1949: PG&E seeks first rate increase in 29 years

25 years ago April 5, 2001 Funeral services were held for Clara Jeanne Myer, 59, a descendent of Mormon "Hand Carters." She was a longtime member of the Dry Diggins Camp of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Kathy Peart of Paul's Place Association accepted a $500 check from Henry Schneider of the Loomis Basin Chamber of Commerce. PPA used the money for Del Oro High School scholarships and in support of community activities. The Loomis Fruit Growers Association's 100th Anniversary Celebration Dinner will take place in the Blue Anchor Courtyard located next to the train depot at the end of Horseshoe Bar Road. Stephanie Tonn organized a fundraising golf tournament for her senior project at Del Oro. The New Life Pregnancy Center in Auburn was the beneficiary of the event. Two farmers, Rouman Georgier and Stoyan Danailov, were here to learn about the marketing process in Placer County as part of the "Farmer to Farmer" Bulgaria/USA exchange program. Honored as "Teachers Who Make a Difference" in Placer County were Paul Wilson (Penryn School); Callie Hansen (Newcastle); Geoff Broyles and Stephen Jones (Del Oro High School); Melanie Stitt (Quail Glen); Sandy Rea, Patty Hahn, Gayle Danforth, Jane Copes, Gayle Spangler, Bobbie Henley and Andrea Sardella (Loomis). It was determined there was no danger at Granite Bay High School after a note was found stating there would be a bomb at the school. There was no bomb and no intent to bring one. April was Child Abuse Prevention Month. Rich Colwell, president of the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Placer County said, "Although it is wonderful to have a month which focuses public attention on the issue and the needs of the real-life children behind it, with over 6,000 cases of abuse reported in Placer County per year, it is clear that child abuse prevention has to be a year-round effort." 50 years ago March 25, 1976 Services were held for Beverly Mae Norton, 42, a native of Carrington, North Dakota, and a resident of Loomis for 13 years. Beverly was a secretary for the Sisters of Mercy in Auburn. Jim Makimoto, Gary Tyack, Dick Ernst, Craig Jarvis and Roy Hebard Jr. will lead the Loomis Lions Club in a donkey basketball game against the South Placer Kiwanis Club. Penryn School fourth-graders gave their teacher, Mrs. Shumate, a welcome-back party when she returned after giving birth to her son, Michael. Fibreboard in Rocklin was back in full operation after taking measures to clean up problems such as air pollution emissions. Del Oro High School's 1976 Junior Prom Queen Robin Ware and her escort David Angel beamed with joy as last year's queen, Cynthia Lee, crowned the winner. Joining them were crown bearer Blain Schmidt and flower girl Janelle Schmidt, brother and sister. Penryn School fifth-graders attended the "Big John" outdoor education program in Weimar. Project coordinator Stacy Li offered a snack of manzanita berries to students Ron Verlin, Lance Shingleton, Mike Krueger and Don Verlin. There was discussion into a proposed unification of districts into three high school areas: Colfax, Placer and Del Oro. Locally, the district would be formed around Del Oro with a clear educational pattern for students from kindergarten to 12th grade. Helen Pacheco along with daughter Julie rode their horses on an evening ride at the Folsom Horse Center on Boulder Road in Loomis. When they rode back, the car was there but the space behind it was empty. Their brand new 1975 Miley two-horse "Ventura" trailer was stolen. Yesteryear by Vivian Rasmussen: Because of their lack of experience in the fruit business, many of the Englishmen left the Citrus Colony during the Depression, which began in 1893. The Placer County Horticultural Training College, established in 1894, was in financial ruin. Plus, most of the students became ill from malaria fever. On January 22, 1897, the college was ordered sold by the Placer County Sheriff. 75 years ago October 1949 More than 2 million Americans were in uniform, with 60 percent of then under the age of 20. Due to the number and youth of military personnel, President Truman recalled the USO after the Secretary of Defense asked for reactivation. A drive was underway across the nation to carry on the work of the organization. Locally, that meant Loomis had a quota of $65 to raise. Donations could be left with Nelthorpe & Son, Saramor Cafe, Mrs. Lorena Laird, Richard Brown or Harold Struble. A new sports development, Squaw Valley, was located 10 miles from Truckee. It will include the world's longest double-chair lift. Officers selected for the 1949-50 Placer County Teachers Association were Richard Hoffman of Auburn, Jack Goodwin of Penryn and Mrs. Frances Morgan of Loomis. The most popular car sold in the country was the Chevrolet, followed by Ford, Plymouth, Buick, Oldsmobile and Dodge. The least popular were Frazer, Crosley, Willys, Lincoln and Kaiser. Playing in theaters was Gene Autry and Champion in "Loaded Pistols." For the first time in 29 years, PG&E sought a rate increase. If granted, the average household bill would increase by about 30 cents per month. A Sadie Hawkins pie-supper was planned for the Rocklin Cub Scout Pack 29. The Pack 29 Odd Fellows committee members were Kent McMillan, Reuben Ruhkala, Raymond Johnson, Donald Goldsberry, Fred Kennedy and Cubmaster Charles Stogsdill. Standing Guard - oral histories: George Kitagawa was born in Mills, what is now Rancho Cordova, and attended the one-room Kinney Grammar School. His parents were farmers and treated equally. "All the farmers helped one another. We borrowed horses and they borrowed ours." George was drafted into the U.S. military during WWII starting in Africa, then Sicily, Anzio, southern France and up to Germany. While serving in the Army, his family was "evacuated" to the Rohwa, Arkansas, Internment Camp. (continued)