Out of the past: Aug. 1

1991

The covered bridge at Bollinger Mill State Historic Site at Burfordville has been closed to foot traffic because engineers say it is unsafe. Gates have been erected barring access to the 123-year-old bridge.

The playground at May Greene Elementary School is being transformed into a colorful, new facility thanks to the school's students, teachers and a group of volunteers. New playground equipment is being constructed and existing equipment painted. Money for the project was raised by the student council and the honor society last spring during an annual carnival.

1966

GREENVILLE, Mo. -- Information received from the Corps of Engineers seems to indicate siltation has been a major cause of the decline in fishing success at Lake Wappapello. The State Conservation Commission has proposed a fall draw-down of the lake -- to its old river channel -- in an effort to improve fishing.

A survey among impoverished areas of Cape Girardeau, Perry and Bollinger counties begins by 20 community aides who last week attended a workshop at State College. The three counties are those coming under the Human Rights Corp., the coordinating agency for federal anti-poverty programs.

1941

William J. Kies has been named president of the Consolidated School of Aviation Inc., recently established when a group of Cape Girardeau, St. Mary and Jackson businessmen purchased the school from Ralph and Clyde Primo. Barrett Cotner is vice president, and F.X. Roth is secretary-treasurer and general manager of the port.

A petition asking the mayor to direct the police department to investigate unnecessary noise made by motor trucks traveling through the city is filed with the city council.The document was signed by residents of the area west of Sprigg Street, between Morgan Oak and Good Hope streets.

1916

The Blue Ribbon Ice and Fuel Co., at the corner of Themis and Sprigg streets, is destroyed by fire between the hours of 3 and 4 this morning. Ben Dietrich, one of the proprietors, said he and his partner, M.J. Dietrich, will rebuild their plant as soon as possible, but they don't know as yet whether it will occupy the same site.

Lon and Nick Slinkard, young farmers from the west end of Cape Girardeau County, return from the harvest fields in the state of Kansas and report they are glad to be back. One of the young men said he nearly baked in the Kansas harvest fields and had to give up the work before the harvest ended.

-- Sharon K. Sanders