Years Ago

Today is Monday, May 16, the 136th day of 2011. There are 229 days left in the year.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

On this date in:

1811: An American frigate, the USS President, pursues and engages a British sloop-of-war, the HMS Little Belt, off North Carolina after initially mistaking it for the HMS Guerriere, which had seized and impressed an American sailor. (The more seriously damaged Little Belt loses 11 crew members; both sides claim the other had fired first.)

1868: The Senate fails by one vote to convict President Andrew Johnson as it takes its first ballot on the 11 articles of impeachment against him.

1910: The U.S Bureau of Mines is established. (It ceases operations in 1996, its functions having been transferred to other agencies.)

VINDICATOR FILES

1986: The Youngstown Civil Service Commission will certify paychecks for city employees, but is taking the board of education to court to determine who has the power to appoint entry-level employees.

Lt. Gen. Edward C. Peter, commander of the 4th Army, speaks at the 35th annual armed forces recognition luncheon at the Italian-Americans War Veterans Post 3. Lt. Col. James Shurtleff wins the Col. Boals Award.

Eighteen students from all five Youngstown high schools and two elementary school pupils perform “Dream On”, a musical “Salute to Excellence” written and performed by the students.

1971: Mahoning County Prosecutor Vincent E. Gilmartin opens a battle on tax delinquents in a war aimed at collecting $2.7 million in unpaid taxes.

Youngstown State University’s entire development plan for the next 15 years hinges on the city’s approval of closing two blocks of Elm Street between Lincoln Avenue and Spring Street.

1961: The Youngstown Board of Education approves a plan to pay extra to teachers who take on additional duties, such as coaching athletic or academic teams.

Persistent rumors are circulating that Century Food Markets Co., a big Ohio and Pennsylvania supermarket chain, has been sold to Loblaw Inc. of Buffalo, N.Y.

1936: Chief Carl Olson picks the day of the Preakness to order his men to keep the bookies off Youngstown’s streets.

Seventeen city truck drivers are discharged by Mayor Lionel Evans who appoints 25 others from lists submitted by the civil service commission.