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Newspaper
Decatur Daily
Location
Decatur, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jun 20, 1976
Page
1
Viking spacecraft began automated orbit insertion maneuvers en route to Mars after a 440 million mile, ten month journey. Controllers prerecorded the burn to slow the four ton craft by 2454 miles per hour, aiming for a 24.6 hour Martian day orbit.
The Associated Press reports Reagan and Ford vying for the remaining nominating delegates in five state conventions. Early results show Reagan possibly winning most weekend selections as Ford concentrates on Washington and Lebanon issues. Ford leads in Iowa with 10 of 18 delegates, bringing his total to 977, 92 ahead of Reagan. 1,130 are needed for the nomination. There are 159 uncommitted and 237 yet to be chosen.
A Daily photo by John Godbey shows Pat Kelley departing for Washington D C while engineer Larry Kelley bids her farewell. The story highlights a nontraditional marriage dynamic and the couple’s positive view of it as they read He She and We in the Living Today section.
Sandra Locke, associate minister at First United Methodist Church in Decatur, becomes the first woman of her sex to serve in this role. She reviews church matters with Pastor Rev. Tom Stevenson as photographers capture moments for readers.
The Charlotte Observer reports secret political funds existed within Bell System in 15 states plus AT&T and Western Electric HQ in New York. Interviews with 37 executives show hundreds contributed usually 50 to 100 dollars monthly. AT&T says managers donated personal funds, not company money, and no law violation occurred.
The Alabama State Republican Executive Committee meeting in Montgomery erupted over national and foreign policy. Delegates pledged to Reagan after the May primary, opened with nominations for two legislative seats and nine presidential electors, and Ford supporters pushed a resolution urging U.S. sovereignty over the Panama Canal.
Miami reports describe Ray Thompson and Sharon Gabriel, both 16, as lifelong sweethearts who could not bear separate summers. Police say Thompson shot Sharon five times then killed himself after a preplanned separation plan. Sharon had been slated to travel to Italy with her father in the armed forces. Relatives note their three-year romance and past talk of marriage as neighbors and classmates react with shock.
Fighting between Syrians and Palestinians halted a convoy planned to evacuate foreigners from Lebanon, delaying departure as shells hit refugee camps near Beirut. About 55 people were reported killed since Friday, while some 1,700 Americans remain in the city. The British Embassy awaited Palestinian security clearance to resume the convoy at dawn Sunday.
In 1867 President Andrew Johnson proclaimed the treaty for the purchase of Alaska from Russia. The feature notes the date and the historic acquisition, with other local detail suggesting a daily living page in the Tennessee Valley region.
The Decatur Daily honors the first annual salute to women’s clubs in Decatur Morgan County. They are noted for thousands of hours of community volunteering and fundraising to aid those in need.
Four laning of Decatur Beltline from U S 31 to Alabama 20 could start in October 1977, Highway Director Ray Bass said in a letter to Mayor Russell Bolding. He noted an earlier start depends on Legislature funding and that the project may be split into two construction seasons, with two possible segments but no specifics given.
The Morgan County fuel tax dispute splits the local delegation as Rep. Charles Martin pushes for more funds to municipalities while Rep. Wayland Cross backs an in kind service bill to keep the 90 10 split. Cross cites no legislature support and says others could not be reached for comment. A line item bill, not yet introduced, would let the county Commission provide in kind road work instead of cash. Martin refuses to sign Morgan County measures until a redistribution compromise is reached.
Haldeman recounts Nixon’s Aug 7 1974 decision to resign and urges blanket pardons for Watergate and Vietnam draft evaders. He argues Ford could start fresh, while noting the controversy would fade as the country moves past the two crises. The interview frames Haldeman’s exclusive print revelations in a series.
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