Years Ago

Today is Tuesday, Feb. 8, the 39th day of 2011. There are 326 days left in the year.

Associated Press

On this date in:

1587: Mary, Queen of Scots is beheaded at Fotheringhay Castle in England after she was implicated in a plot to murder her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I.

1837: The Senate selects the vice president of the United States, choosing Richard Mentor Johnson after no candidate received a majority of electoral votes.

1910: The Boy Scouts of America is incorporated.

1924: The first execution by gas in the U.S. takes place at the Nevada State Prison in Carson City as Gee Jon, a Chinese immigrant convicted of murder, is put to death.

1960: Work begins on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at Hollywood and Vine in Los Angeles.

vindicator files

1986: A group of Boardman Democrats have been discussing a strategy for replacing Don Hanni Jr. as chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party.

State Sen. Harry Meshel of Youngstown announces that he will seek a fifth four-year term.

The Rev. Luther J. Shipmon, pastor of St. John’s Baptist Temple, is elected president of the Baptist Ministers Conference of Youngstown and Vicinity.

1971: Coming to Cleveland Music Hall, Comedian Bill Cosby and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Tickets, $4, $5, and $6.

George McCuskey, 56, takes early retirement as president of Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. and is replaced by Frank Nemec of New Orleans, president of Lykes-Youngstown.

Mahoning County residents have been phoning in complaints that the Mahoning County Courthouse will be closed Feb. 15 for the new Presidents Day holiday, but will also close for Lincoln’s birthday on Feb. 12 and Washington’s birthday on Feb. 22.

1961: Indians General Manager “Hoot” Evans and some of his players will be the stars of a press luncheon at the Mural room in Youngstown.

Customers of East Ohio Gas Co. will no longer have to pay a penalty for late payments on estimated charges. Penalties will continue to be charged on late payment of bills that are based on actual meter readings.

1936: Youngstown Traffic commissioner Clarence coppersmith and Mayor Lionel Evans put into effect a new ledger system for traffic violations that will make it more difficult to “fix” tickets.

A group of Campbell residents petition the grand jury to investigate recent hirings and a coal contract approved by the Campbell Board of Education.