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1945: JUDGE WARNS JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES

 
Published July 8, 2010

City Judge Arthur J. Grant gave a stern warning to members of the Jehovah's Witnesses yesterday afternoon that they must cease trespassing on private property and any other actions that prove objectionable to citizens.

"I am warning you that there have been complaints from residents here about your trespassing, and it must not continue," he said.

Raymond Gooch, a defendant, asked the judge where his house is, and when given this information, he said, "We will not trespass on your property."

He did not state what he would do regarding the balance of the warning.

The case against Gooch and R.D. Daymond, both of Clearwater, who entered not guilty pleas to operating a sound truck without a city permit, was continued for two weeks so they can secure counsel and advice from sources in New York. Gooch said he was not operating a sound truck and that the city ordinance that requires a license applies only to commercial concerns.

"We are a religious organization, and I am a minister of the Gospel," Gooch said.

S.C. Beebe, a Dunedin resident charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, entered a plea of not guilty. When fined $8 and costs, he said, "I won't pay you a cent. I will take this case to the Supreme Court first."

He was given two weeks to think it over.

A large delegation of people gathered at the Town Hall to hear what went on. They are waiting to see what action the members of Jehovah's Witnesses will take regarding a meeting next Sunday afternoon. They may have more trouble obtaining permission to use a lot this time.

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JULY 13, 1936

Broadcasts now reach North Pinellas

CLEARWATER - Starting Saturday night, radio stations WFLA and WSUN began operating with increased signal strength in a sector formerly cut out almost completely by a shield tower at the Bayview transmitter.

The increase in signal strength means that Tarpon Springs and other communities in the northern part of the county can receive the station satisfactorily and that the reception in north Clearwater and Dunedin will be improved.

Walter Tison, director of WFLA, said that formerly little or no night reception was possible at Tarpon Springs.

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JULY 4, 1936

Candidates spend $25,000 in primaries

CLEARWATER - Candidates for county and district offices filed their lists of expenditures for the first and second primaries yesterday, and the total amounted to more than $25,000.

Jack F. White, who won a hard and bitter fight for county judge, spent a total of $1,215, with an additional $138.10 for election workers, to top all other candidates in expenditures.

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