~.: Newsflash... Drought spreads throughout southeast ecause of the nature of world events, developments transpire which bring sadness to many. Natural disasters swept the world leaving many homeless, wounded and some dead. The nature of mortality also had its toll on some of the better-known members of society, including some celebrities, entertainers and politicians. Locally, students returned to find the campus emptied of much of its greenery at the beginning of the year following a tornado which swept through White County during the summer. The tornado left trees toppled and flagpoles bent as it made its impression on the Harding campus. In 1984, 37 West African villagers were found dead for no apparent reason while doing their early-morning chores near the bank's of Lake Monoun in Cameroon. Then, in 1986, over 1700 people and many heads of cattle were found dead near Lake Nios by the same mysterious circumstances. It was discovered that toxic gases and high concentrations of carbon dioxide had been released from an underground volcano, leaving a wave of dead bodies in its vaporous trail. American farms suffered a bitter drought which spread throughout the southeast. The 1986 drought was the worst dry spell on record. At the peak of the drought, crops wilted from southern Pennsylvania all the way into northern Florida. Even after rains in the south, many farms folded and others were left on the brink of ruin. Kate Smith, who became a national symbol for liberty in her full-throated renditions of "God Bless America" died in June at 79. Benny Goodman, best remembered as the "King of Swing" because of his Big Band jazz ballads of the 1930's died at 77 in New York while preparing for a jazz concert. Cary Grant died at 82. Grant was an actor whose polished elegance gave him the limelight as one of Hollywood's greatest stars and appeared in over 72 films. Another star of stage and screen, James Cagney, died in March at the age of 86. Cagney stared in many films including Public Enemy. Ted Knight died in August at the early age of 62. Knight was best known for his parts on the television series "Too Close for Comfort" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show:' ~ - Bill Everett The King of Swing. Benny Goodman, a popular jazz musician, died on June 13, apparently due to cardiac arrest. Goodman played the clarinet and was also a famous bandleader. - photo by AP/Wide World Photos. Acting tough. fames Cagney, one of Hollywood's famous toughguys, died March 30 at the age of 86. Cagney starred in such films as Public Enemy and Something to Sing About. - photo by AP/Wide World Photos. Songbird. Kate Smith, a popular singer, died June 17 at the age of 79. Smith apparently died due to respiratory arrest. She was best known for singing patriotic songs. - photo by AP/Wide World Photos. Father and friend. Ted Knight, best known for his roles on the television series ' 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and "Too Close for Comfort," died August 20 of cancer at the age of 62. - photo by AP/Wide World Photos. .. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - 44 Newsflash
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