Yesterdays: Salk vaccine coming soon
This big ponderosa pine in Bad Rock was estimated to be the oldest tree in the valley. But it was dying and was cut down in April, 1955. It was about 500 years old. (Mel Ruder photo)
70 years ago
April 15, 1955
The Salk vaccine, which prevented polio, would soon be available in the Flathead Valley. It would be given to most first and second graders. Polio caused childhood paralysis and other deformities. The use of the vaccine, designed by Dr. Jonas Salk, was welcome and Salk was considered a national hero.
60 years ago
April 16, 1965
There was concern among fishermen and biologists that a drawdown of the Hungry Horse Dam by 106 ½ feet would harm the fishery. Most of the food is in the first 20 feet or water, biologists noted. The year before was the flood of ‘64 and the dam was credited for holding back water that would have made it far worse.
50 years ago
April 18, 1975
A big storm blanketed the east side, with feet of snow in Browning and on the prairies. Some drifts went nearly to the rooftops of buildings.
40 years ago
April 18, 1985
A front page editorial urged people to come to a Bonneville Power Administration public hearing on whether the agency should provide a price break for power to aluminum plants. The Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Plant provided about 1,000 jobs at the time.
30 years ago
April 13, 1995
Joe Heimes, one of Glacier National Park’s most famous rangers, died at 93. He was best known for catching famous poacher and former park ranger Joe Cosley in the Belly River in May, 1929.
20 years ago
April 14, 2005
Bar owners were worried it would kill their business and smokers wondered where they would enjoy a smoke after the state made it illegal to smoke in public places. The end result is far fewer people smoke today and bars seem to be doing just fine.
10 years ago
April 15, 2015
The Columbia Falls city council officially supported placing the Columbia Falls Aluminum Co. Site on the National Priorities List, making it a Superfund site. It would formally be placed under the program for cleanup in early 2016. At the time Councilman Mike Shepard said he expected it would cost hundreds of millions to clean up and the company wouldn’t do it. But the final cleanup plan is about $57 million and Glencore, CFAC’s parent company, is footing 65% of the bill, while former plant owner ARCO is paying 35%. Cleanup should start in a couple of years.