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The Infamous Black Bird Southern Oregon History, Revised


Medford News 1957
Shopping Area, Lumber Make Top News
Injury of Passenger on Incoming Plane Is Top 'Spot' News
    Development of a new shopping center at the corner of Jackson St. and Biddle Rd., the slump in the lumber market and the Talent reclamation project shared the voting by Mail Tribune news department staff members for the "most significant" news story of 1957.
    Three staff members picked the shopping center development, and three chose the lumber conditions as their choice for the most significant. Two staff members voted the Talent project as the most significant, and another considered the county water resources committee study and survey of the Rogue River basin as the most significant.
    The story of a 17-year-old Central Point youth shooting an incoming plane at the Medford municipal airport, injuring a passenger early in October, was rated the best "spot" news story of the year. Seven staff members voted it the best, and two voted Alfred S. V. Carpenter's $1.5 million donation to Harvard University as the top news story.
    Stories which staff members believed had the best "human interest" basis included three members of the Edward Kelly family being appointed judges in the county, another about a Medford policeman who was bitten by a dog, and one about a youth stealing a plane in Medford and taking his first "solo" flight to California. The stories ranked in that order by voting.
    The "most significant" story is judged on its long-range effect in the county, while a "spot" news story is one which makes news only one or two days.
    Other stories which received votes as being significant included the Medford and county subdivision ordinances, the Salk anti-polio shots administered in the county and the Berrydale annexation to Medford.
    Among stories during 1957 which received votes as being some of the best "spot" news stories were the success and expansion of the Shakespearean festival in Ashland; new buildings in Medford, including the Red Cross building and the Girls Community Club; the trial of Donald Ambuehl on a narcotics charge; the seizure and sale of more than $1,250,000 worth of property owned by Walter Leverette, the estate of the late John Tomlin, most of which went to charities, and the attempt to hold up the Medford branch of the First National Bank late in the fall.
    Following is a summary of major news happenings in Jackson County during 1957.
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JANUARY
    Mayor John Snider and four new councilmen take office . . . Lewis T. Robinson killed in car crash near Rogue River . . . Noreen Kelly appointed municipal judge . . . Donald LaVerne Ambuehl jury selection begins . . . March of Dimes campaign opens . . . City council amends building permit fees . . . Mayor Snider cited for speeding . . . Medford area to get biggest telephone rate increase . . . Building permits show increase over 1955 . . . Medford district will need another school in 1958 . . . Three new county officials take oath of office . . . Unemployment for December estimated at 1,860 . . . 3,600 people move to Medford area during 1956 . . . December sets record for number of heavy fog days . . . Iranian lumber official visits county saw mills . . . New armory planned on housing project site . . . Free Salk vaccine station schedule set . . . Three weather records set at Crater Lake in 1956 . . . Bids called on Talent project plant generator . . . Ambuehl found guilty on narcotics charge . . . Polio vaccination gets under way in county schools . . . Sarah Blevins Wing, 103-year-old Ashland resident, dies . . . Medford planning commission considers rezoning 35 acres in southwest part of city . . . New building planned for Red Cross . . . Kenwood-Grandview area annexed to city . . . School district 6C calls election for two bond issues . . . OLCC schedules Medford hearings . . . Phoenix sewer lines near completion . . . Three Medford men receive safety council awards . . . Ambuehl sentenced to three years, $500 fine . . . Ashland High School student wounded by another student in Klamath Falls . . . OLCC opens hearings into law violations . . . County population totals 70,840 . . . Medford freeway route to be near Hawthorne Park . . . 16 tavern owners deny violation of state liquor laws . . . Jackson County plans $90,000 juvenile detention home . . . Inch of snow falls in Medford . . . Local highway crewmen shot near Tiller . . . 7,600 children receive polio shots in schools . . . Architects retained to draw new school plans . . . Clifford McGinty presented Jaycee service award . . . Philharmonic society presents programs . . . Dragging starts on Rogue River for body of accident victim . . . Berrydale residents begin campaign for annexation . . . Mothers set march for polio . . . Grocery clerks threaten strike . . . Bloodmobile quota increased to 290 pints . . . Juveniles admit ransacking unoccupied house.
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FEBRUARY
    Hearing due on O&C land restrictions . . . Bronze plaques presented Chamber of Commerce past presidents . . . Bill proposed to remove school bond complications . . . Bus driver suffers heart attack . . . Bank debits in area show 5 percent increase . . . Woman dies of burns suffered in attempt to light gas oven . . . 50,000 Shakespearean festival folders put into mail . . . Mrs. Elizabeth Myrtle Beck dies of heart attack on airplane following Hawaiian vacation . . . Three Jackson County tavern owners arrested for displaying games of chance . . . Medford school board plans $1,200,000 bond issue . . . 2,665 unemployed during January . . . Women killed in highway crash near Medford . . . Lone Pine residents plan meeting to fight annexation . . . Patricia Leek, Richard James win Youth Leadership awards . . . Tavern owners fined for operating games of chance . . . National Guard to control armory administration . . . Lone Pine millage rate increases to 93.2 because of annexation . . . Stream flow forecast revised downward due to low January precipitation . . . Lone Pine School observes 100th year . . . Second round of polio shots to start . . . Sheriff's office reports more than four million dollars collected in taxes . . . Ashland woman dies attempting to start fire with kerosene . . . Medford planning commission to request $9,700 to back city's participation in federal aid program for municipal improvements . . . Pear Festival date set in April . . . County clerk to authorize 20 precinct boundary changes . . . School district 6C bond elections scheduled . . . Six firms submit bids on county detention home . . . 23 youths arrested in connection with thefts . . . Area students to take over city, county positions for day . . . Carl McMillan found guilty of driving while under influence of liquor . . . Combined tax levy in Medford among lowest of nation . . . Ashland store owners charged with OLCC violations . . . Two bond issues defeated in school district 6C . . . Public hearing called on rezoning southwest Medford . . . High school students favor commission for off-street parking . . . Council passes tree planting ordinance . . . Construction of Medford section of Highway 99 may start in fall . . . Planning commission recommends annexation election for Berrydale . . . Medford High wins Valley Forge award . . . Camp White celebrates eighth birthday . . . Architect releases drawing of proposed $5,000,000 Rogue Manor . . . Licensees admit contributions to GOP fall campaign . . . McMillan sentenced to six months, $500 . . . Prospect school to discuss special tax . . . 14 Medford students to attend model United Nations.
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MARCH
    County planning commission makes recommendations for improvements in crop production . . . 10 recommendations for removal of fire hazards issued for Jackson County courthouse . . . Chamber of Commerce endorses two bills to give PUC more power . . . Council restores street tree planting . . . Medford irrigation district snow cover said below average . . . 10 arrested when police raid card game . . . 21 tavern owners have licenses suspended for seven days . . . Andrew Jackson Hanby, 89, dies at Jackson County farm home . . . Congressman Charles Porter to introduce Rogue River project bill . . . Eight men fined $30 each for playing an illegal game . . . Negotiations may lower total cost of detention home . . . District attorney orders scrap dealers to check for stolen equipment . . . Council calls hearings for improvement districts . . . Petitions submitted for Kenwood-Grandview sewers . . . Prospect school officials drop special tax proposal . . . Mayor names committee to negotiate with state on freeway . . . Above average water flow forecast for southern Oregon rivers . . . Mrs. Marjorie M. Butler, Medford High dean of girls, dies in local hospital . . . Possible deletions in county detention home discussed . . . Reforestation of O&C lands for 1956-57 completed . . . Government seizes Leverette property for back taxes . . . 2,675 unemployed in county as of Feb. 28 . . . Planning commission delays action on southwest Medford zone change request . . . County detention home contract let by county court . . . Medford population listed at 21,979 . . . Governor Holmes to officiate at Pear Festival in April . . . Possibility of new federal building in Medford being discussed . . . Medford proceeds in plans for Eighth St. crossing . . . Two new buildings authorized for Southern Oregon College . . . Charles G. Howe's body found in Rogue River . . . Highway department to prepare sketches for freeway in Medford . . . Hearing on sewer construction continued by city council . . . 29 foreign students visit Medford . . . Jacksonville girl wounded in gun accident . . . Rain storm sets record for March precipitation in Medford . . . Supply of Salk vaccine in area said low . . . Visiting officials inspect new National Guard armory . . . Congressman Charles Porter to act as master of ceremonies at seventh annual Roosevelt Memorial dinner.
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APRIL
    Local philharmonic group presents annual spring concert . . . O&C marketing restrictions abolished following hearing . . . Airport grant to be used for lighting . . . Medford population listed at 22,232 . . . Main switchboard planned for courthouse . . . April 16 hearing set for Barnett Rd. zone change . . . Gordon Williams new youth director of YMCA . . . Council approves additional study of Kenwood-Grandview sewer . . . Jaycees plan building program at Lake of the Woods . . . Telephone system to Crater Lake nearing completion . . . Bar association protests closing Medford marshal office . . . County board approves $1,272,560 budget for rural schools . . . Employment makes first seasonal gains . . . James Main named district judge . . . Siskiyou plane crash kills two . . . Fruit growers heat orchards in 30-degree weather . . . Construction starts on detention home . . . Ashland jail said inadequate . . . School district 6C calls budget election . . . Fire prevention code ordinance passed by Medford council . . . Berrydale annexation vote called May 22 . . . Council changes meeting night to Thursdays . . . Sewer systems for Crater Lake . . . Three Medford youths admit making bombs . . . Committee presents city general budget at $721,965 . . . Rep. E. A. Littrell injured in accident near Myrtle Creek . . . Jack Wood, Rogue River forest supervisor, receives promotion . . . Dr. William W. P. Holt named doctor of the year . . . Delivery of new phone directory begins . . . Governor Robert Holmes to make first 1957 visit to area . . . David Frohnmayer selected as participant in American Field Service program . . . Red Cross building groundbreaking held . . . Governor G. Mennen Williams speaks at dinner . . . Phone numbers change in Medford . . . Deer shot after injuring self in window . . . Health department reports supply of polio vaccine out . . . Peter Britt home in Jacksonville damaged by fire.
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MAY
    Man killed when he walks into train at Main St. . . . Tucker Sno-Cats give good service in Antarctica . . . New Jaycee officers installed . . . C. E. Brown named forest supervisor to succeed Jack Wood . . . Study of school budget starts . . . Construction of access road at airport approved by city . . . Council rezones five acres near new hospital area . . . Man escapes from Medford jail for 20 minutes . . . Smaller pear yield indicated for 1957 . . . Voters notified of precinct boundary changes . . . $150,000 mill destroyed in Jacksonville fire . . . Jackson Hotel searched after bomb scare . . . Woman killed when train strikes car at Stewart Ave. crossing . . . Kings Highway water district votes more land . . . $345,177 increases seen in county budget . . . Bids opened on Greensprings power plant . . . Fire department offers home inspection service . . . School district 6C approves $808,843 budget . . . Public hearing for city residents on Berrydale annexation held . . . Water department presents budget for $488,967 . . . Council invites Berrydale district residents to annex . . . Water department to use postcard bills . . . Annual safety patrol banquet held . . . Hearings called for church property rezoning . . . Cigarette starts Crater Hotel fire . . . Action starts on rezoning area for Sears development . . . Francis I. Cheney nominated for school board membership . . . Parking meter time limits being readjusted . . . City to ask PUC hearing on speed of trains . . . City decides to not assume indebtedness of water districts . . . Hearing called for rezoning of Sears area . . . Plans authorized for sanitary sewer for Grandview-Kenwood areas . . . State highway department to place McAllister Springs Rd. on forest highway system . . . Six high school girls injured in car accident . . . Roger Rath, county budget committeeman, refuses to sign proposed county budget . . . Crater Lake Park observes 55th anniversary . . . Rural school district residents approve budget . . . Raymond Reter successful bidder on Leverette property . . . Bids call for construction of Crater Lake Park buildings . . . Two die when car plunges into Evans Creek . . . Lions clubs to hold convention in Medford during June . . . Berrydale annexed . . . Diamond Lake jammed with fishermen on opening day . . . 3,000 hear governor dedicate new National Guard armory . . . Medford planning commission recommends rezoning of Sears property . . . Jerry Gastineau elected chairman of polio chapter for county . . . Two men injured in gas explosion in rear of Pacific Telephone and Telegraph building . . . Grandstand dedicated at Camp White.
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JUNE
    St. Mary's High School plans new building, additions . . . Medford area orchards heated five times during season . . . County treasurer predicts $1,000,000 surplus for year . . . Police arrest five on liquor charges . . . Medford school district budget wins by big margin . . . 34 Phoenix High graduates receive diplomas . . . 284 Medford High seniors graduate . . . Local couple charged with welfare fraud . . . Preliminary plans for Berrydale sanitary sewer start . . . Several lookouts manned because of dry weather . . . Hawthorne Park pool opens . . . Employment gain continues in county . . . Firm to develop nickel deposits in Illinois Valley area . . . Fruit growers approve county purchase of land for agricultural research station . . . Eugene firm low bidder on Crater Lake Park buildings . . . Herb Partridge named new director of Medford YMCA . . . Bids called for Kings Highway water district project . . . New post office building due for Talent . . . Local National Guardsmen leave for camp . . . 52 Scouts plan to attend national event . . . Edward Kelly named new circuit court judge . . . George E. Gates dies in local hospital . . . Evergreen bus lines seeks schedule changes . . . Shakespearean festival plays complete casting . . . County employees salary increases discussed at public hearing . . . Ashland boy wins catfish derby . . . Local corporation formed for electronic research . . . Job of state water resources board defined at meeting . . . Shots fired during arrest of Lowell A. Bish for assault . . . Otto Ewaldsen reelected to Medford school district post . . . Lions state convention starts in Medford . . . Washington youth killed on Highway 99 . . . Final county budget has $57,269 increase . . . City school children rank above national averages, according to tests . . . Lions International president speaks at convention . . . Columbia Utilities Company purchases Crater Lake telephone system . . . Grants Pass man arraigned on narcotics charge . . . Eagles arrive for state convention . . . Southern Pacific announces no opposition to Eighth St. crossing . . . Rim road at Crater Lake opens . . . Council annexes land in fairground area . . . Jim McDonald elected president of National Student Education Association . . . National Guardsmen return from summer training . . . Edward Kelly sworn in as circuit court judge . . . Pendleton man elected president of Oregon Eagles at convention.
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JULY
    City officials defend proposed off-street parking program . . . State water board voices opposition to legislation affecting Rogue River . . . Richard V. Hogan appointed city purchasing agent . . . Body of 5-year-old Grants Pass girl found in river . . . First non-military use of armory will be for Town and Country show . . . Pear harvest expected to start Aug. 5 . . . Shopping center plans announced . . . United Medford Crusade agencies present budget . . . Judge James M. Main named to interim group . . . 4,000 view July 4 fireworks display . . . Girl accidentally shot in stomach . . . Council defers action on rezoning Phipps property . . . 2-year-old boy drowns in ditch . . . Rogue Basin Flood Control and Water Resources Association takes out chamber membership . . . City planning commission denies annexation request for 47 acres . . . Mrs. Eve Nye named chairman of Medford school board . . . June unemployment remains high in area . . . Measles cases in county reach 6-month high . . . No settlement signs reported in Austin King will strike . . . Air Force to build radar station on King Mountain . . . County civil defense takes part in nationwide alert . . . Council adopts budget for coming year . . . Injuries fatal to man in logging accident . . . Evacuee facilities in county held excellent by civil defense . . . Hearing on train speeds postponed . . . County court names William Jess chairman to study water uses of Rogue River . . . New Copco transmission line under construction . . . Sears shopping center land rezoned . . . Rogue Manor completing property purchases . . . Pickets stationed at three entrances to Medco mill area . . . Mayor signs ordinances for Sears project . . . County planning commission approves subdivision bill . . . Dress rehearsals start at Shakespearean festival . . .Youth steals plane from Medford airport . . . Alley Brothers mill closure adds to slump in lumber market . . . Improper storage said cause of Palm Building fire . . . Medford police captain appointed guardian of 82-year-old woman . . . Radio relay planned between Rogue Valley, Klamath Falls . . . Medford family found after night in woods near Butte Falls . . . Fire destroys buildings, home on Willow Springs Rd. . . . Top prices on Portland livestock market bring local encouragement . . . Complaint may be filed against striking union at Medco by National Labor Relations Board . . . Public lands committee opposes proposed duck stamp bill . . . $66 million bill on Rogue River development to be introduced by Congressman Charles O. Porter . . . Harvest of pears starts on small scale.
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AUGUST
    Plywood plant planned for White City area . . . Ashland youth killed in car accident here . . . Hearing called for city subdivision ordinances . . . Bids called for city storm sewer project . . . Large crowd attends opening night for Shakespearean festival . . . Chairman named to subcommittees of county water use group . . . Alley Brothers Mill purchased by Steve Wilson . . . Mrs. Henry E. Johnson fatally burned in bed . . . Hearing on application for a labor injunction in a Jackson County labor dispute at Medco . . . Eagle Point man killed in Crater Lake Highway crash . . . Bill Jess outlines plan for subcommittees of water resources group . . . 100th mile of city water pipe laid . . . Rogue River Roundup opens . . . $600,000 federal loan approved for SOC construction projects . . . Kim's, Grand Hotel damaged by fires . . . Hearings set on rate increase request for California-Pacific Utilities Company . . . Contract awarded for work on Pacific Telephone and Telegraph radio-relay system to Klamath Falls . . . Contract awarded for addition to McLoughlin Junior High School . . . Research project started to study loss of vigor in pear trees . . . Bonds sold for city arterial storm sewer programs . . . Business licenses tax passed after first one vetoed . . . Hearing for Eighth St. crossing opens . . . Third pedestrian fatality recorded in Medford . . . Work starts on shopping center area . . . Town and Country show opens in first use of armory . . . Medco strikers accept contract offer . . . Local closed circuit TV proposed by group . . . Approach light lane recommended for airport . . . Fruit men propose further rate talks . . . State police lieutenant files injury suit against Donald LaVerne Ambuehl . . . Suggestions on proposed county subdivision ordinance accepted . . . Central Point post office to be reorganized . . . County planning commission asked to revise subdivision bill by county court . . . Governor Holmes to visit Medford.
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SEPTEMBER
    Shakespearean festival ends with record attendance . . . Agriculture year ends in valley with 21 inches of rain . . . Camp White man killed while walking along Highway 62 . . . Brush fire burns 15 acres near Jacksonville . . . Oregon tax structure number one bar to new business in state claimed at governor's conference in armory . . . Citizens' league formed to fight county subdivision bill . . . Council authorizes contract with firm for planning Kenwood-Grandview sanitary sewers . . . Lt. Col. Arthur M. Savard named head of Medford civil defense and disaster . . . Council rejects bids submitted on storm sewer work . . . First case of Asiatic flu confirmed in county . . . Clearing started on Sears shopping area . . . Schools open for 1957-58 session . . . Girls Community Club building dedicated . . . Eagle Point Grange announces opposition to proposed county subdivision ordinance . . . Enrollment increases in Medford schools . . . 17 enrolled in first driver improvement classes . . . County court, planning commission plan meeting subdivision . . . Former Gov. Elmo Smith speaks at opening of Red Cross building . . . New school construction plans authorized for Medford district . . . Gold rush starts during Jacksonville bridge construction . . . Enrollment of district 6C is 2,080 . . . Lone Pine school observes 100th anniversary . . . Pear harvest said about 75 percent complete . . . United Medford Crusade opens with dinner at YMCA . . . 800 expected for bar convention in Medford . . . Final steps being taken for Billy Nunn murder case appeal . . . Robert W. Shepherd dies of heart attack while on way to work . . . Telephone installers walk out in nationwide strike . . . Law college dean speaks to bar members . . . School district 6C calls for vote on classroom issue . . . $123,130 goal set for UMC . . . Jackson [County] planning commission seeks more information on subdivision bill . . . Phil Lowry criticizes governor for calling of special session . . . Evergreen bus lines may resume service . . . Permission to sell stocks, bonds sought by Copco . . . Shippers charge Southern Pacific with dirty boxcars . . . Margaret Larsdotter-Aulin arrives to attend school in Medford as exchange student . . . Council adopts amendment to allow impounding of bicycles for violations . . . Contract awarded on new storm sewer bids . . . Classroom shortage predicted for city by Leonard B. Mayfield . . . Roseburg man elected president at bar convention here . . . Jackson County school enrollment shows rise . . . Southern Pacific agrees to study diesel-type passenger operation from Medford . . . County subdivision ordinance tabled . . . 10,000 acres burn in Klamath, Siskiyou counties . . . Rain reduces danger of fire in mountains . . . Porter to inspect Rogue Basin potential in Medford visit.
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OCTOBER
    County tax booklet mailed to about 30,000 . . . Calvin Smith appointed district forester for the Industrial Forestry Association . . . Evergreen buses to provide Medford school service . . . County school boards to meet in Medford . . . Tommy Carlyle Nawick arrested for second time in two days . . . Worst fruit blight season in 15 years reported . . . Action on city subdivision ordinances postponed . . . New plywood plant under construction in White City area . . . Council objects to state speed limits on Main St. . . . Richard Hogan, Vernon Thorpe appointed to fill vacancies in city administration . . . Congressman Charles Porter visits city . . . Medford ham radio operators hear beeping of Russian satellite . . . Father, son found after all-night search in Butte Falls area . . . Power outage causes 30-minute blackout in southern Oregon . . . Harold Jaffrey named chairman of great decisions . . . Passenger injured when youth shoots at airplane . . . City receives suggested plans for freeway from state . . . Shakespeare festival directors elected . . . Christmas parade scheduled Nov. 16 . . . Civic leader John R. Tomlin dies . . . New Applegate Grange hall building to be dedicated . . . Bruce Bauer Lumber Company destroyed in fire . . . Three businessmen arraigned on charges of violation of business license ordinance . . . County treasurer receives $132,170 check from state for highway funds . . . $350,000 log barker unit put into operation at Olson-Ross Lumber Company . . . Lumber industry spokesmen say market is worst in two years . . . Medford officials take part in League of Oregon Cities convention . . . Storm sewer construction starts . . . Bulk of Tomlin estate goes to charities . . . Good return reported on county tax statements . . . Eagle Point High School closes because of increased number of absences due to flu . . . $173,066 awarded to Crescent City man for damages in lumber suit . . . Shots fired in attempt to apprehend Lowell Allen Bish in Roxy Ann area . . . $10,045 damages awarded Eugene man for injuries suffered in police car collision . . . Changes ordered by PUC for trains in city limits . . . 150 register for Oregon Public Health Association meeting in Medford . . . New switchboard put into operation at courthouse . . . Police look for Grand Hotel holdup gunman . . . Police apprehend Bish in routine check . . . Eugene K. Peterson transfer to Portland office from Medford office of BLM . . . 175 attend Polled Hereford Association convention in Medford . . . Copco authorized to borrow money for construction projects . . . Medford planning commission recommends changes in Berrydale area . . . Hotel clerk admits reporting armed holdup false . . . New Talent post office opens . . . City subdivision ordinance to be revised and modified . . . Children to collect UNICEF funds during Halloween . . . County free of polio until mid-October, according to Dr. A. Erin Merkel.
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NOVEMBER
    Talent community hall, post office dedicated . . . Muirheads awarded $31,50 for property in city condemnation suit . . . Mrs. Aletha Emerick Vawter died at her residence . . . Larry Sheehan resigns as chairman of Jackson County Democratic Central Committee . . . Semi-invalid rescued from house by firemen . . . District attorney seeks opinion on County Judge Rodney Keating's term of office . . . Briefs submitted in city business license ordinance violation . . . Copco puts new hydroelectric plant into operation in Eagle Point area . . . $1,786,000 Medford school bond issue approved by voters . . . State supreme court upholds refusal to dismiss five indictments pending against Hugh D'Autremont . . . Council approves agreement with state highway commission for Eighth St. couplet . . . Eight additional performances planned at Ashland Shakespearean festival next year . . . Medford safety council recommends radar equipment for city police . . . Autopsy planned for man who died in county jail . . . Curt Butterfield named chairman of county March of Dimes campaign . . . Planning commission approves changes in city subdivision ordinance . . . Meeting held to discuss vocational school possibilities here . . . American Legion looks for building property . . . Medford man dies in car crash near Myrtle Creek . . . James A. Redden named new head of Jackson County Democrats . . . Safety fair held at Medford armory . . . Third polio case reported in county . . . Butte Falls youth killed in car crash near Jacksonville . . . Camp White Domiciliary float wins sweepstakes in Christmas parade . . . Mr. and Mrs. Alfred S. V. Carpenter donate $1,500,000 to Harvard College . . . R. L. Palmer named Medford March of Dimes chairman . . . 81 acres purchased for agricultural research by Southern Oregon station . . . Mayor John Snider appoints Grandview-Kenwood sewer committee . . . Municipal Judge Noreen Kelly upholds city business license in ordinance violation case . . . Method of setting business license fees changed by council for hotels and motels . . . Theater group granted TV closed circuit franchise . . . Pill overdose blamed in death of man in county jail . . . Youth admits attempted armed holdup of high school girls . . . 62-year-old man found dead in city jail . . . Sputnik rocket seen by Medford residents . . . Bernard C. Kelly named municipal court judge in Jacksonville to become third member of family to be judge . . . Rural school board receives $49,000 check from secretary of state . . . Central Point post office becomes branch office of Medford . . . Mr. and Mrs. Robert Swan appointed superintendents of new county juvenile home . . . Council authorizes purchase of land for airport lights . . . Area fruit to be shipped to England on first polar flight from Portland.
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DECEMBER
    County tax levy totals $5,757,437, rises 11.7 percent over 1956 . . . State Sen. Phil Lowry to file brief on abandonment of passenger service on Southern Pacific line to Medford . . . Medford-made doghouse to fly over North Pole in Pan-American polar flight . . . Timber sales to be stepped up in Rogue River National Forest . . . Shady Cove-Trail tax levy for fire equipment defeated . . . John R. Tomlin estate appraised at $5.4 million . . . "Professional" burglars crack Sanitary Service office safe for $580 . . . 1958 bicycle licenses being sold in city schools . . . Man attempts to hold up First National Bank . . . 2,800 gallons of gasoline spilled in truck accident on North Pacific Highway . . . Bids opened on Southern Oregon College buildings . . . Grange group studies proposal to reactivate hospital at Camp White . . . Lininger and Sons awarded contract for Eighth St. crossing . . . California freight rate boost to benefit Oregon lumber shippers . . . Sanity examination due for attempted bank robber . . . County tax league formed here . . . Orville C. Hamilton of Central Point elected state horticulturist head . . . Izaak Walton chapter gives favorable opinion on Rogue River flood control . . . Hitchhiker dies of injuries suffered when struck by truck . . . Rep. Charles Porter opens Medford office . . . "Rocket fuel" in youth's pocket explodes, causing severe burns . . . Unemployment claims show reduction in area . . . Otto J. Frohnmayer elected to head Chamber of Commerce . . . Heavy fog remains in Medford area . . . Special session of county budget committee called to transfer funds for fixtures, furniture in detention home . . . Agreement made for work schedule in completing road link to Klamath Falls from Medford . . . UMC passes goal . . . 300 attend dedication of county juvenile home . . . Ashland voters defeat school bond issue by five to one . . . Dick Travis selected as chairman of UMC in 1958 . . . Woman dies of injuries after being struck by car on Stewart Ave. . . . Combined Christmas program of Medford schools held in Hedrick gym . . . Survey shows Medford Christmas shopping good . . . County court changes road names for post office . . . Jacksonville man killed in car crash at Bybee Corner . . . Most children get third polio shot . . . $2,400 received toward sending high school band to East-West game . . . Christmas lighting contest for homes won by A. C. Pierce . . . Welfare commission notes rise in expenses for first six moths in Jackson County . . . Heavy snow blocks mountain passes . . . County reports about 61 percent of taxes collected . . . Three men reappointed to county planning commission . . . Birdwatchers take annual Christmas count . . . A. Allan Franzke, deputy district attorney, resigns to take Multnomah County job . . . Rainfall boosts season total to above normal.
Medford Mail Tribune, January 1, 1958, page 6



Last revised July 24, 2012