Out of the past 2/8/03

10 years ago: Feb. 8, 1993

"Chicken Shack" in 400 block of Good Hope is leveled in morning, but not before law enforcement officials over weekend launched parting shot at drug sales there; Cape Girardeau police and county sheriff's department staged joint "reverse sting" that resulted in two drug-related arrests; sting involved police officers posing as drug dealers to arrest buyers.

Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation Task Force votes to ask city council for money to study cost of renovating St. Vincent's Seminary; members of task force agree that having up-to-date study is necessary first step in search for funding to buy and operate old school as museum.

25 years ago: Feb. 8, 1978

Cape Girardeau School District has been threatened with withdrawal of more than $400,000 in federal funds if it fails to comply with Title IX regulations concerning maternity leave policy; warning stems from complaint lodged by teacher against district in 1976, alleging discrimination on basis of sex; superintendent Arthur H. Turner said teacher made formal complaint because district allowed only 10 days of accrued sick leave to be used for maternity, and teacher had wanted to use more.

M. Jack Rickard, self-employed bricklayer and construction contractor, files for Republican nomination for presiding judge of county court; unless others file, he will face incumbent Ervin Hobbs, Democrat, in November election.

50 years ago: Feb. 8, 1953

Plan for more fellowship among societies in Walther League, Cape Girardeau Zone, is discussed by young people at their winter conference at Eisleben Lutheran Church at Illmo; president of zone, John E. Stehr, presides at business meeting, which is opened with meditation, led by host pastor, the Rev. W. Maring.

Dr. Courts Redford of Atlanta, Ga., assistant executive secretary of Home Mission Board, is guest speaker at two Baptist churches; he brings morning message at First Baptist Church and is speaker in evening service at Red Star Baptist Church.

75 years ago: Feb. 8, 1928

Members of Cape Girardeau Fire Department will soon be equipped to invade smoke-filled buildings to fight fires; two gas masks and special lantern, designed to provide light that will penetrate smoke, have been ordered by city; masks are equipped with chemicals to combat smoke and gas.

Large barn on farm of Oscar Birk near Jackson was destroyed by fire Tuesday evening; with aid of neighbors, Birk was able to save all livestock and some of machinery housed in barn, but large quantities of feed, grain and hay were destroyed; loss is partially covered by insurance.

-- Sharon K. Sanders