Twenty years ago — 1999

Jamestown Community College has been awarded a $1.75 million development grant as part of the “Strengthening Institutions Program” of Title III of the United States Higher Education Act. According to college officials, the award, to be received over a five-year period, is the largest federal grant in the college’s history. The grant will impact the entire college and all the communities it serves.

Thirty years ago — 1989

Two juvenile boys are suspected of starting a multiple-alarm fire on the afternoon of Sept. 3 which destroyed McClenathan’s Office Supply, 233 Central Ave. in Dunkirk. The boys were caught as they escaped from the burning building. Flames raged out of control for several hours and threatened to spread to The Steak House. Dunkirk Fire Chief Charles Mancuso deemed the building unsafe and ordered it demolished.

Forty years ago — 1979

Officials at Fredonia State University College expect the college to operate at capacity this fall with an expected 5,100 students, which is higher than the 5,016 enrolled students. This fall Fredonia State exceeded its enrollment targets for new students, with 950 freshmen and 150 transfers. While the college’s enrollment will be up this fall, the college actually accepted fewer students this year.

Fifty years ago — 1969

The West Main Baptist Church, a chapel of the First Baptist Church of Orchard Park, will be constituted as a regularly organized church in special services on Sept. 8 in the cafeteria of the M. Wile Co., 407 East Chestnut St., Fredonia. This is a very historic service for the church which started in December 1967 with two families. The present membership of 60 people will make up the charter members of the new church.