Out of the past 12/28/01

10 years ago: Dec. 28, 1991

State Board of Education has tentatively approved regulations that would help financially troubled school districts remain in operation; policy is designed to identify districts facing financial crisis and to prevent interruption of school for students; State Board of Education member Bekki Cook, Cape Girardeau lawyer, says ensuring that schools will continue for children is primary goal of regulations.

Scott City -- Second candidate has filed for mayor in Scott City; Rodney Holloway, Scott City businessman, filed Thursday for seat; Mayor Shirley Young has said she won't file for second term; Scott City businessman Larry Forhan filed for mayor's seat earlier this month.

25 years ago: Dec. 28, 1976

Agreement whereby purchasers won't lose money invested in pre-burial insurance plan has been worked out by Missouri attorney general's office and eight funeral homes in this region; substantial details about arrangement to close case against Bankers' Memorial Pre-Arrangement Foundation, which operated exclusively in Southeast Missouri, are learned this morning; case involves Sikeston funeral home operator and foundation he established.

Benton -- Four officers of Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority commission were reelected to one-year terms yesterday; they are: Chairman, C.W. Rushing of Cape Girardeau; vice chairman, C.B. Taylor of Morley; secretary, A.J. Seier of Cape Girardeau, and treasurer, Raymond Roth of Scott City.

50 years ago: Dec. 28, 1951

Biggest single taxpaying day of year was racked up by county and city tax collectors at Common Pleas Courthouse yesterday, but both offices report substantial number of residents face delinquent penalties if they don't meet obligation before Tuesday; city collections yesterday went over $8,000, and county office, which includes Cape Girardeau school, county and state levies, had receipts of over $30,000.

Well-known and oft-stolen bronze plaque from big boulder marking historic Cape Rock Park has disappeared again; George Penzel of Cape Special Road District, which maintains park overlooking Mississippi River, says he noticed marker gone few days ago, but has no idea how long it has been missing.

75 years ago: Dec. 28, 1926

In drive to collect more than $15,000 in delinquent taxes, accruing in past several years, city has ordered City Counselor Rush H. Limbaugh to file suit against people having real estate here and who haven't paid taxes due in former years; as another move in biggest drive yet launched to realize on unpaid taxes, City Council has named A.P. Behrens as special deputy clerk to conduct campaign to secure payment before suits are actually filed in court.

Armed coast guard revenue cutters, operating under direction of government prohibition unit, will patrol Mississippi River in vicinity of Cape Girardeau to break up illicit liquor-making industry, reported to be flourishing on islands in river.

-- Sharon K. Sanders