THE TIME MACHINE

From past files of The Star News 10 YEARS AGO

June 27, 2013

The Medford Area School District has gotten into the landlord business, at least for now.

At the June 20 school board meeting, board president Dave Fleegel announced the completion of the purchase of two homes at 540 and 534 Broadway Avenue in the city. The parcels adjoin the Medford Area Middle School property and although the district has no immediate plans for their future use, the board moved ahead with the purchase in order to secure additional property for school needs in the future.

The parcel at 540 Broadway was in foreclosure and according to Fleegel, the home is in disrepair and the garage is decayed. The plan is for the district to have the building removed either through advertising seeking proposals for its removal or its demolition.

Board member Mark Reuter suggested the parcel could be turned into green space or possibly into some sort of garden space. “Green space, I’m good with that,” he said.

25 YEARS AGO

June 24, 1998

It has been more than four years since a Taylor County jury found Todd and Robert Verdone guilty of assaulting Ron Sova in a Medford fast-food restaurant, but the case is not over yet.

Last week, a Minneapolis attorney file a claim against Taylor County on behalf of the Verdone brothers and their father, Richard, claiming abuse of process, violations of their Eighth Amendment rights and false imprisonment.

50 YEARS AGO

June 28, 1973

Farmers Union Cooperative, Medford, turned off its pumps Wednesday, June 20, when the supply of gasoline fell short. Ron Decker, manager, said Tuesday that the state department of agriculture has been unsuccessful in finding an alternate supply.

75 YEARS AGO

July 1, 1948

“Hold Thou My Hand” and “The Lord Is My Shepherd” were sung as a duet during the nuptial series in which Miss Angela Hjelte, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Hjelte, Chicago, became the bride of Donald G. Hutchinson of Madison, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hutchinson of Medford. Scene of rites was the Grace Lutheran Church in Chicago, the Rev. G. Elbert officiating, at 4:00 o’clock Saturday afternoon, June 26.

100 YEARS AGO

June 28, 1923

A great crowd of people attended the annual picnic at the Medford Co-operative Store Co., held at the city park Sunday afternoon and evening. There were many cars in the park, and a large share of the available room in the park and in the park buildings was occupied by men, women and children.

Three speakers talked to those who gathered around the band stand in the south part of the park in the afternoon. With them on the platform were the co-operative store president, Otto Schuster; Director Anton Drach and Chas. Pitzke.

125 YEARS AGO

July 2, 1898

The following interesting letter was received some days ago by Judge J.C. Hobbs from M. T. Andresen and which he kindly loaned to us for publication.

Friend Jim: Your letter received and am pleased you take so much interest in me and can assure that I will do nothing but what is right.

I suppose you saw by the Milwaukee Sentinel and I know you take it, that we are among the best of them, on drill, music, sham battle and in fact everything, and I am, proud to tell people when they ask me, that I am from Wisconsin.

We are all getting used to the climate fast and by the last of next week, can stand it as good as a Southerner.