From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
March 6, 1997
LOCAL
Pursuit Ends With Crash
Nearly News
Pilot Uninjured When Plane Flips
Chamber News
Ponca City Pair To Perform This Weekend in Arkansas
District Court
Folk Dancing Workshop At Hutchins Saturday Night
Letters Say:
'Let's Talk About It' Series Begins at Library March 13
Statistics Show Firefighters Busy in January
Babysitters Must Have Information In Case of Need
New Tax Rules, Deadlines Confusing To Taxpayers
Kaw Lake Group Meets March 13
Democrats Set Organizational Meeting Date
Conservation District Event Set Tuesday
Stay Indoors For Protection From Thunderstorms
Library Patrons Have Access To Many Titles
Annual Spring Clean Up Set For April 5-12
Salvation Army Sending More Help to Arkansas
Students Get Hands-On Experience While in Construction Trades Class
DEATHS
Lloyd Lee Scott Sr.
Elias Wilson Phillips
Annabelle N. Witter
Anthony David McGee
Funerals
L. B. Smith
Tina Louise Fulcher
NEWS BRIEFS
SPORTS
Chilled Po-Hi Golfers Fare Well
PC Soccer Teams Home Friday
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
What began as a typical traffic stop concluded almost six hours later with a collision and the arrest of a 15-year-old Ponca City boy.
According to the Ponca City Police Department, an officer initiated a traffic stop of a suspect driving a 1992 Chevrolet pickup near the area of Chestnut Avenue and Highland Avenue at 12:47 a.m. today. The subject fled the area westbound on Highland Avenue with the officer in pursuit.
At that point, the PCPD asked for assistance from the Kay County Sheriff's Office, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Blackwell Police Department. The PCPD ended its pursuit one mile west of Bailey's corner on the Highland Extension.
Nearly an hour later, the pickup and a .38 caliber gun were reported stolen from the a resident in the 2000 block of North Osage Street, who is believed to be the subject's grandfather. The items were entered into the National Crime Information Center at 1:21 a.m.
In addition, the subject's mother filed a runaway report with the PCPD at 2:47 a.m. All units were advised that the subject could be en route to Blackwell or Ranch Drive.
At 6:24 a.m., the truck was sighted near North Pecan Street and Wintergreen Avenue. A second pursuit began at 6:30 a.m. at South Pecan Road and the South Avenue Extension. When speeds greatly exceeded posted limits, the officers backed off.
Apparently, the truck collided with an occupied car in the 300 block of East South Avenue, before rolling upside down. The pickup came to rest off the street on the south side of South Avenue. The occupants of the car were not injured, according to police officials.
However, the suspect was taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center by a Ponca City ambulance crew. The youth was treated by emergency staff and released.
An officer took the boy to the police station where he was arrested and released to the custody of his mother on a promise to appear in juvenile court.
Dick and Joan Jones have just recently returned from the Los Angeles area of California, wondering if they really ever left Ponca City. Joan tells NN they visited the Gene Autry Western Museum in that area while away, and discovered a wonderful display of 101 Ranch memorabilia, and in another part of the museum, they ran across a Pioneer Woman replica. You never really leave home, is NN's guess. However, Joan said the weather was really great while they were there, not exactly the kind of weather Oklahoma was having at the time.
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No, there are not two different Keepers boys in the Pack 2, Den 2 of Liberty School that attended the American Bald Eagle viewing activities as indicated in Wednesday's Mid-Week. Nearly News has been told that the only Keepers boy on the trip recently is named Chris, and apologizes to Chris that his name was misspelled in the story write-up.
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Rodeo fans and friends of Buck LeGrand called Nearly News to clear up the record reported erroneously in a tribute to Buck on page 8-A of Wednesday's News. Our story reported that LeGrand had never appeared at the big Cheyenne, Wyo, rodeo, but local resident Jo Sharp, and others, called to report that Buck did appear at least twice in the big rodeo during his colorful career. Jo, whose first husband Dub Spurgeon was a rodeo performer and good friend to Buck, says they sometimes traveled with Buck in his early days to smaller rodeos around this area. They also saw him perform twice in the rodeo at Cheyenne. Nearly News appreciates Buck's fans and Jo, for setting the record straight.
NEWKIRK - A cropduster pilot walked away without injury after flipping his plane in a field this morning.
Kirk Fitch of Green's Ag Sprayers of Ponca City was forced to make an emergency landing about 9:30 a.m.
Fitch apparently had everything under control and almost made a perfect landing, but the landing gear of the aircraft collapsed and the plane flipped.
The incident occurred on the Red Williams farm, southeast of Newkirk.
This is another in the "Meet a Committee Chair" series designed to highlight professional as well as personal information about each Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce Committee chair. Each issue features individuals serving in a leadership role. It's nice to know a little about the people representing Ponca City.
Ambassadors
Connie McAbee chairs the Ambassadors.
She is a native Ponca Citian, daughter of John and D'Etta McAbee and a 1967 Po-Hi graduate. Upon graduation she entered the U.S. Navy where she served during the Vietnam War. After completing her enlistment she lived in Chicago until she returned to Ponca in 1991. She has one son, Michael (24) who lives and works in Minneapolis, Minn.
McAbee is employed at Pioneer Bank and Trust, where she began her career as a PrimeTimer coordinator. Currently she is director of Marketing and Business Development. She also coordinates community projects in which the bank is involved. Through these efforts she is involved with the Ponca City Native American Memorial (Standing Bear) Project, the High School DECA Program, Noon Lions Club and the Marland Estate Commission.
She attended Leadership Ponca City, served on the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee, was a charter class member of Ponca City Citizen's Police Academy and served on Sen. Don Nickles Academy Selection Board. She currently serves on boards for the Salvation Army, Domestic Violence and the Chamber.
Connie has served on the Ambassador arm of the Chamber for the past four years, chairing the committee the last two years. She was chosen as 1995 Ambassador of the Year.
The committee is comprised of approximately 30 members from businesses in the community. As the Chamber's new member sales force, they organize the annual membership drive, coordinate the new member orientation and conduct retention calls on existing members. They sponsor the popular Business After Hours mixer and business showcase and participate in Chamber ribbon cuttings and ground breakings. In 1996 they introduced the very successful Chamber Goodwill Day in order to make contact and receive feedback from the Chamber members.
Connie understands this community afforded her many opportunities as she grew up and wholeheartedly believes, as her actions prove, that one should give back in order to make it a better place for those coming next.
By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
Ponca City longtime Thespians, Nancy Vunovich and Joann Muchmore will be a part of the good, the bad, and the ugly of the frontier folks who look for an opportunity for a hanging this weekend in Eureka Springs, Ark.
What better punishment for the crime of murder, says Vunovich, who will act as a tough - raised by Indians -judge.
In the University of Tulsa's 25th Murder Mystery Weekend, Vunovich and Muchmore, (who portrays an early-day attorney) recreate the time when men were men and women had true grit. This year's mystery, titled "Death at Last Gulp or Who Killed the Lone Stranger" will be held in Eureka Springs, Ark., Friday through Sunday.
The mystery plot was written and will be directed by Leonard Tourney, former TU English faculty member and author of eight mystery novels. Tourney is now a writing professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara.
The mystery weekend is not a theatrical play with a set script for passive observation, but a mentally stimulating game in which participants play active roles in the mystery and are encouraged to try to solve the crime.
"Who Killed the Lone Stranger" will feature an evening costume and entertainment gala and several social events. Proceeds will be used for scholarships to the University of Tulsa.
Set in Eureka Springs, the mystery involves the murder of a legendary masked avenger of evil, the Lone Stranger. The outraged citizens of Last Gulp, hungry for justice, suspect that the killer is the legendary hero's faithful companion.
As the tension builds, a potentially violent war between the mountain men and the sheep ranchers around Last Gulp ensues, as well as conflict between the widow of the Lone Stranger and his son, who struggles to follow in his father's footsteps.
Guests at the event are encouraged to solve the mystery of the masked sheriff's death, learn the surprising identity of the new sheriff, and enjoy an old-fashioned church supper and public hanging.
Featured attractions in the town of Last Gulp are the town jail, a hell-fire-and-damnation sermon by the town preacher, and Miss Kitty's Academy of Wayward Women and Girls.
This will be the 25th mystery weekend produced by the TU Division of Continuing Education, which has presented mysteries since March of 1985. "We believe we are the longest running mystery production outside the United Kingdom, where they began," says Roberta Carter, producer of TU's mystery weekends and associate dean of TU's Division of Continuing Education. "We've produced more than 80 events including contracted mysteries for private clients in Oklahoma, Texas, and North and South Carolina," she says.
Vunovich, who has played in the various "mystery" productions at Eureka Springs for 8 or 9 years, says "No set script is written, and we just 'wing it,' through much of the production." It is challenging to the actors and a lot of fun."
This mystery weekend will be held at the Inn of the Ozarks in Eureka Springs. Lodging, meals, and entertainment are included in the cost of the event. Discounted group rates are available. For more information or to make reservations, contact the Division of Continuing Education at (918) 631-2524 or (918) 631-2937.
Ponca City
Divorces Sought
Ricky Eugene Luis vs. Linda Sue Luis.
Terri Lin Wilson vs. Alvin Doyle Wilson.
Richard Duane Lockhart vs. Glenda Susan Lockhart.
Kelly Denise Brown vs. Russell Wayne Brown.
Dawnette Lynn Barr vs. Gene Ray Barr.
Divorces Granted
Dale Everett Miller vs. Grace L. Miller.
Feliza P. Crane vs. Ronnie Lee Crane.
Jack Creighton Katz vs. Linda Mae Katz.
Denise D. Furbee vs. Billy L. Furbee.
Sandra F. Potter vs. James Ray Potter; plaintiff restored to former name Sandra F. Stevens.
William Curby Deem vs. Tera Ray McCleary Deem.
Sheila Marie Dillard vs. Curtis Lane Dillard; plaintiff restored to former name Sheila Marie Helems.
David Wayne Thomas vs. Leslie Jeanette Thomas.
David Richard Head vs. Sheila Marie Head; defendant restored to former name Sheila Marie Banister.
Civil Proceedings
Donna Johnson, et al., vs. Martha K. Butt; plaintiffs seek judgment for in excess of $10,000.
Blackwell
Divorces Sought
Chance G. Hankla vs. Sabrina M. Hankla.
Divorces Granted
Travis W. Brown vs. Michelle S. Brown.
Johnie Decker vs. William Decker.
Susan A. Bailey vs. James D. Bailey.
Civil Proceedings
Professional Credit Collections, Inc., vs. Melody Bouska, et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment for $7,467.80.
Mickey R. McAfee, dba KC Doors & Windows, vs. Arthur W. Smith and Jana Smith; plaintiff seeking judgment for $9,219.14.
Richard H. Hicks vs. Ray Lewis Davis, Billie Joe Coussens, Joseph Barry Dickinson, et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment for in excess of $100,000.
Newkirk
Marriage Licenses
Mark Alan Liegerot, 37, and Liliana Londono Castano, 28, both of Ponca City.
Chaun Michael Jorgenson, 33, and Jennifer Louise Ham, 22, both of Hays, Kan.
Joel Vaughan Roth, 32, and Marcie Marie Shoulders, 35, both of Tonkawa.
Miguel Gamon Ruiz, 28, and Sheri Diane Wade, 33, both of Andover, Kan.
Odis William Dunn, 51, and Spicy Caroline Dunn, 48, both of Ponca City.
Steven Wayne Smith, 20, and Kristy Michelle Waite, 18, both of Ponca City.
Divorces Granted
Joseph Matthew Campbell vs. Gina Lea Campbell.
Richard A. Francis vs. Oralee A. Francis; defendant restored to former name Oralee A. Miller.
Criminal Proceedings
Suspended Sentence - Tina M. Burton, 26, charged with larceny from a residence in connection with an alleged Oct. 11 theft of a .380 semi-automatic pistol from a Ponca City residence. She waived a preliminary hearing and pleaded guilty to the charge, and received from Judge Page a one-year suspended sentence barring any further criminal activity and providing she testify in further court action. She faced a sentence of up to five years.
Hearing Set - Amy Dawn Lickliter, 17, who was certified to stand trial as an adult on a charge of marijuana delivery in connection with an Oct. 9 incident in Tonkawa. She was scheduled for a pre-preliminary hearing at 9 a.m. April 25. If convicted she faces a sentence of two years to life and a fine of up to $20,000.
Court Date Set - Roger Dean Bales, 37, charged with grand larceny in connection with a Jan. 4 incident in which a video game and other electronic equipment were allegedly stolen from a Ponca City department store. Judge Revard scheduled a 9 a.m. April 18 pre-preliminary hearing for the case. If convicted, the defendant faces a sentence of up to one year and a fine of up to $5,000.
Guilty Plea - Jennifer Gwen Booze, 33, charged with grand larceny of a motor vehicle in connection with a Dec. 29 alleged theft of a car in Ponca City. She waived a hearing and pleaded guilty before Judge Boyd, who scheduled a sentencing for 9 a.m., May 19.
Beverage Licenses Sought
Holaday, Robyn, dba The Penny Bar.
Richards, Travis, dba The Scoreboard.
A free public folk dancing workshop will be presented Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Hutchins Memorial auditorium by the upcoming Community Concert performers with "Rhythm and Shoes." The public is invited to participate in the workshop as a viewer or a student.
Several dance teachers and their students plan to attend, as well as public school teachers and students and other adult and student community dancers, said Marta Maril, spokesperson for Ponca City Community Concerts, who are sponsoring the event.
Rhythm and Shoes is a nationally known dance troupe and scheduled to perform a dramatic, compelling, "Streets of the Capitol" classic dance number to their hootin' and hollerin' rollicking hoedown of a finale, "Rhythm Tracks," at 2:30 p.m., Sunday for Ponca City Community Concert members.
According to reviewers, the "Rhythm and Shoes," dancers use of tap, clogging and percussive rhythm in general is not just lively and accomplished, it is intelligent, tasteful and provocative.
Rhythm in Shoes is under the artistic direction of choreographer Sharon Lehay and composer Rick Good, who have fused the spirit of traditional dance and music with the technical aspects and production values of modern performance. Their work yields a new form with rhythm as the underlying component, tying the traditional to the contemporary. "The result contains the legacy of unwritten history and celebrates the spirit of joy in our lives today," says Lehay.
For more information about Community Concert memberships, the dance workshop or for other information about Community Concert programs call 765-4822, 765-3971 or 762-5156.
Editor, The News:
To all veterans in Kay, Noble, Osage and Grant County: As some of you know, the McKnight-Prince DAV Chapter 47 transports veterans to and from the local chapter to the Veterans hospital for their appointments, at no cost to the veteran.
Our transportation system is not supported by any government, national or state organization. Our fund to operate the system is the result of bingo every Monday night and Tuesday afternoon. If this bingo doesn't cover our expenses we will have to shut the van down! Such an action will leave a lot of veterans without the proper medical care to function as many do not have the means of traveling to Oklahoma City.
Commander Bill Davis
Editor, The News:
From Peacemakers to moneymakers? If anyone reading this letter has had the misfortune of receiving an unwarranted traffic citation, and then going to Municipal Court, to plead your case, you may ask the same question as I do. Does a predetermining factor to a person's guilt or innocence depend on whether that person is gainfully employed or not?
After being in Mr. Kirkpatrick's Court, I for one feel it is. This may be hard to believe by some and hard to face by others, but until you have had such an experience, you can have your own opinion, as do I.
I have often head the term "kangaroo court" and now I have a clearer understanding of it. It might appear to someone that Mr. Kirkpatrick is more interested in dealing with dollars and cents rather than guilt and innocence.
One final note to Mr. Kirkpatrick, our Municipal Court Judge If for any reason I should happen to appear before your court again, I will not respond with "your honor" but instead with "sir " and it is my opinion that the word "honor" has no place in your courtroom.
Dennis Backhaus
Editor, The News:
The general public has been led to believe that a change in mailing address is mandatory to complete the implementation of 911 efforts to physically identify Osage and Kay County rural property. This is not true.
The 911 effort and rural mailing address changes are two separate issues and should be approached separately by both 911 personnel and post office personnel.
Citizens of rural Osage and Kay Counties are painfully aware of the problem emergency personnel have to quickly respond to needs of fire, ambulance, and law enforcement requests. However these problems will not be improved by changing numbers on rural mailboxes, as many boxes are in clusters which in no way identify physical property.
The effort that has been taken by 911 personnel to identify each rural residence should be supported by all rural county citizens because it is our welfare that is enhanced by these changes. Our welfare is not enhanced though by changing our mailing addresses.
Neither 911 personnel nor phone company personnel have authority, other than suggestions, relating to control of postal matters including mailing addresses.
To reduce further confusion all 911 personnel should refrain from coupling the 911 changes to any discussion relating to changes in mailing addresses.
If postal authorities feel there is a legitimate need to change all rural mailing addresses then let them make their case for it, without confusing it with 911 activity and obtain public comment and approval through the normal democratic process.
Many small businesses and those of us who have elected to move back home to Ponca City, after retirement, are facing a large and frustrating effort to assure that all professional licensures, financial, state and federal agencies, personal mailing addresses, letterheads, business cards, telephone directories, etc. are changed.
Therefore until the postal officials have submitted their case to and approval of the citizens they serve all effort to change mailing addresses should stop.
Jack Love
Citizens interested in good books and lively conversation are invited to join the Ponca City Library in a new reading and discussion series on romantic love.
The local program is part of the national "Let's Talk About It" project, sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for the Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. It has sparked a resurgence in adult reading and discussion programs in libraries across the country. In the past two years, more than 30,000 people from Maine to Hawaii have gathered in libraries to discuss books they have all read.
The free series, "Destruction or Redemption: Images of Romantic Love," begins March 13 at 7 p.m. in the Library's Programming Room. Discussions will continue every other Thursday for five sessions, through May 8.
"We've found that adults who enjoy reading enjoy talking about what they've read even more," Julie Rutter, Adult Services Librarian and local project director, said. "A reading and discussion program at the library gives adults an opportunity to explore ideas through literature and conversation with their neighbors."
According to Rutter, participants read five books dealing with the series theme and meet at the library for discussion. At the beginning of each two-hour session, a local scholar who has studied the work provides background on the author and insights on the book, relates the reading to the series theme, and raises questions to spark discussion.
The reading selections for "Destruction or Redemption" all focus on the dial nature of love--love's potential for either destroying a person's individuality or bringing about self-discovery and enrichment.
Scholar Kay Meyers will open discussion of Madame Bovary on March 13 at 7 p.m. Additional readings include: The French Lieutenant's Woman, The End of the Affair, Morgan's Passing and A Mother and Two Daughters.
Participants are to preregister. Copies of all titles are available at the library. Persons should pick up the books and allow time for reading the first selection before March 13. For more information, call Rutter at 767-0345.
Ponca City firefighters saved $170,400 in property damage during January.
According to the Daily Fire Run report from the Ponca City Fire Department, firefighters battled five structure fires, nine grass fires and six vehicle fires.
In addition, the department checked out two electrical shortages and assisted with nine rescue/emergency calls. Also, firefighters cleaned up one hazardous spill.
Twelve of the calls were false alarms. Property damage estimates totaled $112,000 for the month.
Furthermore, Ponca City ambulance crews made 195 runs, taking 146 patients to the hospital during January.
Fourteen of the calls involved transferring patients either to or from the hospital. Additionally, 22 people refused treatment and nine patients were treated at the scene but not taken to the emergency room.
Babysitters need to have valuable information ready in case of an emergency.
According to Margie Tebow, 911 Communications supervisor, babysitting can be a fun and profitable occupation for today's youth, however, basic information needs to be by the phone.
"Often the 911 Communication Center receives calls from babysitters that are shaken-up and unable to provide proper information," stated Tebow. "Babysitters must know what information to have available in case it is not left by the parents, including the address and telephone number where they are babysitting. This should not be left for chance or memory. This should be posted by the phone, if not by the homeowner, then when the babysitter arrives."
Baby sitters should log descriptive information about the children they are watching such as: name, age, hair color, style, clothing, critical medical problems, etc. A log book documenting this information should be invaluable in case of an emergency.
In addition, sitters should also have the following information available by the phone: address, apartment complex, family name, parent's location and phone number, relative/friend's name and phone number.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - New tax rules and multiple tax deadlines are making this a confusing time of year for taxpayers, according to Kay County Treasurer Pat Schieber, whose office sent out 5,800 property tax notices last month.
Schieber said some taxpayers are confused because county voters last year eliminated household personal property tax, but that change had no effect on delinquent personal property tax already due from previous years.
If property owners do not pay the delinquent property tax they still owe, no matter what kind, they lose the homestead exemption on their property, which will increase their property tax.
"I would not want to see this happen to our taxpayers," Schieber said.
Taxpayers are no longer subject to personal property tax unless they have a mobile home, farm equipment or leased land improvements.
Another change this year is that mortgage companies must pay the 1996 tax in full, instead of in two payments such as was possible last year. The law was changed because it was not desirable to the property owners, Schieber said.
She said of the 5,800 tax notices her office mailed out, most were "second-half statements," notifying the property owners that the last half of their taxes are due before April 1.
She said much of this year's property tax has already been collected and collection percentages are higher this year, but they expect very heavy mail during the last week of March.
A postmark of March 31 or earlier is necessary for taxpayers to avoid a penalty for being delinquent.
Schieber said persons with questions about property tax issues can contact her or her staff at the office or they can call 405-362-2523.
The Kaw Lake Association will host its monthly meeting on March 13, at the Golden Corral Restaurant, with a business meeting beginning at noon.
Those who want to enjoy a Dutch treat lunch may order as early at 11:30 a.m.
The board of directors will get a Kawfest update from festival chairman Bill Murphy for the annual event, to be held this year on June 7 and 8.
Other agenda items include details on an upcoming travel show at Independence, Kan., and KLA chairman Robert Cartlidge will appoint a nominating committee for next year's officers, whose terms begin July 1.
Persons wanting more information can call Betty Rutz at 405-762-7389.
Kay County Democrats precinct organizational meetings will be held March 13 at 7 p.m. Ponca City precincts will meet at the OCAW Hall, 1202 West Ponca Avenue in Ponca City.
Tonkawa Democrats meet at the First National Bank Annex, Main and Grand, in Tonkawa while Blackwell Democrats will be meeting at the Chamber of Commerce, Red Carpet Room, 120 South Main, Blackwell.
Other meeting places include Kaw City Democrats at Buffy's Restaurant in Kaw City, and Newkirk Democrats at the Kay County Courthouse meeting room in Newkirk.
Precinct committees will elect their officers who will then attend the county convention to elect county officials.
Resolutions may also be written and taken to county conventions for action. The county convention will be held April 5.
TONKAWA - The Kay County Conservation District's second annual meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Northern Oklahoma College, with a meal sponsored by the Newkirk-based district office and the Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce.
District chairman Garold DeWitt will serve as master of ceremonies and will introduce the board. Along with DeWitt, the directors are vice chairman Milton Lesemann, treasurer Fred Horinek, and members Evelyn Engelking and Rick Jeans.
Lesemann and Jeans, along with associate directors Joe Caughlin of Tonkawa and Curtis Vap of Newkirk, will present 1996's county land-judging awards to teams and individual students.
District Conservationist Dick Zetterberg will present conservation awards to four winners, and Mark Harrison of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission will present the Governor's Award.
Other awards are the Goodyear award, presented by Goodyear tire representative Steve Kelle; the volunteer award, presented by Dianne Jeans, and 1996 appreciation certificates, presented by Evelyn Engelking and associate director Mark Arnold of Braman.
Associate director Claud M. Hiatt of Braman, district secretary Lonette Stone and Engelking will present door prizes.
Severe thunderstorms produce damaging winds of 60 miles per hour or higher, destructive hail, deadly lightning and heavy rains, according to Tom Montgomery, of the Ponca City Emergency Management Office.
For protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor. Heavy rains flood roads quickly, so do not drive into areas where water covers the road, he said.
Additionally, avoid using phones with cords, stay away from isolated tall objects, doors, windows, chimneys, radiators, metal pipes, electrical appliances, fence posts, fences and backstops. Get off athletic fields, tractors, golf carts and out of and away from water, Montgomery stated.
If there is no shelter available and an electrical charge makes the hair on an individual's head stand on end as well as make the skin tingle, crouch down low to the ground with the weight resting on the balls of the feet. Do not lie flat.
For more information about Tornado Preparedness Week, contact Montgomery at 767-0380, or the local Emergency Management Office.
Ponca City Library patrons have access to 1,073 journals and titles all in one new computer workstation.
According to Cindy Johndrow, Library administrator, the Friends of the Ponca City Library purchased and donated the system which provides multiple sources, complete indexing and full text to answer general reference questions under the General Reference Center Select/Info Trac system.
Furthermore, both novice and experienced researchers can draw from popular magazines and journals, reference books and news wire services - all in one search. Using the screen-prompted steps makes researching quick and easy, said Johndrow.
The database provides multisource coverage of a wide variety of topics - from politics and money management to health, travel and consumer interests. Sources range from reference books like The Information Please Almanac and The Reader's Companion to American History to magazines such as Newsweek, Good Housekeeping, Travel-Holiday and Field and Stream.
The Ponca City Library subscribes to 262 national and local newspapers and magazines, of which 193 are indexed on the new computer software.
The Friends of the Library is a volunteer group that supports the Library and its users. An ongoing used book sale is open to the public during regular library hours. For more information about the Friends, contact Pat Hand at 762-3537.
Ponca City residents can take advantage of the annual "Spring Clean Up", April 5 through April 12.
According to Ken Wilson, Solid Waste Superintendent for the city, the special pick-up charge for refuse will be waived for all residents, during this time. This is a savings of $25, he said.
Residents are encouraged to clean up their property and place items next to where their regular refuse is picked up. Refuse should be in a container, if possible.
Wilson said that city crews will pick up all residential household items, except for large tree trunks, concrete, construction and demolition material. Also, due to EPA regulation, the city can only collect refrigerators and/or air conditioners that are certified free of freon by a licensed technician.
In addition, grass scalpings will be collected during "Spring Clean Up." After April 12, no grass scalpings or grass clippings will be collected except by special pickup.
Furthermore, city residents will also be able to take items to the city landfill at no charge during "Spring Clean Up." Upon arrival at the landfill, residents must show their utility receipt for refuse services and a driver's license, as proof of residency.
The landfill is located southwest of Ponca City. For more information, contact Wilson at 767-0411.
Officers and staff from several Oklahoma communities have arrived in Arkansas to assist and relieve The Salvation Army disaster personnel who have been providing assistance to victims of devastating tornadoes since Saturday.
At this time, crews from Altus, Chickasha, Lawton, Norman, Ponca City and Stillwater are providing assistance. Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Enid and Ada have sent personnel as well as mobile disaster canteens stocked with food, beverages, cleaning supplies, personal care items and other supplies.
The Salvation Army has served over 4,000 meals to victims and emergency workers since relief efforts began. Major Charles Smith, Little Rock Area Commander, who is coordinating the relief efforts in the Little Rock area, states, "We are responding to the immediate needs right now." In addition, The Salvation Army has distributed clothing, blankets, and cleaning supplies to victims and families whose homes were either damaged or destroyed by the storms.
Crews will remain on-site as long as they are needed.
Students need to have as much hands-on experience as possible, according to Mike Swinehart, construction trades instructor at Pioneer Technology Center. The construction trades students got just that when they began a class project that started out as a mockup storage building. The students were well under way on the project when they had a change in plans. "Why can't we make playhouses instead," asked Ed Sidlo, construction trades student, Ponca City.
Work actually began on the playhouses when the students designed the individual working drawings for six playhouses. With a lot of teamwork, practical application and trial and error, the six playhouses were constructed. "The project allowed the students to be creative and apply what they learned in the classroom," said Swinehart. "The projects were also a lot of help to first year students in learning the basic carpentry skills and tools."
The construction trades program is designed to prepare students for employment in a trade, or in continuation of technical education, by providing training in the basic skills and technical knowledge of the industry through classroom and laboratory experience. While in the program students learn such subjects as: residential carpentry, framing walls and ceilings, roofing, hanging doors, cabinet trimming, reading blueprints, form work, drywall and installing exterior sheathing.
The construction trades students are now preparing for the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) competition next month. Students will compete in job skills, cabinet making and a written test. "These projects have really helped me to prepare for competition next month," said Marie Bloomer of Newkirk. "Knowing what I know now, building another one would be fun."
The playhouses are available for sale to the public. One playhouse is
displayed on the south side of Pioneer Technology Center at 2101 North Ash
Street. Anyone interested in purchasing a playhouse can contact Jan Watkins
at 762-8336, ext. 227.
DEATHS
BLACKWELL - Lloyd Lee Scott Sr., lifelong Blackwell area resident, died at the McAfee Living Center, Tuesday afternoon, March 4, 1997. He was 83.
The funeral will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, at the Blackwell First Christian Church with Mike Ebert of the Kibler Road Church of God in Van Buren, Ark., officiating. Burial will be in the Braman Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Lloyd Lee Scott Sr. was born Dec. 28, 1913, the son of Charles Franklin and Mary (Wolf) Scott, on a homestead near Braman, claimed by his father in the Cherokee Strip run of 1893. He grew up on the homestead and attended Friendship Rural School and Braman schools. Following his education, he worked on the farm.
He was married to Bernice Etna Frazier on Nov. 23, 1937, in Winfield, Kan., and the couple established their first home on the homestead. Scott worked on the Lake Carl Blackwell construction project and farmed. In 1948, they moved into Blackwell and established Scott Lumber Yard and Contracting Co., which they operated to present. Scott was a member of the First Christian Church, Kay County Sheriff's Reserve and held a life membership in the OU Dad's Association.
Survivors include his wife, Bernice Scott of Blackwell; one daughter, Dr. Shirley Scott Minor of Blackwell; one son, Lloyd Lee Scott Jr., of Oklahoma City; one sister, Pearl Scott Johnson of Blackwell; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Mary Ann Scott Petrey; three sisters, Anne Scott Worley, Elsie Shields and Nellie Majors; and one brother, Roy O. Scott.
Casket bearers will be Bud Coffman, Randy Scott, Gary Scott, Merle Summers, Lindy Woodruff, and George Morgan. Honorary bearers will be Larry Cannon, Max Ruggs, Bill Curtis, Dr. Wayne Ghormley, and Raymond Bradley.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Scott's name to the Blackwell First Christian Church, c/o Roberts Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.
MOUNTAIN HOME, Tenn. - Elias Wilson Phillips, brother to Alice Duncan of Ponca City, died Sunday, March 2, 1997 in the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center Hospital in Mountain Home, Tenn. He was 65.
A private memorial service for area family members is set for Thursday at Guthrie. A graveside service will also be held at 11 a.m. Thursday in the Mountain Home National Cemetery, in Mountain Home, Tenn., with Chaplain Richard Willis officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Appalachian-Hartman Funeral Home, Johnson City, Tenn.
Elias Wilson Phillips was born Nov. 27, 1931, in Guthrie, the son of Jesse James and Amanda (Abrams) Phillips. He attended schools in Guthrie, then entered the U.S. Air Force.
He was married to Catherine (Hurley) Phillips in the early 1950s in South Hampton, Mass. Phillips made his career in the U.S. Air Force for 22 years, before retiring. He and his wife then moved to Washington County, Tenn., where he began his second career as a surgical assistant and nurse at the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center Hospital. He served 19 years at the hospital.
Survivors include his wife, Catherine, of the home, 137 Snyder Drive, Gray, TN 37615; two daughters, Cheryl Ann Korytoski of North Hampton, Mass and Debora Susan Phillips of Worthington, Mass.; two sons, Stephen Edward Phillips of Jonesborough, Tenn., and James Michael Phillips of Gray, Tenn; two sisters, Lucy May Brown of Coyle, Okla., and Alice Ruby Duncan of Ponca City; two brothers, John David Phillips of Guthrie and Jesse James Phillips of Cleveland, Okla.; nine grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Phillips' name to the American Cancer Society, 101 Fountain Place, Ste. 1-E, Johnson City, Tenn. 37604.
TONKAWA - Annabelle N. Witter, longtime Tonkawa resident, died Tuesday evening, March 4, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. She was 87.
The funeral will be held at the Tonkawa First Christian Church at 2 p.m. Saturday with Dr. John Bartlett, minister, officiating. Burial will be in the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.
Annabelle N. (Brittian) Witter was born June 7, 1909, in Soper, the daughter of John Alexander and Mary Elizabeth (McKee) Brittian. As a young girl, she moved with her parents to Wilson, where she grew up and attended schools, graduating in 1930. She then moved to Tonkawa.
She was married to Merritt Witter on Nov. 29, 1934, and the couple made their home in Tonkawa. In 1942, the Witter family moved to California and returned to Tonkawa in 1950. They operated Quality Cleaners in Tonkawa for many years. After retiring in 1975, Mrs. Witter continued to live in Tonkawa until 1996, when she moved to the Renaissance in Ponca City. She was a longtime member of the Tonkawa First Christian Church.
Survivors include two sons, Don Witter of Fountain Valley, Calif., and Karlton Witter of Kingwood, Texas; two sisters, Velma Prout and Betty Vick, both of Norman; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; three brothers and one sister.
EDMOND - Anthony David "Tony" McGee, grandson of Jim and Evelyn Dillard of Ponca City and Bernice Wilson of Fairfax, died as the result of an automobile accident in Oklahoma City, Sunday, Feb. 23, 1997. He was 17.
The funeral was held Feb. 27 at the Baggerly Funeral Home in Edmond with the Rev. Dr. Larry Wilson, pastor of Cleveland First Baptist Church officiating.
Anthony David "Tony" McGee was born Aug. 21, 1979, the son of Ken and Susan McGee. He attended Cleveland, Okla., schools and graduated from Thunderbird Academy in Pryor on Feb. 15, 1997. He was a member of the Cleveland First Baptist Church.
Survivors include his parents, Ken and Sherry McGee of Cleveland and Robert and Susan Reed of Edmond; one brother, Rick Nichols; one sister, Tamara McGee of Cleveland; two stepbrothers, Toby and Kelly Inkman of Cleveland; one stepsister, Wendy Inkman of Cleveland; his grandparents, Jim and Evelyn Dillard of Ponca City and Bernice Wilson of Fairfax; and step-grandparents, Don and Carol Wilson of Cleveland.
Friday
L. B. Smith - Funeral to be held graveside at 2 p.m. at the Highland Cemetery in Winfield, Kan. Arrangements are under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.
Tina Louise Fulcher - Funeral to be held at 10 a.m. at the Rindt-Erdman
Funeral Home in Arkansas City, Kan. Burial will be Riverview Cemetery, Arkansas
City.
NEWS BRIEFS
Free Concert - Newly enrolled Ponca City Community Concert members for the 1997-98 season will receive an added bonus to their concert season by attending, free, the "Rhythm and Shoes" Concert Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Hutchins Memorial Auditorium. Persons not yet enrolled for the 1997-98 season may do so in the lobby prior to the concert, then attend the exciting performance of Rhythm and Shoes free. Rhythm and Shoes is the final performance on the 1996-97 Community Concert member's ticket.
Junior Class Meeting - The Junior Class parents will be meeting to organize committees for the After Prom Party. The meeting will take place March 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 111 of the Howell Building.
Under Suspension - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 30-year-old man at South Lincoln Street and West South Avenue at 8:48 a.m. Wednesday for driving under suspension.
Arrested - A 17-year-old girl was taken into custody by a Ponca City police officer at the police station at 9:41 a.m. Wednesday for burglary of an auto.
Vandalism - A Ponca City police officer took a report of vandalism to a mailbox in the 3500 block of Wellington Road at 11:47 a.m. Wednesday.
Accident - The Ponca City Police Department received notice of an accident at South Eleventh Street and East Ponca Avenue at 2:34 p.m. Wednesday. An officer took a report.
Grand Larceny - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 40-year-old woman at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, at 2:36 p.m. Wednesday for grand larceny. An 18-year-old woman was also arrested for shoplifting.
Burglary - A resident in the 300 block of North Pine Street informed the Ponca City Police Department at 4:12 p.m. Wednesday that someone broke into the house and stole a TV and computer. An officer took a burglary report.
Shoplifting - A 15-year-old boy was arrested at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, at 7:37 p.m. Wednesday for petit larceny.
Auto Theft - A citizen in the 2000 block of Lake Road advised the Ponca City Police Department at 8:46 p.m. Wednesday that a 1990 Buick Skylark was stolen. Two officers responded and found the vehicle on the lot with three juveniles running from it. The youths were located at South Thirteenth Street and East Ponca Avenue and taken to the police department.
Attempted Burglary - An employee from the Cornerstone, 718 South Waverly Street, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 9:20 p.m. Wednesday that a man went into the men's restroom, went through the dropped ceiling and tried to break into the office. The subject fell through the hallway. Two officers took a 21-year-old man into custody for attempted burglary.
Failure to Pay - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 23-year-old woman in the 3500 block of South Pine Street at 9:47 p.m. Wednesday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
County Warrant - A 41-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City
police officer from a traffic stop at South Waverly and West South Avenue
at 1:21 a.m. Thursday for public intoxication and a Kay County warrant for
bogus check and a Pawnee County warrant for driving while intoxicated. The
officer took a report. In addition, a 35-year-old man was arrested on a
city warrant for failure to pay and a 40-year-old man was arrested for driving
under the influence and transporting an open container. Additionally, a
58-year-old man was taken into custody for public intoxication.
SPORTS
OWASSO - Battling a wind chill that left fingers numb and ears stinging, Ponca City's golf teams opened the season in the Ram Earlybird Classic Wednesday at the Bailey Golf Ranch.
"It was one of the coldest tournaments I've ever been to," Lady Wildcat coach Jerry Orr said. "I've talked to coaches who have been around for a long time and they said it was as cold as any they have seen.
"The girls were scheduled to play 18 holes but before they had played nine they decided to cut it to just nine."
"It was very difficult conditions," Wildcat coach Dan McGregor understated. "They had to push me out of the clubhouse."
Despite the adverse conditions, both Po-Hi coaches were pleased with the play by their teams.
"I thought 80 would be a very good score," McGregor said. "That was below par as far as I was concerned in those conditions."
Led by Eric Smith's 76, the Wildcats posted a 332 total, 10 strokes behind first place Jenks. Smith's score left him tied for individual honors with Tahlequah's Brian Downs.
"Eric played great," McGregor said. "He had a very steady round."
Ninth grader Matt Waddell followed with an 82. Casey Orr posted an 86, Kris Parton an 89 and Justin DeNoya a 92.
"I was pleased with our first outing," McGregor said. "The way they played is very encouraging."
Orr is giving a number of new players an opportunity to show their stuff as the Lady Wildcats finished fourth with a 233 nine-hole total.
Jenks won the girls' title, too, with a 195.
Two seniors, Tiffany Tapp and Heather Roth, paced the Ponca City girls with 46 and 54. Freshmen Calyn Howe and Ashley Mott shot 60 and 70. Junior Jackie Dyer managed just one day of practice and struggled with a 77.
"Those scores weren't too bad under those conditions," Orr said.
'I have two or three freshmen and a sophomore I'm looking at," the coach said. "I want to give those ninth grade girls as much experience as possible.
"I think in a year or two this group will be as talented as any we've had around here in years. It just depends on how the young ones progress."
Orr will get a chance to view his young players on their home course Monday as the Wildcats host the Ponca City Invitational at the country club.
Team Scores
Boys
Jenks 322, Ponca City 332, Stillwater 334, Tahlequah 336, Broken Arrow 345, Owasso 353, Sapulpa 356, Claremore 360 Oologah 400, Claremore-Sequoyah 406.
Girls
Jenks 195, Broken Arrow 203, Sapulpa 231, Ponca City 233, Owasso 239, Tahlequah 242.
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
It will be a young group of Po-Hi soccer players who open the home season at Sullins Stadium Friday night against Jenks.
The format for the matches has changed this year with the boys playing first, at 6 p.m., followed by the girls' game at about 8.
The Wildcats, coached by Marco Castillo, will be somewhat shorthanded against the powerful Trojans.
"We have injuries galore," Castillo said. "I have four or five starters out.
"But they should all be back after Spring Break and this team should be where we were last year."
Six Wildcats return from last year's state finalist team and, according to Castillo, they anchor "a solid team."
The shorthanded Cats (1-1) pulled out a 1-0 win over Owasso in their season opener Tuesday on a goal by Zack Hardesty in the 89th minute of play.
Getting a feed from Chance Greenhagen, Hardesty left-footed in the winner from about 30 yards away.
The Lady Wildcats (3-1-1) suffered their first loss Tuesday at Owasso after getting an early start on the season, being blanked 2-0.
"We just didn't play very well," coach Steve Hermann said. "We had several defensive breakdowns.
"It seems like I get younger every year," he said of the girls' team. "I had just one senior (Erin DeWeese) on the field and two or three juniors. The rest are sophomores and freshmen.
"They're young, but they have talent. They'll get better, Our defense improved from the start of the game to the end."
The Lady Wildcats got a quick start on the season two weekends ago. They blanked two Lawton teams, 7-0 and 5-0 in the Choctaw Tournament and then tied 2-2 with Choctaw. They also beat Stillwater in a single match, 3-0.
But Hermann was disappointed the Poncans did not have a chance to play some tougher competition in the tournament. They will need that experience against their tough schedule.
Both Hermann and Castillo feel the Cats have a good chance of winning against Jenks Friday.
"Jenks and Union are probably the best teams in the east this year," Hermann said. "But I think we can play with' em and if we can stay with 'em we can beat them."
"Jenks is tough," Castillo said. "But they are beatable.
We will just have to play well."