From the San Saba News & Star Archives
80 Years Ago September 2, 1943
In discussing the San Saba County school situation, County Supt. E. L. Oliver states that most schools in the county will open next week, with those schools served by busses out of Richland Springs to open on Sept. 6, and those by the San Saba Independent District to open on Sept. 9.
S-Sgt. C. E. Barger, San Saba, Texas, a gunner who shot down a Messerschmitt 109 said: 'The Messerschmitt came in at my tail and opened fire at 200 yards with cannon and machine gun. That's when I opened up, too. I fired 200 rounds into his engine and he went down only 10 yards away.'
During the past week a new taxi line was opened in this city, with Sam W. Isham and Herb Taylor, San Saba business men, the members of the new firm. Two modern-type four-door sedans, offering both day and night service, have been put into service. There is not any other similar service in the city, and the need of such has been keenly felt for some time since automobile travel has been limited.
Deer on the game preserve on the Ward Holman ranch, a few miles east of town, are dying daily, according to reports, with the unusually dry weather attributed to the cause by some persons, however, W. J. Millican, a life-time citizen near Bend, thinks it may be due to ear ticks.
During the next few weeks, 20,000 cigarettes from the Liggett-Myers Tobacco Company will go to U. S. Soldiers in Alaska, as a compliments of the San Saba Junior Chamber of Commerce, it was stated here by a district representative of the company, B. F. Goreking of Waco.
Among those who had a birthday the past week were Mrs. Alice Sloan, Arch Woods, Mrs. G. A. Walters, Mrs. Carrie Seiders, Judith Patterson and Billy Cowan. Congratulations to all named above and those we did not hear of.
30 Years Ago September 2, 1993
San Saba County Schools receiving recognition by the Education Service Agency were San Saba High School receiving a gain award for outstanding effort, and Cherokee Elementary receiving an excellence award to outstanding performance.
Jeff Gillenwaters has been our newest game warden since May of this year. Jeff is from Brazoria, Texas, where he was born and raised. He attended Sam Houston State. He was a deputy sheriff for Brazoria County for ten years before moving to San Saba. This is his first year as a game warden. Jeff and his wife, Debbie, have a 13 year old daughter, Amber.
The dispatchers of the Sheriff's Office dispatch radio traffic for several different agencies. They dispatch radio transmissions for our county officers, the city police officers, game wardens, DPS, EMS, San Saba Fire Department, Richland Springs Fire Department, and city utilities as needed. Since the installation of 911 operators. Sometimes things get pretty hectic while trying to gather information from officers, answering the phones and dispatching for 911. One of the most aggravating misuses they experience while performing their duties are calls they receive from people who, if they would not make calls that pull the dispatchers away from their main functions. A few examples: Do you call 911 for emergency if you're locked in your car? Will the pool be open? Is the Jones Reunion today? These calls may seem trivial and harmless, but they do interfere with the job of helping officers enforce the law and reacting promptly and efficiently to emergencies within the county. The public has been asked before, and are going to be asked again, 'Please, do not call with such questions.' The Sheriff's office is not a telephone directory or an answering service, they are not lawyers, doctors, or members of the clergy. You are being reminded once again, please do not call in the midst of an emergency situation just to ask what's going on. Do not dial 911 just to see if someone is there. Try to impress on the children of the household to call 911 only in a real emergency, like someone is very sick or the house is on fire. By a quick response of emergency equipment and personnel, a life may be saved, or loss of property may be prevented. Don't delay this response time with unnecessary calls.