Out of the past 7/20/03

10 years ago: July 20, 1993

Inaccurate data from electronic equipment that transmits Mississippi River stages by telephone from Cape Girardeau river gauge has prompted National Weather Service to raise expected flood crest at Cape Girardeau; river is now expected to crest here tomorrow at 47.7 feet.

More than 270 Cape Girardeau residents have been effected by Mississippi flood so far, and 12 businesses have been closed; most of affected houses -- 75 -- are in Red Star area, prompting Councilman Doug Richards to call on city to begin looking at ways to better protect district.

25 years ago: July 20, 1978

Heavy truck traffic on chat road has turned Neelys Landing into dust bowl, and residents contend county court has done nothing to relieve situation; court maintains it doesn't have equipment to remedy problem and, if road was oiled, it would be establishing precedent which could require court to oil every gravel road in county.

Point Counterpoint II, multifaceted floating cultural center, docks at Cape Girardeau early in afternoon, but decision about where tomorrow evening's concert of American Wind Symphony will be held won't be reached until later today.

50 years ago: July 20, 1953

Rodney Vista-Cape Rock Drive property owners, searching for timetable on proposed sewer system there, are told at city council meeting that plans for project can be completed in 60 to 90 days, and contract can probably be awarded about first of the year.

New garbage and trash collection ordinance carrying only one major and few minor changes from one previously given two readings is presented as one of many pieces of business at city council meting; principal change in new ordinance allows burning of waste paper, paper boxes, leaves and light rubbish between hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in outdoor incinerator, metal container or masonry pit approved by fire department.

75 years ago: July 20, 1928

Virtually every community near Cape Girardeau has been visited by heavy rain during past week, but not enough rain has fallen in this immediate vicinity "to settle the dust"; gardens in city and crops in immediate area are needing rain; last precipitation of any consequence in Cape Girardeau was on June 28, when 3.53 inches of rain was recorded.

Paving of Maud avenue, street leading from Broadway to Houck Field House on Teachers College athletic field, is on program of municipal improvements for this year, says city engineer E.L. Sailer; paving of avenue has been urged particularly because of many events which are held at Houck Field House during winter months.

-- Sharon K. Sanders