Out of the past 2/16/03

10 years ago: Feb. 16, 1993

Because of heavy snow falling in Southeast Missourian's circulation area and safety concerns for delivery crews, newspaper doesn't publish; decision to postpone edition was made Monday, with 10 inches of snow on ground and total of 12 to 14 inches predicted; last time Southeast Missourian missed publication for weather-related reason was in February 1979, when blizzard dropped 24 inches of snow on area.

Local banks in Cape Girardeau have agreed to share in financing of city's Convention and Visitors Bureau recreation program; at tonight's meeting, city council will consider action authorizing financing plan that will generate $3.73 million toward project; program includes construction of soccer and softball fields at Shawnee Park, acquisition of 90-acre tract at Mount Auburn and Kingshighway for use as park, construction of 32,000-square-foot multi-use building on that site, and completion of fitness trail.

25 years ago: Feb. 16, 1978

Cape Girardeau County Center for Senior Citizens has requested that city council appropriate $100,000 to renovate for its use a building on Cape County Farm property located on U.S. Highway 61; Arthur A. Schade, director of center, made appeal last night; request was taken under advisement.

Ted M. Hoener is retained by Cape Girardeau Public Library Board of Trustees as architect for new city library; board in early 1977 approved purchase for $47,500 a 5.06-acre site on Clark Avenue for new structure; new library will be between 20,000 and 30,000 square feet and will cost between $800,000 and $1 million.

50 years ago: Feb. 16, 1953

Southeast Missouri soldier is reported suffering from wounds sustained in fighting in Korea; Department of Defense, in its 750th battle casualty report of war, says Pfc. Vernon H. Scherer, son of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Scherer of near Commerce, has been wounded; he is in Army.

Substantial amount of business faces Board of Education at midmonthly meeting, including consideration of new fire department plan of charging fee to replenish fire extinguishers and discussion of reported petition to keep Jefferson School open next fall; it had been planned to abandon building, one of oldest in system, when change is made to new high school next fall.

75 years ago: Feb. 16, 1928

Russell L. Dearmont, Cape Girardeau lawyer, announces his candidacy for Democratic nomination for state senator from 21st District of Missouri; Dwight H. Brown, Democrat and newspaper publisher of Poplar Bluff, now represents that district, but won't be candidate for re-election; instead, he is seeking Democratic nomination for secretary of state.

Although Jackson's city election is only about six weeks away, nothing is being said about it, which seems to indicate citizens are satisfied with present city government's management; four aldermen are to be elected, two-year terms of Aldermen L.W. Kasten, Theo. Obermiller, Sherman Haupt and John H. Sachse having expired.

-- Sharon K. Sanders