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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, October 12, 1999 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS BUSINESS LOCALNichols Conviction Upheld Nichols Conviction UpheldWASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court today let stand the conviction and life sentence of Terry Nichols, convicted in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people and injured hundreds more. The court, without comment, rejected an appeal in which lawyers for Nichols said his federal conviction for conspiring to use weapons of mass destruction should be overturned because prosecutors failed to prove he intended to kill anyone. The appeal also argued that Nichols’ sentence is not in keeping with federal guidelines, and that he wrongly was barred from introducing testimony by a ‘‘material defense witness.’’ Nichols, 44, was sentenced in 1997 to life in prison after he was found guilty in a federal trial of involuntary manslaughter and conspiracy for his role in the April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. He was acquitted on federal charges of first- and second-degree murder. Nichols faces another trial in an Oklahoma court on state murder charges. That trial is expected to begin late next year or in early 2001, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. The Oklahoma Supreme Court last month approved nearly $1 million toward Nichols’ defense in that trial. Co-conspirator Timothy McVeigh, was sentenced to death for first-degree murder and other crimes in connection with the bombing after his federal conviction. In the appeal acted on today, lawyers for Nichols said, ‘‘The government’s evidence failed to prove that Mr. Nichols was aware that Mr. McVeigh intended to kill.’’ But Clinton administration lawyers urged the justices to reject the appeal, contending that Nichols’ intent would be relevant only if he had been sentenced to death. The federal law at issue allows the death penalty ‘‘if death results’’ from a conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction. Nichols’ lawyers said such language makes intent to kill an element of the crime, but government lawyers disagreed. ‘‘A finding of resulting death raises the possibility of capital punishment,’’ but does not impose any finding of murderous intent for the underlying crime, they said. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with that reasoning when it upheld Nichols’ life sentence in February. Nichols’ appeal also argued that guidelines for first-degree murder were used in determining his sentence, the same argument co-conspirator Michael Fortier used to get his 12-year prison sentence overturned in June. Fortier, who pleaded guilty to having advance knowledge of the bombing, had his sentence thrown out after the appeals court ruled that federal guidelines for involuntary manslaughter, not first-degree murder, should have been used. He was resentenced last week to the same 12 years. Nichols’ appeal also challenged whether an FBI special agent should have been allowed to testify about the scientific evidence against him. In response, Justice Department lawyers noted that Nichols’ defense team deliberately omitted the agent’s name from its pretrial witness list. The case is Nichols vs. U.S., 99-5063. The Truth About Dinosaurs Here Wednesday, ThursdayThe Parent Teacher’s Fellowship (PTF) at First Assembly Christian School will be presenting “The Truth about Dinosaurs”, by Dr. G. Thomas Sharp on Wednesday, Oct. 13 and Thursday, Oct. 14, as their major fund raiser for the year. Remember the evolutionary spin put on dinosaurs by all the educational sources in our culture (Bill Nye on Science Guy, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, etc.)? How do dinosaurs fit into Genesis and the Bible? Dr. Sharp’s multi-media presentation touches on all the major questions: Did dinosaurs really exist? If so, when: Where are they now? What about Noah's flood? This program helps adults and students to grapple with the issues of dinosaurs, the Bible, and faith. As part of the presentation there will be more than a dozen world-class, research replicas of some of the world’s most famous dinosaur fossils. “The Truth about Dinosaurs” will be presented on Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. and Thursday, Oct. 14 at 10 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at First Assembly Christian School, 1408 East Bradley in Ponca City. The price of admission for the daytime programs will be $5 in advance and $6 at the door. This event is open to the public, but there is limited seating available. For more information and tickets for this exciting event, please call Kelly Mayer at (480) 762-3193 or Pam Wilburn at (580) 765-0864. Informational Activity Held On Environmental IssuesAn environmental get together was held in September at Conoco’s Fourth Street Clubhouse. Representatives from Conoco’s Employee Environmental Action Committee, Ponca City Tomorrow, the Ponca Tribe, the City of Ponca City Environmental Department, Ponca City School District Environmental group, and Conoco Community Advisory Council attended. The meeting focused on learning about the different groups and discovering each group’s goals and accomplishments. JoAnn Cox, chairman of the Conoco Employees Environmental Action group said, they formed in the early 1990s to initiate and support activities at Conoco’s Ponca City site and in the surrounding area that educate and promote environmental awareness and responsibility. Current programs include: school partnership grant; environmental action fund; adopt-a-highway project; beautification through flowers; pop tab collection effort and Lake Ponca Clean-Up day. Additionally, members have been supporters of the Community Environmental and Safety Fair. Steve Sprehe, Conoco Horticulture and Landscape superintendent, presented the goals and projects of Ponca City Tomorrow, an environmental awareness committee. He related that the group supports recycling, promoting cleanliness of public areas and city beautification. Projects include: public service announcements to promote recycling; initiating the idea of a household hazardous waste collection event; promoting “litter-free events”; acquiring grants to execute two wildflower planting projects; adopt-a-sign project and the highway tree planting effort. The Ponca Tribe Office of Environmental Management is funded through the Environmental Protection Agency and has been in existence for about two years, according to Becky Johnson, director. The mission of the group is to protect health and human environment from sources of pollution. Projects of the Tribe’s committee are: air quality; general assistance; environmental characterization; compliance with regulations on the tribe’s 14,000 acres; assessment of the current status of the land’s air and water quality and pollution; achieving environmental stability and establishing solutions to the most challenging problems and planning a solid waste management assessment. Lake Ponca Dam Spillway Project ApprovedBy BOB PATTERSON News Staff Writer An item concerning proposed improvements to the Lake Ponca Dam spillway placed on the agenda during Monday night’s Ponca City Board of Commission meeting received full attention and approval. Commissioners had pulled one traffic item, took action on another, and also approved a recommendation concerning membership of the Oklahoma Municipal League. City Manager Gary Martin requested the spillway item be placed on the agenda while making other comments about various projects and situations. “What this is, is a resolution to submit an application including a $500 fee to the Oklahoma Water Resources Board for the permit to construct the proposed improvements at the spillway,” Martin said. Commissioners received a preliminary review of the plans and specifications that included some minor revisions that had been made by the OWRB. The formal request was thus in the hands of the commission and in an effort to expedite the bidding phase of the project, Ken Parr, Director of Public works, reported that the advertising for bids on the project could now be submitted upon receipt of the permit from OWRB. The item on the agenda concerning makeup of the Board of Directors of OML would be a recommendation of a by-law change of OML allowing the most immediate past president instead of all past presidents to continue as a member of the board. Waste Collection Huge Success Martin also reported to the commission that 470 vehicles, or 4 percent of the city’s population, had gone through the lines at the Household Hazardous Waste project Saturday held at Conoco, and “this is very good, better than the national average.” Mayor Tom Leonard also called attention to a special program going on at the Lincoln Center involving substance abuse. “I would encourage listening in on the program, or going to the center for additional information,” Leonard said. Commissioner Dick Stone brought up a subject that most all are aware of, that being a littering problem and as citizens “we should take more pride to see that it doesn’t happen.” Commissioner Chris Hand also noted the importance of tomorrow’s (Tuesday) election concerning the Civic Center renovation project. Consent Agenda Commissioners approved the consent agenda without referring to any of the projects or items. Included in the approval were: •An application for the Small Community Development Block Grant program for the third year of funding for the improvements and repairs to Lake Ponca Dam. •A resolution amending the operating budgets of various city funds for fiscal year 1999-2000. •A change order for the New No. 1 Fire Station amounting to an additional $16,191.49. The change would be to provide a different window sill material, reinforce HVAC penetrations, epoxy bond and mechanical bond for flooring leveler, floor tile in the women’s restroom, and changing circuit for VCR to be emergency power circuit, plus other household needs. The total final amount of the contract with Rick Scott Construction now stands at $2,530,203.14. •A change order and final payment, in the amount of $62,500 to United Golf, LLC for work completed on the reconstruction of No. 4 and No. 12 golf greens at Lew Wentz Memorial Golf Course. •A resolution appropriating money for payment of claims, amounting to $1,009,740.93. The commissioners meeting as the Ponca City Utility Authority, approved the consent agenda and then went to the regular business, which included three items. The authority awarded the contract and authorization of contract documents for an Overbrook Avenue sanitary sewer repair project to Bluestem Construction Inc. of Newkirk, amounting to $52,185. It will be to perform the construction via the pipe bursting method. Wastewater Treatment Plant Authorization was also given to a change order with Dondlinger and Sons Construction Company amounting to $89,814.36 on wastewater treatment plant improvements. The authority was told by Sam Blackburn of FHC Inc. that the order would allow work to be done to eliminate leakage to exterior and interior walls of the digesters and correct defects in the concrete surface exposed after earthen dam fill was removed. An amendment to the FHC Inc. work page for construction administration associated with the wastewater treatment plant improvements was approved, not to exceed $48,060. The consent agenda of PCUA included: •A budget amendment for one-half the cost of a study to evaluate the condition of Steam Unit No. 2 boiler. •A resolution amending the operating budgets of various PCUA funds. •Submission of the state revolving fund partial disbursement for wastewater treatment plant improvements amounting to $21,074.68. •A change order with Sober Brothers Inc. on the replacement of sanitary sewer line at Ash Street and South Avenue amounting to $205.37 and payment requisition for the replacement of the sewer line at an amount of $89,487.75. •Engineering work done by Chapman, Gill and Associates on the Turkey Creek sanitary sewer project. •Change order on a contract with Ratliff Inc. for the Airport Industrial Park water pump station enhancements amounting to an additional $2,175. Traffic Items Get Pulled From Agendas MondayBy BOB PATTERSON News City Editor Traffic items took it on the chin at Monday night’s City Commission meeting. Just when it appeared the railroad crossing at Prospect Avenue would be moved to reality, it was pushed to the back burner for “reconsideration” according to City Manager Gary Martin. “We didn’t feel the proposed bids were what they should be, so we are asking that it be resubmitted,” Martin said during Monday night’s Board of Commissioners meeting at the Public Safety Center. The item was thus pulled from the agenda and is expected to be resubmitted at a later date. Another item that was pulled from the agenda of the Ponca City Development Authority by the commissioners concerned transportation. Martin said a proposed lease of Darr School Building No. 5 by Pioneer Transit was not quite ready for consideration. And the commission in attendance approved 4-0 a motion to provide a crosswalk on Fairview Avenue for hospital employees who park west of Fairview Avenue to get to their place of employment at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center, east of Fairview. The 4-0 vote came without Commissioner Keni Ray in attendance, and as Commissioner Lyn Boyer said, “I don’t feel too badly about approving the crosswalk, since this is one of only a couple of times that I’ve voted against an advisory board and it (the Traffic Commission) had split on the issue as well.” The Traffic Commission had voted 5-2 to deny the request. Tim Burg of SJRMC was prepared to present his proposal for the crosswalk again to the board, but commissioners were clearly in favor of having the access across Fairview marked. DEATHSDouglas Phillips Douglas PhillipsDouglas Phillips, longtime Ponca City resident, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 1999, at the Tender Heart Nursing Health Care Center. He was 81. A graveside service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1999, in the Resthaven Memorial Park Cemetery with the Rev. Chris Cooper officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel. Douglas Phillips was born Aug. 26, 1938, in Bentonville, Ark., the son of Earl Edward and Ida Mae (Thomas) Phillips. He had lived in the Tender Heart Nursing Health Care Center for the past 18 years. Surviving are his sisters, Colleen Cooper and Earline Arrington, both of Ponca City, Jolene Harrison of Tonkawa, and Idaleen Harrison of Borger, Texas; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; a stepfather, Dewey Ard; one sister, Jacqueline Baker; and one brother, Gene Phillips. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Hospice of Ponca City, Inc., 1904 North Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601. The family will be at 209 North Olympia. Hazel M. RankinsFAIRFAX — Hazel M. Rankins, resident of Fairfax, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 1999, in the Fairfax Memorial Hospital. She was 85. A graveside service will be held 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1999, in the Fairfax Cemetery with the Rev. Lewis Bernard, pastor of the Full Gospel Assembly Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home of Fairfax. Hazel M. Rankins was born Feb. 27, 1914, in Sugar Grove, Ark., the daughter of George Washington and Tennesee Catlett Garner. She attended County Line and Yell County schools in Arkansas. She moved to Osage County in 1927 and to Fairfax in 1950. She married James Andrew Rankins in Ceder Vale, Kan. She was a retired waitress and enjoyed reading, working puzzles and watching television. She is survived by two sons, Eddie “Jake” Sawyers of Fairfax and Don G. Lady of Ponca City; one daughter, Brenda Sue Rankins Sadler of Fairfax; seven grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, seven brothers and three sisters. The family will be at the Sawyers home to receive friends and family. Melvin ClinkingbeardBLACKWELL — Melvin Clinkingbeard, resident of Blackwell, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 1999, at the Buffalo Hospital in Buffalo. He was 68. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1999, at the Blackwell Cemetery with the Rev. Wayne Bookout officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Hackler Funeral Home. Melvin Clinkingbeard was born July 5, 1931, in Kansas City, Mo., the son of George Samuel and Lucille “Dolly” (Dockery) Clinkingbeard. He received his education in Blackwell. For many years, he worked for the city of Winfield, Kan., in the sanitation department. He is survived by four daughters, Judy Treaster of Wellington, Kan., and Mary, Marie and Polly Clinkingbeard, all of Texas; three sons, Ronald Clinkingbeard of Wellington, Kan., Richard Clinkingbeard of Texas; and Charles Clinkingbeard of Blackwell; one brother, Lawrence Clinkingbeard of Aurora, Mo.; three sisters, Elnora Calkins of Pueblo, Colo., Marie Snow and Clara Mae Glormley, both of Blackwell; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Robert Clinkingbeard; three brothers, Tommy, John and Wayne Clinkingbeard; and three sisters, Ruth Snow, Mary Clinkingbeard and Esther Parker. Stella E. JonesARKANSAS CITY, Kan. — Stella E. Jones, resident of Arkansas City, Kan. and former resident of Ponca City, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 1999, at the William Newton Hospital in Winfield, Kan. She was 61. Memorial services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1999, at the Calvary Chapel in Arkansas City with the Rev. Mark Fry officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home of Arkansas City. Stella E. Jones was born Dec. 18, 1937, in Hobart, the daughter of Jessie Lee Frank and Jennie Augusta (Stout) Dowell. She attended Ponca City schools and graduated from Ponca City High School in 1955. She attended cosmetology school in Ponca City. On Feb. 14, 1960, she married Max Edward Jones in Ponca City, where they made their home. In 1963, they moved to Arkansas City, where they have lived since. Stella was a homemaker and a founding member of the Calvary Chapel in Arkansas City. She is survived by her husband of the home; one son, Russell Nelson of Winfield, Kan.; three daughters, Della Kay Jones and Verona Lynn Bright, both of Arkansas City, and Samantha Jean Deringer of Aurora, Colo.; four brothers, Babe John Henry Dowell, Bobby Jo Dowell and Everett Neal Dowell, all of Ponca City, and David Dewey Dowell of Newkirk; two sisters, Glenda Sue Randall of Newkirk and Linda Lue Bernhardt of Cashion; and eight grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Pete Frank Dowell, and an infant brother, Joseph Lee Dowell. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Calvary Chapel in Arkansas City, c/o Rindt-Erdman Funeral Home, 100 E. Kansas Avenue, Arkansas City, Kan. 67005. Jerry Ray Brinkley Jr.CHICKASHA — Jerry Ray Brinkley Jr., former resident of Ponca City, died Sunday, Oct. 10, 1999, in Norman. He was 72. The funeral will be Thursday, Oct. 14, 1999, at the First Assembly of God Church in Chickasha with the Rev. Walt Spradling of the Crystal Rock Cathedral Assembly of God Church in Ardmore and the Rev. Scott Boyd officiating. A graveside service will be held at 3 p.m. that afternoon in the Oakwood Cemetery in Wewoka under the direction of the Brown-Binyon Funeral Home. Jerry Ray Brinkley Jr. was born July 15, 1927, in Bristol, Va., the son of Jerry Ray Brinkley Sr. and Amanda Pauline Taylor Brinkley. He moved to Chickasha as a teen and later to Wewoka. He graduated from Wewoka High School. Following high school, he served in the United States Navy during the Korean conflict. He married Bettye Jeanne Hughes on Nov. 9, 1947, in Wewoka. They lived in Ponca City from 1955 to 1965 where he was employed with Roberts Manufacturing Company. In 1965, they moved to Ardmore. While living in Ardmore, he was a member of the Crystal Rock Cathedral and served as a deacon for over 20 years. He was also a member and a 32nd degree mason of the Ardmore Masonic Lodge. Hughes was a past president of Ardmore Kiwanis Club and was employed with Corral Sportsware for over 20 years. Hughes returned to Chickasha in 1990. He was later employed with Century Marshal Arts in Midwest City, retiring in 1992. He was a member of the Chickasha Gideon Chapter and a member of the First Assembly of God Church. Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Sharon Franklin of Chickasha; two grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, John Wilson Brinkley. ObituariesMary Louise Coulter RobsonTONKAWA — Our Heavenly Father decided He needed another angel to help manage some specific areas in His Kingdom and thus He chose Mary Louise Coulter Robson. Mary entered the Gates of Glory on Oct. 10, 1999, while in Stillwater. She will be eulogized on Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1999, 10 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Tonkawa, with Dr. Eldon Moelling and Dr. Brian Kovacs officiating. Internment will be at the IOOF Cemetery in Tonkawa under the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home. Mary was born to Jamie (McDaniel) and Tedrowe Coulter in Ponca City on Sept. 30, 1952, and lived the vast majority of her life in Kay County. She grew up as a farm girl and graduated from Tonkawa High School, attending Oklahoma State University for a brief period, and she also received her cosmetology license from Stillwater. God blessed Mary with two children: Brian Thomas Hembree of Tonkawa and Tara Louise Hembree of Ponca City. Brian and his wife Krista (Purdy) have a daughter, Holly Jane, who was the apple of Mary’s eye. Mary is also survived by a brother, Jerry Thomas Coulter of Carrier, his wife Shelly and their four children, Shannon, Laura, Jordan and Klinton. Mary had many strong loves but her most adamant love was of family. She was compulsive about remembering birthdays or special occasions. She sacrificed constantly for her children, always being there for Brian’s years of wrestling and Tara’s years of softball. Even when inconvenient, Mary always “managed” to be there as a loyal supporter and encouraging mother. Mary also had a fervent love of the outdoors, especially camping and gardening. She never missed an opportunity to share the love with others, having planted countless plants and flowers for her stepmother, Sandi, and father, Tedrowe, and always sharing her campsite with her family and friends. Mary’s heart was gigantic when it came to the love of animals. She loved and adorned her two dogs, Pancho and Elaine, not to forget the cats she “inherited” because Tara could not keep them while at college. But when God selected her the other day, He knew she would fill the bill for his “manager.” He knew Mary was a diligent, hard worker and dedicated to whatever task at hand. Among her employment tenure, she spent many years at the Ponca City Senior High School, loving to work with the students and spent untold amounts of volunteer time to make their lives better. She currently was employed by Jack Bowker Property Developments as property manager, which she loved as a challenging position. God needed Mary more than all she leaves behind. Her legacy of her beloved son Brian, her daughter-in-law, Krista, her pride and joy granddaughter, Holly, and her cherished daughter, Tara, her devoted and proud daddy, Tedrowe, and her faithful step-mother, Sandi, as well as her only brother, Jerry, and his family, know Mary will be “directing and managing” in Heaven. She will be missed by a host of friends and relatives. Mary was preceded in death by her mother, Jamie Harris, her grandparents, Nina and Artie McDaniel and Louise and Jerry Coulter. Memorials may be made to the Ponca City Humane Society. The family will be at the home of Sandi and Tedrowe Coulter. paid obituary Robert M. RichardsonRobert M. Richardson, longtime Ponca City, resident died Sunday, Oct. 10, 1999, at his residence. He was 63. The funeral will be held graveside 2 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1999, in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with Deacon Richard Robinson officiating. Arrangements are by the Trout Funeral Home. Robert was born July 3, 1936. in Ponca City to Robert W. and Murriel Richardson. He graduated Ponca City High School in 1954. He served his country in the United States Army. He was united in marriage Sept. 5, 1958, in Ponca City to Glenda Sue Hall. He was an auto mechanic. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and bingo. Survivors include his wife Glenda of Ponca City, one daughter Elizabeth Reavis of Stillwater, one son William “Randy” Richardson of Oklahoma City; a brother, Charles Richardson of Ponca City; a sister, June Smith of California; four grandchildren Lesa Richardson of Ponca City, and Simone Richardson, Kevin Williams and Cory Williams of Moore. His parents and one son, Dale Matthew Richardson, preceded him in death. Casket bearers will be Louis Payne, Gary Winters, Larry Stanbrough, Denny Roberts, Brownie Garrison, and Richard Adkins. In lieu of flowers the family has requested memorials may be made to the American Lung Association for Emphysema, 2442 N. Walnut, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73105. paid obituary NEWS BRIEFSGarage Sale — The Ponca City High School freshmen boys and girls basketball teams will be having a garage sale at the National Guard Armory, 1015 West South Avenue, Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in an effort to raise money to offset meal costs, purchase team shirts and a computer system. Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv. Suspicious Activity — A storage firm reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 9 a.m. Monday that a vehicle impounded by the police had been checked recently and was found to have marijuana in it. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Every Wednesday price clothes and shoes, except priced items. Check our daily specials. Caboose Thrift Shoppe, First and Central. adv. Beer Missing — An employee at Triple T, 201 West Hartford Avenue, reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:11 a.m. Monday that two juvenile boys in a red pickup had stolen some beer and left north bound on North Union Street. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken. 20% Off all picture frames, until October 15th. Mrs. Brown’s Attic, downtown Ponca City. adv. Items Missing — A man from the 400 block of North Fourth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 10:19 a.m. Monday that a VCR and tapes had been stolen from the residence. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Injured at Golf Course — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 10:29 a.m. Monday from Lew Wentz Golf Course that a man had been run over by a golf cart. An ambulance from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the scene and took the man to the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and a report was taken. Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the 200 block of East Oklahoma Avenue at 4:50 p.m. Monday that a 17-year-old man was being held on one count of obtaining money by false pretense and numerous counts of misuse of a credit card. Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported from the intersection of North Ash Street and West Hartford Avenue at 11:03 a.m. Monday that a 20-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension and not wearing a seat belt. Tag Stolen — A man from the 400 block of South Franklin Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 11:03 a.m. Monday that a tag had been stolen from a vehicle. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Abandoned Bicycles — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 12:09 p.m. Monday from a man in the 200 block of North Flormable that two bicycles had been abandoned in the back yard. Animal Control was notified to handle the situation. Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 12:20 p.m. Monday that a 24-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension. Forged Check — A woman from the 2000 block of North Fifth Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 1:39 p.m. Monday that she had discovered a forged check on a personal account. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Property Not Returned — A man from the 1400 block of West South Avenue reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 2:34 p.m. Monday that someone had failed to return rental property. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Fight — The Communications Center received a call at 3:19 p.m. Monday that a fight was occurring in the 1300 block of West Grand Avenue. Three officers of the Ponca City Police Department responded to the scene and a report was taken. Accident — The Communications Center received a report of an accident in the 300 block of South Elm Street at 3:23 p.m. Monday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Assault — A clerk at Citgo, 320 West Grand Avenue, reported to the Communications Center at 5:39 p.m. Monday that a man was at the business and had been assaulted. Three officers were assigned, an ambulance from the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the scene and took the subject to the emergency room of St. Joseph Regional Medical Center for treatment of injuries. Subject Held — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 3:28 p.m. Monday from the 3400 block of North Union Street that an 18-year-old man was being held for driving under suspension and two Kay County warrants for failure to appear. Accident — The Communications Center received a report at 4:52 p.m. Monday that an accident had occurred in the 100 block of East Hazel Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Vehicle Towed — An officer of the Ponca City Police Department reported at 5:33 p.m. Monday from the 800 block of West Hazel Avenue that an abandoned vehicle was being towed from the scene. Assault — The Communications Center received a report at 5:35 p.m. Monday that a man who had been assaulted was outside of Bridgeway, 620 West Grand Avenue. Two officers were assigned and a report was taken. Structure Fire — The Communications Center received a 911 call at 6:59 p.m. Monday from 23 Spring Village that the residence was on fire. All stations of the Ponca City Fire Department responded and found an electrical fire from an attic exhaust fan that was contained and there was no other damage outside the attic, according to Fire Chief Gary Denny. Oklahoma Natural Gas and Water and Light were notified. Assault — A man from the 400 block of South Palm Street reported to the Ponca City Police Department at 7:27 p.m. Monday that he had been assaulted while in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue. An officer was assigned and a report was taken on assault and battery. Vehicles Vandalized — The Communications Center received a report at 9:16 p.m. Monday that two vehicles had been vandalized while at the American Legion, 407 West South Avenue. An officer of the Ponca City Police Department was assigned and reports were taken. Check on Gas Odor — The Communications Center received a call from Tender Heart, 1401 West Highland Avenue, at 5:10 a.m. Tuesday that a strong gas odor was coming from the kitchen area. Units from two Ponca City Fire Department stations responded along with an officer from the Ponca City Police Department. It was logged that everything was all right after discovering a relief valve had malfunctioned. LIFESTYLESThe Neighborhood Chef The Neighborhood Chefby: Sherry Muchmore For the Love of Aunt Bill's Last week we asked for a recipe for an old time candy called Aunt Bill's. Most of us who have eaten it might say it is one of the best candies we've ever had the good fortune to devour. I don't use that term loosely because it's just the way you eat Aunt Bill's. So, when inquiries came in for a recipe for this creamy confection, I was pleased at the possibility of finding one that I could make since I've talked about this candy for years to friends and family. To our delight, we received several responses to our query for Aunt Bill's. Each declare this to be one of their favorites. All of these recipes are similar in content and assembly. There are few exceptions and then, only minor differences. The following note expresses the feelings of those true Aunt Bill's lovers. Karla Richards, Ponca City, writes "This is a recipe my mother, Doris Taton, gave me." She went on to say that an article in the Daily Oklahoman said the first time they published Aunt Bill's was in 1938 and is an old time Oklahoma favorite. And, Susan Backry writes: Hi! I just read about your request for a recipe for Aunt Bill's Brown Candy! I am a Ponca City native and faithful reader of THE PONCA CITY NEWS online! My Oklahoma City grandmother, Bess Metz, used to make this candy every Christmas! I could hardly wait for it each year! My mother, Jane Cornelson, continues to make this most wonderful candy! Each Christmas Mom would give me my own private box, (which I would try to ration out over the year) until I learned to make it. Rationing NEVER worked. Like I said, it is my FAVORITE candy ever! Here is the recipe! I hope you enjoy this candy as much as our family does! Aunt Bill's Brown CandySusan Cornelson Backry Midland, Texas 6 cups white sugar, divided 2 cups cream (or whole milk) 1/4 teaspoon soda 1/2 c. butter (1 stick) 1 teaspoon vanilla 4 cups nuts, broken (preferably pecans) This recipe makes about 3 pounds of candy. It is easier to manage if two people are able to make it together, but it is not necessary. 1. Pour 2 cups sugar into a heavy aluminum or iron skillet and place it over low heat. This can be done in the oven, but you must watch it very closely so it won't burn. 2. Begin to stir with a wooden spoon and keep the sugar moving so that it will not scorch. Every bit of the sugar must be completely melted. It will be about the color of light brown sugar syrup. (If you don't let it melt completely, your candy will turn out grainy.) 3. As soon as the sugar is heating, pour the remaining 4 cups of sugar, together with the 2 cups of milk or cream, into a deep heavy kettle and set it over low heat to cook SLOWLY while you are melting the sugar in the skillet. (I put this mixture in my pressure cooker pan. Be sure this mixture COMPLETELY melts also!) 4. As soon as the sugar is melted, begin pouring it into the kettle of boiling milk and sugar, keeping it over very low heat and stirring constantly. The real secret of mixing these ingredients is to pour a very fine stream from the skillet into the pan. This is when you can really use four hands! Aunt Bill always said to pour a stream no larger than a knitting needle while stirring across the bottom of the pan at the same time. 5. Continue cooking and stirring until the mixture forms a firm ball (238-240 degrees) when dropped into cold water. 6. After this test is made, turn off the stove and immediately add the soda, stirring hard as it foams up. 7. When the soda is mixed, add the butter, allowing it to melt as you stir. (I use half the amount of butter called for, it's not really needed to make a successful candy.) 8. Set the pan of candy off of the stove, but not outside, for 10 to 20 minutes, until it is lukewarm. Add the vanilla and begin beating. 9. A Kitchenaid mixer works great for this project. My grandfather used to attach his electric drill to my grandmother's old Hamilton Beach mixer. Or you can use a wooden spoon and beat until the mixture is thickened and heavy and takes on a dull appearance, instead of a glossy sheen. 10. Add the broken nuts and mix quickly as the candy is setting up fast now. 11. Turn into a buttered tin box or square pans where it can be cut into squares when cooled. Decorate with pecan halves and you have an attractive candy! Karla said this candy stays moist and delicious indefinitely. Decorate with pecans or candied cherry halves. Old Fashioned Aunt Bill's Brown CandySusan Nickles and Rowena Benton, both of Ponca City, wrote in with another recipe for Aunt Bill's using quantities in pints and pounds. Susan said, "This is my grandmother's recipe for Aunt Bill's - the best in the world!!" and, Rowena added, this recipe came from a church cookbook dated 1948. 3 pints granulated white sugar (6 cups) (actually in dry measures, 1 pint = 2 1/3 cups; but it looks like over the years, 6 cups has become the standardized quantity.) 1 pint whole milk (or cream) (2 cups) 1/4 lb. butter (1 stick or 1/2 cup) 1/2 tsp. baking soda (Rowena uses 1/4 tsp.) 1 tsp. vanilla 2 lbs. pecan meats, chopped fine (approx. 4 cups) This recipe is made the same as the one above. Susan says it will take over 30 minutes to caramelize the skillet sugar and never let it get so hot as to smoke. The other request for Peanut Patties was also answered by Rowena Benton. This is a microwave version I think you'll find easy to make. Microwave Peanut PattiesRowena Benton Ponca City, OK 2 Cups Sugar 1/2 Cup White Corn Syrup (Karo) 1/2 Cup Water 1 1/2 - 2 Cups Raw Peanuts 2 Tablespoons Butter 1 teaspoon Vanilla 1/8 teaspoon Red Cake Coloring Microwave peanuts on a paper plate for 40 to 60 seconds on High. Set aside. Microwave sugar, corn syrup and water on High for 3 minutes. Add peanuts. Microwave on High 9 more minutes. Add vanilla, butter and cake coloring. Beat until mixture begins to look dull. Drop by spoonfuls onto lightly buttered cookie sheet making your peanut patties. Cool completely and store in tin canister or other air tight container or baggie. Note: Do not keep beating until candy becomes hard. Just remember that once you've beaten the mixture enough to remove the sheen, it will become dull and that's when to immediately begin dipping out the mixture to form the patties. Note: If microwave is 1000 watts or more, shorten the cooking time or the patties will be dry. So, on the initial 3 minutes for sugar mixture, shorten the cooking time to 2 1/2 minutes and on the 9 minutes, shorten to 7 1/2 minutes. Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are heading our way. Share with us your special holiday treats and if you have some interesting ideas for the holidays, let us hear about them too. Look for more good News' recipes continued next week and, we'll look forward to hearing from you with your favorite recipes. Send your recipes to: The Neighborhood Chef c/o The Ponca City News P.O. Box 191 Ponca City, OK 74602 or e-mail me at: chef@poncacitynews.com All recipes become property of The Ponca City News. Eta Delta Chapter Donates To Friendship FeastThere were 14 members of Eta Delta chapter of Beta Sigma Phi sorority present for the Oct. 11 meeting in the home of Linda Paulsen. Wanda Sheehan, president, conducted the meeting. As the October service project, the chapter will donate $50 to the Friendship Feast. City Council representative Betty Wyatt announced that the Preferential Tea will be held on Nov. 7. For the October social, members and their guests will dine at the Pizza Hut Oct. 15. A “Ritual of Welcome” was held for returning member Pam Lanman, and a “Ritual of Jewels” was conducted for new member, Linda Sparks. A Fall gift exchange concluded the evening. Linda Paulsen won the door prize and Betty Wyatt received the Beta Bud Basket. Julie Collins will host the Oct. 25 meeting. ‘Women of Taste’ Exhibit at BransonWASHINGTON (AP) — Quilts made by artists sharing ideas with chefs are the delectable subject of a collaborative exhibition that the Smithsonian Institution has just launched on a national tour. Julia Child’s culinary art inspired quilter Yvonne Porcella’s “Bon Appetit” quilt — it has a salade nicoise stitched into its center. “Alice’s Garden,” a quilt that glows with fresh fruits and veggies, resulted from the friendship of food luminary Alice Waters with artists Sarah Leverett and Patricia Curtan. It has been organized by the Smithsonian’s traveling exhibition service and Girls Inc., and it has opened at Silver Dollar City, Branson, Mo. BUSINESSFormer Governor Walters Tells of Power Business Former Governor Walters Tells of Power BusinessEditor’s Note; Former Oklahoma Gov. David Walters who was in Ponca City Monday to speak at the “Say Yes to Life!”: A family Celebration and Substance Abuse Conference, told The News about his business. By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Staff Writer “I am in the independent power production business. We build, own and operate power plants, generally in foreign counties, although there are a lot of independent power plants in the U.S. There will be more as we deregulate the electricity business. It is a huge industry — the making and selling of electricity, David Walters, president of Walters Power International, said here Monday. The former Oklahoma Governor said, “There are all kinds of facets to it — there is generation, distribution and transmission. I’m in the generation business. What we have done is to develop projects that will appeal to countries that are in a real crisis that their lights are literally going off. “In the Dominica Republic the lights would have gone off at least once during my speech (Monday’s speech.) They are about 200 or 300 megawatts of power short. So we took a barge down there 50 megawatts on the barge. “We arrived 27 days after we signed the contract and so the speed of that is how we compete. So I’m bidding a project in Ecuador with a barge that we have. I’m active in West Africa. We’ve made proposals all over the world, India and Pakistan. I’ve put some miles on shoes and airplanes but that’s what I do. “We develop products to generate electricity generally in foreign countries and we like to do it on barges because we are fast to respond and we can compete and our equipment is not really at risk as much as otherwise.” However Walters does do some business in the United States. “I did buy two power plants in New York last December and I bought those really to salvage the equipment. They were like new plants only five years old. But the whole New York deregulation market is such that people are selling new plants that can’t come back on line. “I wound up bringing one of them back on line and sold the majority interest to New York State Electricity and Gas, so I’m now a partner in what they call a merchant plant. We only run when everybody is out of power so we’re the ones that sell power for $1,000 a mega an hour during peak of summer and that kind of thing.” After Walters was told that Ponca City generates its own electricity and is concerned about the affect deregulation is going to have, Walters said, “If your cost of production is not competitive then you’re simply going to have to sell the generation assets and buy it on the market. If it is competitive then you are going to sell your generation and make money. “The deregulation and the opening of that market are going to make those decisions pretty straight forward. Many, many across the country are selling their generation assets, whole utilities are getting out of the generation business because they’ve developed a bureaucracy that doesn’t allow them to produce power as inexpensively as an independent power operator or somebody who is real slim and trim. But other utilities are getting more efficient. Ether way the public is going to end up having cheaper power.” Told that the City puts some funds from power revenue into the it’s budget, Walters said this could perhaps be worked out in the sale. Kingfisher Kountry Kookers Score AgainEditor’s Note: The following new product comes to Ponca City as a result of the Cherokee Strip Cook-off. One important reason why this Hospice benefit is such an envied event is the support of the sponsors — Kingfisher Kountry Kookers is a major sponsor which over the past three years has donated almost $5,000 in equipment as a grand champion award. Their generous support earned owners Sharon and Ory Yoder this year’s “Friend of The Cook-Off Award”. Yoder’s Backyard Rotisserie Smoker is highly coveted among cooks and chance to win one of these fine cookers draws teams to Ponca City from across the region. The grand champion’s award features four rotating trays, side fire box, oven, thermometer and a fold-down side table with a value of $1,500. The Kingfisher-based company has long been a manufacture of quality rotisserie smokers. This year’s cook-off gave Kountry Kookers a showcase for a new line of smoker/grill equipment. The new outdoor cookers come with a variety of ingenious options, in both propane or wood fired fuel systems as well as a choice of the 24 inch and 36 inch sizes. A new ash clean-out system is also installed, Paul Schatte, General Manager, Head Country Food Products, Inc., notes, “Kingfisher has put a lot of thought into these new cookers. Ory and Sharon have definitely kept the outdoor cook in mind. With the new additions the bar-b-que cook can produce a delicious smoked meal. Just don’t forget the Head Country sauce and seasoning!” Head Country Food Products Inc. is now a dealer for Kingfisher Kountry Kookers. Three of the new Kombo Kookers are on display at the restaurant on Prospect. To introduce north central Oklahoma to this new line of fine smokers, Head Country is making an introductory special offer. A basket chock full of cookbooks, bar-b-que tools and Head Country Sauces and Seasonings (valued over $100) will be given away with the purchase of any Kingfisher Kountry Kooker. “We are very pleased to offer such fine products as well as support a fellow Made In Oklahoma business. Plus, Ory and Sharon are really good people!” Schatte added. Eric Kurtz Graduates From Banking SchoolEric Kurtz recently was awarded a diploma at the 55th annual commencement exercises of the prestigious Graduate School of Banking at The University of Wisconsin-Madison. Kurtz, Vice President of Commercial Lending at Pioneer Bank and Trust, also graduated with honors by placing in the top ten percent of his graduating class. Kurtz was attending as a recipient of a Prochnow Scholarship which was established by the Herbert V. Prochnow Educational Foundation. The Foundation is named in honor of the founder of the Graduate School of Banking, Herbert V. Prochnow. The School, sponsored by the 17 state bankers associations comprising the Central States Conference of Bankers Associations, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was established in 1945 to provide bankers with an opportunity for advanced study and research in banking, economics and leadership. Instruction at the Graduate School of Banking takes place during two-week resident sessions over three consecutive summers, along with comprehensive study between summer resident sessions. The curriculum focuses on the management of strategic issues faced by financial services industry executives. The Graduate School of Banking enrolls approximately 500 U.S. and international financial services industry professionals each year and counts nearly 17,000 bankers and bank regulatory officials as alumni. Over 100 esteemed academicians, economists, government officials, and financial services industry professionals comprise the School’s faculty. R. Scott Jones, President-Elect of the American Bankers Association, was the featured speaker at commencement exercises. Jones is Chairman and CEO of Goodhue County National Bank in Red Wing, Minn. Preventive Medicine In Workplace Theme Of Annual Seminar in OKC“Preventive medicine in the workplace is the theme for the Oklahoma Employment Lawyers Association’s annual seminar for business owners, supervisors, human resource professionals and corporate counsel on Oct. 15 in Oklahoma City. ‘The New Face of Employer Liability for Employment Discrimination’, a one-day seminar beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Oklahoma County Line Barbeque Annex, will provide a ‘how-to’ framework for preventing, investigating and resolving discrimination and harassment claims following the recent decisions and guidelines issued by the U.S. Supreme Court and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. EEOC Regional Attorney Robert A. Canino, EEOC Oklahoma Area Office Director Joyce David Powers and EEOC ADR Coordinator-Attorney/Mediator Carla Vogel will be the featured speakers. In addition to providing instruction and materials on how to implement effective anti-discrimination policies and procedures, the EEOC’s new mediation program — an alternative to litigation in resolving claims — will be covered. Other featured speakers include: Janis Hubbard, Assistant General Counsel, Oklahoma Bar Association; Jan Duffy, Management Practices Group; Leonard Court, Crowe & Dunlevy; Peter T. Van Dyke, McAfee & Taft; Mark Hammons and Jana Bowman, Hammons & Associates; and Bill Wells, Pryor & Wells. Due to limited seating, reservations for the program, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch, are required. To make reservations, contact Clark Jolley at (405) 235-5299.” Severance To Receive 1999 Sam Walton Leader AwardRichard Severance, mid-continent business manager of Conoco, Inc., has been selected to receive the 1999 Sam Walton Business Leader Award, sponsored by the Wal-Mart Foundation and the Wal-Mart in Ponca City. Severance was chosen as the award recipient by the Ponca City Area Chamber, which received a $500 grant in the honoree’s name. “Richard Severance is a classic example of corporate community responsibility in action. His leadership as Chairman of the Board of the Chamber of Commerce, in critical matters of education at the public school and higher education levels, building of community coalitions, formation of an Hispanic Alliance and state level leadership on issues such as work force development and legislative issues have all, in the space of less than two years, advanced the community of Ponca City in ways not thought possible,” Jan Jarrett, President of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce said. Jarrett added, “We can think of no other individual who has shown the level of understanding, personal commitment and generation of positive results and were pleased to submit Severance’s name as recipient for the Sam Walton Business Leader Award.” Wal-Mart established the Sam Walton Business Leader Award in 1995 to recognize local business people who best exemplify the principles of its founder Sam Walton: respect for the individual, service to customers and a commitment to strive for excellence. “The Sam Walton Business Leader Award allows our Wal-Mart associates and SAM’S Club partners to salute outstanding local business men and women and to show our pride in the local business community,” said David Glass, president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. Severance was one of more than 1,600 business people in Wal-Mart and SAM’S Club communities around the country who were selected by their local Chambers of Commerce to receive the award. Participating Chambers received a total of more than $800,000 in grants from the Wal-Mart Foundation and their local Wal-Mart stores and SAM’S Clubs as part of the awards program. The Sam Walton Business Leader Award is one of many initiatives Wal-Mart sponsors to support the economic vitality of the communities in which the company operates. Wal-Mart ranked No. I in the 1999 Cone/Roper Report, an annual national survey regarding philanthropy and corporate citizenship. In 1998, Wal-Mart and its associates raised and donated more than $127 million for charitable organizations, including $42.9 million in community matching grants, $27 million to Children’s Miracle Network, $14.5 million to United Way, $8 million in scholarships, $2.4 million to Make A Difference Day volunteer projects, $2.4 million in economic development grants, $1.5 million in environmental grants and $1.1 million in education grants in honor of 2,200 Wal-Mart and SAM’S Club Teachers of the Year. Karen Ley Completes Work For Appraisal of Fine ArtKaren Ley, a 1998 graduate of Oklahoma State University with a bachelor of art degree in Art History, has completed an intensive study at New York University in the appraisal of fine and decorative art. Courses included appraisal of 18th and 19th century furniture, American silver, fine art, estate jewelry, IRS legal guidelines, appraisal writing workshop, research methods and principals of Practice. Victor Weiner, professor of the IRS legal guidelines course and executive director of the Appraisers Association of America, established the study in an effort to better educate appraisers for the purpose of insurance inventory, damage or loss, estate liquidation and dissolving partnerships, business or personal by following IRS guidelines. Mrs. Ley is affiliated with the Appraisers Association of America and has established K.R. Ley Appraisal Service. SPORTS΅ No Local Sports
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