From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
May 28, 1998
LOCAL
Drug Raid Nets Federal Fugitive
Hartford Avenue Businesses Suffering Construction Woes
Chamber News
Seven Kay County Inmates May Seek Early Release
Girl Scouts Plan Special Summer Fun
Volunteens Orientation Set May 26
DEATHS
Tom Hall
Patricia Mouser Heuer
Obituaries
Hazel E. Mathieu
Services Pending
Johnnie L. Waddelow
Albert Leterle
NEWS BRIEFS
SPORTS
Royals Falter Late In Home Opener
American Legion Schedules
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
A Ponca City drug raid Wednesday netted a major drug laboratory as well as a federal fugitive wanted in connection with illegal manufacturing of methamphetamines.
The raid, which originated in the 1400 block of South Fifth Street and involved four different locations, led to the arrest of three people, the confiscation of two vehicles and the recovery of lab equipment and chemicals used in drug manufacturing.
Law enforcement officials from the city, county and state, including those from the Major Crimes Unit, Ponca City Police Department, Kay County Sheriff's Office, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Agencies were involved in the 10-hour drug operation that ended with a private chemical disposal company being called in to destroy the recovered drug manufacturing chemicals.
"The lab was equipped with enough chemicals and equipment to manufacture at least one pure ounce of the drug that could then be 'cut' into three ounces and sold on the street for over $6,000," Chief Raymond Ham stated. "They had just finished manufacturing drugs a few days ago."
The search of the South Fifth location led to a search in Osage County where more drugs were found. From there additional search warrants were obtained and residences in both the 800 block of East South Avenue and the 4000 block of South Union Street were searched. It was at the South Union Street location that a 42-year-old man wanted for two years by the U.S. Marshal's Office and DEA in connection with drug manufacturing, was arrested.
A 32-year-old Ponca City man and a 30-year-old Kansas woman were arrested earlier at the South Fifth Street residence.
According to Major Crimes Unit director and assistant district attorney Brian Surber, it was a tip that led officials to the drug manufacturing operation, the ensuing arrests and confiscations.
"Finding a methamphetamines manufacturing laboratory is always much more significant than busting a dealing because that is where the drugs are made," Surber stated. "This was a real good days work for all of us."
By PATTI PFEIFFER
News Staff Writer
The price of progress has just risen for those frequent travelers of the northwest side of town. Once a rarity, now a familiar part of the city landscape, another set of those orange and white barricades and "Detour" and "Road Closed" road signs were erected late Wednesday as crews began the four-month Phase II Hartford Avenue Project.
Between the detours, upset drivers, impatient people and inconvenience, complaints were expected as the project progressed. What was not expected was that a problem would arise as soon as it did.
Before the construction even began, before the first piece of concrete was even cracked, before all the barricades were erected and before traffic was even detoured, the phones starting ringing at city hall as upset business owners found themselves and their customers surrounded by a barrage of misplaced barricades.
"I had to knock down signs to even get out of the parking lot," Pets Etc. owner Tom Hand said with a smile. "It was real tense there for a while."
Within minutes the city manager, city engineer, city traffic engineer and the director of public works arrived on the scene and corrected the situation. "The general contractor had a miscommunication with the traffic control company which resulted in the wrong streets being shut down," City Engineer Randy Lauritsen explained. "This is the contractor's responsibility and not the city's but we quickly removed the barriers and resolved the situation."
The timing of the construction of Phase II has recently come under fire as the area business owners questioned the wisdom of starting the construction when only several blocks away another detour at the railroad crossing on Hartford Avenue is in place.
"I understand you have to have progress but there is a right and wrong way to do things and why start one thing before you finish another?" Carriage House Cleaners owner Bill Bechtold questioned. "Right now it would take a helicopter pad to get to us."
According to Public Works Director Ken Parr, timing of Phase II is of the essence for several reasons. First, Parr says that the second phase has already been delayed one year to allow for the completion of Fifth Street.
Secondly, the project has been scheduled to start and end during the summer in order not to interfere with area school traffic. Lastly, the coordination of the project is of the utmost importance.
"The telephone company is scheduled to relocate their trunk phone lines on June 1 and if that has to be rescheduled there is no telling when those contractors could get to it again," he stated. "This project is not the only project they have and it could take months to reschedule everything."
The closing of both sections of Hartford Avenue was due to nothing more than poor timing and a little bad luck. "The City tried their best to coordinate with the railroad but the railroad postponed their reconstruction project by one to two months and we had nothing to do with that so we couldn't help that," Parr stated.
The "barricade blunder" did nothing to calm the fears of area merchants already worried over what two simultaneous Hartford Avenue road closures would do to their business.
The owner of Pets Etc. says he moved to his current location in the 700 block of West Hartford Avenue from downtown in an attempt to increase business, a move that up until this point has paid off for him and his wife.
"Since the move to this location our business has tripled, mainly due to the drive-by business," Hand stated. "At least 50 percent of our business is drive-by and we are sure to lose a lot of that due to the construction."
The concerns and worries were echoed by business owners throughout the area. "This will interfere with our business tremendously," co-owner of O'Connor Drugs Gary Bintz claimed. "I guess it is the price of progress and if they do what they say, it will hopefully be all right."
There are a total of four current road closings within a one-mile radius on the northwest side of town. In addition to the two closed sections of Hartford Avenue, John Street north of Hartford as well as Union Street between Redbird Drive and Lonnie Avenue are both closed due to road construction.
The John Street closure has interfered with the new detour on Hartford Avenue. While John Street is closed, traffic will temporarily be rerouted up Fairview Avenue to Bradley Avenue and down Fifth Street. Afterwards the permanent three-to-four-month detour route will include a complicated, winding tour of the local neighborhood that will begin on Fairview Avenue and end on Hartford Avenue at Jane Street.
The good news is - weather permitting - the Hartford Avenue railroad crossing reconstruction should be completed by next week. It will then be one detour down and three to go.
So, at least for a while the traffic jams and ensuing headaches here, may resemble the nightmares of a major metropolitan city, rather than just the simple progression of Ponca City.
By Tim Burg
Communications Committee Chairman Economic Development Advisory Board
Can We Talk, or Better Yet, Can We Listen?
Communication is a wonderful tool, when we use it to its fullest. It can resolve conflicts, convey thoughts, eliminate misconception and allow individuals to make well informed decisions. The Economic Development Advisory Board believes that communication is more than just printing or informing the citizens of what our proposed plan of action will be. This will help our community grow and prosper in a positive manner.
Communication is also listening to, and acting on, comments from the general public, soliciting advice or suggestions from local businesses and even reviewing surveys from local manufacturers. Good communication is a two-way street, with equal communicating about the direction of our economic development plan and also in understanding what the community as a whole feels about the direction of our economic endeavors.
The belief in these ideals is a high priority of the Economic Development Advisory Board Communication Committee. We strongly believe that communication is vital to the success of the Advisory Board and are working diligently to accomplish that goal. One of the larger goals of the committee is the establishment of an Internet page for economic development efforts. This page, when completed, will serve as our link to the outside world and will be directly linked to the City of Ponca City's home page and to the Oklahoma Department of Commerce's home page.
Other goals of the committee include continuing to utilize Economic Development board members to serve as speakers to local civic clubs and other organizations. The committee also provides news releases and information regarding current economic board issues.
Committee members include Lynna Boss, assistant director of Domestic Violence; Sandy Dickey, The Ponca City News; Carey Head, Head Country Manufacturing; Lynn Hohensee, director, public relations, Mid Continent Business Unit for Conoco Inc.; Connie McAbee, marketing and business development officer at Pioneer Bank and Trust; Homer Nicholson, building coordinator, Facility Management for Conoco Inc.; Dr. John Scroggins, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for Ponca City Public Schools; Janet Taber, public information officer at Pioneer Technology Center; Tana Wilson, assistant to the city manager for the City of Ponca City, and Tim Burg, vice president and treasurer of T-N-T Construction. Burg is the chairman of this committee.
Communication is a wonderful tool if first of all we use it, and secondly, we use it wisely
Upcoming Events
Friday - Ribbon Cutting, Show Mart Homes, 10 a.m. 3674 East Highway 60.
OKLAHOMA CITY - Several Oklahoma inmates will be considered this month for parole by the State of Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board.
The meeting will be held on June 16, 17, 18 and 19 at the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center here. Daily meetings will begin at 7 a.m. each day, except for Tuesday, June 16, when the meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Victims or their representatives should plan to arrive between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. on that Tuesday.
Comments concerning any inmate on the docket must be submitted in writing and be received by the Pardon and Parole Board at 4040 North Lincoln, Suite 219, Oklahoma City, Okla., 73105-5221 no later than Tuesday, June 9. The phone number is 405-427-8601.
The following inmates sentenced from the District Courts of Kay County are scheduled on the regular parole docket:
Cathy M. Akridge, incarcerated since February 1998 and serving a two-year sentence on a charge of driving under the influence, second offense.
Gary R. Baker, incarcerated since October 1990 and serving a 20-year sentence on a charge of larceny of a motor vehicle after former felony conviction.
Benjie A. Cowan Jr., incarcerated since July 1991 and serving a 30-year sentence on a charge of second-degree burglary after two former felony convictions.
David W. Drake, incarcerated since September 1997 and serving a two-year sentence on a charge of knowingly concealing stolen property.
Kenneth G. Garcia, incarcerated since January 1983 and serving a 75-year sentence on a charge of falsely conveying a bomb threat.
Jason E. McDonald, incarcerated since January 1996 and serving a 10-year sentence with four years suspended on a charge of kidnapping for extortion.
Charles H. Stiffler, incarcerated since August 1996 and serving a 20-year sentence on a charge of second-degree burglary after former felony conviction.
"Girls Just Want To Have Fun" is the theme for the summer as summer activities have been announced by the Girl Scouts.
On May 29, the Girl Scouts are going to Kids Kastle from 9 a.m. to noon. The fee is $5 for registered Girl Scouts and it includes activities, patch and a drink. The girls may bring money for game tokens. On June 22 the girls will see Disney's "Mulan" at the Ponca Plaza Twin. The Scouts should meet at 9:30 a.m. for a tour of the projection booth and to see the movie. The fee is $5 for registered Girl Scouts and includes the movie, patch, popcorn and drink. Registration deadline for this event is June 12.
July 8 is wet Wednesday at Putt Putt Golf. The Scouts should meet at the picnic tables between 1 and 4 p.m. to play. The fee is $5 and includes golf, patch and drink. Registration deadline is July 1. The last event of fun is scheduled at Sun-n-Fun. To attend this wet event you must register by July 24. Meet at pavilion 1 on Saturday, Aug. 1, from 1 to 4 p.m. and bring your swimsuit, towel and sunscreen. The fee for registered Girl Scouts is $6.
To register for any of the events, please fill out a registration form with fee and mail it to Bluestem Girl Scout Council, Kay County Headquarters, 221 North Second Street, Ponca City, Okla. 74601. You may contact the program directors Heather Swinehart at 765-4096 or Sheila Foxworthy at 765-3794 for more information.
At the May 22 quarterly meeting of the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center Volunteers, Leanna Felix, Director of St. Joseph's Durable Medical Equipment, addressed the changes that have taken place in the Lifeline program since its inception in 1986.
At that time the Auxilians had the foresight to recognize the need for a communication system for the elderly and infirm and donated the money to buy the initial 25 Lifeline units.
In 1990, SJRMC took over the management of the program and last month, St. Joseph Medical Equipment began managing the program. Felix said the number of clients has grown from 25 in 1986 to 96 in 1998.
Kathy Turner, SJRMC Volunteer Services Coordinator, updated the group on the changes happening in both the Volunteer Services area and the hospital. She apprised them that the Volunteens would have orientation May 26 and would start their duties June 1.
"SJRMC is fortunate to have the quality of volunteers that we have
in the program," said Turner. "They willingly and cheerfully do
whatever we ask them." Turner also said volunteering can be a wonderful
and fulfilling experience for those who are willing to donate a few hours
a week to work at SJRMC. Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Turner
at 765-0508.
DEATHS
BURBANK - Tom Hall, resident of Burbank and Osage County, died Tuesday morning, May 26, 1998, in the St. Anthony Hospital, Oklahoma City. He was 62.
The graveside service and burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, May 29, 1998, in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery with the Rev. John J. Michalicka, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. The casket will not be opened, but friends may call at the funeral home until 9 a.m. Friday.
Tom Hall was born May 21, 1936, in Ponca City, the son of Alfred and Fannie (Lessert) Hall Sr. He attended Burbank Schools and Ponca Military Academy, graduating from Burbank High School. Tom lived in Osage County all of his life and engaged in farming and ranching.
Survivors include his brother and wife, Alfred and Frieda Hall of Burbank; two nephews; five great-nephews; and two great-nieces. His parents preceded him in death.
Memorial contributions may be made in his name to American Diabetes Association, c/o Lori Hodges, Pioneer Bank and Trust, P.O. Box 111, Ponca City, OK 74602.
AUSTIN, Texas - Patricia Mouser Heuer, former longtime resident of Ponca City, died Tuesday, May 26, 1998, in Austin, Texas. She was 66.
Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, Austin, Texas.
Patricia Mouser Heuer was born in Houston, Texas, on September 25, 1929, the daughter of Curtis J. Mouser and Lola M. Mouser. She moved with her family to Ponca City in 1936. She married George J. Heuer in November of 1959. She is preceded in death by her husband in April 1986.
Hazel E. Mathieu died Wednesday, May 27, 1998, 2:05 p.m. at Westminster Village. She was 101.
The funeral service will be Friday, 1 p.m. in the Chapel of the Trout Funeral Home with the Rev. Denny Hook, pastor, First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Conde Cemetery, Conde, S.D.
Hazel was born December 8, 1896, on the Borwell Family farm in Beotia Township, Spink County, South Dakota, the daughter of Samuel Lewis and Annie Borwell Cleveland. She was raised with eight other siblings (three brothers and five sisters).
A 1915 graduate of Conde High School, she subsequently earned a second grade teacher's certificate. She taught school for two years before marrying Reese Alfred Mathieu on February 28, 1918. The couple spent all of their married life in Verdon, S.D. where they had a general store.
Mrs. Mathieu was always active in Bible study and in earlier years taught Sunday school in a non-denominational church in Verdon, S.D. She became involved in Extension club work, the Eastern Star, and the Degree of Honor Lodge. She taught 4-H clubs and was active in the WSCS (later known as the UMW) of the Methodist Church in Conde and Ponca City. She also was a past president of the South Dakota Branch of the International Order of the King's Daughters and Sons. She had 50 year pins from several of these groups.
Mrs. Mathieu moved to Ponca City in 1977, residing in the Monument apartments until 1988 when she moved to Westminster Village. On December 8, 1996, a celebration was held honoring her on her 100th birthday. Mayor Marilyn Andrews of Ponca City proclaimed that day as "Hazel E. Mathieu Day."
Mrs. Mathieu was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, her parents, and eight brothers and sisters. She is survived by two children, Grace Anna (Mathieu) Polkinghorne, Ponca City, and Reese Alfred Mathieu Jr., Houston, Texas; grandchildren, Reese Alfred Mathieu III, Joyce Ann (Polkinghorne) Phelps, and John G. Polkinghorne; four great-grandchildren, Mary Mathieu, Sarah Mathieu, Reese Alfred Mathieu IV, and Killian Garfield Phelps. She also had a number of cousins, nieces, and nephews whom she had kept in touch with over the years.
paid obituary
Johnnie L. Waddelow, resident of Ponca City, died early this morning, May 28, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 74. Survivors include her daughter, Teri Guss, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
Albert "Al" Leterle, resident of Ponca City, died Wednesday,
May 27, 1998, at his home. He was 77. Survivors include his wife, Cleo,
of the home. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.
NEWS BRIEFS
Promise Keepers - Promise Keepers' blood drive continues through Friday. Help support the project and give the gift of life for local patients. Stop by the Oklahoma Blood Institute, 518 North Fourteenth Street. T-shirts for all donors.
Stolen Pruner - At 6:28 a.m. Wednesday a man in the 2000 block of Cedar Street contacted police to report the theft of a pruner. An officer was assigned.
Vehicle Ransacked - Extra patrol was assigned in the 1800 block of Cedar Street after a woman called police at 8:54 a.m. Wednesday advising that her vehicle had been ransacked.
Building Vandalism - At 9:56 a.m. Wednesday police were called to the Northern Oklahoma Area Pediatrics Building, 415 Fairview Avenue, after a report of vandalism to the building.
Burglary - Police were advised of a burglary at 10:29 a.m. Wednesday at the Soccer Complex and Practice T on Lake Road.
Stolen Checks - A man in the 700 block of McFadden Drive contacted police at 11:20 a.m. Wednesday to report the theft of checks.
Arrest - Police arrested a 20-year-old man at 11:48 a.m. Wednesday on two city warrants.
Arrest - A 30-year-old woman was arrested at 11:56 a.m. Wednesday from the 1400 block of South Fifth Street for possession of marijuana.
Building Burglary - At 12:36 p.m. Wednesday police were advised of the burglary of an outbuilding in the 2400 block of North Fourteenth Street. A report was taken.
Drug Paraphernalia - A woman in the 200 block of South Palm Street called police at 1:09 p.m. Wednesday to report she had found some drug paraphernalia in a vacant rental house.
Stolen Wire - At 2:49 p.m. Wednesday copper wire was reportedly stolen from a house being torn down in the 400 block of South Fourth Street.
Equipment Found - A woman in the 200 block of West Gary Street called police at 3:29 p.m. Wednesday to report that she had found some equipment in her camper, possibly stolen equipment. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Accident - An accident at North Fifth Street and Bradley Avenue was reported at 5:29 p.m. Wednesday. A report was taken.
Arrest - Police arrested a 24-year-old man a t 11:13 p.m. Wednesday from South Waverly Street and West South Avenue for driving under restriction.
Juveniles Cited - At 11:34 p.m. Wednesday police issued citations to juveniles in the 2600 block of Lake Road for underage person trying to purchase alcohol.
Rock Thrown - A man in 200 block of South Seventh Street contacted police at 12:10 a.m. Thursday regarding a rock being thrown through his bedroom window. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Roof Stomping - At 2:11 a.m. Thursday an employee of the Ponca
City Nursing Home, 1400 North Waverly Street, contacted police to report
sounds resembling someone "stomping" on the roof of the dining
area. However police were unable to find anything.
SPORTS
By MATTHEW KOENIG
News Sports Writer
After four lead changes, it was the Bartlesville Injuns getting the final word Wednesday night, charging ahead of the Ponca City American Legion Royals in the final two innings to take the win, 10-5.
Though starting pitcher Daniel Denny held Bartlesville to just six hits and three runs through five innings, the Injuns figured things out in their last two at-bats, unloading on Denny and reliever Dean Hemenway for a total of eight hits and seven runs to put things out of reach.
The Royals, now 1-2 after splitting a pair with the Woodward Travelers over the weekend, got on the board early with a single run in the bottom of the first inning. Lead off hitter Marc Smith got on with a base hit, stole second, went to third on a passed ball and was later driven in with a single by first baseman Hemenway.
That lead quickly evaporated in the second, however, as the Injuns picked up a pair of hits and capitalized on the lone Ponca City fielding error in the game to go up by one, 2-1.
The Poncans bolted right back moments later. In the bottom of the second, designated hitter Evan Rupp nailed a single to left field, advanced after catcher Jerrod Spears was hit by a pitch, and came on a double by Smith. Spears later slid in safely on a passed ball, giving the Royals yet another slim margin, 3-2.
After a scoreless third and fourth inning, the Injuns knotted things up with a single run in the top of the fifth.
The Royals came through once again, however, in the bottom of the fifth. Hemenway reached on an error, and following another passed ball by the Injuns, came in easily after second baseman Wes Murrie ripped a two-base shot down the third base line.
Into the fateful sixth inning, the Injuns' Ralph White drew a walk, and after a huge, 2-run homer by 9-hole hitter Brandon Black, Hemenway took to the mound.
Hemenway had no better luck with the late-blooming Bartlesville bats, however, giving up another run in that inning, and four more runs off five hits in the seventh.
The Legionnaires tried to make the impossible comeback with their last at-bat in the seventh. Though Murrie and Cody Warner got things going by drawing consecutive walks, the Royals could do little else, going 3-and-out in their final at-bats.
For the game, Smith was the only Royals player with multiple hits, going 2-for-5 with an RBI. Spears and Rupp were both 1-for-2.
The Royals now take on Stillwater and Elk City in round robin play this Saturday, at home.
The Royals, with fourth year coach Jack Shears back at the helm, are composed of high school varsity players Spears, Todd Stewart, Michael Quick, Reusser, Justin Thomas, Toby Red Leaf, Smith, Denny, Murrie, Rupp, Hemenway and Justin Ross.
Augmenting the squad are Warner, Greg Dewberry, Jeffery Lieb, and Jason Neff.
Bartlesville 10, Ponca City 5
Bartlesville 020 013 4 - 10 14 1
Ponca City 120 010 1 - 5 5 1
Ertchair, Barror (6), and Dunlap; Denny, Hemenway (6), and Spears.
1998 Majors
May
30 - Stillwater, Elk City 3:00/5:00
31 - PUTNUM CITY, 2:00
June
2 - STILLWATER, 7:30
5-7 - Omaha CWS Tournament
5 - Ralston, 5:15
5 - Northwest, 7:30
6 - Papillion, 1:15
6 - Westside, 3:30
7 - Prep, 11:00
9 - PERRY, 7:00
10 - Ark City, 6:00
12 - Perry, 5:30
12-14 - Enid Tournament
12 - Edmond SF, 10:30
12 - Moore, 12:45
13 - Ft. Smith, 5:15
14 - Hutchinson, 12:45
14 - Enid, 3:00
17 - Bartlesville, 7:30
19-21 - Ark City Tournament
24 - Putnam City West, 5:30
26 - Stillwater, 5:00
30 - BARTLESVILLE, 7:30
July
2-5 - Bartlesville Tournament
7 - ARK CITY, 6:00
8 - ENID, 6:00
12 - NORMAN NORTH, 2:00
13 - Enid, 6:00
14 - Perry, 6:30
15 - STILLWATER, 7:00
17-19 - Putnam City Tournament
21 - Bartlesville, 7:30
24-26 - District Tournament
1998 AA (varsity) team
June
2 - Derby
5-7 - Perry Tournament
9 - Tonkawa
10 - STILLWATER, 6:00
11 - EDMOND SANTA FE, 6:00
13 - Drumwright, 2:00
15 - Perry, 6:00
17 - BARTLESVILLE, 7:30
19-21 - Putnam City Tournament
22 - Bartlesville
23 - PERRY, 6:00
25 - BARTLESVILLE, 7:30
26 - ENID, 6:00
27 - Enid, 8:00
28 - DERBY, 2:00
30 - Edmond Santa Fe, 6:00
July
9 - DRUMWRIGHT, 6:30
10-12 - District Tournament
1998 AA (junior varsity) team
May
29 - Stillwater, 6:00
June
1 - ALVA, 6:00
3 - Ark City, 6:00
4 - Fairfax, 6:00
6 - Drumwright, 2:00
7 - Tonkawa, 2:00
11-14 - Alva Tournament
15 - FAIRFAX, 6:00
16 - ARK CITY, 6:00
18 - Perry, 6:00
19 - TONKAWA, 5:30
22 - Alva, 6:00
23 - Bartlesville, 6:00
27 - DRUMWRIGHT, 2:00
28 - Stillwater, 1:00
29 - BARTLESVILLE, 6:00
July
2-5 - PONCA CITY TOURNAMENT
10-12 - District Tournament
All Legion home games will be played at the high school field. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for school aged children and free to those under school age.
Family passes are also available and are good for the immediate household
of the pass-holder. Family passes are $25 and are good for all regular home
games.