Pages past - April 27

On this date ...

1972: Perry Wells, who lives outside of city limits near Tucumcari’s east edge, said he was “pretty hot under the collar” after a city sewer line collapsed near his home, sending human waste, toilet paper and water into his home through its bathtub, commode, porch drain and onto flooring of his house. Wells said his homeowners insurance “isn’t worth the paper it’s printed on,” and the city has not claimed responsibility for the damage.

• David Still of Tucumcari was named the area handicapped person of the year in New Mexico. Still, who has limited mobility below the waist due to a birth defect, worked for KTNM radio and is a radio communications equipment operator for New Mexico State Police. He will receive his award next month at the spring meeting of the Governor’s Committee to Employ the Handicapped.

• State police investigated a night accident that injured two people north of Tucumcari on Highway 104. A vehicle pulling a trailer and a boat struck the rear of a tractor. The tractor’s driver was cited for having no slow-moving vehicle decal on the back of the tractor and no taillights. The drivers of both vehicles were treated for injuries at Trigg Memorial Hospital.

• Apollo 16’s astronauts landed in the Pacific Ocean today after completing a fifth successful expedition to the moon. The capsule contained more than 240 pounds of lunar rocks.

• Big O Tires at 305 W. Tucumcari Blvd. Was advertising four blackwall tires in five sizes for $39.95.