Today is Monday, Dec. 16, the 350th day of 2002. There are 15 days left in the year. On this date in

Today is Monday, Dec. 16, the 350th day of 2002. There are 15 days left in the year. On this date in 1773, the Boston Tea Party takes place as American colonists board a British ship and dump more than 300 chests of tea overboard to protest tea taxes.
In 1770, composer Ludwig van Beethoven is born in Bonn, Germany. In 1916, Gregory Rasputin, the monk who'd wielded powerful influence over the Russian court, is murdered by a group of noblemen. In 1944, the World War II Battle of the Bulge begins as German forces launch a surprise counterattack against Allied forces in Belgium. In 1950, President Truman proclaims a national state of emergency in order to fight "Communist imperialism." In 1960, 134 people are killed when a United Air Lines DC-8 and a TWA Super Constellation collide over New York City. In 1982, Environmental Protection Agency head Anne M. Gorsuch becomes the first Cabinet-level officer to be cited for contempt of Congress for refusing to submit documents requested by a congressional committee. In 1985, reputed organized-crime chief Paul Castellano is shot to death outside a New York City restaurant.
December 16, 1977: The Mahoning Steel Co. is formed in Youngstown with a plan to restore 2,000 of the 5,000 jobs eliminated at the Youngstown Sheet & amp; Tube Co.'s Campbell Works.
Lawrence County Commissioner Thomas A. Shumaker says that because county government operates out of 13 separate buildings the county has no choice but to build a new courthouse. Commissioner Frank Vitril agrees that working from 13 buildings is an inconvenience, but says a greater inconvenience would be imposed on taxpayers to build a new $4.4 million building.
December 16, 1962: A 69-year-old East Side woman whose hand was caught in a washing machine wringer for about two hours is rescued by firemen after drawing the attention of a mailman through a basement window she had smashed. Although the hand of Mrs. Vera Miklos was swollen and circulation was partially stopped, she apparently suffered no permanent injury.
The Ohio Association of Prosecuting Attorneys adopts a resolution calling on the Ohio General Assembly to clarify the state's Sunday sales law. The action comes in the wake of voter rejection of a constitutional amendment that would have specifically named items that could be sold on Sunday.
The Ohio Highway and Turnpike Association throws its support behind the Lake Erie-Ohio River interconnecting waterway and will urge congressional approval and construction of the canal.
December 16, 1952: Youngstown will pay 83 percent and Niles 17 percent of the cost of the proposed $5.8 million expansion of the Mahoning Valley Sanitary District, according to a new appraisers report.
Youngstown Mayor Charles Henderson says the city is considering purchase of old Vahey garage at Front and Phelps streets for use as a downtown fire station and motor pool for the city.
December 16, 1927: During a hearing before Judges F.L. Baldwin and William Carter, Attorney Clyde Osborne, who opposes a joint Niles-Youngstown water district, declines to answer Youngstown's attorney, George J. Carew, when he asks Osborne to identify his client. "I'm still anxious to know just whom you represent," says Carew. "You'll die of curiosity as far as I'm concerned," Osborne replies.
High priced cars of the future will have motors that do the heavy work, such as applying brakes, shifting gears and other functions of that character, A.J. Baker, chief engineer of the Willys-Overland Co., tells a group of engineers meeting in Toledo.
Districts of Youngstown that have not seen a police officer for years will be regaled by the sight of a blue coat on a patrol as 25 new cadets join the city force. l