Glance Back

(From The Washington Evening Journal, Friday, Feb. 4, 2005)

10 YEARS AGO

Construction on the English River Bridge on Old Highway 218 just east of Riverside could begin as early as this week, and will likely close the road for the better part of this year, Lyle Moen, assistant to the County Engineer, told the Washington County Board of Supervisors this morning.

WELLMAN ? During its work session Monday, the Wellman City Council agreed to a 3 percent raise for city employees? wages with Mayor Max Lewis noting, ?We can figure on that, but it may need to change.?

Marine Corps Reserve Pvt. Seth A. Michel, son of Seth A. Michel of Kalona, recently graduated from the Marine Corps Basic Combat Engineer Course at Marine Corps Engineer School, Marine Corps Base, Camp Lejeune, N.C.

Richard Sojka, president of Iowa Bridge and Culvert of Washington, was named the president of Associated General Contractors of Iowa for 2005, Jan. 12.

20 YEARS AGO

A public hearing on the Washington County Assessor?s budget for 1995-96 is scheduled for Thursday night. The proposed budget, recommended by the Washington County Conference Board, sees an estimated 10 percent increase to $217,792 from the 1994-95 budget.

A veterinary medical examiner from the National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Lab in Ashland, Ore., testified this morning that the 42-point buck which James Portwood claims to have killed with an arrow on Curt Pacha?s Washington farm in 1993 could not have died in the way Portwood said, that the wounds to the animal were inconsistent with the manner of death claimed.

30 YEARS AGO

Jury selection was scheduled to begin here today in a murder trial moved to Washington County District Court from Keokuk on a change of venue. The defendant, George ?Jack? Hall, 61, of Des Moines is accused of the May 1977 murder of James A. Varner, a 21-year-old man from Quincy, Ill.

COLUMBUS JUNCTION ? Columbus Community High School art teacher Kathleen Almelien has been named the 1985 National Secondary Art Educator of the Year. She will receive the award in Dallas, Texas, later this year.

KALONA ? In the wake of a five-vehicle accident last week that killed two Kalona residents, local citizen groups plan to ask the Iowa Department of Transportation to improve traffic safety at a Highway 1 intersection about four miles north of town.

40 YEARS AGO

Lorna Sue McCoy of Crawfordsville will be in Sioux City next week to compete for the title of Iowa Pork Queen. Miss McCoy, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cleo McCoy, is Washington County Pork Queen.

Elizabeth Strabala has been named the Highland High School 1974-75 Betty Crocker Family Leader of Tomorrow.

Kent Keating of Washington, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claire Keating, has been named the winner of a music campship co-sponsored by the Music Department of Fortnightly Club and Everetts Music Company.

50 YEARS AGO

Adult education classes began Monday night at Washington Community High school with a total of 50 enrolled: 14 enrolled in Beginning Art; 11 in Art I; 11 in Investments; eight in Typing; and six in Understanding Teenagers.