75 years ago

June 22, 1944

The secretary of war today announced that air force Sergeant Orville G. Nouska of Aberdeen was reported missing in action June 6 over Romania.

The aerial engineer and top turret gunner in a heavy bomber unit had been in Italy only two months, relatives said.

A 1942 graduate of Weatherwax high school, he joined the service shortly after graduation.

June 23, 1944

Top selling records at Messingale Music Co. on Heron Street: “It Had to Be You” by Betty Hutton; “Beat Me Daddy Eight to the Bar” by Will Bradley; “Sleepy Time Gal” by Harry James; “I’ll Walk Alone” by Martha Tilton and “Beale Street Blues” by Tommy Dorsey.

50 years ago

June 22, 1969

More than 5,000 spectators lined the streets of Montesano yesterday to witness the annual Farm Festival parade.

A threat of rain along with a momentary sprinkle of mist cleared up just before parade time and failed to dampen the spirits of the marchers or spectators representing virtually every section of the county, as well as Thurston and Mason counties.

Honored in the line of march was Farm Festival Queen Mary Valentine, Montesano High School senior, who was selected late Friday night to reign over the weekend festivities. With her were two princesses, Donna Sims, also a member of the senior class and Susan Vessey, this year’s graduate.

June 23, 1969

Crimes in Aberdeen reported or known to police this year are running 47 per cent ahead of the total for the same period last year, statistics released by the police department indicate.

Biggest percentage increases come in forcible rape, robbery, burglary and aggravated assaults, according to the figures.

The increase in Aberdeen is far higher than the 10 per cent crime increase reported for the first quarter of this year by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for all U.S. cities.

David Auer, chief of police, attributed the increase here to several factors: More reporting of crimes, however serious, by citizens; presence of many transients on the Harbor; the high unemployment factor here; and activity of a certain “core” group of offenders.

25 years ago

June 22, 1994

A heavily armed man who had threatened to kill everyone at a tavern in Aberdeen’s west end was arrested last night.

The 61-year-old Hoquiam man, characterized by police as a regular customer at Rick’s Simpson Avenue Saloon, had become belligerent and was then refused service, Capt John Delia said.

When he was arrested in his pickup truck not far from the tavern, police found a formidable collection of weapons; two assault rifles, four handguns, a military rifle bayonet, a double-edged knife, camouflage clothing, two boxes of ammunition including 250 rounds of 22-caliber bullets, 11 magazines loaded for the assault rifle, as well as addition ammunition for the four handguns and a gas mask bag. In addition he had six American flags and more than $55,000 in cash in the truck as well as more than $2,000 in cash on his person.

June 23, 1994

Aberdeen police found a large cache of explosives Wednesday in the home of a Hoquiam truck driver, who was arrested Tuesday with a pickup full of guns and ammunition.

During the search, 30 1-pound cans of gun powder, detonation cord and blasting caps were found.

The State Patrol’s ordnance disposal team was called in to remove the explosives.

“That’s the first time I’ve seen explosives on a search warrant,” Detective James Clarkson said. “I don’t normally find this sort of thing.”

Compiled from the archives of The Daily World by Karen Barkstrom