100 years ago

October 19, 1916 — The Interior Department through Assistant Secretary Vogelsang, has finally refused to re-open the question of excluding lands in Crane Prairie from the Deschutes Irrigation Project in Oregon. Swartz and Saunders, Washington attorneys for S.S. Mohler and other Oregon citizens, have been asking for a further hearing on the matter. Director Davis in May decided adversely on the request to re-open the subject, after considering detailed affidavits filed by Mohler and his associates. While being urged on the one hand to consider the question of excluding Crane Prairie from the lands withdrawn in connection with the reclamation project the Portland Chamber of Commerce has been urging that when new projects in Oregon are started, the first unit of the Deschutes project, which includes Crane Prairie and Benham falls development, shall be first on the list. Engineers have estimated that one-fifth of the water supply come from a reservoir in Crane Prairie.

75 years ago

October 16, 1941 — Col. J. L. Stromme, commander of Portland Air Base, was in Redmond today inspecting Roberts Field for potentialities as a landing field for training flights out of Portland. The visit to Redmond was part of a trip in which Col. Stromme inspected other landing sites about the state. Because of heavy wear from regular flights of training ships, Col. Stromme said that the field runways should be resurfaced. However, he said he believed that because of the rock base on Roberts Field, the site here could be developed to suitable specifications with a minimum of work. He was favorably impressed with the technical advantages of the Redmond site, particularly as to the absence of fog. Col. Stromme expressed interest in the buildings of the Camp Redmond CCC as possible quarters for squadron fliers. He explained that it is usual to base squadrons for a week or two at a time at such fields as might be established here. The camp, which is occupied now by less that 100 CCC enrollees, has facilities for 600 men, and would be ideal for squadron quarters, Col Stromme said.

50 years ago

October 20, 1966 — Gus Meyers, who has served on the city council for eight years, agreed Tuesday to be a written candidate for mayor. He was urged to make himself available for the position because no candidate had filed and it was felt the city’s highest office should not go to default. Meyers previously had been asked by many to file, but had declined. A committee had been formed to consider a write-in candidate. It was made up of two representatives from each of four organizations, plus the present mayor and members of the council. The groups represented were Redmond Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees, Rotary Club and Kiwanis. Meyers was the unanimous of the nine men present at the meeting.

25 years ago

October 16, 1991 — The Redmond Downtown Flag Committee is looking for 180 people who will each donate about $10 each to get the flag effort moving. The committee, following a meeting last Wednesday, is moving ahead quickly to set up a program to display American flags downtown on appropriate holidays. Redmond Rotary Club agreed to take the lead role in the project and the American Legion post offered use of the large casket flags at the north and south highway islands, where they will be out of the way of parked cars. “Everything is coming together nicely,” Randy Povey, committee chairman, said after the meeting. “We’re all working in the same direction. It’s very positive.” The effort will purchase flags through individual requests and donations from Rep. Bob Smith’s office. The cost for a 4- by 6-foot nylon flag is $9.79. Obtaining the flags through the congressman’s office necessitates the individual requests.