Good Old Days 06-12-15

Compiled By Delaney Uhrig

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

'Three From Area Head To York'

June 14, 1965

Three young ladies from the Southern Panhandle will be leaving tomorrow for York to complete in the annual Miss Nebraska pageant.

Representing this area will be: Susie DeVier of Sidney, Miss Fort Sidney Days; Roslyn Nelson of Dix, Miss Kimball; and Carol Klingman of Chappell, Miss Ogallala.

They are among 36 girls competing for the honor of entering Miss America Competition in Atlantic City, N.J.

All ceremonies will be in York City Auditorium, beginning with a luncheon for the girls on Wednesday afternoon.

Rehearsals will take up much of their time before the first parade, scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, and the first of preliminary competition at 8:30 that night.

Other preliminary contests will be Friday and Saturday nights. Those and the finals on Sunday will begin at 8:30.

A second parade will begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

25 YEARS AGO

'Local Seniors Warned About Rip Off Schemes'

June 12, 1990

"We are fortunate to live in Sidney where older citizens don't have to feel imprisoned after dark in their own homes," Sidney police officer John Whatley told a near capacity luncheon audience Sunday at the Senior Citizens Center at Western Heritages.

Whatley presented a seminar, "How to Avoid Being Ripped Off," telling his audience that older folks are generally victims of less violent crimes but unscrupulous people too often find them easy marks for get rich quick schemes, shoddy home repairs and other questionable deals.

Whatley urged members of his audience to check with the police department if they have doubts about the honesty of door-to-door salesman, saying that Sidney requires such persons to obtain permits from the city before soliciting business.

Transient salespersons, Whatley calls "gypsies," come through Sidney every year "about this time" and should be watched out for, he said, especially by senior citizens.

Whatley urged his audience to be careful of promises received in the mail telling them of prizes they have won, yet giving little or no information as to the nature of the business issuing the prizes.

"If you are interested in buying something, then I would urge you to go out and shop for it – don't let someone sell you something you don't really want or need," Whatley said.

Whatley said Better Business Bureaus are often very helpful in about the trustworthiness of various businesses. Of those who solicit your business, he said, "Ask to see their credentials." He said if sales people suddenly leave when asked to show their permits, "call the police, get their license plates number and notice what direction they go when they leave."

In rural areas especially, itinerant salespeople sometimes approach farmers and tell them their lighting rods are out of date and produce what they say is superior.If they can, they will take the old lighting rods and sell them, if they can, to their next prospective customer down the road.

When using credit cards, don't let anyone look over your shoulder and read the card number, Whatley warned. "I don't think it is good practice to order items over the phone and give your credit card number."

Before signing any contract, read it carefully, including the fine print, and make sure you understand it, the police officer urged. "Understand your obligations," he said.

10 YEARS AGO

'Proposal Could Provide Downtown Facelift For Sidney'

June 15, 1990

The question is, "what does the chamber of commerce do for me?' got another answer on Tuesday.

Stressing that plans are strictly preliminary and that there has been no official sanction from the Sidney City Council, directors of the Cheyenne County Chamber of commerce were informed of a proposed program in connection with the Lied Main Street Program that could provide both financial assistance and physical help in a campaign to enhance the exterior appearance of downtown buildings. The program would be available only to chamber members, it was stressed.

City Manager Gary Person said that should the city council give its approval, there are funds available under an economic development program approval by voters in 1997 that would provide up to $5,000 in matching funds assistance that could help with projects that do not require a contractor.

Person said the Sidney Jaycees have agreed to provide volunteer labor for many of the projects.

Any materials needed would be purchased from Cheyenne County businesses.

"This will provide an incentive to rehabilitate the downtown," Person said. He said many buildings could use some paint, or the opening of boarded up windows on the second story and the Jaycees would provide the labor for such projects.

"We will do anything we can do without a contractor," said Jaycee Rob Kuhns, "even if it's just pulling weeds."

The projects will "have to actually enhance the appearance" of a building, Person said.

5 YEARS AGO

'Assault Case Bound Over To District Court'

June 11, 2010

Forty-three-year-old Kevin Swain of Sidney appeared Tuesday in Cheyenne County Court for a preliminary hearing on felony assault and terroristic threat charges, officials said Thursday.

Swain faces three Class IV felony counts including terroristic threats, a second offense of third-degree domestic assault and third-degree assault on an officer stemming from an incident in his residence in the 1600 block of 19th Avenue on June 2.

The Cheyenne County Attorney's Office stated in a press release that two witnesses terrified for the state during the preliminary hearing, which aided the court's decision to bind the case over to district court for the suspect's arraignment on his charges. That hearing has been scheduled for June 22 at 8:30 a.m.

According to an arrest affidavit, Swain answered the door of his residence for officers on June 2 after several knocks by authorities. It's alleged the suspect began shouting, making lewd comments and gestures, and eventually shoved an officer several times.

Inside the residence, officers made contact with a female with whom they spoke to separately from the suspect. During the investigation, Swain allegedly continued to berate the officers, the affidavit states.

Following several warnings by authorities, officers used a Taser on the suspect to subdue and arrest him, court documents state.