percent during the fourth quarter by leveraging our existing operating base and the effect of increased call volumes, as a result of our two new call centers which became operational during the fourth quarter and the typical increase in business we experience during this time period as a result of new product introductions by our clients.
"This strength is further reflected in our record fourth quarter operating results despite the extremely abnormal inclement weather that affected several of our U.S. facilities and the negative effects caused by the strengthening U.S. dollar during this time period."
Sykes added, "This year has certainly been an eventful one for Sykes Enterprises. During the year, we successfully completed both an initial pubic offering and a secondary offering raising over $110 million. We increased the scope of our service offerings into diagnostics with strategic acquisition of DiagSoft, and expanded internationally with the acquisition of Datesvar, increasing our information technology services to the European community. With the recent definitive agreement to acquire Systems of N.C., we believe SEi now has a gateway to the rapidly growing $20 billion retail market place, which enhances our existing services and operations."
Talking about the future, Sykes said, "We see continued growth and demand for our services, both domestic and internationally. The dynamics of our growth with the existing clients in the United States have placed extensive demands upon our international operations To meet these requirement, combined with the international market growth expectations, we have formed a separate international division.
"Further, we see significant opportunities through strategic acquisitions as the industry begins to effect consolidation. Through these philosophies, the continued demand of our total services, and the strategic decision to expand our total services into new emerging information technology markets including financial, telecommunications and the retail industry; we expect to continue the growth trends currently experienced by the company throughout 1997 and 1998," Sykes said.
Judy Kruse, ASID, IDA, has been elected by her fellow interior designers as president of the Oklahoma Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers for 1997.
This honor is highlighted even more by the fact that this is the first time this position has been given to someone outside the Oklahoma City or Tulsa metro areas.
The letters ASID following the name of an interior designer identify him or her as having met the highest professional standards that can be held in the field.
In order to become a professional member, a designer must meet rigorous criteria which include accredited education, years of proven experience and passage of a two-day examination.
Kruse was also honored as charter member for being a professional member for 20 years. The ASID is composed of over 17,000 practicing designers worldwide. It is the largest and mot influential professional organization in the interior design community. In preparing for this position, she has trained in Washington, D.C., Lake Tahoe, Calif., Santa Fe, Baltimore and in July, Seattle.
Ms. Kruse has received several presidential citations and numerous awards, including the coveted "Oklahoma Excellence in Design Award."
She is also a professional member of the International Interior Design Association, formerly IBD, Institute of Business Designers and is listed on the National Register of Who's Who in Interior Design. She has recently been elected to membership in the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Kruse has been volunteering her time in the Oklahoma City Revitalization Program. This committee was formed by Oklahoma City Mayor Ron Norick for future planning of the construction of downtown Oklahoma City following the bombing of the Federal Building.
Raised in Ponca City, she received her associates degree in science from Northern Oklahoma College, Tonkawa, and bachelor's degree in housing and interior design from Oklahoma State University. She is principal of Judy Kruse Interior Designs. She is on the Interior Design Advisory Board at OSU. Recently she served on the Marland Estate Commission. She is a member of the One O'Clock Tipper's Club and is a member of Eastern Heights Christian Church.
She is married to Galen Kruse and is the daughter of Nellie Shanks, Ponca City.
"It's been 80 years and we're still going strong - Security Bank began in the mind of E.W. Marland, early day Ponca City oil man, civic leader, and later congressman and governor of Oklahoma," according to President William W. Rodgers.
Security Bank opened its doors Feb. 8, 1917, at the northwest corner of Grand and Second. The bank started with $100,000 capital and $10,000 surplus. Curt Hall was president and Marland, vice president, and at the end of the first day, deposits totaled $75,000.
By 1922 plans began for the erection of the Masonic Building in Ponca City, which is the building the bank still occupies. Smith and Senter, of Kansas City and Okmulgee, were named architects for the building. They designed the six-story, two mezzanine, concrete frame structure, which was completed in 1924 at a cost of $325,000. The Sunday, Oct. 26, 1923, edition of The Ponca City News devoted the entire front page to the opening of the building.
The bank continued to grow and in 1927 trust powers were granted to the bank and the name became Security Bank and Trust Company. In 1931 the Oklahoma State Bank merged with Security. Although the growth rate slowed, the bank did remain open and stable.
Growth for the bank over the years has necessitated several remodeling projects. In 1956 Security completed Ponca City's first motor bank.
After many attempts, the Oklahoma Legislature finally passed a bill in 1983 that permitted limited branch banking in the state. Security Bank made application and held the grand opening of Security Bank North, Ponca City's first branch bank, May 14, 1984. In September 1990 Security Bank expanded its branches even further with the merger of Community Banks of Shidler, Braman and Kaw City.
In May 1993, Security Bank & Trust was purchased by FourthFinancial Corporation. On Dec. 13, 1993, Security Bank & Trust Company officially converted to Bank IV of Ponca City, with branches in Shidler, Kaw City and Braman.
On Feb. 3, 1995, Security Bank & Trust of Blackwell was added to the Ponca City market and William W. Rodgers was president of Ponca City's $150 million market.
The announcement that Boatmen's Bancshares had purchased Fourth Financial Corporation came in August 1995 with the final merger transactions taking place in February 1996. But that's not all, the bank continues to grow and has recently been acquired by NationsBank shares with the name changing some time in the fall of 1997.
A 2,200-square-foot home in Ponca City costs $109,200, compared to $766,250 for a similar-sized home in Beverly Hills, Calif., according to the results of the just released "Home Price Comparison Index" prepared by Coldwell Banker Heritage, Realtors.
The annual survey compares the average sales price of a "subject home" in Ponca City with those in nearly 300 markets across North America.
"This study is demonstrative of the economic diversity in home values across the country, showing a wide contrast in home prices between America's most affordable and most expensive markets," said Jane Wilson, broker/owner. "For example, a buyer of a 2,200-square-foot home in Oklahoma City with the average price of $99,333 would have to pay nearly eight times more, or nearly $667,000, for a similar-sized home in Beverly Hills."
Oklahoma City topped the Coldwell Banker list of most affordable homes in America for the second consecutive year while Beverly Hills continues to hold the distinction of the most expensive market. The city named as America's most average priced market to purchase a home in Anchorage, Alaska.
"Ponca City homes are among the most affordable, just under Tulsa at $110,262 on the national survey," said Wilson.
The survey compares the average sales price of homes in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico sold during the fourth quarter of 1996. The "subject home," a single family dwelling with four bedrooms, two and a half baths, family room and two car garage is typical for corporate middle management transferees.
According to the survey, the northeast region of the United States has the highest average price for the subject home, $242,806 followed by the West, $238,123, the Midwest, $174,617, and the Southeast $153,370. The average price of all homes surveyed rose about 3.7 percent to $205,886 compared to $198,467 last year.
Consumers can get a free copy of the 1997 Home Price Comparison Index brochure by calling (405) 765-8888 or by stopping by the office at 424 South Fourteenth Street.
Travelers along Fourteenth Street have been treated to a daily transformation of Pioneer Inn into something different The inn had been purchased by David and Shirley Zimmerman, current owners of Rose Stone Inn and Derricks Restaurant downtown.
Renamed "Pioneer Woman Guesthouse," the inn will feature romantic settings, period furnishings, large 15-by-23 feet cathedral-ceiling rooms, each themed for a famous Pioneer Woman.
"We wanted to expand the idea of homestyle comfort that the previous owners, Joni and Braven Dyer, had instigated," says Shirley. Shirley is a charter member of the Oklahoma Bed and Breakfast Association who has operated the Davarnathey Inn on West Grand since 1989.
The inn has always had a loyal following. Built in 1963, it was a showplace motel for many years, hosting famous people such as Art Linkletter and Gov. George Nigh.
Dave relates, "We wanted to refurbish it in a style befitting the Pioneer Woman period. The chalet-style 1960's roof lines were a perfect fit for Carpenter Gothic. Carpenter Gothic was a style that evolved in American architecture in the mid 1800s. First of the Victorian styles, it came with immigrant pioneers from Bavaria, Central Europe and Russia who brought their decorated-cottage traditions.
Alpine Chalet is a prominent example. What the early pioneers of the west craved was "home on the range" - making a civilized life in a virgin land (and one theme of the Pioneer Woman Memorial). The ensuring Victorian era architecture was full of ostentatious ornamentation, proof that the owner had indeed tamed the untamed west.
So will a stay in the guesthouse be a pioneer experience? "No, there are microwaves and indoor plumbing," Dave quips, "We're trying to supply missing elements once found in early inns - charm and personal attention. We think it will be a fit with the growing tourism in Ponca City."
Zimmerman, who is the chairman of the Ponca City Tourism Authority, said, "In fact, tourism has been one of Ponca City's fastest growing industries of late. With new attractions - Festival of Angels and other festivals, Poncan Theatre, Standing Bear Memorial, Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, and the upcoming expansion of Pioneer Woman Museum - Ponca City has become a magnet for travel and coach operators. Since 1993, annual tour bus count has gone from 16 to 164."
He added, "Over the past several years, many of Ponca City's motels have been remodeled. This ample supply of renewed lodging has a positive impact on tourism and business travel. Travelers often arrange their trips around a stay in Ponca City, where prices are a bargain. Average daily rates for Ponca City rooms range from $20 to $50 per night. American Hotel/Motel Association's average daily rate is $78.
Dr. J.C. Trotter, local optometric physician, recently hosted a District IX meeting of the Oklahoma Optometric Association. Special guest was Dr. Dan Bintz, Elk City, president of the association.
The program was held at Golden Corral and Georgia Myers of Ciba Vision gave a presentation. The meeting was attended by doctors from Cleveland, Perry, Blackwell and Ponca City. Dr. Trotter serves on the Board of Directors of the association.
On Planning Committee
Gary Watters, Nickles Industrial, Ponca City, is serving on the planning committee for the 1997 Liberal Gas Compressor Instituted slated for April 8-9 at the Seward County Activity Center, Liberal, Kan.
Keynote speaker for this year's institute is Bobby Joe Cudd, president of Cudd Pressure Control, Woodward, Okla. Cudd will make a presentation on the oil fire in Kuwait.
Dr. Leo Presley is slated to be the guest speaker for the Feb. 21, Breakfast of Champions set for 7:30 a.m. at the Pioneer Technology Center cafeteria.
Presley, head of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce, will speak on Quality and Customer Service and how these are essential parts of a community.
The breakfast is sponsored by the Give Ponca The Business Committee of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce. Admission is $5 and reservations are required.
The meal will include a full breakfast buffet, fresh fruit, juice and coffee. Breakfast will be served beginning at 7:15 a.m. For reservations call 765-4400.
Second Friday Forum, slated for 8 a.m. Friday at Pioneer Technology Center will feature reports from the legislators Sen. Paul Muegge, and Reps. Jim Reese and Jim Newport.
The event, sponsored by the Legislative Review Committee of the Ponca
City Area Chamber of Commerce, is open to the public .
LIFESTYLES
Jay Bjorgo of Oklahoma City, surgeon of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Oklahoma, will be the honored guest at a meeting of 16 posts and 11 auxiliaries of District Eight VFW and Ladies Auxiliary. The event is scheduled for Feb. 16 in Cushing and will include representatives from Ponca City VWF Post 1201 and Ladies Auxiliary.
The 10:30 a.m. sessions at the Cushing VFW will be conducted by Herman Allendinger of Stillwater, district commander, and Syble Hagar of Ponca City, district auxiliary president. Delegates and members are expected from Barnsdall, Bartlesville, Blackwell, Cushing, Dewey, Fairfax, Glencoe, Marland, Newkirk, Pawhuska, Pawnee, Perkins, Perry, Ponca City, Stillwater and Tonkawa.
Bjorgo, elected state surgeon at the 75th convention in June is a life member of the Will Rogers VFW in Oklahoma City. Representing the state commander, he is stressing membership and has announced a state-wide membership roundup for February. He will also report on the recent national conference in Washington, D. C. attended by state officers.
Members are reminded of Veteran Awareness Day Feb. 24 at the state capitol at 8 a.m. and the Mid-Winter Conference in Oklahoma City Feb. 28-Mar. 2. DeAnn McDaniel of Ponca City is state youth chairman and has asked members to observe the deadlines for youth programs and competitions.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies Auxiliary are national patriotic and community service organizations dedicated to promote Americanism, protect veterans entitlements, provide scholarships for young people, raise funds for cancer research, support the VFW national home and volunteer for hospitals.
The Kay County Chapter of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse, 1500 South Fourth. The public is invited to attend the meeting.
Speaker will be Dr. Richard Drass, Oklahoma Archeological Survey. His program will cover the results of the protohistoric Little Deer site in western Oklahoma where he plans to continue working this summer.
Dr. Drass earned a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma in 1995
and has worked at the OAS for 18 years. His area of interest includes Woodland,
Plains Village and other related cultures.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
TONKAWA - Teams on eight-game winning streaks often overlook teams coming into their place sporting a none-too-inspiring record of three wins and 20 losses.
That was the scenario Monday night in Foster-Piper Fieldhouse as the streaking NOC Lady Mavericks hosted the 3-20 Murray State Lady Aggies. Northern didn't look sharp but outscored Murray by six points in each half to post an 84-72 victory and end the first half of the Bi-State West season unbeaten at 5-0. NOC has now won nine consecutive games and is 16-8 overall after getting off to a 2-6 start.
Despite getting tremendous play out of 6-0 Madill freshman forward Kari Wakefield and 5-8 sophomore guard Heather Porter of Crowder, who finished with 27 and 26 points, respectively, Murray State fell to 3-21 and 1-4 in the Bi-State West.
Northern was led by 6-3 Wynona sophomore Sherry Butts, who scored all 17 of her points in the second half to keep Murray State at bay. Canton sophomore guard Jill Kliewer had four treys and finished with 14 points. Also scoring for Northern were Lynetta Geter, 12; Brandi McClellan, 12; T.J. Humphreys, 9; Jennifer Whittet, 8; Chanda Myers, 5; Mandy Perkins, 4; Cathy Rogers, 2; and Michelle Brown, 1.
Neither team looked sharp in the first half as they combined for 31 turnovers (16 by Murray State) and missed eight of 22 foul shots.
With 2:25 left the scrappy Lady Aggies led 25-23 but Northern scored the last eight points of the half to lead 31-25 at the break.
Perkins got the closing run started at the 1:24 mark with an inside bucket. Humphreys hit one of two free throws, Perkins hit one of two free throws, Rogers made a layup and Humphreys put back a McClellan miss with 15 seconds left to end the 8-0 outburst.
"That last minute and half was important for us," head coach Greg Krause said. "That got us some momentum and then Butts, Kliewer and McClellan all stepped up in the second half. Butts had all 17 of her points in the second half, Kliewer had 11 of her 14 and McClellan 10 of her 12."
Northern went inside to score its first 10 points of the second half and then looked outside. Kliewer hit her second trey of the game with 14:30 remaining and Whittet followed with her first to put the Mavs up 47-37 at the 13:19 mark.
Murray State wouldn't go down easily, though, and cut the lead to six points with 3:58 left, 68-62.
Butts then hit a jumper and McClellan streaked in for a layup and the NOC lead was back to 10 with just over three minutes remaining. After a Murray basket, Butts converted a highlight-reel one-handed tip and then the game turned into a free throw shooting contest.
Over the final 1:58, Northern hit 8 of 9 from the free throw stripe - all of them one-and-ones - and ended up posting the 12-point win.
Northern finished 28-for-65 from the field (43.1 percent) with seven treys and went 21-for-28 from the line (75.0). Murray State was 20-for-51 from the field (39.2) with nine treys and went 23-for-37 from the line (62.2). Northern committed 23 turnovers and Murray State 25.
The Lady Mavericks now turn their attention to Western. They will travel to Altus Wednesday for the 6 p.m. game.
"As soon as this game was over I was thinking about Western right off the bat," commented Krause. "This is a big game and a hard road trip. It's a good four hour drive down there but we'll break it up in Oklahoma City, let the girls get out and walk around a bit."
In their last meeting, Northern defeated Western 83-46. But Krause knows his squad must stay focused.
"We can't start the second half thinking that just because we swept the first half we're going to sweep these teams again. That's not the case," said Krause. "We have to maintain our readiness to play.
"The key for us, really, is our defense. We have to keep playing great defense. That really keys our fast break and that is a big part of our offense."
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Ponca City's Wildcat wrestlers end their dual season tonight facing a resurging Tulsa Union team.
The dual, set for 7 p.m. at the Union Intermediate School, 76th and Garnett, will give the Cats a chance to finish 9-3 on the season. But it won't be easy.
"They have some good people," Po-Hi coach Pat Young said of the Redskins. "They placed (nine) wrestlers in a tournament over the weekend."
The Redskins finished fifth in the Dynasty Tournament, behind Wagoner, Tulsa Webster, Collinsville and Wichita West. They crowned four champions and two runners up.
Union has had a shortage of numbers at times during the season and that has hampered their efforts in duals and bids for tournament team titles. But the Redskins have some outstanding individuals, according to Young.
Ponca City's three losses in duals this season have come at the hands of top 10 teams - second-ranked Broken Arrow, No. 4 Edmond Memorial and No. 8 Sapulpa. That ruined the Poncans' bid for a second straight 10-2 season, but Young feels 9-3 would be an outstanding season considering the strength of this year's schedule.
Young said he plans on going with the same lineup he put on the mat at Sapulpa Thursday. However, he will have to wait until grades are posted this afternoon to be sure.
That lineup includes Phillip Gelino at 103 pounds, Josh Bailey at 112, Mark Dodgen at 119, Matt Dodgen at 125, Lorenzo Jones at 130, Doug Scott at 135, Jacob Beck at 140, Darrin Smith at 145, Toby Redleaf at 152, Marciano Villarruel at 160, Stockton Graves at 171, Jay Bentley at 189, Nick Steichen at 215 and Cory Burkett at heavyweight.
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
TONKAWA - Just when it looked like the Northern Oklahoma Mavericks had a chance to get back into the hunt for the Bi-State West lead they lost their second straight Bi-State West home game and are now in a fight just to qualify for postseason play.
That's the effect Monday night's 66-63 loss to Murray State had on the Mavericks. Northern fell to 2-3 in the Bi-State West standings and 10-15 overall while surprising Murray State improved to 3-2 in the division despite owning just a 4-20 overall record.
"It's sad to say, but we don't have the team desire or drive to win in this league," said exasperated Northern head coach Mick Weiberg afterwards. "We just didn't hook up. They stayed in their game and we didn't stay in ours. We are not playing with mental toughness. We're not playing tough at all. You have to be tough to play this game and we're not tough."
Northern has five Bi-State West games remaining but just two of those will be in Foster-Piper Fieldhouse. That may not be such a disadvantage, though, as the Mavs are just 1-2 at home in divisional play 1-1 on the road.
The Mavericks open the second half of the Bi-State West season at Western Oklahoma in Altus Wednesday.
Against Murray State, Northern threatened to break the game open on two occasions but were reeled back in by the Aggies both times.
Northern's first opportunity to take command lasted four minutes late in the first half. The Mavericks went on a 10-4 run to lead 28-21 with 2:08 left in the half. Murray State then closed out the half with a 9-2 spurt of its own to tie the game at 30-all.
The Aggies opened the second half well as 5-9 freshman Jason Parker hit consecutive threes from the top of the key but Northern closed the six-point gap back to two at 40-38 following a jumper by Blake Sonne. Murray State answered that bucket but Northern responded with another strong run.
Freshman post Steven Lookout scored inside with 14 minutes left in the game to start a 13-3 run that put the Mavs up 51-45 with 9:37 remaining. Five different Mavericks scored during that stretch.
The lead was still five with 9:03 left after a Sonne runner in the lane but the Mavs would get just two more field goals the rest of the game.
A 9-2 run by the Aggies put Murray State back up by two points before Sonne hit a trey to put Northern back on top, 58-57, with 5:16 left. The next several minutes saw plenty of free throws as the lead went back and forth.
A big blow to the Mavs came with 3:55 remaining when 6-9 freshman post Richard Whitfield fouled out after hitting a pair of free throws just five seconds earlier that gave NOC a 60-58 lead.
Whitfield left with 14 points and was replaced by the 6-6 Lookout, who already had four fouls of his own. At this point in the game, with 3:55 left, Northern had been whistled for 12 second-half fouls and Murray State four.
A Murray State free throw cut NOC's lead to one and then 6-4 Aggie freshman Cedric Sumpter ended a streak of six straight field goal misses when he scored inside at the 2:00 mark.
Northern's Mark Passley was fouled a short time later and made the first of two free throws to tie the game at 61-all. But he missed the second, stopping Northern's run of 11 straight made free throws in the game.
Murray State came back with a free throw to retake the lead but Passley answered for Northern as he was fouled on a drive and again stepped tot he free throw line - this time with a chance to cap a three-point play. But his free throw was off target, leaving Northern up just one, 63-62, with 50.4 seconds left.
The Aggies went inside and 6-3 sophomore Clifton Thompson easily scored over a tentative Lookout with 23.4 seconds remaining.
Northern called time, down one, with 18.4 showing on the clock. But the Mavs never had an opportunity to take the lead as the inbounds pass was stolen. Three seconds later sophomore Carlos Humphrey was fouled and he made both free throws to give Murray State a 66-63 cushion at the 14.9 mark.
The Mavericks decided to go for three and the tie and did get off an open three-point attempt. But sophomore Bryan Stevens was a little off target at the buzzer and Murray State had the upset win.
Passley led Northern with 16 points, followed by Whitfield, 14; Stevens, 9; Sonne, 9; Lookout, 8; DeShawn Denson, 5; and Kyle Dean, 2.
Thompson led Murray State with 24 points. Humphrey had 12 points and Sumpter 11.
Northern ended up 23 of 53 from the field (43.4 percent) with six treys. The Mavs were 11-for-13 from the line (84.6) with 15 turnovers.
Murray State was 24-for-47 from the field (51 percent), including 8-for-17 from three-point range. The Aggies were 10-for-18 from the line (55.6) with 20 turnovers.
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
Ponca City's Wildcats and Lady Wildcats will find out Thursday who they will be paired up against for the first round of the regional basketball tournament which begins at the end of the month. For the Lady Cats, that first-round foe could be Jenks.
Ponca City and Jenks will square off tonight in Robson Fieldhouse for the second time this season. In the first meeting between the schools Jenks won both games. The Trojans defeated the Cats 61-38 and the Lady Trojans won 51-38.
In those first meetings, the Trojans used a balanced scoring attack with six players scoring six or more points. Football star Rocky Calmus made his debut on the hardcourt and scored a game-high 16 points. Parsons led Ponca City with 11 points. The girls' game was similar as Jenks had 10 players score although only one reached double figures and five scored 3 points or fewer. Junior Briana Keeton led the Lady Trojans with 12 points. Lyndsey Warrior led Po-Hi with 12 points despite playing the entire game in foul trouble after picking up three fouls in the first period.
Warrior is the third leading scorer in the conference with a 14.8 average. Destani Kirkpatrick leads Jenks with a 12.0 scoring average. She scored 8 points in the first game.
On the boys' side, Grant Stone is the Trojans' leading scorer. The 6-7 senior averages 11.8 points per game. Junio Micha Alexander has turned into Po-Hi's go-to scorer. In the last two games, Alexander has scored 43 points.
The Trojans enter the contest ranked 11th in 6A with an 11-7 record and are 7-5 in the Frontier Conference after a two-game losing streak. The Lady Trojans are ranked 13th and sport a 9-8 overall mark and 6-5 Frontier Conference record.
Ponca City's boys are 4-12 and ranked 28th. They are 2-8 in the league standings but are expected to get a lift as Andy Parsons, Ryan Treadway and Wesley Swygert are all expected to be back from injuries.
The 7-9, 4-6 Lady Wildcats are ranked 19th in 6A.
The boys' game is scheduled to tip first at 6:15 with the girls' game to follow at approximately 8 p.m.
GARBER - Frontier had a hard time shaking loose from Garber in a basketball doubleheader here Monday.
The Frontier boys broke open a close game in the second half to post a 71-53 win while the girls held on for a 47-41 win.
The Mustangs held a 27-23 lead at halftime until outscoring Garber 24-15 in the third quarter.
Dee Buxton and Josh Regnier each scored 18 points while Nolan Grant had 10 to lead Frontier scoring.
It took a 12-9 third period edge for the Lady Mustangs to get some breathing room against Garber. Frontier held a 28-25 halftime lead.
Frontier 47, Garber 41 (girls)
Frontier 16 12 12 7 - 47
Garber 14 11 9 7 - 41
Frontier - Bible 20, Romero 12, Jake 9, Williams 2, Sober 2.
Frontier 71, Garber 53 (boys)
Frontier 13 14 24 20 - 71
Garber 10 13 15 15 - 53
Frontier - Buxton 18, Regnier 18, Grant 10, Shiever 9, Bank 8, Bible 3, Sanders 2, Clouse 2.