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Newspaper
Bennington Banner
Location
Bennington, Vermont, United States of America
Date
Dec 31, 1976
Page
2
In 1976 Italians were abducted for ransom at an average of one a week, totaling 50 victims 42 men three women and five children. Of these 38 were released after ransom payments of at least 12 million dollars or by police rescue efforts. 11 remained in captivity and one was killed. Authorities suspect actual payments were higher than published.
Prestige Leasing Co. purchased 13 Rolls Royce sedans and one convertible for 500000, the biggest single U.S. sale of the marque. The cars were handed to Lease Ventures Inc. for daily operations, with plans for about $1000 monthly leases, including maintenance and chauffeured options for shopping or entertaining.
The Liberian tanker Oswego Peace leaked about 2000 gallons of home heating oil into the Thames River near New London after a hull crack. A Coast Guard hearing could impose up to 5000 dollars in penalties for polluting federal waters, with jurisdiction limited due to foreign-flag registration.
A Thursday raid at Ardmore Air Park seized more than eight tons of marijuana tied to Colombia and smuggling networks. Two airplanes, a Douglas DC4 and a Cessna 310, plus four trucks and two cars were impounded. Street value was about 12 million dollars. Ten people from eight states were jailed on suspicion of possession with intent to distribute. Suspects included three from El Paso and others from California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado, Missouri, Massachusetts, and New Mexico. The 270 bales were to be transported to Oklahoma City under tight security.
Workmen on a cleanup crew near Philadelphia monitor floating booms around the tanker Olympic Games after it ran aground late in the day. Authorities coordinate containment and assess environmental impact. Emergency responders secure the scene and weather conditions remain calm.
New York sees a fresh daily newspaper, the News World, funded by Rev. Sun Myung Moon’s Unification Church, while Rupert Murdoch takes control of the New York Post. The News World prints 150000 copies of 24 pages at Mount Kisco plant, aims at youth, and plans nationwide reach. Moon owns majority stock but officials deny editorial ties. Murdoch’s Post leadership shift comes as he purchases the paper for about 30 million dollars, replacing Dorothy Schiff in masthead.
A sweeping year in review notes space feats and oil spills. It cites a three legged rover to Mars, a 7.6 million gallon oil spill, political scandals, high profile deaths and cultural moments. It mentions Jimmy Carter’s primaries, Barbara Walters’ pay, and stock market milestones. It covers the Argo Merchant spill near Nantucket, NOAA NASA efforts, and public notices of global events.
Detroit police announce a moratorium on drunk driving arrests from 6 p.m. today to 6 a.m. Saturday to curb arrests and send intoxicated motorists home by cab unless involved in an accident or facing extinuating circumstances. Suburban departments adopt similar leniency while Michigan state police vow stricter enforcement.
UPI reports the National Center for Health Statistics data show the birth rate fell to 14.8 per 1 000 in 1975, the lowest since records began, with illegitimate births rising to 14.2 percent of all births. Declines affected most age groups of women 15 to 44, while births to girls 10-14 rose slightly.
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