a look back into our archives
10 YEARS AGO
On the week of October 5, 2011, The Cordell Lady Blue Devil Softball Team advanced to the State Tournament for the third time in CHS history. The Lady Devils had a season record of 29-12 and were led by Coach Jason Brown.
Vandals damaged school property on the morning of October 1, spray painting the activity bus and parts of the concession stand, damaged a school golf cart, broke a window in the fieldhouse, and sprayed a fire extinguisher in the fieldhouse. Three cordell students, all juveniles, were identified as suspects and questioned by police.
Nathan Lubbers, of the United States National Guard, sustained injuries from an IED while serving in Afghanistan. Lubbers was one of three soldiers ejected from the gunner’s compartment of the MRAP (mine resistant ambush protected) vehicle when it was struck by the IED. Lubbers and his fellow soldiers were part of a convoy that was returning to their post following a two-day mission and were within an hour of finishing the mission. In addition to leg injuries, Lubbers suffered a fractured back, and broken bones in his hand, along with other minor injuries.
Captain Gaylon Schantz, Ryder Campbell, Tristan Williams, Nikoma Early, Fire Chief Jason Claunch, Devin Humphrey, Scott Fisher, and Drew Lacy Attended Firefighter Training.
20 YEARS AGO
On the week of October 3, 2001, Cordell’s City Council approved the minimum standards for commercial aeronautical activities, giving the city the ability to regulate activities at the airport. The city also agreed to stop selling fuel at the airport, to avoid the high costs of keeping fuel storage systems up to code.
Oklahoma WWII veterans who were drafted before obtaining their high school diploma were given the opportunity to receive their diploma for the first time. The diplomas would even be granted posthumously.
In honor of October being breast cancer awareness month, an article was published in The Cordell Beacon that outlined the importance of getting yearly mammograms to reduce the risk of unseen cancerous tissues.
The Oklahoma State Senate took action preventing Oklahomans from paying any state taxes on their federal income tax rebates, according to an announcement from Senator, GIlmer Capps, D., Snyder.
With the Pumpkin Festival on the horizon, townspeople were encouraged to gear up for the 14th Annual Pumpkin Festival Bed Race, which was a favorite Pumpkin Festival tradition.
40 YEARS AGO
On the week of September 30, 1981, Bonham’s Furniture and Appliance of Cordell was named business of the month by the Cordell Chamber of Commerce. The business was run by Georgia Mae and Les Bonham.
Two teen girls, Donna Jean Patton and Jo Ann Galley were reported missing. Townsfolk were strongly encouraged to share any information of the girls’ whereabouts.
Don Howard Chevrolet of Cordell became Sooner Chevrolet Inc. after being bought by new owner/operators Danney Lidia and Mike Phillips.
Two new gas producer wells, one a high flowing producer, were completed in eastern Washita County.
A Canute dairyman’s cow placed eighth in a milk production contest at the State Fair of Oklahoma in Oklahoma City. Bobby Peck’s big milker, Peck’s Astro Joanna, produced 20,151 pounds of converted 4% fat corrected milk during 1980 to rank 8th in the state.
Fire damaged the bedroom of a mobile home in Cordell Sunday, Sept. 27, according to City Fireman Jim Newman. The mobile home belonged to Mrs. Ray Hoover, no known cause of fire had been identified as of press time.