The Y2K scare fell far short of the ominous predictions of mass technology failures as a new millennium was ushered in.

September 11, 2001
On a warm summer day, the world was shaken when fanatical Middle Eastern terrorists rose up and struck a crushing blow upon New York City's World Trade Center.

City Soccer Pioneer Passes Away
James R. "Jim" Morrison, age 51, passed away at home on Saturday, October 16, 2004 following a courageous battle with cancer.

Jim and his wife, Barb, were responsible for organizing and running the city's first youth soccer program and the Waterloo Youth Center. Jim was also a frequent attendee at City of Waterloo Common Council meetings.

He is further survived by two children, Chris (Melissa Bellows) Morrison of Watertown, and Sara Morrison of Waterloo; a grandson, Tyler Morrison of Watertown; mother, Virginia (Ivan) Bruner of Madison; mother-in-law, Erma Carman of Center Point, Iowa; and is also survived by a number of nieces, nephews, other relatives, friends and Benny. Burial was at Roselawn Cemetery in Madison.

Jim's optimistic personality and famous soccer "spin move" left an indelible impression on the City of Waterloo and anyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Jim will be greatly missed.

Trek Dominates Tour
1999-2005: Lance Armstrong Seven-Peats Tour de France
As if wins in 1999 - 2004 weren't enough, Lance Armstrong rode his Trek racing bicycle to his seventh straight Tour de France yellow jersey on a rain soaked Sunday (July 24, 2005).

Armstrong's winning margin over second-placed Ivan Basso (Italy) was 4 minutes, 40 seconds. Jan Ullrich (Germany) finished fourth at 6 minutes, 21 seconds behind Armstrong. See the following table for the Top 10 Overall Finishers:

*Denotes minutes/seconds behind Lance Armstrong's winning time.

Overcoming Formidable Odds
Armstrong's victories and his inspiring comeback from testicular cancer have drawn new fans to a race that has been won five times by four other riders. His attention to detail, professionalism, grueling training regimens and tactics have raised the bar for other riders hoping to win the grueling three-week cycling marathon.

"He's changed the Tour forever," said fellow American rider Bobby Julich. "He has set the blueprint for success, and he deserves all the success that he is getting."

Armstrong + Trek = History
Armstrong remains the first American to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles. He rode Trek's Bicycle Company's superlight, OCLV carbon fiber technology racing bicycles during all seven of his record setting performances. Armstrong and Trek also actively partnered in the research and development effort to push the limits of racing technology through the use of state-of-the-art materials and aerodynamic refinements. The result was racing bikes that stood up to every trecherous challenge that this storied race could throw at it.

With Armstrong's victories, Trek Bicycles continues to retain the distinction of being the first bike manufacturer outside of Europe to win the world's most prestigious bicycle race.

Trek is headquartered in Waterloo, Wisconsin and is a leading international supplier of recreational and high performance racing bicycles. Visit the company web site: www.trekbikes.com

2000-2004: U.S. Gripped by a Steep Economic Downturn
The nation's economy began a prolonged slide in 2000. Internet (AKA: dot com) business failures, known as the Dot Com Bust, was the catalyst for the slide. The September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon by Middle Eastern terrorists made matters worse as panic and fear gripped the nation.

2003: Mutual Fund Industry Under Fire
The nation's mutual fund industry is being investigated for improper trade practices know as "after hours trading."

2003: Perry-Judd's Closes
550 Jobs Disappear
WATERLOO, WI — 11/21/2003 — Jefferson County, already under strain from a lengthy strike at the Tyson Foods plant in the town of Jefferson, has taken another heavy blow.

One of the county's biggest employers, Perry Judd's, said Thursday that it was closing its Waterloo printing plant following the loss of a major magazine customer. Some 550 jobs will be lost, though some workers may be relocated.

"It's profoundly disappointing and difficult," said Craig Hutchinson, the company's president and chief executive officer.

Waterloo mayor and company employee Edward W. Klug said the effects of the closing would be hard especially for families with both parents working at the plant.

"It's going to be tough — right around the holiday too," Klug said.

For years, Perry Judd's has printed magazines for media giant Time Warner, including key titles like Time, People and Sports Illustrated. Around two years ago, Perry Judd's was told it would lose its contract with Time Warner at the end of 2003.

Since then, Hutchinson said, the printer has struggled to make up the lost work.

"We worked very hard to replace the volume. However, the high-volume printing industry has been extremely competitive over the last two or three years," Hutchinson said.

The Time Warner contract represented about 40 percent of the Waterloo plant's business, according to reports. Hutchinson said the company had invested $13 million in a new printing press and binding equipment in an effort to attract more clients.

In its statement Thursday, the company said it would keep its headquarters in Waterloo, but close the plant over the first four months of 2004. The company has had a decades long tradition of printing in the city.

Perry Judd's, which is owned by the Milhous Group and its management team, has 2,400 workers and had 2002 sales of $294 million.

Of the remaining 300 jobs, which included both factory and management positions, Hutchinson said a still undetermined number would be transferred to Perry Judd's four remaining plants. The company has divisions in Madison; Baraboo; Spencer, Iowa; and Strasburg, Virginia.

— The Wisconsin State Journal

— Sidenote —
According to Waterloo Water & Light, Perry-Judd's consumes more than 40% each of the electricity and water used by its customers. When aldermen approved the construction of a new WW&L facility more than two years ago, the bond company stressed that should Perry-Judd's curtail or shut-down Waterloo operations — this could pose a significant rate hike for the rest of the utilities customers.

2003: RB Togs Closes Its Doors
RB Togs, Waterloo's exclusive clothing store, will be closing their doors after decades of service, according to store owner Ray Burbach.

RB Togs specialized in a select line of fashionable men's and women's clothing that is difficult to find at other area stores. They also supplied much of the high school team sports clothing.

Burbach had for many years tried to convince area businesses such as Trek Bicycles to open a retail outlet in Waterloo that would draw potential customers for all Waterloo businesses.

2003: Tim Thomas Appointed Police Chief
Chief Jacobs is succeeded by Lieutenant Timothy Thomas, another long-term member of the Waterloo Police Department.

Thomas served as Acting Police Chief for several months after Chief Jacobs' retirement. The City of Waterloo Common Council had originally sought to replace Jacobs with an appointee from outside the City of Waterloo Police Department, but an overwhelming number of citizens attended a Common Council Meeting to heartily voice their concerns. Aldermen took notice and acquiesced to the public's demands.

2002: Police Chief Jacobs Retires
Waterloo Police Chief Kenneth Jacobs decided to leave police work after more than thirty years of generous service to his community. His steady leadership and amiable manner was a perfect match for the citizenship of this tiny, south-central Wisconsin city.

2001: McKay Moves into New Headquarters
McKay Nursery celebrated 2001 with a move into its newly constructed headquarters located at 750 South Monroe Street (Highway O).

McKay Nursery (est. 1897) is a leading supplier of quality, northern-grown plants and landscaping services to Wisconsin, Northern Illinois, Eastern Minnesota, and Northeastern Iowa. See the company web site at: www.mckaynursery.com

2001: First Homicide in City History
The year 2001 sadly marked the first homicide since Waterloo was chartered in 1859. The victim, Keith Ward, 21 years of age, was a graduate of Waterloo High School and a current resident. A suspect was later taken into custody by the Waterloo Police Department.

Historical Information Needed
Please contact Michael Stanton should you have:

• Any information you would like to share for the years of 2000-Present
• Photos of the City of Waterloo during that era*

Simply click on the Feedback button located on the main menu and complete the form indicating your willingness to help. Thank you!

*All photos will be scanned and immediately returned.