Out of the past 1/16/02

10 years ago: Jan. 16, 1992

State Rep. Ollie Amick, whose seat in Missouri House of Representatives was dissolved as part of state's post-census redistricting process, has decided to challenge state Rep. Dennis Ziegenhorn; Amick moved last fall from Scott City to his daughter's home in Benton to be in newly drawn 160th District; Ziegenhorn resides in Sikeston.

Dr. Stanley D. Sides has begun two-year term as president of medical staff at St. Francis Medical Center, succeeding Dr. R.A. Ritter Jr..

25 years ago: Jan. 16, 1977

Tenth anniversary celebration, postponed from last Sunday because of blizzard, is held at Good Shepherd Lutheran Chapel; reception follows 10 a.m. worship service; the Rev. William Matzat, pastor of church, is liturgist.

Anonymous bomb threat is received at 2:30 p.m. at Schnucks-Walgreens; when police arrive on scene, store customers had been evacuated, and others arriving at store were asked to wait until police searched building; nothing is found and all-clear is given at 3:30 p.m..

50 years ago: Jan. 16, 1952

Petitions signed by 1,456 people asking that special election be called to determine if Cape Girardeau should switch to city manager plan of municipal government are presented to City Council in morning; late in afternoon, council approves petition and issues formal call for special election to be held Feb. 19.

Easements for use of city-owned ground on which levee will be constructed along riverfront from north boundary of Red Star Addition southward to Good Hope street are granted two Cape Girardeau levee districts by City Council.

75 years ago: Jan. 16, 1927

General Baptist Church is organized during evening service at Common Pleas Courthouse; the Rev. R.M. Barrett, field worker for that denomination, has been in Cape Girardeau several weeks in interests of organization of congregation.

Fire in roof of gas house of Missouri Utilities Co., plant in north part of town, originating from coal tar blaze, for time threatens structure, which houses city's gas-making facilities; flames are quickly extinguished by fire department, in time to prevent them from enveloping the gas benches or some of gas containers and causing explosion.

- Sharon K. Sanders