Out of the past 4/17/03

10 years ago: April 17, 1993

Rising Mississippi River forces closing of six Cape Girardeau streets; revised National Weather Service report predicts river will crest Tuesday at 40.1 feet, eight feet above flood stage; residents in Red Star, South Cape and other areas close to river are being alerted to threat of flooding.

Cape Girardeau City Council is flirting with possibility of placing before voters transportation and capital improvements tax measure to fund infrastructure development; at retreat Friday, city administrative staff demonstrated that quarter-cent hike in capital improvements tax and half-cent transportation tax could generate $92.5 million in 20 years.

25 years ago: April 17, 1978

With filing deadline week away, seven county officeholders and state legislators remain unchallenged in elections this year in Cape Girardeau County; home free so far are Circuit Clerk Charles P. Hutson Jr., 2nd District County Court Judge J. Ronald Fischer, Magistrate Jerry S. Estes, Probate Judge Marybelle Mueller and 1st Division Circuit Judge Stanley A. Grimm, all Democrats, and collector Harold D. Kuehle and Auditor H. Weldon Macke, Republicans, and 155th District State Rep. Marvin E. Proffer, Jackson Democrat.

Recent meetings where some members of Southeast Missouri State University faculty expressed concern about governance and other issues are viewed in part by Dr. Robert E. Leestamper, president, as local manifestation of problems troubling all higher education.

50 years ago: April 17, 1953

Hundreds of boys from wide Southeast Missouri territory are transported to farms around Cape Girardeau in morning to take part in agricultural judging contests today and tomorrow at State College; this afternoon, large group of youths moves in at Cape Frozen Food Locker to judge meat cuts.

Ernest Strong, 19, of Egypt Mills, sustains severe burns on face in accident at Seven Up Bottling Co. plant, 355 N. Kingshighway; Strong, employee, is burning old soft drink cases outdoors at rear of building; gasoline was used to start fire; it flares up suddenly while Strong is standing close by; he is treated at doctor's office and dismissed.

75 years ago: April 17, 1928

Cape Girardeau traffic bridge across Mississippi River should be completed and ready for traffic late in August or early in September, says P.V. Pennybacker, resident engineer; last concrete for piers was poured yesterday, and erection of steel on short spans on Illinois side is progressing at rate that should bring completion of steel work within eight weeks.

Immediate paving of Morgan Oak street to new traffic bridge will be ordered by city council, it is indicated as city officials plan to take up action on petition seeking the improvement.

-- Sharon K. Sanders