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State special ed shortage drives staffing crunch at WIC

IRON RIVER — A statewide shortage of special education teachers is breeding tension at West Iron County Public Schools, as administrators find themselves in a bind between state compliance mandates …

Stephens Real Estate acquires U.P. Riverland Realty

IRON RIVER - Stephens Real Estate of Iron Mountain has announced the acquisition of U.P. Riverland Realty of Iron River Oct. 30. Associate Brokers Punner Franzene and Bee Benson-Stafford, Realtor …

Change comes to Iron County after midterm elections

IRON COUNTY—Voters throughout the county, state and country cast ballots Nov. 3 for a number of contested seats throughout Iron County. Across the county, townships and precincts, voter turnout …

IAHF sponsors Wellness Wednesday with Basanese

CRYSTAL FALLS - The Iron Area Health Foundation (IAHF) will be sponsoring their next Wellness Wednesday presentation Nov. 18 at 5:30 at Young’s Golf-Recreation-Dining. The presenter will be Trooper …

Friends of Cooks Run announces nonprofit status, opens membership 

CRYSTAL FALLS—The Friends of Cooks Run, formerly an ad-hoc steering committee, has officially organized as a Michigan nonprofit corporation and opened public membership, according to a news release …
Community

Local Episcopal Church receives Diocesan Award

Pictured from St. Mark’s Church are, Manuel Padilla, John Gervais, Jim Verkuilen, Christy Gervais, Connie Verkuilen, Rev. Peg Padilla, Dave Wickerham, Chris Martinson, Janet Fritsche, Ken Lamprecht and Jim Schwark.

CRYSTAL FALLS - Each year, in memory of their late Bishop Jim Kelsey, the Episcopal Diocese of Northern Michigan presents the James Arthur Kelsey Award for Justice and Peace to individuals and …

Making a Scene in Iron River

IRON RIVER — Sometimes, a little drama can be a great thing. At the West End Players Drama Club, it means laughter, creativity, new friendships and a place where local youth can feel at home. …

Crystal Falls Library rolls out new programs and perks

CRYSTAL FALLS - The Crystal Falls District Community Library is excited to be rolling out a variety of passive programs in the month of November. Visit the library to participate in a scavenger hunt, …

Outdoors

U.P. wolf population from remote camera images

A wolf pack is shown walking down a road on a late winter day.

For the first time, researchers from Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources have successfully estimated Michigan’s wolf population using remote cameras deployed …

‘Bat Bonanza’ brought science, crafts and live bats to WIDL

Licia Johnson from the North Lakeland Discovery Center teaches students about bat anatomy and flight.

IRON RIVER - The West Iron District Library welcomed Licia Johnson from the North Lakeland Discovery Oct. 15, for an engaging, hands-on “Bat Bonanza.” During the afternoon program, attendees …

Moose in the U.P.

FLORENCE, Wis. - The next Outdoor Education Program in Florence will be held Tuesday, Nov. 17 with Tiffany Bougie, Wildlife Biologist. This program will discuss how the population has grown only one …

Opinion

The Time Machine We Already Own

Dear Reader, The past does not make an appointment. A letter falls out of a box carried from house to house and never opened. A song from a high school dance comes on in a store. Burning leaves …

Sports
IRONWOOD—The Lady Wykons of West Iron secured a victory in the opening match of the Michigan High School Athletic Association’s postseason volleyball tournament, defeating Ironwood 3–1, Nov. 2. …
The Iron Area Health Foundation’s Student Leadership Team has begun meeting for the 2026-2027 school year. The Student Leadership Team (SLT) is composed of 16 high school students representing both …
Five Time Conference Champion Forest Park enters postseason ranked ninth in State By Patrick Browne CRYSTAL FALLS - The Forest Park Lady Trojans volleyball team entered the Michigan High School …
The Wykon Varsity Cheerleading Team took their skills to the next level by participating in an intensive six-hour stunt clinic. Led by collegiate level staff at UW-Stevens Point, the team spent the …
IRON RIVER – West Iron County celebrated its athletic heritage at the 4th Annual Wall of Fame Induction Banquet Oct. 17 at Young’s Golf – Recreation - Dining Complex. The 2026 induction class …
West Iron’s Bristol Shamion (#7) tips the ball over the net as Forest Park blockers Evie Anderson (#12) and Aubrey Waara-Shamion (#24) stretch to defend during volleyball action.

Trojans top Wykons

IRON RIVER - The West Iron Wykons and Forest Park Trojans recognize October as National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The teams schedule two matches, one at each school and through their common …
Obituaries
Michael Sheehy
IRON RIVER — Michael “Mike” Sheehy, 84, passed away Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, at the Iron County Medical Care Facility in Crystal Falls. A visitation will be held Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2026, from 9:30 - 11:15 a.m. at Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church with Fr. Daniel Fosu to offer the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery. The West Side Veterans will accord the Military Rites at the graveside. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to their favorite charity in Mike’s name. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Michael “Mike” Sheehy online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.
William Roberts
LONG LAKE, Wis. — William “Bill” R. Roberts, 90, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at Aspirus Wausau Hospital holding the hand of his loving wife as he peacefully entered the gates of Heaven. A visitation was held Nov. 5 at the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron River. A visitation was held Nov. 6 at St. Norbert Catholic Church in Long Lake. A Mass of Christian Burial followed with Fr. Anil Polumari having officiated. Interment in Long Lake Cemetery. The West Side Veterans accorded Military Rites at the graveside. Condolences may be expressed to the family of William R. Roberts online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.
Georgia Keller
RICHMOND, Va. — Georgia Lynn Keller, a beacon of light and laughter, was born Oct. 6, 1944, in Milwaukee, Wis. She peacefully departed this world Oct. 21, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at her home. In accordance with her wishes, a private funeral ceremony will be held for close family members. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to a charity of your choice in Georgia's memory.
Jeffrey Hansen
AMASA — Jeffrey Arnold Hansen, a carpenter and beloved father and grandfather, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 58 years old. A celebration of life will be held at the Horseshoe Bar in Amasa Friday, Nov. 20, beginning at 3 p.m. Stories, photos and condolences can be directed to the family by mail at PO Box 214, Amasa, MI 49903.Friends may leave condolences and tributes to Jeff’s family online at www.jacobsfuneralhomes.com.
Wilma Kallies
CRYSTAL FALLS — Wilma A. Kallies, 81, of Crystal Falls, passed away Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026 at Aspirus Iron River Hospital.  Visitation will be held from 9 – 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, at United Lutheran Church in Crystal Falls. A memorial service will follow at 11 a.m. at the church. Pastor DJ Rasner will officiate. A complete obituary will follow in next week's paper. The family has entrusted the Nash Funeral Home of Crystal Falls with the arrangements.
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