Nov. 29, 1973
The Sweet Home Elks Lodge is preparing for one of its biggest events this week with a “Mortgage Burning” celebration. There will be two days of celebration, followed by the actual burning of the mortgage on Dec. 1. Past Grand Exalted Ruler Frank Hise will be the featured speaker. The Elks made the final of 120 payments to First National Bank last month for the $75,000 mortgage of their building at 440 Osage. The payments had started in December 1963, a month after the building was completed.
A petition signed by 22 businessmen seeking a closed campus at the high school during lunch hour was accepted by the School Board. Mrs. Jerry Fincher said the petition represented a majority of the downtown core because of problems with shoplifting, loitering and littering. Owners of Franny’s Furniture opposed the petition because “young people have as much right downtown as anybody else.” A committee was appointed to investigate the matter.
During an effort to raise money, Head Start mothers received a donation of a pig from Harvey Gaskey. ‘Pig,’ the animal’s only name, lives at Zelma Villine’s home, 4836 Hwy. 20, where he devours school meal leftovers and other garbage. Profits will be realized from the pig at the end of the school year. Proceeds will help pay for travel to Head Start conferences, babysitting for mothers who volunteer at the Cascadia program, and new equipment.
South Santiam Fish Hatchery Manager Howard Drago said 5,140,000 Spring Chinook eggs were collected and fertilized this year at the facility. Most have been returned to Willamette Hatchery while some remain at the hatchery for incubation. The eggs are first washed to remove silt deposited on them from the sediment-laden waters of Foster Dam (from heavy rains). The eggs are put in incubation trays where they will progress to fry size.
Dec. 2, 1998
The city council approved a resolution to make 13th Avenue a one-way direction north between Long and Main streets. The decision is the result of an effort to help the 1200 block of Main Street recover parking that will be lost when ODOT resurfaces Highway 20. Nearby business owners reached a consensus on the matter. The change will also promote better traffic flow at the intersection.
Former junior high special education teacher Judy Maniates provided notice of a tort claim against School District 55 and Lebanon School District, claiming a previous settlement with 55 was violated and she was terminated from Lebanon based on her history with 55. Maniates settled with 55 over a workers comp claim, and alleges the school principal spoke beyond his legal ability when prospective employers made employment verification calls.
James Mellein, the new aquatic director for the community pool at the high school, has been making good changes, such as increased training for lifeguards and instructors, more hours of operation, an increase in attendance and funds, and an overall safer facility. The pool provides an affordable option for children to learn swimming and water safety.