a look back into our archives
10 years ago
On the week of July 6, 2011, Cordell City Council set to vote on bank account signature authorizations for council members.
Carolyn Burns resigned from her position as city treasurer for Cordell, in her letter of resignation, Burns declared the resignation was to be effective immediately.
To help citizens “beat the heat” the city announced that the cordell police department lobby and public library were among a few places in cordell that would serve as cool-down stations for overheated residents.
Washita County was placed under a 30 day burn ban on July 1, putting a damper on any fireworks display.
In response to townsfolk respecting the burn ban by restricting firework use, Mayor Alex Damon said the city would designate a day for fireworks in the future.
Cordell Elementary Staff member Pat Duran was shown teaching students, Mariah Sperle and Allie Dixon, how to properly fold the american flag.
The Washita County Free Fair was announced, with festivities to be held from August 17, to August 20.
20 years ago
On the week of July 4, 2001, the Western Farmers Electric Cooperative announced that the production from their Hugo Coal Fired Power Plant was lost unexpectedly. For townspeople this meant that they would see an increase in the price of their monthly bills. The Cooperative released a statement ensuring that the city would not receive an increased profit, and that the extra funds would be dedicated to purchasing the electricity.
Bryan Beshear was hired as the new Vo-Ag teacher for the Cordell School System. Board members also voted to accept a counseling contract from Lori DIxon for the 2001-2002 school year.
The OSU Extension Agency held an informative meeting on Karnal Bunt Disease. Between 70 and 80 individuals gathered at the meeting regarding the wheat fungus Karnal Bunt. The meeting was solely educational, and served as a preemptive educational measure to prepare farmers for possible infection. No cases were reported in the state at this time.
Alfred Miller braved the Oklahoma wind as he went up in the bucket of a Kiwash Electric Cooperative truck to fix a piece of loose trim on the Washita County Courthouse. Miller speculated that the trim was loosened in one of the many wind storms that had swept through Cordell that spring.
30 years ago
On the week of July 1, 1981 Sentinel set the date for their fourth of July celebration, planning to kick off festivities on July 3 and continue them into July 4.
Nearly 300 individuals were expected to attend the reunion for the classes of 1949-58, which would be held on July 4.
Sam Arnold III planned to open a medical practice in Cordell, offering general family medicine.
The C.R Anthony store was honored as business of the month by the Cordell Chamber of Commerce. The store was opened in 1927 and served as the 42nd store in the chain to open.
A former county felon was convicted in Lawton cases. The felon, formerly convicted in 1975 for indecent exposure and indecent proposal to a child by Washita County courts, was sentenced to 150 years in prison by a Comanche County jury. John Willam Bass was found guilty on felony counts of kidnapping and sodomy.
Darrel Donica, a former Cordell resident, planned to come home and join the staff of the Cordell National Bank.
1994