It's March 1978.  At Los Angeles International Airport, a DC-10 blows two tires during takeoff, skids off the runway, and bursts into flames. Two passengers are killed trying to exit the burning plane.

 In Switzerland, thieves steal the coffin and body of Charlie Chaplin.

 A 21-year-old worker in a forging plant in  Jackson, Michigan, goes on a lunch-time shooting spree in the cafeteria and wounds 18 co-workers.

 The International Bachelors Society's list of the "Ten Most Exciting Women in 1977" includes Princess Grace, Chris Evert, Jackie Onassis, Ali McGraw, and Tina Turner.

 A Federal judge invokes the Taft-Hartley law and orders 160,000 coal miners to end their 95-day strike.

 In his soon to be published book  "In His Image - The Cloning of a Man," David Rorvik chronicles the cloning of a human child in 1976.

 An earthquake measuring 3.4 on the Richter Scale hits California.
 A barge loaded with 40,000 gallons of jet fuel explodes on the Delaware River, killing one person.

 The House votes to raise the minimum retirement age from 65 to 70.
 Karl Wallenda, 73, patriarch of the circus group The Flying Wallendas, falls and dies while performing a tightrope walk between two buildings in Puerto Rico. 

 A train carrying highly flammable chemicals derails in Arkansas, causing an explosion and a fire at a bulk oil plant, and forcing the evacuation of 1700 residents.

 The National Climatic Center reports that during the winter of 1977-78, a large part of the eastern US had average temperatures more than eight degrees below normal. In Broome County, February 1978 was the coldest February in 44 years - the average temperature at Broome County airport was 15 degrees.

 Binghamton's South Washington Street Bridge, which was built in 1886,  is now on the National Historic Places. 

 In Johnson City, residents oppose plans to close Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School on Floral Avenue.

 Kathryn Crosby and Tony Russel star in Same Time Next Year at the Forum in Binghamton. Tickets are $9, $10, and $11.

 Officials of the Village of Owego and the Town of Owego consider the possibility of expanding the village police department to cover the entire town.
 Lisa Haines is the new physical education director of the Tioga County Boys Club - the first woman to hold that position.

 The Kradjian family buys the Binghamton Treadway Inn. They plan to change the name of the hotel to the Holiday Inn-Arena.

 It's spring - and we enjoy a high temperature of 56 degrees.

 Robert Burger is re-elected Mayor of Owego, Robert Houck is re-elected Mayor of Candor, and Edna Steinkamp is elected mayor of Newark Valley.

 Thursday night TV shows include CHiPs; The Waltons; Welcome Back, Kotter; Fish; Once Upon a Classic; The Muppet Show; James at 16; Hawaii Five-O; Barney Miller; Carter Country; Barnaby Jones; and War and Peace.

 Movies playing in local theaters include Julia with Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave, Mel Brook's High Anxiety, The Fury, American Hot Wax, Casey's Shadow starring Walter Matthau, Straight Time with Dustin Hoffman, and Disney's Return from Witch Mountain.

 Top tunes include Love is Thicker than Water by Andy Gibb, Night Fever by the Bee Gees, Sometimes When We Touch by Dan Hill, Emotion by Samantha Sang, Lay Down Sally by Eric Clapton, and Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees. 

 And Lancaster Brand Corned Beef Brisket costs $1.39/pound, a 10-pound bag of US No. 1 Maine potatoes costs 89¢, and cabbage costs 25¢/pound.

 Happy Saint Patrick's Day!