Years Ago

February 16, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Today is Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 16, the 47th day of 2010. There are 318 days left in the year. On this date in 1960, the nuclear-powered radar picket submarine USS Triton departs New London, Conn., on the first-ever totally submerged circumnavigation by a vessel, a voyage which takes nearly three months.

In 1804, Lt. Stephen Decatur leads a successful raid into Tripoli Harbor to burn the U.S. Navy frigate Philadelphia, which had fallen into the hands of pirates. In 1862, during the Civil War, some 14,000 Confederate soldiers surrender at Fort Donelson, Tenn. (Union Gen. Ulysses S. Grant’s victory earns him the nickname “Unconditional Surrender Grant.”) In 1868, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is organized in New York City. In 1918, Lithuania proclaims its independence, which lasts until World War II (it again declared independence in 1990).

February 16, 1985: The Youngs-town Hospital Association votes to alter the hospitals structure to create a profit-making corporation and a foundation to subsidize operations under the umbrella of a holding corporation, the Western Reserve Health System. Its three units will be known as Northside Medical Center, Southside Medical Center and Tod Children’s Hospital.

Cities taking water from the Ohio River for drinking have been warned that the cancer-causing chemical benzene which originated at a U.S. Steel Corp. plant near Pittsburgh has been detected in a 300-mile stretch of the river and is expected to arrive in Cincinnati within a day.

The Ungaro administration’s interest subsidy program review committee recommends approval of 13 projects, including one for a $300,000 office building for Mosure & Syrakis Co.

February 16, 1970: A fireman is killed and five are injured fighting a $1.5 million fire that destroyed the Royal China Co.’s main plant in Sebring. Dead is Selwyn B. Trainer, 63, a 38-year veteran of the Sebring Fire Department.

Joseph Taylor Jr., 28, of Dewey Ave. drives himself to South Side Hospital after he was shot six times in his home following an argument with a woman. He is in fair condition.

Air Force Capt. Gerald E. Hull, a Youngstown native, is killed when his plane crashes during a reconnaissance flight near the Vietnam demilitarized zone.

February 16, 1960: Thirteen cars of a Baltimore & Ohio Railroad 41-car freight train derail on the railroad’s old main line three miles west of Leavittsburg. The train was the Detroit Steel Special that operates daily between New Castle Junction and Willard.

Administrative changes at the Mahoning County Home will cost less but improve services by eliminating the job of matron and hiring a full-time dietitian.

Residents of the St. Dominic School area are warned to be on the lookout for a bluish green car with a white top whose driver allegedly tried to pick up three girls on their way to school.

The Ohio Department of Highways is working to determine the route of a connecting highway across Liberty Township between the proposed relocation of Route 18 and the Keystone Shortway.

February 16, 1935: Ohio Gov. Martin L. Davey goes to Washington to meet with President Franklin Roosevelt, at which time he will outline a vast public works program for Ohio, including the Beaver-Mahoning Canal.

Spring-like weather brings out huge crowds for the fourth day of Youngstown’s auto show. An estimated 4,000 people visit the show at Stambaugh Auditorium.

Merle Paul of Canton is named acting director of relief in Columbiana County.