21 WFMJ archives  / July 15, 1954 | Youngstown Police Chief Paul H. Cress swore in five rookie policemen 70 years ago. From left, Wallace W. Davis, Carmen M. Bruno, Norbert J. Smith, and Larry J. LaBanc. The men had been acting as undercover agents for the vice squad for the previous month.

July 19

1999: The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning Valley suggests that the Mahoning County Solid Waste Management District provide $750,000 toward the construction of the new $4 million library in Poland, allowing 34 percent in recycled products in the building's construction.

Trumbull County commissioners want Thomas Nolan, manager of the Youngstown Warren Regional Airport, to explain why 115 passengers spent several hours on a grounded Nations Air Express Boeing 737 with only a small amount of water. The plane eventually took off after about 25 passengers volunteered or were taken off so that a weight limit could be reached and the plane could take off for Atlantic City.

Of the 99 members of the Ohio House, 26 Republicans and 14 Democrats can't seek re-election in 2000 because of term limits. Many are looking at ways to stay in government, either by being appointed to a new post or running for a different position. 

 

1984: Youngstown mobster Joseph "Little Joey" Naples returns to his home on Carlotta Drive in Youngstown after being released from a federal prison in Chicago, where he served about five months of a six-month sentence on gun charges.

The historic Amos Christy House on Main Street in Warren is refurbished and opens as an emergency shelter house operated by the Greater Apostolic Church.

James Huberty, 41, who killed 20 people and wounded 20 others with a semi-automatic rifle at a California McDonalds, left Massillon, Ohio, an embittered man after losing his job as a security guard at the Babcox and Wilcox power plant in Canton. A former co-worker said he "was always talking about shooting somebody." 

 

1974: An eight-day party to dedicate Youngstown's $1.7 million Federal Plaza is scheduled for Oct. 5 to Oct. 12.

Niles police dispersed about 50 people at the Cedar Street playground following a series of disputes over the recreation area's use. Neighbors say adults and older children have been taking over the park, which was designed for youngsters.

Vandalized basketball equipment at Crandall Park is being replaced on "immediate" orders by the Youngstown Park and Recreation Board. The posts were sawed off, and the letters WPA were spray painted on the court, reportedly standing for White Power Association. 

 

1949: The House-by-the-Side-of-the-Road at 446 W. Federal St., which has offered a haven to thousands of transients and evicted families, is closing after 13 years of operation as the successor to the old City Rescue Mission.

The Youngstown Chapter of the NAACP orders a Vindicator reporter to leave its meeting at the W. Federal YMCA, presumably to keep secret its views on city swimming pools.

More than 6,000 employees and their families attended picnics put on by three Youngstown department stores: McKelvey's, Strouss-Hirshberg's, and Kline's. McKelvey's was at Idora Park, Strouss at Meyer's Lake near Canton, and Kline's at Dun Eden Lake.