Mart Rennels was named the Central Oregon Fireman of the Year in 1974.

100 Years Ago

Feb. 28, 1924 — Surveying done for new bridge

W.S. Hardy and a crew of surveyors have been engaged for the last week in making a survey and location of the Crooked River section of The Dalles-California Highway by the way of the new bridge site and also making preliminary surveys for the bridge location. The distance, as located between the two ends of the improved sections, is about four and one-half miles. The bridge site is about 800 feet up the river from the railroad bridge and the main span of the proposed bridge will be approximately 340 feet.

75 Years Ago

Feb. 24, 1949 — Final respects paid for well-known dentist

Many friends of Dr. Harold W. Rogers paid their final respects to him here Monday morning in services held at the Community Presbyterian church. He died late Thursday evening after a prolonged illness.

In his 49 years Dr. Rogers led an active and varied life. He was one of the youngest service men in World War I. He joined the Canadian army in 1916 when he was only 16, and later transferred to United States forces for overseas duty with the air corps.

Born at Fir, Washington July 1, 1899, he eventually attended high school at Hoquiam, Wash., where he made outstanding records in football, track and baseball. Later he played football for the Multnomah Athletic club.

After the war he entered North Pacific Dental college, and was graduated in 1923 with degrees in both medical dentistry and dental surgery. His first dental office was at Garibaldi, with additional offices later at Wheeler and Bay City. In May 1935 he opened his dental office in Redmond.

Dr. Rogers and Miss Helen Albright were married in Portland on Feb. 3, 1924. She and their son, Bruce, 16, survive him. They plan to continue living in the ranch home he completed for them last year in the Northwest Redmond area.

Among his many civic activities over the years, Dr. Rogers was a commander of the Legion, president of the chamber of commerce, master of the Masonic lodge, director of the Deschutes County Fair association, a member of the Kiwanis club, Lions club and Elks.

50 Years Ago

Feb. 27, 1974 — Teachers reject 8.5% pay hike

Redmond Education Assn. members voted last week to reject the school board’s offer of an 8.5 percent salary increase by a vote of 137-13.

The offer of 8.5 per cent from the board would not even put Redmond teachers equal to the actual cost of living increase in Central Oregon, according to REA spokesmen.

For instance, fuel costs for transportation have increased over 50 per cent in the past year. A check of newspaper sale ads one year ago with today’s ads indicates that staple items of food-such as meat, milk, flour, bread, eggs, breakfast cereals, etc., are up over 30 per cent over the past five years and most of this has occurred within the last year.

The teacher-requested 19.5 per cent increase was arrived at by comparing the consumer price index (cost of living) movement with teacher salary increases from September, 1972, through September, 1975, the date when the contract under negotiation will expire.

Board negotiators began with an offer of 6 per cent. In an exercise of the negotiation process, the REA negotiators decreased their request to a 17 per cent increase.

“We all realize prices have gone up, but when we really study the matter, the amount of increase is shocking,” said Hugh Firdlay, president of REA.

25 Years Ago

Feb. 24, 1999 — Direct San Francisco flights begin in April

SkyWest Airlines will begin direct flights from Redmond to San Francisco on April under the United Express name, the airline announced Thursday.

The schedule will include three departures and three arrivals daily, according to Steve Hart, vice president of market development for the St. George, Utah-based airline.

Planes will depart Redmond at 5:50 a.m., 10:45 a.m. and 4:08 p.m. for the approximately two-hour flight. Arrivals from San Francisco will be at 8:19 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 7:25 p.m.

“These times that we have are really outstanding. You can get down there early in the morning for work and get back by nine in the evening,” said Redmond Airport Manager Carrie Novick.

SkyWest will use the same 30-seat turboprop Brasilia aircraft it uses between Redmond and Portland for the flights.

Non-stop service to San Francisco has been a major goal of local officials since 1995, when Reno Air abandoned jet service here after three months. The service is seen as a boon to business and pleasure fliers.

It’s definitely been a concern of some of the businesses that have been trying to relocate here,” said Eric Sande, director of Redmond Economic Development Assistance Partnership of the lack of non-stop service.

“Access in and out of Redmond has just increased exponentially,” Hart said.

SkyWest, ticketed as United Express, will offer one-way tickets to San Francisco for $149, the same as a Horizon Airlines flight to Portland with an Alaska Airlines connection, according to Go Travel in Redmond. Round-trip tickets are $234 with a 21-day advance purchase.