Discovery is airborne

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (UPI) – The new shuttle, Discovery, streaked into orbit like a veteran today, carrying a crew of six on an oft-delayed mission to get the space program back on track and earn a record $4 million by launching three satellites.

It took four tries over 10 weeks, but America’s third space freighter finally got off the ground at 4:42 EST, after a seven minute delay caused by two unidentifed airplanes in

the safety zones around the spaceport.

Suffolk United Way considers merger

Aiming for what could be an even more unified front, Suffolk United Way may join with other Tidewater chapters to create a regional effort from all South Hampton Roads cities.

At its September meeting, the local organization’s board of directors will discuss a proposal for the Suffolk group to merge with the United Way of South Hampton Roads, a regional association that includes chapters in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach and Chesapeake.

The regionalization plan could cut down on administrative costs now duplicated by the two area groups. Executive staff, printing, bookkeeping and auditing are several areas where dollars could be trimmed and put to better use elsewhere in the program.

Even with a single Tidewater organization, the Suffolk group would maintain a local office and direct its own fundraising campaign.

Harper leaves tragedy behind

On April 217, 1978, in Fairfax County, 10-year-old Jonathan Harper was playing with some friends in the back yard of his new home when a gasoline explosion nearly burned him to death. His mother was away, making final arrangements for the newly purchased home the family was moving into.

The child was badly burned, with second- and third-degree burns over 73 percent of his body. He was flown by helicopter to Washington Hospital Center and then transferred to the children’s hospital for care. The boy’s mother was told the child was expected to live no more than 48 hours.

Today, Jonathon is 16, and has graduated from Thomas Edison High School in Fairfax County. He has registered at North Carolina A & T State University in North Carolina.

Brinkley scores high in Ladies Bowling League

Louise Brinkley bowled both the high set (346) and the high game (143) to kick off the Tuesday Night Ladies Bowling League.

Also bowling over 300 sets were Cora Johnson, 33; Linda Reeves, 312, and Terrye Bradshaw, 311.

Fire consumes house in Holland area (Aug. 28)

No one was injured Monday afternoon when fire completely destroyed a house in the western portion of Suffolk.

The frame house, owned by Hugh Winslow, was declared a total loss. Total damage to the house and its contents were estimated at $5,000.

The fire apparently began with an electrical short in either an alarm clock or an extension cord, according to reports from the Suffolk Fire Department.

John Holland, the occupant of the building, was not at home when the blaze occurred. The house was &uot;fully involved&uot; by the time Suffolk firefighters arrived on the scene. Holland’s volunteer fire department was called in to fight the blaze and Carrsville’s department was called to send their tanker.

Approximately eight men, with two engines and two tanker trucks, were involved in fighting the fire.