09/02/26 Out of the Past

80 Years Ago

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Murray and son John of Tacoma visited over the weekend with his sister and nephew, Dora Campbell and Chester Westburn. Mr. Murray is in the state patrol in Tacoma.

The North Spokane-South Stevens County Farm Security office is asking for the help of every land owner, farmer, and organization in this area in locating suitable farms for rent or sale to qualified veterans who want to return to farming, reports Walter L. White, county FSA (Farm Security Administration) supervisor, Olson Estate Building, Deer Park. 

Quite a number of parents of children attending district schools are expressing their concern over the anticipated crowding in Deer Park grade school classes. They have evidenced their interest in  person or calls made by phone, particularly in the past two weeks, states Russell H. Meyer, district superintendent. 

40 Years Ago

Until this summer, Deer Park’s record of random acts of vandalism seemed to be within tolerable limits. There was the occasional spray-painted stop sign, the evidence of a beer bust with its cans and bottles in refuse heaps at one of the parks or a broken window or two. But the vandals have turned mean this year. Now there’s heaps of garbage at the parks every day, hard evidence with its beer and wine bottles that partying is an every night activity, according to members of the city crews. 

Having worked under a system of one principal for both elementary schools, the Riverside District has decided to split up the workload this year. Cindy Benzel, a second-grade teacher at Riverside Elementary the past four years, has been promoted to principal at Chattaroy Elementary. 

Those who failed to complete high school for one reason or another will get another chance when evening classes begin on Sept. 8 at Riverside High School. The alternative school program, open to anyone in north Spokane or southern Stevens counties between the ages of 14 and 20, offers a bona fide high school diploma upon completion of the required subjects. 

20 Years Ago 

Clayton’s Cinthia Maclean awaits sentencing after pleading guilty last week to the charge of second-degree possessing stolen property in Stevens County Superior Court. According to court documents, Stevens County Sheriff’s deputies responded to Maclean’s Loon Lake residence and were able to identify several stolen items in her possession. The items came from thefts and burglaries in the Loon Lake/Clayton area. 

The city of Deer Park, which purchased approximately five acres adjacent to Mix Park five years ago, have taken the first concrete steps in expanding the property, albeit only on paper. City officials will host an open house that will allow citizens to study the Mix Park Expansion Master Plan on Sept. 6 at city hall. 

A 23-year-old Stevens County man was arrested in Deer Park early Thursday after a curious deputy discovered stolen copper, a stolen DVD player, and burglar’s tools in the man’s car. Deputy Robert Brooke was patrolling Deer Park about 2 a.m. when he spotted an occupied car at the Chevron Station that had black electrical tape over the license plate.