Out of the past 1/17/04

10 years ago: Jan. 17, 1994

City crews hit streets as ice and sleet began to fall yesterday afternoon, but they weren't able to treat roadways fast enough to prevent motorists from slipping and sliding on icy surfaces.

MILLER CITY, Ill. -- Construction of new levee will get under way here this week; portion of 17-mile levee along Mississippi River broke in mid-July, allowing floodwaters to cover more than 30,000 acres of farmland.

25 years ago: Jan. 17, 1979

Two National Guard engineer units headquartered in Cape Girardeau are among those activated by Gov. Joseph P. Teasdale to help open up snow-drifted, nearly impassable roads left by weekend storm that dumped up to 20 inches of snow in northern Missouri.

Fourteen riding horses, tractor and 1,000 bales of hay are lost when early-morning fire destroys barn owned by Bobby Helderman southwest of Gravel Hill.

50 years ago: Jan. 17, 1954

Congregation of South Side Baptist Church meets in its new building at 1012 S. Ellis for its first worship service in morning; it is also fourth anniversary of the Rev. A.J. Langston's pastorate.

Temperature in Jackson in morning is 11 degrees; it reaches 21 degrees by noon; there is still considerable snow in Jackson vicinity, and north of Fruitland, near Oak Ridge, large drifts remain.

75 years ago: Jan. 17, 1929

Revival of Southeast Missouri Peace Officers Association, organization formed two years ago, is being considered by officers of district.

Traffic over streets and highways in Southeast Missouri, hampered earlier in week by icy covering, returns to near normal, as steadily mounting temperatures eliminate ice.

-- Sharon K. Sanders