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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Monday, August 24, 1998 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS LOCALNatural Gas Blast Rips Apartments Natural Gas Blast Rips ApartmentsBy PATTI PFEIFFER News Staff Writer A natural gas explosion late Saturday night caused extensive damage to an apartment complex in what some are describing as “a little Oklahoma City.” Amazingly no one was seriously injured. “You can’t imagine the damage until you actually see it for yourself,” apartment manager Kathy Hayes said. “With all the clothes and things hanging from the windows it looks like a little Oklahoma City here.” The explosion, which could be felt blocks away, sent debris flying in all directions, some was found up to 110 feet away from the site of the actual explosion at the East Terrace Apartments, 1501 East Bradley Avenue. The tenants of the unit where the explosion occurred — a mother and her three children — were reportedly on a weekend camping trip and did not learn of their loss until they returned Sunday to what once was their home. Fire and police personnel were immediately on the scene, turning off the gas, extinguishing fires and searching for any injured or trapped occupants. “We were actually engaged in both fire fighting and search and rescue efforts,” Fire Chief Larry Mullikin said. “Although everyone in the apartment complex was accounted for we called on the city street department to bring out a front end loader and lift a wall, too heavy for our men to lift, to make certain no one was trapped underneath the debris.” There were reportedly only minor fires in the attic and inside walls on the second floor of the two story unit where the explosion occurred. The State Fire Marshal’s office was on the scene Saturday and remained until early Sunday morning. According to spokesperson Shannon Rowland, the fires were caused by a natural gas explosion. “The actual origin of the explosion can not be determined because there was so much damage,” Rowland said. “But we have determined that it was not in the service line.” Early this morning Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) crews were on the scene inspecting the complex and turning off meters into the four-unit complex. “It is fairly obvious that this was a gas explosion,” ONG Area Customer Services Manager Danny Thompson said. “Our investigation indicates that all of ONG piping held 100 percent and it appears that the leak was in a customer piping system inside the apartment.” Also at the scene Monday morning, from Wichita, was the owner of the apartment complex, W. Alan Huffman. “More than likely we have to rebuild the entire building, but we will know more when we have a structural engineer come out and inspect it,” Huffman said. “We are just thankful that the family was camping and not injured.” Three of the four units were occupied, those three families are now homeless, spending their nights with family and friends. However, Huffman says they will be working with those tenants in an effort to relocate them to other units within the complex. One such person is Mary Hays, whose 14-year-old son was home at the time of the explosion. “He has neck injuries from a ceiling falling in on him,” she says. “I just thank God he’s OK and wasn’t hurt more seriously.” Hays spent the weekend sifting through her belongings and trying to find a place to stay. When asked what, if anything, she and her family needed she simply replied “a bed and place to live.” — The Ponca City Jaycees have established a relief fund for the families involved in the explosion. All of the donations will go directly to the families involved. Send contributions to: The Ponca City Jaycees, P.O. Box 1682, Ponca City, OK 74602 Oklahomans Go To Polls Tuesday for Primary VoteArea voters will go to the polls Tuesday along with the rest of Oklahoma to open the 1998 election process. Polls will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Area Republicans have three statewide races Tuesday plus a number of local contests. State preliminaries include superintendent of public instruction, commissioner of labor and insurance commissioner. Public instruction candidates are Linda D. Murphy and Tod Williams. Incumbent Labor Commissioner Brenda Reneau is being challenged by Chris Brown while incumbent Insurance Commissioner John Crawford is being challenged by Don Strong and Bill MaGuire. Democrats will vote in five preliminaries: governor, lieutenant governor, commissioner of labor, state insurance commissioner and U.S. Senate. James Hager of Pawhuska, who vacated the District 36 House of Representatives seat in Osage County, will go against former legislator Laura Boyd of Norman in the Democrat primary for governor. The winner faces Republican Gov. Frank Keating and Reform candidate Hoppy Heidelberg of Blanchard in November. Other Democrat candidates: lieutenant governor, Jack Morgan and Dan Lowe; commissioner of labor, J.C. Watts, Jerry Morgan and Virginia Blue Jeans Jenner, and insurance commissioner, Carroll Fisher, John P. Spearman and Barry Hale. Four names are on the ballot for U.S. Senate to face Sen. Don Nickles this fall, but only three are alive. Jacquelyn Morrow Lewis Ledgerwood passed away in July. The survivors are Jerry Kobyluk, Don E. Carroll and Arlie Nixon. Independent Argus W. Yandell Jr. of Stillwater joins the field in November. In area races, two contenders — David Myers, 60, Ponca City, and Daniel J. McWilliams, 38, Lamont — are in the race for the Republican side of the District 20 State Senate Race. The winner will challenge incumbent Paul Muegge, Tonkawa, in the general election. Kay County Republican voters in western Kay County will be deciding the District 3 commissioner position as they choose between incumbent Rex Purdy of rural Tonkawa and challenger Glenn Terrell of Blackwell. Osage County Osage County Democrats have a crowded field to pick from as they look for a successor to gubernatorial candidate James Hager for the District 36 seat in the State House of Representatives. Hager gave up the seat to go against Laura Boyd in the Democrat preliminary to see who will face Frank Keating in November for the state’s top job. Four candidates are seeking to replace Hager: Lee Bledsoe Jr., 55, Fairfax, farmer; Helen Johnson Christenson, 60, Pawhuska, rancher and former county court clerk; Rob Ridenour, 30, Skiatook, public defender, and Joe Sweeden, 37, Pawhuska, conservation district employee. The survivor from that field will face John Hanshy, 48, a laborer from Skiatook, in November. Osage County Democrats could set up a runoff election for two county commission posts in Tuesday’s primary election. In District Three, which includes the McCord area adjacent to Kay County, incumbent G.H. “Jess” Ballard, 71, of Hominy, is being challenged by Rick Rice, 42, of Fairfax, and Tim Edens, 44, of Ponca City. Ballard has served two terms as commissioner of the district, which covers the southern third of the county and extends to Tulsa. In District One incumbent Clarence L. Brantley, 58, Pawhuska, is being challenged by Don Woods, 56, Webb City; Floyd A. Kyler, 49, Pawhuska, and William H. Malaska, 60, Pawhuska. The eventual winner of each district will be a Democrat since no Republicans filed. Noble County Noble County Democrats will be choosing their nominee for the District One position between incumbent Gary Manley, 54, Billings, and Donal Floyd Heimbach, 43, Tonkawa. The winner will face Republican Mark Sanders, a 41, Red Rock, in the November General Election. Grant County Grant County Democrats will choose an assessor and a District 3 commissioner Tuesday. Incumbent assessor Bill L. Schultz, 54, Medford, is being challenged by Clarke Schmitz, 58, Medford. The commission post will be decided between incumbent Jerry Shaffer, 53, Pond Creek, and Thell Butch Davis, 52, Pond Creek. Pawnee County Pawnee County Democrats will pick a candidate for the District 3 commission position between incumbent Bob Ellis, 58, Maramec, and Loy Dallas, 56, Pawnee. The winner will face Republican John P. O’Donnell, 47, Maramec, in November. Conoco Says Strange Smells From RefineryBy PATTI PFEIFFER News Staff Writer The nose knows best and if residents’ sniffers were indicating an unusual odor in the air this morning there was a reason. According to Conoco spokesperson Lynn Hohensee, the odors were due to maintenance work currently under way at the refinery. “The odors are associated with maintenance work currently under way in the propane treating and de-ethanizing area of one of the refinery’s process units which includes neutralizing some of the process chemicals with caustic materials,” Hohensee stated. “The odors are noticeable, and we regret that anyone in Ponca City is being affected by them. While they are a nuisance and do not represent a health concern for our employees or our community neighbors.” The smell, however may linger around for awhile, as Hohensee says that the maintenance work will not be completed until mid-week. “Our workers are making every effort to minimize the impact of the odors or contain them as soon as possible,” he stated. “We apologize to all of our neighbors in the Ponca City community that have detected the odors being carried by strong southerly winds from the Ponca City refinery over portions of the city. NOC Enrollment Climbs To 2,359TONKAWA — Student enrollment for fall classes at Northern Oklahoma College through Aug. 20 has reached 2,359 up from 2,250 this date a year ago. Figures released by Wanda Webb, registrar, showed 1,462 freshmen, 685 sophomores, and 112 special students accounting for 25,525 credit hours. These figures include classes offered at the NWOSU-Enid site, where 761 students have enrolled compared to 758 enrolled at the site last year. Concurrently enrolled high school students number 79, accounting for 298 credit hours. Among some of the evening classes still open for enrollment on the Tonkawa campus are General Biology, Technical Tools (personal computers), Humanities — Modern Western Culture, American National Government, Microeconomics and Photography. In addition to regular hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the Registrar’s Office and the Finance Office has extended hours to 7 p.m., Monday and Tuesday, Aug. 24-25. The college bookstore hours will follow the schedule for the Registrar’s Office. Northern is an open door admission institution, admitting any individual graduated from an accredited high school and any Oklahoma resident non-graduate whose high school class has graduated. For more information contact the Registrar’s Office at (580) 628-6220. EditorialVote in Primary TuesdayDespite what you may have not heard, there’s an election tomorrow. Ponca City, Kay County and area voters will join voters statewide Tuesday in primary election voting. This has been one of the quietest campaign seasons in recent memory. Back in the “old” days the primaries pretty well decided who would be elected to statewide offices, since Democrats dominated that particular arena. The Democrat primaries were fought hot-and-heavy because the nominee was usually a shoo-in in the November general election. Obviously that is not true anymore, with Republicans currently owning all the congressional seats and most of the state’s top offices. Only the legislature is dominated by Democrats. Now, with a more bipartisan blend in state government, the general elections are the scene of most of the campaign activity, with candidates hoarding their funds for the final advertising push. Lance Ward, state Election Board secretary, had earlier predicted a low primary turnout of 500,000 to 700,000 votes. ‘‘I am staying with that, although I think it will be toward the low end,’’ Ward said. ‘‘It’s just an awfully quiet year.’’ Ward said there are only 53 total races on the ballot, the lowest in more than three decades. In 1968, there were 62 contests. There were 84 races on the ballot in 1994, the last gubernatorial primary. Area Republicans have three statewide races Tuesday plus a number of local contests. State preliminaries include superintendent of public instruction, commissioner of labor and insurance commissioner. Democrats will vote in five preliminaries: governor, lieutenant governor, commissioner of labor, state insurance commissioner and U.S. Senate. In area races, two contenders, David Myers of Ponca City and Daniel J. McWilliams of Lamont, are in the race for the Republican side of the District 20 State Senate race. In addition to Kay County’s District 3 Commission race, there are a number of other preliminary rounds in the area. All in all, there are quite a number of candidates to consider on both Democrat and Republican sides. Don’t let the few nominate the party finalists. Join that group that sets the stage for the November elections. Vote in Tuesday’s primary election. FJ Other EditorsDon’t Be Too Busy To VoteThe Census Bureau this week released some alarming statistics about the voting percentage in the last presidential election. Some 3.5 million Americans said the reason they did not vote was that they did not care about the outcome. Fair enough. Americans have the right not to vote. But, another 4.6 million Americans told the Census Bureau they were ‘‘too busy’’ to vote. That’s pathetic. Absentee ballots are easy to obtain, and in Oklahoma, in-person absentee ballots are available for three days preceding the presidential election. With only 54 percent of the eligible population voting, it’s obvious the polling places were not too crowded. In fact, election precinct workers probably sat for a long period of time between voters. ... One explanation for the falling turnout is that people feel their votes don’t count. Young voters, the most likely to be too busy to vote, may want to ponder why the tax laws favor those over 55, who have the highest turnout. Tuesday is election day in Oklahoma. On that day, Democrats and Republicans will pick party nominees for county and state government posts, as well as the legislative posts for the state Legislature and the U.S. Congress. The state election office predicts no more than 500,000 voters will cast ballots Tuesday. There hasn’t been much flak among the candidates, except in some local races, and there are no controversial state questions on Tuesday’s ballot. As a result, many voters see Tuesday’s election as ho-hum, why bother to vote ... People may feel they are too busy to spend a few minutes at the precinct poll, but it’s a safe bet they will not be too busy to complain about the outcome of Tuesday’s election. Stillwater News-Press Area 4 H Students Assist NASATONKAWA — In a relatively new area of research, NASA scientists back east are enthusiastic about a new data base compiled in the Kay County area to help improve climate forecasting. With a crew of area 4-H members, senior scientist Bob Wheeler of a NASA contracting firm plodded into wheat, soybean, grain sorghum, alfalfa and grass fields to collect random soil samples, photographs and other data for several days, promptly feeding the data back to NASA by computer. It was all in the name of what the visitors were calling “ground truthing.” Ground truthing is the method of reconciling the difference between the data collected from satellites above the earth and the data collected from the earth’s surface. NASA scientist Don Cahoon said ground truthing is necessary because information collected by satellite at any point on earth is affected both by the angle of the sun and the angle of the satellite. Working with Wheeler, the 4-H members took multiple readings and samples every other day from at least five different fields south of Tonkawa. Praising their work as “very thorough,” Wheeler said the agency has learned a lot in a short amount of time. “I’m proud to say the U.S. leads the world in this kind of research,” Wheeler said. DEATHSPauline Faye Weaver Pauline Faye WeaverSHIDLER — Pauline Faye Weaver, Shidler resident, died at the Fairfax (Okla.) Memorial Hospital, Friday morning, Aug. 21, 1998. She was 28. The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, in Webb City and the Church of God with the Rev. Charles Richey, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Foraker (Okla.) Cemetery under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax. Friends may visit at the Shidler Funeral Chapel until 6 p.m. today. Pauline Faye (Bohannan) Weaver was born Feb. 9, 1970, in Pawhuska, the daughter of Charles Oliver and Joretta Ann (Vincent) Bohannan. She attended school in Pawhuska. She was employed as a merchandiser for Wal-Mart. Mrs. Weaver enjoyed collecting Coca-Cola items and being with her children. Survivors include one son, Colton Scott Weaver, and three daughters, Joanna Mae Weaver, Misty Dawn Weaver and Lona Fay Weaver, all of the home in Shidler; her mother, Jodie Vincent of El Dorado, Kan.; one sister, Charlene Bohannan of Oklahoma City; and her fiancee’ Randy King of Latham, Kan. She was preceded in death by her father and one brother Mickey Lee Bohannan. ObituariesLuciene I. WalkerLuciene I. “Lucy” Walker, Ponca City resident, died Saturday morning, Aug. 22, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 72. A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, at the Ponca City First Christian Church with the Rev. Kent Dorsey, pastor, officiating. No viewing or visitation is planned. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. Born Aug. 8, 1926, in Marshall, she was the daughter of Ralph E. and Ida (Murphy) Cooper. She graduated from Enid High School in 1944. Lucy spent her time raising five daughters. In 1970, she went to work as a mail clerk at Conoco Inc. in the printing and distribution department, retiring in 1985. She loved the people with whom she worked. Besides her love for her children and grandchildren, she enjoyed gardening, sewing, crafts and ceramics. Lucy’s favorite saying was, “When the tide of life turns against you and someone upsets your boat — don’t shed tears on what might have been — just lay on your back and float.” She asked that people celebrate her life, not mourn her death. In celebration of her life, 72 balloons will be released to the heavenly skies immediately following the memorial service at the church. Lucy turned 72 on Aug. 8. Survivors include five daughters, Pam Walker of Wichita, Kan., Debi McDaris of Blackwell, Cindy Gordon of Humble, Texas, Robin Walker of Clatskanie, Ore., and Jo Lin Walker Roggenbuck of Ponca City; grandchildren, Juli D. Sprueill of Garland, Texas, Robert “Schott” Sprueill of Blackwell, Jacob “Jake” Gordon of Humble, Texas, Christopher Walker Cook of Pawhuska, and Cody Roggenbuck of Ponca City; and two great-grandchildren. Her parents preceded her in death. The family will be at 1508 North Osage Street. paid obituary Services PendingShelton V. PhippsShelton V. Phipps, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Aug. 23, 1998 at Tender Heart Health Care Center. He was 89. Local survivors include a son, Scott Phipps, and a daughter, Louise Ryan. The family will be at 505 North Sunset. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home. Cecil C. TiptonCecil C. “Tip” Tipton, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Aug. 23, 1998 at the Ponca City Nursing Home. He was 80. Survivors include his wife, Mary, of the home. A graveside service is set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Odd Fellows Cemetery under direction of Trout Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, c/o Pioneer Bank and Trust, P.O. Box 111, Ponca City, OK 74602. NEWS BRIEFSFree Vision Clinic — Free vision screenings for children are being scheduled at the office of Dr. J.C. Trotter Monday through Friday this week to identify potential vision problems that may require correction. Parents may call Dr. Trotter’s office at 765-3379 or drop by 521 East Hartford to make an appointment for the free screenings. Instant Passport Pictures. Graham Photo, 201 North First, 765-4348. adv. Stolen Vehicle — A man notified police at 7:30 a.m. Saturday that his pickup truck had been stolen from the 400 block of South Washington. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. 40% Off all area rugs. Just arrived, new jewelry, gift items and English antiques. Great prices and selections. Meet a friend in our corner tearoom for dessert. Christy’s, 3005 North Fourteenth. adv. Hit and Run — A woman called police at 1:13 p.m. Saturday about a hit and run accident that occurred at North Fourteenth Street and East Prospect Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. WWF Summerslam only on Pay Per View. Sunday, August 30th at 7:00p.m., $29.95. Cable ONE, 762-6684. adv. Damaging Golf Ball — At 3:19 p.m. Saturday police were notified by a Wentz Golf Course official that a vehicle was hit by a golf ball, damaging the windshield. Meeting for Lunch — Former employees of the Cities Service and Sequoia Refineries will meet Tuesday for lunch 11:30 a.m. at Furrs. All are encouraged to attend. Hit and Run — At 8:04 a.m. Saturday a man in the 400 block of North Osage Street contacted the Ponca City Police Department reporting a hit and run accident. An officer assigned requested a trooper of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, and the patrol was notified. State Certified DUI School Bridgeway, Inc. is Kay Co.'s only local non-profit organization that offers both mid week and weekend DUI Schools and Assessments. Next school scheduled Friday August 28th and, Saturday August 29th, starting at 5:30 p.m. We now offer the 24 hr. DUI School. Call 762-1462 for reservations and information. adv. Burglary — At 12:28 p.m. Saturday a man in the 100 block of South Elm Street advised police that his residence had been burglarized. An officer was assigned. Hit and Run — A hit and run accident in the 3500 block of Springwood was reported to police at 2:11 p.m. Soccer Sign-up starts August 22nd for all boys and girls 4 1/2 and up. Sign up times: Saturday, August 22, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday thru Wednesday, August 24 thru August 26, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.at P.C. Sports Shack, 205 E. Grand. adv Theft — At 2:25 p.m. Saturday several juveniles reportedly stole items from Toni’s Westside Drugs, 301 West Grand Avenue. An officer was assigned. Vehicle Vandalism — At 5:45 p.m. Saturday a man called police reporting that his vehicle had been “keyed” while parked in the 3500 block of North Union Street. An officer was assigned and destruction of private property report was taken. Grass Fire — Fire units responded to a report of a grass fire one mile north of Woodridge Market, 4128 Lake Road at 3:17 p.m. Saturday. Street Seat — A motorist called police at 3:42 p.m. Saturday to report that a recliner was in the middle of the road at North Waverly Street and West Summit Avenue. An officer was assigned, however the owner was at the scene picking up his chair. Pauline's Every Monday Night Special. Fried Chicken Only- all white meat. All you can eat, $6.50. For reservations call 765-5460. adv. Candy Scam — At 3:45 p.m. Saturday a police officer was assigned to the 300 block of South Oak Street after it was reported that a juveniles was collecting money for a candy sale that did not exist and then spending the money. Arrest — Police arrested a 33-year-old man at 3:51 p.m. Saturday from the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street on violation of ex parte. Feed For All — At 4:11 p.m. Saturday police received a report of semi tractor-trailer that was spilling a load of feed from its trailer. An officer was assigned. Arrest — Two 23-year-old women were arrested at 5:10 p.m. Saturday from the 700 block of South Sixth Street for domestic assault and battery. Window Broken — A man in the 300 block of North Pine Street contacted police at 7:14 p.m. Saturday after the window of his apartment was broken. Stolen Card — At 7:40 p.m. Saturday a woman in the 300 block of West Hartford Avenue notified police that her bank card had been stolen. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Accident — A woman in the 800 block of South Fifth Street contacted police at 8:15 p.m. Saturday after her vehicle was “rear-ended” in the area of Glenside Avenue and North Fourteenth Street. A police report was taken. Assault — At 8:19 p.m. Saturday police were called to the 300 block of South Pine Street after receiving a report of man being assaulted. Two officers were assigned, and following a pursuit a 35-year-old man was taken into custody for public intoxication. False Alarm — At 9 p.m. Saturday fire and police units were notified of a possible structure fire at North Third Street and East Highland Avenue. All stations responded however it was not a fire but merely an old pickup truck that was smoking heavily. Beer Bottle Thrown — A man called police at 11:06 p.m. Saturday after a beer bottle was thrown at his vehicle in the 500 block of East Grand Avenue. An officer was assigned and destruction of private property report was taken. Assault — At 12:16 a.m. Sunday a police report was taken on an apparent assault ion the 200 block of West Grand Avenue. Arrest — Police arrested a 35-year-old man at 12:42 a.m. Sunday from the 300 block of North Pine Street for rape by instrumentation and lewd molestation. Accident — Two people were taken by ambulance to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center at 12:50 a.m. Sunday for injuries sustained in an accident three miles east of the Pioneer Woman. Arrest — Police arrested a 29-year-old woman at 12:54 a.m. Sunday from the 200 block of West Grand Avenue on a city warrant for failure to pay. Attempted Break-In — At 1:31 a.m. Sunday a woman in the 1200 block of North Ash Street called police after someone tried to break into her house through a glass sliding door. Vandalism and Theft — At 2:03 a.m. Sunday a man in the 700 block of North Fifth Street contacted police after discovering some damage to a window and the theft of two rods and reels. An officer was assigned. Arrest — Police arrested a 38-year-old man at 2:41 a.m. Sunday from South Fourth Street and East Walnut Avenue for driving under the influence and driving under suspension. Tire Slashing — At 2:53 a.m. Sunday a man in the 800 block of North First Street called police after witnessing someone slash the tires of his vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Gas Drive-Off — At 4:37 a.m. Sunday a $13.27 gas-drive off was reported at the Triple T, 720 South Waverly Street. A report was taken. Badgering Badger — At 7:52 a.m. Sunday a man in the 2200 block of West Grand Avenue called police after he found a badger under his front porch. Animal Control was contacted. Stolen Bike — At 10:01 a.m. Sunday a woman in the 2400 block of Chapel Hill Road notified police of a stolen bike. A report was taken. Assault — At noon Sunday a woman called police reporting that she had been assaulted in the area of the old Jefferson School. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Grass Fire — Fire units responded to a report of a grass fire at Lake Road and Pecan Road at 12:44 p.m. Saturday. Vandalism — At 1:33 p.m. Sunday a woman in the 2100 block of Bainbridge Avenue called police after her mailbox was vandalized. An officer was assigned. Grass Fire — Fire units responded to a report of a grass fire at 2:13 p.m. Sunday three miles south of U.S. 177 and U.S. 60. Grass Fire — Fire engines extinguished a small grass fire at 2:49 p.m. Sunday at South Fifth Street and Edwards Avenue at the Old McKinley School. Grass Fire — At 4:58 p.m. Sunday fire units responded to a report of a grass fire in the 5400 Lake Road. Theft — At 5:10 p.m. Sunday police were advised that a customer of El Chico Restaurant, 900 East Prospect Avenue left without paying for a $36 bill. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Watch Theft — At 6:20 p.m. Sunday a man in the 400 block of South Perry Street advised police that his watch had been stolen. A report was taken. Grass Fire — At 9:15 p.m. Sunday a grass fire at East Hartford Avenue and Academy Road was reported. Fire units responded and extinguished the fire. Vandalism — At 9:58 p.m. Sunday a woman in the 2900 block of North Union Street contacted police regarding vandalism to her house. A report was taken. Vandalism — At 12:21 a.m. Monday vandalism to a building in the 100 block of South Fourteenth Street was reported to police. An officer was assigned and a destruction of private property 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. 205 West Hartford. adv. Assault — At 2:03 a.m. Monday an assault and battery report was taken in the 200 block of South Elm Street. LIFESTYLESBits and PiecesBeautiControl Conference Vicki Lessert and Caryn York of Ponca City were among 4,000 entrepreneurs attending the recent annual BeautiControl conference in Nashville, Tenn. They participated in the company’s first time interactive workshops and helped to develop a new lip color and select other seasonal cosmetic and fashion items. SPORTSMonday Evening Quarterback Monday Evening QuarterbackJust as the Wildcat footballers had reached the magic number of 70 prospects out this month, the satisfaction was deminshed when 10 percent of that number was lost for the first month of the season. Seven players were declared scholastically ineligible because of classes they did not pass in the spring. They will be ineligible for six weeks. If their grades are then passing, they will become eligible to play in the game against Edmond Memorial on Oct. 2. That there are ineligible players to start the season is not all that surprising. But the number of ineligibles this year is. “That’s more than I even remember having at the start of the year,” one assistant coach said. “They have not only hurt themselves, they have put their teammates in a bind,” special teams coordinator Larry Degan said. The coaches can not name the students because of school policy, but head coach Todd Kimrey notes the seven include starters, those who might have been starters and those who would have contributed in some way. But the Wildcats will shake this off and go on, Kimrey said. “There is nothing we can do about it now.” But the Cats will go on with a little less talent and a little less depth. The missing players will miss an important part of the season when Kimrey and his staff are trying to instill a new offense and defense. The only thing Kimrey and his staff can do is trying to make sure more players aren’t lost to grades as the season progresses. “Early in practice we told the kids they are here for an education first. Then they play football,” Kimrey said. That is pretty much the standard speech every coach in every sport gives his athletes. Most of the time it is enough. The majority of players make the grades and many excel in both the classroom and on the field. But all too often, the message doesn’t get through and there is little a coach can do about it. A coach can’t get his player out of bed and to class. He can’t hold his hand in class and make him listen. He can’t force a student to take home a book. Somewhere along the line an athlete has to learn one of the major lessons of life. That he or she is responsible for their own actions. They must want to make the grade. For fans who feel coaching is a breeze, they must remember that X’s and O’s aren’t the only things coaches do. They have to motivate a teenager — a daunting task at best — to do well on the field and in the classroom. To ultimately do well in life. In addition, coaches are responsible for the welfare of those athletes in his charge. The death of two football players in the Wichita area recently, apparently related to 100 degree temperatures on the practice field, sends shivers through coaches and fans. It is a thin line between pushing athletes to be in the best shape they can be and pushing just a little too hard. “You have to make sure they get plenty of water,” Kimrey said of his athletes. “Our trainers are very good about going around, making sure the players get water. “We have some pretty long practices, but we make sure to take breaks when we think they’re needed.” So far there have been no heat related illnesses or injuries to the Wildcats, while at the same time the coaches are stressing the importance of conditioning. Kimrey has his players in the weight room twice a week during practice and will have them there during the season — after practice on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. “That conditioning showed up at Bartlesville,” Kimrey said of the Cats’ first scrimmage Friday. “We got stronger the longer we went.” Kimrey feels that conditioning can help the Cats win some games during the season. “We just want to make sure we keep it close, to give ourselves a chance going into the fourth quarter. If we do we think we can win it there.” Po-Hi Harriers Place Well in GuthrieGUTHRIE — The Po-Hi cross country team got their season out of the gate at the Guthrie Meet, Saturday, with a number of strong showings from veteran harriers and several encouraging performances from new runners, as well. In the six team field, both the Wildcat and Lady Wildcat varsity teams placed fourth. Other teams in the meet were Marlow, Guthrie, Noble, Deer Creek and Edmond Santa Fe. For the varsity boys, 2-year All-stater Paul Paschal blew away the field, winning the 2-mile event in 10:26. Senior Chris Buck was third, finishing barely two seconds out of second, at 11:02. Freshman Trevor Viljoen (12:11), finished just out of the medal count, at 21st. “Paul took off at the 200 meter mark and led the whole way,” said coach Kelly Chaney. “No one wanted to take the lead and it was kind of a slow pace, so he took it. That’s not the way he normally runs races, but it worked.” Chaney also pointed out that the Wildcats were without one of their top runners, Nathan Zimmerman, whose presence would have likely launched them into first place in the team standings. For the varsity girls, freshman Jessica Jorgenson posted a seventh place finish on the one mile course, coming in at 6:17. Senior Mary Metzger came in 16th, at 6:40, while junior Laura Chaney was 18th, at 6:52. Chaney was especially pleased with Jorgenson. “She just stayed up there in the upper group until the end,” he says. “This is also her first year to run cross country. She’s going to be good.” For the junior varsity boys, sophomore Kris Upchurch came in 11th on the two mile course, at 13:16. Freshman Aaron was 14th, at 13:26, while sophomore Joshua Pitts was 15th, at 13:40, and senior Jeremy Ross was 20th, at 13:53. For the JV girls, both runners competing in the meet medaled, with freshman Nancy Taylor coming in fourth, at 7:04, while Elizabeth Newman was 9th, at 8:01. In the junior high division, seventh grade phenomenon Chelsie Baldwin came in first, at 6:17, while Krystle Stevens was second, at 6:25. Chelsea Cobb also medaled, with a sixth place finish, at 6:59. On the boys side, Graden Hardy was seventh, at 6:17. The cross country team goes into action again on Sept. 5, traveling to a meet in Sapulpa. Guthrie Meet Varsity boys (2 miles) 1 — Paul Pashal, 10:26 3 — Chris Buck, 11:02 21 — Trevor Viljoen, 12:11 33 — Dick Engle, 12:29 34 — Chad Patterson, 13:09 38 — Eric Chambray, 14:09 Varsity girls (1 mile) 7 — Jessica Jorgenson, 6:17 16 — Mary Metzger, 6:40 18 — Laura Chaney, 6:52 23 — Carol Stangeland, 7:06 25 — Amanda Cobb, 7:11 26 — Amber Baker, 7:12 33 — Heather Staires, 7:48 Junior Varsity boys (2 miles) 11 — Kris Upchurch, 13:16 14 — Aaron Jones, 13:26 15 — Josh Pitts, 13:40 20 — Jeremy Ross, 13:53 21 — Jeff Hand, 13:59 25 — Brian Connelly, 14:27 32 — Daniel Stransky, 16:30 36 — Kyle Newlin, 17:33 Junior Varsity girls (1 mile) 4 — Nancy Taylor, 7:04 9 — Elizabeth Newman, 8:01 Junior High boys (1 mile) 7 — Graden Hardy, 6:17 12 — Brent Purkaple, 7:01 Junior High girls (1 mile) 1 — Chelsie Baldwin, 6:17 2 — Krystle Stevens, 6:25 6 — Chelsea Cobb, 6:59 Kate Emmons, 8:12 Melissa Stangeland, 8:21 Stephanie Powers, 9:12 Jennifer Rupert, 10:32 Sports NoteSoftball Signup — The Willow Springs fall co-ed and mens softball league sign-up will be held through Thursday at 8 p.m. Fees are $250 per team. The mens’ season starts Sept. 1, while the co-ed season starts Sept. 3. For more information, call Herb Roland, at 765-4710.
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