25 YEARS AGO

Jan. 12, 1999

Almost a week into the new year, Hermiston finally welcomed Juan Quirino Madrigal as the first baby born in 1999 at Good Shepherd Community Hospital. The son of Amy and Quirino Madrigal, Juan weighed 6 pounds, 15 ounces and measured 20 inches at the time of his birth on Jan. 6.

“He’s gorgeous,” his mother said, adding, “he has a lot of hair.”

Juan was the second child of the Umatilla couple, joining his 3-year-old sister, Nina. As soon as her brother was born, Nina assumed the role of her mother’s helper. She made it her responsibility to ensure Juan was well taken care of, toting along a bag of baby care items.

“She thinks she’s going to take him on the bus to Head Start,” Amy Madrigal said.

The proud mother said he appeared healthy and they were looking forward to taking him home. In addition to the little bundle of joy, the Madrigals would take home more.

50 YEARS AGO

Jan. 10, 1974

The start of the new year also signaled the start of Hermiston developments. The city administration was tasked with drafting a budget for the federal revenue-sharing program, which amounted to nearly $75,000.

City Manager Tom Harper compiled a list of priorities, which the council approved, including two paving projects and a financial boost for the Hermiston Day Care Center. He also called for the purchase of equipment for the police and fire departments, two dump trucks and a truck and motor grader for the street department. In addition to these projects, Harper wanted to address cemetery expansion, storm drainage, airport improvement, public works building, Civic Recreation Center improvements and a new ambulance. “The city is rapidly running out of gravesites and future development is imperative,” Harper said.

In addition, he said the airport committee has been endeavoring to accomplish the construction of a new hangar for several years, as the existing ones were in poor shape.

Harper estimated the different projects would cost about $70,000 each, with $50,000 for the cemetery and $80,000 for the storm drainage improvement. Since these projects were not included in the revenue-sharing priority list, they were the city’s responsibility. Harper suggested holding city council work sessions to thoroughly discuss securing funds for the work.

75 YEARS AGO

Jan. 13, 1949

When reflecting on all the events and accomplishments of the previous year, the local construction boom was among the most notable. Records indicated that building permits brought in nearly $500,000, which rendered 1948 as one of Hermiston’s most active building years. In addition, there were numerous building projects outside of city limits.

Upon examining the records, City Recorder Charles Taylor found construction was fairly spaced throughout the year. May was the busiest month in residence construction with $66,000 in permits issued, while January and August were the runner-ups with $56,000 each.

Work was soon to be underway on the new city hall, which would be located at the corner of Main and Third streets. Its estimated cost was $25,000.

90 YEARS AGO

Jan. 18, 1934

As Prohibition was lifted, states rushed to establish systems to organize the sale, manufacture and distribution of liquor. Just 10 days after the 21st Amendment was ratified, Oregon Governor Julius Meier signed the Knox Liquor Plan.

Also known as the Oregon Liquor Control Act, it announced there would be 18 state liquor stores and 80 agencies authorized to sell liquor in Oregon. Portland would feature two stores, while 17 other cities with populations over 5,000 would have one each, including Pendleton, Baker and La Grande.

Aside from state liquor stores, agencies were to be established in every major community and county. Ready to take advantage of this new freedom, a Hermiston agency had already completed its liquor application. With the city council’s approval, the application was sent to the state liquor control committee and they were expected to be in business soon.