From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, April
8, 1997
LOCAL
Several Voice Concerns On Future of Coach Rehl
Approve Bids For Two Area Road Projects
County Officials Hoping Plan Would Keep DHS in Newkirk
County in 'Fortunate Position' for Benefits
County Seeking Reimbursement Of $333,562
Latest Blood Donation Procedure Allows Donor to Assist Area Patients Two-Fold
Free Fair Board Election Called For April 17
Hazardous Materials Course Completed
DEATH
Clythel Rebecca Hodges
Diana Justin Vickery
Mary Francis Taylor
Bonnie Shipes
Wanda Geraldine Clemens
Obituaries
Betty Jo Endicott
Services Pending
Joseph E. Platt
Dale Lesemann
Francies G. Baker
Elizabeth Rowe
Memorial
Barbara A. Brunkau
NEWS BRIEFS
BUSINESS
Conoco Engineers Earn Cisco Ranking
Pet Chauffeur Offers Unique Service for Pets
Grand Galleria In Old Moore's
Four Commercial Permits Issued
Unemployment Down in County
Area Legislators On Forum Program
Sooner Power Plant Employees To Be Honored for OG&E Service
LIFESTYLES
Week of Young Child Activities Include Rally
PreSchool Unit Meets
SPORTS
Chronister Accepts Collinsville Position
Unbeaten Hughes Wins Again
Track Meet Postponed
By KRISTI GRABEAL
News Education Editor
Longtime girls basketball coach Larry Rehl may be forced out of his coaching duties at Ponca City High School according to concerns voiced during public comments at Monday nights board meeting.
Although the board made no comments during the meeting, the school system is expected to make a statement concerning the future of his coaching on Wednesday.
Don Boles, Darla McGuire and Donna Evans all spoke on behalf of Larry Rehl, saying that he was an asset to the district and school system. They did not understand why his coaching abilities were questioned. All three spoke about the low numbers that participate in girls basketball every year and that that should have no bearing on the future of his coaching. Darla McGuire told the board, "Coach Rehl can only do his part and the students must do theirs." She went on to say that it was unfair that the school district would not tell anyone exactly what was going on.
During public comment, Sherol Hovis addressed the board concerning Po-Hi Memorabilia. Hovis, a 1959 Po-Hi graduate, feels that the school system should designate a spot in the library at the high school for memorabilia concerning athletics, academics and curriculum. He spoke about a recent conversation on WBBZ with Coach Earl Sullins stating that those interviews would be placed on CD-ROM and hopefully added to the library so that students can hear about the past of Po-Hi. Hovis also asked the board to name the old fieldhouse the Grady Peninger fieldhouse. He felt that it was time to repay him for all he did for the wrestling program at the high school.
Other Business
Several change orders were approved for the new Lincoln Elementary and Math/Science/Business Center.
Change orders for the Math/Science/Business Center total $19,338 and include: electrical modifications, electrical paneling, changing temporary wall and relocating TV outlets. This money will be taken out of the Budget Contingency fund. As of Monday, the center was 58 percent complete.
Change orders for the new Lincoln Elementary School total $2,827. The changes include expanding joints in the walls, and relocating the gas meter. This money will also be taken out of the Budget Contingency fund.
Dr. Bill White, Superintendent of Ponca City Schools, presented the April Employee of the Month Awards. Linda Helm, District Alternative Education teacher, received the certified award; John Knight, Child Nutrition employee, received the support award and Smith Home Furnishings received the friend of education award.
Approval was given to the consent calendar. Travel requests were granted to Randa Bloomfield, Judy Throop, Jan Mallory, Sandra Harrison, Deanna Varner, Donna Clark and Jane Balfanz to attend the National IRA Convention being held in Atlanta on May 4. Requests have also been approved for Jerry Hill, Rick Sodowsky and Terry Henderson to go to the University of Nebraska April 17-20.
Accident insurance will continue to be available to parents. The approval means that accident insurance is available for any parent who would like to have coverage for their child. The accident insurance options are for school time only or for 24 hour accident coverage.
An agreement will continue with First Lutheran School to continue offering 8th grade athletics. During the past two years, the school system has allowed interested First Lutheran students in the 8th grade to participate with district 8th grade students in the football, tennis, golf and cross country athletic programs. According to Rusty Benson, athletic director, this is a great opportunity for many children at First Lutheran.
Renewing the license and system support agreement with the HOSTS Corporation was approved. The HOSTS Language Arts Program License and System Support Agreement is for Garfield Elementary School for the school year ending June 30, 1998. The annual license fee is $5,400. The agreement includes product updates, retraining of existing personnel or training of replacement personnel.
The 1997 Summer School Program schedules were approved with the exception of adding geography and keyboarding. The district will be offering summer school programs for grades 9-12. Chuck Bayha, assistant principal at the Senior High School, is the administrator in charge of summer school and told the board that enrollment is already occurring at the high school. It takes 18 students for a class to be offered during the summer.
The board voted unanimously to offer a child nutrition summer food service program at the old Lincoln Elementary School for the summer of 1997. This program will be sponsored by the USDA and is designed to be a "break even" operation. The intent of the program is to provide a "free" lunch for all children ages 1-18, regardless of race, income status, or any other characteristic that would lend itself to favor any one type of child. Dr. White also informed the board that Garfield Elementary may also serve lunch depending on the availability.
The board convened into executive session at 10 p.m. to discuss the future employment of all certified teachers. After returning at 11 p.m., the board approved all contracts with certified teachers.
The meeting adjourned at 11:15 p.m. and the next special board meeting will be held April 28 at 6:30 p.m.
OKLAHOMA CITY - Contracts to repave 12 miles of two federal highways in Noble County were awarded Monday.
According to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation resurfacing work on U.S. 177 and U.S. 77 will be done this summer.
U.S. 177 will be resurfaced with asphalt from the west junction of Oklahoma 15, (east of Red Rock) northerly for 6.6 miles.
U.S. 77 will be resurfaced with asphalt from about eight-tenths of a mile north of the junction of Oklahoma 156 northerly for 5.3 miles.
The state Transportation Commission awarded both contracts, which totaled $1,198.454, to Bellco Materials. The Nowata company was the sole bidder for both jobs.
Construction will start in six to eight weeks, and will require about a month and a half to complete.
Currently in Noble County, the bridge on U.S. 177 that spans Red Rock Creek is being replaced, and the bridge over the Salt Fork River of the Noble/Kay county line is being replaced.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - The Kay County Board of County Commissioners this week continued developing a building-renovation proposal to persuade the Department of Human Services to stay put in Newkirk.
Meanwhile, they also voted renovations to the courthouse's fourth floor and a new telephone system for the first-floor offices.
At their regular Monday morning meeting, the commissioners discussed a series of ideas to reach an agreement with DHS, which is evacuating the county-owned building later this month so asbestos can be removed.
DHS administrator Carlan Kindred said the office is moving April 21 and 22 to the old Kay Electric building in Blackwell, and the move is described as temporary and estimated for three months.
But Kindred told the board because of inconveniences to the clients and the employees, she wants to move as few times as possible. Conversations last week indicated DHS was also looking elsewhere for an office, partially because of lack of space and because some employees were complaining they preferred not to commute to Newkirk.
District Two Commissioner Wayne Leven said he thinks the county could provide DHS a pleasing deal, whether it involves adding on to the existing building in Newkirk or building DHS an additional structure in Ponca City for a satellite office.
The renovations to the existing DHS office at the south end of town could include a two-story add-on building, additional parking space, and a ramp for the disabled.
The commissioners said keeping the office in Newkirk makes sense, and not just because Newkirk is the county seat.
"Why should you spend $7,000 a month to rent a building in Ponca City when you can rent one for $1,400 a month in Newkirk?" Leven asked. "It all comes out of our pockets in the long run, when we pay taxes."
County Clerk Pam Goodno, who commutes from Blackwell, said a town the size of Newkirk depends on operations such as DHS, which employs more than 55 people, for economic reasons.
The commissioners planned to complete a proposal for DHS within a week.
In other business, the board accepted a low bid of $9,732 from Sooner Construction to renovate the courthouse's fourth floor to provide office space for five court employees.
The contract will remodel the top-floor hallway and one room, including new walls and a lowered ceiling, new doors, lighting and electric outlets.
The commissioners also accepted a $15,950 bid from American Telephone for a new telephone system for the offices of the county clerk, treasurer and assessor. Goodno said the three officers will share the expenses to replace the existing telephone system installed in 1982.
And District One Commissioner Dee Schieber decided to table a decision to purchase for the district a hydraulic dovetail trailer and the board also finalized a contract with the Corps of Engineers for Kaw Lake law enforcement.
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
BLACKWELL - Kay County is in a "fortunate position" to benefit from the new Freedom to Farm movement, compared to other Oklahoma counties, according to Conservationist Dick Zetterberg of the Natural Resource Conservation Service.
Speaking to a crowd at the Kay County Conservation District's annual Ad Sponsors Banquet, Zetterberg recapped a year's worth of conservation activity for the district, highlighted by the end of a drought that laid waste to wheat crops a year ago.
"It seems like this past year, we've gotten more done than ever," he said, and the stage is set for farmers to benefit from the no-till practices recommended by conservationists.
"No-till never has worked on continuous wheat, but when you rotate crops, you can take advantage of it," Zetterberg said.
With the Freedom to Farm decision, farmers can get government subsidies regardless of what they plant, so they have more options.
"They can be making their decision of what to plant based on economics and what works for them, instead of basing it on a (government) program."
Kay County's rainfall and other climate factors provide more options than other counties out west, which are locked into wheat production, Zetterberg said. Farmers here have been able to branch out into soybean, cotton, sunflower and sesame production.
"We have the climate to grow a lot of crops and take advantage of different growing seasons" and implement the no-till features, he said.
"No-till makes a tremendous difference in erosion control and on a gentle-enough slope, it can take the place of terracing. If you take a look at the cost of terracing, it's fairly expensive."
He also suggested trying no-till on bottomlands.
Discussing other achievements during the past year, Zetterberg mentioned the district's successful tree sale in conjunction with the Oklahoma Forestry Division, and its state rankings in newsletter and speech contests.
He said Conservation District board member Rick Jeans is also seeking ideas this year to tackle the problem of rural dumping.
Jeans said the Kay County Conservation District is the only district
in Oklahoma to have consolidated from two separate districts, which is attributed
to at least a portion of its recent successes.
NEWKIRK - Chairman Rex Purdy of the Kay County board of commissioners signed for a state reimbursement totaling $333,562 to the county for loss of revenue from area manufacturing firms that filed state exemptions in 1995 for the 1996 tax year.
The biggest reimbursement came for Thorn Apple Valley, Inc. for its exemption of $295,667. The state grants the exemption to companies with new or expanded manufacturing facilities.
Other companies and claims were:
Sykes Enterprises, $15,353; Cupid Foundations Inc. of Blackwell, $7,265; Unitherm Stainless Steel, $7,188; Mid America Door Co. (Phase 1), $5,337, and Mid America Door Co. (Phase 2), $2,752.
The monies reimbursed to the county are apportioned by the county treasurer to the appropriate school districts, and to the city and county, based on their ad valorum tax levels and appropriate millages.
Blood donors with the Oklahoma Blood Institute Ponca City Center are invited to participate in the Blood Institute's latest blood donation procedure, the Red Blood Cell and Plasma (RBC+P) apheresis donation.
Until fairly recently, apheresis donors with the Blood Institute were able to donate platelets and plasma to assist area patients.
The new RBC+P process allows donors to give full transfusion units of both red cells and plasma at one time. Donors are, therefore, helping two patients at one time. Red cells are needed by accident victims or patients undergoing various surgical procedure. Plasma is most often used by transplant patients and burn victims.
After a traditional whole blood donation, blood components (red cells, plasma and platelets) are manually divided and then donated to patients. The RBC+P apheresis donation procedure utilizes a special instrument which automatically separates and retrieves red blood cells and plasma as the donor is giving blood and then returns the remaining components to the donor.
The Oklahoma Blood Institute has been supplying apheresis blood products to Ponca City's St. Joseph Region Medical Center since 1989. They now also supply the red cells as well. OBI will also be supplying the blood products for St. Joseph Cancer Center of Northern Oklahoma when it opens this summer. Many blood donors are necessary to maintain an adequate blood supply for our local community.
"We encourage all Kay County residents to help us support local patients at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center by donating blood," OBI Ponca City Center Manager Pixie Rowland said. "The need for blood products is constant, so it is very important to donate blood today. It is a safe and simple way to help those in need, and it really does save lives. Donating blood is a way to give 'the gift of life' to others."
For more information on the RBC+P process and other blood donation procedures, contact the Oklahoma Blood Institute Ponca City Center at (405) 762-9488, or stop by the OBI donor center at 518 North Fourteenth Street.
OBI can also provide speakers for civic organizations, churches, schools or business meetings and also offers in-center programs to groups.
The Ponca City OBI is affiliated with the Oklahoma Blood Institute, a regional not-for-profit blood collection center, supply blood to 58 hospitals across Oklahoma, including St. Joseph Regional Medical Center and all Enid and Oklahoma City hospitals.
Kay County Free Fair president Larry Dye has called an election at 9 a.m. on April 17, to elect two members from each municipal township across the county to serve on the Free Fair Association.
The members are needed to plan for this year's Free Fair to be held Sept. 9-13 in Blackwell.
The townships and their voting locations are:
Beaver Township, Consolidated School District 106; Blackwell Township, Chamber of Commerce office, Blackwell; Carlisle Township, Tonkawa Shipping.
Cross Township, John B. Hayes Auction; Dale Township, Terry Morton residence; Kaw Township, Keith Fruits residence; Kildare Township, Kildare Coop.
Longwood Township, Max Berry residence; Lowe Township, Braman Coop; Miller Township, Ranch Drive Coop; Newkirk Township, Courthouse Community Room, Newkirk.
Owen Township, Don and Helen Caughlin residence; Renfrow Township, Weber Station, Nardin; Rockfalls Township, Mark Arnold residence; Roundgrove Township, Finley School.
Tonkawa Township, Chamber of Commerce office, Tonkawa; Vernon Township, Peckham School; Waltham Township, Frances Bohannon residence, and Weston Township, LaVerne Baker residence.
Those with questions can call Free Fair secretary Larry Fleck at 405-362-3194.
BLACKWELL - Firefighters from a four-county area completed a 16-hour first-responders course on hazardous materials and bloodborne pathogens at the Cherokee Strip Red Cross Building here ending last weekend.
The course, with participants from Garfield, Grant, Kay and Noble Counties, along with Kay County Emergency Preparedness and City of Ponca City personnel, was developed and presented by the Oklahoma Fire Training Service. It is certified by CLEET, EMS and Fire Services.
The participants learned how to identify hazardous materials and placards and how to respond to incidents involving hazardous materials, including how to protect themselves and the public.
The course was hosted by the Kay County Emergency Preparedness office
in Newkirk.
DEATHS
BLACKWELL - Clythel Rebecca Hodges, longtime Blackwell area resident, died Monday afternoon, April 7, 1997, in the Mercy Health Center in Oklahoma City. She was 84.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday in the Roberts Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Gregg Engle, Blackwell First Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will be in the Braman (Okla.) Cemetery.
Clythel Rebecca (Shoffner) Hodges was born March 4, 1913, in Braman, the daughter of William H. and Fannie (Hubbard) Shoffner. She grew up and attended schools in the Braman area.
On Nov. 4, 1939, she was married to Wendell Ray Hodges in Ponca City and the couple established their first home in Kay County. In 1941, they moved to California to make their home. Her husband preceded her in death in 1945 as a casualty of World War II. Mrs. Hodges remained in California until 1965, when she returned to Blackwell. She was a member of the Blackwell First Baptist Church, Sigma Phi Gamma Sorority and the White Shrine.
Survivors include six nieces, Linda Hempfling of Enid, Norma Atkinson of Lake Keystone, Billie Cramer of Winfield, Texas, Jean Phillips of El Reno, Shirley Acton of Edwardsville, Ill., and Betty Jo Lackey of Texas; three nephews, Jim Shoffner of Grove, Bob Shoffner of Alexandria, Va., and Tom Shoffner of Houma, La.; and one sister-in-law. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Opal Looman; and two brothers, Laurence Shoffner and Ivan Shoffner.
Casket bearers will be Newman Hicks, Earl Webb, Doug Mercer, Walt Carriger, Myron Smith and Don Vicker.
TUCSON, Ariz. - Diana Justin Vickery, former Ponca City resident, died Saturday, April 5, 1997, in Tucson, Ariz., after a brief illness. She was 56.
The funeral was to be held April 7, in Tucson under the direction of East Lawns Palms Mortuary, Tucson. A gathering of friends will also be held at her home in Tucson on April 13, from 2 to 4 p.m.
Diane Justin Vickery was born March 1, 1941, in Ponca City, the daughter of Lloyd W. and Zelma (Hammond) Vickery. She attended Ponca City schools and graduated from Stoneleigh-Prospect Hill School for girls in Greenfield, Mass, where she played on the varsity soccer team. She attended the University of Oklahoma and George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority. After graduation she was employed as a secretary in the Department of Naval Operations in the Pentagon.
She was married to Gerald Stratton Bluehdorn on June 14, 1963, in Georgetown, Washington, D.C. and the couple established their first home in Silver Spring, Md. Ms. Vickery moved to Tucson, Ariz. about 18 years ago, where she worked as a self-employed investment broker.
Survivors include one daughter, Kirsten Bluehdorn, of Tucson, Ariz., and one grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Stanley Vickery.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ms. Vickery's name to the American Lung Association, P.O. Box 53303, Oklahoma City, OK 73152 or to the Tucson Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, 3767 East Grant Road, Tucson, AZ 85716.
IMBODEN, Ark. - Mary Francis Taylor, mother to Dr. James Gary Taylor, Ponca City, died, Monday, March 31, 1997, at Baptist Medical Center in Little Rock, Ark. She was 90.
The funeral was held April 3, at the House-Gregg Funeral Home Chapel in Walnut Ridge, Ark., with Mr. Joe Loghry officiating. A graveside service was also held at the Bolivar Cemetery near Harrisburg, Ark. Grandsons served as casket bearers.
Mary Francis (Shockley) Taylor was born April 1, 1907, at Harrisburg, Ark., the daughter of James Marcus and Lillie Mae (Cromwell) Shockley.
She was married to James Raymond Taylor May. 1929, and the couple had lived in Imboden since 1949. Her husband preceded her in death on Aug. 9, 1959. Mrs. Taylor was a homemaker and a member of the Methodist Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Mary Ellen Henson of Scott, Ark.; three sons, Dr. James Gary Taylor of Ponca City, Billy Ray Taylor of St. Louis, Mo., and Jerry Wayne Taylor of Norman; one sister, Eula Taylor of Fresno, Calif.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and numerous other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband she was preceded in death by one son, Bobby Louis Taylor; her parents; one sister, Bula; and five brothers, Ottie, Clyde, Robert, Olin and John Henry Shockley.
OKEMAH - Bonnie Shipes, former Ponca City resident, died Sunday, April 6, 1997, at St. John Medical Center in Tulsa. She was 64.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Parks Brothers Funeral Home Chapel in Okemah with Dr. James Barber officiating. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery at Okemah.
Bonnie (Shoupe) Shipes was born July 31, 1932 in Henderson, Texas, the daughter of Leslie and Lillian (Landers) Shoupe.
Mrs. Shipes lived in Ponca City from 1988 to 1992 and was employed as property manger of the Pecan Place Apartments. She moved to Bartlesville in 1992, where she managed the Madison Village and then to Sand Springs in 1995, where she was currently employed as property manager of Lucille Page Manor by Gorman Management Co.
Survivors include two sons, Paul of Sand Springs and Philip of Houston, Texas; two daughters, Leah Shipes of Sand Springs and Reba Ballard of Broken Arrow; her mother, Lillian Shoupe of Sand Springs; one sister, Joyce Adams of St. Louis, Mo.; her former husband, Kelly Shipes of Sand Springs; six grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by one daughter; her father; and one brother.
Wanda Geraldine "Gerry" Clemens, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday evening, April 6, 1997, at her home. She was 86.
A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.
Wanda Geraldine "Gerry" (Raper) Clemens was born Oct. 18, 1911, in Milburn, Okla., the daughter of Ollie and Bertha (Osborn) Raper. She attended Ponca City schools.
She married Fred K. Clemens on Dec. 24, 1929, in Tulsa, and the couple made their home in Ponca City. Mrs. Clemens had been employed by the City of Ponca City until her retirement. She was a member of Grace Episcopal Church.
Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Bill (Gail) Carter of Ponca City; one son, Fred K. Clemens of Tulsa; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband in September 1961, and her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Clemens' name to the Grace Episcopal Church, 109 North Thirteenth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.
Betty Jo Salmon Endicott, resident of Ponca City, died Sunday evening, April 6, 1997, at her home. She had reached the age of 72 years, 5 months and 14 days.
The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 9, 1997, at the First Christian Church, Ponca City, with the Rev. Kent Dorsey presiding, assisted by the Rev. Charles Heyer. Committal services will follow at 4 p.m. at the Fowler (Kan.) Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City.
Betty Jo Salmon was born Oct. 23, 1924, in Fowler, Kan., the daughter of Henry Lyon Salmon and Lucy (Conrad) Salmon. She attended the Fowler public schools, graduating from Fowler High School in 1942. She then attended Hays Teacher College in Hays, Kan., where she met her future husband, Melvin F. Endicott on Oct. 23, 1942, her 18th birthday.
The couple was united in marriage on Feb. 4, 1945, in Wichita, Kan., making their first home in Great Bend, Kan. The couple moved to Ponca City in 1956. The couple had recently celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary.
Mrs. Endicott was a homemaker as well as bookkeeper for the family's Endicott Oil and Gas Business. She was a member of the First Christian Church, where she had served on various boards throughout the years. She also was a member of the church choir, the Laureate Mu chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority and the Soroptimist Club. Her enjoyments included her family and flower gardening.
She is survived by her husband, Melvin, of the home; three sons, Kent Alan Endicott, Ponca City, Ron Endicott and wife, Cathy, of Hot Springs, Ark., and Craig Endicott and wife, Gaylyn, of Muskogee; two daughters, Barbara Coates and husband, Dick, of Altus, and Susan Buck and husband, Larry, of Ponca City; one brother, Ira F. Salmon of Fowler, Kan.; one sister, Alice Mae Hoffman also of Fowler, Kan.; seven grandchildren, Christopher Buck, Caroline Buck, Lynn Endicott, Andrew Endicott, Courtney Coates, Chelsea Coates and Timothy Endicott; and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Leonard Salmon; and three sisters, Mary E. Dalgran, Anna B. Veeder and Eleanor Anderson.
Casket bearers will be Jack Monsour, C.L. Schneider, Dr. Gale McArthur, Cecil Cales, Homer Slief and Elmer Horinek.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The casket will be closed at the service, but friends and family may call at Grace Memorial Chapel on Tuesday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The family will be at the home, 809 Edgewood.
paid obituary
STILLWATER - Joseph Edwin "Bill" Platt, former Sports Director at WBBZ in Ponca City, and OSU Sports Broadcaster for the Cowboy Network, died Monday, April 7, 1997, at his home in Stillwater. He was 73. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Stillwater First Baptist Church. Other arrangements will be announced later by Strode Funeral Home, Stillwater.
NEWKIRK - Dale Lesemann, former Newkirk resident, died Monday, April 7, 1997, in Oklahoma City. He was 44. Survivors include his parents, Merle and Bonnie Lesemann, a brother, Milton Lesemann and a sister, Janell Peace, all of Newkirk. Arrangements are pending with Miller-Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk.
BLACKWELL - Francies G. Baker, Blackwell resident, died Monday afternoon, April 7, 1997, at Blackwell Regional Hospital. She was 84. Arrangements are pending with Hackler Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Elizabeth Rowe, longtime Ponca City resident died early this morning, April 8, 1997, at a local nursing home. She was 85. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
Barbara A. Brunkau - Memorial contributions may be made in Ms.
Brunkau's name to Presbyterian Kaseman Hospice, 8300 Constitution Ave. N.E.,
Albuquerque, N.M. 87110.
NEWS BRIEFS
Accident - The Oklahoma Highway Patrol was advised of a one-vehicle accident one quarter mile east on McCord Road on old U.S. 60 at 6:53 a.m. Monday, according to Ponca City telecommunication officers.
Found - A Ponca City police officer found an abandoned bike in the 800 block of West Grand Avenue at 8 a.m. Monday.
Dogs Missing - An employee of the Animal Control Center advised Ponca City telecommunication officers that dogs were missing. An officer responded at 8:12 a.m. Monday to take a burglary report. According to an Animal Control officer, a beagle and a Boston bull terrier, fairly young dogs, were taken from the department.
Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 26-year-old man at the police station at 1:33 p.m. Monday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Girl Bitten - Ponca City emergency medical technicians treated an 8-year-old girl for four puncture wounds to her left leg. A resident in the 100 block of North Ash Street reported the dog bite to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:18 p.m. Monday. The girl was taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center where she was treated and released. An Animal Control officer confirmed the dog will be tested for rabies today.
Collision - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a minor accident in the 1100 block of West Liberty Avenue at 3:30 p.m. Monday.
Warrant Served - A 27-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at the police station at 3:38 p.m. Monday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Wreck - A Ponca City police officer took a report of an accident at South Pine Street and West South Avenue at 3:45 p.m. Monday.
Subject Held - A 34-year-old man was picked up from the Stillwater Police Department by a Ponca City police officer at 4:25 p.m. Monday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Fight Ends in Arrest - Six Ponca City police officers responded to the call of subjects fighting in the alley of the 900 block of South Eleventh Street at 7:43 p.m. Monday. A 23-year-old man was arrested for public intoxication and fighting in public. A 19-year-old man was taken into custody for obstructing an officer and giving false information. Additionally, officers arrested a 22-year-old man for fighting in public and a 19-year-old man for obstructing an officer. An officer took a report and a warrant request was made.
Arrested - An 18-year-old man was arrested in the 200 block of North Pine Street at 12:39 a.m. Tuesday on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Curfew Violation - A Ponca City police officer issued a citation to a boy in the 300 block of West Cleveland Avenue at 1:29 a.m. Tuesday before releasing him to the custody of a parent.
Under Suspension - A 21-year-old woman was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at North Fourteenth Street and Parkview Lane at 1:40 a.m. Tuesday for driving under suspension.
Ponca Election Set - The Ponca Tribe's Annual Johnson-O'Malley
Parent Committee election will be held Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Ponca
Tribal Affairs Building. In order to be committee members, candidates must
be parents or guardians of an Indian student and live within the Ponca City
School District. Those elected will serve during the 1996-97 and 1997-98
school years. All interested Indian parents and guardians are invited to
attend. Refreshments will be served.
BUSINESS
Scott Cooper and Sean Orta recently made company history when they became the first DuPont employees to successfully complete the requirements for becoming Cisco-Certified Internetwork Experts (CCIEs).
Cooper and Orta, both graduates of Oklahoma State University, are electrical engineers in the telecommunications department of Conoco Inc., a subsidiary of DuPont.
After passing a written qualification test, CCIE candidates face an intense, two-day certification laboratory with challenging "real life" computer network building, breaking, and restoration scenarios.
Currently, only about 1,500 electrical engineers and computer analysts worldwide hold CCIE certification. The certification lab is difficult to study for and difficult to pass. The first-time failure rate is about 70 percent.
Cooper and Orta successfully passed the exams, held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on March 24-25, on their first attempt. They were the only passing candidates of the group tested at the Halifax site that week.
Certification lab exams also are given in San Jose, Calif.; Raleigh, N.C.; and Brussels, Belgium.
CCIE certification requires a solid background in computer internetworking. During the testing session, candidates must demonstrate their ability to build, configure, and test complex internetworks to provided specifications; diagnose and resolve network faults; use packet/frame analysis and debugging tools; and document and report all problem-solving processes used. On successful completion of the program, the candidate receives a Cisco-Certified Internetwork Expert registry number and a certificate award.
Cisco Systems, a leading company in the design and production of computer internetworking technology, established the CCIE program in 1993 to recognize "best-in-class" engineers who possess a high degree of technical expertise. CCIEs are recognized throughout the computer network industry as highly qualified professionals.
Cooper received a master's degree in electrical engineering from OSU in 1989 after completing undergraduate work in Dallas, Texas. Orta earned a bachelor's degree in electronics engineering technology from OSU in 1990.
A unique new service is the Pet Chauffeur. The firm will help pet owners who like to provide special care and attention to pets but whose schedule is a little too busy or who have transportation problems.
The Pet Chauffeur opened Monday.
Some services that will be provided for the pets are transportation to and from appointments with their veterinarian, groomer or boarding facility.
In addition, a one-hour exercising or quality play time can be scheduled for people that may be working long hours, out of town, ill, or maybe just too busy to properly exercise their pet.
The Pet Chauffeur is being provided by Connie Barnett, a resident of Ponca City for 25 years. "Being a pet owner myself, I consider pets just like family members," said Barnett. "My rapport with animals and being able to understand them allows me to provide the affection and individual attention pets need."
Barnett plans to expand the Pet Chauffeur to a home care service to help prevent separation anxiety. This type of care will provide personal attention and care of pets while the owner is away.
A new downtown business is the Grand Galleria at 223 East Grand in the former location of Moore's.
Owned by Janice and Jim Price, the business was formerly located at 111 North Fourth and it was known as Country Time Mini Mall.
The Prices have been in business for six years and moving to the new location on Grand has made a "world of difference" in the shop's traffic, according to Mrs. Price.
The store is being geared more to a gift shop with antiques, collectibles and oak and pine crafts. The oak is by Muret of Blackwell. Other quality crafts are by K.C. Creations of Ponca City, Country Treasures by Terry Ward, and Barnwood furniture by Bob and Mike Stewart.
Another interesting feature is the Oklahoma Casting products gallery, with art products being showcased for the firm by George Schwarz.
The hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and 1 to 5 p.m., on Sundays.
Four commercial building permits were issued during March with total valuation of $314,500. There were no single home permits or new multi-home permits issued.
Remodel addition permits totaled four with valuation of $46,500, while 15 miscellaneous permits totaled a valuation of $70,230, according to James Brown, building inspector. There were 20 building permit inspections. Total investment valuation was $432,230.
There were 26 electrical permits issued and 58 inspections made by Rick Parrack, electrical inspector's department.
There were 37 plumbing permits issued and 86 inspections, by Buddy R. Osborn, plumbing inspectors department. Osborn also issued 22 mechanical permits and there were 40 inspections.
Total building inspection revenue for March was $2,003.
Kay County's unemployment rate continues to be higher than the state average of 3.9 percent and the national average of 5.7 percent.
The preliminary data shows the unemployed rate for February to be at 6.9 percent, down a full percentage point from January's 7.9 percent and down slightly from February 1996, which listed 7 percent, according to Oklahoma Security Employment Commission figures.
The OSEC report shows 21,410 employed, 1,580 unemployed and the work force at 22,990.
Area Legislators will be on hand for the this week's Second Friday Forum slated for 8 to 9 a.m., at the Pioneer Technology Center, according to Dave Mueller, chairman of the Legislative Review Committee of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Legislators are expected to give an update of legislative activities at the Capitol. The event is open to the public and complimentary coffee and doughnuts will served.
OG&E Electric Services' Sooner Power plant will honor longtime employees with service awards at a banquet on Friday in Stillwater at the Meditation's banquet facility.
The awards will be presented by the Sooner management team. OG&E vice president and treasurer Jim Hatfield will be the guest speaker.
The banquet will be a joint meeting of the OG&E Men's and Women's Club and retirees of the Sooner Power Plant. Those to be honored include; David Dyer, Ponca City, and Jana Haken, Pawnee, for five years of service.
Those with 15 years of service are Richard Allen, Kevin Breazile and Nick Gleason, all of Stillwater; Robert Carroll of Tryon, Ron Hunt, Chuck Morland, Dean Plagmann, Robert Sharp, David Tarver and James Waller, all of Ponca City.
Gary McCain of Glencoe will be recognized for 20 years of service while Jim Arnold of Stillwater will be honored for his 35 years with the company.
"We are very proud of these individuals and of their contributions
to this company," said Sooner Plant Manager Bill Green.
LIFESTYLES
The Week of the Young Child is being celebrated April 6-12 in Ponca City. Several activities have been planned by local child care professionals. In an effort to assist care givers with information a Child Care Connection newsletter is available. Among the contributors to this state newsletter is Eldonna R. Magnus from Magnus Home Day Care, a licensed provider. She also serves on the advisory board for the newsletter.
Among the areas covered in the paper are age appropriate behavior and development topics, health and safety issues, songs and poems, provider profile, recipe box and activity ideas.
In a recent meeting of the Kay County Day Care Association four members taught a Day Care Class for other providers. Holly Winslow, state licensing agent, also attended. Families may contact the Department of Human Services, 1-800-493-7982, for a list of licensed day care in this area.
Association members providing the program were Wendy Bersche, Jean Struble, Brenda Miller and Eldonna Magnus.
Theme for the special week, which is sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, is "Early Years Are Learning Years . . . Make Them Count!" A rally at the Civic Center fountain is planned Thursday at 9:45 a.m. A child fair at Conoco will complete the list of events.
The Ponca City Mother's Club Preschool Unit held their March 14 meeting
at the home of Mrs. Sue Helton. The program was presented by Richard Keathly
from Keathly's Nursery and Landscape. He spoke about spring and summer landscaping
ideas. The April 11 meeting will be hosted by Mrs. Emily Otto.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
After a 12-year stay at Ponca City High School, the last four years as head boys' basketball coach, Ken Chronister has accepted a head coaching position with Collinsville High School.
Collinsville officially accepted Chronister's application for the boys' head coaching job at the school during Monday night's Board of Education meeting. Chronister was on hand to seal the deal with the 4A school.
During his four-year tenure as head coach of the Po-Hi Wildcats, Chronister compiled a 33-61 record (.351). His 1995-96 team went 15-10 and earned a regional tournament berth for the first time since 1987-88.
Prior to becoming head coach for the 1993-94 season, Chronister was an assistant basketball coach as well as holding coaching positions on the high school football team, the junior high football team, girls golf and track.
"Kenny has been a very positive asset to Wildcat athletics in general and the basketball program in particular," said Ponca City High School Athletic Director Rusty Benson. "He has had an excellent rapport with the students and is respected by his peers as a classroom teacher.
"His basketball teams have been sound fundamentally and well prepared. We're sad to lose him. We wish him and his family well in Collinsville. Kenny will do a good job for them. The Collinsville Cardinals will be better because Kenny Chronister is their basketball coach."
When asked about the Collinsville job, Chronister said, only half-jokingly, the best thing about it is, "They don't have any returning state tournament teams in their conference."
In contrast to the Tulsa Seven Conference of which Collinsville is a member, the Frontier Conference landed three teams in the 6A State Tournament this past season and the team that won the conference - Stillwater - wasn't among them after getting upset in the area tournament on the West side. Broken Arrow, a Frontier Conference team, won the state title.
Chronister is a Adair High School graduate and was an assistant coach for six years at Claremore Sequoyah before coming to Ponca City.
This move allows him to get back closer to family.
Benson said the task now is to find a replacement.
"We'll post the position locally and across the state for a minimum of 10 days. Then we'll go through the list of applicants and start interviewing," said Benson.
"We expect some applicants from the district as well as some from across the state. We may even get some calls from out of state."
ENID - Fifth-ranked Ponca City took care of its rematch with No. 14 Enid here Monday in high school baseball action as senior Rocky Hughes held the Plainsmen to three hits and the Wildcats came away with a 1-0 win.
In their previous meeting, Enid defeated the Cats 13-7. But the Enid offense was throttled this time as Hughes threw the shutout to improve to a stellar 7-0 on the year.
"Rocky just pitched a great game and Doug Scott came up with a clutch hit that turned into the game-winner," said head coach Roydon Tilley.
Scott's game-winner came in the fifth inning. Marc Smith led off the inning with a single and Chris Koenig was hit by a pitch with two outs, bringing up Scott. The senior second baseman came through with the RBI-single to score Smith from second.
Ponca City, which also had just three hits, is now 12-3 on the season. Enid slipped to 12-11.
Hughes, off to one of the best starts in Po-Hi history, struck out seven and walked just two. His Enid counterpart, Scott Swiggett, struck out five Cats, walked one and hit one.
Hughes got into an early jam as Enid put runners on second and third in the first inning but back-to-back groundouts ended the threat. Enid had another runner reach third base in the third inning thanks to an error but no other Plainsmen got as far as second base the rest of the game.
Hughes has won Ponca City's last four games and his ERA is now under 1.0 for the season.
Weather permitting, Ponca City will host the Wildcat Classic beginning at 11 a.m. Thursday and running through the championship game at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at the high school diamond.
Putnam City North takes on Cushing in the tourney's first game Thursday and then Mustang and Blackwell are scheduled to tangle at 2 p.m. in Game 2. The 4:30 Game 3 features Guthrie and Tulsa Webster and then Cleveland and Ponca City are scheduled to take the field at 7 p.m. in Game 4.
Friday's games are scheduled to be at 11:30 (Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser), 2 p.m. (Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner), 4:30 (Game 3 loser vs. Game 4 loser) and 7 (Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner).
Saturday's games are set for 11, 1:30, 4 and 6:30.
Ponca City 1, Enid 0
Ponca City 000 010 0 - 1 3 3
Enid 000 000 0 - 0 3 1
PC-Hughes and Dodgen. Enid-Swiggett and Smith. WP-Hughes (7-0). LP-Swiggett.
Rain has forced postponement of the Ponca City Wildcat Relays track meet that was scheduled for this afternoon, according to Ponca City High School Athletic Director Rusty Benson.
The meet has been rescheduled for April 15 following the junior high
track meet. The junior high meet will begin at 8 a.m. and then the Wildcat
Relays will take to the track at approximately 3 p.m.