Flashback LancasterParking guidance system

DIRECTOR HIRED: John A. Hostetler was named director of the newly created Center for

the Study of Anabaptist and Pietist Groups at Elizabethtown College. Hostetler, 67, was

retired from Temple University in Philadelphia, where he had earned a national

reputation for his expertise on the Amish. (Feb. 28, 1986)


SHOOTINGS: Allegedly angered over an unpaid drug debt, a Parkesburg man shot and killed

two men at a Providence Township mobile home park, then killed himself with the same

revolver 11 hours later, police said. (March 1, 1986)


DRUG TESTING: Although it generally was not happening here yet, local employers said

they believed that the introduction of drug-testing programs for workers — especially

new employees — was coming soon.

Officials with a number of local employers, both public and private, said that the

question of drug testing was a "really hot issue" and was the "wave of the future."

Their comments came as the President's Commission on Organized Crime urged President

Ronald Reagan to direct all government agencies to formulate "suitable drug-testing

programs" for federal workers. (March 4, 1986)


SKYLINE POOL: The Manheim Township Park Board recommended the township consider

purchasing the Skyline Swimming, Racquet and Fitness Center on Eden Road. A feasibility

study estimated the purchase price at $420,000 and the cost of renovations at $259,545.

(March 6, 1986)

50 years ago


BAD METERS: Frustrated with malfunctions of its new parking meters, Lancaster city

officials were discussing whether to return the 650 devices and get back the purchase

price of $27,000 from the manufacturer. (Feb. 28, 1961)


WAGON HEIST: Two men leaving a city nightclub at 2:35 a.m. decided to take along a

souvenir that was parked in front of the Brunswick Hotel. They hitched an old Conestoga

wagon to their pickup truck and pulled it past the police station on East Chestnut

Street, then north on Duke Street, which was one-way south.

Police stopped the pair at Lemon and Cherry streets and returned the damaged 1830 wagon

to its display space in front of the Brunswick. (Feb. 28, 1961)


HIGH-TECH: An official with RCA Corp. made a presentation in Lancaster on the company's

"electronic highway guidance system," which was designed to allow drivers to whiz along

superhighways while playing cards, reading or even sleeping.

The three-stage project involved a "detector network," a "guidance system" and an

"electronic collision-control system."

The project was begun in 1953, the RCA official explained, and was still about 10 years

from completion. (Feb. 28, 1961)


BRAZIL-BOUND: Two young carriers for Lancaster Newspapers Inc. began an 11-day

sightseeing trip of Brazil as the prize for being named "outstanding salesmen" among

LNP's 1,100 carriers.

Accompanied by the company's circulation director, the two youths were scheduled to

visit Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia and Sao Paulo. (March 6, 1961)

75 years ago


MIKE'S FANS: Residents from the neighborhood of Pine, Mary and West New streets jammed

an alderman's office to provide testimony in support of Mike, a large police dog

"arrested" for biting a motorcycle patrolman.

Mike's supporters said he was a lovable and responsible escort to children attending

Mary Street School. But other testimony indicated that Mike had frequent run-ins with

motorcyclists and other dogs.

After listening to the testimony, the alderman said he would take the case under

advisement before deciding if Mike was a "vicious" dog. (Feb. 29, 1936)


SKILL SHORTAGE: Lancaster Chamber of Commerce reported a scarcity of men skilled in the

building trades in the Lancaster area. Inquiries with local manufacturers indicated

particular scarcities of toolmakers, stair-builders, carpenters, machinists and stone

masons.

Officials attributed the shortage to a serious interruption in the training of

apprentices because jobs for young high school graduates had been scarce in recent

years. (Feb. 29, 1936)