From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, February
24, 1998
LOCAL
Inhofe Says U.S. Not Ready To Sustain War Against Iraq
Five Vehicles Involved in Wreck In U.S. 177 Construction Area
Latest Drug Arrests Could Slow Traffic
Nearly News
Upgraded Facilities Increase Net Financial Worth of City
New Ambulance Approved As 'Replacement' Vehicle
Friends of Cultural Center Awaiting Facility Report
School Board Unable To Select President
Roosevelt Seeking To Increase Overall Reading Comprehension
Clarification
DEATHS
Ausie Butcher
Bobby Wells
Obituaries
Lucille H. Powell
NEWS BRIEFS
BUSINESS
Good Laws, Good Regulations Keys To Successful Business
Alan Crockett Named Interim Operations Head
Bearly New Store Adds New Lines
Electron Invests $30 Million For Blackwell Plant Expansion
Notes and Quotes
Pub Changes Menu, Hours
Engster Speaker At Friday's BOC
Conoco Researcher Earns DuPont Honor
LIFESTYLES
Little News
Mrs. McKnight Is Honored On Birthday
SPORTS
Hot-Handed Eastern Team Overcomes Mavs, 94-88
Lady Mavericks Still Looking For Regional Playoff Berth
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
"We're not ready," Sen. Jim Inhofe, chairman of the Readiness Sub-Committee said here Monday about going to war in Iraq. Inhofe, who had spent the last few days in Texas visiting military installations, said, "We are having a hearing in Washington Tuesday to make sure everyone is aware that we are not ready.
"As far as Iraq is concerned I'm very uncomfortable depending on someone from some foreign country representing our interests in negotiations. I have nothing against Kofi Annan, but he certainly doesn't understand what our interests are in the United States."
Inhofe added, "We have no idea what kind of concessions he has made. I think he was given the orders by our president 'just make us look good and figure out some way to keep us from having to go to war.' But that doesn't mean that it ends there. That means we may have to do something with Iraq and other countries too."
He continued, "One of the things I would like to make abundantly clear is that it is a myth when you say we can go in and make surgical air strikes and not have ground troops go in. We cannot. I just came back from the German Army bases that handle all the logistics for that whole theater. Right now they are 115 percent of capacity just supporting Bosnia. So we don't have the support. We can not support ground troops in Iraq."
Inhofe explained, "We have one half the force strength that we had during the first Gulf War. We have one half the Army Divisions, one half the Air Tactical Wings and one half the ships. We're in desperate shape. This administration has decimated our military and finally the American people are waking up to the fact that there is a huge threat out there, a greater threat then there was during the cold war."
The senator said, "So I'm not comfortable (with the negotiations). I'm on the Intelligence Committee and the Armed Services Committee and I don't even know what we gave up through our negotiator Annan."
Saying that the U.S. needs to get its national defense up to the strength he feels is necessary, Inhofe said, "We need to do two things. First of all we need to get back on track with our national defense system. We are on track to have it deplorable for this year. The president stopped us from doing that by vetoing our bills starting in 1993. We have lost five years, but now we are going to get back on track. Hopefully we can sustain that.
"It is very important that the people know that there are missiles that can reach the Continental United States, they can reach Ponca City, Okla., from any place in the world and we don't have a national missile system, so we have to have that.
"Number two, we have to rebuild our conventional forces because right now we can not sustain two simultaneous ground conflicts at the same time. We cannot do that today. In fact we could not duplicate our effort in 1991 during the Gulf War."
Responding to" what is the next step?" Inhofe answered, "The next step is going to happen Tuesday in my sub-committee hearing. We're going to try to do an emergency beef-up of our readiness in America."
In telling of the problems of the military Inhofe said, "Our divorce rate is up and our retention is down. It costs $6 million dollars to train a pilot and it costs a lot less to retain a pilot. We're losing them all because of the anti-defense attitude of this administration which has to stop."
Inhofe predicted, "That will stop now because the president has his attention somewhere else and while that is happening we're going to rebuild America."
By Patti Pfeiffer
News Staff Writer
Three people were injured, one critically, during a five-vehicle accident this morning on U.S. 177 south of Red Rock Creek. Two of the injured were taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical where they were treated and later released. One man was taken by a helicopter to an Oklahoma City hospital.
The accident - which involved a semi-trailer truck, a pickup truck and three other vehicles - occurred on the stretch of U.S. 177 currently under lane-widening construction. According to an eyewitness it was that construction which indirectly caused the accident.
A flagger at the construction site, Melody Hannah, said the driver of the 18-wheeler rammed into the rear of a pickup truck when he turned to yell at her.
"The driver of the semi was hollering at me and didn't see the truck in front of him when he hit it," explained Hannah. "I don't know what or exactly why he was yelling at me but I guess he was mad at me because he had been stopped by the construction and had to wait so long."
The driver was not slowing down and was traveling at a speed of between 45-50 mph when he slammed into the pickup truck Hannah said. The collision impact sent the pickup up and onto the rear trunk of the car in front of him causing a "chain reaction" between other vehicles.
The driver of the semi wasn't injured, however the driver of the pickup was pinned inside his truck and suffered head, neck, back and chest injures.
Construction workers at the accident scene said they had been complaining to highway officials regarding the speed limit in the construction area. "They recently lowered the speed limit here from 65 mph to 55 mph," one worker said. "But that is not enough because they are still driving at speeds upwards of 75 mph here."
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - Law enforcement officials here say operations such as last week's county-wide drug bust can gradually chip away at the local drug trade by using federal grant money to set up drug buys.
As of today, 29 arrestees had appeared in District Court on drug and related charges following Thursday's bust by officers participating in the North Central Major Crimes Unit Task Force, which is funded in part by the Justice Department.
Assistant District Attorney Brian Surber said the task force grant money, which is matched by area law enforcement agencies, helps pay salaries and operating expenses to be able to make drug cases in the district, which comprises Kay and Noble counties.
Local undercover agents "use those expenses to infiltrate the drug trade," Surber said, sometimes saying goodbye to $1,000 at a time in a drug deal to make a case against an offender.
He said a few of last week's drug arrests were "significant" in terms of quantities seized and individuals identified. Police from Tonkawa, Blackwell, Perry and Ponca City, along with sheriff's deputies and others, confiscated an estimated $13,000 worth of drugs and seized six vehicles in the bust.
Surber said arrests of even the most small-time of illegal drug offenders are important because, through the cooperation they seek from prosecutors, their information frequently can lead to arrests of bigger dealers.
He expected Thursday's bust would temporarily stop some of the intermediate traffic here.
Freddie Garza, undercover investigator for District Attorney John Maddox, said the task force simply "is doing what the grant requires of us.
"People need to realize we have a serious drug problem here (in this district)," but it's not obvious because drug trafficking is not on street corners here, as in other cities, Garza said.
"The goal is to go up the (drug-dealing) chain as high as we can," he said, adding that every user has the potential of pointing to the top.
"Are we succeeding? I believe we are," he said.
Officers on Thursday originally executed two search warrants, one in Tonkawa and the other in Blackwell. The day's arrests also prompted five additional searches, each of which produced drug-related items such as scales and paraphernalia, as well as marijuana and methamphetamines.
Authorities eventually gathered information that initiated a third search warrant for a location in Ponca City, where much of the remaining illegal merchandise was discovered and seized, Surber said.
A few defendants were still making their initial appearances before the judge Monday and today.
As of today, the following people appeared in District Court in connection with the bust. They are each listed with their ages, cities of residence, and charges filed by the district attorney's office:
Valda Joe Short, 46, Ponca City, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; Donald Lee Cook, 28, Ponca City, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; Richard Allen Spore, 32, Ponca City, possession of methamphetamine after former felony conviction.
Michelle Freeman, 18, Blackwell, delivery of marijuana, three counts; Michael D. Rollins Jr., 26, Blackwell, delivery of marijuana, two counts; Thomas J. McConnell, 27, Tonkawa, delivery of marijuana, two counts.
Michele Jolynn Gentry, 32, Ponca City, delivery of marijuana, two counts; Michael Wayne Gaither, 29, Blackwell, delivery of marijuana, three counts; Bobby Ray Huff (also known as Bobby Doyle and as Bobby Dotson), 18, Blackwell, delivery of marijuana, two counts.
Christopher M. Davis, 23, Ponca City, delivery of marijuana, misdemeanor possession of marijuana; Shannon K. Hinkle, 23, Ponca City, misdemeanor possession of marijuana; Russell Owen Smith, 41, Ponca City, delivery of marijuana, two counts.
Thomas L. Pugh, 45, Ponca City, obtaining controlled dangerous substance by fraud; Debbie E. Pugh, 41, Ponca City, obtaining controlled dangerous substance by fraud; Margaret Leigh Avallone, 23, Ponca City, obtaining controlled dangerous substance by fraud.
Michael Patten Edwards, 25, Ponca City, obtaining controlled dangerous substance by fraud and possession of marijuana, second offense; Vernon Louis Rhodd Jr., 27, Ponca City, delivery of marijuana; Norman William Jackson, 23, Ponca City, delivery of marijuana.
Carl Everett Summers, 44, Newkirk, delivery of marijuana within 1,000 feet of a high school; Robert Wayne Vick, 30, Ponca City, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute; Karmen M. Larsen, 27, Ponca City, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Jimm Lee Newland, 21, Blackwell, delivery of methamphetamine; Charles Ernest Ford, 25, Tonkawa, delivery of marijuana; Shane Smith aka Neeley, 23, Tonkawa, delivery of marijuana; Desiree S. Wieland, 19, Tonkawa, delivery of marijuana.
John Exton Curtis, 51, Blackwell, possession of methamphetamine; Robert G. Gonterman, 61, Ponca City, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Cathey J. Bradley, 43, Ponca City, possession of controlled dangerous substances, larceny of controlled drugs, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia; Victor Edward Bradley, 47, Ponca City, felonious possession of firearm, rape by instrumentation first-degree, possession of controlled dangerous substances, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia.
Additional arrests were still expected.
In Sunday's paper, Kevin Berkels' name was accidentally left off the Pinewood Derby participants for Boy Scouts Pack 14. The News apologizes for any confusion.
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NN has learned that an article on Standing Bear park is included in the latest issue of "Native Peoples." The magazine was sent to Erma Carmack, 400 North Oak, by Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.) Dallas G. Weddle of Falls Church, Va.
He was surprised about the sentence in the story that read "Unaware that the town was named for the Ponca Tribe, town fathers unveiled a statue of a settler staking out a land claim."
The article was written by Mike Coppock and contains interesting information about the project as well as the statue. Sept. 25-26 Ponca City and the representative tribes plans to observe "In Celebration of Native America" at the park with a governor's invitational art show and inter-tribal powwow.
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
Although in debt, the city financial situation is the best it has been in years according to Finance Director Marc LaBossiere. "When people say the City is broke it is not true," LaBossiere said. "In actuality we are in better financial shape today then we have been in the last 10 years."
The debt the city has incurred is due to the Ponca City Utility Authority (PCUA) acquiring large, long term debt. Over $33 million in bonds are outstanding as a result of newly enacted EPA regulations which forced the PCUA to make improvements to the city's landfill, water treatment plant and wastewater treatment plant.
However, this debt has not caused the city to operate in the "red." According to LaBossiere the improvements the City is making will increase the worth of those facilities by the same amount.
"These are not expenditures wherein the money is spent on something that will not benefit and improve the city's financial situation," LaBossiere explained. "The city's assets have increased by the same amount as the liabilities because the improvements to the facility caused the value of those same facilities to increase."
The Finance Director compared the City's debt to the debt acquired by individual homeowners. "The city's situation is the same as someone buying a house with a mortgage," he explained. "You incur a long-term debt which is the mortgage but you also have acquired the house which is considered an asset valued at the same amount."
The EPA requirements were imposed beginning in 1990 and because the three facilities did not completely comply with the new requirements the upgrades, expansions and improvements were required.
"The City had no other option but to make the improvements," Public Works Director Ken Parr said. "The EPA can, will and has imposed huge fines on municipalities that fail to comply with their rules."
Since 1990 the City of Ponca City has been under a total of five EPA administrative orders for deficiencies at the wastewater treatment plant and collection system. Recently those orders were lifted due to the progress of the current upgrades.
Additionally both treatment plants were lacking capacity. "We needed to enlarge the treatment capacity," Parr stated. "We were running out of capacity and at times even exceeded capacity."
When complete the landfill expansion will total $1.8 million and the wastewater plant expansion, upgrades and sewer line improvement will total approximately $23 million. The newly upgraded and enlarged water treatment plant which was completed in September cost over $9.2 million.
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
The Ponca City Fire Department will soon have a new, fully equipped ambulance in service. City Commissioners approved the purchase of a $68,668 1998 ambulance as part of the "Vehicle Replacement Program."
The 5-year program ensures the quality of both first response and reserve vehicles for the city ambulance service Fire Chief Larry Mullikin explained.
In an unrelated request a new fee schedule for the ambulance service was made. The City Commission approved the fire chief's request for a change in ambulance transfer fees involving the transfer of patients from St. Joseph Regional Medical Center to the Cancer Center.
Previously, the fee for a all local transfer was a flat rate of $350. That amount exceeded the allowable rate Medicare would pay for patient transfer from the cancer center to the hospital. The $200 difference had been paid by St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The change was requested so that the amount Medicare paid for those transfers would be payment in full for the "across the street" transfer of patients.
Without comment or discussion the commissioners sent a controversial rezoning request back to the planning commission for further consideration. The rezoning request involves the southeast corner of Lansbrook Road and Prospect Avenue. The applicant had requested that the area be rezoned from the current residential R2-C to a commercial zone C1-C in order to build a mini-storage facility at that location. However, both the planning commission and city planner had recommended that the request be denied on the basis that rezoning the area to commercial would have the "potential to adversely impact" the adjoining residential neighborhood. The City Commissioners do however have the power to designate the area a "Planned Development" which would allow the issuance of a conditional use permit.
Both the Police Department and The Friends of the Cultural Center presented reports at the commission meeting. The Police Department presented the 1997 Annual Crime Report. The Friends of the Cultural Center's report updated the commissioners on the master plan for the Cultural Center.
The City Commission as the Ponca City Utility Authority (PCUA) approved a resolution approving the application for the permanent financing three interim construction loans. According to the City's bond attorney Allan Brooks, the resolution was merely an "administration requirement" so that the City would be able to benefit from lower interest rates on the notes.
"This is certainty something you are not forced to do," Brooks told the commission. "However, it is in your best interest to refinance these notes as soon as possible to obtain lower interest rates."
The refinancing would allow for a more favorable rate wherein 40 percent of the loan amount would be set at a zero interest rate and the other 60 percent set at the current market rate. Currently the interim loans are at a fixed rate of 4.75 percent.
The PCUA also approved an agreement with several local banks to accept Ponca City Utility Authority payments as a "more convenient method of payment for their customers" said Billing Supervisor Sherri Tapp. The agreement added First National Bank of Oklahoma and both branches of Commercial Federal to the list of banks currently accepting customer payments.
The commission voted (as if they had a choice) to approve the payment of over $27,000 to the federal government as a required arbitrage rebate.
"A rebate means that we maximized our money," Finance Director Marc LaBossiere explained to the commissioners. "Unfortunately we made too much money on our debt and the federal government forces us to make a rebate on that amount."
"This is something we were prepared for," City Manager Gary Martin told the commissioners. "It is earned money and not a loss to the city."
In an effort to "clean-up" their books commissioners approved a resolution authorizing the transfer of $18,000 in residual funds to the Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) Fund.
"This is great," Commissioners Lyn Boyer said of both the residual funds and the transfer of those funds into the CIP fund. "This means that we are doing projects so prudentially that we have excess funds and are able to transfer them to finance additional projects."
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
During Monday night's city commission meeting the Friends of the Cultural Center gave an update on their organization about its activities.
The Chairman of the Board Marquetta Brown reported that since the formal organization of the Friends of the Ponca City Cultural Center Museum Foundation, Inc. the group numbers nearly 300 members.
In an effort to keep members informed, the organization prepares and sends quarterly newsletters and since July, The Friends of the Cultural Center has sponsored five activities. "Some of them were fund raising and some were educational," explained Brown. "As a non-profit organization we are charged with the responsibility of sponsoring educational activities and our Heritage Day activities as well as our Statehood Day celebration filled this requirement."
The chairperson also reported that the organization plans to make the Statehood Day an annual event with a different theme each year. Last year they honored the 14 flags that flew over Oklahoma.
"The Scout Leader whose troop helped us with the program told me how much he appreciated his troop being involved in such an educational program," Brown proudly said. "Next year we will celebrate another facet of Oklahoma history."
According to Brown the Foundation is dedicated to the preservation of the building and the contents of the Cultural Center. "We have ordered a bronze plaque commemorating its dedication on May 26, 1968," she explained. "It will be placed on a wall by the front door. and we are planning a dedication ceremony of the plaque."
A capital improvement project has to be decided on the chairperson said. "We have been waiting until we received the master plan," Brown stated. "Of course, we will consult with the City when we decide what we would like to finance."
Since the first meeting July 15, 1997, 13-32 people have attended five meetings and during the entire year of 1997, the Friends received from memberships, fund raising and a grant $29,797. Their account balance at the end of 1997 was $26,162.
The grant received was from the National Trust for Historic Preservation to help pay for the cost of the Master Plan being designed by the Matrix which is a planning company of architects and engineers from Tulsa. The company was retained in July in order to assist with the master plan.
They are to present their final plan to our organization March 4, at 7 p.m. at the Cultural Center. This meeting is open to the public. "I am really excited about the completion of the Master plan," Brown said. "Matrix planners' recommendations will include aesthetic, economic, administrative and historic concerns to form the basis for a strategic investment to help the City of Ponca and the Ponca City Cultural Center meet its long and intermediate range goals and I am full of hope that we can reach those goals."
By KRISTI HAYES
News Education Editor
Ponca City Board of Education deadlocked twice Monday night while trying to decide on a new board president.
The board has seven members to ensure that a tie would not happen, but board member, Kyle Keffer, was absent due to an illness leaving six members.
In the first deadlock, Mike Kruck and Andrea Morriss were nominated for president. Both candidates received three votes ending in a deadlock. John Young, Steve Stalcup and Mike Kruck voted for Kruck, while Andrea Morriss, Chris LittleCook and Marvin Clark voted for Morriss.
Stalcup then asked for board members to renominate. Receiving nominations for president in the second deadlock were John Young and Andrea Morriss. Young, Kruck and Stalcup voted for Young, while Morriss, LittleCook and Clark voted for Morriss.
Stalcup then made a motion to adjourn. The motion died because board members did not second the motion.
Dr. Bill White, superintendent of Ponca City Schools, asked for a brief recess to call the board attorney, Gary Bracken, who was absent from the meeting. Bracken suggested that the board either call the missing board member Kyle Keffer, or table the item associated with electing officers until the next regular board meeting in March.
Board members voted to table the issue until the seventh board member was present. John Young, current president, presided over the remainder of the meeting.
Other Business
Chris LittleCook and Mike Kruck took the oath of office for the Ponca City Board of Education. LittleCook took the place of Janet Goll for Office No. 4.
Mary Ladd, clerk, administered the oath of office.
Board members accepted the quotes for various string instruments for the Orchestra department to be purchased by the 1997 funds.
Approval was given for $36,954. The breakdown is:
- Sparks Music for $5,470
- N.E.M.C. for $27,900
- Discount String for $3,584
The board unanimously declared March 2 as Ponca City Public Schools "Read Across America Day." This is an event sponsored by the National Education Association in coalition with other literacy, community and education groups to draw attention to the importance of reading.
Board members heard reports on the Ponca City Public Schools' Site Improvement Plan from all elementary schools, middle school, mid-high and high school principals.
Travel requests were accepted from Dr. John Scroggins, assistant superintendent of curriculum; and Nancy Niemann, principal of Woodlands Elementary.
Scroggins plans to attend the National Science Research Center in Washington, D.C. and Niemann plans to go to Exton, Pa.
A come and go reception for Janet Goll, Chris LittleCook and Mike Kruck will be held March 9 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.
The next regular board meeting is scheduled for March 9 at 6:30 p.m.
Editor's Note: This is the first in a series of articles on the Ponca City Public Schools' Site Improvement Plans. This first article is on the improvement plan at Roosevelt Elementary.
By KRISTI HAYES
News Education Editor
All eight elementary schools in Ponca City have implemented School Improvement Plans. The goal at Roosevelt Elementary is to increase reading comprehension. The mission of Roosevelt is to enable all students to become productive and successful individuals through acquired skills, shared knowledge, and positive attitudes and values needed to succeed in our changing world.
According to Tom Sipe, principal of Roosevelt Elementary, the school has added STAR (Standardized Test for Assessment of Reading) to the computer lab. With this test the school can check progress in reading comprehension every nine weeks.
The Accelerated Reader points were assessed at the end of the first semester. Roosevelt had 10,331 points. This is an increase from the previous year of over 1,000 points. This is a dramatic increase considering that the number of students reading books to be tested on dropped from 320 to 280 this year.
Sipe also pointed out that the change in parent/teacher conference times helped the attendance at the first conference day. The change in the conference times was recommended by the parents at Roosevelt in a survey sent out to parents last year.
Figures show 32 percent of parents attended the first parent/teacher conference and 21 percent attended the second conference. In addition, 54 percent of parents attending the conference attended the evening session.
Roosevelt has added computers to the upper grade classrooms for more creative projects and experiences, the teachers have worked harder on study and organizational skills, and the gifted and talented kids are involved in general knowledge, math, geography, science and social studies academic contests.
Sipe added, "Our main goal was to increase reading comprehension at all grade levels. We were able to do this in all grades with the second grade being our strongest this year. We are just now getting baseline data from the STAR testing program. This data allows us to plan a more individualized program for our students. We added two Title I assistants to help implement the plans for improving reading comprehension."
Several goals have been added at Roosevelt to improve parental involvement. The Title I School-wide Program at Roosevelt has recommended a survey and a subsequent development of a parent/school partnership that enhances parenting skills and provides higher standards for all students.
The Parental Involvement strategy at Roosevelt will be based on the Title I School-wide survey. Possible strategies will include: parenting classes and materials in a resource room, improve attendance at parent/teacher conferences, and train teachers for effective parent/teacher conferences.
Research shows that students receive "big dividends" from more parental involvement. United States Secretary of Education, Richard Riley, says the most positive news in education is the critical role parents have in developing their children's learning habits. Reading literacy research in the United States indicates:
-There is a substantial gap in the reading scores between schools that involve parents and schools that do not.
-Parents are the essential link in improving American education.
-Schools have to do a better, more friendly job of reaching out to parents who need guidance on how to be most effective.
Building Level Team members for the 1997-98 school year are Sipe, Pennie Wiles, Shelly Matlock, Margo Richardson, Jane Balfanz, Penny Frick, Shelly Weems and Patti Gilliland.
The Bobby Ray Huff, age 18, listed in Friday's and today's paper in connection
with a county drug bust, is not the same individual as Bobby Huff, age 54,
of Blackwell. Bobby Ray Huff reportedly is a name used by the defendant
in a drug case. He is also known as Bobby Doyle and Bobby Dotson. The News
regrets any confusion that may occur between the similarity of the names.
DEATHS
BLACKWELL - Ausie Butcher, Blackwell resident, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 1998, at Blackwell Regional Hospital. He was 89.
The funeral will be held graveside at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Blackwell Cemetery. The Rev. Charles Ryser, pastor of Blackwell First United Methodist Church, will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, then the casket will be closed.
Ausie Butcher was born Jan. 28, 1909, in Flat Rock, Ill., the son of Alpheus and Blanche (Darnald) Butcher. He grew up in Illinois, attending rural schools until he was 17. He then moved to McPherson, Kan., where he was employed as a tank builder for various oil companies.
He was married to Marguerite "Peggy" E. Roecker on Dec. 18, 1931, in Newkirk and the couple made their first home in McPherson. He was employed by C.E. Natco Co., and was later transferred to Great Bend and Liberal, Kan. Butcher retired in 1978 and the couple moved to Blackwell to make their home. He was a member of the Blackwell First United Methodist Church and Myrtle Lodge 145.
Survivors include his wife, Peggy Butcher of Blackwell; one sister, Drucilla Deckard of Robinson, Ill.; one brother, Clement Butcher of Chicago, Ill.; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one daughter, his parents, six brothers, two sisters, one grandson, and one great-grandson.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Butcher's name to the First United Methodist Church c/o, Roberts Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.
MOORE - Bobby Wells, former Tonkawa resident, died Saturday, Feb. 21, 1998, at Presbyterian Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was 70.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Resthaven Memory Chapel, 500 S.W. 104th and South Walker in Oklahoma City. Burial will follow at Resthaven Memorial Gardens in Oklahoma City.
Bobby Wells, was born May 23, 1927 to Owen and Tillie (Strauch) Wells in Virgil, Kan. He attended high school at Braman and Tonkawa. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS John S. Craig. After his discharge he lived in Colorado.
He was married to Marguerite Wells in Colorado in the mid 1940s and they later moved to Oklahoma City. Wells was a truck driver for Hodge Trucking in Oklahoma City for several years. He later served as a security guard for businesses in Oklahoma City. He was a member of the Moore Masonic Lodge and enjoyed fishing.
Survivors include his wife, Marguerite Wells of Moore; one daughter, Susan Sutherland of Moore; one son, Gregory Wells of Norman; two sisters, Virginia Perciful of Ponca City and Doris Fernandez of Courtland, N.Y.; one brother, Clinton Wells of Fort Collins, Colo.; a grandson who was raised in the home, Joshua Wells; one granddaughter; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Norma Findley.
Lucille H. Powell, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Feb. 22, 1998, at the home of her daughter after a lengthy illness. She was 80.
Born Lucille Elaine Hinshaw on Aug. 17, 1917, in Bristow, she was the daughter of Dr. Jacob Raymond and Lucille Iris (Whitenack) Hinshaw. The family moved to Butler, where Lucille graduated from high school. Lucille received her BA and MA from the University of Oklahoma. While there, she met her future husband, Dr. Paul T. Powell.
They were married on June 21, 1939. She did post-graduate work at Oklahoma State University in vocational counseling as well as graduate work at City College in New York. She received an A.A.U.W. scholarship for study at Vassar in family life education. She received a Youth Worker Scholarship and studied briefly at the University of Minnesota. Lucille taught in the Fine Arts Department at the University of Oklahoma for one year.
While her husband was doing advanced medical studies in Washington, D.C., Lucille worked in the personnel division of the Soil Conservation Service and for the Metropolitan Boys Club, there.
The Powells moved to Ponca City in 1945 where Dr. Powell set up his practice. Lucille taught English and journalism at Chilocco Indian School. She served as Executive Director of Camp Fire Girls for 14 years. Thousand of girls participated in the Ponca Area Camp Fire Program during her years of service. A major accomplishment was achieved during her tenure with the moving of the old Camp McFadden when it became part of Kaw Lake, to the present site of the new Camp McFadden.
Lucille was instrumental in organizing the Ponca City Indian Museum and stayed active as a board member for 15 years. She also helped organize the Ponca City Art Association and served five years as vice president. She served as the program chairman for the Ponca City Community Concert in its early beginnings; was active in the hospital auxiliary, serving as editor of the newsletter; served on the state A.A.U.W. education committee when the PBS Channel 13 was started; served under two Governors on the Womens Commission; as an officer of the Oklahoma Heritage Association; as past president of both the Panhellenic and 20th Century clubs; and past vice president and program chairman for A.A.U.W. and the Womens Club. Lucille also taught Sunday School and was high school coordinator at the First United Methodist Church for a number of years.
Lucille was preceded in death by her parents, brother, Dr. J.R. Hinshaw, and her husband, Dr. Paul T. Powell.
She is survived by her loving children, Paul H. Powell and wife, Zeta, of Bartlesville, and Philip R. Powell and wife, Carol, of Ponca City and Patricia E., and husband Phil Guinn of Ponca City; three grandsons, Spencer Guinn of Edmond, Jefferson and Dylan Powell of Ponca City, and a granddaughter Whitnee, and her husband Jamie Lorg of Ponca City.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25, 1998, at the First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Denny Hook, pastor, officiating. A private family committal service will be held at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home. There will be no visitation at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 South Sixth, Ponca City, OK 74601 or to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.
AFMS Receives Commendation - Air Force Master Sgt. Duane K. Bateman has been named outstanding band senior noncommissioned officer at the annual Air Force Materiel Command public affairs awards. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Bateman, 2301 West Grand Avenue, and brother of Verna L. Batemen, 116 Viola, all in Ponca City. His wife is the former Carolyn Nowak of Whiting, N.M. Bateman is a band craftsman (oboe) assigned to the U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty at Hanscom AFB, Bedford, Mass. He graduated in 1971 from Ponca City High School, and received a bachelor's degree in 1975 from the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.
Treated for Injuries - The Communications Center received a report from St. Joseph Regional Medical Center at 8:15 a.m. Monday that a subject was being treated for injuries received in a vehicular accident. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken that the accident occurred earlier in the day at the intersection of North Waverly Street and Industrial Boulevard.
Trailer Recovered - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 8:32 a.m. Monday that a trailer had been stolen from Big D's Wholesale, South Fourteenth Street and East South Avenue. The trailer was located by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol one-half mile north of Oklahoma 11 on Pecan Road.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from a business in the 3400 block of North Fourteenth Street at 9:04 a.m. Monday that a 19-year-old female was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Welder Stolen - The Communications Center received a report at 11:23 a.m. Monday from Howe Plumbing, 1601 South Seventh Street, that a welding unit had been stolen. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken.
Grass Fire - Two units from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to extinguish a grass fire at the intersection of U.S. 77 and Hubbard Road at 11:28 a.m. Monday.
Suspicious Activity - A woman from the 3100 block of El Camino reported that a suspicious subject was looking in her windows at 11:54 a.m. Monday. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken.
Stolen Vehicle - A man from the 800 block of Miller reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:05 p.m. Monday that his vehicle had been stolen. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken.
Accident - A vehicular accident at the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and East Highland Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:14 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Rape Incident - An employee at Timbers reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:04 p.m. Monday that an elderly resident had reported being raped on Sunday. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.
Gas Leak - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 3:49 p.m. Monday that a gas leak was occurring in the 900 block of North Osage Street and the resident was not home. Oklahoma Natural Gas was notified to handle the situation.
Vehicle Fire - The Communications Center received several 911 calls at 3:57 p.m. Monday that a vehicle was on fire in the 3000 block of Miller Lane. Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Department responded and handled the problem.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department requested assistance at 4:14 p.m. Monday in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue. Five units responded and an 18-year-old man was taken into custody on bond revocation.
Window Broken - A person reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:54 p.m. Monday that a back window of a vehicle had been broken out while in the 500 block of South Fifth Street. The information was logged.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of West South Avenue and South Osage Street at 9:44 p.m. Monday that a 26-year-old man was being held for DUI, transporting an open container, having no driver's license, not wearing a seat belt, speeding, and destruction of private property.
Subject Held - An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of North Union Street and West Emporia Avenue at 11:30 p.m. Monday that a 28-year-old man was being held for unlawfully carrying an unconcealed weapon.
Beer Taken - A clerk at Citgo, South Fourth Street and East
South Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:10 a.m.
Tuesday that two male subjects had taken a 30-pack of beer and left southbound
in the alley. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.
BUSINESS
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
"The basis for success for business is good laws and good regulations. That is the foundation for any economic development effort. Without that businesses cannot survive, cannot grow, cannot expand and cannot be profitable in raising the human progress of their employees and the city in which they happen to do business," Dick Rush, State Chamber CEO, said here Friday during a "Business to Business Forum."
In his opening remarks Rush commended the business leadership of the city for securing Jan Jarrett to bring in economic vitality into the Chamber and the City.
Rush said, "Certainly in many of the cities around our state we need a lot more experience and professionalism. With your current chairman, Scott Dean, and your in-coming chairman, Richard Severance, who serves on the State Chamber Board, you are truly in goods hands in terms of an economic initiate being operated by the Chamber of Commerce."
Rush told about the mission of the State Chamber and what it does in Oklahoma City, around the state, the nation and around the world "ensuring that the economic climate in Oklahoma is secure."
The role of the State Chamber, according to Rush, is to ensure that the laws and regulations don't intrude upon businesses' bottom line.
He talked about three emphasis the State Chamber is focused this year on in developing technology. Rush said Oklahoma could become "the silicone prairie."
Asked about the State Chamber's stand on the hog and poultry issue with some legislation calling for a moratorium on these operations, Rush said the State Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors last week passed two policy positions opposing the process of moratoriums. Rush said these did not specially address any specific industry.
"The policy statement," according to Rush, "specifically talks about the precedence setting moratorium that could occur in any industry in the state if moratoriums are used, particularly after we made promises to businesses to attract them into the state and then tell them that we can't fill the obligation that we've created. That's not good business, to which the Board is dedicated.
"Secondly we are opposed to the policy to county option as we've heard talked about. If hogs, why not oil and gas or Homeland Food stores as an extreme example of county options that send a terrible signal to the world that Oklahoma does not care about economics."
Mike Seney, vice president of member services and director of the Manufacturers' Department, gave an overview of legislation that could adversely affect small business during the currently session of the Oklahoma Legislature.
A State Chamber key bills list was presented telling of bills the State Chamber supports, opposes or has no position on.
One of these bills the State Chamber supports is to direct the Regents for Higher Education to study the feasibility of establishing an Office of Technology Transfer which would identify areas of academic research in Oklahoma which have potential for commercial development and develop plans for marketing these areas to venture capitalists in order to promote economic development.
Co-Chairmen of the State Chamber Small Business Council, Ike Glass of Newkirk and Larry Mocha of Stillwater, made opening remarks. Fran Godchaux, director of the Small Business Department, also addressed the forum.
Steve Crank, chairman of the Ponca City Chamber's Legislative Review Committee, was the master of ceremonies and Jan Jarrett made opening remarks.
The audience was made up of persons from manufacturing, education, health, municipalities, banking, insurance and the petroleum industry. In addition to Ponca Citians, other Kay Countians included persons from Tonkawa and Newkirk.
Alan R. Crockett has been named interim operations manager for EcoTec Services Inc., said Sharon McNutt, general manager and co-founder of the firm.
Founded in 1994, EcoTec Services Inc., 102 West South Avenue, provides technical services to the petroleum and petrochemical industries, specializing in providing API certified inspections, vessel and piping inspections, and full maintenance turnaround inspections.
Crockett's role will be to direct the daily operations and assignments of all EcoTec employees, in addition to management of all operations.
Prior to being named to the position, Crockett was an inspection specialist with EcoTec. He also worked as senior supervisor/inspection for Conoco in Ponca City. "Alan brings over 29 years of experience working with a major petroleum company in the supervision of a world-class inspection team, which makes him a top candidate for this position," McNutt said.
"Our goal is to continue to offer our clients the quality service that the have come to expect from EcoTec and are committed to continually improve the level of expertise we deliver in the field of inspections services," said McNutt.
The Bearly New Store, located at 1804 North Fifth Street and owned by Jane Pavlik McDaniel, has recently changed its name to New and Bearly New Store.
Additionally the store has been enlarged and remodeled. The grand preview of spring and summer clothes and the new baby furniture lines is slated for March 3.
The store primarily focuses on both new and used baby items, children's clothing, toys, hypoallergenic resealable diapers and maternity clothes. Rather than by consignment, pre-owned baby items and maternity clothes are purchased and sold by the store.
The store now features a baby registry and stocks both new and quality name brands. Furniture items include beds from Million Dollar Baby, Angel Line, and Home Smith. Brand name clothing lines are also carried, as well as brand name inside and outside toys.
BLACKWELL - Electron Corporation has made a $30 million investment in state-of-the-art production systems to provide a healthier and more automated working environment in the Blackwell foundry.
Plant Manager Richard Hicks said, "Of course we had business reasons for expanding the plant but we wanted to do it in a way that would provide a healthy, safe and pleasant working environment."
Included in the plant expansion is a completely new production facility adjacent to the current foundry, which was established in Blackwell in 1975 and currently employs more than 300.
At the heart of the new facility is a 3032 Automatic Matchplate Molding Machine which boasts 70 to 90 molds per hour. With this investment, Electron intends to be equipped to meet the future demand for high-quality iron castings.
Electron's President Mike Norwood explained the company's decision to make this investment. "People might not think that investments in technology are critical to a business like an iron foundry, but we know that it's necessary to prepare ourselves with the kind of facilities and services that will be demanded in the future," he said.
"This industry has become extremely competitive, and a lot of smaller foundries haven't made it," he said. "But Electron has been determined to not only make the cut, but to take a leadership position."
In addition to the Hunter mold-making system, Electron has also invested heavily in its sand handling and air quality systems, assuring a healthy working environment and compliance with strict EPA standards.
The Electron Corporation is headquartered in Littleton, Colo., where it has an additional foundry facility.
Pays Dividend
OMAHA - Commercial Federal Corporation has announced its board of directors has approved the payment of a regular quarterly cash dividend to shareholders for the quarter ending March 31, 1998. The dividend, in the amount of 55 cents per share, will be paid on April 14 to shareholders of record as of March 30.
Commercial Federal Corporation is the parent company of Commercial Federal Bank, a $7.2 billion federal savings bank which currently operates 115 retail offices in Nebraska, Colorado, Oklahoma, Kansas and Iowa.
PBT Luncheon
Pioneer Bank and Trust's monthly Board of Director's luncheon was hosted by Carl R. Renfro, chairman of the board and Tom Quillin, president.
Attending were James Bailey, attorney-at-law; Cory Bowker, president, Bowker Auto Mail and director, Pioneer Bank; Lee Evans, Evans and Associates; Dr. Joe Kinzer, president of Northern Oklahoma College; Larry Lawhon, city planner; Don Young, controller, Thorn Apple Valley; Paul Northcutt, attorney-at-law, and Ralph Ratliff, president, Ratliff industries.
The luncheon is a long-standing tradition at Pioneer Bank. It provides and informal setting for business owners and managers, and community leaders to share information regarding their individual business and community projects.
Winter Destinations
Carlson Wagonlit's annual travel agent poll reveals that Florida is the top winter destination for 1998, according to the local agency, 323 East Grand. The rankings in numerical order are Florida, Caribbean, Mexico, Cruising, Hawaii, Colorado/Rockies, California and Europe.
More than 20 percent of Carlson Wagonlit's more than 1,000 agencies indicated a significant increase in travel bookings occurs following a snow storm.
About five percent said the phones ring off the hook for winter travel bookings. Another 50 percent said there is a somewhat noticeable increase in winter travel bookings. Meanwhile, a little more than 25 percent said they don't notice any change.
Attends Seminar
Michelle Wright, owner of Nutri/System in Ponca City, has returned from Atlantic City, where she attended a three-day seminar and certification held by Total Image. Wright was certified on the FDA standards and requirements for new services to be offered in the near future.
Nutri/System currently offers weight loss, toning, and wellness. In the near future they will be introducing new programs and services. Some remodeling will need to be completed prior to start up Nutri/System will be celebrating their first year in the new location in March. The business has been in Ponca City about 15 years and Wright has operated the Franchise for four years.
OSBDC Rep in County
On March 4 a representative from the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (OSBDC) will be in Kay County. The representative will be in Blackwell at Kay Electric Cooperative from 9 a.m. to noon and at the administration building on the campus of Northern Oklahoma College from 1 to 4 p.m. To schedule an appointment or receive additional information call (405) 327-8698 prior to March 4.
The Crown and Rose English Pub, 731 North Fourteenth, has moved more toward a pub atmosphere by discontinuing the luncheon menu, opening at 3 p.m., and remaining open until 1 a.m.
There will be a light pub menu served featuring hamburgers and fries and fish and chips. The Pub is now owned and operated by Tom Sanford.
Open six days a week, the Pub features a large screen television and pool tables, plus a video game area upstairs. Those under 21 years of age will not be admitted.
Mike Engster of Centerline Inc. is slated to be the guest speaker at the Friday Breakfast of Champions at the Marland Estate Chapel.
Breakfast will be served beginning at 7:15 a.m., and the program will follow at 7:30 a. m.
Engster will be comparing American and European quality and customer service techniques.
Admission is $5 and menu includes quiche, fruit salad, muffins, juice and coffee.
Attendance is limited. Reservations are required and will be taken on a first come basis. To make reservations call the Chamber at 765-4400.
(Conoco News Service)
DuPont has announced that Bob Stolt, a Conoco senior research fellow based in Ponca City, is one of five employees to be named 1998 recipients of DuPont's coveted Lavoisier Medal for Technical Achievement.
DuPont annually awards its Lavoisier Medal for Technical Achievement to individual employees who have been instrumental in building DuPont into a world leader in technology.
The purpose of the Lavoisier Medal is not only to highlight the great technical accomplishments of these individuals, but also to identify role models for current employees.
Since joining Conoco in 1971, Stolt has come to be recognized internationally in the petroleum industry as an innovative leader in the field of geophysical science.
Among Stolt's accomplishments are significant contributions in the field of geophysical data processing, where he guided major breakthroughs in "seismic migration" and "seismic inversion". These techniques allow for the proper positioning of seismic images and the proper definition of physical properties of the various rock layers, which enhances Conoco's oil and gas exploration technologies.
His insight into the linkage between computing/information technology and geophysics has produced a form of "just-in-time" research that has allowed the company to remain a leader in geophysics over many years.
In reflecting on his career at Conoco, Stolt said, "I was lucky; I got into the field at the right time, enabling me to make significant contributions.
"In the early '70s, we were just getting started in real computer-based processes - discovering what computers could do for us," he continued. "I made a simple observation that became a low-cost, effective way to do seismic imaging."
Stolt noted that he was honored to receive the award.
"DuPont has so many excellent scientists," he said. "I was surprised and proud that they extended the award to someone in Conoco."
Stolt and the other recipients of the 1998 Lavoisier Medals will be honored on April 30 in Wilmington, Del., during formal ceremonies headed by DuPont President and CEO Chad Holliday.
Stolt has spent 26 years of his career at Conoco's Research & Technology Center in Ponca City. He and his wife, Donna, continue to reside in Ponca City and have two children - Rob, who resides in Atlanta with his wife and daughter, and Erin of Lees Summit, Mo.
Conoco is the energy subsidiary of DuPont.
LIFESTYLES
Darren and Bobbie Jo Dyer, 1505 Meadowbrook Drive, announce the adoption at 9 a.m. Feb. 13, 1998 of Jimmy Loyd, 8-years-old, and Ruthann Elizabeth, 4-years-old.
Maternal grandparents are Ron and Tommie Campbell of Ponca City and paternal grandparents are Dot Huegel of Van Buren, Ark. and Larry and Kathy Dyer of Broken Arrow.
Tom and Heidi Hemry of Littleton, Colo. announce the birth of a daughter Feb. 10, 1998 at 5:30 a.m. She weighed 7-pounds, 3-ounces and was 20-inches long. The baby has been named Camille Renee. She has a sister, Reagan Leigh, 2-years-old.
Maternal grandparents are Don and Sharla Lambring of Ponca City and paternal grandparents are Jerry Hemry of Oklahoma City and Peggy Dodd of Phoenix, Ariz. Paternal great-grandparents are Jerome and Martha Hemry of Oklahoma City.
McKenna Grace Dwyer is the name selected by Scott and Juli (Drain) Dwyer of Edmond for their daughter born Jan. 24, 1998 at 9:20 p.m. at Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. She weighed 7-pounds, 2-ounces and measured 19 1/2-inches long. Her sister, Madison Nicole Dwyer, is two-years-old.
Maternal grandparents are Tom and Kathy Drain of Ponca City and paternal grandparents are Leo X. and Judy Dwyer of Cohasset, Mass. Paternal great-grandparents are Ruth Thompson of Schenectady, N. Y. and Leo X. Dwyer Sr. of Florida.
Mrs. Helen McKnight was honored on the occasion of her 85th birthday with a celebration Feb. 14 at the Oklahoma Room at the Marland Hotel and Conference Center.
Hosting the event were her children: Janice and Rich Eaton of Minneapolis, Minn., Nancy and Gary Wells of Perry, Bob and Mary McKnight of Broken Arrow.
Among the guests were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Mike and Angie Wells and Garret, Gerry and Carla Wells and Lyndee, all of Perry, Jim Eaton of Minneapolis, Minn., Steve and Krista McKnight, Grace, David and Meredith of Broken Arrow, Darrin and Leslie McKnight and Conner of Fort Worth, Texas, Cathy Bryan, Joshua, Matthew and Jonathon of Dallas, Texas.
Also among the 67 guests present were many longtime friends from Ponca
City as well as Amber Hinebaugh of Minneapolis, Steve Troutz, Charlotte
and Brian of Dallas and Maranda Sheets of Perry.
SPORTS
WILBURTON - The NOC Mavericks once again ran into desperate team, Monday, and it cost them, as they fell to the playoff-hopeful Eastern State Mountaineers in a blaze of points, 94-88.
"They were just up," said head coach Mick Weiberg. "We're already in the Regionals, they're still looking for a spot, we couldn't seem to get into sync, and they had a phenomenal night."
Phenomenal, namely, from the field. The Mountaineers shot an excellent 59 percent from 2 point range, 35 percent from long range, and banged down 26-of-29 free throws. Point guard Doug Stone had a career night for the Mountaineers, hitting 8-of-10 from the field and nailed all 15 of his shots from the charity stripe to finish with 31 points. The Mavs, meanwhile, shot under 40 percent from the field.
"There were just a lot of little things we didn't do well," said Weiberg. "We faltered on Stone, he got all the chances he wanted, and our help defense wasn't were it should have been."
Still, Weiberg says that aside from the poor shooting performance his team did do battle, and chalks the loss up mostly to the long road trip, made longer by an overheated bus radiator.
Up by as much as 14 points in the first half, the Mavs saw their lead cut to one, 51-50, at halftime. From there, both teams continued their breakneck pace until the end, with the Mountaineers' near-perfect free throw shooting giving them - to Weiberg - the edge.
Leading the Mavericks was Joe Patmon with 21 points, followed by Marlon Towns with 17, DeShawn Denson with 14, Zach Cazzelle with 12, Jared Weiberg with 9, while Kyle Dean, Chris Beech, and Josh Regnier had 5 apiece.
The Mavericks play their last regular season game at home, Thursday, taking on Seminole.
"We need another four game streak starting Thursday," says Weiberg.
That, of course, would make them Regional Champions and send the Mavericks to their first national tournament in school history.
WILBURTON - After a couple of gigantic wins to keep their playoff hopes alive, the Lady Mavericks of NOC couldn't overcome powerhouse Eastern Oklahoma on Monday, falling to the Lady Mountaineers, 77-65.
Still, with one game left in the regular season, the Lady Mavs (4-5 in conference play) could still be the masters of their destiny. With a win against Seminole on Thursday, they're assured at least the No. 4 playoff spot, and could finish as the No. 3 seed.
With a loss on Thursday, however, everything hinges on an improbable victory for conference-winless Rose State, taking on Western.
Monday, the Lady Mavs showed they were eager to nab one of the remaining spots, playing the Lady Mountaineers close through much of the game. Down by just three at intermission, 36-33, the Lady Mavs knocked down the first bucket to open the second half, but went cold after that.
The opportunistic Lady Mountaineers took the opportunity to go up by 15 points, and never relinquished.
"They have a number of outside shooters, and we wanted to stop their picks," said head coach Greg Krause. "We were trying to switch and we couldn't. Our defense could have been tighter.
"Still, I was happy with the effort. We played them tougher than a lot of other teams have there."
Leading the Lady Mavs were Sarah Roughface and Stephanie Stovall with 15 points each, followed by Jennifer Williams with 13, Mandy Perkins with 10, while Cathy Rogers, Danielle Monie and Shannon Hands each had four.
The Lady Mavericks end their regular season at home Thursday, taking
on Seminole.