Out of the past: May 17

1991

Conservative city budgets the last few years should allow the city to tolerate an economic downturn caused by stagnant sales tax revenues, maintains assistant city manager Al Stoverink. He says the proposed $27 million, 1991-92 budget contains few cuts in city services, despite sagging sales-tax revenues this year.

Singer/song writer John Hartford and the tribute band Yesterday as The Beatles will headline the main-stage entertainment at this year's Riverfest, June 7 and 8. New to this year's festival will be a riverboat, which will dock here and give 20 cruises.

1966

The overhaul and expansion project which will convert Kent Library into a facility five times its present size is nearly at the point of beginning, and in preparation, the library staff has regrouped the materials in the building. The library will continue to function throughout the period of construction.

The appointment of Cape Girardeau County Sheriff John C. Crites as Jackson postmaster moves a step nearer with the presentation to the Senate of his nomination by the White House. Confirmation of the appointment by the Senate is the final hurdle before it becomes official.

1941

Accompanied by a severe electrical storm and wind that reached damaging velocity in some instances, a heavy rain swept Cape Girardeau, the county and district last night. Electrical service was temporarily cut off in parts of the city, and approximately 100 telephone sets were out of commission overnight.

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The "Capaha Arrow," Southeast Missouri State Teachers College student newspaper, is selected as the best Missouri college newspaper at the annual convention of the Missouri College Newspaper Association; in addition, the "Arrow" receives an award for best news picture, taken by Vernon Kipping, and for best advertisement, by Marlin Remley.

1916

Workers started construction of the big tabernacle for the Eli J. Forsythe revival yesterday morning on the vacant lot at Pacific and Independence streets. In 10 days or two weeks, the structure should be completed. The tabernacle will measure 90 by 160 feet and will furnish seating for 3,000.

Lee and Arthur Bowman are in St. Louis on business. It is reported that they have gone there to promote a new hotel for the Riverview Hotel site. The property is part of the Van Frank estate, and while the heirs can't invest in a new hotel, they probably would sell the site if someone offered them the right amount.

-- Sharon K. Sanders