From the pages of The Ponca City News, Thursday, April 15, 1999

LOCAL

DEATHS

NEWS BRIEFS

SPORTS

GARDENING


LOCAL



City Post Office Prepares for Final Rush
Final Details For Amtrak Worked Out
ODOT Attacks Litter On All Fronts April 17
Chamber News
District Court



City Post Office Prepares for Final Rush

The deadline is here and the Ponca City Post Office has braced itself for the annual onslaught of last-minute filers. But rest assured procrastinators, help has arrived so that 1998 Income Tax Returns will be postmarked in time.

Mailboxes, Etc. announced they will partner with the Ponca City Post Office to provide another drop off location for filers. The Mailbox location, 522 North Fourteenth Street, will be open until 9 p.m.

Additionally, the post office will remain open until midnight to collect and postmark federal and state returns.

Postmaster L.F. “Robie” Robinson reminds postal customers to use adequate postage (33 cents for the first ounce and 22 cents for each additional ounce up to 11 ounces). Envelopes must include a legible return address.

“The Internal Revenue Service will not accept postage due mail and this mail will be returned to sender,” Robinson said.

After 6 p.m., postal clerks will only collect from the collection boxes located in front or inside of the post office located at 402 East Grand Avenue. The window lobby will remain open until midnight.



Final Details For Amtrak Worked Out

WASHINGTON — For the first time in 20 years, Amtrak service will return to Oklahoma. After working out final details, Don Nickles, Oklahoma senator, Neal McCaleb, Oklahoma transportation secretary, and George Warrington, Amtrak president, set Monday, June 14, as the start date for service between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.

The three were finally able to resolve several outstanding issues and come to an agreement. Nickles also credited efforts of officials at the Burlington Northern and Sante Fe Railway, which owns the track between Oklahoma City and Fort Worth.

Nickles secured $23 million for Oklahoma passenger rail service through the Tax Relief Act of 1997. Oklahoma received the first half of these funds ($11.5 million) in April 1998, and is set to receive the remaining half this month.

Expanding the route to connect with points north of Oklahoma, will be the next focus.



ODOT Attacks Litter On All Fronts April 17

Don’t let trash stand in Oklahoma’s way! The Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is attacking litter on all fronts this spring beginning with its Eleventh Annual Trash-Off, on April 17.

Volunteers from 1,100 Oklahoma Adopt-A-Highway groups, 108 cities and 14 counties will participate in the spring cleaning to pick up trash in communities and on highways.

According to John Meadows, of the Ponca City Solid Waste Department, the department timed its city-wide cleanup to focus attention on spring cleaning as part of the Oklahoma, Keep Our Land Grand anti-litter campaign.

Oklahomans can also get involved in other programs to keep Oklahoma grand year-round. One program is Adopt-A-Highway, which aims to clean up the roadsides and persuade folks not to litter. Organizations interested in adopting a section of highway may contact ODOT’s Beautification Office.

Active groups from Kay County include: Tonkawa Chamber of Commerce, Ponca City Rotary, Ponca City FFA, Conoco employees, Blackwell Lions Club, Delta Co., First Battalion, Kaw City Area Chamber of Commerce; Newkirk FFA, Newkirk Lions Club, Northern Oklahoma College Student Senate; Prairie View Extension Homemakers and Tonkawa Lions Club.

The Science Guy

Also, ODOT invites schools across the state to celebrate Anti-Litter Day at Frontier City on April 30. A one-hour presentation will feature “Bill Nye, the Science Guy”.

Every school student in the state has been invited to participate in this ultimate school field trip. Nye will explain the scientific effects litter has on the earth and the environment.

Nye is the host of the Emmy Award-winning weekly television series, “Disney presents Bill Nye the Science Guy.” His appeal and popularity stem from his ability to make science entertaining and accessible. Nye’s show often features special effects, exciting stunts and even music videos to de-mystify the world of science. His flare for comedy and love of science have made him the science guru or “science guy” of the 90s.

In addition, the “Anti-LitterBug,” a 1999 Volkswagen Beetle decorated with anti-litter messages will be on display. The Bug is making its way across the state in a tour to 15 high schools, three malls and other community events in April.

Students can also partake in anti-litter games like “jammin’ the can” and litter trivia. Also, all the thrills and chills of Frontier City’s four roller coasters and mega-thrill rides like the Tomahawk, a suspended, 360 degree scream machine and the Mind Bender will be up and running.

Anti-Litter Day tickets can only be purchased through school administrators or teachers and are $8 per student, over 70 percent off of normal admission.

School officials can contact the Frontier City at 405-478-2140 for information. For other anti-litter projects, contact ODOT public affairs at 405-521-6000.



Chamber News

Second Annual Secretary’s Day Appreciation Event

Scheduled Wednesday, April 21

Have you heard about the Secretary’s Day Appreciation Reception? National Secretary’s Day is April 21. A secretary’s job has changed. It used to be that a secretary took dictation, typed, filed, and answered phones. Not anymore.

There is a considerable range of responsibilities that fall under the category “secretary.” In fact, many of today’s secretaries perform tasks that middle managers did in that not-so-distant past.

The Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce is teaming up with A+ Printing, Braudrick Printery Inc., Hobby Lobby Creative Center, Kay Office Equipment Company, Kwik Kopy Printing, Merrifield Office & School Supply, Southwest Business Products Inc. and Staples Inc. to host a special Reception to recognize those office support professionals who go above and beyond the call of duty. The Reception will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the Chamber offices, 420 E. Grand Avenue. All Chamber members are encouraged to bring their secretaries or support staff to the Chamber office on Wednesday, April 21. All secretaries, assistants and others who provide administrative support deserve recognition on National Secretary’s Day.

All support personnel are invited to escape for a time of enjoyment, relaxation, and fun as we celebrate National Secretary’s Day and salute you — the support professional — who does whatever it takes to make your business the best that it can be; who goes above and beyond. To make reservations for this complimentary Reception in support of office professionals, call the Chamber at (580) 765-4400. Each secretary who attends will receive a special gift bag.

Upcoming Events

7:30 a.m., Friday, April 16 — Legislative Review Committee, Chamber Conference Room.

8 a.m., Tuesday, April 20 — Ambassador Committee, Chamber Conference Room.

10 a.m. — noon, Wednesday, April 21 — Secretary’s Day Appreciation Reception, Chamber Conference Room.

5 p.m., Wednesday, April 21 — Rodeo Meeting, Chamber Conference Room.



District Court

Newkirk

Marriage Licenses

Obbie Lee Jackson, 46, and Judie Dawn Baker, 36, both of Blackwell.

Brian Lee Belair, 26, and Shelley Leeann Bohon, 21, both of El Dorado.

Finis Eugene Winchester, 36, Sara Renee Bookstore, 15, both of Johnson, Kan.

Divorces Sought

Tina Marie Spiva vs. Michael Bruce Spiva, Sr.

Civil Petitions

Byron L. Heins and Sandra A. Heins vs. John W. Hron, Jr., et al.; plaintiffs seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.

American General Finance Inc. vs. Lance A. Goddard; plaintiff seeking judgment for $3,115.86.

Service Collection Association Inc. vs. Donald G. Teufel; plaintiff seeking judgment for $19,611.60.

Blackwell

Divorces Sought

Ronald D. Crowell vs. Kimberlie D. Crowell.

Lacy M. Belair vs. Michael T. Belair.

Civil Petitions

Harold Wooderson vs. Lee Aviation, Inc., plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.

Ponca City

Divorces Sought

Vickie Lynn Austin vs. Rocky Eugene Austin

Milagros Maria Gonzalez vs. Arturo Gonzalez

Janet Lee Ward vs. Robert Farrell Ward, Jr.

Maxine Lynn Epperly vs. Robert Wayne Epperly

Divorces Granted

Ursula Jane Bossert vs. Arthur Matthew Bossert.

George Lee Merritt vs. Deborah Sue Merritt.

John Wesley Phillips vs. Juanema Phillips; defendant restored to former name Juanema Gay Duvall.

Mary Denise Jenkins vs. Chad Darren Jenkins; plaintiff restored to former name Mary Denise Knox.

Brian John Huseby vs. Debra Lynn Huseby;

Civil Petitions

Gayle Pemberton vs. Geno Walker, et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment for $9,871.

Tina Bernal and Larry Thornbrugh vs. Venetia Warrior and Tony Warrior; plaintiffs seeking judgment in the excess of $10,000.

Industrial Tank Service, Inc. vs. Mid Continent Group; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.

Beverly Fleming et al. vs. Allen Miller; plaintiffs seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.

Robert Tate vs. American Mercury Insurance Co.; plaintiff seeking judgment in excess of $10,000.

Commercial Credit Plan, Inc. vs. Teresa J. Caldwell et al.; plaintiff seeking judgment for $23,819.01.



DEATHS



Guy C. Prather
Alta M. Ryan



Guy C. Prather

Guy C. Prather, longtime Ponca City resident, died early Wednesday, April 14, 1999, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 88.

The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 16, 1999, in the St. John Lutheran Church in Newkirk with the Rev. Ernest Quillen officiating. Burial will follow in the Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Guy Prather was born Jan. 24, 1911, near Butler in Custer County. He was the son of Fred and Gladys (Stigelman) Prather. The family moved to the Blackwell and Peckham area when he was eight years old.

Prather was a graduate of Blackwell High School. He continued his education at Northern Oklahoma Junior College in Tonkawa where he received his associates degree in business.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in the mid 1930s and served in Hawaii for over two years before receiving his honorable discharge. Following his military service, he married Ruth Eileen Barthel on Sept. 4, 1938, in Blackwell.

Prather was employed in the payroll department for Conoco Inc. for over 36 years, retiring in 1973. He was an active member of the St. John Lutheran Church and, in years past, had been a member of the First Lutheran Church where he had served as elder and treasurer of the church. He also spent many years working with the Boy Scouts and coaching elementary boys baseball, taking one of his teams to the state championship.

Survivors include his wife, Eileen, of the home; one son, Gary D. Prather, of Arkadelphia, Ark.; one daughter, Nova Rae Nethercot, of Oklahoma City; a brother, Elvin Prather, of Arkansas City, Kan.; a sister, Ruth Jean Pappan, of Derby, Kan.; three granddaughters, four great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Belva Felinger.

Casket bearers will be Douglas Eisenhauer, Larry Eisenhauer, Dale Eisenhauer, Justin Ballard, Jack Thorpe, and Don Wolfe. Honorary casket bearers will be Jim Morgan, Paul Seeliger, Harlan Thompson, Bill Edwards, Phil Johnson, and Lloyd Letourneau.

Memorial contributions may be made to the St. John Lutheran Church.

The family will be at the home, 1004 North Oak.



Funerals

Friday

Alta M. Ryan

Funeral to be graveside at 2 p.m. at Riverview Cemetery in Arkansas City, Kan. Friends may visit at Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home in Arkansas City, Kan. from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and until noon Friday.



NEWS BRIEFS



Friendship Feast Dinner — Friendship Feast board members will host a fund-raising spaghetti dinner 4:30-7 p.m. Friday in the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall, North Fifth Street and East Cleveland Avenue. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for children. Friendship Feast provides free meals Monday-Thursday, 5:30-6:15 p.m., at First Christian Church.



Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat

ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th, 765-7979. adv.



Indian Tacos — An Indian taco lunch will be available Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., at Brookfield Avenue Wesleyan Church, North Third Street and East Brookfield Avenue. Cost for an Indian taco, dessert and beverage is $5 per person and participants can eat in or carry out. Frybread by Genny will be available. Funds benefit church community projects.



Concealed Hand-gun class. Information. Call 765-6589. adv.



Warrant Served — A Ponca City police officer arrested a 21-year-old man from the 400 block of South Perry Avenue at 9:22 a.m. Wednesday, for a city warrant.



Pauline's Shrimp peel. All you can eat, $11.95, Friday the 2nd.

For reservations, call 765-5460.adv.



Arrested — At 10:14 a.m. Wednesday, a Ponca City police officer arrested a 20-year-old man for a city warrant. A 38-year-old woman was also arrested for a city warrant.



Head Country all day Friday special ­ All you can eat, smoked

BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day.

1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.



Arrest — A Ponca City police officer arrested a woman from Albertsons, 2005 North Fourteenth Street, at 4:06 p.m. Wednesday, for obstructing an officer, providing false information to an officer and a Kay County warrant.



Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

Hours: Monday, 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and

Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. adv.



Accident — At 9:39 p.m. Wednesday, a Ponca City police officer responded to the report of an accident that occurred at North Fourteenth Street and East Hartford Avenue. No injuries were reported.

In Custody — At 3:09 p.m. Wednesday, a Ponca City police officer arrested a man from the 300 block of West Hartford Avenue for a city warrant.



St. Louise Cardinal tickets for sale. Game: May 10th, against

Philadelphia. For more details call 762-5651. adv.



Reckless — A resident in the 600 block of North Sunset Avenue, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 3:19 p.m. Wednesday, to report a reckless driver in the Lincoln School parking lot. An officer responded and took a report to submit a request for a warrant.



Dougan's Bar-B-Q Thursday special from 4-? 1/2 BBQ chicken

with 2 vegetables. $4.25. 215 South 14th. 765-7979. adv.



Juveniles — An employee from TotalCom Inc., 104 East Emporia Avenue, notified the Ponca City Police Department at 4:17 p.m. Wednesday, to advise three boys were trying to get on the train as it passes by the 100 block of West Emporia. An officer arrived at the scene and located the youths. The officer contacted the parents, who agreed to handle the situation.



Accident — Two Ponca City police officers responded to the report of a two-vehicle accident at Jane Street and Young Avenue, at 6:36 p.m. Wednesday. A 41-year-old woman was arrested for driving under the influence, following too closely, driving under suspension, violation of restriction, and no insurance. No injuries were reported.



Warrant Served — A 20-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer from the station at 6:38 p.m. Wednesday for a city warrant.



Entry Made — A resident in the 1000 block of Shady Place notified the Ponca City Police Department at 6:46 p.m. Wednesday to report entry had been made to the home through a window. The resident noted nothing was taken, but requested extra patrol in the area.



DUI — At 8:46 p.m. Wednesday, the Ponca City Police Department received a call reporting a hit-and-run. The suspect vehicle was southbound on Ninth Street. Two officers responded and stopped a vehicle in the 1100 block of South Ninth Street. A 40-year-old man was taken into custody for driving under the influence, driving under suspension, leaving the scene of an accident, not wearing a seat belt, no insurance and failure to stay on the right side of the roadway.



Larceny — A Ponca City police officer investigated the report of several thefts from retailers at Ponca Plaza, 2101 North Fourteenth Street, at 2:12 p.m. Wednesday. He took a grand larceny report at J.C. Penney and Sally Beauty Supply. An additional report of theft was taken from General Nutrition Center.



Bike — The Ponca City Police Department received a call at 8:43 p.m. Wednesday, from an anonymous man who reported a bike abandoned in the field in the 1300 block of South Eighth Street. Animal Control was advised to pick the bike up.



Slashed — The Ponca City Police Department received notice at 12:23 a.m. Thursday, that tires were slashed on a vehicle in the parking lot of Sykes, 1701 Sykes Boulevard. An officer responded and took a report.



Fallen Tree — At 5:46 a.m. Thursday, Ponca City police officers responded to the report of a fallen tree in the roadway at South Ninth Street and East Walnut Avenue. Cones were place on each side of the street until the Park Department could arrive to move the tree.



GARDENING



Gardening Benefits Body, Mind and Spirit
Seed Sales Boom as Y2K Worriers Plant for Future
Iris Is Hardy In Ponca City
Pioneer Water Garden Society Slates Meeting
Arbor Day Group Offers Shade Trees



Gardening Benefits Body, Mind and Spirit

(PX) — The physical and psychological benefits of gardening were discovered quite by accident. As early as 1768, physicians were prescribing “tending the soil” as a cure for ills of the mind and nervous system.

Psychiatrists and physical therapists both agree that for most Americans, gardening is an excellent way to relieve mental stress and at the same time get good exercise, according to the Lawn and Garden Marketing and Distribution Association.

Physical therapists and trainers point out that the “wheelbarrow shuffle” and the “weed squat-and-pull” done often enough are excellent ways to train the muscles of the upper and lower body, says James Bunch, president of the Lawn and Garden Association.

Digging the dirt with a shovel and repetitive squatting to move objects or pull weeds will also help shapen thighs and buttocks, says Audrey L. Chadwick, R.N. M.S., master gardener and professor of Horticultural Therapy, at the University of Texas. Simple tasks like turning a compost heap, raking and hoeing can help the arm, shoulder and back muscles get into shape.

Even the less strenuous forms of garden upkeep, such as weeding, trimming and raking, can burn off 300 calories in an hour. This exercise pays extra dividends that gym exercise cannot, such as a beautiful lawn, garden or vegetables.

The use of plants and garden activities improves body, mind and spirit. Chadwick says, we grow not only plants, but better lives. She affirms that working with the soil and plants is a true “healing source” for all individuals.

Additionally, stress and fatigue can be eased with the simple repetitive nature of the tasks. Some aggressive drives can also be relieved in an acceptable manner by clipping hedges or breaking up old flower pots for use in new projects.

The physical and psychological benefits of gardening nearly were discovered by accident, when indigent patients grew fruits and vegetables in a hospital garden to pay for their stay. These patients recovered sooner than the wealthier patients who did nothing.

The true reward is seeing a seed or sapling sown by hand and mature into a living thing, says James Delaplane, M.D. graduate of Georgetown University and Jefferson Medical College, former medical director of Friends Hospital in Philadelphia.

“It results in the growth of what is pleasant and appealing to us as human beings. And, our sense of accomplishment and self-esteem is cultivated, just as much as the garden that we have helped to bear fruit or flora,” he concluded.



Seed Sales Boom as Y2K Worriers Plant for Future

ROBESONIA, Pa. (AP) — The big plastic container under Ralph Kellner’s Christmas tree was labeled Y2K EMERGENCY KIT. Inside were duct tape, a fortune cookie, some fish hooks and Twinkies — “Expiration date: 1-2000.”

But among the gag gifts from his children were instructions that struck Kellner as entirely logical: “Plant seeds in spring.”

Joke all you want, he told his kids, but we’re doing just that. And seed companies say the Kellners are not alone.

Fearing power outages, empty grocery shelves and food distribution chaos, many Americans are stocking up on canning gear and planting apocalyptic vegetable gardens: potatoes, cabbage, beans, carrots — anything that will keep through the winter of 2000.

“We’re getting a lot of calls in our customer service department from people who have never planted a seed in their life,” says Renee Beaulieu of Shepherd’s Garden Seeds in Torrington, Conn. “Questions from people who have zero experience, but a lot of ambition — plowing up your entire back yard is not normally how you’d start gardening.”

The Y2K bug is a programming glitch that, come Jan. 1, could cause computers to think the year 2000 is really 1900 and chew up reams of data that run modern lives. Industry and government disagree about how widespread problems will be, and some companies see opportunity in the confusion.

On its Web site, Heirloom Seeds in West Elizabeth trumpets the “Y2K Special,” $115 worth of seeds for 92 vegetables and herbs. A bigger set includes 254 seed packs for $299.99.

Territorial Seed Co. in Cottage Grove, Ore., says its Millennium Victory Garden kit is its best-selling item ever.

Seeds of Change in Santa Fe, N.M., recommends “survival seeds,” from arugula to turnips.

And Millennium Seeds, a company started two years ago by Michael Morris, a Livermore, Colo., computer salesman worried about the Y2K bug, has seen monthly sales increase eight-fold since Jan. 1, from about $3,000 to more than $25,000 in early March.

“I’ve been in marketing all my life, so I know a good market when I see one,” says Morris, who quit his job to start Millennium Seeds. “We were out there buying seeds and I said, ‘Wow, this is an awesome market.”’

Gardener’s Supply Co. in Burlington, Vt., reports increased sales of greenhouses ($300 to $3,000) and rain barrels ($110).

The Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry in Manitowoc, Wis., says sales of canning equipment have doubled.

Even companies ignoring Y2K marketing opportunities say they are inundated. Venerable W. Atlee Burpee & Co. in Warminster and Johnny’s Selected Seed in Albion, Maine, report upticks since January.

Mary and Ralph Kellner are former commercial artists from Brooklyn, N.Y., who moved to rural Berks County, 60 miles from Philadelphia, 18 years ago.

Ralph Kellner has researched the millennium bug, read information from every reasonable source he can find, watched congressional hearings on C-SPAN and talked with friends in computer programming.

He is convinced power will fail at the start of 2000, for several weeks to a few months. So he and his wife, Mary, both 65, bought a generator to run the freezer and pump water from their 200-foot-deep well. They’ve filled four blue tubs with soup, rice and canned tuna. And they are planting vegetables in six beds covering 350 square feet.

Mary Kellner has never preserved food, but she plans to learn. Winter squash, carrots and potatoes will go into the root cellar under the garage. Tomatoes will make sauces. Corn she will freeze; beans she will dry.

“I’m going to do it, too,” Ralph Kellner says, “and I’m the worst gardener in the world. I’ve been living here for almost 20 years, and I’ve had a vegetable garden and each year I’ve neglected it. It’s the joke of all our friends.”

“This year,” his wife says, “we decided we better get serious.”

And if Y2K glitches never occur or are solved in days?

“We’ll save a heck of a lot of money,” Mary Kellner says, “because we won’t have to go to the food store.”



Iris Is Hardy In Ponca City

Why grow iris? The spirit of this lovely spring flower is emphasized when the plant grows even among the rocks. Fragile blossoms defy the wind, late freezes and drought that Oklahoma weather can bring at this time of year.

Southside Neighbors encourage residents to grow iris and to display them in the sixth annual Community Iris Show to be held May 1-2 in the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. Visitors from across the state as well as Kansas, Texas, Arkansas and abroad have attended the show in the past and have been rewarded with beautiful blossoms said Rebecca Barker.

An invitation is extended to the public to participate in the iris show. Iris should be brought to the clubhouse April 30 between 5 and 7 p.m. Participants may bring one entry from each color category. Judging will take place May 1 prior to the event opening to the public at 10 a.m. Youth and adult categories are accepted and the event is open to the novice as well as the experienced gardener. For more information call 765-1689.



Pioneer Water Garden Society Slates Meeting

Members of the Pioneer Water Garden Society will meet April 20 at 7 p.m. at the Cann Gardens. Guest speaker will be Richard Keathly from Keathly’s Nursery. He will give suggestions on how to landscape around ponds.

Dues for the organization need to be paid so that members may plan for the pond tour August 8. Anyone interested in water gardens is invited to attend the meeting. For more information call Mike Welch, 762-3271, or Ray Moreland, 762-7806.



Arbor Day Group Offers Shade Trees

Ten free shade trees will be given to each person who joins The National Arbor Day Foundation during April 1999 as part of the nonprofit Foundation’s Trees for America campaign.

The trees are Red Oak, Sugar Maple, Weeping Willow, Green Ash, Thornless Honeylocust, Pin Oak, River Birch, Tuliptree, Silver Maple, and Red Maple.

“These trees were selected to provide shade and beauty, and a variety of forms, leaf shapes, and beautiful fall colors,” John Rosenow, the Foundation’s president, said.

The trees will be shipped postpaid at the right time for planting in April or May with enclosed planting instructions. The six-to-twelve inch trees are guaranteed to grow or they will be replaced free of charge.

To become a member of the Foundation and receive the free trees, send a $10 contribution to TEN FREE SHADE TREES, National Arbor Day Foundation, 100 Arbor Avenue, Nebraska City, NE 68410, by April 30.



SPORTS



OSU Signs Big Man For Middle



OSU Signs Big Man For Middle

STILLWATER (AP) — The Oklahoma State basketball team has added 6-foot-11 Jason Keep, a center from North Idaho College.

The 290-pound Keep averaged 15 points, nine rebounds and two blocks per game this past season. He will have three years of eligibility at Oklahoma State.

‘‘Jason will make a welcome addition to our front line,’’ coach Eddie Sutton said Wednesday in announcing the signing. ‘‘He has great hands and is a very physical low-post player. We’re excited to have him join our program.’’

His coach at North Idaho, Hugh Watson, said Keep grew physically and mentally during his year at the school.

‘‘He has great hands and runs the floor adequately,’’ Watson said. ‘‘He can score and he’s getting better defensively. With coach Sutton’s coaching, he has a chance to be a bigtime player.’’

Keep is OSU’s first signee of the spring period. The Cowboys have two more scholarships available.


Copyright© Ponca City News, 1998