Out of the past 7/6/03

10 years ago: July 6, 1993

National Weather Station is still holding to its prediction of 43-foot flood crest on Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau late Friday; although predicted crest is 13 feet above flood stage, downtown floodwall and earthen levee along river will keep river out of much of city's riverfront area; but some residents who live in unprotected areas in Red Star and South Cape Girardeau are preparing to move from their homes.

U.S. Rep. Mel Hancock, speaking at news conference at airport, says intent of his newly formed committee to tighten loopholes in Hancock Amendment to state constitution isn't to shut down government, but rather to provide more accountability; stop is one of six Hancock is making around state to promote what he is billing as a Hancock II effort.

25 years ago: July 6, 1978

A $10.5 million city budget proposal which envisions 25 capital improvement projects -- largest number undertaken in single year -- and greatly reduces city's surplus funds, has been presented by city manager W.G. Lawley to city council; budget is second largest in city's history; it contains no major projects not heretofore discussed, and it won't raise taxes.

Sister Carol Weber of St. Louis has been appointed to serve as new principal of Notre Dame High School for 1978-79 school year by School Sisters of Notre Dame; she will replace Sister Mary Raynald, who was principal of school eight years and who has been transferred to school in Quincy, Ill.

50 years ago: July 6, 1953

Temperatures zoom upward again today after sizzling holiday weekend, but some relief may be near; high point was reached yesterday, when mercury topped out at 99 degrees; high Saturday was 96; forecast for tonight and Tuesday calls for some cooler weather, with likelihood of thundershowers.

Board of Education sells Broadway School building for $35,128 to unidentified group of Cape Girardeau investors; school was transferred to Sen. Albert M. Spradling Jr. as trustee; while Spradling will not disclose names of purchasers, it has been learned that purchase is being financed by local group, and construction of office building is contemplated; in other action, board orders sale of two-block section off north end of new high school tract in West End.

75 years ago: July 6, 1928

Final plans are being completed for construction of $20,000 floral building for J.T. Cherry and son, Colby, at 318 Broadway; new structure will replace present building and will be two-story, gothic edifice, built from buff-colored mat brick and finished in ornamental terra cotta and iron grill work.

Terrific heat wave claims its first victim of Cape Girardeau; William J. Bode, 44, farmer, employed on Henry Fornkahl farm on Bend road north of city, succumbs in afternoon, only few hours after becoming overcome while working in field; Bode had been planting corn when he suffers attack; he is survived by three sisters and a brother.

-- Sharon K. Sanders