Twenty years ago — 1998

Sports columnist Jim Rush points out that Fredonia State men’s basketball coach Greg Prechtl is adding another cap to his duties with the Blue Devils — athletic director. Prechtl replaces Dr. Tom Prevet, who served as athletic director for the last three terms. Prechtl, who has been coaching at Fredonia State full time since 1978, will step down as men’s basketball coach after this season. His appointment as the head of the Blue Devil athletic department is for a three-year term.

Thirty years ago — 1988

From City Shorts ….. Water tests — Dunkirk’s drinking water was ranked fourth in a public taste test sponsored recently by the state Department of Health at a mall in Buffalo. Water from North Tonawanda was ranked first, Angelica’s water came in second and Monroe County’s ranked third. Last year, the city of Dunkirk’s water was ranked number one in the regional competition. Water from the top two regional winners will now be sent to the state fair in Syracuse for a statewide competition.

Forty years ago — 1978

A White House task force will meet with citizens and elected officials at Fredonia Village Hall on Sept. 12. The event has been tagged as a town meeting and will be hosted by Rep. Stanley Lundine (D-Jamestown). The local town meeting represents a White House effort to make federal government more open and responsive to the public.

Fifty years ago — 1968

Looking for a job? Come to Dunkirk! There is a large demand in the area for both male and female workers with three or four canneries in northern Chautauqua County seeking workers for both day and night shifts. There also are a number of openings in other industries with a vital need for assemblers, packers, laborers and hospital aides.