War, gambling and business as usual were news in Sparks — even in 1942.

This Friday edition of the paper previewed the coming Monday’s City Council meeting and, as is often the case today, the agenda was filled with the usual financial affairs that warranted a short mention on the front page. A picture on the front page highlighted Lt. John D. Bulkeley for being commander of a ship that made a daring attack on a Japanese ship and torpedoed it under heavy fire. In other World War II news, German, Italian and Japanese nationals were given a few extra days to report to the U.S. attorney for Nevada to apply for a certificate (similar to a passport) that had to be carried with them at all times. These people would be asked questions to determine whether they might have sympathies with the Axis countries with which the U.S. was at war. Making news lower on the page but important on the local level was the enlistment of a Sparks mail carrier and the city engineer in the Navy.

At the state level, the proceeds from Boulder Dam were causing headaches at the Legislature. Also making news from Carson City was gaming license revenues; the largest intake at the time was $103,084.39 for 1941.

On the Sparks scene, two local funerals made the front page, as did praise for two Sparks girls who received high scholastic honors at the University of Nevada. The Sparks High boys basketball team was set to face Lovelock at home in a battle for second place and 24 local women completed a first aid course. All the women’s names were printed, so everyone knew who to turn to in a life-threatening situation.