Twenty years ago — 1998

A total of 60 high school students who are attending the Upward Bound Summer Program at Fredonia State University College are traveling to the nation’s capital this week to sightsee and visit college campuses as they conclude their month-long experience on campus. Their washington, D.C., itinerary includes touring the Smithsonian Institution, U.S. Capitol Building and visiting with Congressman Amory Houghton. Participating students are from the school districts of Dunkirk, Fredonia, Westfield, Ripley and Chautauqua Lake.

Thirty years ago — 1988

Northrup King of Minneapolis, which purchased Fredonia Seed Co. Inc. at 183 East Main St. in Fredonia on May 31, will cease operations at that facility at the close of 1988 business around Sept. 1, leaving about 140 employees out of work. After Fredonia Seed is out of the building, Richard Sager, plant manager for the company, said Stokes Seed, former owners of Fredonia Seed, will relocate its Water Street operations in Fredonia and its few employees to East Main Street.

Forty years ago — 1978

“We’re right on schedule. The money is there and we don’t see any problems,” State Commissioner of Transportation William Hennessey said after a brief stop at the Lamphere Street crossing in Dunkirk. He indicated that the process of correcting that traffic situation is moving along at a good pace. He added that plans will be submitted to the Federal Highway Authority, with all approvals at that level coming in March of next year. After that, there will be an 18 to 24-month design stage. “This (most likely an underpass) will be under construction in two years,” Mr. Hennessey said.

Fifty years ago — 1968

Two persons were injured and at least five buildings and three trailers destroyed when a tornado struck the eastern portion of Chautauqua County near East Mud Lake. The apparent twister struck about 5:30 this morning, cutting a half-mile swath across County Road 47 just south of the old Villenova picnic grounds and East Mud Lake was hardest hit. Uprooted trees solidly blocked the highway.