WFMJ archives / March 1, 1988 | More than 100 three-foot-tall chocolate bunnies took over the Federal Forum in the former Strouss building 37 years ago as Angels for Easter Seals and the Giannios Candy Co. kicked off the annual Ton of Love fundraiser in which businesses sponsored bunnies for $150 each. From left, Lee Stein, 4, of Canfield and his friend, the Easter bunny; Gus Giannios; Megan Lidle, 4, of Poland; Joe Giannios; Bill Boomhower, 4, of Boardman and Mary Lou Green, chairman of the fundraiser. 

March 2

2000: Sales of the Cavalier fell by more than 20 percent in February for the second straight month. Chevrolet sold 20,953 Cavaliers in February, compared to 25,732 in February 1999.

Forest S. Beckett, the founder of Youngstown Airways Inc., chairman of the Youngstown Business Incubator, and director of the Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corp., died at his Fowler Township home. He was 88.

A bomb threat written on a restroom wall at Hermitage Middle School led to the arrest of a 14-year-old male student. 

 

1985: Youngstown Councilman Herman "Pete" Starks receives the Mahoning County Democratic Party's endorsement for mayor. Incumbent Patrick Ungaro did not seek the party's nod. 

An underground drug being sold on the streets of Washington, D.C., is blamed for six deaths and 18 overdoses that required hospital treatment. 

Rudy Gasparek, president of United Auto Workers Local 1112 in Lordstown, says President Reagan's decision to end foreign car quotas will spell economic catastrophe for the U.S. auto industry. 

 

1975: Overall crime in Youngstown increased by more than 8 percent in 1974, despite the police department's constant battle to stem serious crimes. 

Robert E. Williams, president of GF Business Equipment Inc., says the company has bought acreage on the North Side for a major construction project. 

The Trumbull County Courthouse, built 78 years ago for $141,000, is listed in the National Register of Historic Sites, raising hopes that it may finally get an exterior renovation. 

 

1950: The combined effects of a coal shortage, natural gas cutbacks, and near-zero temperatures hit Youngstown hard, putting 15,000 men out of work. 

Mullins Manufacturing Corp. will build a warehouse at its Warren plant for $700,000, says President George E. Whitlock. 

Cecil B. DeMille's masterpiece, Sampson and Delilah, starring Hedy LaMarr and Victor Mature, is playing at the Palace Theater.