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

30 years ago

PALMER — Mining operations have been halted in a small area of the Empire Mine because a natural form of asbestos has been unearthed. “Several specimens of waste rock taken recently from one of the Empire pits contain a limited amount of fibrous substance known as amosite, which is a natural form of asbestos,” said a press release from mine manager Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. CCI spokesman Don Ryan said the asbestos-like material was found “in a limited area…and involves a limited amount of material.” United Steelworkers Union officials said the material was discovered by an employee three to four months ago. “The initial specimen was brought in by one of our hourly guys and the union sent it out for analysis and when it came back we contacted management,” said Mike Prusi, president of Steelworkers (Empire Mine) Local 4950. Anyone venturing into the site must wear “suitable respirators,” Prusi said. The union also asked the company to increase watering of the roads to keep dust down. Amosite is a known carcinogen that causes pulmonary system problems. “Air samples analyzed by an independent testing service indicate that employee exposures are substantially below allowable levels established by the Mine Safety and health Administration (MSHA),” Ryan said. Bill Carlson, supervisory mining engineer at the Marquette MSHA office, said, “The precautions they have taken while working in the area are the same as we would have recommended.” CCI expects to resume mining operations in the area in July.

60 years ago

ISHPEMING — Something’s fishy in the City of Ishpeming…it’s not the governmental body, but the Ishpeming water supply. More and more complaints are being aired on the distasteful water which residents claim has turned brownish in color and has taken on a “fishy” odor. T.R. McNabb, Ishpeming city manager, stated that part of the reason is the heavy concentration of fish in Lake Sally and perhaps because of the heavy growth of algae. The lake is being heavily chlorinated, and the services of a skin diver are being obtained so that the water intake at Lake Sally can be inspected. City law enforcement officers have been instructed to apprehend anyone fishing in these areas. The city manager stated, however, that the water level on Lake Sally is not at a critical level as yet, as heavy rains within the past month have aided the situation considerably.