Yesterday in La Crosse

University parking plans had some folks worried, 10 years ago March 31, 2020
WIZMnews.com In March of 2010, a parking consultant was hired by UW-L to work on a possible campus ramp. The school only had surface parking at the time, about 2300 spaces for a college area used by 10,000 people. A new science hall and a bigger student union were being proposed, to be built on existing […]
As a popular song says, “Kick it like it’s 1986” March 30, 2020
WIZMnews.com In 1986, the Onalaska school district was trying to decide whether to keep the 78-year-old La Crosse School of Agriculture and Domestic Economy, also known as ‘Old Aggie.’ It stood on a hill below the new Onalaska High School, and above where a new public library would soon be built. Eventually, most of the […]
The idea of public TV wasn’t too popular, 66 years ago March 26, 2020
WIZMnews.com In 1954, long before Sesame Street and Mister Rogers, there was opposition to the idea of a government-run public television channel in Wisconsin, with a task force report recommending voters turn down a fall referendum on the plan. The report came from the Wisconsin Committee on State-Owned Tax-Supported Television, a small study group with […]
Kenny was still that “First Edition” guy, 44 years ago March 24, 2020
WIZMnews.com After the “First Edition” band from the 1960’s broke up, singer Kenny Rogers launched a solo career, hitting the Billboard Hot 100 in 1975 with the song “Love Lifted Me.” Rogers was an opening act in May of 1976 when he appeared at the Sawyer Auditorium in La Crosse, on the same bill as […]
The city had an airport, but was in danger of losing some air service, 91 years ago March 23, 2020
WIZMnews.com In March of 1929, Uncle Sam was threatening to take away La Crosse’s airmail service, if something wasn’t done about the airport. Northwest Airways had the airmail contract between the Twin Cities and Chicago, and it seems the La Crosse airport wasn’t keeping its runway sufficiently clear during the winter. But, a little shoveling […]
It felt like summer when the Hilltoppers brought home a gold ball, 8 years ago March 19, 2020
WIZMnews.com St. Patrick’s Day of 2012 was very lucky for the Onalaska boys basketball team. The Hilltoppers became state champions of Division 2 at the Kohl Center by beating Kaukauna 55-38 in the WIAA basketball tournament. Another big number that Saturday was 83–the record high temperature set in La Crosse. The warm weather continued into […]
Richard Nixon rides in a La Crosse parade, 60 years ago March 18, 2020
WIZMnews.com You don’t necessarily see many candidates riding in the back of a open car any more, but Richard Nixon did that in La Crosse, in the fall of 1960. The vice president came to town for a rally that October, and he sat in the back seat of a convertible along with Republican candidates for governor […]
If you’re up for recall, you might as well resign. That was one opinion, 43 years ago March 16, 2020
WIZMnews.com In 1977, five members of the La Crosse school board were fighting for their board seats, in the face of a recall campaign. The board angered some citizens by voting not to renew the contract of Longfellow Junior High principal Myron McKee, who had gotten praise and criticism for his approach to discipline at […]
Wisconsin was very early in primary season, 52 years ago March 13, 2020
WIZMnews.com Only 14 states had presidential primaries in 1968. New Hampshire was first as usual, in March, favoring President Lyndon Johnson and former Vice President Richard Nixon. Wisconsin’s primary was next, on April 2nd. State Democrats chose Minnesota’s Eugene McCarthy over Johnson, who had announced two days earlier that he would not seek re-election. Republicans […]
Man, what are you doing here? Billy’s show was called off, 45 years ago March 12, 2020
WIZMnews.com By March of 1975, Billy Joel had scored two Top 40 hits, “Piano Man” and “The Entertainer.” You’d think that would make him a good draw for the Mary E. Sawyer Auditorium in La Crosse. The Sawyer booked Joel, along with Al Stewart and a band called Pavlov’s Dog, for a concert on March […]