Wednesday, January 1, 2003
Today is Wednesday, Jan. 1, the first day of 2003. There are 364 days left in the year. On this date in 1863, President Lincoln signs the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that slaves in rebel states are free.
In 1752, flagmaker Betsy Ross is born in Philadelphia. In 1892, the Ellis Island Immigrant Station in New York formally opens. In 1898, Manhattan, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island are consolidated into New York City. In 1901, the Commonwealth of Australia is proclaimed. In 1953, 50 years ago, country singer Hank Williams Sr., 29, dies of a drug and alcohol overdose while en route to a concert date in Canton, Ohio. In 1958, treaties establishing the European Economic Community go into effect. In 1959, Fidel Castro leads Cuban revolutionaries to victory over Fulgencio Batista.
January 1, 1978: Castle Hills Estates, a prestigious housing development oriented to the Castle Hills Golf Course in Neshannock Township, is in the building stage. Developer Stan Kraus says the first home in the 467-home development is being built. The development is expected to cost $25 million.
Warren area restaurant owners who have catered to the Kenley Players crowds for years say their summer business may be off by as much as 40 percent now that John Kenley has moved his summer stock theater from the Packard Music Hall to Akron.
Nickel parking in New Castle is going the way of the five-cent cigar. New meters being installed downtown will charge 10 cents for a half hour and 20 cents for an hour.
January 1, 1963: Fifty-two persons died in traffic accidents on Mahoning County's streets and highways in 1952, which is 11 fewer than in 1961 and 15 fewer than the record of 67 set in 1948.
Youngstown's industrial district says farewell to 1962, a disappointing business year, and begins a new year that holds promise of somewhat better employment, payrolls, sales and earnings, writes George R. Reiss, Vindicator industrial editor.
Lake Central Airlines asks the Civil Aeronautics Board for authority to sharply cut its service at Youngstown Municipal Airport and to eliminate some Saturday flights.
January 1, 1953: The portrait of Mayor Charles P. Henderson becomes the first television picture transmitted in Youngstown. The mayor was at station WFMJ preparing for a broadcast of "In Our Town" and consented to pose when the station tried its TV cameras.
Water in Meander Reservoir, which supplies Youngstown and Niles with water, has dwindled to the lowest level in its 20-year history. Youngstown steel plants are suffering from low-water problems.
Long-sought Youngstown-to-Columbus scheduled airline service will become a reality in about two months, eliminating one of the worst blanks in Youngstown's transportation picture. The Civil Aeronautics Board grants Lake Central Airlines of Indianapolis a certificate to set up the service.
January 1, 1928: A fire of undetermined origin destroys the First United Presbyterian Church on N. Evanston Ave., New Castle, causing an estimated loss of $200,000.
North Olmstead experiences the thrill of the year when Red Zigler, picturesque oil well "shooter" from Findlay, sends a geyser of rich black oil spouting into the air while scores of onlookers run for shelter.
The year 1927, one of disappointments for the great independent steel industry of Youngstown, passes, but 1928 holds great promise for the brawny men of the Mahoning and Shenango valleys, writes Ernest Nemenyi, Vindicator business editor.