Out of the past 5/15/02

10 years ago: May 15, 1992

Cape Girardeau County's budget was cited Thursday by national taxpayers watchdog organization as "a shining example of county budgeting for the nation by watching for waste and mismanagement in the budget"; award was presented to Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep and Associate Commissioners E.C. Younghouse and Leonard Sander by Citizens Against Government Waste and the Taxpayers Action Network.

Jefferson City - With little fanfare, clock runs out on John Dennis' last legislative session; Dennis quietly retires after four terms in Missouri Senate; recognition for retiring members will be reserved for veto session in September.

25 years ago: May 15, 1977

Scott City - Golden Jubilee for School Sisters of Notre Dame for their service at St. Joseph's Parish in Scott City is celebrated with Mass in morning followed by dinner; provincial leader of St. Louis Province of School Sisters of Notre Dame, Sister Mary Bernadette Zurmuehlen takes part in celebration, along with Sister Mary Margaret, her provincial counselor; celebrant at Mass is the Rev. Robert Schumacher, pastor.

Bell City - Nine cars from Cotton Belt Railroad train derail about three miles from here, injuring two train crewmen; accident occurs about 3:15 p.m., when cars leave tracks and crash into other railroad cars sitting on siding, adjacent to main track; only two of cars are loaded, one with plastic pellets and other with carbon black.

50 years ago: May 15, 1952

County agents and farmers throughout cotton-growing section of district are conducting survey to determine extent of damage done to cotton and possibly other crops by yesterday's lashing winds; they report there is no doubt that cotton, at least in places, was damaged by severe sandstorm, which put cloud of dust over entire area.

Work has resumed on highway improvement projects on Highway 61 south of Ancell and on Highway 60 west of Morehouse as result of partial truce between A.F.L. Hod Carriers and Common Laborers Union and Associated General Contractors of Missouri, management bargaining group.

75 years ago: May 15, 1927

Annual mission festival is held at Hanover Lutheran Church, with services in both morning and afternoon; service in morning will be in German language, while afternoon sermon will be in English; addresses at both services are by Prof. Otto C.A. Boecler, member of faculty of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis; pastor at Hanover Church is the Rev. A. Wagner.

Poplar Bluff - Opening its storm-swept city to inspection, more than 25,000 people visited Poplar Bluff during day; every highway leading into town is packed with traffic, streets are line with automobiles from early morning until late in evening, and constant procession of cars passes over guarded route, laid out through destroyed area.

- Sharon K. Sanders