YEARS AGO FOR FEB. 23

Today is Thursday, Feb. 23, the 54th day of 2017. There are 311 days left in the year.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

On this date in:

1942: The first shelling of the U.S. mainland during World War II occurs as a Japanese submarine fired on an oil refinery near Santa Barbara, Calif., causing little damage.

1945: During World War II, U.S. Marines on Iwo Jima capture Mount Suribachi, where they raise a pair of American flags (the second flag-raising was captured in the iconic Associated Press photograph.)

1954: The first mass inoculation of schoolchildren against polio using the Salk vaccine begins in Pittsburgh as some 5,000 students were vaccinated.

1965: Film comedian Stan Laurel, 74, dies in Santa Monica, Calif.

VINDICATOR FILES

1992: Three weapon detectors remain in the basement of City Hall, uninstalled in Youngstown Municipal Court because judges say the court’s budget won’t allow hiring someone to monitor the detectors. Judge Louis Levy says there is a problem with people carrying guns to court.

Barbara Maple, director of consumer education for the Youngstown Better Business Bureau, warns job seekers to beware of scammers who are preying on desperate people during a downturn in the economy.

Columbiana County’s population dropped from 113,572 in 1980 to 108,276 in 1990 and its per capita income is below the national average, but Don Lowe, chairman of the county commissioners, says things are changing for the better.

1977: Youngstown Hospital Association nurses win a wage increase from $5.33 an hour to $6 for an entry-level nurse, averting a threatened strike. The YHA raises room rates by $2.50 per day, effective immediately.

U.S. House investigators say Texaco is hoarding more than 500 billion cubic feet of natural gas while parts of the nation, including Ohio, face a shortages that have closed schools and industries.

Responding to a suit filed by the Animal Charity League of Ohio, Common Pleas Judge Elwyn Jenkins grants a preliminary injunction barring further poisoning of pigeon in downtown Youngstown. The order effectively kills the program for the year because the city’s permit to use strychnine-laced corn expires March 1.

1967: The first Mass will be celebrated at the $500,000 St. Patrick Church in Hubbard by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. John Toole, pastor. Bishop James W. Malone will visit the new church in May.

A one-day walkout by steelworkers at the Syro Steel Co. in Girard ends, allowing the company to resume production of runway landing mats for the Vietnam War. The company has an $8.1 million contract with the Defense Department.

Poland Village Council sets March 14 for a special meeting to mark Hi-Y Civic Day. High school students participating include Mickey McCabe. Steve Van Such, Tim Morgan, Ken Weibling, Rick Rudawsky, Jeff Davis and Alex Duncan.

1942: Lt. Col. Donald J. Lynn, head of Mahoning County civilian defense, urges owners and managers of theaters, hospitals, hotels and other public buildings to have representatives enroll in air warden classes.

President Franklin Roosevelt advises those who listen to his next address to have a map of the world handy for reference. Vindicator readers will find a map for this purpose on Page One, Section Two.

Mrs. Robert Culp gives a talk on Williamsburg at a luncheon of the Thistle Friendship Reading Circle.