Out of the past 8/15/04

10 years ago: Aug. 15, 1994

Tome containing 1,400 pages of complex health-care reform is more than U.S. Sens. Kit Bond, R-Mo., and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., can stomach; neither will endorse Clinton-Mitchell health-care reform package, because, they say, it gives too much power to Washington while taking decision-making away from American people.

U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson announces federal $1 million flood-relief grant, which will pay for street repairs and other improvements in Scott City's Nash Road industrial area.

25 years ago: Aug. 15, 1979

Construction of new track at Jackson High School football stadium has been halted because of possible drainage problem; work was halted after Penzel Construction Co. officials and school officials determine there may not be enough pitch in track to allow water to drain off north end of track.

Following outpouring of criticism concerning governmental subsidy of private ambulance service in Cape Girardeau County, city council reluctantly votes to continue paying share of cost through end of 1980; city will pay $25,000 this year and next to county as share toward contract with ambulance service.

50 years ago: Aug. 15, 1954

Members of Illmo-Fornfelt Assembly of God Church hold their 33rd anniversary and homecoming, with meeting lasting throughout day and evening; speaking in morning and evening services is the Rev. D.A. Hastie of Springfield, superintendent of southern Missouri district; the Rev. Glenn Kelly of Springfield, district president, speaks in afternoon.

To great disappointment of no one, temperature fails to reach predicted 105-degree mark in Cape Girardeau; official top reading at State College is 100 degrees.

75 years ago: Aug. 15, 1929

Armed with shotgun, Mrs. J.J. Limbaugh, 1601 Independence St., holds two youths she catches in her cornfield at bay while she awaits arrival of police; when police arrive, would-be corn thieves are waiting meekly, frowning down barrel of gun.

Temperature skids to new low mark in Cape Girardeau, cropping to 49 degrees in morning; this is lowest temperature for day and for first part of August during past 11 years.

-- Sharon K. Sanders