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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Thursday, March 22, 2001 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS SPORTS GARDENING LOCALSigns in Right of Way Could Face Removal Signs in Right of Way Could Face RemovalBy JEFF POLITTE News Staff Writer If you currently have a sign posted in the city’s right-of-way, BEWARE! warn Ponca City officials. City workers will be removing these signs in the near future. This course of action was suggested by the city’s Community Development director, Chris Henderson, during discussions on the city’s signage problems held at a city commission work session Monday afternoon. Henderson and city commissioners agreed at the meeting that a more aggressive enforcement approach to illegal signage problems would be the best way to handle this type of a public nuisance for the time being. Other options considered was the possibility of future amendments to the city’s current signage ordinances. “Signage is a very important element in the visual appearance of city streets,” said Henderson. “Excess clutter of signage, by allowing the placement of too many signs along these road, tends to cause them to start masking one another until you really can’t tell them apart.” These signs can also end up competing for the driver’s attention which can be dangerous. “The problem areas are currently banners, bench signs and temporary signs of all types,” he said. To correct this problem, Henderson noted that code enforcement was going to refocus its efforts on “more aggressive enforcement of the city’s current sign ordinances” by adopting a “zero tolerance policy” for signs within the city’s right-of-ways. “These signs will be picked up by city employees and stored at the Public Works building on Prospect Avenue where they can be reclaimed by the owners,” he said. Henderson also pointed out that several committees, products of Ponca City’s summit meeting held last September, were currently devising strategies for beautifying the entrances into Ponca City. As part of these strategies, he said he anticipated these committees would “address the need to regulate signage along our city’s primary streets.” “At that time, perhaps they will submit proposed changes to the ordinance to be considered by the mayor and city commissioners,” he said. Nickles Says Redistricting Will Provide a ChallengeBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Staff Writer “Redistricting is really going to be a challenge for the Oklahoma Legislature,” Sen. Don Nickles told The News Wednesday. This was in regard to the state losing a Congressman due to declining state population. “It is a shame that we’ve lost a Congressman. It is going to be more of a challenge because (of) redrawing the six districts into five,” Nickles said. Although it will be the job of the Oklahoma Legislature and the governor to affirm the new district map, Nickles had some suggestions. “I would like to look at the state and say that Tulsa has one representative, Oklahoma City has one representative and then we divide the state geographically as proportionally as possible.” Responding to whether Cathy Keating would make a good representative in Congress if Steve Largent runs for governor, Nickles said, “Cathy Keating is a good friend of mine. She would be an outstanding candidate and do an outstanding job in Congress.” “There are several other people who have indicated a strong interest in the First Congressional District — Dave Rader, Scott Pruitt, Ross Swimmer, and a lot of other outstanding candidates, who have indicated an interest in that race,” he added. “I feel pretty good about keeping it in Republican hands.” Commenting on Largent, who would be vacating the First District seat, Nickles said, “Steve Largent is next to irreplaceable. He is an outstanding leader in the Congress and I absolutely hate to see him do different things, although I’m sure he’d be an outstanding governor.” On the tax cut, Nickles, assistant senate majority leader, said, it was part of his job to see that there were enough votes to get a significant tax reduction passed. About the economy, Nickles said, “The economy is staggering, but I’m not sure it is as bad as some people think. There is no question it is a challenge nationally. We look at California’s real energy mess, it is a real problem. “Japan is one of our bigger trading partners and they’ve got real economic problems. World wide you see a lot of problems, all economies go up and down and have cycles and I think we are going through one of those.” Commenting on Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan’s recent decision to drop interest rates a half a percent, Nickles said, “I was hopeful the feds would do a little bit more. They jacked the rates up way too much in 1999 and the early part of 2000. “Chairman Greenspan and crew were concerned that the market was going too high, too fast and brought it to a halt and now they are trying to reverse their ways and I wish they would have done a little bit more. “My guess is they’ll have to cut interest rates even more.” Nickles also commented on the budget, campaign reform, the “death” tax, and other matters facing Congress. Marland, Red Rock Fire Departments Undergo TrainingAccording to officials, the Marland Volunteer Fire Department and the Red Rock Volunteer Fire Department took part in a methamphetamine awareness class recently. The class, conducted by Russell Busby and James Leone with the Kay/Noble Counties Major Crimes Unit in Marland, taught firefighters what to look for in regards to methamphetamine, such as what items are used when making it and where it is often found. The firefighters had been through a similar training conducted by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s Bomb Division in January. NOC Offers Community AerobicsTONKAWA — “Wonderful conditioning and fat-burning opportunities await participants in the Northern Oklahoma College Community Service Aerobics-Step Class,” says Nevona Kegans, chair of the Northern Health, Physical Education and Recreation Division. Instructors Cathy Ballard and Cara Beth Johnson will lead the class in low and high impact aerobics for 13 sessions, beginning Monday, March 26 in Aerobics Room 102 of the Wellness Center on the Tonkawa campus. Sessions will meet from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday and Wednesday through May 9. Cost is $30. Since enrollment is limited, early registration is advised. Both men and women are welcome. Participants will exercise with different heights of steps and learn step routines as well as floor aerobics. According to Kegans, while 30 minutes of exercise is sufficient to improve the cardiovascular system, a minimum of 45 minutes is required to burn fat. No examinations are given in the non-credit class. Enrollment is through the Registrar's Office in the Vineyard Library-Administration Building during office hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Participants may also enroll at the first session in the Wellness Center, beginning at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 580-628-6763. Ponca Hethushka Gives ScholarshipOne of the duties of the Ponca Hethushka Society is to touch the lives of those in its community. The members have collected funds and recently presented Desiree Cries for Ribs with a scholarship for her schooling. “It is with great pride that we encourage our young Native Americans to further their education,” said Jack Adams, Hethushka member. Desiree, the daughter of Sandra Lay and Ivan Cries for Ribs, is a sophomore at Carl Albert State College, where she is studying business administration and playing basketball on a scholarship. Her grade point average is 3.5. “Desiree has excellent grades, we have no complaints,” said Ivan Cries for Ribs. She plans to graduate with an associate’s degree this May and continue at St. Gregory’s in Shawnee. “It has been hard, but we’re making it.” Her paternal grandmother, Lucy Cries for Ribs, is one of the faithful women who sing at the drum. Adolphus Warrior, her maternal grandfather, is well-known in his community as well. This year’s annual Ponca Hethushka Spring Dance is scheduled for April 7 at the Ponca Cultural Center. Dances start at 2 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 p.m. The public is invited. Braman Resident Declared Elected To County OfficeGarold DeWitt, from Braman, has been declared elected to a 3-year term on the Kay County Conservation District’s Board of Directors by the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, according to Mike Thralls, executive director of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission. DeWitt was the only person filing for district board position No. 3. The Kay County Conservation District is the only local unit of government responsible for the conservation, restoration and development of Oklahoma’s renewable natural resources. Assistance from the district is available to individual landowners, groups, cities and towns concerned about preventing soil erosion and water pollution, upgrading wildlife and recreational areas and preserving nature’s beauty. DeWitt is one of five members who serve on the board of directors. The district office is located in Newkirk. DEATHSHallie Marie Morris Hallie Marie MorrisFAIRFAX — Hallie Marie Morris, longtime Fairfax resident, died Sunday evening, March 18, 2001, in the Fairfax Memorial Hospital. She was 92. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, March 23, in the First Osage Baptist Church with the Rev. Robert Glasgow, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Fairfax cemetery under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home of Fairfax. Hallie Marie Morris was born Sept. 20, 1908, in Marshfield, Mo., the daughter of Elbert and Josey Lee Haymes Tripllet. She was a graduate of Fairfax High School. She married Marion Carl “MC” Morris Sr. on Aug. 21, 1929, in Pawhuska. She was employed as a cook at the Fairfax schools and the Fairfax Memorial Hospital. She was a member of the First Osage Baptist Church and the American Legion Auxiliary, where she was president for seven years. She enjoyed watching television, reading, traveling and sports. Survivors include her son, Phillip “Sonny” Morris of Houston, Texas; a twin sister, Allie Kent of Eureka, Kan.; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; on son, Sandy Morris; three brothers; and four sisters. Casket bearers will be Doyle Heath, Denny Heath, Roan Brazee, John Williams, Will Lockett, George Pease III and Glen Hadlock. Honorary bearers will be Bob Clark, J. Berry Harrison, Jim Mauk, James Taylor, George Weston and George Wayman. The family will be at the Roan and Heather Brazee home to receive friends and family. Alvin Lynn MistlerARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Alvin Lynn Mistler, resident of Arkansas City, Kan., died Tuesday, March 20, 2001, at his home. He was 40. The funeral will be 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24, at the Temple Baptist Church of El Dorado, Kan., with the Revs. Larry Schwartz and Carl Bush officiating. Burial will be in the Walnut Valley Cemetery in El Dorado under the direction of Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home. Alvin Lynn Mistler was born May 9, 1960, in El Dorado, Kan., the son of Keith and Mary Alexander Jackson. He was reared and educated near El Dorado. He attended Circle-Towanda Schools and graduated in 1978. He lived and was employed in several construction jobs in Ponca City, Wichita, Kan., and El Dorado. Survivors include his mother; one brother, Harold Mistler of Benton, Kan.; his grandparents, A.R. and Dixie Zack of Camdenton, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father and grandparents. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the Northside Baptist Church of Arkansas City, c/o Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home, 100 E. Kansas Ave., Arkansas City, Kan. 67005. Ruth E. SandersRuth E. Sanders, Ponca City resident, died Monday, March 19, 2001, in the Ponca Nursing Center. She was 51. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Friday, March 23, 2001, at the Ponca Nursing Center Chapel with the Rev. Mike Sweetman of Hospice officiating. Arrangements were made under the direction of the Trout Funeral Home. Ruth E. Sanders was born Aug. 26, 1949, in Hutchinson, Kan., the daughter of Thelma (Hammond) and George Sanders. After graduating from Hutchinson High School, she attended college for one year. She was employed as a waitress and also a nurse’s aide for many years. In 1994 she moved to Ponca City. She enjoyed sewing. Survivors include two sons, Roy Sanders of Ponca City and Melvin Silas of Hutchinson, Kan.; one sister, Betty Strong of Salesville, Ark.; one brother, George Sanders of Ohio; and three grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents and one sister. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601 or to Ponca Nursing Center, 1400 N. Waverly, Ponca City, Okla. 74601. Services PendingLeland PetersenLeland Petersen, longtime Ponca City resident and minister, died Wednesday evening, March 21, 2001, in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 78. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel. Alice ThomasAlice Thomas, longtime Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, March 21, 2001, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 87. Local survivors include husband, Jesse A. Thomas, and two sons, Calvin and James Thomas. The family will be at Alice’s home. Other arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home. FuneralsSaturday Patricia M. FortunePatricia M. Fortune — Funeral at 10:30 a.m. in the Cochran Mortuary in Wichita, Kan., followed by a graveside service at 3 p.m. at the Fairfax Cemetery. NEWS BRIEFSAccident — An employee with Solid Waste reported a tanker truck was stuck in the underpass on South Avenue to Ponca City police at 8:34 a.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned, but the vehicle was gone on arrival. Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. 700 West Broadway. Call for hours. 765-9689. adv. Subject Held — An officer in the 400 block of South Palm Street reported a 41-year-old woman was taken into custody for on a city warrant for failure to appear at 10:06 a.m. Wednesday. Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $8.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv. Subject Held — An officer in the 3000 block of North Fourteenth Street reported a 20-year-old man was taken into custody for embezzlement at 12:50 p.m. Wednesday. Pauline’s Steak and shrimp dinner. $11.95. Friday, March 23rd. For reservations call 765-5460. adv. Accident — A woman in the 300 block of Fairview Avenue reported a hit-and-run accident to Ponca City police at 10:08 a.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Ponca Glass will be closed for spring break, March 17 thru 25. Open 8a.m. March 26. adv. Accident — A woman in the 300 block of South Eighth Street reported a hit-and-run accident to Ponca City police at 10:09 a.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Subject Held — An officer in the 1500 block of North Osage Street reported a 34-year-old man was taken into custody for failure to appear and application to accelerate a domestic assault and battery charge at 11:29 a.m. Wednesday. Wedding Accessories, caketops, candles, pillows, personalized crystal, invitations, napkin imprinting now at Carla’s Hallmark, Downtown. adv. Theft — A sales associate at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, reported a male shoplifter was being held for shoplifting to Ponca City police at 1:24 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a 49-year-old man was taken into custody for petit larceny and possession of drug paraphernalia. Animal controlled was also called to the scene to pickup a dog from the man’s vehicle. Theft — A caller reported to Ponca City police at 2:22 p.m. Wednesday seeing some subjects trying to remove a trailer that didn’t belong to them from a neighbor’s yard. Two officers responded to the scene and a 19-year-old man was taken into custody on a city warrant for failure to appear. Head Country all day Friday special All you can eat, smoked BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv. Theft — A resident in the 2000 block of North Seventh Street reported the attempted theft of a license plate from a vehicle to Ponca City police at 3:04 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and an information report was taken. The tag was found lying in the street. Fraud — A woman in the 100 block of Rockview reported to Ponca City police being billed for magazines she did not order at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday. A second resident in the 500 block of North Seventh Street reported the same problem. The second resident believed she knew who had the magazines sent. The same officer handled the reports for both incidents. Accident — A hit-and-run accident in the 100 block of West Grand Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 3:47 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned, but no report was taken because the victim was uncooperative. Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of West Liberty Avenue and North Union Street reported a 20-year-old man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for not having a drivers license at 11 p.m. Wednesday. Accident — A hit-and-run accident in the 2600 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported to Ponca City police at 3:50 p.m. Wednesday. Witnesses had given the caller a description of the offending vehicle and the direction of travel. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Accident — A minor accident in the 400 block of South Perry Street was reported to Ponca City police at 3:57 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Subject Held — An officer in the 800 block of West Grand Avenue reported a 32-year-old woman was taken into custody for violating a protective order at 5:55 p.m. Wednesday. Theft — An employee at a business in the 2100 block of North Ash Street reported a trailer had been stolen from the business at 6:02 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Subject Held — An officer in the 700 block of West Broadway Avenue reported an 18-year-old man was taken into custody on a city warrant for failure to appear at 7:51 p.m. Wednesday. Intoxicated Subject — A caller advised Ponca City police of an intoxicated male in the street near the intersection of West Oklahoma Avenue and North Osage Street at 9:06 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a 19-year-old man was taken into custody for public intoxication. Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Triple T Quick Stop No. 3, 720 South Waverly Street, reported a gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 9:19 p.m. Wednesday. A description was given of the vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Disturbance — A clerk at Conoco Convenience Mart, 1613 West South Avenue, reported a fight was in progress in the parking lot to Ponca City police at 12:48 a.m. Thursday. Three officers responded to the scene and advised it was a domestic call that had occurred outside city limits. The officers stood by until the Kay County Sheriff’s Office could respond. GARDENINGAnnual Spring Clean Up Dates Set for Ponca City Residents Annual Spring Clean Up Dates Set for Ponca City ResidentsMarch 31 through April 7 is designated as this year's annual Spring Clean Up for Ponca City residents According to Ken Wilson Solid Waste Superintendent the Special pick up charge for refuse W-111 be waived for ail residents, during this time. The special pick up charge is usually twenty-five dollars ($25.00). Residents are encouraged to clean up their property and place items next to their Location of regular refuse picks up. Refuse should be containerized if possible. Grass scalpings will be collected through spring clean up. At the end of the spring clean up no grass scalpings or grass clippings will be collected except by special pick up. City Solid Waste crews will pick up all residential household item, except for large tree trunks concrete, construction, and demolition Due to EPA regulations The city can only collect refrigerators and / or air conditioners if they have been certified free of Freon by a licensed technician. City residents will also be allowed to take items at no charge to the City Landfill, March 31 through April 7. Upon arrival at the landfill, residents will need to show their utility receipts for refuge services and drivers license, as proof Of residency The landfill is located southwest of Ponca City. If you have any Quest-ions regarding what can and cannot be picked up please call Ken Wilson at (580) 767-0411. Diggin’ in the DirtBy Kathy Zehr Asparagus, Rhubarb Beds Last for Decades Gardeners often think about creating asparagus or rhubarb beds when they get spring planting fever but talk themselves out of it because they are concerned about the long-term commitment it takes to get them well established. Both rhubarb (sometimes called pieplant) and asparagus do have special planting requirements but once beds are established, they can produce abundant crops from 20-50 years with little care. To begin, the most important factor for success is the location and preparation of beds. Both plants need a permanent home (bed), where they may reside undisturbed for decades. A fellow gardener has a prolific asparagus bed that is more than 20 years old, and rhubarb beds have been known to produce for 50 years. Rhubarb When establishing a rhubarb bed, carefully choose location, as this plant requires a cool place to live in hot summer months and ground that freezes in winter. Most successful rhubarb beds we’ve seen in north central Oklahoma are placed along the north side of a building (out of the hot afternoon sun) in a rich, deeply tilled soil. Rhubarb roots may be purchased and planted now. Plant them four feet apart with crowns or tops just below the surface. Give them a top dressing of manure or rich compost. Allow leaves to grow but remove any flower spikes. All energy is needed to build a strong root system. Keep them watered but not waterlogged during the summer months. Remove dead leaves each fall and apply more compost around the plant. Your first crop will be ready for pie early next spring when the young edible petioles (leafstalks or stalks) form. Harvest lightly the first spring, but in following years harvest heavily until June. Never cut rhubarb stalk or it will bleed and invite rot. Give it a slight twist and pull it off when it is about 12-18 inches high. The deeper the red color the better the flavor. Stop harvesting when stalks stay small. Never eat the leaves, as they are full of unhealthy oxalic acid. If you don’t like the “bite,” soak peeled stalks in cold water for several hours. Multiply your plants by dividing the roots after two years Asparagus Asparagus is an all time favorite for special dinners. I even like it raw as a dipping veggie, but it’s too expensive to buy so we are now growing our own. Asparagus is easy to maintain and very prolific if you plant it just right in the beginning. Asparagus needs a “place in the sun.” Soil should be tilled to at least 12 inches deep and enriched with manure, compost, bone or blood meal, leaf mold or a combination of these. Dig a trench 12 inches deep by 12 inches wide and lay the mixed soil aside. Trenches should be at lease four feet apart. It is an important step to break up the subsoil in the bottom of the trench by pushing a spade or fork into the next 10-12 inches and rocking it back and forth. Do this every six inches or so. Be sure to keep unplanted roots moist while planting the beds. Spread about 2 inches of the topsoil in the bottom of the trench, forming small mounds every 15 inches. Set each plant on each mound so that the crown is slightly above the roots. Spread roots out over the mound and cover with 3 inches of soil, tamping down firmly. Save the rest of the topsoil close by, and as the plants grow, apply about two inches every two weeks until the trench is filled. Water about 1 inch per week if needed. For healthy permanent plants do not harvest asparagus spears the first spring. Allow first year spears to fern out and collect food for the large fleshy roots, which need a lot of energy to become strongly established. Harvest only lightly the second year. Then asparagus may be harvested for 8-10 weeks per year for decades. Add a 4-6 inch mulch every spring and fall plus a three-inch layer of manure each fall to keep them weed free and fed. Avoid using sawdust. Cut lacy yellow-gold asparagus ferns in the fall for floral arrangements. Horseradish Horseradish may be a bane or a blessing, so consider location carefully. Plant it only in a contained bed. Growers suggest planting roots in drainage pipe sections placed vertically in the ground and filled with potting soil. Roots will grow straight until harvest and not “fork” into dozens of smaller roots and spread over a wide area. In addition for using roots as a condiment, small new leaves may added to salads and juice from mature leaves is sprayed on fruit trees to successfully fight brown rot. SPORTSPo Hi Wildcats 2 and 1 During Arizona Road Trip Return Home Saturday Po Hi Wildcats 2 and 1 During Arizona Road Trip Return Home SaturdayPHOENIX, Ariz. — The Ponca City Wildcat baseball team defeated Phoenix Central High School Wednesday in a 12-10 slugfest. The Wildcats raised their record to 2-1 during their spring vacation trip through Arizona. The team departed last Saturday afternoon and return home this Saturday afternoon. The team is scheduled to tour Diamondback Stadium this afternoon, then play their final game of the trip this evening against Trevor High School. Friday, the Cats watch an exhibition game between the Chicago Cubs and the Seattle Mariners, then begin their return trip to Ponca City. The team played their first of three games in the Phoenix area at Grand Canyon State University against Alhambra High School. The Wildcats got off to a rough start with a 5-2 loss, but came roaring back Tuesday to defeat Phoenix North High School, 13-0. Wes Day took the loss on Monday. Bryan Coppock was the recipient of the 13 runs in Tuesday’s game. It took three pitchers to put Central High away. Matt Wilks was the starting pitcher. He was followed by Josh Kelle. Coppock finished the game for the Cats. Before spring break, the team record was 4-6 (0-6 in Frontier Conference). If the Cats win the game tonight, they would be coming back home with a record of 6-7, before resuming conference play again on Monday. After returning home Saturday, the team has a couple of days off, then will host Tulsa Union, Monday at 5 p.m. The Cats travel to Tonkawa Tuesday for a double-header.
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