21 WFMJ archives / May 21, 1968 | Roland Alexander, left, presented a lifetime membership to the Youngstown Chapter of the NAACP to David Fleming, right, 56 years ago. Center is Nathaniel Lee, president of the NAACP chapter.

May 23

1999: The sixth annual March for Jesus in Youngstown attracts an estimated 13,000 people, making it the third largest gathering in the United States. The Mahoning County Solid Waste Management District is taking fewer materials because the market for everything except corrugated cardboard has shrunk.

Youngstown State University's first Conference on Jewish Studies will be held in the Beeghley College of Education and will be open to the public.

1984: Residents of properties abutting Mill Creek Park attend a park board meeting, hoping to learn about future plans for the park. They are told a plan won't be ready for another year. Some say they are worried about the park's commercialization. 

Carmen Vivolo, parks and recreation director, says Niles officials are studying several sites for new gas wells, including Stevens Park and Union Cemetery. 

About 1,000 senior citizens rallied at the Capitol in Harrisburg against budget proposals that would allow the use of Pennsylvania lottery funds not specifically earmarked for seniors.

1974: The Ohio Highway Patrol and all local police will be out in full force over the 78-hour Memorial Day weekend to try to prevent Ohio from reaching its projected toll of 26 traffic fatalities. 

Youngstown City Council approves $60,000 to hire consultants to assess the condition of bridges in the city.

Missing heiress Patricia Hearst, once sought as a kidnap victim, is now a fugitive, charged by the Los Angeles district attorney with 19 felony charges, including robbery, assault, and kidnapping, which could bring a life sentence. 

1949: Two slot machines of the nickel and dime variety are seized at the VFW Post 3538 in Struthers by state liquor inspector Michael J. Lucas. 

The Mahoning Valley Soccer Club defeats Warren 5-1 in an Ohio State Cup game at Harrison Field. 

James V. Forrestal, secretary of the Navy during World War II and first secretary of defense, killed himself by jumping from the 16th floor of the Bethesda Naval Hospital, where he was being treated for depression for seven weeks. He was 57 years old.