Good Old Days 05-01-15

Compiled By Rob Langrell

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

50 YEARS AGO

'Deep oil test announced for Panhandle'

Published on May 5, 1965

The long-awaited announcement of a deep oil test for Western Nebraska arrived this week when Sinclair Oil and Gas Co. disclosed plans for immediate drilling of a 7,700-foot hole in the Singleton Field of Banner County.

Although this depth is not expected to take Sinclair to granite, it will carry the total depth at least 2,000 feet below the know producing horizons in that area. Oil industry observers said Sinclair will go for the "Wolfcamp" pre-Cambrian formation.

Sinclair's well will be the No. 17 Joe F. Singleton, located almost in the dead center of one of Nebraska's largest oilfields. The Singleton Field has ranked near the top in annual production for several years.

The deep test won't qualify for the "Kimball Oil Jackpot" posted several months ago by Kimball businessmen for the first deep oil found in the Kimball area, but it is expected to trigger additional interest in deeper drilling.

Art Henrickson, former Kimball newspaper publisher and a top authority on oil activities in the Nebraska Panhandle, said several inquiries have been received lately regarding the jackpot, which now has risen from a beginning figure of $25,000 to more than $32,000. Henrickson predicted that the Sinclair venture will will focus new attention on the Nebraska Panhandle from all segments of the oil industry.

"It's a little too far away to qualify for the jackpot" he said, "but it's close enough to merit attention from everyone interested in Western Nebraska oil production."

Meanwhile, in Cheyenne County, the development of a new oil field is proceeding successfully, with indications that a major producing area may be in the making. Less than two miles northwest of the town of Potter, Petroleum Inc. has reported success at the No. 2-D Anderson in the Filon Field, giving the field six wells without a failure.

25 YEARS AGO

'SHS principal takes Gering post; quick replacement is anticipated'

Published on May 4, 1990

For the second consecutive year, the Sidney Board of Education is looking for a new secondary school principal.

Gary Schmucker, the current principal at Sidney High School, has accepted a similar post at Gering. His contract with Sidney expires July 31.

Schmucker, a native of southeast Nebraska, is a former assistant principal at Gering Junior High. He left that position in 1985 to serve as senior vice president and chief executive officer of Platte Valley Federal Savings and Loan until that organization went into bankruptcy.

In the summer of 1989, he returned to work in education, accepting the job at Sidney High.

"He did a very good job for us," said Gerald Berlage, president of the Sidney Board of Education. "We wish we could have kept him longer. However, we understand his connection with Gering and his desire to return there."

Berlage said that Schmucker received the contract offer from Gering two days ago. The Board will not officially act on his resignation from Sidney High until its next regular meeting in June.

In the meantime, Berlage said Superintendent of Schools Myron "Bud" Jasnoch will begin the search for a new principal. Hopefully, the selection process will be completed by the end of May or early June, Berlage added.

Jasnoch said, "Gary's done an excellent job for us and we're sorry to lose him. But we understand that it's a professional advancement for him."

Schmucker was unavailable for comment today.

10 YEARS AGO

'County commissioners approve resolutions for airport road project'

Published on May 3, 2005

The Cheyenne County Commissioners adopted resolutions approving changes to the road improvement plan for County Roads 16 and 113 on Monday. Due to new federal standards, the plan had to be revised from one to two phases to redo construction of the airport road.

In other business, the panel conducted two hearings approving an exemption application for tax exemption on motor vehicles owned by qualifying nonprofit organizations for Memorial Health Center and an amendment to the 2004-2005 county budget. A correction of $500,000 was made to the budget for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program.

Cris Burke of the Department of Agriculture revealed to the county the results of its annual weed program evaluation. Burks said minor mathematical errors were noted on the infestation report, but that overall "the bases are all being covered."

The tables where then turned when Burks asked the commissioners about the direction of the program. The county is in an interim period due to its current weed superintendent facing health issues.

Burks reminded that by law the county must have a weed superintendent who is capable of overseeing and running a coordinated weed control program. After further roundtable discussion, it was decided that the Department of Agriculture and Cheyenne County would work together to address the concern in the future.

5 YEARS AGO

'More than 300 bags of trash disposed'

Published on May 4, 2010

If Sidney has seemed a little cleaner since late Saturday morning, that's because it is, thanks to the helping hands of more than 200 people participating in the Keep Sidney Beautiful 2010 Great Trash Race.

"It was a great turnout," Keep Sidney Beautiful Director Ashley Miller said. "We thank all of the participants for cleaning up Sidney."

That's just what the 12 teams did May 1 when they collected a total of 346 bags of garbage. Racking up 88 of those bags were first-place team Wal-Mart, which brought an end to a three-year winning streak by Cub Scouts Pack #90. The scouts placed second with 79 bags of garbage. Third place went to Job's Daughters with 29 bags of garbage.

Nine-year-old Drew Reece participated in the event with Girl Scouts Troop #10066. Reece said she felt good about helping with the cleanup. Fellow scout Ginny Herboldsheimer, 8, agreed, believing her team had a good chance of winning.

"We're trying to beat the Cub Scouts," Herboldsheimer said.

Phi Theta Kappa team member Martha Flick helped her team unload a packed pickup truck bed at the event.

"I like the fact I get to hang out with classmates," Flick said of the event.

This year's event saw participation increase by approximately 100 people over last year. Total bags of garbage collected last year was 250, which was an increase of 100 bags over the year prior.

This year's event finished with a free lunch and free movie at Fox Theatre.