EDITOR’S NOTE: Superiorland Yesterdays is prepared by the reference staff at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

30 years ago

GLADSTONE — Valmet Logging Americas Inc. still will expand its Gladstone operation, but slower than once planned, Executive Vice President Ramon Rossi said. Valmet Logging announced in December 1990 that the expansion project was being put on hold. The next month, the company laid off 33 people, a third of the plant’s workforce. Rossi said Valmet even considered pulling out of Gladstone. He said the company board met in Helsinki, Finland, recently and reaffirmed its decision to keep the logging equipment factory open. The production is scheduled to increase 90 percent over the next three years and a new product line will be added. The decision to stay was based on the area’s workforce, the prospect for Mead Corp. to increase its own operations in the Upper Peninsula, and the potential for financial aid from Michigan, Rossi said. Pete Cambier, director of the Michigan Department of Commerce’s Upper Peninsula Office, said the state is working with Valmet on the chances of new assistance. Valmet originally intended to bring its Ranger Skidder product line from St. Thomas, Ontario, to Gladstone. That expansion would have cost about $24 million, including a $3.1 million aid package from the state.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE — Public works department crews this morning began doing seal coating work on Wright St. and the project will continue for the next three days. Howard L. Coppens, street superintendent, said motorists can help workers proceed with the work by avoiding the section on which the work is being done. The project will cover the section of Wright St. from east of Lincoln Ave. to East Ave., a distance of about six blocks. “While the street will be passable during the construction work,” Coppens said, “we strongly urge motorists to refrain from using this section during the next three days and use other routes to get to their destinations.” Coppens said the work now being done by city crews on Wright St. will provide a base for future blacktopping work.