Peekin' into the Past

Five Years Ago
Jan. 28, 2016

As a quickly approaching Feb. 4 marks the three-year anniversary of Kelsie Schelling’s disappearance, family, friends and supporters are planning a second justice walk to remind everyone that the search and battle for justice are ongoing. The justice walk will begin at noon on Feb. 6 at the Pueblo Municipal Justice Center.

After the death of Reon Chaney, former Phillips County veterans service officer, Steve Firme of Haxtun has taken over the responsibility of helping county veterans access the funds they are entitled to.

Austin Vieselmeyer, a senior at Holyoke High School, took top honors as the champion senior showman at the 110th National Western Stock Show. Additionally, the stock show’s grand champion steer, shown by Macey Goreteska of Iowa, was bred and raised by Phillips County’s Weber Cattle Co. This 1,344-pound steer sold for $117,000 at the junior livestock auction, the second highest bid in NWSS history.

Ten Years Ago
Jan. 27, 2011

A crisis response plan has been prepared for Holyoke School District Re-1J. Crisis management coordinator Kim Young reviewed the plan at the Jan. 20 Board of Education meeting.

Council members would like to see a couple more options before deciding on purchasing a vehicle for Holyoke Police Department. Police Chief Phil Biersdorfer presented council members at their Jan. 18 meeting with a used 2006 Ford Explorer with 28,000 miles that is partially outfitted with police equipment. The price to purchase and pick it up would be $18,900. The proposed vehicle would replace the department’s Ford Crown Victoria, which has over 100,000 miles.

Twenty-Five Years Ago
Feb. 1, 1996

A final decision of Holyoke High School’s classification for the next two years came as no surprise to school administrators. HHS will definitely be bumped up to 2A/3A, beginning with the 1996-97 school year. The Colorado High School Activities Association made the final ruling at its Board of Control meeting on Jan. 25.

With funding from a Youth Crime Prevention Grant, a recreation director has been hired for Golden Plains Recreation Center. Jean Capra of Westminster will begin her duties Feb. 5.

Undersheriff Rob Urbach and K-9 Ned of Phillips County Sheriff’s Office assisted in a 31-hour standoff between an armed man and law enforcement officers in Brush last weekend. Ned, whose training includes building searches, helped determine the location of the suspect so officers could safely enter the building.

Gade Groshans, 5, of Paoli, competed in the United Airlines Mutton Bustin’ competition at the National Western Stock Show in Denver on Jan. 16. He earned second place and took home a trophy taller than he is and a pair of Justin boots for his efforts.

Fifty Years Ago
Jan. 28, 1971

Phillips County clerk’s office issued 29 marriage licenses during 1970, and Melissa Memorial Hospital reports that 38 babies were born in the hospital during 1970.

Holyoke elementary school basketball intramurals continued Jan. 23 following a short recess. Results of games played last Saturday: Gophers 18, Hyenas 6; Cougars 20, Cobras 18; Bearcats 11, Leopards 5.

Temperatures have been unseasonably warm in the area, averaging 10-15 degrees above normal for the past seven days. High winds hit the area last Monday, causing considerable blowing dirt. To date, total precipitation for January has been only 0.02 of an inch.

Seventy-Five Years Ago
Jan. 31, 1946

F.W. Parker and D.L. Harrison of Julesburg have leased of R.N. White the building first door north of the White Jewelry store, where F.W. Parker will manage a furniture store, named the Parker Furniture Company.

J. Harold Ellis, for some years manager of Kunkel’s Drug Store owned by L.L. Kunkel of Holyoke, has purchased the drug store stock and business of Mr. Kunkel. Mr. Kunkel is devoting his full time to the Holyoke Motor Co., which he organized last year.

Mr. and Mrs. Louis P. Sorenson of Juniata, Nebraska, last week purchased the Athens Candy Kitchen from Louis Kapson. Mrs. Sorenson has taken possession, while Mr. Sorenson is getting his affairs in order in Juniata before moving to Holyoke.