The city gets a new police chief, 41 years ago

 
Acting La Crosse chief Ray Lichtie was promoted full-time to chief in May of 1977.  Lichtie had been in that position since the previous October, when former chief Ron Wold resigned to work in security at Gateway Foods.  Two members of the city council said they might sue City Hall for not advertising the chief opening first.  Lichtie’s new post was announced at the same time that the police and fire commission was completing a study of poor management and morale problems within the La Crosse Police Department.  
 
The Holiday Inn on the pike promoted a champagne ‘bruncheon’ buffet for only $3.50, which featured, according to one advertisement, a make-your-own “Blood Mary bar.”  Kilger’s Four Seasons, south of La Crescent, served German food most nights…with offerings such as sauerbraten on Wednesdays, and pot roast with German potato pancakes on Thursday.  
 
And America was marking the 50th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh’s historic solo flight across the Atlantic.  The 1927 voyage was being featured in TV documentary programs, and the 50’s movie “The Spirit of St. Louis” with Jimmy Stewart as “Lucky Lindy” was broadcast in 1977…41 years ago, yesterday in La Crosse.