Much of the news in September over the years involved local schools. In 1933, they would open on Sept. 25 with the board hoping for “at least 8 months,” and the rural schools in the county conducted immunizations against diphtheria.
In 1948, council announced the 20 mph limit in school zones would be strictly enforced and appointed Adrian Steck, deputy police officer, to enforce this. Inspecting the school, the fire department held an unscheduled fire drill and found the entire school emptied in 1 minute 20 seconds.
Facing the energy shortage of 1973, the schools feared closing if DP&L couldn’t supply sufficient natural gas.
In 1998, the board debated a decision not to cut anyone from middle school athletics. Proponents claimed this would increase the skills and interest of middle schoolers so they would want to play in high school, while opponents argued if students did not have to compete for the teams they would not work as hard.
In 2022, the plaza in front of the Brookville stadium’s concessions stand and Spirit Shop was named “Hopkins Plaza” for former superintendent Tim Hopkins, who had retired to become interim principal of Northmoor Elementary School in Englewood.
Three Wayne High school buses crashed on an exit ramp at Hoke Road near the Miami Valley Career Technology Center, slightly injuring 15 students.
The area also faced civic concerns. In 1948, the Pennsylvania Railroad announced it would end the mail stop in Brookville but would establish highway service. Later, officials said the morning mail train would still stop at 5:45 a.m., but a truck to Dayton would replace the later train. The Brookville Star recommended airmail to get quick delivery to eastern states.
A combined effort in 1998 by police in Brookville, Perry Township and New Lebanon plus the county sheriff led to the arrest of 11 adults and three juveniles for selling drugs, and a week later another adult surrendered in the case.
In 1948, the Star called the preceding year its “hardest in its 57 years,” but in 1998 Ed and Lydia Bogall thanked the Star for publicity that helped them get a special formula for their daughter.
There were civic activities and accomplishments. Some seem quaint; in 1933 a minstrel show, and a horseshoe pitching tournament were scheduled at Golden Gate Park.
In 1973 Roy Somers’s hardware store celebrated 60 years in the business, and in 1998, Bud Drexler celebrated 50 years in the appliance business.
In 1973 Donna Jarvis had the Champion Crossbred Heifer at the county fair, and Sharon Chambers had the Reserve Champion Polled Hereford Heifer.
In 1998 Bobbie Walklet began researching a book on the history of Brookville, helped by a grant to the Historical Society from the Montgomery Arts and Culture District, and the Lewisburg Historical Society dedicated its restored caboose two years after it burned.
In 2022, Perry Township officials commended Police Officer Anthony Winn for stopping a potential suicide he encountered when off duty. Verona Fire Chief Raymond Rayburg said a donation of $168,000 from the estate of Joe Miller, a former firefighter, would put them “over the top” to build a new fire station.
Some burglars in 1933 had perhaps the worst September of anyone. They wrestled a 500 pound safe from Steck Bakery and took the drivers’ purses from a desk. The purses contained $10; the safe was unlocked and empty.
