From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Thursday,
July 10, 1997
LOCAL
Arrests May Have Solved Crimes
Barn Burns
Four Area Entrants in Contest For Newkirk Rodeo Queen
Public Hearing Set Tuesday On Breezeway Plan
Chamber News
Police Hold Suspect For Sexual Assault
DEATHS
Phillip Sherman Evans
Lawrence M. Kelsey
George Russell McKaig
Wanda Chaney
Services Pending
Lewis H. Paden
Funerals
Monte Lee Grant
Edgar C.M. Dewberry
NEWS BRIEFS
GARDENING
Water Garden Society Begins
SPORTS
Majors Romp to 30th Win
Mini Car Racer
Sports Notes
The arrest of five adults and a juvenile may have solved a June robbery and burglary in Ponca City as well as a Tonkawa burglary.
Ponca City Police arrested five adults and one juvenile Tuesday night at a residence in the 200 block of South Elm while executing search and arrest warrants relating to an armed robbery and first degree burglary that occurred in June.
Two suspects were arrested in connection with the robbery and burglary while the other suspects were arrested on drug charges.
Ponca City and Tonkawa police were at the scene and recovered not only stolen property from the June robbery but also items tied to a burglary in Tonkawa and a small amount of marijuana. A 17-year-old female was arrested for possession of marijuana.
The burglary and robbery occurred in the early morning hours of June 29. Ponca City Police report that three males forcibly entered an apartment in the 500 block of South Osage and demanded money and jewelry. According to Sherry Bowers of the Ponca City Police Department, items stolen during the robbery included several pieces of jewelry and "hundreds of dollars in cash."
The victims were able to give a description of the suspects and their vehicle to police and the vehicle used in the robbery has been located in Deer Creek.
Two additional suspects found with stolen property from the Tonkawa burglary are being held by the Enid Police. Ponca City Police expect to charge one or both in connection to the local robbery and burglary.
The investigation is continuing and additional arrests are expected.
Firefighters fight heat not only from the high afternoon temperatures but from the flames of a barn fire Tuesday in the 3100 block of North Pecan Road. Five Ponca City Fire Department units were called to battle the blaze. The fire was started when two girls, age 8 and 9, were playing with matches. The girls were arrested on arson charges in connection with the fire and then later released to their parents. (News Photo by Patti Pfeiffer)
NEWKIRK - Four young ladies from the area have entered the rodeo queen contest of the Newkirk Range Riders.
The girls will receive a portion of their points by selling advanced tickets through Friday. The contestants will compete in their horsemanship Saturday afternoon and the lucky winner will be crowned at 7:30 p.m. Saturday before the rodeo starts at 8 p.m.
The 30th anniversary of the Newkirk Range Riders rodeo will be Friday and Saturday, starting at 8 p.m. each night. There are eight exciting events, including saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, team roping, girls barrel racing, steer wrestling, bull riding, wild cow milking and calf roping.
A dance will be held each night after the rodeo performance at Norm's Country, featuring live entertainment with "Out West." Concessions will be provided by the Newkirk Women's League.
The rodeo will be held at the Newkirk Range Riders Arena, one-half mile north and one-half mile east of Newkirk, with stock furnished by J.C. Rodeo Company.
The queen contestants include Newkirk's own Christy Spencer, granddaughter of R.Q. Spencer. She will be a senior this coming fall, and is a member of the Range Riders and active in the Newkirk FFA.
Kristy Buck, a graduate of Ponca City High School, is the daughter of Kathy and Joseph Buck. Kristy has been active in 4-H and held the titles of 1990 Trailblazers Junior Queen, 1991 Trailblazers Senior Queen, and 1994 101 Wild West Rodeo Queen.
Contestant Krystal Martin has held the title of Junior Queen for Marland. She has won the several all-around saddles and numerous buckles, including 1993 Cowley County Sports Arena all-around saddle and the girls break-away calf roping at the 47th International Cavalcade. Krystal is the daughter of Jim Martin and Nancy Mooney. She is a 1997 graduate of Ponca City High School.
Fourteen year old Lesley Bechtel from Blackwell area is another contender for the rodeo queen. Lesley's parents are Greg and Brenda Bechtel. Lesley has been a member of the Blackwell Junior High Show Choir and has received five excellent ratings in vocal contests. The last two years, she has won the showmanship award at the Kay County Junior Livestock Show. Lesley has also won a leadership award in FFA and serves as a student council representative.
The Marland Estate Commission will hold a public hearing, at the request of the City Commission, at 4:30 p.m., Tuesday to receive comments relative to the permanent removal of a portion of breezeway. The meeting will be at the Conference Center.
Kathy Adams, Marland Estate director, at the last Estate Commission meeting presented a proposal by Matrix of Tulsa to remove a portion of the breezeway that abuts the Marland Mansion in conjuinction with leak repair work at the Mansion.
This action was approved by the Marland Estate Commission, but tabled by the City Commission. Also tabled by the City Commission was the policy on renting of the Mansion the day prior to a client's event for $20 an hour.
Two other items on the agenda that were sent back to the Estate Commission by the City Commission are policy revisions on the Mansion and grounds. All three of the recommendations will be coming up for vote again by the Marland Estate Commission.
Other business on the agenda concerns items of a routine nature.
The Leadership Ponca City application deadline is Friday, according to Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce officials. Nomination forms must be completed and returned to the Chamber office no later than 5 p.m.
LPC classes are limited to 15 individuals, and participants receive nine days of education regarding Ponca City. The class is also scheduled to have one overnight stay out-of-town. Graduates of the program say that these sessions are very informative.
The class members are selected based on self-application or by nomination of employer, friends, volunteer organizations or a Leadership Ponca City graduate. The selection process is very competitive, so it is not unusual for a candidate to apply more than one year before being selected.
The criteria for LPC is a desire, motivation and interest to serve the citizens of the community in future leadership roles. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment or willingness to commit to Ponca City involvement; an interest in a commitment to seek public office or other key volunteer roles in the community; the potential for advancement to a top leadership position within the individual's own organization and a commitment to attend all sessions of the LPC class.
If you are interested in applying or would like to nominate someone, go by the Chamber office to pick up an application. Don't forget the deadline of 5 p.m. this Friday.
Second Friday Forum Canceled
The Second Friday Forum for July 11 has been canceled. The next scheduled forum will be Aug. 8 at Pioneer Technology Center. The topic and speaker will be announced at a later date.
Upcoming Events
Monday, July 14 - NationsBank Grand Opening, noon-1:30 p.m., Third and Grand.
Tuesday, July 15 - Ambassadors meeting, 7:30 a.m., Chamber offices.
Friday, July 18 - Legislative Review, 7:30 a.m., Chamber offices.
Crazy Days - July 17-19.
Police arrested a 31-year-old man in connection with an apparent early morning sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl.
St. Joseph Regional Medical Center reported to police at 4:12 a.m. this morning that a girl was in the emergency room claiming she had been sexually assaulted in the 900 block of North Birch Street.
The suspect is being held on first degree rape charges and is expected
to be transported to the Kay County Detention Facility Friday morning.
DEATHS
NEWKIRK - Phillip Sherman Evans, longtime Kay County resident, died early Thursday morning, July 9, 1997, at the South Central Kansas Regional Medical Center, Arkansas City, Kan. He was 63.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, at the Newkirk First Christian Church with the Rev. Jerry Albright and the Rev. Richmond Adams officiating. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Cemetery, Ponca City, under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service, Newkirk. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 5 p.m. today and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday.
Phillip Sherman Evans was born Oct. 25, 1933, in Billings, Okla., the son of W.N. "Newt" and Hazel (Youker) Evans. He attended rural schools near Billings, Pleasant Valley Rural School near Ponca City, and graduated from the eighth grade in Uncas. He graduated from Ponca City High School in 1952.
On May 18, 1959, he was married to Nancy Jo Huene at the First Christian Church Chapel in Ponca City. They established their first home in Ponca City. Evans was employed at Firestone, the City of Ponca City, Cities Service Oil Co., Gold Spot Dairy, Wonder Bread and National Life Insurance during his early working years.
While Evans worked for National Life, the family lived in Ponca City, Arkansas City, Kan., and Enid before returning to Ponca City. During this time he qualified for leader's conferences in Hawaii, Spain, the Bahamas, Vancouver, Canada, San Francisco, Calif., New Orleans, La., Colorado Springs and Denver, Colo., Nashville, Tenn., and Denver. He retired from the insurance company in 1976 and began employment with Conoco, taking early retirement in 1990. He had been engaged in farming the last nine years.
Evans attended the Newkirk First Christian Church, served on the Newkirk Co-op Board and the Soil Conservation Board and was a former member of the Ponca City Moose Lodge.
Survivors include his wife, Nancy, of the rural Newkirk home; one son, Michael Burt Evans of Newkirk; his mother, Hazel Johnson of Ponca City; one brother, Leroy Evans of Ponca City; and two grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his father, Newt Evans, his step-father, William Johnson; and two brothers, Harry and Allen.
Casket bearers will be Milton Lesemann, Brad Lewis, Bill Evans, Joe Schieber, David Evans and Richard Evans. Honorary bearers will be Daryl Evans, Merle Lesemann, Donald Fitch, Bill Olsen, Lynn Scott and Gene Neuens.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Evans' name to American Heart Association, c/o Eastman National Bank, Box 468, Newkirk OK 74647.
SHIDLER - Lawrence M. Kelsey, longtime Shidler resident, died Wednesday morning, July 9, 1997, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. He was 75.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at the Shidler United Methodist Church with the Rev. Dennis Jones, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in the Grandview Cemetery, Kaw City, under the direction of Grace Memorial Shidler Chapel.
Lawrence M. Kelsey was born March 2, 1922, in Drumright, the son of Lawrence Marvin and Nora Ellen (VanNatta) Kelsey Sr. At the age of five, he moved with his family to Shidler, where he attended school and graduated from Shidler High School in 1941. During World War II he served in the U.S. Army as an aircraft and propeller mechanic from 1942-45. He was honorably discharged in October 1945 at the rank of Staff Sergeant.
On Oct. 26, 1943, he was married to Donna Mae Jacques in Ponca City and the couple established their home in Shidler. In May 1948, Kelsey began employment as an electrician/mechanic with Kewanee Oil Co. (later Chevron Oil). He retired in April 1984, after 36 years of service. He was a member of the Shidler United Methodist Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and was a 32nd degree Mason with the Shidler Lodge No. 509 AF&AM. Kelsey had also been active in his church, Demolay, Boy Scouts and served on the Shidler School Board for 20 years.
Survivors include his wife, Donna, of the home; two sons, Larry Marvin II of Oklahoma City and Curtis Gene of Norman; one daughter, Dianne Lynn Steggs of Imperial, Neb.; four brothers, Bob of Wichita, Donald of Grainola, Howard of Ponca City and Jerry of Sapulpa; three grandsons; and two step-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister; one brother; and one granddaughter.
Casket bearers will be A.J. Jacques, Dave Jacques, Jim Kelsey, Steve Kelsey, John Kelsey, Kenny Kelsey and Richard Cornish.
Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church, Shidler, OK 74652.
The family will be at the Kelsey home, Route 1, Box 8, Shidler.
BLACKWELL - George Russell McKaig, former Blackwell resident, died at his home in Cedar Valley, near Guthrie, on Wednesday morning, July 9, 1997. He was 70.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Roberts Funeral Home Chapel in Blackwell with the Rev. Bob Flippin, chaplain of the Mercy Health Center, Oklahoma City, officiating. Friends may visit at the funeral home until service time, then the casket will be closed.
George Russell McKaig was born Nov. 22, 1926, in Shawnee, the son of Roy and Lucile (George) McKaig. As a small boy, he moved with his parents to Blackwell, where he grew up and attended schools. During World War II he entered the U.S. Navy and served in the South Pacific and Atlantic Theaters.
Following his discharge he returned to Blackwell and earned his GED at Northern Oklahoma Junior College, Tonkawa, and worked at Blackwell Zinc in 1947. He then operated the McKaig Grocery Store through 1949, then began employment with Davon Oil Co.
On Nov. 29, 1951, he was married to Chloe Ann Wolf in Bentonville, Ark., and the couple established their home in Blackwell. He was employed at Weaver Well Service from 1950-58. In 1960, he began employment with Sooner Completion Co. and progressed to president of the company, where he served until his retirement in 1995. McKaig was a member of the Blackwell First Christian Church, American Petroleum Institute, BPOE of Kingfisher, and a life member of the Blackwell VFW.
Survivors include his wife, Chloe Ann McKaig of Guthrie; two daughters, Brenda McCormick and Glenda McKeever, both of Enid; three sons, Ronald of Wagoner, Tony of Norman, and Gary of Yukon; one sister, Mona Moyer of Blackwell; 10 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Randall McKaig; and one grandchild.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. McKaig's name to Mercy Health Center Hospice, 4300 West Memorial Road, Oklahoma City, OK 73120.
SHIDLER - Wanda Chaney, longtime Shidler resident, died at her home Tuesday, July 8, 1997. She was 62.
The funeral will be held graveside at 10:30 a.m. Friday in the Fairfax (Okla.) Cemetery with the Rev. Charles Richie, pastor of the Webb City Church of God, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax.
Wanda (Moore) Chaney was born May 9, 1935, in Rudy, Ark., to Roosevelt and Lena (Keeling) Moore. She attended school in Rudy.
Ms. Chaney moved to the Shidler area in 1972 and worked more than 19 years for a Pawhuska sewing manufacturer. She enjoyed growing water lilies, reading, and caring for her pets.
Survivors include her companion of 19 years, Albert "Butch" Cooper, of the home; three sons, Tony Carl of Big Springs, Texas, Jerry Carl of Ponca City, and Lloyd Chaney of Shidler; three daughters, Pam Carl of Marshall, Rhonda Alkire of Webb City, and Lynn Brandon of Rudy, Ark.; her mother, Lenna Moore of Ralston; six sisters, Wilma Sikes of Norman, Joyce Hicks of Jennings, Louise Barker of Edmond, Linda Smith of Ponca City, Margie Blackwell of Chino, Calif., and Virginia Mathis of Fairfax; one step-brother, Cleo Brannon of California; 17 grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her father, Roosevelt Moore; one brother; and one infant sister.
Memorial contributions may be made in Ms. Chaney's name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The family will be at the Chaney home to receive friends and relatives.
Lewis H. Paden, longtime Ponca City resident, died Tuesday evening, July 8, 1997, at his home. He was 77. The funeral has been set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Trout Funeral Home Chapel. Friends may visit at the funeral home until 1 p.m. Saturday. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, OK 74601. Other arrangements will be announced later.
Friday
Monte Lee Grant - Funeral to be held at 2 p.m. at Memorial Presbyterian Church, Norman. Burial will be in Norman IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Mayes Funeral Directors, Norman.
Saturday
Edgar C.M. Dewberry - Funeral is set for 11 a.m. at the Antioch
Missionary Baptist Church in Oakland, Calif. Arrangements are under the
direction of Fouche's Mortuary, Oakland.
NEWS BRIEFS
Tonkawa Powwow - The 23rd Annual Tonkawa Powwow will be held July 11, 12 and 13 at the Fort Oakland Community in Tonkawa. The program will consist of all category contests and special honors to tribal veterans, Felix W. Allen, Rudolph W. Allen and Levi Stephens. A veterans dinner will be served July 12 at 5 p.m.
Eight Day Port Visit - Navy Airman Rickey L. Ryan, son of Jack R. and Louise Ryan of Ponca City, recently completed an eight-day port visit to Palma De Mallorca, Spain, while on a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy. In addition to observing the island resort, Ryan and his shipmates volunteered time to clean and paint an orphanage, a Catholic Church, and a children's home. Aircraft carriers like Ryan's ship are forward deployed around the world to maintain a U.S. presence and provide rapid response in times of crises. Sailors and Marines are often the first to arrive in situations ranging from humanitarian relief efforts to combat operations. The 1993 graduate of Ponca City High School joined the navy in 1996. He is a 1996 graduate of Northern Oklahoma College.
Intrinsic Action - Army Sgt. 1st Class Douglas E. Kennedy has deployed to Camp Dahota, Kuwait to participate in a temporary training exercise termed Intrinsic Action. The training involves approximately 1,200 soldiers from Fort Hood, near Killeen, Texas, assigned to combat support, combat service support units, and a battalion-sized task force comprised primarily of troops from the 1st Cavalry Division. Intrinsic Action is designed to improve readiness and interoperability between Kuwait and the United States armed forces, and to enhance U.S. military capabilities to quickly demonstrate the U.S. commitment to the security and stability of the Persian Gulf region. Kennedy, a platoon sergeant, is the son of Clarence E. and Irnaline L. Kennedy of Route 2. He is a 1978 graduate of Ralston Public High School.
Senior Citizens Dance Set - A Senior Citizens Dance will be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday in the Senior Citizens Building, 320 South A in Arkansas City. The Pete Coli Country Band will be playing for dancing. All seniors are invited to attend and bring a favorite snack to share.
Attempted Burglary - The owner of Peter Pan Cleaners, 1504 East Prospect Avenue, reported to the communications center of an attempted burglary at 8:08 a.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Parking Lot Accident - An accident was reported in a parking lot in the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue at 9:37 a.m. Thursday.
Accident - The communications center received a report of two-vehicle accident at East Highland Avenue and North Fifth Street at 10:13 a.m. Wednesday.
Gas Line Hit - At 2:56 p.m. Wednesday, a man in the 3200 block of North Fourteenth reported to the communications center that a delivery truck hit a fence and a gas line. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.
Worker Injured - A construction worker was injured when a staple from an air gun was embedded in his knee. The man was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. The accident happened in the 2200 Block of North Fourteenth Street at 3:19 p.m. Wednesday.
Arrest - A 30-year-old man was arrested at 3:40 p.m. Wednesday on a local warrant for not having insurance and not wearing a seat belt.
Arrest - An 18-year-old woman was arrested for driving under suspension, failure to appear and on a city warrant at 5:49 p.m. Wednesday.
Two Car Accident - The communications center received 911 calls from several businesses regarding a two car non-injury accident at South Fourth Street and East South Avenue at 6:23 p.m. Wednesday Officers were assigned and reports taken.
Vandalism - A woman in the 1000 block of Shady Place reported to police that her car had been vandalized at 7:35 p.m. Wednesday. And a man in the 100 block of South Oak reported that his property had also been vandalized. Officers were assigned and reports taken on both incidents.
Two Arrested - Two 18-year-old men were arrested at 8:17 p.m. Wednesday on city warrants for destruction of property.
Dog Shot - An officer received a report at 8:22 p.m. Wednesday from a woman that her dog had been shot. A report was taken.
Boat Trailer Stolen - A man in the 1400 block of Cleary Drive
reported that his boat trailer had been stolen from a Lake Ponca dock. A
report was taken.
GARDENING
Eleven people met at the Cann Garden Center on June 17 to discuss forming a local Water Garden Society. The meeting was called to order by Mike Welch.
Introductions were made and a brief overview of each attendees' water garden was given. Interest was shown in having a water garden tour for Ponca City and a tentative date for the tour was established as Aug. 9.
The next meeting will be July 15 at 7 p.m. at the Cann Gardens. Interested
persons may call 765-6538 or 765-3271 in the evenings for more information.
SPORTS
By DAVID BROWN
News Associate Sports Editor
Ponca City's Majors Royals picked up their 30th win of the season in impressive fashion here Wednesday evening with a 9-0 run-rule of Putnam City Brassfield in seven innings.
The game was originally scheduled to go nine innings but the Royals used a couple of two-RBI doubles to plate five runs in the third inning and then a three-run sixth put the Poncans over the eight-run margin they needed for the run-rule.
Rocky Hughes was masterful on the mound. He improved to 10-4 with the complete-game win, scattering just three hits with five strikeouts and only two walks.
After an 0-2 start to the season, Hughes has gone 10-2 and has lowered his ERA to 2.57. Counting the high school season, Hughes is 22-5 in 1997.
Ponca City's big third inning began with a bang as nine-hole hitter Doug Scott smacked a triple to deep left-center field. J.R. Fry walked on four straight pitches and then Marc Smith reached on an error to load the bases.
Right fielder Michael Quick continued his torrid hitting with a two-RBI double to plate the game's first two runs. Over the past seven games, Quick is 10-for-18 (.556) with two home runs, two doubles, five walks, has been hit by a pitch once and has 14 RBIs. Quick is now among the team leaders with a season batting average of .354.
Following Quick to the plate was Josh Shafer and he was hit by a pitch to reload the bases. Hughes followed with a fielder's choice grounder that drove in Smith but eliminated Shafer for the first out.
Justin Thomas doubled in two more Ponca City runs before the inning was over and the Royals had a 5-0 lead.
After scoring a fourth-inning run on a couple of walks and a wild pitch, the Royals put together a big sixth inning.
Brian Benson reached on a one-out error, Fry singled and Smith reached on an error that allowed Benson to score. Quick picked up his third RBI of the game with a single and then a wild pitch brought Smith home for a 9-0 lead.
Hughes didn't have to pitch his way out of many jams. Putnam City's best chance to score came in the top of the third thanks to a two-out triple. But the next batter grounded weakly back to Hughes and he threw to first to end the inning.
Ponca City is now 30-15 and the 1997 team becomes just the sixth in team history to reach the 30-win plateau, joining last season's 31-17 team, the 1975 squad (36-12) and 30-game winners from 1968 (30-14), 1987 (30-17) and 1979 (30-21).
The push for 40 now begins as the Royals play a doubleheader at Blackwell tonight beginning at 6 and host Enid here for two games starting at 6 p.m. Friday.
Ponca City 9, Brassfield 0
Brassfield 000 000 0 - 0 3 3
Ponca City 005 103 x - 9 5 3
PC-Hughes and Fry. B-Gower, Quillian (6) and Elliot. WP-Hughes (10-4). LP-Gower.
ROBBIE FERRILL, 13, is tied for first place at the Tulsa JRP Track and is seventh in the national points standings in the Future Stars Division. The Ponca City racer drives a one-half scale NASCAR 1997 Ford Thunderbird in the Super Mini Cup Series.
Football Fund Raiser - An auction of sports memorabilia and other miscellaneous items to raise money for Wellington Youth Football will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday at the Theurer Auction Center, Highway 160 East, Wellington, Kan.
Soccer Camp - British Soccer and the Ponca City Soccer Club will hold a summer soccer camp for all age players August 4-5 at the Ponca City Soccer Complex.
For more information contact Bubba (765-1910)