Local News and Sports

From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, November 5, 1996

LOCAL
Nuttle Predicts GOP To Gain Senate Seats
Turnout of Voters Could Be Record
School Land Sales Surpass Expectation
Drug Testing Of New County Drivers OK'd
Ponca City Woman Injured in Accident
NOC Casts Fall Musical
Instructor Brings Latest Information On Physics to NOC
District Court

DEATHS
Virgil Varnell
Lora May Backhaus
Lawrence Lore Laws
Mazie L. Stewart
Rose Juanita Betts
Charles Edward Casebeer
Anita LaNora Grogan

NEWS BRIEFS

BUSINESS
Conoco, Reading & Bates Join in Deep Water Effort
Breakfast of Champions Hears About Service to Customers
Where Are They Now? Brockmann Agriculturist At Holly Sugar
Smith International Acquires Red Baron Ltd. Tool Rentals
City Sales Tax Collections Fall For Third Month
Commercial Permits Lead Inspector List
Unemployment Rate Up Again
Commercial Federal Corp. Earnings Up for Quarter
Notes and Quotes

FAMILY LIVING
Aqua Fit/Dance Class Started Nov. 1 at YMCA
Blackwell ABWA To Hold Style Show

SPORTS
Northern Men Rally; Lady Mavericks Fall

LOCAL

Nuttle Predicts GOP To Gain Senate Seats

Editor's Note: Former Ponca Citian Marc Nuttle, who is an attorney in Norman, is recognized as a national political strategist. Nuttle is often quoted in the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek and other national publications. Currently he has been involved in lobby efforts for the National Federation of Business and also works with several Republican members of Congress on their personal races.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
NORMAN - The Republicans will lose no more than seven seats in the House, which still gives them control, and are likely to pick up two senate seats, Marc Nuttle, a national Republican strategist, says. Nuttle is currently monitoring over 220 races in the House and the Senate.
Nuttle bases his projections on two reasons:
First, he says, the Democratic National Committee refused to file contributions with the National Election Committee and then changed its position and did file. This raised more questions about the Indonesia and Taiwanese contributions and made the public think they were guilty, Nuttle said.
The other factor is that Bob Dole, Republican candidate for the presidency, on his marathon campaign trips this weekend has closed two states he wasn't winning - New Jersey, where he is even, and has pulled within five points in California.
Nuttle said, "There are 14 Senate seats within five points. I've never seen that many Senate seats that close before. I have seen that many in the House. Momentum in the end is very important because three or four points are going to make a difference."
He said that the marathon campaign trip that Dole is on has had some effect. "It was a novel thing to do in the end because it kept the activities of his campaign going."
Another reason for Dole to do the marathon is personal contact. Mostly the funds are spent on media and media are important, but personal contact is most important, Nuttle indicated.
Talking about third parties, Nuttle noted that the elections in the United States are not party driven, because neither party is growing and third parties are gaining but do not have a national party.
He noted that third party folks are about issues such as whether they are for organized labor or for a balanced budget constitutional amendment or something else. "And if you don't address these issues you don't address there primary concerns," Nuttle said.
Asked which candidate the Reform Party of Ross Perot's is going to hurt, Nuttle said if the percentage of the vote is six percent or less it will do equal damage.
However if eight percent votes for Perot or the percentage goes into double digits, it will hurt the Republicans. He said folks who want a change at the top of the ticket should vote for Dole.
He said, "I'm hopeful that the outcome, whatever it is, that we're able to restore some confidence in the public's mind in government institutions. Government can't work without the people at the grass roots directing it or it runs amok or we'll have government out of control and that spells a death spiral.
"I'm hopefully whatever comes out of this election, people will reengage and we'll become a true functioning democracy, where people will have some confidence that their vote makes a difference because it does."

Turnout of Voters Could Be Record

A benchmark voter turnout may be in the making in Ponca City, according to early reports. Several of the cross-section of precincts contacted about 10:30 a.m., were reporting a "record turnout."
In addition to joining the rest of the nation in voting for president and combining with the state and area on Corporation Commission and congressional races, Kay Countians are deciding on a number of county offices as well as a state representative post.
Judicial retention and six state questions are to be decided.
Polls remain open until 7 p.m.
On the local level, precincts in Ponca City and the McCord area are determining who whether Democrat Bernie Jackson or Republican Jim Newport will succeed retiring Jim Holt in the state House of Representatives.
County races include: sheriff, Marion VanHoesen or James Henley; court clerk, Glenda Coussens Emerson or Diane Beekman; county clerk, Pam Goodno or Linda Smith; and treasurer, Radena Eisenhauer or Pat Schieber.
At Precinct 534 at Northeast Baptist Church, Gene Sigle, inspector, reported 400 had already cast their ballots and ordinally only about half that many would have voted by mid-morning. There were 18 citizens standing in line before the polls opened at this precinct.
Lynda D. McDaniel, inspector, at Precinct 530 at Pioneer Technology Center, reported a record turn-out with 300 already voting at mid-morning.
Precinct 527 at Union School was anticipating a record voter turn-out with 400 already casting their votes by 10:30 a.m., Iris Peterson, inspector, said in 1992, which was also a general election year, a total of 1,032 were cast all day. She also noted that there were 22 voters standing in line when the polls opened at 7 a.m. and by 8 a.m., 100 had cast their ballots. She said that the voting booths have been full all the time.
At Southside Baptist Church, a record turn-out had already happened at mid-morning with 150 voters, a total which the Precinct does not always see in 12 hours of balloting, according to inspector Barbara Young. She also reported people waiting in line.

School Land Sales Surpass Expectation

By KRISTI GRABEAL
News Education Editor
The recent sale of select parcels of Oklahoma School Land has been a resounding success, significantly increasing Trust Fund revenue that will be available to the state's education system. The Commissioners of the Land Office sold 11,425.49 acres during separate public auctions for a total of $5,088,500. The bidding exceeded the minimum value of all tracts by $732,650.
Here in Kay County, Kevin Strahorn of Tonkawa bought the only piece of land for sale. The land was located by the Salt Fork River, just south of Tonkawa. The minimum bid for the purchase of the land was $9,000 and Strahorn paid $27,100. The Commissioners Land Office in Oklahoma City told The News today that, "Strahorn paid a lot more for the land than anticipated and because of that he is showing that the education of Oklahoma children should remain a top priority."
Of the 98 parcels offered for sale by the Commissioners of the Land Office, 81 tracts in 16 counties were sold. These parcels are all part of Oklahoma's original school land grant. The sales took place during the months of September and October in the following counties: Alfalfa, Atoka, Comanche, Cotton, Craig, Delaware, Jefferson, Kay, Lincoln, Logan, McCurtain, Noble, Pawnee, Payne, Pittsburg and Pottawatomie.
"This new venture of selling targeted parcels of School Land at public auctions has been met with incredible enthusiasm by the public," said Rob Johnson, Secretary of the Commissioners of the Land Office. "Everywhere I go, people ask me for more information about 'The Sale of the Century.' The interest in School Land just keeps growing."
Preceding and throughout the recent sales, the School Land phone lines were jammed with calls. On Monday, Sept. 30, the first day of the sales, the agency's phone system logged 400 calls per hour. And people did more than call, they came to the auctions. Farmers bought grazing land for its commercial value so they can enjoy the land now and hand it down to their children in the future.
The recent sales are part of a series of auctions to be held over the next 12 to 16 years, with a total of 500,000 acres to be sold by the State of Oklahoma. Proceeds from School Land Sales are reinvested in the education of the state's children.
After conducting a thorough evaluation of all its properties, the Commissioners of the Land Office made the decision to sell the select parcels of school land. The Commissioners determined that in some situations investing sales proceeds in a diversified investment portfolio would yield greater earnings for public schools than the revenue currently received from leasing the properties.

Drug Testing Of New County Drivers OK'd

NEWKIRK - The Kay County board of commissioners Monday unanimously approved a policy requiring drug testing of all new hires who will need to carry a commercial drivers license.
District Two Commissioner Wayne Leven said the reason for the testing, which will be paid for by the county, is to avoid discrimination.
The county has already had a random drug screening program for employees who operate heavy machinery. None of the commissioners has ever had an employee who tested positive to the random drug testing, they said.
In other business, the board awarded a contract to Powers Roofing of Arkansas City for tile roof repairs and flat roof resurfacing at the county courthouse. Powers, which submitted a bid of $10,605, was the only company to bid for the job.
The board also took a step toward renovating a portion of the courthouse's fourth floor to make extra office space. An area currently storing old office furniture and equipment will be cleared out this week.
And the commissioners opened two bids for a new telephone system for the district attorney's office, which is now considering a $10,050 bid from American Telephone and a $16,528 bid from Southwestern Bell Communication.

Ponca City Woman Injured in Accident

A Ponca City driver sustained injuries after her car rolled over 1/2 mile south of U.S. 60 on Old River Road at 6:41 p.m. Monday, according to the Ponca City Fire Department ambulance report.
The victim, Gina Campbell, 26, complained of neck, back and head pain. EMTs also noticed a two-inch laceration on top of her head and an emergency medical technician controlled the bleeding of the victim and immobilized her neck en route to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center.
Hospital staff verified Campbell was admitted and remains in stable condition.

NOC Casts Fall Musical

TONKAWA - Sharing the title role in the Northern Oklahoma College fall musical "The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood" are Jera Dunn, Perry, and Kelly Haikin, Crescent.
Brad Ellis, Enid, plays Lone T. Wolf, the much-maligned lain of the original fairy tale. Yona Wade, Tonkawa High School student, is the handsome Woodsman, "thick of arm and head," and Alexis Morrison, Blackwell eighth grader, is Red Riding Hood's dancing sidekick, Mouse. Cindy Miller, Mooreland, and Marie Beyer, Ponca City, alternate in the role of Mother.
Appearing as wolves and other animals in the double-cast show are Beyer; Angelia Jarvis, Lori Thomasson, Josh Long, Tonkawa High School; Tracy Patterson, Tonkawa eighth grader; Sarah Fiscus, Julie Goodger, Luke Hadsall, David Kindred and Tye Pameticky, Blackwell; Katie Thompson, Enid; Shawn Clark, Medford; Molly Hall, Edmond; Fachaitte Kingslow, Dover; and Heather Lambert, Stillwater. Chorus members are Patterson, Miller and Tom Walton, Lahoma.
Mariann Priboy directs the musical, which is now in rehearsal. In addition to scheduled performances Nov. 21, 22, 23 and 24 in the Northern Performing Arts Center, the show will go on the road for performances in Blackwell and at Frontier High School.
The family-oriented musical has a score by Jule Styne, lyrics by Bob Merrill and book by Robert Emmett.

Instructor Brings Latest Information On Physics to NOC

TONKAWA - Brian Box, Northern Oklahoma College physics and math instructor, has returned with the latest physics findings available from a joint fall meeting of physics researchers, instructors and students in Arlington, Texas.
"I enjoyed the session on materials used to create artificial muscles the most," said Box, who will discuss with his own students the technology of how these 'muscles' can be controlled. Attending the meetings "allows me to be exposed to the cutting edge of research which I can bring back and share with my students," he added.
The joint Fall Meeting of the Texas Sections of the American Association of Physics Teachers and the American Physical Society with Zone 13 of the Society of Physics Students was hosted by the University of Texas at Arlington, Texas and attended with two-year college educators from 16 states and Puerto Rico. Box plans to give a presentation next March at the joint spring meeting.

District Court

Ponca City
Divorces Petitions
Tammy Renee Dayman vs. David Eugene Slate.
Kim Youngblood vs. Orland C. Youngblood Jr.
Lynda Maurine Estrada vs. Daniel Mendoza Estrada.
Kellie Dawn Stone vs. Terry Dale Stone.
Margaret J. DeBoard vs. George O. DeBoard.
Lorene Elda Petree vs. David Lewis Petree.
Susan Achsah Lunn vs. Gordon Turner Lunn.
Divorces Granted
Rosemarie Honeycutt vs. Robert Wayne Honeycutt; plaintiff restored to former name of Rosemarie Nash.
Kathy A. Owen vs. Deric L. Owen; plaintiff restored to former name of Kathy A. Schrader.
Connie Lewman vs. David Lewman.
Joe Lynn Payne vs. Melody Kay Payne.
Patricia Louise Garich vs. William Robert Garich.
Paul W. Heintz vs. Phyllis D. Heintz.
Jonnette H. Godbold vs. Dale H. Godbold; plaintiff restored to former name of Jonnette Lee Heath.
Civil Proceedings
Carol L. Johnson vs. Mark S. Blevins; plaintiff seeking judgment of $24,613.97 plus interest on mortgage foreclosure.
Newkirk
Marriage Licenses
James Dwane Cathey, 25, and Ida Bea Romine, 24, both of Ponca City.
Nolane Rhodd, 17, and Amy Lynn Poore, 16, both of Ponca City.
Michael Andrew Lewis, 25, and Allison Gail Abel, 20, both of Ponca City.
James D. Kirkendall, 22, and Regina Shae Landis, 18, both of Newkirk.
Jeffrey Blaine Gilmore, 27, and Crystal Ann Hilton, 25, both of Blackwell.

DEATHS

Virgil Varnell

BLACKWELL - Virgil "Shorty" Varnell, longtime Blackwell area resident, died early Sunday morning, Nov. 3, 1996, at the Willow Haven Nursing Home in Tonkawa. He was 75.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, at the Blackwell First Assembly of God Church with the Rev. Gene Varnell of Woodward and the Rev. Eugene Varnell of Mannford, officiating. Burial will be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Roberts and Son Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Virgil "Shorty Varnell was born March 6, 1921, in Sand Springs, the son of Evert and Grace (Stottlemyer) Varnell. He began attending school in Sand Springs, but later moved with his family to Mannford, where he continued his education. On Sept. 30, 1939, he was married to Mabel Dorothy Baney in Sapulpa, and the couple made their home in Mannford. Varnell was engaged in the farming business, until moving to Helena, where he was employed by the Helena Co-op. In 1954, the family moved to Braman, where Varnell continued working as a maintenance technician and welder for the Braman and Blackwell Co-ops for 20 years. He also welded for area farmers. After retirement from the Co-op he was employed for a brief time by Clark Manufacturing Company in Wellington, Kan., then with Wetmore's of Tonkawa. Ill health forced his retirement in 1976, then he later worked part-time for the Blackwell Dairy Queen and in the early 1990s, for the Blackwell Wal-Mart Store. When his wife became ill, he retired to care for her full time. Varnell was a member of the Blackwell First Assembly of God Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mabel D. Varnell of Blackwell; one daughter, Mrs. Cecil (Patty) Stuever of Blackwell; three sisters, May Owens of Wichita, Kan., Mildred Butts of Cabool, Mo., and Mabel Howell of Summersville, Mo.; two brothers, the Rev. Gene Varnell of Woodward and Carl Varnell of Enid; and three grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, and several brothers and sisters in infancy.
Casket bearers will be Jim Stuever, Max Moore, Ray Shriner, R.V. Wagner, Jerry Johnston, and Jeff Dill. Honorary bearers will be Dale Wright, Millard Kelley, Jack Bookout, the Rev. Howard Snell, Angie Stuever, Justin Stuever, Ashley Stuever.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Varnell's name to the First Assembly of God Church Building Fund, c/o Roberts Funeral Home, 120 West Padon, Blackwell, OK 74631.
The family will be at 333 Fairview in Blackwell.

Lora May Backhaus

NEWKIRK - Lora May Backhaus, longtime area resident, died Sunday evening at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Ponca City. She was 80.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Newkirk First Christian Church with Mr. Jerry Albright officiating. Burial will follow in Newkirk Cemetery under the direction of Miller-Stahl Funeral Service. The casket will be open until just prior to service time.
Lora May (Baringer) Backhaus, daughter of George and Ada (Shilling) Baringer, was born east of Arkansas City, Kan., on Oct. 15, 1916. She graduated from Arkansas City High School in 1935 and continued her education at Arkansas City Junior College. After graduation she taught at various schools in southern Kansas, including Belle Plaine. She also served as a substitute teacher for many years in the Newkirk public schools.
On June 4, 1944, she was married to Paul Henry Backhaus at the Central Christian Church in Arkansas City. The couple made their home in St. Joseph, Mo., while Mr. Backhaus was in the military service. In 1946, they moved to Arkansas City, then to Newkirk. Mrs. Backhaus was an active member of Newkirk First Christian Church, where she had served as teacher, elder, chairman of the board, on all committees and with the Christian Women's Fellowship. She was also a member of the Pioneer Sam's Club, the Kay County Election Board and delivered Meals on Wheels. She enjoyed spending time out-of-doors, camping, needlework, sewing, gardening and time with her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Paul, of the home; two sons, Don and Darrell, both of Ponca City; three daughters, Rose Mary Yockey and Loretta Lane, both of Moore, and Nancy Loghry of Woodburn, Iowa; two brothers, Ralph Baringer of McPherson, Kan., and Maurice Baringer of Woodburn, Iowa; and 13 grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, and one sister.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Backhaus' name to the Newkirk First Christian Church, c/o Eastman National Bank, P.O. Box 468, Newkirk, OK 74647.

Lawrence Lore Laws

BLACKWELL - Lawrence Lore Laws, longtime Blackwell resident, died Sunday evening, Nov. 3, 1996, at Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home in Blackwell. He was 67.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Cremation and other arrangements are under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Lawrence Lore Laws was born March 29, 1929, in Gridley, Kan., the son of Silas and Hazel Laws. He grew up and attended schools in Gridley. Following his schooling he moved to Emporia, Kan. On June 29, 1951, he entered the U.S. Army in Kansas City, Mo., and served during the Korean War. He received the Korean Service Medal with a bronze service star.
He was married to Lucille Sophia Carlburg in 1956, and the couple made their home in Blackwell. Laws was employed in the oil fields by B&S Construction Co.
Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Hicks of Wichita, Kan.; three sons, Robert of Wichita, Kan., Bud of Overland Park, Kan., and Richard of Fountain Valley, Calif.; two sisters, Lorraine Wright of Topeka, Kan., and Laura Waugh of Carbondale, Kan.; three brothers, Leo of Union City, Tenn., Leon of Bridgeton, Mo., and Larry of Bartlesville; five grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife in 1988; his parents; and one brother, Loy.

Mazie L. Stewart

Mazie L. Stewart, former Ponca City resident, died Saturday afternoon, Nov. 2, 1996, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. She was 76.
The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday at Grace Memorial Chapel in Ponca City with the Rev. Paul Graham, pastor of Ponca City Second Baptist Church officiating. Burial will be in the Ponca City IOOF Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Mazie L. (White) Stewart was born June 22, 1920, in Arkansas, the daughter of John Henry and Elsie Lee (Harper) White. She attended Ponca City Public Schools, graduating from Ponca City High School in 1939. She had been employed with the Souligny Insurance Agency and the Bill Livermore Insurance Agency, both in Ponca City.
She was married to Louis L. Stewart in June 1946, in Blackwell, and the couple established their home in Ponca City. In the late 1940s the couple moved to Tulsa, where Mrs. Stewart began employment as an assistant to Mr. Paul Sisk of the Marsh & McLennan Inc. She retired on March 31, 1986.
Survivors include one son, Stephen Louis of Oklahoma City; one sister, Naomi Barthel of Tulsa; one brother, Fred White of Ponca City; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; and one sister, Helen Walker.
Casket bearers will be Mickey Skaggs, Jimmy Skaggs, John White, Gary Long and Andy Lee.
The family will be at 2045 North Fourth Street.

Rose Juanita Betts

FAIRFAX - Rose Juanita Betts, Fairfax resident, died Sunday night, Nov. 3, 1996, at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. She was 82.
The funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, in the First Osage Baptist Church, in Fairfax, with the Rev. Robert Glasgow officiating. Burial will be in the Fairfax Cemetery under the direction of Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home. Friends may visit until 9 p.m. today at the funeral home.
Rose Juanita (Bennett) Betts was born Oct. 6, 1914, in Osage County, the daughter of George William and Nellie Ora (McLoud) Bennett. She grew up in Osage County, graduating from Fairfax High School in 1934. She later received her LPN degree in Blackwell.
She was married to Ralph Betts in November 1951, in Pawnee. Mrs. Betts retired from her nursing career in 1983. She was a member of the First Osage Baptist Church, Womens Missionary Union and the Oklahoma Nursing Association. She enjoyed reading.
Survivors include one sister, Bernice Jones of Tulsa; two nieces; and one aunt. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph; her parents; and two brothers.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Betts' name to the First Osage Baptist Church, P.O. Box 217, Fairfax, OK 74637-0217.
The family will be at the Ruth Rickman home.

Charles Edward Casebeer

BLACKWELL - Charles Edward Casebeer, Blackwell resident, died Saturday evening, Nov. 2, 1996, in the McAfee Living Center in Blackwell. He was 84.
The funeral will be held graveside in the cemetery at Kaw City at 10 a.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Charles Ryser, Blackwell First United Methodist Church, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Roberts Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Charles Edward Casebeer was born July 11, 1912, in Stillwater, the son of Roy L. and Jennie (Pitzer) Casebeer. At age three, he moved from Stillwater to Pawhuska with his parents , where he grew up and attended schools. In 1934, he was employed by Dave Morgan Oil Company, where he continued until his retirement in 1974.
On Oct. 19, 1977, he was married to Viola S. Selby in Miami, Okla., and the couple made their home in Blackwell.
Survivors include one niece, Barbara Tettleton of Edmond. He was preceded in death by his wife on June 11, 1991; his parents; and one brother, LeRoy.

Anita LaNora Grogan

GARBER - Anita LaNora Grogan, former Marland area resident, died Sunday, Nov. 3, 1996, at Integris Bass Baptist Health Center in Enid. She was 66.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Sisson Funeral Home Chapel in Garber with the Rev. Clyde Womack officiating. Arrangements and cremation were under the direction of Sisson Funeral Home, Garber.
Anita LaNora (Womack) Grogan was born Feb. 6, 1930, in Fairfax, the daughter of Samuel Andrew and Jaunita Blanch (Miller) Womack. She was married to Clyde Vernon Grogan on Sept. 11, 1950, in Marland and the couple lived in various places while Mr. Grogan followed his military career. Mrs. Grogan was a nurse. The couple moved to Garber after their retirement.
Survivors include two sons, Lewis Gene of Miami, Fla., and Alvin Andrew of Enid; one daughter, Diana Sue Sulitka of Garber; one sister, Sharron Kay Maniss of Tulsa; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde, on March 14, 1994; her parents; and one sister.

NEWS BRIEFS

VFW and Auxiliary Selling Poppies - The VFW Post 1201 and Ladies Auxiliary will be taking Buddy Poppy donations Nov. 5 through Nov. 11 at local merchants. Help your local veterans by buying and wearing a Buddy Poppy.

PTSA Meeting - There will be a Parent, Teacher, Student Association meeting at 7 p.m. this evening in the Howell Auditorium at Po-Hi. Dr. Sjoberg will host a question-answer session on issues of concern at Po-Hi. All parents, teachers and students are encouraged to attend.

Accident - The Ponca City Police Department received notice of an accident on Interstate 35 at mile marker 199. The PCPD advised the Oklahoma Highway Patrol at 7:36 a.m. Monday.

Vandalism - A resident in the 1100 block of North First Street notified the Ponca City Police Department of vandalism to a vehicle at 10:36 a.m. Monday. An officer took a report.

Collision - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a minor accident at West South Avenue and South Waverly Street at 4:35 p.m. Monday.

Stolen Merchandise - An employee of Hastings, 2101 North Fourteenth Street, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 5:19 p.m. Monday that someone had sold CD's to the business which were later identified as stolen. An officer took a report.

Checks Stolen - The Perry Police Department advised the Ponca City Police Department at 5:50 p.m. Monday that cash and checks were stolen from a Perry florist on Friday. The checks were made out to Shorn Originals. Citizens should contact the PCPD if they have any information regarding this burglary.

Accident - A Ponca City police officer responded at 5:56 p.m. Monday to an accident at West Grand Avenue and Waverly Street

Arrested - A 16-year-old boy was arrested by a Ponca City police officer at 7:52 p.m. Monday for carrying a concealed firearm. A resident in the 100 block of South Osage Street notified the PCPD to report juveniles attempting to fight. An officer located the subjects at Pine Street and West Grand Avenue. The officer requested another officer after discovering that one of the suspects had the weapon.

BUSINESS

Conoco, Reading & Bates Join in Deep Water Effort

HOUSTON - Conoco and Reading & Bates have announced the formation of a 50/50 venture to execute a $400 million, five-year drilling program in the ultra deep water Gulf of Mexico. The new company will carry out the program for Conoco.
To meet the challenges of drilling in ultra deep water, the new company has commissioned construction of $200 million, world-class, dynamically positioned drillship capable of drilling at water depths up to 10,000 feet.
The vessel will carry the most stringent American Bureau of Shipping requirement for dynamically positioning systems, DPS-3. To date, no other drillship has been designed for an operating condition this extreme to provide for such stringent layers of safety systems, redundancy and reliability, according to Conoco officials.
Samsung Heavy Industries of Korea has been awarded the contract to construct the vessel. Delivery is expected in 1998.
The drilling program centers on 60 high potential blocks recently acquired by Conoco for exploration in the Gulf of Mexico. Water depths range from 2,000 to 9,000 feet. Thirty-three blocks were acquired during the April bid round, and the remaining 27 in September.
"Having a drillship solely dedicated to Conoco's Gulf of Mexico operations fits our strategy to resume a leadership role in exploring the deep waters of the region," said Conoco President and CEO Archie W. Dunham. "This drillship, the venture with Reading & Bates and our previous experience in deep water exploration and production give us the tools and expertise necessary to fully explore these blocks," he added.
Conoco and Reading & Bates complement one another, combining expertise in marine and deep water drilling operations, rig design and project management and construction supervision. Conoco's marine department will assist in the design of the vessel and help oversee construction, and Reading & Bates will provide drilling services to the new venture.
Paul B. Loyd, Jr., Reading & Bates Chairman, president and CEO, stated, "We are very pleased to enter into this significant agreement with Conoco which will result in the construction and long-term deployment of a new generation deep water drilling vessel. Conoco has been one of our most valued clients since the 1950s, and it is particularly satisfying to enter into this innovative project as partners, thus enhancing value for both companies' shareholders."
The 721-foot-long, double-hulled drillship has the additional flexibility to perform extended well test (EWT) and includes crude oil storage and offloading capacity, provision for simultaneous drilling and testing and eventual conversion to a floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessel. The key to its deep water performance is the dynamic positioning system in which a specialized combination of seabed and satellite positioning systems provide signals to computers that control six high-powered thrusters capable of positioning the ship exactly on target.
The vessel configuration and dynamic positioning thrusters also provide efficient propulsion for high transit speed, giving the drillship excellent utility for deployment between drilling theaters worldwide, avoiding the considerable cost of tow and support vessels.
Conoco, the energy subsidiary of DuPont, is an integrated, international energy company employing some 16, 000 in more than 30 countries.
Reading & Bates Development Co., is a New York Stock Exchange listed company, provided offshore drilling services throughout the world. Its wholly owned subsidiary, Reading & Bates Development Co., provides technical, construction and project management services and sub-sea and floating production systems to the upstream offshore oil and gas industry worldwide.

Breakfast of Champions Hears About Service to Customers

By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
The "Customer Service" program of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce's Retail Committee drew about 180 reservations Friday.
The program, featured Wayne Short, Cowley County Community College instructor, and a founder of the Two Rivers Quality Improvement Network; Bev Black, Cowley County Community College instructor, who works with business and industry state-of-the-art employee training programs; and Dr. Gary King, of Southwestern College, Winfield, Kan., and Dr. Jerry King, of Southwestern College Degree Completion Program.
The program was introduced by Carol Bouldin, of the Give Ponca the Business Program. Dr. Short talked about how to measure customer service. First one must determine the customer's wants and needs; establish goals of improvement and measure how you are doing.
He suggested business owners and managers should open their eyes, use focus groups, learn from complaints, dialog with customers, do a community assessment, do a survey and mystery shoppers.
Short said complaints should be considered "gifts from the Gods," because this is where needed information is learned in order to give better service.
Black suggested setting goals such as "be sure you are thinking of continuous improvement" and then PDCA (plan, do, check and act). He suggest using charts whenever possible to measure both satisfaction and dissatisfaction.
Dr. King told of the importance of networking and to identify who the customers are. He also talked about on the job training and developing quality teams. He told about the degree completion program and noted a number of the Ponca City area are involved in the program.
Larry Felix, chairman-elect of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce, told the purpose of the program. "Breakfast of Champions is the seed that may help Ponca City grow a 'Community Quality Council.' A Community Quality Council might be the vehicle to produce understanding in methods of continuously improving Ponca City products and services."
Felix added, "We might learn to compete with rather tan compete against each other. We are in regional, state, national and ever world competition. What Ponca City business must do is 'do it better'
"By learning techniques of continuous improvement from each other, we make the whole community go forward. In order to launch a Community Quality Council and eventually a Community Network we must reach a 'critical mass' of understanding and interest. Breakfast of Champions is moving us toward critical mass."

Where Are They Now? Brockmann Agriculturist At Holly Sugar

SUGAR LAND, Texas - Holly Sugar Corporation, a subsidiary of Imperial Holly Corporation, has announced that Thomas Brockmann has joined the corporation as an agriculturist at its sugar beet processing factory in Hereford, Texas.
Brockmann, a native of Sidney, Mont., is the son of JoAnn and Lester Brockmann of Ponca City. He has a bachelor of science degree in agronomy from Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas.
Prior to joining Holly Sugar at Hereford, Brockmann was employed as an environmental specialist with Navasota Mining Company in Carlos, Texas. His background also includes an assignment as territory manager for Barefoot Grass Lawn Service. Brockmann is a member of the Agronomy Society and the Professional Soil Scientists of Texas.
Brockmann and his wife, Sharon, have three children, newborn twins, Brice and Carol, and a 2-year-old son, Charles. The Brockmanns reside in Hereford.
Imperial Holly Corporation is one of the nation's largest refiners and processors of cane and beet sugar with annual revenues exceeding $700 million.

Smith International Acquires Red Baron Ltd. Tool Rentals

HOUSTON - Smith International Inc., has announced that it had completed the acquisition of The Red Baron (Oil Tools Rental) Limited effective Oct. 9.
Red Baron is a leading supplier of fishing and other downhole remedial products and services to the oil and gas industry.
The company is headquartered in Aberdeen, Scotland, and operates service points in Scotland, England, Norway, Holland, the Middle East, Vietnam and Malaysia.
The company, which reported revenues of about U.S. $34 million in 1995, will now become part of the Smith Drilling and Completions business unit.
Richard Werner, president of Smith Drilling and Completions, said, "Red Baron fits our acquisition criteria and is expected to have a positive impact on earnings and cash flow immediately. The acquisition increases our capability to participate in the expanding reentry market with industry recognized personnel and technology. In addition, Red Baron will provide access for our products and services into geographic areas currently not serviced by our existing operations."
Smith International Inc., is a leading supplier of premium products and services to the oil and gas exploration and production industry through its four principal business units - M-I Drilling fluids LLC, Smith Diamond Technology and Smith Drilling and Completions.

City Sales Tax Collections Fall For Third Month

Ponca City sales tax return from the Oklahoma Tax Commission for business conducted during August followed a trend where the sales tax has slipped below the previous year for the third month in a row.
Ponca City coffers will receive a total of $721,682 compared to $728,572 for the same time frame in August 1995.
Statewide the August distribution of city sales tax collections totaled $66,207,904. The disbursement to 481 cities and towns showed an increase of $2,369,698 from the return of $63,838,206 distributed to 476 cities and towns in October one year ago.
City April 96 April 95
Barnsdall $11,940 $11,948
Bartlesville 902,901 899,155
Billings 8,925 4,468
Blackwell 139,337 139,029
Braman 1,259 1,874
Burbank 285 397
Deer Creek 1,306 721
Enid 1,189,262 1,202,888
Fairfax 20,291 13,390
Kaw City 2,715 4,142
Lamont 1,861 2,116
Marland 779 975
Medford 11,495 13,211
Morrison 2,418 3,938
Newkirk 23,026 21,033
Pawhuska 54,141 49,290
Pawnee 32,083 33,354
Pond Creek 6,141 6,744
Ralston 1,323 1,091
Red Rock 1,268 503
Shidler 2,216 2,553
Stillwater 1,065,186 950,544
Tonkawa 39,011 39,813

Commercial Permits Lead Inspector List

Commercial permits top the building permits issued this month by Ponca City Building Inspector James Brown. There were six commercial permits issued with a total valuation of $176,000.
There were no new single home or multi-home permits issued. Five remodel addition permits were issued at an valuation of $181,000 and seven miscellaneous permits with valuation of $26,680. Total building revenue was $547 and there were 38 inspections.
In the electrical area there were 40 permits issued and 86 inspections made by electrical inspector Rick Parrack's department.
There were 50 plumbing permits and 86 inspections made by the Plumbing department. Buddy Osborn is the plumbing inspector.
Osborn, also mechanical inspector, issued 40 permits and 56 inspections were made. Total building inspection revenue was $5,287.

Unemployment Rate Up Again

Kay County's unemployment rate continues to inch up. The rate for September was 7.2 percent, compared to 6.8 percent in both August and in September a year ago.
Surrounding counties and unemployment rates are Grant, 3.5 percent compared to 3.8 in August and 2.9 in 1995; Noble, 3.1 percent, compared to 3.3 in August and 3.8 a year ago; Pawnee, 6.6 percent, compared to 6.4 percent in August and 6.5 percent a year ago; Payne, 2 percent for both September and August and 1.9 percent in 1995.

Commercial Federal Corp. Earnings Up for Quarter

OMAHA - Commercial Federal Corporation has announced operating earnings of $14.8 million, or $1.01 per share, for the first quarter of its 1997 fiscal year - an increase of 19 percent compared with operating earnings of $12.5 million, or 86 cents per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 1996. Operating earnings for both quarters do not include the effect of nonrecurring expenses.
The company reported a net loss of $4.1 million, or loss of 27 cents per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 1997. These results include the company's share of the one-time, industry wide special assessment to recapitalize the Savings Association Insurance Fund, which amounted to after-tax charge of $17.3 million, or $1.17 per share.
In addition, Commercial Federal incurred a nonrecurring charge of $1.5 million, or ten cents per share, for transaction costs incurred by the company for its repurchase of 1,250,1000 shares of its common stock and a nonrecurring charge of $1,203,000 or one cents per share, for a tax law change regarding tax bad debt reserves.
This compares with reported net income of $11.2 million, or 77 cents per share, for the first quarter of fiscal 1996, which included a nonrecurring charge of $1.2 million or nine cents per share, for expenses associated with the company's purchase of Railroad Financial Corporation.

Notes and Quotes

Correction
In last Tuesday's business section The News incorrectly identified the wife and daughter of Bill Correll, new owner of Evart's Body Shop. Mrs. Correll's name is Bambi and the daughter's name is Jennifer.
Cope Certified
TONKAWA - Barbara J. Cope, Cope Photography, 202 East Grand, Tonkawa, has been recognized as a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) by the Professional Photographers of America, Inc., the largest international photographic association in the world.
By achieving CPP certification Cope is now among about 1,700 photographers worldwide to attain this level of professionalism. About five percent of the portrait photographers nationally have received the CPP certifications status. She joins her husband Dr. Glenn Cope as one of the few husband and wife teams who both hold the CPP status.
OSBDC Counseling
ALVA - A representative from the Oklahoma Small Business Development Center (OSBDC) will be in Ponca City on Nov. 14. The OSBDC provides free one-on-one counseling to individuals interested in starting a business or to business owners needing assistance. To schedule an appointment or to receive additional information, contact the OSBDC at (405) 327-8608.

FAMILY LIVING

Aqua Fit/Dance Class Started Nov. 1 at YMCA

Add some sizzle to your step with the Aqua Fit/Step Class, says instructor Amy Allan. A new session began Nov. 4 at Community Pool.
The class meets Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6 p.m. 7 according to instructor Allen. She has incorporated aquatic steps into the program, similar to land step aerobics. The program format includes a thermal warm-up, stretching, cardiovascular training, muscle strengthening and toning and a final stretch.
"Even if you are very fit, Aqua Fit can add something very special to your workout program, and everyone can be challenged at their own fitness level," said Ms. Allen." "Students will receive an intensive but refreshing workout."
For additional information on Aqua Fit, contact the YMCA at 765-5417.

Blackwell ABWA To Hold Style Show

American Business Women's Association, Blackwell Charter Chapter's Fifth Annual Style Show is being held on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7 p.m. in the Emerald Room at the Central National Bank Building, 102 North Main in Blackwell.
Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door. Enjoy an evening of fashion, food, door prizes and fun. Proceeds benefit ABWA's Scholarship Fund.

SPORTS

Northern Men Rally; Lady Mavericks Fall

WILBURTON - Northern Oklahoma's Mavericks opened their season with a thrilling 74-71 overtime victory over Eastern Oklahoma here Monday night while the Lady Mavs were not so fortunate. They lost 70-64.
Northern's men battled back from a 38-21 halftime deficit to tie the game at 51 midway through the second half.
The Mavericks had a chance to put the game away in the final seconds of regulation but missed a free throw and Eastern responded with a tip-in at the buzzer to force overtime at 63-all.
The Mountaineers went up five in the overtime but sophomore guards Blake Sonne and Mark Passley got Northern back in it as Passley knocked down a trey and Passley drove in for two. Passley later sealed the win with two free throws to account for the final three-point margin.
"We came back from the dead," said Northern head coach Mick Weiberg this morning, a little dead himself after arriving home in Tonkawa just after 4 a.m. "This was a big win for us. Eastern is every bit as good as they were last year and they beat us last year.
"We really struggled offensively in the first half, mostly because of an unbelievable 17 Turnovers. But as we played we got much better and we only had four turnovers in the second half. That was really a key for us. Our big guys, who are all freshmen, settled down and showed a lot of heart."
Sonne led Northern with 23 points with Passley right behind at 22 points.
Also scoring for NOC were DeShawn Denson, 9; Richard Whitfield, 8, Steven Lookout, 8; Casey Roberts, 2 and Bryan Stevens, 2.
In the women's game, the Lady Mavs led 37-27 at the half but couldn't score consistently in the second half as Eastern switched to a zone defense.
"We just didn't play well against the zone," said head coach Greg Krause. "They evened the score five to six minutes into the second half and then it was pretty even the rest of the way. We still had chances to tie in the last 3-4 minutes but just didn't shoot very well. The zone defense really gave us fits."
Lynetta Geter led Northern with 15 points. Three others also reached double figures - Annie Thornton, 12, Michelle Brown, 10 and Sherry Butts, 10.
Also scoring were T.J. Humphreys, 6; Mandy Perkins, 4; Chanda Myers, 3; Brandi McClellan, 2 and Jill Kliewer, 2.
Despite being disappointed with the loss, Krause did find some positives.
"We played hard and I think we'll continue to do that," said Krause. "Michelle Brown (a freshman from Midwest City-Star Spencer) played an outstanding game offensively, on the boards. She started for (Jennifer) Whittet who had a sprained ankle and she's a bright spot. She has so much quickness. Geter also played well."
Up next for the Northern women is a trip to the Lady Texan Tournament at Loveland, Texas on the campus of South Plains College.
Thursday the Lady Mavs play Clarendon Texas at 5 p.m., Friday NOC takes on South Plans at 7 p.m. and then Saturday the Lady Mavs play Howard Texas at 4 p.m.