75 Years Ago
February 17, 1947
U.S. Radios First Message To Russians
The United States-addressing the Russian people by radio in their own language said today “full harmony” exists in this country between the federal government and the 48 states. The first broadcast beamed to the Soviet Union by the State Department’s “Voice of America” shortwave station presented a 2,000-word dissertation on “State’s Rights” and a summary of world news, interspersed with such folk tunes as “Turkey in the Straw” and “Git Along Little Dogies.” The program marks this country’s initial effort to hurdle Russia’s “Iron Curtain” by means of radio.
50 Years Ago
February 17, 1972
International Bill Passes, 81-0
The Senate has unanimously voted that the President be required to tell Congress of every international agreement he makes, sensitive or not. The Nixon administration opposes the bill.
The Wednesday vote of 81 to 0 was another step for senators interested in reasserting the congressional role in foreign policy.
Covington Cougars surpass Clifton Forge 114-89
Skippers Reyns(No. 40) had the best game of his career for the Covington Cougars Tuesday night Clifton Forge and is pictured about to score two of his 23 points. CHS scored a record 114 points in the 114-89 win and will play their last regular season game at Alleghany Friday night.
25 Years Ago
February 17, 1997
Marijuana Bill Goes Up In Smoke
A 1979 Virginia law allowing doctors to prescribe marijuana for cancer or glaucoma patients will stay on the books for at least another year. The Senate Education and Health Committee voted 9-6 Sunday to kill a bill repealing the law. The bill had sailed through the House of Delegates on an 86-13 vote, and Gov. George Allen had said he would sign it. The committee voted to have a committee study the issue.
10 Years Ago
February 17, 2012
Postal Service Sees Red
Mired in red ink, the U.S. Postal Service is warning it will lose as much as $18.2 billion a year by 2015 unless Congress grants it new leeway to eliminate Saturday delivery, slow first-class mail by one day and raise the price of a postage stamp by as much as 5 cents. The Postal Service has already asked Congress for permission to make service cuts and reduce annual payments of about $5.5 billion to prefund retiree health benefits.
Third-Seeded Cougars Upset Second-Seeded Knights, 70-64
The No. 3 seed Covington Cougars took on a tournament favorite in the No. 2 seed James River Thursday night at Parry McCluer. Coach Nathan Hale’s team put forth a total team effort to come out on top 70-64 to advance to the championship Friday night against host and No. 1 seed Parry McCluer.