Out of the past: March 9

1990

The preliminary design of a new east-west highway and Mississippi River bridge in Cape Girardeau is approved by the Missouri Highway and Transportation Commission.

In reviewing a five year, $24.5 million capital improvements plan Thursday, city council members said they want to move ahead with construction of an addition to city hall, renovation of the airport terminal and possible replacement of a damaged bridge near Twin Trees Park; but members questioned a proposal to spend $400,000 in city funds to buy about 400 acres northwest of the airport for development as a business park.

1965

Cape Girardeau school patrons will be asked to re-establish the school tax levy for the next school year at the same rate as is now in effect: $1.85 per $100 valuation; voters will decide the issue at the annual school election April 6.

A microwave tower that will relay long-distance telephone calls is being erected atop the Southwestern Bell Telephone Co. building on Broadway; the tower will stand 75 feet above a two-story base and will carry two horns the size of 10-foot cubes; an old tower is being replaced because it cannot support the horns.

1940

Committees of various clubs are trying to locate a suitable place for an airport in Cape Girardeau County; the services of Roy Woeltje, a local civil engineer, has been secured; the three most suitable sites for the port are: On the farms of W.J. Shaner and William Hoffmeister near Fruitland on Highway 25, another on the Miller farm near Millersville and the third on the commercial orchard of Dr. G.B. Schultz, formerly the Ellardo Orchards, on U.S. 61, three miles east of Jackson.

The John S. Cobb School basketball team wins the Class B state tournament for black schools, defeating Brunswick, Missouri, in the final game, 22-17, at Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri; it was the second straight year for the local school to win the tourney championship.

1915

The First Baptist Church on Lower Broadway is being given a thorough overhauling, a coat of paint being applied to the entire building, inside and out; since the removal of the unsightly livery barn on the west side of the church, the looks of the edifice have been greatly helped.

Fritz Weisenstein and C.D. Kage will open a butcher shop the latter part of this week or early next at the corner of Good Hope and Frederick streets.

-- Sharon K. Sanders