Out of the past 3/17/03

10 years ago: March 17, 1993

From doorknobs to bathrooms and ramps to elevators, meeting federal requirements of Americans with Disabilities Act will prove costly for Southeast Missouri State University; it's estimated it will cost $1,030,000 over two-year period to make all improvements needed for school's academic buildings and academic-supported facilities to meet federal requirements.

Some Jackson aldermen agree to need for Jackson becoming involved in promoting tourism in city and surrounding area; but they say careful study is needed before any decision is made on creating tourism board and allocating funds for promotion of tourism.

25 years ago: March 17, 1978

Six sites have been selected by Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority for development of on-channel docking facilities in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties; two sites have been pinpointed for "priority development": Marquette Cement property on south edge of Cape Girardeau, which is bordered on south by Marquette and to north by Amoco and Shell Oil Co. property, and Leming Lumber Co. property about one mile farther upstream.

New two-year contract has been unanimously approved by Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents for Dr. Robert E. Leestamper, president of university.

50 years ago: March 17, 1953

Fire sweeps through John S. Cobb School, 731 Merriwether, and flames, smoke and water damage every room in main school building; gymnasium wing isn't damaged; fire apparently starts in lunchroom in southwest corner of basement, spreading upward through heating ducts to upper two floors.

Thousands of golden brown pancakes will go way of all good pancakes at tomorrow's Lions Club Pancake Day, which will be held in Frissell Building, 6-8 N. Spanish.

75 years ago: March 17, 1928

Cape Girardeau traffic bridge will soon be painted black; first span is receiving its primer coat of brown paint; entire job will take about 75 barrels and 28 have already arrived; construction of two main spans, which are each 671 feet long, has been completed, and work has begun on first of six smaller remaining spans; each of these spans is 312 feet long.

Deed for roadway from Bainbridge public road to Old McKendree Chapel grounds has been prepared and will soon be executed.

-- Sharon K. Sanders