38 years ago this week

The Calvada Inn, described as "sumptuous" and "plush," opened its doors. A restaurant, bar and a casino were expected to be open by January.

The first homes within the Calvada boundaries were expected to be under way early in 1972.

A gigantic tax suit to be heard before the state Supreme Court in December could result in $8 million in back taxes which could, said Bill Beko, Nye County district attorney, pay off the county's entire indebtedness.

"This would mean," he explained, "that the school board would have the money to build a Pahrump Valley high school for cash."

William Lambert gained the Western Auto franchise for Pahrump and planned to open a new store later in December.

A Missouri man who couldn't read a note of music if you paid him won the old-fashioned fiddler contest in Death Valley, Calif.

Asked to play a third tune, he joked that he'd played the only two he knew. But then he ripped off "another of his sparkling bluegrass specials."

With about 6,000 workers in Nevada, the Atomic Energy Commission reported that 1,050 employees at the Nevada Test Site had been laid off.

30 years ago

Four men were indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the fire-bombing of Walter Plankinton's brothel in June 1978. Among them were the owner of the Shamrock brothel in Lathrop Wells, the manager of that brothel, and a retired Nye County sheriff's lieutenant.

Some of the suspects faced up to 30 or 40 years in jail if convicted.

Elbert Easley, who had confessed to the arson, was not indicted. Sheriff Joni Wines said she felt both pride and humility following announcement of the indictments.

An ordinance that would license and limit -- but not ban -- brothels in the county was ready for a third and final reading in January 1980.

Up to 60 people might eventually be employed by the Pahrump Valley's first light industry -- a "computerized telephone system production" company based in Minnesota.

Norm and Jean Buck would run the operation, with Norm remaining in the North Country. The Bucks planned to lease a large warehouse owned by Rick Morin, to whom Ken Redelsperger, president of the Pahrump Economic Development Council, said deserved the most credit in the effort.

The cotton season looked to wind up reasonably well, said several growers.

A sheriff's patrol car had its blue and red lights ripped off by two suspects, who were quickly caught.

20 years ago

Nye joined White Pine and Lincoln counties in deciding to duke it out with the Las Vegas Valley Water District over water rights. "It will be a tough fight," said Nye County consultant Steve Bradhurst. "We've got the state water law staring us right in the face."

The movie "Mirage" was to be shot in Crystal, according to Frankie Maiolo, owners of Frankie's Service Station and General Store.

"The contract is already signed," Maiolo told the PVT.

(If it was the 1995 movie starring Edward James Olmos and Sean Young, it didn't do much to edify Hollywood. It apparently was filmed in Coachella, Palm Desert and Indio, Calif.)

Leonard Smith was formally hired as Pahrump's town attorney. "I think Mr. Smith will be very busy," said board member Diana Stiles after the announcement.

The federal government said it was going to court to force the state of Nevada to cooperate on federal studies at the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Repository site.

Saddle West was offering luncheon specials for $2.95. Sunday buffet dinners were on the tab for $6.45.

10 years ago

A 47-year-old prostitute at Angel's Ladies, along with the managers, was charged with having arranged an out-of-brothel date at the Stagecoach Motel.

Wade Lieseke decided to sue the backers of a recall effort targeting him. He charged that they were recklessly disregarding the truth.

"Despicable," said Lieseke's attorney, Michael D. Stein.

Cited specifically in Lieseke's lawsuit were Thomas Lynn Hannah, Cora Jean Clements and Marilee Botos.

With only 11 minutes left until the deadline, 14 bids for construction of the proposed community library were fielded by the Pahrump Community Library District board. The library was thought likely to cost $3 million, but the apparent low bid came in at $2.5 million.

Sharon Wehrly won the Golden Heart Community Service Award.

And the secretary of state ordered a recall election against Public Administrator Robert "Red" Dyer should be held.

Solar Power Ltd. revealed plans to manufacture photovoltaic cells and other components used in the generation of solar power in the Nevada Science and Technology Corridor.