This week in history – from The Arlington Times archives

10 Years Ago 1997

10 Years Ago 1997

Arlington Mayor Bob Kraskis time is at hand. He announced his plan to bid for a seat on the Snohomish County Council as a Republican. Kraski, who is currently serving his second term as mayor, made his formal announcement lasts week. I feel that seat needs to be filed by someone with good qualifications, he said. My time as mayor has prepared me well for this position. Among the issues needing attention at the county level, Kraski said are safety, criminal justice, demands on the water supply and continued efforts to enhance senior citizens lives. Kraski was elected mayor by the City Council in October of 1990, when then-Mayor John Larson resigned, citing continuing health problems. After serving out Larsons term, Kraski won a tight race in November, 1991s general election for the position. Before being elected mayor, he served as councilman in Arlington for more than two terms. The mayorial slot, if Kraski wins the seat, will be filled temporarily by a present member of the council. The City Council seat that will be vacant will be filled through an application process, the council members voting on the best candidate. Ive spent six great years on the City Council, he said, and I want to thank the people of Arlington for all the support theyve given me over the years. Kraski is the current chairperson of the Snohomish County Emergency Management Board. He also serves as co-chair of Snohomish County Tomorrow and is on the community board of the North Snohomish County Health System.

25 Years Ago 1982

An estimated $10,000 to $15,000 in general merchandise was burglarized from the Oso General Store sometime Friday night or early Saturday morning, according to the Snohomish County Sheriffs Department. The U.S. Post Office station, located in the store, was also robbed, said Sheriffs Sgt. Sam Goss. The burglary is being investigated by both the sheriff and the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Owen Hargrove, the storeowner, said entry was apparently gained by ripping a back door off of the building. Goss said the items taken included hardware, cigarettes, beer and foodstuffs. You name it, they took it, he said. Goss declined to say what was taken from the Post Office station, except to note that items of value were missing.

50 Years Ago 1957

The name of Marina Tollifson of State Route 2, Snohomish, was drawn as prize winner from 21 correct identifications of the Peter Jenson, or former Harter farm, in last weeks Mystery Farm contest. The latest four-lane extension and re-routing of Highway 99 cut a 23-acre swath through the center of the 113-acre Peter Jenson Farm, ending a profitable dairy operation and forcing a change-over to sheep raising as an alternative. The Jenson barn, a landmark on the old Marysville highway, is remarkable for its size, being built originally as a show-barn, according to Jensons guess. When he took up dairying there, about 1943, the present modern [1957] silo had not been built, and re-arranging was necessary to provide for an efficient diary operation. Although Mr. Jenson recently sold his herd to his dairying son, Grant, he has run as many as 75 head, with some 46 milking, mainly Holstein. Grant, 24, returned from army service in 1955, and took over much of the diary chores at that time and at the same time, developed head of his own. He is now living on the Olson place, near Silvana. Mr. Jenson has followed a varied career leaving North Dakota to raise draft horses in Canada in 1914. The advent of the tractor brought an end to this venture, and he returned to the U.S., settling in Everett, where he became a top body and fender man and auto painter. He operated his own shop south of Everett for some 11 years, until the painting began to affect his health, and he took up dairying. The Jenson family is a large and active one of three girls and five boys. The youngest, Dwight, 15, is attending Arlington High School. The oldest boy, Harland, 32, is a minister, having a church at Warm Beach. Earnest, 21, is working with Grant on the latters farm, while Keith, 19, is in the armed service. The three girls, Madelene, Ardelle and Donna are all married, and in each case they entered bank work prior to matrimony. Donna and Ardelle are still working in Everett banks, while Madelene is a member of a TV troupe, the Gospel Westernaires, who appear on Channel 13 on Saturdays during the fall and winter seasons. She sings and plays the bass viol.