Out of the past 7/30/04

10 years ago: July 30, 1994

Ruth Ann Dickerson, 11-year member of Cape Girardeau Sheriff's Department, has been appointed chief deputy, replacing Leonard Hines who has been named interim sheriff; Norman Copeland, sheriff since March 1986, has resigned.

Plaza Gifts and Office Supplies, which opened in Town Plaza Shopping Center in 1965, is closing; Frank Klueppel, owner of business, says he is closing that outlet as well as branch store at Sikeston.

25 years ago: July 30, 1979

CAIRO, Ill. -- Twenty-two bridges in Alexander County aren't safe for vehicles weighing eight tons or more and some of those are unsafe for lesser weights, study has concluded; finding is causing concern among county school officials who are looking at how bus routes might be affected this fall.

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Chaffee school board approves increase of more than $1,000 in teachers' base pay for 1979-1980 school year; base pay will increase from $8,795 last year to $9,850 for this school year.

50 years ago: July 30, 1954

Hot, dry weather seems to be hanging heavily around collective neck of Cape Girardeau County these days; since last Sunday's low of 88 degrees, mercury has climbed steadily to readings of 97 degrees both Wednesday and yesterday; mercury is forecast to top out near 100-degree mark again today.

Jackson Ministerial Alliance has endorsed proposal for establishment of state Girls' Town on County Farm property.

75 years ago: July 30, 1929

M.S. Jameson, Interstate Commerce Commission examiner, recommends to commission that Frisco be permitted to abandon its 35-mile line between Bloomfield and Campbell and its 10-mile line between Brownwood and Aquilla; decision is by no means final; residents of Dunklin and Stoddard counties can take exception to recommendation, and commission will hear arguments before decision is made.

Homegrown cantaloups are plentiful in Cape Girardeau markets; quality of melons is excellent; prices range from 5 to 25 cents each, depending on size.

-- Sharon K. Sanders