Looking Back & Snapshot of the Past: January 8, 2025

by Snapshot of the Past brought to you by Monroe Co. Historical Society & Museum

2015

The oldest continuous recreation facility in Albia, the Albia Golf and Country Club has been sold for the second time since 2003. John Johnson of Omaha, a 1979 graduate of Blakesburg High School, has purchased the club from Larry Kendall, Jim Campbell, Mike Maddison, John Judge and Dayton Kendall.

Monroe County adults arc ranked 79th among Iowa counties and our hard liquor drinking dropped from I 10 gallons in 2013 to 0.99 gallons per adult in 2014

2005

The Southeastern Library Services annual statistical profile of libraries has been released and, as in past year, the Carnegie-Evans Public Library in Albia ranks near the top when comparing population, circulation and public dollars spent

The Monroe County NEST program is celebrating its fifth anniversary, and will host an open house in its new location on Friday, Jan. 14.

1995

The Chamber of Commerce names Ray Vitko Jr. as winner of the Civic Award for his many contributions to the city of Albia.

The brick building across the street from the Albia Newspapers is demolished to make room for a parking lot.

Mark Sertterh was red hot, shooting 53 percent while scoring 27 points, but with everyone else shooting cold, Pella prevailed, 79-69.

Kevin Pickerell remains unbeaten at 16-0 as the Demons lose to archrival Centerville. Adam Mick and Stuart Hoven were the only other two Blue Demons with a win.

Dan Tometich was chosen to fill out the unexpired term of Jack Colwell’s seat of the city council. LeRoy Ostermeyer and Larry Johnson were also considered.

1985

June Smith is retiring after 11 years as Grant Elementary’s custodian. Lorraine Carr will replace her.

The Lady Dees knock off SCC leading Knoxville, 51-48. Donna Flahive shot 60 percent from the field leading her team with 22 points. Julie Yarkosky pulled down 11 rebounds to lead the backcourt.

The Blue Demon matmen beat Davis County 28-27 with only five wins, four of them by pin. Troy Folkerts, Dan Sinnott, Larry Kendall, Dave Wenger and Kevin Garrison had wins

The Demons ran into a slowdown offense in Blakesburg but got aggressive and won 74-57 Norm Stocker led Albia with 11 points

1975

A prisoner in the Monroe County jail unsatisfied with his conditions started a fire by piling his clothes, paper and towels onto his bunk and lighting them. The blaze was quickly extinguished

The wrestlers break a three-meet losing skid by defeating Knoxville 27-22. Rick Bricker, Bill Caudill, Joe Corso, Dan Montgomery and Dan Reed had wins.

The Blue Demon cagers got even to an earlier loss to Osceola by whipping the Indians 72-52. Steve Haluska led the team with 27 points

1965

The county auditors office paid $76 15 from the bounty fund during 1964. Payments were made for 11 wolves, three gophers and a rattlesnake.

Thirty domestic animals were claimed killed by dogs or wolves in 1964 and the county auditor paid claims totaling $2,270. Claims were filed for 48 ewes, 70 lambs, one sow, six pigs, five gilts, 50 chickens and one calf.

The ACHS Demon cage team went cold in the final quarter allowing Chariton to beat them, 69-56. Tony Overturf led with 17 points.

The Demon wrestling squad was soundly defeated by Chariton, 52-0.

Thirty-one streetlights became the victim of a bee-bee gun over one night.

1955

The Mighty Shamrocks of Melrose high brought an end to Russell’s 17-game winning streak when they won 43-37.

Dr. R.A. Smith has two stipulations before he will consider closing his hospital in Albia. First the county hospital must be enlarged and the county hospital must purchase all of the equipment and furnishings from Smith hospital for $9,000

1945

Six foreign bom residents of Monroe County have received their naturalization papers. Included in the group were John Stoffa of Lovilia, from Czech-Slovakia and Martin Scalar, Albia Route 3, from Italy

In an effort to stop “raids” on days cigarettes go up for sale, cigarette ration cards are now being handed out.

The state of Iowa has purchased Cottonwood Pits and will be converting it into a state park. The lakes will be stocked with fish, picnic fireplaces, benches and tables will be built this spring.

Sufficient drama was packed into the last thirty seconds of the Melrose-Albia basketball game Friday night to last the average fan for a whole season. With the Demons leading by one point, 24-23, the walls of the Melrose Community Hall were bulging outward from the tension when Kenworthy stepped up to the free throw line for a gift shot. The Melrose forward missed the attempt to tie but O’Conner scrappy Shamrock guard fought his way in with the rebound and dropped it through for the victory margin.

Staff-Sgt. Mario Sebben, son of Mr. and Mrs. Santo Sebben of Lovilia, has been listed as missing in action in France since Sept. 15. Sebben has landed with the 10th Armored Infantry Battalion in France with the invasion forces.

1935

There have been 74 arrests for intoxication by the Albia Police since the state liquor store opened here, compared to 62 in a corresponding period before it was established, records in the office of Mayor W S. Lewis show. City police handled virtually all arrests for intoxication. He said most of his “customers” still say they became intoxicated on beer, many explaining it: “I had been drinking beer all day, then took a drink of whiskey and it was too much for me.”

With feed scarce the sale barn sees an increase in cattle sales.