a look back into our archives
10 YEARS AGO
On the week of June 29, 2011, it was announced that a severe drought would put a damper on Fourth of July fireworks. Washita County, along with many other counties in Western Oklahoma were in the worst drought category in the state, known as D4, or exceptional drought.
The exceptional drought made history, being the driest year since 1921 and the driest June since 1933. 33% of the state was also in the D4 drought category. The average heat for the month of June in this year was 101.
Charlie Green, a local EMT, was honored for 20+ years of faithful service to the Cordell area. Green was also honored by the Board of Directors of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for being a Nationally Registered EMT for 20 consecutive years, an honor held by few.
County Commissioners would consider implementing a burn ban at an upcoming meeting. The burn ban, if approved, would last two weeks and immediately expire after those two weeks, unless continued by a majority vote.
The Cordell pool announced that they would hold a “free swim day” on the Fourth of July.
20 YEARS AGO
On the week of June 20, 2001, combine crews from the counties in Texas that were quarantined for Karnal Bunt Disease were discovered in Washita County. A meeting was scheduled for the following Thursday to educate locals on the disease.
It was announced that an economic development committee would sponsor a workshop on a new economic development tool on Monday, June 25. The meeting would introduce a new Western Oklahoma based employment website which would allow employers to post job openings, and job seekers to gain insight into the job market.
Jim Balzer was named the new manager of the Rocky Farmers Cooperative, according to Ron Koper, the chairman of the Co-op’s Board of Directors.
Approximately 973,000 Oklahoma Citizens would receive tax refund checks. The rebate was a result of an income reform package signed into law earlier in the month.
Jean Nightengale, county extension secretary, would be honored at a retirement reception on Friday, June 29.
The regular quarterly meeting of Washita County 2000, Inc. was scheduled for Thursday, June 21. All interested area residents were encouraged to attend.
40 YEARS AGO
On the week of June 24, 1981, the General Mills Elevator of Cordell reported the local wheat price at $3.70 a bushel, which was unchanged from the day prior, and down six cents from last week.
At the groundbreaking for the new Cordell Library, Mayor Tom Crider said that unity was why the library became a reality. “This shows what people can do when they unite, cooperate, work, and pull together,” Crider said.
LaVerna Doran and Dortha Beech retired from the county treasurer’s office with 65 years of service between them.
A former Cordell girl was improving from an accidental gun wound she suffered at her home in Clinton. Lori Briggs was in the Baptist Medical Center for treatment of a pistol bullet wound in the right chest that she acquired on June 15.
McMahan Daycare Center announced that they would be closing their doors after 14+ years of faithful service to the Cordell community.
The Walter Baumgart residence on east Ollie st. in Cordell burned on June 22, according to fireman Jim Newman. Cordell Firemen fought the blaze for 1 ½ hours. The fire gutted the second story of the home and burned through the roof, the first floor of the home suffered water damage.
1986