Out of the past 8/30/04

10 years ago: Aug. 30, 1994

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. --Students at Poplar Bluff high school are banned from using lockers in experiment aimed at reducing violence and vandalism; junior high principals at Jackson and Cape Girardeau are eyeing test to see if it works; it is believed eliminating lockers will save money on locker maintenance, will reduce tardiness and will decrease fighting around lockers.

First phase of construction on long-awaited extension of Nash Road eastward into Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority should be underway in October; several bids opened by officials of Missouri Highway and Transportation Department last week were within cost estimates.

25 years ago: Aug. 30, 1979

Torrential rains and high winds whip through Cape Girardeau late in morning, downing numerous trees and causing creeks to rise rapidly; several city intersections are flooded, and water laps well over sidewalks at Broadway and Lorimier Street.

Three Southeast Missouri State University graduates will be honored this fall by university as recipients of Alumni Merit Awards; honorees are C. Virginia Eicholtz, Dr. Charles N. Cofer and Charles L. Black.

50 years ago: Aug. 30, 1954

Fire of undetermined origin damaged Dinner Bell Cafe, directly across from Fred Groves Garage in Jackson, last night; blaze seems to have started around motor in center of one-story building, burned hole through roof and caused heavy smoke damage; cafe's owner is Beulah Loos.

Loose ends of business accumulated during summer months are gathered together by school board as it puts things in order for opening of school next Tuesday; Bamby Baking Co., is awarded contract to supply bread for cafeterias, with bid of 12 cents for both light and dark loaves; Pevely Dairy Co. wins contract for ice cream.

75 years ago: Aug. 30, 1929

Establishment of union bus terminal at 109 Independence for Pickwick Greyhound and affiliated bus lines is announced by H.L. Mitchell, who will manage station; terminal will provide 24-hour service.

First work on Birds Point-New Madrid floodway levee in Mississippi and New Madrid counties, part of Jadwin plan for flood control, is expected to begin immediately; first contract for work on section near New Madrid County Line was awarded to J.C. Johnson Construction Co. of Tampa., Fla., on bid of $538,250.

-- Sharon K. Sanders