50 Years Ago
July 2, 1975
The unemployment rate in the area jumped to 17.7 percent, but help was on the way to those who were out of work with no prospects. President Gerald Ford signed into law a bill extending federal unemployment benefits an additional 13 weeks.
--- A new ice cream parlor was set to open at the corner of Jefferson and Nelson streets. The grandfather of owner Douglas Higgins had once operated a feed and seed store in the same building.
20 Years Ago
July 6, 2005
Stonewall Jackson Hospital officially became part of Carilion Health System. The acquisition-merger was finalized by the SJH and Carilion boards after the state attorney general’s office signed off on the agreement.
--- News-Gazette reporter Roberta Anderson and her daughter, Natalie Anderson, had very different opinions of the film “War of the Worlds.” Their reviews were published on the front page of the paper.
