LOCAL

Nearly News

Nearly News

Out-of-town guests are already arriving for the Ponca City Summit slated here Friday and Saturday.

This morning The Ponca City News heard from Dr. Jim Kirk, who retired after nearly 35 years in Conoco research. He headed Conoco’s Research and Development from 1967-1984 and was named a vice president in 1975. The former Ponca Citian resides in Austin, Texas.

DEATHS

Melba Maxine Bell
Yvonne Gloria Hannah
Virginia L. Snodgrass
Mary Lou Campbell
Dwight John Bottrell Jr.
Freda Maxine Cook Selvey

Melba Maxine Bell

BLACKWELL — Melba Maxine Bell, longtime Blackwell resident, died Saturday morning, Sept. 23, 2000, at her home. She was 79.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26, at the Blackwell Cemetery with the Rev. Robert Johnson officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hackler Funeral Home of Blackwell.

Melba Maxine Bell was born Feb. 20, 1921, in Decatur, Ark., the daughter of Hugh C. and Stella Evans Hood. She received her education in the Blackwell schools. On Nov. 13, 1937, she married James Bell in Blackwell. She was a member of the Tabernacle Church of Blackwell.

Survivors include her husband of the home; one son, Daryl Bell of Blackwell; one daughter, Norma Snow of Blackwell; three brothers, Donald Hood, Gerald Hood, and Elvin Hood, all of Missouri; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; one sister, Evelyn Troxel; two sons, Darwin Bell and Des Moine Bell; and a grandson.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla., 74601

Services Pending

Yvonne Gloria Hannah

Yvonne Gloria “Bonnie” Hannah, resident of Ponca City, died Sunday morning, Sept. 24, 2000, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. She was 66. Survivors include her husband, Tommy of the home. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel.

Virginia L. Snodgrass

BLACKWELL — Virginia L. Snodgrass, resident of Ponca City, died Sunday, Sept. 24, 2000, at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. She was 71. Arrangements are pending with Hackler Funeral Home in Blackwell.

Mary Lou Campbell

Mary Lou Campbell, longtime resident of the Ponca City area, died Sunday afternoon, Sept. 24, 2000, at her home. She was 73. Survivors include her husband, Coolidge of the home. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Funerals

Tuesday

Dwight John Bottrell Jr.

Dwight John Bottrell Jr. — Funeral at 10:30 a.m. at the Home for Funerals in Norfolk, Neb. Burial will be 1 p.m. Wednesday at Fort McPherson National Cemetery in Maxwell, Neb.

Ralph Wayne Nelson — Graveside service at 2 p.m. in the Springside Cemetery in Arkansas City under the direction of Hawks Funeral Home in Arkansas City, Kan.

Friday

Freda Maxine Cook Selvey

Freda Maxine Cook Selvey — Memorial service at 10:30 a.m. in the Community Christian Church.

NEWS BRIEFS

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Sequoia/Cities Service Meeting — Former employees of Sequoia and Cities Service will hold their luncheon meeting at Furr’s Tuesday at 11:30 a.m. All former employees are invited to attend.

Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Monday 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv.

Free Clothing Tonight — The First Assembly of God Church will be giving free clothing to anyone with a need tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Helping Hands House, 440 Fairview.

D & S Pool/Spa Services. General Maintenance - Cleaning - Closings - Openings. Free estimates. Phone 762-3289, 762-1868.

adv.

Rock and Gem Club — The Ponca City Rough and Tumbled Rock and Gem Club will meet Tuesday at 7 p.m. in Albright Methodist Church. Visitors are welcome and the program will be Beadings by Lynn Whitebay.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, instal-

lation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

Oh, No! Skunk! — A man from the 1400 block of Academy Road reported to the Communications Center at 8:35 a.m. Saturday that he had mistakenly set his trap and a skunk was in it. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department responded to handle the situation since Animal Control was not on duty.

Golden Appledoorn tulips only 19¢. Large selection fall bulbs. Keathly Nursery 2448 Bridge Ave. adv.

Suspicious Activity — A representative from a business in the 200 block of East Grand Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:12 a.m. Saturday that a tape of a subject urinating on the business had been made and an officer was needed to pick up the tape. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Subject Held — The Communications Center received a report at 12:07 p.m. Saturday that an intoxicated subject was walking east bound in the field towards United Supermarket. Two officers were assigned and a 41-year-old man was held for public intoxication.

Disturbance — A man from the 1600 block of Donahoe Drive reported to the Ponca City Police Department reported at 12:27 p.m. Saturday that three juvenile boys were in the drainage ditch near the residence pointing a gun at his daughter. An officer was assigned, contacted the subjects, who were playing with toy guns.

Purse Stolen — A woman from Chuck Drive reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:37 p.m. Saturday that her purse had been stolen from her residence in Kay County Friday. The information was logged.

Accident — The Communications Center received a call at 2:14 p.m. Saturday that an accident had occurred at the intersection of West Grand Avenue and Union Street. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned.

Fireworks — The Communications Center received a call at 2:17 p.m. Saturday that juveniles behind Liberty School were shooting fireworks. Two officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded to the scene but subjects were gone upon arrival.

Street Bricks Removed — The Communications Center received a call at 2:31 p.m. Saturday from the 300 block of South Palm Street that someone had taken a large number of bricks from the street and stacked them on the curb creating a large hole. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department responded to the scene and most of the bricks were put back.

Youngsters Throwing Rocks — A person from the 900 block of North First Street reported to the Communications Center at 3:16 p.m. Saturday that some youngsters were throwing rocks at her youngsters. An officer was assigned and all were advised to quit throwing rocks.

Vandalism — A man from the 2600 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 4:55 p.m. Saturday that his vehicle had been damaged by another vehicle. An officer was assigned and persons involved in the incident exchanged information and the matter was settled.

Check on Fire — A motorist reported to the Communications Center at 10:54 a.m. Sunday from the intersection of South Second Street and East Central Avenue that smoke was coming from the area of the building where a recent fire had occurred. A unit from the Ponca City Fire Department responded and handled the situation.

Disturbance — The Communications Center received a call at 5 p.m. Saturday from the 1100 block of West Liberty Avenue that a group of juveniles were using obscene language and being very loud. An officer was assigned and contacted a parent, who would handle the situation.

Disturbance — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 6:26 p.m. Saturday from a woman in the 900 block of East Grand Avenue that a disturbance had occurred. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department responded and a report was taken on a domestic assault and battery.

Suspicious Activity — Two neighbors in the 400 block of North Oak Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:20 p.m. Saturday that a loud noise had been heard on one of the porches and a subject had left the area. An officer was assigned and information was logged.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 700 block of South Fourth Street at 10:41 p.m. Saturday that a 22-year-old man was being held for trespassing.

Deer Killed — The Communications Center received a call at 12:22 a.m. Sunday that a deer had been killed in the south bound lane of the 1300 block of North Pecan Road. An officer was assigned and it was moved out of the roadway and Animal Control was contacted to handle the situation.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of North Union Street and West Liberty Avenue at 1:23 a.m. Sunday that a 25-year-old man was being held for DUI, driving left of center, and driving under suspension. A vehicle was released to a licensed driver.

Theft — A clerk reported from the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street at 1:32 a.m. Sunday that a man had taken a beer and gone into the bathroom to drink it. An officer was assigned and information was logged that another officer will pick up a video tape on the situation later.

Fence Damaged — A person from the 2300 block of Calvert Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:09 a.m. Sunday that a fence had been damaged by a vehicle. An officer was assigned and information was logged.

Accident — A one-vehicle accident seven miles south of 9 Mile Road was reported to the Communications Center at 2:14 a.m. Sunday. An ambulance and rescue vehicle from the Ponca City Fire Department and a unit from the McCord Volunteer Fire Department responded to the scene. A victim was taken to the St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and Osage County Sheriff’s Office was notified and officers also responded.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 700 block of West Central Avenue at 2:45 a.m. Sunday that a 30-year-old man was being held for city and county warrants, plus speeding, having no insurance and having no driver’s license.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of North Union Street and West Detroit Avenue at 9:46 a.m. Sunday that a 32-year-old man was being held for driving under revocation, having no insurance, having an expired inspection sticker, and having an improper tag.

Bicycle Found — A woman from the 500 block of North Osage Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:02 a.m. Sunday that a bicycle previously reported stolen had been found in front of a house several houses from the residence and that it had been painted. An officer was advised and information was logged.

Check on Fire — Two units from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the 1600 block of Academy Road at 12:49 p.m. Sunday to check on an alarm of a fire at Westminster Village, but found none.

Vandalism — A man from the 700 block of South Fourth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:48 p.m. Sunday that some vandalism had been done to the front porch. An officer was assigned and information was logged.

Burglary — A woman from the 3500 block of North Union Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:10 p.m. Sunday that her vehicle had been broken into. An officer was assigned and a burglary report was taken.

Subject Held — Three officers of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 2:31 p.m. Sunday from the 2700 block of North Fourteenth Street that a 39-year-old woman was being held for fraud.

Accident — A two-vehicle accident at the intersection of North Seventh Street and East Highland Avenue was reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 3:14 p.m. Sunday. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken.

Hit and Run — A man from the 2600 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:14 p.m. Sunday that his vehicle had been hit while in the parking lot of Kmart. An officer was assigned and a private property accident report was taken, and the suspected driver of the other vehicle had returned to the scene.

Child Abuse — A person from the 400 block of North Osage Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 5:35 p.m. Sunday that a youngster had been abused during a visitation. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Injury Accident — The Ponca City Police Department received a report at 8:05 p.m. Sunday that an injury accident involving a vehicle and a youngster on a bicycle had occurred in the parking lot of a business in the 700 block of East Prospect Avenue. Two officers responded to the scene as did a unit and ambulance from the Ponca City Fire Department. The youngster was taken to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Suspicious Activity — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 500 block of North Third Street at 9:44 p.m. Sunday that SANE had been activated as a result of a report that youngsters had sexually abused a three-year-old boy.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk from a business in the 400 block of East South Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:50 p.m. Sunday that a man had driven of without paying for $9.54 worth of gas. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Beer Missing — A clerk at Triple T, 720 South Waverly Street, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 12:28 a.m. Monday that a subject had left west bound on U.S. 60 without paying for a 30-pack of beer. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 400 block of East South Avenue at 12:54 a.m. Monday that beer had been taken from the business. Two officers were assigned and a 23-year-old man was taken into custody from the 400 block of East Houston Avenue for public intoxication and an 18-year-old man was held for petit larceny, minor in possession, and public intoxication

LIFESTYLES

Miss Ponca City Contest Set

Miss Ponca City Contest Set

The Miss Ponca City Queen Contest will be held Sunday, Oct. 1, at the Conoco Fourth Street Club House. Tickets are available from the contestants or by contacting Jackie Cutler Ingram, 762-0437, or Vicki Graves, 765-4736.

This year’s contestants are Jennifer Lynn Doughty, Lisa Marie Lechtenberg, Jennifer Ann Nimmo, Crystal Bounds, Jennifer Diane Tippin, Megan Niccole Clark, Natashia Lynn Copple, Heather Rena Brown and Ashly Dawn Sawyers.

The contest begins at 6 p.m., and Master of Ceremonies will be KIXR personality R.J. Masters. The winner of the contest will be awarded the traditional crown and sash, a trophy, a scholarship and many other prizes. She will represent Ponca City as a “Visiting Queen” in the Arkalalah, Arkansas City’s annual Halloween Festival., slated for Oct. 27-28.

Miss Ponca City also acts as a goodwill ambassador, and attends various functions and speaking engagements throughout her year’s reign as her personal schedule allows.

Contestants will be judged on poise, appearance and personality. They will also be judged on a three-to-five minute presentation to include personal resume information, and the answers to the questions of “Why I Want to be Miss Ponca City” and “What Ponca City Means to Me.”

The title of Miss Ponca City is currently held by Halli Kay Huffman, daughter of Darlene and Bill Flegler and Gary and Carmen Huffman.

Contestants will appear in the order of a random drawing. Among the contestants is Crystal Bounds, a senior at Ponca City High School with con-current enrollement at Northern Oklahoma College. She is the daughter of Jimmy and Tammy Bounds, 1702 Leslie Lane.

Her honors and activities include lettering in Academics, grade 9; Chorus, grade 9; Pepperettes, grade 9; Willy-School Mascot, grade 10; Foreign Language Club, grades 10, 11; Who’s Who Among American High School Students, grades 10-12; Youth And Government, grades11-12; First Priority, grades I I,12; DECA, grades I 1,12; Job Shadowing-Attorney and Prosecuting Attorney, 1999 and Attorney, 2000; DECA Chaplain, 1999-2000; DECA President, 2000-2001; attended DECA State and National Competition, 1999-2000; Pep Club, grades I 1- 12; Pep Club Historian, 1999-2000; Pep Club Advisory Board Member, 2000-2001; Principal’s Honor Roll, Grades 9-11.

YMCA National Leadership Conference in Colorado, 1999; Bluestem Girl Scouts, eight years, completing requirements for Silver Award; America’s National Teen-ager participant, 1999 and 2000, winning a scholarship to the University of Charleston; Northeast Baptist Church Youth Group, two years.

Crystal was employed at Dixie Dog Drive-In for three years and is currently employed with Amarillo Mesquite Grill. She enjoys water skiing, snow skiing and spending time with family and friends. She holds a GPA of 3.7 at PCHS and a GPA of 4.0 at Northern Oklahoma College where she also attended college during the summer.

SPORTS

OSU Loss a Tale Of Two Problems
Sooners’ Offense Capable of Better
PC Volleyball Team Honors Two Seniors
John Smith Relaxed At Olympics

OSU Loss a Tale Of Two Problems

STILLWATER. (AP) — A 28-6 loss Saturday night to No. 21 Southern Mississippi was partly a tale of mistakes and lost opportunities for Oklahoma State.

A stingy defense and an on-target passing game for Southern Mississippi (2-1) told the rest of the story.

Oklahoma State (2-1) drove four times inside the Southern Miss 20 and twice more inside the 30 but came away with only six points off field goals.

Normally sure-footed Seth Condley missed two other field goal attempts. Two interceptions stopped drives in Southern Miss territory and a third was returned for a touchdown.

‘‘We all missed opportunities,’’ offensive tackle Josh Lind said. ‘‘We had big plays that we didn’t capitalize on.’’

The Cowboys managed 303 total yards to 250 for Southern Mississippi. But Oklahoma State quarterback Tony Lindsay was the leading rusher with 72 yards. Lindsay, who went out in the third quarter with a sore shoulder, had runs of 53 and 27 yards that put the Cowboys in scoring position.

Reggie White was held to 65 yards on 23 carries after running for 187 yards against Tulsa and 130 against Southwest Texas.

‘‘I think we’re pretty darn good on defense,’’ Southern Mississippi coach Jeff Bower said. ‘‘We let the quarterback make some big plays and we made some big plays.’’

The win allayed Southern Miss fears of a letdown after a 21-0 win at Alabama a week earlier. It capped the end of three-game nonconference road trip for the Golden Eagles, who opened the season with a 19-16 loss at Tennessee.

The loss broke a 17-game home winning streak against nonconference opponents for the Cowboys, who play at No. 13 Texas on Saturday in the Big 12 opener for both.

The Oklahoma State defense stuffed Southern Miss for minus 7 yards on the ground, tied for sixth lowest in Cowboy history.

‘‘It wasn’t anything we hadn’t seen before,’’ defensive end Kevin Williams said the Southern Miss offense. ‘‘We watched film on them, and it was basically what we expected. They just made plays.’’

Cowboys defensive tackle LaWaylon Brown had a 57-yard fumble return that brought the ball to the Southern Miss 27 but Oklahoma State’s drive ended with an interception.

A face-mask penalty negated a safety for the Cowboys.

The Golden Eagles relied Jeff Kelly’s passing to put them over the top.

Kelly, who was 20-of-37 for 257 yards, hit Enid native Shawn Mills for two touchdowns. Derrick Nix ran for one and defense back Leo Barnes padded the lead with 5:10 left when he picked off an Aso Pogi pass and ran it in from 25 yards out.

Sooners’ Offense Capable of Better

NORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma quarterback Josh Heupel completed 27 of 35 passes to 10 different receivers, and the Sooner offense racked up 532 yards in a 42-14 win over Rice Saturday.

Heupel said the team is capable of better.

‘‘Offensively, we killed ourselves a little bit,’’ Heupel said, lamenting two interceptions that were his only poorly thrown balls of the day.

‘‘The one where I was scrambling, I should have just run the ball. The other one was just a miscommunication in the pattern, where I was trying to throw the ball. We’ll get that ironed out and be ready for next week,’’ the quarterback said.

That could spell bad news for next week’s opponent, Kansas (2-1), which was also untested in a 42-0 win over Division I-AA Southern Illinois Saturday.

Oklahoma (3-0) waited until the third quarter to pull away from Rice (1-3), which used some uncharacteristic long passes along with its usual ball-control wishbone offense to stay with the Sooners 21-14 midway through the third quarter.

Rice’s first score came in the first quarter on a 29-yard pass from Ben Wulf to Matt Webber on fourth-and-3. Brandon Skeen missed a 40-yard extra point attempt to keep the score 7-6 Oklahoma.

The Owls’ other score with 7:47 left in the third quarter was set up by a 41-yard pass from Wulf to Adrian Sadler to the Oklahoma 11. Three plays later, Corey Evans ran into the end zone and Wulf threw a 2-point conversion to Vincent Hawkins to make the score 21-14 Oklahoma.

Then Oklahoma scored three touchdowns in its next four possessions and the Sooner defense — stung by the long completions earlier — kept the Owls on their own side of the field for the rest of the game.

‘‘We gave ourselves a chance to win up until the third quarter and then they just broke it open with a couple of big runs,’’ said Rice coach Ken Hatfield.

One of those big runs was a tackle-breaking 21-yard TD run by Quentin Griffin that put Oklahoma ahead 28-14 with 3:13 left in the third quarter.

Griffin, a sophomore, would not call it his breakout game.

‘‘The offensive line made some holes and fullback Seth Litrell made some good blocks,’’ Griffin said. ‘‘All I had to do was do my best.

PC Volleyball Team Honors Two Seniors

By DAVID DAVIS

News Sports Reporter

The Ponca City High School Lady Cats volleyball team honored its two seniors and their parents before the Enid match Thursday, Sept. 21, at mid court.

Abbie Gehlert and Jeri Wright were introduced by coach Steve McKay as the two seniors stood mid-court with their parents while teammates presented each of them with a red rosebud.

Gehlert is the daughter of Bobbie Williams and Tim Gehlert. Off the court, Abbie is a member of the Po-Hi Steppers and Foriegn Language Club. Academically, Gehlert carries a 3.5 ©å. She plans to attend the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond. From there, she plans to continue her education at the University of Oklahoma where she will prepare for a career as an anesthesiologist or flight nurse.

On the court, Abbie has been playing volleyball for the past six years. This is her third year on varsity where she currently plays the positions of outside hitter and defensive passer. One of her volleyball highlights was when the Lady Cats beat Jenks for the first time in four years on Sept.12 in Ponca City. For her effort, Abbie earned Honorable Mention for All conference and named All Tournament.

Sheri recently moved to Ponca City with her parents, David and Bonnie Wright. Off the court, Sheri enjoys reading. She also writes poems and short stories. She is currently planning a career as a flight attendant.

This is her first year as a Lady Cat. At St. Louis High School in Michigan, Sheri earned lettered three years in softball, track, basketball and volleyball. She earned numerous awards in each sport. In the 1998-1999 volleyball season, she received the Outstanding Achievement Award for the Central State Athletic Association All League Champion. Additiionally, she participated in Amatuer Athletic Union volleyball programs during the past three years.

One of Jeri’s highlights as a Lady Cat was a block she made in the Bartlesville Tournament. For her effort, she was named All Tournament for her defensive passing.

John Smith Relaxed At Olympics

SYDNEY, Australia (AP) — John Smith marched in the opening ceremony at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul and the ’92 Games in Barcelona. Neither compares to the opening of the Sydney Games.

Smith, for the first time, was able to enjoy this one.

‘‘As an athlete, you’re more worried about how tired you’re going to get,’’ Smith said Monday. ‘‘I was worried about staying out too long or walking too long, being on my feet too long.

‘‘You’ve got all the energy in the world when you’re not competing. It’s a lot more enjoyable.’’

Smith, who won gold at Seoul and Barcelona and is now coach at Oklahoma State, is one of three coaches of the U.S. freestyle wrestling team, which begins its Olympic competition Thursday (Wednesday night CDT).

Coaching in the Olympics is new to Smith, who along with co-coaches Dan Gable and Greg Strobel can lend their expertise to a freestyle team that has only one Olympian on the eight-man roster.

One of Smith’s pieces of advice? Soak in all you can, while you can

‘‘There’s certain things you can do as an athlete and then there’s other things you better not do,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s hard for an athlete that really is focused on winning the gold medal to absorb the Olympics.

‘‘Several of them weren’t going to the opening ceremonies. I told them, ’You’ll look back and wish you would have gone through it.’ All eight of our guys walked through and were a part of that, and none of them will regret it.’’

The American wrestlers have been together nearly two months. They spent a little more than a month working out in Colorado Springs, Colo., before flying to Australia.

After the opening night of the Olympics, the team went down the coast to Canberra to work out away from the hustle and bustle of Sydney. The team only returned the athletes’ village on Sunday.

The time in Canberra was nice, Smith said, because of the isolation. But while Sydney and the village present possible distractions, it also means close access to a U.S. Olympic Committee workout facility.

‘‘It’s been absolutely one of the best things the USOC could have done for us,’’ he said. ‘‘For us to train, if we didn’t have this, we’d have to get on the bus and drive an hour, and we’re working out twice a day.’’

As a coach, Smith has spent time watching film of U.S. opponents, helping keep an eye on the wrestlers’ weights, and teaching.

As a six-time world champion, Smith has plenty of advice and there has been plenty of opportunities to share it.

‘‘Believe it or not, there’s guys on this team that are weak in certain areas that they had to get better in in order to win a medal,’’ he said.

‘‘I think we’ve got quite a few of them that are right in there for gold, silver or bronze. I think the difference is relaxing and giving them a sense of confidence that what they have done, their preparation leading in, has been good.’’