Out of the past 2/15/02

10 years ago: Feb. 15, 1992

A 1,500-pound crossbred Brahma bull brought unexpected, heart-pounding ending to rodeo at Show Me Center last night, when it jumped fence and ran through aisles, creating panic among spectators.

City and public school officials have announced "tentative agreement" to share evenly the cost of replacing bubble over Central Swimming Pool; replacement cover will cost between $110,000 and $125,000.

25 years ago: Feb. 15, 1977

Salary increases averaging 7 1/2 percent for teachers in Cape Girardeau Public Schools were unanimously approved last night by school board; board also approved reassignment of Coach Gary Emmenderfer to be defensive football coordinator and said it would accept applications for head football coaching position at Central High.

Rapid break-up of ice gorge clogging most of Mississippi River from Cairo, Ill., to St. Louis has enabled members of LaSalle, 1977, expedition to put their six birchbark canoes back into water and paddle downstream; group of 16 students, five educators, playwright and Franciscan priest is scheduled to arrive at Cape Girardeau waterfront Wednesday afternoon.

50 years ago: Feb. 15, 1952

T.B. Lane, South Cape Girardeau merchant, is tossing his hat into city political ring early with request to Cape Girardeau voters that they send him postcards if they would like him to run for city commissioner; Lane was candidate for commission in 1948, but was eliminated in primary.

Perryville - Frank Berkbigler of Ste. Genevieve, formerly of Perryville, will take over Perry County Farm property March 1 as private nursing home for bed patients; farm, just south of Perryville on Highway 25, has been renovated by County Court and rented to Berkbigler.

75 years ago: Feb. 15, 1927

City officials are outlining plans looking toward resumption, as soon as weather permits, of extensive street-paving program which is being considered for this year; four paving projects have definitely been decided upon: Locust street, from Ellis to Pacific; Benton, from Walnut to Elm; Jefferson, from Henderson to Boulevard, and Cousin, from Park to Boulevard.

Kennett - Public schools of Kennett will be forced to close early in March, unless town votes $12,000 bond issue; owing to insufficient collections, there is only enough money on hand to continue schools for another month, and unless bond issue is adopted, schools will close.

-- Sharon K. Sanders