County insurance trust to pay out $7.5 million
A years-long lawsuit filed against Chisago County by a former family member of disgraced sheriff Rick Duncan has been settled. The County Board accepted an offer last week dropping all claims against the county in exchange for $7.5 million. The county commissioners were advised to not make any statements on …
North Branch leads permit activity, Wyoming in second
New construction activity in Chisago County in 2025 came to well over 2,000 permits issued from the county alone, with another several hundred from North Branch and Wyoming— which provide their own municipal building permitting and inspection services.
Facade grant OK’d for North Branch business
If you notice some building improvement work happening at the former taxidermy business site on main street in North Branch, it’s all part of the facade grants the city offers businesses in the core. The program was begun with $75,000 and the structure at 6354 Main Street is the third …
County Board awards SIRT culvert, rejects old jail site purchase bids
This is the time of year when contracts are being lined up for warm weather work. And, the early tasks to improve and complete Center City’s segment of the Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail have been started. The County Board last week OK’d the custom culvert ordering, which will allow for …
Karin Swenson
The funeral service for Karin Mae Swenson was held on Monday, February 9, at Bethel Lutheran Church. A graveside service was held on Tuesday, February 10, at Fairview Cemetery in Lindstrom, MN.
Delbert Mitchell
Delbert Donald Mitchell, age 81, passed away February 16, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on July 17,1944, to parents Delbert Sr. and Dorothy in St. Paul, MN.
Jason Baures
Jason "Jay" Baures of Grasston passed away on Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis at the age of 50.
Donna Haines
Donna J. Haines, age 91, of Willmar, passed away Saturday, February 21, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.
Some places you never forget
My wife and I and two of our good friends took a couple of days off last week and headed south. We went to a town about an hour and half from Cancun that we have been to before. The weather was incredible, mid 80’s and barely a cloud every …
Featured fish entrees for Lent
We are officially in the season of Lent and fish! The fish fry meals are always great at the local churches, but here are a few recipes you can make at home this year while observing Lent.
CL School Board gives green light to expanding online learning next year
The Chisago Lakes Wildcat Academy, the district’s online school, is expanding to offer middle school classes for next year.
Law Enforcement
A snowmobile went through ice into South Lindstrom Lake and the owner was traced to a person who was not cooperative with the water patrol. The suspect initially said his son had owned and was operating the snowmobile. The State Department of Natural Resources was to be informed to remove …
Dance, dance!
The Chisago Lakes High Kick and Jazz dance teams competed at the state meet at the Target Center last week and although they didn’t make the finals in either discipline, they had a great time and learned valuable lessons.
Remodel projects awarded for ISD 138
The plans to free-up classroom space for growing enrollment in Sunrise Elementary School, by relocating first graders to the education center facility, are closer to reality.
Stacy roadwork set for spring start
Stacy City Council met February 10 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
AED donation from SLFD
Stacy-Lent firefighters allocated funds from their charitable gaming proceeds and will install a life saving AED unit at a North Branch location. Department spokesperson Eric Coen and Sunrise River Elementary School Principal Taylor Swanson presented the concept of the save station to the school board last week. Coen said he …
