Screaming Woman Escapes Purse Robber — 65 Years Ago

A brief summary of some front-page news from the weekly El Cerrito Journal, Aug. 22, 1946:

A Robbery, A Scream, A Run for It

A "holdup man" who had his "hand in his pocket simulating a gun" didn't scare Mrs. Gladys Hoppee. When she and a friend, Mrs LaVern Arnett, were ordered by the unidentified robber to drop their purses on the ground at Cutting Boulevard and Winton Street, she instead "ran away screaming for help." Mrs. Arnett complied and surrendered her purse, which contained "$11 and the usual articles."

Council to Consider Establishing Local Sales Tax

The El Cerrito City Council agenda includes a "proposed ordinance setting up a one-half of one percent sales tax for El Cerrito." Mayor Heinkel estimated that the levy would bring in $35,000 a year.

Record For Police Bench

On Tuesday night, Police Judge G.A. Vaughn had one of the busiest nights in the city's history when 126 people appeared before him. Collected was a record-setting high of $1,319.50 for traffic violations and $385.50 for for misdemeanors. Five people accused of drunken driving paid $750, but Robert Nestor chose four days in jail instead of a $20 fine for speeding.