Today is Sunday, May 11, the 132nd day of 2008. There are 234 days left in the year. This is

Today is Sunday, May 11, the 132nd day of 2008. There are 234 days left in the year. This is Mother’s Day. On this date in 1858, Minnesota becomes the 32nd state of the Union.

In 1502, Christopher Columbus leaves Cadiz, Spain, on his fourth and final trip to the Western Hemisphere. In 1647, Peter Stuyvesant arrives in New Amsterdam to become governor of New Netherland. In 1888, songwriter Irving Berlin is born Israel Baline in Temun, Russia. In 1910, Glacier National Park in Montana is established. In 1944, Allied forces launch a major offensive against German lines in Italy.

May 11, 1983: Salem Police Chief John Sommers pleads with city councilmen for additional policemen, saying he has only two officers on patrol for the entire city each shift.

The Mahoning Valley Firefighters Association holds its annual service for deceased firefighters from Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties at Coitsville United Presbyterian Church.

Salvatore Traficanti testifies that James A. Traficant Jr. visited mob boss Vincenzo Prato at Prato’s home the night before the election for Mahoning County sheriff and that Prato took an envelope from his pocket and handed it to Traficant.

May 11, 1968: Physicians of Youngstown Osteopathic Hospital recommend that Dr. Samuel Sheppard be admitted to the hospital’s medical staff. Sheppard was imprisoned for the murder of his wife, Marilyn, until the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction.

The Youngstown Hospital Association reports net income of $341,415 during 1967, compared to a net loss of $108,953 the year before.

May 11, 1958: Mahoning County Coroner Dr. David Belinky says he will ask the 7th District Court of Appeals to overrule county Prosecutor Thomas Beil, who ruled that Belinky cannot hire a coroner’s investigator.

Four hundred ponies from 15 states and Canada are entered in the annual spring sale held by the Mahoning Valley Breeders Association at the Canfield Fairgrounds. A top price of $3,500 shows that the recession hasn’t affected the pony business.

May 11, 1933: Fire Chief Harry Callan says that slum elimination is the most profitable investment Youngstown could make since it would save Youngstowners substantial sums of money in reduced fire insurance premiums and would aid in protecting lives.

Dr. C.H. Beight, city health commissioner, announces plans for 24-hours service at City Hall in handling telephone calls for city physicians.

Dr. William E. Wickenden, president of Case School of Applied Science in Cleveland, will deliver the Rayen and South High school commencement addresses.