Humungous Fungus spotted on West Coast

A reader submitted a photo of a U-haul truck showcasing the “Humungous Fungus” taken in California.

CRYSTAL FALLS - A California resident with local ties spotted a U-Haul truck just outside Los Angeles emblazoned with Crystal Falls locally celebrated “Humungous Fungus.” Charline Bendick said …

WIC Fire Department hosts open house

WIC Fire Department engine parked outside the station, framed by a rainbow over the hall during the open house.

IRON RIVER – The West Iron County Fire Department and Marla Shamion - State Farm Insurance Agent teamed up with our friend Sparky and welcomed families to its annual Fire Prevention open house …

Firefighters bring lessons to Stambaugh Elementary

Volunteer firefighters from the Caspian-Gaastra Fire Department gather in front of their engine outside Stambaugh Elementary during Fire Prevention Week. Pictured are, from left, Andrew Spigarelli, Jacob Tomasoski, Eric Kyllonen, Ben Gendron, Chris Jurrs, and Steve West. Photo taken by firefighter Brandon Maki.

STAMBAUGH — Students at Stambaugh Elementary got an exciting, hands-on visit from the Caspian-Gaastra Fire Department Oct. 10 to mark Fire Prevention Week. Centered around this year’s official …

Fritsch: The end of the Lambeau era

Throughout the 1948 and 1949 seasons, Fritsch continued to steadily perform for the Packers under head coach, Curly Lambeau, as the team first slipped to fourth in the Western Division and then …

Pictured is an aerial view of the Camp 4 Fire — one of four fires, and the smallest, to ignite in the Western U.P. the second week of October. The Camp 4 and Black River Fires were both located near Wakefield, in the Ottawa National Forest.

No cause ID’d for multiple Western U.P. fires

WAKEFIELD—The U.S. Forest Service transitioned incident command of the Black River Fire to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Oct. 13, amid days of wildfires burning in or near the Ottawa …

Iron County mental health provider deficit triples state average

CRYSTAL FALLS — Residents of Iron County are diligent with their physical health, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control. However, lack of access means many go without mental health …

Alpha Porter Gymnasium masonry rehabilitation project

ALPHA - Alpha Porter Gym, a non-profit organization, is receiving $100,000 to support rehabilitation and activation of the vacant 1914 Alpha Porter Gym, part of the Alpha Public Buildings Historic …

Aspirus Wisdom & Wellness returns

IRON RIVER. – Aspirus Iron River Hospital & Clinics is pleased to announce the return of its popular Wisdom & Wellness community education series with a special Breast Cancer Awareness …

Certified SAWW Level 1 trainer and forester Brock VanOss demonstrates proper safety and felling techniques as he cuts down a tree selected to manufacture the official court for the 2027 NCAA® Men’s Final Four®.

Students learn sustainable forestry

IRON RIVER - More than 500 middle and high school students from Forest Park, West Iron and Iron Mountain school districts gathered at the Cooks Run forest in Iron River for an incredible, hands-on …

More news

Reporter E-edition

Iron County Reporter Wednesday, October 21, 2026

View this issue

Browse other issues

Shopper's Guide E-edition

Iron County Shoppers Guide October 20, 2026

View this issue

Browse other issues

Facebook

Community

Knights of Columbus host 51st Annual Tootsie Roll drive

IRON RIVER - The Iron River Knights of Columbus Council 2300 recently wrapped up its 51st Annual Tootsie Roll drive with great success. Held over three days during Columbus Day weekend, the …

Spooky stories, medicare help and fee amnesty at CF Library

CRYSTAL FALLS - The Crystal Falls District Community Library will be hosting editor Ted Van Alst Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. for a discussion of part two of Never Whistle at Night: Back for Blood. The …

Nordic Brass live at St. Mark’s

CRYSTAL FALLS - Music lovers are in for a treat this weekend. The Nordic Brass ensemble will perform a free concert Sunday, Oct. 18, at 2:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, located at 809 …

More Community

Outdoors

Healthy soils, Stronger pastures

IRON RIVER - Michigan State University Extension hosted a pasture walk Oct. 7 at Jon Ahlberg’s farm. The pasture walk focused on management strategies to improve soil health. During drought, …

Northwoods Geology Club to meet

FLORENCE, Wis. - The Northwoods Geology Club will meet Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the Wild Rivers Interpretive Center. Park in the lower parking lot and enter the back door. This month’s …

Catch the Iron County Farmstand Trail

IRON COUNTY - Before local farm stands pack up for the winter season, Iron County is inviting the community to get out and enjoy the autumn harvest during the Iron County’s Farmstand Trail event …

More Outdoors

Opinion

Finding Balance Beyond the Fortress

Dear Reader, Superman had it figured out, or so we thought as kids when reading our comic books. When things got overwhelming, he’d retreat to his Fortress of Solitude—that crystalline …

More Opinion

Lady Wykons defeat Ishpeming win Homecoming match

IRON RIVER - With the football team unable to continue its season due to a rash of injuries, the traditional Fall Homecoming game fell to the girls of West Iron. The home team volleyballers did not …

Lady Trojans win, drop in rankings

CRYSTAL FALLS - In one of the greatest enigmas of this volleyball season, the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA), which had for several weeks ranked the Forest Park Lady Trojans 7th in …

An impressive season for West Iron

IRON RIVER - The ladies tennis program at West Iron once again showed its competitive spirit, being recognized for myriad individual honors and finishing second in Division 2 in the Upper Peninsula. …

Trojan Footballers drop to 5 and 2 with loss to Lake Linden

LAKE LINDEN - In one of the most entertaining football games this season, the Forest Park Trojans traveled to Lake Linden to take on the Lakes Oct. 10. When the hard fought contest was settled, the …

West Iron girls win Junior High Championship

Coach Nate Fales and his seventh grade basketball girls from West Iron County won the Michigan Northern Wisconsin Junior High Championship Oct. 6. The team compiled an undefeated season with 12 wins …

More sports

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 …

Norman Shamion

CASPER, Wyo. — Norman Shamion passed away Oct. 10, 2026 at the age of 95, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a family whose lives were forever shaped by his love, gift of laughter and kindness to others. Services will be held at Newcomer Funeral Home in Casper Thursday, Oct. 22 at 11 a.m. Reception to follow at the C’mon Inn. In lieu of flowers please donate to Natrona County Meals on Wheels in memory of Norman Shamion.

Michelle Peterson

IRON RIVER — Michelle Jonette (McCarthy) Peterson, 42, of Iron River, passed away peacefully at her home Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. She was born Oct. 26, 1983, and attended West Iron County High School. A visitation will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 – 11 a.m. at the U.P. River Church in Iron River. A Celebration of Life will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor James Pellizzer and Pastor Ron Taylor to officiate. A luncheon and continued time of sharing will follow at the VFW Ottawa Post 3134. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Michelle Jonette Peterson online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.

Daniel Hinch

MARQUETTE — Daniel Charles Hinch, 73, formerly of Iron River, passed away Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026, at his home in Marquette. Visitation will be held Saturday, Oct. 24, from 9:30 - 11 a.m. CST at Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 11 a.m. with Pastor Liebenow to officiate. Interment will be in Stambaugh Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Daniel C. Hinch online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.

John Roberts

IRON RIVER — John W. Roberts, 70, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026, at Aspirus Iron River Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. Private family services were held. Condolences may be expressed to the family of John W. Roberts online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.

Anthony McGeshick

IRON RIVER — Anthony G. McGeshick, 61, passed away Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, in Boyne City. A visitation was held Oct. 2 at Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River. Funeral services followed with Minister Jill Albanys having officiated. Interment in Resthaven Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family of Anthony G. McGeshick online at www.jacobsfuneralhomeir.com. Funeral arrangements by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron River.

More obituaries

Special Sections

More Special Sections

What 8 hours on your feet really does to your body

KURU Footwear reports that being on your feet for eight hours can cause various physical issues like muscle fatigue, pain, and cardiovascular risks, emphasizing the need for varied movement and better workplace design to mitigate discomfort.

Can feng shui lower stress? What the research on clutter actually shows

Closets by Design reports on feng shui's potential to reduce stress by organizing spaces for energy flow, aligning with research on clutter and well-being.

Scammers are finding new ways to target your phone. Here are 5 ways to protect yourself

Malwarebytes reports scammers are targeting mobile users with increasingly sophisticated scams.

Your 2026 tax return just got easier: Here's what's coming this filing season

(BPT) - Filing your taxes is never a top item on anyone's fun to-do list, but it's definitely a must, and can lead to a very welcome refund. The good news is, there's a new service that can help make …

Hit by an uninsured driver? What to know

TheZebra.com reports that 1 in 3 drivers are uninsured or underinsured, increasing financial risk for insured motorists in accidents.