Twenty years ago — 1999

An anthrax threat at Dunkirk High School proved to be a hoax, but enforcement officials are treating the matter quite seriously. During a recent news conference, officials from the Dunkirk Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation pledged a thorough investigation into the incident, which marked the first such threat in Chautauqua County. Richard Ferri, a special agent with the FBI, said, “The government considers this a weapons of mass destruction violation. It’s a priority case and we will do everything we can to resolve this matter.”

Thirty years ago — 1989

The congregation of the Sheridan United Methodist Church recently celebrated the 180th anniversary of its founding. The Methodist Society was founded in 1809 in Sheridan, the first such society of the now United Methodist Church to be established in Chautauqua County. Officiating the celebration worship service was Bishop Forrest C. Stith, bishop of the New York West Area.

Forty years ago — 1979

Chautauqua County and Pomfret Town Historian Elizabeth Crocker will be an honored guest at the Fredonia Chamber of Commerce banquet May 2 at the Holiday Inn. Miss Crocker was appointed the first historian for the county in 1966. She is the author of several books and articles on local history, among them “Yesterdays In and Around Pomfret, NY.” In 1975, she was named “Woman of the Year,” by the Dunkirk-Fredonia Zonta Club and “Outstanding Citizen of the Year,” by Fredonia American Legion Post 59. She also received the “Outstanding Alumnus Award” from Fredonia State University College.

Fifty years ago — 1969

Mayor Joseph J. Steger has outwitted all the political soothsayers and bested all the pretenders to his reign as the leader of the city’s Democratic party by once again winning the party’s endorsement and the right to seek an unprecedented sixth term as mayor of Dunkirk. Mayor Steger will face F. Neil Chaffie in the November election.