Mustang Times

Mustang church holding prescription drug drop off Nov. 12

2011-11-11T13:44:00.000-06:00

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) will be sponsoring their Pharmaceutical Take Back Program Saturday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Life Tabernacle Church, 601 Hwy. 152, in Mustang.

The program allows citizens to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription controlled dangerous substances. Pharmaceutical abuse is on the increase and the abuse has led to too many deaths. Unfortunately, the household medicine cabinet has been a source of supply of pharmaceuticals for youth and invited guests. The program’s purpose is to limit this source by giving citizens an opportunity to properly dispose of unused and unneeded prescription drugs.

The A.C.T.S is a 12 week, state recognized, faith-based program designed to help individuals break from destructive, addictive behaviors and patterns by learning life skills that promote personal growth. It teaches students to reenter society sober with benefits such as bringing their families back together, and environments to maintain a positive attitude for life. It also teaches the science and effects of dangerous drugs and chemicals including alcohol, marijuana, methamphetamine, cocaine, and prescription drug abuse.

The program began a year and a half ago and has been steadily growing with approx. 100 people of all ages who have completed the series. There has been a 25 percent recovery rate out of those 100; which is double the national average. A.C.T.S. has also been beneficial for family members coping with loved ones who have chemical addictions and serves as a support system and educational tool.

A.C.T.S. is open to anyone and free of cost. The class is taught every Thursday night from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Education Building at Life Tabernacle Church in Mustang. Child-care is available. For more information contact Joe Findley, program Director, at (405) 882-0485.

Residents shaken from record quake

2011-11-11T13:42:00.000-06:00

By Jon Watje
Managing Editor

Mustang area resident, Julie Thrash, said she never really believed the earthquake insurance she purchased 18 years ago would come in handy.

“I purchased it in the early 1990s when I moved into my house in Mustang,” Thrash said. “But I never thought I’d need it.”

After Saturday’s 5.6 earthquake, the largest recorded in Oklahoma history, Thrash said she was relieved to be one of the few that carried the insurance. Her home, located near SW 3rd and Czech Hall, suffered several cracks on the exterior brick from the roof to the slab.

“I inspected my roof and it appears to be fine,” Thrash said. “But there are parts of the exterior wall that are separated from the roof.”

Luckily for most homeowners in Mustang and Canadian County, no damage was reported from the quake, which occurred just before 11 p.m. on Saturday evening.

Canadian County Emergency Management Director Jerry Smith said he received no calls regarding the earthquake or any damage.

“I heard that some homes had minor damage, but nothing major,” Smith said. “Who would of thought we would be having earthquakes. It’s been a interesting year with the tornadoes, flooding and droughts we’ve had.”

Mustang City Manager Mike Rutledge said he went out the day after the quake to look for any damage.

“We didn’t have any damage reported,” Rutledge said. “I checked the water towers and some of are facilities and did not find anything.”

Stephanie Riley, who lives on Sam Houston Way in Mustang, was at home when the quake shook the area.

“My husband and I looked at each other and we were like, ‘What’s going on?” Riley said. “It just kept shaking and when it was over, everyone in our neighborhood went outside wondering what had happened.”

Riley said the quake caused a crack that runs all the way across the ceiling of their three-car garage.

The Mustang Fire Department reported that they did not respond to any earthquake-related calls.
Mark Burton, an insurance agent in Mustang for State Farm, said his office was flooded with calls on Monday regarding earthquake insurance.

“I had a lot of calls,” Burton said. “We had a smaller earthquake last year and after that one happened, I had a good number of people call who bought insurance. I would say fewer than 25 percent of my clients had earthquake insurance before Saturday’s quake took place.”

Burton said he is sure that number will jump.

“Earthquake insurance is an optional coverage and mortgage companies do not require it,” he said. “Also, a lot of people think the odds of an earthquake happening here are very low so most people do not have it. However, if it does happen, it could be financially devastating. It is not that expensive and most people are surprised about how much it costs.”

Oklahoma has been hit by big earthquakes before.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), a 5.5 magnitude earthquake struck El Reno in 1952. Before Oklahoma became a state in 1907, another 5.5 quake hit the northeastern part of Indian Territory in 1882.

The epicenter of Saturday’s quake was located near Sparks in Lincoln County, 50 miles east of the Oklahoma City metro. It was felt all throughout the state and including Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, northern Texas, and some parts of Illinois and Wisconsin.

In 2008, the rate of earthquakes in Oklahoma began to rise, with over a dozen earthquakes occurring in the region east-northeast of Oklahoma City and southwest of Tulsa. In 2009, the rate of seismicity continued to climb, with nearly 50 earthquakes recorded, many big enough to be felt. In 2010 the activity continued.

Researchers said 1,047 quakes shook Oklahoma last year, but the reason for the increase and the cause of Saturday’s quake is still unknown.

Mustang superintendent turns down raise offer

2010-03-15T17:01:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

With her district facing historic funding cuts at the state level, Mustang Public Schools Superintendent Bonnie Lightfoot turned down a pay raise Monday night.

At the January school board meeting, Lightfoot declined to take an increase in salary. During Monday's meeting, she turned down the board's offer of a $20,000 annuity, payable at the end of her contract. Lightfoot stated that due to the district's financial position, she respectfully declined the offer. Her contract was renewed at the same salary, $123,000, but extended through 2013.

Before turning down the raise, Lightfoot announced the district would have to cut about 20 certified positions and 10 support positions for the 2010-11 school year.

She outlined many cost-cutting steps administrators planned to take to absorb the $2.2 million less the district has received in funding this year, with dire revenue projections ahead for next year and beyond.

The certified layoffs will likely come from the 65 teachers who are currently on temporary contracts, but attrition could help ease the number of people who will lose their job, Lightfoot said.

Additionally, the district will look to temporary support positions to make necessary cuts, including two and four-hour positions, she said.

A district committee has been working to trim expenses without students having to feel the effects of the budget cuts, Lightfoot said.

“Everyone in this group has worked as a group to make sure that every one of our students will still continue to have the very best education,” she said.

According to data provided by Chief Financial Officer Kay Medcalf, the Mustang school district is projected (assuming a 10-percent state revenue reduction) to receive $4.66 million less funding next year than what is projected for this year. The district’s carryover to begin the 2010-11 school year – which will be needed to pay teacher salaries during the summer months –is projected to be $2.76 million, the lowest since the 2006-07 school year.

In a letter posted on the district’s website on March 5, Lightfoot wrote, “eighty-five percent of Mustang’s general fund budget goes to salaries. The cost-saving measures we have implemented will produce some results but not nearly enough. The only way we can bridge the gap between this fiscal year and the next is by reducing the amount of money spent on salaries. The district is being forced to reduce the number of employees by 15-20 positions.

“We hope to accomplish this primarily through attrition. If the number of retirements and resignations are not enough, it is likely that the district may be unable to rehire all of our first-year employees who are on temporary contracts. Although this will invariably lead to an increase in class sizes, we will fight to protect the 20-to-1 ratio in kindergarten through second grade.”

For the past two months, no district employees have been allowed to work overtime, Lightfoot said. In addition, a moratorium has been placed on out-of-state travel for administrators and teachers. It currently costs $6,000-$7,000 to send one employee out of state on business, she said.

The district will also cut one of the four school resource officers who currently work at Mustang schools, Lightfoot said. The cut will come from the north side of the district, where Canadian County Sheriff’s deputies are employed to provide security at the sites outside Mustang’s city limits.

All-day kindergarten postponed

To help offset next year’s funding cuts, Mustang’s all-day kindergarten program has been postponed. School board members voted unanimously to approve the delay, although newly-elected School Board President Maxine Morris asked Lightfoot to consider tabling the item.

“The only thing that is really important is for parents to know as soon as possible, that it is not a possibility so that they will know far enough in advance to make plans for it next year,” she said. “I’d be misleading you if I told you I thought we could (start all-day kindergarten next year).”

All-day kindergarten would require hiring 18 new teachers. The district has saved $1.2 million the program, but that money has been cancelled out and then some by this year’s cuts.

“We would not be able to afford to staff that number of new teaching positions,” Lightfoot said.

Additionally, transitional first-grade classes will be absorbed by regular first-grade classes in an effort to save positions and keep class sizes down, she said.

More cost-cutting initiatives were announced during the meeting. Next year, according to Lightfoot:

- Field trips will have to be paid from school activity funds.

- The number of bus stops each route will make will be fewer, meaning students may have to walk farther to their bus stop.

- The district will forgo new textbook adoption, as previously planned; the move will save the district $200,000-$300,000 in additional costs, and money normally spent on books may be used for other expenses.

- The number of athletic scrimmages will be cut, eliminating travel expenses.

- The district will institute a fee schedule for outside organizations, such as little league teams, to use school facilities; this proposal will be announced at the April regular school board meeting.

- About 100 employee cell phones will be eliminated.

- Copy machine usage will be reduced; one site had $25,000 in leasing overage fees.

- Energy conservation is already being stressed; one site had a $7,000 monthly electric bill.

New officers elected

Morris was elected by school board members as the new president. She replaces member Jeff Johnson, who did not attend the meeting. Dona Zanotti was elected vice-president, and Amanda Strassle was elected clerk. New member Chad Fulton was sworn in following his election win last month. More Mustang school news at mustangpaper.com

MHS students report hallucinations after using 'digital drugs'

2010-03-15T17:00:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

After two Mustang High School students reported having hallucinations Friday, school administrators issued a warning to parents about a new fad among young people called “I-Dosing,” also known as digital drugs.

According to Superintendent Bonnie Lightfoot, I-Dosing involves downloading MP3 files that use binaural brainwave technology. The technology works by using two tones in close frequency, one in each side of a set of headphones. To a listener, the different tones combine to create a beat frequency that alters brainwaves.

The applications can be downloaded – often for a fee – to many cell phones and MP3 players, Lightfoot said in a letter that was delivered via mass e-mail to Mustang Public Schools patrons.

“It’s something that we had never heard of or seen,” Lightfoot said in a telephone interview Monday. “We have talked to other districts, and, to our knowledge, there is not anyone else that has seen anything like this.”

Lightfoot said administrators and the nurse at Mustang High School became aware of I-Dosing last Friday.

“I think that there were a couple of students that might have had the visual appearance of maybe being under the influence of something, and after visiting with the students, we found out that they had tried something like (I-Dosing),” Lightfoot said.

Some students who listened to one of the I-Doser MP3 files exhibited the same physical effects as if they were under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including increased blood pressure, a rapid pulse and involuntary eye movements, Lightfoot said.

Two students reported auditory and visual hallucinations, she said.

According to a source, one student had to be taken to the hospital after listening to one of the I-Doser files in class for 30 minutes. The sophomore student complained about “seeing demons,” another student said.

Various websites offer I-Doser files for download. One website offer I-Doser MP3 files under such legitimate-sounding names as “weight loss,” “quit smoking,” and “anti-anxiety.”

Another website offers groups of files in genres such as “hallucinogenic,” “recreational,” and “sexual.” Among the file names that can be found are “Acid,” “Peyote,” and “LSD.”

“Sites promoting the binaural brainwave technology claim there are no dangers to listening to the ‘doses,’ Lightfoot said. “Based on the physiological effects, we are concerned about this phenomenon. Please talk to your child about the dangers around them, including the potential dangers from things that are promoted as being perfectly safe.”

Administrators had a meeting Monday to discuss the issue. One way the district would attempt to deter students from I-Dosing at school is to enforce current cell phone policies, Lightfoot said.

“It could be as limited as just making sure that teachers are paying close attention to (cell phones) not being turned on,” she said. “If it’s to the point where those need to be confiscated, then we will do that.”

Mustang’s cell phone policy - as stated in the student handbook - says, “State law provides that a student may possess a telecommunication device while on school premises, while in transit under the authority of the school or while attending any function sponsored by the school.”

According to the policy:

- Use of cell phones, IPods, MP3 players, CD/DVD players, video/camcorders and any other types of
electronic devices are not allowed during the school day;

- Use of these or other such items tend to disrupt and distract at school and are better left at home;

- If students choose to bring devices to school, they must be out of sight and not in use during the school day;

- Repeated problems may warrant disciplinary action. Misuse (filming fights, inappropriate pictures, etc.) of the electronic device will warrant disciplinary action;

- Telephones are available for student use in the office. Messages may be left for students at the office during the school day;

- Mustang Public Schools is not responsible for any lost or stolen wireless or electronic telecommunication devices or any personal devices or equipment;

- On the first offense, electronic devices will be confiscated, and parents will be notified and required to pick them up.

- On the second offense, devices will be confiscated, parents notified and students will not be permitted to carry the phone for the remainder of the school year;

- Exceptions to the disciplinary action will be at administrators’ discretion.

More Mustang school news at mustangpaper.com

Thunder PA announcer living his dream

2010-02-13T15:07:00.000-06:00

By Tim Farley

Some people just dream about the perfect job, but Harrah’s Jim Miller is living it.

Growing up, Miller knew he would one day use his voice in a high profile sports entertainment vocation. He just didn’t know where until the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder team came calling for a public address announcer in September 2008. Public auditions were held and Miller would not be denied a chance to make his dream come true.

As he competed against 99 other people, Miller said he was confident the Thunder would select him as the voice 18,000 people would hear every home game as players are introduced, fouls are called or sponsorship announcements are made.

“I did a few Tiger Woods fist pumps when I got the news, but my reaction wasn’t as joyous as you might have thought. I don’t want this to come off wrong, but I almost expected it. This is what I had been dreaming about and working toward for so many years. This has been a chance to live my dream,” he said during an interview prior to the Thunder’s game against Golden State last week.

As the PA announcer of an NBA team, Miller says he’s honored to sit at mid-court, front row and see some of the greatest athletes in the world.

“I don’t think you can find anyone who has a better part-time job than I do. When you think about it, there are only 30 people in the world who have this gig and I consider it a blessing and privilege,” he said.

Now in his second season with the Thunder, Miller says the job is much more than telling fans which player scored or was called for a foul.

“Generally, I’ll have an 80 page script. There’s a lot more involved with this than you might think. For instance, we know from the script what’s going to happen during every timeout. I do ad lib some. It’s not like I’m a robot but most of the things you see and hear are already scripted,” he said.

As he lives his dream at a high level of sports entertainment, Miller says he’s never stressed by anything that happens during a game.

“It is a challenge sometimes, it’s not easy but I still refuse to think of it as work. My stress level is very low when I do these games. The main thing is focus. You have to stay centered on what is happening around you and I have some great people who sit next to me and help me out,” he said.

While Miller has reached the pinnacle of career goals, his prior experience came at the high school level. For three years, he was the public address announcer for Harrah High School athletic events and was PA announcer at the annual Mid-America girls’ basketball tournament in Ada, where he grew up and later went to college at East Central University.

But that’s not all. For the past eight years, Miller has been the voice of Tishomingo High School football as the radio play-by-play announcer and he loves every minute of it.

When Miller moved from Ada to Harrah four years ago, he was intent on jumping to the college level as an announcer or broadcaster. Little did he know at the time that he would bypass the collegiate jobs and move quickly to the top of his game.

“Actually, I was hoping to do some OBU or OCU games and get involved at that level. It never happened and I guess there was a reason for that. When one of my speech students from Harrah read from the newspaper that the Thunder was going to hold public auditions, I knew then where I was meant to be,” Miller said.

When he’s not working as a PA announcer or broadcaster, Miller stays busy with a full-time job as speech teacher and varsity tennis coach at Harrah High School. In his spare time, he sings bass for the Southern Sonlight gospel quartet.

With the notoriety from his selection as the Thunder PA announcer, Miller became a “reluctant star” in the Harrah area.

“The kids (Harrah students) are finally starting to get numb to it and they think they’re Thunder insiders now,” he said, with a laugh. “But when I go home to Ada I’m really noticed. They are so overjoyed that a Pontotoc County kid is doing this.”

One of the perks from the Thunder PA gig is the opportunity to meet “famous people who were idols of mine and to get to know some really awesome behind-the-scenes people,” Miller said. “You also get to see former players who have come back as coaches or broadcasters. Sam Perkins is a good example. Every time he is town, we talk and visit. You won’t meet a nicer, more wonderful group of people.”

Miller also has kind words for this year’s Thunder team.

“These guys are quality, high-character individuals. It’s a pleasure to be around them,” he said.

As for Miller’s future plans?

“I just want to make sure I keep getting better and do it right,” he said.

Apparently, some dreams are made to come true.

For more information go to mustangpaper.com

Mustang Times wins Sequoyah Award

2010-02-13T15:04:00.000-06:00

From staff reports

The Mustang Times, your hometown newspaper, has been honored as one of the state’s best.

Winners of the 2009 Oklahoma Press Association Better Newspaper Contest were announced Friday, Feb. 5, at the Reed Convention Center in Midwest City, Okla.

Recipients of the 2009 Sequoyah Award, the highest honor in the annual contest, were The Norman Transcript, Stillwater NewsPress, The Journal Record, Stigler News-Sentinel, The Cleveland American, The Newcastle Pacer, Tulsa County News, El Reno Tribune and Mustang Times. The Sequoyah Award is based on total points accumulated in all events.

Members of the Colorado Press Association judged a total of 850 entries received from 86 newspapers in the 2009 Better Newspaper Contest.

The Mustang Times picked up its first Sequoyah Award this year with top place in 5 events. The Times took first in News Content, Advertising, Sales Promotion, News Writing and Sports Coverage in Division 9, sustaining member publications.

In addition, the paper placed second in In-Depth Enterprise and Photography; third in Editorial Comment, Personal Columns and Community Leadership, and fourth in Layout & Design and Feature Writing.

“High quality in photography and writing; diversity,” remarked a judge on the Times’ sports coverage.

Mustang Times is owned and published by Steven Coulter and Steve Kizziar.

A complete list of winners in the 2009 OPA Better Newspaper Contest is available on the OPA website at www.OkPress.com. For more information go to mustangpaper.com.

Mustang youth organize to make skate park dream a reality

2009-11-10T14:09:00.000-06:00

By Jon Watje
Staff Writer

In an effort to bring a skate park to Mustang, a group of skaters met at the Mustang Community Center to gather ideas and information on what it would take. Mustang resident Chris Parker organized the meeting on Thursday, Oct. 29. The group discussed fundraising options, possible locations and what people in Mustang can do to make it happen.

“The cost for a new skate park in Mustang would cost around $200,000,” Parker said. “The city said it might be able to flip half of the bill and they are doing their best to cover 50 percent of the costs, but we aren’t sure right now. Basically, we need to focus on raising $100,000.”

Mustang Parks and Recreation Director Justin Battles said he couldn’t say how much the city would be spending on their behalf right now.

“We are looking at securing funds so we don’t know how much we will pay for, but the city will definitely help with this financially,” Battles said. “We have a couple different designs for the skate park and we will forward those designs to our Leisure Services Board in January. I think it is great that they are getting the Skate Park Association back together and doing this.”

Parker said that he was in contact with several fundraising organizations and they city was looking into different grants.

“We are looking at two different locations for the skate park,” he said. “We are looking at Curtis Park by the First Baptist Church and we are also looking at maybe doing renovations to Meadows Park, which would include the planned skate park, restrooms, pavilion and lights.”

Those in attendance at the meeting were given flyers to hand out to homes near Meadows Park, informing homeowners that the park was a place of interest for the park.

Mustang resident and skater, Koby Jacob, said he hopes to see a skate park in Mustang soon.

“If I want to go to a skate park, I have to go to Yukon, Norman or Edmond,” Jacob said.

Parker said a skate park would provide a safe, centralized location for Mustang children.

“Some people say that skating can be dangerous and that there would be a liability factor involved,” he said. “However, it’s just like any contact sport. This would give kids around here something fun to do for free almost anytime of the day. Hopefully we will have the money we need this time next year.”

For those who are interested in helping with fundraising for the skate park or in other ways, log onto www.myspace.com/mustangskatepark for more information on fundraising events.

For more Mustang news and sports goto mustangpaper.com

HIgh-speed pursuit ends in arrest

2009-11-10T14:07:00.000-06:00

By Jon Watje
Staff Writer

Mustang Police assisted the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office in a high speed pursuit that started in El Reno, weaved through parts of Mustang and ended in Oklahoma City limits on Monday, Nov. 2.

“At 2:53 p.m. one of our deputies saw a red Chevrolet pickup in El Reno that matched the description of a vehicle used in several trailer thefts in Canadian County,” Canadian County Sheriff Randall Edwards said. “The deputy conducted a traffic stop and the pickup accelerated and drove off from the stop.”

The pursuit went east on Interstate 40 reaching speeds of 90 m.p.h. The pickup exited at Mustang Road and continued south to State Highway 152, where Mustang Police units were waiting.

“Our goal in this pursuit was to protect the people of Mustang,” Mustang Police Captain Willard James said. “We blocked the intersection of State Highway 152 and Mustang Road and our goal was to turn the pursuit from continuing on Mustang Road where several schools were letting out.”

Mustang Public Schools Communication Officer Shannon Rigsby said bus drivers took every precaution during the chase.

“Our drivers did a great job,” Rigsby said. “They are trained to look for issues that can affect the safety of the students on board. One particular driver pulled over when she noticed the chase from behind.”

The pickup turned west on S.H. 152 and then turned south on Czech Hall Road to a dead end street at 119th Street. The pickup turned around back north to 89th Street where Mustang units were again set up to block the intersection.

“We wanted to keep the pursuit away from the heavily populated areas,” James said.

The pickup turned east on 89th Street until it was stopped at Council Road.

“It was reported by one of the passengers that the driver had a pistol in his lap during the traffic stop and threw it out the window during the pursuit,” Edwards said. “A search for the pistol was conducted later on but it was not found.”

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Aaron Matthew Martin, 30, was taken into custody and booked into the Canadian County Jail and charged with Speeding, Operating a Motor Vehicle without having a Driver’s License, (Felony) Eluding a Police Officer and Kidnapping.

The two other occupants in the vehicle were brought to the Sheriff’s Office and questioned, photographed, fingerprinted and released.

The agencies involved in the pursuit included the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Mustang Police Department.

For more info on Mustang news and sport goto mustangpaper.com

Union City caregiver honored

2009-08-27T14:36:00.000-05:00

By Jon Watje

Union City resident Willene Walsh has always put her family first. Walsh was honored at an event that recognized caregivers in Canadian and Caddo counties on Thursday, Aug. 20 at the Canadian Valley Technology Center in El Reno.

The event, ‘Hometown Heroes: A Caregiver Celebration’ featured 11 honorees from all over the two counties.

The Union City Lion’s Club nominated Walsh for the event, and her two daughters, Jennifer Davis and Sherree Orrell, also joined her.

“She has done so much,” Davis said.

Walsh was awarded a glass medal by District 47 Representative Leslie Osborn and a certificate of appreciation and a certificate of appreciation from District 23 Senator Ron Justice.

Also on hand at the event was District 45 Senator Steve Russell and keynote speaker, Dr. Richard Tate, founder of Tate Publishing and Enterprises in Mustang.

“Caregivers are the greatest people and take care of the needs of others, even when they are not asked to do so,” Tate said. “A caregiver has 10 characteristics: they are not martyrs, they never ask why, they keep moving, do not expect gratitude, they will not receive help from those they help, they get things done, they are patient, resourceful, have stamina and have no regrets.”

Walsh spent much of her time caring for her family members.

“Church and community have always played an active role in my life, but family has always come first,” Walsh said in her biography that was read to the audience. “Caring for my family has been a priority but became a bigger challenge when my dad developed cancer and needed transportation for treatments. Later, as both my mother and mother-in-law experienced declining health, constant care was needed for four to five years.”

When her mother and mother-in-law passed away, Walsh turned her attention to her husband, Walter, whose health took a turn for the worse.

“We experienced many ups and downs with his health for the next six years until his death in 2004,” Walsh said. “Although the years of caring for loved ones were challenging, it would have not been possible without the love and support of my two daughters and their families, Jennifer, Rusty and Caleb Davis of El Reno and Sherree, Kent and Jarrett Orrell of Hobart.”

Walsh spent 35 years teaching at Union City Schools as a Home Economics teacher and counselor.

“During my career, I was fortunate to have students compete at all levels of competition and be successful,” she said.

Walsh was named Union City Teacher of the Year, State Vocational Teacher of the Year and Lion’s Club Citizen of the Year, among other awards.

Towards the end of her career and into retirement, she taught Home Economics at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond for six years.

Other caregivers that were honored included Keith DeVaughn of Binger, Nikki Pruitt of El Reno, Barbara Weever of El Reno, Alice Fisher of Fort Cobb, Maxine Morris of Mustang, Roy and Regina Mayabb of Piedmont and Ashley Ragsdale of Yukon.

For more Mustang news and sports go to www.mustangpaper.com

Mustang caregiver honored

2009-08-27T14:34:00.000-05:00

By Jon Watje

Maxine Morris has done her fair share for Mustang. Morris, who has served on the Mustang School Board for 20 years, was honored at an event that recognized caregivers in Canadian and Caddo counties on Thursday, Aug. 20 at the Canadian Valley Technology Center in El Reno.

The event, ‘Hometown Heroes: A Caregiver Celebration’ featured 11 honorees from all over the two counties.

Mustang Public Schools sponsored Morris for the event. Mustang School Board president Jeff Johnson and superintendent Bonnie Lightfoot was on hand for the event.

Terry Jones, board member of the American Red Cross Canadian County Chapter, said Morris is more than deserving of the award.

“Morris has been on the board of education for a long time and has been a caregiver to hundreds of children over the years,” Jones said.

Walsh was awarded a glass medal by District 47 Representative Leslie Osborn and a certificate of appreciation and a certificate of appreciation from District 23 Senator Ron Justice.

Also on hand at the event was District 45 Senator Steve Russell and keynote speaker, Dr. Richard Tate, founder of Tate Publishing and Enterprises in Mustang.

“Caregivers are the greatest people and take care of the needs of others, even when they are not asked to do so,” Tate said. “A caregiver has 10 characteristics: they are not martyrs, they never ask why, they keep moving, do not expect gratitude, they will not receive help from those they help, they get things done, they are patient, resourceful, have stamina and have no regrets.”

Morris and her family moved to Mustang in 1966.

Early on, she began her involvement in fostering the growth of the community. She was the driving force behind the formation of the early day version of what is now known as the Mustang Softball Association. From only one team in it’s beginning, this association has grown to well over 40 teams today.

She was also a founding member of the Mustang Athletic Association. During her many years as a member of the Board of Education she was actively involved in the construction of many new schools within the Mustang School District.

Most recently with the construction of Mustang Centennial Elementary and the Mustang Education Center, which is named in honor of her husband, George P. Morris. This position also afforded her a unique opportunity – the honor of awarding a high school diploma to one daughter, two grandsons and her husband, who received his diploma late as a result of having joined the Air Force while still in high school.

Morris attends the Mustang United Methodist Church, where she is actively involved as a Sunday school teacher in the adult class. She is a Trustee of the Mustang Economical Developmental Board, the Canadian County Citizens Advisory Board; where she serves as president, and a volunteer with Frontier Hospice. She was one of the first inductees into the Mustang Hall of Fame, is a member of the VFW Auxiliary, the Secretary of the Mustang Cemetery Association, a licensed Nazarene minister, mother and grandmother.

“This is quite an honor, but I don’t deserve it,” Morris said. “I have had four children go through Mustang Schools and the district has done so much for us. I have enjoyed my time here and I just want to donate back to the community for everything it has done for my family and I.”

Other caregivers that were honored included Keith DeVaughn of Binger, Nikki Pruitt of El Reno, Barbara Weever of El Reno, Alice Fisher of Fort Cobb, Willene Walsh of Union City, Roy and Regina Mayabb of Piedmont and Ashley Ragsdale of Yukon.

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Man dies in truck, train accident near Union City

2009-07-29T14:07:00.000-05:00

By Jon Watje

A truck driver was killed after his tractor-trailer rig was hit by a train near Union City on Tuesday, July 28.

According to Union City Police Chief Eddie Dickerson, the driver, Howard Parker of Yukon, was driving the truck across the train tracks on SW. 59th St. west of U.S. 81.

“We don’t know exactly what happened, but all we know is that he was trying to cross the tracks,” Dickerson said. “He worked for Duit Construction and was hauling concrete out to the concrete plant on SW. 59th and Choctaw.”

Parker, 43, was transported to Parkview Hospital in El Reno where he later died from his injuries.

The accident is still under investigation and the man is believed to not have worn his seat belt at the time of the accident.

for more mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Sheriff Randall Edwards speaks at Canadian County Republican Party meeting

2009-07-29T14:06:00.000-05:00

By Jon Watje

Canadian County Sheriff Randall Edwards was the guest speaker at the monthly Canadian County Republican Party meeting on Tuesday, July 28. The meeting was held at the Canadian Valley Technology Center in Oklahoma City.

Edwards, who took over as the county’s sheriff last January, spoke on what he and his department has accomplished since he took office.

“After I took office I had the justice system in our county assessed,” Edwards said. “One major issue was our county jail.”

According to Edwards, a jail inspector pointed out all the problems with the jail and said it would eventually be shut down if improvements were not made.

“There were holes in the wall, leaks in the showers, and some of the cells wouldn’t even lock,” Edwards said. “Recently we replaced the plumbing, patched the holes, painted the interior of the facility, stopped the leaks in the shower, and now have working locks on the cells that didn’t. We have taken measures to correct all the problems and we already have plans to replace the roof.”

Administration changes have also taken place during the first seven months of Edwards being sheriff.

“We were having a lot of personnel problems,” Edwards said. “I brought on board a new jail administrator, Jennifer Graumann, and she has done a great job.”

Edwards emphasized the programs that he reinstated.

“While I was campaigning for this office I made a promise to reinstate the programs that the prior administration dropped,” Edwards said. “I have kept that promise and we now have several programs that we used to have, and some new programs.”

Some of the programs Edwards has reinstate include the K-9 Division, County Drug Task Force, a drug interdiction division, a fugitive task force, a DARE program, school security programs, a size and weights program, a Chaplin corp. and a prisoners work program.

“Since last January, our drug interdiction division has seized $225,000, five vehicles, and made 20 arrests,” he said. “It has been extremely successful. When we seize drug money, we 75 percent of that money back into the drug programs so we are using drug cartel money to fight the drug cartels, which saves tax dollar money.”

According to Edwards, the sheriff’s department has purchased new vehicles and drug dogs with money seized in drug busts.

“None of these things would have been done without the support of the county commissioners and the people that work for me in my department,” Edwards said. “I am very honored to be the sheriff in this county and I will continue to do the best job I can.”

The Canadian County Republican Party meets on the last Tuesday of every month and invites special guest speakers to speak at the meetings.

for more mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Coupons

2009-07-09T16:46:00.002-05:00

Be sure to go to mustangpaper.com to check out our new coupons page where you can print of grocery coupons and so much more.

Mustang AD takes OSSAA position

2009-07-09T16:45:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

Mustang Public Schools Athletic Director Mike Clark has been selected for a position with the Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association.

Clark’s last day at Mustang will be July 24. He will begin is new job as assistant director in charge of administering wrestling, soccer, volleyball and academic bowl on July 27.

Clark and Westmoore football coach Mike Whaley were both hired Wednesday during a special meeting of the OSSAA Board of Directors. Whaley will serve as the director of officials and will handle fall and spring baseball along with other duties.

OSSAA Executive Secretary Ed Sheakley said Thursday morning that Clark was selected among 30-35 applicants for the position, while Whaley beat out about 75 other applicants.

“We’re excited about having (Clark) on board,” Sheakley said. “He’ll be a great asset and a great resource to the staff of this organization.”

Clark’s experience as a long-time wrestling coach at Midwest City High School and his three years as Mustang’s athletic director made him an ideal candidate for the job, Sheakley said.

“He has hosted many OSSAA state championships and playoff events, such as eight-man football championships, sub-sites for state baseball, state soccer playoff and championship matches, and he has dealt with eligibility and hardship waiver issues,” he said.

The positions were opened to applications in late May after Sheakley was named permanent executive secretary for the OSSAA. He served as interim executive secretary for about a month this spring after the firing of former executive secretary Danny Rennels on March 9, who was dismissed amid accusations of misappropriations of funds.

Ed Robinson was named interim executive secretary after Rennels was fired, but he resigned in April for unrelated reasons.

Clark and Whaley will fill the two positions vacated by Sheakley and Robinson.

Clark said Thursday he has been very happy during his time at Mustang. He wasn’t interested in the position when it first opened, and he was looking forward to opening the new 45,000-square-foot Health and Wellness Center during the upcoming school year.

After speaking with colleagues, Clark said he decided to submit an application.

“It’s something that doesn’t come along very often,” he said. “I got some calls from some people who I really think highly of. They said, ‘you need to go put your name in the hat,’” Clark said.

After going through an initial round of interviews, three finalists were selected and interviewed again before the OSSAA Board of Directors, Clark said.

“I was fortunate enough to be asked back to the final interview,” he said. “I pretty much told my wife if they offered me the job I would probably accept it.”

Although he is taking a new job, Clark said he and family still consider Mustang home.

“We’ll still live in Mustang, and our kids will go here, and I’ll help the school district any way I can,” Clark said.

The Mustang school district, and its secondary athletic programs, has made great strides in the past seven or eight years, thanks to a combined effort from the Mustang School Board, the superintendents he has worked with, and other administrators, Clark said.

“I feel blessed that I was a part of it,” he said.

When he left Midwest City to come to Mustang, Clark said he tried to ensure the new Bomber wrestling coach would inherit a strong program.

He said he wants to do the same for Mustang.

“You’d like to turn your job over and make it a better job than you left it, and I feel like that in Mustang. I feel like whoever comes in and takes on this role is going to have some unique challenges,” Clark said. “There’s still a lot of areas of growth that are going to take place. It’s a great job.”

Fot more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Cockrell resigns; Rutledge named interim city manager

2009-07-03T15:45:00.001-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

Mustang City Council members accepted the resignation of City Manager David Cockrell during a special meeting at City Hall Tuesday night.

Cockrell’s resignation will be effective July 24. He has accepted an offer to become the city manager in Atlanta, Texas, a community of about 5,700 in northeast Texas.

Council members also named Mike Rutledge as interim city manager. They voted to give Rutledge a salary package equaling 90 percent of Cockrell’s pay, with salary and benefits totaling $88,200 annually.

After the Council came out of executive session to announce his resignation, Cockrell thanked the members.

“I have really enjoyed my 28 years here. Julie and I have been blessed to live and serve in this wonderful community. It has been very rewarding professionally,” Cockrell said. “We have an opportunity that we think is good for our life and good for our future. So, thank you. My heart will always be with Mustang, and I wish this place nothing but the best.”

After the meeting, Ward 6 Councilwoman Katherine Callahan said Cockrell was a great city manager because he always put the citizens of Mustang first.

“He was a top-of-the-list kind of guy,” Callahan said.

Rutledge was a natural fit as the choice to temporarily replace Cockrell in the city manager’s office, Mayor Jeff Landrith said.

“We have a Fourth of July week with one day gone, so we had to find the right fit quickly,” Landrith said.

Rutledge’s versatility in all areas of city government made him a good choice, Ward 2 City Councilwoman Kathleen Moon said.

Now the process to select a permanent city manager begins. Landrith said the process will probably take six to eight months, and Council members will decide in future meetings the method with which they will choose a new hire.

“We’re looking into different options on how to do that. We haven’t settled on an option yet,” he said. “I think we’re looking at all options.”

Landrith said Cockrell’s leaving was professional and amicable.

“The city manager is also a private citizen, so he is entitled to certain rights. He acted very professionally and completely within his rights in the way he notified us. There are other options that he chose not to exercise that would have cost the city more money,” Landrith said.

Landrith said Cockrell’s motivation for leaving was not due to any bad feelings between Cockrell and the Council.

“The issue that came up was that David was looking at a place where he could consider retiring, with maybe a little bit slower pace than here. So that was what he was looking for. I know money never really came into it,” Landrith said. “I think some people are under the impression that we didn’t work hard enough to keep him, and we did.”

Cockrell was immensely popular with city staff and the public, Moon said.

“He loves Mustang. His heart and soul is here,” she said. “The staff is very upset. Nobody is celebrating his leaving.”

Moon said she spoke to Council members from Atlanta prior to Cockrell’s resignation.

“They said, ‘we’re trying to steal your city manager.’ And I said, ‘we’re trying to keep him,’” she said. “He’s had the confidence to hire people who are smarter than he is, and they make him look good. And he does. He looks like a genius.”

Cockrell worked for the City of Mustang for 28 years, first as a police officer and then as police chief. He became interim city manager in 2001, and the interim tag was later lifted.

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Cockrell resigns; Rutledge named interim city manager

2009-07-03T15:45:00.000-05:00

Mustang High School names new girls basketball coach

2009-07-03T15:42:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

Mustang School Board members approved Westmoore High School boys basketball head coach Robert Foreman to be the next girls basketball head coach at Mustang High School.

The decision was made in executive session during a special meeting Monday night. Mustang Public Schools Athletic Director Mike Clark said Tuesday that Foreman was the best candidate out of 23 applications reviewed by administrators from coaches inside and outside the district.

“The biggest thing was, he is the best candidate for the job. He has good experience, and I think he’ll bring a little bit of stability back to our girls program,” Clark said. “I think he’s got a world of knowledge, and he’s a good communicator and a great motivator.”

Foreman’s selection ends a lengthy search to replace MHS girls interim head coach Taft Turner, who left the position earlier this year to take the boys head coaching job at U.S. Grant.

Turner coached MHS for one season following the resignation of Nichole Copeland in 2008. The Lady Broncos went 8-15 on the 2008-09 season, losing to Norman in the first round of the Class 6A regional playoffs.

Clark said Foreman is working at a basketball camp this week but will take over the MHS girls job by the end of the week.

“I think he will try to round up as many of the girls as he can this week. He’ll be working for the next week or two with people inside and outside the district to figure out what we can do for a staff,” Clark said. “I think those are his two biggest concerns.”

Foreman said he planned to tell his Westmoore players about the position change on Tuesday, and he would begin calling Mustang’s players later in the day to schedule a team meeting for Thursday night.

Mustang’s legacy of success in girls basketball, including six state championships, the most recent in 2006, and a program coached by the likes of Bob Pigg and Copeland made the job intriguing, Foreman said.

“It’s the most tradition-rich girls basketball program on the western side of the state of Oklahoma. That’s what really got me interested and got me thinking about the position,” he said. “I look forward to continuing what they did. I know the expectations are high, but I like that challenge.”

Foreman was the head coach at Westmoore from 2000-2009, and he was the head boys basketball coach at Chickasha from 1998-2000. Before that he was the assistant men’s basketball coach at the University of Arts and Science Oklahoma in Chickasha from 1997-1998, and he was the men’s basketball coach at Oklahoma Christian University from 1995-1997.

A 1990 MHS graduate, Foreman played college basketball at Barat College in Lake Forest, Ill., about 30 miles north of Chicago, and he served as the men’s assistant coach there for a season in 1994-1995.

Aside from coaching AAU teams, this will be Foreman’s first job coaching girls basketball.

“Basketball is basketball. It’s all about communication and relationships and how you deal with people. It’s not a concern of mine,” he said.

Foreman and his wife, Shannon, have two school-age daughters who play sports, and being closer and more involved with them made the job more attractive, he said.

“That was important to me,” he said. “I think it’s a better environment for raising two daughters, being around a girls locker room as opposed to a boys locker room.”

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Architect unveils new MHS drawings

2009-06-17T14:40:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

The architects responsible for reinventing Mustang High School revealed new renderings showing what the campus will look like once construction on the largest capital project in Mustang Public Schools history is complete.

District voters approved a $57.9 million bond issue on April 7 that will fund the transformation of MHS into a modern-looking, secure campus with more classrooms, expanded cafeteria and commons accommodations, a new central administration building, a new media center, a new Ninth Grade Center and a new bus loading area.

Other buildings will see major renovations, more parking spaces will be added, and original MHS buildings like the Old Gym will be included in the plans.

Gary Armbruster and Paul Meyer of MA+ Architecture gave a presentation to Mustang School Board members during their regular meeting on June 2. The firm meets with administrators twice per week to work on the project, getting input from the faculty members who will be using the new facility.

“We dream about it at night,” Armbruster joked after the presentation.

School Board members approved the schematic design and authorized the architects to move to the design development phase for MHS.

The Ninth Grade Center will be located on the south side of the campus with a separate entrance resembling the front entrance. A two-story building, the building will feature 26 new classrooms, four open classrooms, one shared classroom, three special education classrooms, three principal’s offices, two counselor offices, and room for future expansion.

“Expansion is built into the plans,” Meyer said.

The existing West Building will be remolded, featuring nine classrooms, three special education classrooms and two open classrooms.

The existing Central Building will be transformed into a new, state-of-the-art media center with raised ceilings and large windows allowing natural light to pour in, Meyer said.

The building will also feature eight classrooms, a teacher workroom and one principal’s office.

The new Commons Building will be the focal point of the school. With seating for 700 students, the new Commons Building will connect the media center, auditorium, cafeteria, the new East Building, and the existing North Building. The school’s main secured entrance will lead into this building.

“Probably the thing it does best is it lets people know where the front door is. That’s something that is lacking right now,” Meyer said.

A single elevator will provide access to the second-floor of the new Commons Building and the New East Building to the south.

The New East Building will feature 23 new classrooms, two open classrooms, one shared classroom, three special education classrooms and a new administration area.

“I think it’s going to create a lot of pride in the community of Mustang to have this facility that you can walk up to and approach,” Armbruster said.

The new MHS auditorium will be completely renovated, including updated finishes, new lighting, new sound booth and a new ticket booth. The facility will seat 1,250 people, with a center aisle for easier access.

“You won’t be able to recognize it,” Armbruster said.

The existing Commons Building will become the new 10th Grade Center, and the existing Commons area will be remodeled into a teacher workroom and dining facility.

The 10th Grade Center will feature 16 classrooms, four open classrooms, two special education classrooms and one principal’s office.

The most recent change to the plans involves a new cafeteria addition. The kitchen was going to be housed in the original MHS cafeteria, but now a new space will be built, with a new kitchen and seven new serving lines that will accommodate 700 during students each during three proposed lunch periods.

The MHS JROTC and DECA programs will be housed in the old cafeteria, which connects to the existing North Building that will be renovated to primarily house math classes. The new North Building will feature 12 classrooms, one open classroom and one principal’s office.

The existing East Building will be remodeled and primarily used for science classrooms and labs. The building will feature 17 classrooms or labs.

A new bus loading area will be built on the north side of the campus, with access on Juniper Drive and Snyder Drive. A total of 250 parking spaces will be added to the campus, and a future wood shop is included in the plans.

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Mustang and Yukon graduates win scholarships

2009-06-17T14:38:00.001-05:00

Brooke Hardin, a Mustang High School graduate, and Melissa Haftek, a Yukon High School graduate, were awarded $500 scholarships by the Canadian County Democrats on Sat., June 13. This was the first year that scholarships were awarded by the organization.

State Democratic Party Chair Todd Goodman joined scholarship committee members Carol Ruth and Jerri Edwards to present the awards at the Democrats’ Summer FUNRaiser at Lake El Reno. Sixty members and guests, including many young Democrats and the award winners’ families, were present at the celebration, which featured a covered dish lunch and entertainment by the Bean Supper Band.

Scholarship committee member Stephanie Fraker was unable to attend.

Brooke Hardin will attend OSU in the fall. Brooke is a registered Democrat in Precinct 200. She is employed in the intern program at Tinker Air Force Base. She will pursue a degree in business and expects to graduate in May 2010. In her scholarship essay, Brooke expressed her concerns about health care, education and the environment, as well as jobs creation for the working people.

Melissa Haftek will transfer in the fall from the University of Oklahoma to the University of Central Oklahoma. A Democrat registered in Precinct 216, Melissa is pursing a degree in psychology. She has been active in Young Democrats at OU, participates in voter registration drives and volunteered for "Rock the Vote" during the presidential election. Melissa expects to graduate in 2011.

“We are very impressed with the scholarship packets prepared by Melissa and Brooke,” Carol Ruth said, “They did an excellent job and are outstanding examples of the Young Democrats who are involved in the Democratic Party today.”

The Canadian County Democrats meet at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at Canadian Valley Technology Center, located at 6505 E. Highway 66 between Yukon and El Reno. The group is actively recruiting Young Democrats. For more information, call 354-3189 or visit http://ccdem.tripod.com/.

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Mustang man charged with home repair fraud

2009-06-08T14:58:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

A Mustang man has been charged with two felonies in Canadian County District Court after he allegedly duped an elderly homeowner into paying for home repair projects that were never completed.

Billy Dan Drewry, 38, was charged on June 3 with two counts of violating the Consumer Protection Act following an investigation by the Mustang Police Department, Canadian County Assistant District Attorney Paul Hesse said.

Drewry is accused of contracting with the homeowner to repair her backyard fence, but he never performed any of the work, Hesse said.

“He is also accused by prosecutors of having previously been convicted of the same type of conduct in Cleveland County,” Hesse said.

Mustang Police Capt. Willard James said the crime was reported on May 18 when the female homeowner, who lives in the 400 block of West Pines Way, called police to report that she paid Drewry a total of $534.50 in March to repair the fence in her backyard.

The work was never done, and the victim has not been able to contact Drewry again, James said.

The victim reported that on March 24 Drewry approached her and said he had just moved into the house behind her.

He said the common fence between the two properties needed repair, and he would be willing to pay for half the cost, James said.

The victim gave Drewry a check for $150 at that time, James said.

The next day Drewry allegedly came back and told the victim he had spoken to her next-door neighbors, and they agreed to pay half for repairs to fences between their homes.

The victim gave Drewry another check for $384.50, James said.

A felony count was filed for each offense, court records show. A warrant for Drewry’s arrest was issued Thursday, James said.

Homeowners should be wary of hiring door-to-door repairmen, Hesse said.

“They should also never pay a large amount of money up front for any repairs,” he said.

Homeowners should check with the Better Business Bureau or the Mustang Chamber of Commerce to find out if repairmen soliciting work are reputable, James said.

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Schwartz announces Lt. Gov. candidacy

2009-06-08T14:56:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

YUKON - Standing in his hometown before family, friends and supporters, State Rep. Colby Schwartz announced his candidacy Friday for the Republican nomination for the office of lieutenant governor in 2010.

After meeting with business leaders at the Yukon Chamber of Commerce’s weekly community coffee at the Kirkpatrick Land, site of the Chisholm Trail Festival, Schwartz headed off to announcements in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.

But the life-long Canadian County resident said he wanted to formally start his campaign in Yukon.

“This is home. We wanted to start here,” Schwartz said.

Schwartz said he would not run for reelection in House District 43, the district he has represented since being elected in 2006. He was reelected without opposition in 2008 and is currently serving his second term in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

The district is completely within the borders of Canadian County, including Yukon and Mustang.

Schwartz’s wife, Brenda, and the couple’s two daughters, Campbell, 4, and Harper, 1, were on hand for the announcement. The day was doubly special as Harper was celebrating her first birthday, he said.

“I’ll have to explain this to her when she gets older. She gets to spend her first birthday traveling the state,” Schwartz said.

While enjoying hardy support in his own county, Schwartz said he would work hard to make himself a viable statewide candidate.

“The race is next year. We’re starting a long time out. I have great support here, but I have to take the next 14 months and grow that support,” he said.

In a released statement, Schwartz said he and his family decided to pursue the nomination to continue his pro-growth, conservative public service career.

“As a lifelong Oklahoman and Canadian County resident, I feel like I am uniquely qualified to represent our state as the next lieutenant governor. My House district encompasses urban areas, suburban neighborhoods and rural communities, exposing me to a host of issues Oklahomans face each and every day,” Schwartz said. “I have been humbled by my public service opportunities so far in my career and have cherished my time serving the people of House District 43. But now I feel led to take the next step and serve the state which has given me and my family so much.”

Schwartz also operates SchINC, LLC, a sales and marketing consulting firm.

A Yukon High School and Oklahoma City University graduate, Schwartz began his political in 1996 working for many campaigns, including Bob Dole for President, Ed Apple for Corporation Commissioner and Jim Inhofe for U.S. Senate. He also served as State Sen. Mike Johnson’s campaign manager in 1998.

Schwartz served two years on then Lt. Gov. Mary Fallin’s staff, starting in 1999 as her legislative and constituent liaison, where he learned the daily operations of the lieutenant governor’s office.

“I am personally familiar with the lieutenant governor’s office and the day-to-day constituent needs and obligations to the people of Oklahoma required from the position,” Schwartz said. “This knowledge will allow me to hit the ground running from day one as we work together to grow Oklahoma.”

Schwartz was also elected to three consecutive terms as chairman of the Canadian County Republican Party, serving from 2000 to 2006. He also served as a presidential elector for Oklahoma in 2004, and he recently completed his second term on the Oklahoma State Party Budget Committee.

His current positions in the Oklahoma House include deputy majority whip and vice-chairman of the Transportation Subcommittee on Appropriations. He is also a member of the Public Health and Energy committees.

Among the bills authored by Schwartz during the first session of the 52nd Oklahoma Legislature included HB 1569, a truth in medical advertising bill that prevents non-licensed people from presenting themselves as genuine medical professionals. Gov. Brad Henry signed the bill into law.

Schwartz also authored HB 1570, which sought to reduce the number of medical malpractice lawsuits filed in the state by requiring an expert opinion confirming professional negligence before a lawsuit can be filed. Henry vetoed that bill.

Rep. John Wright (R-Broken Arrow) has announced that he will seek the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor. Senate Majority Floor Leader Todd Lamb (R-Edmond) has not formally announced his candidacy, but he tapped former U.S. Sen. Don Nickles and Sandridge Energy CEO Tom Ward as his statewide campaign chairmen.

Sen. Kenneth Corn (D-Poteau) has announced he will run for the Democratic nomination.

Current Lt. Gov. Jari Askins said she would vacate the office to run for governor.

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Three dead in metro after double murder/suicide

2009-05-28T16:21:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

A man wanted in connection with two Oklahoma City murders was found dead from an apparent suicide Wednesday afternoon by Oklahoma City Police near his parents' home north of Mustang.

The body of Patrick Michael Vaught, 31, was found at approximately 12:30 p.m. in a heavily wooded area just east Chisholm Spur in the Chisholm Creek addition located between Czech Hall and State Highway 92 on Reno.

State medical examiner's spokesman Rob Deaton said Vaught did not die from a gunshot wound, but he declined to comment on the cause of death pending autopsy results.

Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Jennifer Wardlow said officers, with the assistance of police helicopter Air 1, located Vaught after a standoff that lasted for several hours at a residence located at 12640 Chisholm Spur.

Oklahoma City Police Capt. Steve McCool said units were dispatched to the residence at about 4:30 a.m. Wednesday morning after receiving information that Vaught was possibly armed and barricaded inside the home.

The residence is owned by Sid and Mary Vaught. Sid Vaught is a Mustang chiropractor.

Through investigation it was determined that Vaught was connected to a homicide that took place shortly before 4 a.m. Wednesday morning outside a residence at 3030 N. Utah, near 30th and Meridian in Oklahoma City, Wardlow said.

Oklahoma City Police responded to a disturbance/shots fired call at that location. When officers arrived, they located a female victim, Shandy Roof, 33, in the front yard of the home, dead from gunshot wounds.

Roof was pregnant when she was killed, so the incident became a double homicide, Wardlow said Thursday morning.

Police have opened another homicide case in connection with Roof's unborn child, Wardlow said.

Witnesses at the scene were interviewed by Oklahoma City homicide investigators, she said.

Police would not officially release Roof's identification as of Thursday morning pending next-of-kin notification.

Unconfirmed sources said that Vaught went to his parents’ home after killing Roof and her unborn child following an argument. Roof was the mother of Vaught's 10-year-old child, Arion, who was at the scene of his mother's murder and reportedly ran down the street screaming.

Police have taken Arion into state custody, one of Roof's family members said.

Of the relationship between Vaught and Roof, Wardlow would only say: “There was a relationship between these two individuals.”

After Vaught showed up at his parents' home covered in blood, they reportedly called police.

Vaught probably fled his parent’s home on foot between 4:30 a.m. and 4:45 a.m., before police could establish a solid perimeter around the home, Oklahoma City Police Capt. Steve McCool said.

“There was a period of time for us to respond over here, get enough officers to set up a good perimeter. It’s obviously that time is when he slipped out of the house,” he said.

Police canvassed the surrounding areas, and a helicopter could be seen flying over the area at noon. Many police units and personnel remained at the scene, which was cordoned off with yellow police tape well down the street.

Neighbors gathered on the sidewalk of Chisholm Trail, the street that intersects Chisholm Spur in this small, affluent neighborhood.

Several neighbors would not speak on the record out of respect for the family, but one said the neighborhood was quiet, a place where children often played together in the street.

“This never happens here,” the neighbor said.

Another neighbor said the day’s events would not affect the tight-knit atmosphere of the community of about 22 homes.

“Everybody knows everyone else,” she said. “It’s sad.”

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Minco citizens rally together

2009-05-28T16:20:00.000-05:00

By Jon Watje

After the loss of the Williams Discount Foods store, Minco citizens are uniting together to help the elderly and others do their grocery shopping.

Minco's First Baptist Church has begun providing trips to Williams Grocery in Tuttle each Thursday morning for those needing assistance in getting to the store to buy groceries.

“We saw a need in our community for seniors and those who cannot drive to get their groceries,” Minco First Baptist Church Youth Pastor Riley Prather said. “We wanted to start helping them by taking them to the Williams in Tuttle with our vans to do their shopping.”

The Tuttle Williams Grocery regular Senior Citizens’ Day is Tuesday, but the store has agreed to make Thursday Senior Citizens' Day for those 65 and older who are coming in the vans from Minco.

“We will make a trip at 9:30 a.m. and another trip at 10:30 a.m.,” Prather said. “We can take up to 12 people in each trip. We will also have volunteers helping seniors unload their groceries for them. Those who are interested need to call by noon on Wednesday to reserve space.”

To reserve a place on the van or with more questions, call the church office at 352-4367.

It will be necessary to call and reserve a place each week. There will be a helper on the van to assist with boarding and unboarding and also to help load groceries. In case of inclement weather on Thursday, the van will run on Friday.

Victoria Winston, a Minco citizen, said she wanted to do her part in helping those get their grocery shopping done.

“I make several trips to Yukon each week,” Winston said. “I wanted to help my community out and felt that something needed to be done so I am offering for seniors to call me if they need me to bring them anything. I shop at Buy For Less, Walmart, Target and other stores.”

Winston said she could be contacted at 535-3360.

Convenient stores in Minco have begun to stock up on items ever since the Williams fire.

“We have been stocking up on bread, milk, eggs and cheese,” Erik Weigand of Sooner Easy Shop said. “Just the things that people have to have.”

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Fire destroys Minco grocery story

2009-05-12T16:56:00.000-05:00

By Jon Watje

A fire broke out in the Williams grocery store and devastated the entire structure on Sunday morning.

“We received the call at 12:15 a.m. and it lasted until around 6 a.m.,” Minco Fire Chief Clay Hurley said. “Departments from Mustang, Union City, Tuttle, Harold, Pocasset and Bridge Creek all assisted us with the fire.”

Hurley said the structure itself made the fire difficult to fight.

“It was a tough fire,” he said. “Just the way grocery stores are laid out made it difficult because there is only a front door and a back door and it was difficult to gain access to the fire.”

As for the cause of the fire, it is still being determined.

“The fire marshal said he would have a report for us in the next couple of days,” Hurley said.

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Drugs, guns and stolen property seized from Mustang home

2009-05-12T16:54:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

The Canadian County Sheriff’s Office seized drugs, guns and several stolen vehicles from a Mustang residence on Friday, May 1.

Canadian County Sheriff Randall Edwards said deputies served a search warrant on the residence in the 300 block of South Castle Rock Lane after a month-long investigation involving illegal drug activity and stolen property at the location.

Law enforcement personnel recovered methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $2,000, along with assorted drug paraphernalia. A total of three firearms, including a sawed-off shotgun, were confiscated, and computers and stolen mail believed to be related to identity theft were also seized during the search, Edwards said.

In addition, five vehicles that had been reported stolen were seized, including:

-A recovered 2007 camper trailer reported stolen on Sept. 11 from Yukon, with an estimated value of $28,000;

-A 2007 dump bed utility trailer reported stolen in December 2008 from Moore, with an estimated value of $10,000;

-A 1997 model shop built oilfield pipe trailer, reported stolen in September 2008 from south Oklahoma City, with an estimated value of $15,000;

-A 2000 Jeep Wrangler reported stolen from Oklahoma City in March 2008 with an estimated value of $12,000;

-A 1997 Ford F-150 pickup reported stolen in July 2008 from Oklahoma City with an estimated value of $7,000.00.

No arrests were made during the search, but the investigation is still ongoing, Edwards said.

“Arrests are expected in the case. Nobody was at the residence at the time of the search warrant service, although suspects have been identified. This does not appear to be related to the previous ongoing investigation in February of 2009 in which numerous vehicles were recovered south of Mustang,” he said.

Edwards said several agencies assisted the Canadian County Sheriff’s Office during this investigation, including the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Mustang Police Department, the Oklahoma City Police Department’s auto theft division and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Drug suspect leads Mustang police on chase

2009-04-29T14:39:00.000-05:00

By Jon Watje
Staff Writer

Mustang police were led on a car chase and the suspect is still at large.

“On Monday, April 27 at 2:06 a.m. we received a call about possible drug activity in two vehicles at the 7-Eleven convenient store on State Highway 152 and State Highway 92,” Mustang Police Captain Willard James said. “In route to the scene, an officer noticed a vehicle traveling 68 m.p.h. in a 40 m.p.h. speed limit zone the opposite direction on State Highway 152. The 2000 Honda Civic matched the description of one of the vehicles at the scene. The officer turned around and attempted to pull the vehicle over but it wouldn’t stop.”

James said the vehicle lead the officer through different home additions of Mustang.

“He turned into Pebble Creek and crossed Mustang Road into the Branches addition,” James said. “He then crossed State Highway 152 into the Heights and came to a dead end near Woodland and Elder. Once the vehicle came to a stop, the driver got out of the car and fled on foot. Police were unable to locate the individual.”

The car was impounded and police later discovered the vehicle was stolen.

“The vehicle was reported stolen from a residence at 650 E. SH. 152,” James said.

Mustang police ask that you contact Mustang Crime Stoppers at 376-0000 if you have any information that could help them capture the suspect.

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Mustang Public Schools ready for swine flu

2009-04-29T14:37:00.000-05:00

From staff reports

No cases of swine flu have been reported in Oklahoma as of 1:54 p.m. on Wednesday, but Mustang Public Schools officials say they are prepared if the virus shows up in Canadian County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported 91 cases of swine influenza A (HINI) virus infection in the United States, Mustang Public Schools Communications Officer Shannon Rigsby said.

Debbie Beel, director of Special Services for Mustang Public Schools, said that months of planning went into the district’s Pandemic Flu Outbreak Plan that was approved by the Mustang Board of Education in November 2006.

“We already have a pandemic plan in place that covers the outbreak of any type of illness,” Beel said in a news release on the district’s website, www.mustangps.org. “The plan includes strategies for four phases of disease outbreak from prevention of the spread of disease to the reopening of schools following an outbreak.

Nurses at every school in the district are monitoring notices from the Oklahoma State Health Department and working with local health departments to stay abreast of the status of the illness.

If a case of swine flu is reported in Canadian County, the health department would notify the district and Phase I of the pandemic plan would be implemented, Beel said.

Meanwhile, the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) is urging Oklahomans to be on alert for swine flu, as several cases have been confirmed in several U.S. states, including Kansas and Texas.

We are taking the emergence of this new flu virus very seriously and we are ready to respond," Interim Commissioner of Health Rocky McElvany said. "For the last several days we have been in communication with our federal, state and local partners in monoriting the disease activity throughout the U.S. and other countries. In addition, we have activated our Emergency Operations Center to coordinate public health response activities and follow up on any suspect cases throughout the state."

According to an OSDH news release, swine flu is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus. Although rare, human infections can occur. Recently, cases of a new strain of the swine flu H1N1 virus have been confirmed. This virus has not previously been documented anywhere in the world and there is no vaccine to prevent it. The virus appears to be transmitted person-to-person. It is not transmitted by food and persons cannot get swine influenza from eating pork or pork products.

The OSDH has asked physicians and hospitals to be vigilant in collecting specimens from patients who present with symptoms of influenza-like illness. Specimens can be sent to the OSDH Public Health Laboratory for typing to determine if Oklahoma patients have the swine flu virus. In particular, the OSDH is asking health care providers to ask patients with flu symptoms about their recent travel history to Mexico or other countries or states where cases have been confirmed.

The OSDH has also issued a public health advisory for Oklahoma travelers to Mexico, where hundreds of swine flu cases have been reported. While in Mexico, travelers should wash hands frequently, avoid close contact with persons who are coughing or otherwise appear ill, and avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth. Upon return from Mexico, persons should contact their physician if they develop influenza-like symptoms.

The symptoms of swine flu are similar to seasonal influenza and include fever greater than 100 degrees, body aches, coughing, sore throat, respiratory congestion, and in some cases, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Laboratory confirmation is required to determine whether an individual has regular seasonal influenza or the new swine flu.

OSDH officials are reminding Oklahomans to continue to observe routine public health recommendations for preventing the spread of flu including the following:
· Wash hands often to protect yourself from germs.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth; germs are often spread when a person touches a contaminated object and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
· If you are sick, stay home from work, school, and running errands. You will help prevent others from catching your illness.
· Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.
· Contact your physician if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms. Some antiviral drugs may be used to treat persons who become ill with swine influenza.

The OSDH has set up a phone bank for persons with questions about swine flu. The toll-free number is 1-866-278-7134. Phones will be answered from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday. Hours may be expanded as necessary.

Additional information on swine influenza is available by visiting the OSDH Web site at www.health.ok.gov and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention swine flu Web site at www.cdc.gov/swineflu, or by calling your local county health department.

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

Mustang Elementary Students stake their claim on Land Run day

2009-04-23T15:43:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

Home plate became a homestead Wednesday as fourth grade students reenacted the Oklahoma Land Run of 1889 on the playground at Mustang Elementary.

A band of Sooners struck out across the starting line early to stake their claims, and the rest of the land rushers—outfitted with period costumes, covered wagons and pail lunches—raced at high noon to grab the best parcels of land.

The land run reenactment is an annual tradition at Mustang Elementary, fourth grade teacher Teri Hood said.

“We do it to give the kids a great opportunity to visit the past,” Hood said. “ The hands-on part encourages them to engage themselves and become deeper involved in the educational experience.”

After lunch the students completed many 19th Century tasks, including braiding a rag rug, making butter in the traditional manner and tasting homemade root beet that was created in science class.

One of Hood’s students, Maggie McLaughlin, won first place in the costume contest that was held prior to the land run. McLaughlin spent hours selecting the fabric and pattern for her blue dress and white bonnet. With her mother’s help, McLaughlin sewed the costume by hand.

The land run reenactment is part of an Oklahoma history unit that Mustang fourth graders undertake each spring. The lessons begin just after spring break and last until year’s end, Hood said.

“We teach them about the Indians who came over on the Trail of Tears. That’s a huge part of it. We also introduce tons of famous Oklahomans and the men and women who helped Oklahoma progress into a state,” she said.

Students learn that Oklahoma has 77 counties and how the state has more man-made lakes than any other state in the union, Hood said.

The students also learn about the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System, a 440-mile waterway linking Oklahoma to the nation’s 25,000-mile inland waterway system. The Tulsa Port of Catoosa is located at the head of navigation for the waterway, which travels along the Verdigris River, the Arkansas River, the Arkansas Post Canal and the White River before joining up with the Mississippi River.

The students also played games such as sack races and tug-of-war.

For more information go to mustangpaper.com

Threat reported at Mustang North Middle School

2009-04-23T15:41:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

A threatening message was discovered Tuesday at Mustang North Middle School, district officials have reported.

The generic threat was found on a wall in a boy’s bathroom, referencing Saturday, April 25, Mustang Public Schools Communications Officer Shannon Rigsby said.

“There is nothing special going on Saturday,” Rigsby said.

Once MNMS administrators were notified of the threat, the school was put on lockdown, additional security measures were implemented, and an investigation commenced, Mustang Superintendent Bonnie Lightfoot wrote in a letter posted on the school’s website, www.mustangps.org.

“We do not believe the message has any credibility. However, we take all threats seriously. Until the investigation is completed, Mustang North Middle School will have heightened security. No backpacks or large purses will be allowed for the remainder of the week, and access to the hallways and restrooms will be limited,” Lightfoot wrote.

The Canadian County Sheriff’s Office has two deputies assigned to the north side of the Mustang school district, and they are assisting with the investigation and will maintain a presence at MNMS, Lightfoot said.

Every year the district deals with one or more threats, Lightfoot said.

Although so far none have had validity, each one taxes the resources of school personnel and local law enforcement, and also negatively impacts learning, she said.

An automated telephone call was sent out to MNMS patrons alerting them of the situation, and MNMS principal Angela Hunt reported parents calling in to thank administrators for the call, Rigsby said.

The school reported zero absences on Wednesday, Rigsby said.

Lightfoot encouraged parents to talk to their children about the consequences of making a threat at school.

“The possible penalties can impact a student and his or her family for a very long time,” she said.

For more information go to mustangpaper.com

Minco Mayor resigns

2009-04-16T14:12:00.001-05:00

By Jon Watje

Minco Mayor Kelly Rupp announced her resignation through a letter that was read to council members by City Clerk Kelly Savage at the Minco City Council Meeting on Monday, April 13.

“I am submitting my resignation from the office of mayor, effective immediately,” Rupp said in the letter. “This is not a decision I have made lightly. My life has changed since I became the mayor. I have been given more responsibility at Redlands and I have purchased the Minco Millennium. Additionally, I have experienced significant health issues.”

She continued.

“After much prayer and input from my family, I feel that I am no longer able to devote the time and energy that are required of the mayor. It has been an honor and a pleasure to serve with you.”

Minco Vice Mayor Shirley Oaks took Rupp’s place for the duration of the meeting.

The city will hold a special election for the mayor position and the Ward 2 Seat 2 council seat on Tuesday, July 14. The registration deadline to run is Friday, June 19.

More information go to mustangpaper.com

City manager to receive award

2009-04-16T14:11:00.002-05:00

Mustang City Manager David Cockrell will receive the “Citizen Recognition Award” at the Oklahoma Library Association Annual Conference on Tuesday, April 21, at Sheraton Midwest City Hotel, Reed Conference Center.

The Citizen’s Recognition Award is given to a non-library related individual or group who has demonstrated a special interest in libraries and library services on a state-wide level. Nominees must have given effective and important service to the advancement of libraries over a period of time.

“David Cockrell’s leadership has greatly benefitted literacy, life-long learning and use of the public library,” says Library Board Chair Sandra Keig. “As a result of his support over the past seven years, the library has seen dramatic increases in attendance and circulation of materials. He is very deserving of this award.”

As City Manager for the City of Mustang, David Cockrell worked with the city council to improve funding for the Mustang Public Library. During his first year as city manager, he raised the annual budget for materials from $2,000.00 per year to $55,000 per year. This was based on how much other municipalities of similar size were funding their libraries. Over the years he has approved capital projects and additional staff. In fiscal year 2008, Cockrell approved a $52,000.00 capital project to purchase an integrated library system and computer hardware.

“David Cockrell exemplifies what a city manager can do for the public library in one’s community,” says Library Director Desiree Webber. “An effective materials budget gives the library the buying power to purchase the materials and electronic databases our residents need.

An increase in staffing has allowed the library to be open additional hours in the evening plus eight and half hours on Saturdays, instead of four hours on Saturdays.

“The new integrated library system has provided borrowers with an enhanced website to search the catalog and to manage their accounts online by placing holds and renewing materials. Overdue and reserve notices are either emailed or telephoned to customers. This latter feature has allowed us to go green by eliminating the need for paper and envelopes, and out city also saves money on postage. The Mustang Library’s website features patron authentication which gives our customers remote access to databases from home, such as Heritage Quest – a genealogical resource.

“Sometime libraries can be shuffled to the background but Mr. Cockrell manages all of his departments fairly. Everyone does zero-based budgeting and everyone has to justify their expenditures.”

“What we appreciate about David is that he has continually advocated for public libraries, not just the Mustang Library, but all public libraries,” says Friends of the Library President Carolyn Klepper. “He has spoken at the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and with our state legislators about funding for public libraries. We are so pleased that his efforts over the past seven years are being recognized by the Oklahoma Library Association.”

In 2006, State Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson and State Representative Susan Winchester won the Oklahoma Library Association’s Citizens Recognition Award for their work in equalizing State Aid funding for all public libraries.

For more information go to mustangpaper.com

OKC, Mustang fire crews battle two blazes Wednesday

2009-04-13T18:18:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

Fire crews battled a pair of blazes in far southwest Oklahoma City Wednesday afternoon.

Oklahoma City and Mustang fire units were dispatched to the Trails West addition near SW 59th and Sara Road at 1:28 p.m. after a resident was burning a pile of leaves and tree limbs, Oklahoma City District Chief Larry Rusher said.

“They had a burn permit, and this was a burn day,” Rusher said. “The fire got away from them and spread through a field.”

The grassfire spread over 10 acres, and a residence located at 5840 Stewart Drive received $5,000 worth of damage, Rusher said.

The residence was west of the location where the burn permit was issued, he said.

“It was minor damage to what it could have been,” Rusher said.

No injuries were reported.

As of 4 p.m. firefighters had extinguished the head of the fire. Brush pumpers were patrolling the area putting out hot spots, Rusher said.

“We’ll be checking it later on this evening to make sure nothing else flares up,” he said.

The Oklahoma City Fire Department called the Mustang Fire Department to assist, who sent a brush pumper, a tanker and an assistant chief to the scene, Rusher said.

While crews worked the fire, another blaze was reported at SW 65th and Richland Road, west of Mustang.

The grassfire burned two acres, and units were dispatched from the first fire to extinguish the blaze. Oklahoma City and Mustang fire crews responded, Rusher said.

Canadian County Commissioners have lifted a recent burn ban inside county limits.

Weather conditions were warm and windy Wednesday.

Mustang Road closed after wind threatens power lines

2009-04-13T17:35:00.000-05:00

By Brendan Hoover
Managing Editor

A section of State Highway 4 was barricaded for about three hours Thursday night after high winds threatened to blow over a utility pole near the local Braum’s store at 333 N. Mustang Rd.

Southwesterly winds blowing over 40 miles per hour caused the utility pole to tilt over the roadway. Power lines could be seen sagging dangerously close to the ground.

A semi-tractor trailer reportedly drove through the area at approximately 6:15 p.m., snagging a power line and causing the transformer to pop loudly three times.

Electricity arced across the broken connection, eyewitnesses said.

Fire units were dispatched to the scene shortly after, but there was no fire danger because the utility pole did not arc again, Mustang Fire Chief Carl Hickman said.

Crews from Mustang’s public works contractor, Severn Trent, set up barricades at the intersection of State Highway 152 and Mustang Road, the 600 block of North Mustang Road and on East Trade Center Terrace to divert traffic away from the scene.

Mustang Police officers were also on scene to keep residents away from live wires.

Power outages and flickering lights were reported at local businesses.

OG&E crews arrived on scene at approximately 8 p.m. to replace the utility pole. By 10 p.m. the crews were still working, but two lanes were reopened on North Mustang Road and traffic was flowing smoothly.

According to OG&E, residents should stay away from downed power lines and anything they are touching.

Power lines are bare wires and not insulated, and they may appear harmless but could be live, the company said.

2007-06-13T23:45:00.001-05:00

Mayor Jeff Landrith

Incentive deal could bring, large retailer and large sums of money to city coffers if approved
Stacy Barnes

The “worst kept secret in Mustang” may soon be made public, according to Mayor Jeff Landrith who said he expects the City Council to discuss an incentives package agreement between the city and a “large retailer” as early as next week. City Manager David Cockrell has been in negotiations for more than a year on the deal and Landrith said he believes an agreement is imminent.

Before the city can enter into any contractual agreement, it must be voted on by the City Council. Landrith said anyone who is interested in the discussion should watch for the item to appear on an upcoming agenda. All agendas must be posted by 5 p.m. at City Hall the Friday before a meeting. The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, June 19 at 7 p.m. All meetings are open to the public.

Landrith said he could not give specifics about the incentives package, but did confirm that one would be offered, that it would be based on sales and would be in effect for five years.

“The city receives four percent of retail sales back in taxes,” said Landrith. “One percent of that is earmarked for payment of bonds. We can’t touch that. It’s the other three percent that’s up for negotiation.”

The new retailer is projected to reach $20 million in sales. Based on that figure, $800,000 could potentially be coming into the city coffers. Of that, by law $200,000 must be set aside to pay down bonds. The other $600,000 is what is left to negotiate with.

If a deal is struck, Landrith said the retailer will be required to reach certain “pretty significant” benchmarks before receiving any city funds and if they surpass a certain sales amount, the city would keep the difference. The benchmarks would not only include sales, but also the number of employees. Landrith pointed out that no deal has been made and that negotiations are ongoing.

“No agreement is in place. This could all change,” he said.

Landrith said he has fielded a number of questions, including, why the city went after this particular retailer and why not pursue their number one competitor?

“The answer is we did,” he said. “They didn’t call us back. One of David’s (Cockrell) jobs is to every other week solicit other business. He has to cold call them. Most of the stores people mention we’ve already contacted and they aren’t interested. It all comes down to rooftops and traffic flow.”

Landrith said he asked Cockrell a host of questions concerning this retailer, including whether or not we tried to solicit them without incentives.

“The answer was yes and they walked away.”

While some in the city don’t want the growth, others see it as necessity. Landrith walks the middle ground, saying he doesn’t want the traffic new business will bring, but he also doesn’t want taxes to keep rising and says new business is essential for the city’s health.

“It’s critical that we get businesses here now to ensure Mustang’s future, otherwise we’ll be boxed out. As much as I want to see small businesses here, we’ve got to protect our city. This is one of those hard decisions,” he said. “I have no doubt that this is a good move for Mustang. My only reservation is for some certain businesses, but in my heart I don’t think it will affect them that much.”

Landrith said because the citizens voted down the bond issue for infrastructure, this move is even more critical for the city. In order to “stay small”, he said, taxes would have to more than double. Adding to that is the threat of a Target coming in to Yukon, which would pull some business away from Wal-Mart, meaning less tax dollars coming in to the city.

In addition to the large retailer, four or five other businesses would locate in the same area without incentives, Landrith said.

“There will also be secondary income from gas and convenience stores from people who are coming into Mustang to shop here,” he said.

“If they meet their benchmarks and we anticipate they will, they will bring significant money to Mustang,” Landrith said. “There is every indication that we will make a lot of money on the deal. David should be commended, he's been a tremendous asset to this town.”

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

2007-06-13T23:44:00.001-05:00

City awarded $400K for trails
Brendan Hoover

Alternative transportation will have its day in the park, as the city of Mustang has been awarded what amounts to a $400,000 grant to build a biking and walking trail connecting Wild Horse Park to a nearby residential area and the Mustang Fire Department.

Mustang Parks and Recreation Director Justin Battles announced last week that the Oklahoma Department of Transportation has accepted the city’s application to the 2007-08 Special Projects Branch reimbursement program. ODOT will reimburse the city for 80 percent of the $500,000 trail project, and Mustang will pay the difference, or $100,000, Battles said.

The city’s plan, which will connect the southwest corner of Wild Horse Park to Highway 152 and the fire station directly south, was one of 35 proposals to receive funding out of 88 candidates.

Battles said his was happy to hear the good news.

“We’re excited because it speeds up our overall timeline. We’ll be able to complete this project faster than we would have been able to previously. We’re happy about what it can provide for our citizens,” he said.

Battles said he would meet with ODOT on June 25 to discuss the project, and a supplemental funding proposal will go before the Mustang City Council at their first meeting in July. He said construction could begin by the end of the year, and the city would spend $150,000 quarterly on the project. Then the state would reimburse the city.

Battles said the trail will give up to 3,000 residents a safe place to walk or ride while enhancing Mustang’s right of way, which is currently unused. The proposed asphalt trail would be 10 feet in width, running 3,017 in length, and have decorative lighting provided by a local electric company.

The trail will also feature two bridges, 12 feet wide and 120 feet in length, crossing a large drainage area along the route.

Battles said the trail is the first phase of a master trail plan which would connect parks, retail sites and community meeting areas all over the city.

“Our goal is to connect all common areas with trails. We’ve taken a page from the city of Norman, which has a really nice trails system. Eventually we will look into underground trails, so people wouldn’t have to cross any major streets, but we chose this trail because it’s currently a more feasible project to complete. This project will provide families and children safe access to Wild Horse Park,” he said.

Another long term plan proposed by the city would link Mustang trails into the Oklahoma City trails system, Battles said.

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

2007-06-13T23:43:00.000-05:00

Council passes budget
l$14.8M Budget includes 2.75% raises for city employees, $1.8M in emergency reserves
Brendan Hoover

The Mustang City Council last Tuesday unanimously approved its 2007-08 fiscal year general operating fund budget in the amount of $14.8 million, a 8.8 percent increase from one fiscal year ago.

The Council voted 6-0 to approve the budget after a public hearing during which no one rose to speak. Mayor Jeff Landrith was absent from the meeting and did not cast a vote.

The budget in its final form contained only minor changes from a draft version that all seven Council members agreed to during budget work sessions in May.

Finance Director Brenda Wright said during those sessions that the city’s largest single revenue source, sales tax, is expected to increase this fiscal year by about seven percent, to $6.4 million. That figure could be negatively influenced by decreased consumer spending during an election year, or positively influenced by the addition of a major retailer to the city, she said.

One budget change will give full-time non-union city employees a 2.75 percent cost of living raise. Wright also informed the Council of an adjustment to the non-union employee wage scale, where the nine lowest ranges would be dropped, and nine new ranges would be added to the end of the scale.

The Mustang Fraternal Order of Police has also signed a new contract with the city, giving officers an identical cost of living pay increase.

The budget also includes a $1.8 million reserve Wright said she added in response to a warning from Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson’s office that excess funds could not be spent without first being appropriated.

“They are interpreting the law to say that you cannot spend any money that was not budgeted by July 1,” Wright said.

Wright said she calculated what she thought the city’s reserves would be for the coming fiscal year and designated it a “reserve for emergencies,” covering anything from grants received to matching funds to unforeseen expenses. The reserve cannot be touched without the Council’s supplemental approval, and city staff does not intend to spend the money, she said.

Wright went on to say that by approving the budget, the Council gives its consent to over two million dollars in capital projects this coming fiscal year, including $450,000 in road improvements, a $250,000 sewer line installation, three new fire department vehicles approved by voters last December and the paving of the road into Wild Horse park from SW 59th St., a resident priority.

“That is a huge step from where we were five years ago,” she said.

A breakdown of the Mustang 2007-08 fiscal year general operating fund budget includes the following:

Mayor and Council - $176,100:
This fund includes $10,000 to fund the Mustang Chamber of Commerce, a move the Council questioned but City Manager David Cockrell calls an investment in the city. This fund also pays engineering and city attorney fees.

City Manager - $481,347:
This fund pays the salaries for four full-time employees, including the city manager, city clerk, deputy city clerk and human resources director.

Library - $376,910:
This fund pays the salaries of seven employees, three full-time and four part-time. Wright said this fund is also used to replace books that were not returned, and for the summer reading program and cultural events, all paid for by donations.

Parks and Recreation - $719,739:
This fund pays the salaries of six full-time employees and several part-time employees. The fund also includes $8,000 for a new brick “Welcome to Mustang” sign, $6,300 to pay part-time personal trainers at Town Center, who would potentially make more than that back, and $3,000 for playground equipment repairs at the city’s parks.

General Government – approximately $2 million:
This fund pays for general operating fees and services, including electricity for wells and pump stations, $200,000 for water purchases from Oklahoma City, and membership fees for the Central Oklahoma Water Resource Authority. The fund will also pay $20,000 for new water meter reading handheld devices and software, $55,000 for a water quality study, $88,000 for a point repair program on the sewer lines and $100,000 to start a program to install back up generators on the city’s lift stations.

Town Center - $227,598:
This fund pays for general operating expenses for the facility.

Ball complexes - $271,745:
The fund pays chiefly for electricity fees, concession stand costs and grounds maintenance.

Aquatics - $175,825:
The fund pays for general operating expenses for the facility. Parks and Recreation Director Justin Battles asked for $3,000 to replace three large umbrellas.

Finance - $368,855:
This fund pays for the general operating expenses of the department.

Community Development - $455,220:
This fund pays salaries for six full-time employees, one part-time employee and the department’s vehicles. The department is responsible for city code enforcement.

Police - $2.18 million:
This fund pays salaries for 19 officers, plus dispatchers and administrative positions. The fund also includes money to buy three patrol cars, a new intoxilyzer machine, and $11,900 for a speed-monitoring trailer.

Fire - $2.19 million:
This fund pays salaries for 15 firefighters, plus $927,000 for three new fire vehicles approved at last December’s general obligation bond election.

Streets - $573,835:
Wright said this fund has been increased by $222,000 per Council’s request, and the Mustang Improvement Authority will fund $97,000, which makes up the franchise fees from the sanitation fees the city is paid. Street projects are planned for Rancho, Lariat, Chuckwagon and Kentuck. Cockrell also told the Council at the budget work sessions that he recommends going for general obligation bonds to pay for future repairs to SW 89th St. and Czech Hall Road.

2007-06-13T11:42:00.001-05:00

Grain elevators report slow harvest
Brendan Hoover

According to managers at two area grain elevators, the 2007 central Oklahoma hard red winter wheat harvest is underway but slow going.

Near record rainfall, combined with insect infestation and disease, has taken its toll on what was once thought to be a potential bumper crop, reported executives at elevators in both Canadian and Grady County.
Banner Co-op Elevator Association Manager Jerry Harter said business has been slow at his farmer-owned elevator near El Reno.

“The wheat’s not out there. The rain, bugs and disease have diminished our chances. It affects everybody. It affects our operation, it affects the farmers and it affects the communities where farming is a big part of the economy,” he said last week.

The stakes are particularly high this year because farmers have invested so much on this wheat crop, Harter said, who has been the manager at Banner Co-op since 2000 and lives in Canadian County. Input costs, from planting to nitrogen topdressing to crop duster treatments for strawbreaker, a fungal disease, and armyworms, have been very high this year, he said. Rising fuel costs have also cut into the bottom line for many farmers, he said.

As for Banner Co-op, which buys only wheat, Harter said business would continue as normal. Although yields will be lower than expected, the best thing farmers can do is get out in the fields and bring in what they can, he said.

“We’ll just have to tighten out belts,” he said.

Because the Co-op is owned by farmer who have memberships, any profits, or losses, are shared by all, Harter said. Losses are usually paid out of a reserve fund that the business has established, to curtail the abbreviated cash flow, he said.

Minco Elevator and Supply Manager Alan Hinkle said activity at his privately-owned business has been extremely slow.

“It’s not looking good. (The farmers) are in the fields, but the yields aren’t that good and the quality is down,” Hinkle said, who has managed the business since 1999 and been with the company for 21 years.

Minco Elevator and Supply is owned by Braum’s, servicing locals, along with Tuttle, Pocasset, Amber and other locations.

“We’re just here to serve the customers as best we can. It’s what God gave us to work with, so we just go with it,” Hinkle said.

Hinkle said that historically high wheat prices at the Kansas City Board of Trade, the benchmark local elevators use to set their prices, could be in the farmers’ favor.

“We’ll just hope and pray that the market keeps going up to offset it. The best thing the farmers can do is hurry up and get it in,” he said.

Hinkle said the rainy weather this spring is also affecting the planting of fall crops, such as soybeans and corn. Muddy fields make driving combines and tractors difficult, he said.

Harter summed up the season with a hint of optimism.

“It won’t be a great year, but we don’t plan on losing money. If you go into a harvest expecting a loss, then you’ve got problems,” he said.

For more Mustang news and sports go to mustangpaper.com

2007-06-13T11:41:00.000-05:00

Review of school funding formula may benefit District
Carol Brimm

Gov. Brad Henry signed legislation last week to create a school funding task force to review the current method used to distribute state aid to Oklahoma schools. The Oklahoma State Aid Funding Formula was developed in 1981 in an effort to fairly distribute state aid among Oklahoma school districts. The formula has been reviewed over the years to meet emerging needs, but some Oklahoma legislators and school officials believe the complicated formula fails to meet the needs of fast growing districts across the state.

“The current formula is not as fair as it could be to districts that are growing,” Mustang School District Superintendent Karl Springer said. “There should be some offset for growing districts.”

The school funding formula is a very complicated method used to calculate a school districts need for state aid based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, special education, gifted, bilingual and economically disadvantaged factors as well as student population size, which is determined by average daily attendance reports. Hinging aid on average daily attendance numbers that are four months old by the time the funds are distributed is the crux of the problem for growing districts, according to Springer.

State aid distributed in the fall is based on the average daily attendance at the end of the previous school year. For growing districts like Mustang, Owasso, Edmond and Piedmont that means state aid funds are based on a much smaller student population than the one returning in the fall.

“Those numbers are four months old when they give us the money,” Springer said. “They pay us based on what the average was (at the end of the previous school year) but that number will be way under what we will start with in the fall.”

Since 1997, a mid-term adjustment based on average daily attendance over the first nine-weeks of the fall term has been issued to school districts each January. However, for districts like Mustang where enrollment increases by 100 or more students from October through December, the adjustment does not keep up with growing funding needs. According to Springer, the number of Mustang students continues to increase until about February and then it declines until the end of the school year. This makes the average daily attendance number taken in May just that much lower than the actual number of students who will start school in the fall.

“It is a complicated formula,’ Mustang School Board President Jeff Johnson said. “They are trying to be fair and balanced. Nothing is perfect but schools that are growing with rapid growth and no industry tax dollars to help support that growth are always playing catch up.”

Johnson said he would like to see a pool of funds that districts could go to so they could take funds from their portion as it is needed.

“The needs are now and the money to meet those needs would be now,” Johnson said.

Springer said he hopes the group selected to serve on the school funding task force will be very careful.

“The formula now is not perfect, but it’s pretty good,” Springer said. “Twenty years ago some pretty smart people put this together and they set the standard pretty high.”
Oklahoma public schools receive revenue from state appropriations, state dedicated revenues, local revenue and federal revenue.

2007-06-13T11:40:00.000-05:00

Library to get new computers
Desiree Webber , Justin Battles & Gloria Shotwell

Award-winning children’s songwriter Monty Harper will perform “Oklahoma CenTUNial Celebration” at the Mustang Public Library on Thursday, June 21, at 2:00 p.m. The performance is made possible by funds from the Mustang Positive Posse, the Oklahoma Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts. Harper’s program will feature original and traditional songs inspired by Oklahoma ’s colorful history and diverse people. “I put a lot of research into the lyrics” says Harper. “I wanted to create a program that’s not only fun and interactive for kids but also surprising, informative and historically accurate.” Harper’s program has received official recognition from the Oklahoma Centennial Committee. Harper’s songs and recordings have received many accolades including two Parents’ Choice Awards, iParenting Media Award, Kids Radio Mania Family Favorite Award, and several Unisong International Songwriting Competition awards. Free tickets for the Monty Harper program will be given away on a first-come basis beginning this Thursday, June 14th.

The Friends of the Mustang Public Library voted last Monday to spend $6,000.00 for new computers for the Mustang Public Library. The computers are public Internet workstations with Microsoft Office Professional software plus educational software for children and teens. The funds were made possible from the Friends’ Annual Golf Tournament fundraiser held June 2 at Surrey Hills Golf Club. Hole sponsors for the event were Action Lock and Safe, All America Bank, All Day Plumbing, Bronco Stop Phillips 66, Norma and Wes Brown, Caddo Electric, Crout Companies, DCP Midstream, First United Bank, H&H Masonry, Klepper Construction , MidFirst Bank, Mustang McDonalds, Mustang Big O Tires, Oklahoma Natural Gas, Marolyn Pryor Realtors, Severn Trent, Smart Shopper, Eugene Snodgrass, Sunwest Management Inc., Josie and Harry Weatherford, Westpointe Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Yukon National Bank. Team sponsors will be listed next week.

Music cds are available for check out at the Mustang Public Library. A new cd by Tom Duckett entitled “Oracle Unaware” is an outstanding choice. It is contemporary Christian music and Duckett shines as a composer, song writer and performer. This cd is highly recommended. The library also owns several cds by singer, songwriter Monty Harper who will perform for children at the Mustang Public Library on Thursday, June 21, at 2:00 p.m. There is a variety of genres from which to choose: country, rock, jazz, musicals, classical, hip hop, rap, easy listening and Christian.

Lots of sports activities are gearing up at the Mustang Parks and Recreation Center . The Men’s Summer Adult Basketball League will begin play on Wednesday, June 13th. The League still needs at least two more teams. For more information, contact Dennis Qualls at 376-7755.

Men-s and Coed’s National Softball Association D and E “Full Throttle” Softball Tournament will be held Saturday, June 23. The entry fee is $150.00 plus umpire fees. In addition, the Men’s and Coed’s 5th Annual “Swinging for the Fences” 250-foot Tournament will be held Saturday, June 30th. Tournament registration will only be able to take eight men’s teams and six coed teams. Please register soon. For more information, contact Dennis Qualls, Mustang Parks and Recreation, at 376-7755.

It is time to get in shape for summer. Aerobics, Boot Camp, Cardio Sculpt, Kickboxing, Abs, Yoga and Yogalates classes are available at the Mustang Recreation Department at Town Center . Classes start at 5:15 in the morning Monday through Friday and run until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Abs is a quick, highly effective 15 minute workout for your abdominals and back. Cardio Sculpt burns fat and tones the body with a blend of cardio and strength training using a variety of equipment. Kickboxing features basic kickboxing moves set to music. All levels are welcome. For more information about days and hours, please pick up a schedule at the front desk or call 376-3411.

The Mustang Aquatic Center is now open with its regular schedule. Hours are Monday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Lap swimming is available Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. along with Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. General admission is $5.00 per day. Seniors are $4.00 per day. However, those living in the Mustang School District pay $3.00 per day. Season passes are available. For more information visit the website at www.cityofmustang.org and click on “Parks and Recreation” and then “Aquatics.”

Father’s Day Party will be held Friday, June 15, starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Mustang Senior Center . Everyone is encouraged to nominate someone for “Father of the Year” by calling or stopping by the Senior Center to make your nominations. The winner will be announced at the party.

Music lovers congregate at the Mustang Senior Center . The Music Makers play country, gospel and bluegrass every Monday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday evenings there is an open Jam Session from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Snacks are provided.) The Gospel Discords meet at the Center every Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to join the Gospel Discords to sing the old gospel hymns. For those who do not want to sing, they are invited to listen or play dominoes, card, etc. The Mustang Good Timers entertain every Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Mustang Good Timers play gospel, country & western and bluegrass music. For more information regarding Senior Center activities and services, pick up a calendar at the front desk or call 376-1297.
To view the Community Calendar for a listing of programs and events, check the website at www.cityofmustang.org or tune into channel 20.

2007-06-13T11:39:00.000-05:00

And the Beat goes on….and the beat goes on…
Janie Kizziar

About 1890, Czechoslovakian immigrants Joseph and Katheren Masopust came to Oklahoma from Nebraska settling near Mustang.

Joseph Masopust along with his sons James, Joe, Frank and Lou and good friend and neighbor, George Kralik who married Annie Hubatka, formed the first Czech polka brass band, the Masopust Polka Band, in Oklahoma about 1896.

Joe Masopust, the oldest son of James, reorganized the band in the mid-1920s adding drums, the piano and some different varieties of traditional music. The band’s piano player, Bessie Drabek, and Joe were married in 1927. Joe, Bessie and their son, Glenn on the trumpet, continued with the band.

Frank Masopust 1878-1957, third son of Joseph, married second to Fannie Cermack. They had three children: Henry, Frank Jr. and Anna. Henry married Alma Engle and they had seven children: Henry, Marie, Margaret, Rosemary, Patrick, David and Tim.

David Masopust, sixth child of Henry and Alma, joined the band playing tuba in 1975. David is an avid musician, self-employed, and also participates in historical reenactments all over the state.

Bessie worked diligently to promote and build the band after Joe’s passing in 1978. Thanks to her hard work and dedication, the band has made two uplifting albums featuring rousing polkas, waltzes and schottisches--a form of line dance. Bessie Masopust died in 1997 but the band played on.

In 1996, Billy Masopust, son of David and great great grandson of Joseph, became the fifth generation of Masopusts to play in the Masopust Polka Band. Billy plays the drums. He graduated from college at Weatherford and is Information Technology Coordinator at South Western Oklahoma Development Authority.

The Masopust Polka Band has played for lodge dances, wedding receptions and has played at the Yukon Czech Festival since its inception in 1966.

Current band members are David Masopust, Billy Masopust, Mike Nielsen, Jessica Leverich, Niel Hickerson and Jason Marshall.

Come out and experience a fun evening with the Masopust Polka Band at Czech Hall. Czech Hall, 205 N Czech Hall Road , was built in 1901 on land donated to the Sokol Lodge Karel Havlicek and the Western Bohemian Fraternal Association by Jim and Antonie Slavik. Later, additional land was purchased from Charley and Ella Subera. The building was first known as Bohemian Hall. After World War II, the name was changed to Czech Hall and in 1976 to Yukon Czech Hall.

You can also visit the Oklahoma Historical Society/Museum and just push a button to hear the energetic and festive music of the Masopust Polka Band.

2007-06-13T11:38:00.000-05:00

Sports
Boomers reach quarters of OK Diamond Classic
Mustang defeats Neb. team in 12 innings Saturday, then lose to MWC 7-1
Brendan Hoover

OKLAHOMA CITY—The Mustang Boomers American Legion baseball team went 4-2 during its appearance at the sixteen-team Oklahoma Diamond Classic at Edmond Santa Fe High School and Putnam City North High School last weekend, but lost in the quarterfinals to the Midwest City Outlaws on Saturday night, 7-1.
The Boomers reached the quarterfinals of the championship round after winning a 12-inning thriller earlier in the day against Prime Time, a team from Nebraska, 3-2.

Boomers coach Shannon Enfield said the win was a double-edged sword, however, keeping the Boomers alive but depleting them for the quarterfinal showdown with one of the tournament’s best teams.
“We played pretty well, but it was tough for us to come back and play again after that game. It seemed like we had runners at third in four of the last five innings, but we never could put them away,” he said.
The Boomers did finally put Prime Time away, when first baseman Chase Ashley looped a base hit in the bottom of the 12th with runners at second and third to score the winning run of a nearly four-hour game.
David Grellner picked up the win the Boomers, going two innings, giving up one run, one hit while striking out one and walking two. But when Grellner found himself in trouble in the top of the third, Ethan Davis came on in relief and ended up pitching 10 innings, striking out 14 while walking two and giving up one earned run and five hits.
Enfield said Davis did a great job coming on in relief.

Webb went 3-5 for the game, shortstop Brock Feldmann went 2-6 and third baseman Jimmy Gillespie went 2-5 to lead the Boomers.
In the second game of the night, Midwest City proved too much for the Boomers, winning 7-1. Brent Crain took the loss for Mustang, going four and one-third innings, giving up five earned runs on five hits while striking out three and walking two.
The Boomers managed only three hits in the game, scoring one run and striking out 11 times.

The Boomers went into the championship round as a number-two seed after finishing pool play in the first three days of the tournament, going 3-1 and getting wins over Duncan, Edmond Santa Fe and Millard West, Neb. but losing to Deeb, Neb. on Friday night.
Enfield said so far this season he has been diplomatic in giving all his players time on the field, but starting with the Boomers’ appearance in the Red River Diamond Classic in Fargo, ND this week, he will shift his coaching philosophy from evaluation and participation to competition and playing the best players.

The Boomers split a doubleheader with Oklahoma City Brassfield at Dolese Park Monday night, winning the first game 9-2 but dropping the nightcap, 7-1.

Lefty Zac Tidholm improved his record to 3-0 by getting the victory in the first game, and Cody Davis took the loss in the second game, dropping his record to 1-2.

Catcher Jason West and Webb hit back-to-back solo home runs in the top of the second inning to highlight the Boomers’ win.
The Boomers are now 7-7 on the season.

2007-06-13T11:37:00.000-05:00

sports
Mustang hoopsters making strides
Brendan Hoover

EDMOND—The Mustang Broncos summer basketball team is riding a wave of confidence after winning six of its first seven games of the season.

The Broncos beat Calumet for the second time in a week at Edmond Memorial High School Thursday night, 62-60, to go 6-0.

The team then dropped a close decision Monday night to Deer Creek, also at Edmond, 69-65, to account for their first loss of the season.

Mustang coach Alan Green said his team came out a little flat on Monday but overall has been playing very well.

“We were down by as many as 17 in the third quarter, and then going into the fourth, I have to give credit to our kids. We were playing man, and the kids made the call to switch to a 2-3 match-up zone, and that kind off messed up the other team,” he said.

Mustang fought back in the fourth quarter, evening the score and then taking a 58-57 lead with less than a minute to play. The team missed a free throw with seven seconds left, and Deer Creek made a free throw at the other end to seal the victory.

Green said the Broncos’ effort never wavered.

“It was one of those times where you spend so much energy on the comeback that you can’t hold the lead,” he said.

On Thursday, the Broncos blew a 31-22 half time lead against Calumet and trailed 54-51 with 2:38 left to play. But Mustang outscored Calumet 11-6 in the rest of regulation, punctuated when Auston Davidson hit a free throw with .5 seconds left to give the Broncos the win.

Green said Calumet, a class B team, is a tough squad.

“They’re a Tournament of Champions team, and they were state champions a couple of years ago. We kind of shot ourselves in the foot, blowing a double-digit lead, but this summer we’ve learned to win all kinds of games, and I’m really proud of our guys,” Green said.

The Broncos also won four games at the Star Spenser team camp during the first weekend in June, beating Calumet, Del City, Anadarko and Northwest Classen.

Green said the summer leagues are good because the games are played in an informal environment and the kids get to learn with less pressure to perform. Green said he likes the summer because he can trade his slacks and tie for a T-shirt and flip-flops.

The rules are more informal to. Because of the amount of games that are scheduled each game night at Edmond Memorial, “hurry-up” rules are put into effect. Players shoot one free throw for two points, and baskets made while fouled are automatically a three-point play.

The Broncos played last night against Stillwater after press time.

Up next for Mustang are two games on Thursday night, against Edmond Santa Fe and Frontier, and then Edmond North on Monday night.

2007-06-13T11:36:00.000-05:00

sports
Mustang AAA squad splits twin bill with Chickasha
Mustang enjoying days of summer
Brendan Hoover

The Mustang Broncos AAA baseball team is feeling good after getting off to a fast start on their 2007 summer season.

The Broncos won five out of their first six game to open the summer schedule, dropping a 9-3 decision to Chickasha in the opener of a home doubleheader Saturday after reeling off five straight victories beginning last Monday with a 14-3 vanquishing of McGuinness.

The Broncos bounced back with a vengeance in the second game of the weekend series, scoring nine runs in the first and four in the second on the way to a 15-6 spanking of the Fighting Chicks.

The Broncos also swept doubleheaders with Edmond Memorial and Norman North last week.

Mustang coach Tony Evans said he is happy with the team’s strong start.

“We’re 6-1 right now, and other than the first game Saturday, we’ve really been playing well. We came out a little flat in the first game and got down 7-0, had a chance to get back into it, but made some base running mistakes that hurt us. But overall, we’re looking at positions for the varsity baseball next year, and that’s what the summer is all about. Hopefully we’ll continue like this all summer,” he said.

Evans said that the Mustang summer program is made up of teams of incoming eighth graders, freshman, juniors, and the AAA squad, and is a good way to evaluate talent for the upcoming regular season.

“The summertime really determines where the kids are going to start. There’s always kids that will come up and surprise you during school ball, but this gives us a pretty good place to start the kids at a certain level,” he said.

Evans said pitching and hitting are strengths of the Broncos AAA team.

“We’ve got really good pitching so far this season, even kids that really haven’t got to pitch much have really come up and done a good job. And we’re scoring just a ton of runs. So we just need a little work on defense and base running, and that comes with practice time. The thing with summer ball is we don’t get much practice time,” he said.

The Broncos’ offensive prowess was evident in the second game on Saturday. The Broncos scored nine runs in the first inning of a five-inning run-rule victory against Chickasha, including a towering grand slam to left by second baseman Cody Lacy. Lacy walked twice in his next two at bats, going 1-2 on the day with four RBI.

Justin Piatt, playing center field, went 2-3 for the game, with a single, double, and three RBI. Designated hitter David Glidden, who at 14 is about three years younger than anyone else on the team, went 2-2 with two RBI.

Glidden’s big brother, Dylan, went 1-2 with a double. Third baseman Zac McDonald went 2-3 with two singles.

Starting pitcher Blaine Denny picked up the victory for Mustang, going two and one-third innings, giving up six runs on four hits, striking out three, walking three and hitting two batsmen. Jake Byers came on in relief in the top of the third, going one and two-thirds innings, giving up no runs and only one hit. Piatt pitched the fifth, giving up only one hit.

In the first game on Saturday, Chickasha broke open a 3-0 game in the top of the fourth by scoring four runs. Mustang scored three in the bottom of the fifth, but the Fighting Chicks tacked on two in the seventh to come away with a 9-3 win.

Mustang banged out six hits in the contest but committed four errors. Chickasha put up nine hits and two errors.

Chickasha’s Chance Snead picked up the win, and Mustang’s Eric Partin took the loss.

At the plate, Mustang’s bright spots were Garrett McGlaughlin, who hit a double to left, and Dylan Glidden, who went 2-2 with two singles and a walk.

The Broncos were scheduled to play a doubleheader at Putnam City West last night after press time.

Up next for the team is a home series with PC West today, followed by a doubleheader at home with Stillwater on Monday.

2007-06-13T11:34:00.000-05:00

business
Tractor Supply celebrates grand opening
Grand opening set for Sat., June 16
Carol Brimm

Tractor Supply in Mustang will get to know the neighborhood at their grand opening on Sat., June 16. According to store manager, Melissa Wood, guests at the grand opening can register to win a free Club Cadet riding mower and the celebration will include hourly give aways, hotdogs cooked by FFA and 4-H members, a display of antique tractors, balloon art, and face painting to kick things off with a bang.

You can buy almost anything at Tractor Supply except a tractor, according the TSC website. The store caters to farmers, ranchers, homeowners and even weekend gardeners with everything from work clothes and power tools to garden supplies and riding lawn mowers. Pet lovers and livestock owners will find a variety of feed and pet supplies and the do it yourselfer can buy parts to repair a tractor and the paint to give it a shiny new coat.

Wood says she is proud of the team she has built at the Mustang Tractor Supply.

“Ninety percent of our staff are from this area,” Wood said. “The entire team is new to Tractor Supply and we work well together and have a lot of fun.”

Woods said she enjoys working in farm and ranch retail because the clientele are passionate about families and livestock.
Founded in 1938 as a mail order tractor parts business, Tractor Supply Company now owns and operates almost 700 stores across 37 states and is the leading retail farm and ranch store brand in America, according to the TSC website. The company mission statement says TSC’s goal is “To work hard, have fun and make money by providing legendary service and great products at everyday low prices”. Tractor Supply is located at 201 N Mustang Rd. in the old Larry’s Super Thrift building. Hours of operation are Monday – Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Extended hours for the grand opening on Sat., June 16 are 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Visit www.mytscstore.com for more information.

2007-06-13T11:33:00.001-05:00

business
Client success is first priority at Retirement Investment Advisors
Carol Brimm

When Joe Bowie and Randy Thurman entered the financial industry in the 1980’s they worked for national financial planning firms who claimed they were client driven.

It didn’t take Bowie and Thurman long to realize that financial planners at these large firms were compensated for selling the companies investment products, not for the success of their clients. Bowie and Thurman felt the client’s financial success should be the reason for all investment decisions, so they left the national agencies and opened Retirement Investment Advisors.

According to Vice President of Marketing Diane Lippert, Retirement Investment Advisors is a fee only firm.

“We are an independent fee only advisory firm,” Lippert said. “That means we don’t sell products for other large companies. Our fees are based solely on the percentage of assets we manage for our clients. We take every clients needs into consideration and tailor an investment portfolio for each individual client.”

Lippert said their financial advisors review each client’s financial and personal goals before developing written financial objectives which provide a road map for initiating a financial management program.

“We believe in diversification,” Lippert said. “We diversify all of our client’s portfolios so they are protected in a down market and still make good returns in an up market.”

Lippert says Retirement Investment Advisors financial planners help clients with more than just investment needs.

“In addition to managing their money, we look at a client’s tax situation and identify any needs which should be addressed by their tax professional. We also offer guidance in estate planning. We can’t set up trusts, but we can guide our clients to the right people if they need those services. We help our clients through their whole financial world.”

Retirement Investment Advisors is an Oklahoma owned and operated company. Their five certified financial planners have over 80 years combined experience. Randy Thurman, Co-President, is a Certified Public Accountant CPA, Certified Financial Planner CFP, and Personal Financial Specialist PFS. Joe Bowie is Co-President and a CFP. Melinda Warren is an Accredited Investment Fiduciary AIF and a CFP. Carol Alexander is a CFP, AIF, and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst CDFA. Ted Hughes is a Certified Financial Planner CFP.

Retirement Investment Advisors is located at 3001 United Founders Blvd. in Oklahoma City. They are open Mon. - Thurs. 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. to 3 pm. Call 842-3443 for a free consultation.

2007-06-13T11:33:00.000-05:00

business
State Farm agent brings business home
Carol Brimm

State Farm agent Kevin Murphy grew up in the Mustang/Yukon area before joining State Farm and traveling the United States and Canada working national catastrophe claims. Now Murphy has brought his business home. Murphy opened his State Farm agency at 1707 S. Morgan Road in May. He says this area is growing so much it is where he wants to be. Murphy’s State Farm agency handles all lines of insurance including home, auto, life, health, long term care and business insurance. Murphy can also assist his customers with retirement plans, Roth IRA’s, annuities, business 401K’s, and simple IRA’s for business. Through the State Farm online bank customers can borrow money to purchase a car, set up a savings account or invest in certificates of deposit.

“State Farm is triple A rated financially in all lines of insurance. We are the biggest property and casualty insurer in the United States,” Murphy said. “This is our 85th year in business and we got there by doing things the right way.”

Murphy said his customers don’t have to deal with some impersonal entity on the phone or Internet for their insurance needs because his agency offers hands on service.

“We pride ourselves on our service,” Murphy said. “We’re here and our customers can come stop in and see us. We don’t even have voice mail. If a customer calls us they know they will actually talk to a person.”

Murphy said unlike many insurance agencies the team members in his office, Shannon Bruehl and Donna Ellis, are both fully licensed agents who are very knowledgeable and can assist customers with everything but retirement accounts.

“We don’t just sell something to sell something. We sit down with people and look at their needs,” Murphy said. “There are two kinds of people, those who have had a claim and those who will have a claim. People complain about having to pay for insurance until they need it and then they are sure glad they had it.”

Murphy has a lot of experience with people who have been glad they had insurance.

During his first 6 years with State Farm he traveled across the country working claims for damage from tornados, hurricanes and hailstorms.

He remembers working Hurricanes Floyd and Irene and says there is great satisfaction in helping people someone who is in a devastating situation.

“When you sit in the driveway of house that is no longer there and write a claims check to a customer for an automobile that no longer exist,” Murphy said, “it feels good to help that customer who is looking to us to pull him out of a financial hole.”

After 6 years on the road with the claims division, Murphy entered State Farm’s agent program and opened his first agency in Bethany. After seven years at the Bethany location he felt it was time to return to his roots.

“I grew up in Yukon and my wife, Christa, graduated from Mustang High School. Our families live here and we wanted to be here too,” Murphy said.

Murphy and his wife moved back to the Mustang area 4 years ago and now have two children, 3 ½ year old Olivia and six month old Riley.

For more information stop in and see Kevin, Shannon or Donna at the State Farm Kevin Murphy Agency just south of SW 15 and Morgan Rd., visit www.kevinmurphyagency.comor call 265-2500.

2007-06-13T11:32:00.000-05:00

business
New cell repair & sales shop open
Carol Brimm

Cellular customers who drop, kick, drown, break or destroy their cell phones in any method or manner no longer have to rush out and buy a new phone, according to Ronnie Orr, owner of Ron’s Cellular and Repair. Orr, who has 15 years experience, says he can repair almost any phone for about half the cost of if used parts are available.

“My goal is to help people out,” Orr said. “I can even fix a phone if it has been dropped in the toilet if they can get it to me as soon as possible.”

Orr says he can often fix a phone while the customer waits and can normally provide one-day service unless new parts must be ordered. If the customer must leave his phone to be repaired, Orr has loaner phones available.

“If I can’t fix it I have a lot of used or refurbished phones they can choose from,” Orr said. “I also carry most of the popular new phones and I buy used phones.”

Orr is not contracted with any cellular company and says this gives him the freedom to do what need to be done without following company rules. He says for customers who wish to change cellular carriers he can “unlock” the code inside the phone to make it compatible with the customer’s new cellular company.

“The cell phone companies can do this but they usually won’t,” Orr said.

In addition to cell phone repair and sales Orr offers pre-paid service through Air Voice Wireless that he says is the cheapest and best pre-paid service he has ever seen.

“The sim card, activation and one hour of airtime cost $25,” Orr said. “Air Voice Wireless uses Cingular towers so they are very good.”

Orr, who previously worked for U.S. Cellular, said he is only aware of three other cell phone repair centers in the state. Orr has a degree in Electronic Engineering and has lived in Mustang since 1995.
Ron’s Cellular and Repair is located at 1707 E Hwy 152 next to Morgan Food Mart. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 745-5040 for more information.

2007-06-13T11:30:00.000-05:00

2007-06-06T14:32:00.000-05:00

Memorials decorate the crosswalk near the spot where 3-year-old Trinity Coleman was struck by a car Sunday night as she attempted to cross SW 15th Street from Trails Elementary School. She died Monday from her injuries. (Staff photo by Stacy Barnes)

Child dies after hit & run accident
Fifty-seven year old man turns himself in 48 hours after accident

Carol Brimm

Three-year-old Trinity Coleman died early Monday from injuries sustained in a hit and run accident near Mustang Trails Elementary on Sunday, June 2.

The driver of the car, Donald Wayne Hodges, 57, of Oklahoma City, turned himself in to police at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Tues., June 5. Hodges was charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury or death without required notice and driving under a suspended license, both felonies.

Hodges is being held in Canadian County Jail on 10,000 bond.

According to Oklahoma City Police, Coleman and two other children, ages 5 and 7, had reportedly been playing at Mustang Trails and were returning to the mobile home park across SW 15 when a westbound dark blue 1990s Cougar LX hit Coleman but did not stop. Coleman’s 7-year-old cousin stood in the road and waved down passing motorist Robert Lambert who placed the 911 call to police at 9:02 p.m.

“He slowed down when he hit her but he didn’t stop,” OKC Police Sgt. Paco Balderrama said. “Then he came back and drove by slowly but again he didn’t stop. People often come back to see what they have done.”

It could be difficult to determine if Hodges was under the influence of alcohol or drugs due to the delay before he turned himself in, according to reports.

Mustang Trails Principal David Steiner said he was not sure if Coleman was related to any of the children who attend Trails Elementary.

2007-06-06T14:31:00.000-05:00

Group wants social host law passed in city

Stacy Barnes

A small, but vocal group of civic leaders, concerned parents and even a state senator turned out at Monday’s Mustang Prevention Coalition meeting. The group is taking aim at social norms that they say tolerate underage drinking. They are planning to ask Mustang City Council members to pass a “social host” ordinance that would allow police to arrest hosts of parties where alcohol is served to minors.

Janice Wilson, Canadian County Prevention Specialist for the Center for Oklahoma Alcohol & Drug Services, said that although substance abuse of every kind is an issue, targeting underage drinking would do the most good because alcohol is the most easily accessible substance.

“Parents tend to be glad their kids are only drinking,” she said. “Let’s face it, we live in a country that tolerates underage drinking. We live in a state that tolerates it, a county and a city that tolerates it.”

Wilson said many societal problems have their root in substance abuse, much of which begins with teens drinking beer and then moving on to harder substances.

Police Chief Monte James agreed to write the ordinance and get it on the city council agenda for council members to consider.

“It would fill in a gap there is in law enforcement,” he said. “The way the law is now, we have to prove who provided it (alcohol), under a social host ordinance, we don’t. We just have to prove you provided the place to drink.”

Chief James said the need for social host ordinances in Oklahoma came about in part due to a new trend police are seeing in which college students rent a building, buy large quantities of beer and sell tickets to the party.

“They don’t care how old you are. They’re just selling tickets,” he said.

Mustang’s ordinance would be modeled after the social host law Edmond passed in December, making it the first community in the state to pass such legislation. That law, which took affect in January, recently made headlines after a teen’s parents were arrested for allegedly allowing underage drinking in their home during a graduation party for their daughter. In statements to the police, the couple said they didn’t provide the alcohol to minors, but thought they were providing a safe environment for them to drink.

Under Edmond’s social host law, a person convicted of allowing underage drinking on their premises could face a $500 fine and up to 60 days in jail. James said he would not know the specifics of the ordinance he will propose until he confers with the city attorney. Meanwhile, other members of the group said they want to get the word out to residents that such legislation may come to the city. Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson said she would take the issue to the state level and work to get statewide legislation passed, but she cautioned that it would be a tough fight due to powerful lobbies and potential constitutional issues.

“There are very strong lobbies at the state capitol and one of the strongest is the Oklahoma Restaurant Association. Just count the number of restaurants you have in Mustang. They are a very strong lobby and they are interested in protecting their clients,” she said. “I’m always one for taking on a battle.”

Senator Wilcoxson told the group it was important they get the word out locally in order to garner support for the city ordinance.

“This is a campaign and if you really want this, you go door to door and say ‘we want this,’” she said. “You go to the city council meeting and say ‘we want this.’ It cannot happen unless you are involved. We’re talking about a culture change and you cannot have culture change in this room.”

Superintendent Karl Springer agreed that the law has the potential to change the culture of the city and said he would like to see similar change within the entire school district, which covers 70 square miles and includes parts of Yukon and Oklahoma City. He may get his wish as both cities are currently looking at similar laws Wilson said.

“If the social host law is all this group gets accomplished, that will be huge,” said Springer.

2007-06-06T14:30:00.000-05:00

The principal of bullfighting

Stacy Barnes

It’s hard to say what’s scarier, getting run over by a snarling 2,000 pound bull or walking the halls of a school packed with middle schoolers at every turn. But for Andy North, Assistant Principal at Mustang Middle School, it’s just another day. The educator/ bullfighter spends weekends and part of the summer traveling the rodeo circuit, where he routinely puts himself in harm’s way to keep cowboys safe; a job not unlike his day job where he works to ensure his students get their education in a safe environment.

North was introduced to the sport of bullfighting in college, when he befriended a bullfighter and began driving with him to rodeos.

“I always tell people I got started because I was running with the wrong crowd,” he said. “In college, I worked at John Deere and a friend of mine was a bullfighter and a rodeo clown and I went with him for three years before I ever got started.”

When he did get started, North wanted to learn from the best, so he went to Waurika, Okla., and trained at Rex Dunn’s Bullfighting School.

“I was kind of like a duck to water. It fit me,” said North. “I fell in love with it. Everybody will tell you I was hooked from the start.”

But North’s fascination with rodeo began at a much earlier age.

“When I was young, my dad and I used to watch the Mesquite Rodeo on Sunday mornings and every event that came up I’d say, ‘I want to do that,’” said North.

His dad convinced him to pursue other opportunities and North attended college on a baseball scholarship, but injury benched him and before long, he had found something else he loved-rodeo. But not just any event, North loved the excitement and unpredictability of bullfighting.

“I tried to ride bulls in college, but it just didn’t excite me,” he said. “Bullfighting gives me an adrenaline rush I can’t get anywhere else. The first time a bull ran over me I was hooked. A lot of people do different things for stress relief and I just like to get run over.”

When he’s not fighting bulls, North works as a barrel man, both are rodeo clowns, but there is a difference.

“If you say you’re a rodeo clown, people instantly think you’re in a barrel,” he said. “Bullfighters are still clowns. They are there to protect cowboys. When the cowboys throw their hats up and wave to the crowd, what a lot of people aren’t seeing are the bullfighters coming in to pull them (the bulls) away. I’m the comic relief and the train wreck.”

Bullfighting is one of the most dangerous sports in rodeo. The bullfighter’s job is to divert the bull’s attention away from a cowboy who has been bucked off and allow him to get to safety. When asked about injuries, North says he’s been lucky.

“I’ve never been hospitalized,” he said, listing his injuries, which include having his head stepped on, broken ribs, having his ribs separated from his sternum, torn muscles, separated shoulders and concussions.

“Other than that I’ve been really lucky,” said North. “It’s going to happen, if you fight bulls long enough you’re going to get hurt.”

Despite the risk, North says his wife, Traci is his biggest supporter.

“She’s the best thing I got,” he said. “If somebody were to call today and say they needed me in Nebraska, she’d probably pack my bags.”

North, who has a 3-year old son and a 2-month old daughter, says he’ll continue to fight bulls until he doesn’t love it anymore.

“I just can’t give it up,” he said. “Every time I think about quitting, I get emotional about it. It’s part of who I am.”

2007-06-06T14:29:00.000-05:00

Sen. Inhofe visits Mustang
Senator speaks to residents about local and national issues

Brendan Hoover

Due to a last-minute change in his schedule, U.S. Senator James Inhofe visited Mustang Town Center last Wednesday, addressing city officials and residents on subjects of local and national significance and fielding questions from those assembled.

Inhofe began his speech by reassuring the room that he is still considered one of the most conservative members in the Senate.

“I want you to know that I’m still ranked the same way. The American Conservative Union came out with their rankings last week, and for the third consecutive year, I’m ranked number one out of 100,” he said.

Danny Finnerty, Inhofe’s Director of Communications, said the Senator comes back to Oklahoma nearly every weekend and when the Senate is not in session, such as last week, when Congress was on holiday in observance of Memorial Day.

“During the two days that the Senator flew around the state he visited with approximately 500 to 750 people in various locations that included Oklahoma City, El Reno, Mustang, Enid, Tulsa, Lawton and Ardmore,” Finnerty said.

City Manager David Cockrell said the Senator’s visit came on short notice because Mustang was not on Inhofe’s original schedule. After a cancellation, Inhofe’s office called and offered to visit the city, he said.

“We’ve always got a standing invitation for him,” Cockrell said.

Inhofe’s visit came exactly two weeks after the Senate passed the Water Resources Development Act of 2007, which allocated funds for water projects all over the country, including $3.325 million for the city of Mustang to undertake a project that would revitalize Mustang’s 11 water wells along the Garber-Wellington Aquifer and repair a pipeline that carries water to the city.

Cockrell said the project cost would total $5 million, and Mustang would match the remaining $1.7 million to pay for the difference.

Funding for the bill has yet to be approved by the Senate, but Inhofe said the vote should be coming up in the next two weeks, and that even though he is a staunch conservative, he supported the multi-billion dollar spending bill.

“People in the states pay taxes, and you are entitled to get things for your taxes. It’s about using discretion and making sure that these entitlements don’t just grow and grow. The problems I had (as mayor) in Tulsa was not prostitution or crime in the streets, but unfunded mandates that came from the federal government. Well you’ve got those in Mustang, Oklahoma, and we have a moral obligation and now a legal obligation to fund those,” Inhofe said.

During the question and answer period, Mayor Jeff Landrith asked Inhofe how he could convince his colleague, Senator Tom Coburn, to support funding the bill. Coburn was one of four Senators who voted against the bill on May 16.

Inhofe answered that his personal feeling was that people in Washington should not tell the states how to spend federal tax dollars.

Councilman Keith Bryan asked Inhofe if the Senate could relax federal water regulations that he felt were too stringent.

One problem Mustang has encountered with its Garber-Wellington wells is low levels of arsenic in the water. Mustang blends the water with surface water bought from Oklahoma City to bring it within government guidelines.

Inhofe said arsenic is found in water everywhere.

“What people want to do, since arsenic sounds so evil, is to bring the tolerance level down to an unacceptable level in terms of being able to have drinking water. So what we’re trying to do is have cooler heads prevail...Sometimes that something we’re not always winning,” he said.

During his address, Inhofe also spoke on several national issues, including an immigration reform bill that he has added an amendment to which would make English the nation’s official language if passed.

“The immigration problem doesn’t take a rocket scientist to solve. It takes political courage and instinct,” he said.

According to a press release from Inhofe’s office, the amendment stipulates that there would be no entitlement to have federal agencies act, communicate, perform or provide services or materials in any language other than English. The amendment also states that the English version of all federal forms would be the sole authority for legal purposes.

According to the release, a May 2007 Zogby poll showed that 83 percent of all Americans, including 76 percent of Hispanics, favored official English legislation.

On global warming, Inhofe said that increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are due to natural causes, not man-made.

“If we signed onto the Kyoto treaty, and lived by its emissions standards, it would cost $338 billion per year, ten times greater than the largest tax increase in history. That’s $2,700 per family,” he said.

On increasing gas prices, Inhofe said he has introduced a bill designed to ease American’s soaring gas prices and work toward achieving energy security.

“The bill will increase domestic fuel supplies in several significant ways. Importantly, my bill redefines and broadens our understanding of a ‘refinery’ to include a ‘domestic fuels facility.’ Oil has been and will continue to play a major role in the U.S. economy, but the future of our domestic transportation fuels system must also include new sources of energy such as ultra-clean syn-fuels derived from coal and cellulosic ethanol derived from home grown grasses and biomass,” Inhofe said.

On the war in Iraq, Inhofe said that despite claims that the U.S. is losing the war, progress is being made.

“I just came back from my 14th trip to Iraq...What is happening in al-Anbar province is a miracle. It was just a year ago that it was declared to be the terrorist capitol of the middle east, and now it’s almost totally under control...In Baghdad, for the first time in five years, I could go down and walk through the markets,” he said.

As of Monday, according to a Department of Defense causality report, 3,467 U.S. soldiers have been killed since the war began in March 2003.

2007-06-06T14:28:00.000-05:00

Farmers gamble on wheat harvest

Brendan Hoover

What started out as potentially banner year for central Oklahoma hard red winter wheat farmers has turned into a struggle to get the fields harvested and grain in the elevators, an Oklahoma State University agriculture expert said Wednesday.

Canadian County OSU Extension Educator Brad Tipton said that while this year’s wheat harvest will be superior to last year’s drought-devastated crop, too much rain, insect infestation and disease have wreaked havoc on wheat fields across central Oklahoma and the state; and that what he had predicted two months ago to be a bumper wheat crop this year may turn out to be just average.

“We’re going to be lucky to be in there with an average yield. Early on this crop looked excellent, but it’s going backward in a hurry. Memorial Day week is when we traditionally see farmers starting to harvest, but with the condition many of the fields are in right now, I don’t see many getting out there for at least another week. And the farmers don’t get anything banked until the grain gets to the elevator,” Tipton said.

Tipton said after last year’s drought left many wheat fields withered and barren, the rain and snow that fell in late December and January was a welcome sight, because increased soil moisture meant fuller wheat berries. But the torrential rains that incessantly fell on the state this spring has turned into too much of a good thing, he said.

“This wheat crop has been one thing after another. The ironic thing is, last year at this time we were begging for rain, and now we’re begging for it to stop. In the last two years farmers have seen the opposite ends of the spectrum,” Tipton said.

Tipton said that wet, muddy fields have made getting combines out to harvest a very difficult task.

Strawbreaker, a disease caused by fungus in some varieties of wheat, has infected many fields, breaking the stalks that supports the heads, which then falls to the ground and cannot be picked up by combines.

In addition, armyworms have swept into the state to feed on the wheat plants, and the infestation has been particularly heavy this year, he said.

The effect of these problems has led to predictions of wheat yields in the high 30s of bushels per acre not coming to fruition. Tipton said he now expects yields to be about 32-34 bushels per acre, below the United States Department of Agriculture’s 2007 forecasted national average of 43.5 bushels per acre.

Many central Oklahoma farmers have a lot riding on this wheat crop, Tipton said, because they have spent so much money protecting it. Tipton said that many farmers have spent $40-50 per acre on nitrogen fertilizer topdressing, $17 per acre on aerial disease applications, and $11 per acre on aerial insect applications. Rising diesel gas prices have also increased production costs, he said.

“This crop is important because wheat is the second largest source of income for farmers and ranchers and Canadian County,” he said.

Tipton said the best thing that could happen at this point is for the rain to stop.

“We need to dry out and get the harvest going,” he said.

Farmers do have a few things in their favor, Tipton said. Wheat prices are reaching historic highs and still climbing. Wheat futures for July at the Kansas City Board of Trade reached $5.02 per bushel on Wednesday and could rise if early yields in southern Oklahoma are lower than expected, he said.

Many farmers also raise cattle, which are fetching high prices as well, and some farmers also have gas and oil wells on their land to supplement their income, Tipton said.

But at the end of the day, a poor 2007 wheat harvest could put some farmers out of business, he said.

“I don’t know why farmers farm. It might be more fun to go to Vegas. My hat’s off to them,” Tipton said.

2007-06-06T14:27:00.000-05:00

High school band receives Sweepstakes Accent Award

Brendan Hoover

The Mustang High School band has been awarded the Oklahoma Secondary Schools Activities Association’s Sweepstakes Accent Award for the 2006-07 school year.

The award was bestowed upon the MHS band for earning superior ratings at three different OSSAA events this year: the class 5A regional marching contest at Cameron University in Lawton last October; the 5A state instrumental contest at Putnam City North High School on April 12 for both sight reading and concert; and the 5A state jazz band competition at Oklahoma Christian University in Oklahoma City on April 25.

Mustang Band Director Bryan Myers said Thursday that Mustang was one of only five Oklahoma high school bands to receive the prestigious award this year.

“This is something that we’re very excited about. The award distinguishes us as one of the best programs in the state. It took a lot of hard work from every one involved—parents, staff and students,” Myers said.

At the state instrumental contest, the Mustang High School Wind Ensemble was awarded the highest possible rating for its performance of three pieces: “Blue Shades,” by Ticheli; “Down a Country Lane,” by Aaron Copland; and “The Crusader Concert March,” by John Phillip Sousa.

Myers said the band also excelled individually in state competitions. Mustang musicians received over 75 superior medals at the state solo and ensemble competitions at Oklahoma State University on April 18, he said.

Myers said that five MHS band members have received all-state honors for their performances this year: Megan Coatney, for clarinet; Josh Batty, for tuba; percussionists Eddy Streck and Joseph Doubleday, both named all-state jazz band; and first alternate all-state Dillan Francis, for clarinet.

“We had a strong group of seniors that provided leadership to the rest of the students,” Myers said.

Roger Sharp is the director of the MHS jazz band. Myers said Sharp brought the best out of his musicians.

“The Mustang jazz band is always successful,” Myers said.

Myers credited MHS assistant directors Bradley Harrison, Ryan Edgemon and Belinda Watson with helping the band’s success. He also distinguished marching band technicians Greg Mangus for marching, Katie Gray for color guard, and Phillip Sharp for the drumline.

2007-06-06T14:26:00.000-05:00

Happenings @ Town Center
Summer activities in full swing

Desiree Webber , Justin Battles & Gloria Shotwell

Music lovers congregate at the Mustang Senior Center. The Music Makers play country, gospel and bluegrass every Monday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday evenings there is an open Jam Session from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Snacks are provided.) The Gospel Discords meet at the Center every Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to join the Gospel Discords to sing the old gospel hymns. For those who do not want to sing, they are invited to listen or play dominoes, card, etc. The Mustang Good Timers entertain every Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Mustang Good Timers play gospel, country & western and bluegrass music.

The Piece Makers will meet Monday, June 11, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Mustang Senior Center. This group now meets the second Monday of each month in the Arts and Craft Room at the Center from. Everyone is invited to bring his/her own needlework. Treats are served.

Father’s Day Party will be held Friday, June 15, starting at 10:30 a.m. at the Mustang Senior Center. Everyone is encouraged to nominate someone for “Father of the Year” by calling or stopping by the Senior Center to make your nominations. The winner will be announced at the party. For more information regarding Senior Center activities and services, pick up a calendar at the front desk or call 376-1297.

Children are invited to participate in the Summer Reading Program at the Mustang Public Library. Prizes are given for every six books read up to thirty books. Those who read thirty books are invited to the “End of the Summer Reading Program Pool Party” at the Mustang Aquatic Center on Thursday, July 26. Children of all ages may participate. Those who are not able to read on their own may have books read to them. Prizes are as follows: read six books and win a coupon for free tater tots from Sonic and a set of Oklahoma Centennial stickers; read twelve titles and win a finger puppet; read eighteen titles and win Oklahoma Centennial postcards; read twenty-four titles and win a cowboy rubber duck; read thirty titles and win entrance to the pool party on July 26, famous Oklahomans trading cards and a reading certificate.

The Teens-Only Summer Reading Program will feature prizes such as free passes to museums and events around Oklahoma City. The Teens-Only reading program is open to youth ages 12 to 17. Complete a book review form for every book read and be entered for the weekly drawing. For every five books read, participants will win a prize. For more information, call 376-2226 or e-mail Patty Young at pyoung@cityofmustang.org.

The Teen Summer Reading Program at the Mustang Public Library would not be possible without support from the following sponsors: Friends of the Mustang Public Library, Wal-Mart SuperCenter of Mustang, Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment of the Arts, Oklahoma City National Memorial, National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma City Myriad Botanical Gardens, Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, Oklahoma City Blazers, Oklahoma Firefighter Museum, Mustang School District and the City of Mustang. The Library Board of Trustees and library staff thank all of you for encouraging young adults to read and learn.

Music cds are available for check out at the Mustang Public Library. A new CD by Tom Duckett entitled “Oracle Unaware” is an outstanding choice. It is contemporary Christian music and Duckett shines as a composer, songwriter and performer. This CD is highly recommended. The library also owns several CDs by singer, songwriter Monty Harper who will perform for children at the Mustang Public Library on Thursday, June 21, at 2:00 p.m. There is a variety of genres from which to choose: country, rock, jazz, musicals, classical, hip hop, rap, easy listening and Christian.

Lots of sports activities are gearing up at the Mustang Parks and Recreation Center . The Men’s Summer Adult Basketball League will begin play on Wednesday, June 13th. The League still needs at least two more teams. For more information, contact Dennis Qualls at 376-7755.

Men-s and Coed’s National Softball Association D and E “Full Throttle” Softball Tournament will be held Saturday, June 23. The entry fee is $150.00 plus umpire fees. In addition, the Men’s and Coed’s 5th Annual “Swinging for the Fences” 250-foot Tournament will be held Saturday, June 30th. Tournament registration will only be able to take eight men’s teams and six coed teams. Please register soon. For more information, contact Dennis Qualls, Mustang Parks and Recreation, at 376-7755.

The Aerobics Schedule for summer is now available at the Mustang Recreation Center. Classes start at 5:15 in the morning Monday through Friday and run until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. There are a variety of classes from which to choose. Boot Camp is an athletic-based cardio class that is designed to improve total body fitness. Yoga applies Hatha yoga poses for flexibility, balance and coordination. Yogalates is a fusion of yoga and Pilates. All levels are welcome. For more information about days and hours, please pick up a schedule at the front desk or call 376-3411.

The Mustang Aquatic Center is now open with its regular schedule. Hours are Monday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Lap swimming is available Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. along with Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. General admission is $5.00 per day. Seniors are $4.00 per day. However, those living in the Mustang School District pay $3.00 per day. Season passes are available. For more information visit the website at www.cityofmustang.org and click on “Parks and Recreation” and then “Aquatics.”

The Mustang Garden Club will meet Wednesday June l3, at 10am, at the Town Center and will tour local gardens. Visitors are welcome. For information call Della Hand 376-9390 or Judi Burkey 324-8527.

To view the Community Calendar for a listing of programs and events, check the website at www.cityofmustang.org or tune into channel 20.

2007-06-06T14:25:00.000-05:00

Senator Coburn opposes funding of water bill
Bill would give $3.3 million to Mustang for Garber-Wellington project

Brendan Hoover

A spokesman from Sen. Tom Coburn’s office in Washington D.C. said last week that unless some unforeseen changes occur, Coburn would not support funding for the U.S. Senate’s Water Resources Development Act of 2007.

Press Secretary Aaron Cooper said that Coburn feels that the Senate, in passing the WRDA, failed to prioritize how federal money should be spent.

“There are some projects in there that he would consider questionable. If the funding bill follows along the same lines as the WRDA, he would probably not support it,” Cooper said.

A funding bill for the WRDA is expected to come before the Senate in the next two weeks.

Coburn voted against the $31 billion bill when it passed the Senate by a vote of 91-4 on May 16.

The bill includes a $3.325 million provision for the city of Mustang to partially fund a $5 million project to revitalize 11 water wells along the Garber-Wellington Aquifer and to repair a corroded pipeline that carries water to the city.

City Manager David Cockrell said last week if the funding comes through, Mustang would be responsible for an additional $1.7 million in matching funds for the project.

Cooper said that even though he did not support the WRDA, Coburn never categorized the Oklahoma projects on the bill as pork barrel projects.

“He would probably categorize these as being necessary and proper projects. If you ranked the projects on a scale of one to 1000, he thinks the Oklahoma projects would rank fairly high on the list,” Cooper said.

In responding to an editorial published in the Tulsa World on May 15, Coburn said he had two concerns with the bill.

“First, it’s inappropriate for Congress to fund new projects when we have failed to pass a bill that will fund our troops who are in harm’s way. For that reason, I filed as an amendment to the WRDA bill a clean, earmark-free emergency war funding bill. I believe...that Congress should immediately fund our troops.

“Second, this bill is another example of Congress refusing to do what American families do every day, which is to set spending priorities among competing goals and desires. The WRDA contains many important projects and there’s little disagreement for the need to maintain our aging federal infrastructure and to fund critical national flood control priorities. What is in doubt is Congress’ ability to prioritize our infrastructure needs.

“For instance, the WRDA bill now before the Senate allocates almost $29 million to add sand to a San Diego beach and would build a Louisiana visitors center while Hurricane Katrina victims still live in FEMA trailers. Each dollar spent on such lesser priorities is a dollar that can’t be used for other top national priorities,” he said.

Coburn said that spending money to protect Sacramento, Calif. from flood damage was more important than adding sand to Imperial Beach in San Diego.

Coburn also said that the Army Corps of Engineers already faces a backlog of more than 500 projects, or $58 billion, and to add even more to the Corps’ “to do” list without setting priorities is unwise.

Two of Coburn’s amendments to the WRDA were stricken down before the final bill was approved.

2007-06-06T14:23:00.002-05:00

Where are they now?
MHS grad proves it's never too late to follow your dreams

Carol Brimm

Two weeks ago Julie (Bumblis) Nichols graduated from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., twenty years after her Mustang High School graduation. Nichols says education has been very important in her life and she believes it is the secret to any success she has had.

“Obtaining my law degree is the culmination of a dream I’ve had, and believe it or not planned, for 20 years,” Nichols said.

Nichols was a member of the Lady Broncos 1986 State Championship team in her junior year at Mustang but says she had no idea then what she wanted to do with her life after high school graduation.

“After graduation I worked at White Water for the summer and my high school government teacher was my boss. I was on the pick up trash crew and cleaning bathrooms all summer really convinced me to go to college,” Nichols said.

Nichols graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1992 with a BA in English and says she was the first person in her family to earn a college degree. Nichols had worked for several law firms during college and continued to work there for a year after graduation.

“In 1993 I moved to Washington, D.C. because I had lived there as a child and I knew it would have a robust job market,” Nichols said. “It actually had jobs for a girl with an English degree and no plans to teach!"

Nichols hit D.C. in the height of the Internet boom and was picked up by an up and coming Internet firm. She says it was exciting because everything was new and on the cutting edge.

“Many of the issues we tackled had never been addressed before,” Nichols said. “We had to figure out what rights a trademark owner had, if any, to a domain name of the same name. It is all handled very routinely today, but back then the issue had never been addressed. It was an exciting time and I really appreciated the opportunity I had to participate first hand in that communication revolution.”

Soon after moving to D.C., Nichols met her husband Joe. They were married in 1995. Joe holds a B.A. in Mathematical and Philosophical Applications in Economics and a M.S. in Operations Research from George Washington University and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Maryland. He works for the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C.

Nichols returned to school and earned her MBA from George Mason University in 1998. She and Joe were married for eight years before the birth of their first son. David, now 4, was born just three weeks before Nichols entered law school and 18 months ago their second son, Matthew, was born.

Nichols is currently studying for the Bar Exam in Virginia and says she will be joining the firm of Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, and Pittman as a lawyer in the Corporations and Securities Group.

Life in D.C. is much different than that in Mustang but Nichols says she loves it.

“I have stayed because I like the fast pace, diversity and endless recreational and cultural opportunities, as well as other opportunities both professional and personal, the area offers,” she said.

Nichols is the daughter of Fred Bumblis, who works for Mustang Schools, and Cheryl Bumblis, who lives in Washington, D.C and works for the government. Nichols’ sister Tracy was a 1992 Mustang graduate and she lives in the Boston area.

“Mustang is a really nice community to be a part of and I enjoyed my time there, especially playing basketball. I made life long friends on the team and leaned life lessons like teamwork that have helped me throughout my life,” Nichols said.

2007-06-06T14:23:00.001-05:00

Bales wins outstanding child nutrition director of the year

Shannon Rigsby

Tammy Bales, Mustang Public School’s child nutrition director, was named Outstanding Director of the Year for both Oklahoma and the Southwest Region by the School Nutrition Association. Bales will be recognized at the SNA’s national conference in Chicago.

Bales said the award should include the names of people on her staff as well.

“The credit for this award has also got to go to our Child Nutrition staff,” she said. “The managers encourage their employees to become certified. Having a group like this assembled that takes pride in their work and really cares about the kids is what makes us stand out.”

Bales has been with the Child Nutrition Department for 15 years. Her first job was at Mustang Elementary as a hostess, working in the lunch room with the students. A few months later, she was hired as the accounts payable clerk for the Child Nutrition Department. She’s been leading the department for seven years.

Bonnie Lightfoot, deputy superintendent, said Bales has been instrumental in making Mustang Public Schools’ Child Nutrition Department exemplary.

“She has received excellent ratings at the state level for cleanliness and quality product nutrition,” Lightfoot said. “She has also helped develop our Mustang Health and Wellness Policy, which will improve the health of children across the district.”

Since Bales has been the director, they’ve added six breakfast programs around the district. A seventh breakfast program will open in August at Mustang Centennial Elementary. Four years ago, Bales began to analyze the nutritional value of the meals. In the most recent six and four-week cycles, the nutritional values matched the state’s guidelines exactly.

“We have a nutrient standard we’re required to reach,” Bales said. “Until you analyze the menus, you don’t really know where your nutrient values fall. We analyzed K-3, 4-5, the middle schools and then the Mid-High and High School.”

Not only does Bales try to perfectly match the state’s guidelines, she also has to plan meals the students will eat.

“I feel like we did a good job coming up with good menus that the kids will eat that will still meet all of our requirements,” Bales said. “To add in their favorites and create menus that meet the guidelines is what is so difficult.”

Bales and her staff are also slipping in whole grains in inconspicuous places, like breading for chicken nuggets. All bakery goods are made with very little shortening or replaced with applesauce to cut the fat and nothing is fried. Deep fat fryers were removed from the kitchens a few years ago and foods like french fries and chicken nuggets are baked. Turkey products, such as turkey corndogs, have replaced their higher fat predecessors. Low fat desserts such as puddings made with nonfat milk, light cakes and cookies add to the meal appeal.

Mustang Public Schools also boasts some of the cleanest kitchens in town. Foodservice staff in Mustang’s kitchens prepare more than 5000 servings of the menu’s main dish daily, and inspectors from the Oklahoma State Department of Health have given the kitchens superior reviews for years.

Mustang’s kitchens also boast the largest number of certified child nutrition employees. More than 50 are certified through the School Nutrition Association. To earn their certification, these employees completed 30 hours of training in sanitation, food safety and “healthy edge,” a course on healthy cooking and promoting healthy eating.

The Outstanding Director of the Year Award recognizes the exceptional contributions of school foodservice and nutrition directors who manage effective programs that provide healthful, appetizing and nutritious meals to students. School foodservice directors are responsible for all aspects of foodservice operations, including budgeting, staffing, training, marketing, as well as championing the benefits of these programs to students, the education community, and the public. The criteria for selecting the Outstanding Director of the Year include success in program enhancement, staff development, school involvement, Association involvement/promotion, and community involvement.

SNA (www.schoolnutrition.org) is a national, non-profit professional organization representing more than 55,000 members who provide high-quality, low-cost meals to students across the country. The association and its members are dedicated to feeding children safe and nutritious meals. Founded in 1946, SNA is the only association devoted exclusively to protecting and enhancing children’s health and well being through school meals and sound nutrition education.

2007-06-06T14:22:00.000-05:00

Woman's body found

Carol Brimm

A man and woman collecting aluminum cans found the body of a woman in a wooded area near Mustang on Thursday morning, according to Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Paco Balderrama. Police said the partially clad body was found behind a vacant house at 8317 S.W. 59 St. near S.W. 59 and Council Road. According to Balderrama the body appears to be that of a Hispanic or Native American woman in her 40s.

“The body may have been there three to five days and there was no apparent cause of death,” Balderrama said. “We will have to wait for the medical examiner’s report.”

Calls to the medical examiner were not returned.

2007-06-06T14:21:00.000-05:00

Law asks schools to teach kids to be financially savvy

Carol Brimm

In an effort to strengthen young people’s understanding of financial basics, Gov. Brad Henry signed the Passport to Financial Literacy Act on May 31. The bill requires schools to teach students about credit card debt, taxation, savings, investments, bankruptcy and insurance, according to Phil Bacharac of the Governors office.

“Too many young people lack understanding of the simplest personal finances, and that void can have serious repercussions later on in life,” Gov. Henry said.

Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson said the high numbers of bankruptcies in the state of Oklahoma were a major motivating factor in the passage of this legislation because most high school students have a significant amount of debt by the time they graduate and that debt has become substantial by college graduation.

“Many high school students today have up to $3,000 in debt,” Wilcoxson said. “Most pay everything with credit or debit cards and many don’t realize that if they charge a pizza today they will still be paying for it a year later.”

Mustang High School Secondary Curriculum Coordinator, Geoff Kingsley, said he believes the goal of this legislation is to create better citizens.

“We currently have some personal finance concepts embedded in some elective classes and some math classes teach how to calculate interest,” Kingsley said.

“With the passage of this bill, children who are now in fifth grade will be required to demonstrate a mastery of 14 financial concepts by the time they graduate to get a Passport of Financial Literacy stamp on their transcript.”

Wilcoxson said banks were a catalyst for this legislation and she hopes in the future financial institutions will take the initiative to educate people instead of sending two and three pre-approved credit card offers out each day.

“I hope they will take the initiative in the future instead of telling schools and tax payers to educate our youth about credit cards,” Wilcoxson said.

2007-06-06T14:20:00.000-05:00

Council set to approve 2007-08 budget

Brendan Hoover

The Mustang City Council was set to approve its 2007-08 fiscal year budget at last night’s regular meeting.

Approval of the $33.53 million budget was contingent on the outcome of a state mandated public hearing and a subsequent vote of the Council members, both of which took place after press time Tuesday night.

In background information provided to the Council before the meeting, Finance Director Brenda Wright said that approval of the budget includes adopting the annual budget for all funds of the city and the Mustang Improvement Authority, as well as proposed cost of living adjustments for full-time city employees, adjustment of the non-union employee wage scale, and approval of the Council’s strategic plan.

The budget’s general operating fund totaled $16.28 million, including appropriations for the following departments: $176,000 for the Mayor and Council; $481,347 for city staff; $294,355 for the Library; $664,239 for Parks and Recreation; $1.09 million for general government; $227,598 for Town Center; $271,745 for the softball and baseball complexes; $175,825 for the Aquatics Center; $368,885 for Finance; $455,220 for Community Development; $2.08 million for Police; $1.26 for Fire; $147,500 for Streets, $6.78 million for transfers, such as sales tax transfers from one schedule to another; and $1.8 million for contingencies.

The budget also included $209,000 for the general reserve fund; $55,000 for park improvement; $26,180 for the library fund; $402,400 for street improvement; $28,300 for traffic enforcement; $70,512 for health reimbursement; $183,750 for the capital project fund; $927,000 for the 2007 general obligation fund; $300,000 for the debt service fund; $14.87 million for enterprise funds, which includes all funds within the Mustang Improvement Authority, which operates water, sewer and sanitation for the city, including all construction and maintenance; and $179,345 for the internal service fund.

The budget is scheduled to run through June 30, 2008. In accordance with state statute, the budget must be presented to the Council at least 30 days prior to the start of the new fiscal year.

In the resolution presented at the meeting, the Council, by approving the budget, authorizes City Manager David Cockrell to transfer any unexpected and unencumbered appropriations, at any time during the fiscal year, from one department to another within a fund, without further approval by the Council.

The resolution also states that all supplemental appropriations or decrease in the total appropriations of a fund must be adopted at a future meeting of the Council and filed the State Auditor and Inspector.

The Council approved the budget in draft form at two work sessions held at the beginning of May.

2007-06-06T14:19:00.000-05:00

Sports
MHS represents at Jim Thorpe All-Star game
Suburban all-stars capitalize on five Urban turnovers, win game 20-0

Brendan Hoover

OKLAHOMA CITY—The Mustang Broncos were well represented at the 2007 Jim Thorpe All-Star football game Friday night, as MHS graduates David Balensiefen, Logan Clair, Bartees Cox and Cederic Gadson all suited up for the Urban football all-stars.

The game, a contest between some of the Oklahoma City metro’s finest players, began 45 minutes late due to thunderstorms that threatened the area, but in the end, it was the Suburban squad who stole the thunder, defeating the Urban squad on a wet, muddy Taft Stadium field, 20-0.

The Suburban squad got two rushing touchdowns from Tuttle’s Zack Mincey, and one receiving touchdown from Piedmont’s Brock Drumm to account for the team’s scoring.

The Urban squad struggled on offense all night, getting only three first downs, the first not until halfway into the third quarter, and gaining only 69 passing and rushing yards.

The Urban squad coughed up five turnovers in the game. Urban quarterbacks Danje Martin of Douglass and Marques Turner of Crooked Oak threw three interceptions, completing five of 20 passes, and the Urban offense lost two fumbles.

Balensiefen, the second leading receiver in the class 6A in 2006, behind teammate Josh Cooper, said the game was a far cry from what he was used to—the high-powered Mustang offense.

“It was frustrating. Out quarterbacks were a little more inconsistent that what I’ve had in the past. We only had three days to practice, and it was really hard to get started. But it was great. I met a lot of new faces, and made a lot of new friends. It was great fun,” Balensiefen said.

Cox, a receiver who lined up on the opposite side of the field as Balensiefen on many plays, said the game felt slow.

“I’m used to us throwing the ball 70 times a game. I’m used to getting the ball ten times per game. It was way different than Mustang’s offense. But it was fun. Not every one gets to say they played in an all-star game. It all about how you look at it. All these players are good, but today they were better than us,” Cox said.

Cox caught one pass early in the game for a short gain. Balensiefen did not catch a pass in the game, but he was thrown to several times, with questionable accuracy.

Clair started the game at offensive tackle, and performed admirably.

Gadson perhaps made the biggest offensive contribution of the night for the Mustang delegation. Playing from the tailback position, Gadson gained eight yards on four hard-fought rushing attempts, much of the time getting dog-piled by multiple Suburban defenders. His most impressive run came with just under three minutes to go in the first half, when he took the ball off-tackle to the left side, then hurdled a Suburban player before being brought down for a six-yard gain.

The Suburban squad held a 13-0 lead at halftime.

The Urban squad’s best chance to score came in the third quarter, when they drove the ball down to the Suburban’s 10-yard line before turning over the ball on downs.

Mustang head coach Ty Prestidge, who came to show his support for his former players, said they represented Mustang well.

“I think they take pride in representing Mustang and being selected for this honor. We’re real proud of them, and I know they had a good time in practice. That’s what this is, a time to go have fun and represent your school, and I think they were excited about doing that,” he said.

Balensiefen said his summer would be busy, as he is to report to Northeaster Oklahoma A&M for summer workouts this week. Clair will join him in Miami. Cox has signed with Emporia State in Kansas.

2007-06-06T14:18:00.000-05:00

Sports
Boomers split doubleheader in Bartlesville
Mustang goes 2-4 through first six games of season

Brendan Hoover

BARTLESVILLE—Mustang Boomers head coach Shannon Enfield to his team after they split a doubleheader with the Bartlesville Indians on Monday night that they had just completed their “exhibition season.”

“We’ve played three state tournament teams, and Elk City, who is a perennial power. But after six games, I think I something about this team. We’re going to have an excellent pitching rotation. We’ve got a five-man rotation and a closer. Offensively I’m starting to get an idea of where I want to hit guys. I’m really excited about what we should be able to do as a team,” Enfield said.

The Boomers are 2-4 after the first six games of their 2007 American Legion season.

Mustang won the opener against Bartlesville Monday night at Bill Doenges Memorial Stadium, 6-4.

The Indians extracted their revenge in the nightcap, however, run-ruling the Boomers 8-0 in six innings, completed by a two-run walkoff home run in the bottom of the sixth.

In the first game of the night, Mustang compiled six runs on 13 hits and zero errors. Lefty Justin Vincent picked up the victory to go 1-0 on the season. Vincent went five innings, giving up three earned runs in the third inning, six hits and one walk while striking out five.

Southpaw Zac Tidholm pitched the sixth inning and gave up one hit in middle relief, getting work on an off day, Enfield said.

Right-hander Cody Davis got the save for the Boomers, closing the game in the seventh inning.

Davis gave up a solo home run, and then struck the last two batters out.

Offensively, Mustang scored four runs in the second and two runs in the third inning. Catcher Jason West hit his first home run of the season for the Boomers, a solo shot to lead off the top of the third inning. West went 2-4 in the game.

The Boomers also got offensive output from left fielder Alex Webb, who went 3-3 with two doubles and two RBI. Shortstop Brock Feldmann went 3-3 with an RBI, and third baseman Jimmy Gillespie went 2-3 with two RBI.

First baseman Chase Ashley hit a triple in the game.

Enfield said his first three batters went 1-12 in the game, and the last six batters in the order went 12-19.

“We got a lot of production from the bottom of the lineup,” Enfield said.

In the nightcap, the Indians easily handled the Boomers, 8-0 in six innings.

Lefty Ky Recker took the loss for Mustang, going two and two-thirds innings, giving up six runs on five hits, walking two.

Right-hander Stephen Teter came on in relief and pitched the final two and one-third innings, giving up two runs on two hits, including the walkoff homer.

Enfield said that Boomers best offensive chance in the game came in the top of the six, when they loaded the bases. But then the next batter lined into a double play, ending the chance, he said.

Offensively, Ashley went 2-2 in the game, right fielder James Madison also went 2-2, and Webb went 1-2 in the game.

On Sunday, the Boomers dropped its first two home games of the season, a 3-1 decision to the Elk City Travelers and a 10-5 loss to Durant.

The Boomers began their season on Saturday in Midwest City on Saturday, after two postponements. Mustang defeated the Rogers County Rangers 10-1 at Rose State University, and then dropped a 10-5 decision to the Midwest City Outlaws in their second game.
Up next for the Boomers is the Oklahoma Diamond Classic. Mustang begins pool play in the tournament today, facing Duncan at 5:30 p.m. at Edmond Santa Fe High School.

2007-06-06T14:17:00.000-05:00

Sports
MHS grad competes at OGBCA All-State
Kasey Tweed scores three for Large West team in losing effort

Brendan Hoover

WEATHERFORD—Kasey Tweed was determined to make her mark in the Oklahoma Girls Basketball Coaches Association Large School All-State game one way or the other.

The game, one of three played Saturday as part of the OGBCA’s all-state weekend, was a vehicle to showcase the best girls basketball players in the state at the class 5A and 6A level.

In the end, the Large East team defeated the Large West team, 68-58, in front of a sizable crowd at Weatherford High School.

Tweed, the 2007 Mustang High School graduate and starting point guard who led Mustang to a class 6A runner-up finish at the University of Oklahoma in March, took the floor as one of the starting five of the Large West squad, becoming a teammate to players she competed against during her high school career, such as Edmond Santa Fe’s Alex Richardson and Norman’s Kara Vaughan.

Tweed logged 15:20 minutes in the contest, as Large West head coach Matilda Mossman of Norman made many substitutions to get all 10 players court time.

Trying to spark a Large West comeback, Tweed played aggressively in the second half, and ended up fouling out with 2:47 left in the game on a over the back call. Despite the call, Tweed left the floor smiling, and her final line looked like this: three points on 1-4 shooting, all three-point attempts; three rebounds; one steal, one turnover, five fouls, and 0-1 shooting from the free throw line.

Mustang girls basketball head coach Nichole Copeland, who came to watch and support Tweed at the game, said she would miss having a player with the same intensity and passion.

“As I was watching her in the second half, the game got really physical and I watch how she never backed down from anybody, no matter how big or small they are. Her fire and her tenacity is something she plays with and brings to the floor every time, and that’s something we’ll miss. I just enjoyed watching her in a game that was supposed to be fun and she still brought that passion to the floor. That’s something she brought for four years to our program, and hopefully we have some younger kids who have seen that and learned. Every time Kasey steps on the floor she’s playing hard,” Copeland said.

Tweed said the All-State weekend was a fun experience, no matter the outcome of the game.

“It was fun to play with all these girls. It was fun getting to know the other players, because if you play against them, and they foul you, you might not like them. But then you play with them and get to know them, and they’re nice, so it was fun,” she said.

She made her biggest contribution with 28 seconds left in the first quarter, when she banked home a tricky three-pointer from the right corner to tie the score at 14.

Tweed said it might have been a lucky shot.

“I was like, I’m going to throw it over the backboard, and then it went in and I was like ‘oh yeah, I made a basket,’” Tweed said.

At the end of the first quarter, the Large West team had taken a 17-16 lead.

A spirited second quarter saw several lead changes, and the game stood deadlocked at 32 at the half.

Tweed began the third quarter on the bench, and watched as the Large East team surged to a 42-37 lead. Tweed reentered the game with four other subs at 4:06 left in the third. She immediately grabbed a strong defensive rebound on one trip down the court, but then turned the ball over trying to execute a long baseball pass to a teammate.

With 2:27 left in the third, Tweed picked up her first foul. With less than a minute to go in the quarter, Tweed grabbed another rebound and made a steal.

The Large East Team extended their lead to 47-41 at the end of the third quarter.

Tweed began the fourth quarter on the bench, but Mossman put her back into the game with 7:20 remaining. By the time she picked up her third foul with 5:10 to play, the Large East squad had built up an 11-point lead at 57-46. With 4:25 to play, Tweed went down hard trying to take a charge in the Large East backcourt. She was called for a blocking foul on the play, her fourth.

Tweed said the fouls were simply a consequence of playing hard.

“I never like losing, so I still played hard and I wanted to finish out the game. I didn’t think I would foul out, though,” she said.

Tweed said she would spend her summer playing pick up games at her new school, the University of Central Oklahoma, before reporting to the women’s basketball team in the fall.

2007-06-06T14:16:00.000-05:00

Sports
Sports Briefs

Boomers set to play first summer tourney

The Mustang Boomers American Legion baseball team will play in its first tournament of the season, the Oklahoma Diamond Classic, beginning today at Edmond Santa Fe High School.

The Boomers open pool play against Duncan today at 5:30 p.m. and will play Millard West, Neb. at 10 a.m. tomorrow morning.

On Friday, the Boomers take on Salina, Kan. at 5:30 p.m. and then turn around to play host team Santa Fe at 8 p.m.

Depending on the outcome of pool play, Mustang could advance to play in the championship round beginning Saturday.

The announcement of the Oklahoma Diamond Classic tournament games is one of many schedule changes the team has made in the early part of the 2007 season. The Boomers two opening night games with Oklahoma City Brassfield on May 29 were postponed due to rain, and will be made up on Monday, June 11.

A doubleheader with Enid’s AAA and Major teams scheduled for May 30 was also rain out, and will not be made up, Boomers coach Shannon Enfield said.

An away doubleheader with the Elk City Travelers has been moved to the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. The games will be played on Tuesday, July 17 at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Enfield said the Oklahoma RedHawks agreed to host the games as part of an effort by the organization to support amateur baseball in Oklahoma.

MHS summer basketball season opens

The Mustang Broncos summer basketball team opened play last night at Edmond Memorial High School versus McGuinness after press time.

The Broncos are slated to play nine games through June 28, all at Edmond.

The Broncos continue play this week with games scheduled with Calumet on Thursday at 7:10 p.m. and Monday with Deer Creek, both at Edmond High School’s east gym.

Mustang will play Stillwater on Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Edmond’s main gym.

Mustang AAA baseball games scheduled

The Mustang Broncos AAA baseball team has slated five games for this week.

The Broncos were set to play McGuinness at home at 8 p.m. last night after press time.

Mustang has doubleheaders set at Edmond Memorial today at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., and at Norman
North tomorrow at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

The Broncos are then off until Tuesday, June 12, when the team plays a doubleheader at Putnam City West at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.

2007-06-06T14:15:00.000-05:00

Business
Hall of fame cattleman opens steakhouse in country setting
New restaurant in Newcastle outshines big city competitors.

Carol Brimm

Residents of Mustang and the Tri-City area no longer need to drive to Oklahoma City and stand in line like a bunch of cattle to wait for a table in a crowded, noisy restaurant. Brush Creek Steakhouse, just south of Newcastle, serves up mouth-watering steaks, catfish, ribs, chicken, brisket, pork filets, shrimp and lamb fries and Sunday dinners like mom used to make.

Co-Owners and long time Newcastle residents Larrie Moyers and Tom Gilliam say they saw a need for a good steakhouse in the area and decided to open Brush Creek Steakhouse on Gilliam’s 150-acre farm.

“We have a family atmosphere with no alcohol served and no loud music,” Gilliam said. “Customers come out here to the country and forget their worries. This is not a rush, rush place and no one feels hurried. We can seat up to 158 people at a time and we encourage our customers to sit and visit. ”

Gilliam, who was inducted into the Oklahoma Agriculture Hall of Fame in 2005, says the steaks at Brush Creek are hand cut, 35 day aged choice beef and never frozen. As the owner of the Apache Sale Barn and a commission company at the stockyards, Gilliam knows what makes a good steak. He says Brush Creek snagged the best steak chef in the Oklahoma City area and customers Corey Black and his family agree. The Black’s say they eat at Brush Creek Steakhouse every week and sometimes twice a week.

“We like it,” Black said. “The steaks have a great flavor and are cooked just right. The fish is very good too, but the best part is the homemade potato chips. They’re addicting.”

Gilliam said when he and Moyers decided to open the restaurant they looked around for something different for people to “graze on” while waiting for their meal.

“A friend suggested these homemade potato chips and we serve them with a garlic ranch sauce for dipping. People seem to like them,” he said.

In addition to serving the best steaks around, Brush Creek Steakhouse also caters and their 80 ft.. by 120 ft. covered pavilion, just across the creek from the restaurant, is a perfect spot to host family reunions, weddings and receptions.

“We have an old John Deer tractor so we can have hay rides and we’re working with the Department of Agriculture to get ideas for educational opportunities for the kids. We hope to soon have a hay maze and things like that so kids can come out here on field trips.”

Brush Creek Steakhouse is open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thurs. – Sat. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday night is All You Can Eat Catfish and Ribs for only $10.50 per person and customers enjoy the plate dinners offered for Sunday lunch. Brush Creek Steakhouse is located at 1900 S.E. 16 St. in Newcastle, just a mile and a half east of SH 62 south of Newcastle and a short 20 minute drive from Oklahoma City. For more information call 387-2688.

2007-06-06T14:14:00.000-05:00

Business
Business geared up to incubate entrepreneurs

Stacy Barnes

Helping young firms survive and grow during the start up period when they are most vulnerable is the focus of C.O.P.E. Entrepreneurial Center. It is the first business incubator in the Oklahoma City area primarily focused on entrepreneurial professionals.

The incubator began operating in 2003 and according to owner/advisor Daniel Meek, is capable of helping business professionals get the support they need to be successful.

“We offer a number of services to enhance the development of small businesses, “he said.

“These services include hands-on management assistance, access to legal and accounting advice, networking opportunities and many more.”

The government-certified business incubator is unique in that it seeks to help small business professionals, such as accountants, attorneys, investment advisors, insurance agents, mortgage brokers and others get a solid start. Other incubators in Oklahoma provide services mainly for manufacturing or technology businesses. The C.O.P.E. acronym stands for Consulting, Organizing, Planning and Effecting.

Tenants are state income tax exempt for up to ten years and can further benefit from shared office services, including, conference rooms, copier, fax and high-speed Internet.

“Tall trees don’t grow in the desert by themselves, they grow together in the forest where the environment is conducive for growth,’ said Meek. “Just like the forest increases the chances of a tree’s survival, a business incubator helps to increase the chances of a small business’s survival and success.”

A study conducted by the University of Michigan shows 87 percent of incubator graduates stay in business and that the average incubated business grew 400 percent during the time the firm was housed in an incubator.

Meek says success comes from modeling after other thriving business owners.

“If you are going to be a successful leader, you need to be around good leaders,” he said. “You are who you associate with.”

C.O.P.E. Entrepreneurial Center has office space currently available up to 3500 square feet. They are located at 8101 NW 10 NW 10th Street. To find out more, call (405) 495-0100 or visit www.myincubator.com.

2007-06-06T14:13:00.000-05:00

Business
Highland Pointe to give free rent for a year

Brendan Hoover

Discovering a new home could mean free rent for a year this Saturday for one lucky person or family.

Highland Pointe Apartments has announced its “Come Live Free with the Best” promotion, scheduled for June 9 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Highland Pointe clubhouse, located at 500 Point Parkway Blvd. in Yukon, just east of the intersection at Reno Ave. and Mustang Rd.

Property Manager Lyndsey Miller said Monday that anyone who signs or renews a lease during the promotion will be eligible to win free rent for a year. New residents must move into their new apartment by July 10, when the drawing for the free year’s rent will be held, Miller said.

The prize will be awarded to one lessee who signs a new lease or renewal on June 9 only, Miller said. The prize will be good for any of Highland Pointe’s luxurious one, two or three bedroom apartments, she said.

“It’s going to be fun for everybody. You don’t want to miss out on this spectacular event,” Miller said.

In addition to the enticing prize, Highland Pointe’s “Come Live Free with the Best” promotion will feature free burgers, hot dogs, soft drinks, cotton candy and snow cones for residents and anyone who comes out to tour the model apartment or the lush grounds, Miller said.

Maple Street Day Spa, a local business, will be on hand to give free massages in the clubhouse, and residents and newcomers alike can take advantage of free onsite car washes that will be offered during the event, Miller said.

A live DJ will be spinning summer tunes at the event, and a local Mustang club will be displaying classic and new Mustangs, Miller said.

For children, a magician will be performing, a scavenger hunt and games will be held and a moonbounce will be available, she said.

But Miller said the real attraction is Highland Pointe’s opulent living spaces, spacious floor plans and well-appointed amenities.

“At Highland Pointe we’re all about making our residents happy. The residents love it here. Many of them come in and hang out with the staff in the clubhouse,” she said.

Floor plans range from 678 to 1,078 square feet, Miller said. Amenities include: a resort-style swimming pool; limited gate access at night; a 24-hour fitness center; a business center, with free computer, Internet and copier access; a free DVD/VHS library, with new movies added each month; free security alarm with each apartment; excellent location in the Mustang School District; free gourmet coffee and cappuccino in the clubhouse, concierge service, free car wash facilities; and more, Miller said.

Miller said her friendly staff looks forward to seeing everyone this Saturday.

2007-05-30T11:55:00.000-05:00

Gas prices gouge city & school budgets
High fuel costs causing some to look at budget adjustments

Carol Brimm

Recent record high gas prices have impacted city and school budgets with increased costs to operate essential services. According to Mustang School District Finance Director, Kay Metcalf, Mustang Schools spent $7,700 on fuel for school buses in a recent two week period. Metcalf said she expects the district to hit $250,000 in fuel cost this year versus a cost of $158,000 two years ago.

“Last year we spent $232,000 for fuel, this year we will probably hit $250,000. Next year fuel costs could reach $277,000 if prices remain this way ongoing,” Metcalf said. “Our transportation department is having to pray no transmissions or anything goes out on the buses.”

Metcalf said the district will need to determine if the new school and recent redistricting will result in buses driving less or more miles next year. She said fuel costs make a direct hit on operating funds.

“Increase in fuel costs has been horrific,” said Karl Springer, Mustang School District Superintendent. “We have re-evaluated because expenditures in buses will take a greater portion of our budget. Fuel costs have increased more than 50 percent over the last five years but we haven’t been given any additional money from the state.”

Mustang Police Captain Willard James and Mustang Fire Department Captain Dylan Ross said their departments are doing what they can to conserve fuel and reduce costs. James said Mustang officers have been actively working to conserve fuel for a couple of years and are therefore already acclimated to not running the air conditioners and heaters in parked vehicles and combining trips when possible to reduce fuel consumption.

City Manager David Cockrell said although gas prices are higher than expected they had included contingency funds in the original budget to offset any unexpected increases.

"We budgeted for higher than normal prices, but not these types of prices," he said, "but we budgeted a contingency just in case we missed it."

Ross said the Fire Department also tries to combine uses for trips that are non-emergency but said the department will not cut back on training or individual response calls.

“We have to get the job done no matter what it costs,” Ross said. “We have probably tightened up a little bit and most everybody is having to stretch things a little farther but we won’t cut back on essential services. We love our citizens and that’s why we do our jobs.”

2007-05-30T11:54:00.000-05:00

Legislature puts teacher pay raise in district's hands
State switches gears, backs off mandatory $3,000 teacher pay raise

Carol Brimm

In an air of bipartisanship the Oklahoma Legislature amended their earlier plan to mandate an across the board $3000 pay increase for Oklahoma teachers and passed a budget Thursday which included pay raises to be calculated through the state formula. According to Mustang School District Finance Director Kay Metcalf, putting the raises through the formula allows local control and gives local districts the ability to negotiate raises to keep quality staff.

The state was unable to fully fund the previously mandated $3,000 raise and all associated costs because lottery funds did not meet projections. If the legislature had continued to mandate the $3,000 raise many local districts would have been hard pressed to find the funds necessary to meet the associated costs, according to area Superintendents. Mustang School District Superintendent Karl Springer said the legislature’s decision to put the raises through the state formula looks favorable but the district will have a better idea of the effect on Mustang’s budget when state aide is received in mid July.

“I appreciate the work of Senator Ron Justice, Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson and Representative Colby Schwartz. We had a good dialogue. The legislature did a good job of pulling this out of the fire. It was a bipartisanship effort in the Senate and I’m encouraged,” Springer said.

Springer said the district will need an estimated $640,000 to $680,000 to cover increased costs and he “guesstimates” the district will receive $639,000 from the state. Metcalf said based on information received last week it appears teachers across the state will receive $600 to $2,000 raises depending upon level of education and experience. The raises reaffirm the legislature’s commitment to Gov. Henry’s five-year plan to raise teachers’ salaries to the regional average, according to a recent press release from Gov. Henry. Springer said Mustang’s teacher salaries already meet or exceed that average.

“I don’t think anyone should be unhappy with this. From our point of view it works much better for us to make those decisions for our schools,” Metcalf said.

On Thursday, the U.S. Census Bureau released statistics showing Oklahoma’s per-student education funding ranks 47th in the country. Oklahoma spends $6,613 per-student compared to the national average of $8,701.

2007-05-30T11:53:00.000-05:00

Local man remembers WWII

Carol Brimm

When Lloyd Walker first tried to join the Navy in 1942 they told him he was too short. A few months later, in Feb. 1943 he got permission to join and left his hometown of Cement, Okla. for basic training in Chicago, Ill. He returned to Cement just in time to walk across the stage in his sailor’s suit at his high school graduation.

Walker, who moved to Mustang in 1970, says the Navy sent him to serve on the USS Wyoming in the Chesapeake Bay before sending him overseas on a destroyer, the USS Healy. Just before he boarded the Healy, Walker learned that his older brother, who was in the Air Force, had been shot down over Belgium.

Walker was in communications on the Healy. As a radar man his job was to track planes, submarines and sonic sounds. The USS Healy served in the Pacific during the war and Walker said the ship passed through the Panama Canal on its way to San Francisco and Hawaii before joining the Pacific Fleet under Admiral Bull Halsey.

Walker was on the USS Healy as it protected the carriers Enterprise and Yorktown during attacks on Kwajalein, Formosa, Camranh Bay, Saigon, Hong Kong, and Hainan, Truk, the Palaue Islands, Yap, Ulithi, Woleai, New Guinea, Saipan, Tinian, Okinawa, Guam and Iwo Jima. Walker said in all the battles, the Healy never got hit even when they were protecting the battleships bombing Iwo Jima. Walker said they bombed the Island for four or five days and every 5th round they shot a flare which lit up the sky so the soldiers could see. The USS Healy was also part of the biggest carrier battle of the war near the Marianas Islands and Walker said after that battle his ship helped rescue both American and Japanese pilots from the water.

“The Japanese pilots were even shorter than me,” Walker laughed.

According to www.hazegray.org, the USS Healy rode out a terrible typhoon in Dec. 1943 that sunk the destroyers Hull, Monaghan and Spence. Walker said for him the storms were the most frightening part of the war. At times, Walker said, the Healy was completely underwater. After the storm, the Healy searched for survivors from the lost ships. The Healy arrived in Guam on Aug. 11, 1945 and was sailing to battle in the western Pacific when they heard the news that the war was over.

“I was ready to come home,” Walker said. “I was proud I was able to serve but I was tired.”

Walker said he was hospitalized and then discharged with combat fatigue at the end of the war. He went home to Cement and promptly married his high school sweetheart, Mary Lou Buchanan. She died a year later from Leukemia and in 1948 Walker married his wife Jo. On June 10, 2007 they will celebrate their 59th wedding anniversary. Walker and his wife Jo have four children, eight grand children and two great-grandchildren. Walker was employed with Halliburton for 30 years before he retired in 1980.

2007-05-30T11:52:00.000-05:00

Auditorium repairs approved for MHS

Stacy Barnes

Mustang School Board members approved a little more than $140,000 in repairs for the high school auditorium during a May board meeting. Items on the list to be replaced or repaired are the stage curtain and rigging at a cost of $31, 995 and extensive roof work which will be done by All Seasons of Mustang. All Seasons was the low bidder at $108,200 for the job, which will include a total tear off and repair of a portion of the building’s roof, said district construction and bonds director, Jim Burkey.

Additional improvements to the building have been discussed and are being considered, Burkey said. Some of the auditorium chairs are missing seats and many are missing the armrests, leaving bare painted metal dividers. Burkey said one problem with the repairing the dilapidated seats is finding the replacement parts that are necessary.

“I know it sounds like a small thing, but the seat widths have changed,” he said, “they’ve gotten wider to accommodate our growing population.”

Thirty-seven years ago when the auditorium was originally built, Burkey said he believed the standard width of a seat was 18 inches. Today seats are typically 20-22 inches and won’t fit the chairs already in place, driving up the cost of repairs.

Burkey said some work had already been done on things people using the building may not notice.

“We’ve done electrical work, re-worked the bathrooms and are doing some air conditioning work,” he said. “That building was state of the art thirty-seven years ago but it’s getting difficult to find parts. We’re doing maintenance but a lot of it is things people won’t notice until say it’s hot in there because the air conditioning won’t work.”

Because the building is used by all ten schools throughout the district as well as churches and organizations within the community, both Burkey and Mustang High School Principal Terry Tipton said the building sees extensive use, causing rapid wear and tear.

Tipton said he has talked with teachers who use the auditorium on a regular basis and has gotten some ideas of things they would like to do.

“There are things we will be working on,” he said.

2007-05-30T11:51:00.000-05:00

U.S. Senate approves millions for city
Bill's passage could mean money for city water improvements

Brendan Hoover

The United States Senate recently passed a comprehensive water resources bill that includes more than $3 million in provisions for the city of Mustang to make improvements to its water systems.

Sen. James Inhofe, Ranking Member of the Environment & Public Works Committee, praised the passage of the Water Resources Development Act, which sailed through the Senate by a 91-4 vote on May 16. According to a press release issued by his office, Inhofe cited the bill, which includes several critical provisions for the state, as one of his top priorities.

“In passing the WRDA, the Senate took a significant step forward in improving our nation’s water resource needs. The WRDA bill provides Oklahoma with numerous project authorizations and policy improvements that are vital to the state and nation’s economy, public safety and environment,” Inhofe said.

Included in the WRDA is $3.325 million for Mustang, to be used for water improvements and water related infrastructure.

Mustang was one of 18 Oklahoma cities that could benefit from the bill’s passing. While the allocation of funds for projects around the state and nation has been approved, the funding itself must be approved by another bill, which has not yet been undertaken.

City Manager David Cockrell said last week that the money would be used to revitalize wells in the Garber-Wellington Aquifer and to repair a section of pipeline that carries water.

Cockrell said that Inhofe asked his staff to submit a list of projects that could be considered for funding while the bill was in its preliminary stages. After a series of meetings with Inhofe’s aides, some of the city’s proposals were accepted.

The city also tried to obtain funding for improvements to Mustang’s wastewater treatment plant, but the approved funds only cover water-related needs, Cockrell said.

Cockrell said the city actively pursues grants and gifts to relieve taxpayers of some of the burden of making improvements. The improvements city staff is looking at currently will cost about $5 million, so the city still will have to come up with about $2 million on its own, he said.

The timeline of any city projects are undetermined at this time, contingent on approval of the WRDA funds, he said.

Mustang receives part of its water supply from the underground Garber-Wellington Aquifer, a 280-million-year-old geological unit that was formed by ancient river systems. The aquifer covers parts of nine central Oklahoma counties, and is accessed by drilling wells at various sites.

Due to governmental regulations on the acceptable levels of arsenic found in water taken from the aquifer, Mustang supplements its water supply with surface water from Oklahoma City , at a price.

And while the WRDA will not deliver Mustang to independence from Oklahoma City water, the funds will protect the city’s investment in the well field, Cockrell said.

The city, as a member of the Central Oklahoma Water Resources Authority, is actively seeking alternative water sources, including buying water from Sardis Lake in southeastern Oklahoma, Cockrell said.

Mustang is also considering exploring arsenic-free regions within the Garber-Wellington, east of the city's existing 11 wells, Cockrell said.

The WRDA also provided $6.5 million to update the Oklahoma Comprehensive Water Plan, the state’s long-term water plan.

Duane Smith, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Water Resources Board, called the bill one of the most comprehensive pieces of water legislation ever passed.

“Specifically for Oklahoma, it provides funds for the statewide Comprehensive Plan as well as several vital water projects that have been on hold for some time,” Smith said last week.

2007-05-30T11:50:00.000-05:00

Major retailer expected to ask city for incentives

Stacy Barnes

City officials said Tuesday they are expecting a major retailer to ask Mustang for an incentives package to open a location in the city.

"The City of Mustang anticipates getting a proposition from a major retailer involving a request for incentives and other negotiations with the city," said Mayor Jeff Landrith.

Mayor Landrith said he would support offering incentives to a business only if the city was bringing in more money than it was paying out to the retailer.

"In no way would the city ever pay more money out than we're getting back," he said.

Municipalities routinely offer incentives to attract retailers to open within their city limits. Five years ago Oklahoma City agreed to spend $17.2 million to build Bass Pro a store in Bricktown.

While Landrith said he did not know what, if any, incentives the city would agree to, he did say he expected to see a proposition on an upcoming Council agenda.

"There is the potential that we could see it on the City Council agenda within the next meeting or two," he said.

"If any incentives are discussed it would require that they (the retailer) reach certain benchmarks before we would pay any money."

The mayor went on to say he will support the city's effort to attract retailers to the area.

"If we have a location in Mustang that is not generating any income and we can find a way to make it generate income, then I think the Council would be in favor of doing that," he said.

2007-05-30T11:49:00.000-05:00

Minister retires after 25 years

Carol Brimm

Minister Robert Gregg will mark his 25th anniversary with Lakehoma Church of Christ by preaching his last sermon as a full time minister on Sunday, June 2. Gregg will remain at the church as Associate Minister after his retirement. He says he is most proud of the unity in the church and credits the strength of the church Elders whom he describes as “shepherd- hearted men”.

Gregg became minister of the Lakehoma Church of Christ on the first Sunday in June 1982. He and wife Carolyn are both originally from Texas but Gregg says they “got to Oklahoma as soon as they could.”

During his term as minister at Lakehoma Gregg says the church has had three building programs adding a Fellowship Hall in 1988, a 650-seat auditorium in 1996 and a two-story education building in 2004. The Church provides space for a twice a week Day School for pre-school age children and has recently begun “Life Group” meetings in members homes on Sunday evenings to integrate programs for the “younger” generation.

“This church is a little bit of heaven on earth,” Gregg said. “It’s a wonderful, sweet church.”

According to Gregg, he intended to be a rich vet when he graduated high school in 1950 but he dropped out of New Mexico A&M in the middle of his first semester to join the Air Force during the Korean War. An incident that occurred during his service in the military changed the course of his life.

“We were in Okinawa and one day as we drove through a huge burial ground I saw all the idolatry. It really affected me. A bunch of us decided to minister to the locals and soon I was the only one left doing it. I preached my first sermon on the second Sunday in Feb. 1952 and I’ve been preaching ever since. I felt compelled by the need of the Gospel around the world,” Gregg said.

When Gregg returned from the Korean War he was stationed at Lake Charles, La where he met his future wife, Carolyn, at a church service.

“She was looking for a preacher to marry and I was looking for a Christian wife,” Gregg said. “She is the motivation and strength of my life and without her I’m nothing. She is a gift from God.”

Over the course of his 55-year career, Gregg ministered to six churches in Illinois, Texas and Oklahoma and held evangelistic meetings around the world. He preached in Turkey, Japan, and the French Morocco and started a church in Casa Blanca. He has been an Adjunct Professor of the Bible at Oklahoma Christian University for 16 years and is deeply involved in a Camp Lu-Jo Kismif, which he says means “keep it spiritual, make it simple.”

Gregg holds a degree in Bible from Harding University and a Masters from Pepperdine University. He says he had begun a doctoral program when his family grew and he needed to make a choice between a doctorate and spending time with his grandchildren – the grandchildren won hands down.

Gregg and wife Carolyn have four children, 10 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

“We have wonderful children,” Gregg said, “and our grandchildren are our reason for living. Family is very important to us.”

2007-05-30T11:48:00.000-05:00

Happenings @ Town Center
Summer activities set to begin in June

Desiree Webber, Justin Battles & Gloria Shotwell

Summer camp registration is now underway. Session 1 of Summer Camp will begin on June 11th. Camp is open Monday - Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Participants will enjoy weekly field trips, swimming, games and crafts. For more information call Dee at 376-3411.

Sign up for the Mustang Aquatic Recreation Swim Team. Practice sessions start Monday, June 4th, with meets each week around the metro area. The Swim Team is open to youth ages 6 to 15 and the registration fee is only $25.00. New swimmers are welcome. Call Jean for more information or check out “Aquatics” on the City of Mustang website.

The Aerobics Schedule for summer is now available at the Mustang Recreation Center. Classes start at 5:15 in the morning Monday through Friday and run until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. There are a variety of classes from which to choose. Boot Camp is an athletic-based cardio class that is designed to improve total body fitness. Yoga applies Hatha yoga poses for flexibility, balance and coordination. Yogalates is a fusion of yoga and Pilates. All levels are welcome. For more information about days and hours, please pick up a schedule at the front desk or call 376-3411.

The Mustang Aquatic Center opens Monday, June 4, with its regular schedule. Hours are Monday through Saturday 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sundays 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Lap swimming is available Mondays and Wednesdays at 6:00 p.m. along with Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. General admission is $5.00 per day. Seniors are $4.00 per day. However, those living in the Mustang School District pay $3.00 per day. Season passes are available. For more information visit the website at www.cityofmustang.org and click on “Parks and Recreation” and then “Aquatics.”

The Mustang Senior Center will host its monthly Birthday and Anniversary Dinner on Saturday, June 2. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. with a covered dish dinner at 6:00 p.m. The Senior Supporters will provide fried chicken for the main course. At 7:00 p.m. the Tune Twisters will entertain attendees for the rest of the evening. Everyone is invited to attend.

Music lovers congregate at the Mustang Senior Center. The Music Makers play country, gospel and bluegrass every Monday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday evenings there is an open Jam Session from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Snacks are provided.) The Gospel Discords meet at the Center every Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to join the Gospel Discords to sing the old gospel hymns. For those who do not want to sing, they are invited to listen or play dominoes, card, etc. The Mustang Good Timers entertain every Thursday morning from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The Mustang Good Timers play gospel, country & western and bluegrass music.

The Piece Makers will meet Monday, June 11, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Mustang Senior Center. This group now meets the second Monday of each month in the Arts and Craft Room at the Center from. Everyone is invited to bring his/her own needlework. Treats are served. For more information regarding Senior Center activities and services, pick up a calendar at the front desk or call 376-1297.

Children are invited to participate in the Summer Reading Program at the Mustang Public Library. Prizes are given for every six books read up to thirty books. Those who read thirty books are invited to the “End of the Summer Reading Program Pool Party” at the Mustang Aquatic Center on Thursday, July 26. Children of all ages may participate. Those who are not able to read on their own may have books read to them. Prizes are as follows: read six books and win a coupon for free tater tots from Sonic and a set of Oklahoma Centennial stickers; read twelve titles and win a finger puppet; read eighteen titles and win Oklahoma Centennial postcards; read twenty-four titles and win a cowboy rubber duck; read thirty titles and win entrance to the pool party on July 26, famous Oklahomans trading cards and a reading certificate.

The Teens-Only Summer Reading Program will feature prizes such as free passes to museums and events around Oklahoma City. The Teens-Only reading program is open to youth ages 12 to 17. Complete a book review form for every book read and be entered for the weekly drawing. For every five books read, participants will win a prize. For more information, call 376-2226 or e-mail Patty Young at pyoung@cityofmustang.org.

The Summer Reading Program at the Mustang Public Library would not be possible without support from the following sponsors: Friends of the Mustang Public Library, Mustang Positive Posse, Sonic, Wal-Mart SuperCenter of Mustang, Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment of the Arts, Mustang Parks and Recreation, Mustang School District and the City of Mustang. The Library Board of Trustees and library staff thank all of you for encouraging young people to read and learn.

To view the Community Calendar for a listing of programs and events, check the website at www.cityofmustang.org or tune into channel 20.

2007-05-30T11:47:00.000-05:00

Sports
Scholarship winners exemplify MHS
MHS sends off 32 scholarship winners

Brendan Hoover

The 2006-07 school year was a bountiful one for Mustang High School athletes. As of last week, 32 Bronco and Lady Bronco student-athletes had signed national letters of intent or been invited to play college athletics.

Athletes from eight different sports have earned the opportunity to showcase their talents at the next level, while at the same time continuing their education.

The only trouble is, when you have that many scholarship winners, with different class schedules and varying degrees of senioritis, it’s hard to get them all in one place for a photo.

That was the challenge Mustang Athletic Director Mike Clark faced last week, getting all of his student-athletes together for a photo opportunity on the 50-yard-line of Bronco Field. This first-time collection of Mustang’s overachieving athletes was nearly an unqualified success, as all but a few came out in full uniform to be arranged and rearranged while the Bronco underclassmen football players waited in the north end zone to start the day’s spring practice.

Clark, who is completing his first full year as Mustang Schools AD, said he liked the idea of having all the scholarship winners come together.

“This is a tradition I’ve seen at other schools, and it’s something our younger kids can look at,” he said.

Watching the seniors fill the large ‘M’ at midfield, Clark said the gathering speaks volumes about Mustang athletics.

“There’s a number of people watching the great things our coaches and staff are doing, and these kids have worked hard. We’re really excited about what this offers for our young student-athletes. I think when some of the younger kids, whether they’re in high school or middle school, when they see the number of kids we’re sending out to further their athletic careers, it kind of envisions a reality to them. They know these kids, they come to watch them play, and it’s a little easier to see themselves in this things,” he said.

And while the athletes dressed in the uniform of the sport in which they signed to play, Clark pointed out that many of them excelled in more than one sport.

“What’s interesting is we have a lot of kids here who are multi-sports athletes. And that’s some that college coaches encourage. Sometimes I think we accent one sport too much, but we’re fortunate that not only are these kids good students, but they’re good athletes. So the combination is good because they are more prepared to enter the business world when they can balance not only their athletics but their academics as well,” he said.

And on top of their excellence in the classroom and on the field, the seniors have also displayed good character, Clark said.

“My role is limited in the involvement with these kids, but when you visit with the coaches and you get to watch them, these kids are out here for Relay for Life and they’re raising money for cancer and doing some things they don’t have to be. They’re just good kids,” he said.

The bounty of scholarship winners began last fall, when softball player Julie Lofland signed with the University of Maryland. Lady Broncos Jordan and Jessica Noblitt, and Kelsey Newby then signed with Rose State College in Midwest City, and Christina Wilson signed with the University of Arts and Science of Oklahoma in Chickasha.

Cross country and track star Kevin Schwab signed to run at the University of Oklahoma.

The Bronco football team had the most scholarship winners of any MHS sport, with eight. Signing were: Josh Cooper, with Oklahoma State University; Rigel Baker and Logan Clair, with Panhandle State University in Goodwell; David Balenseifen, with Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College in Miami; Bartese Cox, with Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas; and Tyler Stitt and Chad Hayes, with McPherson College in McPherson, Kan.

Cedric Jones has been invited to OSU’s pre-season camps, Clark said.

For the Lady Broncos volleyball team, Abbey Elizardo and Courtney Bridges signed with Redlands Community College in El Reno.

For the Lady Broncos basketball team, Kasey Tweed signed with University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

The scholarship streak continued in the spring when four Bronco baseball players signed letters of intent. Brock Feldmann and Zac Tidholm signed with Conners State College in Warner; Chase Ashley signed with Rose State College, and James Madison signed with Northern Oklahoma College in Enid.

The Broncos boys soccer team had six players sign, including: Cameron Doom, with Southern Nazarene University in Bethany; Andrew Blue and Joshua Yax, with St Gregory’s University in Shawnee; Kent Sloan, with MidAmerica Nazarene University in Olathe, Kan.; Chris Skillern with Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City; and Kevin Brassfield, with Northern Oklahoma College in Tonkawa.

The Lady Broncos girls soccer team had five players sign, including: Morgan Boling and Carley Murray, with UCO; Aly Murray, with the University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Ark.; Erin Kavanagh, with Friends University in Wichita, Kan.; and Ashton Glover with Oklahoma City University.

2007-05-30T11:46:00.000-05:00

Sports
Broncos snag two all-state spots
Zac Tidholm, Brock Feldmann selected for OCA Large West team

Brendan Hoover

Mustang High School seniors Brock Feldmann and Zac Tidholm have been named to the Southwest Orthopedic Specialists Oklahoma Coaches Association All-State Baseball team.

Feldmann and Tidholm will join the Large West team when they take on the Large East team at the OCA all-state games July 23 at 7 p.m. at the AT&T Bricktown Ballpark in Oklahoma City. Joe Johnson of Altus will be the head coach for the team.

The Mustang Broncos went 23-11 on the 2007 season, losing in the championship game of the regionals to eventual class 6A finalist Edmond Memorial.

Feldmann, the team’s starting shortstop, played all 34 games for the Broncos, going 41-111 at the plate to hit .369 with a .486 slugging percentage. His on-base percentage was .462 and he stole 12 bases.

On the season, Feldmann hit one home run, one triple, eight doubles, and collected 25 RBI. He walked 16 times while striking out only nine times.

Tidholm, one of three pitcher’s on the Large West team, went 10-2 on the season, with an ERA of 1.71 over 73.2 innings pitched. The lefty struck out 96 batters for the year while walking only 31. Tidholm gave up 39 hits, including eight doubles and two home runs.

Tidholm pitched a no-hitter on April 2, as the Broncos defeated bedlam rival Yukon 8-0.

Both Feldmann and Tidholm played in the Oklahoma City Area Baseball Coaches Association’s All-Star games last week. The OKC squad dropped two games to the Tulsa All-Star Team, 9-8 and 10-1.

Feldmann and Tidholm have also both signed letters of intent to play baseball for Conners State College in Warner, Okla. next spring.

Joining Feldmann and Tidholm on the Large West team are: fellow Mustang Boomer Doug Carel, of Tuttle; Carl Albert’s Chad Carman and Dustin Edwards; Hobart’s Jon Gelnar; Edmond Memorial’s Steve Carlin and John Bryant; Midwest City’s Andrew Thigpen; Norman North’s Blake Bugg and Brandon Smith; Tommie Johnson of U.S. Grant; Weatherford’s Kory Selmon; and Choctaw’s Paul Edwards.

2007-05-30T11:45:00.000-05:00

Sports
Broncos to hold baseball camp

Brendan Hoover

The Mustang Broncos baseball camp will be held June 18-20 at the Mustang High School baseball field, head coach Tony Evans said last week.

Conducted by the MHS baseball coaching staff, the camp will be a good opportunity for players ages 7-14 to learn baseball the Bronco way, using the same drills and techniques as the Broncos, Evans said.

The comprehensive camp will cover basic baseball skills, including: throwing fundamentals, fielding techniques, pitching mechanics, and hitting principals.

The cost of the camp is $60 per player, and includes a custom T-shirt. The schedule for the camp is Monday through Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to noon. A break will be provided each morning at about 10:30 a.m. for all campers, Evans said.

The park concession stand will also be open to offer refreshments, Evans said.

Awards will be given away at the camp, including Camp MVP and the Charlie Hustle Award, Evans said.

Campers can register by mail by sending the registration fee and the following camper information to Coach Tony Evans, 10112 Paisley Road, Yukon, OK 73099: name, address, home phone, emergency phone, parents’ names, birthday, upcoming school grade, name of school, positions played, and T-shirt size (S, M, L, XL, XXL).

Make checks payable to: Mustang Baseball Camp.

Late registration begins at 8 a.m. on June 18 at the MHS baseball field.

For more information contact Coach Evans at 245-3538.

2007-05-30T11:44:00.000-05:00

Business
Gibson named to Hall of Fame
Councilman fondly recalls years of public service

Brendan Hoover

Scott Gibson said his family drove him into public service.

An Oral Roberts University graduate, Gibson lived and worked all over the middle part of the country— Albuquerque , N.M. ; El Paso , Texas ; Fargo , N.D. He met his wife of 24 years, Linda, in Fargo, and the couple moved to Mustang in 1988.

Gibson took a job with Hoidale, a petroleum equipment distributor. Today he has worked for the company for 20 years, currently as a sales executive.

But it was after the birth of his daughter in 1989 that he said he was drawn to a higher calling. Gibson has two children—first-born Teeley and son Brandt.

“I’m a kid of the 1960s. I was a student leader, but I was more of a talker. When you’re growing up, you love your family. Then you get married, and it’s a different love. And then you have children. After my daughter was born, I decided to get off the bench and do something, so I talked to then city manager Huey Long and Mayor Richard Riley, and I ended up getting appointed to the Mustang Planning Commission. Mustang was just blossoming back then. I really believe it was God’s will,” Gibson said Friday in an interview with the Times.

And so started a career for Gibson in city government that has spanned parts of three decades.

The Ward III Councilman was honored for his service last week when he was named to the Mustang Hall of Fame at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual banquet. City Manager David Cockrell introduced Gibson to the city’s business leaders.

Gibson has played an integral part in ushering Mustang from a sleepy bedroom community to a thriving economic city. After spending three years on the Planning Commission, he was elected to the City Council in 1991, where he served one term.

After two narrowly unsuccessful bids for the state House of Representatives in 1992 and 1994, Gibson left the Council in 1994.

He then returned to the Planning Commission in 1999 at the urging of residents around the city.

“People asked me to get back involved. It wasn’t about doing anything other than service. But truthfully, the five years I was away from the Council I got kind of bored,” Gibson said.

Gibson said the work the Planning Commission does is important because it can be too consuming for the Council to do alone.

After three years, Gibson was reelected to the Council in 2002. He won a second term unopposed in 2005, and now will keep his seat until at least 2009, he said.

Gibson said he was humbled when he was announced as the city’s newest Hall of Fame member.

“I was surprised. I did not know beforehand. I thought if it was going to happen I would have been tipped off ahead of time, but no. It felt great, though. It’s nice to be rewarded for the service, and it makes me want to do more,” he said.

Gibson said Mustang has come a long way since he first took office. He said he counts the development of Wild Horse Park and Town Center , and the movement of an industrial park away from what is now the Magnolia Trace and Thoroughbred Acres additions as two of the Council’s greatest successes during his tenure.

“We’re obviously not just thought of as that little place with the good schools. Now we’re thought of as an up and coming city,” Gibson said.

Gibson also said that the future is bright for Mustang.

“I see it continuing on the path we’ve set for it. It’s a place that movers and shakers want to be. And someday the park will be so awesome. It’s always been my dream to connect all the parks in the city with walking or biking trails,” he said.

Gibson also said the dream of having new baseball fields at Wild Horse Park will also come true.

“It’ll happen yet, I still believe it,” he said.

Gibson said that public service gives him personal satisfaction.

“It’s an awesome responsibility. But for me it’s about making improvements, making a difference, doing something for someone other than yourself. I wanted to get off the bench and do something, and I did. People think that government in general is underhanded, but I like city government because it’s really accessible to residents. You can get involved and make a big change if you just take the time to get involved,” he said.

As for his future political plans, Gibson would only say that a certain Canadian County office will become vacant in the next couple of years, and the prospect of running for it looks inviting.

“I’m not launching any exploratory committees or anything, but I’m thinking about it,” he said with a laugh.

2007-05-30T11:43:00.001-05:00

New Yukon eatery serves Bar-B-Que in family atmosphere

Carol Brimm

In the heart of Yukon a new restaurant is wowing customers with good food, good service and smoked to perfection Bar-B-Que, according to co-owner Johnny Mashaney. Mashaney said he makes all the rubs and sauces from scratch at Route 66 Bar-B-Que and Catering and promises customers an enjoyable meal in a family oriented atmosphere.

“We have some of the best tasting and most tender ribs and brisket you’ll ever come across,” Mashaney said, “ and the kids enjoy playing Pac Man, Off Road, a golf game and crane game.”

Mashaney, and his son-in-law, Brendan Wigley, opened Route 66 Bar-B-Que and Catering on April 13 in the old CowPies location at the corner of Ranchwood and Route 66. Mashaney says he knew he wanted to open his own restaurant but he had to work hard to make it happen.

“I used to do catering,” Mashaney said, “and all my friends and relatives said I must open a restaurant pretty soon because the world needs to know about my Bar-B-Que so I went back to work in the oil fields until I had what I needed.”

In addition to succulent Bar-B-Que, Route 66 tempts customers with French Fried sweet potatoes, award-winning chicken, and breaded green beans that are deep fried and served with a garlic ranch sauce for dipping. Spud Me baked potatoes offer customers the choice of cheese and meats to top off steaming hot baked potatoes and freshly grilled Texas toast is served with every order, according to Mashaney. He says the new Rib Sandwich is unbeatable.

“We have a great wait staff,” Mashaney said. “They are very knowledgeable and they demonstrate their desire to help people. If you’ve got good food and good service you can’t go wrong.”

Route 66 Bar-B-Que and Catering offers carryout orders by the pound or dinner and Mashaney says a combo dinner of three meats, three sides and two toasts, is fit for even the heartiest appetite.

Route 66 is located at 400 E. Main St., Suite A in Yukon, Okla. Hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Mon. – Sat. Call 577-6424 for more information or to place a carryout order.

2007-05-30T11:42:00.001-05:00

Business
Luv 2 Shoppe to open new location

Stacy Barnes

The popularity of Luv 2 Shoppe has prompted owner Amber Stewart to open a second location. The new site will be in The Market located just west of Quail Springs Mall. The new shop in the trendy locale gives clientele up north a place to shop closer to home, but area residents will want to check out the new place as well. New and different merchandise will be offered at The Market, said Stewart.

“I will have similar stuff, but not exactly the same,” she said. “I will have new merchandise in both locations, new home décor, new candles and potpourri.”

Stewart regularly adds new items to her store to keep inventory fresh and interesting for her customers, she said. The owner, who will celebrate her one-year anniversary this summer, says locals have supported her and made her business even more successful than she had expected.

Candles and home décor items are always popular, Stewart said.

“It’s hard to say what is the most popular because a lot of what I sell is for gifts,” she said.

The candle line, “Heart of the Prairie” is a family-owned company in Clinton, Okla. Their candles are popular for their beauty and strong scent. For people looking for a candle alternative, Stewart carries redolere fragrance lamps and Sophia’s fragrance oils.

“They’re safer than candles because after you light it, you blow out the flame,” said Stewart.

The initial flame warms the heating stone and then fragrance fills the air without the need of continuous burning. Other fire-free options Stewart carries are Reed diffusers and fragrance jewels.

Stewart says she sells a lot of the jewels for car freshener and she carries the bags, along with several popular scents, including three from Victoria’s Secret. A bag of jewels sells for $7 and Stewart says she will refresh them for $1.

Other popular items available at Luv 2 Shoppe are iron crosses, iron cardholders, trivets, canisters and picture frames.

“I have decorative canisters, new lamps and potpourri,” said Stewart. “It’s gorgeous. I call it the ‘pretty potpourri’ because it has real fruit and flowers.”

Stewart also carries fashionable clothing lines featuring up-to-the-minute styling, much of which is on sale right now up to 60 percent off.

Shop Luv 2 Shoppe’s new location inside The Market at 14001 Joel McRonald Drive in Oklahoma City, just west of Quail Springs Mall, is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sundays 12 to 5 p.m.

The original Luv 2 Shoppe is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Mustang Creek Shopping Center at 845 S Mustang Road. The store number is 265-2700.

2007-05-30T11:41:00.001-05:00

Business
Learn to Dance Like a Star

Jeannene Martin

At Keri May’s Ballroom Dancing, you can learn to dance like a star. May teaches Ballroom, Latin, Country and Western and Swing dancing. She specializes in 22 different dances.

May teaches at the Oklahoma City Swing Dance Club located at 4361 NW 50th Street, Suite 400 in Oklahoma City. Lessons are available from a.m. until p.m. Monday through Saturday. Her goal is to provide high quality dance instruction at a reasonable price. “I don’t have the overhead of studios because I rent floor space,” she said. “Because I provide private lessons, you don’t need a partner. I can teach both parts,” she said.

May has been teaching for eleven years, and her students range from five to ninety-five. “Most of my students are adults, but I have teenage and elementary classes. I love working with kids.” Some of her students compete in shows, but the individual student makes that decision. She enjoys choreographing for showcases, talent shows and theatre arts shows. May credits her mother with her career. May said, “Mom would always say ‘you’re gonna be a dancer.’ Eight months after she died I got my first chance to teach dancing.”

May is a very down to earth individual, and she believes than anyone can learn to dance if they have the time and motivation. Before starting a first lesson, she likes to sit down and chat with new students to break the ice and ease tensions. “A lot of people are nervous about dancing, especially men,” she said.

If you are considering dance lessons, May suggests ten hours of instruction to learn the basics and determine how much you like it. May sees that dancing has many positive effects on her students. It builds confidence and self-esteem, relieves stress, improves social skills and provides great exercise.

May is currently running a special for three one-half hour private lessons for $19.50. Additional lessons are $45 an hour. For more information, contact Keri May at 476-2985.

2007-05-30T11:40:00.000-05:00

Business
Poage Eyecare focuses on patient education

Jeannene Martin

Poage Eyecare specializes in patient education. Dr. Rebecca Poage, OD says she believes in being thorough, explaining tests and recommended treatments.

“I believe that patients are more proactive in following treatments if they understand why they are being treated,” she said.

Dr. Poage is a primary care optometrist who performs glasses and contact lens examinations. She screens for diseases of the eyes and diabetes. Her office stocks 600 frames from generic to name brand, and they use a local lab to cut the lenses, for a shorter turnaround time. She stocks a variety of contact lenses including single vision, multi-focal, astigmatism, and sports tinted.

Poage Eyecare also offers free infant eye exams for children six to twelve months old. This exam takes about 35 minutes and screens for infant eye problems that may not be seen by a pediatrician.

Dr. Poage is an Oklahoma girl. She obtained her undergraduate degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, and earned her Doctor of Optometry degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah.

She and her husband moved to Mustang two and a half years ago.

“We love Mustang so much that we have moved two of my sisters here, “she said.

“I have found that it is easy to get involved in local events in Mustang.”

She is the charter president of the Mustang Vision Lions Club. The club has been in charter for a year, and their mission is to provide eye care for local residents for who can’t afford it.

Fundraisers and special events are geared toward helping people who need eye exams and glasses.

Poage Eyecare is located at 500 N. Financial Terrace, Suite A in Mustang. The office is open from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Some evening hours are available, and the office is open one Saturday a month.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact Poage Eyecare at 256-0126.

2007-05-23T09:59:00.000-05:00

Local newspaper publisher dies
Former owner of The Mustang News dies in Yukon at age 67

Conrad Dudderar

Yukon Review publisher Randel Otis Grigsby, 66, died Monday, May 21, 2007 at his home in Yukon. He was born May 10, 1941 in Poteau, Okla. to Wanda and Otis Grigsby.

A graduate of the University of Oklahoma College of Journalism, Randel became a newspaper publisher at age 23 in 1964 when he founded the Waldron News in Waldron, Ark.

Randel and wife Karen were married on Feb. 10, 1972 in Hot Springs, Ark. The Grigsbys became publishers of The Yukon Review in October 1983, and they later owned The Mustang News, The Piedmont Post and The Lincoln County News.

Randel is survived by his wife Karen of the home; three daughters, LaPrima Kessler of Oklahoma City, Shannon Grigsby of Aurora, Colo., and Rhoda Olson of Tulsa; brother Donnie Grigsby of Shady Point, Okla.; two sisters, Carolyn Wasson of Spiro and Diana Butler of eastern Oklahoma; two grandchildren, Robert C. Kessler of Oklahoma City and Jesse Grigsby of Aurora, Colo.; and three beloved dogs, Thornton, Ava and Jackie.

Randel loved newspapers since he was young and turned that love into a successful, lifelong career in the newspaper business. He had a true passion for his profession and inspired his employees to produce the best community newspaper possible.

Randel was an Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash fan, and he loved his cars and clothes. He also enjoyed reading, exercising and listening to music on the iPod that Karen got him.

Randel was a member of Western Oaks Church of the Nazarene in Oklahoma City.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday, May 25, 2007 at Western Oaks Church of the Nazarene, 7901 N.W. 16th. Burial will follow in the Yukon Cemetery.

2007-05-23T09:58:00.000-05:00

Rezoning paves way for business

Brendan Hoover

The Mustang City Council completed rezoning the southeast corner section of Highway 152 and Sara Road to the highest commercial classification allowed under city ordinance at its most recent meeting last Tuesday.

City Planner Melissa Helsel, in her report to the Council, said the application conformed to the city’s long-range plan, and that the C-5 commercial rezoning request will further the city’s interest in developing a vibrant commercial corridor in the area.

“The comprehensive plans call this the core commercial district for the city. We feel this will foster vigorous commercial growth where we want it,” Helsel said.

The Council voted unanimously 7-0 to approve the application of the 8.24-acre plot of land that was previously zoned A-1 agricultural.

The applicant, Roger Lowery of Dallas, submitted the request on the behalf the landowner, Lowery Property Trust. Lowery was not present at the meeting.

The rezoned land fills in an L-shaped plot of land surrounding it that was rezoned C-5 at an earlier Council meeting. Although the landowners have not confirmed what the land is to be used for, City Manager David Cockrell has previously stated that the plan calls for a large-scale retail store to fill the space, joined by several restaurants.

Helsel reported that an 8-inch sewer line exists along the east edge of the property. A 16-inch water main runs along the north side of the property, and a 12-inch water main runs along the west side of the property, she said.

The Council also voted 6-1 to enact an emergency clause that was proposed with the application.

Cockrell said the emergency clause was necessary.

“As one of our top priorities, it is essential for the public safety and welfare to have funds coming into our city coffers for vital services. These delays, even up to 30 days, can be consequential economically,” he said.

In other City Council business:

As part of the city’s Peace Officer Appreciation Week, Mustang Police Chief presented four Mustang police officers to be honored at the meeting. Honored were: Sergeant Pat Tyner, Patrolman Jeff Collins, Patrolman John Gibson, and School Resource Officer Blaine Condreay.

Mayor Jeff Landrith praised the officers, and the entire department, for their excellent service to the city, a sentiment echoed by the Council.

Landrith asked the Council to consider ways to deter littering of discharged fireworks during Fourth of July celebrations. Landrith proposed placing more trash cans around Wild Horse Park during the festivities, and having city staff work with fireworks vendors to distribute trash bag and fliers asking for support to keep the city clean.

The Council accepted and awarded a bid from Brandon & Clark Inc. in the amount of $82,856 to add 10 variable frequency drive units to water wells owned and operated by the City of Mustang. The bid was the lowest of three received by the city, Acting Director of Community Development Mike Rutledge reported.

Cockrell reminded the Council that a $30,000 budget amendment will have to be passed for the project to commence because the original plan called for the units to be installed by Severn Trent employees, who while licensed and certified in Texas, were not properly licensed in Oklahoma.

2007-05-23T09:57:00.000-05:00

Tractor Supply, Curves reach agreement on parking squabble
Fenced area to be reduced by half

Brendan Hoover

A dispute that began with members of a local fitness center not being able to park near their beloved club and soon involved a new corporate business poised to open, the owner of the disputed parking lot and the city of Mustang has been resolved.

Curves for Women owner Denise Aunko said Monday that with the help of city officials and the corporate management of Tractor Supply Company, a compromise has been struck that will allow her 230 members to park directly in front of her business, located at 211 N. Mustang Rd. in the Silver Center, unimpeded by a large, chain-link, fenced-in storage area that had been erected by Tractor Supply, with the approval of the city, in April, blocking most of the parking in that part of the shopping center.

“With the city’s and Tractor Supply’s help, I got some commitments and resolutions on Friday. We agreed to some concessions, and they agreed to move the fence back. Tractor Supply was instrumental in getting things worked out with our property manager,” Aunko said.

Aunko said after negotiations, Tractor Supply agreed to reduce the size of the fenced-in area, moving the entrance and exit gates from the east and west ends of the area to its north and south ends. The move will free up spaces for businesses on the lot’s west side. The fence remains near two fast food restaurants on the lot’s east side.

Aunko said that as of Monday afternoon, the fence, and its contents, have not been moved.

“I don’t know when the fence will move,” she said.

Tractor Supply spokesman Clay Teeter confirmed Tuesday that the area will be moved, although he could not say if it would be before the store opened. And while the area will contain the same number of square feet, the layout and design will change so that the parking situation is resolved.

“We want everyone in Mustang to know that we want to be a member of the community. We didn’t control the situation, and we don’t own the parking lot. It was just a misstep in the beginning of the planning, and we took steps to fix it. We want to be a good neighbor to everybody,” Teeter said.

Aunko said that Mustang Mayor Jeff Landrith and Acting Director of Community Development Mike Rutledge both interceded on her behalf after her and a group of Curves members addressed the City Council on May 1.

The dispute began Aunko noticed contractors beginning work on the fence on April 16. Her office manager had parked in one of the spaces and was told by a worker to move or be towed. Aunko contacted the property manager, Tom Lodus of Walpert Properties, who basically told her to hire a lawyer if she didn’t like the arrangement, she said.

Aunko and her group went to two Mustang City Council meetings to file their grievances with the city. At the first meeting they were told they could speak but the Council could not respond because there was not an item on the meeting agenda for public discussion. The group then dismissed themselves.

At the second meeting a week later, Aunko and several other Curves members made pleas to the Council to help resolve the issue. The members expressed misgivings about the new fence, saying it made accessing the fitness center more difficult for its elderly members, and that the arrangement bordered on gender discrimination.

The Council, while empathizing with the group, said that it was powerless in the matter because it no longer owned any part of the Silver Center. When the city did own part of the center, a cross-easement agreement had been brokered with the other owner, citing that parking spaces on the lot are to be shared by business owners.

The agreement transferred when the city sold its part of the center in 2002 to All American Bank, City Attorney Jonathon Miller said at last Tuesday’s regular city Council meeting.

“What went on out there is all in compliance with city code, and this is an instance where the city cannot step in and try to reassert rights it no longer has,” Miller said.

Aunko said when she finally talked to the owner of the Walpert Properties, he was appalled at the way she had been treated.

Mayor Landrith said at the meeting that the compromise would mean more parking for Curves and better layout for Tractor Supply.

“Tractor Supply was doing everything it could to resolve the issue,” Landrith said.

Aunko said now she is relieved to have the matter resolved.

“I don’t blame Tractor Supply. They didn’t do this. I want to show them that we are a good neighbor and we are happy to have them here,” she said.

2007-05-23T09:56:00.000-05:00

Mustang Town Center takes Pepsi challenge
Council picks sweeter deal, chooses Pepsi over Coke

Brendan Hoover

Pepsi became the official drink of the Mustang Parks and Recreation department last week when the Mustang City Council voted unanimously to sign a five-year contract to offer the company’s products at Town Center and at Wild Horse Park concession stands after the city’s contract with Great Plains Coca-Cola ended in March.

Parks and Recreation Director Justin Battles reported to the Council at its regular meeting last Tuesday that Pepsi simply made the city a sweeter deal, offering the city $28,000 in cash and product donation over the term of the contract, as compared to the $20,000 that Coke offered over the same five years.

“We feel their service as well as their funding and their pricing is much better,” Battles said.

The Council voted 6-0 to sign the contract with the Pepsi Bottling Group.

Pepsi products will now be sold exclusively at all Parks and Recreation facilities, including: both the Optimist Club fields and softball fields concession stands, the Mustang Aquatic Center and Mustang Town Center vending machines, Battles said.

Pepsi products include Mountain Dew, Gatorade and Aquafina water. Dr. Pepper will still be available because it is independently owned, Battles said.

In his report to the Council, Battles said that Pepsi provided excellent references showing quality service and distribution.

“Pepsi Bottling Company has provided a solid contract that would benefit the City of Mustang Parks and Recreation Department. Park staff has not been satisfied with Great Plains Coca-Cola customer service or response time in machine service,” he said.

To become the exclusive soft drink seller at Wild Horse Park and Town Center, Pepsi offered the city a benefit package totaling approximately $28,000, Battles said. The city will receive $5,000 cash in its first year, about $3,200 in years two through five (based on a percentage of the average of the previous three years of Parks and Recreation sales figures), $1,000 in product donation per year and a $500 banner allotment per year.

Battles suggest the $5,000 be used to buy equipment for the Parks and Recreation department.

Pepsi also pledged to supply all equipment for fountain and bottled products including dispensing machines, six cooling refrigerators, as well as large rolling ice chests. Pepsi is also responsible for services and replacement machines, Battles said.

In addition, Pepsi’s prices for every product item that Parks and Recreation sold were lower than Coke’s, Battles said.

Before making the switch, the Mustang Softball Association and the Optimist Club gave their blessing, Battles said.

“We hate to make any major changes without notifying them,” he said.

The contract with Pepsi will last until May 15, 2012.

In other Parks and Recreation business:

Battles reported to the Council that the permanent restroom in Wild Horse Park should finally be ready in about a week, as long as the rain stops.

Materials for the restroom were set to be delivered before the torrential rain two weeks ago, but he postponed the delivery so the grounds around the restroom site would not be damaged, he said.

The rain also postponed the installation of a sewer line necessary for the restroom’s completion, he said.

2007-05-23T09:55:00.000-05:00

Students win state Law Day contest

Stacy Barnes

Three fourth grade students from Mustang Elementary School were recognized last Friday for their participation in the Canadian County Bar Association’s Law Day. Their teacher, Carol Smith, promised her students extra credit for making a collage they could enter in a statewide contest. This year’s theme was “Liberty Under Law: Empowering Youth, Assuring Democracy.”

Mrs. Smith said she talked with her class about the theme, but that students were required to work on the assignment at home in order to get the extra credit.

Blake Williams won first place in the collage contest and was invited to the state capitol to meet some officials and have pictures taken. He received a plaque and a check for $50 from Assistant DA Paul Hess and Canadian County Judge Edward Cunningham, who made a visit to Mustang Elementary to deliver the prizes in person.

Lucas Hayworth placed second in the contest and was awarded a plaque and a $25 check during Friday’s assembly. Cayla Robison received an honorable mention for her work and was presented with a certificate.

In addition to the students from across the state, several local attorneys participated in Law Day activities by volunteering in the Ask a Lawyer program during which they answered legal questions by phone. Ask a Lawyer is a one-hour TV program that airs statewide on OETA and is produced in conjunction with the Oklahoma Bar Association.

According to a press release, attorneys Roger Everett, Christopher Henthorn, Paul Hesse, Scott McCann, Mark Osby, Matthew Wheatley and Khristan Strubhar took several phone calls from Canadian County residents and answered questions concerning bankruptcy, divorce, probate, real estate and identity theft.

2007-05-23T09:54:00.000-05:00

Young musician dies

Carol Brimm

Willy Bracklein, 18, passed away in his sleep on May 20, 2007 just two days after graduating from Mustang High School. Friends who spoke with Bracklein at Project Graduation on Friday said he was excited about beginning his professional music career with a recording session set for Monday, May 21. Bracklein wrote music and played guitar and bass with local band, The Surely Method. The band recently won a statewide battle of the bands competition and was scheduled to perform at “The House of Blues” in Las Vegas, Nev.

Oklahoma State Medical Examiner Chief Investigator Kevin Rowland said the cause of death is pending but there is no evidence of foul play. A memorial fund has been set up for Bracklein at Yukon National Bank. Contributions to the ‘Willy Bracklein Memorial Fund” can be made at any YNB location.

2007-05-23T09:53:00.000-05:00

Mustang Valley turns 50

Carol Brimm

Students, faculty, staff and visitors celebrated Mustang Valley’s 50th anniversary at its present location on Friday, May 18 with a re-enactment of the program presented at the schools dedication ceremony in 1957. Valley was the star in the Mustang School District’s cap when it first opened its doors 50 years ago. The $163,022.81 project, paid for in large part by taxes from the local OG&E plant, was the first air-conditioned school in the state and ushered in a new, modern era in school amenities.

The original Mustang Valley School, located just one mile north of Valley’s present location, was a one room schoolhouse built in 1902. One of the oldest school’s in the county, it was replaced with the most modern school building in the state when three districts, Mustang Valley, Mayview and Camel Creek combined to form the new Mustang Valley school district. The new Valley school offered amenities previously unheard of in a rural school district, such as an all electric kitchen, tornado proof rooms, and an all purpose room for plays and physical activities. The school housed two teachers and 40 students in four classrooms when the school opened in 1957.

Today, Mustang Valley has grown to 692 students, 32 classrooms, a Media Center, Computer Lab, Cafeteria, Gym, and Art and Music rooms. The school has grown from its original 10,619 square feet in 1957 to 74,000 square feet today. Some of the visitors at Friday’s anniversary celebration were past students whose parents or grandparents attended Valley in days gone by.

Principal, Pam McLaughlin and retired teacher, Joan Shipman presided over the May 18, 2007 re-enactment. McLaughlin said the program was a wonderful celebration.

“It was fantastic,” McLaughlin said. “We loved having guests in the building and it was a wonderful opportunity to explore the history of Valley with the community.”

Mustang Valley Media Director, Carol Scott, said approximately 45 people attended the program, including local Funeral Director Jerry McNeil, three generations of the Krivanek family and members of the architectural firm that designed the plans for most of the additions to the building.

“We told the architects that we had students who could give them a tour of the building but they said they thought they knew the place pretty well,” Scott laughed.

Scott said McNeil attended in honor of his father, James McNeil, who was a much loved custodian at Valley for many, many years and his mother, Opal, who was “the best cook” at Valley. The Krivanek family led the flag salute in memory of William Krivanek who performed this function at the original dedication ceremony 50 years ago.

Scott said Valley students learned about Mustang Valley’s history and worked on projects for the program for many months. Kindergartners sang a medley of songs from each decade while teachers dressed in clothing from that decade and danced across the stage. Valley third graders made a time line and fourth graders made a newspaper of stories from Valley’s history and served as tour guides.

“One of the biggest hits of the day was a living history museum. Fifth grade students dressed in character and ‘came to life’ to tell the story of the person they represented,” Scott said.

Students represented a variety of people from Valley’s history such as Bubba Burcham, who played football for OU; Marie Harlin, a teacher from the old one room school house in the 1930s; Principal Grilley; Amy McCreigh, now an anchor on Channel 9 News, Brady Brus, owner of KSBI Channel 25, and Olympic Medalist Kendall Cross.

“It went very well,” Scott said. “The kids learned a lot and I think everyone found the program interesting.”

2007-05-23T09:52:00.000-05:00

Sports
New spring football rules suit Broncos
Mustang utilizes new practice rules to teach players

Brendan Hoover

The Mustang Broncos have several months before they open the 2007 football season against archrival Yukon, but under new Oklahoma Secondary School Activities Association rules, they can practice this week almost as if it were game week.

Spring football practice is underway, the second year in full pads for high school teams across Oklahoma. OSSAA rules dictate that schools may hold ten practices after all spring sports have ended, which for Mustang, was last week.

The new rule this year stipulates that practices may now last for two hours instead of one.

Mustang head football coach Ty Prestidge said the change is welcome.

“One hour is kind of short, especially for large schools. By the time you get everyone out there and organized, time’s almost up. But I think this will work pretty well. It’s starting to get easier and easier as spring comes along,” Prestidge said.

Prestidge said that the sophomores, juniors, and seniors to-be practice immediately after their last class lets out each day, and then the incoming seventh, eighth and ninth graders take the field after them. Both squads are on the field at the same time for about 45 minutes in the middle of practice, he said.

Prestidge said that all football programs throughout the Mustang School District teach their players the same way, so when they get to the high school level they can work more on technique and skills rather than teaching plays and installing formations.

“We try to keep the terminology consistent, so they get a better understanding,” Prestidge said.

Prestidge said that practicing in full pads is good for his west-coast style offense, but that the defense gets the most out of the extra work.

“It helps our defense more. We can run most of our offense year-round whether we’re in shorts or pads. The full practices help teams more that run I-formation or Iso,” he said.

Under the new rules, teams can hold intra-squad scrimmages, but may not practice against other schools.

After spring football is over, Prestidge said that the Broncos would participate in a football camp at Har-Ber High School in Springfield, Ark. June 4-6. The Broncos will go through grueling three-a-day practices during the camp.

After that, Mustang will hold its annual Summer Pride sessions beginning June 19 and running through the beginning of the new school year. Prestidge said that nearly 100 percent of his players come out for the voluntary running and lifting sessions, which are held in the morning so players can still enjoy their summer.

The workouts also get the players acclimated to the heat, he said.

The goal of the workouts is to keep the players in shape between seasons, no easy task because today’s youth have a penchant for television and video games, Prestidge said.

The good thing about the workouts is that Prestidge said he does not see as many players throwing up during the first week of fall two-a-days.

“When we go into August, we don’t see much of that anymore,” Prestidge said, chuckling.

2007-05-23T09:51:00.000-05:00

Sports
Broncos named all-state
Cameron Doom and Andrew Blue named 6A all-state

Brendan Hoover

The Mustang Broncos boys soccer team announced a slew of postseason awards at its annual banquet held at the First Baptist Church last week.

Head soccer coach Russell Randolph announced that several Broncos had been named to postseason all-star teams.

Heading the list were senior midfielders Cameron Doom and Andrew Blue, who were named to the class 6A Oklahoma Soccer Coaches Association All-State team. All-state rosters were released Tuesday by the coaches association.

Senior defender Joshua Yax was named a first alternate to the team.

Earning All-District 6A-1 honors were senior defender Kevin Brassfield, Yax, sophomore defender Matt Mason, sophomore forwards Hunter Smith and Devin Thesien, and freshman goalkeeper Edgar Pineda, Randolph said.

All-Metro Conference award winners included Blue, Doom, senior defender Chris Skillern, and senior midfielder Kent Sloan, Randolph said.

Randolph said that a successful team is also a sum of its greatest components.

We’ve had a lot of team success this year, but a lot of it was due to individual play. The team awards are critical, but they are due to the exceptional play of the individuals on the team,” he said.

And although much praised was showered on the offensive feats of the team, its defensive prowess has now been recognized, Randolph said.

“Of course you have our goals and assist leaders, but when you give up only six goals all year, that’s a testament to our defense as well,” he said.

Blue, Doom and Yax, in addition to being named all-state, received leadership awards from the coaching staff for their role as team captains.

The Mustang coaching staff named Doom, who led the team with 16 goals, and was third on the team with five assists, the most outstanding Bronco player.

Brassfield was named the most outstanding defender, and Smith was named the most outstanding attacker.

Pineda, whose goals-allowed-per-game average was just .429, was named most outstanding freshman. Theisen, who was third on the team in goals scored, with 10, and second on the team in assists, with seven, was named most outstanding sophomore. Defender Patrick Long was named most outstanding junior. Blue, who led the team with 10 assists, and was fourth on the team with three goals, was named most outstanding senior.

Each Mustang seniors was given an award. The most outstanding JV Player Award was given to Jordan Rodriguez, and Yax won the Bustin’ Bronco Hustle Award. Skillern was named the most inspirational player on the team, and freshman Alex Aria received the Up and Coming Bronco Award. Mason won the Academic Award, and Sloan won the Sportsmanship Award.

2007-05-23T09:50:00.000-05:00

Sports
Boomers gear up for opener
Mustang opens at Oklahoma City Brassfield on May 29

Brendan Hoover

The Mustang Boomers American Legion baseball team is holding workouts in preparation for their 2007 season opener against Oklahoma City Brassfield on May 29 at Dolese Park in Oklahoma City, head coach Shannon Enfield said Monday.

The Boomers’ home opener is scheduled for June 3, a doubleheader with the Elk City Travelers.

The team, made up of 20 players from eight different central Oklahoma communities, has been coming together slowly as players finish spring baseball season with their respective schools. Enfield said that a team workout he will hold this Friday at Mustang High School will the most complete team gathering so far this year.

“We’ve got kids from eight different schools and three in college, two who just came from playing in the super regional with Redlands Community College. There’s a good bet that our opener Tuesday will the first time we see the whole team together,” Enfield said.

But Enfield said he is not worried about the seeming lack of practice time before the first game.

“We’re like a lot of summer teams in that we’ve got 14 position players and we’ll play all of them during doubleheaders. We play 11 games in the first six days of the season, so we’ll have a good idea of where we stand after that,” Enfield said.

Of the Boomers’ 20 players, all but three have either already graduated high school or are graduating this year.

Enfield, in his third season as head coach of the Boomers, said that this year’s team is stocked with talent and has the potential to improve on last year’s 22-36 record and a 52-60 record over the last two years. The Boomers tied for fifth at the state tournament last summer, he said.

“We’re going to have a really good team this year. We’ve been looking to this season as the one where we really hope to stand out. This will be the most talented team I’ve had in three years, and this club was put together with the idea of winning the state championship,” Enfield said.

Pitching will be the strength of the team this year, Enfield said.

“We’re going to trot our eight guys that either are pitching in college or are signed to pitch in college,” he said.

The Boomers have nine pitchers on their staff, led by returning lefties Zac Tidholm, a 2007 Mustang and 2006 El Reno graduate Mike Hefta, and right-hander Brent Crain, a 2006 graduate of Lookeba High School. Both Hefta and Crain redshirted at Redlands this season, Enfield said.

The staff also features right-hander Doug Carel, a 2007 graduate of Tuttle, who went 13-1 for the Tigers this year, and right-hander Justin Vincent, a 2007 graduate of Lookeba. The staff is rounded out by Lookeba juniors Levon Lumpkin and Ky Recker, Cody Davis, a 2007 Del City graduate, and 2007 Mustang graduate Stephen Teter.

In the field, the Boomers will feature a lineup that includes 2007 Mustang graduates James Madison, Brock Feldmann, Chase Ashley, Brooks McMurphy, Jimmy Gillespie and Alex Webb.

Other position players include: Ethan Davis of Calumet, Chandon Vieweg of El Reno, David Grellner of Okarche, Ryan Johnston, a 2006 graduate of Del City, and Jason West of Blanchard.

Enfield said the Boomers should play about 50 games this year, including tournaments.

“We actually cut back our regular season schedule to make room for the tournaments, because that’s all you play at the end of the year,” he said.

The Boomers’ first tournament appearance will be in the Oklahoma Diamond Classic in Oklahoma City and Edmond June 6-10.

On June 14-17, the Boomers travel to Fargo, N. D. to play in the Red River Diamond Classic. The team will travel about 13 hours by bus to the event, Enfield said. Their first-round opponent will be a team from Canada, he said.

Enfield said he has set high goals for his team this year.

“Our goal is to get to the National American Legion World Series,” he said.

2007-05-23T09:49:00.000-05:00

Sports
Lady Broncos named all-state

Brendan Hoover

Mustang Lady Bronco seniors Ashlyn Boswell, Ashton Glover and Aly Murray were named to the class 6A Oklahoma Soccer Coaches Association All-State team on Tuesday.

All three players helped lead the Lady Broncos to the quarterfinals of the 2007 6A soccer tournament.

The all-state awards came only days after head coach Mike Mason announced a bevy of postseason awards at Mustang's annual soccer banquet held at Mustang First Baptist Church last week.

Mason also announced that several other Lady Broncos had been named to postseason all-star teams as well.

Sophomore defender Brenna Skillern, sophomore midfielder Melissa Addington and freshman forward Bailey Boulware were all named to the All-District 6A-1 team, Mason said.

Sophomore forward Chaulsey Gibson, sophomore midfielder Jennifer Alesch and freshman defender Sara Coil were named All Metro Conference, Mason said. Coil was named honorable mention All Metro Conference, he said.

The Mustang girls soccer coaching staff also handed out a cascade of awards at the banquet.

Boulware was named offensive player of the year for the team, and Skillern and senior defender Carley Murray were both named defensive players of the year.

Boswell, a midfielder, was also named most valuable Lady Bronco player.

Senior defender Jordan Rohwer was given the Bronco Award.

JV awards were also given to: Sara Rowe, for offensive player of the year; Kasey Phipps and Samantha Mersman, for defensive players of the year; Raven Benson and Ashley Andersen, for JV most valuable players; and Elisabeth Hartel, for the Bronco Award.

2007-05-23T09:48:00.000-05:00

Sports
Lady Broncos to hold camp

Brendan Hoover

The Mustang Lady Broncos will hold their annual girls basketball camp June 4-7 at the Mustang High School gym.

The camp will be run by coaches and players from the 2007 6A girls state runner-up Lady Broncos.

Mustang head coach Nichole Copeland said campers will learn the fundamentals of basketball, including shooting, ball handling, proper footwork, and individual and team offense and defense.

“Our goal is to instill a positive attitude, learn the importance of a good work ethic, dedication and respect for teammates and coaches. But most importantly, we want you to learn how to love the game of basketball and have fun,” Copeland said.

The camp will be conducted in two sessions; including a morning session held 9 a.m. to noon each day of the camp, for girls in grades three through six, and an afternoon session held 1-4 p.m. each day of the camp for girls in grades seven through nine.

The cost of the camp is $65 per student, or $110 for two students from the same family.

The camp will feature individual and team instruction, league play, individual and team competitions, a concession stand, and much more, Copeland said.

Each player will receive a camp T-shirt, she said.

The deadline for early registration is May 31. Make checks payable to Mustang High School and mail to: Mustang High School, c/o Nichole Copeland—Lady Bronco Basketball Camp, 906 S. Heights Dr., Mustang, OK 73064.

For more information or to sign up for the camp, contact Coach Copeland at 376-2404 or 745-7578.

2007-05-23T09:47:00.000-05:00

Business
Plan for college at free seminar

Carol Brimm

A free college-planning seminar presented by Okfund1.com will be held on May 29 at 7 p.m. at the Mustang Town Center. Scott Graves, president of Okfund1.com, said the seminar helps parents and students learn what to expect regarding college funding.

“We tell them the things they need to know that no one else is willing to tell you,” Graves said. “It’s important to begin planning as early as possible. If your child will be a high school freshman next year, now is the time to plan for college.”

Graves said his company is unique in the state of Oklahoma because they help people find all the legal and ethical ways to get more free money or government guaranteed loans for college.

“We look at the FASFA and the CSS,” Graves said. “Many people think they have too much money and too many assets to qualify for financial aid, but we can help re-position their assets until the child gets out of college.”

According to Graves, most people spend five and half years in college because they change majors or are unprepared with the right college prep classes before entering college. He said his company offers a student assessment test that can help children in the seventh, eighth and ninth grades determine what their natural talents are so they can excel by building on their natural strengths.

“These students can plan their high school coursework to prepare for a life in the field of their natural talent which may reduce the time spent in college,” Graves said.

Graves has lived in Mustang since 2000 and was a financial planner before becoming an independent insurance agent several years ago. He says he started Okfund1.com because he wanted to help families get their children into the best colleges for the least out of pocket expense.

“People often mortgage their homes or wipe out their retirement or savings accounts to fund their child’s education,” Graves said. “It doesn’t matter if they think they can or won’t qualify for financial aide, if they plan to send their child to college they need to attend this seminar.”

Okfund1.com is a member of the National Ethics Bureau. The all NEB members have passed a seven-year check for criminal, civil and business violations, which allows consumers to feel confident about choosing a financial advisor with a proven record of business ethics. Okfund1.com’s NEB membership can be verified by calling 800-250-1831.

To reserve your spot at the Okfund1.com seminar, call 877-367-3382 or email sgraves@okfund1.com.

2007-05-23T09:46:00.000-05:00

Business
State's first outdoor laser tag field opens in Yukon

Jeannene Martin

Looking for something new to entertain the kids this summer? Check out Oklahoma’s first outdoor laser tag field at Great Experiences Oklahoma Laser Expedition in Yukon. Outdoor laser tag is a brand new sport. According to Laser Expedition owner Julie McKenzie, outdoor laser tag is totally different from indoor laser tag and similar to paintball.

“If you like paintball, you will like outdoor laser tag, and if you don’t like the pain or mess of paintball, you will love outdoor laser tag,” she said.

The advantages of outdoor laser tag over paintball include lower age restrictions for kids (8 and up), no bruising, no paint expense and greater precision.

Outdoor laser tag uses different equipment than indoor laser tag. Guns have a range of 700 feet in sunlight and 1,400 feet at night. Additionally, the style of play is different in that it is a mission-based team sport. The Urban Recon Training Field is an 8,500 square foot playing field containing a maze in the center, for room-to-room type search operations. A bus with sniper windows is located at the center of the maze. Possible missions that players can choose from include Team Elimination, Capture the Flag, Sniper, Escort the VIP, and Safecracker. The playing field is outdoors, but under a roof so the game can be played in any weather.

In June, Laser Expeditions will open its second outdoor laser tag field called Special Ops Training Field. This will be a 2.5 acre lighted, outdoor playing field complete with four guard towers, sandbag bunkers, military vehicles and containers.

Each session comes complete with a drill instructor who reviews the rules, teaches military lingo and monitors play.

Great Experiences Oklahoma, Laser Expedition is located at 3201 N. Richland Road in Yukon. Business hours are Friday 6 p.m. – midnight, Saturday, 11 a.m. – midnight and Sunday 2 p.m. – 8 p.m.

Summer hours begin June 7 and are Thursday 4 p.m.-9 p.m., Friday, 1 p.m. – midnight, Saturday 11 a.m. - midnight, and Sunday 2 p.m.-8 p.m. Additionally, Discover the Fun program is available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays beginning June 5. Discover the Fun allows kids ages 3 to 12 unlimited access to the attractions at Great Experiences Oklahoma Laser Expedition from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These attractions include indoor and outdoor laser tag, survivor maze, hayrides and farm animals.

Laser Expedition also has birthday party packages and custom events available. Details can be found at www.http//greatexperiencesoklahoma.com

“Our facility can handle large groups of people, so it is great for corporate team building events, youth groups and school groups,” McKenzie said.

An additional bonus is that you can get a $40 summer season pass for $30 just by mentioning this story. For more information, contact Julie McKenzie at 350-3366.

2007-05-23T09:45:00.000-05:00

Business
KMGL to broadcast from model home

Stacy Barnes

If you are in the market for a new home, be sure to look at Oakview Homes. With homes to choose from in Yukon, Mustang and Oklahoma City, they are sure to have what you’re looking for, or let them build a custom home to fit your individual needs.

Oakview builders John Vickman and Robert Agee have more than 20 years experience in the construction industry. They work to ensure their customers are happy with their new home and pride themselves on being attentive to homebuyers even after the sale.

“The biggest complaint we hear from customers is that other builders get them in the house and disappear,” said Realtor Melody Vickman.

“We don’t do that,” said Gayla Berg, Oakview secretary. “We want their customer referrals.”

“Between John and Robbie I wouldn’t be surprised if they knock on your door after you move in and ask you how everything is going,” said office manager Kim Brock.

Vickman says the builders want to offer their customers beautiful, quality homes that you don’t see everywhere you look.

“We’re trying not to be like all the other builders,” she said. “All of our homes have their own personality. They’re not tract homes where you can go in five homes and they all look the same. If you don’t like one, we can take you in another one and it will be completely different.”

Each of the homes has different amenities available like granite countertops, whirlpool tubs, landscape and fencing, alarm system, custom woodwork and ceramic tile backsplash just to name a few. Check with your Oakview builder for a complete list of ones that are standard in your new home.

Oakview Homes is building in several neighborhoods around the metro. In Mustang, they are in Hunter’s Hill, located on Highway 92 just north of Highway 152, the addition sits back from the road on the west side of the highway.

Homes in this neighborhood start at 1800 square feet, with prices starting at $170,000. The addition features a community pond and fountain. Oakview has a furnished model and completed homes ready for move in.

Just up the road about a mile or so is Huntington Acres, located on Highway 92 and SW 54th Street. This addition is for people who want a little extra space. The homes are on one acre lots. Homes are available from 1950 to 2500 square feet, with prices starting in the low 200’s. Many of the homes feature side entry garages and stone accents.

Silverleaf East and West are both located along County Line Road between SW 59th and SW 44th streets. They are in the Oklahoma City limits and the Mustang School District. These neighborhoods will feature oversized lots and several cul de sac streets.

The Rosewood addition is located in Yukon off NW 39th Street and Mustang Road. It features cul de sac streets and a neighborhood pond.

For people who want land, Gregory Estates has lots available from 2.5 to 5 acres. Oakview will feature ranch style homes in this neighborhood with plenty of room for outside storage. Homeowners will like restrictive covenants that require all outside storage buildings to have brick fronts to match the house. Gregory Estates is located on SW 29 and Gregory Road, four miles west of SH 92.

More additions will be available in the fall, including an exciting new addition, Sabram Estates, which will have 53 lots. Situated just down the street from Lake Overholser and a new park, the addition’s quick, easy access to the Kilpatrick Turnpike will make this a desirable place to live.

Oakview Homes is a member of the Central Oklahoma Homebuilders Association. All homes feature a one year limited builder warranty and a ten year structural warranty is available. Call Melody Vickman of Keller Williams at 203-2951 or Lisa Williams of Prudential at 205-0867 to find out more information about Oakview Homes. Models are open daily in the Hunter’s Hill and Rosewood additions and will soon be open in Huntington Acres.

Join Oakview Homes on Memorial Day Weekend, Sunday, May 27 in the Hunter’s Hill addition. Radio station KMGL will broadcast live from the model home from 2 to 4 p.m. There will be refreshments and prizes, so come join the fun. To get there take Highway 152 to Highway 92. Go north on Highway 92 to Rendezvous Way on the west side of the highway.

2007-05-16T12:00:00.000-05:00

This gaping 35-foot hole must be repaired before the residents of Spitler Lake Estates can once again enjoy their lake. (Staff photo by Stacy Barnes)

Spitler Lake dam gives way
Takes just 22 minutes to completely empty lake that stood for over 70 years

Stacy Barnes

The extraordinary amount of rains the area has experienced over the past three weeks took their toll on a neighbor lake last week. The dam at Spitler Lake, which had stood for 70 years, could not hold up under the pressures of the rising water and gave way Tuesday evening, leaving a gaping hole and an empty lakebed.

Don Anderson, developer of the Spitler Lake Estates housing additions, which feature lakefront homes, said the earthen dam was built in 1937 by the Spitler family using teams of horses and mules.

“It’s the first time the lake has been empty in 70 years,” Anderson said. “It had lots of large fish that ultimately, hopefully, ended up in the South Canadian River.”

The rush of water flowed so fast, Anderson said 90-percent of the water was out of the lake within 15 minutes of the dam’s collapse. It took 22 minutes for it to be completely out, he said.

This was the third time water had breached the spillway, pouring out over the top.

“The spillway just couldn’t handle the volume of water,” Anderson said of the lake that was reported to be about 20 feet deep at its deepest point.

Anderson said he is thankful no one was hurt during the incident.

“I am very thankful no children or adults were around the dam. We had just a few minutes warning because it was so thick with trees it was difficult to see it going,” he said. “The back started dropping and trees began to sink a little. There was absolutely nothing I could do to stop it.”

Those trees were beneficial as the dam burst. They kept the water’s velocity down so it didn’t flow quite as fast and cause more damage.

“There was no damage down the creek. I had people downstream watching it,” Anderson said.

Anderson said he will incur the cost of repairing the dam and that he already has people looking into what they need to do. He plans to have dam shored up and the lake refilling in about 90 days.

“My intent is to build it back better than it was,” he said. “It will be the same size or maybe a little taller. I have to wait until it dries out so I can get equipment in there. That’s my biggest problem.”