Out of the past 1/28/02

10 years ago: Jan. 28, 1992

Cairo, Ill. - Mayor Jim Wilson says closing state Drivers License Bureau in Cairo is another example of state government's insensitivity to economic needs of small communities; Cairo facility is one of 33 full-time Illinois drivers examination centers that will be closed Feb. 15; each of state's 19 part-time facilities will also be closed.

Cape Girardeau police are trying to stem string of burglaries that might end up being record number for one month; since Jan. 1, police have logged 71 commercial and residential burglaries; burglary string has become department's number one priority, according to Capt. Steve Strong.

25 years ago: Jan. 28, 1977

Winter sharpens its blades again today, slicing into area once more with bone-chilling temperatures that are expected to drop throughout the day before leveling off tonight at 10 to 15 below zero; winds from north at 15 mph gusting to 30 are bringing wind chill factor well below zero.

Encouraging return of city transit questionnaire is coming into City Hall, with first full day of mailed returns numbering more than 150; survey of returns shows that most people would pay 25 to 50 cents for bus service; many pencil in that bus service is needed, especially for elderly.

50 years ago: Jan. 28, 1952

Sealed bids will be received Tuesday by Corps of Engineers at Memphis, Tenn., for completion of last 2 1/2 to 3 miles of 21-mile stretch of Diversion Channel levee; engineers have advertised for bids for 725,000 cubic yards of earthwork to complete final section of levee construction, which was placed under way several years ago; final section extends from Nash northward along Frisco Railroad right of way.

Life membership on Salvation Army Advisory Board is awarded George A. Naeter when board holds its annual meeting at Hotel Marquette; Lt. Col. A.E. Ramsdale, divisional commander, of St. Louis, makes presentation to Naeter on behalf of Commissioner Norman S. Marshall of Chicago, territorial commander of Midwestern states.

75 years ago: Jan. 28, 1927

New theory that John McGrath, self-styled construction company superintendent, is suffering from "bridge-building complex," is being considered by authorities as they continue their investigation into his peculiar manipulations last week, when he presented himself here ostensibly to get work started on bridge across river.

Representatives of U.G.I. Construction Co. of Philadelphia, Pa., which has contract for construction of sub-structure for traffic bridge across Mississippi River, arrive in afternoon to begin preliminary work on structure.

-- Sharon K. Sanders