10 YEARS AGO
May 9, 2015 — A small pipeline containing a mixture of mine tailings and cement ruptured at Pogo Gold Mine on Thursday morning, spilling about 90,000 gallons of material before being shut down.
The damaged “paste backfill” line was discovered at about 7:30 a.m. Thursday by employees at Pogo, which is located 38 miles northeast of Delta Junction.
The paste eventually cures to form concrete, which offers support to work at the underground mine.
The spilled paste contained 1 to 3 parts-per-million of cyanide, a “very low level,” according to Tom DeRuyter, the state on-scene coordinator with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation. He said the pH level of the slurry w as adequate for neutralizing the cyanide, which is a byproduct of the mining process.
DeRuyter said the cement paste didn’t make it into a waterway and will be allowed to harden at the mine site. After it has solidified, the product will be removed by Pogo personnel using heavy equipment and hand tools.
DEC will continue to monitor Pogo’s response and review plans for cleaning up affected gravel in the area, according to a report from the agency. Pogo is conducting an investigation to identify the cause of the spill, the report stated.
25 YEARS AGO
May 9, 2000 — MANILA, Philippines — FBI agents provided a list of 10 people who may be connected to the “ILOVEYOU” computer virus, and Philippine investigators were trying to decode the pseudonyms, an official said today.
Investigators were also preparing charges against a bank employee who was arrested Monday and is considered a primary suspect, they said. His girlfriend, who shares an apartment raided Monday by investigators, is also being sought for questioning.
Several FBI agents are in the Philippines cooperating in the search for the virus programmer. Federico Opinion, director of the National Bureau of Investigation, said his office has no computers of its own and has relied on information supplied by the FBI and by Philippine Internet service providers.
The bank employee, Reonel Ramones, 28, denied any involvement with the virus.
“What hurts is that I did not do it, and yet they are pinning me down,” he told The Associated Press. “The problem here is I am not even fond of the Internet.”
Ramones, an accounting graduate, said he works in the user support department of Equitable Bank, a Philippine bank. His work entails receiving calls from users about computer problems that he refers to technicians, he said.
The virus has caused a flood of e-mails with the subject line “ILOVEYOU” to course through computer systems in more than 20 countries since it appeared last week. When opened, the virus can destroy graphics and other saved files.
50 YEARS AGO
May 9, 1975 — JUNEAU — After rejecting a loophole for political advertising, the stale House Thursday authorized the removal of most off-road advertising signs in Alaska.
Sent to the Senate on a 30-8 vote was a bill Gov. Jay Hammond said would waylay the threat of losing federal highway dollars.
Recent amendments to the federal Highway Beautification Act require that hill boards and other advertising beyond 660 feel of the roadway be removed by July 1, 1976. Advertising now is regulated only out to 660 feet, although informational signs and advertising on private properly are legal.
Anchorage Democrats Bob Bradley and Thelma Buchboldt proposed exempting political advertising from the ban. Rep. Charles Parr, D-Fairbanks, endorsed such a move as protecting freedom of expression.
The House disagreed with them 27 to 11, as Rep. Hugh Malone, D-Kenai, said it would be the ultimate in hypocrisy for the legislature to exempt itself. Malone also said the exemption could cost $1 million in highway funds.
75 YEARS AGO
May 9, 1950 — Gareth Wright proved last Sunday that dog racing isn’t his only forte. The grand-slam winner of the 1950 North American championship dog races roared across the finish line of the Norther Star speedway in first place, leaving a trail of disqualified opponents scattered along the track.
The event was the 20-lap final of the Sunday racing card, and Gareth entered the lists in a field of seven. Only Wright and Bert Hardy finished.
Joe McVeigh and Bob LaDent were the first to leave the track as their autos developed motor trouble. Don Thels, driving No. 17, broke an axle shortly after. Bill Rollins was fourth to leave the race narrowing the field to three.
100 YEARS AGO
May 9, 1925 — Everett Scott, superceded Yankee shortstop, displaced after 1307 consecutive games and starting for his old home in Indiana, said he was surprised at the action. “I was just beginning to play ball, and I got two hits Tuesday. Don’t care so much about the record, as my ambition was fulfilled when I had played 1000 straight games.”