Glance Back: From The Washington Evening Journal, Friday, May 22, 2009

10 Years Ago

Much of the corn in Washington County and about half of the soybeans are planted, according to Jim Jensen, farm management field specialist for the Iowa State University Extension Service.

After studying the Washington School District buildings for about four months, two builders on loan from the Iowa Association of School Boards unveiled their plan to address special needs in the district Tuesday evening.

The 10-year plan, suggested by Iowa Construction Advocate Team members Duane Van Hemert and Sam Harding, would cost nearly $37 million and calls for a new high school. Van Hemert and Hardin both said the school district buildings hadn't had much money used for maintenance and are In need of overhauling.

The Washington City Council, at its Wednesday evening meeting, approved by a vote of 4 to 1, a plan for a 'Celebrate Your Senses” on Saturday, Aug. 1.

20 Years Ago

LOGAN (AP) – Two people died in tornadoes that injured at least 14 in Harrison County and caused damage in at least four counties in western Iowa.

WAYLAND – The 1999 graduation ceremony for the 44 seniors at WACO Community High School will be held Sunday, May 23, at 2 p.m. in the high school gym.

COLUMBUS JUNCTION – The 1999 graduation ceremony for the 54 seniors at Columbus Community High School will be held Sunday, May 23, at 2 p.m. in the high school gym.

The damage from last night's severe thunderstorms and tornadoes was not limited to western Iowa. Spotty damage was reported throughout the state, including in Washington County. An apparent downburst blew the east side of Evans Welding roof and deposited it in front of the Super Wash bays. Damage in West Chester, in western Washington County, came from tree damage caused by high winds. The Don Shafer residence on East Street suffered moderate damage when a large limb from a tree fell on the porch. Just to the west, James Milam said he felt fortunate to have suffered only a broken window when a limb fell on the roof of his home located on West Street. One local resident reported seeing a tornado just west of West Chester. No injuries were reported in Washington County.

30 Years Ago

Professional help is coming to the rescue of the county-appointed E911 service board. In a meeting Wednesday night in the basement of the courthouse, the board agreed to hire Ken Hartman, a telecommunications expert with Hartman and Associates of Boone.

WATERLOO – Marilyn Bordwell, daughter of Richard and Virginia Bordwell of Washington, was one of 120 students from 21 counties across Iowa to be featured by KWWL-TV as 'The Best of the Class 1989.”

KALONA – Mid-Prairie School Board studied bid options from several companies for the re-roofing of Kalona Elementary School during Monday night's regular meeting. The contract was awarded to Modern Builders of Waverly at $64,500.

40 Years Ago

The 109th annual Commencement at Washington High School will be held Friday evening, May 25, 1979, at 8 p.m. in the gymnasium. Speakers this year will be three members of the graduating class: Pam Gorham, whose topic is 'Standing Strong and Tall”; Shelley Stout, whose speech is titled 'A Rubber Band, a Band-Aid, a Pencil”; and Loree Young on 'Galleries of Tomorrow.”

Mike Moore was placed in line to become the eventual president of Washington Noon Kiwanis, Wednesday. Moore, the assistant administrator of the U.P. Home, was elected vice president during the club's annual election, setting the stage for his moving into the presidency in 1980.

Shive Hattery & Associates Consulting Engineers have announced the appointment of Washington native Larry K. Davidson as chief soils engineer.

50 Years Ago

Hobbies and crafts, ranging from a button collection to oil paintings, are being shown by senior citizens. The show is at the Senior Citizens Center at the Washington YMCA.

Tom Logan, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Logan and a senior at Washington High School, received the local Rotary Club's Youth Award Thursday. An honor student and active in a number of school activities, Logan also received a Bausch and Lomb Science Award during Class Day ceremonies.