Out of the past 8/11/03

10 years ago: Aug. 11, 1993

Federal Emergency Management Agency will allow local governments to include volunteer labor and equipment as part of their share of flood-relief costs; FEMA officials yesterday briefed city and county officials from Cape Girardeau and Perry counties on public assistance program that will provide federal money for emergency work and repair or replacement of public facilities demaged by flood.

Since its formation in May, Cape Girardeau City-County Narcotics Enforcement Unit has nabbed 23 suspected drug dealers in area, as well as having found answers to unsolved crimes related to drug market; on Friday unit orchestrated arrest of two men who were carrying "considerable amount" of crack cocaine and gun in their vehicle.

25 years ago: Aug. 11, 1978

One-third reduction in amount of county interest funds distributed to school districts appears directly tied to decrease in traffic arrests made by Missouri State Highway Patrol, state and county records show; reduction, from $92,588.02 in fund in 1977 to $61,787.54 this year, has meant that school districts receive less income from that source.

Lowe's, Inc., world's largest producer of cat box filler, announces it will build major office facility in Cape Girardeau; building, to be located on two acres in Greater Cape Girardeau Industrial Park on Nash Road, will include about 10,000 square feet of floor space.

50 years ago: Aug. 11, 1953

Bid of $20,001 by Dixie Contractors for Caruthers to Cordelia streets frontage on Broadway was accepted by school board last night; it was highest of three offers for property and was one of many items on get-ready-for-school agenda; Grace Methodist Church, seeking a building site, submitted next highest bid, $16,169.

Project in writing pointing out need and practicality of new park of Cape Girardeau won $100 defense bond for Bill D. Burlison, former State College student from Wardell; he was voted prize by large margin Monday by Jaycees; Burlison is employed in St. Louis and plans to attend law school.

75 years ago: Aug. 11, 1923

First formal transfer of any portion of Cape Girardeau Northern Railroad in its 15 years of receivership is formally announced in Common Pleas Court; Judge Oscar A. Knehans formally approves sale of north section of road -- that in Saline Valley from near Perryville to Farmington -- to C.P. Cayce and associates of Farmington, and orders receiver George W. Cross to sign deed formally transferring property to Cayce.

All Cape Girardeau streets will be marked with signs which will aid visitors to city; these signs will be placed at all intersections; city council is arranging with Missouri Utilities Co. to place signs - some made from wood and others of tin - where it is convenient, on light poles and at other places poles protruding from ground to height of eight feet.

-- Sharon K. Sanders