June 28, 1973
A boa constrictor named Stanley is still missing after it disappeared from Robert Wetzell’s auto while he was out of town.
The car was parked at 410 18th Ave. and neighbor Noel Derr saw the snake crawl into a hole under his house, but Wetzell doesn’t believe the 32-inch snake could fit through the small space.
Police got involved after young people kept bringing in snakes they caught, sure it was Stanley.
Sweet Home firemen responded to two fires this week. Blaine Belveal’s car turned over, skidded into a ditch and burst into flame.
It was reported the car was a total loss and Belveal was injured but insisted on going to his family doctor for help.
A dryer fire at Willamette Industries’ Foster Plywood Division drew firemen to the scene, but sprinkler systems kept the fire under control.
A bunk cable broke on a logging truck, causing a log to drop from the load. The change in weight-balance on the truck caused it to roll over, landing on its top.
The driver was taken from the accident scene on Quartzville Road by a private party and treated by his private doctor for injuries.
Gus Hiller has three patents pending for mining equipment that processes two tons of ore per eight-hour day with two men operating it.
Hiller staked out his first mining claim on the Upper Cala- pooia River in 1927 and now has 10 claims with two mill sites. The system takes loose rocks from blasting and grinds them into a fine gravel, then mills them into rock “flour.”
The flour goes to a shaking table where water washes the gold out from the sludge.
Hiller has three other patents on machinery he designed.
July 1, 1998
A parking study revealed that, contrary to the perception of the business community, there is an adequate supply of parking. The report indicated parking concerns are “masking other problems,” such as fear of growth, changing economies and retail competition.
It indicated long-standing business owners want to maintain a status quo and put too much emphasis on parking as a reason for lower sales. It also indicated the parking supply needs to be managed more efficiently.
Police and Sheriff deputies join a three-state enforcement “blitz” to enforce traffic safety. A trauma nurse presented results of accidents from unsafe driving, driving impaired and driving without seat belts.
During the saturation patrol, police will emphasize reducing the number of speeding and impaired drivers.
The Sweet Home Boxing Club received a boon from Coast to Coast owner Cliff Wagers when he opened the top of his building as a boxing gym. Wagers heard the club was operating out of a single car garage and decided his empty 6,000 square foot room would be better put to use for the boxers.