21 WFMJ archives / June 13,  1983 | Ohio Edison workers descended a manhole on Federal Plaza 42 years ago to investigate the cause of a short circuit in a 2,440-volt cable that blew the manhole cover three feet into the air on a jet of flame.

June 16 

2000: A majority of school districts in Mahoning County met or exceeded state averages for passage of the five-part fourth-grade proficiency tests. Highest was Canfield, with 64 percent passing all five parts. At the bottom are Youngstown at 7 percent and Eagle Heights Academy at 2 percent. 

The Columbiana Board of Education politely rejects a suggestion by the historical society that the name of Columbiana High School be changed to Harvey Firestone High School to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of  Firestone Tire and Rubber. 

Filming of boxer Ray Mancini's film, "Turn of Faith," brings several well-known actors to Struthers to film scenes, including Tony Sirico from HBO's "The Sopranos" and Hollywood veteran Charles Durning. 

 

1985: The Youngstown Park and Recreation Commission will operate only seven of the city's eight swimming pools because of a shortage of lifeguards, even after increasing the pay from $3.10 an hour to $4.50. Chase Pool will remain closed. 

The National Weather Service says it issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Mercer County, Pa., on the evening of May 31, but never issued a tornado warning, which would have indicated a tornado had been spotted, before a deadly twister hit Wheatland. 

The Ohio Historical Society places a marker commemorating the 1937 Little Steel Strike on Federal Plaza. The United Steelworkers of America sought the marker to commemorate the historic two-month walkout that resulted in the deaths of two steelworkers.

 

1975: Two 18-year-old suspects are arrested about 45 minutes after a hit-and-run car kills James Jackson, 50, of Mabel Street as he was crossing Market Street. 

Robert H. Roberts III, chairman of Warren City Council's utility committee, says the city will adamantly oppose United Telephone Co.'s request for a rate hike. 

Two gunmen enter the Ponderosa Steak House in Boardman through an unlocked door just after closing time, shoot the manager in the back, and then force him to open the safe. Richard W. Roberts is in fair condition in the South Side Hospital. 

 

1950: Youngstown Mayor Charles Henderson pledges that his administration and the Park Commission will "see that all our people will be able to enjoy the basic rights they are entitled to at city pools and playgrounds."

A federal court receiver says that Sen. Joseph R. McCarthy, R-Wisc., was paid $10,000 by Lustron Corp. for a 37-page article on housing issues. 

The Yellow Cab Co. requests that the Youngstown City Council reduce fares by approximately 10 cents per mile, as the current fares are too high.