75 years ago: Oct. 6, 1949
A recent survey shows rents are adjusting and building has accelerated since rent controls were lifted in Salem two months ago. Some rentals in the lower brackets have slightly increased while some rentals in the higher brackets have lowered. Plans for more apartment developments have been announced, with rates ranging between $50 and $125 a month.
Since its first call on July 16, the city’s new community ambulance has made a total of 19 trips and traveled a total 1,078 miles in service, serving injured workers in woods and mill accidents and traffic mishaps. Trips were to Langmack Hospital, Portland, Albany, Lebanon and Eugene. Under the jurisdiction of the police department, the ambulance is driven by either a member of the police department or by a city fire department employee.
The Chamber of Commerce plans to hold a one-day membership campaign aimed at raising the budget to provide for a paid executive secretary position for the purpose of promoting the community’s economic expansion. The chamber will kick-off the day with breakfast before committee workers canvas the city to solicit $25-plus memberships from area businesses.
50 years ago: Oct. 3, 1974
The police chief was surprised when he opened the mail to find $10 cash and a note from a driver who admitted she ran a stop sign at 12th Avenue and Long Street. As a Christian, she wanted to apologize for her error and put the cash toward a fine for her transgression. The chief determined there was no reason to charge her since no officer witnessed the event, so he returned the cash and, it was reported, she ended up donating it to her church.
The number of candidates for council has swelled to nine after three filed just under the wire. Another candidate also filed just prior to the cutoff, but was deemed ineligible because she did not meet the city’s six month residency requirement (short by just 25 days).
The building slowdown took its first casualty in Sweet Home this week when Cladwood Co. shut down its 18th Avenue operation, putting 38 people out of work. The company’s manager said they are “sitting tight” and waiting for the market to improve. It’s the first time in 10 years that the siding company has had to shut down operations. Cladwood mills at Philomath and in Minnesota also closed.
25 years ago: Oct. 6, 1999
Administration investigated rumors about a student who said they would bring a gun to school and set off a bomb, and at least one student has been suspended with the possibility of one or two others to follow. Staff determined some freshmen who were being harassed thought it would be funny to scare those who were harassing them.
After Richard and Shari Ortega misunderstood what they were allowed to do within the banks of Wiley Creek, complaints were soon filed by neighbors and the Oregon Dept. of Forestry. The Ortegas had dug a trench within the streambed to protect their bridge from an increasing flow of water that threatened to take it out. They filed necessary paperwork and took out 80 cubic yards from the stream bed, which went against DSL rules and threatened the essential salmon habitat. They will restore the fill and go through proper channels to solve their bridge problem.