Looking Back: Two men wanted for robbery in Sheldon

One year ago

Avera Medical Group of Worthington announced it would construct a new clinic on about 4.5 acres of land on Ryan's Road, with construction to begin in the coming year.

Avoca residents received letters from the United States Postal Service regarding a discontinuance feasibility study.

Janet Howard was hired for the newly created Public Health Supervisor position in Nobles County. She began her duties Aug. 10.

The Worthington City Council approved 2012 budget boosts for its Public Works department and Prairie View Golf Links. The Public Works budget increased about $13,000 over the previous year, while an additional $22,000 was on the way for Prairie View Golf Links.

Five years ago

Bob and Diane Kruse and Heather and Brian Westman became the new owners this week of the former Worthington Motors. The new GM business was called Kruse Motors, and the Ford Dealership was to be known as K & S Motors. Bob Kruse had owned Parkview Motors in Montevideo since 1974. The family also owned a GM dealership in Madison.

The Cottonwood County Courthouse was evacuated Friday afternoon when a bomb threat was called in to the district court office at 2:25 p.m. The incident was under investigation.

After 2½ years of serving meals to seniors at Worthington's American Legion, the Worthington Senior Dining Program was preparing for an early September move to American Reformed Church on North Burlington Avenue.

Many members of the Worthington High School Class of 1942 gathered for their 65th reunion at the Worthington Country Club.

The Worthington Fire Department/Worthington Ambulance was the winner in the friendly "Heroes Behind the Badges" blood drive, netting 49 donations compared to the Worthington/Nobles County Law Enforcement's tally of 31.

10 years ago

The Worthington Fire Department celebrated its 110th anniversary of protecting the community.

George and Joyce Duitsman, Worthington, displayed a nine-foot tall tomato plant they had nurtured in the backyard over the past few months.

The District 518 board and administrators set an election for a $394.93 per-pupil operating levy.

Less than 18 months after becoming affiliated with Habitat for Humanity International, the Southwest Minnesota Habitat for Humanity Chapter dedicated its first house in Luverne.

With the impending retirement of Superintendent John Widvey, the District 518 board launched its search for a new superintendent.

25 years ago

Warrants were issued for the arrest of two men accused of robbing the Mastbergen Jewelry Store in Sheldon, Iowa, on Aug. 14. Two brothers, whose last known address was in Kansas City, Mo., were charged. The robbery occurred at about 9 a.m. when Phil Mastbergen opened the store for business. Mastbergen was thrown from his wheelchair and two assistants' hands were tied up. One employee, however, managed to trip a store alarm, alerting police.

Playing this week at Worthington's Northland Cinema were "La Bamba," "Summer School" and "The Living Daylights."

Pizza Ranch, a pizza franchise headquartered in Orange City, Iowa, was planning a new operation in Slayton. The 5,000 square-foot building in which it would be located would make the Slayton Pizza Ranch the largest outlet in the franchise, owned by Gary Regnerus and Larry Wielenga.

Recipes in Dorthy Rickers' "Mixing and Musing" column were for Sesame Pork Loin, Low Cal Lemon Cheesecake and Barbecued Frankfurters.

50 years ago

Advertised specials this week at Schafer's grocery in Worthington were three pounds of ground beef for $1, a two-pound can of Butter-Nut coffee for $1.15, a pound of green seedless grapes for 19 cents, two pounds of yams for 25 cents, a 10-pound bag of potatoes for 39 cents, three packages of Jell-O for 25 cents, four cans of Mandarin oranges for 89 cents and a two-pound bag of Great Northern beans for 29 cents.

Worthington was one of the picket points in the nationwide Chicago & Northwestern Railroad telegraphers strike. Two pickets showed up at 7 a.m. at the local depot and started their lonesome walks in a driving rainstorm. It was reported that 12 men were assigned to picket duty in Worthington and that they would work in pairs for each shift.

First day attendance figures in Worthington public schools again surpassed the previous year's figures in all units. An estimated 2,981 turned out for the first day of school in public elementary, junior high, senior high and junior college classrooms. The figure was expected to increase with late enrollments next week.

A newly completed addition to Brewster Public School was to be ready for use when the school opened Sept. 4. Included in the new building were six grade rooms, shop, locker room, agriculture room and cafeteria.

75 years ago

After eight years of operating the Round Lake drug store bearing his name, A. H. Flentje retired from active business to devote his time to other interests. Mr. Flentje had disposed of the stock and fixtures of the drug store to Edward Thompson of Sleepy Eye.

Only 32 cases of families on direct relief were left in Nobles County, it was reported today by E. A. Pfeiffer, executive secretary of the Nobles County public welfare board. Average expenditure per family during the month of July was $20.90. Individuals receiving direct relief numbered 21 in the same report, receiving aid during the period averaging $16.56 per person. Total direct relief expenditures were $1,016.56, or $19.18 per case. Old age assistance cases classified as active in the August report numbered 182 in Nobles County, receiving an average of $18.53.

The special flavor of Worthmore ice cream offered this week by Worthmore Creamery & Produce Co. was butter brickle. Pints sold for 20 cents, and quarts were 35 cents.

Playing this week at Worthington's State Theatre was "Broadway Melody of 1938," featuring Eleanor Powell and Robert Taylor. At the Grand Theatre was "I Met Him in Paris," starring Claudette Colbert.