1949: Prehistoric fossils from 75 million years ago found

75 years ago May 1949 More than 100 fossils, including the three-toed horse, rhinoceros and bear-like dogs were found in John Day Fossil Beds State Park in Eastern Oregon. The remains told a strange history that goes back as far as 75 million years, when prehistoric beasts inhabited an area bounded by seas that have long disappeared. Norman Pilliard sold his interest in the Chevron Service Station in Loomis to Harold Pilliard. Armed robberies were on the rise in California along with the passing of bad checks. The increase in unemployment may be one cause. Many common notions about dogs had no facts to back them up, such as mongrels were smarter, healthier and more loyal than purebred dogs. Were that true, mongrels would be commanding top prices as companions and used as guide dogs and serving in the armed forces. President Truman would like a $4 billion tax increase if Congress would agree. Historical note: When California's first public school opened in Portsmouth Plaza, San Francisco on April 3, 1848, there were 60 school-age children living in the city. Baccalaureate services for Placer High School and Placer College Classes of 1949 included Rev. David Ralston of the Newcastle Community Church delivering the Invocation and Rev. Harry Martynse of the Loomis Congregational Church handling the Scripture Reading. Placer High's famous A Capella Choir provided the Sacred Music. Standing guard - oral histories: Susan Hiromoto Goto was born in Clarksburg in 1932, where her father grew asparagus. Susan's first school was a two-room schoolhouse on Ryer Island. "My brother rowed across the river, rain or shine, to catch our bus for school." Her class was comprised of enough Japanese American children that when orders for evacuation came in 1942, "It left just one student, Dina Volpi, who was Italian." 50 years ago June 19, 1975 Services were conducted for Katherine J. Mortensen, 52, a native of Saginaw, Michigan, and a resident of the Newcastle area for the past eight years. She owned and operated Susie Q Drive-In in Fair Oaks. Jennifer Nash of Penryn earned runner-up in the Western High Horse Show during May's Western Schooling Show. Bryan Cook was the new superintendent of the Loomis Union School District. One issue he would deal with was the developments in the condemnation proceeding against the Earl Gates property. Gates asked $4,500 an acre for his land. As an offshoot of the Loomis Community Nursery School, Linda Leman started a babysitting coop. Historical note: The 1922 graduating class at Loomis School were Chiyo Takuma, Edith Stowell, Miyoshi Sugasawa, Mary Harness, Norma Bowman, Maude Oaks, Norma Hutton, Vida Hull, Claire Cook, Helen Barnes, Albert Goodwin, Grant Perry and Everett "Squeekie" Scroggs. Their teacher was Mrs. Maude Oaks. A recent graduate of UC Santa Barbara was Jean Mulder of Loomis. Bob Cline of Loomis was named Director of Competition for the Demolition Derby during the Auburn District Fair. Bob was a super modified driver of the CSRA. Former South Vietnamese Premiere Nguyen Cao Ky held a press conference on the quiet lawn of the Weimar Medical Facility, now called Hope Village. He emphasized that the refugees simply want to integrate into the American way of life. A gathering of refugees housed at Weimar listened to their former leader. 25 years ago June 22, 2000 A funeral mass was held for Marielle Ann Piazza, 52, a native of Park Rapids, Minnesota, and a resident of the Loomis area for the past 25 years. She and her husband Frank were past owners of the Piazza Family Market on Barton Road in Roseville. Marielle was a member of St. Peter and Paul's Catholic Church in Rocklin. A memorial service was held for John Michael Garcia, 18, a Del Oro High School graduate, where he was an outstanding baseball player. John was diagnosed with a blood infection. Barbara Nichols, Sonja Maggard and Event Chair Cheryl Stokes were excited about the "Burgers and Boots" fundraiser for the restoration of the fruit sheds in Loomis. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo graduates included Theresa Marie Bisauta, Nichole Louise Humfield, Stacy Marie Maier, Valarie J. Siems and Adrienne Renee Stillwell of Granite Bay; Robert Andrew Burger and Jennifer Marie Sparks of Penryn; Tamiya B. Davis, Bret A. Moore and Rebecca Anne Otley of Loomis. Hope Lutheran School in Penryn added 2,400 square feet of classroom space. Doupnik Manufacturing moved the buildings into place. The Placer Legacy open space program was endorsed by all members of the county supervisors. The Republican Central Committee and the Placer County Taxpayers League were opposed to the program. Pat Green was in charge of the South Placer Little League closing ceremonies. During the season, she helped Christine Hood with scorekeeping. The Loomis Boy Scout Troop 12 Court of Honor highlight was the Barry Hopkins Jr. Spirit Award given to Tim Therien. The award went to a scout who demonstrated leadership and helpfulness. Tim was also honored as Assistant Senior Patrol Leader. Also honored were Alex Nitta as Senior Patrol Leader, JP Newsom as Quartermaster, Ross Jackson-Scribe, Erich Grunder-Librarian and Brandon Brooks-Historian.