25 years ago: March 29, 1986

Three men have expressed interest as possible candidates for the Cape Girardeau sheriff's position made vacant by Thursday's resignation of Dwight Thomas; hopefuls are Jackson police chief Robert Clifton, Cape Girardeau police Lt. Stephen Strong and Norman W. Copeland, who was appointed interim sheriff by the county commission.

Work is underway on a new Dairy Queen on Cape Girardeau's west side; the new restaurant, to be owned by Frank and Mary Ellen Bean, is being constructed at 31 S. Kingshighway, just south of Schnucks.

50 years ago: March 29, 1961

A move in opposition to the establishment of public housing projects in Cape Girardeau is reportedly underway, with the first step being the circulation of referendum petitions asking an election on the issue.

Construction will begin in mid-April on a building at 32-34 N. Main St., to house a Cape Girardeau outlet of the Oklahoma Tire and Supply Co., a firm that has about 200 stores throughout the Southwest; the building will be built by Martin Hecht and his brother and sister, Jacob Hecht and Cecelia Applebaum, who purchased the property from their father, Louis Hecht.

75 years ago: March 29, 1936

"Jesus, the Guiltless Man" is the topic for the Rev. Roland Riechmann's Lenten sermon in the evening at First English Lutheran Church.

A farewell social is given in the evening at First Christian Church cottage for the Rev. and Mrs. H.N. McKee, who will leave Thursday for Eureka, Calif., where the minister will assume duties as pastor of the Christian church there, a congregation he pastored 25 years ago.

100 years ago: March 29, 1911

Heeding the petitions to reduce the local post office's Sunday hours, postmaster E.W. Flentge announces the local facility will nearly close down completely that day; general delivery mail may be secured at the general delivery window as usual in the morning only; the carriers' windows won't be opened, and no mail may be secured there.

Leading beautification efforts by example, the Naeter Bros. are having a vacant lot east of The Republican building converted into a miniature park with the planting of flowers and shrubs; Joseph Gelven has charge of the work.

-- Sharon K. Sanders