Straight from the digital files of The Evening Sentinel, courtesy of The Lower Naugatuck Valley History Archives, this week we take a look back at 1981. Mark David Chapman was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for the murder of John Lennon. A team of divers recovered a safe from the wreckage of the cruise ship SS Andrea Doria, which sank in the Atlantic Ocean on July 25, 1956. The safe, which was opened in 1984 on live television broadcast to 160 stations in 45 countries, yielded a few thousand dollars’ worth of waterlogged American dollars and Italian lire.

These were the songs topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart:

“Endless Love” – Diana Ross & Lionel Richie

“Theme From “Greatest American Hero” (Believe It or Not)” – Joey Scarbury

“I Don’t Need You” – Kenny Rogers

“Slow Hand” – The Pointer Sisters

“Jessie’s Girl” – Rick Springfield

Here’s what was happening in our Valley!

Monday, Aug. 24, 1981

Wycko Alleges Misuse Of Gas

ANSONIA – The Republican candidate for mayor, Gary R. Wycko, today charged the Democratic administration with misuse of the city gasoline pump.

In a statement today, Wycko proposed a “tightening of the nozzle of the pump” at the Public Works Complex.

He criticized Mayor James J. Finnucan for using a “city-owned, insured and maintained vehicle.”

Wycko also charged that “certain public works personnel and the mayor’s aides at City Hall have been observed using the precious and costly fuel in their personal vehicles.”

Finnucan said the gas used for each vehicle is duly documented at the complex.

Two In Derby Rescue Kitten From Roof

DERBY – A two-week-old kitten, which was thrown up on a roof on Prospect Street was rescued Sunday night by two good samaritans.

When told that the Derby Fire Department would not respond to that “non-emergency,” Edward Minerly of Oak Street decided to take matters into his own hands.

“We couldn’t let that kitten sit up there,” Minerly said. “In fact, I don’t know how anyone could be that stupid to throw a little kitten on a roof of a house.”

Minerly said that saving cats is nothing new to him.

“When I heard that little kitten was stranded up there at 11 p.m. Sunday, my friend, Dale Fritz, and I said we just had to help.”

Light Stolen

SHELTON – A bug light, valued at $200, was reported stolen from a Sharon Drive residence Saturday.

Radio Taken

SHELTON – A car radio of undetermined value was reported stolen from a vehicle parked on Ivy Lane Saturday.

Theft Reported

SHELTON – A soda machine at the corner of River Road and Marina Street was broken into Saturday. Police said about $20 in coins was taken.

Tuesday, Aug. 25, 1981

Police Chief Issues Warning To Pranksters

ANSONIA – Police Chief James J. McGrath today warned youngsters who have been removing manhole covers that if they are caught, they will be dealt with severely.

McGrath said the missing covers are creating a dangerous situation.

A patrolman, Della Hubbard, recently stepped into an open manhole and was injured on lower Main Street.

“It is a hazardous and inconsiderate thing to do,” McGrath said. “There are many elderly in the city with failing eyesight, and they could be seriously injured. We believe it is kids with a warped sense of humor.”

Candidate Urges City Ethics Board

DERBY – John S. DeBarbieri has called for the creation of an ethics board that would serve as a “watchdog” of the citizens’ government.

“When the people of a city cannot listen to what officials of their municipal government say and trust it, then our city is in trouble,” the candidate said.

DeBarbieri said the group “would report to the public on the backroom, word game kind of politics that go on in Derby.”

Vandals Drain Seymour Pond

SEYMOUR – Hoadley’s Pond, a favorite spot for ice skating in the winer and fishing in the spring, almost disappeared over the weekend, a victim of vandalism.

Police said a sluiceway at the south end of the pond was opened sometime early Saturday and water from the pond drained into Little River.

The vandalism was discovered Saturday and reported to police by an area resident who called the police station with a report that “water was stolen from Hoadley’s Pond.”

SFT To Challenge Layoffs Of Four Teachers

SHELTON – The Shelton Federation of Teachers will back challenges of a Board of Education decision last week to lay off four teachers.

SFT President Carol Seelgen said the union will provide legal counsel for the teachers who were laid off for financial reasons.

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 1981

Street Repairs Near Finish Line

ANSONIA – After 30 years of planning and many delays, the end of a $1.5 million reconstruction on a mile stretch of Ford Street is in sight.

The road from Finney Street to the Woodbridge line will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.

Derby Readies Dump Takeover

DERBY – The Commissioner of the Department of Public Works says Derby should be in the dump business by mid-October.

Richard J. Korolyshun made that estimate Tuesday. At the request of the Board of Aldermen, Korolyshun said he had completed specifications for a trash compacting machine that will move and cover garbage with fill.

Last month, the aldermen voted for municipal control of the Pine Street dump rather than have the operation done by a private contractor.

Drama Club Delivers First Play            

SEYMOUR – They may not be bound for Broadway, but the 18 members of the Seymour Public Library’s drama club ended its first season having a ball with its rendition of “Snow White and Six Dwarfs.”

They presented that production to an audience of almost 200 last week in the lower level of the library.

According to Judy DePasqua, a library staffer and coordinator of the club, the play was a success and proved that the library’s pilot drama club was worth her time and energy.

Thieves Take Granite From Route 8

SHELTON – State police are investigating theft of about 300 granite blocks with an estimated value of $2,000 from Route 8.

Meanwhile, the state Department of Transportation is replacing the remaining blocks with crushed stone which spokesman William Keish said also prevents soil erosion.

Keish said reports that the stone will be covered with a sticky chemical to deter thieves are erroneous.

Thursday, Aug. 27. 1981

Meter Stolen

DERBY – Francis Crowley, caretaker of parking meters for the Derby Parking Authority, reported to police Wednesday that a meter valued at $100 had been stolen from Main Street.

Bridge Damaged

SEYMOUR – A wooden pedestrian bridge owned by Conrail leading from Main Steet to Humphrey Street was the victim of vandalism Thursday. An area resident reported to police that a board had been ripped from the steps. Conrail officials were notified by the police.

Shelton Receives $1.5 Million Grant

SHELTON – City officials received formal word Wednesday that a $1.5 million federal grant to fix up the downtown area had been approved.

Area manager John McLean of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Renewal notified the mayor’s office that the first $500,000 for the three-year program would be available Sept. 1.

The bulk of the money is targeted for rehabilitation of substandard residential units in the area bounded by Howe and Coram avenues, Brook Street and Route 8.

Friday, Aug. 28, 1981

Burglary Reported

ANSONIA – Police today were investigating a burglary at a Beechwood Drive residence.

A trailer parked in the yard was broken into and an estimated $1,000 in items taken. A refrigerator, tools, a tent and a hitch were among missing items, police said.

Grid League Will Continue In Derby

DERBY – The Derby Pop Warner Football Program will continue.

Program leaders were considering ending the 16-year-old program because not enough youngsters turned out to fill rosters of its three teams.

But today, a spokesman said that more than 70 players are now practicing for the Sept. 13 opener with Trumbull.

Officials were concerned that the program would have to end because Derby did not meet the 20-player minimum for its larger midget team. The National Pop Warner Football Association had set that mark.

Area Lawyer To Become State’s 8th Woman Judge

DERBY – When the newly appointed Superior Court judge is sworn in today in Milford, two Coppetos will play major roles in the ceremony.

The first is Barbara Coppeto, a Derby lawyer who was named by Gov. William A. O’Neill to the judgeship.

The second is Ralph C. Coppeto, a retired Waterbury lawyer who will administer the oath to his daughter.

Miss Coppeto’s appointment to the Superior Court will make her one of eight women holding that distinction of 114 judges in the state.

Miss Coppeto, who has practiced law in the Valley for 23 years, said she is “delighted” about her appointment.

“With the number of women lawyers continually increasing, it seems reasonable that more women should be named judges,” Miss Coppeto said. “I am thrilled that the opportunity for my judgeship came along and hope I can do as good a job as other fair judges before me.”

Softball Trophy Missing From Office

SHELTON – The Mayor’s Trophy is missing.

The coveted award, which goes to the winner of the annual Derby-Shelton city hall softball game, is gone from its perch on a shelf in the office of Mayor Eugene M. Hope, Jr.

It was to have been awarded in the next few days to Derby Mayor Edward J. Cecarelli, whose teams came from behind to nip Hope’s Hurricanes 15-14 Sunday at Ryan Field.

“I don’t know where it is,” said Shelton Manager Tom Peterson. “We can’t seem to locate it.”

Peterson said he had no reason to suspect foul play, adding he felt it was premature to call in the Valley Street Crime Unit for an investigation.