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

30 years ago

NEWBERRY — A Wayne County circuit judge has put a roadblock in front of the Department of Mental Health’s plans to close state institutions. But the ruling comes too late for the Newberry Regional Mental Health facility, which closed its doors Wednesday. Judge Richard Hathaway ruled last week in Wayne County Circuit Court that the Michigan Constitution requires the state to foster and support state institutions for the mentally ill. But Patricia Mark, director of the Newberry facility, said the last patient was transferred out Sept. 16. “We have no residents and we have no staff to serve residents,” Mark said. The Newberry facility last year had a staff of 330 and an annual budget of $11.5 million. The last 35 members of the residential care staff left for good Wednesday when the facility officially closed its doors. A closure staff of about two dozen clerical and administrative personnel will remain for 60 to 90 days to gather records and do accounting, she said. “That’s it, we’re history,” Mark said.

90 years ago

MARQUETTE — WEBO, the Mining Journal radio station, returns to the air at 11:30 o’clock this morning after completing equipment tests and receiving final approval and authority from the federal radio commission. The daily program will be divided into two periods, one from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and the other from 4:30 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. Sunday programs will start at 9 a.m. and run continuously until 1:30 p.m. The programs are being arranged to make use of some of the best vocal and instrumental talent in the city and several weekly features have been scheduled. Among them are: Organ melodies, played by Eddie Hickey and others, daily except Sunday at noon. Want ad program, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, featuring Hill Billy songs by John Coady. Boy Scout Program-Thursday each week. Children’s program-each Wednesday, sponsored by the Buck Dairy. “The Wanderer,” Tuesdays and Thursdays, by Ken Boyer.