Out of the past 4/28/02

10 years ago: April 28, 1992

Proposals for Cape Girardeau Convention Center and plans for new recreational sports complex were presented to Convention and Visitors Advisory Board yesterday; Dan Overbey of Drury Development, outlined need and plans for new 34,800-square-foot center to be located near Interstate 55 and Route K.

John Gary, drug and alcohol counselor at Gibson Recovery Center, Inc., is honored for having been given United to Serve America organization's Diamond Award; award is given to individual who has overcome obstacles in his own life, while also helping others.

25 years ago: April 28, 1977

Dr. Ed Spicer has been named acting dean of students for summer session and fall semester at Southeast Missouri State University; Spicer, who won't be candidate for permanent appointment to that position, is staff associate to Dr. Robert E. Leestamper, Southeast president, and counselor in Student Development Center.

Effort to restructure Teamsters and Chauffeurs Local 574 is being undertaken by group of rank-and-file members who are displeased with leadership of 2,400-member local; group claims present leadership runs local "like a dictatorship."

50 years ago: April 28, 1952

On accelerated upsurge, Mississippi River forces suspension of service by Frisco Railroad as its muddy waters spread out over sections of low-lying streets, causing some business houses to evacuate; river is at 36.5 feet, rise of seven-tenths of foot in 24 hours.

Trucks, under hire by city, moved into Smelterville area ahead of rising Mississippi River over weekend, evacuating 27 families and taking their belongings to pre-arranged storage facility; Mayor Manning P. Greer says evacuation will continue with those families which are unable to afford to move themselves out; several families were moved into Fort D as temporary measure, while others have be been moved into private homes and Hely's Chapel.

75 years ago: April 28, 1927

Proposal that city of Cape Girardeau and Frisco Railroad cooperate in taking necessary steps to prevent recurrence of present flood situation on portions of Main and Water street business section was made last night to group of men representing business interests of city by officials of railroad; two preliminary plans were offered; first suggested construction of concrete retaining wall along lower portion of riverfront, sufficiently high to prevent flooding; other plan was for elevation of Frisco tracks along Water Street to height high enough to protect street from water.

Rising temperatures and receding flood find Main Street merchants, whose business had been hampered by flood in their buildings, looking forward to return to normalcy within next few days; all places north of I. Ben Miller's drug store, on west side of street, and north of Bahn Brothers Hardware Co., on east side of street, are accessible.

-- Sharon K. Sanders