Time Machine Trip to January 1983

 

Kaukauna Times – January 1983

By Lyle Hansen

January 4, 1983

Kaukauna Electrical and Water utility employees were in the dark about the cause of a short power failure affecting two paper mills and portions of the North Side and Village of Little Chute on New Years’ Day. The cause was unknown until yesterday afternoon when the utility workers found the culprit – a red tail hawk with a three-foot wingspan.

January 13, 1983

Citing eight state championships in the past 15 years and the continuing popularity of the sport, the Kaukauna Board of Education Monday voted to continue volleyball for another season. The members recommended reviewing its status in one year. 

January 18, 1983

For Jeff and Jacqueline Tepolt, ownership of the Villa Restaurant on 2^nd Street always seemed to be in the future. Ray and Roseanna Toonen decided in the end of 1982 to leave the business and the Tepolts decided that their time had come and made an offer. They said that some changes are planned by adding new items to the menu.

 

January 20, 1983

Comparisons with other cities’ fire departments indicate that Kaukauna’s Fire Department is undermanned, Mayor Ron Van De Hey has indicated that financial conditions don’t permit hiring additional men at this time. Chief Ted Smits described his department as “way understaffed,” prior to Tuesday’s Common Council meeting.

 

January 25, 1983

A disaster may have been averted Friday by a Kaukauna police officer. Rondi Kihl said she was heating some soup and paused to take her dog outside. Somehow the door blew shut and she found herself locked outside leaving her 2-year-old son in the house. Patrolman John Van Drunen was sent to the house, but he too was unable to get in. When smoke could be smelled Van Drunen then hit the door with his shoulder and it opened. Flames could be seen coming from the stove, he removed the pan and turned off the stove. “We were pretty lucky,” she said  “and there is only smoke damage to clean up.”

Kaukauna’s varsity girls’ basketball team won its fourth straight game, pulling out a 58-56 upset over Oshkosh West in overtime Thursday in Oshkosh. A three-point play by Deb Verkuilen plus a field goal by Mary Verbeten helped Kaukauna overcome a 5-point deficit to send the game into overtime.  

 

January 27, 1983

Kaukauna’s varsity wrestling team was a 46-30 winner over Oshkosh West in action Thursday. Winners for Kaukauna were Tyler Miller at 105 pounds, Chad Ott at 112, Mike Massey at 138, Chris Huss at 145, Scott Kluever at 155, Keith Hammen at 167, Ted Petrie at 185 and Dave Viaene at Unlimited.