Approximately $900,000 was appropriated for four state highway projects affecting Washington residents, including preparation for the long-awaited McCluggage Road, the interchange with Rt. 150-116, and mercury lights on Rt. 24, west of Washington.

Dominating the front page in Washington during the week of Jan. 10 was the opening of the $200,000 addition to St. Patrick’s School, which was begun in June 1962. It became the third extension of the original building, constructed in 1951.

Plans to build a new $65,000 gym at Central School and to annex the Hopewell District were approved by the Central School Board of Education.

Bernice Thrailkill and August Esser are the recipients of the 1963 Washingtonian Award.

The Town and Country Garden Club’s project to install a fountain in the Square “to build community pride” was given the go-ahead by the City Council. The city accepted the Garden Club’s fountain, which then assumed maintenance of the $3,000 project, and its lights were turned on for the first time.

Washington is shaken by the murder of Victor LaFeevers in the Beverly Manor subdivision by his 17-year-old son Jerry.  Jerry Lafeevers was eventually sentenced to 30-60 years in prison but was released by 1976, passing away in 2009.

By April 18, the Champion Furnace Pipe Co. began an expansion program, including ground-breaking for a $20,000 addition to the old Libby plant. It announced that it soon expected to employ 110 persons instead of the 55-60 then working there.

Washington was assigned ZIP Code number 61571, thus allowing 24 hours to be subtracted from delivery time.

Members of the Washington PTA were offered the first view of the completed WCHS gymnasium at an open house on September 12.

The rain poured down in Washington on the sad day of November 22 as Washingtonians heard of the President’s death. Churches were opened, and stores and local schools closed for John F. Kennedy’s funeral. Here, as everywhere, there were reappraisals of our country’s course.

Plaza Lanes officially opened on August 24, 1963.

Sonny Liston shows up in Sunnyland.

Back to 1962 --- On to 1964