Today is Saturday, Dec. 30, the 364th day of 2006. There is one day left in the year. On this date in 1903, about 600 people die when fire breaks out at the recently opened Iroquois Theater in

Today is Saturday, Dec. 30, the 364th day of 2006. There is one day left in the year. On this date in 1903, about 600 people die when fire breaks out at the recently opened Iroquois Theater in Chicago.
In 1813, the British burn Buffalo, N.Y., during the War of 1812. In 1853, the United States buys some 45,000 square miles of land from Mexico in a deal known as the Gadsden Purchase. In 1906, British movie director Sir Carol Reed ("The Third Man," "Our Man in Havana," "Oliver!") is born in London. In 1922, Vladimir I. Lenin proclaims the establishment of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
December 30, 1981: Warren City Council holds its last meeting of the year without acting on proposed pay raises for councilmen, meaning that council members will not be eligible for raises for at least two years.
Girard City Council approves 600 raises for members after the first of the year, bringing a councilman's pay to 3,000.
Mahoning County commissioners approve increases of 41 percent in sewer rates for residents in unincorporated areas. The average household's bill will increase from 25.50 to 36 for three months.
December 30, 1966: Almost all Struthers police officers and one of two firemen scheduled to work call off sick. City council responds by canceling negotiations on wages that had been going on, saying they will resume only when attendance is back to normal.
A feature in Parade magazine, which is distributed in newspapers nationwide, including The Vindicator, describes how St. Elizabeth Hospital is taking some of the fear out of operations on children by giving youngsters a tour of the hospital before surgery.
American Motors Corp., the nation's No. 4 automaker, is struggling for survival. The company lays off 4,100 employees.
December 30, 1956: A group of 48 Hungarian refugees arrives by bus from New Jersey and receives a rousing welcome at the Hungarian Evangelical and Reformed Church in Youngstown.
U.S. Rep. Michael J. Kirwan is returning to Washington, where he will have new offices for the coming session of Congress. Because he is chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and chairman or ranking member on subcommittees of the House Appropriations Committee, he will receive a suite that will include a committee meeting room.
Playing at the Warner Theater, "Giant" starring Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean; at the Palace, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis in "Hollywood or Bust."
December 30, 1931: George B. Snyder, 63, who served eight years as city editor of The Vindicator and was postmaster of Youngstown under Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Grover Cleveland, dies of a heart attack.
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Perry K. Heath wastes little time in responding to a request by Youngstown interests that the new downtown post office be constructed of marble rather than sandstone or limestone. Precedent of using the cheapest suitable material will be followed, he says, and the added expense of marble cannot be justified.
While working to trim 265,000 from Youngstown's budget, city council and Finance Director James E. Jones discover another shortfall of 300,000. The deficit of 565,000 will mean the abolishment of city jobs and wage cuts of as much as 25 percent.