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From the pages of The Ponca City News, Monday, November 13, 2000 LOCAL DEATHS NEWS BRIEFS LIFESTYLES SPORTS LOCALLocal Bank Scam Suspects Finally Captured in Montana Local Bank Scam Suspects Finally Captured in MontanaTwo female scam artists who succeeded in shortchanging two local bank tellers out of several hundred dollars in October were arrested last week in Hardin, Mont., following an eight-state crime spree. In addition to Ponca City, investigators believe the pair victimized banks in Kansas, Texas, Florida, Wisconsin, Virginia, Minnesota, Wyoming and Montana — a total of 140 banks — before their crime spree ended last Tuesday. Officials suspect the two women, over the last 90 days, may have netted an estimated $250,000 with their well-practiced operation. “From information our department has received, these suspects have scammed 140 banks across the country in the last 90 days, netting an estimated quarter million dollars,” said Capt. Dwaine Vincent, with the Ponca City Police Department. “They had very little money on them at the time of their arrest. Police have tracked an account, which they believe the pair had wired some of the proceeds to, and will attempt to seize it,” he explained. Vincent said Detective Sgt. Fred Marshall assisted the FBI in their investigation. “His diligence in this case and his alerting of law enforcement agencies and media outlets around the country is what finally brought this spree to a halt.” He also said Marshall, who is heading the Ponca City investigation, has requested law enforcement authorities in Montana send him information about the suspects’ true identities when they are revealed so an arrest warrant can be issued. According to police, the women used the same tactics at each bank. They would approach the bank teller and ask in a heavy middle-eastern accent if the $3,000 in $100 bills they carried could be exchanged for $50 bills. Once this transaction was completed, the pair would ask the teller if the money could be exchanged for a Canadian denomination instead. When the clerk replied no, the women would turn as if to leave. They would then turn back and ask the clerk to change the money back to $100 bills as before. At the end of the odd transaction the clerk would count the $50 bills in the returned envelope and learn he/she had been shortchanged. This case is still under investigation. Nearly NewsNews subscribers may have noticed their afternoon papers arriving a little later than expected for the past 12 days or so (since Nov. 1). The News has been installing a new software program in the news/editorial department that ultimately will be a great benefit to the reporters and editors (although they might argue the fact right now) and to News and poncacitynews.com readers. Any major changes in the daily routine of a newspaper ultimately leads to delays in delivery. Hopefully, the late deliveries are temporary, and things will steadily improve as all those involved regain the comfort level lost by the changeover. Meanwhile, be kind to your carriers. They are out in the recent cold weather, faithfully doing their jobs — and it isn’t their fault if they get their papers late. ULC Spring Enrollment Begins ThursdayBy LOUISE ABERCROMBIE News Staff Writer Spring enrollment for the University Learning Center is slated to beginning Thursday with representatives from all of the participating universities on site, according to Dr. Brenda Stacy. Enrollment is scheduled from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Located at the North Tower of the Conoco Complex, interested persons should enter Gate F from South Avenue. Universities which will have representatives here include Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma University, Northern Oklahoma College, Northeastern State University, Northwestern Oklahoma State University, University of Central Oklahoma, Cameron University, and recently added Rogers State University. The new president of Northwestern Oklahoma State University at Alva Tim McDaniel was feted with a reception by members of the ULC advisory board on Friday. McDaniel was escorted on a tour of the facilities by Dr. Stacy and NOC President Joe Kinzer. Among the degree programs being offered bachelors in business administration; elementary education; nursing, liberal studies, interdisciplinary studies, business information technology, and a B.T. in applied technology. Masters degrees are offered in business administration, from both Cameron and Oklahoma State; telecommunications management; engineering and technological management; control systems engineering; educational administration; curriculum and supervision (accelerated) education, (elementary); education (secondary); instructional media. At the advisory board meeting conducted by Mike Fretwell, chairman, Gary Bracken, board named Pat Evans, Carolyn Renfro, Marybeth Glass and Betty Thompson as members of the scholarship committee. Conoco and Evans and Associates have announced contributions to the scholarship fund. Susan Jarrett, assistant director, told there were 250 enrolled in the community service programs last semester. Class size will be limited for the net semester. Next advisory board meeting is slated for Dec. 13, and the Advisory Council meeting will be Dec. 6. Airman Returns From Six-Month Duty on CarrierNavy Airman Terry L. Burge, son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Burge of 1713 North Osage Street, Ponca City, recently returned from a six-month deployment to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf while assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, home ported in Norfolk, Va. During the deployment, Burge’s ship participated in multi-national exercises Invitex and Juniper Stallion. These exercises focused on developing friendship, trust and teamwork between coalition nations and increased their combined military readiness for contingency operations. During the deployment, Burge visited several ports of call including cities in Croatia, Greece, Israel, Italy and Turkey. The crew also had the opportunity to shop, sightsee and enjoy the local culture and cuisine in each port. During these visits sailors participated in community relations projects. Carriers like USS Dwight D. Eisenhower are deployed around the world to maintain U.S. presence and provide rapid response in times of crisis. They serve as a highly visible deterrent to would-be aggressors, and are equipped with the most versatile and powerful aircraft available. Burge is a 1997 graduate of Ponca City Senior High School and joined the Navy in August of 1997. DEATHSThyra Kring Thyra KringThyra Kring, resident of Ponca City, died Sunday, Nov. 12, 2000, at Westminster Village. She was 90. According to her wishes, there will be no viewing or services. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home. Thyra Kring was born Jan. 3, 1910, in St. Louis, Mo., the daughter of John and Charlotte Dahlheimer. She married Hugh E. Kring on Nov. 16, 1932, and they made their home in Tulsa. She was a homemaker. The couple was transferred to Denver, Colo. in 1954. He preceded her in death on Sept. 5, 1988, and a few years after his death, she moved to Ponca City to be near her family. She had resided at Westminster Village since 1994, where she enjoyed friends and the many activities. She was a member of The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Loveland, Colo. Survivors include her son, Hugh W. Kring of Ponca City. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents and two brothers. Memorial contributions may be made in her name to Hospice of Ponca City, 1904 N. Union, Suite 103, Ponca City, Okla. 74601. Beverly Jean SwartPAWNEE — Beverly Jean Swart, resident of Pawnee, died Saturday, Nov. 11, 2000, at her son’s home in Pawnee. She was 74. The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, at the Eshelman Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Ray Moffeit officiating. Burial will be at the Highland Cemetery in Pawnee under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home in Pawnee. Beverly Jean Swart was born Aug. 24, 1926, in Kansas City, Mo., the daughter of Ross David Debolt and Sadie Wallace Debolt. She married Reinhard “Riney” F. Swart on Nov. 1, 1944, in Pawnee; he preceded her in death on Aug. 8, 1995. She moved to Pawnee as a teenager, where she had since resided. She spent the past 15 years doing private care at home for the elderly. She also cared for people in need. She served as a medaide at the nursing home and was employed for Pawnee Rexall Drug during the 60s and 70s. Survivors include her son, Terry F. Swart of Pawnee; a brother, Kenneth Reynolds of Ponca City; two grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Besides her husband, she was also preceded in death by her parents and a grandson. Services PendingWilma L. LoveWilma L. Love, resident of Ponca City, died Sunday morning, Nov. 12, 2000, at Shawn Manor Nursing Home. She was 84. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel. Laura M. TuckerLaura M. Tucker, resident of Red Rock, died Monday morning, Nov. 13, 2000, at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was 57. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel. NEWS BRIEFS-- Accident — An accident at the intersection of Old U.S. 60 and South Waverly Street was reported to Ponca City police at 7:37 a.m. Saturday. The Kay County Sheriff’s Office and Oklahoma Highway Patrol was advised. Free Pregnancy test. Birth Choice cares. Confidential. Hours: Monday 1-3 p.m., Tuesday, 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, 1-3 p.m. and Thursday, 6-8 p.m. 700 West Broadway. 765-9689. adv. Burglary — A woman in the 2900 block of North Union Street reported someone was possibly trying to break into her house to Ponca City police at 11:29 a.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and an information report was taken. An extra patrol of the area was requested by the resident. Stormescape Shelters, perfect for garage, under vehicle. Installed, $2,395. 765-2633. adv. Fraud — A man in the 3200 block of North Fourteenth Street advised Ponca City police at 4:42 p.m. Saturday a juvenile may possibly be using his identification. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Holiday Fried turkeys. Order now for Thanksgiving at Snyder’s Grocery. 762-4686. adv. Theft — A woman came to the Ponca City Police Department, 200 East Oklahoma Avenue, to report several items had been stolen from an auction in Osage County. An officer was assigned. The Osage County Sheriff’s Office was advised. Theft — A sales associate at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, reported two juvenile girls were being held for shoplifting to Ponca City police at 7:52 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. The girls were taken into police custody, then later released to their parents. Fight — A Ponca City police officer responding to a disturbance call at a club in the 600 block of West Highland Avenue reported three woman and two men were involved in a fight at 1:18 a.m. Monday. Three additional officers responded to the scene. A 40-year-old man was taken into custody for interfering with an officer; a 29-year-old woman for fighting in public; an 18-year-old woman for public intoxication and on a city warrant; a 19-year-old woman for fighting in public; and a 19-year-old man for interfering with an officer. Accident — A hit-and-run accident in the 500 block of North Twelfth Street was reported to Ponca City police at 5:49 p.m. Saturday. The woman said her daughter’s vehicle had been hit by a second vehicle which left the scene. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Theft — A sales associate at Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, reported a 27-year-old woman was being held for shoplifting to Ponca City police at 9:26 p.m. Saturday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. The woman was taken into police custody for petit larceny and on a city warrant for failure to pay. Subject Held — An officer in the 300 block of East Overbrook Avenue reported a 40-year-old man was taken into custody after a traffic stop for driving under intoxication and speeding at 2 a.m. Sunday. A vehicle was towed from the scene. Prowler — A woman in the 500 block of North Palm Street reported a man had just opened her screen door to Ponca City police at 2:20 a.m. Sunday. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. A 27-year-old man was taken into custody on a Kay County warrant for application to revoke a former sentence. Fire Run — A fire at a residence in the 700 block of West Highland Avenue was reported to the Communications Center at 1:46 p.m. Sunday. The caller reported something was on fire inside the house. Station No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 with the Ponca City Fire Department responded to the scene. The fire was put out at 1:55 p.m. Burglary — A resident in the 700 block of North Ash Street reported returning home and finding the residence had been broken into to Ponca City police at 6:25 p.m. Sunday. A shotgun had been taken during the theft. An officer was assigned and a report was taken. Miscellaneous — A Ponca City police officer reported something was coming out of a drainage ditch at the intersection of South Palm Street and West South Avenue at 9:49 p. m. Sunday. Engine one with the Ponca City Fire Department and an employee with Conoco responded to the scene. The fumes were tested, and it was determined it was sewer gas. A note was left for the Waste Water Department to check. Accident — A woman in the 300 block of South Osage Street reported she had just awaken and found both her 14-year-old daughter and pickup were missing to Ponca City police at 1:01 a.m. Monday. The woman wanted to list her daughter as a runaway and her vehicle as stolen. A man reported to police earlier in the evening, at 9:49 p.m., a small pickup matching the description of the woman’s vehicle had been involved in a hit-and-run accident with his vehicle in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue. The vehicle and girl were located at 2:59 a.m. Monday near the intersection of North Ash Street and Riviera Drive. The girl was taken into police custody, then later released to her parents. - LIFESTYLESMeals on Wheels MenuNov. 14: Roast pork with Rosemary sauce; creamed potatoes and peas; beets with orange sauce; citrus jello salad; Dutch apple cake. Nov. 15: Herbed baked chicken; dill buttered potatoes; cheesy spinach; Italian pasta salad; rosy sliced pears. Nov. 16: Chicken fried steak; whipped potatoes with cream gravy; broccoli; three bean salad; carrot cake. Nov. 17: Green chili stew; breaded okra; cauliflower; cornbread; marinated diced cucumber, onion and tomato; limeade filling in graham cracker . SPORTSMonday Evening Quarterback Monday Evening QuarterbackBy Fred Hilton News Sports Editor There is a special bond between Wildcat basketball coach Ron Arthur and the seven seniors on this year’s team. “These kids were freshmen my first year here, when I was the freshman coach,” Arthur recalls. To celebrate that connection, Arthur has arranged a special Christmas gift. The Wildcats will play in the three-day San Diego, Calif., tournament over Christmas Break. Arthur, the Tip Off Club and others have raised $13,000 to cover most of the expenses for the trip. “We got the money for transportation and the hotel,” Arthur said. “Now all we have to worry about is eating.” Arthur plans a coaching clinic for elementary school players in the next few weeks as another way to raise funds. This is the first time a Ponca City team has even made a tip to California for a game of any kind. Unfortunately, Arthur won’t be able to use the promise of such a trip as a recruiting tool, It won’t be repeated anytime soon. “It’s too much work,” he notes. “We may try to do it again in the next few years. But not right now.” Those seniors will be the nucleus of the 2000-2001 team and that could pay extra dividends this season. Those players have had two years to work under Arthur’s system and in preseason scrimmages they now appear to be confortable running his offense and defense. “We’re playing better defense,” Arthur said after the Ponca City Hoop Fest Saturday in Robson Field House. “They are more aggressive. We are shooting the ball pretty well, But we have to work on free throw shooting.” Arthur is confident the Cats can improve on last year’s 7-16 record despite having to play in the tough Frontier Conference. “Tulsa Union is ranked No. 6 and Jenks is No. 9 in Class 6A in the state in the Tulsa World preseason poll.” Arthur notes. Oddly enough, Stillwater, which is picked to win the Frontier Conference title, is unranked. Broken Arrow, No. 2 in the conference coaches’ poll, is also in front of Union and Jenks, but unranked. Sapulpa is picked fifth in the conference, followed by Bartlesville, Sand Springs, Ponca City and Owasso. Arthur did not exactly agree with the assessment. “How can I say this politely?” He then paused. “At least we won’t have to worry about two games on our schedule. We’re picked ahead of Owasso.” But the Frontier Conference is always tough and the Wildcats confront the front runners right off the bat when the season starts on Nov. 28. “We play Union, Jenks and Broken Arrow in three of our first four games,” the coach said. “But at least we’ll find out where we stand quickly.” .The Wildcats return the two top scorers and rebounders from last year’s team, Billy Broughton (6-1, 11.9) and Blaine Petrie (6-5, 12.8). The third returning starter is point guard Tim Frick (5-10) Other returning seniors are James Anno (6-2), Josh Pitts (6-3), Jared Brashears (6-4) and Kyle Upchurch (5-10.), Also back is junior Kyle Geheb (5-10). Rounding out the top nine is sophomore Landis Blackburn (6-6). Although not given much respect in the polls, opposing league coaches did think highly enough of the Wildcats to name Broughton and Petrie to preseason All-Conference honors. Sooners, Wildcats Headed for RematchBy The Asociated Press. The picture is now clear in the Big 12: Barring something unforeseen, Oklahoma and Kansas State will meet again on the first weekend of December to determine the conference champion. The top-ranked Sooners, it would appear, can put the throttle on cruise control after beating Texas A&M, 35-31, on Saturday in College Station. The largest crowd to watch a game in the state of Texas, 87,188, saw Oklahoma rally from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit and put a headlock on the South Division title. The Sooners (9-0, 6-0 Big 12) have a home game this week against Texas Tech and close out the regular season on Nov. 25 against Oklahoma State. Kansas State, meanwhile, scored a late touchdown to beat Nebraska, 29-28. With a victory over Missouri this week, the Wildcats (9-2, 5-2) will win the North and get another crack at the Sooners, who beat them 41-31 in Manhattan. “If there’s one team we want to face, it’s Oklahoma,” KSU defensive end Monty Beisel said. It looked for a while Saturday as if Oklahoma would need some help down the road to get to Arrowhead Stadium. The Sooners trailed 31-21 early in the fourth quarter before rallying. The first touchdown came on a 2-yard run by Quentin Griffin with 7:43 remaining that capped a 15-play, 77-yard drive. Josh Heupel, who had been intercepted twice earlier in the game, was 6-of-7 passing and twice scrambled for yardage on the drive. The game turned on A&M’s next play from scrimmage. After the kickoff, Mark Farris threw to receiver Greg Porter, who was cutting across the middle. Linebacker Torrance Marshall dropped back into coverage, turned and intercepted the ball, then returned it 41 yards for the go-ahead touchdown. “That was the biggest play of the game right there,” OU defensive back Brandon Everage said. “Might be the biggest play of the season.” The Aggies (7-3, 5-2) threw a scare into Oklahoma, however. They drove to the 4-yard line where a fourth-down pass fell incomplete, and on their final drive in the last minute, Porter was stopped five yards short of a first down. Oklahoma then ran out the clock. The victory had coach Bob Stoops and some of his players talking about so-called “Sooner Magic,” a term used often during the mid-1980s when Oklahoma found ways to win big games. “Hopefully, we’ve got a little more magic left in the bag,” Heupel said. After a rough start, Heupel helped rally his team and kept alive his chances of winning the Heisman Trophy. He finished the day 28-of-42 for 263 yards and a touchdown, with two interceptions. “I don’t know what anyone else was looking for. The guy just finds a way to win,” Stoops said. “He’s undefeated, we’re undefeated and in the driver’s seat of the big 12 South. I don’t think there’s any question Josh has to be the leading candidate.” Kansas State has lost 31 times to Nebraska in the past 32 years, but pulled out the victory in the snow and sleet. Quincy Morgan’s 12-yard touchdown catch on a pass from Jonathan Beasley put the Wildcats ahead with 2:52 remaining. Carter finished with 199 yards and two touchdowns on just seven receptions. “I knew I had to come out and play well against Nebraska,” Morgan said. “I wanted to do my part for the team. We knew this was a big game. The loser goes home.” With 50 seconds remaining and a heavy snow falling, Eric Crouch’s pass bounced off the hands of Matt Davison on fourth-and-5. Thus ended the Cornhuskers’ national championship hopes for this season. “This is very difficult for a team to take,” coach Frank Solich said. “They worked tremendously hard to put themselves into position ... but they’re not going to reach all their goals.” A little snow didn’t keep Iowa State from reaching one of its goals. The Cyclones beat Colorado 35-27, and now have seven victories and are eligible for a bowl for the first time since 1978. “Our goal at the beginning of the year was to go into the Kansas game (next week) with a bowl wrapped up, playing for a bigger one,” coach Dan McCarney said. “This is a great feeling. We aren’t stopping here.” Sage Rosenfels ran for 140 yards and two touchdowns, and also threw a touchdown pass to lead the Cyclones (7-3, 4-3). It was more disappointment for Colorado (3-7, 3-4). The Buffaloes committed four turnovers, including a fumble at the Iowa State 10-yard line in the final two minutes. “I think of all the losses we had this year, this one was the hardest for me to deal with,” coach Gary Barnett said. “We really gave them this.” Florida Teams Chase SoonersBy The Associated Press Watch out No. 1 Oklahoma, the Florida schools are closing in. The Sooners (9-0), the nation’s only major unbeaten team, remained atop The Associated Press Top 25 for the third straight week with Miami, Florida State and Florida running 2-3-4. The final ballot count Sunday had Oklahoma with 70 first-place votes and 1,774 points from the 71 sports writers and broadcasters on the AP panel. Oklahoma rallied for a 35-31 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday. Miami (8-1), a 35-7 winner over Pittsburgh, held the No. 2 spot with 1,690 points; No. 3 Florida State (10-1) had one first-place vote and 1,629 points following a 35-6 win over Wake Forest; and Florida (9-1) moved up a spot to No. 4 with 1,551 points after a 41-21 win over South Carolina. Several upsets caused a shuffling of other Top 25 teams, with Kansas State (9-2) rising seven places to No. 9 after a 29-28 win over Nebraska (8-2), which tumbled six spots to No. 10. Purdue fell eight spots to No. 17 with a 30-10 loss to Michigan State. Global Breaks Sooners StreakNORMAN (AP) — Oklahoma’s 26-game exhibition winning streak ended Saturday night in an 80-78 loss to Global Sports. The Sooners hadn’t lost an exhibition game since a 102-74 loss to the Soviet Union national team in 1986. “A lot of pride is lost in something like this,” senior guard Tim Heskett said. Global, which is coached by USBL team Oklahoma Storm’s Bryan Gates, was led by center Jamal Faulkner, who scored 19 points and went 3-for-3 from 3-point range before fouling out. Oklahoma missed 13 shots from inside 5 feet and shot 66.7 percent from the free-throw line. But the Sooners shot 52.6 percent (10-of-19) from 3-point range. During one second-half stretch, the Sooners scored 21 points on nothing but 3-pointers. Global shot 56 percent from the field, 60 percent from 3-point range (9-of-15), and 71.4 percent from the line. “They know how to score, but we didn’t do a lot to make them miss,” OU coach Kelvin Sampson said. “I didn’t think we played with a lot of emotion tonight.” Senior guard Kelley Newton and junior forward Aaron McGhee led Oklahoma with 21 points each. McGhee also had 13 rebounds and four blocked shots. The Sooners open the regular season Friday at home against Alcorn State. Frontier Girls Down CoyleCOYLE — The Frontier High School Lady Mustangs opened the season by defeating host, Coyle 50-37. Senior Robin Pratt scored a game high 20 ponts. Frontier never trailed and took 17-8 lead in the first quarter. Coyle won the second quarter by outscoring Frontier 10 - 8 to pull to within 5 points, 23-12. Frontier came out in the third quarter and put in 13 points while holding Coyle to only 5 points to put the game out of reach. Coyle gave it a good run again in the final guarter and outscored Frontier 14-12. Coach Greg Jackson said the girls’ performance was a typical first game that was full of mistakes. “Our bright spot was Robin’s game,” he said. “She is our post girl and we need her to play well and be a threat at all times. “Two sum it all up<” he said. “It was a win and that’s what we’re after.” Frontier hosts Mullhall-Orlando at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday Golf NotesKeeland Arterbury had a hole-in-one on the No. 3 hole at the Lew Wentz Golf Course recently. Arterbury used a 5-iron to ace the hole. He was plang with Mike Veltman
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