100 years ago, 1911

Chief Engineer C. H. Blethen of the Auburn Fire Department and two of his assistants who have been conducting an inspection of buildings in Auburn the past week visited the Webster Grammar school yesterday afternoon to investigate there. There has been considerable said  in regard to having fire escapes on the building, but after the inspection yesterday they decided that fire escapes were not needed there.

50 years ago, 1961

The Raytheon Co. Training Center, the former Lewiston Buick Co. building at Main and Sabattus streets in Lewiston, is being vacated by the company after two years of use. Raytheon used the building as a training center for its employees when it first came to Lewiston.

25 years ago, 1986

Traffic accidents on Center Street in Auburn have dropped by nearly 40 percent since a new center turn lane was installed in 1985, according to Auburn police.

Lt. Richard Keene said Tuesday that in the period from Oct. 1, 1984 to Oct. 1, 1985, 105 accidents took place on Center Street from Whitney to Bates streets. But in the year after the lane was installed, only 65 accidents occurred.

“The severity also seems to be less,” said Keene. “The fifth lane appears to be definitely helping.” In addition to the center lane, he said the new traffic lights have also helped to reduce congestion on the street.