From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Tuesday, December
3, 1996
LOCAL
Death Penalty Given In Davis Murder Trial
Nearly News
Governor's Tree Lighting Reveals Ponca City Link
Cushing Teen Killed in Accident South on U.S. 177
'The Nutcracker' on Poncan Theatre Stage Friday Night
Two Hospitalized After Crash
Letters Say:
Gala Provides Traditions, Plus Some New Additions
Ponca Family Medicine Receives Accreditation
Art Association Flea Market Items Plentiful
Christmas Tree Festival Runs For Three Days
DEATHS
Mary Elizabeth Herde Bachman
Tommie Louise Tomblin
Doris Florence Yeary
Services Pending
Mildred Martin
Clark H. Miller
Joseph F. Thornton
Funerals
Joy Dean Sears
NEWS BRIEFS
BUSINESS
Urgent Health Care Goal of New Clinic
Helping Others
Unemployment Rate Still High
Special Forum For Bond Vote
Notes and Quotes
LIFESTYLES
Patches & Pieces Quilting Guild Planning Dinner
Little News
SPORTS
Freshmen Shine for Cowboys
NOC Mavericks End Long Road Trip
PC Soph Boys Fall to Sandites
Soph Girls Post Win, 40-31
Junior High Sports Update
By MARK GALVIN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK - A Kay County jury Monday evening delivered a sentence of death against Christopher Howard Davis, after finding him guilty last week of first-degree murder for the stabbing death of his aunt.
The panel of 10 male and two female jurors deliberated almost four hours before returning the 7:40 p.m. decision for what First Assistant Dist. Atty. Lisa Goodspeed Tate described a "senseless killing."
"It's not over," said defense attorney Tom Salisbury as he left the courthouse Monday night, expressing confidence that the results will be different when the case is appealed.
"We'll see this case again in two years," he said.
The jury's decision ended two weeks of court action against the 22-year-old Davis, who turned himself over to police following the Oct. 29, 1995, alcohol-related attack on his mother's sister, Billie Jo (Davis) Pollard, 43.
Pollard, known as "B.J.," was divorced and worked as a motel housekeeper before she died. She had raised Chris Davis from age 5 to 15 after a court decision removed him from his natural mother's care, testimony showed.
Davis had moved back in with his aunt four months before her body was found in the kitchen of the home in the 200 block of South Seventh Street.
To prove the state's case against Davis fulfilled legal requirements for a death penalty, Tate spent much of Monday detailing to the jury a history of violence exhibited by the defendant.
A sheriff's deputy testified Davis was one of four prisoners who temporarily locked them out of a cellblock during an incident last July 5 at the county jail.
Deputy Sheriff Lee Wayne Learned testified Davis tried to grab a crowbar from him as deputies were prying open a cellblock door during the incident, which included throwing urine on the officers and throwing wet toilet paper on a window to block a jailer's camera view of the cellblock.
No charges were filed in connection with the incident, authorities said.
The father of a then-12-year-old Fairfax girl testified he was in a fist-fight with Chris Davis in 1992 after the father tried to thwart his daughter from seeing the teenaged Davis. The man testified also that Davis harassed them for a time afterward with phone calls and letters.
Friends and relatives from Fairfax testified Chris Davis only showed violent traits when he was drunk.
Anthony Davis, a cousin, testified for the defense that he hoped Chris Davis would not get the death penalty for the murder "because he's my cousin."
However, he told the prosecution he was angry about his aunt's death and "a little afraid" for his family because he too had been threatened by his cousin two months before the murder when both were drunk, he said.
Defense attorney Steven Hess asked, "Is Chris a different person when he drinks?" Anthony Davis answered yes.
Tate asked the witness, "Is drinking a reason for somebody to be murdered?" He answered no.
Defense attorneys urged the jurors to avoid the death penalty because they argued that Chris Davis is the type of criminal who can be rehabilitated.
After he fought with the girl's father, he stopped and has had no fights since, and when he allegedly made the harassing phone calls, he stopped after he was told to, Hess argued.
The defense also called a jailer to testify that following the jail lockout incident, the defendant has caused no further trouble there.
Dist. Atty. John Maddox told the jury the case filed against Davis requires the prosecution to show the murder was either "heinous, atrocious, or cruel" to justify the death penalty.
Testimony and evidence described a vicious knife attack on B.J., with no attempt by Davis to seek emergency help for her.
Or the prosecution must show that the defendant could possibly be a continuing threat to society by having shown a pattern of violent behavior.
"If we've proven either one of these, I'm asking you to do your job," Maddox told the jury.
In closing arguments to the jury, Tate argued that "Christopher Davis decided that it was time for Billie Jo Pollard to die," and he has shown no remorse for the "senseless killing."
It was "time to be accountable for those actions," she said.
Following the jurors' decision, Judge Page thanked them for their efforts in the case.
"I think we can learn something even from our worst experiences," the judge told them.
It is official - the Marland Mansion has been declared one of America's castles! This declaration came with the Mansion's debut on the Art and Entertainment (A&E) Network on the program America's Castles. The show can be seen again at 4 p.m., on Dec. 7. Folks who want to dance and dine in a castle have the opportunity with the upcoming Gala set for Saturday evening. A limited number of tickets are available at local financial institutions.
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Pat Jordan, advertising promotions director for The News and crossword puzzle creator, has had his fifth puzzle accepted by The New York Times.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
OKLAHOMA CITY - A visit to the Governor's Mansion at the state capitol Monday evening after the inaugural lighting of twin Christmas trees at the Capitol Complex, revealed a Ponca City connection.
Gov. Frank Keating, prior to the lightening ceremony, said that Ponca Citians had played a part in the refurbishing of the Governor's Mansion. He said that Carl Renfro had been instrumental in having a bust of Will Rogers donated to Governor's Mansion.
When contacted by The News, Renfro said when the effort to furnish the mansion started he had contacted several local people and $50,000 had been raised in Ponca City for the refurbishing.
Renfro said that Vic Flegler had donated the bust of Will Rogers, sculpted by Gallagher Rule of Newkirk, that now sits on the mantle at the Governor's house.
Keating said it had been his wish to have something in the mansion of Will Rogers Oklahoma's favorite son and Ponca City had made that wish come true.
Also attending the lighting ceremonies were Leon Nelson and his wife Marcene. Nelson was city manager for Ponca City for about 20 years. Nelson recalled that one year ago on Dec. 2, he and Mrs. Nelson were in Ponca City for the 20th Anniversary Gala. Nelson was an honoree at that event at the Marland Mansion. He was city manager when the citizens purchased the historical building.
Following the colorful lighting ceremony at the capitol, which featured First Lady Cathy Keating telling of Christmas traditions and Santa Claus reading "A Visit From St. Nicholas," the audience was invited to the Governor's Mansion for hot apple cider and cookies. Music was by the Oklahoma Children's Choral Society.
After the cookies and cider were served in a red and white striped tent with music by the El Aires of Del City High School, the Keatings hosted an open house for all. Those attending were asked to bring nonperishable food for the Oklahoma City Food Bank.
The Mansion has been completely refurbished and was decorated in Christmas finery. The Keatings open the Oklahoma chief executive's house for public visitation each Wednesday afternoon.
An 18-year-old Cushing teen died at the scene of an accident 11.5 miles south of Ponca City on U.S. 177, in Noble County, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Justin Matthew Cypert was dead at the scene after the victim apparently stepped into the southbound traffic lane and was struck by a 1989 Chevrolet pickup, according to the investigation of OHP Trooper Steve Warlick. The truck was driven by Ponca City resident Thomas Michael Sanford, 48.
Warlick indicated that Cypert's vehicle became disabled and was parked on the south bound shoulder. The victim reportedly died from multiple injuries.
Sanford and his passenger were wearing their seat belts at the time of the accident. Neither received injuries.
The Nutcracker will be presented in Ponca City Friday at 8 p.m. in the Poncan Theatre by Oklahoma Ballet and sponsored by Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council.
According to Barbara Younger, coordinator for the local arts group, all but a few tickets had been sold by Monday morning for this most favorite holiday entertainment in the United States today.
Several dozen local children and adults are included in the cast as well as six youth from nearby cities. Those youth traveling to perform in "The Nutcracker" include Amanda White from Shidler, Jennifer Cooper from Stillwater, Kari Taylor from Blackwell and Sara Kanary and Tanya Golubeva, both from Tonkawa.
The Oklahoma Ballet company will be bringing 12 to 16 professional dancers to dance major roles in the production.
A two-year-old boy and a 22-year-old woman, both of Tonkawa, were hospitalized after an accident 1/2 mile north of U.S. 60 on U.S. 177 at 5 p.m. Monday, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.
Trey A. Williams was admitted in good condition to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center with head and trunk internal injuries. The child had been restrained with a lap belt. Stephanie L. Williams, remains in serious condition at SJRMC with trunk internal and leg injuries.
The collision occurred when a 17-year-old Manhattan, Kan., boy attempted to elude a Blackwell police officer, in his 1984 Ford van, according to the investigation of OHP Trooper Steve Warlick. The teen headed south on U.S. 177 where the Tonkawa Police Department had set up a road block, the trooper noted.
The OHP report indicated that the teen went around the west side of a police unit, over-corrected, crossed the center line and hit a 1996 Jeep head-on. The Jeep was pushed backwards 90 feet where it collided with an 1985 Ford pickup, stated Warlick.
Staff at Blackwell Regional Hospital treated the Kansas youth for head, trunk external and arm injuries, then released him. His 16-year-old passenger was also treated at BRH for a head injury before being released.
Ponca City resident Amanda L. Driesel, 21, driver of the Jeep, received treatment at BRH for trunk internal and leg injuries and was released.
Editor, The News:
I received a very nice pamphlet in the mail about the upcoming bond issues.
The police cars are old, and have high mileage. The fire trucks are old, the buildings are old and need repair. Air conditioners need repaired, space is limited ... etc.
I don't doubt the truth of the pamphlet; however, my response would have to be ... "Welcome to the world." We are all facing the same problems at home. Many people have been laid off from their jobs. The average wage base in this town has to be declining as people are being forced to take less pay to exist in this town. We are all dealing with houses that need repair, aging cars, declining real estate values, lack of space and money to rebuild, repair, maintain.
Taxes should be a reflection of how the taxpayers are prospering. As the people of the city suffer, so will the city and its employees. The city cannot exist and prosper unless the citizens are prospering. Bleeding citizens of more expendable income is not the answer.
Garalyn Corwin
Vehicle Makes Power Flicker Here Monday
Electricity flickered for local residents and businesses near the downtown area when an 18-wheeler broke a guide wire in the 1300 block of East Oklahoma Avenue at 5:21 p.m. Monday, according to the Electric Department Assistant Superintendent John Allensworth.
When the truck broke the guide wire, lines bumped together causing a spark, stated Allensworth. (The guide wire holds the pole straight.)
"The lights blinked, then the system cleared itself," he said.
Allensworth confirmed the Electric Department will repair the wire today. A stop sign was also knocked down at the intersection, according to the Ponca City Police Department.
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Staff Writer
In a flashback to the past it has been revealed that there are some remaining traditions and some new additions to the Christmas Gala set for Saturday evening at the Marland Mansion. The first event was held on Dec. 4, 1976, 21 years ago.
The early entertainment included a dancing to Al Good and his orchestra of Oklahoma City. Other features were a disco in the downstairs outer lounge, a game room and coffee house on third floor and refreshments.
The disco featured Radio Station KAYE-FM, the radio voice of Northern Oklahoma College.
This, information furnished by Scottie Eatherly, who was publicity chairman in 1976, told that the late Libby Burns was the general chairman and that refreshments were homemade cookies by members of the committee, spouses and other volunteers.
What a difference two decades makes. Now the Mansion is fully furnished, where furniture was scarce in 1976. Yet some things remain the same - the volunteers.
The furnishings acquired over 20 years and restoration have been due mainly to volunteers, who serve on the Marland Estate Commission, sponsors of the event. Volunteers give their time as guides and as workers for other events throughout the year that are centered toward restoration.
A time honored tradition is that the gala signals the beginning of the Christmas season. The difference is the event now has more of everything for everyone and the food is professionally prepared by Apple Cart Catering.
Over the years the many more decorations have been accumulated and the Marland Mansion is trimmed to perfection. The tradition continues that volunteers decorate the Mansion and serve as greeters at the event. Entertainment has been expanded to include two popular dance bands, Maya and The Imposters. A coffee house is still a part of the Gala. The event now includes a silent auction with a variety of holiday items up for bid.
Tickets are $32 and available at local financial institutions, the City building, the Marland Conference Center, and from Janet Martin at Conoco.
Ponca Family Medicine (PFM) was recently notified that it has met all criteria for accreditation by the Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation (COLA). Accreditation is given only to laboratories that apply rigid standards of quality in day-to-day operations, demonstrate continued accuracy in the performance of proficiency testing, and pass a rigorous on-site laboratory survey. PFM has earned COLA accreditation as a result of a long-term commitment to provide quality services to its patients.
The Commission on Office Laboratory Accreditation is a nationally-recognized clinical laboratory accreditation organization which accredits laboratories throughout the United States and its territories. Accreditation is for a two year period. PFM's site visit occurred in late August.
COLA is approved by the federal government and sponsored by the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Society of Internal Medicine, the American Medical Association and the College of American Pathologists.
The Ponca City Art Association is throwing open the doors of their overflowing garages and filling the Art Center grounds with thousands of bargains for Christmas at their Christmas Flea Market event, Thursday and Friday.
According to Florence Riesen, market committee member "the recyclables make it possible for many folks to do some good bargain Christmas shopping."
Included in the thousands of good usable items (some like new) are a good selection of golf clubs for that beginning golfer, toys for the little ones, jewelry for the ladies, collectibles for grandma, nick-nacks for the collector, luggage for the college student and traveler, baskets, fancywork, yarns for the knitter, drapes, pillows, blankets, pictures, frames, dishes, silverware, vases, glassware, cosmetics, handcraft kits, fabrics, furniture and nuts and bolts from the men's plunder box.
The clothing department boasts, a good selection of children's clothing, ladies and girls purses, men's suits, shirts, ladies clothing, shoes, and many other items.
"If you know of a needy family who needs special items, buying some of the nice items and donating them where they are needed would be a wonderful Christmas gift and helps out the art center as well" says Risen.
The Christmas Flea Market is located at the Ponca City Art Center, 819 East Central.
St. Luke's Church of the Nazarene, 1715 East Prospect, invites the Ponca City community and surrounding areas to enjoy their Christmas Tree Festival Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, as part of the citywide Angel Festival Tour now underway in Ponca City.
The Christmas Tree event will feature trees decorated using a scripture theme from the Bible, and all have been donated by individual families, Sunday School classes or ministerial groups from St. Luke's.
Wassail and cookies will be served to those touring the Christmas Tree Festival and Christmas music will enhance this experience.
Entrance to the festival will be through the southwest double doors of the church - the church will look dark because only the Christmas tree lights will be on in the hallway, leading to the Family Fellowship Hall. All bus tours are asked to park in the parking lot behind the church (on the north side).
A donation of one can of food per person is requested at the door, and
this collection will be given to needy families of the Kay County area.
DEATHS
BILLINGS - Mary Elizabeth "Libby" Herde Bachman, mother of Lila Logan of Ponca City died Sunday, Dec. 1, 1996, in Enid. She was 79.
The funeral will be held at 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the Billings First Baptist Church with the Rev. Scott Dark officiating. Burial will be in the Billings (Okla.) Union Cemetery under the direction of Sisson Funeral Home, Billings.
Mary Elizabeth "Libby" (Chapman) Herde Bachman was born Sept. 8, 1917, in El Reno, the daughter of Mark and Mattie (Henderson) Chapman. She grew up there and graduated from El Reno High School.
On June 20, 1939, she was married to Arnold Herde in Enid and the couple established their home in the rural Billings area. She was active in community organizations and women's clubs and had been employed with the Billings School system, Noble Dry Goods and the Billings Fairchild Center. She owned and operated the Apple Ceramic Shop and enjoyed working with all types of crafts.
She was married to Alfred L. Bachman on May 22, 1986 and the couple made their home in rural Henrietta, Texas. After the death of Mr. Bachman she moved back to Billings in 1996 to make her home.
Survivors include two daughters, Mrs. David (Willie) Hale of Shawnee Mission, Kan. and Mrs. Larry (Lila) Logan of Ponca City one sister, Edna Lucas of LaMesa, Calif.; five grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband in October 1974; her second husband in March 1996; and her parents.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mrs. Bachman's name to the Billings Ambulance Fund, c/o Sisson Funeral Homes, 101 South Pearl Street, Billings, OK 74630.
CASSVILLE, Mo. - Tommie Louise Tomblin, former Ponca City-Fairfax area resident, died Saturday morning, Nov. 30 1996, at St. Johns Regional Health Center in Springfield, Mo. She was 72.
The funeral was to be held today at 2 p.m. at the Cassville, (Mo.,) First Christian Church with the Rev. Gary Reed and the Rev. Sid Allsbury officiating. Burial was to be in Oak Hill Cemetery in Cassville, under the direction of Williamson Funeral Home, Cassville.
Tommie Louise, (High) Tomblin was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Fairfax, the daughter of James Thomas and Myrtle (Sikes) High. She graduated from Fairfax High School.
She was married to Maurice Wayne Tomblin on Sept. 23, 1946, in Winfield, Kan., and the couple lived in Ponca City and Hutchinson, Kan., before establishing their home in Cassville in 1964. She and her husband purchased Brown Jewelry in Cassville that same year and operated the business as Tomblin Jewelry. She was a member of the Cassville First Christian Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Chloe Nell Epperly and Dana Sue Kammerlohr, both of Cassville; and three grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband on May 22, 1986; one stillborn son, Thomas Wayne Tomblin; and her parents.
Casket bearers will be Charles Epperly, Cody Epperly, Chip Kammerlohr, Hank Lowe, Kent Stephenson and Steve Reid. Honorary bearers will be Bill Davis, Mac Leod, and Johnny Reid.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Barry County DARE Program, c/o Williamson Funeral Home, P.O. box 544, Cassville, MO, 65625.
PAWHUSKA - Doris Florence (Kerns) Yeary, former Marland area resident, died at her home in Pawhuska, Sunday Dec. 1, 1996. She was 75.
The funeral will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Pawhuska First Christian Church with the Rev. Ronald Eldridge officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Cemetery in Ponca City under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Directors of Pawhuska.
Doris Florence (Kerns) Yeary was born Aug. 16, 1921, in Marland, the daughter of Albert Raymond and Millie Viola (Foreman) Kerns Sr. She grew up and attended schools in the Marland area.
On July 2, 1942, she was married to Jesse Gordon Yeary in Bay City, Texas, and the couple moved to Pawhuska in January 1946. Mrs. Yeary was employed as a sales clerk and later as secretary of the Pawhuska First Christian Church before her retirement. She and her husband were owners of Gordon's Jewelry and Watch Repairs in Pawhuska from 1957 to 1985. She was a member of the First Christian Church and the American Legion Auxiliary.
Survivors include two sons, Dennis Yeary of Arlington, Texas and David Yeary of Tulsa; two daughters, Janice Yeary Dunn and Gordonna Yeary Sucky, both of Oklahoma City; two sisters, Thelma A. Johnson of Ponca City and Velma A. Craighead of Woodward; six grandchildren; one great-grandchild and a host of other relatives and friends in the Marland area. She was preceded in death by her husband in March 1989; her parents; and one brother, Albert Kerns Jr.
Mildred Martin
FAIRFAX - Mildred Odessa "Dessie" Martin, Fairfax resident, died at Fairfax Memorial Hospital, Monday evening, Dec. 2, 1996. She was 96. A graveside service is set for 3:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Riverside Cemetery at Ralston. Other arrangements are pending with Hunsaker-Wooten Funeral Home, Fairfax, and will be announced later.
Clark H. Miller
NEWKIRK - Clark H. Miller, longtime Newkirk resident, died late Monday evening, Dec. 2, 1996, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Oklahoma City. He was 82. Survivors include his wife Francille of Newkirk. Arrangements are pending with Miller-Stahl Funeral Service in Newkirk.
Joseph F. Thornton
Joseph F. Thornton, Ponca City resident, died Monday, Dec. 2, 1996, at his home. He was 79. Survivors include his wife, Anna Mae, of the home. Arrangements are pending with Grace Memorial Chapel and will be announced later.
Wednesday
Joy Dean Sears - Funeral to be held at 2 p.m. at Grace Memorial Chapel
in Ponca City. Burial will be in Resthaven Memorial Cemetery.
NEWS BRIEFS
Candidate Forum - A forum featuring candidates for the Ponca Tribal Business Committee will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Ponca Tribal Affairs Building in White Eagle. All Ponca voters are welcome.
Essay Contest - An essay contest for high school students dealing with an event, person, philosophy or ideal associated with the American Revolution, Declaration of Independence or framing of the Constitution is being conducted by the Sons of the American Revolution. Top state winners will receive cash awards and plaques, with the winning entry competing for a national award of $2,000. Interested schools or individuals may write Pendleton Woods, Oklahoma SAR President, 541 NW 31st Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73118.
DAR Seeks Names - Names of men and women who are direct descendants of persons who served in the Revolutionary War, either in military or in a civilian capacity, are being sought by the Oklahoma Societies of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution. A directory of descendants will be made available to libraries in the state as a result of the search. Names and address of descendants along with names of Revolutionary War ancestors may be mailed to Revolutionary Descendant Search, 541 N.W. 31st Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73118.
Art Association Flea Market - The Ponca City Art Association Christmas Flea Market will be in operation all day Thursday and from 8:30 to 1 p.m. on Friday. The garages and grounds are full of great bargains. Some great Christmas items are available include lots of golf clubs for that beginning golfer.
Burglary - A resident in the 400 block of South Osage Street arrived at the Ponca City Police Department at 9:34 a.m. Monday to report burglary to a vehicle. An officer took a report.
Theft - A Ponca City police officer took a report of burglary to a vehicle in the 600 block of McFadden Drive at 12:54 p.m. Monday.
Accident - The Ponca City Police Department received notice of a non-injury accident at North Fourth Street and East Fresno Avenue at 3:29 p.m. Monday. An officer took a report.
Burglary - A resident in the 600 block of West Otoe Avenue contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 4:26 p.m. Monday to report tools and other items missing from a camper. An officer took a report.
Destruction - A Ponca City police officer took a report of destruction of private property in the 400 block of East Emporia Avenue at 5:21 p.m. Monday. A window was broken out of a playhouse in the yard.
Collision - A Ponca City police officer took a report of a non-injury accident in the 2400 block of North Fourteenth Street at 6:46 p.m. Monday.
Burglary - A resident in the 300 block of South Third Street advised the Ponca City Police Department at 7:16 p.m. Monday that the garage had been broken into. An officer took a report.
Door Kicked In - A Ponca City police officer took a burglary report in the 600 block of South Fifth Street at 7:59 p.m. Monday after a resident advised the department that the door of the residence had been kicked in.
Fire - Thirteen Ponca City firefighters responded within three minutes to a fire in the 500 block of North Tenth Street at 8:58 p.m. Monday. Firefighters extinguished a dishwasher that caught fire. Damage is estimated at $500, according to the fire report.
Delinquency - An employee at Jack Griffith's, Fourteenth Street and Princeton Avenue, contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 9:42 p.m. Monday to report an adult bought beer and gave it to juveniles. All officers were advised of vehicle descriptions, according to the Ponca City Police Department.
Tickets Available - The Conoco Retiree's Association Christmas dinner
Dec. 11 will be held at the Ponca City Country Club. The social is set for
5 p.m., with dinner at 6 p.m., costing $12 per person. Entertainment will
be The Roustabouts. Ticket information is available from Dave Mallory, 765-9595;
E. Manering, 765-7681 or Wanda Kelly, 762-4949.
BUSINESS
By LOUISE ABERCROMBIE
News Business Editor
A new type of urgent health care is coming to Ponca City. Dr. Russell Hill, family medicine practitioner, is opening an urgent care clinic at 900 East Prospect, Suite 900, behind El Chico.
The clinic will be open Monday through Friday, 4 to 9 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday beginning at 1 p.m.
Dr. Hill says the clinic will be an alternative for working folks, who can not get to the doctor's office in regular hours, for persons picking up their children from day care with minor ailments such as an earache when the only other alternative is a trip to the hospital emergency room.
Prime focus will be on walk-ins as appointments will not be necessary. Hill said these type of clinics are being operated in Enid and other areas. He said the clinic should be able to serve all local insurances.
Hill said, "I hope the community sees this as a cost effective alternative to the emergency room for health care delivery for people who work during typical office hours. It will be a way of getting health care for themselves or their children without the expense of the emergency room.
"We won't take care of major emergencies, but this will be treated as a minor emergency center." Also it the will help take some of the burden off the hospital emergency room, and patients will not have prolonged waiting periods, according to Hill.
The clinic will have four examining rooms, X-ray, EKG, lab capabilities and a large waiting room. The clinic is accessible by wheel chair.
Hill plans to work with physicians in the area to take care of their patients after hours and then be referred to their family doctor during regular hours.
Plans are to open this week, with a grand opening later.
Dr. Hill has been in practice for the last 10 years and has had considerable emergency room experience. He has been practicing in Ponca City for two years doing family and emergency medicine.
Hill is a graduate of the Oklahoma University of Medicine and did his family residency through the University of Kansas. He and his wife Terri, have five children ranging from 5 to 16 years of age.
Editor's Note: During the Holiday Season, many organizations and businesses reach out to help the less fortunate. Notes concerning these efforts will be carried under the title "Helping Others."
OMAHA - Commercial Federal Bank's 97 branches in Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado will serve as collection sites for food, clothing and toys during the bank Fifth Annual Giving Tree event. Contributions dropped off at branches between Nov. 20 and Dec. 23 will be donated to local service organizations.
The locations here in Ponca City are at 400 East Central and 1417 East Hartford.
Kay County's unemployment rate for October was 6.9 percent compared to the state average of 4 percent, according to Oklahoma Labor Force statistics. The 6.9 percent rate compares with 6.7 percent a year ago. The unemployment rate is down slightly from September was 7.2 percent.
Other surrounding counties and unemployment rates include Grant, 3.6 percent compared to 3.5 in September and 2.6 a year ago; Noble, 3.1 percent rate for both October and September, and 3.6 percent in 1996.
Also, Osage, 3.6 percent, compared to 3.7 and 3.6; Pawnee, 6.4 compared to 6.7 and 7.3; Payne, 1.9 compared to 2.1 and 1.9 percent.
The Legislative Review Committee of the Ponca City Area Chamber of Commerce has slated a special Friday Forum for this Friday on the proposed city bond issue.
The vote on this $8.75 million bond issued is slated for Dec. 10. City Commissioners and staff will be on hand to make a presentation and answer questions.
The forum is slated for 8 a.m., Friday at Pioneer Technology Center. Free coffee and doughnuts will be served.
Public Offering
OMAHA - Commercial Federal Corporation has announced that the company has commenced a public offering of $50 million of five-year subordinated extendible notes with an interest rate of 7.95 percent to be underwritten by Piper Jaffray Inc., Alex. Brown & Sons, Inc., and Montgomery Securities. The notes will be listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CFB 06" subject to the official notice of issuance.
CPA Exams
OKLAHOMA CITY - An examination of applicants for the Certified Public
Accountant certificate and the Public Accountant license will be held by
the Oklahoma Accountancy Board in Oklahoma City and Tulsa on May 7 and 8,
1997. Written applications must be filed with the Board at 4545 North Lincoln
Boulevard, Suite 165, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73105-3413 no later than March
10, 1997.
LIFESTYLES
P. M. Patches and Pieces Quilt Guild held their November 24 meeting at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church with Terry Stekly, president, presiding. There were 27 members and one guest present.
Quilters were reminded that the next meeting would be an hour earlier than usual due to the scheduled potluck dinner. The 6 p.m. meeting will be December 16 at the home of Barbara Kegler, 1409 Academy Road.
Door prizes were won by Phyllis Clark, Debra Burgess, Mary Bryant, Karen Shurtz, Gail Rhoton, Billie Griffith, Delores Pickens and Alice Wiederrich.
Ruth Zachary distributed parts three, four and five of the mystery quilt pattern. Quilters are to bring their finished blocks for the mystery quilt to the January meeting for help in assembling quilts. Members should also bring at least one light-colored nine-inch square and one dark-colored nine-inch square for assembly into baby blankets for the hospital pediatrics section.
Participants for show and share were Barbara Kegler, Sunbonnet Sue quilt and vest; Faith Kalback, vest, turkey sweatshirt, friendship feast sweatshirt and tie she designed for her church bell choir; Vickie Manek, quilted hangings; Gail Rhoton, showing a quilt made by her mother, and Alice Wiederrich, showing two quilts made from t-shirts.
Quilters made Christmas tree ornaments for a tree being displayed at the Ponca City Art Center and refreshments were served by Rose Coffee, Phyllis Clark and Cleta Oertle. The quilters guild invited anyone desiring to learn about quilts and how to make them to attend the regular guild meetings held on the fourth Monday of each month, 7 p.m., at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 2800 Turner Road.
Jay Roalton and Jody Lynn (Johnson) Hall of Paoli announce the birth of a son November 18 at 5:02 p.m. at the Norman Regional Hospital. The baby boy was named Chase Roalton.
Grandparents are Edith Kay (McCallick) and Jack Roalton Hall of Paoli, former Ponca Citians. Owen Leroy and Caroline Johnson are maternal grandparents.
Great-grandparents are Thomas Lauvelle and Edith Nell (Bottrell) McCallick
and Reesie Josephine (Williams) Thomas of Ponca City.
SPORTS
By FRED HILTON
News Sports Editor
STILLWATER - Oklahoma State coach Eddie Sutton wanted to play his veterans Monday night against North Carolina A&T.
Not a single one of his "Fabulous Freshmen" were on the floor when the game tipped off. That didn't last long.
Just 4:22 into the game, 6-10 forward-center Scott Robisch entered the game with the Cowboys up 10-7 to boost the OSU rebounding power. It would be his first extended play of the season.
A minute and a half later freshmen Alex Webber and Desmond Mason were in the game as the Pokes trailed 10-11. Shortly thereafter, guard Estell Laster made his appearance.
The OSU deficit to the Aggies grew to six points, 18-12, with 10:14 remaining. That's when the freshman took over.
Mason hit a 20-foot jumper from the right side to cut the deficit in half. The Aggies scored again but then Adkins hit from 20 on the left side, Laster sank one of two free throws and the Cowboys trailed by just one, 20-19, with 8:13 remaining.
Senior Maurice Robinson followed a Laster miss with 7:37 remaining to put the Cowboys in front to stay, 21-20.
"I thought the older players came out a little flat," Sutton said afterwards. "I put the freshmen in to give us a spark."
That's exactly what they did.
With OSU leading 29-26 going into the final minutes of the first half, the freshmen sparked again. Laster downed two free throws, Webber collected a stuff off his own steal and Mason added a free throw to give OSU a 34-26 lead at halftime.
"The freshmen came in a played with more spirit," junior Jason Skaer, who led the OSU scoring with 14 points - all in the second half - said. "I remember when I was a freshman ... running down loose balls, flying all over the court - we've got to get the older players to play with that same spirit."
The OSU freshmen accounted for 30 of the Cowboys 81 points and had 12 of the team's 31 rebounds. Mason had the most playing time (23 minutes) of the freshmen and had the most points (9).
While the Cowboys had their best offensive output of the season, not everything was rosy for the Pokes.
With Sutton trying to find the right combination, using 11 players, the offense seemed out of sync for most of the first half with poor passing and offensive rebounding that Sutton called, "horrendous."
The Cowboys had nine turnovers in the first half and 16 for the game. North Carolina A&T outrebounded OSU 33-31.
That was a source of pride of A&T coach Roy Thomas, who was an assistant coach at Baylor when Sutton was coaching at Arkansas.
"We played three major teams (Texas A&M, LSU and Oklahoma State) and outrebounded two of them," Thomas said. "You're doing something when you outrebound OSU.
"We played pretty well, but OSU has too many shooters. That's not the way I remember a Sutton-coached team."
But this is definitely not the usual Sutton team. Even he admits he has never coached this many freshmen on the floor at one time, "at least in this lifetime."
"But overall they played well. We shot the ball well (65 percent), were able to disrupt their offense and then play aggressively on offense. We ran our offensive patterns well, especially in the second half," said Sutton.
The Pokes try to carry that over to Wednesday's game against Mississippi Valley State. The tipoff in Gallagher-Iba Arena is 7:05.
CONCORDIA, Kan. - Northern Oklahoma's men's basketball team ended a four-game losing streak here Friday night with an 87-68 win over Southeast Nebraska in the first game of the Cloud Classic. Unfortunately, Saturday night's game against Cloud County was another loss, 88-63.
Northern now returns home after five straight road games to host Eastern Oklahoma tonight, The women's game is set for 6 p.m. with the men to follow at Foster-Piper Fieldhouse in Tonkawa.
Against Southeast Nebraska, Northern broke out to a commanding 47-25 halftime lead and won easily, 87-68.
Sophomore point guard Blake Sonne, from Orlando, Fla., led the way with a triple double. He had 21 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.
DeShawn Denson, a freshman guard from Oklahoma City Millwood, added 15 points and sophomore swingman Mark Passley, of Ontario, Canada, had 11 points and eight assists.
"We played a lot of people and we played well," said head coach Mick Weiberg. "We were definitely the better team but we needed that win after coming off three tough losses. And we needed to play well."
Also scoring for NOC were Joe Patmon, 8; Kyle Dean, 7; Steven Lookout, 6; Richard Whitfield, 5; Eric Hurst, 4; Chauncey Webb, 4; Cory Campbell, 2; Chris Beech, 2; and Casey Roberts, 2.
Saturday's game belonged to Cloud County, which rode its home court advantage to the big win. Cloud County players walked the free throw line for 39 free throw attempts while the Mavericks to get off just 21 free throws.
Cloud led 40-28 at the half before streaking out to the 25-point victory.
Passley led Northern scorers with 16 points while Whitfield and Lookout added 10 points apiece. Patmon scored 6 points, Hurts, Webb, Denson and Sonne all had 4; Roberts, Dean and Bryan Stevens scored 2 points each and Beech had 1 point.
Northern is now 5-5 on the season after getting off to a 4-0 start.
Ponca City's sophomore boys basketballers had more turnovers than points Monday night and Sand Springs took advantage to post a 51-24 win in the season opener for the Wildcats.
Sand Springs led just 6-3 after one period and 19-9 at the half but outscored the Poncans 32-15 in the second half.
Brian Connelly and Jason Green topped the PC scoring charts with 6 points apiece. Tanner Ray and Jeremiah Payne scored 3 points each while Brian Geubelle, Ron Tribble and Kevin Reusser all had 2 points.
Ponca City was 8-for-23 from the field and 7-for-20 from the line with 28 turnovers.
"The kids hustled and had enthusiasm but we had way too many turnovers and didn't shoot well," said head coach Ron Arthur.
The sophomore boys host Guthrie Monday.
Ponca City's sophomore girls shook off the first-game jitters to post a 40-31 win over Sand Springs here Monday.
"It was a typical opening game." Po-Hi coach Brad Parent said as the Ponca Citians scrambled to a 12-8 halftime lead.
But the girls found their footing in the second half, outscoring Sand Springs 14-9 in the third period.
"Our full court press worked well," Parent said. "The girls played well, they scrapped and played hard. We got a lot of our offense off our defense."
Gina Hall led the Ponca City scoring with 11 points while Aleena Ames had 8, Tia Williams 5, Romi Foreman 4, Erin Slater 4, Abby Frick 3, RaeShauna Anderson 3 and Sherri Winters 2.
The sophomores play host to Guthrie next Monday starting at 6 p.m.
Ninth Boys 41, Stillwater 37
STILLWATER - Ponca City's ninth grade boys basketball team improved to 2-0 on the season with a come-from-behind 41-37 win over Stillwater here Monday.
The Poncans led 8-5 after one and 19-17 at the half but Stillwater outscored the Cougars 15-11 in the third quarter to carry a 32-30 lead into the final stanza.
Ponca City quickly went back on top but missed eight free throws in the fourth to keep the score close. Finally, Barry Chance hit a pair from the line to seal the win.
"It was a hard fought game," said head coach Keith Chronister. "They applied a lot of pressure, which was good, because we needed to see that. It was just a big win for us."
Jeff Furnas led the Poncans with 12 points, Chance had 8, Blake Geubelle 7, Wes Crosson and Evan Rupp 6 each and Aaron Sattre had 2 points.
The ninth graders are at Ark City next Tuesday and then wrap up their first semester schedule at the three-day Sand Springs Tournament Dec. 12-14.
Ninth Girls 27, Stillwater 26
Ponca City's ninth grade girls held off a late Stillwater rally to post their second straight win of the season, 27-26, here Monday.
"The girls really wanted this one," coach Lela McCracken said, "and they went after it. It was a real defensive struggle. We have been concentrating on our pressure defense and it paid off."
The Lady Cougars broke to an 11-9 halftime lead and built a 23-14 margin after three periods. Stillwater made a late run at the Poncans but fell short in the mid-high gym.
Alana Smith paced the Ponca City scoring with 10 points as nine players reached the score book. Mea Alexander and Allison Stotts each had 3 points. Nikki Stuemky, Claire Winterrowd, Laura Sudbury, Tami Schieber and Emily Brown all had 2 points and Kristl Richardson had 1.
The Lady Cougars play at Ark City next Tuesday.
Stillwater 37, 8th Red Girls 29
After building a 7-3 first quarter lead, Ponca City's eighth grade Red girls basketball team was outscored 23-10 over the next two quarters and defeated 37-29.
Jena Birdsong led the Poncans with 11 points, Cara Cusick added 6, Jacee Shepard 5, Jessica Windom 4, Robin Farmer 2 and Abby Roth had 1 point.
"We played real well in the first half but then we got into a lot
of foul trouble, eventually fouling out three girls," said head coach
Calvin English, whose club fell to 3-1. "Hopefully we'll bounce back
today at Derby."