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 …
Mission accomplished as Fish Lake Park earns regional designation
Outdoor enthusiasts, county park board members, consultants and user groups have been involved since 2018 in a concerted effort to get a plan developed to support an application for Fish Lake County Park to be officially designated as regionally significant. Landing a spot on this list of regional facilities opens …
GO BANANAS!
Students at Taylors Falls Elementary dressed up as their favorite vocabulary words for the annual TF Vocabulary Parade last week.
Offense continues to roll for Vikes
The North Branch softball team continued its strong early-season play with a pair of convincing victories last week, rolling past Duluth Denfeld 14-0 on Tuesday before topping Gentry Academy 12-2 on Wednesday.
Carol Butler
Carol Mae Butler of Chisago City passed away March 26, 2026 at the age of 87.
Judy Hagert
Judy Gayle (Matz) Hagert, age 81, of Lindstrom, Minnesota, passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at her home in Lindstrom.
Sharalyn Olson
Sharalyn Olson, age 85, of North Branch, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on April 2 at Encore Assisted Living.
Terry Nelson
Terry Duane Nelson, age 77, passed away peacefully Monday, March 30, 2026 at his home in Lindstrom, MN.
Harry Haselius
Harry (Jim) James Haselius, age 85, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on March 31, 2026.
One more egg hunt, new play at CL
I trust you had a wonderful Easter with your family on Sunday. Ours was good - we had our extended family Easter on Saturday which was cold and snowy. But it’s spring in Minnesota - what do we expect?
A decadent dessert among salads
I swear, I’m going to get to some light spring fare in this column, but I came across a recipe for Easter that I absolutely had to try, so my wife, my mother-in-law and I made it this weekend for our Easter get together and it was an absolute hit.
Conceal and carry permit budget on sheriff’s radar
Chisago County’s annual permit to carry a concealed firearm report shows the program is in the red for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 to the tune of about $108,000. But, county permit revenues were quite robust a few years prior, building about a $150,000 balance in the account. So, …
Teamsters and county still working on contract
Members of the county Teamsters union filled the County Board Room for the regular meeting April 1. Two speakers — Troy Davidsavor and Teamsters business agent Amy Perusse, announced during a public forum that the union had officially filed notice of intent to strike with the MN Bureau of Mediation …
Law Enforcement
A group of Wild River State Park maple syruping program visitors were involved in a Saturday session, tapping trees near Reed Avenue and Park Trail, when a tree fell injuring a few of those participating. The accident was reported about 10:45 a.m. April 4. The injured were attended to by …
Louisiana Pacific project clears TIF hurdle
The to-do list to bring a massive Louisiana Pacific manufacturing facility into the North Branch Interstate Business Park is growing shorter with last week’s council action unanimously establishing a Tax Increment Financing District modification and Plan.
Lakes Area drone fleet gets boost
The Lakes Area Police Commission last week gratefully accepted a donation of several thousand dollars from the Maranatha Church congregation in Chisago City, to be used for the new drone program. Lakes Area Chief Schlumbohm said the funds are sufficient to get four drone units and cover the related costs …
Chisago City supportive of Kendall Howard expansion calling for tax abatement
The Chisago City Council devoted much of its March 24 meeting to approvals related to Kendall Howard, LLC’s proposed new manufacturing, office and warehouse facility at Liberty Lane and Karmel Avenue.
Fentanyl —spreading awareness, solutions
The public restroom building at Moberg Park on Highway 8 in Chisago City is where this fentanyl response kit has been installed on the west side of the structure.
Two homers catapult NB over Red Knights in opener
The North Branch softball team opened its 2026 season in impressive fashion Monday, March 30, rallying past Class 3A sixth-ranked Benilde-St. Margaret’s for an 8-2 victory in a game that showcased early-season power from the young Vikes.
