Feb. 1, 1951
The last steam engine to see service in Sweet Home yards left here this weekend for Portland, to be replaced by diesel locomotives, destined for use here from now on. Some have already called to say they miss the sound of the familiar whistle. The old steam engines will be put to use in the Portland yards.
Workers begin moving the Texaco station, parts house and tavern back from the present location on M Street in preparation for the state’s M Street widening project. Meanwhile, the county is making plans to straighten the S-curve on East Long Street, as well as a Y-shaped intersection at the top of the hill. The hill and curve have been problematic, and warning signs were reported missing almost as soon as they were erected.
An unknown suspect broke into Harding’s Feed and Seed on M Street and took off with two cartons of cigarettes.
The first morning service of a newly-organized church, Our Saviour’s Lutheran, in Lebanon, was held Feb. 4 under the leadership of M. E. Neese at the Seventh Day Adventist church.
Turkey producers of the area and their wives will attend the 13th annual Lebanon Turkey Day at City Hall.
Jan. 20, 1976
Tomco Inc.’s new small log veneer plant is in production on a limited basis. The first blocks were put through the lathe. The mill is working at about 30% efficiency, the lathe is peeling at a rate of 325 feet per minute.
A morning fire destroyed a barn owned by Guy Wheeler on Courtney Creek Road. The Sweet Home Volunteer Firemen and Brownsville Fire Department answered the call. It appears to have started from sparks or flames by a wood stove in the barn.
Sweet Home’s controversial water rate increase ordinance is on its way to completion. It calls for leaving the rate the same as it is for the minimum (400 cubic feet or less for $4.50), but for rate increases for anybody using more than the minimum.
The Trailways Depot was broken into for the fourth time in 10 months. Nothing was taken, but the back door was kicked in.
A nearly 100-year-old, 1,100 lb. “Freedom Bell” sits in the backyard of Carl and Mabel Whitener, who rings the bell and raises a 48-star flag only on holidays.
A three-week class in microwave cooking will begin soon, where Virginia McFarlan will demonstrate techniques of using a microwave oven with gourmet-type of cooking.
Third-graders in Mrs. Kinsfather’s class at Pleasant Valley built a house out of milk cartons after reading about school children in the east doing the same. They were so enthused about the idea that she couldn’t say no, but told them they had to do it during recess or before or after school. Made of hundreds of cartons, it stands 48 inches high, 84 inches wide and 64 inches deep.
Jan. 31, 2001
Newly-formed Sweet Home Fire and Ambulance District assured Cascadia residents that efforts were underway to build a new substation in Cascadia, which was one of the promises made if voters approved the new taxing district. Prior to formation, the now-former Sweet Home Rural Fire District extended to The Point and McKercher Park. Now it includes Mark’s Ridge, Cascadia, parts of Berlin Road, Mountain Home and Santiam Terrace.
SH High School Principal Pat Stineff is asking for parents’ help to improve student attendance, which has caused a low rating for the school last year. Attendance dropped to 85%. The school tried a truant officer and changes in graduate requirements, but Stineff finds difficulty overcoming “senior apathy.”