100 years ago, 1912
Complaints have again been made to us by those who have dear ones buried at Riverside Cemetery, Lewiston, of the theft of plants and flowers from the graves. One woman who came to the office says that while it has been going on for years, it never was so bold and so extensive as it is this year. They have not only taken flowers but taken the plants and the loam, roots and all from the urns and jardinieres, in one instance taking jardiniere and all.

50 years ago, 1962
A “crank” letter to the Auburn Police Department concerning “drag racing” on Minot Avenue has aroused the ire of the Central Maine Timing Association, a group of several hotrod clubs, which says that such a letter can “wreck” all the good work that they have been trying to do. A spokesman for the association told the Journal that none of the members of the association have been racing on Minot Avenue, and that if they did, they would be turned over to police. “We’re trying to get the Lewiston-Auburn Airport facilities to use as a run for our cars,” he said. The cars are not raced one against another, but against timing meters.

25 years ago, 1987
A 15-year-old boy arrested Friday after escaping from the Maine Youth Center more than one month ago walked out the door of Eighth District Court several hours later when a security officer left him unattended. “I predicted this, and you ain’t seen the end,” said a sergeant of the Androscoggin County Sheriff’s Department, who left the youth sitting in a hallway while he went to his office. “Once they condemned the cells here, we had no place to put anyone. If I had known he was a runner, I’d have cuffed and shackled him. We’ve got to have more security, more manpower. I predict we’re going to lose another dozen in the next six months now that the word is out.”