Out of the Past September 30 2026

80 Years Ago

We’ve bragged frequently about Deer Park Union want ads getting results, but a little want ad in last week’s paper brought results that we can’t help crowing over. Don Keyes, local druggist, offered a circulating heater for sale for $55. He reported Monday that he had 26 calls in response to the ad and that the stove was sold Saturday morning.

The Grand champion bull of the first annual Inland Empire Aberdeen Angus show and sale at Centralia last Friday was consigned by Lenhard’s Meadowmeer farm, Deer Park. The animal was sold to Dr. Dennis Rupp of Chehalis for $1,025.

Mr. and Mrs. G.W. Don and Bob Bandhauer of Whittier, Calif., visited at the I.M. Clary home in Elk this week. Mr. Don and his sister, Mrs. Clary, hadn’t seen each other in 11 years. 

40 Years Ago

A 31-year-old Spokane man was killed instantly when the aircraft he was piloting last Tuesday crashed at Deer Park Airport. Dana Wayne Dibble, E2311 Bismark, Spokane, is believed to have died of head and neck injuries when his Benson Gyrocopter, a homemade experimental open cockpit aircraft, malfunctioned during touch-and-go landings and takeoffs. 

A bike-a-thon to help raise funds for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will take place over a two-mile course over Deer Park-Milan, Airport, and Cedar Roads on Saturday. Deer Park Area Chairman Debi Bair said the “Wheels for Life” bike-a-thon fundraiser supports the hospital’s battle against childhood cancer and other illnesses being studied at the hospital.

The end is near for city motorists having to put up with unexpected detours and sharp dropoffs at the side of the road. Deer Park’s massive paving project, which has put a 2-inch covering over 70% of city streets, is almost finished, according to City Administrator Ehman Sheldon. 

20 Years Ago

A 44-year-old Deer Park man faces a laundry list of criminal charges after he stole a deputy’s patrol car during a domestic violence investigation Sunday evening. Deputy Brett Hubbell was dispatched to an address on D Street where William H. Gearhart was reportedly breaking items in the yard. Hubbell arrived at the home before his backup and attempted to place Gearhart into custody. Hubbell reportedly tried to use pepper spray on the suspect to control him, but was himself contaminated with the spray. Gearhart reportedly stole Hubbell’s white and green patrol car. 

Washington State Patrol troopers spent Friday afternoon investigating the crash of two Riverside School District buses on U.S. Highway 2 near Bailey Road. Spokane Fire District 4 and Deer Park Ambulance personnel responded to the collision. Nine students were treated for minor injuries and one was transported to Deer Park Hospital as a precautionary measure. Bus driver Marsalis Johnson was cited for following too close. 

Someone broke into a trailer at a Deer Park construction site last week and made off with hundreds of dollars worth of power tools.