BY MANNY GAMALLO – Tulsa World | Oklahoman

SPIRO — A general with the 101st Airborne Division praised Army Sgt. Vincent Lee Carson Owens on Friday for his desire to bring peace to a troubled land.

Owens, 21, died March 1 at Forward Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered earlier that day when enemy forces at Yosuf Khel attacked his transport vehicle using direct fire.

His services were Friday at the Victory Worship Center in Spiro.

Local government lawyers on Saturday earned FOI Oklahoma’s annual Black Hole Award for thwarting the free flow of information.

The Oklahoma County District Attorney’s office and the Oklahoma City attorney’s office won Black Hole Awards for refusing to release the birth dates of their respective agencies’ workers when The Oklahoman made open records requests for the information.

The attorneys’ denial came on the heels of an attorney general’s opinion that said public employee dates of birth are presumed open. Other agencies have since released their employees’ dates of birth upon request.

Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater last year refused to explain his reasoning for denying the information.

At the time, he said he wasn’t concerned about the confusion his ruling had created.

“This decision was of special concern of FOI Oklahoma because it is the district attorney’s office that is responsible for enforcing the Open Meetings and Open Records acts,” said Dick Pryor, president of FOI Oklahoma, which advocates for Oklahomans’ right to know about their government.

Dates of birth
Oklahoma City attorney Kenny Jordan also won a Black Hole Award.
Jordan last year cited a clause in the Open Records Act dealing with driver’s license information — not public employee information — as part of his reasoning to keep city employees’ dates of birth secret.

Dates of birth often are crucial to checking backgrounds of public workers because they help differentiate people with common names.

The awards were presented Saturday during the Oklahoma Sunshine conference, which is held annually in conjunction with national Sunshine Week activities. Prater and Jordan were not present.

Another Oklahoma City employee, spokeswoman Kristy Yager, on Saturday won FOI Oklahoma’s Sunshine Award for consistently providing useful information to the public. The award is given annually to a government organization or worker who shows a commitment to government transparency.

Yager worked with local media to redesign the city’s Web site to make it more useful to the public. Okc.gov now features live streaming video of city council meetings, comprehensive public meeting agendas and thousands of city documents.

Battle pays off
The Tulsa World won FOI Oklahoma’s Ben Blackstock Award, which is given annually to non-government organizations or individuals for their work encouraging openness in government.

The newspaper waged a nearly decade-long court battle to acquire records from the Department of Public Safety related to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s use of force, traffic stops and searches and department procedures.

The newspaper won access to the records through court rulings in 2008 and 2009. The Department of Public Safety had to pay a substantial portion of the $90,000 in legal fees the newspaper incurred to obtain the records, Pryor said.

Honorable mentions for the Ben Blackstock Award were given to Chris Tharp, of Broken Arrow, and Carol Austin, of Vinita.

Tharp hired an attorney to force Broken Arrow Public Schools to release public information contained in legal bills.

Austin used the state Open Records Act to reveal information about Vinita city government.

A Rosary will be said on Monday evening, March 15th, 7:00 PM at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 1220 N Quinn, Guymon. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday morning, March 16th, 10:00 AM with Father Bill Pruitt officiating. Military graveside rites will follow in Elmhurst Cemetery. All services are under the care of Henson-Novak Funeral Directors of Guymon.

Bob was born in Hays, Kansas on September 23, 1923 to Alex and Emma Gerstner. He excelled at football and basketball at St. Joseph’s Military Academy, Hays. He was an U.S. Army tank driver during World War II and received a Purple Heart and the Bronze Star Medal for valor.

Bob was a career driller for Phillips 66 and other oil exploration companies. He was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church.

Survivors include his sisters, Mildred Ross of Wichita, KS; Rosemary Gerstner of Scottsdale, AZ; and Lorrie Dunning of Atchison, KS; a brother, Norman Gerstner of Gilbert, AZ; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and a sister. The family will receive friends at Henson-Novak Funeral Directors, 501 NW Fifth St., Guymon on Monday evening, 5:00-6:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be given to St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 1220 N Quinn, Guymon, OK 73942.

The Northwest Oklahoma Outdoor Expo is scheduled for next Friday through Sunday at the Woodward fairgrounds. The featured speaker will be American music legend and hunting icon Ted Nugent, who will appear on Saturday.

The expo will feature several hands-on exhibits, including archery, skeet shooting, fishing tanks, horseback trail riding and antler scoring.

Admission is $10 each day for adults or $20 for the weekend. Ages 12 and younger receive free admission.

For information, call (580) 216-3481 or visit nwokoutdoorsexpo.com.

Kevin Lauchland

By Scott Puryear

GOODWELL – The Oklahoma Panhandle State football team began spring drills on March 6.

The Aggies were 5-6 last fall and they are determined to take the program to “the next level.” Leading that group will be wide receiver Doug Williams and running back Darryl Brister.

Both Williams and Brister are coming off excellent seasons last fall and each received national recognition for their efforts.

Listed number one on the quarterback depth chart is Kevin Lauchland, a 6′5″ and 210-pounder who will be a junior in the fall.

The Aggies will have a total of 15 formal spring practices, with the last one set for Saturday, April 10 at 3 p.m. There will be several events taking place on that day including an open-to-the public cook-out.

A Guymon respiratory care practitioner was among the medical professionals disciplined Thursday by a state regulatory board.

Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision members placed respiratory care practitioner Kimberly Dawn Barnett on probation for five years.

Investigators state Barnett, of Guymon, stole drugs from a hospital crash cart and has a history of drug abuse and mental problems.

Direct Trade:
In the direct slaughter cattle trade in the Five Major Marketing Areas,
Texas/Oklahoma; Kansas; Nebraska; Colorado; Iowa/Minnesota; Thus far for today,
negotiated cash trade was active on very good demand in the Texas Panhandle.
Compared to last week live sales traded 2.00 to 3.00 higher. In Kansas trade
was active on good demand with the bulk of live sales 2.00 higher and dressed
sales 4.00 higher. In Nebraska trade was moderate on good demand with live
sales 2.00 to 2.50 higher and dressed sales 2.00 to 3.00 higher. In Colorado
trade was moderate on good demand with live sales mostly 3.00 higher. In the
Western Cornbelt trade was light on moderate demand. Compared to Thursday the
bulk of dressed sales traded from 1.00 to 3.00 higher. Steers: Live basis; (all
Grades: 25,578 head) 88.00-95.00, weighted average 93.07. Dressed basis; (all
Grades: 12,508 head) 144.00-148.00, weighted average 146.96. Heifers: Live
basis; (all Grades: 24,094 head) 89.50-95.00, weighted average 92.79. Dressed
Basis; (all Grades: 11,612 head) 144.00-148.00, weighted average 149.09.
For the week: negotiated cash trade was active on very good demand in the
Texas Panhandle. Compared to last week live sales traded 2.00 to 3.00 higher.
In Kansas trade was active on good demand with the bulk of live sales 2.00
higher and dressed sales 4.00 higher. In Nebraska trade was moderate on good
demand with live sales 2.00 to 2.50 higher and dressed sales 2.00 to 3.00
higher. In Colorado trade was moderate on good demand with live sales mostly
3.00 higher. In the Western Cornbelt trade was light on moderate demand.
Compared to Thursday the bulk of dressed sales traded from 1.00 to 3.00 higher.

Auction Markets:

Sheldon, IA Slaughter Cattle Auction Thu Mar 11, 2010
Receipts: 378 Last Week: 354 Year Ago: 324
Compared to last week, slaughter steers traded steady to .50 higher. Slaughter
heifers traded steady to 1.00 higher.
Slaughter Steers: Choice 2-3: 1130-1416 lbs 86.60-91.60. Select and Choice
2-3: 1025-1325 lbs 81.00-86.75
Slaughter Heifers: Choice 2-3: 1022-1352 lbs 85.10-90.85. Choice 3-4: 1188
lbs 85.50. Select and Choice 2-3 1015-1039 lbs 84.50-85.25.

USDA ESTIMATED BOXED BEEF CUT-OUT

CHOICE SELECT
600-900 600-900
——————————————————————————–
Current Cutout Values: 149.64 148.50
Change from prior day: 0.57 0.13
——————————————————————————–
Choice/Select spread: 1.14

Total Load Count (Cuts, Trimmings, Grinds): 350
——————————————————————————–

The average live weight of cattle slaughtered in the Texas Panhandle for the
week ending 03-06-2010 was 1214 lbs with 38 percent heifers compared to 1220 lbs
and 40 percent heifers the previous week and 1265 lbs and 40 percent heifers the
same week a year ago.

CATTLE Slaughter under Federal Inspection
Friday (est) 117,000 Saturday (est) 19,000
Week ago (est) 117,000 Week ago (est) 12,000
Year ago (act) 117,000 Year ago (act) 25,000
Week to date (est) 602,000 Week to date (est) 621,000
Same Period Last Week (est) 605,000 Same Period Last Week (est) 617,000
Same Period Last Year (act) 599,000 Same Period Last Year (act) 625,000

CME Futures Closes for Live Cattle:
Month Close Change Month Close Change
Apr 95.10 + 1.27 Oct 92.72 + .20
Jun 92.80 + .85 Dec 94.72 + .45
Aug 90.57 + .42 Feb 95.65 + .35

New Holland Sales Stables Auction Report for Thursday, March 11, 2010
When compared to last week`s sale, slaughter cows sold steady to firm.
Slaughter Cows:
Percent Lean Avg. Dressing High Dressing Low Dressing
Premium White 65-75 54.00-57.50 58.50-60.00 49.00-52.50
Breakers 75-80 51.00-53.50 54.00-55.00 46.00-48.00
Boners 80-85 48.00-50.50 52.00-53.50 43.50-45.50
Lean 88-90 43.00-47.50 48.50-50.00 38.00-42.50

USDA ESTIMATE CUTTER COW CARCASS CUT-OUT VALUE
Cutter 90%
350#/up
——————————————————————————–
Current-Cutout Value: $120.85
Change from prior day: ($0.67)
——————————————————————————–

Farmers & Ranchers Livestock Commission Co., Salina Kansas Close on 03/11/2010
Receipts: 2763 Last Week: 4563 Year Ago: 4111
Compared to last week: Steers 300-650 lbs 1.00-4.00 higher; 650-1000 lbs steady
to 1.00 lower. Heifers 450-1050 lbs steady to 1.00 higher.
Feeder Steers (Figures in parentheses are weighted average prices.) Medium
and Large 1: 6 head 313 lbs 131.00; 450-500 lbs 127.00-131.00 (129.66); 500-550
lbs 126.75-130.00 (128.15); 35 head Thin 511-546 lbs 129.00-133.00 (131.31);
550-600 lbs 122.50-126.50 (123.82); 8 head Thin 573-581 lbs 125.00-128.00
(126.49); 600-650 lbs 118.00-122.25 (119.57); 650-700 lbs 110.50-114.00
(111.36); 700-750 lbs 105.00-109.00 (106.04); 750-800 lbs 102.50-104.50
(103.57); 800-850 lbs 96.75-98.00 (97.14); 850-900 lbs 93.00-96.50 (94.15); 900-
950 lbs 93.00-93.60 (93.09); 950-1000 lbs 92.50-93.35 (92.74). Medium and Large
1-2: 6 head 336 lbs 125.00; 450-500 lbs 121.00-122.00 (121.67); 500-550 lbs
118.00-120.50 (119.57); 550-600 lbs 116.00-120.00 (119.24); 600-650 lbs 113.50-
114.75 (114.51); 700-750 lbs 100.00-104.00 (102.31); 750-800 lbs 98.00-99.00
(98.19); 800-850 lbs 94.85-95.50 (94.90); 850-900 lbs 91.35-95.75 (92.03); 8
head 926 lbs 91.00. Medium and Large 2: 6 head 488 lbs 119.50; 500-550 lbs
115.00-117.00 (115.76); 9 head 848 lbs 93.00.
Feeder Heifers (Figures in parentheses are weighted average prices.) Medium
and Large 1: 450-500 lbs 116.00-117.00 (116.83); 500-550 lbs 109.00-112.00
(110.66); 22 head Replacement 504-515 lbs 113.00-114.00 (113.61); 550-600
lbs 105.00-109.50 (107.49); 20 head 633 lbs 102.50; 650-700 lbs 98.25-102.00
(99.66); 18 head 701 lbs 95.50; 750-800 lbs 92.50-95.00 (93.16); 800-850 lbs
90.00-91.50 (90.68); 11 head 913 lbs 89.00; 16 head 1037 lbs 89.85. Medium and
Large 1-2: 8 head 325 lbs 114.00; 350-400 lbs 113.00-115.00 (114.04); 13 head
421 lbs 114.50; 550-600 lbs 103.00-105.50 (104.13); 600-650 lbs 97.00-101.50
(99.18); 650-700 lbs 93.50-96.85 (96.05); 700-750 lbs 92.00-94.60 (93.05).
Medium and Large 2: 5 head 547 lbs 101.00; 7 head 750 lbs 87.00.

CME Future Closes for Feeder Cattle:
Month Close Change Month Close Change
Mar 103.00 + 1.07 Aug 109.17 + 1.30
Apr 105.97 + .87 Sep 108.65 + 1.45
May 107.30 + 1.55 Oct 108.55 + 1.52

HOGS
Direct Trade:
Dressed Basis: based on 185 lbs hog carcass with 0.9-1.1 inch back fat and 6
inch square loin/2.0 inch depth plant delivered. National direct trade barrows
and gilts .59 lower with prices ranging from 62.50-72.00, weighted average
price 70.60. Iowa-Minnesota 1.23 lower at 62.50-72.00, weighted average price
70.34. Western Cornbelt 1.20 lower at 62.50-72.00, weighted average price
70.45. Eastern Cornbelt 1.04 higher at 68.90-72.00, weighted average price
70.74.

Live Basis (240-280 lbs): National direct barrows and gilts 0.82 lower at
47.56-56.00, weighted average 54.76. Iowa-Minnesota 0.79 lower at 50.25-56.00,
weighted average 55.02. Western Cornbelt 0.77 lower at 47.56-56.00, weighted
average 54.96. Eastern Cornbelt 0.53 lower at 52.31-55.88, weighted average
54.24.

For the week: National Direct barrow and gilt prices 1.36 lower.

USDA ESTIMATED PORK CARCASS CUTOUT
Calculations for a 200 lb Pork Carcass
53-54% lean, 0.65″-0.80″ backfat at last rib
———————————————————————–
Total Today’s Primal Cutout Values
Date Loads Carcass Loin Butt Pic Rib Ham Belly
———————————————————————–
03/12 85.00 73.83 87.25 68.09 52.51 113.81 68.63 90.47
Change : -0.28 0.77 0.56 -0.26 -0.78 -2.94 1.78
————————————————————————

HOG Slaughter under Federal Inspection
Friday (est) 413,000 Saturday (est) 84,000
Week ago (est) 412,000 Week ago (est) 38,000
Year ago (act) 414,000 Year ago (act) 58,000
Week to date (est) 2,048,000 Week to date (est) 2,132,000
Same Period Last Week (est) 2,125,000 Same Period Last Week (est) 2,163,000
Same Period Last Year (act) 2,093,000 Same Period Last Year (act) 2,152,000

CME Futures Closes for Lean Hogs:
Month Close Change Month Close Change
Apr 72.65 + .77 Jul 80.75 + .57
May 77.95 + .70 Aug 79.50 – .30
Jun 80.80 + .60 Oct 70.90 + .05

SHEEP
Auction Markets:
Slaughter lambs not tested.

Direct Markets:

Eastern Cornbelt Direct Sheep Weekly Report
(includes lambs sold in IL.,IN.,OH.,MI.)
Total sheep and lamb sales: 409 Last Week: 373 Year ago: 633

Compared to last week, slaughter lambs traded 2.00 to 5.00 higher.
Wooled Slaughter Lambs: Choice and Prime 2-3: 90-110 lbs 132.00. Good and
Choice 1-2: 60-90 lbs 150.00.

NATIONAL DAILY LAMB CARCASS REPORT

Negotiated sales for delivery within 14 calendar days,
FOB Plant basis.

Compared to last week: Carcasses higher, with 55#’s and
down trending higher; 55#’s and up trending 5.68-6.67
higher.

DAILY CHOICE AND PRIME, YG 1-4 Head 814

Weight Head Wt Avg
45-DN 42 389.44
45-55# 96 273.93
55-65# 246 251.57
65-75# 156 225.63
75-85# 135 223.00
85-UP 139 218.00

* SAT-FRI CHOICE AND PRIME, YG 1-4 Head 12,359

Weight Head Wt Avg
45-DN 355 300.06
45-55# 618 258.71
55-65# 1,766 242.96
65-75# 3,955 222.36
75-85# 4,156 216.32
85-UP 1,509 210.38

SHEEP Slaughter under Federal Inspection
Friday (est) 9,000 Saturday (est) 4,000
Week ago (est) 9,000 Week ago (est) 2,000
Year ago (act) 8,000 Year ago (act) 0
Week to date (est) 48,000 Week to date (est) 52,000
Same Period Last Week (est) 46,000 Same Period Last Week (est) 48,000
Same Period Last Year (est) 45,000 Same Period Last Year (act) 45,000

GOATS
Direct Markets:

Eastern Cornbelt Direct Goats
Compared to last week, slaughter kid goats sold 2.00 higher.
Slaughter Goats (cwt.): Kids: Selection 1: 40-60 lbs 155.00. Selection 2:
40-60 lbs 150.00; 60-80 lbs 129.00-140.00. Yearlings: Not tested.

Auction Markets:

South Carolina Weekly Auctions
Goats: Receipts 241. Goats sold per head basis. Slaughter and Replacement
classes. Weights are estimated.
Kids: Selection 1 Under 20 lbs 33.00-44.00, 20-40 lbs 57.50-58.00, 40-60 lbs
62.50-75.00, 60-80 lbs 87.50-90.00. Selection 2 20-40 lbs 37.50-47.50, 40-60
lbs 45.00-60.00, 60-80 lbs 65.00-77.50. Yearlings: Selection 1 60-80 lbs
105.00-127.50. Selection 2 60-80 lbs 80.00-82.50.

Source: USDA-TX Dept of Ag Market News, Amarillo, TX

GUYMON — A man who falsely represented himself as an architect is being paid to design a new library, fire station and animal shelter for the city of Guymon, an investigation by The Oklahoman has confirmed.

Brian Curtis and his company Brian Curtis Studio Design LLC of Scottsdale, Ariz., have been paid $634,000 so far on an architectural contract that is set to reach $705,000 if he completes all construction oversight work, said Ted Graham, Guymon city manager.

The total project cost is expected to be about $10.6 million.

“We presumed by his proposal that he was an architect,” Graham said. “We later found out that he was not licensed in the state of Oklahoma. … He’s not a licensed architect in any state that I know of.”

On the Brian Curtis Studio Web site, Curtis claims to have received a “Bachelor of Science in Architectural Design Degree as well as a Master of Architecture Degree from Arizona State University in Tempe, Ariz.”

However, a spokeswoman for the Arizona State University registrar’s office said none of the five people named Brian Curtis that are listed as graduating from the university since 1980 have degrees in those fields.

Curtis, who grew up in Guymon and still has family there, did not return telephone calls seeking comment.

Architect, company fined for fraud
In response to multiple complaints from Guymon residents, the board of governors for the Licensed Architects, Landscape Architects and Registered Interior Designers of Oklahoma recently investigated Curtis.
After an administrative hearing, the board fined Curtis and his company a combined $8,000 after finding them guilty of fraud, dishonest practice, practicing architecture without a license and performing architectural work in the state without a certificate of authority.

The fraud and dishonest practice allegations stemmed from Curtis falsely representing that his studio had an office or presence in the state when it didn’t.

Curtis told the board the office address he gave the city was that of his family’s Ford dealership in Guymon.

“There is a little desk in the corner that we could put a laptop up and unroll some drawings,” he testified, adding that his purpose in listing the address was to let the city know it would not need to provide him with office space.

Graham said the city’s contract was with Curtis, but Curtis has been working under the supervision of architect Michael Whalen throughout the project, and Whalen was stamped as the architect of record on all the architectural plans that were submitted.

Whalen, however, was not licensed as an architect in Oklahoma at the start of the project, and his company, WXY Design LLC, did not have a valid certificate of authority in the state.

The board fined Whalen $2,000 for his conduct.

He since has completed state licensing requirements, officials said.

After the board hearing, Curtis reportedly tried to downplay the board’s actions with Guymon residents by saying he had just committed common clerical errors.

The state architecture board responded by sending a sharply worded letter to Guymon Mayor Ken Hutchins.

“The Board considers the findings against Brian Curtis Studio Design LLC of fraud, dishonest practice and practicing without a valid certificate of authority to be quite serious,” the board chairman wrote. “The Board … does not consider these violations to be of the type that would arise from ‘common clerical errors.’”

Graham said he thought Curtis’ comments were out of line.

“I regret he made those statements,” Graham said. “He made a mistake, and we told him to rectify it.”

Council favors moving forward, official says
The three buildings Curtis has been designing are to be built with part of the proceeds from a 2 percent sales tax, Graham said.
The request for proposals that went out to potential architects initially estimated the combined construction cost of the projects to be $6.25 million.

That amount was raised to a “$9.1 million maximum guaranteed price” after discussions with Curtis and construction contractors, Graham said.

The total project cost is expected to be about $10.6 million when architectural fees, electrical hookup and other such costs are taken into consideration, he said.

Graham said there were six other bids for architectural services on the projects. The city manager thinks some of the other bids were lower, but city officials liked the presentation Curtis made the best.

Although Curtis is not an architect, Graham said he likes the designs he has submitted and thinks Curtis has performed all his contractual obligations.

The city has a problem, however, because the fact Curtis is unlicensed makes his contract “null and void by statute,” Graham said.

The insurance company Curtis uses has agreed to stand by its errors and omissions policy covering his work and most of the city council seems to currently favor going forward with the projects he has been designing, Graham said.

“It’s real unfortunate to be where we’re at,” Graham said.