Peekin’ into the Past

Five Years Ago

Jan. 4, 2018

Children’s book author Perry Johnson of Sterling debuted his newest book, “The Foiled Holyoke Limited Train Robbery,” at Overland Trail Museum’s Christmas open house on Dec. 21.

Phillips County Sheriff Thom Elliott has reported that victims’ advocate Kay Schmidt has submitted her resignation. A short-term contract with Vicki Freemeyer was approved to cover the victims’ advocate needs, and Kelley Sullivan has been hired to fill the position.

Ten Years Ago

Jan. 3, 2013

Phillips County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance No. 2012-1 on Dec. 31, which prohibits “the operation of marijuana cultivation facilities, marijuana product manufacturing facilities, marijuana testing facilities or retail marijuana stores within the unincorporated boundaries of Phillips County.”

Melissa Memorial Hospital is currently in the works to serve as a beta site for the next phase of electronic medical records. East Phillips County Hospital District board members were told Dec. 27 during their regular meeting that MMH is moving forward to help build and construct the next version of EMRs with NextGen.

Official weather observer Dan Kafka recorded 10.34 inches of precipitation for 2012. This was down 9 inches from the 19.55 inches recorded in 2011.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

Jan. 8, 1998

A decision made Jan. 5 by the Holyoke planning commission means that from now on, small animal veterinary practices are allowed in areas zoned commercial. The decision came despite some concerns about a request to have a small animal practice at 120 S. Campbell Ave.

The telecommunications industry in Colorado will introduce 10-digit dialing for local calls within the 303 area code, beginning Feb. 1. The change is necessary to prepare for a new area code in 303, which could be implemented as early as next June.

Esther Brandt will be 95 years old on Jan. 14.

Fifty Years Ago

Jan. 4, 1973

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald D. Brewer have purchased Smythe’s Department Store from Mr. and Mrs. C.R. Smythe and will open for business under their ownership tomorrow. Brewer was named manager of the store by the Smythes last January.

Temperatures in the area were close to normal the last few days of December through Tuesday in January. Yesterday morning, cold arctic air began to move in with light snow. Precipitation during the past week amounted to 0.11 of an inch in the form of snow, which was accompanied by high winds last Saturday that caused considerable drifting. Snowfall on the level amounted to about 2 inches.

Seventy-Five Years Ago

Jan. 8, 1948

Vehicle licenses went on sale at the county clerk’s office Jan. 5. There will be more trailer licenses this year in a division of their own because of the new trailer law and also because of the road construction project near Holyoke, which has brought many trailers here. A special license has been issued for tractors this year, which will be different than has been in past years, as the tractor was always listed under trucks.

G.R. Carrel, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, today reported that Colorado ended 1947 with 369 traffic deaths — 12 over the total for 1946.