10 years ago: Sept. 30, 1992

If you intend to go to polls Nov. 3 as informed voter, it would be good idea to start doing homework; besides full slate of federal, state and county candidates to choose from, voters in Missouri will also decide eight constitutional amendments and two statutory proposals -- most statewide issues on ballot in 72 years.

Midwest Weather Inc. of Maryland Heights will take its last hourly weather observation at Municipal Airport this evening before turning over operation of Federal Aviation Administration's contract for weather observation to new company; Midwest lost local contract and similar contracts at airports in Vichy, Chesterfield and Joplin, after it was underbid by new firm, Missouri Weather Cooperative.

25 years ago: Sept. 30, 1977

Statewide effort to enforce Missouri's school immunization law has been called "dramatic" by health officials, with response in Cape Girardeau County ranking among highest in state; official reports for June and July show total or 32,299 shots given to school-age youngsters in Missouri, compared to 14,999 shots given last year by private physicians and at public health clinics.

Oakland, Calif., firm has been named project manager for construction of $80 million Marquette Co. cement plant in Cape Girardeau, it is announced by J.E. Poole, Marquette chairman and chief executive officer; Kaiser Engineers, Inc., will be responsible for engineering, procurement and construction management of project.

50 years ago: Sept. 30, 1952

Assistant Chief G. Dewey Hinton replaces Carl Lewis, veteran member of fire department and chief since 1940, as head of department; appointment by Fire Commissioner Roy Smith came as surprise to most members of city council at meeting yesterday; new chief is oldest man on fire-fighting force in point of service; he joined department in 1936.

By unanimous vote city council Monday voted to extend rent controls to April 30, but short time before voice ballot was taken, council received notice that petitions are being circulated asking city-wide referendum election on issue.

75 years ago: Sept. 30, 1927

Despite threatening weather of early morning, thousands of people from Cape Girardeau and surrounding rural communities pass through turnstiles at Fairground park for final, and what promises to be, record-breaking day of annual Cape Fair; warm sun and brisk wind did much to dry racing course, made soggy by too much rain earlier in week, and fair directors announce that at least county pacing and trotting events will be held this afternoon.

Theresia M. Norberg of Kalamazoo, Mich., takes up her duties as superintendent of new Southeast Missouri Hospital; beginning of operations at new facility awaits completion of work on building by contractor and installation of equipment; hospital is expected to open within a few weeks.

-- Sharon K. Sanders