Glance Back

(From The Washington Evening Journal, Friday, Dec. 3, 2004)

10 YEARS AGO

Olegario Lopez Sr. had been living and working legally in Washington when he went to attorney Rufino Villareal for help.

Villareal is now disbarred; Olegario?s wife, Madelina Juana Lopez Hernandes, is in Mexico unable to return; three of his children face deportation and one is leaving voluntarily; and he is awaiting a court date which will determine his legal status.

The Washington County Board of supervisors approved an employment contract and agreement for the Washington County Engineer, at their meeting this morning.

Dave Patterson will take over the position at the beginning of next year, as current engineer Bob Bauer has announced his retirement. Patterson has worked for the county engineer?s office for five years.

The City of Washington will soon hold the deeds to two buildings on the square that will become the future home of the Washington Public Library. The council approved a resolution, last evening, during the first December council meeting, accepting the buildings as a charitable donation from the Washington Public Library Foundation.

20 YEARS AGO

Three Washington County high schoolers were named DAR Good Citizens for 1994. They are Andrew Darby of Highland Community School, son of Charles and Bernice Darby of Ainsworth; Kelley Conway of Mid-Prairie High School, daughter of John and Kathy Conway of Wellman; and Antonio Castaneda of Washington High School, son of Arnulfo and Antonia Castaneda of Washington.

The Washington community Thanksgiving dinner drew more than 100 people to the Y, Nov. 24. Entertainment was provided by the Perpetual Motion Bell Choir from the United Methodist Church with the Rev. Brian Gentz of Immanuel Lutheran Church on the piano.

30 YEARS AGO

Voters Tuesday gave overwhelming approval to the City of Washington?s request to involuntarily annex about 1,050 acres of adjacent territory, by a 766-419 vote.

E. Dunham Morrison of Washington received a Masonic ?Life Member? certificate from the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa in recognition of the local attorney?s 50 years of Masonry. The citation was presented by local Worshipful Master Floyd Woods at a reception held in the home of Morrison?s daughter, Jean Macenski.

Rob and Debbie Stout of Keota will represent Iowa soybean producers at a meeting of young agriculture leaders, Dec. 10, at the DuPont Agricultural Chemical headquarters in Wilmington, Del.

40 YEARS AGO

The Farmers Home Administration has approved a loss of $378,000 and a grant of $150,000 under the Rural Development Program to the town of Richland in Keokuk County to build a sewage disposal system.

Sitler Auto Parts Inc. of Washington has been sold to Arnold Motor Supply, a firm which has main offices in Spencer. The purchase also includes Sitler?s Standard Supplies in Fairfield, but Sitler Electric Supply Inc. will remain under the present ownership and will continue business in Washington.

Ward Anderson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Warren Anderson of Washington, was recently voted 1975 co-captain of the Bethel College Royals football team of St. Paul, Minn.

50 YEARS AGO

Miss Sally Smith, county home economist, is in Emerson with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Smith, for the Thanksgiving weekend. From there she will go to Ames for a session of nutrition training.

Bob McClure, former Washington High School student and athlete, scored 40 points for Fort Dodge Junior College in that school?s first game of the year.

The Fort Dodge team, coached by Gary Hulst who went there from Washington High School, defeated Mason City, 110-96.