One year ago
Nov. 21, 2012
• For over four years, Central Arizona Raceway at the Pinal County Fairgrounds sat all too quiet on Friday and Saturday nights. But that is about to change. The speedway is holding its grand reopening this weekend, hosting about 100 racecars that will be fighting for first place from Nov. 23-25.
• Rarely do governing board meetings for Coolidge Unified School District, a monthly time to discuss budget items, but this month Mountain Vista Principal Denise Taylor fought back tears when speaking about a student who had recently died of cancer. And she talked about how her students made that student feel special in their last days.
• Renovations begin on Highway 87 in an Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) project that was in cooperation with the Gila River Indian Community Department of Transportation, which will consist of repaving, widening and making intersection improvements to the highway.
10 years ago
Nov. 19, 2003
• The steaks were juicy and the service was excellent at the new high school culinary arts building last Wednesday where a joint district meeting was held. Governing boards from the Coolidge Unified School District and the Central Arizona Valley Institute of Technology (CAVIT) attended the meeting.
• This holiday season, as family members gathers at Eldon Woods’ home for Thanksgiving and Christmas, Woods will savor the joy of life and give thanks that he’s able to share this time with his family. This year had more than enough heartache for Woods. In the span of four months he attended four funerals.
• Natalie Bagnall was among the people demonstrating different home improvement and crafts ideas at the Community Expo at Coolidge Grain and Warehouse on Nov. 1. Among the demonstrations at the expo included landscaping, gemology, swine nutrition and other subjects. The plan is to continue to the expo every year.
30 years ago
Nov. 23, 1983
• Not only are the Coolidge Bears the top of Class A football team in Arizona, Coach Larry Delbridge was named Coach of the Year in the A-South polling of teams in the conference. Delbridge’s Bears beat Mohave 6-0 to take the championship Friday night, and Delbridge was announced as all-conference coach Saturday.
• The federation of libraries in Pinal County says they aren’t receiving the services they want from the county’s library and Thursday rejected a list of goals and objectives proposed by County Librarian Melvin Sappington. David Snyder, Casa Grande library director was a vocal critic of the library services.
• A new policy regarding the public display of affection by students on the Coolidge High School Campus was approved Nov. 17 at the Coolidge school board at their regular meeting. The policy states “The first time students are caught necking on campus” the students will be given a warning. If they are caught again, it will be a five-day suspension.
40 years ago
Nov. 22, 1973
• “At Wit’s End” an Arizona State University production featuring Coolidge High School graduate Sid Cotter is scheduled to appear on television today. Cotter, 21, is the son of Phil Cotter, formerly of Coolidge and the brother of Betty Jones, a Coolidge resident. Cotter is majoring in radio and television broadcasting at ASU.
• Coolidge merchants will kick off the Christmas shopping season Friday with a parade and visit from Santa Claus with treats for the kiddies, and Santa will ride through the downtown area in the fire truck. Youngsters are invited to decorate their bikes and ride behind the truck and Santa.
• Coolidge concluded a frustrating season on a losing note, as the Bears locked horns with the Snowflake Lobos and fell to defeat, 26-15, Friday night in the northern city. Coolidge rushers were held to minimal yardage in the encounter. The Bears leading rusher was Wayne Johnson with 36 yards.
50 years ago
Nov. 20, 1963
• It is now unlawful to park or drive automobiles and trucks between curb lines and property lines. A new ordinance, No. 40, governing parking, and also another new ordinance regulating shooting of fire arms within the city limits, were passed as emergency measure by the Mayor and City Council.
• The number “5” will be a talisman in this year’s annual Boy Scout finance drive, hopes Brad Sizer, Jr., in charge of the 1953 campaign to kick off November 30. The drive will last only 24 hours, with reports and monies due the next day. Each canvasser will be responsible for contacting five persons for monetary gifts.
• The second bridge tournament at the Hohokam Country Club was held Wednesday night. Mrs. A. L. Nowell of Coolidge and Mrs. Twain Clemans of Florence are tournament chairmen. Winning couples were Mrs. Dalton Cole and Mrs. Nowell. In second place was the team of Mr. Twain Clemans and John Zellweger.
60 years ago
Nov. 21, 1953
• Dr. J. T. O’Neil of Casa Grande, member of the Pinal County Junior College Board, spoke on behalf of the proposed college where he appeared as guest speaker at last week’s dinner meeting of the Coolidge Lions Club. Dr. O’Neil urged members to get out and vote in the county elections.
• October 21, 1963, is an important date in the life of Eid Sweis, Coolidge High School mathematics and physics teacher, and one he is not likely soon to forget. That was the day Mr. Sweis, together with about 30 other persons from various parts of the world was sworn in as a United States of America citizen.
• Coolidge square dancers who attended the first Pinal County Square Dance Festival in Casa Grande Nov. 15-17, report it was a whopping success. About 100 Coolidge dancers, including two callers, attended the festival at the Francisco Grande. A highlight of the evening was a performance by an Indian dance group from St. Johns.
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