News from around Johnson County as reported on April 6 in the pages of the Daily Journal and the Franklin Evening Star from the last 111 years.
On this day in 1994, the main story in the Daily Journal was about the city of Franklin’s tree program, and its upcoming 1,000th planting.
The city’s Tree Board, a body that guides the planting and maintenance of trees along city streets, was preparing to plant its 1,000th tree on West King Street near Palmer Park. The 1,000th tree was one of 110 trees to be planted along the street on April 9, 1994.
Adding trees improves air quality, property values and energy efficiency in the city, state forestry officials said.
“But environmental and political reasons aside, I got involved because I just like seeing trees along our roads; I think it really adds to the beauty of the city,” said Sheila Leugers, Franklin Tree Board president.
Before the board was established, the number of the trees in the city was dwindling due to weather, old age and resident requests (whenever it was within their right-of-way).
“Growing up in Franklin, I remember when Jefferson Street used to have great, old trees up and down the road that are gone now; they were just beautiful,” said Suzanne Findley, city parks superintendent.
With new trees planted along the road, residents could look forward to similar views in the future.
“The Tree Board has done a wonderful job,” Findley said.
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Other memorable Johnson County stories from this day
2018
County officials were weighing an income tax increase to pay for a needed expansion of the Johnson County Jail.
2011
The Center Grove School Board unanimously approved hiring Richard Arkanoff, then superintendent of Edinburgh schools, as the district’s new superintendent.
1966
Franklin College students were protesting the school’s administrative and disciplinary policies after five students were suspended for participating in a “panty raid.”
