Is it possible to go back earlier than 2006 for a story's date in this version? There's nothing earlier in the drop-down. If so, how?

This is almost a FAQ. In lib-common.php, find the function COM_getYearFormOptions and change this line:

for( $i = $start_year - 1; $i <= $cur_year + 5; $i++ )

Change $start_year - 1 to whatever you want the first year to be. If you need to go back to 1999 you would end up with:

for( $i = 1999; $i <= $cur_year + 5; $i++ )

Can you tell me what folder this php file is in? I've looked everywhere.

Never mind, I found it. Thanks for the earlier response.