Out of the past 12/1/02

10 years ago: Dec. 1, 1992

Five of 36 people arrested in October on drug-selling and trafficking charges entered guilty pleas Monday after reaching plea agreements with Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle; most of suspects were arrested after they were indicted by county grand jury following 11-month investigation by SEMO Drug Task Force and federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

Cape Girardeau police have logged 13 reports of broken windows and otherwise damaged vehicles in past three days, in latest rash of vandalism to hit city; reports of broken out windshields, door windows, rear windows and windows on campers have rolled into department, leaving police two steps behind culprits.

25 years ago: Dec. 1, 1977

Old St. Vincent's Church becomes part of St. Mary's Cathedral Parish as move to preserve old edifice; church may also play expanded role as community religious-cultural center under plans being advanced; the Rev. Joseph Gosche, pastor of St. Mary's, has issued invitation to Southeast Missouri State University Music Department to hold sacred music concerts in cathedral-like atmosphere.

After three years of research, planning and paperwork, leaders in move to develop port facilities for this area are impatient to move out of starting blocks and show tangible results; immediate bottleneck rests in Little Rock, Ark., office of Ozark Regional Commission which has had in hand for its approval phase one of short-range feasibility study for port for about three months; until that report is approved, things are largely at standstill.

50 years ago: Dec. 1, 1952

Wet snow that begins falling after 1 p.m. causes Retail Merchants Association to postpone Salute to Santa Claus parade that had been scheduled this evening; event has been postponed to Dec. 8, with same participants, bands, floats and prizes.

Perryville - Efforts are being made by Chester Bridge Commission and Perry County officers to effect compromise on delinquent taxes owed county by bridge corporation; county has received no tax payments since bridge opened in 1948 and amount due is $55,000; matter came to head when Magnolia Pipeline Co. sought arrangements to swing pipeline across Mississippi River by anchoring it to bridge structure; before such agreement can be worked out, however, all tax liens against bridge must be settled.

75 years ago: Dec. 1, 1927

Plans for organization of retail milk dealers in Cape Girardeau, with possible view of establishing cooperative pasteurization plant, through which all retail milk distribution would be handled, were discussed at meeting last night of number of milk dealers; 18 dealers now furnish retail milk supply, each operating one or more trucks.

L.C. Lorberg of near Gordonville, in Cape Girardeau for the day, says work has almost been completed on improvement of intersection of Highway 25 and Gordonville road; it had been thought that work might halt traffic there during winter months; through funds donated by residents of Gordonville and Cape Girardeau, matched by appropriation by county court, stretch was repaired.

- Sharon K. Sanders