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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, July 7, 1998 LOCALRay Files For Vacant City Post Ray Files For Vacant City PostNEWKIRK — Keni Ray filed this morning for Ponca City’s city commission vacancy, as the filing period for city and county offices continued quietly. As of noon today, Ray was the only person filing so far for the position that opened when City Commissioner Tom Leonard was elected mayor last month. His bid was the first action at the Kay County Election Board since early Monday morning. After the filing period opened Monday, four incumbent county officers and one challenger filed to be on the November ballot. The officers filing Monday for reelection were County Treasurer Pat Schieber, County Assessor Tresa Engle, District One County Commissioner Dee Schieber and District Three County Commissioner Rex Purdy. The only challenger filing so far at the county level was James Powelson of Ponca City, who will be vying for the District One County Commissioner office. At the state election board, in the Eighth Judicial District, which comprises Kay and Noble counties, District Attorney John G. Maddox has now filed for reelection, seeking his second four-year term. In the filings for judge positions, District Judge D.W. Boyd of the Eighth Judicial District filed Monday and will make his first election bid since his appointment in to the bench in 1996, to fill a vacancy left by the late Neal Beekman. Associate District Judge Leslie D. Page of Blackwell again is bidding for the Kay County post he has held since 1990. The filing period will continue through 5 p.m. Wednesday, with a contest period on Thursday and Friday. Sylvia Pratt Announces Bid For House District 38 SeatNEWKIRK — Kay County native Sylvia Pratt will run as a Democratic candidate for the District 38 seat in the State House of Representatives. “It is time for a change. Our small businesses and family farmers need a strong voice and active leadership to represent their interests,” she said. “With Sylvia Pratt in the State House our people will have that voice.” Pratt has been active in community affairs for many years, is a member of the Conoco Ponca City Community Advisory Council and has served on the Newkirk Library Board. In addition, Pratt has served as president of the Newkirk FFA Parents’ Club and adult leader of the Newkirk Go-Getters 4-H Club. “Our district deserves a house member whose children attended public schools and who understands the challenges facing public education, because education is the key to economic development,” Pratt said. “With a well-trained work force we can attract quality jobs to rural areas and our communities can prosper.” Referring to the truth-in-sentencing issue, Pratt noted, “We must protect Oklahomans from violent criminals and defend our children from sexual predators by prioritizing the use of tax dollars to lock away the most dangerous offenders for a very long time.” She and her husband, who is employed by Conoco, have two grown children. Nearly NewsA lost bird has been found and the owner is now being sought. According to T.L. Walker, project director of Standing Bear, the Nanday Conure was found in a tree at the Park. “First he was in a tree then he was on my head,” she said. The poor lost soul learned that birds of a feather don’t flock together and after failing to make friends with local geese the bird sought companionship of the different kind, the human type. The bird is now at TeeKay Pets waiting for its owner. Ponca City once again is well-represented when it comes to beauty and talent. NN has learned that Erin Rutherford, daughter of Teresa and Richard Rutherford, 804 Greenbriar, was named Young Miss America July 4 in Universal City in Hollywood. More details and a picture of the national pageant winner will appear in The News later this week. Congratulations Erin! Three Queen Candidates Vying For 1998 Newkirk Rodeo HonorNEWKIRK — Three queen candidates will be vying for the Range Riders Rodeo bunting this week as the two-night action begins at the Newkirk Rodeo Arena July 10. The 1998 Rodeo Queen contestant riding competition will be held Thursday night July 9 at 8 p.m. at the arena. Coronation for the winner will be at 7:30 p.m. prior to the Friday performance. The Rodeo is July 10-11 at 8 p.m. both night. Queen candidates include Lesley Bechtel, Cary Colclasure, and Kalen Krenn. Bechtel is the daughter of Greg and Brenda Bechtel of Newkirk. She is a sophomore at Newkirk High School and works as a farm hand. Bechtel, as a member of FFA, has gained FFA Showmanship Awards and is a member of Show Choir, Student Council, and was Braman Saddle Club Queen. Believing that being a queen candidate will be a wonderful learning experience and a way for her to experience and promote more of the rodeo way of life are reasons for Bechtel entering the contest. Colclasure is the daughter of Charles and Donnye Colclasure of rural Newkirk. She is a senior at Newkirk High School and is a member of the Newkirk FFA, and showed horses at the fair in Blackwell. Colclasure is a member of the Newkirk Range Riders and the United States Team Roping Championship group. The high school senior said she has been around horses her entire life and that there is nothing she enjoys more. Colclasure has been involved in horse shows, team penning, and is now involved in team roping. Krenn is the daughter of Peggy Krenn of Ponca City and Steve Krenn of Newkirk. She is a 1997 graduate of Ponca City High School and is presently employed by Newkirk Livestock and Auction. Krenn lettered in academics in high school and said that ever since she was a little girl she has dreamed of being a rodeo queen because of her love of horses and rodeo. The rodeo will be at the Newkirk Rodeo Arena, one-half mile north and one-half mile east of Newkirk. It will feature eight events including saddle bronc riding, bareback riding, team roping, girls barrel racing, steer wrestling, bull riding, wild cow milking, and calf roping. The rodeo is produced by J.C. Rodeo Company. June Moisture Below Normal While Year’s Mark Remains UpBy MAX STOKESBERRY News Staff Writer Last year’s act is proving to be a tough one to follow, as far as moisture in these parts is concerned. The first half of 1998 ended last week with 19.37 inches of precipitation measured by Universal Weather Station personnel at Ponca City’s Municipal Airport. That figure isn’t too shabby, but it fell 3.63 inches short of the June 30 total a year ago. In the last half of 1997 the water level in the airport’s gauge rose from 23 inches to a local modern-day record of 51.08. To beat that mark will require 31.72 inches of wet stuff in the last six months of the year. Measurable moisture fell on seven days in June, with 1.75 inches the most for a 24-hour period, on the 30th. Two and a half inches of hail were received on June 8 and a quarter-inch on the 13th. The 4.12 inches of rain and melted ice were .42-inch below normal for the month, but the 19.37 total was 1.08 inches above average for the six-month period. The wettest of the past 31 Junes produced 7.03 inches of moisture just last year, and the next highest measurement was 6.69 inches, in both 1992 and 1995. More than six inches was also registered in two other Junes, 6.55 inches in 1969 and 6.49 in 1985. It was considerably wetter a few years earlier when more than 14 inches brought flooding in June 1957. In contrast only .36-inch was measured for the entire sixth month in 1988. That was the only time in at least the past 31 years that less than an inch of rain fell in June. There were measurements of between one and two inches on four occasions. The daily average temperature last month was 80.2 degrees, 3.7 above normal. Hottest day was the 20th, which topped out at 102 with the first three-digit reading of 1998. Of the past 31 years, 11 had June temperatures of 100 degrees or more, the highest being 107 in 1988. The mercury climbed to 106 in June of 1980 and 1994. It got only to 93 degrees in ’93, and the lowest overnight temperatures during the 31 years were in the 40s four different times. Last month’s hardest winds reached a top speed of 85 miles an hour from the southwest during a rain and hail storm on June 13. DEATHSRaymond L. Bearden Services PendingRaymond L. BeardenRaymond L. Bearden, longtime Ponca City resident, died Monday afternoon, July 6, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 70. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home. Funerals-Wednesday Edna E. Kleinmann — Graveside rites will be held at 10 a.m. at Resthaven Memorial Cemetery. Rosary to be said Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Trout Funeral Home Chapel.NEWS BRIEFSOsage Meetings Canceled — The Osage Tribal Council has canceled the special meeting for federal programs issues of Wednesday, July 8 and the regular meeting of Wednesday, July 15. The two meetings are rescheduled with the regular meeting on Wednesday, July 22 and the special meetings for federal programs issues on July 27 and July 29. False Alarm — At 8:51 a.m. Monday fire units responded to a reported fire at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, 1900 North Fourteenth Street. However, it was a false alarm. Arrest — Police arrested a 22-year-old woman at East Cleveland Avenue and North Fifth Street at 10:38 a.m. Monday for driving under suspension and no seat belt. Accident — A two-vehicle accident was reported at 11:37 a.m. Monday in the 300 block of West Grand Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Vandalism — At 11:46 a.m. Monday police were notified of vandalism to a room at the Stratford House Inn, 2320 North Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned. False Alarm — At 12:36 p.m. Monday fire units responded to a report of smoke coming from a house in the 700 block of North Sunset Street. It was a false alarm. Arrest — Police arrested a 19-year-old man at 2:01 p.m. Monday from the 100 block of East Detroit Avenue on a city warrant. Accident — An accident was reported at 2:20 p.m. Monday in the 3500 block of North Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned. Missing Checks — At 3:19 p.m. Monday a woman in the 1700 block of Leslie Lane contacted police about some checks missing from her home. An officer was assigned. Counterfeit Bill — At 3:23 p.m. Monday police were called to Home National Bank, 2901 North Fourteenth Street, for a counterfeit $100 bill. An officer was assigned and the bill was confiscated. Accident — A man in the 1500 block of Hudson Drive called police requesting that a report be taken on a backing accident that had occurred last week. An officer was assigned and the report was made. Assault — At 4:29 p.m. Monday police were called to the South Avenue Express, 1101 East South Avenue, after receiving a report of a teenager being assaulted. Arrest — Police arrested a 21-year-old woman at 4:33 p.m. Monday from the 300 block of South Ninth Street for violation of protective order. Stolen Property — At 4:46 p.m. Monday a man in the 400 block of South Palm Street contacted police after renters reportedly moved and took some property with them. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Stolen Trailer — At 4:56 p.m. Monday police were notified that a man had stolen a trailer from Country General, 3008 North Fourteenth Street. It was later recovered in a nearby parking lot. Van Vandalism — A man in the 1000 block of North Oak Street contacted police at 7:04 p.m. Monday after his van was reportedly vandalized. A report was taken. Stolen Bike — A woman in the 700 block of North Elm Street contacted police at 8:15 p.m. Monday regarding a stolen bike. A report was taken. Arrest — Police arrested a 39-year-old man at 1:01 a.m. Tuesday from North Fourteenth Street and Lake Road for speeding and public intoxication. Arrest — An 18-year-old man was arrested at 4:42 a.m. Tuesday on a city warrant for failure to appear. Runaway Balloon — At 4:46 a.m. Tuesday police were advised a balloon from a business had “broken loose” and would possibly be landing near North Fourteenth Street and East Prospect Avenue. The balloon was located in the 3000 block of North Fourteenth Street and reported to be “flying low.” LIFESTYLESOsborn Family Reunion Event Held Locally Osborn Family Reunion Event Held LocallyMembers of the family of the late Roy B. (Fritz) Osborn gathered for a reunion June 27 at Sun-N-Fun with four of his children present. Fish for the annual ‘catfish fry’ was provided by Troy Osborn and Mike Thompson with Mike’s wife, Debbie, preparing the fish. Rick Osborn was chef for the evening hamburger fry after family members enjoyed the activities at the park. Chris Rabon was the auctioneer for the handmade crafts provided by family members. Jack Osborn led the business meeting and Peggy Huff presented awards to Jack Osborn of Ponca City, Oldest Osborn Present; Jack and Evelyn Osborn, Most Family Members in Attendance; Jacquie Hand of Colorado Springs, Colo., Traveled the Fartherest; Denton Rhu Huff of Edmond, Newest Osborn Present, and Riley Huff of Edmond, champion award. Among those attending were Jack and Evelyn Osborn of Ponca City; Ted and Ann Eberley, Kerri and Shelby of Dallas, Texas; Gary and Sherri Moyer and Drew of Ponca City, Shane and Kathy Schieber, Katlyn and Ryan of Glencoe; David and Peggy Huff of Orlando; Don Huff of Perry; Darren and Deanna Huff, Riley and Denton of Edmond; Jacquie Hand of Colorado Springs, Colo. Also Norma Osborn of Ponca City; Mike and Debbie Thompson, Micah and Zack of Ponca City; Todd and Marcia Osborn and Shelbi of Lawton; Troy Osborn, Charlie and Caleb of Yukon; Bill and Billie Osborn, Randi and Chad of Lawton; Chris and Valla Dawn Rabon, Allison and Austin of Lawton; Rick and Leslie Osborn and Lily of Ponca City, and Robbie Oldfield of Burbank and three guests. Class of 1948 Plans ReunionThe Ponca City High School graduating class of 1948 will celebrate the 50th class reunion Sept. 25-27. A planning committee member meeting is scheduled Monday, July 13 at 1:30 p.m. at the Programming Room of the Ponca City Library. More information may be obtained by calling Barbara Radd, 765-5929 or Donna Evans, 765-6220. The reunion committee needs addresses or information about the following “lost” classmates: William “Bill” Buckner, Mary Clevenger Meek, Ruby Croft Desmond, Carol Gene Garrett, Louise Gilley Thompson, Harold Hester, Ramona Kelton, John Lancaster, Morita Rogers Olsen, Julia Snider, Douglas Stull, Joan Von Merveldt, Patsy Waybright, Doris Wildey and Lois Williams. BUSINESSAffordable Housing Considered A Rural Development NecessityEDITOR’ NOTE: One of the critical needs in Ponca City is affordable housing directed at entry level home owners. Ponca City is not alone in this problem. The following information comes from the Rural Development Council News and a phone conversation with Byron DeBruler, division director of the Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s Housing Team. ———— As Oklahoma continues to grow in metropolitan and rural areas of the state, providing affordable housing for its work force is crucial. Despite all the economic development and new plant openings or expansions, cities and towns of all sizes will not realize the total economic benefit if their workers have to make long commute to and from work. “For some time, we have been hearing from people that there was not enough affordable housing in the state,” said Byron DeBruler, division director of Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s Housing Team. “One of our first initiatives was to perform an environmental scan of the state, evaluating the condition and age of existing housing. Then based on certain economic indicators, we identified some of the high-growth counties in the state that would be prime for future development.” After an extensive housing market analysis of 14 counties across the state experiencing rapid growth, a lack of affordable housing was verified. DeBruler said Kay County is one of the counties and will be sharing the information soon with The News. He noted although it has been known by the Department of Commerce for about two years that the housing crisis was rolling to a boil because of the new jobs brought to state, that bankers and builders needed to see the supporting data. The results reveal a rural demand for 10,596 single-family units mostly below $70,000 and 3,849 rental units in the 14 counties studied. The development opportunities for each county have been identified. In addition, a full statistical analysis has been complied on each county. That information will be targeted toward the banking and housing industries. These analyses will be mailed out to a list of 1,500 ranging from builders to lending institutions, who are interested in these market opportunities. DeBruler said response is beginning to come in from out-of-state developers and financiers. He said that of course it would be preferred to have Oklahoma builders and lenders, but if that is not possible the housing crunch needs to be solved one way or the other. To promote home ownership and rural housing development, ODOC is joining the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development entitled National Partners in Homeownership. The intent of the program is to strengthen local homeownership partnerships, thereby increasing residential ownership numbers across the country to an all-time high of 67.5 of all American households. “One of the team’s services is to assist developers and builders in their efforts to make housing happen in our state, and we want to participate by focusing Oklahoma Department of Commerce’s Home Investment Partnership Program dollars to spur that development,” DeBruler said. A total of $5 million in home funds will be split into funding pools. First, a pool for demonstration projects will be made available for single-family housing construction. “These funds will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis. The intent is to identify and create replicable housing development models that can be duplicated in other cities, resulting in increased development statewide,” DeBruler said. The Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) has partnered with the Department of Commerce in targeting homeownership through single family mortgage revenue bonds in specific counties. OHFA has set aside $2 million for borrowers purchasing homes in these growth counties. New Gift Shop Established In Location on North UnionBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Business Editor Global Connection Gifts and Unique Items at 1043 North Union is a good example of recycling a building and improving the area as well. A former convenience store that was empty for a time and then used for purposes other than retail is now a gift shop operated by owner Dee Shaw and associate Owen Tillman. The building has been revitalized and is a pleasant place to browse, shop or have a cup of cappuccino or specialty coffee. Shaw describes the store’s stock as gift and novelties from around the globe, featuring Firelight Candles, Old Port candles, humidors, chess sets, incense, dolls and stuffed animals. Neon art has just arrived and featured items include bird, train, and sports clocks. Another attraction is southwest art. Global Connection serves cappuccino, caffe latte and freshly brewed coffee by the cup. There is small seating area. Additionally there are 16 different coffee beans, that can be purchased and freshly ground. Another specialty is a variety of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. Neighborhood Welcome Shaw says the neighborhood has given them a warm welcome saying they are glad to see a new business in their neighborhood. Union Street has some updating going on that could lead to more improvements. The site of Ponca Iron and Metal is being cleaned up and this is another welcomed event in the area. Further north on Union, between Hartford and Prospect, road work is in the process. It could be that more retail development will occur on Union in the future. Shaw and Tillman are not new to retail business. She owned a retail kitchen and bath store in Wichita — “Dee’s Classic Cabinets” — for seven years and Tillman operated the State Line Smoke Shop north of Newkirk. Shaw said, “Our philosophy is to find the best price on products and pass the savings on to our customers. We bring in new shipments weekly from all parts of the globe. We ask our customer if they have any items they would like for us to carry and try our best to bring those items in.” Grand opening of the business is slated for Saturday. The hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Commercial Permits Top Building ActivityCommercial construction continues to out pace residential building in Ponca City, according to the June report of building inspector James Brown. While there were no housing permits issued, there were five commercial permits issued with a valuation of $1.516 million. Permits were issued to D&M Distributing for $1.05 million; $350,000 remodeling inside Wal-Mart; $40,000 office building at Bliss Industries, on Summit; a $20,000 renovation of Moyer car facility on Waverly, and $3,000 for remodeling of an antique store on Fourteenth. Additionally five remodel addition permits were issued with a total valuation of $95,000, and 17 miscellaneous permits added up to a valuation of $127,400. This boosted the valuation total to $1,738,400. An unusually high number of plumbing inspections were made in June. Of the 184 total, 129 were dock and cabin inspections at Lake Ponca. Thirty plumbing permits were issued by Buddy R. Osborn Plumbing inspector. On the electrical side, Earl Whittaker, electrical inspector, issued 24 permits and there were 78 inspections. In the Mechanical permit arena, Osborn issued 33 permits and 49 inspections were conducted. Total revenue for the department was listed at $7,332. Unemployment Rate Falls in MayKay County’s unemployment for May was down 1.5 percent from the same period in May 1997, according to the Oklahoma Labor Force Statistics. The unemployment rate for May was 6 percent compared to 7.5 percent a year ago. The rate was up slightly from April, which shows 5.7 percent. The preliminary May estimate for Oklahoma was 3.8 percent for May, while the national unemployment rate was listed at 4.2 percent. Other area counties’ May unemployment rate, April rate and May 1997 rate are: Grant, 1.9 percent, 2.3 and 2.7; Noble, 3, 2.7 and 3.8; Osage, 3.5, 3.5 and 5; Pawnee, 5.7; 4.9 and 7.2; Payne, 1.6, 1.5 and 2 percent. City Sales Tax Returns Show April IncreasePonca City sales tax return from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for business conducted during April was up considerably compared to the same time period last year. Ponca City coffers will receive a total of $821,400 up from $683,619 for the same time frame in 1997. Statewide, the distribution of city sales tax collections totaled $69,308,217. The disbursement of sales tax collections to 487 cities and towns showed an increase of $4,212,287 from $65,095,930 distributed to 481 cities and towns in June one year ago. Use Tax In addition to sales tax, the City of Ponca City receives a use tax, which is paid on catalog sales or materials purchased out of state and delivered here. The use tax has been going up recently too. The use tax distributed by the Oklahoma Tax Commission to the City totaled $43,897, compared to the same time frame in 1997, which totaled $27,483. An example given by Marc LaBossiere, financial officer for the city, tells how the use tax is distributed. If one orders merchandise from a catalog, such as J.C. Penney, for $100, when the bill comes in it will be $108. Distribution of this use tax would be the state gets four and half dollars, the city’s general fund receives two dollars, the street fund, economic development and the fire station improvement funds each receive 50 cents. Apparently one of the reasons that the use tax has increased in the last few months is there is a lot of expansion going on at local industries and otherwise and the material ordered out of state is subject to the use assessment. City April 98 April 97 Barnsdall $10,718 $10,950 Bartlesville 953,252 946,267 Billings 8,168 8,301 Blackwell 86,210 85,884 Braman 1,592 1,457 Burbank 537 905 Deer Creek 690 955 Enid 1,192,171 1,187,713 Fairfax 14,601 17,225 Kaw City 3,215 2,826 Lamont 1,845 1,586 Marland 850 858 Medford 21,444 10,233 Morrison 4,293 5,304 Newkirk 25,145 23,135 Pawhuska 54,409 50,871 Pawnee 34,027 30, 597 Perry 75,334 38,169 Pond Creek 6,712 8,144 Ralston 992 1,405 Red Rock 1,425 1,207 Shidler 2,165 2,400 Stillwater 995,914 969,052 Tonkawa 35,969 22,733 Notes and Quotes-New Tools by LindsayPonca City manufacturing firm Lindsay Manufacturing Inc., a worldwide leader in the central vacuum industry, has two new kits for the electric package consumer. These kits are an addition to a VacuMaid, AstroVac, or Silent Partner central vacuum system. The Premium kit includes a 14-inch VacuMaid Electric Brush, top and lower wands for the electric brush, dusting brush, upholstery tool, slip-on brush, crevice tool, 12-inch floor tool, telescopic wand, 30-foot direct plug-in (or hose with pigtail cord) four wire swivel handle crush proof hose, on board tool holder and hose hanger. The second kit has most of the same type of equipment on a smaller scale. Throop Appointed to BoardOKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Frank Keating announced that Thomas (Tom) Throop, 51, of Ponca City has been reappointed to the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Research, Marketing and Safety Commission to serve a term ending July 1, 2001. Throop is the president of Throop Propane. Leathers’ WinLoretta and Max Leathers of Ponca City were the grand prize winners of Mazzio’s Pizza 13-state contest, according to Rodger Geurin, area Mazzio’s manager. The Leathers won a seven-day, seven-night cruise with the destination to be determined. There were more than 500 Ponca City entries in the month-long contest held in May and the total entry was about 50,000. Marmaduke HonoredAMARILLO — John H. Marmaduke, president and chief executive officer of Hastings Entertainment Inc., has been awarded the prestigious 1998 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of The Year for the Southwest Area’s retail and consumers products industry group. Marmaduke will be inducted into the Entrepreneur of The Year Institute at the annual international conference to be held in Palm Springs, Calif., in November. The program honors entrepreneurs whose ingenuity, hard work and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures. Criteria used in selecting the award recipients encompasses the nominee’s qualifications, unique management skills, work experience and major accomplishments including participation in business, community and civic organizations. Kansas City InternLaurie Melissa King of Ponca City has been selected for a summer position in the corporate positioning department of Fleishman Hillard’s Kansas City office. A 1995 graduate of Ponca City High School, King is a senior majoring in public relations with a marketing minor at Oklahoma State University. She is the daughter of Dee and Dodee King, formerly of Ponca City. Her uncle, Mike Moore and his family are residents of Ponca City. At OSU, King has been the editorial assistant for the OSU Magazine, public relations executive for the Student Government Association, and is the current vice president for public relations of Kappa Alpha Theta social sorority. At Fleishman Hillard, she works as an intern on accounts, including Southwestern Bell, Sealright, Hallmark, Western Auto, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas City and several others. Film SchoolOKLAHOMA CITY — As part of its continuing effort to make Oklahoma attractive to filmmakers, the Oklahoma Film Commission has joined forces with Oklahoma City Community College to create an education program aimed at those wishing a technical career in the film and television industry. Scheduled for Aug. 3-8, the school’s first institute for film technology will offer students the opportunity to learn all aspects of film making, from lessons in film terminology to actual 35 and 16 mm camera and sound equipment. Those interested in registering for the seminar may call (405) 682-7558. SmartStyle Salon to OpenSmartStyle Family Hair Salon is the new name of the National Hair Care Centers salon that reopened July 1 in the Wal-Mart Super Center in Ponca City. SmartStyle is a division of Regis Corporation, which has been in the hair fashion business for 75 years. The SmartStyle name change will be implemented in all 190 previous National Hair Care Centers through October 1998. Regis currently operates and franchises salons in six divisions — Regis Hairstylists, Supercuts, MasterCuts, Trade Secret, Wal-Mart and International — and has approximately 3,300 salons and 25,000 employees worldwide. Payroll Tax CutOKLAHOMA CITY — Recent legislation cutting unemployment taxes for the vast majority of Oklahoma employers took effect July 1. The new law is expected to save businesses $136 million over the next five years. The measure also raises benefits for jobless workers. The tax reduction was a top priority for the state chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Oklahoma’s largest small-business advocacy group. NFIB estimates the bill HB 2792, will save employers more than $59 million over the next year and a half. Blimpies, Simple Simon Both at One LocationTwo eateries have teamed up in one location at 309 East Hartford. Simple Simon’s Pizza and Blimpies are now located together. The restaurants open every day from 11 a.m., to 10 p.m. The restaurants offers dine in, drive-thru and carry out, as well as delivery after 5 p.m. The Blimpies menu offers subs and salads, while Simple Simon’s features pizza and calizones.
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