Boards and government officials were busy making decisions leading into the holiday season, and a special visit from Santa in 1952 was enjoyed by thousands. See these excerpts from yesterday’s papers in 2013, 2010, 1998, 2000 and 1952.

Dec. 9, 2013

Taxpayers to fund insurance increase

To prevent city employees from having to pay $20 a month toward their health insurance, the Oxford Board of Aldermen decided 3-2 the city will absorb that additional $80,000 a year.

That absorption is on top of a heavy rate increase from Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Due to a 157 percent loss ration, the city was instructed it could see anywhere from a 50 to 90 percent increase in the insurance rate.

Dec. 8, 2010

Board OKs Sunday alcohol sales

The Oxford Board of Aldermen approved Tuesday a measure to allow occasional Sunday alcohol sales, but Mayor Pat Patterson or state officials can still say no.

The board voted 4-3 in support of a resolution allowing on-premise alcohol sales from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on certain Sundays, including some holidays and Ole Miss football games.

Patterson said he will take two weeks to consider a veto or not.

Dec. 9, 1998

Jones arrested on charges of embezzlement

Allen A. Jones, former director of the Oxford Park Commission, was arrested on three separate indictments for allegedly embezzling taxpayer dollars from the park commission.

The arrest followed a six-month investigation by the state auditor’s office that resulted in a Sept. 24 demand that Jones repay $53,422.38. It is alleged the funds were embezzled by padding personal expense account records.

Dec. 8, 2000

Ethridge Building dedicated today

U.S. marshals will no longer work in a building that is comparable to a mouse maze thanks to the opening of the new U.S. Attorney’s office behind the federal building.

The public is invited today to a dedication of the Thomas Ethridge building at 900 Jefferson Ave.

The 54,676-square-foot facility with four floors serves 19 U.S. attorneys.

Dec. 11, 1952

Record crowd turns out to greet Santa during visit for big Christmas party

Santa’s first 1952 visit to Oxford was a great success if any of the 3,500 Lafayette Countians on the welcoming committee were to be asked.

Hundreds of youngsters fought for the honor of marching through town with the merry old man.

More than 2,000 oranges and bags of candy were given to children by the Jaycee Committee inside the courthouse. Also, the UHS band performed Christmas selections on the Square.