LOCAL

State Man Takes Interim Post at PTC
Governor Signs $4.8 Billion State Funding Measure
Conoco Surprises Analysts With Sizeable Earnings Profit
Hospice Director Named To National Committee
City Listens to Views about Marland Estate
Repairs Begin on Monument Road

State Man Takes Interim Post at PTC

By KRISTI HAYES

News Education Editor

After the surprise resignation of superintendent Dr. Sally Downey last week, the Pioneer Technology Center board members knew they had to think fast.

Bruce DeMuth of the Oklahoma Department of Vocational and Technical Education is the end product of their quick mind work.

Monday night, DeMuth was named interim superintendent of the local vo-tech campus.

In other action, Chuck Bayha did an about face and returned to PTC. Bayha, who resigned earlier this month as campus director, was rehired by the board.

Bayha submitted his resignation earlier this month to take a position with Ponca City schools.

DeMuth will begin his duties immediately, including a stint in his new office this morning.

“I’ve called a meeting of staff members today. I want to focus on the future of PTC. Our healing process begins today,” DeMuth said, explaining his decision to start quickly.

He also suggested the staff and board members of PTC want what is best for the district. “I want to get to know the staff here. I’ve been told that PTC has a great staff . I can’t wait to meet some of them,” he said.

Board president Larry Buck said DeMuth is at the school to help with day-to-day operations and end-of-the-year activities.

“We are fortunate to have a man of Bruce DeMuth’s quality....He will be of great assistance in finishing out the school year and making sure all tasks are being handled properly,” Buck said.

“It is important that the healing process begins at the school and Bruce is the right man for the job,” he added.

Downey remains employed with the school through June.

DeMuth, who is still under contract and receives his paycheck from the state vo-tech department, emphasized his appointment is not part of a state takeover of PTC.

“I’m not here to do a hostile takeover. Larry Buck contacted the state department and asked for their help during the transition. I’m here at the board’s request,” DeMuth explained.

He also said he will not be an applicant for the superintendent’s post.

DeMuth is the assistant state director for technology centers and business and industry services for the state vo-tech.

He is responsible for providing leadership to the divisions of technology center services, business and industry services, business and adult development, accreditation and learning technology resources.

He served as state coordinator of the area technology center division prior to accepting his current position.

DeMuth began his career in vocational education as an agriculture instructor and FFA advisor at Fairview Public Schools. He joined Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater in 1984. He left in 1994 to join the state department.

Because DeMuth is an interim appointment, the PTC has a great deal of work ahead of it.

Not only must it fill Downey’s position, it must also appoint two new board members and a new assistant superintendent.

Two weeks ago, following a due process hearing, the board voted not to renew the contract of assistant superintendent Dr. Janet Cox.

One week ago, on the day Downey resigned, two members — Larry Cannon and Bill Carmichael — withdrew from the board.

DeMuth said the two board positions must be filled as soon as possible: “We’re going to do things like Ponca City schools did. We will ask for qualified applicants to serve and then appoint someone.”

DeMuth said the two vacant positions should be filled by May 23.

Bayha said he decided to return to PTC instead of accepting a position with the Ponca City public schools because of the void at the vo-tech.

“Pioneer Tech is an excellent school and should not be placed in a position that would subject its employees and students to such a stressful, uncertain situation,” he said.

He also said PTC has dedicated teachers and support personnel, wonderful facilities and a much-needed mission. “I have been in education in Ponca City for the last 18 years and have served in three schools. Pioneer Tech is important to this community, and is important to me,” he said.

Governor Signs $4.8 Billion State Funding Measure

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Now that a $4.8 billion general funding bill has been signed into law, Gov. Frank Keating wants the Legislature to act swiftly on a sizable car tag tax cut.

As result of Keating’s signing of the general appropriations measure, state agencies are guaranteed funds to operate after the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, no matter what happens during the balance of the 2000 legislative session.

Keating called a news conference to announce the signing Monday and to campaign for a tag tax cut.

He said the Legislature has given deserved raises to teachers and state employees, ‘‘but the taxpayers so far have been left in the dust.’’ A $40 million to $45 million cut in tag fees is ‘‘very doable’’ this year, the Republican governor said.

Keating’s original budget pegged the cost of a cut in tag costs at $66.7 million. House Republicans got behind a $138 million tax-cut plan by Rep. Todd Hiett, R-Kellyville, but it died in committee.

A bill introduced by Rep. Ron Kirby, D-Lawton, cuts fees by about $11 million, but Kirby said he expects that figure to be increased.

Rep. Fred Morgan, R-Oklahoma City, said Republicans want any compromise to contain ‘‘substantial relief’’ and not cause anyone’s car tag costs to rise.

Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor, D-Claremore, is-sued a statement calling for ‘‘a responsible’’ tag bill that ‘‘protects such things as education and roads that rely on vehicle revenue.’’

Taylor released figures showing the Legislature has $182.8 million left to spend and $191 million in ‘‘obligations,’’ including commitments to education and roads.

He listed $138 million in other funding issues, including a $40 million increase for higher education and a $24 million increase for schools that were proposed by Keating.

The Senate figures do not include an estimated $95 million in tobacco settlement funds. A spokesman said a minimum of 50 percent of those funds are expected to be placed in trust.

Keating said his proposed estate tax cut could be enacted because it had no impact on the budget next year.

Conoco Surprises Analysts With Sizeable Earnings Profit

HOUSTON (Reuters) — Conoco Inc. announced Tuesday that its first quarter income more than quadrupled as stronger commodity prices provided the integrated oil company a lift and helped it beat analysts’ expectations.

The oil company, which regained its independence from DuPont Co. in 1998, said net income before special items rose to $391 million, or 62 cents a share, from $83 millions, or 13 cents, over the same period last year.

The company posted net income figures of $399 million, or 63 cents per share, for the last quarter.

“Highly profitable production growth allowed us to full capture the benefits of strong market conditions to deliver outstanding financial results for the quarter,” said Archie Dunham, Conoco chairman and chief executive officer.

Dunham was in Ponca City Monday to address Conoco employees on the company’s condition. (See story, Business Section, Page 2.)

Analysts had forecast that Conoco would earn 60 cents a share, according to First Call/Thomson Financial, which tracks estimates.

Conoco’s Class A Shares closed at 23 1/16 Monday on the New York Stock Exchange.

Conoco said revenues climbed to $8.69 billion from $5.33 billion last year after a year-long rally in crude oil prices.

While prices have recently dropped back to about $26 per barrel, crude oil peaked during the quarter at more than $30 per barrel for the first time in almost a decade.

Downstream operations performed well, given the difficult challenge of rising crude prices during the quarter, Dunham explained.

Hospice Director Named To National Committee

The National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPC0) recently announced the appointment of Melody Lahann to the Standards and Accreditation Committee. Lahann is the Executive Director of Hospice of Ponca City.

The NHPCO is the largest nonprofit membership organization representing hospice and palliative care programs in the United States; the organization advocates for the terminally ill and their families. It also develops public and professional educational programs and materials to enhance understanding and availability of hospice care, provides technical informational resources to its membership, conducts research, monitors congressional and regulatory activities, and works closely with other organizations that share an interest in end-of-life care.

The Standards and Accreditation Committee is one of only three standing committees; appointment is for a three-year term. Lahann says she is pleased about the nomination for two reasons. “I am very concerned about the quality of hospice care across the nation. Many consumers believe each hospice provides the same level of care; but, unfortunately, this is not the case. One of the priorities of this committee is to revise the current voluntary standards and then to encourage hospices to adhere to them. We at Hospice of Ponca City have worked to meet, and exceed, these standards since they were originally published several years ago.”

Lahann adds, that the appointment is also important to hospices in Oklahoma. This is the first time that a representative from any Oklahoma hospice has ever been nominated to an NHPCO standing committee.

Lahann has been director of Hospice of Ponca City since 1989. She holds master’s degrees from both the University of Illinois and Oklahoma State University. She is currently a member of Leadership Ponca City, Class of 2000..

City Listens to Views about Marland Estate

By BOB PATTERSON

News City Editor

While fireworks going off at the Ponca City Board of Commission meeting Monday failed to ignite, there were other skirmishes that officials handled.

An ad hoc committee report and public hearing on the possible removal of several structures at the Marland Estate received several comments, but none that anyone could say were strong enough to produce fireworks.

The ad hoc committee’s report included activity that would remove the conference center and hotel, restaurant, chapel and breezeway. In addition, the committee report indicated that the effort would be made to restore the grounds of the estate to its original condition.

The committee report included an estimate for the complete project, which would be executed in two phases. The first would include asbestos abatement, followed by demolition.

The asbestos abatement estimate of $270,000 was provided by Asbestos Analytics Inc., Moore. It included the asbestos survey, project design and bid manual, the abatement work, and the oversight, air monitoring, and project closeout.

The city would contract with a firm for the professional services as required by law, and bid the abatement work, very similar to what was done on the fire station. The survey, design, and bid document work would take about three weeks to prepare, a bidding period take six weeks and the actual work would require approximately 60 calendar days.

Demolition would follow right behind the abatement work. Bidding would overlap with the abatement work, and the demolition price would assume that the material disposal would be at no charge to the contractor. Estimated time to complete the demolition would be 90 days. It also was estimated that it would take $155,000 for the demolition, with a total figure of $470,000 including contingency and oversights.

Former director of the Marland Estate, John Sutton, said he was hoping the commission would take another look at the situation. “There will be no turning back when demolition begins. Has there been any consideration about the maintenance of grounds and proposed lake once they are build if demolition happens. I think you (the commission) take a long, slow look at whether this is really the way we (the public) want to go,” Sutton said.

Attorney Carolyn Smith said she was concerned about the image that had been drawn to Ponca City as a result of the conference center and hotel and all the other buildings of the Marland Estate. “Are we quitting? We don’t know what’s going to happen next week, next month or down the road, as to possible needs (for such buildings).”

John Carpenter said he had spent all night thinking about the estate “after reading about it in the Sunday paper. Many people in Ponca City have shown the estate and buildings to visitors as a valuable asset to Ponca City. This belongs to all of Ponca City. Don’t tear it down. Ask the citizens what they want to do.”

Most recent operator of the conference center, hotel, restaurant, and chapel area, David Myers said “this has really been an emotional decision for me. I would certainly want to keep it, but there is a practical situation.”

Myers said “there are tremendous needs at all of the facilities. It would take a tremendous amount of money for upkeep, the buildings are very inefficient. Improved electrical and gas for them would take approximately $1 million to fix up. Once renovations would even begin, they would have to meet other specifications, including ADA (handicap accessible) and that would be more expensive. If it just sits there, it needs to be maintained, and that’s costly. It’s not an easy decision.”

Commissioners took no action on the situation, and Mayor Tom Leonard stated that the item was only on the agenda for a public hearing.

Other Skirmishes

The one thing that commissioners had to deal with bringing a split vote, was an appeal from Lewis Warren from municipal court that ordered his tearing down a structure at 1032 North Oak Street.

Building inspector Charles Kelley noted for the commission that code enforcement was primarily doing its job to have the structure removed, since it was being built overlapping the area sought in the building permit.

Commissioners sought to deal with the matter by requesting that Warren have the work completed within 90 days. The vote was 3-2 with Mayor Leonard, joined by commissioners Dick Stone and Lyn Boyer allowing Warren to continue with his work while commissioners Chris Hand and Pam Johnson voted against.

Two New Communication Towers

The commission also approved allowing a contract with Matrix Communications Corporation to build two towers within the city limits. Commissioner Hand, who said he was against any new towers, did vote for the contract stating that this would enhance the E911 services for the city.

The towers would be located on the northeast corner of East South Avenue and South Second Street, and on the northeast corner of Bradley Avenue and Rice Street. The towers would also serve as co-location towers for Broadband PCS, Cellular, and other communication carriers.

Approval was given for awarding the construction contract to Evans and Associates for the Standing Bear Memorial Trails Phase II project in the overall amount of $763,764.70. The project is 20 percent Ponca City Native American Foundation and 80 percent federal funds, and needed the city approval as administrator for the project.

The most significant feature would be two orientation courts and the six tribal courts to be connected by a walking trail to the existing Standing Bear Trail. It will also include three-quarters of a mile of trails in the green area west of Lucas Street and north of Harding Avenue.

A recommendation from the Cultural Affairs Commission adopting universal contract form and facility rental policies for the Ponca City Cultural Center and Indian Museum, and Hutchins Memorial Auditorium, was approved.

Commissioners also received and reviewed two video reports. The first as from the police department, with chief Raymond Ham giving the narrative while the second came from the budget status on the third quarter ended March 31 as provided by financial director Mark LaBossiere.

Approval was given to amending an ordinance that would limit location, height, or setback requirements of commercial communication towers.

Also approved was an amending a section of an ordinance on imposing a late payment fee of Ponca Lake lot leases, as requested by Park and Recreation Director Jim Sindelar.

The one real fireworks issue did get approved. It authorizes contract documents with Western Enterprises Inc. and the Ponca City Fireworks Committee in the amount of $18,000 for a fireworks production on July 4 at Lake Ponca.

Commissioner Stone did say that he “would like to see us come up with some way of getting contributions from viewers.”

Consent Agenda

The commission approved the consent agenda without removing any of the items for further consideration. They had all been discussed at previous meetings or were of routine in nature.

The consent agenda items included four concerning funds on the improvements at the Lake Ponca dam project.

Also approved was an agreement for a sub-grant of emergency management preparedness grant programs funds between the state and the city.

A Hutchins Memorial fee rental for the Drug Store 2000 program during Red Ribbon Week in October was waived.

Authorization was given for contract documents on exterior repairs to the Cultural Center. Sooner Construction Company of North Central Oklahoma would provide the repairs at $17,136.

Approval was given to an application to the Oklahoma State Historic Preservation Office, Oklahoma State Historical Society, in the amount of $5,000.

Lewis Associates Architects will work on providing information concerning a basement and third floor use of the Civic Center renovation project.

The Ponca City Main Street Authority was granted $1,000 to use in promoting and advertising the Iris Festival 2000 and Cinco De Mayo Celebration to be held May 5-7.

Repairs Begin on Monument Road

Emergency repairs to a section of Monument Road will force closing of a portion of the street for approximately three days, according to Ken Parr, director of public works.

Parr reported to the Ponca City Board of Commissioners that a sewer had collapsed at the site, just on the west side of the Marland Mansion, and requested emergency action to take care of the situation.

Commissioners granted the emergency and Sober Brothers was to begin replacing approximately 525 feet of sewer line this morning. By granting the emergency, the normal bidding process was bypassed. The project is not to cost more than $30,000, according to Parr.

“We realize this will be somewhat of a problem for those who normally travel on Monument Road just to the west of the Marland Mansion, but we are happy that we’ll be able to get to the situation immediately,” Parr said. Barring delays, he said the project might take three days to complete.

DEATHS

Hazel Mae Cathey
Benjamin Lee Delaney Jr.
Wanda Broyles
Sandra Bernadette LeClair
Lethia Hamilton

Hazel Mae Cathey

Hazel Mae Cathey, longtime Ponca City resident, died Saturday, April 22, 2000, at Tender Heart Health Care Center. She was 83.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 26, at the Newkirk Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Michael Kear officiating. Arrangements are made under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Hazel Mae Cathey was born on Oct. 1, 1916, in Peckham, the daughter of Issac Newton and Daisy Myrtle (Peters) Foreman. She was raised in the Peckham and Newkirk area and attended Newkirk schools. She married Reginald Howard Hatton on Oct. 6, 1934, in Perry. They had three children; he died Feb. 6, 1945. She married Walter Alonzo Tally on Aug. 16, 1945, in Winfield. They had two children; he died April 7, 1968. She married Dea Wayne Cathey on July 6, 1965, in Miami; he died Aug. 24, 1986.

She owned and operated a restaurant in Arkansas City, Kan., for several years in the 1960s before moving to Ponca City in 1966. She retired from the restaurant business a short time later. She attended Newkirk Christian Church for many years, enjoyed cooking for her family, sewing, crocheting, and bingo. She was a member of the VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary.

Survivors include two sons, Kenneth Howard Hatton and Donald Dean Hatton of Ponca City; two daughters, Karen Sue Shurtz of Enid and Shirley Joan Bucher of Wellington, Kan.; two sisters, Daisy Cochran of West Virginia and Helen Ihnat of Houston, Texas; 15 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her parents; five brothers; six sisters; one daughter, Patricia Jolene Townsley; and two grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601 or to the charity of choice.

Benjamin Lee Delaney Jr.

Benjamin “Bennie” Lee Delaney Jr., longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday, April 23, 2000, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 47.

The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 26, at Grace Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Larry Calvert, pastor of Ranch Drive Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow at the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery. The American Legion Huff-Minor Post will conduct the honor detail.

Benjamin Lee Delaney Jr. was born Nov. 22, 1952, in Ponca City, the son of Benjamin Lee Delaney Sr. and Trannie (Rutherford) Delaney. He was raised in Ponca City and was a 1970 graduate of Ponca City High School. After graduation, he moved to Wichita, Kan., to manage several Pizza Inn restaurants. He was later drafted into the United States Army where he served for two years in top secret security at Fort McPherson in Atlanta, Ga. While in the military, he married Penny Sims in Ponca City.

After his discharge, he returned to Wichita. He later moved to Tonkawa to run a family-owned Pizza Place. He also was employed with construction crews as they built the Sooner Lake reservoir. He was then employed by Conoco, where he was medically retired in 1993. He was a member of the American Legion, a certified scuba diver, and he loved riding his motorcycle before his accident in 1993.

Survivors include his parents; one brother, Richard Delaney of Ponca City; one sister, Sue Hesket of Ponca City; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his grandparents and a nephew.

Casket bearers will be Walter Delaney, Mark Delaney, Zang White, Mike Delaney, Clancy Delaney, and Raymond Delaney.

Wanda Broyles

GROVE — Wanda “Blondie” Broyles, former Ponca City resident, died early Monday, April 24, 2000, in Grove. She was 76.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 27, at the Worley Luginbuel Funeral Home Chapel in Grove. Burial will follow in the Olympus Cemetery in Grove. Local arrangements were under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Wanda Broyles was born June 27, 1923, in Stillwater, the daughter of Finley and Rae Johnson Elmore. She moved to Grove in 1999 from Ponca City. She was a life member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and loved camping and fishing.

She married Alfred Broyles on April 11, 1942. They recently celebrated their 58th anniversary.

Survivors include her husband of the home; one daughter, Bobbie Carlson of Grove; one son, Marvin R. Broyles of Kimberling City, Mo.; one sister, Charlena Ware of Stillwater; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Good Shepherd Hospice, 2100 South Main, Grove, Okla. 74345.

Obituaries

Sandra Bernadette LeClair

Sandra “Sandy” Bernadette LeClair died on Sunday, April 23, 2000, at St. Francis Medical Center in Wichita, Kan., as a result of injuries sustained in an automobile accident. She was 22.

The family has an open invitation for all family and friends to attend dinner on Wednesday, April 26, at noon at the Ponca Indian Baptist Church. Bring your own dishes and chairs. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Ted Freeman, pastor of Ponca Indian Baptist Church, officiating assisted by the Rev. Toby A. Blackstar of Greater First Deliverance Temple. Burial will follow in the Ponca Indian Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Sandy was born June 12, 1977, in Ponca City and attended Ponca City public schools before accepting employment with the Ponca Tribal Police Department. Sandy was a certified dispatcher, receiving her certificate from FLETC IPA in Artesia, N.M. She worked as a police dispatcher for the Ponca Tribal Police Department, Tonkawa Police Department, and the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribal Police Department in Concho.

Sandy led an active, full life and enjoyed all sports. She especially liked playing softball, tennis, volleyball, shooting pool and swimming at the beach. She also enjoyed spending time with her nephews and niece and collecting police patches.

Survivors she left behind to cherish her memory include her parents, Arlington and Eleanor LeClair Sr.; her brothers, Arlington W. LeClair Jr., Joseph LeClair, Aaron C. LeClair and Arly Ryan LeClair; her aunts, Tina Youker, Iris LeClair, Sandra Howell, Cornelia LeClair, Vera LeClair and Carol LeClair; her uncles, Jessie LeClair, Rex LeClair and Ruben Hairyback; her grandfathers, Joseph Hairyback and Curtis Lieb; grandmothers, Rosetta LeClair and Charlene Lieb; nephews, Byron LeClair, Jordan Russell LeClair, Arlington W. LeClair III, Seth LeClair, Jace LeClair and Ty LeClair; and her niece, Shala Marie LeClair.

She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Pete and Ada Grant LeClair, and maternal grandmother, Marcella Arkeketa Hairyback.

Casket bearers will be Arlington W. LeClair Jr., Joseph LeClair, Aaron LeClair, B.J. Delodge, Kendall Snake and Charles Carey. Honorary bearers will be Joseph Pratt, Francis LeClair, Robert McClelland, Arly Ryan LeClair, Gloria Turner, Amelia Fox, Farah Parker and Bonnie Warrior.

Sandy was a computer enthusiast and enjoyed surfing the Internet and made many friends in the chat rooms.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Lethia Hamilton

Lethia Hamilton, Ponca City resident, died Monday, April 24, 2000, in the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 80. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

NEWS BRIEFS

Professionals Today — Members of Professionals Today will meet at noon the first and third Thursday of each month at the Western Sizzlin’ restaurant.

Elk’s Lodge open Tuesday through Saturday 4-10. 3612 Lake

Road. adv.

Buffalo Post — American Legion Buffalo Post 38 will meet at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday (today) at the Jules Valdez social services building. All members and interested persons are urged to attend this important meeting. The agenda includes selection of the princess, plans for Armed Forces Day (May 20) dance, and items for an election of officers in May.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

New Hethoska — The New Hethoska will be having a meeting Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Tribal Affairs Building. Bring a side dish.

Family Fun buy circus tickets in advance and save support the Kiwanis. adv.

Subject Held — Three officers of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 10:04 p.m. Monday that a vehicle with a suspected intoxicated driver had been stopped in the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street. The vehicle was towed, and a 24-year-old man was held for public intoxication and possession of marijuana. A juvenile girl was also taken into custody.

Vandalism to Fence — A man from the 800 block of North First Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:44 a.m. Monday that someone had knocked down part of his fence during the weekend. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Trailer Stolen — A man from the 1400 block of West South Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 8:48 a.m. Monday that a gooseneck trailer had been stolen during the weekend. An officer was assigned and a report taken.

Vehicle Vandalized — A woman from the 300 block of North Oak Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:09 a.m. Monday that the windshield of her vehicle had been broken. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Balloon Bouquets, frames, candy and candles make great Secretaries Day gifts! We deliver! Carla’s Hallmark, 405 East Grand,765-3094. adv.

Business Vandalized — A man from the 700 block of North First Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:01 a.m. Monday that the lights at the business had been vandalized. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Items Missing — A person from the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:13 a.m. Monday that some tail lights had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of South Waverly Street and U.S. 60 at 11:09 a.m. Monday that a 37-year-old man was being held for possession of methamphetamine and manufacturing methamphetamine.

Spilled Chemical — The Ponca City Fire Department responded to a request at 11:09 a.m. Monday at the intersection of South Waverly Street and U.S. 60 to take care of spilled methamphetamine chemicals. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Kay County Sheriff’s Office were also notified.

Items Missing — A woman from the 3000 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:42 a.m. Monday that two go-carts were stolen from the business over the weekend. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Every Wednesday ð price

clothes and shoes, except priced

items. Check our daily specials.

Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and

Central. adv.

Shoplifter — An employee at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:16 p.m. Monday that a juvenile girl was in custody as a shoplifter. An officer was assigned and a 13-year-old girl was held for petit larceny. A report was taken.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect

for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

House Burglarized — A woman from the 1000 block of North Third Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:44 a.m. Monday that someone had broken into a vacant house. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Banned from Library — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the Ponca City Library, 515 East Grand Avenue, at 6:59 p.m. Monday that a 29-year-old man had been banned from the Ponca City Library. A trespass warning was issued.

Accident — The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 4:26 p.m. Monday that a minor accident had occurred in the 400 block of East Grand Avenue. 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 Grand Avenue and Oak Street at 4:35 p.m. Monday that a 367-year-old man was being held on a Tulsa County warrant.

Accident — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident at the intersection of Kygar Road and Lake Road was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:28 p.m. Monday. An officer stood by until the Oklahoma Highway Patrol arrived.

Subject Held — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 8:02 p.m. Monday that a disturbance was occurring in the 1000 block of West Summit Street. Three officers were assigned and a 43-year-old man was held for domestic assault and battery.

Hit and Run — A two-vehicle accident in the 2700 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9:28 p.m. Monday. Two officers were assigned and information was logged that one vehicle had left the scene.

Accident — The Communications Center received several 911 calls at 2:18 p.m. Monday that a vehicle accident had occurred in the 3500 block of North Fourteenth Street. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken. Two vehicles were towed from the scene.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of North Ash Street and West Highland Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:29 p.m. Monday. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken. Two vehicles were towed from the scene.

LIFESTYLES

The Neighborhood Chef
Just What DO You Do With Those Eggs?
Earth Day Recycled Art Exhibition

The Neighborhood Chef

By Sherry Muchmore

The earliest history of cheesecake is lost but we know that it was already a popular dish in ancient Greece. With the Roman conquest of Greece, the secret fell into Roman hands. Thus down through the centuries the popularity of cheesecake has grown. To properly savor the richness of cheesecake, you must forget the caloric and cholesterol hazards and simply enjoy.

Perhaps you have been held back by the notion that anything that tastes so good must be difficult to make. Most cheesecakes are really quite easy. Once you’ve tried your hand at making a cheesecake and learning the basic techniques, you may well be able to surpass them with a cheesecake of your own.

By varying ingredients, proportions and baking times, you can produce a cheesecake that is heavy or light, moist or dry, cake-like or smooth, according to your own particular mood. The three recipes for cheesecake included today are some of the best cheesecakes I’ve had the pleasure of trying. Each can be enhanced with an addition of fresh fruit, chocolate or fruit sauces, and/or changing crusts to suit your own tastes. Explore the possibilities!

Mary’s cheesecake is the lightest tasting cheesecake we sampled. The texture is extremely smooth and creamy and yet, you don’t feel like you’ve just eaten thousands of calories; you have, but you don’t realize it. Mary did say this could be a low-cal dessert if all low-fat/no-fat products were used.

Cousin Louisa’s Cheesecake

Mary Rigdon, Newkirk, OK

Prepare crust: Mix:

1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (approximately

1 sleeve)

6 tablespoons butter,

melted

Press the crust mixture into a sprayed 9-inch springform pan. Set aside. Place in a large mixing bowl the following and beat until smooth.

1 1/2 pounds cream cheese, softened (3-8 ounce packages)

1 cup granulated sugar

4 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Pour cream cheese mixture into the graham cracker crust and bake in a 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Cool completely. Prepare topping by mixing:

1 pint sour cream

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Spoon the topping over the cooled cheesecake. Bake for 5 minutes at 500 degrees. Chill.

This is a great example of traditional cheesecake with an extra added taste treat from citrus combined with the nutty goodness of pecans. Every bite is a joy, full-bodied texture without being heavy. Vickie said when making this cheesecake prepare it 2 to 3 days ahead of serving for the best flavor. We agree though it’s pretty good the day it’s prepared. (When it comes to cheesecake, we couldn’t wait)

Vickie’s Cheesecake

Vickie Lawrence, PC,OK

1 cup coarsely ground pecans

1 cup crushed graham crackers (about 6 sheets)

4 tablespoons melted butter

Combine the above ingredients and press into a lightly buttered 9 or 10 inch spring form pan. We used a 10 inch pan.

Filling:

4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

4 eggs

1 tablespoon lemon juice

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and beat until completely blended. Spoon the filling into the crust. Place the spring form pan onto a cookie sheet while baking to catch any drips. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes if using a 10 inch pan or 55 minutes if using a 9 inch pan. Remove from oven and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before adding the topping.

Topping:

2 cups sour cream

1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine the above ingredients and pour over the baked cheesecake. Return to oven for another 5 minutes. Cool and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days before serving. Serves 12-14

While living in St. Louis, I frequented a little neighborhood bakery that made the best New York Cheesecake. This classic cheesecake has a complex character; it stands tall with a slightly cake-like texture. Over the years, I tried duplicating this special cheesecake but could never quite get the flavor right until about a year ago. That special something turned out to be a cool blend of lemon and orange.

New York Cheesecake

the St. Louis Way

Sponge Cake Crust:

1/2 cup cake flour, sifted

1 teaspoon baking powder

Pinch of salt

3 extra large eggs,

separated

1/3 cup, plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3 drops lemon extract

3 tablespoons unsalted

butter, melted

1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar

Butter or spray a 9-inch springform pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, beat egg yolks on high speed for 3 minutes. Continue beating and gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and continue beating until thick light-yellow ribbons form in the bowl, about 5 minutes. Beat in the vanilla and lemon extracts. Sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Sift this mixture over batter and stir in by hand. Then blend in the butter.

In another mixing bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar on high till frothy. Gradually add the remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Stir about 1/3 cup of the white mixture into the batter. Gently fold in the remaining whites. Spoon into pan and bake until the cake is golden brown and springs back when lightly touched, about 10 minutes. Make cheesecake batter while sponge cake cools.

Filling:

4 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room

temperature

1 2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon rind

2 teaspoons grated orange rind

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 extra large eggs

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

In large mixing bowl, beat 1 8-ounce package cream cheese,1/3 cup sugar and cornstarch on low for 3 minutes. Then beat in the remaining 3 packages of cream cheese. Increase speed to high and add the remaining sugar and vanilla. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Blend in the heavy cream. Don’t over mix. Gently pour over cooled crust.

Place the springform pan in a large shallow pan containing hot water that comes about 1-inch up the sides of the pan. Bake until the center barely jiggles when shake the pan, about 1 hour. Cool cake on a wire rack for 1 hour. Cover the cake with plastic wrap and refrigerate until completely cold, about 4 hours or overnight. Remove the sides of the springform pan. Place on serving plate, cover and refrigerate.

Try this topping for a change of pace, Strawberry Macaroon Crunch:

Toast the following Macaroon Crunch at 350 degrees, 10 to 15 minutes, until golden and crunchy. 1/2 cup chopped mixed nuts (almonds, pecans, and/or walnuts) and 1/3 cup angel flake coconut. Set aside and cool.

Strawberry Topping: 1 quart large ripe strawberries, 1 cup strawberry jelly, 1/3 cup apricot preserves.

Wash, dry and arrange strawberries around the outside of the cheesecake, in rows, with ends pointing toward edge of cake until cake is completely covered. To make the strawberry sauce, melt the jelly and preserves in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Strain and drizzle the warm jelly over the berries.

Sprinkle a 1 1/2 inch border around the edge of the cheesecake with the macaroon crunch. Loosely cover and refrigerate.

Send your recipes to: The Neighborhood Chef, c/o The Ponca City News, P.O. Box 191, Ponca City, OK 74602, or e-mail me at: chef@poncacitynews.com (All recipes become property of The Ponca City News.)

Just What DO You Do With Those Eggs?

(AP) — Saturday was spent boiling eggs and tinting them or shrink-wrapping them in stained glass Easter motifs, all to be hidden early next morning in the grass, up against the fence, behind a rock, under the spreading yew. Long after church services, the hunt is over; the eggs (most of them) collected in a pretty basket and traded for jellybeans and Peeps and chocolate bunnies.

Easter dinner is served, the pretty basket is put away for another year, and the eggs hidden again, this time in the fridge. Until … later in the week they are spied behind the cottage cheese and applesauce and are recycled into a tasty main course or side dish.

Tonnato sauce is traditionally served on sliced braised veal. But Marie Simmons, author of The Good Egg, says she loves the combination of canned tuna and hard-cooked eggs, so she decided to take the concept a step further and serve the sauce over hard-cooked eggs.

Egg, Tuna and Caper Salad

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1 can (3 1/2 ounces) Italian tuna in olive oil, drained

1 small garlic clove, minced

1 to 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice

Freshly ground black

pepper to taste

1 tablespoon capers, rinsed and drained

4 to 6 hard-cooked large eggs, peeled and halved lengthwise

2 tablespoons very thinly sliced scallion greens

Small sprigs of fresh dill, flat-leaf parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

In a food processor, combine the mayonnaise, tuna, garlic, lemon juice and pepper to taste and process until very smooth. Spoon into a small serving bowl and top with capers. Place the dish in the center of a platter and surround with the hard-cooked egg halves. Sprinkle with scallions and herbs, if desired. Makes 4 servings.

Chef Paul Prudhomme’s Louisiana Tastes offers a dressing with the punch of peppers, black, white, cayenne and ancho chiles for Golden Egg and Potato Salad. But the seasonings, Prudhomme says, are so carefully balanced that the real potato flavor comes right through. If you must soften the taste for tender palates, reduce the amount but not the number and, he says, you’ll still have a great salad.

Golden Egg and Potato Salad

1 tablespoon plus 3/4

teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons ground

coriander

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 3/4 teaspoons dried basil

1 3/4 teaspoons garlic powder

1 1/2 teaspoons dry mustard

1 1/2 teaspoons ground

turmeric

1 1/4 teaspoons cayenne

1 teaspoon ground dried ancho chile peppers

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon white pepper

6 hard-cooked eggs plus 1 fresh egg

3 cups chicken broth

1 can (13.5 ounces) unsweetened coconut milk

2 pounds baby white

potatoes, washed but

not peeled

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons olive oil, in all

1 1/2 cups chopped onions

1/2 cup seeded and chopped red bell peppers

1/2 cup seeded and chopped yellow bell peppers

1/2 cup seeded and chopped green bell peppers

3/4 cup chopped celery

3 tablespoons white

balsamic vinegar

2 teaspoons sugar

In a small bowl combine the salt, coriander, onion powder, basil, garlic powder, dry mustard, turmeric, cayenne, ancho, black and white peppers and set aside. Peel boiled eggs. In a large bowl, cut them into 1/2-inch pieces and set aside.

In a 5-quart pot, combine the stock, coconut milk and 3 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon of the seasoning mix. Stir well, cover and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, then add potatoes. Cover and cook until the potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes.

Remove the potatoes and set aside to cool. Reserve 1 cup of the liquid. If there is less than 1 cup, add enough water to make 1 cup. As soon as the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut them into 1/2-inch pieces and add them to the bowl with the eggs.

In a 10-inch skillet, preferably nonstick, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over high heat just until the oil begins to smoke, about 3 or 4 minutes. Add onions, bell peppers, celery and the remaining seasoning mix.

Reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon and scraping the bottom of the skillet, until the vegetables are only slightly crunchy, fading in color and with a sweet flavor from cooking in the olive oil, about 10 to 12 minutes.

Remove from heat, transfer vegetables to a plate and let them cool in the refrigerator or at room temperature. In a blender, process the fresh egg until it is light-colored, about 15 seconds. Add the remaining 1/2 cup olive oil in a slow, thin stream until it is absorbed.

Add the reserved cooking liquid, the vinegar, and sugar and continue to process, scraping down the sides of the blender, until the ingredients are combined into a mayonnaise, about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes.

Add the cooled vegetable mixture to the bowl of potatoes and eggs. Add the mayonnaise and stir gently but thoroughly until the ingredients are evenly distributed and coated with the mayonnaise. Serve immediately at room temperature or refrigerate until cold. This should be eaten the day it is made. Makes 7 servings.

Earth Day Recycled Art Exhibition

EARTH DAY ART exhibition is now open to the public at the Marland Mansion Artist Studio. Hours today through April 28 are 2-5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Across the world various groups, as well as individuals, are doing what they can to reuse, recycle, and protect the environment as part of Earth day activities. Locally, Environmental Art for Earth Day was sponsored by Ponca City Tomorrow’s Environmental Committee. School students and other interested individuals submitted items for the exhibit using the theme “Reflections on Roadside Art.” Pictured are three of the exhibits. At left is Phoenix by Jonathan foster and Lisa Kasper from Blackwell High School; center is ????, and at right is “Ax-E-Dent” created by students at Garfield Academy.

BUSINESS

Conoco CEO Lauds Firms Employees
Three Special Events Planned By PC Chamber
District Court

Conoco CEO Lauds Firms Employees

A presentation by Conoco CEO on April 18 here to the employees at the Conoco Complex began with a video “The Energy That Moves You.” Archie Dunham said “The video gives you a sense of how quickly Conoco is moving to get to the future first. We plan to show this video to our shareholders when they meet in Houston in May.”

Excerpts from Dunham’s presentation follows. “The past couple of years have certainly been challenging, and I want to thank each of you for supporting our drive for independence. It’s wonderful being an independent Conoco again. I’m very proud that we’ll be celebrating our 125th anniversary this year on May 20.

“And we deserve to celebrate. We’re in an extremely tough business — fiercely competitive, full of risk — but also one with multiple opportunities for companies that are creative, highly skilled and committed to excellence. The energy business is like a high-stakes road race.

“And what about Conoco? We have an advantage against the upper-majors. They may have a lot of horsepower, but Conoco is responsive, lean and fast. We can be more aggressive. We’re able to move around obstacles more easily. We can accelerate ahead of the pack when an opening appears.

“And now the race is about to begin. I believe we’re off to a great start and our 1999 performance proves it. Over all the Conoco 1999 financial report shows that the shareholder return is 22 percent; the net income is $2.2 billion, and the ROCE is over 11 percent.”

The over all Conoco operating highlights include record refinery throughput; nine percent increase in production; 50 percent exploration success rate and 164MM BOE reserves additions.

Ponca City Highlights

Dunham told employees here “Your work here in Ponca City has certainly contributed to Conoco’s success. I’d like to congratulate you on some of the areas where your efforts have made a positive difference.

“The refinery had record crude runs in late 1999 and early 2000, and optimization and uptime were excellent. These are both important business improvements. At the same time you’ve gone 100 days without an employee or contractor recordable accident.”

He added, “Technology had a great year in safety, reaching the four million hour mark without a lost time accident. Also, they had no recordable injuries in 1999 — a great accomplishment.

“Marketing achieved impressive growth, including a record branded gasoline sales volume of 1.3 billion gallons, and the addition of nearly 170 new dealers — 80 percent of them in our targeted marketing area.”

New Pipeline Activity

Dunham continued, “In an example of great teamwork, the transportation/pipeline group worked with our crude traders in Houston to physically connect the Ponca City refinery to both Canadian and Gulf Coast supply sources. The move will address the plant’s disadvantage in feed stock costs. Cheaper crude oil from both regions will begin arriving here this summer.

“I’m very excited about our new carbon fibers business, which will provide new opportunities for Conoco and major economic development for the Ponca City community.

“Conoco’s gas-to-liquids project is another undertaking that shows great promise. The team here has done a terrific job in advancing that technology.

“I was very pleased to learn that 193 Ponca City employees are enrolled in the Diversity University program, 88 have earned degrees, 64 associates, 18 bachelors and five masters. Two employees, Albert Peck of Downstream Technology and Cindy Stephens of M&S, have earned doctorates. That’s commitment!”

Global Teamwork

Dunham, talking about the future said, “For each of our facilities to be successful, we must build strong, interdependent relationships and a ‘team spirit’ across our global operations. A good example of global teamwork in refining is in the work of the Manufacturing Reliability and Maintenance Leadership teams. These teams have been working over the past few years to establish critical metrics and to benchmark our performance in manufacturing reliability — and we’re beginning to see the benefits of that effort.

“I’m also very pleased to see the positive impact of sharing best practices throughout refining.

“Mark Korsmo and Stan Jones with the Manufacturing Reliability and Maintenance Leadership teams, respectively, have done an excellent job of measuring performance and sharing results across the company.”

Then Dunham challenged the employees saying, “Now, for us to take our reliability performance to the next level, we need each and every one of you to stay focused on what you personally can do to help ensure that we’re operating reliably and safely.”

Three Special Events Planned By PC Chamber

Three upcoming special events have been slated by the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce for members beginning with the Third Annual Secretary’s Day Appreciation slated for Wednesday.

The event is set from 10 a.m., to noon at the Chamber Conference Room, 420 East Grand. Refreshments will be served and secretaries will have an opportunity to sign up for special prizes, drawings and gifts. Participation is free to Chamber members. Each secretary will receive a special gift bag. Cable One is the sponsor.

Breakfast of Champions

On May 5th, Breakfast of Champions will present an Overview of the Oklahoma P.R.I.D.E. Program. This is slated at the Ponca city High School Assembly Center, Fifth and Overbrook. Breakfast will be served starting at 7:15 a.m., and the program begins at 7:30 a.m. Admission is $5.

Reservations are required and will be taken on a first come basis. All reservations will be billed to Chamber members. For reservations call 765-4400.

Brenda Reneau Wynn

On May 31 a Safety Seminar featuring Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau Wynn has been scheduled. Registration must be received by May 24. The seminar is to be held at Proteens Grand Central Station, Fifth and Central. The cost to attend the luncheon is $5.

Sponsors of the event are the Small Business Council, Health and Medical Committee of the Chamber.

District Court

Cleveland Promoted

Tom P. Cleveland, Ponca City, has been promoted to district manager for Modern Woodmen of America. Modern Woodmen is a fraternal life insurance society headquartered in Rock Island, Ill. The organization offers life insurance and annuities for family financial security and fraternal service programs for communities.

Hosts Broadcast

Mary Maddux, the Edward Jones investment representative at 900 East Prospect, will host a broadcast for individual investors Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. The broadcast, titled Why Buy Bonds Today if the Fed’s Still Raising Rates? will be a live program to Edward Jones branch offices nationwide via the firm’s private satellite network.

For more information on the broadcast or to reserve a seat for this free program, contact Mary Maddux at (580-762-1977). Edward Jones’ interactive web site is located at www.edwardjones.com.

Chamber Web Page

The Chamber Web Site is a benefit to Chamber members. Under the business directory and yellow page section will only list chamber members, that is where the links come in. However under other sections the chamber will list clubs and organizations, restaurants, hotels, real estate and others, who are not members.

Named to Diamond Society

Dave Simmons, Tom Stracener and Susan Pollard of Coldwell Banker Heritage, REALTORS has been chosen as members of the company’s International Diamond Society — an honor bestowed upon the top 20 percent of the more than 70,000 Coldwell Banker sales associates world wide.

Simmons and Stracener have been long time sales associates for Coldwell Banker Heritage. Pollard joined the company in 1998. They each have attended Coldwell Banker university courses. Simmons has also served as associate director and on various committees for the Ponca City Board of Realtors. Stracener is currently treasurer and chairman of the Multiple Listing Services and has been honored as Realtor associate of the year. Pollard is active on the board and involved in several community projects. “They’ve been a great asset to our team,” says Jane Wilson, broker. The office is located at 424 South Fourteenth, and has been serving the community and surrounding areas for 21 years.

SPORTS

Cat Golfers Win Again
PC Baseballers Stumble
OSU Golfers Lead Big 12 Tournament
State Sports

Cat Golfers Win Again

BARTLESVILLE — Ponca City’s Wildcat golfers won their third tournament championship of the season Monday and had still another medalist.

Nathan Coats posted a 75-74—149 total in the 36-hole tournament to led the Wildcats past nine other teams in the Bartlesville Invitational. Coats won medalist honors by five strokes over Eric Moore of Owasso.

The Wildcats posted a 314-303—617 score, beating out host Bartlesville, which shot 316-397—623, for the team title.

Ponca City’s Matt Waddell, the Frontier Conference medalist a week ago, was third in the individual standings over the Adams Course with a 79-75—154.

Following Coats and Waddell for the Wildcats were Matt Ellis at 82-75—157, Louie Girardi with 79-79—158 and David Maddox with 81-80—161.

Stillwater was a distant third in the team scoring with 640 while Jenks had 645 and Owasso at 647.

Using balanced scoring, the Wildcats have now won two tournaments in a row and head into the regional tournament at Owasso’s Bailey Ranch next Monday on a roll.

The top three regional teams advance to the state tournament May 8-9 at Norman’s Jimmy Austin course.

Team Scoring

Ponca City 314-303—617, Bartlesville 316-307—623, Stillwater 327-313—640, Jenks 319-326—645, Owasso 323-324—647, Muskogee 328-323—651, Tulsa Union 344-322—666, Sapulpa 355-329—684, Sand Springs 363-349—712, Broken Arrow 358-350—718

Individuals

Nathan Coats (PC) 149, Eric Moore (Ow) 154, Matt Waddell (PC) 154, Ross Novak (B) 154, Mitch Cohlmia (J) 155,

PC Baseballers Stumble

BARTLESVILLE — Ponca City’s hitting woes continued Monday as they managed just three hits in a 4-1 loss to Bartlesville.

The Wildcats have now lost seven of their last nine games and fell to 14-18 on the season.

Once again the Cats made contact but couldn’t get the ball to fall in. Bartlesville pitcher Brian Mueggenberg, in addition to giving up just three hits, struck out five and allowed just five balls out of the infield.

The Cats bunched two of those hits for their only run in the third inning. With one out, Jerrod Spears beat out an infield single and moved to second on J. Michael Sharon’s ground out. Bryan Coppock came through with a single down the left field line, scoring Spears.

The only other Ponca City hit was a two-out single by Chris McCool in the sixth.

Bartlesville scored a run in each of the first two innings and countered Ponca City’s tally with two runs in the bottom of the third on a two-run home run by Brian Dunlap.

Ponca City pitcher Jeff Furnas did not give up another hit the rest of the way, but the Wildcat bats didn’t respond. Furnas struck out four, walked two and was touched for six hits in the loss.

The Wildcats were back on the road today for a single game at Edmond Memorial, before playing their final home game Thursday against Tulsa Union.

The Cats will play at Putnam City North Friday and at Enid Saturday before taking part in the regional tournament at Owasso May 2-6

OSU Golfers Lead Big 12 Tournament

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Oklahoma State shot a Big 12 Tournament record two-round score of 559 to take the lead after the first 36 holes of the Big 12 Men’s Golf Championship.

The Cowboys’ second-round score of 272 Monday also set a Big 12 Tournament record for one round, bettering the previous mark of 279 by Texas in last year’s third round. The two-round score of 559 broke the record of 570 set by Kansas last year.

Defending Big 12 Tournament champion Kansas was second with a 569, followed by Texas in third with a 572.

Individually, Oklahoma State junior Charles Howell led the pack with a Big 12 Tournament record 132 after shooting a 66 in both rounds. His two-round score is three strokes better than the previous Big 12 Tournament record of 135 recorded by Oklahoma State’s Leif Westerberg in 1997 (67-68).

Howell’s 66s tied the tournament record for a one-round score first set by Colorado’s Matt Call in the 1999 third round.

Texas A&M’s Sean Gilliland was second with a 137. Bryan Milberger of Kansas State, Ryan Vermeer of Kansas and Edward Loar of Oklahoma State were tied for third at 140.

The tournament concludes Tuesday with the final 18 holes.

Team Standings

1. Oklahoma State 287-272-559 2. Kansas 287-282-569 3. Texas 286-286-572 4. Texas A&M 284-289-573 5. Colorado 285-292-577 6. Texas Tech 291-291-582 7. Baylor 292-292-584 8. Oklahoma 296-291-587 9. Kansas State 297-291-588 10. Missouri 297-295-592 11. Iowa State 304-299-603 12. Nebraska 304-306-610.

Low 10 Individual scores

Charles Howell, Okla. St. 66-66-132

Sean Gilliland, Texas A&M 70-67-137

Bryan Milberger, Kansas St. 71-69-140

Ryan Vermeer, Kansas, 72-68-140

Edward Loar, Oklahoma St. 72-68-140

J. J. Wall, Texas 71-70-141

Andy Stewart, Kansas 71-71-142

Casey Harbour, Kansas 70-72-142

Matt Brost, Texas 69-73-142

State Sports

Hybl No. 2

NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma sophomore Nate Hybl came out of the Sooners’ spring drills as the backup quarterback to Josh Heupel. Hybl replaces senior Patrick Fletcher in the No. 2 spot.

Offensive coordinator Mark Mangino says he expects the competition for the second-team quarterback spot to continue into the fall.

‘‘He had a better later part of spring. It doesn’t mean there won’t be changes in the fall,’’ Mangino said.

Fletcher had finished last season and entered spring practice as No. 20. Hybl, who sat out last season after transferring from Georgia, had better scrimmages than Fletcher or redshirt freshman Jason White.

Hybl completed 26 of 44 passes for 273 yards with one interception and three touchdowns in three scrimmages. Fletcher was 18-of-40 for 123 yards with three interceptions and three touchdowns. White was 14-of-33 for 106 yards with two interceptions.

Tulsa Signs Albanian

TULSA. (AP) — Tulsa gains skill and size with the signing of 6-foot-10 junior college transfer Ermal Kuqo, coach Bill Self says.

Kuqo, a native of Tirana, Albania, averaged 15 points and 9.4 rebounds per game as a freshman at Fort Scott (Kan.) Community College last season. He shot 58 percent from the field and 38 percent from 3-point range before sitting out the final three games of the season with a knee injury.

‘‘E.K. has great potential,’’ Self said in announcing the signing Monday. ‘‘He is big and skilled, very similar to Brandon (Kurtz) in skill level, but is stronger and has a bigger body.’’

Coach Won’t Be Back

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The man who coached Oklahoma City University to the past two NAIA women’s basketball championships won’t get a chance to try to make it three in a row.

Kent Stanley’s contract will not be renewed when it expires June 30, the university said Monday.

OCU had suspended Stanley with pay on April 10 while the school conducted an inquiry, reportedly because players say Stanley verbally abused them.

‘‘My family and I have been deeply hurt by the things that have been said and by the way that the university has chose to handle this,’’ said Stanley, who recently completed his fifth season as head coach. ‘‘My records of graduation for student athletes and on-court success speak for themselves.’’