Glance Back

(From The Washington Evening Journal, Friday, Oct. 8, 2004)

10 YEARS AGO

Last night?s Washington City Council regular meeting was tranquil compared to the live demonstration of the Safety Center?s SWAT team during last week?s work session. The council members quickly took care of a short agenda and made plans for a few council committee meetings during the next few weeks.

The ongoing issue of the subdivision ordinance was rehashed this morning at the Board of Supervisors? meeting, ending with a second reading date set for Oct. 26 at 9 a.m.

Washington water has a strong chlorine taste and smell in areas of the city. Water superintendent John Hays said the problem should clear up in two or three days. The water is safe to drink. Water mains are being flushed to assist in this situation. The cause is a planned increase in chlorine to provide better protection from bacteria.

20 YEARS AGO

BRIGHTON ? After nearly two years of trying, HACAP will host the first class of its Head Start preschool program in Brighton later this month. ?We wanted to expand our program in Brighton because we saw the need there,? RenElla Crawford, Washington HACAP director, said.

The rains let up and Governor Terry Branstad landed at the Washington airport yesterday in time to meet with the Washington Ambassadors and commercial development committee members.

Alice Patterson, who sent scores of cookies to local military personnel during the Gulf War, is in University of Iowa Hospitals for a week to 10 days. The ?Cookie Lady? had a total knee replacement and would appreciate hearing from home.

30 YEARS AGO

Four Washington men and several with Washington ties are among those nominated for inclusion in the 1984 edition of Outstanding Young Men of America. They are Kevin M. Caldwell, Stephen L. Chalupa, Louis W. ?Bud? Schrader and James R. Blakeney, all of Washington; Gary Lee McClure of Charles City; James I. Reisener of Gladbrook; and Ricky Lee Ruehs of San Antonio, Texas.

John Davis, executive director of the Washington County Conservation Board, has retired after 19 years of service.

OLDS ? Scott Alan Meth, 18-year-old son of Ray and Ruth Meth, has earned the highest advancement award of the Boy Scouts of America, the Eagle Award. A member of Troop 32, Meth is one of approximately 2 percent of all Boy Scouts who attain the Eagle rank, according to Scoutmaster Laris Shelman.

A new Apple IIe personal computer has been purchased by the Washington Library Board and is available free of charge for use by community residents.

40 YEARS AGO

Washington County was hit by its first killing frost of fall 1974, Tuesday night and initial indications are the sharp dip in temperatures caused considerable damage to several immature corn and soybean fields. The official weather observer recorded a low of 27 degrees during the night.

Washington merchants cooperated with the Washington County Pork Producers and Porkettes, Thursday night to sponsor Hog Wild Days. Free pork burgers in Central Park drew a lot of hungry people and a pig chase for children provided considerable entertainment.

50 YEARS AGO

Trudy Griffith attended baton-twirling contests sponsored by the National Baton Twirling Association in Jesup, Sunday and won first in solo and second in military drill.

Boyd Dill and Robert Wead of Washington attended a luncheon meeting of the Sons of America Revolution at Iowa State University in Ames, Saturday.