10 Years Ago

  • When the Youth Citizens Activity Center quietly closed its doors on C Street in mid- October, it might have been difficult to see a bright future for the center. The building was in desperate need of repairs and it was under new leadership. But six weeks later it reopened.
  • A new building ordinance was first proposed in October but a petition started by Glen Inlow of Mina drew public attention bto the proposal. The board was set to consider the proposal in November, but more than a 100 people packed the commissioners meeting room, and the board voted to table the meeting until a special session.

20 Years Ago

  • A ribbon cutting ceremony was held for the newly constructed Plasma Ordnance Destruction System and the Hot Gas Decontamination Facility located at Hawthorne Army Plant. A special recognition was given to HEAD Engineer Louie Dellamonica, who was instrumental on both projects and was on hand from planning Stages throughout the complete construction process.
  • Hawthorne Volunteer firefighters responded to the YCAC where employees called in excessive smoke in the building. It was determined that the oil furnace malfunctioned causing the building to fill with smoke.

30 Years Ago

  • A proposal to issue $5.75 million in funds to finance construction of a new school and make improvements to existing utilities was rejected by the voters in Mineral County at a special election. About 57% of the 3.272 voters who were eligible to vote in the special election cast ballots. The total votes to approve the proposal were 795, and the total vote not to approve were 1054.
  • Richie N. Isom of Hawthorne, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars post 2313 was appointed to serve as a member of the VFW’s National Americanism Committee by VFW, George R. Cramer.

40 Years Ago

  • Ken Powlwort of Hawthorne became the leader in the El Capitan Walker Lake fishing derby by catching a 5 pound, 8 ounce cutthroat. The previous leader was a 5 pound 3 ounce catch by Dave Menesini of Yerington.
  • Spouse-Reitz Store bin Hawthorne was keeping twoCabbage Patch dolls, which were known to have caused riots in California, in the vault at the Security Bank. The dolls were to be given as prizes vin a drawing sponsored by the store.
  • Mineral County School’s forensic and debate team traveled to Reno to compete at the McQueen debate tournament, Eric Bensen, Rezalia Watson, and Troy Dillard, all captured trophies in the event.

50 Years Ago

  • Mineral County and the Naval Ammunition Depot were participating in a joint venture which would restrict the frequent visits of the neighboring codes in the residential areas of Hawthorne, Babbitt and the base, including Sachweer drive. Several miles of fencing was to be constructed, under the joint venture agreement the navy was furnishing materials and the county the labor to complete the project.
  • Cooperative Education students at the Mineral County High School were pictured in the newspaper.

60 Years Ago

  • Road repair work in two canyons in the county was completed. Approximately $18,000 (about $137,000 in 2013) was spent in repairing several miles of road in Bodie Canyon and $1,210 (about $9,000 in 2013), in repairing two bridges in Cory Canyon there was an expenditure of $2,000 (about $15,000 in 2013) .
  • Charles Mac Conelly and Gelenda Hammock competed in the voice of American contest. The theme was the Challenge of Citizenship.
  • The Mineral County High School Serpents defeated the Bishop Broncos 60-52, but lost to the Fallon Greenwave 61-56.
  • Uncle Vane Day said: “One great difference between the Parrot and human being. The bird is content to repeat what it hears without trying to make a good story out of it.”

70 Years Ago

  • Queen of Lake Rebekahs elected new officers for the coming year: Della Mac Schmidt, Mayme Epperson, Mary Dennis, Anita Tennison, Estella Gifford, Neva Ferretti and Joanna Souza.
  • The Hawthorne Council proposed an increase in the water rates and adoption of an ordinance prohibiting parking vehicles in a manner as to block driveways.
  • The Serpents lost the opening game of the season to Fernley by a score of 58-51.

80 Years Ago

  • According to Principal Floyd Smalley the new school building of the Hawthorne Elementary School had been completed and turned over to the town by the Federal Works Agency. The building was open for public instruction on Sunday.
  • Bids were called on a $20,000 (about $270,000 in 2013) bond issued to finance the Mina Water System.
  • The following notice appeared in the December 8, 1943 issue of this newspaper “ There is a young male dog, apparently of pointer ancestry, confined in the local dog pound. The dog is gentle and lonesome and wishes for a good home.”

90 Years Ago

  • A Minute County High School Basketball team lost to Tonopah by a close score, 23-18, in the opening game of the season.
  • State Labor Commissioner William Royle appointed J.J. Connelly, former county recorder/auditor, and Justice of the Peace Guy Eckley in Mina, to serve as Registrars for applicants seeking work with the new Civic Works Administration.
  • Shipment of 30 tons of rich silver-lead ore was made from the Black Hawk Mine at Marietta. Black Hawk was being operated by Cap Whiting and C.E. Flagg, Reno, furniture store owner.
  • Repeal of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution became official when Utah, a strong “dry” state, became the 36th state to ratify the repeal of the Prohibition amendment which had been in effect since 1918, and opened the way for repeal of the Volstead Act which was the much disputed effort to outlaw liquor in the United States.