From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
April 2, 1998
LOCAL
FBI Investigating Death of Woman
Grass Fires in County Investigated as Arson
Letters
Chamber News
Guitarist Hammett Joins NOC Redbud Jazz Festival
Poetry Night At NOC April 7
New Kay County Deputy Hired
DEATHS
Annie E. McCullah
C.R. Johnson
Obituaries
Lulu Mary Potter
Funerals
R.E. Van Buskirk
Rosetta Dwyer Edwards
Margaret Ann Turner
Services Pending
Garland Lovelace
NEWS BRIEFS
GARDENING
Iris Society Meeting
SPORTS
Jenks Mauls Wildcats, 9-0
Depth Hurts Cougars
The FBI is currently investigating the death of a 26-year-old woman whose body was discovered last month on Indian land south of Ponca City.
The body of Bernadette Smith was found by family members in a cellar on March 22 after her mother had a "vision" that the body was located there.
According to the State Medical Examiner's Office Smith died from a gunshot wound to the head which had been inflicted "some time ago."
NEWKIRK - Sheriff's investigators say they now have three suspects in connection with a string of intentionally set grass fires east of Newkirk and destruction at the 106 Consolidated Schoolhouse.
Members of the 106 Fire District last week posted a $1,500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of individuals who have started range fires in the area since March 23, the night the schoolhouse was vandalized.
Kay County Chief Criminal Deputy Buddy Thomas said "unknown individuals broke out several windows and fixtures and started several internal fires inside the building," which is nine miles east of Newkirk on the River Road.
"The east end (of the building) was pretty well gutted," Thomas said.
On the same night, a motorist crashed through the entrance gate and vandalized the parking area at the Hardy AT&T tower five miles northeast of the school, deputies said.
Undersheriff Craig Countryman said several grass fires have occurred since then, such as at the Traders Bend area on Kaw Lake and in the Chilocco area, where several acres burned.
There were also small fires caused by "just somebody stopping the car along the roadside and starting fires," he said.
Countryman said the department believes most, if not all, of the incidents are related, with suspects facing arson charges and more.
The investigation has identified three suspects, he said, "and no charges have been filed as of yet."
The vandalism is a setback for the former schoolhouse, which has served as a precinct polling place and a community center for the northeast corner of the county. Residents recently were discussing remodeling the building.
Where's My Dog?
Like most pet lovers, we invest many hours of training and a great deal of attention to an animal that does become part of our families. We fall in love with these creatures that become loyal, playful, and love us even at our worst.
About six months ago we moved to the outskirts of town, north of Ponca City. Having a church and a place of business close by, but none-the-less still considered rural.
Of course, this was a great relief for my dog "Cheyenne," a sweet, friendly, 1 1/2-year-old fawn boxer. In all her new found freedom, we never imagined that living in a country setting that we would have to worry about someone taking our dog.
Having gotten used to our neighbors' dogs roaming freely and surprisingly getting along with our friendly, kid-like Cheyenne. She always returned home after marking her boundaries. It seemed like a happy dog pack.
So one day on March 26, 1998, having had Cheyenne tied to a chain while I went into town and then basically left her there until 5:30, at which she was untied and as usual she relieves herself, runs and get her squeaky so we can play, gets tired of that, then takes a drink, and eats. Then she is off to play with her neighbor dog, Emma. I see her trotting down the dirt road, about 1/4 mile away, knowing good and well she is out for some fun with Emma, I keep my eye on her for 15 minutes or so, but next door is the Church. Of course, I see activity going on at the church and decide that I better go get my girly-girl. Having witnessed my dog, she has had the tendency to greet all the church members on occasion. Since that time she had been banned from freedom at times, so as to avoid having someone take her. But on this particular evening I was walking down the dirt road, with lash in had, to get my little mamma. Before I knew it she was at the church just hanging out with strangers. As I walked closer, these vehicles started to leave.
Knowing full and well she heard me calling her she chose to ignore me. At this point, I could still see her and then panic set in. So I started to walk faster, eventually running, but to my surprise, my big, friendly Cheyenne was in someone's vehicle riding away. Little did I know that teaching her to ride in a vehicle would be a great regret of mine. So now, someone has my pet, who I love and want back. The whole time after the incident, I felt helpless, angry, and could not sleep one wink that night.
Early the next day I called the radio stations with my situation. I proceeded to call local veterinarians, then I file a police report, then I place a report with Animal control. All were very understanding. So trying to get through my work today, my mind was lingering on my dog. I thought, what would be a way to have someone, anyone, know that someone has taken my pet that I desperately want back. I can tell you that she is friendly, beautiful face, loves to play and is mine. Her markings are tan with white paws, she has a docked tail, floppy ears, white chest, black nose all the way to her flews, with pink spots just above her lips under her nose, a little crooked front tooth on the bottom teeth, but the most important marks are on her neck, where she has white hair about seven inches in length on the right side. It looks like a collar. She was wearing a red dog collar without her tags. If anyone has information about her whereabouts you may call day or night at 580-765-9407.
Joan Chavez
Editor's Note: During the next few weeks, the Chamber column is being devoted to the various committees of the Economic Development Advisory Board.
By Tim Burg
Chairman of the Communications Committee
Incentives and Marketing
While this committee of the Ponca City Economic Development Advisory Board may seem to have a very large challenge, its makeup is one that shows it has the strength to complete such a daunting task. The leadership of this committee speaks volumes regarding its abilities within our community. Chairman Bill Rodgers has submitted a letter of resignation to the EDAB. The mayor is in the process of soliciting a new member for the EDAB and a new chairman for this committee. The distinguished group is made up of L.J. Chaufty, president of Bank of Oklahoma; Gordon Thompson, general manager of KIXR; Mark Snead, an economics professor at Phillips University in Enid; Henry Noll, of J.B. Smith Real Estate; Pat Mulligan, financial advisor for The Equitable; Bill Lundeen, director of Ponca City Facility Management for Conoco; Carol Bouldin, registered representative with The Equitable; Mark Detten, senior executive vice president of Home National Bank; Tom Quillin, president of Pioneer Bank & Trust; J.B. Smith, owner and operator of J.B. Smith Real Estate, and Vince O'Brien, Mobile Technology Center coordinator/network administrator of Pioneer Technology Center. If the adage of strength in numbers rings true, this group has a great many "Bell Ringers" in its group.
Goals set forth for the combined committees this year include creating an inventory of marketing tools which include determine existing incentives, building an updated demographic and economic database, review of our educational capabilities, define the needs of our community for transportation improvements and relay them to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, compile current and accurate statistics regarding our existing housing, review the existing state and local programs available which will assist local businesses growth and expand, identify and inventory existing buildings and building sites, identify the local and regional labor force, create new incentives as needed to remain competitive in the economic market and to maintain a close relationship with the City Commission, mayor and city staff as to the availability of incentives.
As mentioned, this list seems large and somewhat overwhelming, but it is critical for the success of our economic growth to have well defined, accurate and up-to-date data available. The Chamber of Commerce and Northern Oklahoma College are working together to update information that is vital to this committee. Jeff Haliburton of Stillwater is a sophomore at Northern Oklahoma College. He has been hired as an intern and is working two days a week updating information at the Chamber. When this project is completed, we will then have the ability to provide prospective businesses with a clear understanding of what Ponca City has to offer in the areas of incentives, education, housing and other key areas. In today's fast paced world, response time needs to be shortened and the critical information required must be available at a minute's notice. Once this database is completed, the job of updating it will be a much simpler task and our response time will be greatly improved.
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, April 7 - Education, 11:45 a.m., Ponca City Tomorrow.
Wednesday, April 8 - Leadership Ponca City Local Government Day.
Wednesday, April 8 - Noon, Health & Medical, SJRMC Conference Room C.
Thursday, April 9 - 4:30 p.m., Infrastructure, Chamber Conference Room.
TONKAWA - Guitarist Larry Hammett will join the 1998 Northern Oklahoma College Redbud Jazz Festival fresh from a recent European tour where he spent most of his time in Paris playing an original soundtrack to the silent Charlie Chaplin movie, "The Kid." Once the locals had discovered "the American jazz guitarist", it was standing room only wherever he went.
The versatile Hammett (he has performed both classical and jazz music on the guitar, medieval music on the lute and, at age 15, banjo music for Oklahoma Governor David Boren) is at present director of guitar studies at the University of Oklahoma, a department which he created. He is currently working on his third CD to be released.
Hammett's first attempt at music began as a five-year-old when he received his first guitar from his father. By the time he was in the sixth grade he had formed his first band, a budding folk group which he took on tour to other sixth grade classrooms. This was the first of many tours and the beginning of a life-long passion for music.
He won a scholarship to Texas Tech University to study with Professor James Bogle, transferring after two years to Montana State University to study with Christopher Parkening, one of the world's most famous classical guitarists. After two years at Montana State, he landed a gig touring with noted pop/rock artist Randy VanWarmer but soon discovered that the rock and roll lifestyle wasn't for him. Returning to Texas Tech to finish his bachelor's degree and complete his master's, Hammett discovered jazz.
At the Redbud Jazz Concert, he will present some of his original pieces, arranged for big band Mike Moore, director of jazz studies at Northern Oklahoma College. The concert will be held from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. April 4 in the Northern Oklahoma College Performing Arts Center.
TONKAWA - Northern Oklahoma College will host an open mike night for students and area poets at 8 p.m. April 7 in the Olin Walcher Conference Center located in the Memorial Student Union Complex.
Poetry Workshop students of Don Stinson and Rhonda Bainum will read from their original works, and any other area poets are welcome to participate, according to Stinson. Refreshments will be served.
Admission to the event is free and the public is invited to attend.
NEWKIRK - The Kay County Sheriff's Department is at full force again with the hiring of a deputy to fill the vacancy left by the promotions of Undersheriff Craig Countryman and Chief Criminal Deputy Buddy Thomas.
Sheriff Marion Van Hoesen has hired Ian Ewing, 26, who began his patrol and investigative duties with the department on Wednesday after spending the past two years with the Osage County Sheriff's Department.
A 1991 Shidler High School graduate, Ewing earned his CLEET law-enforcement certification last August at Broken Arrow.
He lives in Shidler, which is also the home of his mother and stepfather,
Shirley and Allen Alberty, and his fiancee Shawna McDougall.
DEATHS
PAWNEE - Annie E. McCullah, former Pawnee resident and relative to several Ponca City residents, died Wednesday, April 1, 1998, in Shreveport, La. She was 81.
The funeral will be graveside at the Highland Cemetery in Pawnee at 10:30 a.m. Saturday. Arrangements are under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home, Pawnee.
Annie E. (Shaw) Fugate McCullah was born June 4, 1916, at Pawnee, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Shaw. She was married to Jim McCullah.
Survivors include two sons, Don Fugate of Miami, Okla. and Del Fugate of Shreveport, La.; one daughter, Pat Durante of Shreveport, La.; one brother, Lyle Shaw of Tucson, Ariz.; three sisters, Fern Day, Helen Belcher and Bessie McClelland, all of Ponca City; seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two brothers, Freddie Shaw and Bert Shaw; and two sisters, Velma Davis and Shirley Carrillo.
PERRY - C.R. "Buck" Johnson, lifelong Perry farmer died Wednesday April 1, 1998, at the Ponca City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was 95.
The funeral will be held graveside at Grace Hill Cemetery in Perry at 2 p.m. Saturday. The Rev. Myron Maltz will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Brown Funeral Home, Perry.
C.R. "Buck" Johnson was born Jan. 25, 1903, southwest of Perry in Indian Territory. He was the son of Robert Curtis and Isabelle Johnson. He attended Harmony School and graduated from Perry High School.
He was married to Marcella Marshall on March 6, 1928, in Perry, where the couple made their home and farmed. Mrs. Marshall died in January 1988.
Survivors include numerous nieces and nephews including Edward Jones of Ponca City. In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by six sisters and one brother.
Lulu Mary Potter went home to be with the Lord on Monday, March 30, 1998, at the Ponca City Nursing Home. She was age 90. A longtime resident of Ponca City, she moved with her husband and children to Ponca City in 1936.
Lulu was born May 4, 1907 in Ingles, Okla., a few months before statehood. She was the daughter of John Frank and Martha Ann (Nail) Anderson, who had made the run of 1893 into Oklahoma and homesteaded in the Perkins area. She was the 11th child of 12 children and was the last surviving child. She attended rural schools in the Yale and Perkins area.
Lulu married Arthur Preston Potter on Oct. 25, 1924, in Stillwater. They were married 56 years at the time of her husband's death in January 1981. She was a longtime member of the Second Baptist Church and the Esther Sunday School Class. Lulu was a loving and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. Her Lord and her family were her most important things in life. She loved children and animals, was talented in writing poetry, enjoyed gardening - especially roses, and most of all, loved reading her Bible.
She is survived and deeply missed by three daughters, Geraldine "Jerry" Lane, Joyce Boyer and husband Jim, all of Ponca City, and Betty Huff and husband Howard, of Great Falls, Mont.; 12 grandchildren, Tom Cusick and wife Barbara, Connie Pardee and husband Tom, Shelly Himes and husband Jim, all of Ponca City, John Cusick of Fairfax, Charla Howard and husband Darrell of Beggs, Bobby Lane and wife Kathy of Edmond, Pamela Carroll and husband Mike, Cindy Horne and husband Jim, and Bruce Huff, all of Great Falls, Mont., Barbara Bentley and husband Paul of Nampa, Idaho, Staci Franks and husband Kyle, and Sharmi Boyer, all of Tulsa; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a daughter, Opal Cusick; a young son, Johnnie Franklin Potter; two sons in-law, Edward Cusick, and Calvin Lane; eight brothers and three sisters.
The funeral was to be held at 2 p.m. April 2, 1998, at the First Baptist Church chapel with the Rev. Paul Graham, pastor of Second Baptist Church, officiating. Burial was to follow at Longwood Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Casket bearers were to be grandsons, Tom Cusick, John Cusick, Bobby Lane, Darrell Howard Pardee, Tom Pardee and Jim Himes.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City Inc., 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601 or to a charity of donor's choice.
paid obituary
Friday
R.E. Van Buskirk - Funeral at 10 a.m. at the Morrison (Okla.) Christian Church. Burial will be in the Morrison Cemetery under the direction of Brown Funeral Home, Perry.
Rosetta Dwyer Edwards - Graveside service at 2 p.m. at the Newkirk (Okla.) Cemetery under the direction of Fairmount Mortuary, Denver, Colo.
Margaret Ann Turner - Funeral at 2 p.m. at The Tabernacle in Blackwell. Burial will be in the Mount Olive Cemetery in Nardin under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Garland Lovelace, Ponca City resident, died Wednesday afternoon, April
1, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 83. Arrangements
are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Rummage Sale - United Methodist Women are sponsoring a rummage sale Saturday, 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The event will be held at Asbury United Methodist Church, 700 West Liberty.
Race Unity - Members of the Bahai Community are asking citizens to watch "The Power of Race Unity" Saturday, 4:30 p.m., April 5, 7 a.m. and April 8, noon, on Channel 49 (Odyssey). For more information call 765-5695 or 1-800-2-UNITE, or e-mail www.us.bahai.org
Community Concert- Great music for the whole family coming to town at an affordable price. See tonight's Community Concerts ad for full details. Join before campaign headquarters closes Friday, at Commercial Federal Bank, 400 East Central Avenue. For more information call 767-0616 or 765-4822.
Work Day - The Attucks Community Alliance is planning a work day at the Attucks building, 1001 South Twelfth Street. Volunteers are needed to help Saturday, beginning at 8 a.m. Items needed for use include chainsaws, rakes, weedeaters, limbsaws and lawnmowers. For more information call J. L. Roland.
Easter Bunny Pictures - Rho Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi will have the Easter Bunny at Wal-Mart, Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. for pictures with children. Cost will be $2.50 each or two for $5. Funds will be used to purchase goods for a needy area family. "Hop on by with your children and get their picture made with the Easter Bunny!"
Arrest - Police arrested a 35-year-old man at 11:06 a.m. Wednesday from the 500 block of West Cleveland Avenue on a city warrant for failure to pay.
Vehicle Burglary - At 12:12 p.m. Wednesday police were notified that a woman's vehicle had been burglarized in the 1100 block of Bradley Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Structure Fire - A structure fire was reported at 12:35 p.m. Wednesday two miles west of North Waverly Street on Hubbard Road. It was found to be a grass fire that also included a shed. Fire units responded and the fire was extinguished.
Minor Accident - An accident in a parking lot in the 2500 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported at 12:51 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Window Broken - At 1 p.m. Wednesday a woman in the 500 block of West Summit Avenue reported that a window in her vehicle had been broken out. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Possible Gunshots - At 1:51 p.m. Wednesday a man advised police that he had heard gun shots north of the 100 block of West Prospect Avenue. An officer was assigned but was unable to locate any problem.
Forged Check - A woman at Buy For Less, 2405 North Fourteenth Street, called police at 2:44 p.m. Wednesday to report a forged check. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Alley Hole - A man in the 900 block of South Seventh Street called police at 3:19 p.m. Wednesday to report a large hole in the alley behind his garage. The street department was notified.
Pesticide Found - At 3:25 p.m. Wednesday police were notified that a bucket of pesticide was found on a street north of Grand Avenue on North Seventh Street. The street department was notified.
Juvenile Arrest - A 17-year-old boy was arrested at 3:59 p.m. Wednesday for possession of stolen property.
Damaged Fence - At 5:39 p.m. Wednesday a man in the 400 block of East Brookfield Avenue contacted police regarding a fence that had been damaged. An officer was assigned and a hit and run report was taken.
Fire - At 6:52 p.m. Wednesday fire units responded to a reported fire at Hubbard Road and North Union Street. The fire was extinguished.
Arrests - Police arrested a 22-year-old man and an 18-year-old man at 11:10 p.m. Wednesday from the 1000 block of North Pine Street. The 22-year-old was arrested on a city warrant for failure to appear and domestic assault and battery and driving under the influence and the 18-year-old was arrested on a city warrant and for defrauding an innkeeper.
Fight - Police were called to the 1400 block of West Highland
Avenue at 3:05 a.m. Thursday for a possible fight in progress. The fight
was determined to be a dispute between brothers.
GARDENING
Members of the Northern Oklahoma Iris Society will meet Friday at 7 p.m.
at the Cann Garden Center. The program titled "Preparing the Iris for
the Show" will be presented by John Tripp of Enid.
SPORTS
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
The Ponca City Wildcat baseballers (1-7) ran into another well-oiled hitting machine Wednesday, giving up nine hits through five innings to fall to defending state champion Jenks, 9-0.
Jenks (9-5), ranked No. 4 in state class 6A, got four big hits and took advantage of three Wildcat errors in the fourth inning to pull away 5-0, then picked up four more runs in the top of the fifth to make the run rule possible.
It was the third run-ruled game in as many outings for the Poncans.
"Hey, we play a tough schedule," said coach Roydon Tilley. "They've got a good club, and in this conference there aren't any free-bees."
But unlike indomitable Owasso - a team that bulldozed the Cats in a double header Saturday - the Trojans did seem to have some chinks in their armor. Though strong-armed pitcher David Sanders struck out six in four innings of work, the Poncans did do an admirable job of getting on base. But stranded runners - including loaded bases in both the second and fourth innings - left the Poncans scoreless.
For the game, the Wildcats left 11 runners on base.
For awhile, at least, the Poncans looked as if they might keep things close. Senior Chris Koenig started on the mound for the Cats, giving up just one hit through two innings, while a stepped-up defense denied the Trojans any opportunities.
Jenks got things going in the third, however. Two doubles - one by Oral Roberts signee Chris Noble (3-for-4) and another by nine-hole hitter Shawn Harrison - put Jenks on the board, 1-0.
Having figured out the Wildcat right-hander, the Trojans continued to tee off against Koenig in the fourth inning, and combined with a sudden rash of fielding errors, the Poncans began to slide.
A double by designated hitter Justin Young, followed by a two-run home run by University of Miami-bound Jesse French (who came up with a triple in his next at-bat) put the Trojans ahead 3-0. Three more hits and three fielding errors by the Poncans then stretched the score in that inning, 5-0.
Toby Redleaf took over for Koenig in the fifth, but to no avail. Two more hits, an error, and two walked batters led to the final four Trojan scores.
Getting rare hits for the Cats were Marc Smith, Todd Stewart, Kevin Reusser, and Daniel Denny.
"We just left too many runners in scoring position," said Tilley. "And we had too many mistakes at critical times.
"But we're gonna continue to work. We're going to get better."
The Cats keep working today, competing in the Yukon Tournament. Today, they'll take on Putnam City West, followed by Yukon. Other teams in the tournament are Woodward, Mustang, Tulsa Hale, Elk City, and Edmond Santa Fe.
Jenks 9, Ponca City 0
Jenks 001 44 - 9
Ponca City 000 00 - 0
Sanders, Beasley (5) and Shirley; Koenig, Redleaf (5), and Spears.
Though they won five of their first six singles matches, and two of their first three doubles matches, the Mid-High Cougars' tennis team lost most of the rest to fall in a dual meet with Stillwater, Tuesday.
Stillwater won in singles competition 7-5, and took doubles 4-2.
"Our upper guys played really well, but Stillwater is a little deeper than us," said coach Brad Larimer. "And a lot of those lower ranked matches were really close, they could have gone either way. With just a couple of those we could have won."
Larimer also points out that his team, composed of both eighth and ninth graders, has no junior varsity.
"If you look at our first six players as the varsity, then we actually won one and lost one," he says.
The Cougars continue play today, taking on Ark City.
Stillwater 11, Ponca City 7
Singles
1 - Michael Stuemky lost to Andrew Jaco, 0-8
2 - Mark Parsons def. Shawn Hellman, 8-1
3 - Trever Viljoen def. Steve Anderson, 8-0
4 - Squire Lawrence def. Andrew Chan, 8-4
5 - Shane Samples def. Vikram Hosur, 8-2
6 - Matt Caine def. Will Eastman, 8-2
7 - James Cullin lost to Kenny Poppe, 8-9 (6-8)
8 - Thomas Quillin lost to Eric Davis, 7-9
9 - Nick Hartman lost to Chace Derringer, 6-8
10 - Terry Pappan lost to Andrew Lugg, 4-8
11 - Ronny Schooley lost to Jimmy Kappel, 4-8
12 - Levi Branson lost to Ben Needham, 1-8
Doubles
1 - Stuemky-Parsons lost to Hellman-Anderson, 4-8
2 - Viljoen-Lawrence def. Jaco-Chan, 9-7
3 - Samples-Caine def. Hosur-Eastman, 8-0
4 - Cullin-Quillin lost to Poppe-Lugg, 2-8
5 - Hartman-Pappan lost to Davis-Derringer, 7-9
6 - Schooley-Branson lost to Kappel-Needham, 4-8