Out of the past 5/3/02

10 years ago: May 3, 1992

The $25 activity fee Southeast Missouri State University students pay each semester helps fund everything from athletics to Student Government; activity fee was levied for first time in fall semester; prior to that, student activities were funded out of university's general operations budge; for 1991-92 year, fee has generated about $36,000.

Cape Girardeau Board of Education has scheduled special meeting tomorrow to discuss teacher salaries and one of district's budget cuts, elimination of band director; parents of band students addressed board earlier this month asking to save band director Mark McHale's job.

25 years ago: May 3, 1977

Cape Girardeau voters give ringing endorsement to council-manager form of government as they overwhelmingly vote to retain system, 3,649 to 875; organization spearheaded by Chamber of Commerce, the "Committee for Good Government," led campaign to retain present form of government.

Plans to once again present to city council proposal that adequate disaster warning system be established in Cape Girardeau were formulated during meeting of Cape County League of Women Voters committee yesterday; committee decided to present proposal to council June 1, and to secure additional signatures on petitions urging that council establish a system.

50 years ago: May 3, 1952

Work of improving 15 miles of Highway 61 south of Ancell has been halted by nationwide strike of International Hod Carriers and Common Laborers Union, A.F. of L.; strike was called only on highway jobs; three members of local 292 working here are affected, and nine equipment operators have refused to cross picket line.

Still crested at 38.3 feet in morning, Mississippi River is expected to begin slow fall sometime during day, then pick up downward tempo Sunday and Monday; while river has caused damage and inconvenience at its present level, it stopped just short of point where greatest loss is suffered.

75 years ago: May 3, 1927

Concerts by Cape Girardeau Municipal Band this summer, provided by municipal taxation under new state law, are considered certain; representatives of local band organization appeared before city council yesterday and explained proposal to levy two-mill tax to provide money for maintenance of band and for weekly concerts during summer months; council went on record as favoring such proposal.

Continuing its rapid fall, Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau dropped 1 1/2 feet in past 24 hours, and morning stage is 34.4 feet, lowest mark here in past three weeks; water has completely disappeared from Main street and that portion of Water street which is used for traffic; crews are working to remove mud and debris from these sections.

- Sharon K. Sanders