SIXTY YEARS AGO

All residents will be evacuated from the island community of Hay River, one of two northern communities devastated by murky floodwaters.

Hard-checking Denny Hextall, who was runner-up in the individual scoring race, was the fans’ favourite for the season as he topped the balloting to collect the Plains Western Gas Favourite Player award.

FIFTY YEARS AGO

The Brandon Centennial Fastball League expanded to 12 teams Sunday with the acceptance of two new entries — Esso West-Man and Yellow Quill Eagles of Oo-Za-We-Kwun.

The Ninette sanatorium is about to be sold to a Canadian firm for $250,000, Health and Social Development Minister Rene Toupin confirmed in the legislature yesterday.

FORTY YEARS AGO

The Vatican has approved a general itinerary for a 10-day visit to Canada by Pope John Paul II from Sept. 9-19, 1984, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops announced.

The extra money set aside by the federal government last month for the grants to homebuyers has been all but used up, Housing Minister Romeo LeBlanc told the Commons.

THIRTY YEARS AGO

Thomas Cook Group (Canada) Ltd. announced it is paying $25 million to take over Marlin Travel. With the acquisition of Marlin Travel, Thomas Cook now operates 2,000 owned, franchised or representative offices. Marlin Travel, under the direction of founder Rod Marlin, has grown over the past 25 years to become the country’s largest independent travel agency.

A $200-million expansion at Simplot Canada Ltd.’s Brandon plant will not go ahead as planned because it couldn’t find financing.

TWENTY YEARS AGO

Progressive Conservative Leader Stuart Murray kicked off the 2003 provincial election campaign by promising what could be the largest tax cut in Manitoba history. He pledged that if his party is elected as the province’s next government June 3, they will cut all education taxes off municipal tax bills.

The New Democratic Party’s “Team Westman” promises to hire more doctors and nurses, offer more recreation and keep Manitoba an affordable place to live if they are granted another four years in government. Five NDP candidates — incumbents Drew Caldwell and Scott Smith, Perry Kalynuk, Harvey Paterson and Lonnie Patterson — unveiled their party’s five priorities for a four-year term in office.

TEN YEARS AGO

Sokol Hall, which has long played an important role in guiding the city’s multiculturalism while evolving into a charity organization, celebrated its centennial on Saturday. With cabbage rolls, perogies and Polish dancers to entertain, about 160 people were in attendance to mark 100 years, including Premier Greg Selinger, Mayor Shari Decter Hirst, Brandon East NDP MLA Drew Caldwell and Progressive Conservative MLA Reg Helwer.

The RM of Glenwood reeve said Coun. Walter Finley was “out of line” for saying his municipality wants to withdraw from Manitoba and join Saskatchewan. The tongue-in-cheek comments made by Finley last week in response to the Municipal Modernization Act were likely out of frustration, said Reeve Sandy Sanderson, but that didn’t stop them from making headlines across the country.