ISLAND HISTORY


A resident on the north end is suspecting illegal trappers are at work, and said pets could be at risk, The Jamestown Press reported Feb. 28, 1991.

David King, who lives in a secluded, grassy area that attracts wildlife, said he has witnessed several animals that are missing parts of their legs and ears. He is encouraging his neighbors to report suspicious activity.

100 years ago — Feb. 26, 1921 (Newport Mercury)

Newport County received the heaviest snowfall of the season, and as a consequence, there was great delay in all forms of traffic until the roads could be cleared.

A fall of 12 inches on a level was whipped into immense drifts when the wind arose, which made it exceedingly difficult to handle. The snow, wet and heavy, began to fall very gently, and did not give indications of a serious storm, with it melting almost as fast as it fell. It soon began to accumulate, and as the wind shifted and the temperature dropped very perceptibly, the snow became drier and was soon drifting badly.

During the height of the storm, all water traffic was completely suspended because the thickness of the air made navigation extremely dangerous.

75 years ago — March 1, 1946 (Newport Mercury)

Edward Olson, proprietor of the Bay Voyage Hotel in Jamestown, is in critical condition at Westerly Hospital, where he was taken following a fall downstairs during a visit to that city. He fractured eight ribs and punctured a lung.

Olson, who went to Westerly to visit friends, had gotten up after retiring for the night and, without turning on the light, mistakenly opened a door to the cellar. He fell down the stairs and landed on the concrete floor.

50 years ago — Feb. 26, 1971 (Newport Mercury)

Until clearance was obtained from the State Department in Washington and U.S. Coast Guard headquarters in Boston, confused security precautions prevented a team from the Newport Daily News from approaching a Polish fishing vessel anchored about 400 yards off Jamestown.

A reported Polish-speaking photographer obtained clearance to approach the ship and talk to the crew. Peter Dunning, an owner of the Port O’Call Marina, volunteered to take the team to the ship aboard the King Tut, formerly a 12-meter tender.

At the request of the Coast Guard, Dunning waited for the representative of the Polish ship’s local agent to give him a ride out to the ship aboard the King Tut. After a prolonged wait, word was received that the representative was not coming, and the clearance had been rescinded.

Federal officials, however, denied ordering a security blanket. A spokesman from the U.S. State Department said newsmen were being allowed to cover the whole story and clearance was obtained again.

25 years ago — Feb. 29, 1996 (The Jamestown Press)

Jamestown police are not disclosing the percentage of money they will receive from a telemarketing campaign.

“I’d rather not say,” said. Sgt. Frank Watson, president of the union.

The department, which plans to use the donated money to sponsor youth groups and purchase equipment, has partnered with Admit One Productions, a Massachusetts company that is conducting the fundraiser. People who donate money will receive tickets to see the local officers play a professional comedy basketball team, the Harlem Wizards, at North Kingstown High School in April.

10 years ago — March 3, 2011 (The Jamestown Press)

For the first time in 24 years, the library has a new director.

Donna Fogarty, who is leaving her job as circulation supervisor in South Kingstown, has begun her tenure on North Road following the retirement of Judy Bell. She called this her “dream job.”

“The library is beautiful and the staff is great,” Fogarty said. “They have done a tremendous job.”