HOUGHTON A major malfunction of the printing press during the Daily Mining Gazette’s last run delayed distribution of Monday’s edition.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused,” Publisher Michael Scott said. “Everyone worked hard to get your paper to you as quickly as possible.

Shortly after the press’s last run started a little before 11 a.m., there was a “web break” – a tearing of the continuous spool of newsprint going through the press – resulting in a huge paper jam in one of the press’s units, and damaging steel parts of the unit.

In this instance, the web break caused a buildup of newsprint to bind a unit in a matter of seconds.

About 1,500 papers into the run, Pressroom Manager Jim Stopel said he saw the break out of the corner of his eye and immediately stopped the press, but it was too late to avoid the damage. The press prints five newspapers a second, and Stopel estimated the break was about 7-8 seconds long, which means there was newsprint for 35-40 papers jammed into a space built for one copy.

The paper had to be cut out of the unit, which took about two hours. The final run was completed by 3:50 p.m.

“Our press crew, circulation department, drivers and carriers appeciated your patience and understanding,” Scott said in a statement to subscribers. He also offered group tours to those interested in the printing process.

Tours can be scheduled by calling 483-2230 or emailing mscott@mininggazette.com.

“It’s a great chance to see up-close and personal what it takes to put your paper at your home or business every day,” he said.