Out of the past: March 11

1991

The Southeast Missouri Regional Port Authority has purchased about 170 acres from West Lake Quarry that could spur port development; the property was acquired in an out-of-court settlement, ending a two-year effort by the port to purchase the land.

Southeast Missouri State University's women's basketball team claimed its first-ever NCAA Division II South Central Regional championship with a pulsating 71-70 win over top-ranked West Texas State on Saturday night at the Show Me Center; the Otahkians will be at home again for the next round of the playoffs that start Saturday at the Show Me Center.

1966

As a result of a ruling by Cape Girardeau County Magistrate Roland G. Bush, a section of Missouri's new drunkdriver law has been challenged as unconstitutional; the section in question concerns the punishment for refusal of a person accused of drunk driving to take a Breathalyzer test; in the case of a Dexter, Missouri, man who refused to surrender his driver's license as the law allows, Bush granted a hearing and ruled the man should retain his license and ignore the revocation by the director of revenue because the section of law upon which the revocation was based is unconstitutional.

Gene Martin, director of the Cape Girardeau Public Library for 4 1/2 years, has resigned his position to become director of the Daniel Boone Regional Library, headquartered in Columbia, Missouri; Mary Kempe, reference librarian and the only other professional librarian on the local staff, said she won't be an applicant for the administrative position.

1941

Although disappointed over the refusal of the County Court to proceed without further delay, merchants throughout the county are circulating petitions asking voters to approve the proposal for the court to set up a $12,000 revolving fund to make the Federal Food Stamp Plan possible in Cape Girardeau County.

The new Sherwin-William paint and wallpaper store at 520 Broadway is open for business; L.J. Smith is manager of the business.

1916

Ralph Brissenden has sold his drug store in Fornfelt and is making preparations to move to Cape Girardeau; the store was purchased by George H. Coy of St. Louis.

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Henry Osman, owner of one of the largest general stores here, lost 12 new wagons when his barn burned overnight; the barn was between Haley's grocery store and the Burns store; the wagons were worth about $900.

-- Sharon K. Sanders