50 years ago

Nov. 21, 1973

Brighter streetlights soon coming to Dallas

Dallas streets will soon be brighter, but at the same time, new street light fixtures will bring about a savings of electricity. Following city council action Monday night, Pacific Power and Light Company crews will begin replacing a total of 50 existing incandescent light fixtures with more efficient mercury vapor lamps.

Council studies plan to alter one-way grid

A new one-way grid pattern by-passing Main Street in favor of Church Street in Dallas was reviewed by the city council Monday night. The plan, which would divert traffic from Main Street to Church Street via Academy Street, would also return Main Street to two-way traffic and maintain the diagonal parking system. Four-way stop signs would also be installed at each intersection down Main Street from Oak to Washington streets.

Microwave ovens safety defended by scientists

Concern over the safety of microwave ovens is not held to be valid by scientists who know how microwaves operate, reports Lois Preisz, Polk County extension agent.

There has been confusion between the effects of ionizing waves such as X-rays with the heat generated by nonionizing microwaves, Mrs. Preisz says. Microwaves are capable of causing temperature change, but they do not disturb the atom itself, or cause cell damage.

40 years ago

Nov. 23, 1983

Council refers sales tax vote

The Dallas City Council reaffirmed its support Monday night for putting a state sales tax to the voters, but not without some discussion.

The council voted 6-3 to refer the decision to voters, just as it had last May when the Dallas Chamber of Commerce proposed a four percent sales tax with proceeds to be dedicated to reducing state property taxes.

Francis wins “Officer of the Year”

Dallas Police Officer Bill Francis has won many awards in athletics, but he said his receipt of Polk County’s Law Officer of the Year award Friday night “really overwhelmed” him.

Francis, who joined the local police department in September, 1979, was one of five officers from each of the country’s law enforcement agencies who were nominated for the annual award sponsored by the Independence Elks Lodge.

County supports Rickreall Fruit Plant

LeCreole Fruit Company received a positive note of endorsement from the Polk County Board of Commissioners last Wednesday.

The board voted to support the fruit company’s application to the state to allow the sale of $1.3 million in the industrial bonds for construction of a fruit processing plant near Rickreall.