From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, March
31, 1997
LOCAL
Cultural Center, Street Tax Join Candidates on Ballot
I Found the Big One!
Water Project Blocks Streets
Where To Vote
Hethuska Spring Dance Saturday
Letters Say:
Cable Customers Receive Storm Alerts
Armed Robbery Suspect Sought
DEATHS
Nola Maggie Medlock
Merle Marie Staggers
Services Pending
Norma Jean Parsons
Delene M. Fauchier
Gladys Buck
Elbert Lee Doughty
Funerals
Charles Earl Belew
NEWS BRIEFS
SPORTS
Cats Take Two One-Run Games
Correction
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
On April Fool's Day, voters will resolve the question "to sell, or not to sell" the historical Cultural Center, at regular polling precincts from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Proposition No. 2 on Tuesday's ballot asks the voters if the Ponca City Board of Commissioners should sell E.W. Marland's first home, the Cultural Center. The 6,521-square-foot home sets on approximately 2.85 acres at the southeast corner of Tenth Street and Grand Avenue.
The 22-room mansion is listed in the Oklahoma Landmarks publication a one of Oklahoma's outstanding architectural accomplishments. Furthermore, it is officially certified on the National Register of historic places.
The mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee recommended that the city sell the center, saying that this was the most economically feasible solution, according to Historical Buildings Director Kathy Adams. The center houses the Bryant Baker Studio, the Indian Museum, relics from Fernandina, memorabilia of the 101 Ranch and the Daughters of the American Revolution Memorial Museum.
To save the facility, a group has formed in an attempt to raise funds to help the city maintain the facility, should voters chose not to sell the white house with the red-tiled roof.
Renewal of Street Sales Tax
Additionally, voters will consider Proposition No. 1, which asks to extend the current one-half cent sales tax dedicated for street improvement. This is not a new tax, just a continuation of the current street tax, which expires Sept. 30.
Since 1987, this dedicated source of funding has allowed the city to improve 37.9 percent of Ponca City's streets. As of December, 1996, the one-half sales tax generated $10,872,267. Funds were allocated to three categories: 35 percent for capital projects for use with outside matching funds; 25 percent set aside for contingencies, and 65 percent for maintenance projects.
At the average cost of $39,877 per lane mile, 145.44 single lane miles, of Ponca City's 384.13 total miles (37.9 percent), have been improved. In addition:
- Seventy-nine streets were construction, reconstructed or received a thick overlay for $4.1 million.
- Forty-four streets were microsurfaced or received thin overlay in the amount of $354,220.
- Chip and seal was performed on 121 streets for $180,792.
- Pavement and soil tests, including a city-wide surface and base testing, amounted to $108,327.
- Signalization for two projects cost $324,292.
- The department spent $574,862 on engineering costs for 14 projects.
- Right-of-way acquisitions for four projects cost $165,377.
City Commissioner Candidates
Four candidates have campaigned for two Ponca City commissioner positions, which are three-year terms. Incumbent Dick Bird, 2517 Windsor Road, is challenged by businessman Chris Hand, 2701 McKinnley Place, for position No. 2. Attorney Tom Leonard, 2512 Woodthrush Road, opposes incumbent O.E. "Greg" Gregson, 2208 Cardinal Road, for position No. 4.
Bird said, "I have diligently reviewed the expenditures of the city and have asked tough questions, as needed, to ensure an efficient and fiscally responsive government. I strongly support the promotion of public safety and the provision of quality programs and services, and will continue to utilize my experience to vote in the citizens' best interest, during these important and every changing times."
According to Hand, he is an independent thinker who will make decisions based on what's best for the citizens and will not be influenced by special interest groups.
"It is absolutely imperative that we have new leadership from our mayor and commissioners. They must have the ability, integrity and vision to reunite our community and take massive action that will regain the trust and spirit of our citizens," he said.
"Ponca City needs new goals," said Leonard. "It needs new ideas and a new perspective on budgetary problems."
If elected, Leonard's primary goal is to restore public trust in city government by making full disclosure of its affairs. "In these difficult times, we must rethink how we got to where we are so we can anticipate the future," the attorney said.
Gregson confirmed he would like to continue to be a part of the team which will be addressing sharp challenges facing our city.
"The only reason for the existence of city government is to provide timely, reliable and cost competitive services to its customers and my ongoing commitment to that end," Gregson said.
AFTER HUNTING for the biggest egg, Joshua Cole proudly shows off his prize from the Easter Egg Hunt held at the Lake Ponca Pageant area Sunday. The kids left the hunt "eggstra hoppy!" The Ponca City AMBUCS sponsored the event. (News Photo by Laura Treadway)
Two intersections will be closed beginning Tuesday as work on the Northwest Transmission Water Line project continues.
According to Steve Shea, with the Ponca City Engineering Department, the intersection of Central Avenue and Fifth Street as well as the east side of Central Avenue, from Fifth Street to Sixth Street, will be closed.
Weather permitting, work is expected to be completed Friday.
For more information, contact Shea at 767-0329.
Voters in Ponca City, Blackwell, Tonkawa and Kaw City will go to the polls Tuesday for municipal elections. Polls will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
Where to vote:
Kay County Precinct Locations
Tonkawa
Blackwell
Kaw City
Ponca City
The traditional "Celebration of Spring Hethuska Dance" will be held at the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center Saturday, hosted by the Ponca War Dance Society (Ponca Hethuska).
The afternoon's men's dance session will begin promptly at 2 p.m.
Preceding the afternoon dance session will be the traditional Mourner's Meal to be held at noon. All families who have lost loved ones are invited and encouraged to partake. Head cook Alan Blueback, along with family and friends, will be preparing this meal, which will be served to all in attendance.
The evening meal will be served at 5:30 p.m. Following the evening meal will be a session of Wolf Songs for the Ponca and visiting ladies. The evening men's dance session will begin at 7:30 p.m.
Damon Roughface, head committeeman (Nuda Honga), and the Ponca Hethuska Committee have invited "one and all to attend this dance celebrating the arrival of spring."
Head singer Eli Warrior is asking for the welcomed assistance of his fellow singers at the drum, including those singers from the area's nationally-known drum groups. Singers are reminded to arrive early, as the drum will be closed once the dance begins.
Special guests for this event are the Ponca Senior Elders (Wahunthinga) and the elders from neighboring tribes. Other invited guests are expected to attend from across the country.
Ponca Hethuska members are reminded to pay their dues, to bring a gift basket of groceries for the elders and to arrive at the Ponca Tribal Cultural Center at 11:30 a.m. for completion of various duties.
Editor, The News,
The Mission on South Avenue has been ministering in Ponca City for 5 years. It is filling a very important need in this community.
The primary emphasis has been to provide food and clothing to those who are in need for various reasons. It is the dream of Mike and Hazel Riggs to expand this ministry to give people opportunities to help themselves. They have purchased a duplex adjoining the Mission building and have slowly been renovating it to provide for the next phase of their dreams.
The operative work is "slowly" because it must be completed as money and help become available. One side is almost completed but the second side is almost untouched.
I believe that people will respond when a need is made known. I want this community to know that there is an opportunity to make a difference in some ones life in a big or small way by helping complete this project.
We have a list of tasks of varying degrees of time and difficulty that would make a good project for a family or group. We also have a list of things that need to be purchased to complete the refinishing and also to begin to set up some training areas.
If you believe that you can help in some way, please contact Diane Clarida at 762-1357, Hazel Riggs at 762-7748 or call The Mission at 765-1426. This could be an investment that can have far-reaching consequences in your life and the life of someone in need.
Diane Clarida
Customers of a local cable company can receive local storm reports over the television.
During last Monday's storm, Emergency Management Director Tom Montgomery dialed into Post Newsweek Cable's emergency system, overrode the cable audio and provided updated information about the storm. Montgomery first used the system last September.
According to Phil Stajcar, with Post Newsweek Cable, the company maintains and operates the Storm Comm-Alert system for the city's use and to serve the customers.
Post Newsweek Cable subscribers in parts of Kay County and parts of Osage County will receive the benefit of this additional warning.
Stajcar indicated that an upgrade of the audio override, which is expected to be purchased and installed this year, will also provide video alerts for the hearing impaired. This upgrade is encompassed under the Emergency Broadcast System. This is just a test!
The Ponca City Police Department continues to investigate an alleged armed robbery that occurred in the 1600 block of Bradbary Lane at 1:13 a.m. Sunday.
Seven Ponca City police officers responded to a resident's report that two subjects robbed him at knife point. The victim indicated that guns and cash were taken.
Officers arrested a 32-year-old man at the police station at 2:24 p.m.
Sunday on charges of armed robbery, according to the department. Detectives
believe they have identified the second subject, who remains at large.
DEATHS
BLACKWELL - Nola Maggie Medlock, Blackwell resident, died Saturday morning, March 29, 1997, at her home. She was 89.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with the Rev. Leon Jackson officiating. The Rev. Gerald Leseberg, Bellevue, Neb., will assist. Burial will be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery.
Nola Maggie (Nichol) Medlock was born Jan. 24, 1908, in Clayton, the daughter of Clinton and Effie (Cantron) Nichol. She grew up in Arkansas and Oklahoma and worked in Oklahoma City in her late teens as a housekeeper for a large hotel and in private homes. In her mid 20s she moved to Ava, Mo., to live with her father.
She was married to Sheddie Medlock in 1936, and the couple made their first home in Missouri for a short time. They next moved California, then to Pawnee, with her husband's job in the oil fields. In 1941, they moved to Idaho, where Mrs. Medlock served as Sunday School Superintendent for the Union Sunday School. In 1959, they moved to Rock Island, Ill. Following the death of her husband in January 1976, she moved to Hobe Sound, Fla., to live near a brother and the Hobe Sound Bible School. During this time, Mrs. Medlock served as a home health caregiver. In later years she lived near daughters in Oklahoma and Iowa.
Mrs. Medlock was a member of the Church of the Nazarene for many years and a current member of the Wesleyan Bible Church in Council Bluff, Iowa. She was very supportive of all church endeavors, especially mission work. She was an avid nature lover and her hobbies included cooking and gardening.
Survivors include five daughters, Janet Jackson of Blackwell, Susan Harrison of Sierra Vista, Ariz., Phyllis Leseberg of Bellevue, Neb., Sharon Fetters of Moline, Ill., and Becky Ledford of Lincoln, Neb.; two sisters, Clora Williams and Ruby Kutz, both of Boise, Idaho; 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband and parents; and one brother, Archie Nichol; one sister, Georgia Wild; and a grandson.
Casket bearers will be Jules Leseberg, Kelly Leseberg, Nathan Leseberg, Marcus Leseberg, David Jackson, Matthew Jackson, Andy Harrison, and Ryan Ledford.
LAMONT - Merle Marie Staggers, longtime Lamont resident, died Saturday, March 29, 1997, in the Medford (Okla.) Nursing Home. She was 94.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Lamont First Christian Church with the Rev. Ruth Tipps and the Rev. Roland Earsom officiating. Burial will follow in the Lamont Cemetery under the direction of Wilson Funeral Home, Pond Creek.
Merle Marie (Lewis) Staggers was born Sept. 5, 1902, in Deer Creek, the daughter of Charles H. and Melva (Stezer) Lewis. As a teenager she cooked meals for her father's thrashing crew in the cookshack, still owned by the family today. She attended Deer Creek High School and Wichita Business College, where she earned her stenographic certificate.
On Aug. 29, 1926, she was married to Farnum Arthur Staggers in Wichita, and the couple made their home on a farm near Lamont. The family moved into Lamont in 1972, but continued their farming operation. Mrs. Staggers was a member of the Lamont First Christian Church, Order of Eastern Star Chapter 95, Tonkawa, Christian Women's Fellowship, Flower Valley Grange, and a charter member of the Banner Club. She had served as Mother Advisor to the Lamont Rainbow Girls in the late 1940s. She enjoyed music, playing the piano and organ, crocheting, and flower gardening.
Survivors include one son, Gerald W. Staggers of Lamont; two daughters, Jewel Earsom of Sulphur and Ava Lee Hillhouse of Blackwell; 13 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her husband on July 31, 1988, and her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Staggers' name to the Lamont Christian Church, Lamont Fireman's Association, or the Hospice Circle of Love, c/o Wilson Funeral Home, P.O. box 478, Pond Creek, OK 73766..
Norma Jean Parsons, 2106 Meadowbrook, died Sunday, March 30, 1997, at her home. She was 73. Survivors include her husband, Dr. Donald E. Parsons, of the home. A graveside service is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery with the funeral to follow at 11 a.m. at Woodlands Christian Church. Other arrangements will be announced later by Trout Funeral Home.
Delene Marie Fauchier, longtime Ponca City resident and retired school teacher, died Friday, March 28, 1997, at her home. She was 90. The funeral will be held graveside at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Caddo (Okla.) Cemetery. The family will greet friends at the Trout Funeral Home, Ponca City, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Other arrangements will be announced later.
TONKAWA - Gladys Buck, longtime Tonkawa resident, died early this morning, March 31, 1997, at the Manor Care Nursing Home in Norman. She was 90. Arrangements are pending with McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.
KAW CITY - Elbert Lee Doughty, resident of Kaw City, died Sunday afternoon, March 30, 1997, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. He was 79. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.
Tuesday
Charles Earl Belew - A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. at Hackler
Funeral Home Memory Chapel in Blackwell.
NEWS BRIEFS
Garden Council - Members of the Ponca City Council of Garden Clubs will meet at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Cann Garden Home. Guest speaker will be Jerry Cathey, founder of the Iris Festival, who will talk about "Types of Iris." For more information about the meeting call 765-1689.
Senior Citizens Dance Planned - Ken Wilson and his Sunshine Playboys will be playing for dancing from 7 to 10 p.m. at the VFW in Ponca City every Wednesday. All seniors are invited to come and enjoy. The first Wednesday of every month will be snack night, and those attending are asked to bring goodies to share.
1948 Reunion - According to class members it's time to start planning the 50th class reunion (1998) for the Ponca City High School graduating class of 1948. All members of that class are invited to a meeting at 1:30 p.m. April 7 in the programming room in the basement of the Ponca City Library.
Church Women - Church Women United board meeting will be April 7, 9:30 a.m., at St. John Baptist Church, 1009 South Eleventh Street.
Cheerleaders - Cheerleading tryout rehearsal is tonight at 6:30 at the Robson Fieldhouse. Admission is $1 per person.
Vandalism - A resident in the 500 block of Glendale Avenue informed the Ponca City Police Department at 10:14 a.m. Saturday that the house was vandalized. An officer took a report.
Accident - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident in the 2600 block of North Fourteenth Street at 11:26 a.m. Saturday. The Ponca City Fire Department ambulance took a 48-year-old woman to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center where she was treated for a laceration to her head and released.
Collision - A non-injury accident occurred in the 2700 block of North Fourteenth Street at 2:29 p.m. Saturday, according to a Ponca City police officer who took a report.
Wreck - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a non-injury accident in the 1100 block of South Fourth Street at 2:33 p.m. Saturday.
Under Suspension - A 22-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at Lake Road and Monument Road at 3:03 p.m. Saturday for driving under suspension.
Fraud - An employee from the Miller Market, 904 South Fourth Street, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 5:49 p.m. Saturday to report a subject was at the store trying to pass a bogus check. Two officers responded and took a 36-year-old woman into custody for uttering a forged instrument and a Neosho, Mo., warrant for fraud.
Vandalism - A Ponca City police officer took a report at 5:53 p.m. Saturday of vandalism to a vehicle parked in the 2700 block of North Fourteenth Street.
Car Afire - Ponca City firefighters extinguished a fire in a 1991 Ford Mustang which caught fire in the 800 block of North Third Street at 8:30 p.m. Saturday. Apparently, the fire originated in the engine area, according to the fire report. Damage is estimated at $1,000.
Grass Fire - Kay City Fire Department handled a grass fire 0.25 miles west of Washunga Bay on the south side at 9:09 p.m. Saturday, according to Ponca City telecommunication officers.
Off the Roadway - A Ponca City police officer issued a citation to the driver of a vehicle stuck in the mud .25 mile east of Pecan Road on Hubbard Road at 9:57 p.m. Saturday. The driver was cited for failure to stay on the maintained roadway.
Arrested - A 20-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at South Elm Street and West Oklahoma Avenue at 10:21 p.m. Saturday for speeding, following too close, no drivers' license and driving under the influence.
Dog Napping - A resident in 900 block of North Palm Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 10:57 p.m. Saturday to report juveniles were possibly choking the dog in the back yard. An officer responded and determined the subjects were attempting to steal the dog. A report was taken.
Under the Influence - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 38-year-old man in the 400 block of East Cleveland Avenue at 11:02 p.m. Saturday for driving under the influence, no insurance and driving under suspension. The officer also arrested a 27-year-old man for public intoxication.
Failure to Pay - A 25-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer in the 500 block of West Highland Avenue at 11:33 p.m. Saturday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Unlawful Entry - A resident in the 100 block of West Fresno Avenue contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 2:31 a.m. Sunday to report the residence appears to have been entered. An officer took a report of unlawful entry.
Under the Influence - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 20-year-old man at West Oklahoma Avenue and South Waverly Street at 3:29 a.m. Sunday for driving under the influence, speeding and driving under suspension.
Arrested - A 27-year-old man was arrested at East Cherry Avenue and South Second Street at 10:01 a.m. Sunday for driving under suspension.
Hit and Run - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a hit and run accident at North Fifth Street and East Highland Avenue at 10:48 a.m. Sunday.
Accident - A report of a non-injury accident at West Broadway Avenue and North Osage Street was investigated by a Ponca City police officer at 11:23 a.m. Sunday.
Vandalism - A Ponca City police officer took a report at 12:20 p.m. Sunday of a vehicle vandalized in the 3500 block of North Union Street.
Carelessness - A 41-year-old man was arrested by two Ponca City police officers in the 300 block of West Hartford Avenue at 12:44 p.m. Sunday on charges of leaving the scene of a property damage accident, careless driving, no insurance, driving under restriction and an improper tag.
Wreck Ends in Arrest - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 55-year-old man at the scene of a non-injury accident at East Detroit Avenue and North Fifth Street at 1:16 p.m. Sunday for driving under suspension. The officer took a report.
Collision - A non-injury accident which occurred at North Fourth Street and East Highland Avenue was reported to the Ponca City telecommunication officers at 7:02 p.m. Sunday. An officer took a report.
Stolen Property - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 36-year-old man at South Eleventh Street and East Brunswick Avenue at 10:26 p.m. Sunday for possession of stolen property. A 17-year-old girl was arrested at 5:52 a.m. Monday for grand larceny in connection to the case.
Subject Held - A 22-year-old man was arrested at a traffic stop
in the 800 block of North Fourth Street at 10:55 p.m. Sunday for driving
under suspension, no insurance, no seat belt and failure to stop at a stop
sign.
SPORTS
Ponca City played two very different games here Saturday afternoon but each were one-run wins as the 6A third-ranked Wildcats defeated both Guthrie and 5A No. 1 Hale in high school baseball action.
In the first game of the tripleheader, Ponca City built a five-run lead over Guthrie and withstood a four-run seventh to whip the Bluejays 5-4.
It was Hale which broke on top in the nightcap, taking a 5-0 lead over the Cats after defeating Guthrie 4-0 in the middle game. But the Poncans scored four in the fifth and twice more in the bottom of the seventh to escape with the 6-5 victory.
"We were very, very, very fortunate to beat Hale," said Po-Hi head coach Roydon Tilley. "They came in with 18 wins and probably haven't lost four times in the last two years."
Hale opened the window for the Ponca City comeback with a two-out error on a Rocky Hughes grounder in the fifth. Two walks followed to load the bases and then leadoff batter J.R. Fry drew an RBI walk. Junior second baseman Justin Thomas, who only an inning earlier had broken up a no-hitter with a single, blasted a bases-clearing double and the Cats were back in the game, down 5-4.
After the four-, five- and six-hole batters struck out in the sixth, the bottom of the Po-Hi order came through with the game on the line.
Hughes was hit by a pitch, Dean Hemenway picked up Ponca City's third hit of the contest with a single and the Cats were in business.
Doug Scott then flied out on a bunt attempt and Fry was intentionally walked after Hughes and courtesy runner Daniel Denny pulled off the double steal.
Fortune then smiled on the Cats.
Hughes, who was on third, mistakenly thought the squeeze was on and broke for home. Hale was ready but the catcher's pickoff throw back to third base was high and then took a bad hop in the outfield, allowing both Hughes and Denney to score the tying and winning runs.
In addition to his fine hitting, Thomas also picked up the win, coming on in relief of starter Jason Ross to start the seventh. He is now 1-0 on the season.
Ross allowed five runs on seven hits with four strikeouts, one walk and one hit batter in six full innings. Thomas allowed a one-out double in the seventh but then induced two fly outs in his inning of work.
In the first game, Ponca City (8-3) cranked out 12 hits and coasted through six innings, building a 5-0 cushion over Guthrie.
Four first-inning singles led to two runs for the Cats. Both Chris Koenig and Hughes picked up RBIs in the frame.
Ponca City scored another run in the third on an RBI single by Ross, and Ross produced an RBI sacrifice fly in the fourth as well.
A double by Thomas, who was 3-for-3 with a walk in the game, led to Po-Hi's fifth run when Shafer (2-for-3 with a walk) singled him home.
Jay Bentley (2-0), who had allowed Guthrie just two hits through six innings, was greeted with a single, a double and a two-RBI single by the first three Bluejay batters in the seventh and gave way to Ross, who picked up the save despite giving up three more singles.
The Wildcats are back in action this afternoon at Guthrie beginning at 4:30. Ponca City then returns home to host 8th-ranked Sand Springs Tuesday in a single game slated to start at 5 p.m.
Ponca City 5, Guthrie 4
Guthrie 000 000 4 - 4 8 0
Ponca City 201 101 x - 5 12 2
PC-Bentley, Ross (7) and Sullivan. Guthrie-Aitkens and Lindsey, Mays (4). WP-Bentley (2-0). SV-Ross (1). LP-Aitkens.
Ponca City 6, T. Hale 5
T. Hale 300 020 0 - 5 8 4
Ponca City 000 040 2 - 6 3 4
PC-Ross, Thomas (7) and Dodgen. Hale-Hill, Sparlin (5), Swanson (5), Kemp (6), King (7) and Baldwin. WP-Thomas (1-0). LP-King.
Golfer Rick Hartman, who scored a hole-in-one at the Ponca City Country Club course Saturday, was incorrectly identified in Sunday's sports section. The News regrets the error.