LOCAL

As Gas Prices Soar So Do Drive Off Totals
Nearly News
Po Hi Great Race Squad Remains 3rd

As Gas Prices Soar So Do Drive Off Totals

More than just motorists are feeling the pinch of rising gas prices.

In addition to an increase in pump prices, some local gas stations are experiencing an increase in drive-offs. With prices soaring as high as $1.75 per gallon, that’s almost to be expected.

“We’ve just had a couple more (drive-offs),” Michelle Rheam, employee for Triple T on Hartford Avenue, said Monday morning. “Just last week we had two or three.”

According to Rheam, Triple T is currently prosecuting a man who drove off with $7 worth of gas.

It’s the same across the state.

One station in Oklahoma City has had such an increase that it is starting to bother the employees. At the Food Mart Gas and Groceries, Hoang Tran said he’s frustrated by more drive-offs lately. “We have so many,” Tran said.

Kay Clinton of Citgo Short Stop at 200 East Highland said the store seldom has drive-offs, but there was one Saturday.

“That’s the first one we’ve had in about three months,” Clinton hastened to add.

Many stations in Oklahoma are requiring customers to prepay for gas because of the increase in drive-offs. Most stations in Ponca City, however, are not requiring a prepayment.

Jenny Love Meyer, spokesperson for Love’s Country Stores, said gas stations are not to blame for the high prices.

Despite the high price, Meyer explained that less than a dime is made on each gallon.

“Right now, the customer perception is that we are the ones that are artificially inflating gas prices, but the profits we make come from inside the store,” she said. “The profit margin from gasoline sales is very small.”

According to Meyer, Love’s Country Store makes less than 10 cents on each gallon sold.

Tony Lieu, who works for his family convenience store, QC Grocery in Oklahoma City, said his store only profits about four cents a gallon.

(Editor’s note: Information for this story compiled by Jackie Schroeder, News staff intern, and wire reports from The Associated Press.)

Nearly News

The city fountain in Centennial Plaza is out of order and will be repaired. The repairs will be completed in conjunction with the Civic Center’s renovation project.

Po Hi Great Race Squad Remains 3rd

ON THE ROAD — The team from Ponca City High School competing in the Great American Race remains in third place overall despite sixth- and eighth-place finishes over the weekend.

On Friday, the team placed third on the journey from Noblesvlle, Ind., to Peoria, Ill. During State 7 on Saturday, it placed eighth and sixth on Friday.

Tuesday, the team will travel through Nebraska and stop overnight in Cheyenne, Wyo. On Wednesday, it travels to Utah.

Team members are A.J. Evans, Brian Gibson, Bart Sutor, Brett Jackson, B.J. Loney and Chase Kelly. Sponsors are J.D. Hanks and Chase Kelly.

The race culminates on June 23 in Sacramento, Calif.

The cross-country rally race draws drivers in a test of navigating skills and endurance as they pit their pre-1951 vehicles against the clock in the timed 13-day competition.

The team from Po-Hi is driving a 1930 Model A Ford Pickup.

DEATHS

Donald Joe White
George Arthur Simmons
Glora Tucker

Donald Joe White

FAIRFAX — Donald Joe White, resident of Pond Creek, died Saturday, June 17, 2000, at the Bass Memorial Hospital in Enid. He was 61.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, at the Fairfax First Christian Church with the Rev. Mark Fox officiating. Assisting will be the Rev. George Weston. Burial will follow in the Pawnee Cemetery under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home of Fairfax.

Donald Joe White was born March 4, 1939, in Pawnee, the son of Joe Robert and Martha Ethel (Christy) White. He grew up in the Bend area of Osage County and graduated from high school in Ralston. On Nov. 20, 1960, he married Anna Nadine Elsberrry in Fairfax, and the couple made their home in Ralston. He later married Linda Bowen on April 5, 1996, in Lamont. The couple made their home in Pond Creek.

He engaged in farming and ranching for many years. He was also employed in the oil fields and as a lineman for Western Union for 13 years.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and especially his grandchildren.

Survivors include his wife of the home; five children, Donna Renfro of Fairfax, Anna Vance and Teresa Smith, both of Pawnee, Lisa Crabtree of Ralston, and Joe Robert White II of Stillwater; four stepchildren, Rachel Biggs of Pond Creek; Sandy David of Edmond, Phillip Biggs of Pond Creek and Milton David Jr. of Lahoma; two sisters, Sharon Gibson of Ralston and Kathy Thompson of Fairfax; 14 grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Robert White.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Oklahoma Medical Foundation for heart research, 825 NE 13th Street, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73104.

The family will be at the Renfro home in Fairfax.

Obituaries

George Arthur Simmons

BLACKWELL — George Arthur Simmons, resident of Blackwell, died Saturday morning, June 17, 2000, in the Shawn Manor Nursing Home in Ponca City. He was 91.

A graveside service will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2000, in the Blackwell Cemetery with Charles A. Jenkins, a nephew, officiating. The arrangements are under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home of Blackwell.

George Arthur Simmons was born on Jan. 28, 1909, in Waynoka, the son of William and Mary J. (Windsor) Simmons. He grew up in various towns where his father’s work as a blacksmith for the railroad took them. When he was 16, they lived in Fairfax, where he worked on the railroad with his father. Following his father’s accidental death in 1927 while working on the railroad, he moved his family to Blackwell and began employment at the Hazel-Atlas Glass Plant. He later was employed at Turvey’s Meat Packing Plant.

He married Sylvia L. Jenkins on March 20, 1940, in Wellington, Kan., and they settled in Blackwell. In 1943, he was employed at the Blackwell Zinc Company and worked there for 31 years until his retirement in 1974. Since 1985, they lived on a farm southeast of Kildare before returning to Blackwell this year. He enjoyed playing dominoes, fishing and gardening.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia L. Simmons of Blackwell; two daughters, Loretta Corn of Ponca City and Linda and John Williamson of Newkirk; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Ronnie Simmons; a great-grandson, Trevor Kyle Ratzlaff; and two brothers, Charles E. Simmons and Bill W. Simmons.

Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1901 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Glora Tucker

Glora Tucker, Ponca City resident, died Sunday, June 18, 2000, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 66. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

NEWS BRIEFS

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RSVP Plans Special Day — Friday, June 16, at 1 p.m., RSVP invites you to join the folks at the Senior Center, 319 West Grand. Come in out of the heat for a piece of pie and a cool drink while you listen to the piano music of Kay Anthony. Great refreshments and fun door prizes. Any questions, call 762-9412.

Stylist wanted. Booth rent reasonable. Call 765-8229 or 762-2972. adv.

Subject Held — An officer in the intersection of North Fourteenth Street and East Hartford Avenue reported a 26-year-old man was taken into custody for reckless driving and disobeying a traffic signal at 9:06 a.m. Saturday.

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

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at Cit-Go, North Second Street and East Highland Avenue, reported a gas drive-off at 11:41 a.m. Saturday. Information was logged.

Subjects Held — An officer in the intersection of Fourth Street and East Grand Avenue reported at 5:11 p.m. Saturday a 34-year-old man was taken into custody for driving under revocation and a 29-year-old man on a Kay County warrant for failure to appear.

Subject Held — An officer in the intersection of West Central Avenue and South Waverly Street reported at 8 p.m. Saturday a 38-year-old man was taken into custody for transporting an open container, transporting an open bottle, speeding, driving under intoxication, no insurance, driving left of center and a city warrant for failure to pay.

Burglary — A man in the 500 block of South Fourteenth Street reported to Ponca City police at 10:19 p.m. Saturday that someone had stolen some amplifiers out of his vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer in the intersection of Elmwood Avenue and Poplar Avenue reported at 10:46 p.m. Saturday a 46-year-old man had been taken into custody for no driver’s license, no insurance and three Kay County warrants.

Subject Held — An officer in the intersection of Ash Street and West Grand Avenue reported at 12:53 a.m. Sunday a 44-year-old man was being held for driving under intoxication, driving under a revocation and no insurance.

Subject Held — An officer in the intersection of West Hartford Avenue and North Union Street reported at 1:32 a.m. Sunday a 36-year-old man was taken into custody for public intoxication.

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

Subjects held — An officer at the intersection of West South Avenue and South Waverly Street reported at 1:40 a.m. Sunday that four people had been taken into custody. A 24-year-old man was held for actual physical control and no insurance, a 31-year-old man for public intoxication, a 22-year-old woman for a Kay County warrant and a 21-year-old man for obstructing an officer.

Accident — A man in the 1200 block of North Oak Street reported a hit-and-run accident that occurred Saturday to Ponca City police at 8:36 a.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — A woman in the 900 block of North Ash Street reported to Ponca City police at 1:43 p.m. Sunday that some money had been stolen from her residence. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer in the intersection of Broadway Avenue and North First Street reported at 2:12 p.m. Sunday that a 22-year-old woman was taken into custody for no driver’s license.

Accident — A man in the 500 block of North Twelfth Street reported that his neighbor had backed into his garage at 3:21 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Burglary — A man in the 1300 block of South Ninth Street reported to Ponca City police at 5:13 p.m. Sunday that someone had broken into his home. The information was logged.

Subject Held — An officer in the 2400 block of North Fourteenth Street reported at 9:05 p.m. Sunday two boys, a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old, had been taken into custody for petit larceny.

Theft — Someone in the 400 block of South Franklin Street reported the theft of a bicycle to Ponca City police at 9:05 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at a business in the 700 block of South Waverly Street reported a gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 9:15 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer in the 900 block of North Fourteenth Street reported at 12:09 a.m. Monday that an 18-year-old man had been taken into custody on two city warrants for failure to appear and failure to obey.

Subject Held — An officer in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue reported at 2:34 a.m. Monday an 18-year-old man was taken into custody for public intoxication.

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LIFESTYLES

Family Reunion Held at Ponca Park

Family Reunion Held at Ponca Park

Descendants of Charles E. and Mary Lucy (Thayer) Welch and their friends met at Lake Ponca Park on Sunday, June 4, 2000, for a family reunion. There were 67 people in attendance.

Children and grandchildren of Nelson Herbert Welch, Mabel Audrey (Welch) Misenhelter, Mary Elda (Welch) Parrish, Charles Edwin Welch, Jr., Clarice Eleanor (Welch) Constant and John Wilson Welch who attended included:

Family of Nelson H. Welch -- Joseph N. and Lila Welch, Joe Lee and Monica Welch of Jenks, Gary and Beverly (Welch) Phillips, Christy Whiles and daughter Alexis, Kelli and Stan Sample and son Jory of Okmulgee, Kimberly Phillips and William (Bill) Welch and son William.

W. Allen and LaVerne Welch, Alana (Welch) Bright and grandsons T.W. and Chris Cottrell of Spring, Texas, T.J. and Veronica Short and daughter Keanna, and Tamitha Short of Okmulgee.

Leroy and Frances Welch, Jay Lynn Welch of Oklahoma City, Bill and Dana (Welch) Whitsitt and son Chad, and Fred Herbert Welch of Tulsa.

Don Welch and Jim Welch.

Lloyd and Joan Welch, Sue Welch of Tulsa, Sarah and Olivia Welch-Taylor of Columbia, MO.

Tom and Nila (Welch) Larkins, Joe and Mary Chambers and sons Evan and Justin, Kim and Jennifer Ruby and daughters Vanessa and Charissa of Sealy, Texas, and Linda Larkins and son Tommy of Littleton, Colo.

Marilyn Cook.

Family of Mary Elda (Welch) Parrish -- Michael Malone of Billings, MT, Cheryl Malone (wife of Jim Malone) of Stillwater, and Mandy (Malone) McSperitt of Stillwater.

Jack and Ramona Parrish of Oklahoma City.

Family of Charles Edwin Welch, Jr. -- Yandell (Welch) Gardner and grandchildren, Lanna and Larimie of Marlowe, Gary and Rosemary (Welch) Fisher of Moundridge, Kan., and Nedra (Welch) Roll of Wichita, Kan..

Family of Clarice Eleanor (Welch) Constant -- Raymond and Nadine Constant of Tulsa.

Friends of the family attending included Marcy Smith of Tulsa, Margaret McGilliard of Bella Vista, Ar., and Christopher Haub.

SPORTS

Legion Wins Ark City Tourament Title

Legion Wins Ark City Tourament Title

ARKANSAS CITY — Ponca City’s American Legion baseballers put it all together over the weekend to win the rain-shortened Black Diamond Tournament Sunday.

“We got clutch hitting, clutch pitching and clutch defense,” enthused Royals’ coach Stoney Parks following his team’s 9-6 win over Derby, Kan., in the championship finals.

The Poncans made the most of seven hits, including a three-run triple by J. Michael Sharon, that highlighted a four-run sixth inning rally.

In the two previous games it was pitching that grabbed the spotlight for Ponca City. Following Friday’s five-hit, 10-strike out gem by Jeff Furnas, Bryan Coppock was the author of a no-hit, 10-0 win over Coffeeville, Kan., on Saturday.

With the third round of the pool-play tournament rained out, that put Ponca City into the championship game on Sunday.

In what turned into a “heated battle” according to Parks, the Poncans simply wouldn’t be denied.

The Royals jumped to a 4-0 lead on a three-run second inning. In that inning, Derby pitcher Jeremy Wilson was called for a balk, walked the bases loaded and walked in a run. After expressing his displeasure with the calls, he was throw out of the game by the umpire, the first of two Derby players to exit early.

“They did a lot of talking to us and to the umpires,’ Parks said of the Derby players. “It got to be a little heated.”

Derby scored once in the third, but Ponca City got that run back in the fourth on an RBI double by Jerrod Spears.

Derby then erupted for five runs in the fifth inning to grab a 6-5 lead.

But Ponca City was determine to take home its first tournament trophy.

Pinch-hitter B.J. Hays led off the sixth with a walk and took second on a passed ball. Stephen Michael singled, but Hays was out at the plate. Wes Day was hit by a pitch and, with two outs, Coppock singled to load the bases.

That set up Sharon, who delivered a clinch triple to left center. Sharon later scored on a passed ball.

Coppock came on in relief of Matt Wilks to shut down Derby in the final two innings.

Ponca City put Coffeeville away early Saturday, thanks to a seven-run first inning.

The Royals got help from four walks and two hit batsmen along with a two-run single by Michael and a three-run triple by Spears.

Coppock had three strikeouts and walked two in that five-inning shutout.

The Royals are scheduled to host Darcula, Ga., and Blackwell in a three-way round-robin Tuesday. Ponca City will play Darcula at 3 p.m. and Blackwell at 8. Blackwell and Darcula play at 5:30.