100 years ago in 1923

The vault at police headquarters that used to store the various kinds of hooch confiscated in raids was thoroughly housecleaned. Gallons upon gallons of raisin Jack, prune, corn, etc., were emptied into a sewer on Franklin Street while thirsty individuals gazed on with sorrow.

But the vault wasn’t clean long. Shortly before 11 o’clock, Identification Officer Durkin and Detective Heinlein brought in John Radu, of Griswold Street, accompanied by huge quantities of corn liquor.

Radu was jailed and fined $300 costs for that offense and after staying in jail for a week paid his fines. Radu’s place was formerly occupied by a pool room and bowling alley, but the place had been closed for some time. From the outside one would imagine no business was going on but from the back door in a back room Radu was alleged to have carried on his bootlegging activities. Five men had come to the back door apparently for hooch while Durkin and Heinlein were searching the premises.

50 years ago in 1973

Niles Mayor William Thorp declared war against noise. Thorp and Service Director Leonard Holloway were studying devices that could be used to measure sound levels near downtown streets to monitor clamorous trucks and automobiles. Drivers whose vehicles surpass noise standards were to be subject to arrest.

Tractor-trailer rigs passed through the downtown Niles business section frequently. Hauling heavy loads of steel from area steel mills and manufacturing plants, the din of shifting gears and the hubbub of a churning engine added to a familiar dimension to the sound of the city.

“Truck traffic here is frustrating enough. What we need is some peace of mind,” Thorp said.

25 years ago in 1998

The city had gone from walk to run on a long-awaited Riverwalk plan, but a handful of residents urged City Council to slow down on the project.

Council unanimously agreed to pay $170,000 to buy a 1.75-acre parcel near Monument Park — the final piece of the puzzle officials said was needed to develop its downtown. The property, for which the owner originally asked $350,000, was between Monument Park and the Kinsman House, and the city was also to take control of that historic building.

Trumbull County commissioners agreed to turn over the Kinsman House after the county completed roof repairs and driveway painting.

Riverwalk supporters said the plan represented a potential financial gold mine. But several other residents were not convinced. One question was how using Community Development’s contingency funds for a land purchase by the river benefited low- to moderate-income residents. Another city resident said the city’s youth would benefit more if the city used the community development money to upgrade neighborhood parks.

— Compiled from the Archives of the Tribune Chronicle by Emily Earnhart.