Here’s what was happening in the news this week:
100 years ago
It was editorialized that Saturday, April 31 would be the “most eventful day in the history of Oak Harbor.” The question of incorporation was to be decided upon via a vote. Voters were encouraged to consult with officials of Coupeville and Langley to discuss the merits of incorporation, including decreased taxes. The News writer added that, if incorporation should not occur, “it will be the worst kind of an advertisement and will result in material loss.”
A call for carpenters was put out in order to erect the foundation of the cannery building. It was anticipated that 20 men would be needed to work between tides each day.
Residents of Consolidated School District No. 201 were invited to an exhibition, track meet and field day. The exhibition would display the work of students at the Clover Valley, Oak Harbor, Swantown and Crescent Harbor schools while the field day would include foot races and a baseball game.
75 years ago
The Oak Harbor town council was set to meet to discuss items such as the budget as well as the building, sewer and fire zone ordinance, which had been approved by the city board.
Two notes bearing the signature “Amelia Earhart” were turned in to Sheriff Tommy Clark. The notes appeared to have been penned by two different individuals. One note, discovered by a 16-year-old, was found in a sealed bottle on the beach near Swantown. It was written in pencil on cardboard, and read, “Hurry! Come and save me — I’m on ‘Dinner Island.’ That is where I had my crackup. Amelia Earhart.” The second note had been found by Charles Dixon nearly a year prior near his home at Austin. This note, too, was sealed in a bottle. It read “Lost at Sea. Food Scarce. Position Unknown. Approximately 70 degrees latitude 80 degrees longitude. Please hurry. Amelia Earhart. Please.” Sheriff Clark determined that both were hoaxes.
50 years ago
Oak Harbor School District experienced an increase in enrollment of 200 students compared to the previous year. Registration totaled 3,432 in 12 grades. Numbers were expected to increase by 100 or more students in the coming weeks, as more Navy families were expected to enroll after Labor Day. The district had hired 29 new teachers, the same number as the year prior.
According to Oak Harbor School Psychologist Lou Powers, “teenagers are conformists in spite of their insistence upon what they believe is non-conformity.” Powers’ position was relatively new, and was a part of the district’s expanding Social Services Program. In the coming year, the program was expected to incorporate a clinical psychologist and psychiatric consultant to be hired on a periodic basis. Powers said he was also looking forward to extending mental health services to other Whidbey school districts.
25 years ago
The Oak Harbor School District approved a budget of $24.92 million for the school year. The district had cut several programs following the failure of a $4 million maintenance and operations levy at the ballot in May. Because the budget was determined based upon projected enrollment, school officials said the amount of funds could change if the number of students enrolled was fewer or more than expected. The district recognized they may have underestimated their enrollment figures by as many as 200 students. More students from Navy families were expected to enroll.
