Old versus new state flag debate resurfaces in Taylors Falls
The hot local government topic this spring is shaping up to be ‘to fly or not to fly’ the new state flag. The issue consumed a good portion of the Taylors Falls City Council meeting Monday this week, despite members initially expressing that there are more important city concerns. It …
Wyoming council meets short-handed in 15 minute council session last week
With Council member Brett Ohnstad and Mayor Lisa Iverson absent last week, the Wyoming City Council handled an abbreviated agenda. The public comment portion of the meeting was the main focus of what was a 15 minute timeframe. Public comment featured a citizen complaint about the state flag, which was …
Trail issues, apartment pond and new owners at Fiesta Cancun on agenda
Center City Council met April 7 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
CL production tackles profound subject
The Diary of Anne Frank is a Chisago Lakes Community Education production that will feature students and adults alike in the enthralling and heroic tale of Anne Frank in Nazi Germany. The play runs Friday, April 17 and Saturday, April 18 at 7 p.m. and a 2 p.m. matinee performance …
Gains in NB 2025 grad rate good news
The school year is entering its final few weeks, and the data for last year’s graduation rates have just been released by the state. There are dozens of reasons for the class of 2025 grad rates increasing, depending on who you ask; but districts are celebrating these measurements of education …
EWWWW!!
Bruce the Bug Guy visited second graders at Taylors Falls Elementary last week as the students learned about insects.
North Branch council delays votes on ALPR
The North Branch Chief of Police was asking for the city council to approve a policy for utilizing license plate readers, and for the authorization to contract for the $21,000 service and council just wasn’t ready to act last week. With member Patrick Meacham absent, the vote was unanimous to …
CL starts hot behind lofty ranking
The second-ranked Wildcats got off to a 3-0 start this season. They opened with a 9-8 comeback win over the Big Lake Hornets in front of the home crowd on Wednesday April 8. They followed that up the next day with an 8-0 road victory over the Monticello Magic. And …
Track team squeezing meets in
The first full team event for the Wildcat track team for the 2026 season took place indoors at the Wildcat Community Center on Tuesday, March 31. The Wildcats invited the North Branch Vikings and St. Francis Fighting Saints to Lindstrom for an early season meet. Both the boys’ and girls’ …
Wildcats struggling to come out of winter hibernation
The Wildcat baseball team opened the season at home on Tuesday, April 7 with what will likely be their toughest game of the year and got crushed by the Hudson Raiders 15-1. Trenton Travis drove in Kellen Meissner with the only Wildcat run of the game in the fourth inning, …
Eggs-cellent celebration in Shafer!
Shafer Parks Committee put on their first ever Easter Egg Hunt Saturday. Children of all ages searched Shafer Meadows Park where 3,000 eggs had been hidden. Visitors were also treated to free popcorn and cotton candy.
Adrieanne Erdman
Adrieanne Erdman, 91, passed away on April 12, 2026. She was born on April 28, 1934, in Foley, Minnesota, to Edward and Agnes (Kampa) Kosloski.
Jana Connor
Jana Lynne Connor passed away after a short, unexpected illness on January 14, 2026 at the age of 72 with her husband at her side at Encore in North Branch, MN.
Egg hunt, better late than never
Shafer Parks Committee held their first annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday. I was a bit skeptical about the turnout because of the fact that Easter had already passed. In fact, I was there fifteen minutes early and was still thinking the same thing. But the residents of Shafer poured into …
Law Enforcement
April 12 grass fires reported in the north end of the county, Nessel Township. One was handled by DNR and Rush City Fire, reported about 4:15 p.m. on Falcon Avenue and the second called in about 4 p.m.on Basswood Road, put out by Braham Fire.
Something fresh, something hearty
We’re kind of stuck in the ‘in-between’ as they would say on Stranger Things.
No resolution as county strike nears fourth day
Neither side in the stalled-out contract negotiations between the Teamsters 320 local and Chisago County leaders is happy with the process— and the impasse on the two-year contract has now resulted in temporary closure of the North Branch satellite HHS offices.
North Branch county commissioner not filing for re-election
Chisago County District 1 Commissioner Jim Swenson announced this week he will not be on the ballot for re-election in November. His plan is to finish out his term which ends the last day of 2026.
Time of year to get valuation, class for property tax right
In looking over the property tax statements that came in the mail recently, if you have a concern or think maybe the taxation officials are missing relevant information, this is the time of year when you can ask questions directly and potentially alter your tax bill. You may contact county …
