Flashbacks

September 6 1995

Company Explores Possible Apartments for Cordell Square

Housing Designed for Senior Citizens

An Oklahoma based company, which specializes in affordable housing for senior citizens, is currently testing the waters in the hopes of opening 20 to 24 apartments on the downtown square in Cordell.

Kenneth Smith, owner of South Ridge Apartments Company, is doing a market survey to see if the project is feasible and the $230 apartments could be filled.

He said he would like to renovate the top of an existing building.

Smith owns over 1,000 similar apartments in towns like Cheyenne, Guymon, Hinton, Billings, Okmulgee, Sayre, Clinton and Weatherford.

He likes to stay in towns with populations less than 20,000 people.

Smith's company applies for funds for the elderly housing projects through the Rural Economic and Community Development, whose state director is Cordell's Charles Rainbolt.

Smith said companies are competing for one million federal dollars headed for Oklahoma housing projects. He said an aspect like renovating Main Street property may be the key to getting funding.

Mark Wesner, Cordell city attorney and Main Street Inc. past president, said the concept may be a worthy one.

"The people who rent them enjoy being downtown,” Wesner said. "The economic benefit will likely-be a new population and new income."

Smith offers quarters to older people, many of whom no longer drive. He said by placing them in the middle of Cordell it could "help revive the downtown by bringing in people who can spend money."

Two County Women Recieve Sentences

Two Washita County women were sentenced last week at the county courthouse.

Donna Smith, a 19-year-old woman formerly of Burns Flat, pled "no contest" to second degree manslaughter in front of Associate District Judge Joe Burch.

Prosecutor Ed Wyant argued that Smith's six-month-old son, Levi, died because of Smith's lack of care.

An autopsy report showed the boy died of traumatic asphyxiation, meaning his air passages were blocked.

An arrest report said Smith was inebriated and sleeping with the child on a floor mattress on the night of December 12th, 1994, the night of the fatality.

Burch gave Smith a four year sentence, all suspended except for six months in the Washita County Jail.

Wyant said the maximum penalty for second degree manslaughter, a felony charge, is four years.

District Attorney John Wampler said "provisions for the protection of the defendant's sole remaining child were agreed upon as part of the sentencing." The deceased boy had a twin sister.

Wampler said there was no evidence that showed the suspect intended to harm the baby, however, "her conduct was so recklessly irresponsible that the filing of this charge was appropriate,"

In a separate case Crystal Lauer, a 16-year-old woman from Cordell, pled guilty to negligent homicide, a misdemeanor charge that stems from a May accident in which 16-year-old Jamie Bennight was killed.

Lauer, driving her 1993 Chevrolet Lumina, lost control of her car on a Washita County road. The crash ejected Bennight, killing the teen.The investigating officer reported alcohol and high speeds as the cause of the accident.

Lauer's Blood Alcohol Content was at .08, which is .03 above the limit for a DWI.

Burch gave Lauer a five year deferred sentence, which means that if rules of probation are broken she could receive the maximum sentence of a year in prison and a $1,000 fine.

Her conditions include: no driving for six months; no possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages; curfew for weeknight and weekends; participation in Oklahoma Victim Impact Panel meetings.

Wyant also said the case is still under investigation.

Sept 10, 1970

Don Cannon to show 1971 cars

Three new 1971 economy models of Ford and Mercury cars will go on display in the showroom of Don Cannon Ford-Mercury in Cordell Friday morning, Sept, 11.

An introductory showing of the tiniest Ford, the Pinto,which is a brand new car on the market; the Maverick, with improvements from last year,and the Mercury Comet will be held.

Free coffee and donuts will be served to all visitors to the Don Cannon showroom both Friday and Saturday, Sept. 11 and 12.

Cannon extends an invitation to all residents of Cordell and this area to see the newest models in Ford and Mercury Economy cars.

Ron Wesner president of Booster club

Ronald Wesner was elected president of the Cordell Athletic Booster club at an organization meeting Tuesday night at the Community Center.

Other officers are O, H, Williams, vice-president; Mrs. Harold Moffett, secretary-treasurer, and B. G. Penn, reporter.

Waldo Emerson acted as temporary chairman, The Blue Devil coaches, Wilson Wilhite, Danny Bringham, Woody Pryor and Jim Lawrence, were introduced by Raymond Garrison, school superintendent.

Showing of the film on the Saturday night four team Scrimmage, taken by Dr. Bill Akers, was made by Coach Wilhite who said he has been well pleased with the performance of the Cordell players, especially with their effort.

James V. Son backs Hutchens

James V. Son, Cordell, who ran third for the office of state senator in the Democratic primary election held on Aug. 25 has now endorsed State Representative David Hutchens, Hobart, for the job.

Son issued a statement in which he said, “I appreciate the consideration and cooperation that David Hutchens has given me during this campaign for the state senate. I have visited personally with both candidates and I feel that David Hutchens is best qualified for the job. I wish to encourage supporters to vote for David Hutchens.

In response to this endorsement, Hutchens stated,” I certainly thank Mr. Son for his help in the campaign, and I appreciate the confidence he has placed in me. I will work to represent all of District 26 in the state senate."