Penn State University - La Vie Yearbook (University Park, PA)

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Decade: State7Loeal On March 28, 1979, the worst accident in the history of US. nuclear power production took place at the Three Mile Island station in Middletown. Investigations by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission determined that hu- man error was partly responsible for the acci- dent. which caused thousands of residents to flee the area. closed down schools and generat- ed widespread fear of a complete nuclear melt- down. Pregnant women and pre-school chil- dren were ordered by Governor Richard Thornburgh t0 evactuate the immediate area. While workers tried to discover the cause of the leak. radio-active steam and gas continued to escape from the plant, and a hydrogen bub- ble developed in the core. But finally, after days and weeks of uncertainty and nationwide concern, the reactor was shut down and the imminent danger passed. The public, Metro- politan Edison officials declared, would have to share the cost of the four-year clean-up. Governor Thornburgh had been in office only four Vz months before the accident at Three Mile Island. Thornburgh overcame a 1978 challenge from Pittsburgh mayor Peter F. Flaherty to become Pennsylvania's 42nd governor. The polls had shown Flaherty lead- ing during most of the campaign, but Thorn- burgh came from behind to give the state its first Republican governor in eight years. The 19705 were a winning decade for the major Pennsylvania sports teams. The Pitts- burgh Prates captured the World Series title in 1971 and 1979, while the Philadelphia Phil- lies took the title away in 1980 in a six-game, nail-biting series against the Kansas City Royals. In addition, Pittsburgh Steelers reigned supreme in four years of Super Bowl play. The team won back-to-back champion- ships twice in 1975 and 1976 and again in 1979 and 1980. The Philadelphia Flyers were the winningest professional ice hockey team in the state throughout the decade, setting a re- cord breaking 35-game unbeaten streak in 1979 and capturing several Stanley Cups. In one of the greatest controversies to ever hit the county, citizens actively opposed the building of the proposed Ferguson Mall. The mall proposal was Finally rejected in 1980. Maximum occupancy signs are now posted in State College pubs and restaurants as a result of a 1977 decision by the State College Municipal Council. The council set maximum occupancy limitations for 19 bars and restau- rants as part of a program to inspect fire and panic regulations. Wendy Zoldas Decade7State 8L Local 27

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