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Superiorland Yesterdays

30 years ago REPUBLIC – Supporters of the Upper Peninsula-based Navy communications system known as Project ELF have won their second battle this year to keep it in the federal budget. Congressional negotiators settling differences between House and Senate versions of a 1996 defense spending bill have agreed to drop a provision that would have scrapped the $14 million-a-year system near Republic. The turnaround, a repeat of events that saw ELF eliminated in March but restored in April, means the system will live for at least another year. “They’ll have the votes to keep ELF ...

Superiorland Yesterdays

30 years ago BERGLAND – Archaeologists excavating a historic copper mine in Ontonagon County this summer unearthed what they believe are the only two examples of an early Cornish mining device ever found in North America. Ottawa National Forest and Michigan Tech University archaeologists found two large wooden structures, called buddles, at the Norwich Mine, located 14 miles from Bergland. The devices were used to settle copper from flushed sediments. “This is distinctly a Cornish feature,” said MTU Industrial archaeology Professor David Landon. “They were used for a while very ...

Superiorland Yesterdays

30 Years ago UPPER PENINSULA – Michigan environmental groups Thursday went to court seeking protection for pristine Lake Superior from toxic pollution, saying Gov. John Engler has refused to take the step himself. The suit filed in federal court in Washington, D.C. asks the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to designate the lake as an “outstanding natural resource water.” The suit was filed by the National Wildlife Federation, its Michigan affiliate, the Michigan United Conservation Clubs and Great Lakes United. The designation sought in the suit would mean an indefinite ...

Superiorland Yesterdays

30 years ago EWEN – Voters in the Ewen-Trout Creek School District have agreed to fund a new school building to replace three aging facilities. By a 736-693 count, residents said yes to a new school. It will house the district’s 540 K-12 students. Voter turnout was an estimated 65 percent. “We’re very pleased,” said District Superintendent Ray Rigoni of the 43-vote approval. “But we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.” The district was asking for $8.655 million for construction of the new facility. Plans are to stretch the debt over a 35-year period and use the School Bond ...

Superiorland Yesterdays

30 years ago ISHPEMING — Cleveland-Cliffs, Inc. will close its century-old maintenance shops in Ishpeming on Dec. 31, after the company and the United Steelworkers of America failed to reach accord on a sale to a third party. A total of 65 employees, 55 hourly and ten salaried, will be affected. According to CCI President Frank S. Forsythe, “Sale of the property with Steelworker participation would have been a much better alternative for all parties, particularly employees affected by layoff.” “It is very disappointing,” said Harry Lester, director of the USWA in Michigan. ...

Superiorland Yesterdays

30 years ago MARQUETTE – Motorists no longer have to drive to Lansing to obtain an instant title to a vehicle, under changes announced by Secretary of State Candice Miller. To improve customer service in the area, the Marquette branch office will provide instant title service. It is among eight branch offices across Michigan and the only one in the Upper Peninsula offering the service. The service is available for new vehicles, used vehicles with a Michigan title and watercraft. The branch office will also provide instant duplicate titles for lost Michigan titles. Customers must ...