LOCAL
Outdoor county cannabis-grow permit conditions being revised
Saturation of cannabis plantings in rural areas is a concern that will continue to be on the county’s plate for a while yet. Last week the county commissioners adopted an incomplete version of a recommended zoning ordinance that addresses some of the complaints associated with cannabis cultivation. But, the county’s …
Liberty Ponds communal wastewater issues continue to vex policymakers
It’s not very often that simply adding an issue to a meeting agenda, at the start of the session, is controversial. But at last week’s County Board meeting a couple commissioners opposed Commissioner Ben Montzka in his effort to add an agenda item. The agenda was eventually amended on a …
Age Well Expo, Outerwear Fair
Tomorrow the good folks at Chisago Age Well Coalition will be holding another Expo at the Chisago Lakes High School. This year’s theme is “it’s never too late to learn something new” and will feature a ton of vendors with helpful information on health services, social activities, volunteer opportunities and …
Shafer City Council briefs...
Shafer City council met October 6 for a regular meeting. Mayor Paula Hanson was absent.
Center City renews county sheriff patrol for 2027
Center City Council met October 6 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
Let’s take a different look at pumpkin
I’ve been sharing all my sweet pumpkin recipes this year so far, but there is so much more to the versatile fall food. It makes some fantastic savory dishes as well, so here’s some of my favorites that utilize pumpkins as the main dish instead of just a sweet treat.
Highway 8 study complete and online
The Minnesota Department of Transportation and its consultants have completed a study for the segment of Highway 8 from Chisago City to Taylors Falls. The study began in August 2024 and will be useful as a reference for future projects until, and including, resurfacing the entire route in 2033. In …
District holds 2026 get-together
The annual Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District public information meeting and dinner always promises to be a learning opportunity as the district staff and appointed board managers interact with the public —and last week was no exception. Event-goers who filled the Forest Lake American Legion Post banquet room, seemed to …
Cannabis cultivation rules may be evolving after public hearing
The question before the county planning commissioners this month was a puzzler— how can Chisago County regulate the negative impact of cannabis growers’ fields on surrounding residences, without creating standards that will make it too costly and essentially ban small, or “microbusiness.”
Pumpkins, Fire Prevention Week
This Saturday at Shafer Township Hall from 8am to noon they will be hosting a recycling day. If you missed the event at Chisago Lake Lutheran last weekend, you have another chance. Shafer Township Hall is located at 18259 St. Croix Trail (Highway 95.)
Law Enforcement
Lakes Area Police opened a file for an address on Marine Court that is not in compliance with city code.
Senate District 28 challenger bows out
It is now too late to remove his name from the November ballots but senate District 28 candidate Max Glenna, Shafer, has declared he is suspending his campaign due to an allegation recently surfacing, which he has apologized for.
