39 years ago this week

The Calvada Valley commercial complex was leased by a Las Vegas group headed by attorney Daryl EngeBregson.

Later in the month Calvada Enterprises was expected to begin operations. It would include a medium-sized supermarket, a cocktail lounge and a restaurant.

The Lathrop Wells station, with bar, restaurant, general store, service station, trailer park, post office building and other property, was sold by Jane Bongberg to Max and Maxine Graham of Antelope Valley, Calif.

Gov. Mike O'Callaghan visited the Pahrump Valley during the recent dedication to Chief Tecopa.

Sixth graders asked the governor about licensing motorcycles and whether he had seen a recent movie about stunt rider Evel Knieval (he had not).

About Howard Hughes, the governor said he wasn't that concerned. "Nevada was here before Howard Hughes and it will be here after him," O'Callaghan said. "Same for me."

30 years ago

Work had begun on the Calvada Meadows air strip and was expected to be ready for use sometime in 1980.

About 20 lots would be arranged adjacent to the strip with about 300 others enjoying taxiway access.

The Nye County school board expressed its eagerness for approval of a $2.5 million bond issue, saying a delay of even a year would increase the cost for new classrooms by $300,000.

A former employee of Walter Plankinton claimed the brothel owner made a deal with a gent named Elbert Easley to implicate two other men in the Chicken Ranch arson.

Phyllis Gilbert said Easley, who had been sentenced to die for a twin ice pick murder in California, agreed with Plankinton, who then denied repeatedly that any special arrangements had been made to elicit the confession.

According to Gilbert, Plankinton admitted to the deal several months before.

The Pahrump Valley welcomed its first recorded twins -- Zach and Andy Romeo, sons of Barbara and Lee Romeo.

20 years ago

Three town board candidates were on the ballot for the forthcoming election, as well as a question about the location of a general aviation airport in town. (Opponents of the airport measure were advertising: "Airports do not make money. Airports are subsidized by taxpayer money. Vote no on 9."

An underground blast of less than 150 kilotons was reported from the Nuclear Test Site. It was fired under Pahute Mesa. That was the ninth blast for the year, according to government announcements.

First Assistant Fire Chief Shawn Bixler had some depressing news for the town board: The fire department's air packs were delivering a mix of carbon monoxide, water, rust and oil to those making use of them, and several vehicles were in lousy shape.

One member of the audience was clearly not happy. Diana Lovelady told the board she thought this was ridiculous and someone needed to "get their act together."

Through the first three quarters of 1989, new telephone hookups in Pahrump raced along at a good clip, with a 12 percent increase reported.

Floyd's Ace Lumber & Hardware advertised three-packs of Polaroid video cassettes -- remember video cassettes? -- for a cool $8.99.

The Gold Pan Casino was heralding performances by Buddy and the Cimarron Boys, which it billed as Pahrump's only "true" country and western band.

10 years ago

Red and Jeannette Dyer were hiding, fearful for their personal safety, after District Attorney Bob Beckett gained felony arrest warrants for theft and forgery.

Attorney Ted Marshall said they had not surrendered because they were "definitely afraid of (Nye County Sheriff) Wade Lieseke."

One Halloween celebrant created mock tombstones for the Dyers, saying, "They don't get much scarier than those two."

At the same time, Lieseke expected to face a petition calling for a recall election to be filed by former Sgt. Tom "Bubba" Hannah and two others. "Say NO to conspiracy. Say NO to perjury," said the signs Hannah erected.

Pahrump Transit hoped some route changes would add something to its operation -- like more riders. The Pahrump Senior Center, Big Five Mobile Park and the Big Valley Mobile Park were added.

The RPC continued discussions on how manufactured housing should be handled in Pahrump.

The Wall Street Journal, no less, introduced readers to Pahrump by listing it as one of the best places to find an affordable second home.

Writer June Fletcher reported that Pahrump was an "inexpensive spot that is becoming popular with second home buyers" who could still "buy that dream home for as little as $100,000."