From Our Early Files December 20, 2023
25 YEARS AGO
December 24, 1998
The city of Whitehall, for the second time in less than five months, will soon be hiring a new full-time police officer. The city was notified two weeks ago that one of the Whitehall Police Department’s four full-time officers, Dale Lyngen, was quitting. The only step taken at last week’s law enforcement committee meeting was to authorize using the eligibility list when the city’s fourth full-time officer, Bruce Halama, was hired in August. There were 14 applicants for the position filled in August. The other finalists were Paul Laursen of rural Osseo; Craig Marsolek and Eric Staff of Whitehall; Jason Stenberg of Blair and Timothy Wilson of Arcadia.
Several years ago, the Trempealeau County Board of Supervisors switched its county employee health insurance coverage to the Wisconsin Counties Association Group Health trust in order to save money. But that change, apparently only put off the double-digit premium increases the county had been experiencing. The county is looking at another one, a 15 percent boost, in 1999 – and that has some board members asking about a change in insurers again.
The Whitehall district school board Monday night gave a preliminary approval to a new policy that would eliminate the academic top 10 named for each graduating class for many years. The board held a first reading of a proposal for recognizing honor students at the annual commencement, rather than the traditional top 10.
The Trempealeau County board Monday night approved a name change for the county Agency on Aging. Henceforth, the agency will be identified as the Senior Services Agency. Members of the Aging Committee said it was felt that the new name would better reflect the services that are provided to senior citizens.
Two 1997 Arcadia High School graduates will spend two months doing independent study in Australia and New Zealand. Jill Deck, daughter of Robert Deck and Carol Mueller, and Kendra Slaby, daughter of Tony and Marlys Slaby, will depart from Los Angeles on Jan. 13 en route to New Zealand and Australia. The two are participating in the Pacific Challenge Study Program at Winona State University. They will be in New Zealand from Jan. 14 to Feb. 15 then go to Australia.
Gale-Ettrick-Trempealeau school superintendent William Zaborowski believes that the district’s taxpayers are ready to spend more money on education and that they will support his proposal for a referendum in April. Zaborowski told school board members that the $500,000 referendum would pay for programs in instructors. If approved, taxes on a $100,000 home would increase about $205.15 the first year.
Property values in Galesville have gone up 41 percent in the last three years, said the city’s assessor, Les Milde. Midle confessed the size of the increase surprised him a little bit, although he said Galesville has always been part of the greater La Crosse housing market. The community is being impacted by the La Crosse and Winona markets and migration from those larger communities to rural areas.
50 YEARS AGO
December 27, 1973
A car pool headquarters for central Trempealeau County residents who commute to educational institutions in La Crosse and Eau Claire, sponsored by the Whitehall Chamber of Commerce, will be headquartered at Tri-County Memorial Hospital.
LaVerle Larson of Whitehall is recovering at Tri-County Memorial Hospital from burns she suffered in a freak accident at her home Dec. 20. Larson suffered burns to her arms, chest and back when a power mower exploded during a fire in a small shed at her Hobson St. residence.
The WHS wrestling team won its first dual meet of the season last week Wednesday, smashing Gilmanton 61-6. Tom Ritland, Randy Becker and Manfred Von Uhl won on pins for the Norse.
Jack Bautch of Bautch Motor Sales, Arcadia was shown signing a contract to join Chrysler Motors Corporation’s new all-star team, “The Pentastars.” Assisting in the signing was Mr. R.B. McCurry, vice president of Chrysler Motors Corporation and observing was Allan Page of the Minnesota Vikings.
The 19th annual First Baby of the Year Contest, sponsored by business and professional people in Arcadia, will begin at the down of the new year. The first baby born in the new year at St. Joseph Hospital in Arcadia will be off to a flying start with gifts awaiting him or her, or the parents, from business and professional people of the city. The only stipulation is that the parents of the new baby must be from this trade area.
Arcadia’s five-foot-11 junior guard, Dave Misch, turned in the hottest performance of his career Friday night as he scored 34 points and was credited with 10 assists as Arcadia downed West Salem, 80-46.
A car belonging to Ed Moller, Galesville, was stolen from in front of Mike’s Tavern, driven three blocks and was involved in an accident. The driver jumped into another car following the accident. An investigation determined the car thieves had gone to Melrose. Three suspects were later arrested as Kevin Neil, 19, and Jackie Adams, both of Texas were taken into custody along with Dennis Glasspoole, 22, of Melrose.
75 YEARS AGO
December 23, 1948
Viking Valley is the name selected from the many submitted to the board of directors of Whitehall Winter Sports, Inc. Tom Hegge and Dallas Erickson, University of Wisconsin students, collaborated on the suggestion. Much work has been done on this new “Winter Wonderland,” and with the arrival of more snow, it will be ready for winter sports enthusiasts. The warming house is ready and the ski tow will be completed this week. Electric lights are being installed for night skiing. The scaffold has been completely overhauled and is in first-class shape for the big tournament scheduled for Jan. 30.
The businessmen’s Christmas party for children of the area drew a record crowd, regardless of the slippery condition of the highways Saturday. The free movie at the Pix Theatre drew a packed house, and approximately 600 treats were handed out afterwards.
A representative of the Case Tractor Co. and George Sneider, Case dealer at Augusta, called on Donald Myren, son of the Aldor Myrens of Hale, to congratulate him on being the state 4-H tractor maintenance project winner, and also to present him with a miniature Case tractor as a souvenir.
A caucus which placed in nomination candidates for the new village of Strum was held this week Wednesday. Jan. 15 had been set for the first village election.
The Trempealeau County courthouse family had their annual Christmas party Monday afternoon, and at that time presented farewell gifts to four officials who are leaving at the end of the year. They are Sheriff Basil Erickson, who has served his allotted two terms; District Attorney LaVern Kostner of Arcadia, who is retiring after eight years in office; Miss Janet Swenson, county nurse, who will be married Jan. 28 and will move to Wausau; and Miss Yvonne Olson, home demonstration agent, who is taking a similar position in Iowa County.
Members of the United Lutheran Church at Pigeon Falls will have new joy and warmth in their hearts this Christmas, for they will hear the bell of their new church as it rings on Christmas Eve for the first time. Ole Olson, church sexton, will ring the bell, which was installed Monday.
Arcadia’s new water treatment plant to soften and remove excess iron from the water supply for the city is now in operation and residents have already noticed a decided improvement in the quality.
Arcadia basketball fans packed the new armory Monday night to see a game between the Harlem Globetrotters, professional players, and Headquarters Company, local National Guard unit. They saw some good basketball and enjoyed some hearty laughs at the Globetrotters played football formation and a baseball game while playing basketball.
100 YEARS AGO
December 27, 1923
The county board is in session as the Times-Banner goes to press, investigating the charges made against the board of trustees of the county asylum. After two days of questioning on the part of Dr. Palmer, who made the charges, very little damaging evidence has been obtained. Mr. Smith, a member of the board of trustees and secretary of that body, has given a very clear explanation of every item charged against the board for a quarter of a century. The board is sitting as a jury to hear the testimony, and at the close will argue among themselves the guilt or innocence of the trustees. The hearing has attracted a large crowd of spectators.
R.R. Langworthy says the Keystone silo is the best silo made. R.R. has converted many to the same belief, and recently added Chas. Sieloff of Maule Coulee to the list, signing him up for a 13- by 38-foot unit to be erected on his farm next spring.
The clock given away at the Rognlien Variety Store was won by Mrs. A.E. Nehring, she being the only one who correctly guessed what day it would stop.. She was only 11 hours, 52 minutes out of the way.
Sheriff Erickson and his assistants rounded up a violator of the 18th Amendment last Saturday and brought him into court. The result was that Emil Pelowski of Dodge pleaded guilty and was sentenced by Judge Hensel to pay a fine of $200 and costs.
Mandley Lund arrived in Whitehall Saturday from Chinook, Mont., and will spend the winter with his brother-in-law, Matt Fremstad. Mr. Lund homesteaded land near Chinook and reports a bumper crop this year. Wheat averaged about 35 bushels to the acre, oats from 75 to 80, and flax, about 18.
For violating the new dance ordinance in Ozaukee County, Walter Hansen was fined $100 and costs last week for running a dance without a license. It is perhaps the first violation in the state, and the violator drew the maximum penalty.
125 YEARS AGO
December 22, 1898
Sheriff-elect Steig moved his family into the jail residence Friday.
Hans Arneson lost a valuable colt last Saturday from pink eye, so diagnosed by Veterinarian Frank Allen.
G.S. Rice and Co. have received a large supply of oyster shells, which are going fast at $1.25 per 100.
A.G. Buchholz has purchased of J.O. Melby, four lots cornering Park and West streets in Whitehall, presumably for speculative purposes. Mr. Buchholz is one of the moneyed men of Whitehall, and owns some of the best business and residence property in the village.
The Whitehall Dancing Club met for their first dance last Friday evening, and a pleasant time is reported, 36 couples being present. It was decided to continue these terpsichorean events, and they will be a feature of the winter’s amusements every two weeks.
Edd Erickson, formerly of Duluth, Minn., has opened a restaurant and confectionery stand in the Adams and Taylor block, known as the Getts building, on Main Street, and is prepared to serve the public with warm meals and lunches at all hours of the day. Mr. Erickson is a professional cook, and can satisfy the inner man in a thoroughly Epicurean manner.
The trial of Herman Berg, the Arcadia saloon keeper, charged with having sold liquor on Sunday, Nov. 20, was had before Justice Ecker Tuesday, and resulted in the conviction of Berg, who was fined $5 and $78.83 costs. An appeal was taken to circuit court.
