100 years ago, 1912
The use of blank cartridges and revolvers will be prohibited as usual this Fourth of July in Auburn. That is the decree of the police in accordance with the city ordinances. “Likewise,” says Marshal Rowe, “no one shall build bonfires without special permit from the chief engineer of the Auburn fire department.”

50 years ago, 1962
Yesterday’s deadline for bids on the L.K. Reichert Shoe Co. of Auburn passed without a single bid. The plant closed its doors late in March as claims against the company were filed by the Internal Revenue Service and the Small Business Administration. Approximately 200 local people were employed in the factory at the time of the closing.

25 years ago, 1987
Auburn’s rank-and-file firefighters are worried about the length of time it’s taking to hammer out their new contract, but the local union’s chief negotiator said that’s to be expected. Since last fall, city management and officials of Local 797 of the International Association of Firefighters have been negotiating terms of a new pact to replace a two-year agreement that expired March 31. The dispatchers “are joining the firefighters’ union, so we’re trying to modify our contract to fit them,” Lt. Wayne Werts of the Auburn AFD said. “The first contract is always pretty tough because it’s new ground and you have to make a lot of adjustments.”