Out of the past 1/25/03

10 years ago: Jan. 25, 1993

Scott City - Bob Brison has announced his retirement as superintendent of Scott City Public Schools; Brison, who became superintendent of local district in 1986, has been involved in education for more than 30 years.

Cape Girardeau Sears, Roebuck and Co. store in Town Plaza Shopping Center will remain open; that's the good news; bad news is that No. 3 retailer in U.S. announces it will close 113 stores nationwide, eliminate about 16,000 full-time jobs and 34,000 part-time positions, and discontinue its "big book" catalog in latest effort to revive itself.

25 years ago: Jan. 25, 1978

Collision in morning of two tractor-trailer trucks leaves beer, Easter cards and wreckage scattered along northbound lane of Interstate 55 and both drivers hospitalized, one in serious condition; accident occurs at 3:15 a.m. about two miles north of Route K when truck loaded with beer strikes rear of other truck.

New business, The Binder Corporation of America, has been formed to produce specialty lines used commercially throughout nation, and has leased big building and grounds at 24 Sheridan formerly occupied by Dow Chemical Company's plant.

50 years ago: Jan. 25, 1953

Bill Gerhardt of Cape Girardeau Jaycees is appointed chairman of two important state Jaycees committees at meeting of organization at St. Louis; Gerhardt will head nominations committee, to make recommendations to state convention in May, and also leadership training committee; Charles Clayton of Cape Girardeau also attended three-day meeting.

Leon Brinkopf of Cape Girardeau will join Chicago Cubs for spring training Feb. 18 at Mesa, Ariz.; he signed Cubs contract last week; Brinkopf was with Cubs in early part of 1952 season and then was sent to Los Angeles of Pacific Coast League; he played winter baseball in Puerto Rico until Dec. 15, being at home since.

75 years ago: Jan. 25, 1928

Contract for construction of combination concrete and gravel pavement on Highway 25, south from Dutchtown to end of present pavement, will be awarded by state highway commission in Jefferson City on Feb. 7; project will be nearly three miles in length and will cost about $60,000.

Testimony ends before joint hearing of Missouri Public Service Commission and Interstate Commerce Commission regarding extension of Missouri Pacific Railroad from Thebes bridge to Cape Girardeau; transcripts of testimony will be submitted to two commissions and their decisions will be announced no sooner than 30 days from today.

- Sharon K. Sanders