Out of the past 3/16/03

10 years ago: March 16, 1993

Circuit Judge William L. Syler forever banned Caruthersville public defender from his courtroom Monday after attorney failed to provide "competent" counsel for client to which he was assigned; Syler issued ban against Tim Leonard, who had been assigned several cases that Cape Girardeau County public defender's office couldn't handle because of conflicts of interest.

First phase of search for new president of Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce is under way; Executive Search Committee has drafted list of qualifications for position, and will advertise in national and state publications and regional media.

25 years ago: March 16, 1978

Rezoning for proposed senior citizens apartment complex was approved yesterday by city council over objection of South Boulevard area residents, who accused council of wasting their time in proceeding where outcome had already been determined.

Frank F. Unnerstall, 79, founder of Unnerstall's Drug Store 51 years ago and dean of Cape Girardeau pharmacists, died yesterday at Cape LaCroix Manor, where he had been resident two months; Unnerstall was born in Cape Girardeau and graduated from Bowen Institute of Pharmacy in Brunswick in 1923.

50 years ago: March 16, 1953

City council scraps its year-old alliance with Humane Society, repealing ordinance under which organization operated with city support and passing replacement act that will put full-time quarantine on dogs April 1 and impose stiff penalties for at-large animals.

John Cobb High School Bluejays basketball team over weekend won state championship in Class B at Jefferson City, with four straight victories; team will compete in national tournament at Nashville; team members are Robert Swan, James Wallace, Kelly Mosley, Jack Young, Harry Colon, Robert Wade, Billy Wade, Earl Daye, Johnnie Johnson and Edmond Miller; coach is John Clark.

75 years ago: March 16, 1928

Teachers College has again been honored by having been given rank among highest class universities and colleges in United States by North Central Association of Secondary Schools and Colleges in their meeting this week at Chicago; telegram is received from President J.A. Serena, who is attending meeting, stating that the five teachers colleges of Missouri had been advanced to superior list of colleges and universities.

Installation of equipment for all-steel building of Cape Silica Co., four miles northwest of town, is nearing completion, and operation of plant should begin within two weeks; completion of work has been delayed by failure of dust conveyor to arrive.

-- Sharon K. Sanders