- Ponca City Now

1,589 new COVID-19 cases this week for Oklahoma

Thursday, January 6 by Lyman James

As of January 5, the Oklahoma State Department of Health documented 1,589 new COVID-19 cases over the past week, putting the state's overall total of COVID-19 cases since early 2020 to 52,783.Locally, Kay County saw 218 new COVID-19 cases in a week. Kay County's had an overall total of 8,683 COVID-19 cases.43.2% of the...

Kay County Assessor no longer going to each city to collect exemptions and assessment papers due to COVID-19

Thursday, January 6 by Lyman James

The following is a letter from Kay County Assessor Janell Leaming: To Whom it May Concern;Due to Covid-19, the Kay County Assessor will no longer be going to each city to collect exemptions and assessment papers. This is to continue to keep residents safe and healthy. All applications and personal property renditions are due March...

Leaming named Kay County’s new assessor

Thursday, January 6 by Lyman James

Janell Leaming's been named Kay County’s new assessor.Leaming was sworn in to office by Judge Lee Turner at Monday’s Kay County Commissioner meeting. She replaces Susan Keen who retired on Dec. 30.Before becoming the new assessor, Leaming spent her time working in the assessor’s office since Oct. 1, 2010 and was Keen’s first deputy...

Former Blackwell City Manager Outhier now free on bond

Wednesday, January 5 by Lyman James

A Former Blackwell City Manager, Thomas Lynn Outhier, 67, is now free on a $5,000 bond after he was booked into the Kay County Detention Center on felony charges of conspiracy and fraud.Also facing the same charges with Outhier when they were handed out last year were Blackwell Mayor T.J. Greenfield, 42, and Tonkawa...

OSDH extending COVID-19 testing hours at local health departments as case numbers increase

Wednesday, January 5 by Lyman James

The Oklahoma State Department of Health is extending COVID-19 testing hours at local health departments as the demand for tests and case numbers increased over the past week.According to KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City, along with extending the hours, the health department will offer weekend availability at select locations as well as deploy mobile units...

Kay County Health Department offering additional COVID-19 testing

Wednesday, January 5 by Lyman James

The Kay County Health Department is offering additional COVID-19 testing Jan. 8 and 15. To sign up, go to

Two Kansas residents killed in accident near Tonkawa

Wednesday, January 5 by Lyman James

A double fatality collision occurred at approximately 4:35 a.m. Tuesday on northbound Interstate 35, approximately ½ mile south of mile marker 214, one mile south of Tonkawa in Kay County. This caused the north bound traffic on I-35 to be detoured through Tonkawa.According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol report, a 2016 Nissan Sentra driven...

Northbound I-35 Traffic Detoured through Tonkawa

Tuesday, January 4 by Lyman James

All Northbound Interstate-35 traffic will be detoured through Tonkawa, until further notice, due to a vehicle wreck. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Tonkawa Police Department reported the vehicle collision occurred, this morning, and expect the northbound lanes to be closed for quite some time until crews can work the accident and clear the...

PCPS shares inclement weather policy

Tuesday, January 4 by Lyman James

With winter weather here, PCPS officials want to remind students, staff, parents and patrons of how they will be notified if school is closed due to inclement weather. PCPS Superintendent Shelley Arrott stated, “The safety of our students, staff and community is our first priority, and we will take every step we can to...

CDC and OSDH issue new shortened isolation and quarantine guidelines

Tuesday, January 4 by Lyman James

Ponca City Public School students return to classes on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. The CDC and OSDH issued new shortened isolation and quarantine guidelines based on specific criteria that became effective Dec. 27, 2021. Additional information can be found by visiting

One person killed in accident Monday morning on South Avenue

Monday, January 3 by Lyman James

One person is dead following a single vehicle accident that occurred just after midnight Monday morning at the South Avenue underpass.The Ponca City Police Department received a call about the accident. Driving the vehicle was Michael Fink, 32, who is listed in critical condition at OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City. His passenger, Dickey...

Two Ponca City residents injured in accident Friday at Hubbard and Union

Monday, January 3 by Lyman James

Two Ponca City residents were injured following a two-vehicle accident that occurred at 1:07 p.m. Friday afternoon at Hubbard Road and Union Street.According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Lester Brochmann, 86, was driving 2014 Ram 2500 pickup northbound on Union when he failed to stop at the stop sign. Brochmann proceeded to cross Hubbard...