LOCAL

PCUA Rates May Jump by 30 Percent
Conoco Hit by Steam Failure
Commission Denies Rezoning Request
Shidler VFD Memories To Be Reviewed at Reunion
Grace Episcopal Women To Hold Annual Fall Sale
Winter Clothing Available on Make a Difference Day

PCUA Rates May Jump by 30 Percent

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

Ponca City electric utility customers can expect to see a 30 percent increase on their electric bills this month, according to city utility officials.

These hikes are being blamed on a jump in natural gas prices, which have doubled since 1999, and drought conditions exhausting the distributor’s ability to produce cheaper hydroelectrically-generated power during summer peak usage.

Officials say these cost increases are being “flowed on to the customer” and rates should “drop back down” in the next couple of months to the level they were “earlier this year.”

“As we move into the winter months, a higher percentage of power we purchase will be generated from coal (rather than natural gas),” indicated Phillip Johnston, Ponca City Utility Authority director. “This we hope will have the effect of causing the prices to level off.”

Harry Dawson, general manager of Ponca City’s power distributor, the Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA), agreed: “I think you will see a couple of months of prices at this level, then they should drop back down to the level they were earlier this year.”

Dawson said the authority’s prices were being passed to the city of Ponca City through their wholesale rate. Ponca City then passes it to the customer at a retail rate. “Our costs are being driven primarily by natural gas prices,” he explained.

“Natural gas has increased 200 percent since last summer (to $5 per million BTUs),” Dawson continued. All of OMPA’s summer peak generation is produced by natural gas.

Dawson noted he wasn’t optimistic about future fuel prices. “We think they are going to go even higher over time,” he predicted, adding there wasn’t enough competition to drive the prices back down.

“If we get into a shortage situation, [natural gas prices] could go even higher,” Dawson warned.

He noted these prices wouldn’t be felt by OMPA customers until next summer when the authority once again uses natural gas generation to meet summer peak needs.

“Last month if you used 1,000 kilowatt hours, your bill would have been $73. With the increase, your bill will jump to around $93,” pointed out Johnston. This reflects a 30 percent increase over last month.

“This applies to both commercial and residential bills,” he said.

Dawson noted the authority’s customer’s were lucky the increases weren’t felt until now. “With the cooler temperatures and rains, we didn’t feel the impact of the cost increases as early as other utilities because of the combination of availability of hydroelectric power and lower temperatures.”

Neither OG&E nor PSO have any hydroelectric generation plants.

Johnston explained: “It’s cheaper to build a natural gas-fired generation facility than a coal-fired generation facility ... that’s why they’re not all coal.

“The natural gas generation plants are used during summer peak and only run for four or five months out of the year.”

Another big contributor to the utility rates is the availability of hydroelectric power. “During May, June and part of July, when there was a lot of water flowing, we were able to use hydroelectric power from Kaw Lake” purchased from OMPA.

“When the hot dry weather hit in August and September, there wasn’t enough water ... which forced us to purchase power generated from natural gas,” he said.

Conoco Hit by Steam Failure

The Conoco refinery in Ponca City was shutdown early Wednesday morning by a steam failure.

According to a news release from Conoco, there were no injuries and no significant safety incidents.

The news release stated that steam was lost through much of the refinery when the Co-Generation plant experienced a mechanical upset. That caused the boiler feed water system to the refinery to shut down.

Refinery personnel quickly took appropriate action to shut down the affected units. Increased flares in the early morning hours allowed the units to be depressurized safely.

An assessment of the plant status was undertaken immediately, according to the release.

The steam system was expected to be on line by this afternoon. All affected units should return to operation within the next day or two, the release stated.

Commission Denies Rezoning Request

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

Ponca City planning commissioners unanimously denied a rezoning request for the real property at the southeast corner of Lansbrook Road and Prospect Avenue during a Tuesday evening meeting.

The owners of the property, Jim and Marsha Snow, requested the property be rezoned from R-2 multi-family dwelling district to C-1 local commercial district to allow for a family-style restaurant.

Commissioners recommended the denial because of the “negative impact” it would have on the residential area adjoining it.

“I think the building would have a negative effect on the [residential properties],” suggested board member Henry Noll. “I make a recommendation the re-zoning be denied.”

Julius Wright, owner of Design Services, the consulting firm who developed the conceptual design for the project, said the Snows had selected the lot because of cost and availability of land.

“[The Snows have] been around the city looking for lots — they’re not wealthy people by any means,” he explained.

Wright also told concerned citizens the owners were willing to make design concessions to accommodate their needs as neighbors of the proposed business. “These drawings were done as part of a proposal” he indicated.

“Local contractors will do all the work,” he noted, “[The Snows] are interested in supporting local business.”

Among the concerns expressed by Harold Younger, president of the residential colony association, was a commercial zoning in a residential area. “If it’s zoned C-1, then we will have a building that’s zoned commercial in a residential area.”

Shidler VFD Memories To Be Reviewed at Reunion

By JACKIE SCHROEDER

News Staff Writer

SHIDLER — Memories ...

The odors of sitting in the back of the ambulance ... horrible accidents ... someone trying to throw them in the a trash can ... The memories fill the heads of past and present workers of the small Shidler Volunteer Fire Department.

And, there is always the memories from high school. Most of the Shidler fire department personnel are also alumni of Shidler High School, or at least married to alumni. Of the entire force working now, only a handful aren’t alumni of the high school or married to alumni.

So, when a high school Homecoming or fire department reunion is scheduled — as it is Saturday — m

Shidler has a volunteer fire department because the city’s budget doesn’t allow for a full-time staff according to Ginger York, fire chief from 1997-2000.

But, she added, the volunteers go through just as much training as the paid forces do.

York says they have to undergo approximately 142 hours of basic emergency medical training. The firefighters have to miss work to continue their training. But there is no complaining; after all, they are volunteers.

“You have to want to help people to get into anything volunteer,” explains York.

Recently, some fire department personnel spent time reflecting on memories of the past.

Gene Smith, fire chief from 1978-1983, recalled when the department responded to a call at Kaw Lake. A woman had been severely cut by the blades of a motor boat. He remembers her asking if she was going to die, and he replied that she wouldn’t as long as she was with him.

She was transported by ambulance to St. Joseph Medical Center in Ponca City where Shidler VFD personnel passed the woman to the staff there.

Smith remembers sitting down, but being called to the operating room, because the woman requested him. “She wanted me in there because I had told her that as long as she was with me, she wasn’t going to die,” he recalled.

The woman is alive today, and Smith says they have corresponded, and when she was mentioned in a magazine he clipped the article and kept it.

Vern Robinson, chief in 1984, recalled a time when they responded to a call and a man tried to throw him in the trash.

He said the man had been picking up trash in the back alley. When he approached, the man thought he was trash as well. Robinson told the man not to start anything and to just let him go. The man did, and went on picking up trash.

Later, Robinson said, the same man was later arrested for assaulting his wife.

Two other retirees, Joe Long (fire chief from 1985-1990) and Pat Patton (fire chief from 1991-1997) remember what it was like before the department bought its first ambulance. They used a hearse.

Long recalled when one patient refusing to let them take him to the hospital because he would have to go in a hearse. The man instead laid down in the back of the car and his wife drove him.

Long also remembers the first fire truck. It had to be pulled everywhere. Jodi Patton suggested the citizens must have been very relieved to see the firemen pulling their fire truck down the road.

Recent volunteers talked about attacks by knife-wielding maniacs and savage wildfires.

The volunteers agreed that the most deadly thing they have ever encountered, because of it’s unpredictability, is a wildfire. They fought some wildfires that were aired on the news in 1984.

The department doesn’t have a full time dispatcher. Sharon Phelps works from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

After hours calls go out via the “fire phone.” A phone is in each firefighter’s house. Those that answer respond to the call. If more help is needed, they call for assistance on hand-held radios that each of them have.

The Shidler fire department will host an open house after the Oct. 14 Homecoming parade commemorating its 75 years of service. The main purpose is to inform people on what emergency equipment and assistance is available.

Department volunteers include Danny Alexander, Casey Cargill, Tom Ehrlick, Matt Holland, Steven Long, Jodi Patton, Pat Patton, Sharon Phelps, Todd Roe, Shawn Wehunt, James Wilhelm, Todd Wilhelm, Ginger York and Terry York.

Cargill, Long, Wehunt and York are second generation volunteers, following in their parents’ footsteps. Nine of the firefighters are nationally and state registered EMTs. The others are certified first responders.

Grace Episcopal Women To Hold Annual Fall Sale

Grace Episcopal Church Women will hold its annual fall rummage sale Friday and Saturday.

The sale on Friday is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Saturday sale will run from 9 a.m. to noon. Parking is available in the church parking lot at Thirteenth Street and East Grand Avenue.

Clothing, miscellaneous household items, toys, shoes, drapes, bedding, bicycles, exercise equipment and an electric typewriter will be available for sale. Furniture and large items will be sold from the church garage located on the northeast corner of the church property. An automatic washer, gas dryer, Christmas tree, oak entertainment center, storm doors and a baby bed will be included in this grouping. Many items are available for creating Halloween costumes and scare crows.

Everyone is welcome to come and browse. Proceeds from the sale will go for outreach within the community as well as within the church.

Winter Clothing Available on Make a Difference Day

Help children get prepared for winter weather on Make a Difference Day.

United Way/AmeriCorps members will be holding a winter clothing drive for children on Saturday, Oct. 28. Parents or guardians with children or young adults in need, can come by the fellowship hall of First Christian Church, Fifth and Cleveland, from 1 to 4 p.m. to pick up needed clothing and winter items.

If interested in donating, there is a need for children’s winter clothing, shoes, jackets, gloves, and coats as well as backpacks and warm caps/hats. For pick-up of donations or further information, contact Ruslyn Hermanson at (580) 718-0288.

AmeriCorps members work with children throughout the community and realize the needs that many children experience. This activity is being held on Make A Difference Day. “You can make a difference in a child’s life by donating to this clothing drive,” says Hermanson.

DEATHS

No Deaths
Iva Anna Ross Cole
Nellie Cleo Robinson Hall
Grace Anna Polkinghorne
Luelza Junior Randolph
Leota G. Veach

No Deaths

Obituaries

Iva Anna Ross Cole

Iva Anna Ross Cole, longtime resident of Shidler, passed away Monday morning, October 9, 2000 at her home. She was 97.

A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, 2000, at the Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.

Iva Anna Ross was born May 10, 1903, at Foil, Mo., the second child of John Alfred Ross and Susan Caldonia (Copley) Ross. She attended Noble, Mo. High School through 1922. She then received her teaching certificate and taught school at the Little Clark School near Foil. She then moved to Oklahoma and was employed as a department store clerk in DeNoya near Shidler. She was married to LeRoy Freadus Cole on June 1, 1924, at Wellington, Kan., making their first home at Webb City. The couple moved to Russell, Kan., in 1934 and then to Oklahoma City in 1944. The couple moved to Arkansas City, Kan., in 1954. Mr. Cole passed away in August of 1977 at which time Iva moved to Shidler. She was a member of the Arkansas City Methodist Church, a 50-year member of the Eastern Star and had taught Sunday school several years. Her enjoyments included quilting, having made some 40 quilts, crocheting, gardening, shopping in Ponca City and Pawhuska.

She is survived by one granddaughter, Nancy Ehrlich of Shidler; one grandson, Tom Salmon of West Palm Beach, Fla.; two nieces, Karyl Price of Stillwater and Erma Ruth Witchie of Littleton, Colo.; 17 great-grandchildren, 7 great-great-grandchildren and several other nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; one son, Melvin Cole; and two daughters, Leota Salmon and infant Norma Rae Cole; one grandson, Bob Salmon; three brothers, William Hershel Ross, Johnnie Earl Ross and Robert David Ross; two sisters, Oma Victoria Ross Brown and Mildred Rae Ross Krohn.

Viewing hours at the Shidler Chapel will be from 4-6 p.m. Tuesday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday.

paid obituary

Services Pending

Nellie Cleo Robinson Hall

Nellie Cleo Robinson Hall, former Ponca City resident, died Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2000, in Tulsa. She was 87. Arrangements are pending with Trout Funeral Home.

Funerals

Thursday

Grace Anna Polkinghorne

Grace Anna Polkinghorne — Funeral at 2 p.m. in the First United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Trout Funeral Home.

Luelza Junior Randolph

Luelza Junior Randolph — Graveside service at 2 p.m. at Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home.

Saturday

Leota G. Veach

Leota G. Veach — Graveside service at 2 p.m. in Havana Cemetery in Havana Ark. Local arrangements are by Grace Memorial Chapel.

NEWS BRIEFS

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Meeting — The Western Cherokee Nation of Arkansas and Missouri will meet at the Pawhuska High School lecture hall at 10 a.m. Saturday. For more information contact David Tilley, 918-287-4790, after 4 p.m. or Frankie Beck, 918-287-2547.

Amazin’ Hair is now open on Tuesday. 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Call 765-3536 for an appointment. adv.

Travel Show — PrimeTimers 14 day Alaskan Cruise Tour Travel Show will be Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Pioneer Bank & Trust lounge.

Jim Bowen Construction­ Custom homes, room additions and

remodeling. Call 762-3077. adv.

Red Cross Regional Meeting — The American Red Cross Blood Services Southwest Regional annual meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Doubletree Hotel, 6110 South Yale, in Tulsa. All members are invited to attend. RSVP to (918) 831-1177.

The American Legion Unit 14 will meet Thursday, October 12th

at 1:30 p.m. At the Legion Post, on South Avenue. Please bring items

for the mission. adv.

Stamp Club — The Ponca City Stamp Club meets at 6 p.m. Friday at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse, located on the west side of South Fourth about one-quarter mile north of U.S. 60. For more information contact John Hedrick, club secretary, 580-762-6702, or e-mail jwh@ponca.net. Anyone interested in collecting postage stamps is invited to attend and participate in the stamp auction. Pizza and soft drinks will be provided.

New Ornaments! Kristi Yamaguchi, Ken Griffey Jr., Hot wheels. Carla’s Hallmark. Downtown. adv.

Gas Drive-Off — A clerk at a business in the 400 block of East South Avenue reported a $5 gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 3:46 p.m. Tuesday. A description was given of the vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Dance to the Oldies — A special event “Dance to the Oldies” will be held Friday 6-10 p.m. in the Lincoln Center Fellowship Hall, 700 West Broadway, (enter off Chestnut). It will include a menu of Italian spaghetti, garlic bread, salad and peach cobbler, with proceeds to benefit Donelda Lindsey’s Missions trip and U-Turn Youth Programs. Reservations are appreciated, but not necessary, by calling 762-2729 or 268-3346.

Head Country, One half bar-b-que chicken with choice of vegetables, $4.25, Thursday, 11 am until gone. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Singles Connection — The Singles Connection will hold game night at the Conoco Fourth Street Club House Saturday at 7 p.m. Those attending should bring a favorite snack or soda pop. For more information call Mary Lou, 762-0578.

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.

Moonlight Harvest Dance — YMCA will host a Moonlight Harvest Dance for fifth and sixth graders from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday. The dance will be chaperoned by YMCA staff and parents. Admission is $4 and is available at the YMCA front desk. KIXR DJ will provide the music. For more information, call 765-5417.

Bartlett’s Semi- annual warehouse sale/ flea market continues

thru this Saturday. Free space to dealers. Contact Tony at 765-7746 between 9-5 or show up Sat. am. adv.

Accident — Someone advised Ponca City police at 12:33 p.m. Tuesday a subject in a pickup ran over a street sign, stop the vehicle and fled the scene on foot. An officer was assigned, and reported the accident was not a hit-and-run. The vehicle had gotten away while unoccupied and sped away, destroying the street sign. A report was taken.

Flea Market — Albright United Methodist Church will hold a flea market from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, 128 South Palm, as a youth fund raiser. Spaces are $10. Come early. For further information, call 765-6432.

Don Sawyer “The Chimney Sweep”. In business for 26 years,

no mess. 762-8883. adv.

Republicans To Meet — The Kay County Republican Party meeting for October will be at the Ponca City Library at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26. Call Dave White 762-0103 for more information.

Court Allen Construction. Brick, flagstone, concrete, walkway’s, patios and planters. Call 765-2720. adv.

Fire Run — A grass fire one-quarter mile east of U.S. 177 on Dakota Road was reported to the Communications Center at 7:11 a.m. Tuesday. Marland Volunteer Fire Department was advised.

Sterling House Int. Silver Jewelery will be at Amazin’ Hair Thursday, October 12th. 11 a.m. -7 p.m. adv.

Accident — A hit-and-run accident in the 200 block of Virginia Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 8:26 a.m. Tuesday. Someone had hit the caller’s vehicle overnight. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

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

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

Subject Held — An officer at the Ponca City Police Department reported a 34-year-old man was transferred from the Kay County Sheriff’s Office on city warrants for failure to appear and failure to obey at 9:57 a.m. Tuesday.

Windshield Chips repaired professionally. Guaranteed and insurance approved. Ponca Glass, 300 W. Highland and Pine. 762-6522. adv.

Theft — A woman in the 800 block of North Elm Street reported a stolen pit bull to Ponca City police at 11:36 a.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Tunica Mississippi bus trip November 3rd, 4th, 5th. Few seats

left. Call today. 762-8230. adv.

Subject Held — An officer at the intersection of West Broadway Avenue and North Peachtree Street reported a 22-year-old man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for driving under suspension and expired inspection at 12:38 p.m. Tuesday.

Theft — An employee of a business in the 2900 block of North Fourteenth Street reported to Ponca City police an 18-year-old man was being held for shoplifting. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. The man was taken to the police department, then later released to parents.

Subject Held — An officer in the 800 block of North Pine Street reported a 29-year-old man was taken into custody for possession of a firearm, actual physical control of a vehicle and shooting with intent to kill at 3:14 p.m. Tuesday.

Burglary — A man reported to Ponca City police at 4:41 p.m. Tuesday seeing five men getting items out of his through the window of his vehicle while it was parked in front of a business in the 200 block of East Grand Avenue.

Accident — A minor backing accident in the parking lot of a business in the 1100 block of East Prospect Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 6:40 p.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — A clerk at a business in the 300 block of West Grand Avenue reported a $5 gas drive-off to Ponca City police at 9:25 p.m. Tuesday. A description was given of the vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Theft — Someone in the 100 block of North Seventh Street reported the theft of some checks to Ponca City police at 10:49 p.m. Tuesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

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LIFESTYLES

Four Area Artists Invited To Participate in Exhibit
Local Vendors At OKC Show
Anthropological Meeting
Mrs. Oklahoma Pageant Entries Now Available
1943, 1944, 1945 Class Reunion Set
Little News

Four Area Artists Invited To Participate in Exhibit

Guy Warren, Maxine Warren, Audrey Schmitz and Ken Crowder will be exhibiting artwork and attending an invitational benefit in Oklahoma City Oct. 14. The “12 x 12” exhibition and fundraiser for the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, will be held at Laura Warriner’s Untitled Gallery, One Northeast Third Street.

In excerpts from a current periodical, the author says, “Envision the 12 x 12; A place where many of Oklahoma’s cutting edge artists have come together, showing their work in Oklahoma City’s coolest fall event. Jazzy music is the backdrop, discerning patrons sample luscious treats and are dazzled by the artistic excellence present. There is an array of wonderful artworks to choose from. The Gallery is an artistic setting you can only experience in person. For a collector it is probably the best deal in the state to acquire beautiful art by some of the state’s most accomplished artists.”

The juror for the event, Alyson Stanfield, a curator with the Wichita Art Museum, has selected this invitational from artists over the state. All funds generated go to helping the organization and directly to other Oklahoma visual artists. Each artist has been asked to donate only one piece and those pieces must conform to the traditional 12 inches by 12 inches.

The prestige of being asked to donate is only matched by the benefit gained from the funds generated, which will be used to provide continual grant and award opportunities for artists across Oklahoma, said a spokesperson. Last year, the outstanding artists of Oklahoma helped raise $30,000. A member of the National Association of Artists’ Organizations, it receives assistance from the Oklahoma Arts Council, and was started a number of years ago by a former Ponca Citian, John McNeese, and has continued to grow in its many benefits to Oklahoma artists.

For more information about tickets, contact Julia Kirt, director, at the OVAC office, 405-232-6991, or e-mail: ovac@telepath.com.

Local Vendors At OKC Show

The annual An Affair of the Heart crafts show is scheduled for Oct. 27-29 at the State Fairgrounds in Oklahoma City.

The show opens at 9 a.m., Friday, Oct. 27 and Saturday, Oct. 28. Opening time on Sunday, Oct. 29 is 11 a.m. Closing time is 6 p.m. all three days.

Items for exhibition and sale will include quilts, antique furniture and jewelry, dried flower arrangements, stenciling, wooden and painted folk art, toys and dolls, country clothing, food, paintings, and much, much more.

Shoppers can browse at An Affair of the Heart, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 27-29 at the Oklahoma State Fairgrounds. The $5 admission is good for all three days and all buildings.

Local vendors having booths at the show are Danielle Behar of The Victorian Rabbit, Suzanne Lewis Devinney from Sterling House International, Cindy and Norma Grubb of Grubbies, Verona Mair with The Emporium, David and Becky Muret from A Gift Of Oak, all of Ponca City, and Max Fry representing Fry Woodworks of Blackwell.

Anthropological Meeting

Members of the Oklahoma Anthropological Society, Kay County Chapter, will meet at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Conoco Fourth Street Club House. Stan Hurst, a graduate student at the University of Oklahoma, will speak about “Cache — How Indians Stored Their Tools.” Interested persons are welcome to attend.

Mrs. Oklahoma Pageant Entries Now Available

Applications are now being accepted for the title of Mrs. Oklahoma International. The Mrs. Oklahoma International 2001 Pageant will be held at the Rose State University in Mid West City, on June 30, 2001.

Each contestant will receive an official title and sash representing their city or county. The woman chosen as Mrs. Oklahoma International 2001 will represent Oklahoma for Mrs. International 2001 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Mrs. Oklahoma International will receive a prize package valued at over $15,000. Competitions will include interview, aerobic wear and evening gown. There is no talent or swimsuit competition.

Married women between the ages of 21 to 55, married for at least one year, and an Oklahoma resident for at least six months, should call 405-330-0689.

1943, 1944, 1945 Class Reunion Set

The Ponca City High School classes of 1943, 1944 and 1945 will meet for a picnic Friday, Oct. 20, at Lake Ponca Park, 5-8 p.m. A catered meal will be served in shelterhouses no.1 and no. 2. For more information or to make a reservation call Mary, 762-9982.

Little News

Keith and Kristin Chapman of Clarksville, Tenn. announce the birth of a daughter on Sept. 18, 2000, in Gateway Memorial Hospital in Clarksville. Lauren Price Chapman weighed 7 pounds, 3 1/2 ounces, and measured 19 inches long. She has a 22-month-old sister, Taylor.

Maternal grandparents are Steve and Judy McGuire of Ponca City, and paternal grandparents are C.E. and Mary Chapman of San Antonio, Texas.

Maternal great-grandparents are Edward and Dorothy McGuire of Beaumont, Texas. Paternal great-grandparents are Ray Johnson and Mae Johnston of San Antonio, Texas.

Announcing the birth of a son are Dallas and Angie Tipton of Ponca City. Tacoma Tye Tipton was born at 12:21 p.m. Oct. 4, 2000, in St. Joseph Regional Medical Center. He weighed 7 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured 19 3/4 inches long.

Maternal grandparents are Gracie and Tom Batt of Ponca City and Bob Hargraves of Ponca City. Paternal grandparents are Dianne Christensen of Ponca City and Raymond and Patty Tipton of Tonkawa. Maternal great-grandparents are Opal Bowers and Wayne VanHoozer of Ponca City and paternal great-grandparents are W.R. Wehrle of Ponca City and Zelda Branson of Tonkawa.

SPORTS

OU-KSU Game Not About Coaches
Wildcats TE Biby Knows Highs and Lows
Lady Mavs Drop 3 to 0 Match
PC Sailing Regatta Set
Turkeys Educating Kids
Outdoor Notes

OU-KSU Game Not About Coaches

NORMAN (AP) — The focus this week as No. 8 Oklahoma prepares to visit second-ranked Kansas State has centered more on the coaches than the teams.

Bob Stoops, who hired three KSU assistants after becoming Oklahoma’s coach, says the media have things all wrong.

‘‘That’s your job, to create interest for people who grab the paper and pick it up and read it, or for someone calling your radio show, and stir up emotions,’’ Stoops said at his weekly news conference Tuesday.

‘‘But as a staff, I think there’s mutual respect. I’ve always said I loved my time there. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.’’

Stoops spent seven years as an assistant under Bill Snyder at Kansas State before leaving to become defensive coordinator at Florida. After three years with the Gators, he was chosen to take the top job at Oklahoma.

Shortly after, he hired his brother, Mike, along with Brent Venables and Mark Mangino, all of whom were Kansas State assistants at the time.

‘‘This is a great school, and to be loyal to my family and to Oklahoma, I need to hire the best coaches I can find,’’ Bob Stoops said. ‘‘To me, that’s doing the job and being loyal to what you’re doing now.

‘‘All I did was offer some guys some jobs and they accepted them. I didn’t do anything illegal to get ’em. I didn’t pay ’em any more money. They decided they wanted to be here and that’s fair enough.’’

The defections stung some Kansas State fans, however. Mike Stoops and Venables, who were defensive coaches at KSU, accepted their Oklahoma jobs within days of the Wildcats’ loss to Texas A&M in the Big 12 title game. It was arguably the toughest loss in school history — a victory would have sent them to play for the national championship. Instead, they wound up in the Alamo Bowl.

‘‘I don’t think there’s any question it probably couldn’t have happened at a worse time,’’ Mike Stoops said.

‘‘I think that still lingers in a lot of people’s hearts and minds and it lingers in ours, too. You practice and coach your whole life to get an opportunity to play in a national championship game and we just fell a little bit short.’’

Mangino, who had been recruiting coordinator and run game coordinator with the Wildcats, was offered the Oklahoma job shortly after the Big 12 championship game but didn’t accept it until after the bowl game.

‘‘I have great memories of Kansas State,’’ said Mangino, who is now Oklahoma’s offensive coordinator. ‘‘I have great respect and admiration for coach Snyder. He’s done a lot for me and I’m grateful for that. But I had to make a decision that was best for my career.’’

Bob Stoops said it will likely feel different walking in the visitor’s locker room on Saturday afternoon. But he said the game won’t be any more emotional for him than any other game Oklahoma will play.

‘‘The programs are more important than anything personally,’’ he said. ‘‘It has nothing to do at all with the football game. It’s about our players. It’s about a chance to be in the Big 12 race and have a legitimate chance to be the Big 12 champion in the south (division) and then have a chance to be in the championship game and win. That’s what it’s about.’’

SOONER NOTES: Stoops said Ron Calcagni, who had been working as a graduate assistant after being fired last year as Oklahoma State’s offensive coordinator, has left to become offensive coordinator of the New Jersey franchise in the XFL. ... Oklahoma used 21 freshmen and sophomores in its 63-14 victory over Texas last weekend. ‘‘To be so focused and play as well as they did in that environment was really good to see,’’ Stoops said.

Wildcats TE Biby Knows Highs and Lows

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Wildcat tight end/defensive end Jacob Biby may epitomize the highs and lows the Wildcat football team went through in a 32-14 loss to Edmond Memorial last Friday.

Biby scored his first touchdown of the season on a 33-yard pass from quarterback Kyle Henderson in which he broke at least three tackles on his way to the end zone.

The TD gave the Wildcats a 14-0 lead in the second quarter

Biby got open on a couple more occasions but was overthrown as the Cat offense faltered in the second half.

The Wildcat defense also turned soft in the second half as Edmond rallied for 29 unanswered points.

“The time of possession just killed us,” Biby said. “The coaches told us we had the ball for 19 plays on the two first half drives for touchdowns. We only had 21 plays the whole second half. We let things get away from us. It was a game we should have won.”

But it is also a game from which the Wildcats can learn.

“The next time we get a lead in the first half we are going to make sure we hold it,” Biby said.

The big senior tight end says the team can rebound from the disappointment and have a chance to win at least three of their next four games.

That can start at Sand Springs this Friday.

“Sand Springs has a good quarterback. I saw him last year and he has a good arm. We’re going to have to watch out for him.

“They (the Sandites) also have some good runners, but they are not as big in the line as they have been in the past.”

Sand Springs has struggled offensively this season, but broke out in a 35-14 win over Sapulpa Friday. The Sandites are 1-2 in the District 6A-3 play and 2-4 overall.

“It we step up our play we can beat Sand Springs and we have a good chance to beat Choctaw and Sapulpa. They’re not as tough as they have been,” Biby said.

“But we haven’t done anything this season, so until we do we can’t talk about other teams.”

Lady Mavs Drop 3 to 0 Match

TONKAWA — Despite losing a 3-0 battle against Johnson County Community College last Saturday, the Lady Mavericks still know how to take command on the soccer field.

The Lady Mavs faced off against the 7th ranked team in the nation and if you took away the first eight minutes of play, they stepped up to the task.

Johnson County managed to string together three shots early in the first half to take the lead but the Lady Mavs shut them down from that point on.

“Three to zero is a good result when you face a team of that caliber," said Lady Maverick Head Coach Mike Riley.

"We had a weak first half but came out in the second and showed them we were here to play," he said. "We are still looking for someone on our team to step up and make things happen. We have to quit giving excuses and get the job done. We have the potential."

Despite allowing three goals, Lady Maverick Goalkeeper Ki Thornberry tightened down and made several saves to keep the Northern team within reach.

PC Sailing Regatta Set

KAW LAKE — The San Juan 21 Oklahoma State Championship Regatta will be Oct. 21-22 at Kaw Lake..

“The San Juan 21 is a light weight 21-foot swing keel cruiser/racer sailboat designed to be sailed by a crew of two or three,” explained Ben Sanders, regatta chairman. “They carry 265 square feet of sail in a sloop rig. An additional 285 square feet can be hoisted in a spinnaker. Many of the best crews in the San Juan 21 racing fleets are families, This is a great opportunity for sailing enthusiasts to enter or just come out and watch.

The races start at 1 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday.

Best viewing on Saturday will be from the Pioneer Beach, just south and east of Kaw City. Sunday the boats will sail around the area near the Hwy 11 bridge just east of Kaw City, another great opportunity to view the boats.

Racers may register in advance by completing the registration form at the race website, www.sanjuan2Imidwest. org., and mail with check to Ben Sanders, P. 0. Box 4, Kaw City, Ok., 74641. Regular registration for racers will be Friday evening from 6-9 p.m. at the Kaw City Community Building followed by a hamburger cookout at the Pioneer Cove Marina. A brief skipper's meeting will be held by the Principle Race Officer at 7 p.m. Registration will resume Saturday from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Community Center.

Saturday race will last about an hour to an hour an a half, according to Sanders. Weather permitting on Saturday the racers will sail upwind, turn to port (left) and sail to a powermarker, sail around it to a second marker, around it and back to the finish line making a triangle. Sunday's races will be similar, only longer, going along the Pioneer Beach and out to the towers near the Kaw City bridge. These will be approximately two hour races.

For information on the regatta contact Ben Sanders at (580) 269-2630 or e-mail him at benj9@hit.net. Or contact the Kaw Lake Association, 580-762-9494 or e-mail kawlake@kskc.net.

Turkeys Educating Kids

By DAVID DAVIS

News Sports Writer

The Kaw Valley chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation recently presented a Woodlands Elementary third grade class a “Wild About Turkey Education Box.” The NWTF believes America’s Youth hold the key to the future of wildlife conservation. The educational kit is one way to help ensure there are dedicated conservationists in the future.

The box will allow the students of teachers Suzie Greenwood and Cindy Watson to learn about one of the greatest wildlife conservation success stories of all time. By 1940, wild turkeys were on the verge of extinction in Oklahoma. In 1948, 21 birds were trapped in Texas and relocated in Harper County. Today, the wild turkey is plentiful in all 77 counties. Oklahoma is now one of the few state in which three of the four American sub-species exist.

According to Red Rock Ranch manager Bill Spires, there are more wild turkeys in America now than there were in the days of the early settlers. He should know such information because hunting is his business, but conservation is as much a part of hunting as the act of pulling the trigger.

“Youth is the future of the sport,” he said. “If you don’t teach a child at an early age about conservation and outdoors, there is no turning him back once he gets older.”

Spires said the JAKE program (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge and Ethics) is the youth program of the NWTF that offers courses in archery, shooting, habitats and food sources, camp outs and target shoots.

He said the average hunter is a 35 - 50 year-old professional with an annual income of $40,000 to $50,000. As the cost of ammo, hunting leases, travel and licenses increase, the more exclusive hunting becomes. Hunters are not the stereotypical pickup driving redneck complete with a gun rack and just a pinch of tobacco between the cheek and gum. Nowadays, all-terrain vehicles in the back of pickups are not uncommon. So, anyone fitting the description of Jeff Foxworthy’s redneck might not earn enough money to have access to the outdoors or certain hunting leases.

“Education is the key to getting the youth involved. You don’t want to get to the point where only the upper middle class can afford the outdoors,” he said.

Spires said the National Wild Turkey Federation is one of the reasons the turkeys are thriving in America. Each chapter raises money through banquets. The money is used for habitat projects in all 50 states.

“They raise a lot of money from their banquets and eighty-five cents out of each dollar benefits the wild turkey. That’s what I like about the organization,” he said. “The NWTF stresses that the biggest percent of their money goes towards the management of the wild turkey.”

Anyone interested in wildlife conservation should be interested in joining the local chapter. Some of the key national sponsors have no interest in hunting, but are involved in conservation of existing habitats and building new habitats.

“Anyone interested managing the population or hunting wild turkeys throughout the country should be a member,” he said. “There are people I’ve met with huntable populations (on their land) but shoot video and pictures. They feed them during the winter and don’t hunt them at all, but still, they want the population endure.

“They should be members.”

He said women are becoming more involved in the sport of hunting and conservation. NWTF is for the whole family.

Outdoor Notes

It’s a toss up on who’s praying harder for rain this weekend, hunters or farmers.

The first real effect of the lack of rain on Oklahoma hunting could be felt later this month when the muzzleloading deer season is scheduled to open.

The season is set to start Nov. 28. But the Wildlife Department is warning that if the state doesn’t have significant rain by the 20th, the primitive season will be delayed.

In addition to the sparks from muzzleloaders, hunters may try to set up camp fires and under the dry, windy conditions those fires could easily get away from them.

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Kay County archery deer hunters are having their way during the first week of the season.

The five county check stations have recorded a total of 143 deer harvested. The largest group — 45 — have been checked through the new check station at Harvey’s Grocery in Blackwell.

The other new station is Snyder’s Grocery in Ponca City.

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The chances for a productive turkey and quail seasons appear to be good according to Game Warden Tracy Daniels, despite the dry conditions.