Out of the past 8/15/03

10 years ago: Aug. 15, 1993

Bishop John J. Leibrecht of Springfield-Cape Girardeau Catholic Diocese has announced new pastoral assignments; the Rev. Mr. Glenn Eftink, who will be ordained a priest Oct. 1, has been assigned to serve at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cape Girardeau, effective Oct. 15; the Rev. J. Friedel has been appointed director and chaplain of Newman Center at Southeast Missouri State University; he succeeds the Rev. J. Patrick Wissman, who was appointed pastor of St. Joseph in Scott City.

Scott City -- Students at Scott City schools must earn at least C-minus average to participate in school sports and other activities; new "no pass, no play" policy takes effect this school year, says Douglas Berry, new superintendent of district.

25 years ago: Aug. 15, 1978

Failure to vote approval of new contract last night sends members of International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers out on strike against Superior Electric Co.; but with strikers on line at company plant on Nash road, negotiators are reported to be back at bargaining table in effort to resolve strike.

Fall semester process has been set in motion at Southeast Missouri State University as school prepares for its largest enrollment ever, 8,600 students; although classes don't begin until Aug. 29, students are returning to university for early program change and to pick up textbooks.

50 years ago: Aug. 15, 1953

Residents of Leopold, Mo., live in isolation; telephone service to town of 250 families in Bollinger County was discontinued something over five years ago, when lines to telephone system fell into poor state of repair; new wires were strung about four years ago and are convenient to whole town; but service was never initiated.

Hayti, Mo. -- Three-county association of school boards and administrators has organized five-point program for relieving school finance troubles precipitated by Gov. Phil M. Donnelly's veto of school appropriations totaling $9,250,000; group is offering suggestions and will seek to have them adopted as constructive plan of action; association represents Pemiscot, Dunklin and New Madrid counties.

75 years ago: Aug. 15, 1928

Clarence Ruebel, 18, employee of construction company laying concrete on bridge, is struck by lightning during severe electrical storm which sweeps over city; Ruebel is knocked unconscious by bolt, bur revives 30 minutes later at doctor's office.

Southeast Missouri organization workers for $75 million bond issue to complete road system of Missouri meet in Cape Girardeau to formulate plans for campaign in district to secure adoption of proposal; meeting, held at Chamber of Commerce offices, is attended by number of representative residents of district, as well as county chairmen and workers.

-- Sharon K. Sanders