100 years ago
Soap company locates in N. Ken
A soap company was organized with headquarters in the rear of 1120 Victoria Ave., New Kensington. D.S. Willyard is president and general manager. Operations will be started about March 1. They will manufacture toilet and laundry, soft and liquid soaps and washing powders.
75 years ago
Cooking school attracts record crowds
A cooking school, sponsored by The Daily Dispatch,
is in the Main Street auditorium. All previous records were broken when more than 300 women had entered the auditorium to hear Mrs. Dorothy Bathgate speak of and demonstrate, “Family Favorites.”
50 years ago
Miller Bros. sustains heavy fire damage
Fire in Miller Bros., 216 Fourth Ave., Tarentum, caused damage that might exceed $90,000. Norman Levin, manager, was trapped in the blaze, but rescued by Jimmy Larkin, 17, of Tarentum.
25 years ago
No shadow for Phil; spring to be early
For only the ninth time in more than 100 years, Punxsutawney Phil predicted an early spring. The famed rodent failed to see its shadow. The Groundhog Club claims Phil's forecasts haven't been wrong in 101 years of prediction.
15 years ago
Area code 724 debuts; customers can practice
The state's sixth area code — 724 — made its debut. Valley residents will have three months to practice before the 412 area code falls silent in many areas of the Valley. During this grace period, callers will be connected even if they forget to dial 724.
10 years ago
7 die as space shuttle Columbia explodes
Seven astronauts perished when space shuttle Columbia fell to pieces, raining debris over hundreds of miles of countryside. The catastrophe occurred 39 miles above the Earth, in the last 16 minutes of the 16-day mission as the spaceship re-entered the atmosphere and glided in for a landing in Florida.
Five years ago
Burrell Bucs wrestlers win back-to-back titles
Burrell became the first local wrestling team to win back-to-back WPIAL titles when it defeated Shady Side Academy, 36-26, in the Class AA final at Gateway High School. The Bucs have their sights set on becoming the first team to win a state title
