Community & History Blue Mountain Eagle O UT OF THE P AST Blue Mountain Eagle Jan. 2, 1942 75 years ago Chromite Stock Pile to be Established in John Day “The metal reserves de- partment has just issued a new setup on the purchase of chromite ore,” Earl K. Nixon, director of the state depart- ment of geology and mineral industries, announced in a letter to the local offi ce of the department. “The price of high grade chromite has been upped to $50.70 per ton for 48 per cent Cr. 203 with a three-to-one iron ratio; 45 per cent ore is accepted in this bracket with a penalty for lower chrome and lower iron ratio that brings the fi gure down to $40 pet ton. the so-called lower grade chromite, that is 40 per cent, has been upped in price to a $28 base,” Mr. Nixon stated. “Stockpiles will be desig- nated within 100 miles of the mines that produce the ore. Probably a stockpile will be designated in the John Day area, but I have no informa- tion of this yet. The prices stated are for stockpile, and I understand Mr. Smith, head of the metals reserve depart- ment, to state that the gov- ernment would take care of sampling, assaying and ac- ceptance,” Mr. Nixon said. “We have prepared a ques- tionnaire to send out to all chrome owners and operators as we are working with local bankers, the Oregon Econom- ic council, mining associa- tions and county agencies to try to get this chromite mov- ing out of the hills,” the direc- tor said. Blue Mountain Eagle Jan. 5, 1967 50 years ago Favorable Snow Depths Forecast Good Summer Prospects for an improved irrigation situation for Grant county this summer are favor- able, reports Len Dugan, SCS work unit conservationist. With the exception of Beech Creek, snow course readings in the county are above both last lear’s and the average snowfall is needed this year due to doughy-like conditions of the past summer. The SCS snow survey was taken during the last week of December. Snow depth at Beech Creek was 7.7 inches with a water content of 1.3 inches. Last year the snow course was 8 inches with a water content of 1 inch. The average water content for the snow course is 2 inches. At Starr Ridge snow was 12 inches deep and had a water content of 2.5 inches as compared to 10 inches of snow with a water content of 1.2 inches last year. The average water content is 2.4 inches. Water content of the snow at the Izee Summit was slightly over two inch- es above last year’s reading. With 16.5 inches of snow, the water content was 3.9 inches as compared to 12 inches of snow with a water content of 1.8 inches last year. The av- erage water content for De- cember at Izee Summit is 3.1 inches. A marked improvement in snow depth and water content over last year was revealed at the Lake Creek snow course. According to the snow sur- vey the depth was 19.1 inch- es with a water content of 4.5 inches. Last year the snow depth was 11 inches with a water content of 2.1 inches. There is no average water content fi gure available for the course. Blue Mountain Springs snow course had 26.9 inches of snow with a water content of 6.75 inches. A year ago the snow depth was 15 inches with a water content of 2.8 inches. The average water content for the course is 6 inches. Snow course measure- ments taken by the Burns dis- trict of the Malheur National Forest show a snow depth of 12.6 inches with a water content of 2.1 inches at Rock Spring. This is near normal. The Idlewild course had a snow depth of 11.9 inches of snow and a water content of 1.7 inches. This is slightly less than the 1948-62 aver- age. Eagle file photo From Jan. 2, 1992: Chris Yriarte (middle) of Canyon City shows off her new Mosberg 12-gauge shotgun she won in a fundraising raffle for the Grant County Child Center - Kiddie Kastle. The shotgun was donated by the Whiskey Gulch Gang, represented by Hugh Farrell, and representing the center was Elizabeth Boyer. Funds raised will help offset expenses of running the center located in Canyon City. Blue Mountain Eagle Jan. 2, 1992 25 years ago Prairie City looks at closing out its landfi ll opera- tion PRAIRIE CITY - During a regular session of the Prai- rie City Council on Dec. 10, 1991, Hank Goslin addressed the topic which is causing heated discussion throughout the county. Roslin said that he felt that the “little people” were being forced out of the landfi ll busi- ness. Goslin then supplied the council with literature that he had received concerning closure procedures, and call attention to the fact that it would take fi ve years to close the landfi ll. Then it could pos- sibly have to be watched for 30 years afterwards. Goslin urged the council to look into beginning the closure process, due to the length of time in- volved. In a related matter, Don Welch, Prairie City public works director, said that he would be meeting with Mary McGowan of the planning de- partment to discuss the land- fi ll problem. His decision to meet with McGowan is due to her past work with the Depart- ment of Environmental Qual- ity. Welch added that there is a need for plans and goals concerning not only landfi ll issues, but also recycling, throughout the county. The Prairie City recycling center, which just recently opened, had a good turnout for its fi rst day of operation, Welch said. Welch also reported that he had spoken to Dick Brown, director of the Grant Coun- ty Department of Planning and Economic Development, concerning the Comprehen- sive Plan and that the next meeting will be scheduled for Jan. 7. He added that as far as time limits were concerned, the city was still okay for the time being. Welch also spoke to Brent Lake, and suggested that a preliminary Compre- hensive Plan be sent to him so he could review it and suggest any changes that might need to be made for the Review Order. In other council action: Tom Hebard, Prairie City police chief, reported that there had been more reported problems with dogs at Wish Poultry. There had been re- ports of some poisoned dogs a few months ago, but as of late, the department has not been very busy lately. Welch reported that the fl ow meter on the water sys- tem had been sent in for re- pairs. This is what normally regulates the chlorine into the chlorinator. Until the regula- tor is returned, the chlorine is being manually fed into the water system. Bob Titus reported that the Depot Park project was still underway and steady progress was being made. There was some discus- sion on the Johnson Ave. project and it was noted that there was a water line loop proposed and that this should be done before the street proj- ect so that it would not have to be torn up again. The architect’s report on the Blue Mountain Nursing Home project was presented along with request no. 6 for payment in the amount of $13,993.50. Wednesday, January 11, 2017 A7 The deadline for What’s Happening items is 5 p.m. Friday. Call the Eagle, 541-575-0710, or email editor@bmeagle.com. For meetings this week, see our list in the classifi eds on Page A15. WEDNESDAY, JAN. 11 Democrat Party meet and greet • 6:30 p.m., Canyon City Community Hall, 125 S. Wash- ington St. Local Democrats are wel- come to attend a meet and greet gathering of the Grant County HAPPENING Democrats. For information, call 541-542-2633. WHAT’S SATURDAY, JAN. 14 Chili Feed fundraiser • 12:30-4 p.m., Grant Union Junior-Senior High School in John Day A chili feed will be held at the Grant Union cafeteria during the Prospectors vs. Union basketball games. The dinner, $5 a ticket, offers chili with all the fi xings, cornbread and salad. Proceeds benefi t Jozie Rude and Kaylee Wright’s Down Under Sports trip to Australia next summer where they will compete with international opponents at a track and fi eld event. Tickets can be purchased from the students, King’s Discount Store or at the door. For more information about tickets, call Aimee Rude at 541-206-2421 or Jozie Rude at 541-620-8702. Second Saturday Ladies Gathering • 9:30-11:30 a.m., Outpost Restaurant, John Day Ladies of Grant County are invited to the Second Satur- day Gathering. The theme is “Yesterday’s Bridge Into Today.” Kathy Rogers and Lis Davis will present music at the no-host breakfast. Coffee and tea are complimentary. Documentary viewing • 7 p.m., Grantville Theater, Canyon City The public is invited to attend a showing of a documenta- ry fi lm featuring Desmond Doss, the fi rst non-combatant to be awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, and the inspiration for the 2016 movie “Hacksaw Ridge.” THURSDAY, JAN. 26 Landowner seminars and annual meeting • 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monument Senior Center The Monument Soil and Water Conservation District will host its 2017 landowner seminars and annual meeting. Sem- inar topics include “Land Trusts and Working Land Ease- ments,” “Controlling Juniper with Herbicide” and an over- view of the Cavender Wetland Enhancement project. At noon Monument FFA members will serve a fundraiser tri-tip lunch at a cost of $8 per plate. The annual meeting will follow the landowner seminars at 2:30 pm. Those planning on attending the seminars and lunch are asked to RSVP at 541-934-2141 or mswcd@centurytel.net.