June 21, 2022 15:56
| Midsummer Days beats the heat! |
North Branch Midsummer Days had something for everyone including the ever popular water fight on Elm Street.
Friday, June 24, 2022
|  |
June 21, 2022 16:13
| | Girl Scouts a part of the solution! |
Girl Scouts USA is getting behind a tree planting and protecting promise...to be part of boosting habitat and cleansing the atmosphere with 5 million trees by 2026. On June 6 there were 10 trees put in the ground in Chisago City and Lindstrom through the dedicated work of local Mid Du Lac area scouts. Four maples went in at Lakeside School and six trees are now at Chisago Lake Township Hall. Trees were donated by Dick Brennan of Chisago City. The Scouts also send a big thank you to Dennis Peterson for his time and equipment and to Branch Landscaping. The girls look forward to seeing the trees grow big and strong. Girl Scouts take an oath to use resources wisely and make the world a better place and they fulfill that in deed and word.
Friday, June 24, 2022
| |
June 21, 2022 16:00
| | Broadband
details requested
by County Board | Chisago County is moving forward on developing a set of numbers and cost estimates on an individual township and city basis; to get better projections on construction and other details necessary for applying for broadband assistance. The pre-engineering work will be funded using American Recovery Act Program funds, the County Board recently agreed.
Friday, June 24, 2022
| |
June 21, 2022 15:54
| | County Board grants cider business request, denies Upland Road business | The County Board approved one land use application for the Pleasant Valley Orchard to amend its Conditional Use Permit allowing for making, tasting and marketing of cider, but denied a permit for a new winery on the edge of downtown Taylors Falls.
Friday, June 24, 2022
| |
June 21, 2022 15:44
| | Site of old jail
getting a clean-up | In May 2018 Chisago County moved inmates out of the old jail site on the edge of “commissioners’ alley” and into the new county jail, on the east side of Center City.
Friday, June 24, 2022
| |
June 21, 2022 15:43
| | North Branch Council and Utility Commission meet, again | There was a special session of the Water & Light Commission and the North Branch City Council last week to look over the final version of an “asset purchase agreement” selling the municipal electric utility.
Friday, June 24, 2022
| |
June 21, 2022 15:41
| | Gallon of gas is how much? Yikes! |
I hope everyone had a great Fathers Day on Sunday. Hopefully you celebrated it on Saturday like we did before the white-hot heat wave hit us. We had our immediate family up and spent the day on the water and had a wonderful time. Happy belated Fathers Day to all our dad readers. My dad would have been 78-years-old. I know we all age, but when you lose a parent, at least for me, I picture them at the age when they passed away. In an odd way, I kind of enjoy thinking of John and Eileen at the age I last saw them. Even if it is getting to be the same age as me.
Friday, June 24, 2022
| |
June 21, 2022 15:20
| | It's grad party season! | A ton of seniors graduated recently from Chisago Lakes and North Branch high schools, and it’s now full swing into the parties that celebrate these grads.
Friday, June 24, 2022
| |
June 21, 2022 15:18
| | Lindstrom Council gets update on project costs; city code
enforcement moves forward | There was no June city planning commission meeting so the Lindstrom City Council had no land use or permits on the agenda last week. It was a short-handed meeting minus Council member Bill Schlumbohm.
Friday, June 24, 2022
| |
June 21, 2022 15:15
| | Local 4Hers have a great show! |
Elle Penzenstadler (Chisago) Austin Buehring (Harris) and Zoey Buehring (Harris) had a great weekend exhibiting their cattle at the Minnesota State Holstein Show which was held in Perham, MN June 16-18.
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
| |
June 21, 2022 16:05
| | Driver in 2019 fatal crash sentenced | A 29-year old man has been sentenced to 90 days as the result of a plea agreement, on felony charges of criminal vehicular homicide operating a vehicle in a grossly negligent manner.
Wednesday, June 22, 2022
| |
June 21, 2022 15:17
| | North Branch puts Robert Canada into vacant council seat | The vacancy created by the resignation of North Branch City Council member Amanda Darwin is filled now by Robert Canada. The council voted 4-0 June 14 to seat Canada. His appointment runs to the end of December 2022. The November election ballot will carry candidates’ names who are vying for the next full council term.
Monday, June 20, 2022
| |
June 19, 2022 10:41
| | Still hoping for a special session | Three lobbyists working on behalf of Chisago County in the just completed legislative session told the county commissioners, that if there is a special session convened and state politicians adopt a number of measures that are close to the finish line, Minnesota counties stand to see a very good outcome.
Friday, June 17, 2022
| |
June 16, 2022 13:57
| | Second generation Legion member leads MidSummer parade |
This year the North Branch American Legion Post is upping its high school scholarships to five, for $2,500 a piece. The Post is only able to do this, and many other charitable good deeds, through strong community support; so here’s hoping for big turnout and fine weather during this week’s MidSummer Days. The live music, carnival, purse bingo and kiddie events are back just like before covid-19.
Friday, June 17, 2022
| |
June 16, 2022 13:56
| | Stacy-Lent merger agreement nearing finalization | Stacy and Lent elected officials got closer to a final orderly annexation agreement holding a meeting Monday this week for about one hour. The draft of the agreement on the pending merger, being created by the township and the city, was reviewed again, in the context of a special report from audit firm Oberloh and Oberloh.
Friday, June 17, 2022
| |
June 16, 2022 13:54
| | Taylors Falls accepts good audit | Taylors Falls can’t catch a break it seems. With the clerk/treasurer out on an indefinite administrative leave, a couple of temporary staff have been located to perform the most basic tasks for the city one or two days per week, but meantime, the fire department’s state funding is in jeopardy because the deadline to submit a form was missed, the city’s Internet-based phones crashed, the city had two valves “explode” and a watermain broke...and the quotes sought for seasonal street repairs didn’t come in as hoped.
Friday, June 17, 2022
| |
June 16, 2022 13:52
| | Is it summer festival time already? |
This week (if you can believe it) begins the summer festival season. Beginning today through Sunday the North Branch American Legion is sponsoring Midsummer Days. The celebration is filled with awesome events like a family carnival, a meat raffle, Bingo under the tent and much more. Friday there will be live music by Two Shots Down which will also feature a food stand for attendees. Thursday. some of the bingos will have jackpots of $500. Saturday, your kids are invited to take part in the kiddie olympics. Kids ages pre-school through 12 years of age can compete in all kinds of fun events. The event is at Riverwalk Park this year which is north of town on Highway 61. register at 8:30 and events start at 9am sharp. There is a kiddie parade that starts at noon at the municipal building and registration is at 11:30. The theme this year is red white and blue. All entrants will receive a prize.
Friday, June 17, 2022
| |
June 16, 2022 13:10
| | Strawberries in summertime | Hot temperatures in June can only mean one thing: it’s strawberry season!
Friday, June 17, 2022
| |
June 16, 2022 13:01
| | Law Enforcement |
June 12 a complaint about an aircraft flying too low over rural Center City was looked into. The aircraft required distance from the ground is 500 feet in an “unpopulated” area and 1,200 in populous areas and it was agreed the pilot was in an unpopulated area, so the height was fine in this case.
Friday, June 17, 2022
| |
June 16, 2022 12:59
| | 245 seniors say farewell to Chisago Lakes |
It was all smiles at Monday’s graduation. Students and families were treated to beautiful weather and great speeches.
Friday, June 10, 2022
| |
June 7, 2022 15:55
| | County aid for schools to be part of distribution | Of a $10.9 million allotment Chisago County will receive the next couple years in coronavirus and fiscal recovery aid, the county commissioners acted last week to dedicate $600,000 to area school students. It will be up to their districts to apply for the funds which are divided into two categories of uses: for general education and vocational programming.
Friday, June 10, 2022
| |
June 7, 2022 15:43
| | Local Capitol breach cases
making slow progress | The January 6 U.S. capitol breach has been in the national news again lately, due to the investigative Congressional Committee opening hearings to the public. Four local defendants charged in connection with the incidents of January 6 are still awaiting their day in court, however. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office there were eight Minnesotans criminally charged in connection with the insurrection and four are Lindstrom residents; Robert, Jonah, Isaac Westbury and Aaron James are facing multiple charges. Jonah Westbury was indicted separately and has been moving through the system as an individual case with the other three combined for representation.
Friday, June 10, 2022
| |
June 7, 2022 15:42
| | Good Neighbor Club growing
by the week |
Friday, June 10, 2022
| |
June 7, 2022 15:19
| | Thanks Dave, Brenda and Ralph |
I took pictures at Chisago Lakes High School graduation ceremony on Monday. The ceremony was held outside and the weather was spectacular. It was such a great feeling seeing everyone attending and together again. Last year, if you remember, the school was allowed to hold a public graduation, albeit small with only a select number of relatives allowed. This year the bleachers were packed with family and friends supporting their seniors. There were some great speeches by Greta Gillach and Lydia Lafean and a nice speech from history teacher Brian McNally.
Friday, June 10, 2022
| |
June 7, 2022 15:16
| | I 'sea' some good recipes here | Seafood is in season, and there might not be a bigger seafood fan than me. (I know you can get seafood most times of the year, but there are so many different ways to prepare it when the weather is nice!)
Friday, June 10, 2022
| |
June 7, 2022 15:14
|
|
|
