Out of the past 4/26/02

10 years ago: April 26, 1992

City council members take their first look at gloomy synopsis of city's operating budget for next fiscal year, which begins July 1; city administration officials tell council that city no longer will be able to fund programs and services solely from tax revenue generated from growth; council takes no action, but hears reports on proposals to increase fees for some programs and services, and impose fees in areas that are now free to public.

Representatives of Colonial Cape Girardeau Foundation speaks to Convention and Visitor's Bureau Advisory Board in effort to acquire "seed" money for purchase of 150-year-old St. Vincent's Seminary.

25 years ago: April 26, 1977

Showdown between city attorney Tom Utterback, armed with state obscenity statute, and owner of new adult book and film store has caused store to close; Cape News, 621 Broadway, locks its doors and puts up sign that reads: Closed due to police harassment; opening of store in January created flurry of activity by city officials to close it down.

Cairo, Ill. - Although requested to make financial report to Alexander County Commissioners at last night's meeting, Alexander County Treasurer James E. Williams left before making report.

50 years ago: April 26, 1952

Sen. Robert A. Taft brings his campaign for Republican presidential nomination to Cape Girardeau with address at Courthouse Park in which he lambastes Truman administration for its "spending and corruption"; starting his one-day whirlwind tour of Missouri at 9 a.m. when he lands at Air Force base at Malden, Taft speeds to Poplar Bluff for talk to 500 people from courthouse steps, then is whisked away by car to Dexter for brief talk, and then on to Cape Girardeau for arrival during noon hour.

Oak Ridge - One of Cape Girardeau County's old iron and wood bridges spanning branch of Hughes Creek about four miles northwest of here gives way in evening as car driven by young Marine Corps airman passes over it; Albert Lowes, 19, of Perryville is uninjured in accident.

75 years ago: April 26, 1927

Thousands of acres of Illinois farm land, much of which had escaped previous flooding, is inundated by break in Mississippi River levee at Cora City, Ill., and residents of doomed section are fleeing to safety; Jacob, Randle Junction, Cora City and Rockwood are directly in path of rushing waters, while Gorham, village on river, 40 miles north of Cape Girardeau, is expected to have several feet of water before nightfall.

Expenditure of $223,648, only slight increase over last year, is provided for operation of Cape Girardeau Public Schools in budget adopted last night by Board of Education; tax levy for support of schools will be $1.65 on $100 valuation, same as this year.

- Sharon K. Sanders