Peek at the Past: Dec. 4

Here’s what made news 24 years ago, from the Dec. 4, 1987, edition of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

Businesses sprout amid recession

The Alaska dream has faded for many since the oil money dried up. Some have lost faith and quit feeding the fire, leaving the Valley riddled with cold, empty homes. But the Last Frontier dream remains vivid in a special breed of entrepreneur willing to buck the trends and put down new roots.

With little fanfare and plenty of grit, a host of new businesses have taken root in the midst of this recession. These new commercial ventures are as diverse as the Valley itself: a waterbed outlet, a used snowmachine dealer, new chiropractors, automotive and electronic repair shops, pet and hobby shops, a new goldsmith and new eateries offering everything from pizza to carry-out sushi.

Fire call leads to marijuana harvest

Mat-Su firefighters had a high time fighting a blaze Wednesday afternoon when nearly 50 marijuana plants were found in a greenhouse connected to a burning home.

Responders were called to the home at 3:30 p.m. after a neighbor saw smoke and heard crackling wires coming from inside the trailer home. By the time 25 firefighters arrived, flames were licking out of the trailer. They entered the structure and a two-story lean-to, where they discovered the grow operation.

Family loses treasures in safe theft

A local couple can’t get over the idea that someone they knew and trusted ripped them off.

Raising five grandchildren has kept their home a loud, bustling place, but it was deadly quiet the November morning they found more than $11,000 had been stolen from their bedroom closet.

An almost 2-foot-squre fire safe that held Christmas presents, bonus checks and wedding rings exchanged 42 years earlier was gone. The thieves had to know about the safe, which was located in the closet behind some bathrobes. They walked past valuable artwork, television sets and guns to get to it.

It cost what?

According to advertisements, in December 1987 you could:

• Satisfy the lumberjack in the family with a new Stihl chainsaw for $219.95.

• Get 25 Christmas card photos for $10.50.

• Ring in the holidays with a six-pack of Lowenbrau beer for $3.95.