21 WFMJ archives  / March  30, 1984 | This file photo taken by a Vindicator photographer shows the Realty Building on Federal Plaza 40 years before an explosion led to its demolition.

March 31

2000: Youngstown Mayor George McKelvey says the city's new budget will allow for hiring 40 new police officers, bringing the force to 237, all of whom McKelvey wants on the streets by the end of 2000.

An internal war in the Liberty Police Department has turned hotter, with the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association and Fraternal Order of Police calling for Chief Michael Pilolli to be fired. The unions say Pilolli has ignored the terms of their contracts and labor laws, but Trustee Patricia Metzinger says the chief has the full confidence of the board. 

Advertisement: Playing at Powers Auditorium on Mothers Day weekend, "Pump Boys and the Dinettes," starring Maureen Collins, Todd Hancock, Don Creque, Robin Elia McCamy, David Jendre, and Jeff Sanders. 

 

1985: The Rayen School Tigers defeat Columbus Linden McKinley, 50-46, at St. John Arena to become the first Youngstown team to win the Class AA state basketball championship. 

Under Carol Baird as director of Youngstown City School District's music department, participation in school choirs has increased to 450  students and bands to 257  

Bank One of Eastern Ohio spent $1 million renovating the basement of its Federal Plaza building into a 30,000-square-foot office concourse. 

 

1975: What began as an Easter reunion for Charity Ruppert's family in Hamilton, Ohio, ends with 11 family members dead and another charged in their murders. The dead ranged in age from 3 years old to 65.

Despite 30-degree temperatures and blustery winds, Youngstowners turn out in all their finery for Easter services. 

 

1950: Opening the St. Lawrence Seaway would give Youngstown and Pittsburgh a firmer hold on their position in the steel industry, W.H. Durrell, manager of a Montreal ore company, tells an Ohio Valley Improvement Association meeting in Pittsburgh. 

A force of more than 200 census takers begins canvassing the Youngstown district. They will be paid 7 cents for each name enumerated and expect to cover the city in three weeks.