Workers from Kleiman Pump & Well Drilling work on a test well just south of Indian Lake Feb. 28 as a project to raise the lake level moves ahead. If production of the well is sufficient, a second well will be drilled to raise the lake level, in accordance with a court order.

INDIAN LAKE—Workers began drilling a test well Feb. 28 as efforts to raise Indian Lake’s level continue.

IRON RIVER—Area financial institutions are warning residents to be alert for identity theft.

IRON RIVER—A chance meeting between West Iron District Library director Barbara Bartel and State Representative Scott Dianda may make statewide library conferencing easier in the Western Upper Peninsula.

CASPIAN— Caspian residents in violation of the blight ordinance can soon expect to be issued a citation, following a discussion during the February meeting of the City Commission.
Commissioner Mark Stauber brought up the issue, suggesting that the city could possibly work with Iron River in sharing a blight officer. He noted several violations in Caspian and similar concerns in Iron River.

Sydney Wojdula (left) and Emily Howell operate two of the puppets Feb. 20 at Stambaugh Elementary School during a production of The Kids on the Block. The troupe of educational puppets teaches students about issues that face children who are different.
IRON RIVER—A Dickinson-Iron Intermediate School District program uses a cast of puppets to teach elementary school children respect and compassion for people who are different from themselves.

IRON RIVER—    City officials will hire specialized legal counsel to handle upcoming labor contract negotiations.

CRYSTAL FALLS—An Iron River man will appear for a March 4 preliminary hearing in Iron County Trial Court on multiple allegations of criminal sexual conduct with children.

CRYSTAL FALLS—An Iron River man has pleaded not guilty to charges that he tried to rob a Caspian gas station in January.
Michael Dean Beauchamp, 22, appeared in Iron County Trial Court for a preliminary examination.

Iron River snowmobile racer Louie Goldbach (right) takes off from the starting line during the MASTERS Racing Circuit Uphill Snowmobile Drag Races on Feb. 17 at the Caspian Ski Hill. The Uphill Drags were a new event to the area and sponsored by the Iron Range Trail Club.

CRYSTAL FALLS— The Iron County Board of Commissioners voted Feb. 12 to transfer benefits for two employees as a compromise between past practice and contract language.