This Week in Local History: Dec. 9-15

100 years

Officer Chester Smith, one of the bravest and most vigilant of Marysville's police force, shot and killed a man while he was escaping from justice. The shooting ocurred on Oak street. The victim was about one block from Third Street when he received the bullet that caused his death. It was not until he had reached the Marysville Appeal office when he stumbled and would have fallen to the curb but for the arrival of Officer Smith, who grabbed the fugitive by the collar of the coat and saved his fall.

50 years

Work started on the installation of traffic signals in Live Oak at the intersection of Highway 99E (Live Oak Boulevard) and Pennington Road. In addition to signals and highway safety lighting, the $20,000 project also included widening the highway approches to the intersection to four lanes to facillitate left turns.

25 years

Yuba County public schools were reported to have the second-highest crime rate in California, according to a report on school crime statewide. Yuba County had a crime rate at 89.7 crimes per 1,000 students. Only Lassen County, with a 94.4 rate was higher.

10 years

Surrounding oak trees and outbuildings were demolished around the Jacob Onstott house on Highway 20 west of Yuba City. The property was zoned industrial and sat on an unincorporated part of Sutter County. Local historians worried the house was next. Property owner Roy Lanza said, "The house will be perserved."

5 years

Marysville Public Works Department employees cleaned up a mess at the busy intersection of Ninth and B streets after a pallet loaded with eggs slipped off the back of a pickup. No accidents occurred as a result of the slippery mess, which was cleaned up with a type of absorbent normally used for oil spills.