Feb. 22, 1951
High Mass was conducted at St. Edwards Catholic Church in Lebanon for the five children, ages six months to six years, of Mr. and Mrs. Francisco Gutierrez, who died in the worst fire tragedy to strike Sweet Home. The parents arrived from Langmack Hospital where they were treated for shock, burns and cuts. Heat from the fire was so intense it demolished the interior of the car in the driveway.
A passerby noticed water running under the locked front doors of Washburn’s 10-cent and Mode O’Days stores after a water pipe burst in the Milburn building. Only about $50 in damage were reported from furniture and facial tissues.
Feb. 19, 1976
The $5.26 million proposed Sweet Home School District budget will go to voters in May. The budget requires a 9.6% increase in local property taxes. Currently property owners are paying $9.27 per $1,000 assessed value. If approved, they would pay $10.24 per $1,000.
The Sweet Home Women’s Club offered fifth and eight grade students an opportunity to participate in the “200 Years of American Progress” poster contest. Blaine Lee Dysinger, fifth grade at Foster School, and Michael Ross Fitzgerald, eighth grade at the junior high, both won first place, each receiving a $25 savings bond.
A potential threat to the economic well-being of Sweet Home’s White’s Electronics was headed off. The State Parks Department had banned use of metal detectors in Oregon state parks, but after seeing an “impressive” presentation by State Senator John Powell, and Gary Morris and Gilbert Thompson, who represented White’s Electronics. The rule was changed to allow metal detectors by allowing users to sign a form ensuring no property damage will take place.
Feb. 21, 2001
A recent poll resulted in a recommendation for the Sweet Home School District to split a $21.6 million bond in two. The first 30-year, $15-17 million bond to be proposed would include demolition and reconstruction of portions of the high school, a remodel at Hawthorne Elementary, heating and ventilation work, hallway tiling, asbestos sampling, blacktop and restroom, and ADA improvements.
Sweet Home leaders approached the site selection committee for the Department of Public Safety and Standards to recommend the rural city as a good location for the new training academy. They proposed the former Willamette Industries sawmill site on 24th Avenue. They cited location, community spirit and quality of life as reasons for siting the academy in Sweet Home.
Safeway prepares for its grand opening of its new building in Sweet Home, with “hometown boy” Ed Spencer named as its store manager. The 42,000 square foot building replaces a 37-year-old 16,000 square foot one. The new building is Safeway’s third one in Sweet Home since it began serving the area 46 years ago. Spencer started his Safeway career 33 years ago as a 16-year-old courtesy clerk.