newsminer.com

10 YEARS AGO

Aug. 30, 1998 — Among those inclined to prophetic visions, disagreement exists over the forecast for the new millennium.

Some predict an Elysian age of peace and wisdom.

Others beg to differ, instead foretelling a generous dose of mayhem and malfeasance. Any Fairbanksan not expecting an instant utopia ought to hope the city public safety department manages a technology upgrade soon.

Of the local government agencies and utilities surveyed by the News-Miner during the past week, the Fairbanks Police Department is the only one that declared its computers incapable of surviving the 2000 computer bug.

The police computer system, which has a possible upgrade grant pending, records information from calls and investigations for officers to access later.

25 YEARS AGO

Aug. 30, 1983 — Fairbanks hunters planning to bring beer or other alcoholic beverages when they drive to the village of Minto may find themselves facing criminal charges instead of a pleasant hunting trip.

Effective Aug. 1, the village of Minto banned the import and sale of alcohol. It was the fist Interior Alaska village accessible by road to approve the local option law. Minto is a favorite launching point for Interior boaters.

Authorities plan to enforce the law, particularly during the upcoming hunting season. One Minto resident has already been charged under the new law this month.

50 YEARS AGO

Aug. 30, 1958 — About 4 million acres of land in the new state of Alaska will be surveyed each year under an expanded program announced today by the Federal bureau of Land Management.

The expansion will double the present operations of the BLM in Alaska to meet needs of the new state in land selection, oil and gas leasing, fire control, recreation programs and other activities.

The new surveys will make it possible for the 49th state to select the public land it will acquire under statehood.

75 YEARS AGO

Aug. 30, 1933 — Remains of a white man who died 10 or 15 years ago were found on top of the ground this week, 300 feet from the track of the Alaska Railway. They have been brought with about $33 in coins and other effects that were lying near the bones, and efforts will be made by the United States marshal’s office to effect identification.

The discovery was made last Tuesday by a railway section crew.