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

30 years ago

MARQUETTE — A Marquette woman who allegedly faked her own kidnapping could be charged with filing a false police report. On Tuesday, the 18-year-old woman’s live-in boyfriend found a note from her in their ransacked Presque Isle Avenue apartment saying she’d been abducted, police said. Police determined that she took a taxi cab to the Marquette County Airport at about 11:45 a.m. Tuesday and flew to Minneapolis, Minn., that afternoon. Det. Capt. Sal Sarvello said security officials at the Metropolitan Airport in Minneapolis were informed of the apparent kidnapping and met the plane. “She was traveling alone at the time,” Sarvello said. “She stuck to the kidnapping story.” She later recanted following an interview with Marquette police. “She said she had some personal problems,” Sarvello said. “She felt the need to get away for a while.” He was unsure why she concocted the kidnapping story. Filing a false police report is a misdemeanor carrying a maximum 90 days in jail. Sarvello said the case has been referred to the county prosecutor’s office for review and possible charges.

60 years ago

NEGAUNEE — Pastor A. M. Karjala of Immanuel Lutheran Church will leave Negaunee this week to assume his duties as pastor of St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church at Hancock on Friday, Dec. 1. While stationed at the Negaunee church, Pastor Karjala led the congregation in a building program during which the educational unit was erected and furnished at a cost of approximately $100,000. Under his guidance, growth also was evident in other areas. The Sunday School membership increased from 250 to approximately 400 pupils, the congregation grew from 750 to 1,100 members, and the annual budget was boosted from $9,000 to $36,000. During his stay in Negaunee, Pastor Karjala was elected president of the Michigan Conference of Suomi Synod Conferences, a member of the Synodical Pension Board, the Western Upper Peninsula Epilepsy Board, and the National Lutheran Church.