Out of the past 7/16/02

10 years ago: July 16, 1992

Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Advisory Board voted unanimously yesterday to recommend to city council that sports theme project is its No. 1 priority for use of reserve tourism funds; that decision comes after almost six months of deliberations on eight proposals for funding.

Cape Girardeau Historic Preservation Commission, formed in April 1990, has recommended its first historic landmark designation be Old Lorimier Cemetery; commission unanimously approved resolution Wednesday that 150-year-old cemetery on Fountain street be designated as local landmark.

25 years ago: July 16, 1977

Broadway merchants are challenging city manager's findings that one-way portion of Broadway has decreased accidents while traffic volume increased and hasn't adversely affected business sales; merchants are compiling data of their own to refute conclusions drawn in report.

Thick, humid haze has pressed down on area for several days; this portion of state is under large high pressure area, and pollution and haze developed during day remain trapped because of practically non-existent wind; much stronger wind will be needed to blow heavy fog-like haze out of area.

50 years ago: July 16, 1952

Salary increases averaging 10 percent have been granted employees of Cape Girardeau Public Library by its board of trustees, which also announces that beginning in September library will remain open three evenings a week; all officers of board have been re-elected for second year; James R. Moorehead is president, Marie Friant is vice president, and Alma Schrader is secretary.

Golden Troopers finish their final rehearsal in evening in rain and Friday morning will depart for Kansas City, where Saturday evening they will seek their third consecutive Missouri American Legion drum and bugle corps championship.

75 years ago: July 16, 1927

Featuring business blocks, commercial buildings and a hospital and religious education plant, Cape Girardeau's 1927 construction program is in full swing with indications that this year's activity will be on par with record years of past; with construction work on new traffic bridge across Mississippi River to be resumed full speed, and new $250,000 hotel contract to be let in 60 days, Cape Girardeau during closing six months of year will face busy period; 76 separate building projects, costing in excess of $800,000, have been started or completed in city during first six months of year.

Operation of Cape Girardeau public grade school system for last year cost average of $42.48 per pupil attending, annual report filed by Supt. John A. Whiteford shows; cost of operation of Central High School for same period was $86.80 per pupil attending.

-- Sharon K. Sanders