Hubbard Road will close to both directions of through traffic just west of Waverly Street beginning Tuesday, Jan. 9, for approximately six months during a bridge construction project. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has contracted with Bridgeco Construction of Wellston to replace two structurally deficient bridges spanning Bois D’Arc and Kildare Creeks on Hubbard Road, 3/10 of a mile west of Waverly. The $1.5 million project will raise the elevation of the bridges and roadway approaches about three feet to reduce the likelihood of roadway flooding. During construction, Hubbard Road traffic will be detoured around the work site using S Street, Highland Avenue, and Waverly Street.
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LOCAL NEWS
Simpson Is Rehired For Fifth Term
January 17
TONKAWA — The Tonkawa Board of Education voted Monday to renew the contract of Superintendent Lori Simpson for a fifth term.
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Start Off the New Year by Joining TOPS
January 17
Did you make that New Year’s resolution to become healthier and to lose weight in 2018? Remember, Ponca City has two TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) Chapters to assist you. The evening chapter meets Mondays with weigh in from 5-5:30 p.m. (contact Donna at (580) 362-3961) and the morning chapter meets Thursdays with weigh in at 9-9:30 a.m. (contact Ginny at (580) 762-5072). Both chapters meet at the First Presbyterian Church, 1505 E. Grand, Ponca City on their respective days (park around the back of the church and enter through the back doors). There will be a meeting following weigh in which usually lasts around 30 minutes.
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DAR Meeting on Friday
January 17
The Daughters of the American Revolution will hold their first meeting of the new year on Friday, Jan. 18 at Marland’s Grand Home at 12:45 p.m. The speaker will be Vickie Stewart, a DAR member from Bartlesville. Her topic will be Ellis Island, the doorway for so many of our ancestors.
Hosts will be Ramona Ash, Christine Moore and Pam Sober.
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Colder Temps Expected
January 15
A wind chill advisory is in effect for Kay County from midnight tonight to 10 a.m. Tuesday.
Very low wind chills are expected. The wind chills will cause frostbite in as little as 30 minutes to exposed skin. Expect wind chills will range from minus five to minus 12 degrees.
Afternoon highs on Tuesday are expected to be between 18-20 degrees with an overnight low of four degrees.
Temperatures are expected to rebound on Wednesday with an afternoon high of 31 and 46 degrees on Thursday.
The weekend is expected to be warmer with highs on Saturday near 59 degrees and 44 on Sunday.
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Bank Robbery Reported
January 14, 2018
The RCB Bank office located on East Highland Avenue at the northwest corner of North 14th Street was robbed of an undisclosed amount of money at about 3:05 p.m. Friday, according a statement released by the Oklahoma City office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
The robber is described as a white male approximately 6-foot 4-inches tall with a skinny build and appearing to be in his late 40s or early 50s. He reportedly slid a note to a teller demanding money.
Several Ponca City Police Department officers responded immediately to the scene after a bank employee reported the robbery at 3:13 p.m. Friday.
After local police confirmed the robbery had occurred, the FBI was apprised with the agency subsequently taking the lead of the investigation. In her press statement, FBI Special Agent Jessica Rice states no weapon was displayed during the robbery. The robber was dressed in black coveralls over a gray hoodie sweatshirt, a camouflage ball cap and dark sunglasses. The suspect left the scene on foot northbound and was observed making his getaway in a red Buick four-door sedan.
At 3:18 p.m. Friday, Ponca City firefighters responded to reports of a car fully engulfed in flames in a parking lot behind the business strip center on located on East Highland at the southwest corner of North 10th Street. The vehicle was observed to be a red, four-door Buick sedan with no license plate.
Much speculation about whether the vehicle is somehow involved with the robbery is rampant on social media postings, but local police and the FBI are silent on the matter as the investigation proceeds.
Anyone with information regarding the identity or whereabouts of the suspect is asked to contact FBI offices in Oklahoma City by calling 405- 290-7770.
The Oklahoma Bankers Association offers a reward of up to $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for robbing a member bank.
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Contract Extended For School Superintendent
January 14, 2018
By KAY BOJORQUEZ
News Education Editor
The Ponca City Board of Education voted unanimously last Monday night to approve a new three-year contract for Shelley Arrott, Ponca City Superintendent. The contract, effective July 1, was extended through the 2020- 2021 school year. There was no board discussion concerning the contract.
Arrott’s salary will remain the same as the previous contract effective July 1, 2017. Her base salary will be $140,000 per annum. The board retains the right to adjust the annual salary; however, the adjustment will never be less than the initial salary set.
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DA Appealing Court Decision
January 14, 2018
NEWKIRK — Kay County District Attorney Brian Hermanson is appealing the decision made by the court on April 19, 2017 to dismiss the second degree murder charge filed against 24-year-old Joel Benjamin Kassen.
Kassen was originally charged with second degree murder in the death of 22-yearold Cody Grantham, who died in a one-vehicle accident in the 800 block of Kyger Road on Sept. 12, 2015.
He is currently scheduled for a plea docket on April 9 and facing a felony count of conspiracy.
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District Attorney Sworn In to Board
January 14, 2018
OKLAHOMA CITY — Ponca City attorney Brian T. Hermanson took an oath Friday to serve a three-year term representing Supreme Court Judicial District 1 on the Oklahoma Bar Association’s Board of Governors. District 1 includes Craig, Grant, Kay, Nowata ,Osage, Ottawa,
Pawnee, Rogers and Washington counties. He was among nine attorneys sworn in to serve on the OBA’s 17-member board during a ceremony at the state Capitol.
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Ponca Tribe Voters Elect Three to Govern
January 14, 2018
By ROLF CLEMENTS
News Staff Writer
Ponca Tribe voters went to the poll Saturday to elect three positions on the sevenmember Business Committee, the governing body of the tribe.
Twelve candidates were listed on the ballot, with voters making three selections. A total of 478 ballots were cast, according to Ponca Tribe Election Board chair Sue Feathers.
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Kay County Republican Party To Meet Thursday
January 14, 2018
The Kay County Republican Party will hold its first meeting of 2018 on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Seminar Center at Pioneer Technology Center.
Kevin Stitt is the guest speaker. He is the founder of Gateway Mortgage. He grew up in Norman and graduated from Oklahoma State University. He started Gateway Mortgage Group in 2000 with $1,000 and a computer. Today, Gateway employs over 1,100 people in 143 offices nationwide and is licensed in 40 states.
Dr. Jim Will of Ponca City will also speak on the power of self talk.
Updates will be given by District Attorney Brian Hermanson and Rep. Steve Vaughan.
For additional information check the KCRP website.
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Democratic Party Will Meet
January 14, 2018
The Kay County Democratic Party will be having a meeting on Jan. 18, 2018 at the Pioneer Tech in Ponca City. The guest speaker for the meeting is Diane Luther, vice president of the Edmond Democratic Women’s Club.
The Edmond Democratic Women’s Club was form with about a dozen women in December of 2016. By March of 2017, there were over 200 members.
The initial intent of the group was to connect women who are interested in creating a more visible presence for the Democratic Party in Edmond and to involve them in the political process. Since that time, the group has broadened their focus to include recruiting, training and electing more Democrats to public office. They study critical issues facing their community, state and country. They are also educating their members on how to communicate with elected officials on public policy and advocating on issues that impact the lives of Edmond residents and Oklahomans.
Luther will be speaking about how and why this amazing organization has grown. She will also be speaking about the work that they are doing among their members and in the local and state government. The public is invited to attend this meeting. If you need additional information, please contact the Kay County Democratic Party Chair Amy Muegge at KayDemChair@aol.com. The meeting will be held at 7 p.m. in the Seminar Room.
The Kay County Federation of Democratic Women’s Club will hold their meeting in the Seminar Room at the Pioneer Tech at 6:15 p.m.
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Eagle Watch Event Scheduled Saturday
January 14, 2018
Kaw Lake in northern Oklahoma is home to one of the state’s largest populations of bald eagles. Featuring both wintering and nesting eagles, Kaw Lake was the site of a reintroduction effort between 1984 and 1992 that saw 275 American Bald Eagles released back into the wild around the lake.
One of the biggest events of January 2018 for northern Oklahoma and southern Kansas is the annual Kaw Lake Ultimate Eagle Watch on Jan. 20.
The event draws visitors from across the country to view Eagles and take part in the activities in Kaw City.
The event is free, but donations are appreciated according to the organizers.
One of the featured events is eagle viewing by horseback. This activity is 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The gathering place for the ride is Sarge Creek Campground. The trail boss is Jesse Hodges.
Eagle viewing bus tours, forming at Kaw City Community Center, will run between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The Community Center has a full schedule of events with the doors opening at 8 a.m.
These include History of the Eagle and Habitat, by Mark Hoqwey; Three Sharp Thing, Grey Snow Eagle House; Avian Conservation and the roles we play, from Grey Snow Eagle House; Kaw Lake question and answer session by the Corps of Engineers.
The Kaw Nation Learning Center will present nesting habits of bald eagles along the Arkansas River waterbed, Gene Young; Importance of eagles to Native Americans, by Geba Warren.
The Kaw City Museum will be open 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Among the activities on the agenda this year will be an appearance by Jennifer Shore of Critter Tales Inc.
Shore will present two programs at the Kaw City School as part of the Kaw Lake Association’s Ultimate Eagle Watch programming.
Shore believes in hands on learning. She has presented wildlife programs to schools and other events. Shore has a broad knowledge of wildlife. She was an employee of the Oklahoma City Zoo’s education department before starting Critter Tales Inc. in 2006.
Shore will present a program on exotics at 9 a.m. that includes snakes and a hedgehog. The 10 a.m. program will feature Oklahoma Wildlife like a skunk.
These programs will be fun for the whole family.
Shore was born and raised in Oklahoma. Critter Tales Inc. is a nonprofit established in 2006 located in Warr Acres. All programs are subject to change depending on the weather, in case of ice or snow. For more information, go to the website at kawlake.com, by email to kawlakeassoc@kawcityok.net or call the Kaw Lake Association at 580-269-2213.
The purpose of the Kaw Lake Association is to build a region-wide partnership of towns, businesses, service agencies, and local governments within the North Central Oklahoma Kaw Lake area. Its mission includes recruitment of a broad membership base, creation of a financial support system, addressing infrastructure needs, tourism development, broadening the business base, and marketing the region as a whole.
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Hospice Receives Accreditation Nod
January 14, 2018
Hospice of North Central Oklahoma, Inc. today announced it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Home Care Accreditation by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal of Approval® is a symbol of quality that reflects an organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective care.
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Kay County Archaeology Club Meeting Planned
January 14, 2018
The Kay County Archaeology Club will meet on Thursday, Jan. 18 at 6 p.m. at the Ponca City Library.
The guest speaker will be Sarah Trabert with Archaeology Survey.
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PEO Meeting Set Wednesday
January 14, 2018
Members of all three Ponca City chapters of P.E.O., FC, FN and EL, will meet together Wednesday, Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. at First United Methodist Church.
They will be celebrating their organization’s Founders Day together with a special skit written by Chapter FN president, Gay Kinkaid. The skit participants will be Becky Davis, Gay Kinkaid, Beverly Beaty, Edwina Winn and Marilyn Jackson.
Ending the skit will be a song with original words written to the tune of “When You Wish Upon a Star” also written by Kinkaid. Members of the ensemble singing the song will be Kay Anthony Rice, Betsy Carter, Beverly Beaty, Marsha Moore, Kara Wells, Vicki Wasson and Sheila Kirkpatrick, accompanied by Kay Anthony Rice.
Hostesses for the social time will be Barbara Bridwell, Gerry McFadden, Pam Oster, Becky Davis, Lynn Howard, Rosalie Majors, and Annette Latz.
Individual business meetings will follow the program and social time, conducted by their presidents.
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Project Amnesty To Begin Soon
January 12, 2018
The date for Project Amnesty to kick off nears. Project Amnesty will be held February 1, 2018 through March 31, 2018 for anyone with outstanding warrants or fines dated on or before Dec. 31, 2017. This is only the third amnesty program for the City of Ponca City’s Municipal Court since 2003.
During Project Amnesty, citizens may take advantage of a 30 percent reduction on all outstanding fines and warrants due to the Municipal Court, if paid in full. No installment payments will be accepted. No discount is granted on court ordered restitution. Municipal Court will not accept personal checks, but will accept cash, credit card, money orders, and cashiers’ checks.
Police officers will continue to serve warrants during Project Amnesty, so those with outstanding warrants are encouraged to take advantage of the program before they are arrested. A listing of all outstanding City warrants can be found on the City of Ponca City’s website at www.poncacityok.gov under Municipal Court.
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MLK Celebration Set This Weekend
January 12, 2018
On Saturday, Jan. 13 a celebration honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. will be presented.
The program will feature a guest speaker, Pastor Jay L. Thurston, who is the youth and young adult pastor at St. Mark Cathedral COGIC.
Pastor Thurston, under the leadership Bishop Mark Gilkey, is the founder and CEO of Jlove Ministries. Pastor Jay uses his charismatic style of preaching that transcends all generations to bridge the gap between generations, to break down barriers and speak life.
Pastor Thurston travels the country changing lives through the Power of God. The theme for this program is the “Color of Unity.”
Also on program will be Pam Alexander, minister of music at Connor Chapel, AME Church, who will render musical selections. Claude Bradley, deacon at St. John Baptist Church, will do an excerpt from a speech of Dr. King’s and Marissa Webb, Brennan Wiggins and Amaya Chandler, members of the Ponca City High School African American Club, will participate as will other club members.
The program on Saturday begins at 6 p.m. at Attucks Community Center. A meet and greet reception will follow.
The 15th annual Interfaith Prayer Breakfast will be Monday, Jan. 15 at 8 a.m. Elder Timothy Johnson, pastor of Johnson Temple, COGIC will preside over the program and give a sermonette. Carol Brown will sing and Mother Della Blackstar will open the program with prayer in honor of her son, the late Reverend Toby Blackstar who was an avid supporter of the celebrations.
Additionally, city manager Craig Stephenson will bring greetings, Pastor Coates of Albright United Methodist Church, Diane Anderson, Phillips 66 Black Employees Network (BEN) and other local ministers will give prayers for peace, unity, leadership and the less fortunate.Doors will open 7:30 a.m. Both events are open to the public and free.
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Wildcat Adopted As School Mascot
January 11, 2018
In an effort to promote and build school spirit and eliminate barriers for all students to be involved in any activity, the district desires a unified district-wide mascot and school colors. The Wildcat will be the mascot with school colors of red and blue for all schools in the district. This change will take place beginning with the 2018-2019 school year.
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The Crucible’ Opens Friday at Playhouse
January 11, 2018
Review by Kay Anthony Rice
An unusually large cast of 24 actors have come together under the direction of Emily Rose Parman, guest director from New York, to present Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible.” Opening on Friday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 at the Ponca Playhouse Theater, performances will be on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 7:30 and Sunday, Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. with the same schedule being repeated next weekend, Jan. 20-22.
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Operations Begin at Area Wind Farm
January 10, 2018
Enel Green Power North America (EGP-NA) this week announced the start of opertaions at its Thunder Ranch wind farm, located in Garfield, Kay and Noble Counties.
The announcement also revealed the start of another EGP-PA wind farm in Oklahoma, Red Dirt. Now that these two wind farms are fully operational, EGP-NA is the largest wind owner and operator in Oklahoma.
Much of the Thunder Ranch wind farm is located south of Tonkawa along I-35.
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City Offices To Be Closed
January 10, 2018
The City of Ponca City will observe Monday, Jan. 15, as a City Holiday.
Residential Refuse will not be picked up Monday, Jan. 15, and will resume Tuesday, Jan 16.
The Landfill will be closed Monday and reopen Tuesday.
The Ponca City Library will be closed Monday and reopen on Tuesday.
Marland’s Grand Home will be closed Monday and reopen Tuesday.
The Marland Mansion and Estate will be closed Sunday, Jan. 14 and Monday, Jan. 15 and reopen on Tuesday.
Lew Wentz Golf Course will be open on Monday.
The Ponca City Senior Center will be closed Monday and reopen on Tuesday.
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Fades and Braids Tour Coming
January 10, 2018
A non-profit organization is traveling the United States to provide free haircuts for at-risk children, and also veterans. The group is called Building a Better You. On Sunday, Jan. 14, they will be at Grace Episcopal Church, 13th and Grand, from 2 to 6 p.m.
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City Commissioners Grant Two Infrastructure Projects
January 09, 2018
By STEVE DYE
News Staff Writer
Ponca City’s Board of Commissioners rubber-stamped two infrastructure projects at City Hall on Monday, and were unanimous in their support of the Mayor’s birthday.
City Engineer Jim Fairbanks presented both measures brought before the Board, consisting of approval to solicit bids for a street project on Elm Street and the installation of a stormwater retention pond in Young Park.
The section of Elm Street that runs between Oklahoma Avenue and Grand Avenue is to be entirely repaved, with new curbing and sidewalks completing the trio of visual improvements.
A fourth functional fix will be the installation of a new water line running beneath the surface construction.
The 720-foot section of road will be the third phase of improvement for Elm Street, with the bumpy brick road surface to be removed and replaced with smooth tarmac. A deteriorated 4-inch water line will be replaced with new 6-inch pipe.
“It will look very much like the other sections of street we’ve refurbished when completed,” Fairbanks said.
“This is a good project, and as we’ve seen, it really improves these neighborhoods,” Nicholson commented.
The project is funded through the street sales tax. With the approval of Commissioners secured, Fairbanks will advertise for construction bids beginning this week with the contract slated to be awarded in early February with work to begin later that same month.
Bids will also be solicited this week for the other approved project, also presented by Fairbanks.
An extensive survey and study of Ponca City’s flood plains was conducted between 2004 and 2009, after which plans were drawn to systematically replace culverts that contribute to drainage.
The flip side of improving the flow of floodwater, as explained to the Board by Fairbanks, is that “in opening those channels, which were very undersized, and moving the flood waters through faster we also lose retention. This measure is designed to get that storage back.”
An area designated as “Arkansas River Problem Area 2” runs alongside Young Park, with a main channel following Overbrook Avenue to an area near the high school.
The retention pond will be located in the southeast corner of the park, and will require the removal of a baseball backstop for the work to be completed. The backstop will be dismantled by city crews, and may be reinstalled Fairbanks said. The ballfield in the northwest corner of the park will be undisturbed as will access to the splash pad.
The construction of a 6-foot earthen dam, after completion, will allow the area to be used in normal park fashion aside from heavy rain conditions.
“It will still be able to be enjoyed by our residents as a city park, but with the added benefit of helping us to manage the flow of our stormwater,” Fairbanks said.
Bids are to be solicited this week and will be brought back to Commission chambers for selection and approval in February. The Stormwater Fund project is slated to begin in March.
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County Discusses Wind Farm
January 09, 2018
By SHARON ROWEN
News Staff Writer
NEWKIRK — Kay County District Attorney Brian Hermanson told county commissioners on Monday that treasurer Christy Kennedy and assessor Susan Keen received a letter from the Blackwell Economic Development Authority stating that they were releasing the Rock Falls Wind Farm LLC to a company in California and that no ad valorem would be paid to the county for 10 years.
Hermanson said that a statute passed in 1951 concerning leased property and non payment of taxes was challenged in 1980 and that the State Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional.
He referenced an article in The Ponca City News that reported the wind farm was owned by the Blackwell Economical Development Authority.
Hermanson said the county would not be filing the notice sent to them from the Blackwell entity and thanked Keen and Kennedy for bringing the notice to his attention.
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