30 years ago

EWEN – Voters in the Ewen-Trout Creek School District have agreed to fund a new school building to replace three aging facilities. By a 736-693 count, residents said yes to a new school. It will house the district’s 540 K-12 students. Voter turnout was an estimated 65 percent. “We’re very pleased,” said District Superintendent Ray Rigoni of the 43-vote approval. “But we’ve got a lot of work ahead of us.” The district was asking for $8.655 million for construction of the new facility. Plans are to stretch the debt over a 35-year period and use the School Bond Loan Fund. It is hoped that the millage rate will be kept under 10 mills. Although a building plan is in place, there is still no designated site for the new school. The school district is spread out over 45 miles along M-28, running from Bergland to Trout Creek, including Ewen and Bruce Crossing. Ewen and Bruce Crossing, the population centers of the district, are only five miles apart. The superintendent said it’s hoped construction can start as early as next spring.

90 years ago

MUNISING – The Alger-Delta Electric Company, composed of farmers of Mathias Township in Alger County and Maple Ridge, Baldwin and Masonville Townships in Delta County, is now cooperating with the rural electrification administration as a means of securing electric power for that region. Active support for furtherment of this rural program has been given the federal government by various agricultural organizations. A committee, appointed by the Alger-Delta Company, has conducted a survey of its territory to ascertain the number of prospective consumers, the miles of primary lines necessary and the approximate amount of energy which would be consumed in a given period. The committee found that practically all farmers interviewed wanted electricity, but the cost for erection of lines and private utility rates were considered too high. More than 225 rural inhabitants of the territory were interested in the success of the company, with possibilities of a membership of from 400 to 500. About 65 miles of primary lines would have to be built, it was stated.