Looking Backward

The north

10 years ago

Feb. 3, 2000:A slowdown in business because of increased foreign competition prompted Stature Electric Inc. to lay off 30 full-time workers. Randall V. James, president of the Watertown manufacturing firm, said the company hopes to rehire the workers, possibly later this year, if sales pick up and production increases.

25 years ago

Feb. 3, 1985:A field of 66 teams competed in the Alpo Triple Crown Sled Dog Championships in Adams. On a fast track groomed with the assistance of machines lent by Oswego County officials, the racers competed before a crowd estimated at 4,000 people.

50 years ago

Feb. 3, 1960:Traffic slowed to a crawl on Watertown's north side as for more than an hour hundreds of cars jammed streets leading to the Seaway Shopping Center, outer LeRay Street. The attraction: Ping pong balls dropped from a plane and exchangeable for prizes at stores in the new plaza. The "bombing" was held to promote the opening of two new supermarkets.

75 years ago

Feb. 3, 1935:Dedication ceremonies surprised the members of the town board meeting for the first time in their new quarters at the civc center, Potsdam. Members of the village board were present. Mayor Ira H. Kendall said the civic center, when completed, will have cost approximately $98,000, and will have produced a payroll of slightly more than $55,000.

100 years ago

Feb. 3, 1910:Jefferson County supervisors will be called upon to consider the idea of a joint tuberculosis hospital for patients from St. Lawrence and Jefferson counties. St. Lawrence County has an option on a property near Canton and Eben. The tentative site comprises 12 acres near Eben and adjacent to the railroad.

125 years ago

Feb. 3, 1885:The Ogdensburg Journal appeared as an evening paper and is much improved. A snow blockade, however, would be disastrous to its telegraphic report, which evidently wires by railroad.

The world

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Today is Wednesday, Feb. 3,the 34th day of 2010. There are 331 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Feb. 3, 1943, during World War II, the U.S. transport ship Dorchester, which was carrying troops to Greenland, sank after being hit by a German torpedo; of the more than 900 men aboard, only 230 survived. Four Army chaplains gave their life belts to four other men, and went down with the ship.

Thought for Today:"Your friend will argue with you." — Alexander Solzhenitsyn, Russian writer (1918-2008).