30 years ago

MUNISING — The state’s decision to repair a section of H-58 that is collapsing into Grand Sable Lake will preserve tourism in Alger County, officials and business owners say. Cathy Killgore, co-owner of the Melstrand General Store, located on H-58 said the condition of H-58 hurt her tourist business which accounts for 70 percent of her income from May through November. The Michigan State Transportation Commission is allocating $472,499 to improve six-tenths of a mile of the deteriorating roadway near Grand Marais. “If we couldn’t find money, we would have had to shut that road down,” said Dan Johnson, superintendent-manager of the Alger County Road Commission. Closing the road would have forced motorists to take a 35-mile detour, blocking the only access road through Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Because the road is situated between two ecologically sensitive features where Grand Sable Lake meets Grand Sable Dune, securing permits for repairs has been difficult. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources finally granted a permit after revisions to the proposed project were made. We consider the project a positive move,” said Grant Petersen, superintendent of Pictured Rocks. “The improved road surface will encourage tourists to visit attractions within the park.”

60 years ago

REPUBLIC — The Republic “B” squad captured the Mid-Peninsula Conference tournament title Saturday night as they swept past a scrappy St. Paul quintet, 65-43, in a game played at Republic. A capacity crowd witnessed the game. The young Republic Hawks took off early in the title tilt and led at halftime, 32-23. They came back even stronger in the last two periods, outscoring their court foes, 33-20, to win. The title win was the first for Republic and the loss was St. Paul’s second runner-up defeat in the last two years. Four Republic players hit 10 or better with Doug Kaleva coming through with the top offensive performance at 31 markers. Ward Prusi hit 14, Frank Schrader 17, and Terry Evans 10 in a winning cause. Jim Davey of the parochial squad hit a pair of baskets and added eight charity tosses to lead the losers in scoring with 12 points. A strong defensive final quarter sewed the game up for Republic with Charles Dillon pacing the winning team.