a look back into our archives
10 YEARS AGO
On the week of August 10, 2011, fires destroyed two old landmark buildings, damaged two homes, burned 2500 acres of land, and threatened the rest of Colony. Air tankers called in from Abilene, Texas, helped fight the fire along with firefighters from at least 12 communities.
Cordell schools faculty and staff were honored at a luncheon in the First Baptist Church Building. Summer vacation ended for students, with all county schools starting class by the 11th of August.
Oklahoma’s month of July in 2011 was labeled the hottest month on record in the US, with an average temp seven degrees above normal.
A voter ID law was put into effect, requiring voters to present a government issued form of identification before being allowed to vote.
State Representative Todd Russ was appointed to the House Select Oversight Committee on Pensions.
The “Food for Kid’s Backpack Program”, led by the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma, allowed Washita County Elementary students to receive healthy, kid-friendly meals over the weekend throughout the school year.
Cordell Mayor Alex Damon was accepted as a member of the Mayors Council of OK.
20 YEARS AGO
On the week of August 1, 2001, townspeople began counting down the days until the 2001 Washita county fair.
Cordell city employees were hard at work, hanging banners to welcome guests attending the 2001 Open House.
Merchants prepared for the upcoming annual sidewalk sale on August 4th. Merchants encouraged shoppers to come early to get the best buys and beat the heat.
Richard Lively bought the first two pumpkin festival shirts, ordering them before the design work had been finished.
In an effort to protect Cordell Citizens from the triple digit heat, city officials teamed up with various volunteers and agencies to have the senior citizens center open until 7 p.m.
Joe Tilton, a representative of Oklahoma’s Space Authority, was selected to be the guest speaker for the Cordell Chamber of Commerce breakfast.
The Cordell Board of Education voted to adopt changes to their handbook and give pay raises to some support personnel and bus drivers.
Cordell Schools announced their enrollment schedule, designating August 9 for all high school and junior high enrollment.
The price of wheat was $2.68 as of July 29, 2001.
40 YEARS AGO
On the week of August 5, 1981, Dr. Tsai and his family became citizens of the United States, receiving naturalization certificates in Jackson County District Court at Altus.
Roy Feltman took over the Cordell DX Service Station. Feltman assumed ownership and operation of the firm from Leon McClure on August 1, with plans to the same services as McClure.
Washita County was ranked 20th in Natural Gas production after two more completions. In the month of May, Washita County wells produced 3,143,249,000 cubic feet of gas and casinghead gas, 6,265 barrels of oil and 17,304 barrels of condensate.
Washita County also ranked second in Oklahoma for the number of oil and gas wells drilled below 20,000 feet, with 15 established wells and nine locations drilling or staked.
Sentinel adopted a new ordinance on beer drinking in city limits. The ordinance made it unlawful to consume 3.2 beer on “any street, alley, or public place in Sentinel.
Mike England was appointed to the Cordell city council, replacing Bob Isbell who resigned from the ward four council post.
A tele-conference regarding crop insurance was scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in the Washita County OSU Extension Center.
The Cordell Post Office gained a new officer-in-charge. Marius Deasy of Lawton assumed the duties of Earl Byford, former OIC.
Larry Ball was named the new principal of Sentinel Junior High and High School.
1986
