100 years ago, 1909

Not a somewhat different, but an entirely different popular priced attraction was the Empire’s offering last night. A packed house enjoyed Phil Ott’s Comedians. It was two hours of bright, breezy and clever comedy, combined with music and performed by comedians and a chorus of lively misses. Musical comedy at popular prices has been a long wanted relief for theater-goers and last night’s combination was a veritable surprise, a treat and a welcome.

50 years ago, 1959

The J. J. Newberry Co. department store at 45 Lisbon St., Lewiston, will close its doors at the end of this year. The long-rumored closing of the store, which has been doing business in Lewiston for about 30 years, will take place Dec. 31 and manager Milton H. Wrisley will be transferred to Madawaska to manage a J. J. Newberry department store there.

25 years ago, 1984

The Federal Communications Commission has granted WCOU-AM of Lewiston permission to increase its nighttime power from 250 watts to 1,000 watts.

The decision, said WCOU General Manager Peter Kern, means that listeners in Lisbon, Gray and Mechanic Falls will no longer lose the station at sunset. 

Prior to the ruling, WCOU had been required to reduce power at sunset to 250 watts to prevent interference with other stations operating on 1240 KHz. The FCC had previously prohibited the station from increasing power until after sunrise the next day.