A Look Back

Posted 11/15/22

10 years ago THE PRESCOTT JOURNAL Nov. 8, 2012 Starting when a Miami judge realized that the same people were getting in trouble over and over again, drug court had spread to Pierce County, and was …

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A Look Back

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10 years ago THE PRESCOTT JOURNAL Nov. 8, 2012

Starting when a Miami judge realized that the same people were getting in trouble over and over again, drug court had spread to Pierce County, and was a success. With 34 people completing the program in six years after starting in 2004, the basic idea of the court was to reduce crime, promote public safety, and improve the lives of participants. “You end up getting someone in the end that is a productive member of the society,” coordinator Mary Kelly said. “That’s kind of the added bonus as opposed to someone who is constantly in the system taking from the system.” In order to be eligible for the alternative program, participants had to be a Pierce County resident, over 17, and facing a felony charge, often their first. “If they do not complete the program then they go back and are sentenced on their original charge,” Kelly said. “There’s a big carrot for them to do the program—although the program is not easy.” While getting a bad rep as easy on crime, drug court was the opposite, Kelly said. “To be quite honest, for them to sit prison time is easier than to do this program,” she told the Journal. “We are asking them to change every part of their life. There is not anything that I’m not asking them to change.”

25 years ago

PRESCOTT JOURNAL Oct. 30, 1997 Teaching kids what it was like to be homeless, meanwhile, an initiative called “Homeless Night” had been put together where students learned by experience what it was to spend a night out in the cold. Students were allowed to make their own tent-like structures from cardboard, while those who successfully braved the below freezing temperatures for a whole night on the school’s practice field could get 50 points of extra credit. The event was adult supervised, with the outside temperature at 7:30 p.m. already down to 28 degrees.

40 years ago PIERCE COUNTY HERALD Nov. 4, 1982 Making the front from the Little Folks Learning Center near Ellsworth were Eric Donnelly, Rob Fenske, Amy Bjork, Jeni Winkler and Jessi Jo Larson. The five were photographed being greeted by a variety of Halloween pumpkins, photo by Julie Klecker.

Somewhat concerning on the candy front, meanwhile, two instances of needles in Halloween candy had been reported over the holiday.

Helping soldiers in Vietnam with items they couldn’t get overseas, the Jaycettes were sending fresh sausage over. The three-day gathering project was short on account that the shipping had to take place by Nov. 10, with those having questions directed to call Mrs. Fischer.

Down at the Wisconsin State University— River Falls, meanwhile, two temporary appointments had been made. Dr. Philip Anderson had been named acting academic Vice President while Dr. Marvin Thompson had been named acting dean of the graduate school, being an agriculture professor.

70 years ago PRESCOTT JOURNAL Nov. 6, 1952 Boasting what it called “one of the largest ever” in terms of print issues, the Journal noted on the front page that many items had been held for the following week.

Also of note was that the bridge had just opened, after undergoing repair since Sept. 4.

Of note on the national scene was news that the GOP had just swept the city, county, and nation, with Eisenhower getting 357 votes to 244 for Adlai Stevenson. Not yet disgraced on the national scene, Joe McCarthy had won election against Thomas Fairchild, while Merlin Hull had defeated a candidate named Pillsbury.

The total votes cast in the county had been 10,315, the Journal reported.

85 years ago THE ELLSWORTH RECORD Nov. 4, 1937

Rushed in to the People’s Hospital for surgery 100 years ago, little Joyce Weiss had fractured her skull in a fall against a stove. While several days would pass before the outcome of the operation would be known, things were hopeful at press time. Putting on a rummage sale for the benefit of the People’s Hospital, meanwhile, the Home Culture Club was to be assisted by “the public spirited citizens of the community.” Those having items to donate were directed to contact Mrs. H. W. Thompson, Mrs. E. E. Buck, or Mrs. R. W. Reynolds, with more information the following week.