Jan. 2, 1908

The members of the fire departemt at the central station in Market and Franklin streets watched the old year out and the new year in with a banquet in the hall on the top floor of the headquarters building and had a decidely jolly time.

Jan. 2, 1958

Frank Janas, 36, of Fleming, was reported in fairly good condition today at Auburn Memorial Hospital after being pinned by a tractor at his farm Tuesday morning.

Jan. 2, 1998

AURORA - At 11 a.m. the first cannonballer plunged into the icy water, sending waves slurping onto the giant floating ice blocks surrounding the shore of Cayuga Lake. The briskly chatting people gathered around the Wells College boat dock froze in mid-conversation and stared in shades of disbelief as the man disappeared below the water. “They're crazy,” one woman said. Then the chanting started. “Do it! Come on and do it!,” the crowd urged. And with that, 20 swimmers sprinted out across the icy shore to join the brave first soul who leaped with reckless abandon into the 33-degree water. For these polar bears, an icy dip on the first day of the year is the only way to go. “It's tradition. It's just the thrill of the year,” said 17-year-old Joanna Odell, who has made the New Year's jump for the past three years.

Jan. 2, 2003

AUBURN - Raymond Bizzari will replace retiring Cayuga Counseling Services Director Bob Stone, the agency has announced. The appointment takes effect Monday.

- Compiled by Linda Simmons