LOCAL

No Plans for Raising Utility Rates in City
Harvest Awaits Sun
Nearly News
Peachtree Landing Safe Harbor For Family To Begin New Life
Tulsa Native Guest Artist During Arts Adventure 1999

No Plans for Raising Utility Rates in City

Editor’s Note: This is a continuation of a series of articles related to the fiscal year 1999-2000 budget. This article focuses on proposed capital projects for the Ponca City Utility and Ponca City Development Authorities.

City administrators have no plans to raise utility rates, as indicated in the 1999-2000 fiscal year budget, which goes into affect July 1. More good news indicates that $1.6 million of the $35.2 million for budgeted expenditures by the Ponca City Utility Authority will be spent on capital improvements.

Beginning with the Water Department, $394,500 is set aside for capital expenditures to include equipment for the Phase I GIS mapping system and 12 new chairs for the office. Additionally, new water meters, fire hydrants, a contingency water line project and a new impeller for pump 2 are listed. Also, funded is a carport type cover, water line upgrade Phase III and a project to replace a water line on Mary Street.

In the Light Department, $663,000 was put in the budget for equipment for the GIS mapping system, a vehicle, a substation transformer and electric meters. In addition, funds have been appropriated for two oil circuit breakers, new transformers and wood poles. One project is expected to rebuild a two-mile distribution feeder. and additional funds are budgeted to remodel the electric utility warehouse.

Furthermore, a total of $224,800 has been allocated for capital improvements to the Solid Waste-Collection Department. Funds will be used to purchase two 42 yard roll-off containers, three 42 yard roll-off compactors, a portable building, and magnetic road sweeper. Other improvements include 75 rear load containers, rearload container lids, installation of stormwater collection structures, concrete paving at the Public Works complex and a new water well for the Landfill.

Capital improvements for the Wastewater Department amount to $285,000. Allocations have been made to purchase equipment for the Phase I GIS mapping system, plant furnishings and appliances and a system upgrade to the Bois d’Arc lift station. Additionally, funds for system improvements, a contingency wastewater collection line is included.

Under the Ponca City Development Authority, the Airport Grand Fund will use state and federal grants in the amount of $2 million for airport capital improvements, which would extend the runway and taxiway by 1,000 feet.

The Authorities are public trusts of the city. Proprietary fund types are used to account for operations which are financed and operated in a manner similar to private business. Costs of providing these services are paid for on a user-charge basis.

Harvest Awaits Sun

By MAX STOKESBERRY

News Staff Writer

Some Ponca City residents can remember the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s. And of course there have been other memorable times of drouth in the area. But not recently.

After two years of record rainfall, 1999 has all the indications of setting another high water mark. And wheat farmers aren’t all that happy about the excess moisture that has slowed activity as attempts are made to get harvest under way.

Stymied by soggy fields, farmers in this part of the county probably won’t get into their fields for another two or three days — and that depends upon the rain stopping and the sun coming out again.

Thus far only about 150,000 bushels have been received by Farmers Cooperative elevators at Ranch Drive and Tonkawa, according to manager Ray Hasselwander. The association also has elevators at Perry, Coyle and Lucien, where approximately 400,000 bushels had been delivered through last week.

Cheat and other weeds are showing up in many fields, and local wheat has been testing between 56 and 62 pounds. Yields have ranged from 19 to 40 bushels per acre, Hasselwander reported.

The manager said wheat production would be down this year due to fewer acres being planted for harvest. About half of what was formerly wheat land in this area is now being devoted to soybeans, milo and some cotton.

As the year approaches its midway point, rainfall has again been plentiful. At the end of five months precipitation for 1999 stood at 25.17 inches — 11.3 inches above normal. And the skies have continued to open up in June, with approximately eight inches coming down so far.

The Universal Weather Station at Municipal Airport measured 9.80 inches of rain last month, the second largest May total in 32 years. During that period the most rain during the fifth month was 10.54 inches recorded in 1993. Other notable marks were 9.60 and 9.03 in 1982 and 1977, respectively.

Prior to 1997 and 1998 the annual rainfall at Ponca City had never exceeded 47 inches, but the last two years have seen it rise to 51. If the present weather pattern holds, a third straight year at this level becomes a distinct possibility.

Monthly totals in the first five months of 1999 are: January 4.86, February 1.85, March 4.31, April 4.35 and May 9.80. There was measurable rainfall on 13 days in May.

Daily temperatures averaged 68.8 degrees, 1.9 degrees above normal for the month. The two hottest days saw the temperature reach 89 degrees on the 8th and 15th, which was well below the highs of 95 and 99 the two previous years.

Nearly News

Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce reminds members and their guests that the “Breakfast of Champions” serving Ponca City is slated for Thursday at 7:15 a.m. at the Chapel on the Marland Estate. For reservations call the Chamber at 765-4400.

Peachtree Landing Safe Harbor For Family To Begin New Life

Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of articles focusing on the services available to the Ponca City community through United Way agencies.

It’s been seven years since that fateful day when the client and her three children found themselves homeless. But this story ends happily thanks to a safe harbor, called Peachtree Landing, where the family began a new life.

The client recalls that one day she was married and living in a new home and the next day she had nowhere to go. She had a minimum wage job which wasn’t sufficient to support herself and three small children. So, she applied for help and services to get her into a better job, house and living situation.

Today, the mother has a college degree, a good job, a home for her children and gives back to the agency that once helped her.

“It was difficult dealing with all the changes at once,” the client said. “Even if I felt like staying in bed, I had to get up every day. At the time, we compared it to being in the army. The routine is hard, but it gives you a good foundation. It’s a challenge to figure out what you want to do, but you set your goals and go for it,” she stated.

“There was a schedule for everything,” the client recalls. “If you were there, you were expected to pitch in with household chores.”

Although the family left after 30 days, they weren’t forgotten. For several years thereafter, the family was remembered during the holidays with food, clothes and toys. And, though the client never expected to find herself needing a homeless shelter, she felt that her stay at Peachtree gave her a new perspective on human kindness.

“You appreciate all the effort and volunteers who help out. You look forward to the day when you can do the same,” she said.

“If you are going to Peachtree Landing looking for an easy way out, don’t waste your time or theirs,” the client warns. “There is so much help if you need it. I won’t ever forget what they did and anything I have to donate, I give to Peachtree to help someone else in need, she said.

For many years, the client felt embarrassed that she had been homeless, but she realized that it was more important to let the community know that there are success stories.

“I would tell someone who finds themself in such a situation, not to be afraid or too proud to ask for help. The program does work and people need to know,” she concluded.

About Peachtree Landing

Peachtree Landing was designed as a refuge and strong point for families drifting amid unemployment and poverty. The agency allows families the ability to ease back into the mainstream of productive life. Families can live in the facility up to four weeks. They have a stable base from which to search for work in addition to a permanent place to live. For more information contact Carmaleta Wesbrook, director of Peachtree Landing, at 762-3208. Wesbrook oversees the day-to-day operations of the United Way Agency.

The 1999 board members include: Bob Boyd, Shirley Foxworthy, Sally Hodges, Kim Ochoa, Don Rowland, Nancy Shields, Russ Shields, Arlene Stauffer, Steve Struble, Sara Swartz, Joe Theobald, Carmaleta Wesbrook, Donna Jefferies-White, Debbie Whitener, Brad Wicker, Michelle Wicker and Kathy Zehr.

United Way of Ponca City supports 17 member agencies: American Red Cross, Arthritis Foundation, Will Rogers Boy Scout Council, Bridgeway, Child Development Center, Domestic Violence Program, Bluestem Girl Scout Council, Golden Villa Adult Day Services, Helpline Inc., Hospice of Ponca City, Northern Oklahoma Youth Services, New Emergency Resource Agency, Peachtree Landing, ProTeens, Retired Senior Volunteer Program, The Salvation Army and the YMCA.

Tulsa Native Guest Artist During Arts Adventure 1999

Debi Myers will be the guest artist in dance at Arts Adventure ’99 to be held this summer.

Myers, a Tulsa native, is the current owner of June Runyon School of Ballet. She has had 26 years of dance training including eight years of study on scholarship in Los Angeles at the nationally acclaimed Joe Tremaine Dance Center.

This year at Arts Adventure, Myers has planned for those “majoring” in dance to focus on stylized movements including classical ballet, character dances such as the Spanish style and even dramatic dance.

According to Myers, “It is through the technique that they (dancers) move more soundly and exhibit more control. Whether one plans to be a professional dancer or not, technique is very important.”

Students “minoring” in dance will have the opportunity to experience contemporary dance.

“Dance is an important part of life for everyone.” said Myers. “In the training, one gets so much out of it — more body awareness, body control, self esteem. It even increases visual learning and is a true expression of the spirit,” Myers continued.

Katherine Roland, a Ponca City ninth grader, studied with Myers at an earlier Arts Adventure camp. According to Roland, Myers, “was a great teacher. You could tell she had experience teaching. She knew what she was doing and knew how to get us involved.”

While living in Los Angeles, Myers worked professionally in several major motion pictures including “War Games,” “Karate Kid,” “Streets of Fire,” “16 Candles” and “Gremlins.”

Her television credits include “Square Pegs,” “Double Trouble,” “Fantasy Island,” “T.J. Hooker,” “Remington Steele,” “Silver Spoons,” “ Simon and Simon” and a regular appearance as a dancer on the television series, “Fame.”

Most recently, her choreography includes work with the Oklahoma Sinfonia and the Tulsa Opera. Examples of her choreography can be seen on the nationally-released music videos, “I Choose Joy,” with Larnel Harris, “A Beautiful Place,” with Wayne Watson, and “Who’s in the House,” with Carmen.

Myers’ credits as a director include Tulsa Dance Theatre, Inc. and Tulsa Summer Arts Dance Program. Also a successful teacher for 11 years, Myers has had students dance in various music videos, on cruise ships, in stage shows in Branson, Mo., and currently has a student performing in the “Lion King” on Broadway.

Other Arts Adventure offerings for this summer’s camp include drama, keyboard ensemble and technology, creative writing, visual art and voice. Arts Adventure ’99 is scheduled this year for July 19 through 30. This two-week summer arts camp is for students who will be entering 6th through 10th grades in the fall. Sessions will be held at the Marland Estate from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday of each week.

Registration for Arts Adventure ’99 is currently under way. Cost for the two-week camp is $125 with full or partial scholarships available based on financial need. For more information contact Chuck Van Cleave, 762-9684.

DEATHS

Louie Arnold Leon
D.Etta Wallace
Vivian Jean Lewman
Lawrence Eugene McWilliams
Mary L. Ford

Louie Arnold Leon

BLACKWELL — Louie Arnold Leon, Blackwell resident, died early Saturday morning, June 19, 1999, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. He was 63.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with the Rev. Robert Johnson, The Tabernacle, officiating.

Louie Arnold Leon was born Sept. 12, 1935 in Blackwell to Arnold C. and Mary (Banuelos) Leon. He grew up and attended schools in Blackwell. After completing his education, he began employment with a roofing company in Arkansas City, Kan., then worked in construction.

He was married to Daisy Jean Hurst on Dec. 29, 1964, in Perry and the couple made their home in Blackwell. In 1977, Leon began employment with Santa Fe Railroad where he worked for 18 years before retirement.

Survivors include his wife, Daisy Leon of Blackwell; two sons, Louie Leon Jr. of Ponca City and Chad Leon of Blackwell; two sisters, Lucille Ortiz of Wichita, Kan., and Helen Paige of Blackwell; and seven grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one son, Tony Leon; and one daughter, Eldena Beard.

Casket bearers will be Dale White, Jason Bell, Darrell Bell, Bobby Colburn, Don Foudray and Tinch Cole.

D.Etta Wallace

ARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — D. Etta Wallace, former Grainola resident, died Thursday, June 17, 1999, at the Via Christi Regional Medical Center, St. Francis Medical Center Campus, in Wichita, Kan. She was 70.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at the First Assembly of God Church in Arkansas City, with the Rev. Paul Knight officiating. Burial will be in Parker Cemetery, Arkansas City, Kan. Friends may visit at the Hawks Funeral Home today until 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

D. Etta (Batdorf) Wallace was born May 15, 1929, in Grainola, the daughter of Benjamin J. and Vera Etta (Tousley) Batdorf. She attended Prairie Flower Grade School, two years at Cedar Vale (Kan.) High School, and graduated from Dexter (Kan.) High School.

She was married to James Wiley Wallace on June 27, 1947, in Arkansas City, Kan., where they made their home and continued to reside for the past 52 years. Mrs. Wallace was employed as a substitute teacher at Cedar Vale for a short time.

Survivors include her husband, James, of the home; two sons, Jim and Bill, both of Arkansas City; one daughter, Mary Reeves of Winfield, Kan.; her mother, Vera Batdorf of Dexter, Kan.; seven sisters, Alice Batdorf of Dexter, Kan; Rosalie Hain, Susie Kincaid and Kay Batdorf, all of Arkansas City; Betty Landis and Margaret Karcher, both of Joplin, Mo.; and Velma Stilley of Miami, Okla.; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren. In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by one daughter, Beverly Jo Wallace; and three sisters, Mary Lee Batdorf, Audine Huntington and Melba Barber.

Vivian Jean Lewman

NEWKIRK — Vivian Jean Lewman, longtime Newkirk resident, died Sunday morning, June 20, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. She was 70.

The funeral will be held graveside at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, at the Newkirk Cemetery with the Rev. J. Craig Ortwein, minister of the Newkirk Christ’s Church officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk.

Vivian Jean (Ramsey) Lewman was born July 9, 1928, in Arkansas City, the daughter of Lucy Mae Ramsey. She grew up and lived with her mother and grandparents in the family home located on the Oklahoma/Kansas state line north of Newkirk. She attended Tipton Rural School.

On March 4, 1946, she was married to Samuel Lewman in Wellington, Kan., and the couple made their first home in Newkirk. Mrs. Lewman was employed at Harry’s Cafe and later managed the Newkirk Sale Barn. After her husband’s retirement in 1975, the couple moved to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. While living in Texas Mrs. Lewman was employed in Mission and McAllen as a dietitian in a nursing home and a hospital. The couple returned to Newkirk in 1990, where she worked for Dairy Cream and later Smith Country Restaurant. At the time of her death she was employed as The Eatery supervisor at Kaw Bingo. She was a member of the Newkirk First Baptist Church. He enjoyed playing Bingo and being with her dog.

Survivors include three sons, Gary “Bud” Lewman and David A. Lewman, both of Newkirk, and Fred E. Lewman of Ponca City; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband on Nov. 19, 1992; one daughter, Mary Ann Majors; and her mother and grandparents.

A memorial fund has been established in Mrs. Lewman’s name with the American Lung Association, c/o Eastman National Bank, P.O. Box 468, Newkirk, OK 74647-0468.

The family will be at the Bud Lewman residence, 3100 East Dry Road, Newkirk.

Lawrence Eugene McWilliams

BLACKWELL — Lawrence Eugene “Gene” McWilliams, Blackwell resident, died Saturday morning, June 19, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. He was 62.

The funeral is set for 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, at Roberts Funeral Home in Blackwell with Bruce Wyatt officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell Cemetery.

Lawrence Eugene “Gene” McWilliams was born Oct. 29, 1936, in Blackburn to Lawrence Barrett and Grace (Watson) McWilliams. As a young boy he moved with his parents to Skellytown, Texas, where he grew up and attended school. After receiving his education he began employment in the oilfields in Skellytown.

He was married to Johnnie Skidmore and the couple made their first home in Skellytown. They moved to Hallett, where he was employed as a truck driver for Osage Oil Company. He later moved to Pawhuska and then to Fairfax. McWilliams was employed as a truck driver for D&P Tank Service for nine years. Following his retirement the couple moved to Blackwell.

Survivors include his wife, Johnnie of Blackwell; four daughters, Tina Goad of Tulsa, Rhonda Woodward of Littleton, Colo., Tammie McWilliams of Blackwell and Teresa Yandell of Fairfax; one son, Rodger McWilliams of Blackwell; one brother, Richard McWilliams of Butte, Mont.; 11 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Lee McWilliams.

Casket bearers will be Leon Woodward, Kit Littlefield, Ralph Moore, Bill Nash Jr., David Kahle, Jim Henley.

Obituaries

Mary L. Ford

Mary L. MacMurray Ford, Ponca City resident, died late Saturday, June 19, 1999, at the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 83.

Mass of Christian burial will he held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 22, 1999, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church Ponca City, with the Rev. John J. Michalicka, as celebrant. Burial will follow in the Round Grove Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Born June 2, 1916, in Okmulgee, she was the daughter of Roger J. and Irene C. (Carringer) MacMurray. She was a graduate of Tonkawa High School and the St. Francis School of Nursing in Wichita, Kan.

During World War II, she served as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps. Following her honorable discharge she worked as a nurse in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas with the Red Cross, in Physician’s offices and hospitals and also in home health care. She also served as a nursing instructor and administrator. Mrs. Ford was a board member of Alpha II for seven years. She retired in Tonkawa , where she had lived for 18 years before moving to Ponca City in 1998.

She was united in marriage to Edward L. Ford in March 1949, in Wichita, Kan. Mrs. Ford was a member of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Tonkawa.

Survivors include a son, Raymond L. and his wife Gayle Ford , of West Monroe, La.; two grandsons, William Ryan Ford and David Ray Ford; one brother, Roger J. MacMurray; and several nieces and nephews including Jerry and Mike Williams, formerly of Tonkawa. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, John W. MacMurray and a sister, Elizabeth Ann Williams.

Casket bearers will be John Scott Williams, Jerry Bryant Williams, Ryan Ford, Brandt Harris, Jeffrey Williams, and Mike Schatz. Honorary casket bearers will be Jack Harris, John Coughlin, Gene Dougherty, and Tommy Godwin.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Round Grove Cemetery Association c/o Grace Memorial Chapel, P.O. Box 961, Ponca City, OK 74602.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday. The family will be 2600 North Fifth, Apartment 602.

paid obituary

NEWS BRIEFS

Dog/Cat Rabies Vaccinations — Two dogs or cats per household. Kaw Tribal members must show C.D.L.B. card or letter of blood degree for free rabies vaccination with flea and tick treatment. Place and time will be June 22, 1999 at the Kaw Nation Complex, 11 a.m. to noon, Kaw Tribal Housing Authority from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., and Chapman Shoes parking lot in Ponca City from 4 to 5 p.m.

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.

Amateur Radio — Discover the world of amateur radio Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Ponca City Library programming room. Dave Land and members of the Kay County Amateur Radio Club will provide information to help citizens get started in this interesting hobby. For more information call the Library at 767-0345.

WWF King of the Ring...Live on Pay Per View. Sunday, June 27th at 7:00 p.m. Explosive wrestling action, you must watch Pay Per View through the Zenith converter box. Call 762-6684 Cable One to order. adv.

Smoke Investigation — A Ponca City fire engine responded one mile east of Pecan Road on Oklahoma 11 at 7:27 a.m. Saturday for a smoke investigation.

Pauline's Every Monday Night Special. Fried Chicken Only- all

white meat. All you can eat, $6.50. For reservations call 765-5460.

adv.

Accident — At 6:51 a.m. Sunday, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol was also notified of a two-vehicle non-injury accident on Interstate 35 at mile marker 229.

Stolen — A clerk from the Triple T, 720 South Waverly Street, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 7:44 a.m. Sunday that someone took four 30-packs of beer and drove off without paying for $14.65 in gas. The dark blue Pontiac left westbound on U.S. 60. An officer responded and took a report. The Tonkawa and Fort Oakland departments were also advised.

Burglary — At 11:08 a.m. Saturday, an employee of Pemberton Chevrolet, 3330 North Fourteenth Street, advised the Ponca City Police Department that a vehicle had been burglarized. An officer responded and took a report.

Windshield Sale: Extra June Specials! 94-98 Dodge Pickup, $275; 88 & up Chevy pickup, $275. Johnson Glass, 515 South First, 762-2012. Call today for your appointment! adv.

Accident — A Ponca City police officer responded at 3:33 p.m. Saturday to take a report of an accident at North Fourteenth Street and East Prospect Avenue. No injuries were reported.

Burglary — At 5:22 p.m. Saturday, a resident in the 400 block of Marland Drive advised the Ponca City Police Department that the house had been broken into. An officer responded and took a report.

Abandoned — The Ponca City Police Department received notice at 7:33 p.m. Saturday that a small bike was abandoned on the corner at North Fourth Street and East Summit Avenue. A note was left for Animal Control.

Stolen — A clerk at Conoco, 1613 South Avenue, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 12:25 a.m. Sunday that a boy took two 30-packs of beer and left the business headed towards Cherry Avenue. An officer responded and took a report.

Arrest — At 1:03 a.m. Sunday, a Ponca City police officer arrested a 65-year-old man from a traffic stop in the 1900 block of El Camino Street for driving under the influence and speeding.

Accident — At 6:48 a.m. Sunday, the Ponca City Police Department advised the Oklahoma Highway Patrol of an accident that occurred on U.S. 60 at the Chickaskia Bridge.

Shoplifter — An employee of Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 4:26 p.m. Sunday that a shoplifter was in custody. An officer responded and arrested a 58-year-old woman for grand larceny.

Warrant Served — At 8:59 a.m. Sunday, two Ponca City police officers responded to the report of a domestic disturbance in the 1700 block of South Ninth Street. A 39-year-old man was arrested on a Kay County warrant.

Assault — A Ponca City police officer responded to South Elm Street at 6:44 p.m. Sunday to take a report about an attempted sexual assault.

Shoplifter — At 7:40 p.m. Sunday, a Ponca City police officer arrested a 14-year-old girl at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, for petit larceny.

Curfew — At 4:30 a.m. Monday, a Ponca City police officer issued curfew citations to juveniles in the 300 block of North Fourteenth Street. The subjects were released to a guardian.

Burglary — At 8:27 p.m. Sunday, a resident in the 2700 block of North Fifth Street advised the Ponca City Police Department that a vehicle had been broken into. An officer responded and took a report.

Warrant Served — A Ponca City police officer arrested a 20-year-old man from the 500 block of North Osage Street at 2:54 a.m. Monday on three Kay County warrants.

Burglary — A resident in the 800 block of North Lake Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 11:45 a.m. Sunday that a shed was burglarized and the lawn mower was taken. An officer responded and took a report.

Abandoned — A resident in the 600 block of South Sixth Street, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 1:55 p.m. Sunday that kids found a bike at Garfield Park. Animal Control was advised to pick it up.

Abandoned — At 11:28 a.m. Sunday, an Animal Control officer picked up a bike which had been abandoned in the alley behind the 400 block of South Thirteenth Street.

Accident — A resident in the 2900 block of Canterbury Avenue advised the Ponca City Police Department at 8:05 p.m. Sunday that a vehicle ran into the house. Two officers responded and a report was taken.

Destruction — At 3:07 a.m. Monday, a resident in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue contacted the Ponca City Police Department to report the windows of the apartment had been broken. An officer responded and took a report.

LIFESTYLES

Little News
Pet Owners Have Obligation To Protect Kids Around Dogs

Little News

Eddie and Alison Palacios of Oklahoma City announce the birth of a daughter at 10:10 p.m. April 22, 1999, in Renaissance Women’s Center of Edmond. The baby weighed 7 pounds, 8 ounces, and was 20 1/2 inches long. She has been named Gabriella Reed Palacios. She has a sister, Peyton Elizabeth, 17-months-old.

Maternal grandparents are Rick and Pat Cooper of Victoria, Texas, former residents of Ponca City. Paternal grandparents are Rito and Gloria Palacios of Yukon, and Ana and Roberto Garza of Laredo, Texas.

Great-grandparents are Jayne Cooper of Ponca City, Ed and Lorraine Axton of Fairfax, and the late Bill Cooper.

Ethan Wayne Deibler is the name chosen by Mitzi Pemberton and David Deibler of Ponca City for their son born at 10:42 a.m. June 11, 1999, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He weighed 9 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 22 inches long. He has a brother, Taylor Shane Pemberton, 8-years-old.

Maternal grandparents are Pat Pemberton and Wayne and Carla Pemberton of Ponca City, and paternal grandparents are Bill and Sue Deibler of Newkirk.

Great-grandparents are Floyd and Ruth Pomeroy and Hersel and Alice Pemberton, all of Ponca City.

Pet Owners Have Obligation To Protect Kids Around Dogs

DALLAS (AP) — “Only God can make a face,” mused Dr. A. Jay Burns, plastic surgery reconstruction specialist, after overseeing foundation surgery to save the face — and life — of two-year-old Mycha Herbert.

The toddler was playing with the family dog in his backyard last Labor Day weekend when the dog unexpectedly attacked. The animal bit the child in the face — typical for attacks on small children — and tore away the soft facial tissue from below the eyes to the neck.

Mycha spent two weeks unconscious in intensive care at Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, not expected to live. It was one of the worst cases Burns and his team of doctors from Children’s and UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas had ever seen. They spent a straight 39 hours transplanting muscle, skin and tissue from other parts of the child’s body to cover his exposed facial bones.

Mycha survives today because of their skills but faces more reconstructive surgery.

'We live with regret about what happened, but we want to teach people about how serious dog bites can be,” said his father, Bobby Herbert. “We left him alone for only a few minutes, but we now have a lifetime of living with what happened.”

Dog bites account for 4.5 million injuries annually, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, and children have the highest rate of emergency room visits from the attacks.

There is no sure way to “bite-proof” your dog, says the Humane Society of the United States, but you can reduce the risk that he will bite someone.

Recommendations from the organization:

— Spay or neuter your pet. Spayed or neutered dogs are three times less likely to bite.

— Socialize your dog. Introduce him to different types of people and situations so that he’s not nervous or frightened under normal social circumstances.

— Train your dog. Every member of your household needs to learn the training techniques and participate in the dog’s education.

— Teach your dog appropriate behavior. Don’t play aggressive games with the dog such as wrestling, tug-of-war, or “siccing” him on another person.

— Be a responsible owner. Licence your dog as required by law and provide regular veterinary care, including rabies vaccinations. Don’t allow your dog to roam. Make your dog a member of the family. Dogs who spend a lot of time in the backyard or tied out on chain often become dangerous. Dogs who are well-socialized and supervised rarely bite.

— Err on the safe side. If you don’t know how your dog will react to a new situation, be cautious. If he may panic in crowds, leave him at home. If your dog overreacts to visitors or delivery or service personnel, keep him in another room. Help the dog become accustomed to a variety of situations. Until you are confident of his behavior, avoid stressful settings.

The society also has advice for you as a potential bite victim:

— Never approach a strange dog, especially one who’s tied or confined behind a fence or car. Don’t pet a dog — even your own — without letting him see and sniff you first. Never turn your back to a dog and run away; his natural instinct is to chase and catch you. Don’t disturb a dog while she’s sleeping, eating, chewing on a toy, or caring for puppies. Always assume that a dog who doesn’t know you considers you an intruder or a threat.

— If approached by a dog who may be on the attack, don’t scream and run. Remain motionless, hands at your sides, and avoid eye contact with the dog. Once the dog loses interest in you, slowly back away until he is out of sight.

— If the dog does attack, “feed” him your jacket, purse, bicycle, or anything you can put between yourself and the dog.

— If you fall or are knocked to the ground, curl into a ball with your hands over your ears and remain motionless. Try not to scream or roll around.

SPORTS

Monday Evening Quarterback

Monday Evening Quarterback

Athletic Director-interim head football coach Rusty Benson spent much of the weekend scouring the town looking for players.

After meeting with about 40 parents and fans at a hastily called Quarterback Club meeting at Robson Fieldhouse Thursday, Benson can only hope he gets that many players at the football classroom building tonight as he prepares for what he terms a fun season this fall.

That number of parents-fans may be a good indicator. Officials say those 40 are about twice the number that show up for a regular Quarterback Club meeting.

Benson would like to have 65-70 players out for football this fall. He won’t get that many at tonight’s meeting. With summer jobs, vacations and the like taking up students’ time in the summer, Benson will likely get a smallish turnout tonight.

This will be a unofficial orientation meeting for prospective players as Benson lays out his plans for the upcoming season.

Benson plans kinder, gentler workouts in the regular season with shorter practice sessions and the weekends off.

He has started his campaign by talking to students who had indicated they weren’t coming out in August.

But he insists this is nothing new.

“You always have kids who you wish would come out,” he said today, after a late night of talking to those players.

But this year he is also having to try to boost sagging morale after still another head coach resigned last month.

Looking to eventually stabilize the program which has seen six head coaches in the past 10 years, Benson and the school administration have elected to go with the interim coach concept this year in an effort allow more time for a coaching search.

Benson will be looking to stop the revolving door of coaches through the Wildcat program.

“I expect to have this job (athletic director) for five more years,” he told parents last week. “I want this to be the last time I interview someone for the head coaching position.”

Meanwhile, he has to convince players who have suffered through a string of losing seasons they have a reason to play this season.

“I’m telling the kids they have this chance to do something 90 percent of them will never have the chance to do again,” Benson said.

So he wants the players to just have fun.

He told the Thursday meeting that practices will only be for about two hours and 15 minutes once school starts.

Following Friday night’s game, the players will have the weekend off. There will be no Saturday check-ins and film reviews. There will be no Sunday breakfasts. The players report back to practice Monday afternoon.

“I want football to be a fun thing,” Benson told parents. “It is not life and death. On Fridays, starting at 7 p.m. I want it to be the most important thing in their lives for about two hours. After that, when they’re home or with their girlfriends, it is not.

“There are a lot of things out there for kids to do, like church and community service. We’ve been lucky that the players we have had have learned to budget their time.

“But kids still need time to be kids.”

Meanwhile, #Benson also has to try to keep the football staff together.

Scotty Harmon, former Ponca City junior high player and Oklahoma State Cowboys standout, has signed on to coach defensive backs.

That leaves the staff even — for now — with the departure of Jerry Hill. Hill, who has been an assistant since 1987 and a candidate for the head coaching position earlier, has elected not to coach this year in an effort to go back to school to get his degree in school administration.

Benson has not had a chance to talk with Joe Matlock, the other latest candidate for the job vacated by Todd Kimrey.

But the others — Terry Henderson, Larry Degan, Rick Poole, Lee Wilson and Jason Heath — have indicated they will return.

Benson said two-a-day practices will start Aug. 10.

The schedule may give the Wildcats an edge. Both scrimmages — Del City and Bartlesville — are at home. Also four of the first six games are at home. There will be just one Thursday game this season.