Out of the past 4/18/04

10 years ago: April 18, 1994

Relief is in sight for those suffering from flooding Mississippi River; stream crested yesterday at Cape Girardeau at 41.6 feet; personnel from Command Coast Guard forces from Paducah, Ky., are continuing flood-relief operations in and around Olive Branch in Alexander County in Illinois.

After listening to testimony from several Cape Girardeau residents, city council votes to form committee to study minimum housing standards; committee will have 60 days to draft recommendation.

25 years ago: April 18, 1979

Headache ball ushers in end of landmark building: Trinity Lutheran Church, which had stood at Frederick and Themis streets more than 100 years; steeple stubbornly resists efforts of Nip Kelley Construction Co. workers for six hours, before collapsing into what had been nave of church at about 6:40 p.m.

Authorities are searching for 19-year-old rural Illmo girl who apparently was abducted yesterday during robbery of self-service gasoline station where she works as attendant; missing is Cheryl Ann Scherer, who is employed at Rhodes Pump-Ur-Own Station in Scott City.

50 years ago: April 18, 1954

Worshippers by thousands hear anew Resurrection story in Cape Girardeau churches; then, taking advantage of warm, sunny weather,they join Easter parade in automobiles and afoot downtown or by long drives on county's highways.

Lutheran churches of area combine for Easter sunrise service at new Starvue Drive-In Theater on Highway 61; 1,254 people worship together, hearing the Rev. W. Keisker, pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, speak on "Easter Assurance."

75 years ago: April 18, 1929

Without single protest being presented at public hearing last night by city council, city plan for Cape Girardeau stands approved with only formal ratification by city council necessary to put its regulations into effect.

Having vented its flood fury, Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau is falling rapidly, a drop of nearly one foot in stage of river during past 24 hours being recorded.

-- Sharon K. Sanders