Out of the past 3/27/03

10 years ago: March 27, 1993

Proposed Jackson Middle School will cost about $5.4 million to build; but it won't cost taxpayers any additional money, say school officials; bond issue approval on April 6 would change current operating levy of $2.85 per $100 assessed valuation; district can accomplish this feat because it didn't allow its bonded indebtedness to drop to zero.

Gene E. Huckstep, who transformed Cape Girardeau County government into one of most financially stable local governments in state, has decided not to seek re-election to fifth term in 1994; Huckstep's decision to retire was sealed March 1, when he was elected chairman of board of Cameron Insurance Companies, position which will require Huckstep to do quite a bit of traveling.

25 years ago: March 27, 1978

Floodgates on Main Street floodwall at Themis and Broadway are closed for first time in five years this morning as Mississippi River exceeds flood stage by 5.5 feet; rising floodwaters downstream from Cape Girardeau already have forced evacuation of some residents in low-lying regions of Illinois located in southwestern Alexander County; residents of Thebes, Miller City, Willard and Dogtooth Bend area begin evacuating.

Grand Tower, Ill. - Residents of this community have begun movement to split from Shawnee School District, which extends south from here, and merge with another district to north; hearing on petition for separation will be held April 4 at Union County Courthouse in Jonesboro.

50 years ago: March 27, 1953

The Rev. Marion F. Forst, pastor of St. Mary's Church, was notified last night that plans and specifications for new Catholic high school building would be sent out to contractors today, and bids invited on structure; it is expected bids will be opened in about three weeks; architects for new school are A.F. Stauder and Arthur Stauder of St. Louis.

Charles Conn of Sikeston, who has served as vice president past year, will head Southeast Missouri Retail Lumber Dealers Association for next year; he is elected by group as one of concluding items of business at 45th annual session of organization; Conn's firm is Sikeston Lumber Co.

75 years ago: March 27, 1928

Arthur W. Harrison of Harrison Securities Co., has been elected president of Cape Girardeau Chambers of Commerce; he succeeds Charles W. Boutin, whose term will expire this month.

Submitting reports showing results of intensive first day's campaign to refinance Chamber of Commerce for another three-year period at noon luncheon at Centenary Methodist Church, reports more than one-third of $15,000 fund pledged; total of $6,254 has been pledged, mainly as result of first day's drive; of this amount, $4,371.50 is for membership fund.

-- Sharon K. Sanders