Peekin’ into the past

Five Years Ago

Jan. 7, 2016

The Every Student Succeeds Act should allow for more alternatives than No Child Left Behind in terms of standardized testing, depending on the State Board of Education and the Colorado Department of Education. The purpose of the new bill, signed into law Dec. 10, 2015, by President Barack Obama, is to provide resources to struggling schools and set standards in order to close achievement gaps and ensure quality education for students everywhere.

Randy Hale took over at Holyoke Community Federal Credit Union as interim president this week, as Mendi Lutze, former president and an HCFCU employee for over 19 years, accepted a job opportunity with Highline Electric Association.

Ten Years Ago

Jan. 6, 2011

Patients visiting Melissa Memorial Hospital and Family Practice of Holyoke noticed a new face in the halls this week. Dr. Rick Amesquita, or “Dr. Rick,” began duties at the hospital Jan. 4.

HHS band alums and anyone who plays an instrument are invited to the community pep band Friday, Jan. 7, at the HHS vs. Chase County basketball games.

Claiming the unique birthdate of 1-1-11, Landon Timothy Jaron Scott Robb was born at Melissa Memorial Hospital at 8:40 p.m. on New Year’s Day to win First Baby of the Year honors in Holyoke. Landon’s mother, Brandy Nichols of Fleming, as well as his two brothers and one sister, look forward to introducing him to his father, Shelby Robb, who is serving his country in Iraq.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

Jan. 11, 1996

A used vehicle dealership has recently been added to the auto body repair business at Bradley’s of Holyoke, located at 110 S. Sheridan Ave. With Bill Bradley Sr.’s Dec. 1 retirement, it is now operating as a sole proprietorship with Bill Bradley Jr. as owner.

Hot topics at the Jan. 3 meeting of the Holyoke City Council were a disputed ordinance involving the city’s housing authority and a request for annexation of the proposed Pheasant Run subdivision. Members passed the ordinance 4-2 on first reading. In regards to the annexation petition, members decided there were too many unanswered questions to proceed, and the petition was withdrawn in the days following the meeting.

Citing four conditions, Phillips County commissioners recently decided that a recycling storage facility was an appropriate use for a property zoned A-1 located 3/4 of a mile north of Holyoke. Application for conditional use of the property was made by HRC Recycling.

At the Jan. 3 Holyoke City Council meeting, council members gave unanimous approval to a new police officer and a new police car. The council approved the hiring of Douglas Bergstrom of La Junta as a police officer. His salary was set at $1,400 per month.

Fifty Years Ago

Jan. 7, 1971

Approximately 8 inches of snow blanketed the area, starting late last Friday night and lasting through Sunday morning. Precipitation from the storm amounted to 0.37 of an inch. Subzero temperatures followed the storm, with readings of 11 below zero on Jan. 4 and 12 below zero on Jan. 5.

Henry Hebbel, Holyoke Safeway manager since 1967, turned over the keys for the local store to Dave McMillan, new Holyoke store manager. Hebbel was named manager of the Wray Safeway, and both men took over their stores on Jan. 4.

In a major move designed to further combat litter and solid waste, Adolph Coors Company has announced that all Coors beer bottles will be returnable for 1 cent each.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

Jan. 10, 1946

The work of the Air Transport Command in flying servicemen back to the United States since V-E Day is remarkable, not only for the number of men transported but for the high degree of safety maintained. Out of a group of 101,108 men moved by Army transport planes under the so-called “green” project which began shortly after May 8 and extended into November, there was not a single fatality. Of some 84,000 others who were brought back in combat planes, a few casualties occurred but the loss was an infinitesimal fraction of the number of men carried.

Holyoke has joined the Victory Clothing Collection campaign which is underway over the nation, and a number of people are serving on the local committees. The gifts of clothing, shoes and bedding from each and every American home represents an essential part of our nation’s contribution to the relief and rehabilitation of the war-devastated areas of the world.