Yesteryears

— The Dalles Chronicle

Not radio heaven yet, but soon. All radio fans of this section are rejoicing in the rapid cleanup of power noises which has followed the arrival of the radio expert of the Pacific Power & Light Co. already on Saturday night, the improvement was so marked that many radio fans wondered what had happened, but on Sunday night, both in the valley and in the greater part of town, reception was nearly as good as it used to be in the days when Hood River was regarded as a radio fan’s heaven.

— Hood River News

Came here 40 years ago last Tuesday. R. A. Byrkett was celebrating on Tuesday the 40th anniversary of his first trip up White Salmon’s main street. It was 40 years ago that he came from Ohio, and rode a horse up the path or narrow road which has been cut through the timber and rocks — now Jewett Avenue. He was on his way to Trout Lake where he took a homestead. At that time there were only three houses here, the R. D. Cameron house on lower Jewett Ave., the Hunsaker house, across from where Mr. Byrkett now lives, and the Jacobson residence above the school house.

— White Salmon Enterprise

1946 — 80 years ago

Between 400 and 500 traps will be placed in Wasco and Hood River county peach orchards this year, to determine whether the Oriental fruit moth as yet has made an appearance in this area.

Four ‘teen-agers from California, three girls and a boy, were held in the county jail today, following their arrest here yesterday by state police on a charge of automobile theft. The quartet was arrested near the Columbia river, below Seufert’s cannery, after having hidden there since Sunday, when they abandoned a stolen car near The Dalles.

— The Dalles Chronicle

Expert will tell women how to look their best. The color and color harmonies that best suit you will be demonstrated in a series of three meetings on Clothes Section by Mrs. Azalea Sager, state Home Demonstration leader from Oregon State college, announces Mrs. Lorena Alexander, emergency assistant in the county extension office.

— Hood River News

1966 — 60 years ago

The Bureau of Indian Affairs has invited bids for grading and crushed rock surfacing of 4.456 miles of roadway and construction of a bridge on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation.

The Library Board has authority today to proceed with its plans for providing the necessary furniture for the new library, but the amount to be purchased will not be known until later. 

— The Dalles Chronicle

A massive Civil Defense simulated disaster was just ending when sirens sounded again — this time for a real emergency. Eight-year-old Scotty Sieberkropp had slipped on a slick spot in a trail, rolled down a steep 60-foot incline, then dropped down a 20-foot cliff of the Hood River canyon to a sandy spot on the river bank.

— Hood River News

Forest service to have exam. The U.S. Civil Service Commission announces an examination for Forest Worker Leader, WL-2, $2.51 per hour, at the U.S. Forest Service, Mt. Adams Ranger District, Trout Lake Washington.

— White Salmon Enterprise

1986 — 40 years ago

The fastest earthworms alive will be discovered here Wednesday as students from three schools urge their charges onward in the first annual World Championship Earthworm Races.

There are almost as many ideas for use of the vacated Judson Baptist College facility as there were responses to the survey run by The Chronicle, but converting the college campus to a correctional facility does not seem to have much public favor.

— The Dalles Chronicle

Now that the Westside Sewer Interceptor Project is a reality — thanks to a $200,000 grant from the Oregon Lottery Special Public Works Fund — Hood River City Engineer Pete Harris will meet with the public to discuss the specifics of the project.

— Hood River News