Fireworks illuminate spectators at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds Expo Center Sunday. The grounds at the new facility were filled for the Fourth of July event that included an all-day program of entertainment, games and food. For more on the celebration, see Page 13. Staff photo by Chip Belden

75 Years Ago

July 7, 1949 — City to start on garbage

Put the compulsory garbage system into effect for a one-year trial, appoint a commission to make adjustments in hardship cases, and then you can think about something else besides garbage for a change, the city dads were advised Tuesday evening by the planning commission.

A basic flat rate charge of $1 per month per residence for a weekly pick-up of one garbage can per week was termed reasonable by the planners.

Planners point out that from start to finish the primary purpose of the compulsory garbage study has been to establish a method of controlling the vast amount of indiscriminate dumping which has caused the city to become decorated with a necklace of tin cans, dead cats, bed springs, turkey feathers and decaying vegetables.

50 Years Ago

July 10, 1974 — Sidewalk sale adds barbecue

Barbecued chicken for the hungry and bargains for the shopper will be offered under sunny skies (weatherman permitting) Friday in downtown Redmond.

The occasion is the annual sidewalk sale when Redmond merchants and clerks don their crazy costumes and bargain-priced merchandise takes to the sidewalk. Merchant committee chairman Dick Jackson said the sale will run all day.

Adding flavor (barbecue, that is) to the event this year is a Redmond Kiwanis Club chicken feed, with proceeds going to the swimming pool fund. Chicken, beans, potato chips, coffee and ice cream will be on sale from 5 to 7 p.m. in the parking lot on Deschutes Ave. between Fifth and Sixth St. Chicken to go also will be available.

Flight record set at Roberts

Roberts Field continues its booming ways with an all-time record set last Sunday.

Spurred on by air travelers en route to and from Expo ‘74 in Spokane and by four-day weekenders heading home, 703 flight services were completed Sunday by air controllers at the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Service Station.

Peak flying day for June was Fathers Day, when 524 contacts were made. For May it was Memorial Day with 606.

FSS chief Mike Hammer reported that 11,374 flight services were rendered during June, compared to 8,765 for the same month last year.

25 Years Ago

July 7, 1999 — Bend cyclist hurt while eluding pursuing police

A Bend man who led police on a high-speed pursuit down Highway 97 in northern Deschutes County Sunday received minor injuries when he struck a patrol car.

Lance Lee Davis, 29, was treated for a minor leg injury at Central Oregon District Hospital, then lodged in the Deschutes County Jail on suspicion of reckless driving and first-degree criminal mischief, both Class C felonies. He also was cited for violation of the basic rule and no motorcycle endorsement.

The incident began at 3:46 p.m. when an Oregon State Police trooper south of Madras clocked a southbound motorcycle at 92 mph. The trooper reported the motorcycle was quickly pulling away in excess of 110 mph.

The motorcycle wasn’t seen again until it reached High Bridge over the Crooked River, where another trooper was positioned. The trooper attempted to stop the motorcycle using lights and sirens, however the suspect continued toward Terrebonne allegedly in excess of 100 mph. The trooper stopped his pursuit in hopes the cyclist would slow down.

A short time later, Deschutes County Sheriff’s deputies and Redmond police officers pursued the suspect near Redmond, before once again stopping the pursuit in hopes the suspect would slow down.

The incident ended about 4:16 p.m. when the suspect passed a trooper on SW Yew Avenue westbound from Highway 97. A second trooper who had just turned onto Yew from SW Canal Boulevard, stopped his car and activated his emergency lights. Davis attempted to go around the patrol car, but instead struck the left front corner of the car, causing him to fly off his motorcycle.