CRYSTAL FALLS—Government, hospital and Iron County Medical Care officials will meet Dec. 14 to discuss the county Medicare facility’s prescription drug contract.

Workers load debris from the former River City Lanes into trucks for disposal. Attorneys for the city of Iron River and property owner John Hohensee appeared in court Dec. 5 to determine who is responsible for the cleanup.
IRON RIVER—Legal action between the owner of the former River City Lanes and the city of Iron River is on hold as the cleanup continues.

Supporters of the annual Toys For Tots drive gathered in front of Angeli’s Central Market Nov. 30. Angeli’s is one of 40 dropoff points in Iron County. Pictured from the left are U.S. Marine Corps League Vice Commandant Dennis Saunders, Angeli’s patron and Toys For Tots contributor Florence Trotta, Toys For Tots community organizer Ilene Recla, Angeli’s store director Gary Smith, Michigan State Police troopers Ryan Rossler and Brad Lammi, Iron County Sheriff Mark Valesano, Iron River Police Chief Mike Goriesky, Jacob Metz from the West Iron County Fire Department and USMC League Commandant Skip Bilski. Toys can be dropped off at the Iron County Courthouse, Jubilee Foods, Shopko, Snyder Drugs, The Corner Drug Store, Bigari’s Ace Hardware, E&E Hardware, the Iron County Chamber of Commerce, Iron River City Hall, Iron County Sheriff’s Department, Dollar General, VFW and American Legion Halls and several other locations. Toys For Tots cans are also located throughout the county for monetary donations. Last year, donations to Toys For Tots helped 710 families in Iron County.

IRON COUNTY—A proposal to change Michigan school financing has Iron County’s state representative-elect and area school officials concerned as it moves through the Legislature.
With the motto, “Any time, any place, any way, any pace,” The Oxford Foundation of Michigan proposed finance option claims to create more educational opportunities for students. But opponents raise concerns about where Michigan tax dollars will be spent and who will be accountable for providing quality education.

IRON RIVER TOWNSHIP—After years of attempting to collect a sewer availability charge on the state-owned former Camp Ottawa facility, Iron River Township may be ready to give up.
At the Township Board’s November meeting, Supervisor Mark Polley reported on a recent meeting between representatives from the township and Gov. Rick Snyder’s office.
“They owe us,” said Trustee Ken Piwarski, who was at the meeting, “but it’s not going to happen,” regarding the long overdue bill.

IRON COUNTY—Sheriff Mark Valesano warns residents to proceed with caution as ice begins forming on area lakes.
The sheriff reports two incidents last week when residents fell through ice.

Thanksgiving Day volunteers—32 of them, including some not pictured—take a brief break as they prepare for the community Thanksgiving Day dinner served at First Presbyterian Church in Iron River on Nov. 22. The group prepared over 230 dinners—delivered, take-outs and sit-down. Among the volunteers were Bruce and Jo Callovi, Luci and Dan Dupras, Sally Blyze, Gayle Dae, Sheeba Vanderlin, Joyce Stapleton, Cyndi Courchene, Jan Colville, Sherry Wartner, Ron Baake Jr., Debbie Hill Olson, Keith and Lesley Olson, Marilyn Budzak, Chris Langenberg, Carolyn and Conrad Fredlund and Linda Maki.

CRYSTAL FALLS—Insurance premiums coupled with the cost of arresting, adjudicating and incarcerating criminals will chew up more than half of Iron County’s proposed 2013 budget, according to documents being review by the Board of Commissioners.

IRON RIVER—The Iron River Brownfield Authority will move forward with plans to remove lead paint from the old Central School building, as efforts continue to convert the building into apartments.

IRON RIVER—Discussions regarding the high school drafting program continued at the November meeting of the West Iron County School Board.
The topic was brought up briefly at the October meeting, but with Superintendent Chris Thomson hoping to look further into the sustainability of the program, no decisions had been made.