Roland water plant dedicated
25 Years Ago
— Sequoyah County Times, May 16, 1999
—Roland officials held a ribbon cutting and dedication at their new water plant Friday, thereby cutting the city loose from being dependent on other water sources.
The $3.5 million water project was funded by a one-cent sales tax approved by Roland voters in 1996. A $350,000 Community Development Block Grant and a $75,000 Oklahoma Water Resources Board grant also helped build the lake. Seven Oaks Construction of Sallisaw began building the water impoundment north of Roland in July 1997, and the water gates were closed to begin filling the lake in January.
Roland officials also plan for the lake to be used for recreational purposes and the lake was stocked with 6,000 catfish May 3.
50 Years Ago
—The Sallisaw City Council Tuesday night gave public notice of a city hearing to be held at the next monthly meeting June 11 to discuss the second phase of the street resurfacing project in Sallisaw.
City Manager Lloyd Haskins said all citizens who are interested in the resurfacing project are asked to be at the meeting to voice their opinions on the upcoming project.
Haskins said a list of tentative streets to be resurfaced will be available and if there is no opposition to the list, no further streets will be added at a later date.
Last summer over 100 city blocks were resurfaced at a cost of $151,000.
It is anticipated that from 40 to 50 blocks will be re-topped this summer to be financed by around $65,000 plus, in revenue sharing money given to the city.
75 Years Ago
—The Brown Swiss Association of Beloit, Wisconsin announced today that Arvel M. Folks who lives one mile southeast of Sallisaw has recently purchased the registered Brown Swiss Bull, Spring Valley Dan No. 88975 from Dannen Easthills Farm, St. Joseph, Mo. The announcement was made by Fred S. Idtse, Secretary of the Brown Swiss Cattle Breeders’ Association.
Folks stated yesterday that he had decided to build a Brown Swiss herd after carefully studying the different breeds of dairy cattle and that the record of milk production of the Brown Swiss and their size was the deciding factor in his decision.
—Many new cases of measles have been reported in Sequoyah County, Sallisaw doctors said Wednesday. The epidemic is apparently unabated.
In addition, many cases of mumps have been reported. Some doctors feel that this disease may soon reach epidemic proportions. —If the rain holds off for a while, work will begin on the erection of the walls for the new automotive show room on the McDonald Chevrolet Co., lot. The foundation has been completed.
Work on the new structure will be carried out as fast as possible, but the completion date will depend on weather conditions.
100 Years Ago
—Four speeders were arrested by the police department Sunday, but were later released after a good sound warning had been given them by Chief of Police J.C. Woll. The second offense will land the speeders in jail. The speeders were out of town people, who thought they could come to Sallisaw and turn the corners on two wheels at a forty to sixty mile gait. The police department has launched a rigid policy and will enforce it to maintain careful driving in the city limits.
—Arch Young, fire truck driver, has been busy during the past few days giving all of the city’s water hydrants a fresh coat of yellow paint. This is the first time the hydrants have been painted since 1907, it is said.
