30 years ago

MARQUETTE – A downstate television station owner has applied for a permit to build a new station in Marquette. Thomas Scanlan of Traverse City, who currently owns WGTU/WGTQ channels 29 and 8 in Traverse City and Sault Ste. Marie, wants to broadcast on Channel 19 in Marquette. The Federal Communications Commission set aside Channel 19 for Marquette in the late 1980s and awarded a construction permit to a Green Bay, Wis. Television executive. No action was taken on the permit, however, it expired several years ago. “We are very serious about development here,” said Scanlan, a retired Air Force officer who is familiar with the Marquette area through service at Sawyer Air Force Base, “And we hope to do it this summer.” Other individuals or companies have until April 5 to apply for the channel 19 permit. If no one else applies, the FCC will likely award the permit to Scanlan. An FCC spokesperson did not return telephone calls for comment. Scanlan and three other companies applied for a construction permit for Channel 10 in Ishpeming. That frequency was approved by the FCC in 1994. Scanlan said he will start construction on Channel 5 in Calumet this spring. The FCC authorized the frequency several years ago but no one acted on it. Scanlan said he’ll lease or build new facilities in or around Calumet plus construct a new 500-ft. tower south of Painesdale, atop a 1,500-ft. mountain. He plans sometime this year to broadcast ABC network programming, augmented with local news and public information. His over-the-air coverage area will be Keweenaw, Baraga, Houghton, Ontonagon, and western Marquette counties. However, he expects to be picked up by Bresnan Communications, the U.P.’s largest cable provider with just over 65,000 monthly subscribers. If he can obtain the Marquette construction permit, Scanlan plans to rebroadcast the Calumet signal into the Marquette market.

60 years ago

ISHPEMING – The 21st annual Upper Peninsula women’s bowling tournament got underway at noon today in the Miracle Bowling Alleys. Competition will continue each weekend through May 22. Thirteen teams went into action at noon today, while tomorrow bowlers will begin their assault at 9 a.m. Additional matches will be stated at noon, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Invitations were sent to 127 teams outside of Marquette County, Jack Dell Angelo, executive director of the Ishpeming Chamber of Commerce, said. The chamber is assisting local bowlers in the tourney by supplying information on housing, eating, and entertainment facilities.