30 years ago

MARQUETTE — Although fewer high school students dropped out in the 1994-95 school year than the previous year statewide, most Superiorland schools reported dropout rates that were a fraction of the state average. Statewide, the dropout rate for the year fell to 5.2 percent from 6.6 percent the year before, according to Education Department analysis. The department attributes the decline — a 1.4 percent drop– in part to better record-keeping by school district. By comparison, the rate at those high schools was Marquette, 4 percent, Westwood, 1.5 percent, Ishpeming, 1.1 percent, Gwinn, 1.9 percent, and Munising, 1.5 percent.

60 years ago

BIG BAY — Although some people insist mountain lions are on the prowl neat Big Bay, Department of Natural Resources officials have yet to confirm recent sightings. DNR Wildlife Biologist Mike Koss said his office receives reports of big-cat sightings every year. If a mountain lion is roaming the Upper Peninsula he added it’s likely a released or escaped pet. But some people in the “Big Bay area disagree, saying they’ve been seeing mountain lions for years. Jeff TenEyck owner of Huron Mountain Outfitters, said he’s seen mountain lion tracks in the woods several times.