Good Old Days – 04-18-14

Compiled By The Sidney Sun-Telegraph Staff

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

75 YEARS AGO

'Sidney Man Dies In Auto Crash Monday'

April 21, 1939

A truck-automobile collision near Grand Island late Monday Killed John B. Spencer, 30, a resident of Sidney for about two months. Carl Schmeekie, 21, driver of the truck, and Frank Majewshi, a passenger, escaped injury.

A blowout of the left front tire on Spencer''s car apparently caused him to lose control of the auto-mobile just before the crash Schmeekle told authorities.

Sheriff W.W. Schulz said Spencer and his wife had been living at a local rooming house for about two months. Spencer was a novelties salesman, Schulz stated, and used Sidney as headquarters for the territory he covered.

According to Spencer's widow, he had driven east to visit his mother, who recently suffered a stroke. He was returning to Sidney at the time of the collision. Because the Spencer's were not well known here it required some time for authorities to locate Mrs. Spencer to inform her of her husbands death. She left Monday evening for Grand Island to claim his body. The funeral will not be here.

50 YEARS AGO

'Moisture Situation Improves'

April 20, 1964

Storm warnings were posted today for portions of Nebraska but the Panhandle did not seem to be in the path of any severe weather disturbances. The weather bureau report this soon said western Nebraska would have occasional showers through the day and evening but did not foresee any conditions which would call for a warning to stockman or others.

The moisture started falling south of here during the morning hours, but only traces had been reported in Sidney up to noon. However, heavy cloud banks were threatening along the west and south horizons and the prospects for some substantial precipitation seemed fairly good. During early afternoon, showers were quite heavy in Sidney and Rural areas also reported rain.

There has been a considerable amount of farm work under way in the past week, particularly along the south table region stretching south to Peetz and into the South Platte Valley. The ground is in good shape following earlier moisture this month, farmers said, but they were prepared to stop their field work if more fell today because it is badly needed to replenish depleted supplies.

The weather bureau forecast for the next thirty days calls for frequent periods of precipitation. Some of this, the bureau said, could be in the form of snow because of temperatures may range below the average figure for this time of year.

Some ranchers in this region reported during the past week that a dust and wind storm about a week ago left them with a number of sick calves in the spring calf crop. This often happens when the new calves are exposed to dust-laden winds.

25 YEARS AGO

'Hospital To Take Over Ambulance'

April 18, 1989

The Sidney Medical Ambulance Service will officially come into being at noon Monday, May 1, when a contract will be signed by the Cheyenne County Commissioners and Memorial Hospital and Home.

Memorial Administrator Bob Driewer was at the Commissioners regular meeting Monday to report all but a few minor details had been ironed out and it was agreed the contract would be signed May 1. The new operators of the ambulance service will take over from the former operator, Rich Preston.

The transaction involves the purchase of two ambulances and other equipment from Preston who had stated earlier he had buyers for two other vehicles and equipment. The new operators will continue to house the ambulances and equipment for three months at the present Cheyenne County Ambulance Service located in the 1100 block of Illinois Street, according to Commission Chairman Kenny Larson.

Preston has indicated he wished to sell that building.

Larson explained to the commissioners are satisfied with the arrangement with Memorial Hospital and

Home and "Everything seems to be a go." The Acquisition of the ambulance service will enhance the Hospital and Home Services which have been expanded to include home care, a chemical dependency unit and medical supplies service.

Driewer told the board he and the other staff members have been "working on it Hot and Heavy" and "are eager to establish a new image. " He also indicated there will be two or three full time employees for the Ambulance Service, plus some part time help.

10 YEARS AGO

'Sun-Telegraph Places In Nebraska Press Contest'

April 20, 2004

Despite some tough competition, the Sidney Sun-Telegraph earned two Third Place awards Saturday in the Nebraska Press Association Better Newspaper contest.

The Sugar Valley Rally ad placed third in the best single advertising idea- color Graphic artist Debbie Charles created the ad. The paper's Promotion for the quarter page sale, created by creator Amy Hiett, placed third in the newspapers promotion contest.

In the annual Nebraska Press Association Better Newspaper Contest, Nebraska Newspapers are judged in 35 categories. The Categories focus on writing, photography, advertising, design and creativity. Weekly newspapers compete against newspapers close to their own size while all daily newspapers compete against each other, regardless of size.

"Im just so proud of our staff for placing in this tough competition", Said Pam Ray, Sun-Telegraph General Manager "we compete against the "Big Boys" Scottsbluff, Kearney, Grand Island, North Platte. their staffs are two and three times our size. For our Little paper to be recognized along with the big ones is such an honor," she said.