36 years ago this month

The Atomic Energy Commission resumed nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site with three underground explosions in June. June 23 and 24, the commission fired 20- to 200-kiloton shots -- the maximum equivalent of 200,000 tons of TNT.

The tests marked the first nuclear explosions at NTS since Dec. 18 when the Baneberry shot leaked radioactive material into the atmosphere.

Bob Murphy, superintendent of Death Valley National Monument, was elected president of the newly formed Death Valley Lions Club. More than 90 people, including 32 charter members, attended inaugural ceremonies at the Ash Meadows Lodge.

Tom Williams of Death Valley Junction was toastmaster for the inaugural event.

30 years ago this week

"Surprise, and what a shocking surprise, to see in the Pahrump Valley Times that the Pahrump Town Advisory Board is seeking my resignation as chief of the Pahrump Volunteer Fire Dept. The surprise is especially shocking when the accusations are considered for various deficiencies and mistakes I am charged with. One could think I was a high salaried official rather than working for nothing for the good of my community. I am a volunteer and my name and reputation has been seriously damaged. The charges made against me are not true" -- this was part of a community viewpoint signed by Ron Perry, "Unresigned Chief" at this time.

Fifth District Judge William Beko dismissed himself from hearing a motion of appeal for a trial in a higher court by Walter Plankington, convicted in Pahrump Justice Court of operating a brothel in the town limits of Pahrump.

The appeal is now scheduled to be heard by Judge Stanley Smart of the Third Judicial District at 10 a.m., July 27, in Tonopah. Judge Beko said he felt there would be no conflict in his hearing the Plankington appeal but felt having the appeal heard by an outside judge would prevent any eventual contention over the point.

20 years ago this week

Pahrump Valley telephone hookups the first half of 1987 are increasing at a dynamic annual rate of 13.7 percent and are well on the way to establishing a record for the most new phones gained in a single year.

At the end of June, Pahrump Valley had 2,020 residential and 413 business main stations phones. That's a total of 2,433 compared to 2,277 for Dec. 31, 1986, when there were 1,889 residential and 388 business main stations.

A request for public donations for new public restrooms at the Pahrump Community Center Park has been made by town manager Gordon Scott with the backing of the town board. Scott said the facility would cost about $20,000 and would be constructed near the parking lot along "tree row" on the east side of the park.

Scott is hopeful that money will be raised in time to have the restrooms completed for the Harvest Festival.

More than 90 golfers participated Saturday in the Calvada Men's Association golf tournament held at the Calvada Championship Course. Winners of the 18-hole event were the foursome of Don LeClaire, Lisa Hafen, Dr. Dennis Compton and John Adams. Second was the team of Mike Boyle, Kirk Pryor, Cathy Boyle and Al Chapman. A steak barbecue and open bar followed the tournament on the clubhouse grounds.

10 years ago this week

Rupert Bragg-Smith has been down a long and winding road on his quest to open an advanced driving school in Pahrump. He found out late last week that the ride may not be over just yet.

Early this year, Bragg-Smith began negotiating with the Bureau of Land Management for a non-competitive sale of 275 acres here. Numerous delays later -- delays Bragg-Smith attributes to mismanagement by the BLM -- a sales agreement was made, and he thought he could get started on the school's construction.

Then he found out that officials from the Las Vegas Motor Speedway filed a letter with BLM in protest of the sale.

Floyd's Aces solidified their hold on first place in the Pahrump men's softball league with a pair of wins at Petrack Park last week. The Aces improved to 19-3 with a 12-1 walk over Cabinet West and a 14-13 win over Valley Electric.

Recent rumors that water contaminated by underground nuclear testing is flowing into Beatty and Amargosa from the Nevada Test Site are unfounded, according to test site officials and the United States Department of Energy.

DOE and NTS personnel have gone on the road during the past week to reassure people in Beatty, Amargosa and Pahrump that their water supplies are safe, and to get input from residents on how to ensure that things will remain that way in the future.

Its nine nights of racing down and nine to go at the Pahrump Valley Speedway, which roars back to life Saturday with a card of IMCA, street stock and kids' go-kart races. Defending street stock track champion Michael Hildebrand is halfway to his second straight title. The Pahrumpian is leading the stock standings with 733 points. Alan Levinson is in second with 676.