Out of the past: March 23

1990

Renovation of three Interstate 55 bridges south of Cape Girardeau has narrowed traffic to one lane in spots with a 35 mph speed limit, resulting in traffic congestion; the state is widening the Highway 74 and Burlington Northern Railroad overpasses and the Diversion Channel bridge to add safety shoulders.

Elizabeth Dombrowski, a Cape Girardeau businesswoman, is appointed to the Southeast Missouri State University Board of Regents by Gov. John Ashcroft.

1965

A budget calling for operating expenses slightly in excess of income in the current fiscal year was adopted yesterday by the city council; anticipated income in the general revenue, library, park, band and public health funds is $961,199.55, as compared to an expected $963,908 in expenses for those funds.

The Cape Girardeau Jaycees will undertake a campaign to finance improvement of the municipal airport runway system; a $1,250,000 bond issue proposal to build a new 6,500-foot runway was defeated last February by a wide margin; plans for the runway have been modified, and the improvement is now expected to cost $940,000.

1940

County Judge Silas P. Lail, H.K. Sewing and highway engineer R.R. Bedwell yesterday inspected several sites where improvements are being proposed or bridges are to be constructed; among the points visited was treacherous Hartle's Ford on the Whitewater River, where a bridge will be built.

A group formed last year by the late professor John H. Gehrs to revive the Cape Girardeau fair is trying to determine whether the new park will be ready to host a fair this autumn; there are no barns at the park and, if a big livestock show is held, numerous tents would have to be rented for the exposition.

1915

The Boy Scouts reorganized last week, choosing new officers; the boys will miss Capt. Wilson Bain, but they have found a fine scoutmaster to succeed him: William Whitledge.

An employee with the Estey Organ Co. of Battleboro, Vermont, is here assembling the new pipe organ at Centenary Methodist Church; Monday he got the rough framework built up, and he is now installing the finer work; once that is done, the pipes will be put in position; the pipe organ should be completed by Friday of next week; the church board is planning to hold worship services for the first time at the new church on Easter Sunday.

-- Sharon K. Sanders