• The Houston School Board has unanimously approved a two-year contract with teachers. The new pact calls for a 6.8% increase in salary and benefits.
• Rochester Lourdes grad Missy Decker was named Big Eight Conference Women’s Basketball Player of the Week. The Kansas State junior scored a career-high 26 points in an upset win over Oklahoma State.

1971 — 50 years ago

• George McNeilus, of Dodge Center, captured the second annual Mississippi Valley Snowmobile Classic championship at the Tri-Oval Speedway in Fountain City, Wis.
• Clarence “Burgy” Burgeson retired after 41 years as managing editor of the Austin Daily Herald.
• St. Paul will hold its 85th annual Winter Carnival this week. The preliminary snowmobile race from Winnipeg, Canada, to Lake Owasso will start today.

1946 — 75 years ago

• A new Veterans of Foreign Wars post will be established in Mabel on Feb. 3. A class of 50 will become members of the organization.
• The St. Charles doubles bowling tournament has 94 teams entered for the competition.
• 2,500 Rochester and area residents and visitors jammed the Mayo Civic Auditorium to dance and listen to the music of Duke Ellington and his band.

1921 — 100 years ago

• The gasoline cost throughout the area dropped 2 cents from 29 to 27 cents a gallon at service stations. Gasoline from tank wagons also dropped from 27 to 25 cents a gallon.
• Women in all parts of the city are organizing in preparation for the spring elections. The women of Rochester will exert a considerable influence on the results of elections for years to come.