Out of the past 6/28/03

10 years ago: June 28, 1993

Holdup in distribution of $63 million in federal highway money to state could delay several road projects in Southeast Missouri; projects that might be delayed include some work on new Mississippi River bridge route at Cape Girardeau, extension of Nash Road to Southeast Missouri Regional Port near Scott City, and Highway 60 widening project.

Many Cape Girardeau residents took advantage of sunshine and mild temperatures Sunday to fire up grills and invite friends over for beer and barbecue; only difference this Sunday was that they didn't have to stock up Saturday or drive to Illinois to purchase beer; that's because new Missouri law allows Sunday packaged liquor sales.

25 years ago: June 28, 1978

Sikeston, Mo. -- Lack of sufficient funds for repair, two consecutive severe winters, and heavier usage were cited as primary reasons state's county roads and bridges have deteriorated from "serious to dangerous conditions"; parade of witnesses, representing 22 counties in Southeast Missouri, painted bleak picture of road and bridge conditions, as they appeared before Joint Senate and House Committee hearing Tuesday.

Cape Girardeau has earned dubious distinction over past two days as state's hottest spot; Monday's statewide high, 96, was recorded here as was yesterday's high of 97 degrees; forecasters say sticky summer heat that has been blanketing area will likely be around several more days.

50 years ago: June 28, 1953

Hanover Lutheran Dramatic Club holds ice cream social at church park; members sell 25 gallons of homemade ice cream to large crowd which attends festivities; all proceeds of social will go to building fund and club's treasury.

The Rev. William F. Chappell baptizes eight people into full membership of Bible Baptist Church in afternoon at Three Mile Creek; new members are Mr. and Mrs. Don Barrett, Mr. and Mrs. Estel Bryant, Peggy Winder, Peggy Johnston, Alice Bartel and Bobby Bartel.

75 years ago: June 28, 1928

General rain throughout Southeast Missouri brings new flood threat to low sections of district; Cape Girardeau receives 3 1/2 inches of rain, and equal amount is recorded at Bell City, where near-cloudburst washes out highway bridges and damages track of Cotton Belt Railroad; train service on Gulf line of Frisco is suspended because of washout of small section of track near Commerce.

Advance, Mo. -- Ryan airplane, belonging to Robertson Aircraft Corp. of St. Louis and carrying copies of St. Louis newspaper to Democratic convention at Houston, Texas, is forced to make emergency landing during heavy wind and rain storm; Bud Gurney of St. Louis, pilot, and W.T. Ponder, passenger, are uninjured, plane making almost perfect landing field at outskirts of town.

-- Sharon K. Sanders