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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, October 13, 1998 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS BUSINESS LOCALSchools To Seek $9.95 Million Bond Issue Schools To Seek $9.95 Million Bond IssueBy KRISTI HAYES News Education Editor Residents of Ponca City will go to the polls on Feb. 9, 1999, to vote on a $9.95 million bond issue in the continuing effort to upgrade local school facilities. A bond election for $9.6 million on renovation work and technology needs and $350,000 for transportation needs (a total $9.95 million) was approved Monday night by the Ponca City Board of Education. If approved the millage levies would go from 16.4 to 20 mills. That means about a $36 per year increase in property taxes on a $60,000 home. During the year 2000-2003 the mills would then go up from 20 to 22 mills. The bond money from 1999-2002 would be spent on remodeling the Mid-High, Middle School, and Washington Elementary, renovating the high school gyms, technology leases and transportation. Board members have decided to move the ninth graders to the high school next year and to keep the eighth grade at the East facility and the seventh graders (plus sixth grades from Garfield and Lincoln) at the West facility. Construction will also start this winter at the Anderson Building, which will house the ninth graders. It is also anticipated that the entire sixth grade class will move to the West facility after renovations are complete. If the bond issue is passed at least 70 percent of the proceeds will be spent on the following: 1. Remodel, repair and equip the existing Mid-High campus located at Sixth and Grand, including but not limited to restroom renovation and plumbing, remodeling of the gymnasium with the addition of HVAC convertible to air conditioning the auditorium, addition of a fire sprinkler system, modernizing the electric system, adding five computer outlets per classroom, move and remodel the media center and convert classrooms to an art room, band and vocal room, upgrading the cafeteria, moving and upgrading computer labs, and adding an elevator. The total cost is estimated at $1.75 million. 2. Remodel, repair and equip the existing Middle School campus located at 1401 West Grand Avenue. Items include expanding the kitchen facility areas, modernizing the electrical system, adding five computer electric outlets per classroom, remodeling the dining areas, converting the old media center into classrooms and constructing a new media center. The total cost of the renovations at the Middle School is $1.05 million. 3. Remodel, repair and equip the existing high school gyms at Po-Hi. Items include renovating the locker rooms and restrooms, electrical upgrade and painting. $350,000 is the estimated cost. 4. Construct and equip 10 new classrooms at the existing Middle School campus. The renovations will cost $1.05 million. 5. Remodel, repair and equip the existing Washington Elementary, 1614 North Seventh, to include window and door replacement, electrical upgrade, restroom renovation, heating and air conditioning of the gym, carpeting corridors, sprinkling the basement area and upgrading the fire alarm system for an estimated cost of $560,000. 6. Refund Lease/Purchase obligation for the purpose of purchasing computer technology equipment. Items include purchasing 250 computer teaching stations, one server, 112 switches, 22 transceivers, 15 routers, 1,709 runs of network cabling for local area network, 3,600 feet of fiber optics to connect buildings within a campus, 14 existing servers upgraded to connect the Wide Area Network an to obtain access to Internet, and 10 Jostens and CCC Integrated Learning Systems for a total of $1.9 million. 7. Purchase one student activity bus and one special education bus, and add three 65-student passenger buses. The total cost is $245,000. Dr. Bill White, superintendent of Ponca City schools, told The News this morning, “I believe the board is taking an exciting new step to renovate the entire school district. The voters will vote on a four-year-package of renovating the Mid-High, Middle School, Washington Elementary and technology needs. This bond issue also includes funds for adding new buses to meet the safety standards.” White went on to say that the school district is very excited about getting caught up in the 21st century. Future plans for Part II of the plan in 2003 will complete the technology needs and remodel the remainder of the elementary schools. Marshall Hawkins of Governmental Finance of Oklahoma Inc., was also hired by the Ponca City Public Schools Monday night as the financial advisor for the bond issue. City Will Postpone Final Hartford StageBy PATTY PFEIFFER News Staff Writer The plight of Hartford Avenue business owners has prompted city officials to postpone construction for the third and final phase of Hartford Avenue, which was scheduled to begin early next year. The area business owners — upset with the delays and negative impact the construction is having on their cash flow — has caused City Manager Gary Martin to announce the postponement of Phase III. “We will not consider conversation regarding Phase III for at least a year or two, to give some relief to the business owners in the area,” Martin said. In the meantime, progress continues — slowly but surely — on the construction currently under way on Phase II. An update on the Hartford Avenue construction was presented to city commissioners Monday during the city commission meeting. “Realistically the way things are looking the project should be opening by the end of this month,” Assistant City Engineer Jim Fairbanks told the commissioners. “Without any more rain days we may luck out and have it complete earlier than that.” There were 120 calendar days on the construction contract which was due to end Sept. 23. However, Fairbanks explained that with 12 weather days and an additional seven days for extra work, the contract is now to expire Wednesday. After that point the contractor will be assessed a penalty of $500 per day for every day the project is not “substantially completed,” which is to the point where it can be driven on and walked on. The $600,000 Phase II project involves waterline improvements and replacement as well as the reconstruction, widening and resurfacing of Hartford Avenue from Gibson Place to a one-half block east of Joe Street. Phase III is to be the final phase and will continue the reconstruction and widening from Joe Street to east of Fourteenth Street. According to Traffic Engineer Mike Lane the entire project was approved in 1994 for safety reasons. “Hartford Avenue consisted of four 10-foot wide lanes which was really substandard for a major thoroughfare,” Lane said. “When completed, the lanes will be 14-feet wide and the wider lanes make it really much safer.” In addition Lane says that repairs to water lines — located underneath the road — have taken their toll on the road. “That road was in pitiful condition,” he said. “To prevent any damage in the future it was decided that the water lines should be replaced and relocated north and south of Hartford Avenue.” In the near future Phase II should be completed and now — in the not so near future — Phase III will be completed. “This project was undertaken for the safety and benefit of the citizens of Ponca City,” Lane said. “Although the construction has been a real inconvenience for some of our citizens, I’m sure that when it is finished in its entirety they will not be disappointed in this project.” Sewer Easement at Garfield Gets School Board ApprovalBy KRISTI HAYES News Education Editor An agreement with the City of Ponca City for a sewer easement on the Garfield Academy School site was approved Monday night at the regular board meeting of the Ponca City Board of Education. Dr. Joe Surber, assistant superintendent of buildings, said he talked with Kenneth Parr, Director of Public Works for the City of Ponca City, regarding the options for repairing the sewer line and their recommended proposal. The current city sewer line runs under the Garfield Academy building. The city believes that a new line is the best option for correcting the sewer blockage problems that have occurred there. The city staff is also looking at the possibility of moving the actual sewer location a few feet. The board adopted two new Board of Education goals. The current six goals were revisited and confirmed by district administrators and board members. Goal 7 will fully implement a technology plan by the year 2005 and Goal 8 will add a commitment to the ongoing capital improvements. A resolution to approve the adoption of Systemic Educational Reform in the areas of math, science and technology was accepted. The school believes that all young people can raise their achievement level, regardless and/or in spite of their backgrounds, if given the opportunity to improve. Ponca City schools have begun its own local effort to improve the math, science and technology programs. Locally, they are working on aligning the math curriculum in K-12, upgrading and remodeling the high school science lab, and improving the computer labs in the high school and elementary. Approval of this resolution was necessary to become a part of Oklahoma National Science Foundation Rural Systemic Initiative (OKRSI). An alliance with the Ponca City Public Schools and representatives of the Ponca City Youth Summit for the purpose of developing and implementing strategies to address the issues raised at the Youth Summit was approved. Mayor Tom Leonard and several members from the Youth Summit group discussed the item. Leonard said the Youth Summit addresses issues facing children. Six areas were discussed at the Youth Summit which included: juvenile crime, teen pregnancy, sexual and physical abuse, substance abuse, race relations and dropouts. Greg Sheehan addressed the board during public comment regarding the development of an athletic training program at Po-Hi. Sheehan told board members that St. Joseph Medical Center would like to provide Po-Hi with a full-time athletic trainer at no cost to the school. He said the trainer would be at the high school from 2 p.m. until the end of practices to help the students and would travel with the teams to out-of-town games. Change order number five to the Commons Addition and Howell Building remodel was approved for $8,637. The new contract amount is at $2,803,642. The Howell Building is 97 percent complete and the Commons is at 37 percent complete. Change order number two to the elementary schools remodel was accepted for $33,974. The remodeling work at Woodlands, Liberty and Trout is about 97 percent complete and the contractor plans to be finished by the end of the month. The new contract amount is $1,825,280. The personnel report plus addendum was approved and included the resignation of Shannon Gackstatter, elementary orchestra teacher. Dr. Bill White, superintendent, presented awards to Jane Balfanz, Certified Employee of the Month; and LaRita Taylor, Support Employee of the Month. Charmaine Swearingen, Friend of Education Award; was not at the meeting and her award will be presented in November. City Approves Purchases Of Mowers, Jaws of LifeBy PATTI PFEIFFER News Staff Writer Although two out of five city commissioners were missing, business was still conducted during Monday night’s city commission meeting. Missing from the meeting were commissioners Dick Stone and Keni Ray. Commissioners approved the purchase of equipment for two different departments. First was the purchase of two Jaws of Life units in the amount of $12,770. Assistant Fire Chief Dale Hicks was present to explain the need to have all such units compatible. Because there was only one Oklahoma distributor of the brand of Jaws of Life the fire department was seeking to purchase, the city standard operating procedure — requiring a 21 day bidding process — was waived. As part of the consent agenda commissioners also approved the purchase of two new riding mowers for the Parks and Recreation Department in the amount of $20,163. Due to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations commissioners were required also to act on two separate items. First was approval of a $50,232 bid for the upgrade of one city fuel storage system and the removal of two other underground fuel storage sites. According to Public Works Director Ken Parr, the City has until Dec. 15 to either upgrade or abandon the fuel systems. The extreme cost associated with the upgrades forced the city to upgrade only one of the three. The commissioners also approved authorization of bids for the upgrade of the continuous emissions monitor (CEM) system on the Steam Unit No. 2 used for monitoring emissions, another EPA requirement. According to Electric Utilities Manager Rusty Edwards the current equipment will need to be upgraded prior to the end of 1999. The cost is estimated at $25,000. An update on receipts and disbursements related to the dedicated sales tax associated with the renovation of the No. 1 Fire Station was presented Monday night. As of Sept. 30 total revenues were $1,077,038.61 and total expenditure disbursements are $144,699.90 and cash on hand is $932,338.71. A change order and the final payment for the water line portion of the Hartford Avenue improvement Project Phase II — Gibson Place to half a block east of Joe Street was approved. City commissioners also approved a proposal from Maryjo Meacham & Associates for an architectural/historic survey for a portion of the City of Ponca City in the amount of $6,699.75. A request from the Pioneer Civil Air Patrol to conduct a simulated search and rescue exercise at the Ponca City Airport on November 20-22 was approved as were two lease addendums between Ponca City Developmental Authority and Vacu-Maid for land lease at Darr School and for Airport Hangar No. 3. The Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) grant application from the Oklahoma Housing Finance Agency for owner-occupied rehabilitation was tabled. DEATHSHarvey M. Johnson Harvey M. JohnsonBLACKWELL — Harvey M. Johnson, longtime Blackwell resident, died early Saturday morning, Oct. 10, 1998, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. He was 94. The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at Prairie Chapel Methodist Church (seven miles east of Blackwell on Oklahoma 11 and one mile south). The Rev. Dennis Dieker, Pawnee, will officiate. Burial will be in the Rosehill Cemetery in South Haven, Kan., under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Blackwell. Harvey M. Johnson was born July 30, 1904, in Newton, Kan., to August H. and Eva (Holdeman) Johnson. He grew up, worked on the family farm and attended schools in the Newton area. At the age of 16, he moved with his family to a farm near Hunnewell, Kan. In 1928, he began his own farming operation near Hunnewell. He married Ethel Evelyn Corn on April 10, 1929, in Enid, and the couple made their home on the farm south of Hunnewell. In 1937, they moved to a farm near Blackwell and in 1947 they moved to their current farm east of Blackwell. Johnson was a member of the Prairie Chapel Methodist Church and the Blackwell Co-op. Survivors include his wife, Evelyn Johnson of Blackwell; one daughter, Mary Cormack of Blackwell; one son, Jerry Johnson of Blackwell; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Betty Howard; his parents; two grandsons; four sisters, Elsie Marshall, Rosie Marshall, Esther Adams and Gertrude Harp; and one brother, Floyd Johnson. Casket bearers will be Roy Howard, Cory McKinnis, Harold Johnson, Jerord Johnson, Steve Johnson, and Kyle Johnson. Honorary bearers will be Fred Heide, Keith Jeffries, Cletus Caldwell and Ellis Overman. Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Johnson’s name to the Prairie Chapel Methodist Church, c/o Roberts Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631. Thelma Irene IrvingWINFIELD, Kan. — Thelma Irene Irving, mother to two Kay County residents, Myrna K. Ramirez and Bertia M. Bruno, died Monday, Oct. 12, 1998 at Walnut Hill, Kan. She was 78. The funeral will be held graveside at 10 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 15, at Highland Cemetery in Winfield, Kan. under the direction of Swisher-Taylor and Morris Funeral Home, Winfield. The Rev. Ron Kieth will officiate. Thelma Irene (Cross) Irving was born Aug. 2, 1920, in Greenknoll, Colo., to Lucius W. and Marcia A. (Burnette) Cross. She grew up and attended schools in Ingalls, Kan. She later moved to Grey and Finney Counties. She lived in Medical Lodge East in Arkansas City before moving to Walnut Hill in February 1997. She was married to Charles M. Millfoil in 1939, and worked as a civilian truck driver at the Garden City Air Base during World War II. In 1946, she was married to Leo Hawk and he preceded her in death in 1954. She then married Orval L. Mills. She was employed as a cook at the LaMesa Grill and Jimbo’s Cafe in Garden City for several years until ill health forced her retirement. She was married to Wilford Munro in 1983 and he preceded her in death in 1987. She married Thomas Irving in 1992. Her hobbies included singing, dancing, painting, and coloring. She enjoyed singing with the Silvertones at Medical Lodge East. Survivors include two sons, Leo Ray Hawk and Larry K. Mills, both of Cherryvale, Kan.; four daughters, Marcia A. Mills of Winfield, Kan., Myrna K. Ramirez of Newkirk, Bertia M. Bruno of Tonkawa and Evis A. Duchardt of Grand Marsh, Wis.; one brother, Eithel Cross of California; one sister, Elnor Johnson of Fort Dodge, Kan.; 28 grandchildren; and 34 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by two husbands, one son, her parents, four brothers, two sisters; and two grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Irving’s name to the American Cancer Society or to Hospice Inc., c/o Swisher-Taylor and Morris Funeral Home, 803 Loomis, Winfield, KS 67156. Eldon CarringtonFORT GIBSON — Eldon Carrington, former Ponca City resident, died Thursday, Oct. 8, 1998, at the Veterans Hospital in Talihina, following an extended illness. He was 76. The funeral was to be held graveside today, Oct. 13 with a military honor guard at Fort Gibson National Cemetery. His step-son, The Rev. Bob Whiteley of Fort Smith, Ark., was to officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Floral Haven Funeral Home in Broken Arrow. Eldon Carrington was born Nov. 12, 1921, in Cushing, to Omer S. and Edith (Green) Carrington. As a small child, he moved with his family to Ponca City, where he attended schools, graduating from Ponca City High School in 1939. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-46. After his discharge he attended Oklahoma A&M College in Stillwater. After graduating with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1951, he accepted a position with Dowell, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical in Tulsa, where he worked until retirement in 1982. He was a member of the Assembly of God Church and sang with the Tulsa Opera Chorus for several years. He enjoyed his family, church, and music. Survivors include his wife, LaVada Carrington of the home in Tulsa; one daughter, Susan Villarreal of Corpus Christi, Texas; two sons, David Carrington of Tacoma, Wash. and John Carrington of Tulsa; one step-son, the Rev. Bob Whiteley of Fort Smith, Ark.; one sister, Evelyn Culwell of Ponca City; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; and one sister, Dolores Weaver-Embry. Viena Fern MackLAMONT — Viena Fern Mack, longtime Lamont area resident, died at her home, Saturday, Oct. 10, 1998. She would have been 92 on Oct. 11. A memorial service was to be held at 2 p.m. today, Oct. 13, at the Lamont First Christian Church with the Rev. Ruth Tipps officiating. Burial was to be in the Mount Pleasant Cemetery at Salt Fork. Arrangements and cremation were under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa. Viena Fern (Huffman) Mack was born Oct. 11, 1907, to Elmer Elijah and Nora (Taylor) Huffman. She attended Hunter High School. She was married to Herschel Wesley Mack, and the couple lived on their family farm near Salt Fork. Mrs. Mack moved into Lamont in 1971. She was a member of the Lamont First Christian Church, Salt Fork Extension Club and a past matron of the Lamont Order of Eastern Star. Survivors include one daughter, Colleen McCoy of Windsor, Colo.; one son, Jim Donald Mack of Oklahoma City; six grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, one brother, and one sister. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Mack’s name to the Lamont First Christian Church, c/o McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, 400 East Grand, Tonkawa, OK 74653. Verble Mae CarsonSHIDLER — Verble Mae Carson, mother of Dorothy Jean Hammer of Shidler, died Monday, Oct. 12, 1998, at Pleasant Valley Manor Nursing Home in Sedan, Kan. She was 91. The funeral will be held Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 2 p.m. at the Shidler (Okla.) Christian Church with the Rev. L.S. Manny Loveall, pastor, officiating. Burial will be in the Grandview Cemetery in Kaw City under the direction of Graves-Baird Funeral Home, Sedan, Kan. Verble Mae (Weaver) Carson was born Nov. 9, 1906, in McKenzie, Ala., to Albert Alma and Lucinda (Wiggins) Weaver. She was married to George William Carson on May 21, 1928, in Warrensburg, Mo. Mrs. Carson was a homemaker and a member of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Survivors include two daughters, Dorothy Jean Hammer of Shidler and Georgia Mae Alexander of Jay; two brothers, Aldridge Weaver of Tahoe, Nev. and Shellie Weaver of Grove; one sister, Maude Johnson of Sun City, Ariz.; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband on March 27, 1994, and her parents. Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Carson’s name to the Oklahoma Alzheimer’s Association, c/o Graves-Baird Funeral Home, P.O. Box 7, Sedan, KS 67361. Joseph P. Roy Jr.SISSETON, S.D. — Joseph P. “Piank” Roy Jr., former resident of Ponca City, died at the Tekakwitha Nursing Home in Sisseton, S.D., on Oct. 9, 1998, after a long illness. He was 76. The funeral was to be held today, Oct. 13, at 2 p.m. at the Mission Center in Sisseton with the Rev. Ronald Campbell officiating. Burial was to be in the veteran’s section of the Sisseton Cemetery with military rites conducted by the Vietnam Veterans Association. Arrangements were under the direction of Cahill Funeral Chapel in Sisseton. Joseph P. Roy Jr. was born July 17, 1922 in Pawnee, the son of Joseph L. and Zoie (Primeau) Roy. He received his education in Pawnee, at Chilocco, and at Haskell College in Lawrence, Kan. On June 24, 1943, he entered the U.S. Army and was stationed at Camp Roberts, Calif. After receiving an honorable discharge he returned to his journalism studies at Haskell and continued his education in accounting at Aberdeen, S.D. He was married to Doris Williams on March 31, 1958, in Wheaton, Minn., and the couple raised five children. Roy was employed in a variety of jobs including postal carrier, youth counselor and at Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kan. He was a member of the American Legion Post 38 in Ponca City. His hobbies included reading, sports, crossword puzzles, and TV game shows. He is survived by his wife, Doris, of Sisseton; one son, Joseph Roy III of Sioux Falls, S.D.; two daughters, Amelia Starkey of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Margaret Roy of Sisseton; three sisters, Lily Hopper of Ponca City, and Marilyn York and Alberta Salazar, both of Oklahoma City; six grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by one daughter, Gayle Roy, and one son, Robin Roy, and his parents. ObituariesVelva C JohnstonVelva C. “Sis” Johnston, longtime Grainola and Ponca City resident, went to meet our Lord Sunday Oct. 11, 1998, at her home. She was 76. In loving memory of Velva C. “Sis” Johnston, the funeral service will be held Thursday Oct. 15, 1998, at 2 p.m. at Grainola Methodist Church with Rev. Harold Bone officiating. She will be laid to rest at Resthaven Memorial Park in Ponca City under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Velva was born Oct. 19, 1921, in Carnegie, the daughter of Terry and Blanche (Nixon) Nix. She was educated in the Denoya schools and graduated from Shidler High School. Sis married Charles Johnston on March 7th, 1942 in Ponca City. They resided in Ponca City until Charles retired from Conoco in 1982. They then built their home in Grainola and have made their home there since that time. She was a member of the Methodist Church in Grainola. Survivors include her husband, Charles Johnston, of the home; a daughter and son-in-law, Helen and Lester Burns, of Edmond; one sister, Estella Anson, of Bristow; eight grandchildren, Lori and Ron Palmer of Ponca City, Kay Thompson of Edmond, Stacie and Lonnie McConnell of Ponca City, Charles Sebrant of Portland, Ore., Darrell and Andrea Hawkins of Enid, Billy and Ati Sebrant of Hillsboro, Ore., Kim and Tim Mayhall of Ponca City and Thad Burns of Fort Scott, Ill.; 19 great-grandchildren, Bryan and Sean Carleton, Chance and Tera Thompson, Joseph, Amber and Jessica Hays, Adam, LaChelle and Nathan Hawkins, Kristina, Tori and Cody Sebrant, Mason, Magon, Conner, Chance and Kimbrie Mayhall, and Jeremy Burns. She will be greeted in heaven by her daughter, Charlene Sebrant Johnston, her parents, Thomas and Blanche Nix, one sister, Helen Lorene “Rene” Cotton, three brothers, L.B., Hap and Leo Nix. Casket bearers will be Jack Anson, John Anson, Danny Holmes, Dee Johnston, Bill Johnston, and Dennis Nix. Honorary casket bearers will be Velva’s remaining nephews. Sis will be missed by all whose lives were touched by her love. Though all our memories are different, she embraced our hearts with her compassion and understanding as a sister, her loyalty and dedication as a wife of 56 years, her guidance as a devoted mother to her daughters whom she taught unconditional love, and most important a loving, caring grandmother who shared her wisdom to lead us all to the people we are today. Memorial contributions may be made to the Grainola Methodist Church or to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, Diabetes Research, 825 NE Thirteenth Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73104. paid obituary Anna Belle ThompsonTONKAWA — Anna Belle Thompson, went to be with our Lord on Oct. 12, 1998, at the age of 94. She was born Dec. 12, 1903, on a farm in Lagrange County, Ind., to Ernest C. and Pearl V. Louwer Nichols. She attended grade school and high school there. She and her parents later moved to Medford, Okla., where she finished high school. She also completed two years of teacher’s college in Oklahoma City, then taught grades one through six at Rich Valley School in Lamont for three years. While teaching there, Anna Belle met and married Millard Guy Thompson in March 1926, in Medford. They made their first home in Denver, Colo., and in 1939 moved to Tonkawa. Anna Belle was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Tonkawa, where she taught kindergarten and primary age children for 18 years. She was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary. She is survived by one daughter, Norma Jean Greer of Modesto, Calif., one son, Robert Leon Thompson of Enid; one brother, Dale Nichols of Medford; a niece, Edith Bobbitt of Wichita, Kan.; five grandchildren, Gary Greer and Gregg Greer, both of California, Valorie Buss of Tonkawa, Steve Thompson of Ponca City and Eric Thompson of Medicine Lodge, Kan.; and eight great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, one sister, two brothers, and her parents. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16, at the First United Methodist Church in Tonkawa with Dr. Brian Kovacs officiating. Burial will be in the Tonkawa IOOF Cemetery under the direction of McCaffety-Bolick Funeral Home. Casket bearers will be Eric Thompson, Steve Thompson, Dennis Buss, Lonnie Bray, Robert Thomas and Vernray Humphries. Honorary bearer will be O.J. Mourer. paid obituary NEWS BRIEFSPoetry Day — In celebration of poetry, the Oklahoma State Legislature voted in 1991 that Oklahoma should observe Oct. 15 as State Poetry Day according to Ponca City resident, Elizabeth Totten. Diet Fuel by Twinlab on sale now at Health World. 320 East Central, Ponca City 762-1854. adv. Vandalism — At 8:23 a.m. Monday vandalism at building in the 900 block of East Hartford Avenue was reported. A report was taken. Every Wednesday price clothes, shoes and purses except priced items. Check our Daily Specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv. Vandalism — Vandalism at the Lincoln Center, 700 West Broadway Avenue, was reported to police at 8:39 a.m. Monday. An officer was assigned. Free Pregnancy test Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Tuesday 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday 6-8 p.m. 205 West Hartford. adv. Accident — An accident in an alley behind the 400 block of Fairview Avenue, was reported to police at 9:16 a.m. Monday. Arrest — Police arrested a 37-year-old man at 9:16 a.m. Monday from Hartford Avenue and Union Street for driving under suspension, no seat belt and no insurance. Mower Theft — A woman in the 300 block of North Pine Street reported the theft of her lawn mower to police at 9:41 a.m. Monday. A report was taken. Phone Theft — A woman in the 2500 block of Industrial Boulevard called police at 1:47 p.m. Monday reporting that her mobile phone had been stolen from her vehicle. Arrest — A 33-year-old man was arrested at 1:49 p.m. Monday from the 700 block of North Osage Street on two Kay County warrants for failure to appear. Wild Cat — At 11:07 p.m. Monday a woman in the 300 block of North First Street contacted police regarding a “wild” kitten that had gotten into her home. Two officers were assigned to the case and managed to get the cat back outside. Legion Meeting Set — A Veterans Day Parade meeting is set at the American Legion on South Avenue for Wednesday at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend. Floats discussion scheduled. For more information, call 765-1367. Stolen Checks — At 3:07 p.m. Monday police took a report on several checks reportedly stolen from Mounts Texaco, 215 North Fourteenth Street. Concealed Hand Gun Class. Oc- tober 17th, 8:00 a.m. - ? For more information, call 765-6589. adv. Accident — A two-vehicle accident at South Fourth Street and East South Avenue was reported to police at 3:31 p.m. Monday. A report was taken. Instant Passport Pictures. Graham Photo, 201 North First, 765- 4348. adv. Arrest — Police arrested a 30-year-old man at 3:44 p.m. Monday from Pine Street and West Grand Avenue on a Kay County warrant for possession of controlled and dangerous substance. WWF Judgment Day: In your house. A night of chaos! Sunday, October 18th at 7:00 p.m. only on Pay Per View, $29.95. For ad- vance ordering call Cable ONE at 762-6684 or order within one hour of event start time, 1-800-497-2410. adv. Check Theft — A woman in the 1300 block of South Sixth Street called police at 3:50 p.m. Monday reporting that a check had been stolen from her mailbox. Hit and Run — Police were notified at 4:04 p.m. Monday of a vehicle that had been hit while parked in the 700 block of East Overbrook Avenue sometime over the weekend. Beer Theft — At 6:51 p.m. Monday a beer theft was reported at the Tripe T, 425 South Fourteenth Street. An officer was assigned. Arrest — Police arrested a 28-year-old man at 8:23 p.m. Monday from West Central Avenue and South Lincoln Street for no driver’s license and failure to stop at a stop sign. Business Burglary — At 5:02 a.m. Tuesday police were advised of a burglary at Paperback Alley, 315 West Highland Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Service Available — The Ponca City News will handle special announcements for you in the News Briefs area. Just call 765-3311 to determine the cost. LIFESTYLESReeves Celebrate 57th Anniversary Reeves Celebrate 57th AnniversaryLloyd and Maxine Reeves celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary Oct. 5. The couple married on that date in 1941 at Princeton, Mo. They have resided in Ponca City since 1947. Mr. Reeves retired from Conoco in 1981. Helping the couple to celebrate with a dinner at the Amarillo Grill were Bob and Shirley Rogers and Ray and Rosemary Ramsey. VFW, Auxiliary State Fall Fest Begins FridayLarry Maher of Kansas City, Mo., Assistant Quartermaster General of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Betty Sadowski of Lawton, Oklahoma District 10 National Council Member for the Ladies Auxiliary, will represent the national organizations at the fall festival. The event will be Oct. 16-18 in Oklahoma City. Representatives of the Ponca City and Newkirk VFW and auxiliaries will join representatives from 190 posts and 118 auxiliaries in Oklahoma for the three-day event. Committee meetings, seminars and workshops including the Voice of Democracy and Youth Activity, Loyalty Day and Americanism, safety and community activities are planned. The Ladies Auxiliary will present a $4,359.75 contribution for cancer research in Oklahoma to a representative from the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. A fundraiser for the cancer program will also be conducted during a bazaar Friday and Saturday. Art Center Photography Winners NamedTop ribbons and awards for the 16th annual Photography Competition, sponsored by the Ponca City Art Association, were awarded Sunday. A colored photo by Lloyd R. Brockus III of a wild goose taking flight won Best of Show honors. The competition opened Sunday and will be on exhibit through Nov. 1 at the Ponca City Art Center, 819 East Central. The Ponca City Art Center is open Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. and the exhibition will be on display and free to the public. The public is encouraged to attend the photography exhibition and support photographers in the Ponca City area. Winner of the student division was Nita Sumner with Matt Schwarz placing second and Nita Sumner awarded third place. Honorable mention was awarded to Shenandoah A Del Rio R. Jim Richey took first and second place ribbons in amateur color. Randy Hales was awarded third place honors and Shirley Scott received honorable mention. Top honors in amateur black and white photography went to Jim Richey, who also won honorable mention for another of his entrees. Lela McCracken was awarded second place and Doris Swanson was awarded third place. In advanced color the top award went to Richard Tillman. Ace Cuervo placed second and Bob Westmoreland placed third. Lloyd R. Brockus III was awarded an honorable mention. Top honors in the advanced black and white category went to Bob Westmoreland. Second place ribbon went to Jack Rawlins, who also won honorable mention, and third place ribbon went to Ace Cuervo. The special award for the Family theme division was awarded to Audrey Schmitz. Richard Tillman won the second place ribbon and Barbara Cope won third place. Ace Cuervo was awarded honorable mention. Adjudicator for the 1998 Photography Competition was Ken Helt, M. Photog., Cr., PPA-Certified. Helt owns a studio in Stillwater and, among his many achievements, he was appointed to the board of the International Photography Hall of Fame in Oklahoma City this spring. Panhellenic Board Plans House TourThe Kay County Panhellenic Board met Oct. 8, at the home of Elizabeth Nickles. The business meeting was conducted by Sue Helton, president. The meeting was opened with the reading of the Panhellenic Creed. Helton introduced Molly Thies, the new representative for Sigma Kappa. Members present gave Sheila Foxworthy, treasurer, the list of members for their respective sororities along with the $2 in dues for each member. Any board member not present needs to get this information to Foxworthy as soon as possible for the yearbook. Nickles, chairman of the fundraising committee, led discussions on the annual Christmas House Tour to be held Dec. 6 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The homeowners, and the businesses that will be decorating the homes this year are: Bill and Angela Bunch, 2102 Kyme, decorated by Victoria’s Garden; John and Judy Friess, 903 Central, decorated by Hobby Lobby; Grandma Vanselous’ Cottage, 820 Central, decorated by Victorian Rabbit; and Will and Mickey Whitely, 812 North Fourteenth, decorated by Santa’s Forest. It was decided that a $25 gift certificate from each of the businesses will be given at the end of the day. Each sorority is asked to provide hostesses for the homes. Changes were made in the Constitution and By-Laws of the group. These changes are in relation to the scholarships, number of members on the membership committee, and adding a senior rush information committee. Kathleen Scribner told members that Carla’s Hallmark has note cards, stickers and various other items with sorority names and logos which may interest alumnae groups. Sororities represented were Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Delta Delta, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Pi Beta Phi and Sigma Kappa. The next meeting will be Nov. 12 at the home of Sue Helton. Eta Delta Slates October SocialCarla McGregor hosted the Oct. 12 meeting of Eta Delta chapter, Beta Sigma Phi sorority. Fourteen members and one guest, Lorraine Kise, were present. Nancy Pryse, now residing in Stillwater, was given member-at-large status. The Preferential Tea will be held Sunday, Nov.1, from 3 until 5 p.m. at the Conoco Fourth Street Clubhouse. Sylvia Smith received the Beta Bud Basket and Nancy Taylor won the door prize. The meeting concluded with the Fall gift exchange. Eta Delta chapter will be in charge of Founder’s Day in April 1999. Theme for the year is Dust into Stardust. The October social will be a wiener roast at Paula Harryman's on Oct. 25 beginning at 6 p.m. The next business meeting will be hosted by Julie Collins on Oct. 26. BUSINESSDirect Deposit Seen As Check Protection Direct Deposit Seen As Check ProtectionSenior citizens, veterans, disability recipients and others receiving monthly checks from the federal government should consider direct deposit as the most secure way of depositing the checks in the bank, according to the head of Legal Aid of Western Oklahoma Inc. Legal Aid Executive Director Stan Foster said the U.S. Treasury Department’s Direct Deposit program takes the worry out of having to go to the bank to make the deposit and makes a lot of sense for most people. Foster says that Legal Aid’s Senior Law Projects regularly work with senior citizens who lose or never receive their Social Security checks, or, worse yet, have them stolen. Direct Deposit is a safe way of managing personal finances. With Direct Deposit, the money is deposited in the person’s account by the morning of the due date. There’s no waiting for the mail carrier, no need to go to the bank and no worry that someone else is going to get hold of the check before the rightful person is. Direct Deposit is secure and virtually hassle free.” Direct Deposit is not mandatory although the federal government has launched a national drive to get check recipients to change to Direct Deposit in advance of the Jan. 2, 1999, date of a law requiring most recipients to receive their funds electronically instead of through the mail. Foster says the treasury department has pronounced that if a person decides he or she does not want direct deposit for any reason, that person will continue to receive a check until he or she decides otherwise. The government is pushing to expand the Direct Deposit program not only helps recipients, it helps the government. The cost to process a direct deposit payment is approximately four cents while the cost to process a paper check is approximately 45 cents. The law intends to enroll most check recipients in Direct Deposit by the end of this year, but it also allows the U.S. Department of the Treasury to extend waivers to individuals for a variety of reasons. In Oklahoma, 72 percent of all Social Security recipients receive their checks by direct deposit compared to only 38 percent of Social Security Income recipients. Legal Aid is a nonprofit law firm that provides civil legal services to low income people and senior citizens. With offices throughout western and central Oklahoma, Legal Aid serves 48 counties, accepting cases in the areas of family law, housing, consumer law and public benefits. LAWO is funded through the federal Legal Services Corp., the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, United Ways, Area wide Aging Agencies, grants and individual gifts. Duncan Warehouse CenterDUNCAN — Wes Devero, president of the Duncan Area Economic Development Foundation, has announced that Family Dollar Stores Inc., has selected Duncan as the site of a new distribution center. Family Dollar is expected to occupy 85 acres of a 160-acre tract of land located at Second and Cherokee in Duncan and will be the anchor tenant at the site of a new industrial park. The project is subject to finalization of documentation. Farmers Reduce Premiums TULSA — Farmers Insurance received approval recently to reduce auto premiums in Oklahoma by 2.3 percent. The reduction will save Oklahoma drivers nearly $4.7 million annually. According to Ron Coble, Farmers Oklahoma executive director, Farmers was able to make the cut because of lower overall claims costs in 1997 and 1998. “Safe vehicles seat belts, airbags and crumple zones, for example — have resulted in fewer and less severe injuries,” he said. “And, inflation has been low, which has helped keep repair costs steady .” SPORTSHas Big 12 Achieved Elite Status? Has Big 12 Achieved Elite Status?By JAIME ARON AP Sports Writer DALLAS (AP) — The merger of the Big Eight and half the Southwest Conference was supposed to create a superconference that would challenge for national titles every fall and put teams all over the Top 25. Guess what? It’s happening. Three years into the experiment many felt was a can’t-miss, the Big 12 is finally beginning to live up to its billing. Half of the league is ranked and three are in the top 10. ‘‘I think the league is coming into its own,’’ said Mack Brown, in his first year at Texas and the Big 12 after watching it develop while at North Carolina. ‘‘The first two years it was a little harder to mesh two leagues that had been so competitive against each other in recruiting. Usually the third year is when those things start happening. ‘‘Right now, this league is one of the best in the country.’’ The first two years produced several highly ranked teams and even a national champion Nebraska last season. But beyond the top layer of talent, the league was filled with also-rans. That’s not the case anymore. Now, teams are having all sorts of trouble looking for those sure wins on their schedule. Oklahoma State is coming off losses against No. 8 Nebraska (5-1) and No. 22 Texas Tech (6-0) and is heading into games against No. 4 Kansas State (5-0), Oklahoma (2-3) and No. 10 Texas A&M (5-1). Missouri (4-1), ranked 20th, plays Oklahoma this weekend then will be at Nebraska, at Texas Tech, home against No. 19 Colorado (5-1), at A&M and then close the season at home against Kansas State. ‘‘I didn’t particularly expect to play undefeated, undefeated, undefeated,’’ Oklahoma State coach Bob Simmons said Monday during a conference call between league coaches and reporters. ‘‘But that’s the position we’re in and we’ve got to face the facts: for us to be a factor in this race, we’ve got to find a way to win these types of ballgames.’’
Copyright© Ponca City News, 1998 |