From The Pages Of The Ponca City News, Monday, December
9, 1996
LOCAL
Bond Election Tuesday
Nearly News
Letters Say:
Vo-Tech Board To Consider '96-96 Budget
DEATHS
Vincent V. Turpin
Frances E. Kygar
Jan Brown
Funerals
Esther Lillian Chaffee
Lee Spurgeon
Angeline Dupuis
Rudolf H. Walleen
NEWS BRIEFS
SPORTS
This Week's Wildcat Varsity Schedule
Lady Mavs Win Third Straight, Mavs Lose
By LAURA TREADWAY
News Staff Writer
Voters will determine Ponca City's future safety, preservation and maintenance needs Tuesday when casting their ballot for the city's $8.75 million general obligation bond project.
Registered voters will answer three questions at their regular polling precinct from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Initially, citizens will consider Proposition 1, which includes building a new No. 1 Fire Station; remodeling and restoring the City Hall Complex and renovating and remodeling the Police Station. This question asks for $6.61 million to construct a 15,000-square-foot fire station and move the existing operation out of City Hall.
Additionally, City Hall needs a new roof, stabilization of the exterior structure and total revamping of the interior. City officials indicate approval would eliminate rent payments for city offices, centralize public service offices at one location and preserve a historical building. It would also bring the building in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, electrical, plumbing and building codes.
In addition, the police station would receive a new roof, a new entrance, remodeled office space, installation of a new emergency generator and a new HVAC system. The municipal court and commission chambers would be relocated to the City Hall Complex. Debt for Proposition 1 would retire in 20 years, according to Tom Short, assistant city manager.
Secondly, voters will address Proposition 2, for the purchase of emergency vehicles. The question consists of providing the purchase of 18 fully-equipped police vehicles and three replacement ambulances over a period of three years. Further, the issue allows the fire department to buy a Class A fire response vehicle to replace the current uncertifiable ladder truck.
Purchase of police vehicles included in Proposition 2 would be structured in two sales, resulting in debt retirement of three years for each sale, Short confirmed. In addition, the fire truck would retire in 10 years.
Thirdly, neighbors will regard Proposition 3, which allows for renovations and repairs to the Lake Ponca Spillway and stilling basin. Approval supports repairs to the concrete spillway along with repairs and upgrading of the erosion protection at the bottom of the spillway and the downstream channel. Debt schedule for Proposition 3 plans for 20-year retirement, said Short.
The Ponca City Board of Commissioners will host a 30-minute "phone-in" session on Channel 22 at 6:30 p.m. tonight, following the commissioners regular meeting. Citizens with questions regarding the city's upcoming bond election are encouraged to call in questions to 767-0382.
Oops! wrong house! The Home of Martha Jones at 1104 East Central, beautifully decorated with six trumpeting angels across the upper story, was selected for a photograph for the front of the Dec. 4, Midweek front. Unfortunately, in the dark, it is hard to identify house numbers and was incorrectly identified with the wrong address. To further confuse the issue, the address that was listed in error is that of the Mitchell home which will be open for the Festival of Angels Historic Home Tours this Friday. Mrs. Jones has graciously volunteered to leave her house dark during the Friday evening tour to help end the confusion. The News extends apologies and grateful thanks to Mrs. Jones.
Editor, The News:
Ponca City is indeed fortunate that two of her most important architectural treasures have been rescued from the "dozers." A core group of volunteers worked several years bringing attention and dollars to the Poncan Theatre. At the time they began, leaks in the roof had already allowed water to significantly damage the interior. One suggestion was to remove the building and "build" a parking lot!
The present Smith Home Furnishings building was likewise rescued after having significant water damage to interior walls and floors as they weakened and buckled, and as the canopy regularly loosened and sent pieces to the sidewalk below. A suggestion making the rounds at the time was to raze the building and create a small park! Thanks to the Smith Family, we still enjoy the beauty of this building and the contribution it makes to the heart of Ponca City.
These buildings attest not only to the character of the community in which they were built and the vision of the builders, but the additional message they speak today attests to a high level of stewardship in a community that would not allow their demise.
A similar opportunity will be afforded our entire community on Dec. 10. A vote of "yes" will allow each of us to have a part in renovating a building that is even more significant to us than the two mentioned above. In such a co-operative effort, each person in our community would feel the sense of pride in accomplishment that accompanies the successful completion of such a project.
Consider the removal of these three buildings, then three more in the next few years, then three more you can imagine the effect. We would eventually be left with the legacy of architecture that has been a nationwide trend for the last 25 to 30 years, that of standardized buildings that have been so efficiently employed throughout this country and others by chains and franchises as they seek identity through sameness of signage, architecture, and product. As a result of this trend, towns begin to look alike, no matter what their heritage or geography.
Perhaps this is one of the reasons that Heritage Tourism has outperformed theme parks this year and for the last three years. Interestingly, over the last three years travelers have chosen Heritage related vacations in larger numbers than theme parks. More people are going to Washington, D.C., Mount Vernon, and places like the Marland Mansion than to Disneyworld, Disneyland and Frontier City.
Every town and city across this country has a set of unique assets connected to their history. Some communities have been wisely caring for these assets and marketing them in ways that have put them in a position to reap the tourism benefits that are taking place at every level. We can be one of those wise communities.
Those of us who work or live downtown know that visitors and tourists alike are quick to comment on Centennial Plaza, the Library, the brick streets, City Hall, Poncan Theatre, many churches of architectural interest and the Mansion. All combine to make a positive and unique statement about us.
Many visitors who come here for meetings return with their families because of these unique qualities.
The Ponca City Tourism Authority is creating more and more tourism dollars as a result of lots of hard work and funding through the motel tax. Let's not make their work more difficult. City Hall is decaying and it is very possible that it will be vacated for a collection of scattered locations with the resulting lack of continuity and flow of information. This building not only needs care, but to be made more suitable to today's needs. Transforming our City Hall into a facility that everyone can use is an important goal of the project.
This is our heritage assets we can preserve for our children and grandchildren. Shouldn't we leave them something valuable from their past, rather than something repeated in every other town? City Hall is part of our legacy. Let us not allow it to be abandoned. No one is waiting in the wings to rescue this building.
To borrow a phrase - "It will take a village" making the commitment to complete a project of this scope and size. A "Yes" vote would accomplish this to the benefit of us all.
Illene Ozment
Editor, The News:
As a homeowner, I know that if I don't repair, improve, and maintain my home when needed, it would fall down before my eyes. In reference to the city buildings, this is what we should have been doing all along, instead of finding other things to spend our money on.
For example, the $300,000 that had been put aside to buy a new fire (aerial) truck. Ron Shelton in Letters to the Editor on Sunday, Dec. 1, 1996, said the Commissioners were going to add the rest when they hired a new chief, but they spent the money on something else.
Also, why can't a contractor build a building (Safety Center) that will last more than 20 years without MAJOR repairs? My house is over 25 years old and has been kept up, with proper care, and is in as good condition as when I bought it.
The bond project (as it has been called), should be called what it really is - another TAX that falls on the shoulders of the property owners only. I feel that all people that benefit from the services of the city, should be included. There are other means to do what is needed and our elected servants (officials) should and will find other ways, as they did a few years ago, for the new traffic lights.
I have to live within my budget and we should expect the same from the city.
I am for repairs and improvements to our city buildings and equipment, but there are ways other than raising Ad valorem, taxes. Let's find them.
I just received my tax statement from the County with an increase of 12 percent. If the Bond (Tax) Project passes next year, my taxes will increase another 14 percent. That's an increase of 25 percent in two years, and that is just the beginning. We will have this tax for 20 years. Where will it end?
Jay Fletcher
Editor, The News:
None of us like our taxes raised. Not the young folks who are struggling along to make ends meet nor the older group who are mostly on fixed incomes. To be asked to vote and raise our taxes is asking a lot. In thinking about the upcoming bond election, I guess I look at it that a community is like a family. It's our community to take care of even though we don't always agree with all the members. We live and work here. Many raise families here and many of us retire here.
Like a family, a community has to be nurtured, maintained and has to take steps to prepare for the future. If we don't, we deteriorate to the point where we can never recuperate and we lose things that we took for granted and failed to protect.
We have seen some of those things happen already such as the rose garden, the free swimming for kids at the Ambuc pool, the meeting places for groups at Hutchins, small neighborhood pools and tennis courts, and future losses of old historical buildings.
The only way to avoid that is to take care of it even though at times it stretches the pocket book. If we do not do it, who will? Who else is interested in Ponca City? Who does it benefit but us? While I do not distrust our city government, I may question some of their decisions at times, but that is my right as a citizen. I applaud them for serving in positions which at times appear thankless. I don't believe the salaries they get as elected public officials are enough to take all the unfair criticism!
Yes, I know, for the most part, they are dedicated civic minded volunteers. That's my point. I believe them when they tell us that Federal mandates make it necessary for the city to do something in some areas or else we will be fined. We do not have choices in some of these matters as most of us know. I believe we need emergency vehicles and a new fire station. I might say at this point, however, that I do not agree with a new fire station being placed at the North Park. I hope we will not allow taking a part of our beautiful park area to build a fire station.
And why place a potential traffic hazard just a few blocks from several schools, both high school and elementary? Can you just imagine what it would be like on a school day as the children, parents and school buses are on the move just after school is out and a major fire occurs? I visualize a nightmare.
Look what poor planning did to Prospect in front of Wal-Mart. You cannot count the accidents and injuries which have occurred there. I believe a better location can be found.
I also believe we need to keep our spillway and lake area in good condition. But, City officials, be up front with us and be accountable. One of the reasons the last sales tax election failed was because people had lost faith in the system that let some things get out of hand. They felt many facts were not known until just recently about how the money was spent, what some of the new businesses were to be and what type of positions were to be offered.
Suddenly all the 10 year's sales tax was committed in less than five years and most went to one business. I believe we need this bond election to pass, I believe we need to keep Ponca City in good shape. We also need our old historical buildings improved even as we look to the future.
I think that issue has also stuck in the voters craw so to speak, at least those of us who have made Ponca City our home for many years and whose heritage means a lot to us. Look what Guthrie did with its older "treasures." They have capitalized on them. I'm glad we purchased the Marland Mansion. It is a vital part of what Ponca City was and is. No, we don't have a large oil company to help us out as much as we once did, but maybe we got too dependent upon them and we are seeing what that is doing to us now. It was nice while it lasted but now those of us who are staying here and living here have to pay the fiddler if we want to dance.
I believe we need to work for our future if we want to enjoy the benefits that Ponca City has afforded us over the years, but I also believe we need to maintain what is important to our heritage. Surely, we can do both. I know I am going to have to help pay for it, but it is worth it to me!!
Donna E. Evans
Editor, The News:
Ponca City is a wonderful place to live. As relative newcomers, my family and I have found the quality of life to be everything we had hoped it would be. I am encouraging all citizens to support the upcoming bond issue to remodel and improve our city facilities to allow us to continue to prosper in our great city. The city hall facilities, just as our many school houses, have served us well, but they need continual updating to meet the life-safety code requirements of modern society.
No one likes to pay more taxes, but we must pay for these facilities to retain the high quality services of our city government. Please join me in supporting our city.
Bill White
Superintendent
Ponca City Public Schools
Editor, The News:
In regard to the bond issue proposal before the citizens of Ponca City, I believe we need to look to alternative proposals than what is being presented to us. We are being told that City Hall might be torn down if we fail to pass this bond issues. BALDERDASH! The city's engineering studies have indicated that the City Hall structure is sound. The building is simply suffering from years of neglect because city commissioners have been remiss in their duties to budget adequate funds to provide a sound maintenance program. This lack of maintenance applies not only to City Hall, but to the police station, and a short time ago we were told they couldn't afford the upkeep on the Hutchins Memorial.
From what I have been told, city facilities are also in a sad state of repair. Are these the same people who expect us to provide additional funds for yet another building that we cannot afford the upkeep on?
There is no viable reason that the current use of the City Hall structure cannot be continued for many years with some refurbishing and adequate maintenance. The proposal to move all department heads to City Hall is not realistic for a community this small. It just means we would have to hire yet another level of bureaucracy. The very idea that this town needs more public meeting rooms approaches the ridiculous.
The proponents of placing the proposed fire station at the northeast corner of Fifth Street and Highland Avenue sounds innocuous enough, but people Wake Up! It would appear that they are trying to mislead the public. This proposal is to take the west half of the entire south end of War Memorial Park clear back north to the drainage ditch, for construction of a large metal warehouse (Fire Department) and a large parking lot for storage of equipment and employee parking. This is the most scenic open space in Ponca City, if not the State of Oklahoma. This park was purchased by the citizens of Ponca City in 1927 for enjoyment of future generations. It has taken nearly 70 years to evolve into the scenic beauty that it is today. I pray that this park will still be intact for my children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren to enjoy.
I realize that saving lives and property is of the utmost importance for any community, however, there is more to life than fire protection, particularly when other property would serve the purpose equally as well. If the property already purchased for this purpose is not deemed acceptable for Fire Department use, sell it and purchase property that is suitable. Please do not destroy one of the things that makes Ponca City the attractive community that it is.
In the early '60s the issue of placing the Hutchins Memorial building in War Memorial Park was brought to a vote of the people. At that time we were promised that no other encroachments on the park would ever be made. Now it looks as if that issue might have to be fought all over again. If the bond issue does by some chance succeed, then the issue of the location of the fire station should be brought to a vote of the people. Let's not lose the beauty of our War Memorial Park.
Articles in the Sunday edition of the Ponca City News would make it appear that the city commission is attempting to railroad the site of the proposed new fire station into War Memorial Park.
This makes it essential that this bond issue not pass if we are to keep the fire station out of the park.
Jack Harney
Editor, The News:
I am writing to hopefully clear up a few misleading facts and statements about the city's upcoming bond election. Just to make sure that it is perfectly clear, there will be three separate issues to vote on. The first proposition will be to renovate the City Hall fire station at a centrally located site and renovate the public safety center and police department. The second issue to vote on would be to purchase a fire fighting piece of equipment called a "Quint" (this would be equipped with a 70-foot ladder platform that would be able to reach all downtown and industrial businesses), purchase three new ambulances and six new police patrol cars in a three-year period. The last issue to vote on is the rebuilding of the Lake Ponca spillway.
I would like to be sure that everybody understands that the money that is proposed on the bond issue will be strictly used for the above items and that none of it will go to increase salaries for any city employees.
This statement was made in a past letter - "Why should the city be allowed to purchase new equipment and renovate their buildings when some homeowners are dealing with the same problem of being unable to rebuild and maintain their property and are unable to purchase new vehicles?" My question to you is do you work at a place of business where the roof leaks every time it rains? Does the building where you work contain enough asbestos that it was deemed unsafe by the Department of Health unless you wear a breathing apparatus? We are talking of your place of business and not of your house. Whether the bond issue passes or fails, as a city employee I will still live in the same house and drive the same car!
I would like to point out another point to ponder on. If you owned a business that was growing in size and needed to add more equipment, but the land that the business was on was too small to add onto, what would you do? Would you stay at that same location and watch the business and service you provide be unable to grow or would you move to a new location with more area to expand and to provide a better service.
This is what the city would like to do with the building of a new main fire station. The current fire station has outgrown its use. We currently have to double-park equipment one behind another just to be able to park everything inside. This means a delayed response time when our service is needed in a time of emergency.
By locating the main fire station in a more central location we will have free access to all of the west side of town, by way of using the Highland underpass. Wouldn't you rest easier if your loved one needed emergency equipment and you knew that you did not have to worry about a train crossing the railroad tracks on Grand delaying the response time?
This central location would still give us the access to all major north-south and east-west streets which would still let us respond to an emergency with our average response time of three minutes. A new fire station would also give us the capability to grow in the future, thus providing more and better service to the people we provide for.
The decision is yours! Please remember that no matter what the outcome of the vote turns out to be, we will continue to do the best job possible with what we have to work with!
David VanBuskirk
Editor, The News:
Deterioration of the city hall is so extensive that a decision has to be made whether to remodel or move. Surely we don't want to abandon an historic Marland era building that is the very heart of our downtown! There is not a city in Oklahoma with such a unique civic center. Centennial Plaza, with its 6,000 personalized bricks, statuary and fountain help to enhance the center. Hopefully city hall can be preserved. We need to pass the bond issue to make this possible.
Larry E. Stephenson
By KRISTI GRABEAL
News Education Editor
Deciding to approve the budget for fiscal year 1996-97 will be on the agenda when Pioneer Technology Center holds its monthly meeting in the Education Business Center Tuesday at 7 p.m.
A financial report will be given during the meeting and will consist of reports from the general fund, sinking fund, treasurer's report and the school activity fund. The board will then decide to approve or not approve the financial report.
Short-term and temporary employment contracts will be voted on as well as approving the proposed board meeting dates for 1997.
Velta Reed Johnston, superintendent, will give a report next about employment, the OSBBA report and the next regular board meeting.
Finally, the board will decide whether they will go into executive session
to discuss the employment of Sandra Mosteller as a new secretary.
DEATHS
Vincent V. Turpin, former Ponca City resident, died Friday, Dec. 6, 1996, at his home in Tulsa. He was 82.
A private family service was held today at Sunset Memorial Gardens in Ponca City under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Vincent Turpin was born Jan. 14, 1914, in Winfield, Kan., the seventh of eight children born to Ashby and Mary Virginia (Sparks) Turpin. He grew up on the family farm south of Winfield. As an infant he was baptized in the Grace Episcopal Church. He attended the Excelsior Rural School and graduated from Winfield High School in 1933. While growing up, he was employed on several farms in the Winfield area.
On June 30, 1935, he was married to Vivian Parkerson, of Winfield. The couple moved to a farm northwest of Ponca City where they made their home and farmed. They moved to Westminster Village in July 1985, and then to Tulsa in 1995. While living in Ponca City the couple was affiliated with the Church of God.
Survivors include his wife, Vivian, of the home; two daughters, Marcia Turpin Howland of Topeka, Kan., and Linda Turpin Arnold of Beaumont, Texas; two sisters, Virginia Turpin Wonder and Gertrude Turpin Muret, both of Spokane, Wash.; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and three sisters.
Memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Turpin's name to Gospel Recordings International, 122 Glendale, Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026-5889.
Frances E. "Betty" Kygar, longtime Ponca City resident, died Friday evening Dec. 6, 1996, at the Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kan. She was 69 years of age.
The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1996, in the First Baptist Church Chapel with the Rev. Steve Harden, pastor of Southside Baptist Church, officiating. Burial will follow in the Odd Fellows Cemetery under the direction of Grace Memorial Chapel.
Betty Kygar was born Jan. 12, 1927, in Robinson, Kan., the daughter of Charles Augustus and Velma (Abbot) Frost. She graduated from Ponca City High School at the age of 14 and went on to attend the University of Oklahoma in Norman.
On Aug. 25, 1950, she was united in marriage to Wilson Lynch "Bill" Kygar in Sedan, Kan., and the couple made their home in Ponca City. Mr. Kygar preceded her in death in 1981. Mrs. Kygar was a homemaker and enjoyed working in her garden and playing bridge. She attended Southside Baptist Church. Mrs. Kygar was a member of several national organizations which oppose the intrusion of federal government into individual liberties. She was affiliated with the John Birch Society for a number of years.
She is survived by her children: Dan Kygar of Ponca City, Sally Peden of Enterprise, Ala., and Nancy Kygar of Austin, Texas; one brother, Jack Frost of Hiawatha, Kan.; two grandsons, Gregory Charles Peden and Bradley Wilson Peden, both of Enterprise, Ala. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her parents, and one brother, Charles Frost.
Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation, 825 N.E. 13th Street, Oklahoma City, Ok 73104, or to Southside Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1518 South Fifth Street, Ponca City, OK 74601.
The casket will not be open following the service, however, friends may call at the funeral home until noon, Tuesday.
The family will be at 801 Edgewood.
paid obituary
FONTANA, Calif. - Jan S. Brown, former Ponca City resident, died Wednesday, Dec. 5, 1996, at her home in Fontana, Calif. She was 36.
Private family services were held in Fontana on Dec. 6.
Jan Brown was born Nov. 11, 1960, in Norman, the daughter of Jim and Arlene Brown. She graduated from Ponca City High School in 1978 and attended college at Northwestern State University at Alva. She had worked as a self-employed nanny.
Survivors include her parents, Jim and Susie Brown of Ponca City and John and Arlene Piazza of Fontana, Calif.; three brothers, Stephen Brown of Studio City, Calif., Mike Brown of Las Vegas, Nev., and Brandon Brown of Coppell, Texas; two step-brothers, Ken Thomas of Texarkana, Texas and Darrell Thomas of Ponca City; and five step-sisters, Treasa Lloyd of Ponca City, and Kathy Prine, Debbie Cordua, Margaret Piazza and Jeanette Davault, all of Fontana, Calif.
Jan was preceded in death by her grandparents, Frances and Buster Marcum and Leo and Katherine Brown; a cousin Greg Reed; aunt, Helen Culp; and aunt and uncle, Peggy and Don Pope.
Memorial contributions may be made in Jan's name to the American Diabetes Association at 6465 South Yale, Suite 404, Tulsa, OK 74136.
paid obituary
Tuesday
Esther Lillian Chaffee - Funeral at 11 a.m. at Blackwell First United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction of Hackler Funeral Home, Blackwell.
Lee Spurgeon - Funeral to be held at 2 p.m. in the Pawnee First Assembly of God Church. Burial will be in the Highland Cemetery in Pawnee, under the direction of Poteet Funeral Home.
Angeline Dupuis - Funeral to be held graveside at 2 p.m. in the Grandview Cemetery at Kaw City under the direction of Moore's Memory Chapel of Tulsa.
Rudolf H. Walleen - Funeral to be held at 2:30 p.m. at the Tonkawa First
Presbyterian Church. Burial will be in the Blackwell IOOF Cemetery under
the direction of McCafferty-Bolick Funeral Home, Tonkawa.
NEWS BRIEFS
Extra Patrol - Residents in the Woodridge Place Addition contacted the Ponca City Police Department at 7:01 a.m. Saturday to request extra patrol due to vandalism of Christmas decorations.
Vandalism - A Ponca City police officer responded to a call about vandalism to a vehicle in the 600 block of North Osage Street at 7:15 a.m. Saturday.
Accident - A minor-injury one-vehicle accident occurred at North Fourteenth Street and East Prospect Avenue at 10:18 a.m. Saturday, according to the Ponca City Police Department. An officer took a report. A Ponca City Fire Department ambulance responded, however, the victim refused to be taken to the hospital, according to the ambulance report.
Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 23-year-old woman at a non-injury accident at South Osage Street and West South Avenue at 11:44 a.m. Saturday on charges of driving under the influence and an improper left turn.
Shoplifters - An employee of Wal-Mart, 1101 East Prospect Avenue, advised the Ponca City Police Department at 12:52 p.m. Saturday of two girls in custody for shoplifting. An officer took one girl to the police department, issued a citation and released the youth to a parent.
In Custody - A Ponca City police officer took a 19-year-old man into custody at West Hazel Avenue and North Oak Street at 3 p.m. Saturday on city warrants for failure to appear and failure to pay. The officer also arrested a 21-year-old man for driving under suspension.
Subject Held - A 46-year-old man was arrested by a Ponca City police officer in the 600 block of North Lake Street at 5:04 p.m. Saturday for driving under the influence, running a stop sign and no insurance.
Arrested - A Ponca City police officer arrested a 33-year-old man at South First Street and East South Avenue at 7:45 p.m. Saturday on three Kay County warrants.
Vandalism - A Ponca City police officer took a report of vandalism to a vehicle in the 2100 block of North Union Street at 11:13 p.m. Saturday.
Fire - Ponca City firefighters responded within three minutes to extinguish a fire in a garage in the 200 block of Virginia Avenue at 7:42 a.m. Sunday. A Black and Decker sander shorted out, according to the fire report, causing an estimated $100 in damage.
Burned - Ten acres of grass burned as the result of a fire west of the old Medical Complex at Whiteagle, located south of the city. Ponca City firefighters responded to the call at 1:35 p.m. Sunday. Cpt. John Rhyne, driver, noted the cause of the fire was undetermined.
Tag Stolen - A resident in the 1400 block of West Highland Avenue notified the Ponca City Police Department at 7:16 p.m. Sunday that the tag was stolen off the car. An officer took a report.
Street Light Ignites - The Ponca City Fire Department put out a fire at South Seventh Street and East South Avenue at 8 p.m. Sunday. The light pole shorted and was on fire upon the firefighters arrival. The Electric Department received notice.
Destruction - Three Ponca City police officers responded to St. Joseph Regional Medical Center at 11:09 p.m. Sunday after staff from the emergency room reported a subject was tearing things up. An officer took a report of destruction of private property.
Warrant Request - A resident in the 2100 block of North Union notified the Ponca City Police Department at 3:55 a.m. Monday that car windows were broken out. Allegedly, the subject left toward Union Street in a brown vehicle. An officer took a report and a warrant request for destruction of private property occurred.
Takedown Club Booster Meet Set - The Ponca City Wrestling Takedown Club will meet Monday, Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. in Po-Hi Coach Young's Woodshop Room on Seventh Street.
For Girl Scouts - Girl Scouts may see the Ponca Playhouse production
of "Aesop in a Box," "Old Oak Tree's Last Stand" and
more on Dec. 15. Call 762-9616 for more information.
SPORTS
Basketball
Tuesday at Stillwater, 6:15, 7:45
Friday Sapulpa, here, 6:15, 7:45
Wrestling
Tuesday Broken Arrow, here, 6, 7
Friday at Tulsa Union Tournament
Saturday at Tulsa Union Tournament
Swimming
Thursday at Moore, 6
TONKAWA - Northern Oklahoma's basketball teams split a Homecoming doubleheader with Carl Albert here Saturday afternoon. The Lady Mavericks defeated the Carl Albert Lady Vikings 70-51 while the Mavericks fell 53-50 in the second game.
The Lady Mavs and the Lady Vikings were hot early in the game with the Lady Mavs breaking the Viking defensive press. After the first 2:10 passed on the clock, the score was Lady Vikings 8 and Lady Mavs 6.
Both teams traded baskets until Lady Mav T. J. Humphreys, sophomore from Roff, and Chanda Myers, sophomore from Camargo, gave the Lady Mavs a 21-14 lead at the 9:32 mark.
From that point the Lady Mavs ran the court well and played a tough zone defense to open up a 13-point lead at 27-14 and went into the half up by 14, 38-24.
In the second half, Lady Mav Michelle Brown, freshman from Midwest City, helped expand Northern's lead to 18 points, but the Lady Vikings started a come back and at the mid-point of the half the Lady Vikings had closed to 8 points at 48-40.
Freshman Mandy Perkins then scored and sparked the team. With five minutes left the Lady Mavs lead was back to 14 at 58-44.
Brown and Lynetta Geter, sophomore from Tulsa, led the Lady Mavs to a final score of 70-51.
"This was a good win for us," said head coach Greg Krause. "That's three in a row for us and I want to keep that momentum going. We continue to play a little better each game. Brown got 16 rebounds and Geter pulled down 12. Brandi McClellan did a great lob at point and T. J. Humphreys had a good game at guard. Jennifer Whittet had her second game back after an injury. It was good to have her back in the lineup. Overall, we had good defense. We're still improving. It was a real positive win."
In the men's game the Mavericks faced a tough match-up zone that bothered them, but Mav Mark Passley, sophomore from Ontario, Canada, kept Northern in the game early. At 12:33 the Vikings led the Mavericks 12-9. Both teams played tough defense throughout the first half keeping it a low-scoring game.
At the end of the half the Vikings held a four-point edge over the home team, 25-21.
In the second half the Vikings managed to get the ball inside while the Mavericks continued their cold shooting. By 17:15 the Vikings had a nine-point lead, 32-23.
Then the Mavs started a comeback led by Blake Sonne, sophomore from Orlando, Fla., and Kyle Dean, freshman from Medford, cutting the Viking lead to one, 35-36. At one point, Sonne scored eight straight NOC points.
The Mavericks continued their comeback and took a four point lead, 44-40, as DeShawn Denson, freshman from Oklahoma City, and Bryan Stevens, sophomore from Alva, both hit 3-pointers.
Both teams then found it hard to find the hole, but the Mavericks were ice cold and lost the homecoming game 53-50.
"We played soft all night long," said Mick Weiberg, men's head coach. "We just didn't get the job done. They beat us on desire."
Northern's team will travel to Muskogee Wednesday night to take on Bacone.
WOMEN'S GAME
CASC 24 27 - 51
NORTHERN 38 32 - 70
CACS: Summer Hull 17, Leisha Benge 9, Dee Benton 9, Kristen Sanders 7, Misty Holmes 4, Jenny Garza 3, Amy Newton 2.
NORTHERN: T. J. Humphreys 15, Lynetta Geter 14, Michelle Brown 8, Jennifer Whittet 7, Brandi McClellan 6, Chanda Myers 6, Jill Kliewer 5, Mandy Perkins 4, Sherry Butts 3, Cathy Rogers 2.
MEN'S GAME
CASC 25 28 - 53
NORTHERN 21 29 - 50
Justin Jeffries 11, Michael Pugh 11, William Gladness 10, Leon Irving 9, James Youngblood 6, Tony Ramirez 2, Carvelle Smith 2, Jon Hoover 2.
NORTHERN: Mark Passley 18, Blake Sonne 14, DeShawn Denson 11, Bryan Stevens 3, Kyle Dean 2, Steven Lookout 2.