The news of 10 and 15 years ago is from the

Jamestown Press. The news of 100 years ago came from the collection of the Newport Historical Society.

100 years ago

From the Newport Journal, Feb. 25, 1911

Washington’s anniversary was observed in the public school Tuesday by patriotic services. The program was well rendered by the little ones, reflecting credit on Miss Burdick, the principal, and her assistants. Lieutenant Frank Geers of Fort Greble addressed the school and was listened to attentively by the pupils and visitors.

The third meeting of the Conanicut Athletic Association, better known as the Boys Club, was held Wednesday evening in the Smith block.

Carr has completed filling his big ice house and putting additional supply in the small house. At Clarke’s pond a force is at work and will soon cut all the good ice on that pond.

75 years ago

From the Newport Daily News, Feb. 24, 1936

The Torpedo Station went down to defeat before Jamestown Tuesday night by a 36-26 score at the Holy Ghost hall in Jamestown.

From the Newport Daily News, Feb. 24, 1936

(At the town council meeting) upon recommendation of the chief of police, it was voted that the State Board of Motor Vehicles and Registration be requested to place “Stop” signs at the corners of intersecting streets, along Narragansett and Conanicut avenues.

From the Newport Daily News, February 21, 1936

The picture, “Colonial Rhode Island” will be shown, free of charge, at the Thomas H. Clarke school this evening at 8 o’clock. The six-reel film, prepared by the Providence school children, is sent out by the Tercentenary Commission of Rhode Island.

50 years ago

From the Newport Daily News, Feb. 24, 1961

(At a discussion of the town budget) The Jamestown Board of Recreation submitted a budget of $8,675, an increase of $1,650 over that of the last fiscal year. A reading room addition for the Jamestown Library was proposed by the town librarian, Mrs. Frank M. Braman, when she presented a budget of $2,053, the same amount requested last year. She said space allows for only one table, slightly larger than a card table, used for reference work. The budget allows for her salary and that of the assistant, Mrs. George C. Carr, and includes $100 for books.

From the Newport Daily News, Feb. 25, 1961

The Jamestown School Committee reduced the 1962 school budget a net $2,820 after several cuts and additions at a special meeting last night. The total budget adopted is $239,112. Estimated receipts from the state and federal government, dog taxes and miscellaneous are $62,562, thus requiring a total town appropriation of $177,750.

From the Newport Daily News, Feb. 27, 1961

At the Jamestown Bridge Commission meeting it was reported that traffic on the Jamestown Bridge was down 12 per cent, or 3227 cars, between Feb. 1 and 23. The revenue decreased 30 per cent, or a total of $2,829, compared to the same date last year. This loss was blamed on the blizzard.

25 years ago

From the Newport Daily News, Feb. 20, 1986

The Coastal Resources Management Council has approved the installation of perimeter drains for the Jamestown Inn condominium project. The drains will lower the high water table on the property by draining underground water. Last March the Zoning Board granted a variance to Crane and Jamestown Inn Associates to allow renovation of the existing Jamestown Inn and a 6,500 square-foot addition to be used as eight condominium units. Local feeling on the plan was split. From the Newport Daily News,

Feb. 21, 1986

A newly reformed Jamestown Business Association has come out against the much-heralded land conservancy trust bill. From the Newport Daily News,

Feb. 25, 1986

The Town Council worked again on Monday night on finetuning legislation for a land sales tax to support land conservancy. From the Newport Daily News,

Feb. 27, 1986

A standing-room only crowd in the Jamestown School music room heard a series of speakers explain the (proposed legislation that would create a tax on land sales in order to preserve open space on the island) bill, why it is being proposed and its potential impact. Then residents gave the proposed legislation a thorough, if sometimes harsh review.

15 years ago

From the Jamestown Press,

Feb. 23, 1996

With a goal of getting a “total picture” of the island’s troubled water supply, two town committees will meet jointly with a University of Rhode Island geologist. David Butterfield, chairman of the recently formed Groundwater Quality Study Committee, said Tuesday that his panel wanted to “piggyback” with the Water Supply Study Committee, which has been looking at ways to increase the municipal water supply. His committee intends to focus on the quantity and quality of the groundwater on the north end of the island, where residents rely on private wells for their household use.

10 years ago

From the Jamestown Press,

Feb. 22, 2001

Sitting as the Board of Water and Sewer Commissioners Tuesday, the Town Council heard presentations from three engineering firms that submitted cost proposals for some preliminary work needed in the upcoming $5.5 million rehabilitation of the 25-year-old sewage treatment plant at Taylor Point.

In light of complaints from boaters that mooring fees paid for the constructions of Veterans’ Memorial Square at East Ferry, the Harbor Commission on Feb. 14 took a closer look at the dollars spent in 2000-2001 marine development fund budget year to-date.