Traffic passes utility crews working along M-189 as preparations for this summer’s road project continued recently. Work on rebuilding the highway starts this week.
IRON RIVER—Preparations are nearly over. The M-189 project between Genesee Street and Hiawatha Road starts this week.
A public information meeting will be held Tuesday, May 14, at 5 p.m. at Iron River’s City Hall to discuss the project and temporary changes that will be in effect during the project. Citizens and business officials, especially those living near M-189, are invited to attend and ask questions.

CRYSTAL FALLS—At its regular May 9 meeting, the County Board agreed to stagger lunch hours at the Courthouse, which will make county offices open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

IRON RIVER—An investigation is continuing following the discovery of several containers holding suspicious liquids in Iron River on May 8.

CRYSTAL FALLS—American Legion Auxiliary volunteers will distribute the familiar red handcrafted poppies honoring America’s war dead on May 15 and 16 in Crystal Falls.

On behalf of the city of Iron River, Mayor Tarry Tarsi receives a check for $559,000 from Jen Tucker of Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Taking part in the ceremony were (front row, from left) Tucker, Tarsi, Iron River City Councilman Edward Marcell and Iron County Chamber of Commerce Director Bob Black. Back row: Iron River City Councilman Bill LaRock; City Manager Perry Franzoi; State Rep. Scott Dianda; Marty Fittante on behalf of State Sen. Tom Casperson; and Rob Anderson of GEI Consultants, contract engineers for the city of Iron River. (Chamber photo)

Spring’s long-delayed arrival meant all the snowpack seemed to melt at once, quickly filling the Paint and Michigamme rivers  to their banks and beyond. The Crystal Falls city power dam on the Paint had its spillways wide open  on May 1, and Way Dam in Mansfield Township (pictured) released plenty of water into the Michigamme. The melt and flooding threat had both eased by early this week.

IRON COUNTY—At a May 1 special meeting, the Iron County Board of Commissioners discussed the reopening of the Cooks Run fish hatchery.

CRYSTAL FALLS—Despite a few reservations, Forest Park’s School Board voted at its April 22 meeting to approve a proposed merger of the Skyline and Central U.P. athletic conferences.

CASPIAN—The uncertain future of the city’s iron ore settling ponds was discussed during the April Caspian City Commission meeting.

CRYSTAL FALLS—Forest Park students will be paying more for full-price school lunches starting next fall. The decision was made at the School Board’s April 22 monthly meeting.
The 25-cent increase was approved so Forest Park would continue to get federal reimbursement for its lunch program.