A weekly look back at historic moments
25 YEARS AGO Sally the cow takes a dip in the lake
OROVILLE >> It was a rescue unlike any other, but Sally the Cow was finally winched out of Lake Oroville and dried out.
“I’ve never rescued a cow before,” said State Park and Recreation Ranger Bob Grisak, tightening a lasso around the milker’s neck. And he still hadn’t after his efforts. Sally is fiberglass, not horns and hoofs.
After 24 hours in the frigid waters of Oroville’s South Fork near Stringtown, Sally was roped and towed to the Bidwell Marina. “It’s about as heavy as a 16-foot Bayliner.” Grisak added. The black and white cow, unbracketed from a trailer, was bobbing about 300 yards from the Stringtown Boat Launch.
“It was absolutely the most bizarre property recovery I’ve ever been involved with,” Grisak said, laughing. “It was udderly ridiculous.”
Owners of the 12-foot cow believe Sally didn’t leave willingly Friday morning from Tyler’s Cheaper parking lot on Olive Highway, where she was used to advertise milk prices. When the $12,000 cow hadn’t been found by Friday, Tyler Benbow, grocery store manager, posted a 100-gallon milk reward for her return. The reward of gift certificates will be split between Kirk Shortz of Oroville and those who helped pull Sally out of the water. …
Rustlers seemed more interested in the dual-car trailer Sally was bolted to than fiberglass sirloin or jugs full of the white stuff. — Enterprise-Record,
January 18, 1995.
50 YEARS AGO
Storm Problems Mount
A three-day storm, expected to blow out later today, caused severe flooding in Oroville and dumped nearly nine inches of water on the Paradise area. In Oroville, water rose rapidly, blocking intersections and flooding some homes. One woman on Wilcox Avenue reported two inches of water in her home at 9 a.m. today. Several cars on Oro-Dam Boulevard east of Olive Highway were completely under water and several rowboats were seen in use.
Several homes were flooded on Boynton Avenue near Grand View in Thermalito and Oro-Dam Boulevard just west of the lower Thermalito Bridge was impassable at one time. …
Downtown Oroville businesses reported water coming in along Montgomery Street near the Meyers, Huntoon and Downer Street intersections. Police blocked some intersections. …
— Chico Enterprise-R,
January 14, 1970
75 YEARS AGO 200 Gift Boxes Quota Set by Junior Red Cross
Announcing the quota of 200 gift boxes to be filled by the Chico chapter of the Junior Red Cross for young war victims, Mrs. B.W. Shaper, chairman, said “goodwill and understanding is our silent offering in gift boxes to the children of occupied countries recently released form bondage by the Allies.”
Assembling the boxes of toothpaste, soap and articles to further education and rehabilitation will be divided between two groups, one headed by Mrs. Ruth Straley of College Elementary and the other by Mrs. Irene S. Owings of Central Elementary school.
Although the National Children’s Fund has been in existence since 1919, maintained by voluntary contributions made by the American Junior Red Cross in order to meet emergency needs of children throughout the world, the fund has assumed importance for educational and health rehabilitation in war-torn areas around the world.
The American Junior Red Cross of Chico, led by Mrs. B.W. Shaper, and her co-workers met this challenge to do humane work and a great service among the children of many lands.
— Chico Daily Enterprise,
January 17, 1945
100 YEARS AGO Chico Normal Will Be In Effect University and Junior College
Chico state Normal school in effect becomes a junior college and, although not in name and administration, a branch state university, through addition of subjects of collegiate standing, it was announced today by President C.M. Osenbaugh. Extensions in other departments were also announced.
The midyear term begins Feb. 2, when courses will be opened in additional subjects of collegiate standing for junior college and intermediate certification.
“This means a broadening and dignifying of the Normal,” said Osenbaugh, “and is a step in the direction followed by the Los Angeles Normal. The Chico Normal will be practically the same as a branch of the University of California, while retaining its own identity and administration.”
Subjects in which collegiate standing for junior college and intermediate certification will be given are: French, trigonometry, solid geometry, analytical geometry, biology, government of states and nation, modern European history, English and literature.
The regular electives in the various departments also fulfill junior college and intermediate certification requirements. …
— Chico Daily Enterprise,
January 17, 1920