Out of the past 1/17/02

10 years ago: Jan. 17, 1992

January's unusual warm weather ended abruptly late Wednesday afternoon, when brisk, northerly winds ahead of cold wave sent wind chill plunging to minus 40 by dusk; yesterday, area residents woke up to coldest day so far this season.

Jackson - Deputy Sheriff Kendall Hampton received Timothy J. Ruopp Award yesterday for his efforts in evacuating inmates during fire in county jail last year.

25 years ago: Jan. 17, 1977

More of same is weather forecast for coming week, as massive Canadian cold front descends into Midwest and sends temperatures plummeting to record lows; mercury sinks to 16 degrees below zero this morning, eclipsing former record low of minus 10 set in 1918.

Inflation took huge bite out of 1974 farm profits in Cape Girardeau, Scott, Perry, Mississippi and Stoddard counties; according to 1974 Census of Agriculture Reports, it cost farmers in those five counties $109,646,000 to produce agriculture sales of $160,752,000.

50 years ago: Jan. 17, 1952

Group of parents whose children attend Lorimier School on Independence street wants to close cave in Happy Hollow, man-made cavern which it says is menacing playground for children, cache for thieves, and harbor for human derelicts.

New dean of Southeast Missouri Baptist Foundation will be the Rev. Thomas S. Messer, pastor of First Baptist Church of New Iberia, La..

75 years ago: Jan. 17, 1927

Paducah, Ky. - Steamer Cape Girardeau of Eagle Packet Co., went aground at winter quarters at "Duck's Nest," several miles north of Paducah Sunday, but was removed without damage; sudden, four-foot drop in Mississippi River sent several boats aground, and in some instances damage to vessels was heavy.

Contractor J.W. Gerhardt starts work on removal of building adjoining Hecht store on the north, which is to be replaced with entirely new building; it is hoped to have new building completed within 90 days, and Hecht store will then be moved into it.

- Sharon K. Sanders