Out of the past 12/9/02

10 years ago: Dec. 9, 1992

Cape Girardeau officials plan to extend city services to Twin Lakes subdivision within 2 1/2 years after voters approve annexation measure; City Planner Kent Bratton says that officials hope to have ordinance authorizing annexation by Jan. 1, but public vote on issue likely won't come before August 1993.

Wayne Muri, chief engineer of Missouri Highway and Transportation Department, tells Cape Girardeau audience that new state transportation plans will benefit Southeast Missouri; Muri is guest speaker at Chamber of Commerce Highway Dinner; he says new Mississippi River bridge in Cape Girardeau, and new Highway 74 to connect span to Interstate 55, remains state priority.

25 years ago: Dec. 9, 1977

Sikeston -- Death of kindergarten pupil trying to get attention of school bus driver has left townspeople stunned; Fredrick Smith, 5, died shortly after noon yesterday under rear wheels of bus after he slipped or fell while trying to get attention of bus driver; he was son of Mrs. Abbie Bean.

Gene E. Huckstep again will head Southeast Missouri District Fair Association as it plans and carries out annual exposition; Huckstep was elected by board Wednesday as president for 1978; other officers are Albert Schabbing, vice president; Joe Smith, secretary, and Earl James, treasurer.

50 years ago: Dec. 9, 1952

Millersville -- Eight-room frame house on T.B. Statler farm burned late Monday afternoon; occupants, Mr. and Mrs. Elva Turner, saved some household goods; Statler furniture, stored in attic, was destroyed.

One of series of violent rain and hail storms that strikes Southeast Missouri lashes Cape Girardeau at 4:35 p.m., covering ground with coating of fingernail-size hailstones; there is no damage from storm, which is accompanied by only small amount of wind.

75 years ago: Dec. 9, 1927

Although hindered by low temperature of past two days, work on Cape Girardeau traffic bridge across Mississippi River moves steadily forward; pouring of concrete for shafts of Pier 2 continues, although temperature has been so low that heating of concrete, as it is placed in forms, has been found necessary; this is done by means of steam pipes.

Responding to six fire calls in Cape Girardeau within 24 hours, most of them due to overheated furnaces resulting from efforts of local residents to combat cold wave, fire department set new record for number of calls within that period; only one of fires resulted in considerable damage; that was at home of Frank Roberts, 12 N. Middle.

-- Sharon K. Sanders