LOCAL

Mayor City Not Making Money off Higher Utility Bills
Hutchins To Gain Marland Furniture
Southwestern Bell Says High-Speed Internet Available
Woman Jailed For Domestic Battery of Teen
Numerous Events Are Planned During Make a Difference Day

VFW Family Dinner Oct. 15 Took on Halloween Theme
Letters to the Editor
KBI Director To Keynote NOC Red Ribbon Week
General Election Absentee Ballots Available Until Nov. 1

Mayor City Not Making Money off Higher Utility Bills

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Business Editor

Many Ponca Citians will get a shock when they receive their electric bills this week, according to Mayor Tom Leonard. However, Leonard said, “We’ll do everything within our power to assist those who are adversely impacted by this billing spike.”

Possible help includes the city providing year-round bill averaging and providing free energy assessments on requests, Leonard said.

In defense of the higher bills Leonard explained, “Utility rates have not gone up. The rates are exactly the same as they have been.

“In fact, over the last five years, utility rates have gone down significantly in Ponca City. What has gone up is our fuel costs, and that fuel cost is, unfortunately, going to be reflected in this month’s utility bills.”

Leonard explained that the higher electric bills are due to two major factors.

One is higher gas costs. “Gas prices nationwide have doubled within the last 12 months,” he said.

The cost has gone from $2.50 an mcf to $4.80-5.00. Ponca City buys its electricity from Oklahoma Municipal Power Authority (OMPA). Its plants are fired by gas, and the higher fuel cost is being passed along to the customers, according to Leonard.

The second factor has been the late hot dry summer, which has not allowed for hydroelectric generation from Kaw Lake.

“In the past, we have been able to ‘shave’ our fuel costs because of the hydroelectric plant. With hydroelectric, there is almost no fuel cost at all. So during the peak season, we able to rely heavily on hydroelectric power and save the cost from the gas-fired plant,” Leonard said.

“The lake has been down. So, as a result, our ability to generate electricity out of there has been severely limited, and we haven’t been able to shave that peak,” the mayor said.

Contrary to what some citizens seem to believe, only about 20 percent of the utility revenue provides income for the city budget, according to the mayor.

He emphasized that with the increased bills going out, the city is not “getting one additional penny of the profit from these bills. The only thing that is passed on is the exact fuel costs — the billing that we have received from OMPA.”

The mayor said he is requesting a full report from OMPA on how the situation happened.

Leonard noted that higher costs are happening at PSO, Western Farmers and OG&E, and their customers are getting the same type of high electricity bills. He also commented on the sky rocketing costs in California.

He explained, “We own our own generation plant here, which is not enough to supply the entire city. Because of that, we can control the costs much more effectively than folks [in California] because they are subject totally to market costs and are seeing a lot higher bills than we are seeing.”

There are some things that the electric customers can do to help level out their bills, Leonard suggested.

“In our billing office, we have a plan that people can buy into — that is an average monthly billing plan,” he explained. “To qualify for this, you simply have to be a customer of the Ponca City Utility Authority for the last year and be current on your bill.

“Customers can notify the billing office at City Hall, and the clerks there will calculate your average bill for the last year and begin to bill you at that rate. It will not catch this last bill if the customer has already been billed, but will be factored into next year. That levels out the cost over the year of the entire bill,” Leonard said.

He added, “Another thing that we are going to be taking a harder look at is energy conservation measures in Ponca City.

“In the electric division, we have the ability to do residential electric audits. So, if customers think their bills are unusually high, we’ll send people out to look at their houses to see if they have any energy loss that is directly affecting the bill.”

Addressing customers on fixed incomes, Leonard said, “That is a tough question as there is nothing we can do at this point to directly subsidize those bills.” He again recommended the bill averaging process and urged energy conservation using less electricity.

He suggested that washing machines and dishwashers could be used during the evenings in off-peak averages and thus decreasing the costs.

Hutchins To Gain Marland Furniture

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE

News Staff Writer

Several different scenarios on demolishing the conference center, chapel and restaurant were discussed by city manager Gary Martin at the Tuesday meeting of the Marland Estate Commission.

“The conference center is now in lock-down, and some of the furniture will be moved to Hutchins Memorial where a conference center is being set up,” Martin said.

He explained the time frame for removing the structures is anticipated to be April, 2001. He told of several possibilities which included putting the building demolition out for bid in its entirety or bidding out some of the structural material, such as the metal.

In the meantime, some of the items from the building will be sold at auction, Martin said. He said inquiries are coming from hotel and motel owners, who are interested in some of the contents.

Martin said the reasons for selling any of the complex contents is to “hopefully” recoup some of the expense for razing the buildings. The expense is estimated at about $400,000. Martin said Stillwater used a new idea on asbestos removal for its city hall, and that Ponca City is going to try this procedure, which could cost less than projected.

The structures, built by the Felician Sisters, have proven too costly to maintain. Recently the City Commission voted to remove the buildings in keeping with the long range plan of the Marland Estate Commission. The plan is to return the estate to its original status when it was owned by Marland.

The City Commission was the third body to approve the measure. The ad hoc committee of mayor Tom Leonard recommended removal as did the Estate Commission.

In other business, discussion was held on raising rental fees at Lydie’s Carriage House. A committee to formulate recommendations on the issue was appointed by Sherry Muchmore, Marland Estate Commission chairman. Serving with her will be Jon Kennedy, Sue Ziegenhain and Mary Beth Glass.

Kathy Adams, director, said the recommendation came from Martin. The facility is rented often enough that part-time personnel is needed for security.

Muchmore, reporting for the landscape committee, said the go-ahead had been given to do some planting on the garden at Lydie’s Cottage.

Commission member Gerald Nield told that the collections committee has been sorting out items that have been stored in the racquet ball court, and those not original to the Estate or of that vintage will be auctioned.

Stan Paynter, Oktoberfest chairman, reported a good turnout for the recent event. He indicated the proceeds would be known at a later date. Ziegenhain reported that the Nov. 1 meeting of the guides will feature Erma Carmack as guest speaker. She was one of the nurses who took care of E.W. Marland.

Muchmore, reporting for Christmas Gala chairman Lana Jones, said the tickets for the gala will go on sale Nov. 1. Tickets are $40 and this year only 620 tickets are to be sold. The conference center will not be available this year for the event.

She also said the Marland Estate Foundation to date has raised $20,000 in memberships. This is ahead of last year.

Meeting date for next month is Nov. 2.

Southwestern Bell Says High-Speed Internet Available

Southwestern Bell is ready to introduce its high-speed Internet service to Ponca City.

“Fasten your seat belts, Ponca City. Southwestern Bell DSL is turbo charging the Internet experience. To meet customers’ growing need for bandwidth and faster Internet access, Southwestern Bell DSL, a high-speed Internet access service powered by Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology, rolled out today in Ponca City,” according to Larry Brown, district manager.

DSL enables customers to access the Internet or corporate networks at speeds up to 200 times faster than standard analog modems. Unlike traditional dial-up Internet access, DSL enables customers to instantly connect to the Internet without the frustrations of busy signals or waiting for the modem to dial-up.

“Customers in Ponca City and elsewhere want reliable, affordable high-speed access to the Internet and corporate networks, and we’re meeting this need by rapidly making Southwestern Bell DSL available throughout Southwestern Bell’s territory,” said Jason Few, vice president of broadband communications, SBC Communications Inc., the parent company of Southwestern Bell.

“DSL is an ideal broadband solution for consumers, telecommuters and small businesses looking for faster access to online information. From shopping online to watching streaming video to accessing a corporate network from home, DSL significantly enhances the online experience,” he added.

Southwestern Bell DSL will initially be available to nearly 7,000 homes and businesses in Ponca City. To receive service today, the phone line running from customers’ homes to a DSL-equipped central office must be no longer than 17,500 feet and must meet certain transmission criteria.

Through a special promotion, qualifying customers can receive Southwestern Bell Basic DSL Internet Service with Prodigy Communications and a customized DSL-equipped Compaq Presario computer, at a special rate for 28 months.

According to Southwestern Bell officials, customers will not be billed for this monthly charge until January, 2001.

Currently, Southwestern Bell Basic DSL Internet Service provides downstream connection speeds up to 1.5 Mbps — 50 times faster than a 28.8 kilobits, per second (Kbps) analog modem —and a 128 Kbps upstream connection speed The promotion runs through Oct. 31.

“DSL is emerging as the technology of choice for high-speed Internet and remote LAN access,” Few said. “Our DSL service is widely available and affordably priced, and provides a level of choice and reliability that competing technologies cannot match.”

Woman Jailed For Domestic Battery of Teen

By JEFF POLITTE

News Staff Writer

A 26-year-old Ponca City woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon after the 15-year-old boy she was babysitting was allegedly injured during a verbal altercation between the two.

The woman called police at 4:28 p.m. complaining the teen-ager was “out of control.”

According to reports, she had just taken him from the police department after he had been arrested for second degree burglary. Witnesses confirmed an argument occurred between the two.

Police arriving at the residence in the 1200 block of North Oak Street discovered the boy sustained a minor scratch to the neck. They took the woman into custody for domestic assault and battery.

The boy has since been taken into protective custody, per a judge’s orders, until the investigation is completed.

The boy’s parents were not available for comment.

“State law requires any law enforcement officer to make an arrest anytime visible injuries are observed which they believe are a result of domestic abuse, even if the victim is not the complaining party or pursuing charges against their assailant,” said Sherry Bowers, police information officer.

“The law provides that an arrest can be made without a warrant anytime within 72 hours of the report of the assault when injuries have been observed,” she continued.

The woman is being held at the Ponca City Police Department until she can be transferred to the Kay County sheriff’s office. The date and time for her initial appearance had not been set.

In a separate incident, an alleged abuse situation was reported by another 15-year-old boy in the 600 block of Greenbriar Road.

The boy reported the incident to a family friend, who then informed police at 6:42 p.m. According to reports, the abuse took place a few days earlier.

No arrests have been made at this time.

Both incidents are still under investigation.

Numerous Events Are Planned During Make a Difference Day

It’s time to “Lose Our Litter,” just one of many events being planned around Ponca City for the sixth annual Make a Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 28.

According to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, 60 percent of litter is deliberate and people litter when they feel no sense of ownership.

Furthermore, pedestrians, primarily younger than 25, account for greater than 76 percent of all littering. So, meet your across the street neighbor, in the middle of the street, on Oct. 27 for businesses and Oct. 28 for residents and pick up litter in front and around the home or business. Trash bags available in addition to dumpsters, which are located throughout the city. Call 765-2476 for more information.

This year make a choice to devote time and talent to one of the following activities or plan a new project. Just commit a few short hours or donate material to participate in this year’s Make a Difference Day (MADD). MADD is sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation and USA Today Weekend, who asked us to imagine the possibilities if each of us spent one day helping another person.

Benefit future generations by joining volunteers in a tree planting. Those who wish to lend a hand in re-greening the community should bring gloves and shovels to Centennial Plaza at 8:30 a.m. Eight community trees will be planted. For more information, call Jayne Detten 762-4414.

In other related activities, volunteers are still needed to work at Attucks Community Center, 101 South Twelfth Street, so that the gym can be utilized this winter. Painting is a priority and skilled painters, who use a sprayer, should plan to begin work at 9 a.m. Contact Dwain West at 767-6361 or 765-5428, to get involved with this activity.

Citizens with a green thumb or the ability to get dirty can help with yard work. Youth Empowerment Service, Y.E.S., needs teens and adults to perform various outdoor chores around the homes of local senior citizens. Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own tools and meet at the United Way office, 205 North Second Street, at 9 a.m. Contact Katina Combes at 765-2476, to join these volunteers.

Additionally, trainers are needed to help students resolve conflicts in a non-violent way. Citizens, at least 18 years of age can train as Peer Mediators in our schools. Join Bryon Tribble, long time Mediator and trainer from 9 a.m. ­ 4 p.m. at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. This activity is sponsored by the United Way/Ponca City Alliance for Youth. Call 765-2476 for more information.

Also, Ponca City Boy Scouts will be “Scouting for Food”. Help feed the hungry in the community by leaving non-perishable and non-breakable food on your porch Saturday morning, Oct. 21. Those residents who recently received a bag on their door are encouraged to participate. Scouts will begin collecting food-laden bags at 9 a.m. on the 21st. Donations will benefit local agencies, through the United Way of Ponca City. Call 765-6669 for more information.

VFW Family Dinner Oct. 15 Took on Halloween Theme

Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1201 and its Ladies Auxiliary hosted the October Family Dinner Oct. 15 at the post home on East Prospect. The main hall was decorated in the Halloween theme.

De Ann McDaniel opened the meal by introducing Chuck Hoddy, commander, who lead the group in the flag salute. McDaniel gave the blessing and remembered the Navy personnel on the U.S.S. Cole and their families. She greeted everyone, and all were invited to partake of the covered dish dinner of ham and cheesy potato casserole.

After the fellowship and dinner, McDaniel informed the group of some important dates coming up. Veterans Day VFW bean and cornbread dinner will be Nov. 10 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the post home. Nov. 11 will be the Veterans Day parade in downtown Ponca City starting at 10:30 a.m. to honor those who gave all the freedom to live as we do today.

During the week prior to Veterans Day, the VFW Auxiliary will accept donations for the Buddy Poppies. The donations will stay in the Ponca City area to help meet the needs of local veterans and their families. The poppies are made by hand by veterans in veterans facilities, and the poppies help them as well. McDaniel reminded the members that one cent of each poppy goes to the youth at the National Home in Eaton Rapids, Mich., who are children of veterans.

Nov. 19 at 1 p.m. at the VFW post home, the VFW and Auxiliary will serve the Thanksgiving family dinner. The Auxiliary will furnish the turkey, dressing, gravy, hot rolls and coffee or tea for the meal, and participants are asked to bring a covered dish to compliment the meal. All are asked to attend.

McDaniel urged members to bring items to the Thanksgiving dinner for the veterans at the Veterans Center for Christmas to include white socks, toothpaste, tooth brushes, combs, throw-away razors, deodorant, or any other needs a veteran at the center might have.

Door prizes were won by Marvin Rider, Gail Ruby and Herb Hopkins. The “Proud to be an American” T-shirt was won by Paul Martin, and the 3- by 5-foot flag kit was won by Dee Harbeson.

Ruth Henderson, president, thanked Franky and De Ann McDaniel for the decorations and Jean Bowlin for the cheesy potato casserole. The meeting was closed with a reminder to all to attend the next month’s dinner.

Letters to the Editor

Encouragement for Drug Store 2000

Monday night, Oct. 23, at 7 p.m. in association with Ponca City Alliance for Youth Drug Store 2000, Dr. Gordon Deckert, retired chief of psychiatry at the University of Oklahoma Medical School and current member of the Oklahoma State Board of Health, will present a program entitled “Teens: Facts — Consequences and Solutions.” Dr. Deckert, a nationally known speaker, is very dynamic and stimulating.

Kay County’s fertility rate for 15-17 year-olds is 43% higher than the state average. Pawnee County is 5% higher, Noble County 37% lower and Osage County is 33% lower. I do not have statistics for other youth behavior. I believe Dr. Deckert will provide this.

I hope educators, health care providers, future parents, current parents and grandparents will attend to gain insight to our problems, with hope to address solutions.

The Ponca City Alliance for Youth has several committees that would welcome concerned individuals to participate in making these solutions a reality. Meeting time may be obtained by calling Katina at United Way, 765-2476.

The program is being sponsored by the physicians on staff at St. Joseph Regional Hospital and the Kay County Health Department with assistance from the Ponca City school system.

Ron M. Kreger, M.D.

KBI Director To Keynote NOC Red Ribbon Week

TONKAWA — Kansas Bureau of Investigation Director Larry Welch of Topeka, Kan., will give the keynote address for the Northern Oklahoma College Substance Abuse Awareness Seminar set for Wednesday, Oct. 25.

The seminar, the highlight of Red Ribbon Week activities on the Tonkawa campus, is free and is open to the public, according to LaDonna McCune, Northern certified alcohol and drug counselor and Red Ribbon Week coordinator. McCune said that Welch will speak from 9 to 9:50 a.m. and again from 10 to 10:50 a.m. in the Northern Performing Arts Center. She extended a special invitation to the community to attend either or both of his talks.

Welch has served as KBI director since July 1994. From 1989-94 he was director of the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center in Hutchinson, Kan., having served as associate director from 1986-89. He spent 17 years as a special agent and FBI supervisor, working in Washington, D.C., Miami, Fla., San Juan, Puerto Rico and McAllen, Texas, among other cities.

A 1961 graduate of the FBI Academy in Quantico, Va., Welch holds a juris doctorate degree from the University of Kansas Law School. The Wichita Crime Commission named him Criminal Justice Professional of the Year in 1992 and in 1993 he led the Kansas Law Enforcement Delegation to train Russian Police in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 1999 the U.S. Attorney honored him with the first-ever Lifetime Service Award for the promotion of Kansas law enforcement cooperation. That same year the Larry D. Welch Hall was dedicated at the Kansas Law Enforcement Training Center.

The U.S. Department of Justice invited Welch to participate in setting up police academy and police training programs in Panama, and the FBI National Academy asked him to speak at the 1991 European FBI National Academy Conference in Rome, Italy. The Kansas State House of Representatives, the Sons of the American Revolution and the Kansas Association of Chiefs of Police have honored him for his contributions to law enforcement.

Red Ribbon Week is slated from Oct. 23-26 to promote awareness of the dangers of substance awareness abuse, including alcohol abuse. The Northern SADD (Students Against Driving Drunk) chapter, which lists the alerting of students to the dangers of drinking and driving among its goals, is assisting with activities. A campus Red Ribbon Dance will feature door prizes donated by celebrities, according to SADD sponsor McCune, and the “Grim Reaper” will visit classrooms Oct. 27. The “Say No” Awards assembly for Tonkawa Grade School winners of the Poster and Poetry contest is set for Oct. 30.

General Election Absentee Ballots Available Until Nov. 1

NEWKIRK — Less than two weeks remains for registered voters in Kay County to apply for absentee ballots to be mailed to them for the Nov. 7, general election, Kay County Election Board Secretary Carol Stafford said today.

Applications for absentee ballots must be in the hands of the Kay County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. on Nov. 1 to be processed.

Any registered voter eligible to vote in the election may vote by absentee ballot without stating a reason, Stafford said. Absentee voters may apply in person at the Election Board office or they may send their applications by mail, fax, or by telegraph.

Voters may apply for absentee ballots for the following reasons:

-Registered voters who are physically incapacitated and voters who care for physically incapacitated persons who cannot be left unattended may apply for absentee ballots only by mail, fax, or by telegraph.

-Registered voters who are confined to a nursing home in the county may apply only by mail, fax, or telegraph.

-Military personnel, residents of Kay County living overseas and the spouses and dependents of each group are entitled to vote without being registered. They may apply only by mail or by fax.

For more information on absentee voting, contact the County Election Board at the Courthouse, 201 South Main, Newkirk. The telephone number is (580) 362-2130. The County Election Board’s fax number is (580)-362-1100.

DEATHS

Joseph Patrick Somers
Alianna Daun Harper-O’Dell
Duane L. Davis

Joseph Patrick Somers

SANTA FE, N.M. — Joseph Patrick Somers, resident of Santa Fe, died Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2000. He was 86.

No public services were held. Arrangements were under the direction of Berardinelli Family Funeral Service.

Joseph Patrick Somers was born in Arkansas City, Kan., on Aug. 3, 1914, the son of Charles and Anna Somers. He married Dorothy Muret in Winfield, Kan., on Sept. 4, 1937. He was a member of the Moose Lodge in Wichita, Kan.

Survivors include his wife of Santa Fe; his son, William Somers of Los Alamos, N.M.; two sisters, Mary Ellen Hohenberger and Eleanor Ciskowski, both of Ponca City; three brothers, Francis Somers of Annapolis, Md., Robert Somers of Aptos, Calif., and Charles Somers of San Diego, Calif.; two granddaughters; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother, Donald Somers.

Funerals

Friday

Alianna Daun Harper-O’Dell

Alianna Daun Harper-O’Dell — A graveside service at 10 a.m. in the Newkirk cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral home of Newkirk.

Saturday

Duane L. Davis

Duane L. Davis — A graveside service at 2 p.m. at the Hennessey Cemetery under the direction of Cordry-Gritz Funeral Home in Hennessey.

NEWS BRIEFS

Spaghetti Supper — The Ponca City Literacy Council is sponsoring a spaghetti supper on Oct. 27 at the Masonic Lodge on West Grand from 4:40 to 7:30 p.m. The cost for adults is $5 and $3 for youth 12 and under.

Just Arrived! Sandy Gore Evans Christmas cards. See our shipment of antiques. Lay-a-way for Christmas. Christy’s 3005

North 14th. adv.

OSU Vocal Program — The students of the OSU Music Department Vocal Program will be presenting a “Liederabend,” an evening of German songs by Robert and Clara Schumann Saturday at 8 p.m. at Bennett Memorial Chapel on the NW corner of Hester and University at Oklahoma State University, Stillwater. As an additional feature, the songs will be accompanied by an historical narration given by Dr. Allen Scott, professor of Musicology at OSU. Admission is free to the public.

Free Sample of Estee Lauder foundation now through October

31st. at John’s, 2nd and Cleveland. adv.

Accident — An accident at the intersection of East Brookfield Avenue and North Seventh Street was reported by a Ponca City police officer at 7:54 a.m. Wednesday. A report was taken.

Dougan's Bar-B-Q Friday special from 4-8 p.m., all you can eat

ribs with beans, potato salad and coleslaw, $7.49. 215 South 14th,

765-7979. adv.

Subject Held — An officer in the 2600 block of North Fifth Street reported a 42-year-old woman was taken into custody on a Kay County warrant for a bogus check at 9:14 a.m. Wednesday.

Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle, installation. $1,695. 765-2633. adv.

Theft — A man in the 1700 block of North Union Street reported a stolen bicycle to Ponca City police at 9:45 a.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Pink Impression tulips only 29¢ each. Keathly Nursery, 2448 Bridge Avenue. 762-2922. adv.

Burglary — A woman in the 2500 block of Honeywood reported her vehicle had been broken into on Monday night to Ponca City police at 11:06 a.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Trees, Huge selection. Plant now. Keathly Nursery. 2448 Bridge Avenue. 762-2922. adv.

Disturbance — The Communications Center received an abandoned 911 from in front of a business in the 1800 block of North Union Street at 12:42 p.m. Wednesday. When the caller phoned again, the caller would not talk, so an officer was sent to the scene. The officer ascertained the caller was having problems with a person in a vehicle parked outside the business, who left prior to the officer’s arrival. The caller said the officer was not needed and asked the officer to leave.

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.

Subject Held — An officer at the Ponca City Police Department reported a 28-year-old woman was taken into custody on a drug sale charge at 12:52 p.m. Wednesday.

Paulines Shrimp Peel. All you can eat, $11.95. Friday, October 20th. For reservations call 765-

5460. adv.

Fire Run — A grass fire in the 7400 block of Souligny Road was reported to the Communications Center at 1:26 p.m. Wednesday. A man started a controlled burn in the area that had gotten out of control. Ranch Drive Volunteer Fire Department handled the call.

Antique Shipment; dressers, wardrobes, draw leaf tables, sewing box on legs, and spinnet desk. No interest lay-a-way plan. Christy’s 3005 North 14th. adv.

Theft — A clerk at a business in the 700 block of South Waverly Street reported to Ponca City police at 1:33 a.m. Thursday a subject had stolen a 30-pack of beer before leaving in a vehicle with two others and heading westbound on U.S. 60. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — A two-vehicle, non-injury accident at the intersection of West Grand Avenue and Union Street was reported to Ponca City police at 1:26 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Vintage and 60’s clothing for Halloween. After the Gold Rush. Monday-Saturday, 10-5. 762-9904. One block North of Osage Pioneer Bank. adv.

Fraud — An employee at a business in the 2400 block of North Fourteenth Street reported a forged check to Ponca City police at 2:02 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Head Country all day Friday special­ All you can eat, smoked BBQ ribs, beans, potato salad, and coleslaw, only $7.49, all day. 1217 East Prospect. 767-8304. adv.

Accident — A minor two-vehicle accident in the parking lot of a business in the 200 block of East Chestnut Avenue was reported to Ponca City police at 3:02 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Intoxicated Subject — An associate at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue reported an intoxicated female had taken up residence in the men’s front restroom and wouldn’t leave at 8:49 p.m. Wednesday. Two officers responded to the call. A 39-year-old woman was taken into custody for public intoxication.

Burglary — Someone at a business in the 1100 block of North Union Street reported a store had been broken into to Ponca City police at 1:18 p.m. Wednesday. Two officers responded to the scene and a report was taken.

Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department in the 200 block of East Hartford Avenue reported a 21-year-old man was taken into custody on two Kay County warrants at 3:13 p.m. Wednesday.

Subject Held — An officer at the Ponca City Police Department reported a 15-year-old boy was taken into custody for second degree burglary at 4:26 p.m. Wednesday.

Fire Run — A woman reported a grass fire 15 miles south of U.S. 60 on U.S. 177 to the Communications Center at 4:56 p.m. Wednesday. Marland Volunteer Fire Department handled the call. Firefighters advised it was a controlled burn.

Theft — Someone in the 1700 block of South Ninth Street reported a stolen bicycle to Ponca City police at 6:19 p.m. Wednesday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

Accident — An employee at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center reported to Ponca City police at 8:15 p.m. Wednesday a subject was being treated in the emergency room for injuries sustained in a two vehicle accident that wasn’t reported to police. Two officers responded to the call, but no report was taken. The officers learned the subjects involved had exchanged information.

Gas Drive-Off — A motorist reported seeing a gas drive-off at a business in the 400 block of South Fourteenth Street to Ponca City police at 6:44 a.m. Thursday. A description was given of the vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken.

GARDENING

Diggin in the Dirt
Nature Offers Best Designs
Leave a Legacy for Generations: Plant a Tree Saturday Set Oct. 28
Plan Now for Spring
Designs Needed For Iris T-Shirts

Diggin in the Dirt

By Kathy Zehr

Fall Brings Mixed Emotions

I get a little sad looking around the once-green yard and seeing the almost empty vegetable garden and leaves falling from many of the shrubs and vines, but, on the other hand, it gives a comfortable feeling of rightness - that everything is right on que with the world.

Local gardener Geoffrey Cowen recently expressed it better in a letter to Diggin. He believes gardening connects one with the life cycle or the passage of time. He says, "I've come to appreciate each garden year as I get older and realized how precious one's life is and the time one spends in the things that are important. Anyone who gardens is acutely aware of the life cycle as it is encapsulated in each year.

"There is excitement in the birth or rebirth of the plants such as asparagus as it comes up early in the spring or looking with anticipation at the blossoms of the peach and apple trees and hopes that a good crop will mature in mid July. One can't help but marvel at seedlings that pop up out of the garden in early spring and participate in the miracle of life and God's creations."

He writes about the tough hot months then goes on to say, "There is something rather melancholic about the end of the season right before that killing frost of late fall. One realizes that the garden year is over and one prepares for the next season ..." Gardeners everywhere will agree with his final thought that all-in-all, "gardening is a wonderful part of our lives and it is a constant and most enjoyable learning experience."

At our house, late fall is a time to walk around the yard and do some fixing, painting, moving plants, building a big compost pile and doing other chores to help the gardens look and do their best next year. My favorite part is planning and plotting what plants to try for next year's exciting blooms, for fresh vine ripened fruits and veggies, and for a new look to the yard. Of course, "resting up" is a close second favorite late fall activity as well!

How and Why?

Is it a "puzzlement?" We will try to answer some basic gardening questions in the column today that may help new gardeners sort out terminology or techniques.

Do I haul off clippings or leave on the lawn? Both! It is good to leave grass clippings on the lawn after mowing if they are less than one-fourth inch in length. Longer jointed clippings do not decompose readily and tend to cause thatch build up and impede water penetration. Mulching type mowers do a good job of chopping larger clippings into small decomposable bits. If we procrastinate and let the grass get too long we collect the longer clippings and haul them to the compost pile.

Which bulbs do I plant in the fall and which do I take inside? Two types of bulbs and are available to gardeners - hardy spring flowering and tender summer flowering varieties. It's still not to late to plant hardy spring flowering bulbs such as daffodils, tulips, crocus, hyacinth grape hyacinth, and lilies. If planted correctly these bulbs survive the winter freezes just fine. Tender summer flowering bulbs such as glads, caladiums, tuberous begonias, dahlias and cannas should not be left in the ground in northern Oklahoma. They should be dug before hard freezes begin and stored in about 40 degree temperatures through the winter months.

What are raised beds and are they better? If you have a loose rich loam soil, you probably do not need to make raised beds but if you have poor soil or drainage they may be the answer to a better garden. A raised bed is constructed on top of the ground with wood or plastic sides (some kits are available). They are usually constructed in widths from two to four feet and filled with at least 12 to 18 inches of good soil (deeper is better). There is better control over the soil and usually less weeding in a raised bed. Good books are available at the library for this gardening style.

I have too much shade in my yard - what do I plant to have a pretty yard? Several plants work well in the shade but I will suggest three here. Try lily-of-the-valley for border plantings, hostas for the middle sized plants and the hardy cyclamen, which blooms in late summer and early fall. Also take a 40-mile trip to the OSU Oklahoma Gardening Show botanical gardens in Stillwater. They have several shaded areas with numerous varieties of shade-loving plants in beautiful settings. Almost every plant has a nametag nearby. Take a notepad!

Nature Offers Best Designs

By Lee Reich

Columnist

Nature sometimes has the best designs. Harsh contrasts usually result when any primary colors red, yellow and blue are placed side-by-side. But along roadsides and abandoned fields, there are two flowers that naturally grow side-by-side with that combination of colors and they look great. The flowers are goldenrod and New England aster.

How can this friendship of opposites — yellow and blue, hot and cold — be so attractive? Look at the backdrop against which goldenrod and aster flowers are presented. Fall color on some surrounding trees and shrubs drain some of the heat from yellow goldenrod. And then any harshness is further diminished because aster petals are not pure blue. They contain a hint of red and at the hub of the petals is a disk of muddy yellow.

Both plants would be more appreciated in gardens if they were not so abundant in the wild. Both plants tolerate wetter soils and colder winters than do chrysanthemums, the bread-and-butter of American fall gardens. And there are no blue mums. With these qualities its no wonder that aster and goldenrod are so frequently planted in European gardens. The one requirement of both aster and goldenrod is sun.

The British have combined New England aster with other native American asters to create hybrids known as Michaelmas daisies. But plain New England aster gives us such desirable varieties as salmon pink Alma Potschke, late-blooming Harrington’s Pink and crimson September Ruby. Even plants dug from the wild (with the landowners permission) make attractive garden plants.

Goldenrods are a botanist’s nightmare when it comes to classification, but for gardeners the botanical name is less important than the autumn show of flowers. As with asters, you can dig up a particularly attractive wild plant and move it to the garden, then multiply it a year hence by division. Nurseries rarely offer goldenrod but a few varieties are available such as Baby Gold (dwarf), Golden Mosa (dark yellow), Cloth of Gold (soft yellow) and Peter Pan (canary yellow). Look in catalogs under Solidaga, the botanical genus.

For an attractive native-style grouping involving both goldenrod and aster, plant these two fellows together against a background of staghorn sumac which turns crimson red and purple in autumn. As an alternative to this planting, just take a walk and admire this same combination in the wild.

Leave a Legacy for Generations: Plant a Tree Saturday Set Oct. 28

Lend a hand and leave a legacy to future generations by planting trees on Sat., Oct. 28. Those who wish to join this Make A Difference Day project to re-green the community, should bring gloves and shovels to Centennial Plaza at 8:30 a.m. For the sixth year, Ponca City volunteers have participated in the national day of doing good.

Volunteers are needed to plant eight community trees. The planting is part of the “Tree 2000” project that began at the beginning of the new year, when the Ponca City Millennium commission issued a challenge to individuals, schools, businesses and other agencies to plant 2000 new trees in the community. Contact Jayne Detten, tree project chairman, at 762-4414, for more information.

By committing a few short hours and extending a helping hand, each citizen can make a difference.

To find out about other Make A Difference Day projects being coordinated around Ponca City, call the Ponca City Tomarrow office at 763-8051.

Plan Now for Spring

By Doug Green

Columnist

One of the things I really like to grow and will be adding to my garden next summer are more summer bulbs. I used to grow about 10,000 glads for the summer cut flower market and the house was always filled with those that weren't good enough to sell. Next spring, I'm going to get a small bed of them going again. I also saw huge beds of Canna lilies at Montreal Botanic Gardens this fall that were simply spectacular. Now, I can't go past a bed that looks like that and not fall in love with the plant. And, you know what that means don't you. Doug's building some more gardens next year. The problem this year though is that I already have some summer bulbs and plants from this years garden and they need storing for the winter. So, here's a short article on the storage needs of various summer blooming bulbs.

To begin with, if you're growing your bulbs in the garden, then they have to be dug and moved indoors to the proper storage system. However, if you're growing your bulbs in containers or pots, you have a choice of digging up the bulb or storing the entire pot (soil, bulbs and all) in the proper conditions. I confess that I usually remove the bulbs from the pots. My voodoo lilies are already sitting under my desk in their box and the tender arisaema tubers will be out of their pots by the time this is printed. In past years, the canna and callas have stayed in their pots but it's time to do a little dividing, so this year they're coming out as well. You can keep them in the pots but then the entire pot has to be stored. Here's the recommended storage conditions.

Agapanthus. These blue sweethearts are available through specialist catalogues and they aren't going to make it outside as perennials here in my garden. I saw magnificent specimens at Montreal so next year I'll have them in large clay pots in my own garden. Leave the rhizomes in the container keep the container between 2 and 13 degrees C. Water only enough to keep the soil from turning into a desert. They'll appreciate dry conditions a lot more than they'll like too wet so always err on the dry side.

Begonia. Whether you're growing tuberous or B. grandis types, get those tubers out of the pots and wet conditions. Store them dry at 2 to 5 C. Peat moss is a good packing material for them as it absorbs water.

Canna. Dig them up, dry the soil and then gently knock as much of it off the plant as possible. Store the rhizomes in a dry peat moss or vermiculite at 5 to 10 C. Keep these plants dry all winter until it is time to replant.

Dahlia. Harvest the tuberous roots by digging and allowing all the soil to dry out. Carefully knock the soil off the root and store in a dry sand or vermiculite at 2 to 7 C. I know many gardeners who simply hang them in a bag in a dry, dark room and this seems to work well. Avoid dampness.

Freesia: This is a warmth loving plant. Dig up the corms or leave them in the pots but stop watering and store reasonably warm and dry.

Gladiolus Harvest the corms after the foliage dies down. Store them in a well-ventilated spot at 5 to 13 C. They'll rot if you let them get damp. A mesh bag works really well for keeping them ventilated.

Lilies: I leave mine in the ground but some of you like to bring them in. If you have to bring them inside, store them in a damp peat moss container and keep them quite cool. 2C is the recommended temperature as anything warmer will encourage growth.

Ornithogalum I'm in the middle of eradicating these from my garden. They're quite hardy and they can become a bit weedy. Why anyone would want to bring them indoors is beyond me but I know some of you do. Store them dry and warm.

Zantedeschia. Now there's a mouthful that you'll have to practice saying in front of a mirror. That's the latin for Calla lily. Be careful with this rhizome/tuber as you don't want to damage it. I've stored them in the pot but the trick is to keep them dry and at 10 to 15C. Warm and dry in other words.

The only thing you have to do at some point during the winter is to check the bulbs for rot. With the cheaper bulbs, simply discard any soft or rotting bulbs. If you don't discard the bad ones, the rot will spread in your storage and you can lose the entire lot. If it's a good bulb or you want to try to save it, cut out the rotting area and dust the cut area with powdered sulphur. The sulphur will act as a fungicide and prevent further damage (we hope). Isolate any damaged or diseased bulbs from the main area to reduce contamination. Do a regular weekly check for the first several weeks after you bring the plants indoors. This will be the time that most of the damage starts. You know, you nicked a bulb while digging it and it starts to rot. Once the bulbs have gone dormant and are successfully asleep, a monthly check is fine.

That's it. The fast and easy way to store summer bulbs. Just don't forget to start dreaming about how they're going to look next year.

Doug answers bulb questions at www.simplegiftsfarm.com

Designs Needed For Iris T-Shirts

It’s time to start thinking about next spring and the annual Iris t-shirt design contest, say design committee members. Interested persons are invited to submit their designs for Iris Festival 2001.

Contest criteria includes a design size of 8 x 11 inches or 11 x 14 inches. The words “Ponca City, OK” and “Iris-istible!” and “2001” should be part of the total design package. Up to seven colors suitable for silk-screening may be used. Artists are encouraged to sign their work.

The name, address and phone number of the artist should be attached to the design submitted at Betty’s Boutique, 401 East Grand. Deadline for submissions is Nov. 17. Prize for the winning design is $50 in Downtown Dollars. For more information contact Debbie, 762-1027.

SPORTS

Wildcats Need Exceptional Game Against No 5 Stillwater
Kansas Favored In Big 12 Basketball

Wildcats Need Exceptional Game Against No 5 Stillwater

By FRED HILTON

News Sports Editor

Ponca City football coach Frank Piccirillo came close to getting the perfect game he has wanted when the Wildcats defeated Sand Springs Friday night.

The Cats dominated the time of possession. They played solid defense, giving up just a couple of big plays.

So what will it take to beat Stillwater tonight in Sullins Stadium?

“We’ll need an exceptional game,” Piccirillo said of the clash between long-time rivals, starting at 7:30.

“We’ll have to be physical, tackle well and maintain control of the ball.”

That’s a tall order going against the No. 5 Class 6A team in the state. But to a man, the Ponca City coaches believe the Wildcats are capable of producing such a game.

For a change the Ponca City lineup will be unchanged this week. The Poncans suffered no new injuries this past week.

Practice has been good. Piccirillo admits his players are stepping just a bit livelier after picking up their first win of the season last Friday,

“Everybody feels a little bit better after a win,” the coach said.

But this has been a hurry-up week as the Cats prepared for the high-powered Stillwater offense with one day less of practice.

Asked if the Cats new-found enthusiasm will offset the lack of practice time, Piccirillo shook his head.

“I’d still like to have the extra day,” he said.

Piccirillo also discounted the idea that Stillwater would be down after a narrow, 28-21, loss to No. 2 rated Tulsa Union last Thursday.

“If anything they’ll be up,” the Ponca City coach said. “They now know they can play with the Union and Jenks teams.

“They (the Pioneers) had a chance to win that game. They came up short on two fourth-down-and-one plays — once on the one-yard line. If they had scored on those two possessions they would have won.”

Union rain off a quick 21-0 lead on Stillwater only to see the Pioneers storm back.

Behind the arm of quarterback Josh Fields (who was 11-of-25 for 188 yards on the night), the Pioneers drove for a touchdown in the final two minutes of the first half to narrow the gap to 21-7.

The Stillwater defense took over in the third period.

Stillwater recovered a Union fumble at the Redskins’s one early in the period and running back Baba Ogundipe converted that break into a touchdown.

Two plays later Pioneer Ryan Haney intercepted a Union pass and returned it 27 yards to tie the score.

Late in the period a Stillwater drive to go ahead stalled at the Union 17. Union used that defensive stand to ignite the offense, which drove 83 yards for what was to be the winning touchdown in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

On the year, Fields is 47-of-82 for 759 yards and five touchdowns. Ogundipe has scored 14 touchdowns for the Pioneers and has a 6.0 yards-per-carry average, rushing for 635 yards on 105 tries.

Leonard Jones is the top receiver with 17 catches for 302 yards and four touchdowns.

“They have good athletes at every position,” Ponca City’s Piccirillo notes.

The Wildcat JV slipped to Sand Springs 14-9 here Monday.

Drew McCumber scored for the Poncans on a 55-yard pass play from Steven Morris. Sand Springs gave up an intentional safety in the final minutes for the other Ponca City score.

Ponca city’s freshmen maintained their perfect record (7-0) on the season Tuesday, with a 30-6 win over Stillwater.

Kansas Favored In Big 12 Basketball

DALLAS (AP) — Kansas, which returns all five starters and four other lettermen from last year’s 24-10 team, is the unanimous pick of the Big 12 men’s basketball coaches as the favorite to win the 2000-01 conference title.

While each coach was not allowed to vote his own team, the Jayhawks received all 11 possible first-place votes in the preaseason poll released Wednesday.

Oklahoma was picked by the coaches to finish second, followed by Missouri and defending Big 12 champion Iowa State. In order, the rest of the picks, were Texas, Oklahoma State, Colorado, Nebraska, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Baylor and Kansas State.

Coach Roy Williams is entering his 13th season at Kansas, which finished fifth in the Big 12 with an 11-5 league record. While failing to win the Big 12 tournament after winning the first three, the Jayhawks still made their 11th straight appearance in the NCAA tournament.

Iowa State senior Jamaal Tinsley was selected by the coaches as the preseason player of the year. The 6-foot-3 guard averaged 11 points and 5.1 rebounds a game last season as the Cyclones had a 32-5 record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament.

Joining Tinsley on the coaches preseason Big 12 team were Nebraska senior center Kimani Ffriend (12.0 ppg, 8.8 rpg) and three sophomore forwards, Drew Gooden (10.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg) and Nick Collison (10.5 ppg, 6.9 rpg) of Kansas and Kareem Bush (14.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg) of Missouri.

Junior-college transfer Maurice Evans of Texas was the coaches’ preseason choice as newcomer of the year, and Nick Anderson of Texas A&M was forecast as freshman of the year.