LOCAL

Two Held in Connection With Death of 14 Year Old
Vote But Abide By Election Laws
Attention Native American Veterans
Letters to the Editor
Weather Spotter’s Training Course A weather spotters’ training course
Preparations Noted for Times of Disaster

Two Held in Connection With Death of 14 Year Old

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

Two Ponca City men are being held in connection with the death of a 14-year-old girl after she was found dead at a friend’s home at 434 South Perry Street early Saturday morning from what police officials believe are alcohol-related causes.

John W. Malaske, AKA Jay W. Malaske, 23, was arrested for second degree murder in the case for allegedly supplying alcohol to the victim, Dena M. Emery, the daughter of Dwayne and Tammy Emery of Ponca City, at the residence. A second 22-year-old man, Robert L. Rowe, was arrested for accessory to second degree murder.

According to Ponca City police, Emery was spending the night with Malaske’s family at the time of her death. Emery and two other minors consumed alcohol at the residence prior to the 5:35 a.m. 911 call placed by one of Emery’s friends. The call advised Communications Center personnel the victim was not breathing and unresponsive at the time. The juvenile was told to get an adult and CPR instructions were started.

Emery was pronounced dead by Kay County Medical Examiner Dr. Marty Farquharson shortly after Ponca City Fire Department personnel arrived at the scene.

“This death is tragic in many ways, especially because of the age of the victim,” said Detective Capt. Dwaine Vincent, with the Ponca City Police Department. Vincent added the department was currently awaiting results from the State Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the specific cause of the girl’s death.

The two men were transported to the Kay County jail in Newkirk, and should make their initial appearance in court early this afternoon.

The investigation is still continuing. No other arrests are anticipated at this time.

Funeral services for Emery are pending with Trout Funeral Home in Ponca City.

Vote But Abide By Election Laws

According to Kay County Election Board officials, anyone violating election laws during Tuesday’s Ponca City municipal election can expect to be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Carol Stafford, secretary of the Kay County Election Board, pointed out that electioneering is prohibited within 300 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress. In fact, she stressed no one except election officials and voters waiting to vote are allowed within 50 feet of any ballot box on election day.

Stafford said it was also unlawful to take intoxicating liquors of any kind or quantity within one-half mile of a polling place on election day, for any person to disclose how he/she voted to any other person within the election enclosure or for anyone to remove a ballot from a polling place or to carry a ballot into the polling place.

Further, she advised it was unlawful to vote in the Ponca City municipal election is you do not live within the corporate city limits of Ponca City.

Attention Native American Veterans

Pleased by advised beginning each first and third Wednesday of the month, there will be a Veterans Service Representative at the Kaw Nation Wellness Center in Newkirk between the hours of 1-3 p.m.

Rodney (Pappan) Atkeson will be available to assist veterans with V.A. benefits, education, widow’s claims, etc.

For more information contact Pappan-Atkeson at 580-362-1444 on March 7 or March 21, or stop by the Wellness Center located one-half mile east of Newkirk on River Road next to the Kanza Health Center.

Letters to the Editor

Misleading Speech

Several weeks ago at a local civic club meeting, Bryan Jackman, former president of the Firefighters Union, came to give “his side” of the firefighters pay raise issue. Club members were told that the firemen wanted to give us facts in favor of the 20 percent pay increase they are asking for and in rebuttal to the Mayor’s “City Update” given several weeks prior to our club. (Incidentally, Mayor Tom Leonard has been a guest speaker every year for the last three years to give us updates on the state of the city.) Because we already had a scheduled program, the firefighters were informed they could have ten minutes to talk and then we would like a chance to ask questions afterwards.

I was appalled at Mr. Jackman’s speech. No substantial facts were presented, instead it was nothing but a slanderous attack on our present mayor. Mr. Jackman talked for his allotted 10 minutes and when asked to stay for questions afterwards he said he had been “paged” and could not stay. How convenient!

I for one was disheartened by Mr. Jackman’s attitude and personal attack on Mayor Leonard. According to Jackman, Mayor Leonard is totally responsible for the firefighters issue. I think it needs to be pointed out that the Mayor, along with the City Commissioners (all people we elected to represent us) made the decision to put this issue to a vote of the people.

Voters, please look closely at the facts in this issue. The Firefighters Association is trying to play on our emotions. Their statement “self-serving politicians or firefighters who serve” really angered me. First of all, the city commissioners are not paid a dime — they are the ones we elected to serve us and as for the firefighters who serve ... they are paid well to do their job. No one forced them to choose this vocation, it was their choice. And the statement that “this agreement really has nothing to do with firefighters’ salaries” — what is this about? It’s all about money. If the firefighters union had taken the city’s offer of a 5 percent raise last July as all other city employees were fairly given, we wouldn’t be having this election now would we? More money to the firefighters will not make the quality of services any better in our community — it will only benefit their pockets.

I have lived in Ponca City all my life and am proud to call it home. I am glad that we have elected officials, i.e. the entire city commission, who are not afraid to take a stand even when it’s a difficult one. As a taxpayer, I applaud the city commission for their efforts to be fair to all city employees and to protect our city emergency fund reserves.

Susan Ladner

Disputes City Stand

Regarding the present situation between the City and Firefighters as to what percentage raise the firefighters should receive.

The two parties could not resolve the problem and it went to arbitration. The arbitrator decided in favor of the firefighters. Since arbitration wasn’t binding, the city took the stand that they would pick up their marbles and go home and continue to agitate.

Now the issue has been put before the citizens, the people who really pay the bills, and the mayor and commission are bombarding the citizens with all sorts of information, which may or may not be accurate, in order to sway the vote to their side of the street. The firefighters are pursuing the same course.

What concerns me about the information furnished is the line at the bottom of most of the city’s ads that says, and I paraphrase, “vote for the raise for the firefighters, and you will pay for it with increased rates for city services”. Sounds a little like a threat to me. Most probably the city could cut spending in areas that are “want-to’s” and still be able to handle the “have-to’s”

Also, the city is playing “divide and conquer” politics. Playing other departments against the firefighters. Other departments only got 3.9 percent, why shouldn’t the firefighters settle for the same, they say. The other departments took their raises and that ends their involvement in the situation. This vote only affects firefighters and the city’s unwillingness to accept the decision of the arbitrator, which they have every right to do.

I don’t know that the firefighters can justify their demands for a 10 percent increase, but I do know I personally am not going to accept threats and cheap political rhetoric from the city Kommisars as a basis for voting for the city’s “last best offer”.

Bill Parsons

Claim Disputed

I found the claim by retired Fire Chief James Bates that “firefighting is one of the most dangerous jobs there is” very interesting. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, “firefighter” doesn’t even make the top ten “most dangerous jobs in America.” The top ten includes Truck Driver, Farmworker, Sales Supervisor, Construction Worker, Police Detective, Airplane Pilot, Security Guard, Taxicab Driver, Timber Cutter and Cashier. So, the fact is that there are many jobs in Ponca City that are much more dangerous than being a fireman. Soon the Fire Union will claim conspiracy not only with our Mayor, but with the Federal Government too!

Larry McPeak

Appalled at Phone Calls

I am appalled by the phone calls being made by the Union or on their behalf now. They called a friend today and asked outright how she was going to vote. She told them it’s none of their business. I see them at vacant houses and empty lots. When I asked why I didn’t see any signs for the City Management, I learned they can’t use taxpayer money to pay for yard signs. So it looks like people are only supporting the firefighters.

If the City had a yard sign, I’d have it in my yard. And the Union needs to stop asking people how they’re going to vote. And finally, I can’t wait until this election is behind us.

Jackie Fry

Backing The Firemen

Speaking as a concerned citizen I have been reading all of the articles about the debate on the wage increase for the fireman and ambulance crew. I know personally how professional and dedicated these civil servants are and I consider it our privilege to be allowed to vote on a wage increase for them. Most all these men hold down two jobs just to be able to support their families and I know a lot of people that this is common place, but the add in the paper made it look like they only worked a minimal amount of hours a week which is just not true. These men cannot just walk in the door and fill out an application for a job, they are tested for endurance and competence just to qualify to get on the list to be hired, if there is even an opening. They go through special training, schooling and fight grass and house fires for hours in unbearable heat and cold, go into burning buildings to rescue victims and never have a second thought as to put their lives on the line to save ours. I personally don’t care how much they make because whatever it is it’s not enough, how many of us would be willing to do what they do! They are required to fill out reports, restock fire trucks, clean the ambulances for the next call and it is not hours later that they do this it doesn’t matter if it is 1 p.m. or 4 a.m. it has to be done as soon as they return to the station. I have noticed a lot of emphases put on the union, what difference does that make especially after an arbitrator for the union has already ruled on a raise, the mayor and city council threw it out to the citizens to decide along with some misleading information to lead you to believe it is unnecessary, costly and a burden to the community. In reality higher wages for anyone generates more sales tax coming back to the city finances, all business owners know a percentage of all state sales tax comes back to a community to help finance it. As citizens I think we should consider the fact we are not being ask to vote on any sales tax increase, if you vote for a raise what we are looking at is an asset in the fact you or one of your loved ones should ever need an ambulance or have a fire you will have a professional, unselfish person to help. We always hope that we will never need this kind of help but if we do don’t you want to the best! Keep in mind these men enter this profession because they have a desire to serve and protect, not for the glory, if they wanted that they would of run for mayor. It’s hard to fight political propaganda but since they handed it over to us to decide we should do the right thing by helping give these dedicated workers the credit for what they do and give them a raise. Can you imagine where we would be without them?

K.F. Jeffries

Weather Spotter’s Training Course A weather spotters’ training course will be presented at 7 p.m. on March 15 in Pioneer Technology Center’s conference room, 2101 North Ash Street. Hosting the class will be Ponca City Emergency Manager Tom Montgomery.

Instructing the class that evening will be Jim Purpura, Warning Coordination Meteorologist from the National Weather Service in Norman.

All area weather spotters and persons interested in weather spotting should attend this training. The training is also open to the public.

For more information, contact Montgomery at 767-0380.

Planned March 15

Preparations Noted for Times of Disaster

Editor’s Note: The following information is part of a series of weather related safety articles provided by Tom Montgomery, Ponca City’s emergency manager, in recognition of National Tornado and Severe Weather Preparedness Week, which runs March 4-10.

Families and businesses should be prepared for all hazards facing them, including severe weather. This planning is not only an important part of emergency preparedness, but of the recovery process, as well. Knowing what to do is your best protection.

The first step in being prepared in an emergency, is knowing what could actually occur during that emergency.

• Know what types of disasters may occur.

• Learn what the warning signals are.

• Don’t forget your pets during an emergency.

• Find out how to help elderly or disabled individuals in your community.

• Know the disaster plans at your work place, your children’s school or day care center and any other places your family spends time.

The second step in being prepared is to create a disaster plan.

• Meet with your family and discuss why you need to be prepared during an emergency. Explain the dangers of fire, severe weather and earthquakes to children. Plan to share responsibilities and work together as a team.

• Discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to happen, and explain what to do in each individual case.

• Pick two places to meet. These places can be right outside of your home, as in the case of a sudden emergency like a fire, or outside your neighborhood, in case you can’t return home. Everyone must know the address and phone number of those locations.

• Ask an out-of-state friend to be your family contact. After a disaster, it is often easier to call long distance. Other family members should call this person and tell them where they are. Everyone must know this contact number.

• Discuss what to do in the event of an evacuation, and plan how to take care of your pets during that evacuation.

A good checklist to follow is as follows:

• Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones.

• Teach your children how and when to call 911.

• Show each family member how and when to turn off water, gas and electric at the main switches.

• Teach each family member how to use the fire extinguisher.

• Install smoke detectors on each level of your home.

• Conduct home hazard hunts.

• Stock emergency supplies and assemble a disaster supply kit. Have enough supplies to meet your needs for three days.

• Take a first aid and CPR class.

• Find two ways out of each room, and determine the best escape routes out of your home.

• Find the safe spots in your home for each type of disaster.

• Build a safe room.

• Purchase a specific area message encoding NOAA weather radio.

Practice and maintain your disaster plan.

• Quiz children every six months so they remember what to do.

• Conduct fire and emergency evacuation drills.

• Replace stored water every three months and stored food every six months.

• Test and recharge your fire extinguisher.

• Test smoke detectors every month and change batteries when needed and/or on a bi-annual basis. These battery changes can coincide with seasonal time changes: Change your clock, change your smoke detectors’ batteries.

• Listen for the weekly test on the NOAA weather radio and change the batteries in your radio every 6 months.

For more information, or if you are interested in a program for your civic club or business, call Tom Montgomery at 767-0380.

DEATHS

Lloyd Ray Robertson
Richard D. Hume
Everett T. Staggs
Robert F. Clay
John Robert Elk Jr
Dena Marie Emery
Dora Faye Harris
Gilbert A. Mackey
Terrie Lynn Westerman
Ida Ruth Elizabeth Hatch Fredricks

Lloyd Ray Robertson

HOMINY — Lloyd Ray Robertson, resident of Hominy and former resident of Fairfax, died Saturday morning, March 3, 2001 at the Cleveland Manor Nursing Center. He was 52 years of age.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, 2001, at the Fairfax Cemetery with Rev. Lewis Bernard officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of the Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.

Lloyd Ray Robertson was born Sept. 22, 1948, near Ralston, the son of Robert Wesley Robertson and Ella Vernice (Weaver) Robertson. He was a carpenter and general laborer. His hobbies included fishing and hunting.

He is survived by his mother, Ella Robertson, Fairfax; two daughters, Sheila Gill, Hominy, and Heather Dilbeck, Ralston; four sons, Ray Robertson, Longdale, Okla., Dallas Robertson, Hominy, Brandon Robertson, Hominy, and Wesley Dilbeck, Ralston; three sisters, Cleo Abbott, Fairfax; Ruby Hawks, Paris, Ark.; and Wytonia Robertson, Hominy; four brothers, George Robertson, Fairfax, Kenneth Robertson, Hominy, Johnny Robertson, Enid, and Lee Wilkerson, Fairfax; six grandchildren; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, two brothers, Howard Robertson and Robert Robertson Jr.; one sister, Gladys Bernice Robertson.

Casket bearers will be Tom Duncan, Kenneth Robertson, Jimmy Coon, Kenny (Runt) Robertson, Sammy Abbington and Tommy Coon.

Honorary casket bearers will be John Roach, Ralph Robertson and Coy Everett.

Richard D. Hume

STILLWATER — Richard D. Hume, former Ponca City resident, died Friday, March 2, 2001. He was 52.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 6 at the First Christian Church in Stillwater under the direction of Strode Funeral Home.

Visitation at the funeral home will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, March 5.

Richard D. Hume was born Oct. 15, 1948, the son of Robert and Ruth Hume. Richard was a graduate of both C.E. Donart High School and Oklahoma State University. He held numerous positions in the banking industry, including Stillwater National Bank. He and his wife Linda lived in Grand Haven, Mich.

He enjoyed golfing, boating, and spending time with family.

Survivors include his mother; his wife; three daughters, Carissa Hume Arutunoff of Tulsa, Alison Hume Maxson of Lewisville, Texas and Lisa Crawford of Rockwell, Texas; one son, Captain Robert Holdsworth, Osan, Korea; one sister, Sidney Graham; one brother, Anthony Hume; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Casket bearers will be Captain Robert Holdsworth, Tyler Maxson, Toly Arutunoff, Don Short, Gene Baker, and Jim Short.

Obituaries

Everett T. Staggs

Everett T. Staggs, resident of Ponca City, died Friday evening, March 2, 2001, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 52 years of age.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 7, 2001 at the Ralston Riverside Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.

Everett T. Staggs was born July 29, 1948, at Pawnee, Okla., the son of Theodore R. Staggs and Willie Mildred (Bell) Staggs. He was a 1967 graduate of Ponca High School, later attending Northeastern A&M College on a football scholarship. Mr. Staggs had been employed the past seven years with Gene’s Cab Company of Ponca City. He enjoyed his grandchildren, riding his motorcycle, fishing, camping, ceramics, and working on cars. Mr. Staggs had an outgoing personality, a great sense of humor and was loved by everyone.

He is survived by his wife, Sherry, of the home; two sons, Ted Staggs, and wife, Paula, and children, Keela, Shandie, Bryan, Cheisha and Jaysleighn, Derby, Kan., Houston Ray Staggs, of the home; one daughter, Lonnie Staggs, and son, Nathan, Ponca City; step children, Jeffrey Golay, and wife, Liberty, and children, Shealyn, Amanda, Ashley, Braxton and Jeffrey Jr., Ponca City, Barton Graham, and wife, Toni, and children, Blake, Tyler, Ashton, Ponca City, Becky Woodrome and husband, Tommy, and children, Timothy, Dalton and Savannah, Ponca City, Richard Graham Jr., of the home, Michelle Steiber and husband, Jon, and child, Shelbie, Ponca City, one brother, Ray Staggs, Ponca City, two sisters, Loretta Brandenburg, Ralston and Raynetta Bradley, Skedee; several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Lorene Lampe and Lyvona Lampe.

Casket bearers will be Keith Jeffries, Jody Wright, Rod Rowe, James Holder, Gene Labon and Frank Burdick.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Robert F. Clay

Robert F. Clay, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday evening, March 3, 2001. He was 75. Services are pending with Anderson Funeral Home of Tonkawa.

John Robert Elk Jr

John Robert Elk Jr., longtime Ponca City resident, died early Monday morning, March 5, 2001 at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 92. Survivors include two sons, John Elk III, Oakland, Calif., and David Elk, Oklahoma City. Arrangements are pending with the Trout Funeral Home and will be announced later.

Dena Marie Emery

Dena Marie Emery, Ponca City resident, died Saturday, March 3, 2001. She was 14. Local survivors include her parents, Dwayne and Tammy Emery. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

Dora Faye Harris

Dora Faye Harris, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday, March 4, 2001, at her home. She was 81. Local survivors include her husband, Leroy; daughter, Jan VanBuskirk; and son, Steve Harris. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

Gilbert A. Mackey

Gilbert A. Mackey, 2017 North Fourth, died Saturday, March 3, 2001 at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 73. Survivors include his wife, Georgia, of the home. Arrangements are pending with the Trout Funeral Home.

Terrie Lynn Westerman

Terrie Lynn Westerman, former Ponca City resident, died early Monday morning at the Cancer Treatment Center of America, Tulsa. She was 45. Survivors include her husband, Greg, of the home in Tulsa. Arrangements are pending with the Trout Funeral Home.

Funerals

Tuesday

Ida Ruth Elizabeth Hatch Fredricks

Ida Ruth Elizabeth Hatch Fredricks — The funeral will be held at 2 p.m.at the Longwood Baptist Church. Burial will follow at Odd Fellows Cemetery. Trout Funeral Home is in charge of arrrangements.

NEWS BRIEFS

RSVP Board — Leslie Gee of Ponca City has been named to the board of directors for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Monday 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Theft — A resident in the 900 block of North First Street reported a stolen bicycle to Ponca City police at 8:44 a.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Rides To the polls provided to any citizens. Call 762-8810, 762-8869, 762-0114. adv.

Theft — The manager of a business in the 2000 block of North Union Street reported a stolen 18 foot trailer to Ponca City police at 10:02 a.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Citgo Short Stop No. 2, 200 East Highland Avenue, reported a gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 12:44 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Fire Run — A vehicle fire in the 500 block of South Third Street was reported to the Communications Center at 2:13 p.m. Saturday. Engine one with the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the call.

Assault — A resident in the 500 block of North Elm Street reported he 10-year-old son was assaulted to Ponca City police at 3:32 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. A juvenile citation was also issued in the case.

Subject Held — An officer in the 500 block of South Franklin Avenue reported a 26-year-old man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for driving under intoxication, transporting an open container, driving under revocation, improper backing, no insurance and on a city warrant, and a 35-year-old man for public intoxication at 5:03 p.m. Saturday.

Accident — A 911 call advised Ponca City police of a two-vehicle, injury accident at the intersection of U.S. 11 East and U.S. 77 at 5:11 p.m. Saturday. The Kay County Sheriff’s Office and Oklahoma Highway Patrol were advised. Command one, rescue one, engine four and two ambulances from the Ponca City Fire Department also responded to the scene. Two subjects were transported code red to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Intoxicated Subject — A caller reported an intoxicated man in a yard in the 200 block of South Peachtree Street to Ponca City police at 5:19 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a 73-year-old man was taken into custody for public intoxication.

Accident — An accident at the intersection of Donner Avenue and Turner Street was reported to Ponca City police at 6:23 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned but no report was taken. Subjects had exchanged information and minimal damage had been done to either of the vehicles.

Accident — A minor accident in the 300 block of South Lincoln Street was reported to Ponca City police at 7:02 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer in the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue reported a 39-year-old man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for driving under suspension and improper display of a license plate at 10:16 p.m. Saturday.

Subject Held — An officer in the 300 block of East Grand Avenue reported a 15-year-old boy was taken into custody for disorderly conduct at 10:55 p.m. Saturday.

Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Oak Street reported a 19-year-old woman was taken into custody after a traffic stop for driving under intoxication, transporting an open container and transporting an open bottle at 11:16 p.m. Saturday.

Subject Held — An officer in the 2200 block of North Fourteenth Street reported a 22-year-old woman was taken into custody for possession of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia, and a 22-year-old man for public intoxication at 12 a.m. Sunday.

Accident — A motorist reported a three-vehicle accident at the intersection of Hartford Avenue and Third Street to Ponca City police at 10:43 a.m. Sunday. Two officers responded to the scene and a report was taken. Engines two and three, rescue one and two ambulances from the Ponca City Fire Department also responded to the scene, and one subject was transported code yellow and a second subject code green to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.

Fire Run — A 911 call informed the Communications Center of a structural fire in the 100 block of East Sixth Street at 11:08 a.m. Sunday. Marland and Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Departments responded to the scene.

Accident — A hit-and-run accident in the 300 block of East Detroit Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 12:32 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Fire Run — A grass fire at the intersection of U.S. 11 and U.S. 77 was reported to the Communications Center at 2:01 p.m. Sunday. Kildare Volunteer Fire Department was advised.

Burglary — A man in the 400 block of West Otoe Avenue reported his wallet was stolen from his vehicle overnight to Ponca City police at 4:58 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — A clerk at Stop and Go, 501 West Highland Avenue, reported an 8-year-old girl was being held for stealing some candy to Ponca City police at 6:32 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. The girl advised she had put the candy back and didn’t take it. A trespass warning was issued to the juvenile.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Triple T Quick Stop No. 4, 201 West Hartford Avenue, reported a $13.05 gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 9:03 p.m. Sunday. A description was given of the vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — A resident advised Ponca City police a 23-year-old man was on two Kay County warrants for violating rules of parole and domestic assault and batter was at a business in the area at 9:05 p.m. Sunday. Two officers responded to the scene and the subject was taken into custody.

Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of Lake Road and Red Oak reported a 41-year-old man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for driving under intoxication and failure to stop at a stop sign at 10:53 p.m. Sunday.

Disturbance — A resident advised of a domestic disturbance in the 900 block of South Eleventh Street to Ponca City police at 11:39 p.m. Sunday. Two officers responded to the scene and a 35-year-old man was taken into custody for domestic assault and battery.

Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of Fifth Street and Highland Avenue reported a 22-year-old man was taken into custody for public intoxication, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia at 1:24 a.m. Sunday.

Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of Sixth Street and South Avenue reported a 27-year-old man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for driving under intoxication at 4:43 a.m. Sunday.

LIFESTYLES

Local Attorney Gives Program For Noon Lions Club Meeting
Joyce Carol Thomas Wins Achievement Award
Little News
Bison ‘Kill Site’ OAS Topic
Study Program Focus on Heart Failure

Local Attorney Gives Program For Noon Lions Club Meeting

When the Noon Lions met Feb. 28, David Cummings, a local attorney, gave the program about wills, advance directives and living trusts, durable power of attorneys, estate taxes and IRA’s.

Darrin Hiatt, club president, discussed “Engineer Humor” Guests were Chris Clark from Newkirk, Glenda Norval, Annette Pittman, Shane Harland, Garret Myers and Mayor Tom Leonard. Announcements included a report by Rick Myers on the community diabetes screening, which was held at First Baptist Church. More than 70 people were screened and of those 5 percent had a reading in an abnormal range.

Cathy Ferguson announced the days for the Art Train exhibit to be in Ponca City, and John Bohannon distributed brochures on the OHLAP financial aid program. John Stanley reminded the membership of the Hughes Brothers Country Music Show coming up on March 15 at Hutchins Memorial.

Gene Sigle announced an “Irish Dinner” with entertainment to be provided by Jack Rawlins. The dinner will be at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church on March 10. Tickets are $6.50 per person. Russ Allen was song leader, and Vic Andrews gave the invocation. A board of directors meeting was held immediately following the general meeting. Nominations for new officers and for new board members was also held.

The Noon Lions Club meets every Wednesday at the American Legion on South Avenue. E.W. Marland founded the club in 1922. The international focus of Lions is “to wipe out” all preventable blindness, and club members are known as Knights of the Blind. Their motto is “We Serve.”

Joyce Carol Thomas Wins Achievement Award

Finalists in the 2001 Oklahoma Book Award competition have been named by the Oklahoma Center for the Book in the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. Winners will be announced at the annual Oklahoma Book Award ceremony, Saturday, March 10, 6:30 p.m., at the Petroleum Club in Oklahoma City. Oklahoma Book Awards are given for books written by Oklahomans or about Oklahoma.

For ticket information or information on The Oklahoma Center for the Book contact Glenda Carlile, executive director, Oklahoma Center for the Book, Oklahoma Department of Libraries, 200 NE 18th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73105; or call 1-800-522-8116 toll free statewide. In the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, call 522-3575. Visit the website at www. odl. state. ok.us/ocb.

Lifetime Achievement

In addition to naming winners in five categories, the board of directors of the Oklahoma Center for the Book selects one person each year to be honored for a body of work. This award, the Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award, was named for the Norman, Oklahoma, historian who served as the first president of the Oklahoma Center Oklahoma Center for The Book.

The 2001 recipient is Joyce Carol Thomas, nationally known poet, and author of books for children, young adult, and adults.

Thomas was born in Ponca City. Although she presently lives in California, she has returned to her birthplace through many of her writings. Oklahoma is the setting for her novels “Marked by Fire,” “Bright Shadow,” and “The Golden Pasture.” It is also the setting for her poetry books, “I Have Heard of a Land,” “Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea,” and “Gingerbread Days.”

Her books capture the imagery, language, and rhythms of that early time in Oklahoma when she made up songs, stories, and poems and shared them with her playmates and friends.

Joyce Carol Thomas received the National Book Award for her first book, “Marked by Fire.” That book was also voted the best book for young adults by The New York Times in 1983. Her first illustrated book, “Brown Honey and Broomwheat Tea” won the Coretta Scott King Honor Award Book in 1994. The many awards she has won include the Governors Award, presented by Governor Frank Keating on Nov. 19, 1998, and citations from both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma Senate.

“Gingerbread Days” and “I Have Heard of a Land” have been finalists for the Oklahoma Book Award in the children/young adult category. She is the Poet Laureate for the Oklahoma Center for Poets and Writers at Oklahoma State University.

Thomas touches the entire family with her new series of books for toddlers including “Cherish Me,” “You Are My Perfect Baby,” and “Hush Songs.” All Oklahoma Reads Joyce Carol Thomas is a promotion to encourage Oklahoma readers to read books by Thomas

“House of Light” is Thomas’ latest book. In a “serious, yet whimsically humorous look at life,” this book teaches a lesson everybody can afford to learn. It focuses on a community “bound by love, the pleasures of helping others, the strength to help ourselves, and the power to heal that, which lies deep within us all.” This book tells the story of three high-spirited women, and utilizes the themes of “hope, healing and faith.”

Little News

Aidan Finley Megee

Travis Michael and Lynn Ellen Megee, 2505 Rice, announce the birth of a son at 12:03 p.m. Dec. 18, 2000, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. Aidan Finley Megee weighed 7 pounds, 10 ounces, and measured 21 inches long.

Maternal grandparents are David and Patricia Parker of Placerville, Calif., and paternal grandparents are Dean and Kathryn Megee of Moab, Utah. Great-grandparents are Dorthie Spears and Earlene Condit of Ponca City, Dorothy Billings and Thelma Parker of California.

Bison ‘Kill Site’ OAS Topic

Dr. Jack Hofman, associate professor of Archaeology at the University of Kansas, will present the March 8 program for the Kay County Chapter of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society. The meeting will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. The meeting is open to the public. Anyone interested in learning about or preserving Oklahoma’s prehistoric and historic heritage is invited to attend the monthly meetings.

His topic is the research at the Waugh site, especially the new information from last summer’s work. The Waugh site is a 10,400 year old Folsom bison kill and camp site in western Oklahoma found in 1991 and with continued excavations since that time.

New clues were found as to the formation of the bonebed and a second hearth in the camp area last summer. Also, limited additional work was done at a late Holocene bison bonebed further up the same canyon. Hofman will discuss the important relationship of the Folsom bison kill and butchering site with the camp activities.

Study Program Focus on Heart Failure

Do you know someone who has had it? I’m sure you do, because nearly five million Americans are living with heart failure. There are 400,000 new cases diagnosed each year.

Congestive heart failure, (CHF), is a common form of heart failure that results in a patient retaining excessive fluid, often leading to swelling of the legs and congestion in the lungs. Severe CHF affects about one in 2000 adults in Oklahoma.

Patients suffering from severe CHF may have an opportunity to receive therapy in longterm studies of medications. Patients will remain on their current CHF program and they will also receive an MRI to verify if the therapy improves the function and decreases the size of the heart. For more information on this program, call COR Clinical Research at 405-272-8481.

SPORTS

Monday Evening Quarterback
Wildcats Loss Really Wasnt
Lady Cat Netters Second
Cat Netters Win Opener
Wildcat Thinclads Show Surprises

Monday Evening Quarterback

by Fred Hilton

News Sports Editor

Ponca City’s Wildcat cagers lost what may have been their best played game of the season Saturday night at Sand Springs in an overtime heartbreaker to Jenks, 72-68.

It kept the Cats from reaching the state tournament for the first time in 15 years.

“I may be pouting throughout the state tournament this week,” Po-Hi coach Ron Arthur said of the missed opportunity.

While feeling deep disappointment, Arthur also sees some good things ahead for the Ponca City basketball program.

Being so close to reaching what may have seemed an unattainable goal at the start of the season, can only be a boost to the Wildcats who are coming back. They now know they can reach their dreams with some hard work, and a little luck.

Arthur is concerned about an immediate response to this year’s success.

He loses eight seniors — Kris Upchurch, Tim Frick, James Anno, Josh Pitts, Billy Broughton, Blaine Petrie, Jared Brashears and John Abel — who were the heart of this year’s team.

“We return just three lettermen,” Arthur points out.’ And not even three points (per game) from our scoring.”

But Arthur may be able to take heart from the success the wrestling team had this season. The matmen had just three seniors on this team and there were no state qualifiers from the previous season.

Wrestling coach Todd Steidley said frankly at the start of this season, “we will be lucky to win half our matches.”

Instead, the grapplers posted an 8-4 dual record, losing only to four top six teams in three classes. They were among the top five teams in tournaments at Jenks, Sand Springs and the Big Four.

The mat Cats qualified five wrestlers for the state tournament, crowned one state champion and one third placer.

The PO-Hi roundballers may or may not be able to reach that kind of success, but the foundation has been laid.

“The younger players now know what it takes to reach that level,” Arthur said. “They know what it takes to compete and they now know what things they need to do.”

Arthur is also looking for the new eighth and ninth grade schedules will help with some of the psychological factors.

The Ponca City junior high cagers will join the Ark Valley Conference next season, playing the same Frontier Conference teams the high school plays

“We know we can beat the Enid teams, the Blackwell teams, the Ark City teams,” Arthur says. “But we have to play the teams these kids will be playing in high school.

“We (the Wildcats) finished fourth in the conference this season. But we were 0-7, including the playoffs, against the three teams ahead of us — Broken Arrow, Union and Jenks. That means we were 11-1 against the conference teams that finished below us.”

The only loss to a second division team came at Bartlesville, a very tough place to play. Even Jenks lost there.

Arthur feels his players are somewhat intimidates by the success the Big Three teams have in the past.

By playing them at the junior high level, some of that intimidation factory can be overcome.

This year’s team was very special to Arthur. The seniors were the freshmen Arthur coached when he came to Ponca City.

“These seniors were also the first players who had to go through tryouts to make the team,” the coach points out. “I thing we have shown that can make for success.

“By having 17 players instead of 35, we as coaches can spend more time instructing and the players have more time for practice,” Arthur says.

During the Wildcat Wrestling Banquet last week, an enthusiastic fans shouted, “Who let the Cats Out,” paraphrasing a currently popular song.

It may be indeed that the Cats are loose.

Wildcats Loss Really Wasnt

By DAVID DAVIS

News Sports Writer

SAND SPRINGS — The Ponca City Wildcats lost to Jenks 72-68 in overtime Saturday to end the basketball season and the high school careers of eight of the team members.

It was a great high school game. If the Wildcat seniors do define their careers or lives by their final game, then what a future these young men have!

Coaches tell players after losses not to let their lives be defined by it. Don’t define their careers by that final loss in the season.

But, in this case, if sports has anything to do at all with character building or life experience, then this is the perfect defining game.

For example, in the final 1:40 of the third quarter, Wildcat Kris Upchurch and Trojan Deke Thompson put on a display that is worthy of a highlight film. Both are seniors and both were fighting to extend their high school careers by one more game.

Upchurch, the sixth man, could always be counted on to score six or eight points at crucial times to get the Wildcats back into a game or to seal a victory. When Upchurch entered a game during the season, everyone knew he was on the floor to shoot a three. And when he shot it, everyone expected him to make it.

But, no one could have expected what occurred Saturday and if that is a life defining moment, then what a life Kris Upchurch has in store for him.

Thompson is the Jenks spark plug who averages 15 points a game.

The score was tied at 46. The Wildcats were on offense, working the ball, looking for an opening.

The ball went to Upchurch.

The opening was there.

He shot and the Cats went ahead by three, 49-46.

But, Thompson answered.

With 1:10 remaining, Upchurch again sinks a three.

But again, Thompson answered.

The Wildcats held the ball until there was just enough time for one more shot. The clock ticked down to zero, Upchurch again had the ball. He wasn’t open, but there was no more time, he had to shoot.

He was just inside the arc.

There was contact as he released the ball. As the ball flew toward the net, Upchurch fell backward.

What happened next? Did the buzzer sound? Did the ball go through the hoop? Did Upchurch land on his rear? Did the official signal two points that sent half the gymnasium into a roar — a roar so loud, so deafening. The roar was almost visible as it rolled across the gym floor. Like a tidal wave, it was smothered and engulfed the silent Jenks crowd as Ponca City took a two-point 54-52 lead into the final period.

But, the roar subsided.

The whistle began taking its toll on Blaine Petrie who fought so hard for rebounds and put-backs for second chance points. But, with 1:24 remaining in the game, he picked up his personal foul and was forced out of the game with only eight points.

Was it fair? Probably not, but that’s life and as is said, life is not fair.

Josh Johnson, a junior, stepped to the line and put Jenks ahead, 63-59.

Billy Broughton stepped up and almost willed the victory for Ponca City by scoring the final four points of the fourth period to tie the game, 63-63, and send it into a four minute overtime.

Sometimes when people do their best, they still don’t win. Sometimes, the best a person can hope for is to just break even and continue.

But the breaks didn’t come for the Wildcats.

Jared Brashears fouled out with 27 seconds left on the clock. There is probably not a nicer, softer spoken player on the team. There’ll be other times just as frustrating. But, it’s only a test. Keep being nice and remain soft spoken. Some people mistake kindness and compassion for weakness, but it’s their mistake.

In the end, everything boiled down to the final four seconds. The Wildcats trailed 70-67. Jenks prevented the Wildcats from tying the game with a three by fouling Tim Frick. He made the front end of a 1-and-1, but missed the second.

If Ponca City got the final break in the game, then the Wildcats would have rebounded the ball and one of them would have put back up and in to tie the game again.

However, Jenks got the final break and won the game.

But, the best team doesn’t always win.

Lady Cat Netters Second

PUTNAM CITY — Ponca City’s Lady Wildcat tennis team opened its season with a second place finish in the Putnam City Invitational Saturday.

The Ladies took third in both singles division and were fourth in the two doubles brackets.

Mustang won the tournament team title with 31 points while Ponca City finished with 22, one point ahead of Edmond Memorial and Putnam City West

In the No. 1 singles, Ponca City’s Hope Sanders opened with a 6-0, 6-1 win over Amy John of Del City. She then lost to Lindsay Jennings of Mustang, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3. She rebounded to beat Sarah Adams of Putnam City West, 6-0, 6-1 and Emily Brown of Edmond Memorial.

Morgan Mongold followed the same path in the No. 2 Singles, beating Callie Held of Putnam West, 7-6, 7-6, losing to Theresa Nguyen of Mustang, 6-4, 6-4, then beating Trisa Burton of Del City, 6-0, 6-1 and Ruth Murray of Putnam City, 6-4, 6-3.

In the No. 1 Doubles, Ponca City’s Allison Hufnagel and Laura Giles, topped Neal and Evans of Putnam City JV, 6-0, 6-0; lost to Madison and Derieu of Edmond Memorial, 6-0, 7-6; beat Wyatt and Mercer of Del City, 6-3, 6-0; but lost to Foster and Nguyen, 6-3, 6-4.

Tiffany Almack and Amber Foy, in the No. 2 Doubles, lost to Nguyen and Walden of Mustang, 6-1, 6-2. beat Pohl and Jones of Del City, 6-3, 6-0, beat Custer and Vu of Putnam West, 6-0, 6-3, then lost to Brown and Morris of Putnam City, 3-6, 6-4, 6-1.

The Lady Cats return to action Tuesday in the Ponca City Invitational.

Cat Netters Win Opener

Ponca City’s Wildcat tennis team opened the season on a high note Saturday by winning the eight-team Putnam City Invitational.

The Cats get a chance to see if they can repeat in the Ponca City Invitational which starts at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the Wally Smith Tennis Center.

The teams schedule to appear here include Claremore, EDMOND Santa Fe, Norman, Owasso, Sapulpa, Stillwater and Tulsa Memorial.

The Wildcat netters won three of the four divisions at Putnam City, finishing in front of Putnam City, Putnam City West and Mustang.

Derek Viljoen won the No. 2 Singles title, defeating Shawn Freeny of Edmond Memorial JV, 6-0, 6-0; Ryan Camermyer of Edmond Memorial 6-2, 6-1; and Philip Davis of Claremore, 6-2, 6-0.

Matt Caine and Mark Parson took the No. 1 Doubles trophy, downing Christian and Whitman of Del City, 6-3, 6-2; scrapping past Rarmassen and Hoffing of Edmond Memorial, 3-6, 6-3, 6-1; and Johnsen and Knudson of Putnam City, 7-6, 7-6.

Michael Steumky and Jeremy Ward won the No. 2 Doubles, topping Hollis and Gordon of Del City, 6-2, 6-0; Tran and Ha of Mustang, 6-2, 7-5 and Harding and Dranoff of Putnam City, 6-4, 7-5.

In the No,.1 singles, an ailing Trevor Viljoen started with a 6-0, 6-0 shelling of Chance Cammich of Putnam City JV, lost to eventual champion Baback Fadairepout of Putnam City West, 6-0, 6-0; defeated David Boen of Del City, 6-2, 6-3; then ran out of gas in losing 6-4, 6-0 to Adam, Hutcherson of Putnam City to take fourth.

“”The kids all played really well for the as little practice time as we have had,” said coach Steve Larimer.

The Po-Hi JVs are on action at the tennis center today against Guthrie, Edmond Memorial and Oklahoma City .

Wildcat Thinclads Show Surprises

The Ponca City Invitational Track and Field meet went off without a hitch Saturday and left coach Terry Henderson with some pleasant surprises.

The girls finished third, while the boys finished in eighth place.

“I would much more prefer for the boys to still be playing basketball this next weekend,” Henderson said. “But now that their season is over, I’ll pick up a couple off the team to help stabilize things.”

Henderson said he was pleased with the boys’ 400-meter relay team of Fabron Porter, Josh McCulloch, Kyle Henderson and Micah Johnson.

Chase Kelly placed sixth in the 110-meter high hurdles and sixth in the 300-meter intermediate hurdles.

“He has really come a long way in two years,” Henderson said. “It isn’t easy trying to run fast while people are putting boards up in front of you.”

Noah England ran a 2:05 split time in the 800-meter relay and 4:53 mile.

“I know people who have cars that can’t go a mile in that time,” he said. “We haven’t been outdoors that much and I’m really pleased with the effort these kids put out.

“But, we had some unexpected surprises from the girls.”

The Lady Wildcats finished in third with 115 points behind Enid (134) and Union (121).

“That’s the most points the girls have scored in awhile,” he said.

Kendra Love finished second in the shot put and first in discus. Amanda Ingram finished third in both events, Lauren Cartlidge finished sixth in shot put and Jessica Hinztgen finished sixth in the discus.

Jeri Wright finished fourth in the girls high jump.

“And we haven’t even been outside that much to work on these things,” Henderson said. “I’m extremely pleased for the first time out.”

In the timed events, Jessica Roland, Tiffany Pollard, Amanda Brashears and Taryn Bradford finished fourth in the 400-meter relay.

In the 3200-meter relay, Chelsea Baldwin, Shay Lucas, Maria Mena and Sunna Hingst finished third. Lucas also finished fifth in the 800-meter race.

Jamie Prado finished third in the 100-meter dash and fourth in the long jump.

“She plays basketball and soccer,” he said. “We just stuck her in there.”

Roland, Pollard, Elli Meyers and Amanda Brashears placed fourth in the 800-meter relay.

Baldwin won the mile in 5:33, then turned around and ran the 3200-meter in 11:37.

“Baldwin’s just a freshman,” he said. “She’s world class.”

Pollard placed second in the 200-meter and Brashears finished in fifth.

Wright finished fourth in the 100-meter high hurdles.

“She’s a work horse,” he said. “You tell her to do something and she goes out and does it to the best of her ability.”

All the visiting coaches complimented Henderson on how smooth the meet progressed.

“All the other coaches complimented me on the meet this early in the season,” he said. “There were nine 4A and 5A schools and 10, 3A schools that brought boys and nine that were 3A and smaller that brought girls..

“I’ve got the best parental help imaginable. They’re knowledgeable and can do everything else and that allows me to concentrate on coaching.”

The Wildcats travel to Jenks on Saturday.