Skip to content
NOWCAST KOCO 6:30am-7am Weekday Morning
Watch on Demand
Advertisement

Hearing to start eminent domain process for 92-year-old woman’s Ponca City home

The Ponca City Board of Education says it needs the land her house sits on to build a new multi-purpose indoor athletic facility and soccer fields

Hearing to start eminent domain process for 92-year-old woman’s Ponca City home

The Ponca City Board of Education says it needs the land her house sits on to build a new multi-purpose indoor athletic facility and soccer fields

ALEJANDRA: A STEP FORWARD IN A CONTROVERSIAL BATTLE OUT OF PONCA CITY. THE PONCA CITY SCHOOL BOARD IS SUING 92-YEAR-OLD FRANCIS WELCH. THEY SAY THEY NEED THE LAND HER HOUSE SITS ON TO BUILD AN ATHLETIC FACILITY AND SOCCER
Advertisement
Hearing to start eminent domain process for 92-year-old woman’s Ponca City home

The Ponca City Board of Education says it needs the land her house sits on to build a new multi-purpose indoor athletic facility and soccer fields

A hearing will begin Thursday in a controversial battle for possession of a 92-year-old woman's Ponca City home.| MORE | Family of 92-year-old woman fight to keep her home in Ponca CityThe Ponca City Board of Education is suing a 92-year-old woman with dementia, saying they need the land her house sits on to build a new multi-purpose indoor athletic facility and soccer fields.Frances Welch's attorney said he plans to ask the court to dismiss the eminent domain petition."We don't know why she would need to be forced out of her home at this time," attorney Harlen Hentges told KOCO 5 earlier in the week.Ponca City Public Schools released a statement saying: "We understand the process of eminent domain will be a hardship for the families involved; however, we are trying to make this process as convenient as possible for the property owners. The district has willingly made generous offers to ensure improved accommodations for the families and we are following a methodical process to accomplish this task." Hentges said money isn't the issue."Money cannot protect her from the damage to her quality of life during the short time she has left," Hentges said. "This is not about money. This is about a family, a society, a community’s responsibility for their most vulnerable members."

A hearing will begin Thursday in a controversial battle for possession of a 92-year-old woman's Ponca City home.

| MORE | Family of 92-year-old woman fight to keep her home in Ponca City

Advertisement

The Ponca City Board of Education is suing a 92-year-old woman with dementia, saying they need the land her house sits on to build a new multi-purpose indoor athletic facility and soccer fields.

Frances Welch's attorney said he plans to ask the court to dismiss the eminent domain petition.

"We don't know why she would need to be forced out of her home at this time," attorney Harlen Hentges told KOCO 5 earlier in the week.

Ponca City Public Schools released a statement saying: "We understand the process of eminent domain will be a hardship for the families involved; however, we are trying to make this process as convenient as possible for the property owners. The district has willingly made generous offers to ensure improved accommodations for the families and we are following a methodical process to accomplish this task."

Hentges said money isn't the issue.

"Money cannot protect her from the damage to her quality of life during the short time she has left," Hentges said. "This is not about money. This is about a family, a society, a community’s responsibility for their most vulnerable members."