Today in Delaware County history, Feb. 27

100 Years Ago, 1924: Eugene Repetto, one of the city’s leading business men, is in a critical condition in Chester Hospital, suffering from injuries sustained shortly after noon today, when struck by a taxicab in front of his store on Welsh Street, near Seventh. He is a private patient and under the care of Dr. W.B. Evans. He is unconscious. Rev. A. Garritano of St. Anthony’s Church, was summoned to the bedside.

75 Years Ago, 1949: Chester High School has drawn Springfield High as its first round opponent in the 27th annual Kiwanis basketball tournament which starts next Thursday at the CHS vocational gym. The Clippers, who finished first in Section I, will battle the Cougars next Saturday at 8:30 in the second game of a twin bill which has Nether Providence opposing either Eddystone or Prospect Park at 7 o’clock.

50 Years Ago, 1974: Although any new construction of the Midcounty Expressway (Blue Route) in Delaware county currently is nowhere in sight, plans for building much of the highway in the county are virtually complete. If construction were underway now, the Midcounty would cost an estimated $175 million to build, according to Douglas May, Blue Route design engineer. But with at least one year’s delay expected on most Blue Route construction, continuing inflation is likely to push costs even higher, May said.

25 Years Ago, 1999: Negotiations between the Penn-Delco School Board and the 200-member Penn-Delco Education Association are at a stalemate. The two sides have not met face to face since September. But instead of forcing the issue, the board is encouraging the public to tell district leaders how to best end the deadlock. Negotiations have been ongoing for more than two years. The teachers’ contract expired June 30, 1997.

10 Years Ago, 2014: Yeadon police are searching for a homeless man believed to have broken into as many as 25 businesses, including a Church Lane convenience store. The 49-year-old allegedly uses bricks, rocks, even a mop handle, to smash his way into stores after business hours. During the first break-in, which occurred shortly after 2 a.m., video cameras captured the suspect throwing a large rock through a glass door. Apparently unaware that the cashier’s area is surrounded by Plexiglas, he ran face-first into the barrier. Unable to get to the cash register, he allegedly picked up a hot dog rotisserie and threw it at the Plexiglas, which didn’t break. He left empty-handed, according to the affidavit.

— COLIN AINSWORTH