From the Files of the Kosciusko County Historical Society

This is a retrospective series that will run a few times a month on Ink Free News. 

Dec. 19, 1973 — Venereal disease reached epidemic proportions in Kosciusko County, according to the Indiana Board of Health as it tracked cases in the county. The Indiana Board of Health defined epidemic as a substantial number of cases more than usual appearing in an area.

Indiana State Board of Health estimates more than 195 cases of VD have upsurged in Kosciusko within the past 10 months between Jan. and Oct. of this year, already 80 more cases than occurred here in the entire 12 months of 1972.

Then-Kosciusko County Health Officer Dr. David Haines said the number of VD cases within the last five years during the period rose approximately 10% to 15% annually. He further stated that 90 percent of the cases occurred among county residents who are between the ages of 16 and 25. And 25 % of these VD cases are repeats of past infections.

Dec. 20, 1973 — “Unless it’s an emergency, stay home,” said Ron Himes, Kosciusko County highway department employee at the time. Highway workers spent the day plowing out the main county roads from 13 inches of snow that began accumulating early Wednesday morning, Dec. 19.

Snow accumulated to 18 inches in open areas with some drifting that forced school closings in all area corporations, bogged traffic, halted some industrial and business schedules. Snow even fouled social events.

Information for this retrospective series is courtesy of the Kosciusko County Historical Society. For more history of Kosciusko County in the news visit yesteryear.clunette.com.