Here’s what was happening in the news this week:

100 years ago

In advocating the incorporation of the town of Oak Harbor, the editor of the News relied on more than 30 years’ experience in this state and Oregon in which he had taken a hand in pushing forward a number of former small towns. The editor asked all voters to look at this matter form a reasonable, unprejudiced standpoint.

The long, drawn-out case of Holloway vs. Geck came to a close in Superior Court in Coupeville. This was a case in which Holloway sued for an injunction to restrain Geck from draining his lands by a system of ditches which flowed onto the premises of the plaintiff. It was believed by many that this case was in the nature of a test of a long-mooted question and would result perhaps in the organization of drainage districts where necessary.

75 years ago

The free public auction to be held next week would be the biggest affair of its kind ever to be held in Oak Harbor. Judging from the variety and number of offerings available and scheduled to be sold at the auction, just about everything under the sun would be offered by North Whidby persons.

The stork was traveling as regular a schedule over Coupeville as was the Seattle-Vancouver airliner. The only difference was that the stork stopped three times in as many days. The long-billed assistant to the census taker delivered three bundles to Harpole Maternity Home. Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Kester of Oak Harbor had three babies, two girls and one boy.

50 years ago

The ambulance operator serving North Whidbey, Homer Bakker, was forced to quit business because of economic necessity. Bakker said he was forced to sell his car, get a loan and sometimes go without eating to stay in business.

Lt. Michael Pierce told an audience of Rotarians that the importance of Viet Nam is inestimable, and that it would be a mistake to pull out now.

There would no longer be a Miss Firecracker at the July Fourth celebration. Her name was changed to Miss Fourth of July. The chairman of the events said the new name would make the title a little more important and dignified.

25 years ago

Shipping garbage to a landfill out-of-county was the cheapest and most flexible way to manage county waste, Island County commissioners decided. The commissioners unanimously adopted recommendations of the county’s solid waste advisory committee to transport wastes to a regional landfill, reduce the source of wastes and encourage recycling.

The newly completed Hal Ramaley Memorial Park near City Beach Park was given a final weeding, cultivating and cleanup when Oak Harbor Rotarians took over the job. The dedication ceremonies would take place the Friday of Holland Happening, followed by an open house at City Hall, honoring the city’s 75th anniversary as an incorporated city.

Looking Back is compiled from the Whidbey News-Times’ archives as the newspaper celebrates 125 years in business and the City of Oak Harbor its 100th anniversary of incorporation.