21 WFMJ archives  / December  11, 1974 | Vindicator Politics Editor Clingan Jackson, dressed in period costume, presented a certificate designating Mahoning County and Youngstown as Bicentennial communities to Mayor Jack C. Hunter and Commissioner Thomas Barrett 50 years ago. Harriett Schaaf of the Arms Museum and County Auditor Stephen Olenick were looking on. 

December 11

1999: Members of the Youngstown State University presidential search committee will be in Cleveland over the weekend interviewing ten candidates to succeed YSU President Leslie Cochran and will miss the Penguins semi-final Division 1-AA matchup with Florida A&M.Bruce Beeghly, trustee chairman, said rescheduling the interviews wasn't an option because some candidates might be lost in the process.

Despite overcrowding at Mahoning Valley animal shelters, the operators say December is not the best time to adopt a pet. The hectic holiday means there isn't time for proper bonding between the new owner and the animal.

Over the objections of Mahoning County leaders, the state approves a $500,000 grant to the Columbiana County Port Authority to reactivate a 36-mille rail line between Youngstown and Darlington, Pa. Opponent had already started work on converting the Youngstown & Southern Railroad right of way into a biking and hiking trail. 

1984: The Federal Aviation Administration criticizes as arbitrary a decision by Fred DeLuca, manager of the Youngstown Municipal Airport, to shut down for one hour every morning during the winter season

The Tamarkin Co. announces the closure of three area Valu King stores in Youngstown, Warren, and Sharon, Pennsylvania.

Lewis A. Mahoney steps down as president of E.W. Bliss Co. in Salem in a move described as a managerial realignment that will not affect operations at the South Ellsworth Avenue plant. 

1974: State agents and Trumbull Sheriff's Deputies raid the Novelty Shoppe at 41 East Park Avenue in Niles, confiscating $7,000 in cash, a number of betting slips, and other gambling paraphernalia.

The Youngstown and Mahoning County Bicentennial Commission officially opens its offices at 7 W. Federal Plaza.

Boxing champ Muhammad Ali dropped in on President Gerald Ford after a VIP tour of the White House and joked that after seeing the house, he was going after the president's job. 

1949: Mahoning County Sheriff Paul J. Langley gets an early Christmas gift, a loaded Buick sedan costing $3,924. The car replaces a Chrysler Town and County the county bought for Langley to drive in January.

Named to The Vindicator's All-City football team: John Santillo, Gerald McBride, John Massaro, Harold Wells, Tom Tinkler, Robert Garcar, Pete Popovich, Bill Proverbs, Joe Byrdy, Bill Burney, and Tom Louis.

Squeals of delight become cries of concern for Santa Claus, who tangled in some powerlines while parachuting into Fort Lauderdale, Fla.  A utility lineman at the event shinnied up a pole and rigged a harness to rescue Santa.