Looking Backward

The north

10 years ago

Oct. 30, 1999:More than 450 well-wishers turned out Friday night to celebrate St. Lawrence County Sheriff Keith K. Knowlton's 35 years in law enforcement. Mr. Knowlton will retire when his term ends Dec. 31.

25 years ago

Oct. 30, 1984:An unidentified flying object, bright green and moving rapidly, was spotted near the Eastern Boulevard bridge, over the town of Rodman and near Fort Drum. The public affairs officer at Fort Drum said a star cluster green signal flare is used during night training. However, no troops were training that night. He said it is possible someone brought one back from training and fired it that night.

50 years ago

Oct. 30, 1959:The $3 million Ogdensburg arterial highway, which carries Route 37 south and east of the city, will be officially opened to traffic Wednesday. The highway is the only arterial roadway in the state that is not wholly within a city.

75 years ago

Oct. 30, 1934:Six Syracuse men, marooned on Bass Island the past two days with practically no provisions, were rescued and returned to Sackets Harbor. The men left Thursday on a duck hunting trip, planning to return Sunday. High wind and bad weather forced them to remain on the island.

100 years ago

Oct. 30, 1909:The members of the LeRay de Chaumont chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, witnessed an entertainment in the Sunday school room at All Souls Church, when 150 children presented "America." It consisted of drills and recitations. One hundred children formed themselves into a huge American flag which was one of the most beautiful parts of the entertainment.

125 years ago

Oct. 30, 1884:Tomorrow night is Halloween, a night on which rowdies consider themselves privileged to go about town and pull gates from their hinges and carry them away and perform other feats of deviltry. They have been a great nuisance in years past, and we understand that efforts will be made this year to abate it.

The world

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Today is Friday, Oct. 30,the 303rd day of 2009. There are 62 days left in the year.

Today's Highlight in History:

On Oct. 30, 1938, the radio play "The War of the Worlds," starring Orson Welles, aired on CBS. (The live drama, which employed fake breaking news reports, panicked some listeners who thought the portrayal of a Martian invasion was real.)

Thought for Today:"It almost seems that nobody can hate America as much as native Americans. America needs new immigrants to love and cherish it." — Eric Hoffer, American philosopher (1902-1983).