During Shop Small Saturday on Nov. 30, Martha Piwarski, center, assisted a customer at Silver Moon Gifts and Clothing in Iron River, placing her purchases in the promotional bag provided by the Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance. Jenora Piwarski rang up the purchase on the day when shoppers in the county were rewarded during the busy holiday shopping weekend for their community support by receiving savings at local stores, which provided unique gift items.

IRON RIVER/GRAND RAPIDS — The U.S. Marshals Service, with assistance from local law enforcement agencies, apprehended an Iowa man in Iron River on Dec. 3.
    According to the U.S. Marshal Service Western Michigan District in Grand Rapids, Mark Heyn, 47, was taken into custody in the early afternoon on Washington Avenue about a block from the West Iron County school campus. Heyn had a federal warrant issued stemming from a charge of possession of a firearm by a felon in Fairfield, Iowa, and with the possibility that Heyn was armed, authorities ordered a lockdown at the school as a precautionary measure.
    Heyn is awaiting a court appearance and will be extradited to Iowa. No other information was released by federal or local authorities.

IRON RIVER—The annual audit and the delayed hiring of a middle school physical education teacher were two of the main items during the West Iron County School Board’s regular meeting Nov. 19.
    Beyond that, though, the possible need for an additional resource room was the main topic.
    Elementary Principal Michelle Thomson explained to board members that her school needs an additional resource room, which could be located in her present office with Thomson moving to another, unspecified room.
    Thomson said the state wants every pupil, including special ed kids, to be in the least restrictive educational environment, spending the entire school day with their peers.
    “There are some very special needs kids in our building right now that need additional support,” she said.
    At present, such students can be placed in a resource room, but the additional room would be available if any of them become physically disruptive there as well.
    “It’s a special needs child—that part of it we understand,” Thomson said. “But we’re trying to keep kids safe and give everybody an education.”  
    The additional resource room would have room for two pupils and maybe two more who only need a break for about 30 minutes. There would be an aide in the room for each student.
    The principal asked about interviewing some elementary special ed teachers at Northern Michigan about a job in charge of the room. If that doesn’t work out, current staff members could be pulled from their classes—putting more of a burden on other teachers.
    Superintendent Chris Thomson said the district may have to hire a teacher for just one or two pupils.
    “But this isn’t going to solve the problem. And we’re going to get challenged, and there’s a potential we lose at the state level, even with this program.”
    The superintendent said terms like “free and appropriate” and “least restrictive” mean different things to different people.

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It was “Wendy Lee and the Reporters” entertaining onlookers to the classic Brenda Lee hit “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” in the downtown Iron River window of the Laughing Loon on Dec. 7 during the Christmas in Lights parade. Pictured from left are Iron County Reporter staff members Nan Borske, Janet Rohde, Sari Jacobson and Wendy Graham.

LANSING/CRYSTAL FALLS — Action in the Michigan State Legislature Dec. 3 to restore approximately $60 million in vetoed state funding for key county services was encouraging, said the leader of the association representing Michigan’s 83 counties.
    “It’s taken longer than anticipated, but we are encouraged by the movement we have seen so far,” said Stephan Currie, executive director of the Michigan Association of Counties. “The supplemental spending bills agreed to this week restore vital funding for our members. We look forward to final passage in the Legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature — and we applaud her and legislative leaders for finding a compromise that puts people over politics.”
    The deal announced Dec. 3 will make modifications to the legislative budget process and the governor’s use of the State Administrative Board. Whitmer’s use of that board in the fall had been the key sticking point in resolving the budget impasse arising out of 147 line-item vetoes that, among other things, struck down an array of key county funds.
    Now to be restored in new spending bills are:

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IRON RIVER — There are many ways to have a lasting impact on a community and two of the most powerful are to preserve its history and to educate its students.
    Marcia Bernhardt did both, and so much more. Bernhardt, 93, died on Dec. 4 in Williamston, passing away “peacefully” according to her loved ones.
    Bernhardt served her community in many ways. First, she was a teacher in the Amasa, Stambaugh, and Iron River schools, educating more than 4,000 students during her career.
    Marcia met her husband Harold after his discharge from the Army and the couple was married in 1948 in East Lansing. The Bernhardts both became educators, and both became instrumental in the founding of the Iron County Historical Museum.
    Marcia served in many positions with the museum, including curator and archivist, dedicating more than 50 years to the museum and to historical preservation in Iron County and the U.P.
    “There is no doubt that Marcia and Harold Bernhardt were the driving forces behind the establishment of the Iron County Museum,” said former museum board president and interim director Bill Leonoff. “Harold worked with a crew of artisans to create the physical structure while Marcia organized the operation of the museum by registering the donations that were received.  
    “Once the museum opened to the public, it was Marcia who documented the history through her many published books describing the various facets of Iron County life. Marcia’s work in developing the museum archives was a monumental contribution to the history of the county. While many people contributed to the success of the museum, as founders, Harold and Marcia ‘were the museum.’”
    Marcia also edited and/or authored more than 15 books that were published by the museum in addition to another four books related to the history of her community and family. She helped establish the West Iron County District Library and served on its board for many years. Her other community service included her leadership in the Iron County Junior Historical Society and many projects such as the Apple Blossom Trail.
    Marcia was preceded in death by her husband and her daughter Debra. She is survived by her daughter, Andra (Michael) Ladd and many family members.
    A memorial service will be held at St. Katherine’s Episcopal Church in Williamston on Jan. 11. A celebration of Marcia’s life will be held next summer in Iron River. Her complete obituary is on page 6.

The West End Players performed the play “Matilda” at the Windsor Center auditorium on Dec. 13-15. The cast entertained the audiences during three performances with heart-felt drama, humor and song. Main characters included, Rory Jacobson as Matilda Wormwood, Abby Miller as Miss Jennifer Honey, Benjamin Garcia as Agatha Trunchbull, Josh Miskell and Lily Hodges as Harry and Zinnia Wormwood, Jeanine Garcia as Mrs. Phelps and Jack Roydes Jr. as Bruce Bogtrotter.

CRYSTAL FALLS — A 45-year-old Caspian woman who was arrested on several methamphetamine charges in July 2018 pleaded guilty to one count of operating/maintaining a methamphetamine laboratory in Iron County Trial Court on Dec. 16.
    Dana Leigh Horton agreed to plead guilty to the charge as part of a plea arrangement in which one count of conspiracy to commit methamphetamine, one count of manufacturing methamphetamine and one count of purchasing or possessing pseudoephedrine to make methamphetamine were dismissed.
    Operating/maintaining a methamphetamine lab is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. The scoring guidelines for Horton call for a minimum of five to 23 months in jail or prison.
    Horton had been expected to go to trial Jan. 21-23.
    In the hearing, Horton admitted that her husband Stephen had manufactured methamphetamine in their home and that she aided and abetted him by purchasing pseudoephedrine for the purpose of manufacturing meth.
    Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 27 at 9 a.m.
    Judge Donald S. Powell remanded Horton to the Iron County Sheriff’s Department after her plea because she had tested positive for methamphetamine on two separate occasions while awaiting trial, resulting in a bond violation.

CRYSTAL FALLS — The Iron County Board of Commissioners voted 3-2 to adopt the proposed 2020 All Fund Budget at a special meeting on Dec. 19.
    The budget was proposed and supported by commissioners Tim Aho, Sharon Leonoff and Ray Coates. The budget was opposed by commissioner and finance chair Mike Stafford and board chair Patti Peretto.    
    Because of an early Christmas deadline, a full report on the meeting was delayed. That report is planned for the Jan. 1 edition of the Reporter.

The West Side Veterans hosted a Wreaths Across America ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park in Iron River on Dec. 14. Each December on National Wreaths Across America Day, the mission to remember, honor and teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,100 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad.

IRON RIVER—A permit allowing access north of the Paint River bridge was approved by the Road Commission at its regular meeting on Dec. 10.
    The request, from the Keweenaw Land Association, is for permission to cross the Paint River property pit north of the bridge along Bates-Amasa Road. That allows the company to access property behind the Road Commission’s parcel via logging roads.
    “Not any decking,” said Superintendent Doug Tomasoski, “not any storage. Just getting into property behind ours.” There will be a small fee involved.
    Tomasoski said the Road Commission has gotten along well with Keweenaw Land in the past. His main concerns are signage, liability and proof of insurance.
    Attorney Mark Tousignant wondered aloud what the U.S. Forest Service is charging for similar permits. “Something you may want to keep in mind for the future.”
    ● Jon Wierda of Hagerman Lake talked to the commission about repaving a portion of West Hagerman Lake Road. Earlier, he had written Tomasoski about the matter and thanked him for his “thoughtful, professional response” to a letter.
    The biggest problem, Wierda said, is a one-mile stretch of the road west of the park, which has many potholes and a deteriorated shoulder. “It really puts people at a disadvantage when there’s traffic coming.”
    In that area, he said, there are 13 full-time residents under the age of 14—25 in summer. “They’re on bikes, and they’re [navigating] the potholes. And they’re kids—they don’t look behind them all the time.” The big concern, he said, is that something bad will happen.

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CRYSTAL FALLS — A 30-year-old Florence, Wisconsin woman, formerly of Iron River, was sentenced to prison for delivery of methamphetamine at a hearing in Iron County Trial Court on Dec. 23.
    Brittany Lyn Russell was sentenced by Iron County Judge Donald S. Powell to 16 months to 20 years in prison for delivery of methamphetamine, a 20-year felony. The charge stemmed from an incident in May 2019 in Iron River. She was also charged with bringing methamphetamine into the Iron County Correctional Facility.    
    The latter fact caused about a month-long delay in Russell’s sentencing. Iron County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Powell explained that Russell had admitted to having meth hidden in her clothes in one location, but not another.
    That circumstance caused Russell’s scoring guideline to be higher with a potential for prison time rather than a county jail sentence.
    Defense attorney Daniel Jaspen asked for a year in county jail for his client.
    “I think what strikes me the most in this case is that Miss Russell doesn’t have any prior record,” Jaspen said. “I don’t mean to minimize the scenario with the things that she’s been involved in. I understand that it’s a serious offense and that’s why the scoring is what it is.
    “The recommendation from the probation agent remains one year in county jail and I would ask the court to follow that recommendation.”
    When asked if she wished to speak to the court, Russell spoke briefly.
    “I have learned from everything and I wasn’t in my right mind when I did what I did. And I do apologize.”
    Judge Powell was not swayed by Russell’s Mea culpa.
    “Miss Russell, I’m very disturbed that you delivered more than an eighth of an ounce of methamphetamine. Meth in that quantity is likely to be redistributed to other members of the community for a profit by whoever you delivered this to.
    “In this county, if you deliver heroin or methamphetamine, you’re going to prison if I can send you there. And the fact that you’re a woman with young children doesn’t change that fact.”
    After pronouncing his sentence, Powell said he will receive a letter from the Michigan Department of Corrections in about two months asking him if he will recommend boot camp for Russell.
    “I will make my decision at that time.”

CRYSTAL FALLS — The Iron County Board of Commissioners passed the proposed the 2020 All Fund Budget during a special meeting on the morning of Dec. 19. With 25 people in attendance, the board passed the budget by a 3-2 vote with commissioners Tim Aho, Sharon Leonoff and Ray Coates approving the budget as is. Mike Stafford and Patti Peretto voted against.
    The meeting marked a significant waypoint for the budget process, which for last few months has dominated Iron County government meetings. The discussion of this year’s budget has been contentious, and for a time had been heavily impacted by a statewide fight between Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the State Assembly over widely reported line-item-veto/reapportionment, starting in October.
    Recent developments have directed the state budget issue into a new phase, but debate over the particulars of the county budget have remained energetic as the state situation has evolved. Concerns over budget balancing, general fund load, and pension pay versus discretionary spending have led to many discussions on the matter throughout the county.
    The particulars of the budget as presented lightly funded discretionary spending for many areas that have been of concern to some county residents following the process, namely the long-standing concerns of the Iron County Economic Chamber Alliance at $10,000 and $15,000 for MSU/4H.
    In addition, WUPPDR was funded to the tune of $2,500. Some sections, such as the Northwoods Animal Shelter, did receive funding at their traditional levels,

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Visitors gathered at the Lakeland Baptist Church for the two-night production of the “Live Nativity.” The narrated performance of the birth of Christ took place on Dec. 21-22 in Iron River.

IRON MOUNTAIN — The Michigan State Police Iron Mountain Post reported a fatal fire in Sagola Township on Dec. 29.
    Troopers responded to a report of a residential fire at approximately 4:06 p.m. on M-95 in Dickinson County. According to a press release from MSP, the fire was discovered by a relative who attempted to enter the home but suffered smoke inhalation.
    A preliminary examination determined that the resident of the home had been found inside deceased as the result of the fire. The investigation is ongoing, and the cause of the fire has yet to be determined. The name of the victim is pending notification of next of kin.
    Assisting at the scene were the Sagola Township Fire Department, the Alpha-Mastodon Fire Department, the Breitung Township Fire Department, STAR Ambulance, Aspirus EMS, Integrity Ambulance, WI Energies and the Dickinson County Sheriff Department.

IRON RIVER—The year 2019 was quite a year for weather in Iron County. Now that all the data is in, added, averaged and compared, the numbers confirm what most of us suspected for a long time.
    --It was a coolish year. The average temperature was 36.6 degrees, nearly 2 degrees cooler than the long-term average.
    --It was a really wet year. Total precipitation for the 12 months was 39.04 inches, nearly 9 inches higher than normal. That’s 30 percent above normal. It was the seventh wettest year in the last century.
    --It was a really snowy year, too. If you toughed out last winter and are toughing out this one, you had to attack 96.4 inches of snow, nearly 28 inches more than usual. That’s 40 percent more than in a normal winter. The shovels got a real workout.
    All these numbers come from the West Iron County Wastewater Treatment Plant, located south of Caspian, which is a cooperative observer for the National Weather Service, which provides the weekly weather data that appears in the Reporter.
    Temperatures: Only three months in 2019 had above-normal temperatures. One of them was July—1.5 degrees warmer than normal. We never hit 90 degrees all year, but we reached 89 twice in July—the 3rd and 19th.
    In all, 18 days in July had highs in the 80s. Another five 80s were recorded in the first five days August, but that was it—only three more 80s for the rest of the year.
    September was 2.5 degrees warmer than average, the greatest difference from normal. But that was offset by August, which was 2.5 degrees below normal. And there were plenty of other months that averaged below normal.
    For example, the first three months of 2019. January, 4.4 degrees cooler; February, 4.1 degrees cooler; March, 5.4 degrees cooler. It was a cold winter. We got more of that in November, which was 4.6 degrees cooler than normal.
    A few highlights:
    --Coldest temperature of the year: minus 34, on Jan. 25 and 26, part of a string of three consecutive minus 30s.
    --Coldest high temperature: minus 3 on Jan. 29.

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IRON RIVER — The regularly scheduled monthly meeting of the Iron River City Council on Dec. 19 was the last one of 2019, and despite the cool conditions outside it was well attended. While some preparation on business going into the new year did occur at the meeting, what took center stage involved the departure of multiple members of the city council, the highest profile of which was Mayor Terry Tarsi.
    Tarsi had a few comments on the matter during the meeting itself. Toward the end, he spoke of his time in the position and said that it had been a privilege to serve the city. He spoke briefly of his time as mayor, stating that there had been difficult moments, but that the last four years had been made much easier for him with the appointment of David Thayer as city manager.
    During a brief interview after the meeting, Tarsi said he had “mixed emotions” stepping away from city government. When asked about Thayer, he said that he expected the city manager would do well with the new group of officials coming onto the board going into 2020. He said he had considered running for another term as mayor but decided to step aside when he had caught wind of Councilman Dennis Powell’s interest in campaigning for the position, and said he had high hopes for the incoming administration.
    Tarsi was not the only member of the council to take leave at this point. Aside from him, Jere Fritsche was also leaving the council after the meeting. In addition, this was also Tricia Mercier’s last meeting while holding position, having lost her bid for reelection during the previous month’s election. Powell, who was himself present at the meeting, will be moving into the center seat come the January meeting.
    When asked about his state of mind on departing, Fritsche said he felt “kind of sad” stepping away from the work and that it had been a “fun time.” He said he had confidence in the incoming members of city government, Powell in particular due to their long association. In terms of developments that he felt were most positive to the city and to his time in office, he said that he believed that there had been an improvement in the quality of city employees in general, over the course of the 2010s.
    “There was an old culture from way back when, you know, so once you get that out of there, the city runs a little better.”

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BEECHWOOD —The Beechwood Hall will host an old-fashioned “Winter Fun Day” from 2-7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11.
    Outdoor activities will be held from 2-4 p.m. and will include snowshoe sprints (three age classes), sack races, snowball targets, to name a few.
    “We have a limited number of snowshoes to borrow out,” said Charlotte Bofinger of the Beechwood Historical Society. “If you have our own snowshoes and sleds, please bring them.  These are not ‘sanctioned’ races - just some fun winter activities.”
    A potluck with chili, hotdogs and marshmallows (provided) will be held from 4-7 p.m. Volunteer recognition will also be held during this time period.
    A bonfire is scheduled for 5 p.m. If the weather is too severe, there will be games, food and other activities inside the Beechwood Hall.
    There is no charge for the day’s activities, but donations will be welcome.
    The Beechwood Hall is located at 178 Beechwood Store Road. The building is handicap accessible with a ramp in the back of the building (access from Cemetery Road entrance and from the west parking lot). There are also ADA accessible bathrooms inside.

IRON RIVER — At the end of the 2017-18 school year, the School Nutrition Association reported that 75 percent of school districts nationwide reported having unpaid school meal debt.
    Count the West Iron County School District among those districts. At its regularly scheduled meeting on Dec. 17, the West Iron County School Board discussed the ongoing issue. Superintendent Chris Thomson said the district had an unpaid school lunch debt of about $7,400 at the time of the meeting.
    “(School lunch debt) is getting a lot of news,” Thomson said. “It’s something that I’m going to do some work on because it’s got to be better than it was. We were up over ($8,000, $9,000) and then we got it cut down to four. And now it’s back up to seven.”
    Thomson added that the top amount due by a family at the time of the December meeting was around $300 for the duration of years the student(s) has been schooled in the district.
    Around the country, school districts are trying to come up with a successful method of collecting these debts. Some are respectful, like through charitable donations, and others are draconian, like throwing a student’s lunch in the garbage if their parents have unpaid debt or stamping the student’s hand with the words “I need lunch money.”
    According to the USDA’s Food Assistance Landscape 2018 annual report, approximately 29.7 million children participated in the National School Lunch Program each school day. The National School Lunch Program is a federally assisted meal program that provides breakfast and lunch for children at either a reduced price or for free. Eligibility requires parents/guardians to fill out paperwork, but some of those families eligible don’t take that simple step.
    “The last time we talked about this, there were a number of families eligible for free or reduced, but they just won’t fill out the paperwork,” said trustee Dennis Tousignant.
    Thomson said the paperwork is included in any collection letter sent out by the district.
    One of the available options for the district is to provide a community-wide free or reduced lunch.

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CRYSTAL FALLS—Special ceremonies will be held at Forest Park High School’s Eddie Chambers Gym on Jan. 31, just before the varsity boys basketball game against Carney-Nadeau.
    The ceremony will formally dedicate and rename the school’s weight room in honor of Clark Schwedler, a 1997 Forest Park grad who became a Navy SEAL and was killed in action in 2007.
    One speaker at the ceremony will be Scott Holmes, a 1996 Forest Park grad and a lifelong friend who wrote a remembrance of Schwedler. His thoughts will be copied onto a metal print that will be displayed at the weight room.
    Holmes earned degrees at Ferris State and Central Michigan universities and has worked in the emergency department at the University of Michigan for the past 15 years.
    Also speaking will be Mike Day, who led Schwedler’s SEAL unit and was injured in the same incident that took Schwedler’s life.
    Here is what happened on April 6, 2007: SEAL Team 4 was assaulting a house in Anbar Province, Iraq, about 12 miles northeast of Fallujah. It was occupied by terrorists who had been involved in a recent downing of a Marine Medivac helicopter.
    Schwedler, a petty officer second class, was shot in the neck as his team tried to enter the terrorists’ room. Two other SEALs were injured in the attack, and an Iraqi soldier involved in the joint operation was also killed.
    One of those injured was Day, who led the unit and was shot 27 times. His ceramic body armor took 11 of the shots; his body took the rest. A grenade explosion knocked Day unconscious briefly. When he woke up, he realized he was still holding his pistol. He then shot the last two terrorists.

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