Out of the Past

The Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau is expected to crest later today at 40.3 feet, 8.3 feet above flood stage and its highest level in almost seven years; in addition to closing several streets in unprotected areas of the north and south sides of the city, the high water has also interrupted rail service through Cape Girardeau, after the floodgate over the Burlington Northern tracks next to Sloan's Creek was closed Friday...

Boatmen's Bank has announced the site of its banking facility to be constructed in Jackson; the facility will be on the northwest corner of the intersection of West Main and Russell streets; bank officials hope to be opened at that location within the next two years...

The Rev. Richard Tragasz is installed as pastor of Scriptural Lutheran Church in an afternoon service; the installation sermon is delivered by the Rev. Klebe Brumble of Richardson, Texas, circuit visitor for churches of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod in this area...

The rising Mississippi River forces the closing of six Cape Girardeau streets; a revised National Weather Service report predicts the river should crest Tuesday at 40.1 feet, eight feet above flood stage. The Cape Girardeau City Council is flirting with the possibility of placing before voters a transportation and capital improvements tax measure to fund infrastructure development; at a council retreat held yesterday at the Black Forest, north of Cape Girardeau, the city staff demonstrated a quarter-cent hike in the capital improvements tax and a half-cent transportation tax could generate $92.5 million in 20 years.. ...

Rita Fischer is resigning as principal at Immaculate Conception School in Jackson at the end of the school year to take a position as principal of St. Vincent de Paul School in Cape Girardeau; Fischer will begin her new duties July 1; she will replace Carl Rosenquist, who has been hired as principal of Scott City Elementary School...

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle says he won't file charges against the treasurer of the Elect-A-Neighbor Committee for alleged violations of state disclosure laws; Swingle says there was no criminal intent when the committee omitted the proper disclaimer on its yard signs and newspaper advertisements...

U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh has sided with the former owners of Kem-Pest Laboratories in a dispute with the Environmental Protection Agency over cleanup of the Kem-Pest Superfund site; Limbaugh issued an order Monday to enforce a consent decree reached in 1991 by the EPA and the family of Charles Knote, who owned Kem-Pest; the family had contended that an amendment to the EPA's cleanup plan for the site violated the consent decree...

Cape Girardeau County elected officials voted to increase their salaries by 10 percent when their new terms start during Monday's meeting of the County Pay Commission; county officials haven't had pay raises since 1987. A new multi-purpose recreation facility at the corner of Kingshighway and Mount Auburn Road might include a facility for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce; the city's Parks and Recreation Advisory Board has approved a motion to study the feasibility of including a 10,000-square-foot Chamber office with the 32-square-foot multi-purpose facility.. ...

Strawberry growers in the Cape Girardeau area say cloudy, cool and wet weather conditions this month are delaying development of strawberry plants and may push back the first picking of berries until mid-to-late-May; meanwhile, area orchardists say the cool, wet weather has also delayed development of blooms on what promises to be an excellent crop of peaches and apples later this year...

Easter Sunday. Several local churches conduct sunrise services for the holiday; they include First Christian, Lynwood Baptist, Good Shepherd Lutheran, St. Andrew Lutheran, Westminster Presbyterian, Hobbs Chapel United Methodist and Evangelical United Church of Christ; the 57th annual Easter sunrise service is held at 6:30 a.m. at Bald Knob Cross of Peace near Alto Pass, Illinois...

Grace United Methodist Church hosted the traditional community-wide Ecumenical Good Friday Service yesterday, centering on the "Passion of the Lord Jesus Christ"; congregations assisting in the program include Evangelical United Church of Christ, St. Mark Lutheran, Grace United Methodist, First General Baptist, LaCroix United Methodist, Harmony Congregational Methodist, Bethel Assembly of God, St. James A.M.E., Maple Avenue United Methodist and Christ Episcopal...

Funding for a new building for the College of Business -- long considered the major capital priority for Southeast Missouri State University -- is included in the capital improvements budget approved this week by the Missouri House of Representatives; but final funding for the $13 million project is still a long way from reality...

Daniel L. Overbey, who has had a varied career in promoting economic development, marketing and finance, has been named executive director of the Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority. The Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau is expected to crest late this afternoon at almost 4 feet above flood stage; but the National Weather Service says if predicted rains occur north of here this week, it could cause the river to rise even higher, or delay the crest...

Jackson voters elected their first new mayor in 22 years yesterday, as Ward 1 Alderman Paul Sander easily defeated 22-year incumbent Mayor Carlton "Cotton" Meyer, 1,556 to 1,145; Sander will take office in early May. Steven Wright, a first-time candidate who had refused to support the Cape Girardeau School District's defeated $25 million bond issue proposal, was elected to the school board Tuesday along with two incumbents who favored the measure, Kathy Swan and John Campbell...

Fearing its effect on a business in the area, the Cape Girardeau City Council yesterday elected to hold off on a parking ban in the 400 block of Good Hope Street that was aimed at curbing illegal drug sales; Ruben Parker, the co-owner of The Taste Restaurant and Lounge, 402 Good Hope St., said the ban would cost him customers...

Opponents of a proposed bond issue and building fund levy hike for Cape Girardeau public schools have organized a last-minute campaign against Tuesday's ballot measures. Widening of Route K from two to five lanes from the west side of its Interstate 55 overpass to the westernmost entrance to the WalMart Supercenter is scheduled to begin this spring, said a Missouri Highway and Transportation Department official; the project is designed to relieve traffic congestion that has increased on Route K with the opening of the store last year.. ...

Ann B. Sherer, consecrated as bishop of the Missouri Area in 1992, preaches during the morning worship service at Centenary United Methodist Church, her topic being "Eager Every Morning"; prior to her ordination, she served as senior pastor of Westbury United Methodist Church in Houston...

A volatile bond market has forced the City of Cape Girardeau and local banks to rescind an agreement they had reached in February to finance the city's Convention and Visitor's Bureau recreation project; all seven local banks had agreed to finance the project through the purchase of $3.73 million in "certificates of participation" at an average annual interest rate of 5.25 percent...

A fire that broke out in a warehouse at 2143 Independence St. yesterday afternoon extensively damaged the building and its contents; the warehouse, leased by several businesses, is in the Town Plaza near the Plaza Galleria; the building housed SEMO Heavy Industries, as well as equipment owned by Spartech Plastics, John Ford Construction and Mack McKinnis...

JEFFERSON CITY -- Two new members of the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents were confirmed by the Missouri Senate yesterday afternoon, after winning approval from the gubernatorial appointments committee earlier in the day; approved to six-year terms on the board were Don Dickerson of Cape Girardeau and Patricia Washington, a native of Cape Girardeau who is editor of the St. Louis American newspaper...

Southeast Missouri State University's Board of Regents voted unanimously yesterday to hike incidental fees and raise rental charges for its off-campus apartments, effective this fall; university officials say the hike in incidental fees is based on a projected $52.6 million budget, which includes projected state funding of about $31 million...

Southeast Missouri State University's Board of Regents voted unanimously yesterday to hike incidental fees and raise rental charges for its off-campus apartments, effective this fall; university officials say the hike in incidental fees is based on a projected $52.6 million budget, which includes projected state funding of about $31 million...

TCI Cablevision of Missouri will raise expanded basic cable television rates throughout the service area 81 cents to $11.11 per month; basic service will remain at $10 per moth; the change in rates will become effective in April. Elizabeth A. Ader will begin her duties as new director of the Cape Girardeau Public Library Thursday; Ader, who comes here from Lee's Summit, Missouri, is filling a vacancy created in June, when Terry Risko left the director's position...

Gifted junior and senior high students throughout the region will compete in the 37th annual Southeast Missouri Regional Science Fair next week at the Show Me Center; more than 200 entries in 22 categories will be judged. When the Pharoahs motorcycle group was taken off the roads of Southeast Missouri in early 1990, so was a majority of the supply of methamphetamines, say local drug enforcement officials; but now, as agencies work aggressively to curtail the widespread use, production and sale of crack cocaine, methamphetamines -- commonly called crystal, crank or ice -- are making a comeback on city streets.. ...

A new Mexican restaurant, El Torero, has opened in the Town Plaza Shopping Center; the restaurant is operated by the Alvarez family, Juan and Daniel, and a brother-in-law, Pablo Santillan, all from the Mexican village of San Jose de la Paz. Construction is underway on a new building at St. Mark Lutheran Church, which will house a sanctuary on the upper level and a preschool facility on the ground level; the new preschool will open in September...

Gene E. Huckstep, who transformed Cape Girardeau County government into one of the most financially stable local governments in the state, announces he won't seek re-election to a fifth term in 1994; Huckstep's decision to retire was sealed March 11, when he was elected chairman of the board of Cameron Insurance Cos., a position which will require him to do quite a bit of traveling...

General Sign Co., 780 Nash Road, may be closing its doors within 30 to 60 days; the 53-year-old business is for sale, and while some people have expressed interest in purchasing it, they may run out of time; General Sign is owned by Lon Maxie. The City of Jackson is purchasing the two-story former Jackson Exchange Bank buildings at West Main and Court streets from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. ...

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- The City of Marble Hill's plans to use money bequeathed for a community swimming pool to also build a municipal office complex could expose city officials to lawsuits, says Missouri Auditor Kelly; Kelly reported her findings of an audit of the city at a meeting last night before about 100 Marble Hill residents...

Wet weather conditions are keeping area farmers out of the fields, according to Terry Birk of the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service; rain snow and mud have made field work difficult during the first two months of the year. According to new procedural guidelines under consideration by the Cape Girardeau City Council, citizens addressing the council at public meetings would have their comments subject to a time limit; although there are few changes in the guidelines, the committee which drafted them hopes that by bringing the issue to the council's attention, more orderly and efficient meetings will result.. ...

Pending approval of the proposed $4.7 million bond issue by district voters on April 6, the Jackson school board has plans in place for the layout of a new middle school; the board accepts the tentative floor plan for the 84,000-square-foot building, to be located at the corner of Broadridge Avenue and Route D...

Jess Bolen Plumbing and Heating has opened in Cape Girardeau; Bolen, who has been in the plumbing business for 32 years, worked with A.E. Birk & Son the past decade; that firm recently closed after 69 years in Cape Girardeau, and Bolen will continue to serve Birk customers...

American Superstores will open a new facility in the Cape Girardeau market in the near future; the firm has leased the 45,000-square-foot building that formerly housed Storey's Food Giant in Cape Girardeau Centre, 201 S. Broadview. Retired Dr. William O.L. ...

The Cape Girardeau County Salary Commission will hold its first meeting in several years Monday to discuss a request from the public administrator for a pay increase and to consider possible pay increases for county elected officials; Public Administrator John Ferguson is requesting his basic salary be increased from $4,000 to $10,000, in accordance with recently passed legislation...

The proposed $25 million school bond issue drew much of the attention at last night's forum for Cape Girardeau Board of Education candidates; about 60 people attended the forum at Central Junior High School, sponsored by the League of Women Voters. Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department employees are building backrests for the bleachers at Capaha Park; the Cape Girardeau Kiwanis Club originally built the bleachers and have donated the funds for the lumber for the backrests...

From doorknobs to bathrooms and ramps to elevators, meeting federal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act will prove costly for Southeast Missouri State University; it's estimated it will cost $1,030,000 over a two-year period to make all the improvements needed for the school's academic buildings and academic-supported facilities to meet federal requirements...

From doorknobs to bathrooms and ramps to elevators, meeting federal requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act will prove costly for Southeast Missouri State University; it's estimated it will cost $1,030,000 over a two-year period to make all the improvements needed for the school's academic buildings and academic-supported facilities to meet federal requirements...

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Committee has decided not to sponsor a series of three informational programs to discuss riverboat gambling prior to the issue being voted upon here in June. Two long-time area civic leaders will be honored March 25 at the Southeast Missouri boy Scout Council's 1993 Distinguished Missouri Citizens Dinner, sponsored by the council's endowment fund trustees; the event will honor J.P. ...

The Cape Girardeau Police Department will hire five new officers over the next few months, three to replace departing officers and two more if approved in the police budget by the city council. Circuit Judge William S. Syler forever bans a Caruthersville, Missouri, public defender from his courtroom, after the attorney fails to provide "competent" counsel for a client to which he was assigned...

A.E. Birk & Son Plumbing and Heating, Inc., will close Monday after 69 years of service to the area; A.E. Birk founded the business in 1924 having moved to Cape Girardeau from Jackson in 1921 and working with Polack Plumbing Co., until he started his own operation...

National and state Republican officials voice their optimism in the GOP's future at Cape Girardeau's 23rd annual Lincoln Day celebration; despite the loss of the White House and the State House to Democrats, the Republicans say they are poised to once again become a political party that's united internally and with the American people...

Former Southeast Missouri State University debate directors Fred Goodwin and the late Forrest H. Rose have been chosen to be inducted into the Pi Kappa Delta National Debate Honorary's Hall of Fame in a ceremony March 20 in Seattle. Roosevelt Bank of St. ...

Repairs to damaged sections of new pavement on South Sprigg Street near the Lone Star Cement plant will begin next month, says Public Works director Doug Leslie; several sections of pavement, broken during the past few years by heavy vehicles crossing Spring near the cement plant's quarry entrance and near the old entrance to the cement plant, will be replaced...

A fire that is believed to have started in the paint room at the Lee-Rowan plant in Jackson sent two workers to the hospital and the rest home last night; all fire trucks in Jackson were dispatched to the plant, after someone reported the fire at 10:01 p.m.; the small blaze was brought under control quickly...

The Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau is forecast to crest late this week at 36 feet, four feet above flood stage; however, no significant flooding is expected at that level. Cape Girardeau public schools have been designated drug-free and gun-free zones, as part of a citywide effort to curb drug and weapon offenses; the Cape Girardeau Board of Education Monday adopted a formal resolution designating all school properties within 1,000 feet of the schools as drug- and gun-free zones...

THEBES, Ill. -- A river near flood stage, strong currents and brisk winds are bing blamed for two barge accidents that closed the Mississippi River channel for several hours both Saturday and Sunday; two towboats, each pushing more than 20 barges, struck the Thebes railroad bridge in separate accidents, dislodging several barges and sinking two...

The Rev. Kendal Hicks, formerly of House Springs, Missouri, begins his pastorate at Southside Baptist Church; he received a bachelor of science degree at the University of Missouri-Columbia and a master of divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary...

U.S. Sen. Kit Bond has accepted President Bill Clinton's challenge and this week proposed $228 billion in government cuts that could be made before any tax increases; he challenged Clinton to balance the budget by trimming government spending, saying the president's proposed tax hikes will only result in more spending and will do little to put a dent in the $300 billion budget shortfall...

The Marquette Hotel, scene of an arson fire Wednesday, took another beating last night; a car crashed into a corner of the old hotel at about 10:45 p.m.; police located the car's owner about 15 minutes later; he was on foot about three blocks north of the scene...

Authorities believe frustrated vandals set a small fire near the front lobby area of the vacant Marquette Hotel early yesterday morning; the fire is the latest in a series of incidents that have occurred at the old hotel during the past three months; it was reported by a passerby at 4:47 a.m., who noticed smoke coming from the lobby...

Southeast Missouri State University is considering establishing a shuttle bus system to encourage greater student use of parking lots on the perimeter of the campus; the system would also help alleviate traffic congestion in the central portion of the campus...

The county commission yesterday appointed a committee to design a five-year capital improvements plan for roads and bridges in Cape Girardeau County; the 11-member group was recommended by new 1st District Associate Commissioner Larry Bock as a way of getting more input about maintenance and replacement of bridges and nearly 600 miles of county roads...

Tenants of the Cape Girardeau Municipal Airport terminal building will have to operate out of their temporary offices for a while longer; the completion of the long-awaited terminal building renovation project has been pushed back to April 17. For the second consecutive meeting, the Cape Girardeau City Council refuses to approve spending city money to study the feasibility of converting St. ...

The congregation of Red Star Baptist Church honors Pastor and Mrs. Harold "Cy" Smith Jr. at a special appreciation day; this is Smith's last Sunday as pastor before he retires from full-time ministry; he has been pastor at Red Star almost 15 years. A bull rider is seriously injured while competing in the Longhorn World Championship Rodeo at the Show Me Center; Brett Zuver, a cowboy from Louisville, Kentucky, falls off very near the bull and is stepped on; he is listed in serious condition at Southeast Hospital.. ...

A young mother and her 2 1/2-year-old son are forced to flee from their burning Jackson apartment at 220 Morgan late in the morning; the mother, Gloria Griffin, receives serious burns to her left hand while attempting to put out the fire; the child is uninjured...

Coming on the 14th anniversary of the "Blizzard of '79," the Cape Girardeau area received only 6 inches of snow yesterday, far less than what had been predicted; 11 to 12 inches of snow fell in a heavier band along the Interstate 70 corridor between Kansas City and St. Louis...

Riverboat gambling will be the topic of a series of town-hall meetings in Cape Girardeau; the Cape Girardeau Convention & Visitors Bureau Advisory Board voted yesterday to hold three informational meetings to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of a riverboat casino...

With the approach of spring and warmer weather, officials at Trail of Tears State Park remind park visitors that the abandoned rock quarry at the north edge of the park is off limits to the public; the quarry was closed last year following a series of accidents that resulted in serious injuries to people who fell from the steep, vertical cliffs on the walls of the quarry...

Children cheering a snow-prompted vacation last week may not cheer for long; those days will mean either a shorter spring or Easter break, or a later last day of school; Cape Girardeau Public Schools missed only one day of school last week, Tuesday, because of snow...

METROPOLIS, Ill. -- The state Gaming Board's approval of the opening of a riverboat casino has rekindled a dispute between Illinois and Kentucky over the Ohio River; the first cruise of the 1,400-passenger Players Riverboat Casino, scheduled for tomorrow, is expected to be quiet, despite threats leveled for months by officials in both states...

Residents of the 120-square-mile area of Cape Girardeau County served by the Gordonville Municipal Fire Department are seeking to organize a tax-supported district to upgrade their fire protection service; the proposed Gordonville Fire Protection District would be similar to other tax-supported, rural fire districts that have been created in the county since the 1970s...

Traffic began rolling across the new Bloomfield Road bridge over Cape La Croix Creek, after a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony yesterday afternoon; work on the bridge was started May 1, 1992; it measures 36 feet wide, 16 feet wider than the old bridge...