Monday, Jun. 23, 2008

June 23 in Merced history: Air Guard starts training

June 23, 1958: An intricate network of communications for the air defense of Northern California began taking form at the Merced County Fairgrounds today.

There were 280 men of the California Air National Guard at the fairgrounds either directing operations or unloading 35 trucks carrying electronic equipment that will provide for enemy aircraft detection and necessary air interception.

The guardsmen will be at Merced two weeks, the period set aside each year for their summer training.

They are attached to the 148th Air Control and Warning Squadron, of Compton. The squadron is part of the 162nd Technical Control Group, which commands units also in Washington and Oregon. The group has five squadrons in California. Units other than the 148th are taking summer training near San Francisco, Marysville and Hayward.

Lt. Col. Edmund E. Shaheen, 148th commander, said various types of aircraft to be used during summer camp will arrive in Merced by Wednesday. Planes are used for simulated missions.

The primary mission of the 148th is "air defense detection and enemy air interception," Col. Shaheen said.

Three Air Force advisers are assigned to the 148th for summer camp. Men of the squadron also are Air Force reservists.

The unit was called upon to provide air defense for California during the Korean conflict. On June 14, 1948, the squadron was organized.

June 23, 1983

A WAR-LIKE SCENE AS FIRE DESTROYS WINTON SHOP:

Exploding bullets kept firefighters on their toes here, this morning. But despite the war-like scene, the fire at Bob's Bait and Tackle Shop was under control about 20 minutes after trucks arrived.

The fire at 7071 N. Winton Way was contained in the bait shop and didn't spread to near-by businesses. Fire officials estimate a loss of about $80,000 to the building and contents, but figure they saved about $300,000 in surrounding structures.

Cause of the 1:43 a.m. fire is under investigation, Merced County Fire Department Engineer Harold Petersen said.

"We had to fight World War III with all the ammunition and propane bottles going off," said Petersen, but no one was injured. Firefighters, he added, battled the fire "very carefully."

The building is owned by Bill Haldeman of Atwater, while the bait shop is owned by Calvin Murphy of Turlock.

Trucks from Winton, Atwater, Livingston and Merced rolled to the blaze in the downtown district. More than 20 firefighters worked for about

2 1/2 hours controlling the fire and mopping up.

June 23, 1998

LE GRAND LIBRARY FUNDS ARE OK'D:

Officials with Merced County and the Le Grand Union High School District have agreed to chip in additional funds to cover the cost of building a new library in the community.

The additional money was approved after the apparent low bid for the project was more than $148,000 over the established construction budget.

The total budgeted for the project at the time was $399,855, of which $359,050 was for constuction, County Public Works Director Paul Fillebrown told supervisors last week.

The school district had committed $200,000 to the project, he said while a $199,855 supplementary grant from the California State Library was to have covered the rest.

Officials could have redesigned and re-bid the project, but the process would have required additional delays, Fillebrown said.

The supplemental library grant was tied to assurances from Merced County and the high school district that they would provide additional funds and complete the project without further delay, he said.