10 years ago: March 9, 1992

Jackson - Petition drive by two Cape Girardeau County residents could force county commission to place county-wide planning and zoning requirements on November ballot for voters' approval; Darrell Hanschen and Richard Schmidt initiated petition, which has yielded about 2,000 signatures.

Budget ax falls as school board cuts $1.2 million from its budget; among cuts for next year: Two elementary schools will share one principal; school bus riders must live half-mile further from school.

25 years ago: March 9, 1977

Work is expected to begin within two weeks on Highway 61-34 widening project that will give motorists four-lane route between Route W near Cape LaCroix Creek and Interstate 55 interchange at Wedekind Park.

Officials are still going over signatures contained in petition filed Monday seeking abandonment of city manager-council form of government.

50 years ago: March 9, 1952

Board of Church of Nazarene has decided to begin construction on educational building that will adjoin church at Park and Merriwether; new annex to church will be located on east side of building; it will be 33 by 52 feet and will include two stories.

Morehouse - Fire that destroyed dust house of Himmelberger-Harrison Manufacturing Co. last night caused loss of $7,500 and will force suspension of operations throughout this week; Jack Himmelberger, assistant to president of firm, says about 250 employees will be affected by shutdown, but some will be used to rebuild structure.

75 years ago: March 9, 1927

Formation of corporation, to be known as Cape Silica Co., to acquire old National Mining Co. property, five miles northwest of here and establish there a modern plant to handle clay products from 300-acre tract, is announced; property is being cleared, surveys are being made, and within 60 days installation of first unit of $80,000 clay product mill will begin.

Formal plans and specifications for new $500,000 hotel to be built at corner of Broadway and Fountain have been sent to contractors here, and they have been advised that bids likely will be opened in St. Louis on March 20; hotel will be built on site of Fred A. Groves residence.

- Sharon K. Sanders