This Week in History

10 years ago...

The WHA School Board welcomed a new administrative team at its July board meeting.

Sup’t. Dave Endicott comes to WHA from Pequot Lakes, where he was elementary principal.

Elementary Principal Jill McGowan’ professional career was at Wayzata School District as a third, fourth and fifth grade teacher and instructional coach.

High School Principal Dave Wineburner comes to Walker from Wisconsin. He holds masters’ degrees in administration from UW-Milwaukee.

Athletics Director Jeremiah Kramer earned his recreation and sports management degree from St. Cloud State and served an athletic director internship at Albany HS.

25 years ago...

Severe storm over the July 4 weekend knocked down tousands of trees and left thousands of area residents without power. The storms, which moved through the Leech Lake area, had winds clocked at about 75 mph. Left in its wake were impassable roads, ripped-off roofs and downed power lines.

According to Sheriff Jim Dowson the worst of the storm hit Portage Lake, Boy Lake, Brevik and the Tobique areas. “It’s mraculous nobody got injured or killed,” he commented.

50 years ago...

Voters in Leech Lake, Turtle Lake and Shingobee Townships will go to the polls July 23 to decide whether or not to expand the Walker airport.

The proposal would build a 75-by-3,500 foot bituminous strip, which would require an additional 60 acres of land. The proposal includes a lighted landing system, lighted windsock and beacon to facilitate day and night landings.

The Department of Aeronutics has examined the plans and feels it will serve the area for the next 20 years. One reason for the expansion is the need to keep pace with airports in other tourist-oriented areas.