Peekin' into the Past

Five Years Ago — April 27, 2017

On April 19, the Logan County Sheriff’s Office obtained a warrant for the arrest of Patrick Svoboda for charges of fourth-degree arson, a class 4 felony, and reckless endangerment, a class 3 misdemeanor. These charges cover all the victims in Logan, Phillips and Sedgwick counties in regard to the 32,000-acre fire that began March 6.

Brenda Brandt was named the 2016 Newspaper Person of the Year at the Colorado Press Association’s 139th annual convention April 22 in Denver.

Holyoke now has its very own eye doctor. Beginning in early May, Dr. Tim Meyer, an optometrist from Grant, Nebraska, with 36 years experience, will see patients Monday-Wednesday at the new Holyoke Family Eye Care clinic located in the rural health clinic end of Melissa Memorial Hospital.

Ten Years Ago — April 26, 2012

After some discussion during its April 17 meeting, Holyoke City Council voted to move forward with a proposal from Hayward Baker Geotechnical Construction to help fix issues at the mini park. The company will drill holes and use a process called mud jacking to help reinforce and lift sagging areas of the mini park located at the stoplight in Holyoke. Concrete and slurry will be pumped into 22 different holes.

Raceway enthusiasts will experience a little something different this year when they head out to Phillips County Raceway. Perhaps the biggest change will be racing action taking place on Friday nights instead of Sundays. Spectators will also view fast-paced action on a brand-new racing surface. A beer garden will also be available for spectators.

Twenty-Five Years Ago — May 1, 1997

After 16 years as an employee at Phillips County Farm Service Agency, Paula Carper begins a new business venture this week. She and her husband Gary purchased the crop insurance portion of Plains Insurance Agency LLC from Thad Scholl.

Technology took another step forward in terms of production at The Holyoke Enterprise this week. The progress may be seen in the digital photography process. The photos in this week’s paper were generated on computer by scanning the 35 mm negatives taken by staff members during the week. The darkroom was used only to develop the negatives themselves. Prior to this week’s paper, screened prints for publication were made in a process in the darkroom. A flatbed scanner is another new piece of equipment at the local newspaper office.

Highline Electric Association is in the process of moving from its current location at 407 E. Denver St. to the new facility on Highway 385 near the south edge of town — a move that has been in the works since May 1995.

Fifty Years Ago — April 27, 1972

The Holyoke Housing Authority has awarded George Rundel Construction Company, Julesburg, the contract to build Holyoke’s senior citizen village. The 30-unit one-bedroom housing project will cost approximately $400,000, and construction should start around June 15.

Average family income was $7,561 in Phillips County in 1969, compared with $9,555 for the state, according to a report on the 1970 census by the Bureau of the Census, U.S. Department of Commerce. Per capita income for the county amounted to $2,706, the report shows. The 1970 census counted 4,131 residents in the county; 1.1% were foreign born and 12.6% native born with one or more parents of foreign birth.

Re-1J school district, with the cooperation of interested parents and citizens, has established a severe local storm spotter network for the safety of the district’s school children.

Seventy-Five Years Ago — May 1, 1947

According to a statement made by Sherman E. Walrod, adjutant of the Holyoke Post No. 90 American Legion, it is hoped that enough money will be cleared by the Legion at their annual circus to be able to proceed immediately with the remodeling and enlarging of the present building. Present plans of the organization call for the construction of an additional 25 feet on the west side of the building and construction of a full basement under this new part. The front end of the building as it now stands will be made over, and the hallway entrance to the dance hall will be closed off from the rest of the hall and converted into an office space.

An explanation of the new driver’s license law was issued today by the AAA Automobile Club. “Under the new law,” says the club, “the renewal date for driver’s licenses has been staggered through the year based on the birthday of the holder. This eliminates the log jam experienced in June of each year under the original law.”

The state highway department will have $36 million for road work this year. That includes the amount that is ready to be spent, the amount that will be collected this year and the amount that will be received from the federal government.