Let's Go Back for Jan. 11, 2013

40 Years Ago, Jan. 3, 1973

Violence and tragedy mar year's ending

After a safe and quiet Christmas holiday, the Island community erupted Saturday evening Dec. 30 when a 19-year-old, newly returned serviceman positioned himself at the south Grand Island Bridge and fired indiscriminately at passing automobiles.

David E. Burke of 2132 East River Road has been charged with second-degree assault (a felony) and was remanded to Meyer Memorial Hospital, Buffalo, for observation.

One of his shots wounded Daniel Sexton of Grand Island, and Mr. Sexton's female companion was injured, from a spray of glass fragments. Both were treated at Kenmore Mercy Hospital.

It took local sheriff's deputies and the Rev. Richard Graber of St. Stephen Church more than an hour to talk the young Burke into giving up his weapon and turning himself over to authorities. ...

30 Years Ago, Dec 31, 1982

Shuttle bus to start operation Monday

It's been a long time since Islanders had the convenience of a shuttle bus service. Not since 1958 has been a bus been available to meet metro vehicles that cross the town on Grand Island Boulevard.

But all that will change about 6:45 a.m. Monday when Bradson Charter Service will put into operation a 44-passenger bus, planned to cover a majority of Island roads. ...

A grand opening ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. this morning in front of the Town Hall. Participants will include Brad Bradson Sr. and his son, owner of the charter service; town officials; Legislator Charles M. Swanick, and members of the Chamber of Commerce, Jaycees ... as well as NFTA Chairman Raymond F. Gallagher.

Legislator Swanick, who has been assisting Bradson Service in getting the transportation under way, said, "Hopefully it will encourage residents to utilize mass transportation.

"In linking up with the Metro Bus service, the shuttle bus will also provide transportation to shopping centers and the newly renovated Fantasy Island," he said.

20 Years Ago, Jan. 8, 1993

Exact fare lanes offered on Island bridges

Islanders crossing the bridges north and south were pleasantly surprised recently by a new exact fare lane offered to help speed them through the toll process.

Designed to ease traffic congestion, the new lanes were put in place in response to complaints the Thruway Authority has received about the excessive traffic congestion across the bridges.

Thruway Authority Chairman John H. Shafer expects problems on the bridges to be further alleviated in 1993 when the new electronic toll collection (ETC) is installed. The ETC permits electronically tagged vehicles to go through the tollbooths without paying money or presenting tickets. The lanes will read antennas and deduct the proper amount from motorists' prepaid accounts.

In the meantime, Islanders and other travelers are encouraged to go through the exact fare lanes with their commuter books or exact change equaling 50 cents to speed up travel time and cut down on traffic congestion.

10 Years Ago, Jan. 3, 2003

Sesquicentennial year officially ends with burial of time capsule

The biggest and brightest celebration the Town of Grand Island has possibly ever seen reached its conclusion early Tuesday morning when elected officials, county and state politicians and sesquicentennial committee members officially buried an assortment of sesquicentennial items including newspaper articles, sesquicentennial programs and photos to name a few.

Including the aforementioned officials, approximately 40 people gathered outside of Town Hall to listen to a short press conference, and then watch as the gigantic gold and black time capsule was lowered into the ground and covered with dirt. ...