From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, February
10, 1998
LOCAL
Vandals Hit Schools In Tonkawa
Growing Pot Worth 50 Years
Nearly News
Reports Indicate City Work Needed
Sale of Lincoln Center To Be Negotiated
McCord Senior Citizens Center Receives Grant
Two Po-Hi Graduates Seek Miss NOC Honor
Red Cross Hosts 'Telephone Buddies'
Warrens Set Talk, Slide Show Thursday
DEATHS
Mary E. Isenberg
Jack C. Engle
Alice L. Wassom
James Lawrence Howell
Services Pending
Randy Schafer
Chuck Warren
Phillip M. Moore
Funerals
Emma J. Chandler
NEWS BRIEFS
BUSINESS
Asbury Machine Corp. Names New President
Where Are They Now? Former Ponca Citian Named Life Realtor
Permits Reveal Slow January
LIFESTYLES
55 & Older Club Planning Party
Little News
Rho Chapter Lists Schedule Of Social Events
SPORTS
Cat Matmen Honor Seniors
Cagers To Face Ranked Trojans
Mavericks Return To Form of Old
Injury Halts Lady Mavs
Frontier Girls Lose In Finale
TONKAWA (AP) - A 13-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with vandalism that caused an estimated $50,000 in damages at Tonkawa's high school-middle school.
The school's janitor and school officials came to school Monday morning to find shattered windows and broken computers, televisions, VCRs and copy machines.
''The further we went, the worse it got,'' Principal Bob Smith said. ''They didn't steal anything, just tore the place up.''
At day's end, Tonkawa police had a 13-year-old Tonkawa student in custody. The boy was being questioned at police headquarters. No other details were immediately available.
Smith estimated damages at $50,000. Every classroom was vandalized.
Crews worked to replace the outside windows so that classes could resume today. The remainder of the windows inside will be replaced by the end of the week.
Inside, teachers helped clear up the debris. Some parents and students came by as well.
''The teachers did a wonderful job,'' Smith said. ''They helped clean up and swept and got the place back to where we could use it tomorrow.''
Smith said about 50 windows were broken. One of the school's janitors found the vandalism about 5 a.m.
The principal estimated it would be several months before the school could recover from the attack.
Every classroom had computers and Internet access. ''We won't be able to use that for a while,'' Smith said.
The library was disabled because all the books are catalogued on computers to make it easier for students to find the books they need.
Smith, who has been principal at Tonkawa for 25 years, said he hadn't encountered something like this before. The school has 350 students in grades 6 through 12.
Smith said the sad thing was that all of the computers were less than a year old and the system was donated by an alumni from Dallas and that people from the community gave money to put the computers into the school.
He said about a fourth of the 65 computers in the school were destroyed.
''Somebody just decided it was more fun to tear it up, I guess,'' Smith said.
NEWKIRK - A Kay County jury has decided a Ponca City man should serve a 50-year prison sentence and pay a $28,000 fine on a charge of cultivating marijuana after two previous drug-related offenses.
Kevin Lee Niedig, 43, was found guilty in District Court in connection with an October 1996 arrest, in which officers reportedly found 28 marijuana plants in his closet under a growlight.
Assistant District Attorney Brian Surber, who prosecuted the case, said he wasn't certain whether the jury was attempting a per-plant punishment by arriving at the $28,000 fine.
But he said the jury evidently was trying to say cultivating marijuana "doesn't pay in Kay County."
Nearly News has learned that ties to Ponca City abound. When Josie McArthur was born Jan. 6 at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City to Gale and Tracy McArthur of Piedmont attendants included former Ponca Citians Shelly (Wetzel) Welker, Dr. Bill Kinsinger and a nurse who is the sister of a local dentist. Josie's proud grandparents are Gale and Marty McArthur and Joe and Ramona Elliott.
By BOB PATTERSON
News City Editor
Reports and updates of projects received by the Ponca City Board of Commissioners Monday during a regular session at the Public Safety Center indicate that work in several areas of the city will be forthcoming.
The projects include the Lake Ponca dam and spillway areas, the No. 1 fire station, and the sewer system. Preliminary indications are that all of the projects will be done in two or more phases each.
Additionally, the commission, as members of the Ponca City Utility Authority approved authorization for the manager and staff of Electric Utilities to proceed with repairs and further evaluation of a diesel generator at the power plant, provided they are done under $40,000.
During a routine test of the diesel unit on Jan. 15, the engine failed to properly regulate its speed which caused the generator to be turned much faster than normal, according to a report by Charles Edwards, the general manager. He said that quotes from two different firms to evaluate the damage were received.
The utility authority instructed Edwards to continue with the work, provided it be held under $40,000. There is $26,000 in the diesel plant fund for operations, and expenditures exceeding the amount will be requested later if necessary, according to Edwards.
During the commission meeting, a monthly update on the remodel/construction of the No. 1 Fire Station, was presented by Randy Lauritsen, city engineer; and Troy Lewis, architect.
Lauritsen said the project will be done in two phases, including demolition of the inside of the structure for the most part, in the first phase. "We expect to have that done within a month, enabling us to present the structure to firms wishing to bid on the actual construction of the project to see what specifically needs to be done."
Lewis made a slide presentation with his information to the commission, showing damage and missing parts of the structure as it now appears. Lewis also offered a sketch of what the building will look like as a finished project, with five bay doors on the newest part of the structure south of the present bay doors.
Lake Ponca Dam Reviewed
The commissioners also re-ceived an engineer's 1997 annual inspection report on the Lake Ponca dam. The report was completed to meet the Oklahoma Water Resources Board requirement of having an annual inspection.
Chad Morris, of Chapman, Parr and Gill Inc., noted a number of actions needed by the commission to improve the dam and other structures around the lake concerning the dam. "We don't find anything in need of emergency repairs, however there are some areas that do need attention," Morris noted in the report.
Public Works Director Ken Parr noted for the commission that much of the work can be monitored and done by city crews, without need of an overall project bid by contractors as yet. "The city should be able to provide a yearly maintenance program of resealing all cracks and construction joints in the concrete spillway and stilling basin, and other similar projects at the site," Parr said.
City Manager Gary Martin did however, caution the commissioners, to be alert to the report that some day the city may have to go in and have a major project at the site. "We don't know really, how much that would cost, but if there were to be a problem created by weather or unknown usage, some of the repairs could become quite costly. We'll have to address it when that time comes, and be ready for it.," Martin said.
Felix Belander of FHC Inc. reported on the sewer system evaluation concerning three areas of the east side of Ponca City. The report addressed the sources of inflow/infiltration that was found within the eastside wastewater collection line and the cost associated with repairing the problems identified.
The areas affected included a basin that drains from north of Prospect Avenue, east of Fourteenth Street, south to Hartford Avenue; another area from Bradley Avenue south to near Liberty Avenue just west of Fourteenth Street; and the other area mostly south of Hartford Avenue to Grand Avenue, west of Fourteenth Street.
Sewer Project Costs
Belander showed a video of television monitoring of a number of sewer lines and outlined what need to be repaired to specific lines. He also indicated the overall cost for the three basin rehabilitation would amount to about $2.5 million by contract, and almost $700,000 by city personnel.
The report indicated that based on discussions with the city, manhole topside repairs, manhole replacements and point repairs could be completed by the city work crews and reduce the project costs by approximately $696,395.
In other commission action, approval was given for petty cash and drawer cash funds to be used by departments to facilitate operations. Amounts varied for each department depending on expected need, from $50 at the airport to $600 at the billing office. There were other figures approved as well.
The consent agenda was approved without additional comments by the commissioners or questions concerning the items. Included were:
-Acceptance of the lowest bid from Parker Pest Control Inc. amounting to $3,850 for termite treatment of Lyde Marland's house, and $285 for the annual renewal treatment fee.
-A grant of $500 to the Ponca City Jaycees for the Oklahoma Jaycees Summer board meeting to be held here Aug. 21-23.
-Renewal of the Ponca City Bowmen lease agreement for 1998-2000.
-Renewal of the Sooner Skier agreement for 1998-1999.
-Appointment of Evans and Associates as purchasing agent for the city on a street improvement project, John Street from Hartford Avenue to Bradley Avenue.
The consent agenda of the utility authority was also approved, and included authorization for release of funds from the Oklahoma Department of Commerce for the landfill cell construction project amounting to $56,927.16; authorize submission of the state revolving fund partial disbursement request for the wastewater treatment plant improvements amounting to $670,631.24; authorize release of funds from revenue bond proceeds for the water treatment plant improvements amounting to $2,319.69 and authorizing release of funds from revenue bond proceeds for C.H. Guernsey on a system capacity study amounting to $642.18.
By KRISTI HAYES
News Education Editor
The Ponca City Board of Education agreed to negotiate with Four Square Gospel Church, Ponca City, for the purchase of the old Lincoln Elementary, now known as the Lincoln Center.
The board wants the church to negotiate with Dr. Bill White, superintendent of Ponca City Schools, to meet certain requirements presented by the board. The first one is that the price of the building must be $100,000 or more and that the four programs currently housed at the Lincoln Center stay for as long as the programs are needed.
A contract will be awarded to Warren Peacock's Consulting Services to provide consulting services for the track and field rehabilitation project at the Ponca City High School. The fee was set at six percent of the construction cost.
The board tabled the change orders for the Howell/Commons Construction Project because Troy Lewis, Lewis Associate Architects, was not ready to make a recommendation. The board will discuss the change order at another meeting.
Lease Purchases
Approval for low quotes for the lease purchase of vehicles was given. Vehicles to be purchased include:
- Midwest Bus Sales for two mini-buses, taking the trade-in for one bus for a total amount of $66,470.
- Pemberton for two Suburbans with diesel engines and base trim for a combined total of $58,908.
- Bowker Ford for two 1998 Taurus cars for a total of $29,826.
- Bowker Ford for the XLT model for a quoted price of $27,454.
The board also accepted the quotes from Safety Vision for some 21 MVP units for a total of $21,924. This amount is from the 1998 bond issue for transportation that was approved for $200,000.
New Course Additions
The Senior High School will have several course additions to the curriculum offerings for the 1998-99 school year.
New electives at Po-Hi will be:
* Statistics - a new semester course, with Algebra I as a prerequisite; the class will be offered both semesters.
* Competitive History - This elective course will require a GPA of 3.0, teacher permission and is for highly motivated students. Students will have the opportunity to participate in national history academic competitions.
* Chemistry III - This will be an independent research class offered as an elective both semesters. Prerequisites include General Chemistry I and II, or Honors Chemistry I and Ap Chemistry.
* AP Music Theory - The class is designed for the advanced music student as an introduction to college level music.
* ACT Review - This is a class offering to all sophomores, juniors and seniors. Students will become familiar with the format of the ACT.
* Remedial Reading/Writing - This course offering will be for all students needing extra confidence and performance skills on reading and writing criterion referenced tests.
Public Comment
Raj Phansalker and Dick Stone, Ponca City Rotary Club, addressed the board regarding the literacy program at Woodlands Elementary. Backpacks were presented to the students involved in the literacy program, courtesy of J.C. Penney. Phansalker commented that tutoring has helped the students feel more comfortable with reading.
Craig Rupert, Association of Classroom Teachers, addressed the board about a discipline survey given to 131 Ponca City teachers (close to half of the teachers in Ponca City).
The survey included several facts about the growing concern over violence and discipline problems in Ponca City Schools.
Survey results included: 79 percent of teachers surveyed agree that discipline problems have increased, 85 percent believe there is school violence (that is 17 out of 20 teachers), 53 percent of teachers believe that the current discipline system is not working, and 84 percent don't think alternative education helps modify the behavior of kids when they return to the classrooms.
Rupert said he was not there to create a crisis, only to communicate with the board. He said the teachers surveyed are not offering solutions, they are just communicating the problem.
Kathy Paczkowski addressed the board regarding the new Dropout Recovery Program at Pioneer Technology Center. Paczkowski said she doesn't think it's right that because the Ponca City Board of Education didn't accept federal funding for School-to-Work that the students in Ponca City should be excluded from the program.
Other Items
Garfield Academy will expand its offerings to first through fifth graders for the 1998-99 school year.
The contracts of Dr. John Scroggins, assistant superintendent of curriculum and development; Dr. Joe Surber, assistant superintendent, and Jeff Denton, finance division administrator, were unanimously approved.
An award was presented to Sandy Pendergraft for her selection of the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching.
February Employee of the Month and Friend of Education Awards were presented to Jeranold Jones, Certified Teacher Award; Toni Crabtree, Support Award; and Sharon Clark, Friend of Education Award.
The board adjourned at 12:45 a.m. and set a special board meeting on Feb. 23.
The McCord Senior Citizens Center has received a grant from the Tulsa Area Agency on Aging for a down payment towards the acquisition of a new facility. The Center's Board members are currently searching for a suitable existing building in the area, or an acre of land on which to build. The grant money must be used before the end of September 1998. There are further funds forthcoming for the building if the grant applications now in process are awarded.
The McCord Senior Citizens Center was incorporated as a non-profit organization in May 1986 for the purpose of "Providing the senior citizens of the McCord area with a nutritional meal site, a place to meet and enjoy each other's company, and to help one another when possible." Some of the original incorporators were Ray Lessert Jr., Woodrow and Louise Wilson, J.D. Bricker and Don Walters. The first meals were served out of the McCord School.
Present board members are Tom Dennison, president; Clara Wilhelm, vice president; Louise Wilson, site manager; Karen Kemp, director and treasurer; J. D. Bricker, Bill Higgins, Don Walters and Don Horner.
The center is located on U.S. 60 East, across from the Pioneer Bank of the Osage, and presently serves approximately 40 to 50 meals a day, with volunteers delivering meals to the homebound and helping with meal preparation and clean up. The only paid staff is a cook and one helper. There is a suggested donation toward the cost of the meal, but the meals are free to anyone unable to pay.
The present rented building is not large enough to fulfill the total purposes of the center in providing a place for seniors to meet for social activities, and the board envisions a new facility that will meet the need for nutritional meals, as well as social activities.
A gift of a suitable acre of land would enable the center to use all the grant money received toward a building that would meet the required safety and health standards, and also fill the needs of the seniors. Any contributions would be tax deductible.
For further information on this project, contact Tom Dennison at 765-6902 in the evening or Don Horner at 762-5576.
By KRISTI HAYES
News Education Editor
TONKAWA - Kyndol Kana and Kitty McNamara, both of Ponca City, are among the eight students vying for the title of Miss Northern Oklahoma College at the Miss NOC Scholarship Pageant at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Northern Performing Arts Center, Tonkawa.
Kyndol Kana, an 18-year-old graduate of Ponca City High School, is a freshman majoring in pre-law with plans to become a criminal attorney. The daughter of John and Ginger Kana, she enjoys singing, dancing, reading and teaching aerobic classes.
In high school she was listed in "Who's Who Among Students in American High Schools" and on the honor roll. She sang with the chorus three years and was enrolled in a year of contest dramatics. She was a member of the first junior varsity cheer squad formed at Po-Hi and a member of the winning cheer squad at the 1996 Oklahoma State University Cheer Clinic.
Miss Kana won in her division of "Entertainment," a talent search organization and competed in swimming at the state level. At Northern, she has performed in musical productions and with the Roustabouts traveling musical show troupe.
For her talent presentation, she plans to sing "Didn't We Almost Win It All." Her pageant platform is "Date Rape Prevention."
Kitty McNamara, 18, is a 1997 graduate of Ponca City High School. The daughter of Norma McNamara and of Craig McNamara, she is a freshman majoring in mathematics and plans to minor in music.
In high school Miss McNamara was listed on the honor roll for four years and in "Who's Who Among Students in American High Schools." She was a member of the National Honor Society and placed fourth in General Marketing at the State DECA Competition. She lettered in academics, orchestra, drill team, basketball, tennis and mixed chorus and earned Spirit of the Orchestra.
She has studied voice and participated in the Ponca City Chorale. At Northern she is a member of the Roustabouts and College Choir and played Marty in the college production of "Grease." She participates in intramural basketball and softball.
"Promoting Literacy" is her pageant platform. She plans to sing "Rock-a-bye Your Baby" as her talent.
Other contestants for the pageant include Molly Hall, Edmond; Jamie Keeter, Sapulpa; Christy Kelley, Tulsa; Fachaitte Kinslow, Dover; Kristi North, Blackwell; and Katie Thompson, Enid.
Featured entertainers for the Miss NOC Pageant include Miss Oklahoma 1997 Kelli Masters, Miss NOC 1997 Cindy Miller and Travis Tidwell, champion tap and clog dancer.
Tickets for the general public may be purchased from the Tonkawa and Blackwell Chamber of Commerce and from Pioneer Bank, North Fourteenth and East Highland Avenue, Ponca City. Prices are $5 for adults and $2 for high school students and children.
The American Red Cross recently hosted a "Telephone Buddies," kick-off party at Grand Central Station. Youth attending represented various organizations from Po-Hi, and are paired with a senior adult buddy for communication and exchange of ideas.
The Po-Hi youth represented various school programs including DECA, Dynamiters, Orchestra, Band, Yearbook Staff, Chorale, Youth Alive and Youth Traffic Court.
Project coordinators are Cindy and Mindy Jones, members of the United Way AmeriCorps Program and seniors at Po-Hi.
All youth or seniors interested in joining the program may contact the American Red Cross at 765-6605.
A talk and slide show will be presented Thursday evening by the Warren Family Gallery, whose exhibit is currently hanging at the Ponca City Art Center, 819 East Central.
Guy, Maxine and Alison Warren will make the gallery talk presentation to interested art patrons at 7 p.m. at the Art Center to "explain why they do what they do," said Bob Westmoreland, president of the Ponca City Art Center.
"A gallery talk is about helping the viewer better understand what an artist is trying to communicate in his visual language," says Maxine Warren. "Artists often forget that their visual language can be somewhat foreign to observers."
Questions sometimes arise about the reason that more abstract and contemporary work is not as pictorial or narrative, she continued.
The Warrens will show some slides to help focus attention on what the participants may want to ask.
"The informal evening will be a little like visiting in our studio," says Maxine, "and will give visitors a more personal opportunity to ask questions about the artwork, such as technique and manner of working, content and significance to the artist."
In addition, the Warrens welcome the opportunity to visit with viewers because they believe what the viewer sees in the work is also what he/she brings in their own experience to the viewing.
"This mutual sharing is a vital part of communication," says
Maxine.
DEATHS
NEWKIRK - Mary E. Isenberg, died at her home in Ponca City Monday morning, Feb. 9, 1998. She was 80.
The funeral will be held graveside at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at the Newkirk Cemetery with Bishop Craig Barker officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service of Newkirk. The casket will remain closed as all times.
Mary Edith (Wilson) Isenberg was born Sept. 4, 1917, in Norfolk, Okla., the daughter of Thomas and Eithel (Robinson) Wilson. At an early age she moved with her family to Cushing, where she grew up and attended school.
On Aug. 7, 1935, she married James W. Isenberg in Yale and the couple established their first home in Cushing. They later moved to various states with her husband's work including Colorado, Texas and California before establishing their present home in Ponca City. Mrs. Isenberg was a member of the Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints of Ponca City. She was very active in the Relief Society and Primary Department at the church. She enjoyed sewing and gardening.
She is survived by her husband James of the home; one son, Terry James of Colorado Springs, Colo.; three daughters, Mary Jane Froese of Vernal, Utah, Joice Elaine Presley of Ponca City and Sally Montgomery Haupt of Jacksonville, Mo.; two brothers, Frank Wilson of Newkirk and Steve Wilson of Houston, Texas; two sisters, Nina Yardley of Ransas Pass, Texas and Ruth Woofter of Midwest City; 16 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by two daughters, Deloris June Montgomery and Nancy Ruth Isenberg; her parents; one sister, two brothers; and one grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103 , Ponca City, OK 74601.
Jack C. Engle, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday, Feb. 9, 1998, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 72.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1998, at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Frank Tepe, associate minister, Eastern Heights Christian Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Union Cemetery, at Billings, Okla.
Jack C. Engle was born Aug. 1, 1925, in Tonkawa, the son of Otis Carl and Elsie Murel (Snyder) Engle. He attended Tonkawa schools. On Oct. 29, 1943, he enlisted into the U.S. Army and after basic training was sent to the southern Philippines and the western Pacific. He received a Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Star and a Good Conduct Medal. On Feb. 15, 1946, he returned to Oklahoma.
He married Betty L. Weaver on March 16, 1946, in Billings, Okla., where they established their first home. In 1955 the family moved to Ponca City. Engle retired as a superintendent from APAC (Standard Industries), rock quarry division. He worked in the rock quarries at Burbank and at Kaw City. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and television.
Survivors include, his wife, Betty, of the home; daughter, Judy Johnston, of Ponca City; sons, Larry Jack of Florida, and Ray Carl of Ponca City; sisters, Mildred Combrink, of Billings, Okla., and Mary Payne, of Wright City; brothers, Dale of Garber, Ross of Duncan, and Glenn of Taft, Calif.; 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, two brothers, Otis Carl Jr. and Robert Engle precede him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, P.O. Box 53303, Oklahoma City, OK 73152.
The family will be at the home, 314 South Palm Street.
Alice L. Wassom, Ponca City resident, died Monday, Feb. 9, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 89.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, 1998, at the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary with the Rev. David Clipson, officiating. Burial will be in the Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home.
Alice L. Wassom was born May 13, 1908 in Blackwell, the daughter of Grover Cleveland and Eva (Stone) Wassom. She grew up on the family homestead on the prairies of Colorado near the town of Granada, Colo. Alice finished elementary school there and graduated from Blackwell High School, the University Preparatory School at Tonkawa, and Central State Teachers College at Edmond. She attended the University of Oklahoma, Norman and Oklahoma A&M at Stillwater.
Miss Wassom participated in various women's sports, and served as State Treasurer of the Women's Bowling League and was elected to the Women's Bowling Hall of Fame. She worked as an accountant for Continental Oil Co. assisting in establishing Data Processing for accounts receivable. Miss Wassom was a founder and principal stockholder of Pioneer Bowling Lanes. She published poetry and short stories for UAPAA and other publications.
Survivors include a sister, Lt. Col. Lois Wassom Ochoa (retired), of San Antonio, Texas; one brother, Dr. Earl E. Wassom of Bowling Green, Ky., and one niece and nephew. In addition to her parents, one sister precedes her in death.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1442, Ponca City, OK 74602.
BLACKWELL - James Lawrence Howell, Blackwell resident died at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City, Sunday evening, Feb. 8, 1998. He was 40.
The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11, at Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell. The Rev. John Newland, House of Prayer, will officiate. Burial will be in the Mt. Olive Cemetery in Nardin.
James Lawrence Howell was born Aug. 4, 1957, in Wichita, Kan., to Emery Wayne and Margaret (Ellis) Howell. He grew up in the Udall-Rose Hill, Kan., area and attended schools in Winfield and Udall.
After graduation in 1976 Howell began employment as a fork lift operator at the Coleman Co., in Wichita, Kan. He moved to Blackwell in 1980, where he was employed by Speed King until that business closed. He then became a certified nurses aide and worked at the Blackwell Nursing Home and Willowhaven Nursing Home until illness forced his retirement. He was a member of the House of Prayer in Blackwell.
Survivors include his mother, Margaret Howell of Blackwell; three sisters, Becky Barrows, Gayla Beard and Wilma Miller, all of Blackwell; eight nephews and four nieces. He was preceded in death by his father.
Casket bearers will be David Ingram, Billy Heath, Ron Hightower, Les Courtney, Earl Cox and Terry Kirby.
Randy Schafer, Ponca City resident, died Saturday evening, Feb. 7, 1998, at the Pawhuska City Hospital. He was 44. A graveside service is set for 1 p.m. Thursday in the Oak Grove Area at Ponca City IOOF Cemetery. Local survivors include his wife, Audrey, of the home. Other arrangements will be announced later by Trout Funeral Home.
Chuck Warren, Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Feb. 8, 1998, at University Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was 36. Arrangements are pending with the Trout Funeral Home and will be announced later.
BLACKWELL - Phillip M. Moore, Ponca City resident, died at his home Monday evening, Feb. 9, 1998. He was 49. Arrangements are pending with Hackler Funeral Home in Blackwell.
Thursday
Emma J. Chandler - The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Thursday at Sunset
Baptist Church. Other arrangements will be announced later by Trout Funeral
Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904
North Union, Suite 103 , Ponca City, OK 74601.
NEWS BRIEFS
RSVP Bingo - Retired Senior Volunteers (RSVP) is hosting a Bingo gathering Friday, 2-4 p.m., at the Conoco Clubhouse, 1500 South Fourth. Anyone 55 or older with an interest in RSVP is encouraged to attend and bring a friend.
Truck Vandalized - A man from the 900 block of North Oak Street called the Ponca City Police Department at 6:46 a.m. Monday advising that his truck had been hit with paint balls. The information was logged.
Items Broken - A person at Barker Pump, 200 East Emporia Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:04 a.m. Monday that additional items had found to be broken from activity at the firm during the weekend. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vehicle Damaged - An employee at Miles Music, North Sixth Street and East Hartford Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:53 a.m. Monday that one of their vehicles had been damaged by paint balls. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Item Missing - A woman from the 2200 block of El Camino Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:24 a.m. Monday that a cell phone had been taken from her vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Leaves Without Paying - An employee at Stratford House, 2320 North Fourteenth Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:26 a.m. Monday that a guest had left without paying for the room and had left items in the room. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Business Vandalized - An employee at O'Connor Pharmacy, 1113 East Hartford Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:47 a.m. Monday that the business had been hit with a paint ball. The information was logged.
Business Damaged - A man in the 100 block of East Brookfield Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:56 a.m. Monday that the business had been damaged. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Vehicle Burglarized - A man from the 2200 block of El Camino Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:49 a.m. Monday that his car had been broken into and a CD player had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Shed Burglarized - The Ponca City Water Department reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:53 a.m. Monday that a shed at Windmill Cove had been broken into. An officer was assigned and a burglary report was taken.
Accident - The Communications Center received a report at 12:10 p.m. Monday that an accident had occurred at the intersection of South Waverly Street and West South Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 12:27 p.m. Monday that a 14-year-old male was being held for second degree burglary.
Collision - The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 12:24 p.m. Monday that a vehicular accident had occurred at the intersection of Second Street and East Grand Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Tires Slashed - A man from the 800 block of East Overbrook Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:30 p.m. Monday that some tires had been slashed. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Jacket Found - Employees of the Ponca City Parks and Recreation Department reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:39 p.m. Monday that a jacket had been found at Dan Moran Park. An officer was assigned and the item was brought to the police department.
Requests Assistance - An employee at Woodridge Market, 4128 East Lake Road, requested a fire department unit at 3:02 p.m. Monday for a vehicle that had gas spewing out of it. One unit responded and handled the situation.
Tires Slashed - A woman from the 1300 block of Coronado was at the Ponca City Police Department at 3:53 p.m. Monday to report that some tires had been slashed Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 1500 block of South Fourth Street at 3:54 p.m. Monday that a 45-year-old man was being held on two Kay County warrants. A report was taken.
Burglary - The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 4:05 p.m. Monday that a burglary had occurred at the Lincoln Center. A juvenile female was taken into custody and taken to the police department and a report was taken.
Trespassing Juvenile - An employee at Hastings, 2101 North Fourteenth Street requested assistance from the Ponca City Police Department with a subject at the business. An officer was assigned and a report was taken that a juvenile had been trespassing at the business.
Trailer Fire - Four units of the Ponca City Fire Department and additional equipment from the McCord Volunteer Fire Department responded at 4:51 p.m. Monday to a trailer on fire at 4303 Quail Ridge. The fire department reported personnel were back in service at 4:37 p.m., after extinguishing the blaze. Damage at the scene was reported to be $2,500, according to the fire department.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 6:02 p.m. Monday that a 27-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay. A report was taken.
Items Missing - A person in the 2300 block of Drake Lane reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:24 p.m. Monday that several items had been taken from her vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Assault Victim - Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded to a call at 8:24 p.m. Monday to Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue, as the result of an assault victim having entered the business. An ambulance from the Ponca City Fire Department was summoned and the subject was taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries and a report was taken.
Suspicious Activity - An employee of Lamp Post Liquor, 1501 North Union Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:09 p.m. Monday that three male subjects had attempted to gain entry back into the store after it had been closed. Four officers were assigned and a report was taken that the subjects had left east bound on foot, but were not located.
Suspicious Subjects - An employee of Country General, 3008 North Fourteenth Street, called the Ponca City Police Department at 9:25 p.m. Monday to report two suspicious subjects. Two officers were assigned and a 24-year-old male was held on a Kay County warrant for failure to appear. A report was taken.
Curfew Violation - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of Gibson Place and East Hartford Avenue at 11:01 p.m. Monday that a juvenile had been issued a citation for a curfew violation.
Citation Issued - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of North Union Street and West Cleveland Avenue at 11:16 p.m. Monday that a juvenile had been issued a citation for a curfew violation.
Gas Drive-Off - A clerk at Triple T, 720 South Waverly Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:31 a.m. Tuesday that subjects in a gray vehicle had left without paying for $7.01 worth of gas. An officer was assigned and identity information was logged.
Requests Assistance - A man came to the Ponca City Police Department
at 5:55 a.m. Tuesday to report that a female at the residence had come home
intoxicated and was tearing up the residence. Two officers were assigned
and an assault and battery report was taken.
BUSINESS
TONKAWA - Asbury Machine Corp. announces the election of Garry Hayes as its new president and the appointment of Paul Brown as manager of manufacturing.
Hayes has been employed at Asbury since March 1997. He has more than 16 years in the industry with significant metallurgical experience. Prior to Asbury he was employed with Modern Investment Casting Company. He is married, has four daughters and lives in Ponca City.
Brown has been employed at Asbury since 1983 and has a total of 19 years of machine shop experience. He is a 1979 Ponca City High School graduate and a is a Machine Tool course graduate of Pioneer Technology Center. He is married with two daughters and lives in Ponca City.
Asbury Machine Corp. is the successor to Asbury Bearing Corp., which was founded in 1969 to provide precision roller bearings to the rock bit industry.
Asbury Machine Corp. (AMC) was formed in 1990 by Don and Patsy Crummett and Brian and Holly Harpster and acquired the asset and business of Asbury Bearing.
In 1992 AMC purchased the assets and business of Throop Rock Bit. The past seven years have seen steady and consistent growth. Asbury currently employs 15 and serves customers in the rock bit, compressor, pumps, fasteners, industrial equipment and aviation markets.
Hayes said, "Since coming to Asbury I have been seeking better ways to serve our customers and our employees. Our board's primary goal is to maintain long term financial viability."
Also announced by the board was the continuation of a profit sharing plan and a new deferred compensation plan.
Don Crummett, the outgoing president, will remain as a shareholder and chairman of the board of directors and continue to provide engineering expertise to Asbury as well as to third parties as a consultant. Brian Harpster is vice president and secretary.
Former Ponca Citian Helen B. Taylor of Midwest City, was recently named a Life Member of the Oklahoma Association of Realtors.
She has been a Realtor member for more than 45 years. Taylor had served as secretary and treasurer as well as a member of numerous committees for the Ponca City Board of Realtors. She also helped organize Ponca City's MLS system.
Taylor served as secretary treasurer of the Midwest City-Del City Board of Relators for three terms and also helped form the Mid-Del MLS system. She served as executive officer of the Mid-Del Board from 1969 until retiring in 1988, maintaining her membership during this time.
She earned her GRI in 1971, which was the second Realtor Institute course offered. She is a 40-year member of the Delta Chi chapter of Epsilon Sigma Alpha sorority, a social, educational and philanthropic organization.
In 1990-91, she was selected outstanding member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha. She has been director and member of both the Midwest City and Del City Chambers Commerce, receiving special recognition for 15 years of service on the Midwest City Chamber Board of Directors.
She was an organizing officer and member of the Community Housing Resources Board and received an award from HUD in 1988 for her commitment to fair housing.
In addition to service on state board she has been a member of several NAR committees. She served as Women's Council of Realtors president in 1972, governor in 1974 and regional vice president in 1975. She was awarded WCR's Woman of the Year in 1982. She awarded the Omega Tau Rho award in 1975.
She is a member of First Christian Church and serves as president of the Guild and treasurer of Christina Women's Fellowship. She is the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Murry B. Finch.
Building of new structures in Ponca City was definitely slow during January with a total of two permits issued - one single family permit and one commercial permit was issued.
The single family home had an valuation of $475,000, and the commercial permit's valuation was $150,000, according to James Brown, building inspector. Nine miscellaneous permits were issued with total valuation of $98,800.
Earl Whitaker's electrical department issued 22 permits and 80 inspections were made. Buddy R. Osborn, plumbing inspector issued 29 permits and 55 inspections were made.
Osborn, also mechanical inspector, issued 14 permits and 34 inspections
were made. Total revenue for the department was $2,069.
LIFESTYLES
A Valentine party is planned for members of the 55 and Older Club Thursday, noon-4 p.m., at 700 West Broadway. Refreshments will be served, "love stories" told and prizes awarded and cards played.
The 55 and Older Club held an open house Jan. 12. Several guests attended the event. During the year the organization has collected canned goods and clothing to be given to those in need and purchased meat and fruit for a person in need.
In the past the club has given money for a scholarship, donated clothes and personal items to a shelter and given toys and books to the Headstart program. Meals have also been served. Guests and potential members are welcome to attend the meetings on Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30-4 p.m.
James K. and Sharon L. (Glaser) Bowker, 1605 Queens Avenue, announce the birth of a daughter at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 14, 1998 at the Stillwater Medical Center. She weighed 8-pounds, 3-ounces and was 22-inches long. The baby has been named Jessica Breanne Bowker. Her brother, Colton J. Bowker, is 2-years-old. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Joseph F. Glaser and Mr. and Mrs. Buddy M. Bowker, all of Ponca City.
Rho Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met Jan. 28 at the home of Debbie McClaskey with 10 members present. Kim Youngblood, vice president, conducted the business meeting and Jan Leach, Recording secretary, called roll and read the minutes. Ms. McClaskey gave the treasurer's report and the group voted to contribute to the Beta Sigma Phi Breast Cancer Fund.
Valentine dance tickets were distributed and the Founder's Day menu voted upon. The Traveling basket was won by Dawn Pruitt and the mystery gifts were won by Debbie Turner and Ms. Leach. Following the meeting the program was presented by Marsha Engle on cake decorating. The decorated cakes were the mystery gifts.
The chapter's next meeting will be Feb. 11 at the Amarillo Grill at 6:30 p.m. to honor Rho Chapter Valentine Queen Trish Dilbeck.
Rho Chapter members met in January at Carol Neilson's home. Announcement
was made that Rho chapter was responsible for a door prize at Founder's
Day and money for that event was to be submitted by April 1. Bambi Correll
won the mystery gift and Carol Neilson the traveling basket. Members made
valentines for distribution at the Domestic Violence Center.
SPORTS
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
Looking for that 10th win while saluting nine seniors, the Wildcat wrestlers finish off the regular season tonight against Tulsa Union at 7 in Robson Fieldhouse
It will be Senior Night for the Wildcats and the final home appearance for nine wrestlers who have had a big impact on the Ponca City program. They have a chance to cap their careers with a 10-win season, no small feat considering the Wildcats' schedule.
Union's Redskins have been strangely quiet this season. Ponca City and Union have crossed paths only once, in the nion Wrestling Classic back in December. The Wildcats - hard hit by injuries and illness - finished fourth, one place in front of the Redskins.
Union had two finalists, Caywood at 145 pounds and Holt at 152. But a lot of matches have been wrestled since that time.
"I know they are pretty good in the middle weights and have a fairly good heavyweight," Po-Hi coach Pat Young said today. "This could be another close one."
The Wildcats have wrestled well in their previous duals at home, where they are 7-0 on the season.
Young announced one change in the Po-Hi lineup for tonight with Matt Littleton stepping up to wrestle at 140 pounds,
Phillip Brotherton (3-7) will be at 103 pounds, Phillip Gelino (14-11) at 112, Josh Bailey (17-9) at 119, Clint Stafford at 125, Mark Dodgen (22-4) at 130, Matt Dodgen (20-1) at 135, Michael Osborn (19-15) at 145, Kyle Duren (21-8) at 152, Toby Red Leaf (11-8) at 160, Matt Noonen at 171, Jay Bentley (16-12) at 189, Nick Steichen (10-13) at 215 and Jason Nurenburg (10-11) at 275.
The Cats jump right into the middle of post-season play, taking part in the Dual State Tournament at Moore. The Poncans face No. 3 ranked Mustang in the first round Friday at 8 p.m.
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
After a couple of gut-wrenching, jaw-clenching losses Friday - the kind that wear about a year's worth of enamel off your teeth - the Cats and Lady Cats will take on what is, hopefully, a more agreeable foe in the Jenks Trojans, tonight in Jenks.
The Trojans are ranked third in the Frontier çonference and No. 10 in Class 6A, while the Lady Trojans are fourth in conference and sixth in the state.
And, while every game is a potential win, victories tonight won't help the Poncans where it really matters - in the pairings for the regional playoffs. Those have been settled as of Monday.
The girls' tip off at 6:15, while the Wildcats begin play at 7:45.
Wildcats (5-13, 2-10) at Jenks Trojans (13-6, 8-4)
To beat the Trojans, the Cats will have to launch a more balanced attack than they've had as of late. Though they're currently ranked second in the conference in offense, at 59.4 points per game, that figure is rather meaningless in that they give up an average of 64.8 points - the most generous figure of nine teams.
Jenks, meanwhile, is fourth in offense and fourth in defense.
"We're not giving ourselves a chance," says head coach Ron Arthur, "we have to do a better job stopping the dribble, the penetration. We gotta cut off the baseline, control the rebound and not give them the easy put-backs."
That may be a tall order for the Cats tonight, in that Jenks - according to Arthur - "posts everybody up." So shutting down the inside game is key. Also, the Cats will have to frustrate conference scoring machine Matt Frazier (17.2 points per game).
"We gotta curtail Frazier," concludes Arthur, "we have to be aggressive defensively and keep it close until the fourth quarter to give ourselves a chance."
Lady Wildcats (6-12, 2-10)
at Jenks Lady Trojans (12-6, 8-4)
The last time the Lady Cats met Jenks, here, Dec. 19, they played what was probably their worst game of the year. They shot 15 percent, gave up the ball 23 times, and scored just 28 points en route to a 54-28 loss.
But that was a long time ago. The Lady Cats have rarely been beaten on turnovers since then, and their shooting has gotten better, especially from the free throw line. Also, after falling in the final seconds to Tulsa Union, Friday, the Lady Cats should be out to make amends.
"I still think we should have won that game," says head coach Dana Pulley, who admits the loss is still wearing on her. "A win there could have improved our seeding in Regionals. Now we just have to play for the thrill of competing, and I think all these girls can do that. We can hang with Jenks and a win would be a real confidence booster."
To win, the Lady Cats will need to prevent the put-backs by the opposition that plagued them last game, while getting a few of their own. To do that, they'll have to rebound, and Pulley says she may try putting in her three 5-11 girls - Lesley Schieber, Jennifer Caughman, and Shari Winters.
"I'll just put them to the challenge and see what they do," says Pulley.
SEMINOLE - Welcome back, Mavericks.
After a brief vacation to start conference play, when lethargy and a lack of intensity led them to an unbelievable 1-2 start, the Mavs have since won their last two, the last being a decisive road win against the Seminole Junior College Trojans, 68-59, Monday.
"We're back to playing like we were before conference," says head coach Mick Weiberg, "we're still not playing as well as we're capable of playing, but we wouldn't really want to be there at this point."
After going up 29-25 at halftime, the Mavs went on to take a roller coaster lead through the second half. Though they never trailed, the Mavs built several eight to nine point leads, only to see the Trojans cut back to within three or four.
And that, says Weiberg, is due to poor, 55 percent (16-of-29) free throw shooting by his team. It was the third outing in a row the Mavs have faltered at the charity stripe.
"We had been hitting close to 80 percent," he says, "we missed a lot of critical free throws and that kept things close. It's a question mark for us right now, and we gotta get better."
Still, the Trojans were even worse from the line, at 51 percent, and shot under 50 percent from the field. The Mavs, meanwhile, hit 20-of-35 from 2-point range, and 4-of-14 from behind the 3-point arc.
"That's what this team is capable of shooting," says Weiberg. "We'd still like to get over 30 percent on 3-pointers, but that will come."
Weiberg also notes that - while the teams were dead even on rebounds - the Mavs played excellent defense and didn't give the Trojans many easy baskets.
Sophomore Kyle Dean had a career night for the Mavericks, leading all scorers with 21 points. Dean shot 4-of-8 from 2-point range, and went 3-of-5 on 3-pointers.
Also playing well were Marlon Towns with 19 points, Joe Patmon with 12, DeShawn Denson with 8, Zach Cazzelle with 7, and Jared Weiberg with 1.
The Mavs play again Thursday, at home, taking on Murray State.
SEMINOLE - After losing one of their best players and inarguably their most inspirational leader, the Lady Mavericks of NOC dropped their second game in a row, Monday, falling to the Seminole Lady Trojans, 73-50.
Sophomore point guard Brandi McClellen, who leads the team in assists, steals, and emotional intensity went down early in the third quarter with a knee injury. Though the game was tied at that point, the Lady Mavs suffered from the loss of McClellen, going down by 10 with three minutes to go, and completely fell apart after that.
"The walls just crumbled in," says head coach Greg Krause. "And I can attribute a lot of that to not having Brandi."
According to Krause, McClellen was in severe pain, and still can't put any weight on the knee as of today. With sophomore forward Michelle Brown out for the season with a knee injury, McClellen's injury represents the second of the season for a Lady Mav.
Both players were also regular starters.
Still, despite the injury, the Lady Mavs did play better. After going up by as much as nine in the first half, they went to the locker room with a narrow, 1-point deficit at halftime, 31-30. The second half started off with the teams neck and neck - and then McClellen went down.
"We were playing well," says Krause, "but our offense started struggling in the second half. We didn't get a lot of scoring from the post, we were turning the ball over too much, and we weren't hitting our free throws. And when you're struggling offensively, you drain your defense."
The Lady Mavs were led by Shannon Hands, who finished with 15 points, followed by Jessica Garner with 10, Cathy Rogers with 8, McClellen with 5, Stephanie Stovall and Mandy Perkins with 3 each, while Lyndsey Warrior, Angella Ogle, and Joey Mount each had 2.
The Lady Mavericks get a chance to hone their new McClellen-less lineup at home on Saturday, taking on Crowder in a rare, non-conference match up. Krause also would like to note that any teams in the area interested in watching the Lady Mavericks play will be admitted free of charge. Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
RED ROCK - Frontier's Lady Mustangs stubbed their toe on their way to post season play.
With the district tournament starting Friday in their home gym and with their eyes on a berth in the state tournament, the Frontier girls stumbled to Garber in the final regular season game Monday, 43-40.
The Frontier boys had no such trouble, shaking off a relatively slow start to record a 66-40 win over the Garber boys and move to 21-3 on the year.
The low scoring girls game was not to the Lady Mustangs' liking even though they held a 16-15 edge at halftime. They were still barely in front, 20-19, to start the final period but couldn't hold on. The Lady Mustangs are now 21-3.
Stefanie Romero and Denise Jake paced Frontier with 12 and 11 points while Elizabeth Sober had 9, Carolee Bible 6, Sarah Jake 2 and Kaley Dunham 2.
The boys' game also started on a low key, but the Mustangs were in front 33-16 at halftime and sealed the matter with a 21-8 run in the third period.
Dee Buxton exploded for 31 points while Albert Plumley had 13. Martin Sanders added 6, Boydd Romero 5, Jeremiah Regnier 5, Tom Butler 3, Charles Sanders 2 and Robert Regnier 1.
Woodland will play Glencoe in the first round of the district tournament
at Frontier Friday, in both the boys and girls' brackets. Frontier will
play the winner for the championships Saturday.