Out of the past 3/1/04

10 years ago: March 1, 1994

Levee officials along Mississippi River in Alexander County, Ill., and Perry County, Mo., were breathing easier yesterday after river crested at Cape Girardeau Saturday at 2 feet below crest prediction of 34.1 feet; work is nearly finished on 10,000 feet of new levee that replaces section of lower end of Fayville levee that breached during last summer's record-setting flood.

Community Sweat Equity Housing Corp., local nonprofit organization that was founded more than eight months ago, is making its presence known in field of housing preparation for low-to-moderate-income residents in Cape Girardeau; corporation has purchased six housing units, and all are occupied.

25 years ago: March 1, 1979

About 50 percent of Cape Girardeau's businesses and industries reopens as city returns to normal following worst snowstorm to hit city this century; ban on non-essential and non-emergency travel is lifted, but residents are still urged to restrict driving.

Snow removal operations in Cape Girardeau County are concentrated primarily in four areas where many people remain confined to their homes; some roads in northwest and southwest sections of county remain clogged, but they should be open later today or tomorrow.

50 years ago: March 1, 1954

Good deal of business is handled by city council, including consideration of proposal by mayor for appointment of traffic patrol officer under his jurisdiction; Mayor Manning P. Greer suggests Paul Cook for job; Cook, former police officer, is leaving his work at atomic energy plant at Paducah, Ky.

BENTON, Mo. -- Seventeen people have filed as candidates for public office in August primary elections in Scott County; all 17 are Democrats; there is opposition for offices of collector, recorder and clerk of circuit court.

75 years ago: March 1, 1929

Nineteen motor trucks are pressed into service by State Highway Department to haul crushed rock to repair two principal highways leading into Cape Girardeau; Highway 61 from northwest and Highway 74, Bloomfield Road, have been in poor repair for several days as result of recent rain and thaws.

City fathers issue stern warning against vandals who have been bowling over tombstones in Lorimier Cemetery on North Fountain; Commissioner A.P. Behrens, on recent visit to burial ground, found nearly two dozen tombstones toppled.

-- Sharon K. Sanders