• Feb. 5, 1948

Although the fuel oil shortage had not been so keenly felt in Hartley as in other sections of the state, plans were discussed by the Chamber of Commerce to set up an emergency fuel oil council. The committee would attempt to allocate fuel oil so that all would receive enough to heat their homes.

The Hartley Hawks made history when they marched through the three toughest opponents, Sheldon, Primghar and Gaza, to win the O’Brien County basketball tournament. In the title game, Hartley pulled away from tournament dark horse Gaza, 55-38, a team expected to give the Hawks a desperate battle.

A fire caused by a leak in a gasoline stove almost completely destroyed the dwelling of Jim Campbell in south Hartley. The fire department and well-wishers had already collected over $300 to aid him in establishing a new home.

• Feb. 1, 1973

Lifetime membership certificates were presented by the Hartley Chamber of Commerce to Bill Goering, Harry Ketelsen, V.A. McCroskey, Bill Meier and Ray Reinke.

A steering committee under the leadership of Pastors Bernard Sayler and Keith Scott met to formulate plans for a fundraising drive for the proposed addition to Mann Memorial Wing. The goal of the drive was set at $100,000. All funds were to be used for construction of six two-person rooms and a lounge.

Hartley Community School was one of 20 schools in Iowa selected to participate in a study of teacher evaluation utilizing student growth as a factor. Participants included the superintendent, the principals, a school board member and three classroom teachers.

• Feb. 5, 1998

The Hartley Fire Department asked the city council to include funding above the regular budget in order to purchase equipment and personal protective gear. The $25,290 requested would be spread over three years. The department planned to purchase coats, bunker gear, an air bag starter set and motion detector alarms. The firemen also designated $11,000 from their fundraiser fund to purchase radios and other equipment.

Although the fate of a local option sales tax had not been decided, the Hartley Economic Development Corporation had ideas about how the potential revenues should be spent. The HEDC board recommended that the city allocate $10,000 each year to the fire department, ambulance and parks, and designate any additional funds to the library until the building was paid off.

From Our Files” is compiled by Sentinel-News sports editor/staff writer Mike Petersen.