Twenty years ago — 1999

Just out of high school in 1964, Dunkirk resident Dick Pachol fell victim to a pickpocket while walking the midway at the Chautauqua County Fair. Thus began a 35-year case of identity theft. Mr. Pachol had to put up with years of bad credit, Internal Revenue Service audits, department store investigations and one case of a 21-year-old woman claiming he was her father. The perpetrator now faces up to 20 years in prison, if convicted, in what is believed to be the first case of identity theft to make the courts since a federal law was passed last October.

Thirty years ago — 1989

The village of South Dayton has a new mayor — and its first woman mayor at that. Winning the recent village mayoral race with 185 votes was current trustee and Democratic Party endorsed candidate, Karen Strickland, who defeated incumbent Republican Mayor Larry Zollinger by 130 votes. Mr. Zollinger received a total of 55 votes. Mayor Strickland was sworn in April 3. She plans to pursue economic development for the village.

Forty years ago — 1979

Carol Manning, a senior at Forestville Central School, has been chosen Student of the Week. She is the 18-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Manning of Overhiser Road, Forestville. Carol is assistant treasurer of the senior class and president of the National Honor Society. Recently named a Regents scholarship recipient, she is an active participant in sports as well. She plans to attend Clarkson College to major in engineering.

Fifty years ago — 1969

The Dunkirk Housing Authority is discussing “instant housing” as an alternative to conventional construction of the 45 units of low-income housing on Lamphere Street. The greatest advantage to building with modular units is the expediency of the actual erection of the structures in the project. The goal of the DHA is to get the buildings up as soon as possible, so instant housing may be the solution.