CRYSTAL FALLS—A new issue concerning the ordinance passed by Stambaugh Township requiring watercraft users on Chicaugon Lake to purchase permits came to the Iron County Board of Commissioners at its Sept. 11 bi-monthly meeting.
 Commissioner Bev Camp told the commissioners she had been informed that a camera was mounted at the boat launch and would like the issue to be put on the next meeting agenda.

CRYSTAL FALLS—Installation of “smart meters” for electric service to residents has been completed, and a public hearing to hear comment on the closeout of the electric utility-automatic meter reading project was held during the City Council’s Sept. 10 regular meeting.
 City Manager Dorothea Olson told the council that all meters have been installed.
 The project was funded in part by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

A dogsled stood on the Windsor Auditorium stage Sept. 6 as Josh Brindle gave an update about plans for The IronLine sled dog race, planned for Iron River on Jan. 18 to 20.
IRON RIVER—Plans for Iron County’s first-ever sled dog race are moving ahead, organizers said during a meeting last week.
 What’s needed now are sponsors, money and help from volunteers.
 John Brindle, one of the organizers, reviewed the progress so far during a meeting at the Windsor Auditorium Sept. 6.

STAMBAUGH TOWNSHIP—Area fishermen vented for the third straight month at the Stambaugh Township’s September meeting.
 The township’s invasive species ordinance, directing users of Chicaugon Lake to purchase a lake use permit, with proceeds going strictly for the treatment of the lake’s milfoil infestation, has been a hot topic lately.

CRYSTAL FALLS—The Iron County Board of Commissioners agreed to look into purchasing a new software program for its finances and taxation, switching from the long-running and imminently outdated Manatron system.
 “Ninety-seven percent of state government units are using BS&A,” said County Administrator Sue Clisch at the board’s Aug. 28 bi-monthly meeting. “It must be a pretty good program.”

STAMBAUGH TOWNSHIP—With a blacktop plant in the area for the fall, the Stambaugh Township Board, at its Sept. 5 meeting, brought up the possibility of completing a portion of East Brule Road.
 The road is currently scheduled to be blacktopped in 2013.
 Supervisor Eugene Pellizzaro said that Iron County Road Commission Superintendent Doug Tomasoski would be putting bids together for other municipalities and would get one for East Brule Road as well.

Deputies honored for work on homicide case

Iron County Sheriff Deputies, from left,  Ryan Boehmke and Wade Cross, received recognition for their work on investigating and convicting David Levack for the murder of county resident Joyce Johnson. Sheriff Mark Valesano presented them with Distinguished Service awards. Lt. Greg Cunningham of the Michigan State Police Dickinson County Post and Iron County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Powell also presented service awards at the Iron County Board of Commissioners’ Aug. 28 meeting.

CRYSTAL FALLS—Two Iron County Sheriff deputies received Distinguished Service awards for their work on the investigation and conviction in a homicide case in Iron County in September 2011.
 Deputies Wade Cross and Ryan Boehmke received the awards from Sheriff Mark Valesano during the Iron County Board of Commissioners’ Aug. 28 meeting.
 They also received recognition from the Michigan State Police and the Iron County Prosecutor’s office.
 “In 2011, our Sheriff’s Department took on the huge responsibility of investigating a homicide,” said Valesano.

Ojibway Correction Officer Mickey Stachowicz was honored with the Michigan Department of Corrections valor award in ceremonies held at the Ojibway Correctional Facility in Marensico on Aug. 2. Picture, from left, are OCF Deputy Warden Dan Quigley, Acting RPA Michael Curley, MDOC Director Daniel Heyns, Stachowicz, and the Stachowicz family, granddaughter Molly Jackman (in front), wife Beverly Stachowicz, daughter Kelly Jackson holding his granddaughter Mya Jackman and Master Sgt. Norman Stachowicz. (Ojibway Correctional Facility photo)
MARENISCO—Mickey Stachowicz, a corrections officer at the Ojibway Correctional Facility here, was recently presented with the Michigan Department of Corrections valor award for his role in the arrest and conviction in a murder case in Iron County.

CRYSTAL FALLS—The Forest Park Board of Education approved a number of new staff  hirings as it prepares for the upcoming 2012-13 school year.
 At the board’s Aug. 27 meeting, action was taken to approve hiring Tamara Ranta as custodian/lunch aide; Kim Payne, teaching second grade; Kurt Anderson, middle school social studies and physical education; Mary Ann Johnson, high school social studies; Karen Nylund, secondary school clerk; and August “A.J.” Murray, high school substitute teacher.

IRON RIVER—With the Michigan High School Athletic Association relaxing some of its eligibility guidelines, the West Iron County Board of Education made a policy decision allowing home-schooled middle school students to take part in the district’s sports programs.
 At the board’s Aug. 20 meeting, requests were made by two families who have junior high-aged children who wish to participate in eighth grade basketball.
 Under the new MSHAA guidelines, the students may request a reduced schedule.