THE TIME MACHINE
From past files of The Star News
10 years ago
September 5, 2013
It is not so much a question of not wanting to give more, but not having anything more to give.
That was the message from town members of the Medford Area Fire Commission during discussions of the 2014 budget and truck purchase contributions at the group’s August 8 meeting.
Rather than borrowing money to buy new trucks, the MAFD assesses each member community each year based on each community’s percentage of the total equalized value of the fire district. The operating budget for the department is split between the municipalities the same way, the idea being those with the most value to protect pay the majority of the cost.
A few years ago, the truck payment portion of the budget was reduced by 25 percent as an accommodation to ease the tax burden on area residents. Fire Chief John Fales, would like to see that amount returned to the historical level which would be about a $20,000 a year increase.
25 years ago
September 2, 1998
Preliminary steps were taken last week to designate the Pine Line Recreation Trail as a Taylor County Park.
The trail is on the former railroad line between Medford and Prentice, and has been operated by the Price/ Taylor Rail Trail Commission since 1989. Taylor and Price counties own the trail.
50 years ago
August 30, 1973
Whether the Medford area school district or the city of Medford will eventually own the municipal auditorium is expected to be determined soon, with preliminary progress anticipated at the join meeting of the city council and the board of education Thursday, Sept. 6, in the school offices.
The matter has been the subject of a friendly disagreement between the school board and the council, for some time, and some progress toward the ultimate settlement was made last Thursday when the board met with the council in council chambers. The board matter was discussed thoroughly and lengthily.
75 years ago
September 2, 1948
Opening of the remodeled Earl Hoffman Ben Franklin Variety store will be held tomorrow, Sept. 3. The store has been closed since August 30 while the floor plan was being arranged and new fixtures installed. A new red vitrolite front with plate glass windows has made the store one of the most attractive on Medford’s Main street.
100 years ago
August 30, 1923
Taylor County is likely to have three new pieces of state highway within her borders. The special Legislative State Trunk Highway Committee was very favorably impressed at the hearing held in Medford Tuesday, and, although nothing will be decided until toward fall, it is very probable that the Taylor County proposed mileage will be included in the 2500 miles to be added to the highway system.
125 years ago
September 3, 1898
No prospects for a county fair this year, as a war tax of a hundred dollars is imposed upon all such fairs provided exhibitions of speed of man or beast are shown.
Merchant M. Marcus was at Milwaukee and Chicago last week replenishing the stock of goods for the M. Marcus Mercantile Co. He returned Saturday.
As we go to press a mass meeting is being held at the city hall to consider propositions from a large manufacturing concern at Chicago to locate their works here. This establishment employs from 125 to 200 men.
