Out of the past 1/2/07

25 years ago: Jan. 2, 1982

CAIRO, Ill. -- The National Weather Service plans to close its Cairo weather station by the end of April; the continuing resolution approved by Congress in December directs the weather service to shut down the office here and 17 others nationwide to save money.

December didn't hold any of the white stuff for Cape Girardeau, but it was wintery nonetheless; the month that just ended fell just shy of the long-term temperature average with 34.95 degrees, compared to 37.3 degrees; the low for the month was 7 degrees, recorded on three consecutive days.

50 years ago: Jan. 2, 1957

The New Year arrived in Cape Girardeau with a stroke-of-midnight power failure in the west sections of town, caused when a pistol or rifle shot fired by a holiday celebrant clipped a main power transmission line cleanly in two on North Sprigg Street, north of Emerald Street.

Opening of bids for construction of Cape Girardeau's new swimming pool, scheduled this afternoon, is delayed a week to allow plumbing contractors added to prepare their bids.

75 years ago: Jan. 2, 1932

Cape Girardeau County Collector James A. Kinder says the Frisco Railroad hasn't paid state and county taxes in this county for 1931; railroad officials say they will be unable to pay the taxes at this time.

Special services held by many churches and church organizations hailed the new year in Cape Girardeau; beginning with programs early Thursday night, hundreds of people remained up to worship and to mingle in fellowship gatherings as the old year faded and the new arrived.

100 years ago: Jan. 2, 1907

A train on the Iron Mountain Railroad, while returning from Allenville to Jackson in the morning, is wrecked near Dutchtown; a coal car and two box cars are reported in the ditch, and the baggage car and coach are off the track; the recent rains caused the track to give way.

Part of the large concrete retaining wall along the south side of the property at the northwest corner of Independence and Fountain streets gives way in the morning.

-- Sharon K. Sanders