PEEK AT THE PAST: Jan. 30, 1985

Here’s what made news in the Mat-Su 26 years ago, from the Jan. 30, 1985, issue of the Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman:

Houston High School expansion scrapped

Mat-Su Borough officials have canceled a proposed project that would have expanded the capacity at Houston Junior/Senior High School from 600 students to 800. The expansion, officials said, would have delayed opening the new school.

“We can’t afford to suspend construction while waiting for the ground to thaw,” said borough Manager Gary Thurlow.

In addition to delaying the planned January 1986 opening of the school, an expansion would have cost more than the $1.2 million borough officials had estimated.

Palmer-Wasilla school proposal expected

To avoid double-shifting at Wasilla High School, Mat-Su Borough and school district officials are considering asking the assembly to give the OK to begin engineering and design work on a new high school between Palmer and Wasilla.

This is in addition to the recently approved preliminary design work on a new junior high in the same area.

The catch is, if a new high school is approved, there may not be enough money for the school district to also build a 400-student addition to Palmer High School.

The funding is dependent on actions by the state Legislature and on how much bond debt the borough would incur.

MEA may pay appliance claims

Matanuska Electric Association has hired an insurance adjuster to investigate the claims of 21 Big Lake residents that a power surge damaged expensive electric appliances.

MEA will pay the claims according to the adjuster’s findings.

The surge was caused when a tree struck a high-voltage power line, which caused it to be crossed with a lower-power line, MEA reports. Included in the claims of damage are: 10 televisions, nine video cassette recorders, seven microwave ovens and numerous other appliances.

Palmer coach resigns

Don Lehman, head boys basketball coach at Palmer High School, resigns after two seasons with the Moose and an 11-38 record. He had coached for nine seasons at other schools.

Bumpus is mayor

The results are in, and Charlie Bumpus is officially Wasilla’s new mayor.

The city council certified election results that had Bumpus earning 367 votes to incumbent Ken DeCamp’s 334. DeCamp remains on the city council.

It cost what?

According to advertisements in this issue of the Frontiersman, in January 1985 you could:

• Have an 8-day Hawaii spring break trip for $653 per person.

• Shop at the new Safeway store in the Cottonwood Creek Mall in Wasilla.

• Get a 600-watt generator from United Building Supply and Home Center for $349.99.

• Watch the latest movie sensation, “2010,” which is held over at the Airport 1 Theatre.

• Pay $1.99 a pound for beef sirloin tip roast and $1.39 a pound for lean ground beef.

• Buy extra large AA eggs for 89 cents a dozen.

• Buy tomatoes for 59 cents a pound.

• Pay $45 each for winter radial tires.