Freezing temperatures and slick road conditions continue across Oklahoma

(AP)-The remnants of a winter storm created some interesting situations in Oklahoma on Wednesday, both on and off the snow-covered roadways. <br><br>One Oklahoma man found out that not only should he watch

Wednesday, December 13th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(AP)-The remnants of a winter storm created some interesting situations in Oklahoma on Wednesday, both on and off the snow-covered roadways.

One Oklahoma man found out that not only should he watch out for blistering winds and freezing temperatures, but he should watch out for thieves.

The man left his car running Wednesday morning outside his apartment. When he returned, he found another man had jumped inside the car and started to drive off.

The car's owner tried to stop the thief, but the thief pointed a pistol at the man and drove away, said Oklahoma City police Sgt. Kevin Southerland.

``If you warm up your car, lock it with a set of spare keys,'' Southerland said.

The car still was missing Wednesday night.

Many schools and businesses were closed Wednesday, but some Oklahomans ventured out into the cold anyway.

One couple called the Oklahoma County Courthouse early Wednesday morning, wanting to know if the bad weather would keep them from getting their divorce.

District Judge Vicki Robinson said there were domestic judges available and that all the couple had to do was show up.

In Tulsa, about 40 Greyhound bus passengers had an unexpected stopover. The company stopped its local transports early Wednesday morning, forcing passengers to sleep on cots brought in by the Tulsa chapter of the American Red Cross.

Bus service resumed Wednesday afternoon.

Beavers Bend State Park in southeastern Oklahoma has been without power since Tuesday evening, but that hasn't bothered the parks' handful of visitors, said Jayne Jayroe, executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

Jayroe said when officials went to check on the park's only guests _ only one cabin had been rented _ they didn't seem to mind going without power.

``They said they were having a great time and didn't want to go,'' Jayroe said. ``We'll keep checking on them.''

EMSA ambulance crews in Oklahoma City were turning to pantyhose to keep snow from clogging up their sirens.

``We had to send one of our big, burly paramedics to get the hose. He called and said, 'Do I get the large size?''' said EMSA spokeswoman Lara O'Leary.

``I told him I guess. They're definitely getting a quick course in pantyhose.''

Warmer temperatures Wednesday improved the slick road conditions throughout the day, but were expected to add to the problem later in the evening.

Portions of the Will Rogers Turnpike in northeast Oklahoma were shut down after a semitrailer overturned near Claremore.

Roads around Vinita in Craig County were narrowed down to one or two lanes, said Deputy Chuck Ward.

Todd Smithson, dispatcher for the Oklahoma Highway Patrol in Muskogee, said roads were refreezing but none were closed. There had been no major weather-related accidents early Wednesday evening, he said.

Secondary roads in northeast Oklahoma were still snow packed and major highways were refreezing, said OHP Sgt. Gene Duncan in Pawnee.

``All of our crews are out and trying to do what they can,'' said Terri Angier, spokeswoman for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation. ``But it's hard because of the icy conditions and all the things frozen over.''

``We're asking people to stay home if at all possible.''