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Let's Go Back for May 30, 2014

by jmaloni
Sat, Jun 7th 2014 10:55 am

40 Years Ago, May 22, 1974

Kaegebein fire

Students at the Kaegebein Elementary School responded well when the fire alarm bells rang, signaling an evacuation drill Monday morning. This time it was no drill, and the students were met with the arrival of the Grand Island Volunteer Fire Co.

A small fire of undetermined origin had started in the office of the school's gymnasium while teachers and students were enjoying outdoor physical education because of the pleasant spring day.

Returning to the gym, the instructors smelled smoke and upon opening the office door, discovered the blaze. Mr. William Flaherty, gym instructor, quickly obtained a fire extinguisher and the blaze was out by the time the fire company arrived. Nevertheless, students were held out-of-doors, according to Mrs. Norma Sutter, principal, until firemen had checked everything thoroughly and assured her that it was safe for them to return to the building. School continued on without further interruption.

40 Years Ago, May 18, 1984

'Sobriety checkpoint' program starts

"Drunk driving is a crime that must be stopped, not a bad habit to be excused," said New York State Police Superintendent Donald O. Chesworth as the new "Sobriety Checkpoint" program started in the area.

Troop A of the State Police started setting up "announced moving locations" last week, keeping them in place for at least two hours at sites and times determined by traffic analysis on the basis of "alcohol-related accident experience." ...

Sgt. Patrick O'Reilley, State Police public information officer, explained that while State Police roadblocks have routinely been set up in observance of all motor vehicle rules and regulations, this is the first ongoing program that will stop cars specifically for DWI violations.

20 Years Ago, May 20, 1994

Fire company, Dispatch observe anniversaries

Grand Island firefighters will observe the 56th anniversary of the fire company's founding at a dinner tomorrow in the firehall. The fire company was just six years old when the first Island Dispatch made its debut in 1944.

The Island's population was less than 1,000 when the Town Board approved the formation of the organization in April 1938. The state granted a certificate of incorporation two days later and the first meeting of the fire company was held May 18, 1938, when 53 charter members elected the late Edward L. Kruse president and Thomas Benton chief.

The town government moved from the original Town Hall into a former schoolhouse on Baseline Road, vacated when Sidway School opened its doors for the first time and the hall became the firefighters' first headquarters. Grand Island was designated a fire protection district in 1940. ...

10 Years Ago, May 21, 2004

Quiznos opens on Island

Following the ceremonial cutting of the first sub, Quiznos officially opened for business on Monday with several people coming in to get their first subs. ...

Owners Mike and Olga Gates of the Town of Tonawanda opened this franchise location on Grand Island because they felt this was a good area to be.

"There is a population of about 19,000 and it seemed as if there was something like this needed on the Island," Mike said.

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