A Look Back …This week in the Forks Forum

Published 1:30 am Thursday, January 29, 2026

This week in 2001, the Spartan Boys were tied for first place in the league. Judge Erik Rohrer was set to be sworn in at District II Court in Forks. An 81-year-old man from Gig Harbor was missing in the Queets River area after getting separated from his hiking party. A search was ongoing. It was senior project showcase time, and several photos appeared in the paper (photo).

Fifty years ago this week, the Forks Chamber had nominated Betty Zepeda to represent Forks in Washington State’s Mother of the Year contest. The Forks School had received a new ‘76 Ford Maverick, along with a used ‘75 Ford Maverick, supplied through Birdwell Ford on a free loan from the Ford Motor Company for Drivers’ Ed. The only cost to the school was insurance. Instruction and gas expenses were covered by the State through funding derived from the first $5 of every traffic ticket. There had been a juvenile crime spree of vandalism and theft. The Sheriff’s department had identified the suspects, and court hearings were pending. The Odyssey 200, with 3 video games, was now available at A&A Electronics. FHS wrestlers were pictured.

In 1969, even more snow had fallen, five feet in many places. Del Huggins was photographed shoveling snow off the Variety Store roof.

This week in 1954, it was announced that Barbara Landry and Charles Kaye Kelso had tied the knot. The fire department was hoping voters would approve a new fire truck.

This week in 1940, it was announced that the Astels, from Oak Harbor, had purchased the Forks Forum from Mae Wenham, who had owned the paper for 5 years. Grandma Klahn, turning 100 on Feb. 3, had received a birthday card from President Roosevelt and was to be featured on the NBC Cheerio Program on the radio. Local dogs were being blamed for an epidemic of ringworm.