Out of the past 8/28/03

10 years ago: Aug. 28, 1993

National Weather Service says unless significant precipitation occurs to north of Cape Girardeau after tomorrow, Mississippi River here is expected to fall below flood stage for first time since early June; river continues to fall slowly after its crest of 48 feet on Aug. 7; today's stage is 37.6 feet; yesterday workers for Main Street Levee District opened Broadway floodgate for first time since July 5.

Faced with new federal solid-waste regulations that could take effect Oct. 1, landfills throughout nation likely will close regardless if they have more space for trash; Cape Girardeau landfill is already being closed, and three others in area - in Jackson and Perry and Ste. Genevieve counties - likely will close when new regulations take effect.

25 years ago: Aug. 28, 1978

Enrollment is under way at Southeast Missouri State University amid typically unsettled conditions which accompany start of new school year; classes will begin tomorrow; university housing is filled to capacity.

Perry County man with history of mental illness appeared at sheriff's office in Wisconsin Saturday falsely claiming to be man who killed Mrs. Mary Parsh and her daughter, Brenda Parsh; he was returned to Cape Girardeau, where he underwent lengthy questioning and polygraph examination; authorities are convinced he isn't the killer and are trying to get him into mental hospital.

50 years ago: Aug. 28, 1953

Oversupply of younger set in Franklin School district brought about conference of parents and school officials yesterday and decision that will limit enrollment in new kindergarten program; names will be taken of any children not heretofore enrolled for kindergarten, but there can be no assurance that they can be enrolled in one of two classes to be conducted each day at elementary schools.

Many ponds in Cape Girardeau County have become mere mud holes as drought forces farmers to work cooperatively in devising methods to combat dry weather; farmers not only are feeding stock from hay crop and silage, but many, with water supply gone, are watering at cisterns.

75 years ago: Aug. 28, 1928

Workers under supervision of W.J. Kies begin construction of speakers' stand and arranging other equipment at campus of St. Vincent's College for formal dedicatory exercises of traffic bridge next Monday; platform will be located on plot of ground which may be seen from entire east sector, and people will sit on rolling terraces of campus which are slightly higher than stand.

John F. Lilly, vice president and cashier of Sturdivant Bank has resigned to take position as national bank examiner; resignation will become effective Sept. 18; Lilly will be attached to eighth federal reserve district with headquarters in St. Louis.

-- Sharon K. Sanders