Out of the past 6/25/02

10 years ago: June 25, 1992

U.S. Supreme Court's recent ban on prayer at public high school graduations hits close to home; almost every public school in area includes prayer as part of its commencement ceremonies; school officials say they will have to determine if ban will force changes in what they consider part of commencement tradition.

Eleven young people are participating in pilot project designed to give disadvantaged youths in Cape Girardeau County job skills and experience needed to hold job while completing their education; they are first members of Cape Girardeau County Missouri Youth Services Conservation Corps.

25 years ago: June 25, 1977

Area farmers are all grins after heavy rains watered parched Southeast Missouri crops yesterday and today; rains were generally wide spread; it was first substantial moisture area has received since May 25; only farmers harvesting wheat crop are frowning, as they have trouble getting trucks into muddy fields.

McClure, Ill. - Installation of new, larger pump for McClure-East Cape Girardeau Water District has been completed, and customers may resume normal water use; pump was replaced Thursday after deficiency in old pump was discovered two weeks ago; old, three-horsepower pump wasn't large enough to meet demand placed on it by dropping ground water table.

50 years ago: June 25, 1952

Apparent spontaneously caused fire, originating in trusses in attic, caused several thousand dollars damage to recently dedicated West Side Church of God on West Bloomfield last night; sanctuary on main floor was severely scorched and will have to be rebuilt; acoustical board ceiling was charred and smoke-damaged, and most of pews were burned and blistered by intensity of heat from above; altar was also a center of damage.

Commissioner of Parks J.W. McBride says he expects to go ahead with plans to reopen swimming pool at Capaha Park as soon as alterations can be made to protect swimmers; oval pool hasn't been open past two summer and was open only part of 1948, being closed because of outbreak of infantile paralysis.

75 years ago: June 25, 1927

Three plans for Mississippi River flood control along Cape Girardeau's riverfront were suggested at yesterday's meeting at Common Pleas Courthouse by officials of Frisco Railroad and local residents; suggested plans are for $87,000 concrete wall along riverfront; razing of old buildings on Water Street, between Broadway and Independence, and removal of Frisco tracks further back from river and to higher level; and raising grade of railroad tracks on their present location.

Perryville - New building of brown glazed tile is being constructed here to house tire and battery station operated by Thomas Miget and Zeno Gagnepain.

-- Sharon K. Sanders