Out of the past 1/16/03

10 years ago: Jan. 16, 1993

Pleased with their win in court yesterday, educators say they're ready to give General Assembly chance to revise state's formula for funding schools; Cole County Circuit Judge Byron Kinder ruled formula, which provides $1 billion to Missouri's 538 public school districts, is unconstitutional and ordered legislature to rewrite it.

Group of Cape Girardeau business people have hired St. Louis public relations firm to help promote school district's April ballot measure that would fund construction of two new schools and renovate other buildings in system; Boatmen's Bank president Jim Limbaugh is spearheading citizens' group.

25 years ago: Jan. 16, 1978

Schools are canceled throughout district as Sunday's snow continues through morning, dumping six-inch blanket on area it is first snow day of winter for Cape Girardeau schools; motorists have great difficulty negotiating highways and streets; State Highway Department begins work early this morning to get roads cleared, but at mid-morning snow is still coming down so thickly effort is barely noticeable.

Perryville -- Perry County Sheriff's dispatcher was killed yesterday morning, when his .25-caliber automatic pistol discharged as he was getting out of his car at his home; victim, Kent Kassel, 22, was struck in chest and was dead at the scene.

50 years ago: Jan. 16, 1953

Clara Searcy, 77, of Cape Girardeau is in fairly good condition at local hospital after being struck yesterday by pickup truck in street near her home; Searcy was walking on asphalt pavement in 1000 block of North Boulevard, when truck skidded on wet pavement and struck her.

Kennett -- The Dunklin Democrat newspaper publishes last issue of its 65th volume, just day after it was announced that paper had been sold; for 60 years it has been owned by same family; it was revealed yesterday that Jack Stapleton of Albany had bought The Democrat from Cong. Paul C. Jones and his brother, Edgar Jones; Stapleton will take possession Feb. 1.

75 years ago: Jan. 16, 1928

Cape County Fair this year will be held five days instead of usual four and is scheduled for Sept. 18-22, rather than Sept. 3-6; change of date gives fair better position in program for this district this year, says fair board of directors, since it closely follows Illinois fairs; expanding exposition to five days should result in greater public interest.

Plans are being made to have big Cape Girardeau delegation at Billy Sunday meeting in St. Louis next week; Frisco Railroad has agreed to run special train from Cape Girardeau, leaving during morning and returning from St. Louis that evening; train will make no stops and will require not more than three hours for each trip.

-- Sharon K. Sanders