Past Tense: Feb. 16, 2017
60 years ago – 1957
Police called off the search for Stephen D. Gallagher, who was reported missing while hiking in Tahquitz Canyon. All that was found of him were his clothes and shoes, which he removed before his disappearance.
55 years ago – 1962
Three women joined the Pine Cove fire department’s rescue squad — the first ever. They worked driving the rescue vehicle, caring for the injured and running the communication lines.
50 years ago – 1967
Dr. Spark Schnitzer gave an illustrated lecture about his expedition to Africa in search of documents relating to the 19th century explorer Dr. Emin Pasha, governor of Equatoria during the Mahdi revolt.
45 years ago – 1972
A Hawthorne man triggered an avalanche near San Jacinto Peak, and was carried down the mountain 5,000 feet before landing at the base of Snow Creek Canyon above Palm Springs.
40 years ago – 1977
A 36-year-old transient was arrested in Pine Cove on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping and burglary.
35 years ago – 1982
George Kretsinger was honored at a surprise dinner party. He was recognized for outstanding service to the Idyllwild Water District by district officials. He served 10 years on the board and resigned for personal and business reasons.
25 years ago – 1992
Two Idyllwild Elementary School students were injured in a five-car collision on the way back from a school field trip. Luckily, they were OK after the weekend.
20 years ago – 1997
Raymond Lopez, the owner of the Idyll-Awhile Arcade, passed away at age 46.
15 years ago – 2002
“Labor of Love” fed more than 200 locals.
10 years ago – 2007
A couple from Parker, Arizona, were fortunate enough in receiving only minor injuries after their truck overturned and descended 50 feet off of Highway 74 west of Carrizo Road in Pinyon.
5 years ago – 2012
County Service Area 38 Advisory Committee members learned that the county didn’t appear to know the CSA’s boundaries. The county map omits about 40 properties in the Foster Lake area from the CSA, as voted for in 1965.
1 year ago – 2016
President Barack Obama designated three new national monuments in Southern California deserts. The new monuments are Mojave Trails National Monument, Castle Mountains National Monument and the Sand to Snow National Monument, which is in Riverside County.
