Vindicator file photo / October 8, 1982 | Diane Decembly, a program assistant at the Potential Development Program Inc., encourages two children in the pre-academic program 40 years ago.  Reuben “Rocky” Gordon, left, and Christine Harvey made academic progress thanks to the program that was funded in part by the Youngstown Area United Way.
 
 October 8
 
1997: The FBI says mobster Ernie Biondillo was stalked by hitmen for a year before he was finally ambushed in June 1996 by two Youngstown men who fired shotguns through the windows of his car on the East Side. 
 
Girard school officials hope to use the land around Girard Lakes for recreation and education, possibly even building on the land someday.
 
Caparo Steel officials say as many as 100 workers will be laid off when the company shuts down its hot-strip mill in Farrell. 
 
1982: Ohio unemployment dropped slightly in September to 12.5 percent, a 0.2 percent reduction from August, while the national unemployment rate fell to 10.1 percent, the highest since the Great Depression. 
 
Public school enrollment in Lawrence and Mercer counties fell by 25 percent in the last decade, dipping from 24,916 to 18,654 in Mercer and from 29,948 to 22,470 in Lawrence.
 
In the third year under band director Douglas Hazlett, the David Anderson High School Band has doubled in size to 92 members, has developed a disciplined marching style, and is taking the field in new uniforms. 
 
1972: The Ohio Department of Transportation says it will not open state Route 11 in Trumbull County until Trumbull County commissioners agree to block off Howland Wilson Road at state Route 82 in Howland Township. Residents are up in arms at the proposal. 
 
Six thousand chrysanthemum plants, the largest single display in the United States, are in bloom at Stan Hywet Hall in Akron. 
 
Youngstown State University's biology department purchases a microspectrophotometer, a scientific instrument used for the measurement of cell construction at the molecular level. 
 
1947: Heavy voter registration in Youngstown is an indication of the high interest being shown in the race between Mayor Ralph O'Neill and his Republican challenger, Atty. Charles Henderson.
 
St. Elizabeth Hospital announces a 20-percent increase in room rates, bringing the charge for a private room to $12 a day; for a semi-private, $9; and for a ward, $6.50.
 
The Youngstown planning commission approves plans for the Mar-Hill Markets, a $1 million, 16-store shopping center between Market and Hillman streets, south of Ravenwood.