From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Wednesday,
February 19, 1997
LOCAL
Railroading No Small Hobby For Fans of HO Scale Trains
NOYS Class Helps Parents Cope With Problem Teens
Benefit Auction Set For Sound System
Calendar
'Pretty Weird Stuff' Keeps Readers Reading Book
British Ambassador Feels Isolationism Bad Practice
Nearly News
Rural Electric Cooperatives Will Play Part in Power Market
Pursued Pennsylvania Fugitives Remaining in Payne County Jail
Officer Awareness Helps Detect DUI
Significant Strides Being Seen In Community's Environment
Delta Company Promotes Three
New Poncan Executive Director In Acting, Teaching for 20 Years
Injured Burbank Man Remains Hospitalized
Emergency Sirens To Sound Thursday
Park and Recreation Board Meets Thursday
New Water Line Construction Set
Letters Say:
County Opens Health Dept. Project Bids
DEATHS
Kenneth M. Leffler
Wilford Ray Collins
Refugio Angelena Moses
Obituaries
Helen Louise Frost
Services Pending
Kathryn Levine Keys
Funerals
Charles M. Coffman
William Gerald Simpson Jr.
Ruth Shepard
Emma Plunkett
Casket Bearers
NEWS BRIEFS
LIFESTYLES
AARP Chapter Members Hear Talk on Health
Couple Married in Coyle Residing in Arkansas City
Rho Chapter Dinner Fetes Kim Youngblood
Mother's Club Unit Conducts Meeting
SPORTS
Outdoor Notices
Sandites Ease By Wildcats
Lady Cats Fly Past SS, 49-27
Senior Night Festivities Slated Friday
JV Girls Fall Short
Junior High Basketball
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
The North Central Oklahoma Model Railroaders Association is a small group who share a model HO layout in the back of a building in downtown Ponca City. The group organized in 1984 so they could have the space for their hobby of model railroading, which few people can house in their own homes. They are now looking for a few good people to share their interest and share the building of their dream layout.
"It is space consuming. Even a small layout takes up a room in a home, which most people cannot spare," says Joanna Gary, wife of John, who has been a model railroader for about 50 years.
The new location now used by the group is at 113 North Third, with an alley entrance. As a group, they assemble from 7 until 10 p.m. each Thursday night. They recently moved to the new location from a building nearby because the new location has more square feet of space. The men have been taking a lot of time "fixing up the larger place." It is clean, neat and attractive and they are now ready to get down to business on the layout.
The layout consists of a separate portion for each modeler, which is designed, built and maintained by him. At one time the whole layout was a model of the actual Rock Island spur between Ponca City and Enid. It detailed everything from locomotives to municipal railway stations at Tonkawa, Alcorn, Billings, Garber and Cropper. The club members created landscapes, scenery, grain elevators, refineries.
"Since they have moved across the alley, it has been difficult to restore to its former glory due to a shortage of manpower, and the group would greatly appreciate the participation of additional people with an interest in model railroading," says Mrs. Gary.
The layout is HO gauge. The place is available all hours for anyone (possibly retired) who would like to spend more time there, building layout, wiring, whatever. The Thursday night meeting time is set so at least once a week the members can count on being together for overall planning and fellowship.
On occasion, members attend model railroad shows in other areas and regions as near as Stillwater, and as far as Kansas City, and individually as far as California on vacations.
"Dues" or "membership" consists only of sharing equally the cost of the rent for the space, which is reasonable. Additional members would make the cost even more reasonable for everyone concerned, and would make the total layout come together faster, reasons Gary.
The hobby is three-fold: modeling the train engines and cars (done individually at home if preferred), doing the wiring on the layout, and building the scenery on the layout.
To drive to the NCOMR meeting room door located at the rear of 113 North Third, visitors may drive into the "one-way" alley from the Fourth Street entrance, traveling west toward Third. The alley intercepts another half-alley running north. The NCOMR door is the first door on the left, off this north-going alley. Parking is available only in the Fourth to Third Street alley.
Anyone who is interested in Model Railroading, but is not pursuing the hobby because of limited space at home and/or the cost of an individual layout, or who would like to share the hobby with other interested individuals, is invited to visit the NCOMR room from 7 to 10 p.m. any Thursday night, or call 765-6486 or 765-7996 for more information.
Editors Note: Recently invited to sit in on one of the popular and very successful weekly teen parenting sessions at Northern Oklahoma Youth Shelter, this writer relates the happenings of an emotion-packed session, using anonymous names to protect the identity of parent clients.
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
A mixed assortment of parents and single parents gather for a session around a large conference table at the Northern Oklahoma Youth Shelter weekly. Some step outside for a last cigarette, while others fill cups with coffee or sip from a insulted mug from home. Chatting quietly before the meeting, some seem nervous, some anxious, some sit quietly resigned, the weight of teen problems resting heavily on their countenance.
Newcomers to the class fidget nervously, not sure how much they want this group to know the problems at home with a teen - perhaps afraid they will discover "they" are the failure. Veterans in the group cannot wait for the session to begin and are anxious to relate successes of the week or bring new problems to the table helpful suggestions and solutions.
A young single mother says, "I can't wait to get to this group every week - it has helped me realize other parents are dealing with the same problems I have, and they help me deal in an adult way with my teenager."
As the two counselors take their places at either end of the table, a candle is lit in the center of the table, and the rules are quickly recalled. No cross-talk across the table from one parent to another - conversation is addressed to the entire group; stay on the subject at hand; all should become involved in the conversation; encourage each other; share the time; and a few other very simple rules.
Some of the problems discussed at great length were manipulative children, especially in step-parent homes; teens with drug and alcohol involvement; pain and hurt inflicted by behavior of teen children; feelings of failure and helplessness in dealing with teens.
A lengthy discourse was related by one set of parents and they described the success of using concepts learned at the teen parenting classes while dealing with an addicted teen. They described their visit to a rehabilitation clinic in another state, where that had recently visited their daughter.
During the very intense session, a stepfather tried to control his angry, emotion-filled voice, several mothers cried at the mention of feeling helpless and all talked about their pain, mistakes, failures - trying to know how to deal with their teens in a mature, responsible way. But many related small but effective successes, using concepts learned in the class to stay in control.
Byron Tribble, Family Crisis Intervention specialist and Marilyn Madden, with St. Joseph's Behavioral Clinic, first encouraged the new parents to learn to work together as a team to raise their teens effectively. "You must take care of yourselves first, if you are going to be able to be a good parent to your children," they said. "The best revenge on manipulative and abusing children is to live well."
They also said parents should express their feelings to their children and in turn allow children to express their feelings back - no matter how painful. Double standards are not acceptable. The double set of standards is also not acceptable in behavior, where it is not OK for a child to do an addictive drug, but OK for the parent.
Tribble also said, parents who have a "fear of alienating a child" shuts down his effectiveness. A determination to do what is right is important. "Every time you, as a parent, makes a mistake, just remember each day is the first day of a new beginning and a new chance to get it right - don't give up."
Madden said for parents to remember "I'm OK, I'm the parent, I'm in control. Kids do not run the life of a successful parent." Parents can be a part of the problem - or a part of the solution, she said.
One father "Jim," with a 17-year-old, related his experience in learning to be a responsible parent and a part of the solution to teenage drinking and drug use. He told the story of his son coming home intoxicated, 30 minutes after the city curfew.
Jim woke the mother, as all members of the family must face a problem together, openly and honestly. Nothing should be hidden. When a teen has a double set of parents, his other parents should also be notified, so they will not feel they are being left out of the control over the situation, says Jim.
Son related he drank a fifth of vodka in a 3 1/2 hour period, so Jim called the hospital for advice about possible alcohol overdose. Father kept son awake for a while to observe breathing rate as advised by hospital staff, helped son into bed and checked on him during the night.
Jim had also been advised to put son to work immediately at 7 a.m. the next day, which he did - and kept him busy all day. He also scheduled special drug testing through a DARE coordinator for the next day and required his son to attend an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting at Harmony House. The father also required the son to take a urine analysis test for marijuana usage. He purchased the UA bottle at the drugstore.
Mother, father and son, all went to the liquor store, where the vodka had been purchased and confronted the attendant in a civilized manner. The teenager had been served with no ID check. The attendant expressed appreciation for their attitude in which the confrontation was made. Later, the liquor store called their home again to assure the parents their ID carding would receive the utmost attention before serving anyone again.
The son also later called the liquor store to apologize for his part in the illegal purchase, saying he had come to realize that his actions could have resulted in big losses. The liquor store could have been shut down - he (the son) could have been arrested and others as well as himself could have been seriously injured or killed.
Jim also said if it ever happened again, he would report the liquor store to the authorities and suggested other parents communicate to all stores that they will also take this action if needed.
"We as parents must fight the local problems of underage
drinking and illegal drugs in our town," Jim repeated. "Parents are a part of the problem or a part of the solution."
Parents in the teenage parenting sessions, could not agree with "Jim" more!
They are adamant in praising the professional counseling procedures learned at the teen parenting sessions. They say it has helped them turn off their fear, stick together, determine what needs to be done and do what is right with assurance that it is the best way to raise their teens through these troubled times.
For more information on the teen parenting classes, all Byron Tribble at 762-5582.
A benefit auction, with funds going towards a sound system with assistive devices for special singers and the hearing impaired, will be held by the First Free Will Baptist Church.
The event has been set for noon, Feb. 22, at the First Free Will Baptist Church Annex, and include a barbecue rib dinner with baked beans and other trimmings at a cost of $6 per person. Slabs of ribs may be purchased for $10.
The auction will follow lunch.
Through February 22
Exhibit "Touchable Sculpture," Ponca City Art Association.
Through February 28
Southern Plains Council of Camp Fire Annual Candy Sale, look for members out selling, or call 765-1644.
February 20
Kaw Reservoir Authority, 10 a.m., Ponca City.
North Central Chapter of Quail Unlimited (QU) 11th annual dinner and auction, 5:30 p.m., Ponca City Elks Lodge.
February 20-22
"Spoon River Anthology," Northern Oklahoma College spring play, 8 p.m., Northern Performing Arts Center on Tonkawa campus, adults $5, students $2.
February 21-22
"Noises Off," Ponca Playhouse production, 8 p.m., Poncan Theatre, Ponca City.
February 23
"Noises Off," Ponca Playhouse production, 2 p.m., Poncan Theatre, Ponca City.
"Spoon River Anthology," Northern Oklahoma College spring play, 2 p.m., Northern Performing Arts Center on Tonkawa campus, adults $5, students $2.
February 25
Spay Day USA: Ponca City Humane Society has 40 spay certificates to distribute, 10 a.m., 900 West Prospect Avenue.
February 27
Environmental Trust Authority of Northern Oklahoma Board of Trustees, 11:30 a.m., City Manager's Office, 221 West Blackwell, Blackwell.
Alzheimer's Support Group, 7 p.m., Conference Room D, St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
February 28-March 1
"Noises Off," Ponca Playhouse production, 8 p.m., Poncan Theatre, Ponca City.
March 1
Liberty PTA Sixth Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Liberty Elementary School, information call Natalie 767-1429 or Lorinda 762-0459.
Northern Oklahoma Wordsmiths (writer's group), 9:30 a.m.-noon, Basement Program Room, Ponca City Library.
101 District 1997 Scout Show, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, Fourteenth Street and East Grand Avenue, Ponca City. Tiger Cub Raingutter Regatta 10 a.m., District Pinewood Derby 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.
March 4
Ponca City Area Chamber Orchestra and Chorus, with Children's Chorale, conducted by Cathy Byard, 8 p.m., Poncan Theatre.
March 8
American Legion Pancake and Sausage Feed (all the pancakes you can eat), 6:30-10 a.m., 407 West South Avenue, Ponca City, adults $3, children under 12 $1.50, children under 6 free, proceeds go to the Rehab Fund.
Church Women United Spring Fling Arts and Crafts Show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Unity Gym, Ponca City, to benefit Child Development Center, call Tina Barrett 765-3613 for more information.
March 9
Community Concert "Rhythm in Shoes," 2:30 p.m., Hutchins Memorial, Fifth Street at Overbrook Avenue, Ponca City.
March 15
Sportscard Show, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Marland Mansion Chapel, Ponca City, free admission, call 765-5333 for more information.
"The Oklahoma City Philharmonic," Poncan Theatre, time to be announced, tickets required.
March 16
Ponca City Humane Society Annual Meeting, 2-4:30 p.m., Ponca City Library Programming Room.
March 27-30
Annual Easter Pageant, "He's Alive," 7 p.m., presented by First Baptist Church, Hutchins Memorial Auditorium, tickets free but necessary, available at First Baptist Church office, Master's Touch, KLVV, Guy Lyall Insurance in Tonkawa or Eastman National Bank in Newkirk.
March 29
Easter Egg Hunt, 1 p.m., Football Field, Shidler School, sponsored by the Shidler Area Chamber of Commerce.
April 5
American Legion Pancake and Sausage Feed (all the pancakes you can eat), 6:30-10 a.m., 407 West South Avenue, Ponca City, adults $3, children under 12 $1.50, children under 6 free, proceeds go to the Rehab Fund.
Laurette Willis "The Nutty 40s Radio Show," Poncan Theatre, free.
April 12
Second Annual Trail of Tails benefiting Ponca City Humane Society.
"Trash Off Day, Clean Highway 11, sponsored by Shidler Area Chamber of Commerce.
Sportscard Show and Memorabilia Auction, show 9 a.m.-5 p.m., auction, 6-8 p.m., Northern Oklahoma College, Foster-Piper Fieldhouse, Tonkawa, admission $1, proceeds to Maverick Athletic Booster Club, call 1-405-628-6733 for more information.
April 14
Kay County Retired Educators Association, 11:30 a.m., Program, Blackwell Police Department "Scams," First United Methodist Church, Sixth and Coolidge, Blackwell.
May 17
D.C. Minner, Selby and Blues on the Move, 8 p.m., Poncan Theatre, Ponca City, free.
June 9
Kay County Retired Educators Association, 9 a.m., Installation of Officers, Irene Stone, Vice President of OREA, Music, Mark and Annie Wynn, Northern Oklahoma College, 1220 East Grand, Tonkawa.
June 14
"Heritage Day Festival," 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Main street of Shidler, crafts booths, games and rides, food, musical entertainment, parade at 4 p.m., for crafts booths call Betty Hoffman, 918-793-7991 or Burl Rash 918-793-2191, sponsored by the Shidler Area Chamber of Commerce.
By MARJORIE DECKER
News Staff Writer
Pretty weird stuff is the way Cassidy McCabe puts it in the opening paragraph of "Satan's Silence," written by Alex Matthews.
Matthews, a clinical social worker who enjoys writing psychological mysteries but has no urge to live one, has written an attention-holding who-done-it, with the perfect addition of a cat - and a pregnant one at that!
Matthews, herself a woman who considers many female protagonists insufficiently female, and a clinical social worker, has written a topnotch psychological thriller. Her heroine is an amateur sleuth who is struggling, as a divorcee, to make her mark in the world, maintain her very own slant on life and keep her client alive.
Cassidy McCabe is struggling valiantly, in her own way, to establish a private practice as a psychotherapist. Her client, Dana, a young woman, is also struggling to deal with flashbacks to a time, as a child, when she witnessed Satanic rites in a cemetery outside Chicago.
McCabe's partner and romantic interest, Zach Moran, an investigative reporter, learns of Dana's dilemma and insists on getting into the act.
Cassidy's mother and grandmother also lend color to the proceedings, as do Dana's parents and her small child, whose life she fears is in danger.
As the plot thickens, and Dana's baby disappears, Zach also "takes a powder" supposedly, and Cassidy receives the gift of a snake in her house, leaving her to wonder "why, why, why are men never there when you need them?"
There are some great "twists" to the plot, involving a cult, a preacher and his wife, a strange client of Cassidy's who never really comes up with a problem, and a general feeling that some people are just born evil. It's a delicious mishmash of intrigue, down-to-earth relationships, and a cat in the throes of motherhood.
If you like mysteries and cats, this second Cassidy McCabe mystery by Alex Matthews is worth a read.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY - British Ambassador Sir John Kerr cut short his visit to Oklahoma Tuesday to return to London to hear United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright as she talks to the British government today.
About Albright, the ambassador said, "Her predecessor was a very skillful lawyer negotiator. I actually think it is a rather good thing to have someone who will use the skillful legal negotiations of the State Department.
"But I don't see that as her role. She will tell it in public like it is to the Russians or the Chinese. She will be quite firm. She will be much better than her predecessor in telling post cold war Americans that post cold war diplomacy still matters."
Kerr told the World Affairs Council, sponsored jointly by the University of Central Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma, that the United States and Britain need to continue to pull together more than ever. Kerr said he is promoting a transatlantic partnership for problem solving - problems of the NATO Alliance.
The ambassador said, "We need to allow the central Europeans into the NATO Alliance. We need to give the Russians their veto over what we want to do but we want to be sympathetic to the sociological shock in Russia today and partnershipping relations."
Commenting about China, Kerr said, "We (British and Americans) need to watch the Chinese in particular, how they handle the Hong Kong hand-over this summer. We will be signaling to the Chinese that whether they get Hong Kong right will be our kind of touchstone. And if they don't get it right it will be very difficult to have the kind of world we all want.
Outlining some of his concerns, Kerr said he was concerned that the U.S. is moving toward being an isolationist. Kerr said that there seems to be a movement by the U.S. toward fair trade rather than free trade. He said barriers should not be created.
He noted that the British are the biggest foreign investors in the United States and the U.S. is the largest foreign investor in Britain. Kerr said this breeds natural links.
At one point UCO President George Nigh commented that being in the geographical center of the United States it was sometimes hard for Oklahomans to think globally until recently with the advancement of technology. Kerr noted, "If the world economy comes unstuck then we all suffer." He encouraged students in the audience to learn a second language and to become more knowledgeable globally.
The ambassador also said that the United States needs to pay its bills at the United Nations. Kerr said that Albright was right to say that the U.S. should pay its debts.
Kerr said it is important for NATO to welcome into the alliance Eastern European former colonies of the Soviet Union. He said, "It would be quite wrong to turn down the Polish, the Czechs and the Hungarians." Kerr said there will be some debate in the U.S. Congress about extending NATO, but that it would be dangerous not to do so.
The mission of the World Affairs Council is to bring a more global understanding of economy and world concerns to its members. Kerr was invited by former Admiral William Crowe, with whom he had worked. Crowe is now on the faculty at Oklahoma University.
When Gov. Frank Keating was at the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce banquet, he said that former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had voiced concern about the civility of America. She wanted to come to Oklahoma after the bombing because she thought the state was an example of how America used to be.
Kerr said that he felt that the entire western world had lost some of its civility and that America was better than most in the area of civility. He said Congress often catches the brunt of things, but one has only to tune in to C-Span and view the antics of British Parliament in session to appreciate the U.S. Congress.
RAF Connection
When informed of the Royal Air Force Training program held in Ponca City at the Darr Flight School before the United States entered World War II, Kerr told about a new museum opening in London featuring American aircraft.
"On the first of August the National War Museum, in London, will open its new extension out in the countryside at the former American Air Base of the Eagle Squadron. On display will be one example of every American plan that flew out of Britain in 1943, 1944 and 1945, including bombers and fighters," Kerr said.
He said this has been an ongoing project and the royal family was very closely associated with the project. The Duke of York, the queen's youngest son, had done a lot of the fund-raising. In America Charleston Heston has been "very keen" on the project, but it is funded nearly all with British money.
Kerr encouraged Americans to attend the opening, which will be presided over by the queen.
Phil Landauer, a former Ponca City Wildcat tennis player and now a resident of Dublin, Ohio, is sitting on top of the world after winning the National Hardcourts Tennis Tournament Feb. 17 with his doubles partner, Neal Newman of Columbus, Ohio. The match was held at Salt Lake City, Utah, and is the sixth National Championship Phil has won. A protege of the late Coach Wally Smith, Phil played for several years on the University of Arkansas varsity tennis team, and was ranked No. 1 in both singles and doubles in 1992 by Tennis Magazine. His parents, the Mike Landauers, tell NN Phil is part owner and head pro of "The Players Club" in Hilliard, Ohio, a four-court indoor complex. NN understands Phil and his partner defeated Peter Bronson of Phoenix and David Bryant of Oklahoma City 6-2, 6-4 for the championship. NN thanks Landauer for keeping in touch - it's always good to hear good things about former Ponca Citians.
Nearly News wants to alert citizens that the Ponca City Park and Recreation Advisory Board has a new meeting time. The group will meet at the Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue, at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
The News just learned that volunteer firefighters from Fairfax also assisted in battling the grass fire which ravaged the northwest side of McCord Monday. Thanks guys!
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Although private, investor-owned and municipal power utilities have already begun competing for a place in the power market, Oklahoma electric cooperatives will also be a player.
Kay Electric maintains 2,500 miles of distribution line for an average 2.2 customers per mile of line. Electric cooperatives own and maintain nearly 50 percent of the nation's distribution lines but serve only 10.8 percent of the nation's population.
According to General Manager Joe Harris, of Kay Electric Cooperative in Blackwell, "Any rural area will be the last to see competition because the cost to serve this group is higher."
Whereas the first loyalty to investor-owned utilities is to a group who expects to take a share of the profits away from the communities they serve, locally controlled electric cooperatives keep the surplus and resources they earn in the community to help the people they serve, said Harris.
During 1996, State Senator Kevin Easley, brought together the state's power producers and power consumer groups in a restructuring task force to build a new approach to electrical generation and delivery.
Cooperatives proposed universal access of electric delivery charges paid by consumers. According to Harris, this can be achieved by pooling all distribution costs together, then creating a single, or "equalized" cost, statewide, just as the Post Office does with the 32-cent postage stamp.
According to General Manager Randy Ethridge, of People's Electric in Ada, "Any other type of access charges would discriminate against rural areas."
Last year, Kay Electric was awarded the lease of the Kaw City system. Harris said Kay was willing to pay more for the lease. Even though resident members would have had a reduction in their electricity rates through Public Service of Oklahoma, they were willing to give more back to the city, said Harris. The community approved the franchise by 90 percent.
Nineteen coops own Western Farmers, a non-profit cooperative fire-generating plant. Western Farmers is the wholesale provider, much like Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority wholesales electricity to Ponca City.
"At some point," said Harris, "we will use up the existing plants and new plants will have to be built. Who will pay these costs?"
Harris is also concerned that uniform prices from restructuring, although they may lower costs on both coasts, may raise rates in Oklahoma.
Kay Electric operates like a business, however, the surplus is put back into the operation so it can continue to exist. Investor-owned utilities don't have the same interest as coops, said Harris. Customers for Kay Electric are not viewed as a source of revenue, but as friends and neighbors.
Rural areas were the last to be electrified because they were not as profitable to serve, according to Harris. Coops were established to provide service to themselves and share in the cost. They are non-profit organizations set up under federal requirements, owned by members. Customers and stock holders are the same.
"It is the single most successful private and governmental partnership put on the books," the manager said.
Kay Electric has never taken a transfer of funds. They either have to raise the rates or lower services.
"We do a good job given the task of serving the area we do," said Harris, "and we're proud of it."
Furthermore, Kay Electric is involved in the community's economic growth. The business has worked to obtain rural development loans for two Blackwell businesses. Additionally, the business sponsors annual essay contests to send teens to the Youth Tour Conference in Washington, D.C. and the Energy Camp in Turner Falls.
The local coop serves parts of Kay, Osage, Noble, Garfield and Grant Counties. Their customers spread west of Medford to east of Foraker and from the Kansas state line to Perry.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Two Pennsylvania fugitives pursued by Ponca City police officers remain at the Payne County jail awaiting extradition. Ponca City police officers helped to end a week long crime spree early last Friday.
According to the Somerset District Attorney's office, the 16-year-old and 17-year-old boys recently waived extradition. Cpl. Tim Steel, of the Somerset State Police, said authorities are discussing the most economical way to retrieve the prisoners.
An official from the Payne County District Attorney's office, said Payne County plans to file charges against the two. Due to the seriousness of the crime in Pennsylvania, however, the D.A. does not want to impede the process. Therefore, the teens will be brought back to stand charges in Stillwater, at a later date.
The Kay County District Attorney's office could not confirm whether charges would be brought against the two since the stolen auto was returned unharmed, a spokesperson said.
Ponca City patrol officer Mike Stasyszen attempted to stop the two subjects on North Fourteenth Street and Princeton Avenue, at 1:04 a.m. A telecommunication officer ran a vehicle registration check on the tag and discovered the tag was stolen from a Ponca City resident's truck.
Upon notification, the resident reported a Tennessee tag was now on his truck. A vehicle check on the Tennessee tag revealed two fugitives from Somerset, Pa., jumped bond on charges of conspiracy to commit a homicide and aggravated assault.
At 2:48 a.m., patrol officer Don Jump located the two in a 1992 Ford Explorer. Lt. Dwaine Vincent assisted Jump in pursuing the vehicle southbound on U.S. 177. An Otoe Tribal officer also assisted.
The Stillwater Police Department was notified of the pursuit and a roadblock was established. According to Stillwater police Cpl. Kyle Gibbs, the juveniles ran the roadblock, struck a curb and blew out a tire. Vincent and a Stillwater officer apprehended the suspects on foot.
Steel said the juveniles were allegedly involved in numerous burglaries in Somerset County. He confirmed the two had been arraigned on charges of conspiracy to commit a homicide and aggravated assault and were awaiting their hearing.
Authorities believe the two could face charges of auto theft in Somerset, Kingston, Tenn., Augusta, Kan., and Ponca City.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Awareness helps Ponca City patrol officers detect intoxicated drivers and get them off the streets.
In the last five years, Ponca City patrol officers arrested 1,364 motorists for driving under the influence (DUI), according to patrolman Dale Henshaw. Henshaw said laws for driving under the influence of alcohol take affect once a person leaves the driveway.
Officers use visual cues to detect drunk drivers at night, such as:
- Weaving, driving left of center and/or straddling the center marker.
- Observing a driver's face close to the windshield.
- Noticing that the vehicle travels at a speed lower than 10 mph below the speed limit.
- Following too closely, making wide turns, stopping inappropriately and forgetting to turn headlights on.
In addition to observing the vehicle in motion, officers use face-to-face observations which may signal the officer to have the driver exit the vehicle. The officer may subject the driver to the Standardized Field Sobriety Test, which allows the officer to observe the driver's ability to perform small tasks including: walking a straight line and balancing on one leg.
Based on clues, probable cause and the driver's performance on the field test, an officer will decide whether to make an arrest. If an arrest is made, the patrol officer has the vehicle impounded and takes the person to the police station for booking.
After the violator is booked, a breath test is given. Under state law, any person who operates a motor vehicle within the state shall be regarded as giving consent to a test of the person's blood or breath, to determine alcohol concentration.
To be considered DUI, a suspect must have a blood alcohol level of 0.10 percent. According to Henshaw, if the level is 0 6 to 0.9 percent, the person will be considered driving while impaired. This means the person is subject to arrest and fines, however, does not fall under the License Revocation Act. Therefore, the results of the intoxilyzer are very important.
According to Henshaw, the motorist will lose the driver's license for 180 days, on the first DUI misdemeanor offense. After the second offense, the subject loses the driver's license and receives a 30-day temporary license. Should the subject not appeal the DUI, the license will be suspended, the patrolman said. Driving privileges are suspended on the third offense and the driver will go to jail.
Officials said the average DUI violator commits the offense 80 times per year. The chances of being arrested for DUI are as low as one in 2,000, said Henshaw.
On the national average, one person is killed every 32 minutes in an alcohol-related crash. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these deaths constituted 40.8 percent of the traffic fatalities, in 1995. It is estimated that about two in every five Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their lives.
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Editor's note: This is the second in a series of articles relating to the nine vision goals of Ponca City Tomorrow. The visioning group hopes to obtain citizen's input in shaping the future of the city.
The Environmental Task Force for Ponca City Tomorrow continues to make significant strides for the community in the areas of recycling, city beautification and awareness. Members from local businesses, the high school, and community volunteers participate in the following goals and dreams established for the visioning group:
- Support a recycling program for individuals and business.
- Develop pollution control programs.
- Promote conservation of natural resources, including water and parks.
- Recruit industries that promote a clean environment.
- Maintain city cleanliness in streets and parks.
- Begin a city beautification plan, including entrances and create neighborhood incentives for beautification.
Many of these goals have already been set in motion. According to Steve Sprehe, task force chair, three of the four designated areas for Iris beds have been established at entrances to Ponca City. The west entrance is maintained by employees in Conoco's environmental committee. The Council of Garden Clubs sponsors the south entrance and the Environmental Task Force maintains the east entrance. However, a sponsor is still needed for the entrance sign on north U.S. 77.
Students are also joining in. An environmental club has been established at Woodlands School and the Middle School. Additionally, Po-Hi senior Adrian Powell reported that the high school's Environmental Club purchased 90 Tupperware plastic bins with DECA funds to collect paper for recycling. Also, large trash cans are located in the cafeteria to recycle aluminum cans.
Furthermore, the environmental group has been trying to get more trees planted north of the Pioneer Woman statue to screen the commercial area from the park's view. Sprehe discovered that ground work on museum property is under contract with the Opportunity Center. Therefore, the group is now looking for alternative resources and volunteer groups to address this issue.
Moreover, under the direction of former chair Linda Ralston, "Litter Free Events" were introduced at the Wildcat home football games last fall. Members hope to promote the idea for additional events in Ponca City. For example, the herb fest kept their event litter-free.
Additionally, Ponca City has been selected as one of five Oklahoma communities to participate with Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, Inc. in developing a program to address solid waste issues. The project is sponsored by the Department of Environmental Quality. A steering committee, with PCT members, has been established to identify needs and goals relating to recycling, public land clean-ups, and public education on solid waste issues in a written plan.
This year, the task force has identified the following projects: adopt-a-street, local neighborhood litter pickup/precinct challenge, developing a household hazardous waste disposal program, and encouraging more litter free events.
Meetings of the Environmental Task Force are open to the public. Interested citizens are welcome to attend the next meeting on March 5, at the Commercial Federal Building, Suite 304E, at 4:30 p.m.
Three members of Delta Company 1/179th Infantry Battalion of Ponca City have been promoted recently.
Specialist Jonathon Humphery was selected for promotion to the rank of sergeant. Private second class James Hensley was promoted to the rank of private first class, and Pvt. Jesse Quaid was promoted to the rank of private second class.
According to Delta Company 1st Sgt. Michael Treanor, "This drill weekend the focus was on training. Ten of our members participated in military drivers training, six members completed a bus drivers training certification course, and 31 members completed 12 stations of Common Task Testing to meet annual Army training requirements."
Ken Wessel has been selected to succeed Jo Ann Muchmore as executive director of the Poncan Theatre. Wessel says he loves the arts. He has been an actor, director and university teacher for over 20 years.
An Oklahoma native, Wessel grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from Midwest City High School and the University of Oklahoma. "I've got relatives all over Oklahoma," he says, "from Enid to Watonga." His grandparents made the run in 1889 and settled in Oklahoma Territory living in sod houses.
Recently Wessel has been a professor of theater. He taught at the University of Kansas for 14 years and the University of North Texas for five years. He has taught more than 30 different courses at four universities.
Wessel says, "I have early memories of exciting theater at the first Mummer's Theatre in Oklahoma City," which later grew into the Oklahoma Theatre Center, "and at the Oklahoma City Lyric Theatre." Wessel remembers that he was 16 when a revival of "My Fair Lady" came through town on a national tour. "I called up the local producer and negotiated reduced rates for hundreds of students - or at least she let me think I did."
He also remembers dozens of musical recitals, from opera baritone Leonard Warren to guitarists Andres Segiovia. Wessel's interest in music came mostly from his father, who was a teacher of singing and also conducted choirs at St. Luke's Methodist and other churches in Oklahoma City. "Dad loved a beautiful voice and a good church organ," Wessel says. "My tastes and interests are more eclectic than Dad's, since I grew up listening to Leontyne Price and Dylan, and I loved the Doors almost as much as Mozart."
Wessel's mother was a legal secretary who was an avid reader. She especially enjoyed Agatha Christie and other fiction writers. "Mom was the real humanist of the family - and she was essentially self-educated by reading," Wessel says. "She taught me respect for other people and ideas, and I still feel her values in my artistic choices and personal interactions."
As an artist, Wessel has directed scores of theatre pieces. Among his favorites are "Into the Woods," "The Marriage of Figaro," "Our Country's Good," and "The Odd Couple."
"I love Stephen Sondheim's Broadway musicals," he says, "and I've been fascinated by Shakespeare since I was a kid - I used to memorize monologues and act them out just for the fun of it."
Wessel has also acted professionally. He performed several roles for the Shakespeare Festival of Dallas, including Gloucester in "King Lear" and Friar Lawrence in "Romeo and Juliet." He has also performed in mini-series for NBC and ABC and regional television commercials.
As an administrator, Wessel has organized many production companies. He served as national Chair of Directing Program of The American Theatre Association and national vice chair of the Acting Program. He has presented over 50 workshops. He directed and acted in community theatres, and served on the board of the Liberty Hall Players in Kansas.
In his spare time, Wessel loves to play racquetball, throw rawhide sticks for his toy poodle, Clifford and go to the theater. He says he is delighted to reconnect with Ponca City. Around 1920, his Dad lived in Ponca City and saw Annie Oakley here in town. Wessel visited here as a boy and feels that "the first work of sculpture that made a lasting impression on me was the Pioneer Woman." So for Wessel, coming to Ponca "is like renewing an old acquaintance."
A 23-year-old Burbank man remains hospitalized after an accident which occurred 3.9 miles south of Shidler on Oklahoma 18 on Feb. 7.
According to an official from Columbia Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Brad A. Tubbs remains in serious condition from head, trunk internal, trunk external, leg and arm injuries.
Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper Darrell Jordan investigated the accident.
The testing of the Ponca City emergency siren warning system will be held at noon, every Thursday, according to Tom Montgomery, emergency management operations officer.
The test is scheduled throughout the year.
Montgomery said that in case of inclement weather, the test will be postponed, and in this case or if additional tests are planned, the public will be notified by the Ponca City News and the radio stations.
The Ponca City Park and Recreation Advisory Board will discuss a clarification on their voting quorum and a proposed ethics ordinance at the Public Safety Center, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue, Thursday at 6:30 p.m. At last month's meeting, the board agreed to change the meeting time from 6 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
In new business, members will receive a status report from the Lake Committee on establishing a uniform lease for lake lots at Lake Ponca.
Furthermore, the board will also consider a request from the Ponca City Swim Association to close AMBUC Pool to the public on June 6 through June 8, to hold a swim meet.
Construction on a new water line along Flormable Street will begin Thursday. The project should be competed within two months, according to the Engineering Department.
City officials contracted with Sober Brothers Inc. to construct a new six inch water line along Flormable Street, from Grand Avenue to Central Avenue, and along Central Avenue, from Flormable Street to Olympia Street. Next week, Grand Avenue will be closed at Flormable Street for one day.
The waterline is being installed to improve the water service to residents in the area. Every effort will be made to minimize inconvenience to the residents, according to Jim Fairbanks, city engineer.
(Letters appearing in The News do not necessarily reflect the editorial policies or beliefs of The News. Letters will be accepted only with written signatures and must include address and phone number of writer. Unsigned letters will be discarded. All letters submitted become the property of The News. No letter will be returned. We reserve the right to reject or to correct letters considered unsuitable. Letters may be edited to conserve space. We specifically decline letters for or against candidates for office.
Editor, The News:
I misspoke at the Second Friday Forum on Feb. 14 when I stated that the Oklahoma state standard deduction (compulsory if you use the federal standard deduction) is $1,000. Actually, for a married couple filing jointly, it is 15 percent of Oklahoma Adjusted Gross Income, not to exceed $2,000. This presumably prevents wealthy people from having a high deduction. It would also indicate that our state defines a wealthy couple as one having income in excess of $13,333, which is interesting because the federal government will give a couple with two dependents an earned income credit if they have income less than $28,495, apparently taking the position that such a couple is in poverty sufficiently dire to require a subsidy.
(Between 1984 and 1996 the standard federal deduction increased from $3,400 to $6,700 for married filing jointly, while Oklahoma's deduction remained at $2,000.
For those same years the federal per person exemption increased from $1,000 to $2,550 while the state exemption remained $1,000.)
I recommend that any limit on the 15 percent Oklahoma standard deduction be eliminated. At least Oklahoma's deductions and exemptions should be updated (indexed) for inflation from 1984.
I have contacted my legislators about this, perhaps others may wish to call or write theirs.
Joseph H. Dannenmaier
Editor. The News:
In his recent "Frankly Speaking" column, Gov. Keating made several misleading statements in his comparisons of Oklahoma and the state of Michigan. I would like to set the record straight.
In Keating's "A Tale of Two States," he applauded the actions of Michigan's Republican Gov. John Engler to raise employment and cut welfare rolls. Gov. Keating then wondered aloud why Oklahoma cannot be more like Michigan. It's lucky for the Governor and the people of Oklahoma that we are not.
A simple fact check proves that Oklahoma leads Michigan in the categories Gov. Keating cited as so important. For example, Oklahoma's unemployment rate (4.0 percent) is lower than Michigan's (4.7 percent). Oklahoma also has fewer people on welfare (4.2 percent) than Michigan (7.1 percent). Additionally, Oklahoma has lower taxes and a lower cost of living than Michigan.
So to be more like Michigan, as Gov. Keating suggests, Oklahoma would have to raise taxes, cut jobs, put more people on welfare and create a healthy dose of inflation to boost our cost of living. Not exactly a recipe for economic growth, but that's what Gov. Keating, in effect, recommended in his recent "Frankly Speaking" column.
Unflattering comparisons of Oklahoma, especially when they are untrue, cause great damage to our state's image and economic development efforts, yet Gov. Keating continues to make them. If he knew the facts, I am certain the Governor would not want to emulate the example of Michigan.
Sen. Kelly Haney
Appropriations
Chairman
Editor, The News:
The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 1:5: before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou comest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto nations.
Exodus 20:13 says thou shall not kill. Matthew 19:18 says thou shall do no murder. It's pretty plain that God knows us before we are born while we are still in our mother's womb. As soon as we are conceived there is a soul. So, if we are to believe the Bible then abortion is first degree murder. I didn't say that. God did!
We must get back to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob if we are to save our nation.
I talked to my daughter the other day. She had just returned from the doctor. She is expecting and said the doctor took a picture of the baby. She said, "Dad, it's no bigger than a bee, but you can see its eyes, arms, and legs and it's little heart is just pumping away."
When an abortion is done they either drown it in saline solution or rip it apart with forceps or a suction device. This is a living, breathing baby.
Our president, in all his wisdom, vetoed a bill to stop partial birth abortion. By the way, he said he and Hillary prayed about it and God told them it was the right thing to do. I don't think so! Partial birth abortion takes place just before the baby is born. The murderer turns the baby around to come out feet first. They deliver all but the head in which place one of the murderers punches a hole in the base of the baby's skull and sucks out the brains. This is one of the most barbaric things humans have come up with yet.
I know there will be those who will say, "What about incest, rape, or the endangerment of the mother if the baby is not aborted?"
The real issue is stemming from the women's rights activists. They will stop at nothing to further their agenda with disregard to a live breathing child of God in its mother's womb.
There is no compassion in the feminist movement but to advance the right of women at any cost; one of which is to use legalized murder "abortion" as a means of birth control. This is not God's way! Exodus 20:4 says thou shalt not commit adultery.
With all the millions of babies aborted do you think that one might have grown up to be a scientist who would have been the one to find a cure for AIDS or that might have turned out to be another Billy Graham? Who knows what these murderers killed in the push for women's rights.
We treat animals better than we treat our babies. God gave us a free will but he expects us to use good and sane judgment.
God gave His Son Jesus Christ. We have the right to accept or reject Him. John 3:16 tells us: For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not parish, but have everlasting life.
Proverbs 3:5&6
Ron Shelton
NEWKIRK - County commissioners opened four bids Tuesday for a remodeling project at the Health Department building in Ponca City.
The board, which tabled the awarding of bids until health department officials have reviewed them, received the bids from three Ponca City companies - Rick Scott Construction, $41,900; LeMonnier Construction, $43,764, and Watson Construction, $44,390, and a Stillwater firm, Lambert Construction, $64,800.
The board expected a decision next week.
In other business, the commissioners approved monthly salaries for county employees and project completion resolutions for primary road maintenance projects east of Newkirk and near Peckham.
They also reallocated to the county bridge fund $27,000 in federal money they learned was available from the state department of transportation's STP program, and they decided to request a presentation of a certified workplace medical plan called WorkNet of Oklahoma.
The board also approved appropriation requests for various county cash
funds.
DEATHS
TONKAWA - Kenneth M. Leffler, longtime Tonkawa resident, died Tuesday morning, Feb. 18, 1997, in Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 90.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Friday in the Tonkawa First United Methodist Church with Dr. Robert Kanary, minister, officiating. Burial will be in the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.
Kenneth M. Leffler was born Dec. 20, 1906, at Corydon, Ind., the son of Benjamin F. and Sarah (Stover) Leffler. He moved with his parents to Medford in 1907, and the family made their home on a farm north of Tonkawa in 1914. He attended Richland Rural School and Tonkawa public schools, graduating from University Preparatory School in 1926. He began his career in plumbing at Thomas Plumbing and Electric in Tonkawa.
On Oct. 28, 1940, he was married to Ruby L. Koeller at Arkansas City, Kan. From 1943 to 1945 he served in the U.S. Army during World War II, and also served as Tonkawa Chief of Police from 1950-51. He later opened Leffler Plumbing and Electric. Leffler was a member of the Tonkawa First United Methodist Church, VFW, and American Legion and the Ponca City Elks and Moose Lodges.
Survivors include a sister, Helen Pickard of Tonkawa; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby, in 1992; his parents; one brother, Dean Leffler; and one sister, Fern Weber.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Leffler's name to the Tonkawa United Methodist Church, c/o McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, 400 East Grand, Tonkawa, OK 74653.
BLACKWELL - Wilford Ray "Bill" Collins, former Deer Creek-Lamont area resident, and recent Blackwell resident, died Monday, Feb. 17, 1997, at the Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 69.
The funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday at the Hackler Funeral Home Memory Chapel with the Rev. Leon Jackson, Bible Holiness Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Caldwell (Kan.) Cemetery.
Wilford Ray "Bill" Collins was born March 20, 1927, in Argonia, Kan., the son of Ray and Mildred (Davis) Collins. He graduated from Deer Creek High School in 1945. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
On March 18, 1950, he was married to Bonnie Jean Eshelman at Caldwell, Kan., where the couple made their first home. They later moved to a farm east of Hunnewell, Kan. Collins was a custom harvester, following the wheat harvest from Texas to the Canadian border each year. After his retirement in 1977, the family moved to the Deer Creek-Lamont area, then he and his wife moved to Blackwell in 1994. Collins was a member of the Wesleyan Church of Blackwell.
Survivors include his wife, Bonnie, of the home; two sons, Wilford Gene Collins of Blackwell and Richard Ray Collins of Lamont; his mother, Mildred Collins of Blackwell; one sister, Jolene Crammer of Wellington, Kan.; and four grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, Ray Collins.
Refugio Angelena "Angie" Moses, Ponca City resident, died Saturday evening, Feb. 15, 1997, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 69.
Mass of Christian burial will be held at 9 a.m. Thursday, at St. Mary's Catholic Church Chapel with the Rev. Scott Adams, associate pastor, as Celebrant. Burial will follow at 1 p.m. in Memorial Park Cemetery in Tulsa, under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 9 p.m. Wednesday.
Refugio Angelena "Angie" Moses was born Jan. 3, 1928, in Clovis, Calif., the daughter of Margarita V. Lopez Mendoza. She grew up in southern California and received her education there.
She was married to Leonard B. Moses and the couple moved to Ponca City in 1987. Mr. Moses preceded her in death in 1990. Mrs. Moses was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church.
She is survived by a niece, Maria Guitierrez of California.
Casket bearers will be Reyer Gordes, Antonio Campos, Carlos Martinez, Dick Robinson, Octavio Castillo and Jose Sandoval.
Helen Louise (Edwards) Frost, longtime Ponca City resident, died Tuesday morning, Feb. 18, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, 1997, in the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Dr. Monty Fey, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Mrs. Frost was born Jan. 30, 1921, in Ponca City, the daughter of William Duke and Beulah (Vanselous) Edwards. After graduation from Ponca City High School in 1940, she attended Oklahoma A&M College where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi.
On May 16,1946, she married Jack C. Frost. They made their home in Ponca City for four years before moving to Wichita Falls, Texas. They resided there until Mr. Frost's death in 1987, when she moved back to Ponca City.
She is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Wallace and Polly Edwards of Ponca City; her sister-in-law, Frances Edwards; four nephews, Van Edwards and Bob Edwards, both of Ponca City, Hank Edwards, of Evergreen, Colo., and Duke Edwards of Midland, Texas; two nieces, Sally Parker, Orinda, Calif., and Jane Morris, Ponca City; and 18 great-nieces and nephews. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Bill Van Edwards; and her niece, Nancy Edwards.
Casket bearers will be Jack Barrington, Ken Miles, Mike Shaw, Cory Bowker, Richard Keathly, Lynn Darden, and Gene Stephens.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1442, Ponca City, OK 74602.
The family will be at the Morris home, 13 Hillcrest.
paid obituary
Kathryn Levine Keys, lifelong Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, Feb. 18, 1997, at Westminster Village. She was 88. Survivors include two sons, Bob Keys of San Antonio, Texas, and Sam Keys of Fort Worth, Texas. Arrangements are pending with the Trout Funeral Home.
Thursday
Charles M. Coffman - Funeral to be held at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Ponca City. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. A rosary will be a 7 p.m. Wednesday at Trout Funeral Home Chapel.
William Gerald Simpson Jr. - Funeral to be held at 2 p.m. at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church at White Eagle. Burial will be in the Ponca Indian Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.
Ruth Shepard - Funeral to be 2 p.m. at the Ladusau-Evans Funeral Home in Enid. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Enid.
Saturday
Emma Plunkett - Memorial service at 2 p.m. at the Y Chapel of Song on the University of Central Oklahoma campus in Edmond. A reception will follow in the Broncho corral of Health and Physical Education Building. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City.
Casket bearers for the funeral of William Gerald Simpson Jr. who died
Monday, Feb. 17, 1997 at Shawnee will be Steve Simpson, Scotty Simpson,
Scotty Simpson Jr., John Gibson, Clyde Simpson and Michael Shawn Warrior.
Honorary casket bearer will be Scotty Warrior Jr. The funeral for Mr. Simpson
will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church at White
Eagle. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca
City.
NEWS BRIEFS
Music Festival - Mozart Music Club meets Sunday at the Cultural Center for the Junior Music Festival showcase. Primary I, II, III perform 2-2:45 p.m. and Primary IV and above 2:45-3 p.m. The festival will be held March 1 at the First Baptist and First Methodist churches. Contact Suzi Lenhart for more information, 762-9895.
Deadwood Dames - The Deadwood Dames (retired Conoco women) will meet for lunch Thursday at 11 a.m. at the Golden Corral. An open invitation is extended to those wishing to attend the event.
Pancake-Sausage Supper Set - A pancake-sausage supper is scheduled Feb. 28 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Albright United Methodist Church, 128 South Palm. Cost will be $4 for adults and $2 for children.
Great Escape - All Po-Hi senior parents are encouraged to attend a kickoff meeting for the Great Escape '97. The meeting will be Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Howell Auditorium. Committees are now forming to help during the event. Parents are encouraged to sign up early.
Bike Stolen - A resident in the 500 block of Lansbrook Road informed the Ponca City Police Department at 8:09 a.m. Tuesday that a 24-inch Huffy Mountain bike was stolen.
Burglary - An employee at Ponca Iron and Metal, 105 West Brookfield Avenue, notified the Ponca City Police Department at 8:13 a.m. Tuesday to report the cash drawer missing. An officer took a report.
Fire Rekindles - McCord Volunteer firefighters responded to the 3200 block of Whipporwill Road at 9:48 a.m. Tuesday to extinguish the fire which continued to smolder after Monday's blaze.
Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident in the 1300 block of East Grand Avenue at 10:58 a.m. Tuesday.
County Warrant - A 38-year-old man was arrested in the 400 block of South Third Street at 12:05 p.m. Monday on a Kay County warrant for failure to pay.
Grass Fire - Marland Volunteer Firefighters handled a grass fire on U.S. 177 at the county line at 2:39 p.m. Tuesday.
Cook Shack Charred - Ponca City firefighters responded within three minutes to a fire at Dougan's Bar-B-Que, 215 South Fourteenth Street. According to the fire report, a spark ignited the interior wall of the cook shack at 3:31 p.m. Tuesday. Damage is estimated at $1,500.
Failure to Pay - A 23-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at South Eleventh Street and East South Avenue at 3:37 p.m. Tuesday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Smoke Filled House - A resident 2.5 miles west of Oklahoma 156 on old U.S. 60 contacted Ponca City telecommunication officers to report the house was full of smoke. Ranch Drive and McCord Volunteer Fire Departments responded at 5:44 p.m. Tuesday.
Grass Fire - Osage Cove Volunteer Fire Department handled a grass fire four miles south of Nine Mile Corner at 8:14 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Ponca City telecommunication officers.
Stolen Bike - A resident in the 300 block of Warwick Road advised the Ponca City Police Department at 8:26 p.m. Tuesday that a 10-speed bike was stolen. An officer took a report.
Warrant Served - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 46-year-old man in the 1200 block of South Twelfth Street at 9:35 p.m. Tuesday on two local warrants for failure to pay.
Destruction - A Ponca City police officer issued a citation to a juvenile at 10:45 p.m. Tuesday for destruction of private property.
Arrested - A 27-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police
officer in the 1700 block of Sykes Boulevard at 12:13 a.m. Wednesday on
a city warrant for petit larceny and a Kay County warrant for failure to
pay.
LIFESTYLES
Dr. Alma Graven, Silver-Haired Senator, District 7-1, spoke to the American Association of Retired Persons, Chapter 432, at the recent meeting held at the Wheatheart Nutrition Center.
Members and guests were welcome by Ruby Cavanaugh and Ruth Bocox gave the invocation and led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance. Guests were Cleo Keller, Desmer Chick, Wayne L. Good, Edwin L. Stout of Newkirk, Robert and Pauline Rouse.
Dr. Graven spoke about changes that have been made in health care and made suggestions to the group about developing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. She went on to explain that the mind and spirit needed a balanced diet and exercise as well as the body. She also discussed changes in Medicare and costs for medical treatment.
F. G. Williams reported on a trip to Tulsa's Green Country and Oil Capital AARP chapters. He was accompanied by Dr. Ellis Oster, local AARP chapter president. Chapter specialists from the Eastern and Western half of Oklahoma were there also. It was pointed out that 37% of the AARP national membership was held by people still in the work force.
Williams discussed early retirement taken by workers at age 55 and went on to talk about House Bill 1815 concerning raising rates for Southwestern Bell Telephone and GTE. He also explained the Industry Licensing Act and detailed HB 1945, Telemarketing Fraud; HB 1044, Gambling; HB 1050 Consumer Credit Code, and HB 1043, Oklahoma Roofing.
During the business session Elmeta Kodesh, secretary, read the minutes and Lottie Etzel gave the treasurer's report. Members voted to contribute to the First Presbyterian Church Youth Missions in honor of the late Fay P. Cook. Williams spoke about the many volunteer services provided by Mrs. Cook and Ms. Cavanaugh read from "Candles of Hope-Old Friends" as a memorial for Mrs. Cook.
The head table was decorated with a Valentine theme by Cletus Kitchel. The next meeting will be Mar. 4 and members are encouraged to attend and bring guests. Speaking on "Upbeat for Ponca City" will be Greg Gregson, city commissioner.
Kelly Renae Carver of Arkansas City, Kan. and Richard Neal Johnson of Ponca City were married at 1:13 p.m. Jan. 25 at St. Francis of the Woods in Coyle. Fr. Daniel Sterner officiated.
A reception at Mexico Joe's in Stillwater followed the ceremony. Following a trip to Cancun, Mexico, the couple is residing in Arkansas City.
The bride is the daughter of Charles and Carol Carver of Fairfax and the bridegroom is the son of LaVerna Johnson of OKlahoma City and the late E. W. Johnson.
Attendants for the bride were Ron Palmer of Ponca City and the daughter of the bride, Charlie Potter of Arkansas City. Attending the bridegroom was Nancy Sheets of Ponca City. Flowers for the wedding were designed by Stephanie Wittmer of Ponca City.
Kim Youngblood, Rho chapter Valentine Queen, was honored at a dinner Feb. 14 at the Amarillo Grill. Following the meal members of the chapter, which is affiliated with Beta Sigma Phi sorority, met at the home of Kathy Gray.
Dawn Pruitt, president, presided at the business meeting and reports were given by Kim Youngblood and Debbie McClaskey.
Ms. Pruitt reported on the City Council and the Valentine's dance was discussed. Members were to meet at the Moose Feb. 15 to decorate for the dance.
Announcement was made concerning the Founder's Day dinner April 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Marland Mansion. Bambi Correll won the mystery gift and the traveling basket was given to Jan Leach. The next meeting will be Feb. 26 at the home of Debbie Turner.
Members of the Preschool Unit of the Ponca City Mother's Club met Feb. 7 in the home of Mrs. Carrie Johnson. Serving as co-hostesses were Mrs. Jill Hartman and Mrs. Sandy Merrifield.
The program was presented by Suzie Greenwood, Creative Memories representative, who provided an insight on creative ways to make and preserve family photo albums.
The March meeting of the group will be hosted by Mrs. Sue Helton.
SPORTS
The Ponca City Junior Rifle Club will host a Basic Rifle Marksmanship and Safety course for boys and girIs, ages 12 - 18.
Starting February 25th, the cIasses will be each Tuesday, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. for approximately 10 weeks.
The 25 hour course will teach and develope the attitude, skill and knowledge necessary to shoot a firearm safely and accurately.
Cost of the marksmanship class is $20, which covers all equipment and supplies.
All instructors are NRA certified.
The Ponca City Junior Rifle Club is located two miles east of the Arkansas River bridge on Hwy. 60, on the south side of the road. Parents are always welcome.
For more information call 765-7324 or 762-9457.
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The Ponca City Bassmasters are hosting their second annual Sooner Lake jackpot tournament. The tournament will start at 6:30 a.m. Saturday March 8th and end at 4 p.m.
Participants can register at the first launch ramp starting at 5:30 a.m. or pre-register by calling 765-6350 or 762-3301. Teams that pre-register will be given priority in the launching order.
The entry fee is $40 per team with an optional $10 big bass pot. Prize money will be awarded to 10 percent of the field with 70 percent payback. Proceeds from the tournament will be used to fund youth projects.
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
SAND SPRINGS - Ponca City's Wildcats went into Sand Springs looking to break a 10-game losing streak Tuesday night and were in position to do that as they led by a point with 6:52 left in the game. But the Sandites hit four consecutive baskets in a 12-1 run and went on to post a 52-46 win over the Poncans.
Ponca City fell to 4-16 overall and 2-12 in the Frontier Conference while Sand Springs improved to an identical record of 4-16 and 2-12.
With leading scorer Micha Alexander struggling from the outside early on (he was 0-for-5 from the field after one quarter of play) the Wildcats hung in the game with good defense and good ball movement.
Ryan Meyer ended a two-minute scoring drought to begin the game with a conventional three-point play for a 3-0 Po-Hi lead and then Wesley Swygert added a layup to put the Cats up 5-4.
Sand Springs then began to extend its halfcourt trapping defense to a fullcourt press and used several Ponca City miscues to gain a 9-5 advantage. A Ryan Treadway baseline jumper made the score 9-7 in favor of the Sandites after one.
Alexander missed a sixth consecutive shot to begin the second quarter and then changed tactics. He began attacking the basket off the dribble and made a couple of terrific moves. His second basket followed a coast-to-coast trip through the Sand Springs defense that ended with a double-clutch scoop shot that would have made Philadelphia 76ers rookie Allen Iverson proud.
Alexander finished the quarter with 8 points and helped Po-Hi take an 18-16 halftime lead by making 3 of 4 free throws in the final 54 seconds.
Sand Springs, which shot just 28 percent from the field in the first half, made five of its first six shots in the third quarter. Four of those buckets were scored by 6-6 senior Cortez Burdine. His scoop in and follow-shot dunk put the Sandites up 28-26 at the 3:51 mark.
But the Poncans came right back as Jason Shelton scored down low and Ryan Treadway hit a layup off a Sand Springs turnovers.
Burdine, who had 9 points in the quarter and 19 for the game, answered with a trey and the Sandites followed that basket with a layup after Po-Hi turned the ball over.
Trailing 33-30, Ponca City finally got a trey from Alexander, who again led the Cats with 21 points, and Treadway put Ponca City up 34-33 after three quarters by making 1 of 2 free throws.
Treadway gave Po-Hi its last lead of the game at 36-35 early in the fourth and then Sand Springs took over the game thanks to hot shooting and an aggressive defense that forced six Ponca City turnovers in the fourth quarter and 21 in the game.
A 12-1 run put the Sandites up 10, 47-37, with 2:11 left. But five consecutive misses from the free throw line allowed the Wildcats to cut the gap to 47-42 after another Alexander trey with 56 seconds left.
Sand Springs recovered to hit three of its last five free throws for a 52-43 lead before Alexander ended the scoring with a final three-pointer at the buzzer.
In addition to Alexander's 21 points, Swygert had 8, Treadway 7, Meyer 5, Shelton 4 and Brad Brewer 1.
Sand Springs got 19 from Burdine, 9 each from Bear Nichols and Marc Brown and 6 from 6-7 Mark Mallory.
Ponca City was 16-for-39 from the field (41 percent) and 11-for-18 from the line (61.1). Sand Springs was 19-for-48 from the field (41.3 percent) and 11-for-24 from the line (45.8).
The Cats will try to end their 11-game skid Friday night in their final home game of the season against Bartlesville. Ponca City lost to Bartlesville in overtime Monday but led by five points in the final minute of regulation.
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
SAND SPRINGS - Ponca City's Lady Wildcats bolted out to a 13-6 first quarter lead here Tuesday and never looked back in beating the Lady Sandites 49-27 in a Frontier Conference matchup at the Ed Dubie Fieldhouse.
Ponca City's first-quarter lead could have been much larger had the Lady Cats not gone 1-for-6 from the free throw line. But the Po-Hi girls didn't need much free throw production in the game as they feasted on 24 Sand Springs turnovers to hit layup after layup.
Lyndsey Warrior, 6-3 senior post, had a big opening stanza with 7 points and then the guards took over. Warrior finished with just 9 points but Tee West, Desiree Cries For Ribs and Natasha Anderson took up the scoring slack with 10, 9 and 8 points, respectively.
Another guard, junior Julie Schiltz, came off the bench with a career-high 5 points while inside players Tiffani Essary and Keesha West finished with 4 points apiece.
Ponca City built its lead to 23-9 midway through the second period and led 23-11 when Sand Springs got a big break at the 2:49 mark.
Keesha West was whistled for a foul that set up a one-and-one free throw situation and Warrior was called for a technical foul on the same play when the official ruled she threw an elbow at a Sand Springs player. The Sandites had an opportunity to pick up four points and get the ball back. But the front end of the one-and-one was no good and Sarah Painter could make just one of the two technical foul shots. The sequence was then completed when Sand Springs missed a three-point attempt.
What could have been a seven-point possession for Sand Springs netted just one and the Lady Cats still led by 11. Schiltz came right back with a baseline jumper to put the Cats up 25-12 and Po-Hi led 25-14 at the break.
Ponca City then ended any thoughts of a Sand Springs comeback when the Lady Cats scored the first seven points of the third quarter to go up 32-14 with 6:29 left in the period. The quarter ended with Po-Hi up 19, 40-21.
Sand Springs never threatened in the fourth, scoring just six points, and the Lady Cats had their eighth win of the year against 12 defeats. In conference play, the Po-Hi girls are now 5-9. Sand Springs fell to 5-15 overall and 1-13 in the Frontier Conference.
"I thought the girls would be tired after Monday night's game but they came out strong in the first quarter," said head coach Larry Rehl afterwards. "It's a lot less tiring to play with the lead so that was big for us to get out in front early.
"Our defense really played well and got us a lot of easy baskets," Rehl continued. "I thought Tee and Natasha played real well and Julie came in and scored some, too."
Ponca City ended up 20 of 56 from the field (35.7 percent), 8 of 18 from the free throw line (44.4) and committed 13 turnovers. Sand Springs was 11-for-48 from the field (22.9) and 5 of 16 from the line (31.3).
The Lady Cats next host Bartlesville Friday on Senior Night. The regular season ends Monday at Broken Arrow and then Po-Hi's girls face Tahlequah in the first round of the playoffs Feb. 27.
The Ponca City High School Tip-Off Club's annual Senior Night festivities will be held between the varsity games with Bartlesville Friday night - Ponca City's final regular season home date. The boys game will start at 6:15 with the girls game scheduled to start at 7:45 p.m.
Six seniors involved in the basketball program will be honored. Four are basketball team members and two are team managers. Senior team members are Sawyer Blackburn, Andy Parsons, Lyndsey Warrior and Tee West. Senior team managers are Joy Suter and Matthew Whitney.
Sawyer Blackburn is the son of Mike and Vetta Blackburn and has played basketball for 12 years. He is a member of DECA and FCA. His honors include Honore Roll and Who's Who Among American High School Students. He plans to attend college and major in business.
Andy Parsons is the son of J.B. and Kathy Parsons. Andy has played basketball for the past 9 years having lettered his junior and senior years. He was named to the All-Tournament Team for the East Central Tournament and the All-Conference Team as a freshman. He was awarded the Basketball Academic Award and was a delegate to Boys State. Andy is a member of the National Honor Society, Po-Hi Chorale, Foreign Language Club and FCA. For the past four years he has been on the Principal's Honor Roll and received the Academic Achievement Award. He has been selected for the American Legion Leadership Award and the DAR Citizenship Award. Andy plans to attend OSU the fall and major in business administration.
Lyndsey Warrior is the daughter of Dominick and Alexis Warrior. She has played basketball for seven years. During this time, she has been awarded with Most Blocked Shots, Best Field Goal Percentage, and Most Passes. She was selected to Pre-Season All-Conference and the All- Tournament Team at Ada. She is a member Ooh-Kee-Hee and would like to get a junior college scholarship and major in elementary education.
Tee West is the daughter of Dwain West and Gwen Roland. She has played basketball for the past nine years and is a three-year letter winner. As a sophomore and junior, she was selected as Homecoming attendant. Her senior year, she was Homecoming queen. Besides basketball, Tee has also been a member of the track team for the past four years. She is a Hi-Stepper and belongs to Afro-Am, FCA and DECA. Tee plans on attending NEO or UCO and majoring in physical therapy.
Joy Suter is the daughter of Don and Peggy Suter. She is the Lady Cats team manager. Joy also runs cross country and has lettered in track. She was named to Who's Who for two years. She attends the First Baptist Church. Joy would like to become a teacher and plans to attend NOC next fall.
Matthew Whitney is the son of Steve and Kathy Whitney. He is the Wildcat team manager. He is a member of the Spanish Club and St. Luke's Church of the Nazarene Youth Group. He was a missionary to Mexico for two years and attended the Nazarene Youth Congress in Phoenix, Arizona. He is also a second grade YMCA basketball coach. Matt's honors include Who's Who Among American High School Students and becoming an Eagle Scout last year. He would like to pursue a career in athletic training at an undecided college.
Other seniors to be recognized Friday night will be the senior members of the pep band, cheerleaders and hi-steppers. The senior pep band members are: Amanda Anderson, Angie Barker, Charles Beaver, Marcia Berry, Zac Blumer, Ryan Burgess, Kathy Cripps, Kahle Eberle, Jeremy Gratias, Chip Hardy, Nathan Knight, Lisa Lessert, Kendra Lewis, Chad Matheson, Andy Stewart, Joe Welch and John Workman. The senior basketball cheerleaders are: Tamarkia Champlain, Risa Freeman and Lisa Wirtz. The senior members of the hi-steppers are: Amanda Berry, Leslie Boyd, Paula Costello, Melissa Donald, Tiffany Faire, Amanda Hraban, Kim Hughes, Jenny Jones, Emily Martin, Heather Odell, Emily Thomason, Jessica Webb, Tee West and Jeri York.
A late rally by a tired Lady Wildcats' JV team fell just short in a 27-21 loss to Sand Springs Tuesday.
"The girls were tired. We had really played a tough game against Bartlesville the day before," coach Mark Huster said. "The legs were gone and everything we shot was short. We were 3-for-12 in our free throw shooting."
Julie Schiltz finished with 6 points, Tia Williams and Leslie Schieber each had 4, Shari Winters and Romi Foreman had 3 each and Emily Smith had 1.
Against Bartlesville on Monday, the JVs broke from a 16-11 halftime lead to win 37-28.
In that game, Schiltz had 12 points, Foreman 12, Williams 9, Lana Ames 2 and Amy Freemin 1.
The Lady Cat JVs are now 5-9 on the season.
9th Grade Boys 50
Enid Emerson 39
Ponca City's ninth grade boys finished their season on as high note Tuesday, popping Enid Emerson 50-39 in the mid-high gym.
The Cougars finished with a perfect 8-9 mark in the conference and were 14-2 overall.
"I think we came out a little flat after the excitement of winning the conference tournament," coach Keith Chronister said after watching his team establish a 21-17 halftime lead. "But they played well in the second half. The kids played good defense."
Barry Chance and Jeff Furnas paced the scoring with 13 and 11 points. Barry Gaheb and Blake Geubelle each had 7, Aaron Sattre 6, Wes Crossen 6 and Matt Morris 2."
"This team had a tremendous season," Chronister said. "I'm really proud of the guys. They played hard all the time. I just hope it can continue for three more years.
"Assistant coach Bart Chance did a great job with the kids. He was a big asset for us."
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9th Grade Girls 44
Enid Emerson 20
Ponca City's ninth grade girls finished their season with their patented tough defensive play, stopping Enid Emerson, 44-20 Tuesday in Enid.
The Lady Cougars held a 20-16 halftime lead but shut down Emerson in the second half, limiting Enid to four points.
"This was one of the girls' better games," coach Lela McCracken said. "It's a great way to finish the season. They played great defense, which is what we have stressed all year."
The Ponca City girls finished 14-3 overall and 7-1 in the conference, tied with Stillwater.
Alana Smith led the Ponca City scoring with 10 points while Allison Stotts
had 9, Laura Sudbury 8, Brooke Hines 7, Kristl Richardson 4, Taylor Thomas
4 and Mea Alexander 2.