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What is going on with the weather? One week I am out flooding my ice rink in sub-zero temps and the very next week I am playing football with my son in the backyard with just a sweatshirt on. These brown drab Decembers are really getting old. Maybe it’s my memory going, but I seem to remember there were lots of white Christmas days years back. I’m not holding my breath.

Sadly, the community lost a child last week. Andrew Carlson, of North Branch, passed away of carbon monoxide poisoning. The ironic part of the story is that the Carlsons had just built their house not so long ago. You just don’t associate carbon monoxide poisoning with new construction. It should serve as a huge reminder to keep new batteries in your carbon/smoke detectors at all times. The recommendation for having your furnace and home checked for carbon monoxide is every year. Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Carlson family and while their son can never ever be replaced, we can keep this from happening again.

If you have a decorated home or land that you would like to show off, we would like you to call us at the Press. We would be happy to print your address along with others wishing to share the holiday spirit. Hopefully we can compile a list of homes for the readers to tour the area’s best and brightest homes.

Can you believe how many people are ice fishing already? On Sunday, there must have been 60 people out on the ice, some had pop-up ice houses and some even had fourwheelers. Is the urge to catch some sunnies so great that your would risk your life? I could see maybe walking out on the ice, but driving a fourwheeler? Hopefully you will not be reading that somebody has fallen through the ice. Please be careful.

A quick note to our Lindstrom readers. Tonight (Thursday), there is an informational open house being held at Lindstrom City Hall. The meeting is specifically held to inform the public on the on-going Highway 8 proposals. This will be your chance to directly ask officials from MnDOT, SRF, and TKDA any questions you have about the two plans for Highway 8. There will not be elected officials there, so you will have to wait to voice you opinions to them. The city has planned at least one public meeting where you will be able to let your feelings be known.

The Chisago County Press is still looking for a reporter to cover Taylors Falls City Council meetings. We also have an opening for a Lent Township reporter. These two beats could be combined if someone wanted to. It is a great opportunity to earn some money and learn about your local government. You can call Denise or Matt at 651-257-5115 for more details.

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