Throwback Thursday: Drinking juveniles and a berry big problem | THE BAINBRIDGE BLAB

Published 2:15 pm Thursday, June 9, 2016

It’s Throwback Thursday, so let’s look back at the way things used to be (as detailed in the pages of the Bainbridge Review).

Today, we turn to the Thursday, June 13, 1957 edition of the paper.

Front Page

Judge Warns On Drinking By Juveniles

Parents and juveniles this week were warned by Justice of the Peace Wilbur Nystrom of a new and sterner policy, including possible jail sentences, in connection with juvenile drinking.

“Parents may be required to appear at hearings,” Judge Nystrom, the Island’s only justice of the peace, said in a written statement to The Review. “Who knows? Some of them may be found guilty of contributing to the delinquency of minors.”

The judge said he had assurances from peace officers that state laws relative to driving, drinking, possession of intoxicants and conduct relating to these offenses by juveniles “will be enforced according to the law.”

“This includes jail sentences,” he said.

It is illegal for persons less than 21 years old to possess or drink intoxicating beverages.

Mr. Nystrom said the new policy means that the old system of warnings, instead of arrest citations, is canceled because of an increase in violations.

He defended his present policy of leniency with first-offenders in traffic cases and said it is “quite effective.” But he added:

“The matter of drinking in violation of the present state law is a different matter, and first-offenders usually are old-offenders just apprehended. This is a matter for parents to think on seriously while they have minor children in their custody.”

State Patrolman Frank Perry told The Review he had stopped 23 teenagers who had been drinking, in the past two weeks.

Judge Nystrom said he hoped that “a word to the wiwe now will be helpful.”

Page Six

Some Bainbridge Growers Netting Nothing On Berries

Not only are Bainbridge Island strawberry growers receiving the lowest price in history, but there is no margin of profit at all for those who have government loans, it developed this week.

The growers started to receive eight cents per pound for berries at processing plants last week, including the Island’s new Northwest Berry Packers establishment in Winslow.

Most growers, however, figure that it costs them six cents per pound to pick and transport the berries to the processor.

The two-cent balance, it developed this week, is being used to repay government loans taken out when Island growers suffered crop losses in a freeze in November, 1955. This means those growers have absolutely nothing left for themselves.

The only hope appeared to be an extension of the government loan payments. Federal agents were reported to be studying the situation.

Winslow has 818 Now, State Says

Winslow’s population is 818 persons the State Census Board said this week in a preliminary report which, when completed, will be used to determine allocation of certain state funds.

This is a gain from the 756 population given the town last year by the board.

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