70 Years Ago
July 7, 1948
– Police cars across the region were equipped with two-way radios to allow them to maintain contact with their base stations and with other forces in neighbouring counties. The radios were also linked to a province-wide system of 11 transmitters with a control station in Aurora. The system could also be controlled at Queen’s Park.
The equipment would also allow communication between two cars, which would be useful in pursuit situations and other emergencies.
– Local Department of Agriculture representative C.W. Buchanan retired after a 37-year career, with his last 15 years in Lennox and Addington. Buchanan was also actively involved in Napanee life as a prominent member of St. Mary Magdalene Anglican Church, the Masonic Temple, and the Napanee Rotary Club.
n A metal-clad storage building at the Canada Packers plant was completely razed by fire. Local firefighters doused the building with water, but made little ground against the thick, black smoke. The entire stock of egg crates and waxed cardboard containers was destroyed. A gasoline pump inside the building caused concern, but firefighters controlled the blaze in that part of the building.
The cause of the fire was attributed to youngsters playing with matches.
40 Years Ago
July 5, 1978
– Napanee was negotiating with 12 companies willing to locate in its 102-acre industrial park, deputy-reeve Graham Strong reported. Most of the businesses were commercial or light industrial enterprises employing up to 15 workers.
The town was also closing in on commercial development fronting on Centre Street and backing on the industrial park. It was reported one of the deals was with McDonald’s Restaurant.
– South Fredericksburgh passed a bylaw to create its own fire department and named Tom Tomkow as its first chief. Council also authorized Tomkow to put out tenders for capital equipment estimated at $150,000. A fire hall in Sandhurst was being considered and the department, which would have about 25 members, would be deployed from the Lennox Generating Station in the interim.
Previously, the Bath fire department served South Marysburgh, but residential growth there had put a strain on the department’s capacity.
– Two Quinte Detention Centre inmates escaped from church leave to attend Napanee’s Evangel Temple. They made their way to River Road, stole a car, and were located in Picton. They faced charges for theft over $200 and escaping lawful custody.