Looking back - 1955: Head on collision sends two to hospital

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Photo courtesy of Cecil Pittman archives. Keith Graham played on Neepawa Hockey Clubs that won seven “Manitoba Amateur Hockey Championships”: Bantam “BB” 1946-1947; Bantam “AB” 1947-1948; Bantam “BB” 1948-1949; Bantam “AB” 1949-1950; Juvenile “B” 1950-1951; Juvenile “B” 1952-1953 and Intermediate “A” 1966-1967

By Cecil Pittman

The Neepawa Press

80 years ago, Tuesday December 24, 1935:

A crow on the farm of Robert Habkirk has enjoyed the fine weather Manitoba offered the latter part of this year but will no doubt the past few days wish it had access to heavy undies.

70 years ago, Thursday December 20, 1945:

In the list of recognition awards for the M. D. 10  army personnel, announced last Friday, the name of Capt. R. T. Robinson, of Kelwood, was mentioned as having received the honor of Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and L. Cpl. M. Byers, of Riding Mountain received the British Empire medal.

60 years ago, Thursday December 15, 1955: 

Two occupants of a Minnedosa car received medical attention following a head-on car-truck collision on #4 Highway west of Neepawa Friday night. The accident was reported to have occurred at about 9 p.m. 

According to an unofficial source, a 1938 car containing William Bold and George Stevin, both of Minnedosa, traveling west from Neepawa, was in collision with a Rogers Group truck driven by Duke Dutcawich, of Neepawa, who was traveling east when on his way home from Minnedosa. Following the crash, the left front wheel of the truck, its fenders and hood, were all removed from the vehicle and the front end of the cab was badly smashed. The car was reported to have been a complete loss. Damage to the Neepawa vehicle was estimated to be between $300 and $500.

The two Minnedosa youths were taken to Minnedosa hospital where Bold received 17 stitches to his face and Stevin, who was delayed for a few days, received 30 stitches to his leg and face.

50 years ago, Tuesday December 14, 1965:

An estimated $5,000 damage was caused to the home of Gerald Murray on Vivian Street, in a fire early Saturday morning.

The fire is thought to have broken out about 4 a.m., Saturday. 

Firemen had some difficulty extinguishing the blaze, which was burning in the attic and eaves of the home. There was considerable damage to rafters and ceiling joists, as well as water damage. The fire at one point burned a hole through the roof.

No one was injured in the fire, although one fireman miraculously escaped injury when he fell through the roof.

40 years ago, Thursday December 18, 1975:

The Neepawa Town Council has offered a standing reward of $250 for anyone offering information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons committing acts of arson, vandalism or serious breeches of the peace.

Council took the step in an effort to crack down on vandals who have been opening fire hydrants in town, disrupting the supply of water and seriously threatening fire protection in Neepawa.

The council also approved the introduction of an all-night control to maintain order in the town. Most of the incidents of vandalism occur after the regular RCMP patrols have ended and the special patrol by the Mounties is expected to help stop these incidents.

The patrol system will be examined after three months.

30 years ago, Thursday December 19, 1985:

Neepawa and District Drop-In Centre committee members are organizing a major fundraising drive in the new year.

Committee chairman Lloyd Sirett said a door-to-door campaign will get underway early in the new year. He explained the committee is waiting until the new year, so people can get a chance to get the Christmas season over with. 

“There seems to be more interest in the centre, now that the initial shock (of the total cost of the building) has worn off”, he said.

Plans to construct the facility worth over $200,000 were given the green light at a public meeting in October. 

20 years ago, Monday December 19, 1995:

In a follow-up review, the Manitoba School Divisions and Districts Boundaries Commission stands by its original recommendation to amalgamate Beautiful Plains and Pine Creek School Divisions. 

The formation of Beautiful Plains/Pine Creek School Division #11, would also include the southern portion of Turtle River School Division and the western portion of the Portage la Prairie School Division.

Beautiful Plains superintendent Dennis Wrightson said, even if the commission’s recommendations aren’t followed, school divisions are in for changes – dictated by enrollments.

A black Rottweiler-cross is the first animal to be declared a dangerous dog under the town’s new animal control bylaw. 

The declaration means that the dog, named Caesar, will be destroyed if it contravenes the bylaw again.

“This is Caesar’s last chance,” councilor Wayne Hollier said at last Tuesday’s council meeting, adding the dog’s owner, Michelle Labelle, showed a “total disregard for the bylaw and concerns expressed by people in the community”.