Out of the past 2/15/04

10 years ago: Feb. 15, 1993

Group of county residents opposed to sale of Jackson sanitary landfill has organized; group is called Cape Girardeau County Concerned Citizens, and Glen Birk is its president.

Lights flicker momentarily in parts of Cape Girardeau just before noon, when steel boom of pile-driving crane working near South Kingshighway and William falls onto Union Electric 115.5-kilovolt subtransmission line; both lanes of William Street at Kingshighway are closed to traffic for about three hours as workers repair downed lines.

25 years ago: Feb. 15, 1979

Zoning that would clear way for development of major shopping center by Drury Development Corp. on city's west side has been recommended for approval by Cape Girardeau Planning and Zoning Commission; 70-acre site is about mile from proposed Westborough Mall, on Route K between Kingshighway and Interstate 55.

While promise of spring is in air, forecasters say groundhog's prediction of more winter weather is about to come true; another wintry blast is making its unwelcome way into area, with temperatures sinking into teens again by end of week.

50 years ago: Feb. 15, 1954

Fire which is fanned by high winds destroys George's Place at Ancell, and home of George Blattel, owner of tavern and dance hall, is slightly damaged by blaze; no one is injured; Blattel estimates his loss at between $7,000 and $10,000.

Quarantine requiring confinement of dogs and cats has been extended to Mississippi County; it is fourth county in Southeast Missouri in which quarantine has been ordered, others being Cape Girardeau, Scott and Stoddard.

75 years ago: Feb. 15, 1929

Routing of Highway 61 through Jackson over First South Street is urged by committee representing Jackson at hearing before officials of Missouri highway department; if suggested route is followed, highway would pass north of plant of Cape Milling Co., and follow First South.

Plans were made yesterday by local chapter of United Daughters of the Confederacy to erect memorial on Morgan Oak Street, near traffic bridge; memorial will be dedicated to Southeast Missouri Confederate soldiers.

-- Sharon K. Sanders