LOCAL

Politicos Debating Keatings VP Potential
Local Man Announces For Seat In Congress
Nearly News
Ponca City Great RaceTeam Finishes Second
Familiar Face Marge Decker To Leave News

Politicos Debating Keatings VP Potential

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — He’s young and articulate with a good crime-fighting background and national recognition. But he’s from a politically isolated state and his penchant for off-the-cuff remarks could be political suicide in a national spotlight.

So go the arguments over Gov. Frank Keating as political pundits and prognosticators debate Keating’s vice presidential pedigree.

Marc Nuttle, an Oklahoman who has worked on Republican political campaigns throughout the country for nearly 25 years, said Keating meets all of his criteria for an ideal vice presidential candidate for George W. Bush, from his crime-fighting experience and religion to his reputation with the national media.

‘‘There’s not one component of the Republican base that he offends,’’ Nuttle said.

Even many non-Oklahomans are looking at Keating as the top choice for the post.

‘‘There are some people in this town who are absolutely convinced it’s going to be him — well-placed, astute observers,’’ one Washington insider told The Oklahoman.

While a decision on Bush’s vice presidential running mate isn’t expected to be announced until late next month, Keating’s office has confirmed that the governor filled out a lengthy questionnaire for the Bush campaign.

Keating’s anti-abortion stance also sits well with many top Republicans, which in some opinions puts him on top of candidates like abortion rights candidate and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge.

If Bush ‘‘picks a pro-choice presidential running mate, he will lose the election,’’ said Colleen Parro, director of the Republican National Coalition for Life.

Senate Majority Whip Don Nickles, R-Okla., said he agrees Bush would be better off choosing someone who is anti-abortion, predicting that media questions ‘‘would never end’’ if Bush put an abortion rights running mate on the ballot with him.

But there are concerns about the 56-year-old Republican governor.

Oklahoma has few electoral votes and usually votes Republican anyway. Ridge, however, comes from a key state, as do Sen. Connie Mack of Florida, New York Gov. George Pataki and Reps. Chris Cox of California and John Kasich of Ohio.

Nickles said Keating’s home state wasn’t a disqualification, ‘‘it’s just not a plus.’’

Former U.S. Rep. Steve Gunderson, a moderate Wisconsin Republican and a leader in several GOP groups, downplayed the importance of geography, citing Clinton’s choice of Tennessee native Al Gore for vice president in 1992.

More important, Gunderson said, is Keating’s national recognition, which has been high since the Oklahoma City bombing.

Keating, he said, ‘‘has clearly been someone in the eyes of the rest of the nation that has handled some very difficult challenges with both grace and with, I think, professionalism — the bombing and other things like that.’’

David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union, said Keating is one of the Republican governors who will ‘‘sell well’’ out of his home state.

‘‘That gives him a leg up. Among the governors, the two most attractive are Keating and Jim Gilmore of Virginia because, in both instances, the core of the party would like them and they have sufficient experience and are smooth enough and articulate enough.’’

But not everybody is sold on the governor taking the No. 2 spot on the Bush ticket.

‘‘I really can’t imagine it,’’ said Don Hoover, a Democratic campaign consultant in Oklahoma.

Hoover said Keating’s reputation as ‘‘a loose cannon in terms of some of his comments’’ is a considerable detriment to his chances for the office.

‘‘If he were asked to be the vice presidential candidate, the spotlight would shine on him like never before, and I’m not sure he could withstand that.’’

But Nuttle said the national spotlight did shine on Keating after the Oklahoma City bombing, and that Keating and his wife, Cathy, helped the country deal with the tragedy.

‘‘He was almost a Churchillian leader during that time,’’ Nuttle said.

Local Man Announces For Seat In Congress

Ponca City, which already has a native son in the Senate, may put a second resident in Congress.

Garland McWatters, 51, announced today he will seek the fifth congressional district seat in the House of Representatives currently held by Ernest Istook.

McWatters is a Democrat.

The self-employed consultant made the announcement in Ponca City this morning and in Oklahoma City at noon.

“This election is about starting a movement to return control of Congress to the average citizen,” McWatters said.

“[It is to] take it away from the influence of big money and special interests.”

If elected, Mc-Watters would join Sen. Don Nickles as the second member of Congress from Ponca City.

McWatters, who has an extensive background in vocational technology education, is married to local attorney Lori Young.

He said his platform will be based on election reform, including tax deductions for individual contributions, limiting the amount a candidate can spend in an election and establishing a privately funded pool of start-up money for candidates.

According to his campaign literature, McWatters wants to establish Oklahoma as a state with diversified economy in urban and rural areas.

“I believe if we build an Oklahoma where our children want to stay, we’ll have an Oklahoma where others will want to come to follow their dreams,” he stated.

He said of Istook, “He has offered no vision for Oklahoma and expresses no compassion for the dreams, hopes and desires of average Oklahomans.”

Nearly News

A fireworks display Sunday night shocked many northside residents of Ponca City. It was a part of a Freedom Celebration presented by the First Assembly of God Church.

The display had the approval of the city council.

Ponca City Great RaceTeam Finishes Second

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sunday, the awards were given out to the winners of the History Channel Great Race and the Ponca City High School team was awarded second place after a tie for first developed the last day of the race that started in Boston and ended here in Sacramento,Calif.

Since much of the purpose of the X-cup class that the team was entered in, is to interest young people in high school in old cars and the race, credit is given according to the amount of work that the team students do to prepare the car for the race. Since the Ponca team only had to repair their 1930 model A pickup some, the team that did a total restoration was given more credit to break the tie. and allowing the White Water Tech Center team from Connersville,Ind., to receive first place.

Sunday afternoon, the team intended to see the Pacific Ocean and the Golden Gate bridge before starting home Monday morning. Side trips may include the Hoover Dam, four corners and the Grand Canyon.

Team members are: J.D. Hanks and Larry Hime , drivers and instructors Chase Kelly, Bart Suter, B.J.Loney, Brett Jackson and A.J. Evans.

Familiar Face Marge Decker To Leave News

Many customers of The Ponca City News will miss a familiar face as Marge Decker, longtime reporter, Religion Editor, and newspaper librarian, prepares to retire. Mrs. Decker’s last working day will be June 30. Friends are invited to stop by The News Wednesday, June 28, at 10 a.m. to visit with Marge and enjoy cookies and lemonade.

Mrs. Decker is moving to Texas, where she will reside with a daughter and son-in-law, Laura and Don Lehman. An active volunteer worker in the community and a mainstay for 31 years at The News, Mrs. Decker plans to spend her time with her children, grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, and pursue her hobbies of reading, painting and crocheting.

DEATHS

Larry Eugene Atkins
Clifford Elmer Widener
Ossie Helen Dunn

Larry Eugene Atkins

PAWNEE — Larry Eugene Atkins, resident of Pawnee, died Friday, June 23, 2000, in Pawnee. He was 68.

The funeral was to be held at noon today, June 26, at the Otoe-Missouria Cultural Center in Red Rock. Burial will following in the Otoe-Missouria Cemetery in Red Rock under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home in Pawnee.

Larry Eugene Atkins was born Dec. 9, 1931, in Pawnee, the son of Harvey R. and Nellie Arkeketa Atkins. He served in the United States Army during the Korean War in an airborne division. He was an avid outdoorsman and worked several years as a PGA golf caddy.

He is survived by several relatives.

Clifford Elmer Widener

Clifford Elmer Widener, former Ponca City resident, died Sunday, June 25, 2000, at the Grace Living Center in Muskogee. He was 91.

A graveside service will be held 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 27, 2000, at Odd Fellows Cemetery with the Rev. Dr. Michael Kear officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Clifford Elmer Widener was born Jan. 29, 1909, in Cullison, Okla., the son of Bradley and Mamie (Latham) Widener. He lived in Ponca City for many years before enlisting in the United States Army. He served his country in World War II.

Survivors include his sister, Betty Lou Oliver of Norman.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Hazel Yeamon.

Ossie Helen Dunn

NEWKIRK — Ossie Helen Dunn, longtime Newkirk resident, died Sunday morning, June 25, 2000, in the Newkirk Nursing Center. She was 100.

A graveside service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 28, in Newkirk Cemetery with the Rev. Jim Hollifield, minister of the Newkirk First United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service.

Ossie Helen Dunn was born Jan. 28, 1900, in Macon County, Ill., the daughter of John William and Mary Ellen (Myers) Meeks. In 1910, the family moved to the rural Newkirk area, and she attended Pioneer Rural School and the school in Newkirk. After finishing her education, she worked at the Newkirk telephone office.

On Nov. 11, 1922, she married Forrest Dunn in Tonkawa. They established their first home in the Newkirk area, moving later to Tulsa. She worked in several department stores while living in Tulsa.

After her husband’s retirement from Phillips Oil Company, they returned to the Newkirk area where she has since resided.

She was an active member of the First United Methodist Church, and she was a charter member of the Bois d’Arc Club. She had also held membership in Royal Neighbors, the Quilters Club, the Golden Agers of Arkansas City, Kan., and the Over “60” Club in Newkirk. She enjoyed sewing, playing cards and entertaining friends.

She is survived by one brother, Harold Meeks of Tonkawa; one sister, Evelyn Miller of Newkirk; and numerous nephews and nieces.

She was preceded in death by her husband on Sept. 25, 1997; her parents; seven brothers, Orra Meeks, Fred Meeks, Enos Meeks, Forrest Meeks, Howard Meeks, Ira Meeks and Leo Meeks; and one sister, Mary Suttle.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the First United Methodist Church, c/o Eastman National Bank, Box 468, Newkirk, Okla. 74647-0468.

NEWS BRIEFS

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Luncheon — The Cities Service and Sequoia refinery ex-employees will enjoy lunch at Furr’s Cafeteria at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday.

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

Subject Held — An officer in the 500 block of North Palm Street reported a 21-year-old man was taken into custody for public intoxication at 7:50 a.m. Saturday.

Burglary — A woman in the 300 block of South Osage Avenue reported at 10:41 a.m. Saturday that her residence had possibly been burglarized to Ponca City police. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential.

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

Burglary — Someone in the 3500 block of North Fourteenth Street reported at 11:54 a.m. Saturday a riding lawn mower had been stolen while left at a local business to Ponca City police. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — A woman in the 2900 block of North Union Avenue reported to Ponca City police at 12:17 p.m. Saturday that some gas had been stolen out of her vehicle overnight. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Fire Run — A resident in the 500 block of South Perry Street reported to the Communications Center at 2 a.m. Monday a shed and a tree were on fire. Stations No. 1, 2 and 3 responded to the call. Fire was put out at 2:10 a.m. Cable One was also informed that their cable line had burned.

Accident — A minor accident at the intersection of Overbrook Avenue and North Union Street was reported to Ponca City police at 12:56 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Burglary — A man in the 700 block of East Central Avenue reported to Ponca City police at 1:26 p.m. Saturday his vehicle had been broken into. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — A non-injury accident in the 2000 block of East Prospect Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 2:24 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at a business in the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street reported a gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 3:41 p.m. Saturday. Customer had prepaid, but took an extra $1.01 and left. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer in the 600 block of West Highland Avenue reported a 35-year-old man was taken into custody on a city warrant at 11:03 p.m. Saturday.

Subject Held — An officer on a routine traffic stop at North Fifth Street and East Highland Avenue reported at 12:19 a.m. Sunday a 39-year-old man had been taken into custody for driving under suspension and domestic assault.

Subject Held — An officer in the 3000 block of East Prospect Avenue reported a 27-year-old man have been taken into custody for public intoxication at 12:26 a.m. Sunday.

Subject Held — An officer in the 2000 block of North Fourteenth Street reported a 22-year-old man had been taken into custody for public intoxication at 12:27 a.m. Sunday.

Subject Held — A officer in the 200 block of South Fourteenth Street reported an 18-year-old woman was taken into custody for public intoxication at 6:24 a.m. Sunday.

Subject Held — An officer in the 2000 block of North Seventh Street reported at 9:25 p.m. Sunday a 21-year-old man was taken into custody for obstructing an officer, false information, failure to keep vehicle on the road, no insurance, expired inspection and expired tag.

Theft — Someone in the 300 block of South Ash Street reported a paper tag was stolen from a vehicle at to Ponca City police at 9:07 a.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — A woman in the 2400 block of Kingston Road reported her dogs were stolen to Ponca City police at 1:39 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident in Wal-Mart’s parking lot, 1101 East Prospect, was reported to Ponca City police at 2:01 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer in the 600 block of West Hazel Avenue reported a 35-year-old woman was taken into custody for public intoxication after finding her in the street sniffing paint at 2:53 p.m. Sunday.

Subject Held — An officer in the 400 block of South Pine Street reported a 38-year-old woman was taken into custody for obstructing an officer at 6:10 p.m. Sunday.

Theft — A man in the 300 block of South Osage Street reported the theft of two bicycles to Ponca City police at 9:03 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident in the 2900 block of North Fourteenth Street was reported to Ponca City police at 9:41 p.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report taken.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at a business in the 200 block of West Hartford Avenue reported a gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 12:55 a.m. Monday. Subject had driven away without paying for $10.77 in gas. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

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LIFESTYLES

Laureate Phi Chapter Meets
Micah Marie Marshall Bride Of Matthew Kirk Mitchell
Jaye Barker Is Bride-Elect

Laureate Phi Chapter Meets

Laureate Phi chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority met in the garden of Virginia Starks for a salad luncheon. Roberta Streeter, president, completed her list of committee members. Alice Beman, service chair, reported on plans for the coming year.

It was reported that Velma Case attended the AT run in Texas, and the event raised $68,000. Mrs. Cases’ granddaughter, Jamie Ray Madison, composed a poem about AT, which was framed and sold at auction for $1000. Mrs. Case also attended the Beta Sigma Phi Founder’s Day event in San Antonio, Texas.

Ms. Beman and Meire K. Harris reported on the Oklahoma state BSP convention held in Enid. Ms. Beman accepted a yellow rose for Georgia Warren during the memorial ceremony.

The July 16 late afternoon social will be a patio picnic at the home of Alice Beman. Spouses and guests will be included.

Micah Marie Marshall Bride Of Matthew Kirk Mitchell

Micah Marie Marshall and Matthew Kirk Mitchell were united in marriage May 26, 2000, in Independence, Mo. The couple resides in Ponca City, where the bridegroom is employed in the marketing technology group of the Credit Card Center at Conoco. The bride is a student at Oklahoma State University.

Parents of the bride are David and Diana Zander of Lee’s Summit, Mo., and the late Walter Marshall. The bridegroom’s parents are Wayne Ray Mitchell of Ralston, and Claudia Gates-Mitchell of Ponca City.

Grandparents of the bride are Jack and Wanda Zander of Lee’s Summit, Mo., Joyce Hawkins of Orlando, and the late Walter and Juanita Marshall. Grandparents of the bridegroom are Wayne and Eloise Mitchell, and Jim and Lou Gates, all of Ralston.

Jaye Barker Is Bride-Elect

The Rev. and Mrs. Terry N. Barker of Ponca City announce the engagement of their daughter, Danna Jaye, to David Kyle Johnson, son of Mr. and Mrs. David Johnson of Guymon. A 1 p.m. Aug. 5 wedding at St. Luke’s Church of the Nazarene is planned, followed by a reception for the couple.

Miss Barker is a 1999 graduate of Madison High School and has attended Southern Nazarene University. She will be a communication major at the University of Oklahoma in the fall.

Johnson, a 1996 graduate of Guymon High School, earned a bachelor of arts degree from SNU. He plans to attend graduate school at OU, where he will pursue a Ph.D of Religion.

SPORTS

Ponca City Golfers Enter Texas Oklahoma Tournament
Legion Goes 4 2 In Tournament

Ponca City Golfers Enter Texas Oklahoma Tournament

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

One of the largest contingent of Ponca City golfers to take part in the prestigious Texas-Oklahoma Junior Golf Tournament is in Wichita Falls today.

Eight local juniors left Sunday for the five-day tournament which oddly enough has a day off before the finals Friday. The Poncans will compete in almost all of the age groups.

They include Matt Waddell, Matt Ellis, Nathan Coats, Patrick Collogan, Ross Gilbert, John Nimmo and David Maddox in the boys’ division.

Michaela Cavener is the lone Ponca City girl in the tournament, but she is also the most experienced. Cavener, competing in the 14-year-old bracket this year, placed fourth in her age group last summer.

Most of the Poncans are trying to qualify for further tournaments or catch the eye of college coaches.

Waddell doesn’t have to worry about either. With a golf scholarship to Southwestern (Kan.) State College in his pocket, Waddell admits some of the pressure is off for him.

“It really does take the pressure off,” Waddell said before leaving for Texas. It has given him time this summer, “to play a few scramble and mainly just practice.”

The All-Stater will join the Moundbuilders this fall and hopes to break into the line-up quickly.

“They have a pretty good team,” he said. “The won three (NAIA) tournaments last season.”

But this week starts a busy schedule for Waddell as he prepares for his first college season.

In addition to the All-State matches, Waddell plans to take part in the U.S. Amateur qualifying next month.

“I’m also got to try to enter some of the state amateur tournaments,” he said.

In addition to family members in the gallery, Waddell will have sister Kelle as his caddie.

Cavener’s caddie will be father Rick.

“I really think he will help.” she says as she prepared to try to improve on last year’s performance.

“I shot 88-77-79-84 last year,” Michaela recalls. “I hope to do better this time.”

Cavener has had a busy summer, qualifying for the South Central Sectional PGA Junior Tour Champion of Champions Tournament after just three local tournaments.

But she has kept busy, playing last in the Oklahoma Junior Girls’ Amateur in Tulsa where she shot an 83 to place fourth in the 13-17 age division.

Her plans for the rest of the summer include at least one American Junior Golf Association tournament. She plans to play in Greenville, Del., in August. That is her former hometown.

The several hundred juniors will be spread across four golf courses in Wichita Falls for the early rounds of the tournament. The field will be cut after three rounds. Many of the golfers will get a day off Thursday, then play in the final round on Friday.

Legion Goes 4 2 In Tournament

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Jarrod Spears showed why he is the Ponca City American Legion major baseball team’s lead off batter during the Lawrence Wooden Bat Tournament which ended Sunday.

Spears scored 12 runs to led the Poncans to a 4-2 record in the tournament and a berth in the semifinals. The Ponca City catcher had nine hits, walked twice and was hit by a pitcher twice.

The only team to silence his bat was the Lawrence Raiders, who beat the Royals, 7-4, in the semifinals.

Ponca City had only two hits in that game, but almost pullexd it out anyway, scoring four unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The Royals were hot from the start of the tournament, run-ruling the Lawrence Outlaws, 11-1, on Thursday. Spears and Bryan Coppock, who had nine hits in the tournament, each had two hits in that opener.

Later in the day, Ponca City defeated Kansas City 7-6 as Spears drew a bases loaded walk to score Barry Geheb in the seventh inning.

Ponca City started Friday with a 3-1 win over McPhearson behind Jeff Furnas’ four-hit effort on the mound. Spears had a double and single, scoring twice. Coppock also had two hits in that six-hit attack.

Later Friday, the Poncans suffered their first loss, a 2-1 setback at the hands of the Wichita Bandits. Spears tripled and scored the only Ponca City run.

The Royals came back Saturday to top Claremore, 3-2. Spears, who had two singles and walked once, scored all three runs.

Coppock, who took to the mound for this game, scattered four Claremore hits while striking out 11.

That moved the Poncans into the semifinals of the championship round on Sunday.

If the weather cooperates, the Legionnaires, now 12-16, are slated to hold their longest home stand of the season this week.

They are scheduled to hold doubleheaders at home Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Enid is due to visit Tuesday, Edmond Santa Fe follow s Wednesday and the Edmond All-Starts are in town Thursday,

The first games are set for 6 p.m. each day.