IRON MOUNTAIN — Criminal defendants in Dickinson County may soon come in contact with a corrections program based in Marquette County that can help guide them through court proceedings and avenues to rehabilitation.

The county board this week accepted a proposal from Marquette County Community Corrections to join the state-funded program. It was introduced to them last month by Trevor Kadlec, manager of MCCC, who said a move underway to regionalize the program’s services would begin with Dickinson and Alger counties.

“Hopefully, we’ll continue to slowly grow,” he told the board Monday.

The program provides pretrial risk assessments aimed at identifying a defendant’s likelihood of appearing in court, potential risks to public safety and chances of violating bond conditions. Pretrial supervision focuses on court appearances and public safety.

A key component for defendants will be access to the Tri-Cap addiction treatment center in Saginaw. Appointments with defendants are mostly conducted by telephone, Kadlec said.

Reducing recidivism is one of the program’s main goals, Kadlec emphasized. There may also be cost savings through reduced incarcerations.

Programs are grant-funded by the Michigan Office of Community Corrections/Department of Corrections under Public Act 511 of 1988.

The county will have a cost obligation related to substance abuse testing, but Controller Brian Bousley said he expects it to be manageable. Kadlec noted that Marquette County uses opioid settlement funds for this purpose.

At the request of Dickinson Board Chairman Dan Harrington, 95-B District Court Judge Julie LaCost will serve as liaison to the program’s advisory board. Also, a county commissioner will serve on the panel.

Program services might begin in Dickinson County in a month or so, Bousley said.

In other action, the county board:

— Heard Bousley report the county’s Ford Airport-based autopsy service is near capacity as several more counties have signed on. Dr. Martin Cristanelli, the county’s medical examiner, can now provide autopsies for Marquette, Iron, Alger, Schoolcraft, Delta and Menominee counties in the Upper Peninsula, along with Florence and Iron counties in Wisconsin. Cristanelli is officially medical examiner for Marquette and Iron counties in the U.P. as well, with Gogebic County a possible addition and some other agreements in flux. The Michigan Institute of Forensic Science and Medicine, which had provided autopsy services for a number of U.P. counties, has filed for bankruptcy. The purchase of a van for the Dickinson service came in at $21,965, Bousley said.

— Received an update from Mandy Padget, Northpointe Behavioral Healthcare System CEO, who said she hopes a border issue that has complicated crisis care services for clients in Menominee County can be resolved by early summer. Padget, who was named CEO April 3, recognized Northpointe Chief Operating Officer Brent Johnson for his contributions as interim CEO. Northpointe, a community mental health service provider, serves Iron, Dickinson and Menominee counties. Padget succeeds former CEO Jennifer Cescolini, who resigned Sept. 30 after five years in the role.

— Learned that Diana Oman has been hired as secretary-office manager for the Dickinson County Fair. The part-time position was created in late 2024 but has gone unfilled. The fair board voted 6-5 in late December to recommend outgoing Chairman John Degenaer Jr. for the post, but he later declined.

— Heard Commissioner Joe Stevens report on ongoing preparations for the Memorial Day weekend opening of the Lake Antoine Park campground. With completion last year of a new restroom and shower facility, the old bathhouse will be saved for storage in lieu of demolition. The cost for roof improvements at the building will likely be half the $25,000 budgeted.

— Approved Saturday, Jan. 10, as the date for Kites Over Awesome Lake Antoine, as organized and requested by Lake Antoine Park Partners.

— Learned from Sheriff Aaron Rochon that a spaghetti fundraiser Saturday at the Felch Community Center for the Dickinson County dive team raised $3,610. The event was sponsored by family and friends of the late Alex McDermott.