Featured News - Current News - Archived News - News Categories

Let's Go Back for Jan. 18, 2013

by jmaloni
Tue, Jan 22nd 2013 07:00 am

40 Years Ago, Jan. 17, 1973

'It's Academic'

On Nov. 15, Grand Island High School students auditioned for a spot on Grand Island's team for competition in the "It's Academic" series sponsored by WBEN-TV. The six students ... with Dorea Homes were selected from the hopeful group and began their training sessions. The students, themselves, decided upon the first team and alternates.

... The group is included in the senior class's top students, also being Regents scholarship winners and members of the National Honor Society of the high school.

This is Mrs. Holmes' third year as team coach. She is an instructor in the social studies department, teaching the 11th grade curriculum and a 12th grade elective.

30 Years Ago, Jan. 7, 1983

Town appeals for safer intersection

Guardrails may provide safety in some instances, but those constructed on the southeast corner of Whitehaven and West River Service roads are of little use in preventing accidents, which are becoming almost a way of life for residents in that area. This was the opinion expressed Monday at the Town Board meeting.

Calling attention to the numerous complaints from nearby property owners concerning the unsafe condition at the intersection, a resolution, presented by Councilman Samuel D. Long, also notes that on March 15 the state Department of Transportation had been requested to investigate "this unsafe condition."

It also points out that during previous discussion with DOT, there was indication the department would realign the hazardous section of road.

"A single guardrail certainly is not the answer, which has existed ever since the West River Service Road was reconstructed and the Whitehaven entrance changed to its present condition," Dr. Long contended.

The resolution approved by a 5-0 vote Monday, formally requests the Niagara Frontier Parks and Recreation Commission in conjunction with DOT to "once again investigate this situation to see if improvements can be made for the safety of all concerned." ...

20 Years Ago, Jan. 15, 1993

Island firemen play vital part in search

Grand Island volunteer firemen were among the first called to help search Monday for a downed helicopter and its occupants.

An alarm, via the fire company's dispatcher's office, summoned all available firefighters to report for duty.

Deputy Chief Steve Morgan, who directed the operation, said volunteers, with only the information that the helicopter may have crashed in the town, began their four-hour search in various directions.

"Then with help from Niagara Mohawk, we were able to pinpoint it somewhere near Staley and East River roads," he said.

It was near here that the helicopter and the bodies of its two occupants were finally located by scuba divers in the river about 9:30 Tuesday morning, 16 hours after an eyewitness first reported seeing a flash near the south bridge.

Victims of the tragedy were WGR traffic reporter Mike Roszman, 48, of Angola and Army Lt. Col. Herm Kuhn, 59, of Youngstown.

10 Years Ago, Jan. 10, 2003

VFW, 'Baby Joe' Mesi host a 'knock-out' chili cook-off for charity

The Grand Island VFW Ladies Auxiliary held its annual chili cook-off for charity this past Saturday, with all proceeds going to the "Baby Joe Mesi Fight for Organ Donations." With over 25 gift baskets donated for the event's silent auction, and over 20 chili entries, this years event was expected to be so heavily attended it was held at the Knights of Columbus hall on Whitehaven Road.

What a wise decision that turned out to be. With "Baby Joe" Mesi on hand, the crowds turned out in record numbers. In fact it was standing room only as the judging took place. ...

Hometown News

View All News