LOCAL

Local Woman Struck By Own Car

Local Woman Struck By Own Car

DOLLY McKINNEY of Ponca City was involved in a freak accident Friday afternoon in the 200 block of West Grand Avenue. After parking and believing her vehicle had stopped moving, McKinney exited the car and became entangled beneath it. Marland resident Shane Parcell was at the scene and was able to stop the vehicle.

DEATHS

Verda Mae Crabtree
Billy R. Evans
Arailla Embry
Gerald G. Livingston
Frances Regina Coker

Verda Mae Crabtree

Verda Mae Crabtree, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday, March 25, 2000, at Westminster Village Nursing Home. She was 79.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2000, at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Michael Kear officiating. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery.

Verda Mae Crabtree was born on Feb. 3, 1921, in Tishomingo, the daughter of John and Minnie (Walker) Teel. She was raised in Tishomingo and graduated from Tishomingo High School in 1939. She then attended Murray State College until 1941. She was employed for a time for a tax assessor’s office in Tishomingo and served as treasurer. She married Paul B. Crabtree on Oct. 25, 1946, in Stillwater. He preceded her in death on Jan. 9, 1999.

The couple made their home in Stillwater for a while where she was employed in the insurance business. The couple then moved to Ponca City in 1952 and were both employed at Conoco. She retired as an accountant clerk with Conoco on Sept. 24, 1984. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, game shows, and visiting with friends.

Survivors include one sister, Iverna Percer of Madill; and many nephews, nieces, and other relatives.

In addition to her husband, Verda was preceded in death by her parents, four sisters, and three brothers.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.

Billy R. Evans

Billy R. Evans, longtime Ponca City resident, died March 25, 2000, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 49.

A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, 2000, at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery, with the Rev. Kent Dorsey, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Billy R. Evans was born in Ponca City on April 7, 1950, the son of Leroy and Myrtle (Johnson) Evans. He attended Ponca City schools and graduated from Po-Hi in 1969.

He was drafted into the United States Army and served his country from June 1970 to January 1972 in the infantry, serving in the Vietnam War.

He married Joy Bechtel on May 5, 1972. They made their home in Ponca City, where he worked as a production worker. He enjoyed fishing, boxing, volleyball and was an avid University of Oklahoma sports fan. His favorite pastime was spending time with his friends and family.

He is survived by his wife, Joy of the home; one son, Bobby of the home; one daughter, Cassie Evans of Edmond; his parents; two brothers, Daryl Evans of Houston, Texas, and Richard Evans of Ponca City; and one sister, Karen Ferree of Houston, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents.

Memorials contributions may be made in his name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.

Services Pending

Arailla Embry

Arailla Embry, resident of Ponca City, died Saturday evening, March 25, 2000, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 86. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

Gerald G. Livingston

Gerald “Hank” G. Livingston, resident of Ponca City, died Saturday, March 25, 2000, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 77. Survivors include his wife, Pat of the home. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

Frances Regina Coker

Frances Regina Coker, former Ponca City resident, died Sunday, March 26, 2000, at the Harrah Nursing Home in Harrah, Okla. She was 81. Survivors include a son, William Dee Coker of Denver, Colo. The family will be at the Frank Lodes home, 416 South Tenth. Arrangements are pending with the Trout Funeral Home.

NEWS BRIEFS

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Meet for Lunch — Retirees from the Cities Service and Sequoia Refineries will be meeting for lunch at Furr’s Cafeteria at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Becky Gearhart. Perm only $25. Hair Etc. 762-4247. adv.

Abandoned Bicycle — A man from the 300 block of West Grand Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:42 a.m. Saturday that someone had abandoned a bicycle. Animal Control was notified to handle the situation.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect

for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

Item Found — A woman from the 700 block of McFadden Drive reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:48 a.m. Saturday that a computer had been found in the alley behind her home. An officer was assigned and information was logged.

Virgil Sneed Barber Shop.

Open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday Only. adv.

Abandoned Bicycle — A person from the 500 block of Foster Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:19 a.m. Saturday that a bicycle had been abandoned. Animal Control was notified to handle the situation.

Intricate Designs of Ponca

City, experienced professional

wall papering by Leramy Kizziar,

free estimates. 762-2089. adv.

Burglary — A man from the 200 block of South Elm Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:01 a.m. Saturday that his company pickup had been broken into. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Patio, French and terrace doors. We sell and install. Ponca Glass, 300 West Highland and Pine, 762-6522. adv.

Accident — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident at the intersection of South Ninth Street and East Otoe Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:12 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of West Highland Avenue and North Pine Street at 10:52 p.m. Saturday that an 18-year-old man was being held for DUI, no driver’s license, driving left of center, and minor in possession of beer.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of Hubbard Road and L.A. Cann Drive was reported to the Communications Center at 1:09 p.m. Saturday. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Kay County Sheriff’s office was notified. Two ambulances from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to take injured persons to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Triple T, 201 West Hartford Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police department at 1:32 p.m. Saturday that a subject had driven off without paying for $10 worth of gas. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

25 Cents a gallon drinking water. Pure Water Wagon 1717

North 5th. adv.

Pasture Fire — A man from the 3500 block of North Union Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:38 p.m. Saturday that some youngsters had set his field on fire. A unit from the Ponca City Fire Department responded as did an officer from the Ponca City Police Department. Five juvenile boys were taken into custody, issued citations, and released on promise to appear.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at a Conoco Convenience, 2500 East Lake Road, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:17 p.m. Saturday that someone had driven off without paying for $10 worth of gas. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 2200 block of North Fourteenth Street at 6:31 p.m. Saturday that a 32-year-old man was being held on a warrant from Portland, Texas, on cruelty towards a child.

Burglary — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department requested assistance at 8:53 a.m. Saturday in the 2900 block of North Fourteenth Street where a burglary had occurred. Three other officers were assigned and a report was taken. Information was logged that entry had been gained through the roof, and cash removed from the business.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 100 block of Lansbrook Road at 9:40 p.m. Saturday that a 34-year-old woman was being held for public intoxication, assault on an officer, and a city warrant.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department requested assistance at 1:51 a.m. Sunday in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue. Another officer responded and a 23-year-old man was held for domestic assault and battery.

Suspicious Activity — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department requested assistance from the intersection of Monument Road and East Woodland at 2:11 a.m. Sunday reporting that a juvenile boy had ran away from him carrying a can of beer. The information was logged.

Subjects Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of East Albany Avenue and Hillside Avenue at 4:19 a.m. Sunday that a 21-year-old man was being held on a local warrant and a 29-year-old man was being held for DUI and having an expired driver’s license.

Assault — A man from the 100 block of West Central Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police department at 5:43 p.m. Sunday that someone had tried to run over him. An officer was assigned and a simple assault warrant was requested.

Burglary — A woman from the 1600 block of Queens Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:02 p.m. Sunday that someone had tried to gain entry into the residence through a bedroom window. An officer was assigned and took a report that the window had been broken. A request was made for an extra patrol.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of North Union Street and West Emporia Avenue at 1:37 p.m. Sunday that a 34-year-old woman was being held for driving under suspension.

Fight in Progress — A clerk at a business in the 2500 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:47 p.m. Sunday that a fight was in progress on the parking lot. Three officers responded and reported the incident as being subjects pushing each other around. They were advised of the ordinance concerning fighting in public.

Subject Held — A man from the 500 block of South Third Street requested assistance from the Ponca City Police Department at 11:27 p.m. Sunday. Three officers were assigned, stopped a vehicle at the intersection of South Sixth Street and East Walnut Avenue, where a 29-year-old man was held on a New Mexico warrant for receiving stolen property.

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LIFESTYLES

Mothers Club Holds Meeting

Mothers Club Holds Meeting

Eighteen members of the Ponca City Mother's Club, Unit III, met Friday, March 17. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Field Trip, originally scheduled for the March meeting, was canceled.

The hostesses, Louise Locke, Margaret West and Tibby Coatney, quickly found a place for the unit to meet and have a 'gabfest' as they lunched at the Ponca City Country Club.

A business meeting had not been schedule, but Louise Locke, Nominating Committee Chairperson, presented the committee's slate of officers for the 2000-2001 year. The Unit will vote on the new officers at the next meeting which has been changed to Thursday, April 20.

The regular meeting date falls on Good Friday which necessitated the change. Rachel Tidrow will host the meeting at her home, 2 Woodcrest, with Peggy Lyon and Cheryl Smith as co-hostesses.

Members are reminded that next year's dues are to be paid at the April meeting.

SPORTS

Wildcat Calendar
Cats Split At Choctaw Test Union
Tulsa Businessmen Raise Funds for Self
Florida Pressure Caused Poor Shooting by Cowboys
Tulsa Run At Final Four Falls Short
Big Inning Lifts OU Past Bears
Horns Hold Off Pokes In 16 to14 Win

Wildcat Calendar

March 27-April 1

Baseball

Monday — at Tulsa Union, 4 p.m.

Tuesday — TONKAWA, 4 p.m.

Thursday — Norman Tournament

Friday — Norman Tournament

Saturday — Norman Tournament

Golf

Boys

Monday — Midwest City Invitational

Girls

Monday — Cushing Invitational

Tuesday — Edmond Classic

Soccer

Tuesday — at Edmond Memorial, 6 and 8 p.m.

Friday — at Midwest City, 6 and 8 p.m.

Tennis

Tuesday — Bartlesville Quad

Saturday — Shawnee Tournament

Track

Saturday — Stillwater Relays

Cats Split At Choctaw Test Union

CHOCTAW — Continuing their quick start to the second half of baseball season, the Wildcats are at Tulsa Union this evening for Frontier Conference game.

The Wildcat basesballers ended their spring break with a mixed preformance against the Choctaw Yellowjackets Saturday, falling in the first game of the doubleheader, 11-4, but prevailing in extra innings in the second game, 8-5.

After a slow start in the first game, the Wildcats got a quick jump in the second game.

The Wildcats opened the scoring in the top of the first inning, with Jerrod Spears getting on base with a double in the gap between left and center. He scored on an error by the left fielder.

In the second inning, Barry Geheb reached second base on an error by the right fielder, stole third, then scored on single by Buddy McCoy.

Choctaw came back in the bottom of the inning and scored two runs on two hits off Wildcat pitcher Todd Stewart and an infield error.

With both team going scoreless over the next two innings, the Wildcats were first to break the tie. Leading off the top of the fifth inning, Bryan Coppock layed down a perfect bunt, stole second and scored on a double to the left field fence off the bat of Jeff Furnas.

With Stewart holding the Yellowjackets at bay, the Wildcats continued to score in the sixth and seventh innings.

In the sixth, Geheb leads off the inning by reaching base on a walk, then advancing to third on a hit down the right field line by pinclihitter Mike Williams. McCoy produced his second RBI of the game on a squeeze bunt that scored Casey Rowe who had come in to run for Geheb.

In the seventh, J Michael Sharon leads off the inning with a single to left field and after stealing second, scored on a single to right field off the bat of McCool.

With the Cats leading 5-2 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, the Wildcats made a pitching change to close the game. The Yellowjackets, as they came out swinging, scoring three runs on three hits. At the end of regulation the score was even at 5-5.

The Wildcat bats came alive, scoring three runs on threew hits, with the big blow coming from Sharon. With two runners on base and two outs, Sharon stroked a triple to right field clearing the bases and then scores on an attempted throw to third base that the third baseman couldn't handle. McCoy then comes in to pitch and shuts down the Yellowjackets 12-3, preserving the win for the Cats.

In the first game the Yellowjackets looked sharp, collecting I I hits to score I I runs while holding the Wildcats to four runs on only five hits.

While the Wildcats had not played in 12 days, Choctaw, taking their springbreak a week earlier, spent their time in Phoenix going 2-2 against teams from Oregon, Washington, and Arizona.

Trailing 8-0 going into the fourth inning the Wildcats tried to make a game of it by scoring four runs, three of them coming on a bases loaded double by Buddy McCoy. The Yellowjackets responded by scoring three runs in the bottom of the inning and that's where the scoring ending with neither team scoring in the fifth, sixth or seventh innings.

Ponca City 000 400 0 - 4 5 5

Choctaw 422 300 x - 11 11 1

0’Hare (W), Shaw (4) and Reed

Spears (L), Wilks (2), Coppock (5), and Fumas

Ponca City 110 011 13 — 8 102

Choctaw 020 000 30 — 5 8 3

Kennedy (L) and Reed

Stewart, Fumas (W,7), McCoy (8) and Spears

Tulsa Businessmen Raise Funds for Self

TULSA. (AP) — Tulsa coach Bill Self is a hot property in college basketball, but a group of businessmen is trying to raise enough money to keep him at the helm of the Golden Hurricane.

The coach’s name has been bandied about in deal rumors with schools like Georgia Tech and Nebraska, which is said to be poised to offer Self $1 million a year to coach the Cornhuskers.

But Tulsa athletic director Judy MacLeod confirmed Saturday that the group of businessman is working with university officials to boost Self’s income at Tulsa, where he is thought to earn about $400,000 a year, including media and shoe income.

The group has reportedly raised $1.4 million, according to the Tulsa World, which cited an unidentified source.

Calling itself the Tulsa Final 400 Club, the group is said to consist of 40 businessmen who plan to recruit 10 people each to sweeten the pot, according to an Internet report.

The university would reportedly pitch in a $100,000 raise for Tulsa’s assistants. In addition to bolstering Self’s pay, the group wants to offer a $1 million annuity if Self stays five years.

Bob West, chairman of the Tulsa athletic trustee committee, and Bob Thomas, a Tulsa booster and local developer, are heading up the fundraising, university trustee Steve Turnbo said.

Self, 37, is 74-27 as Tulsa’s head coach following Sunday’s 59-55 loss to North Carolina in the NCAA South Regional final.

The Golden Hurricane had its best season ever, advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight for the first time in school history. Self has won more in three years than any other coach at Tulsa, setting a school record for wins this year with 32.

Self would not get into specifics about his future Saturday.

‘‘I do know there’s a group trying to put something together, but I’ve never heard it called the Final 400,’’ Self said.

Florida Pressure Caused Poor Shooting by Cowboys

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) — Florida’s fullcourt pressure did not rattle Oklahoma State into turnovers. Nevertheless, it took a toll on the Cowboys.

With senior Doug Gottlieb at point guard, the Cowboys were able to break Florida’s press most of the game by throwing over the top or with Gottlieb dribbling through it.

In fact, the Gators finished with 22 turnovers compared to the Cowboys’ 18. But the Cowboys were 25-for-59 from the field in their 77-65 loss to Florida in the East Regional final on Sunday.

‘‘The big thing is when you play at that speed, sometimes the same shots that you normally get, because you are moving so much, because you are going up and down so much, maybe your shots are out of rhythm,’’ said Gottlieb, who had just one turnover in 32 minutes.

It was the Cowboys’ usually solid defense that failed them in the opening minutes of the game, Gottlieb said.

Florida scored 33 points in the first 9 1/2 minutes. Over the next eight minutes though, the Gators made just three baskets. During that span, Oklahoma State shaved a 15-point deficit to eight, but the Cowboys missed several layups and Andre Williams missed an uncontested dunk.

‘‘We had a lot of chances to get ourselves back in the game and to make plays and we didn’t complete those plays,’’ said Desmond Mason, who finished with nine points, half his average, on 2-for-8 shooting.

‘‘We missed easy shots. We missed wide open shots. We had our chances and we didn’t take advantage of it,’’ he said.

In the second half, the Gators built a 17-point cushion, only to have Oklahoma State close to 56-53 with eight minutes to play. That was as close as the Cowboys got.

‘‘We felt we were back in it,’’ said senior guard Joe Adkins, who had 12 points on 4-for-14 shooting. ‘‘We were knocking down shots, but we used a lot of energy. We got the same shots at the end, but we missed them. That’s their game plan, though, to wear you down.’’

Coach Eddie Sutton, too, thought his team handled Florida’s press well, but made some foolish mistakes and missed easy baskets.

‘‘They had 22 turnovers and we had 18, which is a little surprising. But at least six or seven were just our own doing. I don’t think it was there defense as much as carelessness on our part,’’ Sutton said.

‘‘Missing those easy shot when you’re in a big-time game is going to come back to haunt you, and it certainly did.’’

Tulsa Run At Final Four Falls Short

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Por shooting ended Tulsa’s longes road in the NCAA Tournament with a 59-55 loss to North Carolina which held the Hurricane one game short of the Final Four.

It was the Tar Heels’ defense which spelled the difference in the South Regional Finals

UNC stopped Missouri’s outside game in the first round, cut off top-seeded Stanford’s inside game in the second round and held Missouri to one basket in the final seven minutes Friday night. Tulsa (32-5) shot a season-low 37 percent and scored its fewest points this season.

‘‘They were a lot longer than we expected,’’ guard Tony Heard said. ‘‘They were playing the passing lanes and we didn’t move like we should have. But we missed a lot of open shots, shots that we usually make.’’

Still, the Golden Hurricane were able to keep it close by playing pretty tough defense themselves. They even led 31-30 at halftime and were tied at 39.

Julius Peppers made two free throws that gave Carolina the lead for good, then freshman sensation Joseph Forte scored the next six points to open a big cushion.

Tulsa, which was hurt by having leading scorer David Shelton and emotional leader Eric Coley in foul trouble, fought back again thanks to freshman Dante Swanson.

His 3-pointer with 21 seconds left tightened the game to 57-55, but the rally stopped there. Free throws by senior guard Ed Cota and Forte ended the winningest season in Golden Hurricane history and their farthest run in 12 NCAA tournament trips.

‘‘It’s a sweet feeling because of all the goals we’ve met,’’ Coley said. ‘‘But sometimes you’re going to lose. It’s tough as a senior, but I hope the other guys got a taste of it and will be back here next year.’’

Forte, the first freshman to ever lead North Carolina in scoring, came to Chapel Hill hoping to be a starter right away and expecting to win the national championship immediately.

The Tar Heels got off to a quick start, reaching No. 2 in the country right after Thanksgiving. Two months later, they had a four-game losing streak and were out of the poll for the first time in a decade.

‘‘It took us a while to find each other this season,’’ said Cota, who’ll be playing in his third Final Four in four years. ‘‘The teams I was on here before knew how to win. This team found it late, but we couldn’t have picked a better time.’’

North Carolina has made the Final Four in every decade since the 1940s. The Tar Heels are going for their fifth and the most improbable title.

The Tar Heels had been a No. 1 or 2 seed in their previous seven Final Fours. They’d never gotten past the round of 16 with a lower seed.

North Carolina has been to so many Finals Fours that even the program’s biggest backers probably can’t remember them all.

This one, though, isn’t likely to be forgotten.

The Tar Heels came into the NCAA tournament having lost three of four. They were handed a long shot No. 8 seed, matching their worst in 22 years of being seeded, and faced critics who thought they didn’t even belong. Rather than how far could they go, the top question was whether their coach would be back next season.

Then, in a stunning turnaround few can explain, they became Carolina again, winning four straight for the first time this season, capped by a 59-55 victory over Tulsa on Sunday that clinched a record-tying 15th Final Four berth.

‘‘I am so happy for the team and so proud of them,’’ said Bill Guthridge, his job safe, but his heart heavy as he headed to Kansas for his mother’s funeral today.

‘‘They really hung in there all year through some difficult times and helped keep me up. To be going to the Final Four is a real thrill for all of us. It’s something we never get tired of.’’

This will be No. 11 for Guthridge as a player and coach, his second in three years as the head coach. It’ll be his third time playing a Final Four in Indianapolis after losing to Kansas in 1991 and Arizona in ’97.

‘‘In just the last 10 years, we lost to Arizona in, what? ’91?’’ said Guthridge, showing that all the Final Fours can even run together for someone who was involved in them.

Big Inning Lifts OU Past Bears

NORMAN (AP) — Jason Bartlett was 4-for-4 and drove in four runs, as Oklahoma used a five-run seventh inning to beat No. 21 Baylor Sunday afternoon.

Oklahoma (16-12, 5-4 Big 12) led the game 7-6 going into the bottom of the seventh, when the Sooners got eight hits — including seven in a row — to put the game away.

Bartlett fell only a home run short of hitting for the cycle and led five Sooners who had more than one hit. Chad Cochell went 3-for-4 at the plate, while Zach Leske hit safely in his ninth straight game. The Sooners had 18 hits in the game.

Austin Mix (5-1) picked up the win.

Baylor (20-9, 7-5) beat Oklahoma in the first two games of the series, but its pitchers were ineffective Sunday. Mike Huggins paced the Bears offensively with a 2-for-3 performance, including a two-run home run.

Horns Hold Off Pokes In 16 to14 Win

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Sam Anderson hit a game-winning RBI single in the seventh inning and Charlie Thames stymied an Oklahoma State late-inning rally to give Texas a 16-14 victory over the Cowboys Sunday.

Thames earned his 10th save of the season, allowing two hits for one run in the last two innings. The only Cowboys player to touch first in the ninth was on a walk.

Meanwhile Anderson, who went 3-for-6 with four RBIs, hit a single to center field to drive in Ben Emond to give the Longhorns a 16-11 lead.

Neither side had trouble hitting the ball. The Cowboys had 17 hits, seven for extra bases, off four pitchers. The Longhorns had 17 hits, four for extra bases, off six pitchers.

Nebasett Brown led the Cowboys’ offense, going 3-for-5, with two doubles and five RBIs. Jimbo McAuliffe went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBIs and Carlos Gatreau went 3-for-4 with a double and four runs.

For the Longhorns, Emond went 3-for-4 with five runs and Jeff Ontiveros went 4-for-5 with a double and three RBIs.

Kevin Frizzell (3-0) recorded the win for the Longhorns after allowing eight hits for six runs in four innings. Ryan Herrman (0-1) took the loss for Oklahoma State after allowing three hits for four runs in two innings.