100 years ago

For the week ending

Jan. 27, 1924

To float machinery across Odell Lake

Scows will be used in carrying machinery for construction work on the Natron cutoff tunnel across Odell lake, a distance of six miles. The machinery is now being taken to the east end of the lake over the snow from Crescent, a distance of 20 miles, on sleds.

There is no ice on Odell lake at present and the construction crews will have little difficulty in moving the machinery across the body of water. The Odell tunnel, 3,650 feet in length, the longest in the state, will be bored under the high summit of the Cascades from both sides of the mountain, according to the forest supervisor, who accompanied by engineer H.P Hoey, in charge of the construction work in the Odell sector. A wagon road will be made across the divide and material fro the west end work will be hauled across the summit.

Bend leading in proportion of boy scouts

With 130 boy scouts now enrolled and many other boys of the city seeking admission to the scout ranks, Bend leads all cities in the northwest in ratio of scout enrollment to the total population, according to statistics received from the regional headquarters. In percentage of population, Bend has more scouts than Astoria and The Dalles, and even surpasses Seattle and Portland.

Golf course wanted here

At the same time that tennis enthusiasts of Bend are planning to meet tonight and organize a club which will encourage the net game in Central Oregon, even more ambitious plans for sports development in this section are being tentatively discussed with the probability that action will be taken before long; plans which consider nothing less elaborate than the fitting up of a golf course in the vicinity of Bend.

Local sportsmen who have this plan in mind are cognizant that the task will not be a light one, for even a nine hole course properly laid out with greens and fairways would cost not less than $10,000. Due to the nature of Central Oregon’s soil the fairways as well as the greens would have to be turfed, although they would not have to be kept so well as the greens.

Constructing base for new smokestack

Construction of a base for a new smokestack at the Shevlin-Hixon power plant is under way as the first step toward rebuilding the plant so as to increase the power. Some of the materials for rebuilding are here but there is no indication yet as to when the rest will arrive.

The sawmill will not shut down while this work is being done, although one unit at a time will be shut down and repaired at the same time that the changes in the boiler room are being made.

Changes planned in the boiler room are the substitution of two water tube boilers for five of the old boilers; and in the power house a 1,500 kw. high pressure turbine is to take the place of the 500 kw. mixed pressure turbine. These changes will increase the power available by one-half.

75 years ago

For the week ending

Jan. 27, 1949

Measles epidemic reported in Bend

An outbreak of measles in the Bend vicinity, estimated at possibly several hundred cases, brings a warning from Dr. Elizabeth E. Bishop, medical director of the tri-county health department for parents to check their children closely for symptoms of the disease.

According to Dr. Bishop the first symptoms of the disease are similar to those of the common cold. Parents are warned not to await the characteristic rash of the disease before giving their children proper medical attention.

Last week eleven new cases of measles were reported to the health office.

Arctic weather prevalent throughout Central Oregon

Arctic weather with all the trimmings, including a display of northern lights and sub-zero weather, was general in Central Oregon last night. In Bend, the minimum dipped to -13, following Sunday night’s near record low of minus 20. Crescent last night reported an unofficial low of -22.

The glow of an aurora borealis, in color, flickered across northern skies as seen from Central Oregon and other points last night, adding a realistic touch to the polar weather. In Bend, the glow was noticed shortly after dark, and auroral flareups continued through most of the night.

The weather bureau reported from Portland today that the long cold spell has tied the record for the prolonged winter chill of 1893. Bend has experienced 56 consecutive nights of freezing weather.

Ice rink surface in excellent shape

“Symons lake,” the new downtown skating rink on the former Troy laundry lot, is open to the general public, free of charge, it was stressed today. Adults as well as children will be welcome to enjoy the popular winter sport, and the ice pond is large enough to accommodate a large crowd, it was pointed out.

Myron Symons, who took a leading part in preparing the rink for use, said that the ice is expected to be in excellent condition for skating tonight and tomorrow.

Bend skier wins all top spots at Hoodoo Bowl junior meet

Phil Gillis, member of the Bend Skyliners, Sunday swept the Jere Gillis memorial ski meet at Hoodoo bowl, taking top honors in the slalom, downhill, and combined events. Pushing Gillis close for honors was Don Simerville, also of the Skyliner club, who won second places in the downhill and the combined events. Other Bend high school participants included Dick Rasmussen, and Henry Herbring. There were 25 entries for each event. Gillis, a Bend high school senior, competed with outstanding junior skiers from over the state, including representatives from the Santiam Ski club; Multnomah Athletic club, Portland; Obsidians club, Eugene; Cheeckakos club, Portland, and the Cascade Ski club of Portland.

50 years ago

For the week ending

Jan. 27, 1974

Residents voice approval of Smith Rock park plans

Area residents last night voiced general approval of plans proposed for development of Smith Rock State Park by the Oregon Parks and Recreation Ranch.

The plans for the 600-acre park on both sides of the Crooked River northeast of Redmond include “horse trails and people trails,” a 15-unit “walk-in” campground, and a 100- foot-long bridge over the river, according to George Guthrie, district parks supervisor. Cost of the development is estimated at less than $50,000.

Guthrie said that while the park land would probably be fenced soon, construction of the bridge would begin at the earliest opportunity this fall. Some 50 persons attended last night’s meeting on the park plan at the Terrebonne grade school, Guthrie said.

Guthrie said the bridge across the river is considered necessary because persons presently must cross private property and an irrigation ditch to get to part of the park. Also, he said, an informal campground “with sanitary problems” has been created by park users. The Parks Branch wants to close it by substituting a developed campground. Guthrie said opposition to the plan was expressed by one member of the audience who “suggested it was a shame to put any trails in there,” saying the park should be left in its natural state. The trails, Guthrie said, are needed so the general public — “climbers and picnickers, hikers and artists” — can enjoy the park.

25 years ago

For the week ending

Jan. 27, 1999

Storm dumps on local area

A snowstorm that blew into Central Oregon on Friday dumped more than a foot of wet, mucky snow in parts of the area and turned roads treacherous, forcing cancellation of a variety of events.

Traffic was stopped for about 30 minutes Friday afternoon near the top of Santiam Pass when a snow slide forced closure of Highway 20 at milepost 80 near Hogg Rock. The slide covered about three quarters of the road, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation crew at Santiam Junction.

The snowstorm dumped 13 inches on Mount Bachelor from Thursday night through Friday, creating an extreme avalanche danger in the Central Oregon backcountry outside the ski area. Mount Bachelor Ski Patrol said an avalanche warning is in effect above 5,000 feet and will remain in place until the storm pushes through.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Coordinator Wayne Inman warns people to take it easy if they choose to recreate in the backcountry.

“People need to exercise extreme caution,” he said, “especially if they’re near any slope.”

During the storm, the Oregon Department of Transportation issued a travel advisory for Highway 97 advising all vehicles to use traction tires or devices from Bend to the California state line. This was the first time since its passage in 1997 that the law permitting travel advisories was put into effect, according to an ODOT public information representative.

More than 14 inches of snow in La Pine didn’t faze a community accustomed to heavy snowfall. “We’re tough down here,” said Rick Barber, La Pine High School principal. The only concession to the weather was letting the middle and high schools out a half-hour early.

The weather has not caused any trouble at Mount Bachelor. The ski area will be operating as usual this weekend, and the snowfall has improved the skiing, a resort official said.

Air transportation at the Redmond airport apparently was not affected by the storm. Flights arrived and left on schedule and no problems due to weather were recorded.