LOCAL

Cox PTC Hearing Date Changed
Former Member Of Roustabouts To Perform Here
Fire Hydrant Tests Over Entire City Begin Monday

Cox PTC Hearing Date Changed

The date of the due process hearing, requested by Pioneer Technology Center assistant superintenent Dr. Janet Cox, has been changed.

The new date is April 10. That is three days earlier than the original April 13 hearing. The time remains the same at 6 p.m.

Board president Larry Buck said the date was changed because of a scheduling conflict for one board member.

“One of our board members was going to be out of town on April 13. We absolutely want all board members to be there,” he said.

Cox submitted a letter to Larry Cannon, board clerk, requesting a due process hearing on March 25. That is when the tentative date of April 13 was arranged.

Cox requested thre hearing after board members voted 3-2 in mid-March to take no action on renewing her contract. She asserted board members voted not to renew her contract, then voted 3-2 to take no action. PTC superintendent Dr. Sally Downey backed up Cox’ assertion.

Cox will be represented at the hearing by attorney Phyllis Walta of Hennessey.

Derrin K. Hiatt of the Ponca City law firm of Baumert, Cummings and Hiatt will serve the board as special counsel at the hearing.

Buck said Gary Bracken, board attorney, spoke with Walta and the new date was set jointly. “As far as I know, this date has been set by both parties,” he said.

He also said if the hearing takes more than one night, it will roll over to the following night (April 11). Because of that possibility, the date for the next regular board meeting was switched to April 18.

“I hope we can get everything finished in one night,” Buck said. “But, we certainly need to take the time and have everything presented to the board fairly.”

Cox was not available for comment.

The hearing will be conducted during open session. Buck said people were presently being interviewed on both sides.

The Ponca City News reported a story on Jan. 11, 2000, after receiving an anonymous letter from employees at PTC. The employees drafted a letter of no confidence for Cox and superintendent Dr. Sally Downey.

Since then, board members offered Downey a three-year contract extension, but did not offer her a salary increase.

The board also took no action on Cox’s contract at two different board meetings.

Former Member Of Roustabouts To Perform Here

Pizzazz at the Poncan will host a variety of talent including guest artist Julie Goodger, a senior vocal music education major at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

Goodger studies voice with Marilyn Govich and participates in the Edmond Community Chorale. Before going to UCO, Goodger attended Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa and studied voice under Marianne Priboy. She was a two-year member of the traveling show troupe The Roustabouts, performed with the Ponca City Orchestra and played a wolf in the musical The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood.

In addition, she studied 10 years with Joyce Braly of Blackwell, performed twice at the McSwain Theater in Ada, performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City, and was in a national competition for upcoming contemporary Christian artists in Las Vegas.

Pizzazz at the Poncan will be 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at all local banks and the Chamber of Commerce.

Fire Hydrant Tests Over Entire City Begin Monday

The Ponca City Fire Department began testing fire hydrants Monday and will continue until all of the hydrants have been checked within the city limits. The project should be completed by May.

The department will do sections of the city throughout the week, Monday through Thursday, and then go to those areas again the following week, until the testing area is completed.

On Mondays, the department will be working the west side of Union street to the west of the city limits, from Harding Avenue to the south side of Hartford Avenue.

Tuesdays, the department plans to be on the east side Union Street to the west side of Fourteenth Street, from Harding Avenue to the south side of Highland Avenue.

The Wednesday area will be the west side of Fourteenth Street to the east side of Union Street, from the north side of Highland Avenue to Hubbard Road. This section also includes the area west of Union Street from Hartford Avenue to Prospect Avenue.

The area to be tested on Thursdays will be on the east side of Fourteenth Street, to the east of the city limits.

There will be no testing on Fridays.

While checking hydrants, the water may become somewhat rust colored. Therefore, all residents should check for water discoloration or should refrain from washing their clothing on the days that the hydrants are being checked in their areas.

More information may be obtained from Fire Chief Gary Denny, 767-0368.

DEATHS

Leo W. Gardner
Allan B. Cortright
Bessie Marie Chambers
James W. Overby Jr.

Leo W. Gardner

BLACKWELL — Leo W. “Dink” Gardner, resident of Tonkawa, died Saturday, April 1, 2000, in the Willowhaven Nursing Home in Tonkawa. He was 81.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, April 6, at the Isabella Cemetery in Isabella with the Rev. Rick Longcrier of the First Baptist Church in Blackwell officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home. There will be a flag presentation at the graveside. Family and friends may visit at the funeral home from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday.

Leo W. Gardner was born Oct. 27, 1918, in Prairie Grove, Ark., the son of Jim and Mary Kate (Centers) Gardner. He moved from Arkansas to Alva with his parents as a small boy, where he lived for a short time. He married Mabel Edna Canaday on Sept. 24, 1938, in Alva, and they settled there for a short time.

He entered the U.S. Army on Aug. 31, 1944, and served with the 63rd Infantry on the front lines in Germany during World War II. He received the Bronze Star for bravery and was discharged with the 254th Infantry on Nov. 9, 1945.

He and his wife lived in various towns in Kansas and Oklahoma until 1964, when they moved to Southwest City, Mo., living there for 27 years. In 1991, they moved to Tonkawa to make their home. His wife preceded him in death Aug. 4, 1995, and he remained in Tonkawa. He was a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the American Legion, both of Southwest City, Mo.

Survivors include two daughters, Madge Johnson of Seattle. Wash., and Kathy Watkins of Newton, Kan.; a son, Rocky Gardner of Chandler; 10 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, and three brothers, Pat Gardner, Jack Gardner and Dean Kelley.

Services Pending

Allan B. Cortright

Allan B. Cortright, 1509 North Woodland, died Sunday, April 2, 2000, at his home. He was 84. Survivors include his wife, Dixie of the home. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

Bessie Marie Chambers

Bessie Marie Chambers, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday, April 1, 2000, at Integris Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City. She was 71. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

Funerals

Tuesday

James W. Overby Jr.

James W. Overby Jr. — Funeral at 10 a.m. in the chapel of Trout Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Otoe-Missouria Indian Cemetery.

LIFESTYLES

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None

NEWS BRIEFS

Free Clothing Tonight — Free clothing tonight to anyone with a need. Grand opening in a new location at 440 Fairview, formerly and still a ministry of the First Assembly of God Church — a new facility is located across the street west of the church. In case of bad weather, the giveaway will be canceled.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 7:23 a.m. Saturday that a 20-year-old woman was being held for failure to pay.

Bicycle Stolen — A man from the 700 block of East Albany Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:06 a.m. Saturday that a bicycle had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — The Communications Center received several 911 calls at 12:33 p.m. Saturday that an accident had occurred in the 900 block of East Prospect Avenue. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department were assigned and a report was taken. Two vehicles were towed from the scene.

Theft and Arrest — A clerk at a firm in the 500 block of West Highland Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:19 p.m. Saturday that a man had taken a half-gallon of wine and left without paying. An officer was assigned, a report was taken and a subject was later located. Another officer responded to the scene at East Cleveland Avenue and North Sixth Street, where a 17-year-old boy was taken into custody for minor in possession, petit larceny, and public intoxication.

Accident — The Communications Center received a call at 3:38 p.m. Saturday that a one-vehicle accident had occurred at the intersection of Badlands Road and Oklahoma 156.

Vandalism — A woman from the 200 block of North Ash Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:48 p.m. Saturday that a window had been broken out of the residence. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident was reported in the 100 block of North Union street at 8:39 p.m. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of North Osage Street and West Highland Avenue at 10:39 p.m. Saturday that a 34-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of East Oklahoma Avenue and South Ninth Street at 12:26 a.m. Sunday that an 18-year-old man was being held on a city warrant for failure to pay.

Hit and Run — The Communications Center received a report at 1:09 a.m. Sunday from the 2900 block of North Fourteenth Street that a subject pulling a white horse trailer had hit the building and left the scene.

Hit and Run — A man from the 300 block of West Grand Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:16 a.m. Sunday that a vehicle had hit the building and cracked the glass. Information was logged.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of West Grand Avenue and Pine Street at 1:31 a.m. Sunday that a 38-year-old woman was being held on a Kay County warrant.

Theft — A clerk from Citgo, 400 East South Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:08 a.m. Sunday that two men had taken two 30-packs of beer and left east bound without paying. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of West Park Avenue and North Union street at 3:53 a.m. Sunday that a 19-year-old woman was being held for DUI and driving left of center.

Theft — A clerk at Citgo, 400 East South Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:30 a.m. Sunday that subjects that had taken beer earlier returned and took some more. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Burglary — A person from the 3600 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:42 a.m. Sunday that a business had been burglarized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Burglary — A man from the 300 block of Wren Drive reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:07 a.m. Sunday that his vehicle had been broken into. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Burglary — A man from the 400 block of South Oak Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:05 p.m. Sunday that his residence had been broken into. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Vandalism — A woman from the 500 block of West Otoe Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:14 p.m. Sunday that a window of her vehicle had been broken. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Hit and Run — A woman from the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:20 p.m. Sunday that her vehicle had been hit by another that left without stopping. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Vehicle Burglarized — A man from the 2200 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:09 p.m. Sunday that his vehicle had been burglarized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Building Vandalized — A person from the 800 block of South Pecan Road reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:24 p.m. Sunday that a building at the GOOFS field had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft and Arrest — A clerk at Maurices, 2100 block of North Fourteenth Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:36 p.m. Sunday that two woman had taken two pair of pants and two other items and left without paying. Two officers were assigned, stopped an identified vehicle in the 700 block of North Fourteenth Street, and took into custody, an 18-year-old woman for possession of stolen property.

Fire — The Communications Center received a call from the White Eagle Police Department at 4:20 p.m. Sunday that a transformer was on fire. A unit from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the scene and handled the situation.

Burglary — A man from the 1100 block of East South Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:10 p.m. Sunday that the back door of a business had been found open. Two officers were assigned and a burglary report was taken.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident in the 2800 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 6:08 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Unit Damaged — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 6:09 p.m. Sunday that the unit he was driving had been damaged while at the VFW, 3000 block of East Prospect Avenue.

Accident — A person from the 2500 block of East Hartford Avenue reported at 6:56 p.m. Sunday that a vehicle had hit a utility pole and that the subject got out and ran. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. The vehicle was towed from the scene.

Burglary — A man from the 3600 block of Bellflower reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:01 p.m. Sunday that the residence had been burglarized. An officer was assigned and a second degree burglary report was taken.

Theft — A clerk at EZ Mart, 2225 North Fourteenth Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:28 p.m. Sunday that two juvenile boys had taken two 30-packs of beer and other items and left without paying. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of South Seventh Street and East Oklahoma Avenue at 10:48 p.m. Sunday that a 23-year-old man was being held for having no driver’s license. A vehicle was towed from the scene.

Theft and Arrest — A clerk at Triple T, 201 West Hartford Avenue, reported at 11:32 p.m. Sunday that a subject had taken two 30-packs of beer, a carton of cigarettes, and $13.05 worth of gas without paying. Three officers were assigned and stopped an identified vehicle in the 1400 block of North Union Street and took into custody a 32-year-old man for grand larceny and public intoxication. Two juvenile boys were also taken into custody.

Accident — A man from the 800 block of North Osage Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:43 p.m. Sunday that an accident had occurred. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Racing Trailer Stolen — The Blackwell Police Department reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:08 a.m. Monday that someone had stolen an enclosed racing trailer from a car dealer lot in Blackwell. The information was logged.

Disturbance — The Ponca City Police Department received a call at 1:50 a.m. Monday that a disturbance had occurred in the 700 block of North Osage Street. Three officers were assigned and an assault and battery report was taken.

Theft — A clerk at Citgo, 320 west Grand Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:19 a.m. Monday that two men had taken a 12-pack of beer without paying. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

SPORTS

Sooners Gain Split With Horns
Golf Notes

Sooners Gain Split With Horns

NORMAN (AP) — No. 3 Texas and Oklahoma split a doubleheader in Big 12 baseball action Sunday.

The Longhorns beat Oklahoma 18-5 in the first-game, which was stopped after seven innings because of the 10-run rule.

Texas led 7-5 when the Longhorns broke out with 11 runs in the top of the seventh.

Rightfielder Matt Rosenberg paced the Longhorns on the day, going 4-for-10 at the plate with five runs scored and four RBIs.

Right-hander Beau Hale (7-2) got the win for Texas in the first game, giving up 8 hits in seven innnings of work.

The Sooners’ Austin Coose (3-5) was the loser, giving up seven runs on five hits in six innings.

Oklahoma (18-14, 6-6 Big 12) rebounded by winning the second game 11-to-7 as first baseman Rick Park led the offense by going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI.

Park finished the day 5-for-8 with three runs scored and four RBIs.

Austin Mix (6-1) was the winning pitcher for Oklahoma in the second game, giving up six hits in eight innigs. Ryan France (2-1) was the loser for Texas (29-6, 14-3 Big 12).

Game 1

Visitor 400 030 11 — 18 14 2

Home 005 000 0 — 5 8 2

Hale and Anderson; Coose, Cherry and Eliot. W—Hale 7-2. L—Coose 3-5. Sv—None. HRs—Park (7).

Game 2

Texas 110 220 001 — 7 9 2

Oklahoma 005 500 01 — 11 16 1

France, Frizzell, Jones, Clark, Thames and Hubele; Mix, Bajenaru and Haggard. W—Mix 6-1. L—France 2-1. Sv—None. HRs—Rosenberg. Lekse (1), Whiteman

Golf Notes

Wentz Tournament

The first tournament of the year for the Lew Wentz Men’s Golf Association will be a one-day, four-man scramble Saturday, according to golf pro Mark Hilyard.

Golfers are to make up their own teams, with an entry fee of $40 per team. Golfers must be members of the Men’s Golf Association to participate and the deadline for entry is Thursday at 6 p.m.

Any questions, call the golf shop at Wentz, 767-0433.