Glance Back

10 Years Ago

The Washington City Council took steps Monday toward the sale of a spec building in the industrial park that could house an industrial business.

Washington school board President Eric Turner said today he is concerned that Washington students will be the big losers after a public measure to bond for a new high school was rejected by voters Tuesday.

Public Measure A, which would have allowed the school district to bond for $12.1 million to build an $18.8 million high school onto the existing junior high, was defeated by a vote of 1,024 for to 1,088 against. Washington County Auditor Bill Fredrick's office reported that 29.16 percent of the 7,270 registered voters went to the polls during the election.

For the third time this year, the Washington City Council is faced with a decision on whether to appoint a replacement for an elected official or to hold a special election. Discussion at the Wednesday evening council meeting focused on appointing a new park board member rather than holding a special election and the city will proceed to accept letters of intent from those interested in serving on the park board.

20 Years Ago

The family of Marian McGinnis of Washington will be helping her celebrate her 80th birthday on Dec. 22 at the Morrison Center of the Halcyon House, Washington.

Jason and Desirae Unternahrer became parents of a son, Jaren Ralph, on Dec. 12. Jaren will be welcomed home by his sister, Jaelyn, 3.

Mary E. Jarvis of Washington will be retiring from Washington County Hospital Friday, Dec. 18, after over 29 years of service.

Representatives from Caterpillar Inc.'s Central Office in Peoria, Ill., traveled to Washington last Wednesday to recognize Modine Manufacturing Company for successfully qualifying for Caterpillar supplier quality recertification.

Washington High School basketball fans got a rare treat last night – a chance to see both their girls' and boys' teams in the same place on the same night. The result was a strong parents' night crowd. On the court, the WHS girls downed the Indians 85-36 while the Demon boys fell to the Indians 60-41.

Washington County now has a list of storm debris scrap metal that still has to be collected in rural parts of the county.

30 Years Ago

The 'Reach for a Star” project included both the National Bank in Washington and in Ainsworth. The banks contacted the Department of Human Services, Social Services, HACAP, the Red Cross and the Washington County Health nurses. Those groups handed out applications to needy children and senior citizens who listed first- and second-choice items they wanted for Christmas that were less than $15.

The question of when Washington residents should begin paying for the new water treatment plant received the bulk of the attention at the regular meeting of the Washington City Council Tuesday night. The consulting firm, French-Reneker & Associates, Fairfield, recently recommended increasing monthly water rates immediately to save on financing costs for the new Department of Natural Resources-mandated city treatment plant.

Eight medical staff applications were approved at the regular monthly meeting of the Washington County Hospital Board of Trustees. The tuition assistance program also gained approval and is available to current WCH employees.

40 Years Ago

The Washington City Council voted to accept an offer from Iowa Southern Utilities to change the street lighting system around the square and one block in all directions. The change is not expected to occur until next spring or summer, but ISU officials sought a decision now so they could order new lamps.

Washington County law officers checked to see if Santa Claus might have been making a trial run across the skies over Washington recently on a report from Bob Handley, Iowa City, of a UFO described as long and narrow with bright lights on both ends.

50 Years Ago

Twatchai Yongkittikul and his wife, Chumporn, of Bangkok celebrated Christmas with the Richard Weekses this year. Christmas is a holiday not observed in Thailand.

Steve Schroeder, of Wellman, was elected president of the Washington County 4-H Council at a meeting in Kalona Monday evening, according to Rich Johnson, Extension 4-H assistant.

Gary Doak, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Doak, Washington, has been promoted to the post of Plant Manager of the Metromail Division of Metromedia Inc. in Mount Pleasant.