Glance Back: From The Washington Evening Journal, Friday, May 1, 2009

10 Years Ago

Patrick Finney, director of the Washington Public Library, said the community can see 'the light at the end of the tunnel” regarding construction of the new library.

He said construction should be completed in July.

Washington High School recently learned it has received a $50,000 grant from the Iowa Community College System, the Iowa Department of economic Development and the Kerr Family Foundation to purchase equipment and software to support its engineering academy classes.

Location, location, location.

When it comes to wind energy, Washington County is a 'magnet” for the kind of businesses residents might not normally consider, said Ed Raber, Washington Economic Development Group (WEDG) executive director. He made the remark Tuesday morning during the Washington County Board of Supervisors weekly meeting.

One such business is a proposed wind farm.

20 Years Ago

The WACO board of education met in special session Tuesday, April 27, to consider possible reductions in the 1999-2000 budget. Following a lengthy discussion with members of the staff and public, the board approved reductions estimated at $67,717.

In an effort to assist County Medical Examiner Dr. Dennis Shimp with his workload, the Washington County Board of Supervisors appointed a pair of medical examiner investigators at Tuesday's regular meeting.

DES MOINES – This one has been 26 years in the making. This weekend the Washington boys' track and field team made school history by bringing home a pair of championships from the Drake Relays at the Jim Duncan Track in Des Moines.

DES MOINES (AP) – Calling the House's attempt to rein in gambling hypocritical because the state collects and spends millions in gambling profits, the Senate rejected tougher gambling rules.

30 Years Ago

CEDAR RAPIDS – Coe College has announced the local recipients of its most prestigious academic award. The Presidential Scholarship went to Crawfordsville's Sharon Malmber and Wayland's Lori Messer. Messer also won a Fine Arts Scholarship, while Kimberly Stutzman, also of Wayland, won the Daniel Coe award, given for outstanding community service and academic accomplishment.

Barbara Donkersloot, general chairman, has announced the cast for the Washington Community Theater's spring comedy, 'Wally's Café.” The part of Wally, the hard-luck proprietor of the roadside diner in the California desert, will be played by Tom Dawson.

Help is on the way for doctors at the Washington County Hospital. According to Dr. Tung, surgeon at the hospital, a contract was signed with Dr. Huang, a new internal medicine specialist.

40 Years Ago

Seven members of the Washington FFA chapter attended the state FFA convention at the Conway Civic Center in Waterloo April 26-28. They competed in two state level contests, saw various exhibits, and attended five sessions.

Mildred See was honored as Washington's Woman of the Year by Beta Sigma Phi during the 48th anniversary founder's day banquet Monday night at Farmer's State Bank, Kalona. Eighty people attended.

University of Iowa personnel brought their air ambulance to Washington County Hospital (WCH) this morning; the helicopter, designed to carry emergency patients to University Hospitals in Iowa City, made a landing on the north lawn of WCH.

50 Years Ago

Washington's YMCA was a busy place Saturday night as 500 to 600 people joined in the fun at the World Service Carnival.

Rex J. See, manager of Insurance Plan Savings and Loan Association in Washington, has been named as Washington County chairman of the Radio Free Europe Fund committee.

Among a spring setting of maypoles and flowers, 130 members of Fortnightly gathered for the annual club breakfast Thursday morning at the Captain's Table.