36 years ago this month

A move has been launched to create a bank for Pahrump Valley and neighboring communities. Incorporation papers for the proposed "Farmer's State Bank" have been drawn up with six Valley businessmen having signed to back the effort.

Ten to 15 signatures are expected before the proposal is presented to the Department of Commerce for a bank charter. Around $1 million in deposits will be needed to assure a go-ahead from the state.

The David vs. Goliath tax suit, Nye County versus the federal government, took a major step in favor of the smaller entity when the state Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that confirms entities operating under government contract at NTS for a profit are, indeed, subject to county property taxes.

The long-running suit filed in February 1967 may finally be close to a pay off decision. The defendants have 90 days to file an appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court.

30 years ago this week

The Pahrump Valley Senior Citizens Center will be officially dedicated and opened March 4. Lt. Gov. Robert Rose is expected to speak at the opening ceremony along with County Administrator Roy Neighbors and Suzanne Ernst, representing the state Division on Aging.

Cub Scouts from the Valley will raise the United States flag, which will be presented to the seniors by Congressman James Santini, who recently had the flag flown over the U.S. Capitol.

A mid-winter golfer's dream, deep green fairways with rugged native mesquites and a snow-capped Mt. Charleston in the background combine to make the Calvada golf course one of the most picturesque in the West.

Opening of play and the introduction of Calvada golf pro Paul Bullock have brought on golf fever throughout the Valley.

Bullock, the recently hired first-ever pro at Calvada, predicts the local course, when completed, will be "one of the finest in southern Nevada, in fact, one of the finest in the 11 western states." The first seven holes are now in use, with the eighth and ninth expected to be completed by mid-summer.

20 years ago this week

The widening of Highway 160 south of Pahrump Valley, where numerous fatal accidents have occurred in recent years, has been given high priority on the state road building list.

The project, expected to cost $8,994,000, could begin as early as January 1990 and be completed within a year, according to Ronald Hill, deputy director of the Nevada Dept. of Transportation.

One area of construction would start 8.85 miles south of the Clark-Nye County line and continue 10 miles toward Mountain Springs Summit. Another seven-mile section would be over the summit.

Key officials in Washington have been made aware of Nevada's desire to acquire additional private land.

State Sen. Ken Redelsperger said this week that in a follow-up meeting in Washington, D.C., "We received assurances that the committee's land acquisition initiatives would receive expeditious fair treatment from the congressional committees."

The federal government owns 87 percent of Nevada land, often leading to high property prices and expansion problems such as witnessed in Tonopah.

A new promoter has been hired by the Pahrump Valley Racing Association to handle racing at the Bob Ruud Memorial Speedway in Pahrump. Racing-season preliminaries will begin when registration for the 1988 season gets under way.

Long-time racing promoter Spud Simkins recently was hired by the association to run the program, following more than 30 years managing programs at the Santa Maria (Calif.) Speedway and the Airport Speedway in Amarillo, Texas.

10 years ago this week

Members of the Pahrump Community Hospital District board of trustees will need the answers to some major questions today before they can select a new operator for what is now the Arcon Pahrump Center for Healthcare.

The board officially opened three bids from companies hoping to replace current operator Arcon Healthcare. With the help of board accountant Mike Cox, board members began to punch sizable holes in the proposals.

Bid packages were received from Sunrise Hospital and Valley Hospital in Las Vegas as well as Rural Health Management Corp. out of Utah.

Jeremy Theurer rode his way to first place in the bareback event to highlight the Pahrump Valley High School rodeo team's performance at its 20th annual PVHS rodeo held at the McCullough Memorial Arena in Petrack Park.

Theurer out-rode 14 other cowboys on his way to first place with 68 points. The Trojan cowboy took third place in the bareback event on Sunday to cap off an impressive weekend.

Although most of the discussion during a seven-hour meeting revolved around what level of medical care the Pahrump Community Hospital District could afford, in the end it was a question of control that led board members to place the future of the Arcon Pahrump Center for Healthcare in the hands of Rural Health Management Corp. of Nephi, Utah.

The key difference in RHMA's management plan will involve the role of president Mark Stoddard and the fact that he will answer directly to the board, which will be responsible not only for the company's management fee of $180,000 a year but for all of the facility's bills.

In other words, the board will be calling the shots.

The first step in a new 911 system for Pahrump was taken by the commissioners at their last meeting.

If the system is going to be upgraded to a level at which Sheriff Wade Lieseke thinks it will best serve the community, the first step will be a small one. The current 911 system is old, so old replacement parts are hard to come by.

The new system, if it is to be expanded to maximum efficiency, will cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. The commissioners voted to spend the initial $60,000 for the base 911 system from a Colorado company. The initial purchase and future expansions will be covered from the Payments Equal to Taxes account.

American Crown Circus

The Nevada Native American Cultural Society will sponsor the American Crown Circus in Pahrump.

The event is scheduled for two shows, 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., today, March 7 at Petrack Park.

Call 800-546-1151 for more information.

Garage sale

"The Truth" youth group of The Way Baptist Fellowship will hold a garage sale 8 a.m.-3 p.m., March 7 and 8, 420 E. Bronco Street.

The proceeds will go towards sending the youth group to summer camp.

Call 727-5242 for more information.

Fish fry

The next fish fry at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church will be 4-7 p.m., March 7 and again on March 14 at 781 E. Gamebird Rd. There will be no fish fry on Good Friday.

Dinner will be fried or baked cod and fish tacos with drinks and dessert available.

Craft and bake sale

Saved by Grace Lutheran Church will have an Easter craft and bake sale 8-2 p.m., March 8 at 1481 Gamebird Road, near Money Street.

Proceeds will go to the building fund.

Poetry and coffee

The ongoing poetry series and coffee will meet 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, March 8 at Lois Layne's Deli, corner of Dahlia and Basin, across from Petrack Park.

Call 537-2111 for more information.