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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 31, 1963
Page
1
City officials hail a record year of growth in Decatur and forecast expansive progress with a $12 million jet airport facility eight miles away. The school system spent about $800,000 in 1963 on Austin High School additions including classrooms and a new gymnasium.
County agent figures show area farmers earned an estimated 70 million dollars gross in 1963. Morgan County reports a total gross of 10,004,024 with cotton leading at 4,674,400 and other crops including dairy, poultry, grain, and timber contributing. Limestone figures incomplete but notes cotton revenue of about 10.8 million and corn of 2.761 million. See FARM on Page 2.
The Associated Press selects John F Kennedy as 1963 Newsmaker of the Year with top stories on the hot line to Khrushchev and his assassination in Dallas. In Memphis Katy Sue Meredith wins the 1964 Maid of Cotton title with plans to teach after college.
The year’s mood swings and shocks echo through 1963 as the pace of news slows at midnight. Weather roars with winds and rain, crops suffer, and headlines reflect a season of joy sorrow and peril.
At the intersection of Eleanor Dr SW and Danville Rd a pickup truck driven by Theo Lewis Hill collided with a parked 1955 Ford sedan. Fire department notes include grass fires at Austinville Rd Paradise Trailer Court and 1500 block Pennylane with no loss. Major tornado events and flooding are summarized with fatal and property damage impacts across Cullman, Limestone, and Morgan counties.
A new Christian faces inevitable difficulties as growth begins. Christians must grow gradually, walking before running, accepting growing pains as the spirit develops. Satan will oppose new faith, but believers have Christ within who is greater than any foe, enabling perseverance.
Year end reports from municipal utility departments show Decatur’s growth with customer increases in gas water and electricity. Refunds from Alabama Tennessee Natural Gas Co. are deducted from gas department revenue. Pride notes total figures through November are down vs last year though revenue has risen overall.
New York stocks ran higher with heavy trading while bonds showed mixed, light activity. Chicago wheat gained slightly amid scattered demand. corn and oats fell. soybeans held mostly steady with mixed trading. Hog prices steady to 25 cents lower, top 15.50. Slaughter steers were uneven, mostly steady to 50 cents lower, top 23.75.
Leaders of a 10,000 member local AFL-CIO Communications Workers of America were suspended after voting to withdraw from the union. The move comes amid internal dispute within a major labor chapter.
The new year begins with world leaders hoping for peace and celebrations ranging from solemn prayers to revelry. In Italy objects are thrown from windows to symbolize shedding the old, though illegal, while in New York crowds await the Times Square ball drop at midnight.
In 19th century Limestone County a fierce election sought the county seat against Athens. The article hints at two rival towns that contended with Athens in a hot bid for the seat, inviting readers to guess and compare notes with John Knox's Wednesday DAILY column.
Governor Wallace’s administration began hearings to revoke licenses of ten moneylenders issuing loans over 300 dollars. State Banking Superintendent Robert Cleckler oversees the process under the small loan law as Public Finance Corp. of St. Louis faces the first public hearing. Attorney John Kohn contested the session as an informal conference with news access debated.
President Johnson plans about 51 billion dollars for next year's defense. McNamara says the figure saves a billion from this year without weakening defenses and may improve peacetime strength, despite top commanders favoring 60 billion.
The Huntsville Weather Bureau warns four or more inches of snow may fall by tomorrow morning in Decatur and surrounding areas. Roads have already been closed by the state highway patrol, with U S 31 at risk of closure before dusk.
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