Twenty years ago — 1999

Plans for a Taco Bell restaurant on Route 60 in the town of Dunkirk were recently approved by the town planning board. The 4,185 square-foot restaurant would be bordered on the north by Bob Evans, on the east by Route 60, the west by Kmart and on the south by the Days Inn property. The planning board also approved a driving range and miniature golf course, known as Fairway to Green, at 10603 Brigham Road. The owners are Steven and Roger Eimers.

Thirty years ago — 1989

Construction of the new Sheraton Harborfront Inn is progressing on schedule. A “soft” opening is planned for Aug. 11, meaning only some of the rooms and facilities will be open on that date. The official name of the hotel is the Sheraton Harborfront Inn. During initial development of the project, the hotel was called the Sheraton Marina Inn, but that name was not approved by the Sheraton Corp. because it has other facilities with the same name.

Forty years ago — 1979

The Dunkirk area’s 1979 inductees into the WNY Softball Hall of Fame are Edward “Cherry” Wisniewski Jr. and Leo Rykaczewski. They join the ranks of other former softball stars inducted into the group since 1973.

Fifty years ago — 1969

The newly formed First United Church of Silver Creek held a service of organization recently conducted by the Presbytery of Western New York. Included in the ceremonies was the installation of a pastor, the Rev. Donald E. Spear, and associate pastor, Rev. Thomas E. Guerdat. The merger united the First United Presbyterian Church and the First Methodist Church.