• The refusal of the University of Maine fraternities to pay the taxes on chapter houses, which have been assessed by the town of Orono, is a reminder that such taxes are paid regularly without protest at Waterville and Brunswick.

• The storm of yesterday called to mind the terrible disaster and loss of life, nine years ago tonight, when the steamer Portland went down with all onboard. While the exact number of lives lost in the wreck of the Portland was never definitely known, the passenger list is thought to have included about 105 names. Several Lewiston and Auburn people were among the passengers on the Portland that fatal night, and the bodies of only a few were ever found.

50 years ago, 1957

LEWISTON – Lewiston’s Police Commission was told last night that Auburn police cars, rushing to the hospital along Main Street in the Textile City, have been traveling at “break-neck speed,” and the commissioners will ask Auburn Police Chief Alton E. Savage to slow down his drivers.

Police Commissioner J. Dennis Bruno said reports have it that Auburn cars have reached speeds of between 60 and 70 miles per hour through the Lewiston business district. It was reported that the Auburn officers have been driving so fast on occasion that when a Lewiston cruiser is assigned to lead the way, the Lewiston officer is “pressed” into going faster than he normally would.

25 years ago, 1982

The Christmas parade, starring the original downtown Santa and featuring The Corps and 20 other musical, marching and civic units, will kick off the holiday season in downtown Lewiston Saturday morning.

The highlight of the parade will be the arrival of the original downtown Santa to open this year’s Santa’s Village right after the parade.

The parade will begin at 8:45 a.m. at Kennedy Park and will proceed along Lisbon and Main streets. The parade will continue back to Kennedy Park via Bates, Oak and Park streets, ending about 9:30 a.m.