Trending
1961/65 years ago
County firemen backing new rural address proposal
Plans for a rural addressing service, backed by the Hamilton County Fire association were disclosed today by Stuart Barkema, Jewell fire chief, who is president of the county association. Under the tentative program, every farm would be numbered according to a system which would not only benefit fire department workers in more rapid location of a blaze but would also be of help to law enforcement authorities, doctors, truckers, sales workers and other business or industrial representatives.
Barkema pointed out that the roads of Hamilton county would be numbered, starting in the northwest corner of the county, with the numbers running east and south and with a different number for each section. Signs would be placed at.each road intersection with the number of each road crossing that point.
The project calls for encouraging each farmer in the county to secure a sign with his name and number to be placed in front of his home, the fire association official pointed out. A directory would be published and furnished to each farmer who had secured a sign for his farm.
Cost of the countywide project has been estimated at about $13,500, including the mapping of the county, production of intersection markers and installation of signs at the intersections.
Members of volunteer fire departments in all Hamilton county communities can be.contacted to furnish more information and to answer questions containing the proposed service, the fire association official added.
As an example of how the rural addressing service works, a mythical John Doe might have a number such as 71A30. Motorists seeking the farm could drive to the nearest rural intersection and read the number on the corner sign. If the number were larger than 71, the motorist would have to go north but if the number were smaller then he would head south.
If the second number on the intersection sign were larger than 30 the motorist would go east, but if it were smaller then the person seeking the farm would go west.
By checking on intersection signs as he proceeded,the motorist would soon find the right location, Barkema said.
1971
Honor 12 off to Clear Lake
Ten members of the Boy Scout Troop 17 “Honor 12” left Webster City Monday for the McMurray cabin at Clear Lake.
“Honor 12” designates the scouts with the highest point totals for all scout contests during the year. Wes Nelson, who accumulated the most points, and Lynn Manning, who ranked eighth, were unable to make the trip. Those who traveled to Clear Lake include, in order of second through 12th place: Mick Chambers, Mark Draeger, Steve Sylvester, Chris McNiel, Joe Chambers, Scott McMurray, Chris Osmundson (ninth), Scott Green, Gibby Wood and Steve Green.
Accompanied by John McMurray, scout master, Carl Gore and Mr. and Mrs. Conrad Lundquist, the boys will spend the week fishing and return to Webster City Friday evening. An overnight excursion to a park in south eastern Minnesota is also planned for the scouts this week.
1976
Not a man from outer space, he's just a safe fireman
The proximity suit purchased by the Webster City fire department nearly five months ago isn’t exactly the most comfortable or fashionable suit to be found in Webster City, but it is most likely one of the safest suits to own in case of fire.
The suit has an estimated weight of about 30 to 40 pounds without the 30 pound oxygen unit which is carried on the back. It is made to walk through fires, but as Fire Chief Terry Johnston added, “It’s not meant to go into a flaming room for an extended period of time.”
Other firemen explained that suits made of pure asbestos are designed for use in fires with extensive heat for long periods of time. The suit has not been used by the fibre department, on an actual call although they recalled that the Gienap farm home fire might have been a case when they could have used it. “It is something we’ll use very seldom. It’s to be used in instances where life hazard is present; where it is not possible work for normal clothing in Johnston explained.
The suit itself is 90 per cent heat reflected, and is made of fyretex, (aluminized glass fabric), glass fabric, special glass insulation, and vinyl coated glass fabric. It has a pair of 13 inch boots, 17 inch gloves, and a 4 by 12 inch gold reflective facepiece. The one piece suit is made for use with self contained oxygen tanks.
The fire department will be budgeting about $475 for another suit of the same type in the near future to allow firefighters to work as a team. This is the safest method to effect rescue in these types of situations, stated Chief John Johnston.
2001
Bridge reopening will ease traffic tie-ups for fair
The Bank Street bridge over the Boone River will be reopened by tonight and it will remain open until July 31 to accommodate traffic to the Hamilton County Fair and Hamilton County Speedway.
The north side of the bridge will remain closed to pedestrian traffic, but the bridge deck and south walkway will be open to vehicle traffic and pedestrians respectively.
The bridge will close again August 1 so that repairs may continue on the walkway portion of the bridge.
The bridge opening comes just days before the start of the Hamilton County Fair.
The fair parade will kick off the activities Tuesday night. The parade will take the same route as last year--east on Bank Street from Wood Street. The parade will proceed through the community on Bank, cross Superior Street, and on to the fairgrounds.
This year’s parade will have approximately 156 entries, according to Chris McGilligan, coordinator of the parade. “We’re still getting last minute entries and we won’t turn anyone away.”