Friday, February 17, 2006
Today is Friday, Feb. 17, the 48th day of 2006. There are 317 days left in the year. On this date in 1801, the House of Representatives breaks an electoral tie between Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Burr, electing Jefferson president; Burr becomes vice president.
In 1865, Columbia, S.C., burns as the Confederates evacuate and Union forces move in. (It's not known which side set the blaze.) In 1897, the forerunner of the National PTA, the National Congress of Mothers, is founded in Washington. In 1904, Giacomo Puccini's opera "Madama Butterfly" is poorly received at its world premiere at La Scala in Milan, Italy. In 1933, Newsweek is first published. In 1947, the Voice of America begins broadcasting to the Soviet Union. In 1964, the Supreme Court rules that congressional districts within each state have to be roughly equal in population.
February 17, 1981: The residential water rate in Lordstown is increased from $1.25 per 1,000 gallons to $1.55, to take effect with the next billing.
Mahoning County commissioners authorize industrial revenue bonds of $6.5 million to a Jamestown, New York, company that will buy Jones & amp; Laughlin's Cold Metal Products plant, saving 350 jobs. It will operate as Cold Metal Products Co. Inc.
February 17, 1966: Fifth Ward Councilman Jack C. Hunter proposes a bipartisan committee to investigate the possibility of revising Youngstown's home rule charter and governmental operations.
Directors of the Shenango United Presbyterian Home Board announce the acquisition of land across from New Wilmington United Presbyterian Church as the site of a new home.
Vice President Hubert Humphrey announces a $100 million loan to India, which will be used to purchase raw material and spare parts to get Indian industry moving.
February 17, 1956: The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry announces that Westinghouse Electric Corp. employees idled by a 124-day strike have become eligible for unemployment compensation because the stoppage has been determined to be a lockout.
A trend toward united fund raising will be studied by a committee of Mahoning County Red Cross leaders headed by Severn Ker Jr.
The Youngstown district, already Ohio's third largest metropolitan and industrial area, will get a major boost in its population, employment, payrolls and buying power when Chevrolet and Fisher Body plants go into operation in Lordstown. The plants are expected to employee 8,000 and add a payroll of $30 million to the area economy.
February 17, 1931: Mahoning County Prosecutor Ray L. Thomas tells Youngstown City Council that Traction Commissioner Harry Engle was involved in a "gigantic blackmail scheme" that will be investigated by a grand jury. Engle responds that Thomas is being used as a tool against him by Engle's enemies.
Police raiders under the command of Capt. Dominic Thompson raid the Maennerchor at 831 Mahoning Ave. seizing two cases and a keg of beer. Police said there had been consistent complaints by a West Side citizen about the club selling beer.