Good morning.
A day of gradual clearing awaits Whitewater, with a high temperature of thirty-six.
At 4:30 PM today, Whitewater’s Community Development Authority will meet. Their principal topics: “Presentation on Analysis of Housing Supply in Whitewater and Employee Housing Survey by the UW-Whitewater Fiscal and Economic Research Center (Dr. Russ Kashian)” and “Review and Approval of Consulting Services Agreement with Redevelopment Resources for CDA Director Recruitment/Selection Process.”
On this day in 1991, President George H.W. Bush declared an end to the Gulf War. The New York Times headline was simple enough: “Bush Halts Offensive Combat; Kuwait Freed, Iraqis Crushed.”
In Wisconsin, February 27th, 1904 was a day of great loss:
1904 – Second State Capitol Burns
On this date fire destroyed the second State Capitol building in Madison. On the evening of the 26th, the generator was turned off for the night. The only lights visible were two gas jets serving the night watchman. At approximately 2 a.m., night watchman Nat Crampton smelled smoke and followed the odor to a recently varnished ceiling, already in flames. A second watchman arrived to assist, but there was no water pressure with which to operate a hose. The fire department encountered a similar situation upon arrival. Governor Robert M. La Follette telegraphed fire departments in Janesville and Milwaukee for assistance. La Follette was at the capitol, directing efforts to douse the fire and entering the burning building to retrieve valuable papers. The fire was completly extinguished by 10 p.m. the next day. Losses were estimated to be close to $1 million.
Source: Wisconsin Historical Society.
The Academy Awards are over, but Google basks in the afterglow with a film-related daily puzzle: “The highway that runs through Rachel, Nevada draws enthusiasts who probably enjoy what movie genre?”