CRYSTAL FALLS—A former Alpha village clerk is free on bond and is scheduled for arraignment Nov. 13 on felony embezzlement charges.

IRON COUNTY—A long-time county commissioner and a long-time township supervisor were both Election Day night casualties when Iron County voters went to their polling places on Nov. 6.
In District 3 (Caspian and the south half of Iron River), Ray Coates, running as an independent, handily defeated incumbent Rosalie King (Dem), getting 60 percent of the vote (555) to King’s 38 percent (357), a margin of 198 votes.

U.S. Army Major Gen. Leslie C. Smith awards Specialist Kevin W. Bucek the Military Order of the Purple Heart during a ceremony Oct. 12 at Fort Campbell, Ky. Looking on are wife, Beth, holding daughter, CaliAnna. Bucek is a Crystal Falls native and was wounded while on duty in Afghanistan.
CRYSTAL FALLS—A Crystal Falls native has received the Purple Heart after being wounded while on duty in Afghanistan.

IRON COUNTY—A state summer youth work program may end due to guideline changes.
“Right now it doesn’t look good,” County Board Chairman Wayne Wales said last week. “We just had a Michigan Works committee meeting in Houghton Monday.

IRON COUNTY—A Marquette man died Nov. 3 is Iron County’s first ATV fatality of the year, according to the Sheriff’s Department.

IRON COUNTY—For Iron County veterans, this fall’s Honor Flight can be summed up in one word: awesome.
“It was really something,” said Navy veteran Emil Bicigo. “The way everything was organized and the way they treated us was just awesome. It was amazing.”
“I think it’s unanimous,” Crystal Falls native Norbert Dishaw said. “It was a great trip.”

IRON RIVER— The Iron River City Council has filed suit against the former owner of River City Lanes, seeking to quicken cleanup of the burned out building.
Lawyers for the city filed suit against John Hohensee and North Pointe Insurance Company in 41st Circuit Court on Oct. 16, according to court documents.

IRON COUNTY—It’s finally over. All the lawn signs will be coming down next week after Tuesday, Nov. 6, when Election Day finally arrives.

Workers from TRICO Opportunities Inc. were busy last week preparing flower beds around downtown Iron River for winter. Helping mulch the beds are (left to right) job coach Gale Cerney, Margie Heimerl, Shawn Garrett, job coach Bryan Sheffer and Kim Laurie.

IRON COUNTY—The Iron County Board of Commissioners chose a new representative to the Upper Peninsula State Fair AuthorityOct. 23  amidst allegations of threats and intimidation.
Gary Burk was named to the seat during the board’s regular meeting. Burk submitted his application after his wife, Lisa Masnova, withdrew herself from the running, citing threats to her job and confrontations with some community members.