Looking Back
News from Bertha's and Hewitt's Pasts
25 Years Ago
August 2, 1995
With zero dollars in their water plant depreciation fund, the Hewitt City Council discussed possible ways to make the city water the self-sufficient entity it was supposed to be. According to City Clerk/Treasurer Valerie Filbert, FHA Representative Al Sandford recommended a $3 raise per household to catch up to the 1994 audit. FHA questioned why the fund was in the red. In addition, the city has levied taxpayers $5000 a year for the fund the last seven years. There should be $35,000 in that fund. There are zero dollars.
**********
Janet Umland will assume the duties of Bertha city clerk beginning September 19. Umland has been working one day a week in the clerk’s office since the first of the year. She was a student in the Alexandria Tech College accounting program for nine months. She was a computer operator for Land O’ Lakes for six years and the accounts payable clerk for All-Star Service for nearly two years.
75 Years Ago
September 13, 1945
Five people were injured in a fire at the Community Oil Company bulk station in Hewitt when drums of oil and alcohol exploded during the blaze. The fire started when Walter Tabor, a truck driver for the company, drove into the station to take out a load of gasoline. When he threw on the electric switch to start pumping gas from the storage tank a spark apparently ignited gas fumes in the building causing a tremendous explosion. Tabor was thrown to the ground, injuring him seriously.
**********
Announcing the opening of The Coffee Shoppe on Saturday, September 15. Sandwiches, cake, pie, and doughnuts will be served. Free coffee on Saturday. Meals will be served beginning Monday. Ralph and Laura Walker, proprietors.