100 years ago, 1918
H. A. Free, Androscoggin county chairman of the federal food administration, announces a drastic enforcement of the law which proscribes for the crime of hoarding of food a fine of $5000 or two years imprisonment, or both. Hoarding is defined as meaning the holding of, or contracting for, necessaries of life in quantities in excess of reasonable requirements for a reasonable time. By “reasonable time” is meant 30 days and by reasonable requirements, the average amount used in such a period last year. The law applies to wholesale and retail dealers, and also to consumers, so that a householder who shall purchase or possess at one time food supplies exceeding the quantity which a year ago was sufficient for the needs of his family for 20 days, is liable to the penalty named.

50 years ago, 1968
“Problems experienced by the Lewiston Housing Authority in getting its project started” and “the failure to act in the construction of the new fire station” have delayed the completion date of Lewiston’s first Urban Renewal program with the fire station the most serious roadblock at the moment, the Urban Renewal Authority informed the Board of Mayor and Aldermen last night.

25 years ago, 1993
Lisbon officials say that out-of-town trash generated from surrounding communities is ending up at the Capital Avenue transfer station. Beginning immediately, all commercial trash haulers bringing waste to the transfer station will be required to separate the debris for recycling. Those who do not separate for recycling will be turned away.

The material in Looking Back is reproduced exactly as it originally appeared, although misspellings and errors made at that time may be corrected.