As a popular song says, “Kick it like it’s 1986”

In 1986, the Onalaska school district was trying to decide whether to keep the 78-year-old La Crosse School of Agriculture and Domestic Economy, also known as ‘Old Aggie.’  It stood on a hill below the new Onalaska High School, and above where a new public library would soon be built.  Eventually, most of the old school was torn down, but the front arch was preserved and became a west-side entrance to the current high school.   

Earl Karr was back in the news, charged with a series of pipe bombings that terrorized people around the Midwest during May and June of 1984.  Karr put his homemade bombs in Milwaukee and Eau Claire, and he had six in La Crosse, including one outside the cathedral.   

At the Oscars in 1986, “Out of Africa” was named the best picture.  “The Color Purple,” starring Whoopi Goldberg, was shut out, despite getting 11 nominations.  William Hurt, Geraldine Page, and Don Ameche received acting Oscars. Three stars hosted the awards show that year. It was the second time for Jane Fonda, and the only time for Alan Alda and Robin Williams.  In 1986, yesterday in La Crosse.