30 years ago

MARQUETTE — Eleven corrections officers working at the Marquette Branch of the Michigan State Police were taken to the General Hospital after eating beans poisoned with oven cleaner. After detected in the food, the chemical mixture proved to be strong enough to turn a steel kettle purple. None of the officers were hurt, but many spent their workday being tended to at the hospital. Det. Sgt. Helmila of Negaunee is focused on finding the inmate involved in an earlier disagreement with a corrections officer that most likely led to the contamination of food. Helmila would not say if the prisoner who checked out the oven cleaner is the same inmate who was involved with the kitchen, but foul play is expected among several inmates. None of the prisoners decided to eat beans that day.

60 years ago

MARQUETTE — According to research statistics released by the Automobile Club of Michigan, the average Marquette Motorist pays $3.22 daily to own and drive a car 28 miles. Jerry E. Fischer, manager of Auto Club’s touring department says that “Car owners in Marquette County spend approximately $25 million annually on their automobiles.” Behind food and housing, a car is considered one of the largest daily expenses. These facts have been released by the AAA pamphlet titled “Your Driving Costs” which is released biannually. Yearly costs for driving is set at $1,177, which is up $15 as compared to 1963’s numbers. Expenses for gas, oil, tire and routine maintenance remain unchanged since the last report at 3.7 cents per mile. Fixed costs- depreciation, insurance, and registration- are up slightly across the nation. Motorists who travel 10,000 miles yearly spend 11.8 cents per mile, according to the Auto Club’s pamphlet. Michigan car owners pay less than the national average for car operation due to lower insurance rates.