War Officials End "Dim-Out," Little Girl Takes a Hike – Top News in 1945

The front page of the weekly El Cerrito Journal for today, Aug. 9, in 1945 reflects a 28-year-old city contending with homefront concerns and impacts of war as the nation begins to hope that World War II might soon be over. Here are some of the actual headlines from the paper's front page, followed by our brief summaries of the articles:

Cancel Dim-Out
of Night Lights
Welcome News

Chief of Police Floyd Gilbert this week announced that he welcomed the cancellation of Dim-Out of Night Ligthts in business buildings and requested that local businesses resume use of night lighting to help prevent burglary and to help police on their night rounds. The cancellation of the Dim-Out, by the Western Defense Command, took effect Aug. 1.

Four-Year-Old
Took a Walk

The relief was great when police brought home Sandra Goldstone, a pretty blond 4-year-old, alive and well, and not too badly bruised after her disappearance from her front yard at 846 Kearney Street Saturday night. "I just took a walk," she cooly declared after her two-hour sojourn in which she pleasantly wended her way through various neighborhoods until she tried to cross the busy intersection at San Pablo and Marin avenues. She was bumped by a car driven by J.D. Slocum of 811 Central Avenue and was taken to Berkeley hospital for first-aid treatment of a black eye and scratched forehead, after which she was brought home by El Cerrito police Officer Harold Woods.

German Souvenirs
Arrive From Private
Howard Mackey, Jr.

The parents of Private Howard Mackey, Jr. are exciting the interest of their friend with the growing trove of German souvenirs sent home in boxes on eight separate occassions by their son in Germany. Mr. and Mrs. Howard Mackey's collection now includes eight German rifles, including two museum-quality old hunting rifles, a German helmet, a striking beer stein decorated with odd picture, a beautiful sword, knives and numerous ribbons and medals. Their son has been transferred to the 30th Infantry group in the Third Army and is awaiting assignment.  

Only Twelve
Accidents Here
In Past Month

There were only 12 accidents in El Cerrito in July, with eight being non-injury and with less property damage than normal, according to the monthly report from police Officer Robert E. Bowers. Four accidents involved injuries, including one fatality, raising the total for 1945 to four deaths. Three of the injury accidents were pedestian and car, while one was a collision of vehicles. One driver was taken to police court for felony hit and run. One injury accident occurred in a residential neighborhood at Potrero and Elm, and the other three all happened on San Pablo – at Plumas, at Stockton and at Waldo.

Click  for other vignettes we've published about El Cerrito history. Click the Keep the Keep me posted button below for alerts to future articles in this series. You can find some back issues of the El Cerrito Journal at the Shadi Historical Room at City Hall, open to the public on the third Thursday of each month, 4:30-6 p.m.