Out of the past 1/13/03

10 years ago: Jan. 13, 1993

Twenty-one buildings, most of them homes, will soon be razed as first phase of demolition work gets under way on new Mississippi River bridge route project; Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission has awarded nearly $26,000 demolition contract to Amy's Trucking Service of Cape Girardeau.

Jackson School Board members got their first glimpse of district's proposed middle school yesterday; calling architect's preliminary floor plan of building "step one, a starting point," Superintendent Wayne Maupin and building's architects, John D. Dudley and Bob Stearnes, guided board members and news media on 90-minute journey through proposed school; school is designed to relieve overcrowding at R.O. Hawkins Junior High and increasingly crowded conditions at nearby West Lane Elementary.

25 years ago: Jan. 13, 1978

Skepticism about elements of mass transit study, differences of opinion about method of providing such service, and nagging concern about high subsidy costs necessary to operate bus system left city councilmen yesterday without consensus on issue at special study session; despite failure to reach final decision, some further exploration of issue was proposed.

Neelyville -- Authorities have one suspect in custody and are looking for others in robbery of bank here in morning and subsequent slaying of bank teller who is taken hostage; body of Tara Creach, about 25, is found at roadside rest area near Neelyville shortly after robbery.

50 years ago: Jan. 13, 1953

Outbreaks of influenza curtail activities in some sections of Southwest and Midwest, with towns in Western Missouri being particularly hard hit; in Cape Girardeau absenteeism is higher than normal; yesterday nearly 200 pupils of about 3,000 in public school system were absent, but most of those were said to have colds rather than influenza.

Mayor Manning P. Greer cuts ribbon that formally reopens Kroger Supermarket, 724 Broadway; store was recently remodeled, adding new color scheme, new shelving and fixtures; first Kroger store in Cape Girardeau opened 31 years ago.

75 years ago: Jan. 13, 1928

David W. Hill and Charles M. Hay of St. Louis speak in evening at community meeting commemorating adoption of 18th Amendment to Constitution; meeting, held at Teachers College auditorium, is sponsored by W.C.T.U., Wednesday Club, and A.A.U.W.

Fourth annual short course for county school superintendents given by State Teachers College ends after session of two weeks; there were 17 superintendents enrolled in course, which was under direction of Esther Knehans, professor of rural education.

-- Sharon K. Sanders