Vindicator file photo / January 1970 | This is what St. Michael’s Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church looked like 50 years ago when it was decorated for the celebration of Christmas on January 7. St. Michael’s was one of four Youngstown area churches that followed the Julian calendar. 


January 7

1995: A twin-engine plane piloted by Dr. Robert Brocker crashes during takeoff from a private airstrip in Canfield near state Route 11. Dr. Brocker, his wife and six children, who were leaving on a skiing trip, were uninjured. 

Mahoning County Probate Court Judge Leo P. Morley orders two members of the Mahoning County Board of Commissioners, Frank Lordi and David Engler, to appear in his courtroom with a copy of the probate budget. 


Economics professors Dr. Tod S. Porter and Teresa M. Riley of Poland have developed a computer software package designed to help their students at Youngstown State University solve economics problems.

1980: Striking Mahoning County Joint Vocational School teachers stepped off the picket line and back into the classroom after ratifying a new two-year contract that will eventually raise teacher base salaries from $9,850 to $11,800.

Police suspect a gangland murder in the death of John Magda, 42, whose body, taped up like a mummy, was found in the old dump on Arrel-Smith Road in Struthers.

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeat the Houston Oiler 27-13 to win the American Conference championship. The Steelers and Los Angeles Rams will meet in the Super Bowl.

1970: Willis Smith, who retired after 18 years as Mahoning County superintendent of schools, will be the district manager for the federal census in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. 

Ohio Bell Telephone will spend $13.3 million in the Youngstown area for essential expansion, service improvements and modernization, says Douglas Shasby, commercial manager.

Paul L. Bruhn, general manager of the manufacturing division of Republic Steel Corp., will head the 1970-71 Youngstown Area United Appeal campaign.

1945: Youngstown war plants had one of the lowest absentee rates in Ohio in December, says Dr. Joseph E. Smith, area War Manpower Commission director. 

Slot machines of the nickel, dime and quarter variety which went into hiding after the special grand jury investigation of vice and crime in the area are now appearing in corner drug stores and clubs.

"Paper Troopers" are expected to go out from various public and parochial schools during the next few weeks to collect desperately needed waste paper from Youngstown homes.