Channel 10 Rewind: 1977 - Downtown Phoenix blackout | Video Vault | FOX 10 Phoenix

A power outage hit a 30-block area of downtown Phoenix this morning, caused by a fault in primary cable terminations that shut down a main power line. The blackout, which started at 11:17 a.m., lasted for 37 minutes and caused traffic chaos, briefly took a radio station off the air, and forced a KOOL-TV news crew to improvise with a backup generator.

To handle its rapidly increasing traffic, which is growing at twice the national average, Sky Harbor Airport is constructing a new 69-acre wing. The expansion, which is currently 25% complete, includes a parking garage and is set to open in July 1979. This new wing will eventually handle 60% of the airport's traffic, and the old west wing will be torn down.

Approximately 9,000 students in Arizona have defaulted on an estimated $8 million in federal student loans. The high default rate is attributed to a post-Vietnam era "liberal attitude," transient students, and an inadequate collection system. Colleges are now taking a more aggressive approach, including lawsuits, to recoup the outstanding funds.

According to the city's traffic division, the number of traffic citations is on the rise in Phoenix, partly due to the city's increasing population and partly due to more aggressive enforcement by police. The increase in parking tickets is especially notable, frustrating some downtown merchants who feel it hurts their business and believe the city's resources could be better used elsewhere.

In a public meeting with over 70 attendees, citizens expressed a mix of opinions on transportation, with some favoring more freeways and others prioritizing public transit. Residents from Sun City advocated for bus or rail service to Phoenix, citing poor service in their area. The issue of transportation for the handicapped was also a major concern, with one citizen arguing that better transport options would allow more of the county's 150,000 handicapped people to be more active in the community.
Customers receiving a "prize" letter for a sewing machine contest are being deceived by a company that's using the tactic to sell overpriced products. For instance, one woman received a $200 check valid only for products from the company, but she soon realized the cookware she purchased wasn't a bargain after all. The company is now facing a lawsuit for deceptive advertising and has a history of not delivering orders, making the "prize" an expensive mistake for consumers.

During the Arizona State Fair, parking becomes a major challenge for attendees, leading to a profitable side business for nearby residents. Many people, like one woman who has been doing it since 1947, rent out their lawns to fairgoers for a fee, turning the fair's chaos into a seasonal income. While these residents pocket extra cash, they also face issues like dealing with difficult customers or having items stolen.

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