Maturity Journal - April 2021 Issue

January 1977: It was revealed that $3,000 was stolen
from an open safe in the Vanderburgh Clerk's office on
December 13, 1976. University of Evansville basketball
coach Arad McCutchan announced his retirement at the
end of the season. The Ohio River was covered by ice and
river traffic was blocked. Evansville had 10 inches of snow
with a -16 degree temperature.
Mead Johnson would build a $20 million expansion in
Mount Vernon. It was 21 degrees below zero on January
17, 1977 and was the second lowest temperature ever recorded
in Evansville. The Ohio River ice was eight inches
thick. The area fuel supply was low because of the ice
blockage of river barges. More than $125,000 was found
missing from Evansville parking meter funds over a fouryear
period, and former parking meter supervisor Harry
Hall and his wife were indicted.
10,000 Vietnam draft evaders were pardoned. The
TV series Roots began on ABC. The conversion to the
metric system was well underway. Evansville’s water system
was shut down to avoid flood crest damage. A minus
12 temperature increased the local heating gas problem.
Evansville had its coldest month in history with an average
temperature of 14.8 degrees.
February 1977: SIGECO asked homes to lower home
temperature at least two degrees, and local stores cut their
open hours to help. The Wadesville Athletic Club was
raided and 90 to 100 people were arrested for drug and
alcohol violations. A major fire in the Princeton oil refinery
developed when a 420,000-gallon oil storage tank
erupted; it was visible 30 miles away during the afternoon
Maturity Journal
The Beverly Hills nightclub fire killed 165 people and
changed fire regulations around the world. (Public
domain photo)
and the blaze was controlled after an eight-hour fight by
firemen. Former University of Evansville basketball star
Jerry Sloan accepted the position of basketball coach;
after one week Sloan quit the job because it was much
more demanding than he was prepared to take. Whirlpool
returned its air-conditioner production equipment
to Evansville from the Marion, Ohio plant.
March 1977: Eastland Mall was announced for Evansville,
and it was to be completed by 1981. Northbrook
Plaza at First Avenue and Buena Vista Road was announced
for Evansville and would open in late 1977.
Highway signs were posted along highways promoting
the conversion to the metric system over a 10-year transition
period.
575 people were killed when two 747 airliners crashed
Silver Birch
of Evansville
Inspiring purposeful lives for all
475 S Governor St. • Evansville, IN 47713
812-217-1820
We are a Medicaid approved assisted living for the 55 and older population.
www.silverbirchliving.com
April 2021 Page 9