30 years ago
Dec. 17, 1993
Vail Municipal Court Judge Buck Allen told the Vail Trail that over the past two years, he has seen an increase in the seriousness of crimes coming through his court.
Allen said there has been an increase in the number of disorderly conduct and assault and battery charges, and larceny charges have become more significant, as well.
Allen said he suspected that the increase in reported domestic violence in the valley could be related to the high cost of housing pushing many couples close together.
“Plus the fact more people are aware of what domestic violence is,” Allen added. “Victims don’t tolerate being victims. They know what their rights are, and assert them.”
40 years ago
Dec. 18, 1983
Vail resident Mickey Johnston, a Copper Mountain ski patrolman, died after being buried in an avalanche near the summit of Copper Mountain.
It was the first avalanche death in Colorado during the 1983-84 season and the first in the 10 seasons Copper Mountain had been open.
“Johnston, 26, was performing routine avalanche control work with five other members of the ski patrol in an area south of the resort being considered for future expansion,” the Vail Trail reported. “The group had set off many explosive charges on a steep face of an open area in Gravelin Gulch … When the snow did not move, Johnston skied across the area first and made several turns when the avalanche came down on him about 9:45 a.m.”
Johnston was located with electronic beacon devices and taken down to Highway 91 where a Flight for Life helicopter was waiting, but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at St. Anthony’s hospital. The cause of death was internal injuries.
50 years ago
Dec. 21, 1973
Vice President Gerald Ford and his family were set to spend the Christmas holidays in Vail, “continuing a pattern which they have followed for the past four years,” the Vail Trail reported. “The Vice-President is here on what will hopefully be a quiet vacation and it behooves the Vail community to respect his wishes.
“It is indeed an honor to have the Fords here again and we trust they will be able to continue their twice a year visits to Vail in the future,” the Trail added.
60 years ago
Dec. 19, 1963
An idea to form a regional planning commission representing the Frying Pan Valley in Eagle County was proposed.
“This requested planning commission will work only in the area of planning and will be unable to exercise any zoning authority without public hearing,” the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.
The Frying Pan Valley planning commission was proposed as a result of the planning commission of Eagle County’s concern over the potential disorderly development of the river valleys that will be affected by the forthcoming Frying Pan-Arkansas Project.
70 years ago
Dec. 19, 1953
For the fourth consecutive year, Santa Claus was set to fly a plane into Eagle County and land on the air strip east of Gypsum, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.
Santa would be “bringing a load of toys and candy for a long list of boys and girls, whose names were furnished him by the Eagle County Lions Club,” the Enterprise reported.
Santa was set to land Dec. 19 at 11 o’clock, “and does not plan to start his return trip until after a free matinee in the Eagle Theater in the afternoon,” the Enterprise reported.
80 years ago
Dec. 18, 1943
Civil War veteran George A. Coburn, a resident of Minturn, celebrated his 98th birthday.
Coburn, at age 18, fought for the Union Army under General Grant in the Civil War, and was with the Union army that marched into Richmond when Lee surrendered to Grant, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.
“Sixteen of his friends gathered at the home of his granddaughter, Mrs. E. H. Edlund, for an evening of cards,” the Enterprise reported. “Mr. Coburn is as sharp-witted as any young man in the country, and keeps well informed on every issue of the day. For the past several years he has made his home with his granddaughter, and during that time has gotten around and made many friends.”
90 years ago
Dec. 22, 1933
Margaretta Johanna Hendrickson, an original Gypsum Valley settler, died at age 79, the Eagle Valley Enterprise reported.
Hendrickson was born in Finland and immigrated to the U.S. in 1892, settling in the Gypsum Valley with her husband, Hendrick Hendrickson, who died in 1926. Margaretta Hendrickson’s mother was still alive at the time of her death, the Enterprise reported.