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January 2008

The Chisago County Board was under the leadership of Commissioner Lynn Schultz for 2008. The later elections, though, saw Schultz unseated, along with Commissioner Bob Gustafson, both losing to their challengers. This election cycle was busy; with a primary required in two county board races, six filing for Gustafson's seat. Out of the primary the ballot was narrowed to Gustafson and George McMahon, with McMahon getting the most votes.

The Schultz seat had four filing, which after the September primary saw Schultz and Lora Walker in the general election. Walker (who lost to Schultz four years earlier) ousted Schultz in the final tally.

North Branch's longtime fire chief Don Brown decided to retire in 2008. He was honored in U.S. Congressional action and awarded, by Congressman Jim Oberstar, the Congressional Fire Services Institute Award at a ceremony held at North Branch Fire Hall.

John McFarling succeeds Brown as Fire Chief in North Branch.

The people of Franconia Township were already holding meetings and events in January 2008 to gear up to celebrate the township's sesquicentennial anniversary. Events, picnics and other programs continued in the township throughout the milestone year.

The local LEGO League Robotics team took first place in January in Minnesota competition and went on to take second place in the world contest later in the year. The team of homeschooled youth was coached by Nate Vitalis and Peter Holte, and members were Luke Vitalis, Abe and Adam Holte and Nel Siemsen.

The "Ambassadors" chosen to be recognized during the Celebration of Lakes were Shirley and Frank Dusenka and their offspring and families. The Dusenkas were honored for their willingness to support local happenings, promote this area and in general serve as indispensable helpers during community celebrations.

In February: the most unique fundraiser event in quite sometime took place with Wyoming Mayor Sheldon Anderson opting to camp out on the rooftop of city hall to get publicity for the Forest Lake Teen center and to collect donations for the center. The time he was up there were some of the windiest-chilliest few days of the winter.

The Fleming homicide trial got underway February 11, 2008. Craig Steven Fleming, 48, was eventually convicted of second degree murder in the shooting death of Marty Carlson in Lindstrom. He's serving a 367 month sentence.

Two homes in Taylors Falls were torched by an apparent arsonist. Even with a $2,000 reward in effect authorities did not have an arrest by year's end.

March

Banker Ross Pihl, 38, Chisago City pleads guilty to felony theft. His charges stem from unauthorized funds he took while performing his branch manager duties at the Lake Area Bank in Forest Lake.

The administrative law judge opens hearings as part of the orderly annexation petition that will combine Wyoming Township and Wyoming City. The hearings go for days at Wyoming City Hall.

The administrative law judge issues his annexation declaration and Chisago City and Stacy pursue an appeal, seeking additional land the judge failed to order into the cities' territory.

Months later, though, the issues are resolved out of court and the annexation goes through, the township dissolves and Chisago City and Stacy each get a portion of the original areas they wanted to see moved into their city borders.

April brings another high profile trial to the county. Jason Nordin is a young North Branch father accused of assault in connection with the death of his infant son, Joshua.

Nordin is ultimately convicted of first degree assault and second degree unintentional murder.

The co-chairs of the Relay For Life event that is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society are announced. They are Gerald Vitalis and Nancy Ryan. The chairs head-up weeks of pre-event planning and coordinating of Relay Teams for the summertime event, which takes place at Almelund threshing Show grounds.

In the month of May the city of North Branch finally gets word that federal transportation funds have been allocated and will be available for the replacement of the Highway 95 bridge over I-35. The $7 million is part of a vote by the congress on revisions to projects funded in the 2005 Surface Transportation Act.

The on-line charter school TRIO Wolf Creek celebrates the groundbreaking for its first building. Up until this time the school had leased space at the Fairview medical clinic campus in Chisago City. The new school opens in the fall 2008 at its site in Chisago City's business park north of downtown.

The North Branch and Chisago Lakes school districts get word they've been accepted to participate in the state's Quality Compensation special incentives funding. Q-Comp as it's called will net the districts a million-plus in state money that goes towards achieveing Q Comp goals.

June is when the Lindstrom City Council grants "municipal consent" to the design concept of one-way pairs as the Highway 8 reconstruction project.

Final design plans won't be shown to Lindstrom until at least July 2009, according to the state's preliminary timeline for the project.

The city has moved through a review process and held meetings and the one-way design is not without its opposition, but the council vote June 26 is unanimous.

A valid petition is received by the North Branch City Council on the proposed new police station and the council votes to put the project to its requested referendum. The project is defeated in the vote in November however.

Another potential major project-- the Chisago County Law Enforcement Center-- moves along to design development phase on a 3-2 vote by the County Board. Commissioners Montzka and Greene do not support this next level of project review.

The title of Chisago County Farm Family of the Year belongs to Jim and Gwen Swenson of the Kost area.

year in review page two

June continued....

The North Branch area's community celebration Mid Summer Days crowns "ambassadors" this year instead of a queen and princesses. The Ambassadors are Shelby Mork, Alisa Artz and Courtney Carpenter who are joined by Miss Congeniality Jamie Lee.

July always brings more local celebrities recognized in local community celebrations. Karl Oskar Days Royalty for 2008 are Rachel Hitchcock, queen; Princesses Ashlee Nelson, Kimberly Johnson and Sarah Jacobson.

Wannigan Days departs from standard operating procedure and choses several veterans as Grand Marshals for the Taylors Falls-St. Croix Falls festivities. They are: Shane Carroll, Tyler Kreidler, Elwood Holmberg, Roland Berg and Jim Hudspeth.

The Refuge Network breaks ground in July for an addition to a farmhouse, to create what will be the organization's only shelter facility for those seeking a safe place away from an abusive relationship.

Sitework continues, and the latest word is the house should be ready by mid-January 2009. The house and grounds in north Chisago County are a gift to the Refuge Network from anonymous donors.

The Refuge serves abused families throughout the multi-county east central area.

Another project-- MeadowView Apartments, breaks ground in July. The 30-plus unit project is expected to require about one year for completion. A subsidized housing site for senior citizens, it is located in Wyoming, next to its sister-facility Meadows on Fairview.

First United Methodist Church in Lindstrom welcomes new pastor Rev. Daniel Doughty.

Sunrise Prairie Trail is 10 years old and a small event takes place on the trailhead in Wyoming to mark the occasion.

Tony Aho is named North Branch Teacher of the Year. (Chisago Lakes Dist. no longer declares an annual selection.)

Chisago County Senior Citizens of the Year are Walden and Lois Johnson.

August arrives and Chisago County Sgt. Mary McCarthy lands a prestigious state honor-- she's chosen to receive the 2008 DNR Boating Safety Deputy of the Year Award.

Rep. Jeremy Kalin and Sen. Rick Olseen announce new state laws they'll introduce as the Safe Neighborhoods Act, when the legislature convenes in 2009. The laws are drafted in response to various issues the two lawmakers became aware of while dealing with an "unassessed" sex offender residing in Chisago City.

Dr. Marlowe Sprain and his wife Lois are named Grand Marshals for the 2008 Chisago City Ki-Chi-Saga Days.

In September the North Branch and Chisago Lakes School districts offer all-day kindergarten. It is popular and gets off to a good start.

Lindstrom United Methodist Church celebrates 150 years.

St. Croix National Scenic Riverway superintendent Tom Bradley is replaced by Christopher Stein. Bradley accepted a National Park Service assignment in St. Louis Missouri.

The cities of Center City, Shafer and Taylors Falls announce a cooperative boundary agreement.

As part of their long term planning elected officials for the three cities agree to put the Shafer-Center City border basically along Quinlan Ave. and the Shafer-Taylors Falls border will follow Teal Ave. on the north, to Thrush Ave. on the south edge. There's no hostile annexations considered -- this is just a template for how the cities will grow as property owners decide to annex out of the surrounding township areas.

A major reconstruction of County Road 14 gets underway in late summer. The road is supposed to open in October but the project contractor needs until November for completion.

In October the largest commercial development underway in the county, Market Place in North Branch, celebrates the Shopko store grand opening.

North Branch's Homecoming Queen is Emily Ceroll and King is Ray Lundholm.

In Chisago Lakes the Homecoming Queen is Kimberly Johnson, King is Eric Sargeant.

An addition at the Taylors Falls Elementary School is named for long time School Board member Gerald Vitalis. The Vitalis wing dedication program catches the retired educator and school board member by complete surprise.

In November the Heartland Express holds an official event to note the opening over the summer of its new transit center. The Isanti-Chisago County system now has a place to do vehicle maintenance and to house operations.

The general election was a record-setter with a 94 percent voter turnout in Chisago County precincts.

Jim Oberstar is returned as the 8th Dist. Congressman, Jeremy Kalin wins re-election to the state House over Don Taylor.

Various local races include seating a new mayor in North Branch and Center City. Mayor Gloria Karsky didn't file and Amy Oehlers won the mayoral seat in North Branch. Mark Wolcott instead filed for a council seat in Center City and Jill Behnke is voted in as Center City's new mayor. Sheldon Anderson, Mike Buchite and Keith Carlspon were returned as mayors in Wyoming, Taylors Falls and Lindstrom respectively. John Daher won in Stacy.

The newest grape on the planet belongs to patent-holders Kevin and Kyle Peterson, of the WineHaven vineyard. The "chisago" grape is patented offcially as a new winter hardy grape, which the Petersons had worked on developing for 15 years.

December brings the announcement of Taylors Falls' Royal Lady for 2008, Jeanette Dahlquist. The town has selected a royal lady since 1989.

Christmas comes several days early to those who worked to preserve the 80-acre Camp Ojiketa on Big Green Lake. The site will become a regional park as the sale of the historic Camp Fire facility is finalized for $3.6 million.

In the Minnesota Senate race Chisago County participated in the recount with all 87 counties, and after reviewing the votes sent 10 ballots to the recount state officials as challenged.

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