Looking Back

These stories from the past first appeared in The Sidney Telegraph. Original writing is preserved, though some stories were shortened for space reasons.

100 YEARS AGO

‘Sidney Tourists’

March 1, 1913

H. R. Fuller and wife are touring on he Pacific coast, an outing they had planned for some time. Before returning they will visit Portland, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Fresno and nearer home will stop a Mount Rosa and Denver/besides a umber of lesser places all along the route. Here’s hoping they will have a delightful trip and that they will find no place they would like to live so well as in Sidney.

75 YEARS AGO

‘Fossil Teeth Found In Sunol Gravel Pit’

Believe Discovery Made By Workers Might Prove To Be Very Valuable

March 8, 1938

A well preserved set of fossil teeth, unearthed recently in a sand pit north of Sunol, is now in possession of Harry Hazlitt of Sidney. Mr Hazlitt said the fossil discovery was made in a sand pit north of Sunol at a depth of about six feet.

A letter was written Friday to Bertram Schultz, Nebraska university currator and fossil authority, informing him of the discover and inviting him to inspect it. The formation, size and preservation of te teeth would indicate that they are extremely valuable.

The teeth, measuring almost four inches across, obviously were a part of the head structure of a huge prehistoric animal. Judging from the size of the size teeth in the set, the animal must have been at least 70 to 75 feet in length.

The outstanding feature of the teeth is the fine state of preservation. Unlike most fossil remains they have still retained the glassy, enameled surface. Three of the teeth are large and in good condition and the other three appear to have been only partially developed, probably because of disuse. Hazlitt said other excavations were made in the sand pit but no other fossil remains were found. It is considered highly probably, however, that the entire skeleton of this huge animal could be found in the vicinity of the sand pit if the university sent a special crew here to conduct the work.

Western Nebraska is recognized as one of the nations most lucrative fossil fields, and the discovery near Sunol may open up an entirely new field of discovery. Hazlitt is keeping his find in an air tight case, pending word from the Nebraska university expert.

50 YEARS AGO

‘Driver Cited In Four-Car Smash’

March 8, 1963

An accident involving four cars took place at 21st Ave and Illinois St. on Thursday, resulting in damage to two of the vehicles, and charges being filed against one of the drivers.

Cars were driven by Dorothy M. Mick of Lodgepole; Jack R. Easterly, Rt. B, Sidney; Elaine L. Bergess, 2127 Blackfoot road, and Dallas R. Langley, 1141 Quince.

According to police reports, the first two cars were driving west on Illinois when they were forced to stop for a car making a left hand turn into 21st Ave. The third car, also approaching from the east slowed to stop when it was struck by the fourth car with such force that it struck the second car and the second car struck the first car in the line. Damae to the Mick car was listed at $10, and to the Bergess car at $150. The other two cars were not damaged, police said.

Dennis R Langley, driver of the fourth car was charged with wilful reckless driving. He appeared in police court on Friday, pleaded guilty and was fined $50 and costs.

25 YEARS AGO

‘Arrests solve long string off burglaries”

March 4, 1988

Sixteen property-related crimes were being reported solved Friday morning by Sidney Police following an eight-month inquiry.

The report reveals three juveniles, two from Sidney, one from North Platte, and three adult males, all of Sidney, were allegedy involved in the crimes, which included five burglaries, nine thefts, one trespass and one case of allegedly receiving and/or disposing of stolen property.

According to Police Chief Dick Willis, total property involved in the sixteen crimes was estimated at $508. He said the property recovered to date has been estimated to be worth $356.

Names of the juveniles are routinely withheld because of their age. The names of the adults reportedly involved are being suppressed until the county attorney determines charges to be filed in the cases.

The investigation into the crimes began in July, 1987 and reportedly ended in February, 1988.

10 YEARS AGO

‘Local ambulance

service joins

regional dispatch’

March 8, 2003

The first step in a regional emergency dispatch system was taken recently when Sidney’s ambulance service Emergency Response Care, arranged for the automatic transfer of phone calls when they are out on a call.

Phone calls to Emergency Response Care’s non-emergency office number will automatically be transferred to Regional West Medical Center’s dispatch in Scottsbluff after four rings. This does no affect 911 phone calls in any way.

The technology provided by Sprint to allow our phone calls to be transferred to a professional dispatcher is more than good customer service,” said Randy Meininger, Emergency Response Care interim program manager. “What it does is provide an opportuniy for the caller to talk to a professional in one phone call. It is especially helpful for a caregiver at a hospital or nursing facility needing to arranged for the transfer of a patient. They only make one call and the dispatcher can take care of their needs.”

Meininger says this is the first step of a big plan that will allow all health care facilities to call one number for ground ambulance, helicopter or fixed wing transport.

“For facilities with limited staff on duty at one time or in the case of a major crisis with multiple injuries, a health care provider or secretary will not have to call several numbers to arrange transportation,” Meininger said. “He or she can call the one number and the dispatcher will immediatey arrange for the appropriate transportation. They’ll dial one number and get the answers they need.