75 Years Ago
April 14, 1947
U.S. Defenses Wide Open To Air Surprise
The United States-its wartime aircraft detection network all but dismantled-is virtually wide open to a surprise attack from the air. An unofficial survey indicated this today following the disclosure last week of a document dealing with War Department thinking on the national security effects of the atomic bomb.
50 Years Ago
April 14, 1972
War Powers Bill Support Is Sought
The ultimate fate of a bill to limit the president’s war powers depends on public response, according to the bill’s chief sponsor. “The important thing will be how the country feels and how it manifests that feeling to its legislators,” Sen. Jacob K. Kavits said Thursday after the Senate passed the measure 68 to 18.
25 Years Ago
April 14, 1997
111th Annual State Firefighters Convention In Area Aug. 13-16
Larry Gwaltney of Hampton, president of the Virginia State Firefighters Association, announced Saturday that the association’s 111th Annual Convention will be hosted August 3-6 by the nine Alleghany Highlands Fire Departments,with headquarters on the Dabney S. Lancaster Community College campus. Gwaltney and other state officials were in Covington for a convention planning and association officers meeting.
Old Law Prohibits Cussing In Virginia
Sticks and stones may break your bones, but trash talk in Virginia can get you arrested. Leigh Ferek found that out when she cussed out her mother-in-law and was arrested on a charge of violating an archaic law enacted a century ago to ensure Virginians were civil to one another. Ms. Ferek, 23, was arrested under statute No. 18.2-416, Virginia’s “fighting words” law, which prohibits anyone from using words that potentially cause another to become abusive or to incite a breach of the peace.
10 Years Ago
April 14, 2012
Fires Scorch More Than 15,000 Acres
Efforts to contain two major wildfires still burning in the Highlands are continuing this weekend. By U.S. Forest Service estimates, the Alleghany Tunnels Fire, 10 miles west of Covington, has now exceeded 10,000 acres in size. Another fire in the Rich Hole section of North Mountain, had burned more than 5,300 acres by Friday night. The Forest Service still has no estimated containment date for either fire.
Hybrid, Electric Cars Gaining Popularity
Americans are buying record numbers of hybrid and electric cars as gas prices climb and new models arrive in showrooms, giving the vehicles their greatest share yet of the U.S. auto market. Consumers bought a record 52,000 gas-electric hybrids and all-electric cars in March, up from 34,000 durning the same month last year.
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