Out of the past 5/8/03

10 years ago: May 8, 1993

U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr. advises Southeast Missouri State University graduates not to cheat in their future endeavors, saying, "When you cheat, someone else suffers"; graduating class is composed of 705 undergraduates and 49 graduates.

Faced with spiraling health care costs, group of area businesses is embarking on new program to rein in expenses while maintaining quality care; program will be implemented July 1 by partnership involving Southeast Missouri business Group on Health, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Missouri and region's medical community.

25 years ago: May 8, 1978

Jackson R-2 teachers will receive salary increases next year ranging from 5.3 percent to 8.6 percent, for average of slightly more than 7 percent above this year's salary schedule; 1978-79 salary schedule is adopted along with pay schedule for coaching and other special duties during Board of Education meeting.

Illmo-Scott City School Board approves tentative $1.5 million budget for next year, receives formal complaint from school board member alleging inadequate girls' sports program and discusses possible combining of two sections of Kelso-New Hamburg C-7 School District with Chaffee School District.

50 years ago: May 8, 1953

Increased cotton plantings and ever-depleting supply of local labor has forced Southeast Missouri cotton farmers to request importation of 2,000 Mexican nationals for annual chore of cotton chopping; Gordon P. Wier, director of state Division of Employment Services, estimates 40,000 workers will be needed at peak of season, which normally occurs in early July.

Ensign Donald R. Johnston, 24, son of Mrs. J.M. McLain of Cape Girardeau, was killed yesterday when Navy training plane crashed on hillside near Pomfret, Conn.; three other naval airmen were also killed in crash.

75 years ago: May 8, 1928

Tax levy for Cape Girardeau County for 1928 was fixed at 71 cents on $100 valuation by county court Monday; this is increase of three cents, there being levy of 68 cents in 1927; county road and bridge tax was raised from 18 cents to 20 cents, and state tax has been raised by state from 13 cents to 14 cents.

Three changes in personnel of Cape Girardeau Police Department are made by city council; Police Chief H.F. Wickham is reappointed; Charles Schweer is made police captain, and Capt. W.C. Kelpe is made patrolman; patrolmen reappointed are Curtis Childs, Rudolph Winkle, John Wilson and J.E. Crafton; special police officers appointed are V.A. Chapman, Clarence Hinkle and C.M. Ates.

-- Sharon Sanders