Flashbacks

25 Years Ago March 29, 1995

Officials Supportive of 911

Emergency response officials in Cordell are hopeful the 911 emergency phone number will provide a comprehensive emergency action plan.

The 911 issue will be on next Tuesday’s municipal ballot in Cordell.

City administrator David Fuqua said the way it reads on the ballot, 911 will cost phone users a five percent increase on their base bill, which basically becomes a 50 cent increase per month on phone bills. He emphasized it is not five percent of the whole bill, but only the base bill which is about $10.

Woman Charged In Infant Son’s Death

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Donna Smith, a 19-year-old woman formerly of Burns Flat, on charges of second degree manslaughter.

Smith is being held responsible for the death of her six-month-old son, Levi. The child died on Dec. 13 in Burns Flat. His twin sister, Starla, was taken into Department of Human Services Custody in December.

Assistant District Attorney Ed Wyant said an autopsy performed by the State Medical Examiner’s office showed the cause of death was homicide. The autopsy report said the child died of traumatic asphyxiation, which means something was blocking his air passages.

He said there is evidence that Smith was inebriated on the night of Dec. 12 and sleeping with the child on a floor mattress.

An information sheet filed on the case at the Washita County Courthouse alleges Smith also had sexual relations with a man next to the child on the mattress.

Man Goes For Lunch, Leaves $1,000 Donation

While enjoying a Sunday afternoon grilled cheese at Sonic Drive-In, 82-year-old Elmer Lynch noticed the Red Cross advertisement on the cup and napkins.

He went inside and proceeded to write a check for $1,000 to the Red Cross as a donation.

Felicia Hendricks, a Sonic employee, was just a little surprised with the atypical action.

“He was a really nice man doing some good,” she said.

50 Years Ago March 26, 1970

FAA To Operate Air Facilities At C-S Base

The former Clinton-Sherman air force base at Burns Flat will soon become a satellite training facility for the Federal Aviation Administrations’ aeronautical center at Oklahoma City, the Cordell Beacon was advised Wednesday night by telegram from Senator Henry Bellmon.

Under the plan approved by the FAA, the center will conduct non-based flight training for the agency’s flight personnel.

The center will also conduct proficiency training for airport control tower operators.

Kim Hunter Has Grand Champion At State Show

Kim Hunter, Cordell High School sophomore and a 4-H club member, had the best lamb at the Oklahoma 4-H and FFA livestock show in Oklahoma City.

Her grand champion lamb, a Hampshire, was bought in Monday night’s premium sale by Mid-Continent Life, which paid $17.50 a pound for the 103 pound lamb for a total of $1,802.50.

This is a record high for the lamb sale. Last year’s grand champion, also shown by a girl, Eva Martin of Chattanooga, weighed 96 pounds and sold for $17.25 a pound.

Fines Are Levied On Double Charge

Brent Wayne Evans, entering pleas of guilty in two cases before Charles Edwards, associate district Judge, Saturday, March 21, has paid assessments totaling $155.

On a charge of resisting an officer, he paid a fine of $100 and costs of $15 and on a charge of possession of an altered drivers license he paid a fine of $25 and costs of $15.