LOCAL
Local federal charges filed against male who cyberstalked North Branch High School students
An indictment announced by the U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen has local connections; and investigators are asking for North Branch High School students who may have encountered suspicious on-line behavior to get in touch with federal authorities. There is an FBI tipline at 1-800-225-5324.
Center City council briefs...
Center City Council met January 6 for a regular meeting. Council member Lloyd Vetter joined via Zoom.
Highway 95 projects set for this summer
The Chisago County Board signed off on an agreement with the state January 6, finalizing cost-sharing for a spring 2026 project to re-align Pleasant Valley Road at Highway 95 in Franconia Township.
Taylors Falls acts on fees, names Steward awardee
The full Taylors Falls City Council met to organize for the year on Monday night this week and fees were addressed for the first time in a few years. The increases reflect actual costs better, and staff said a couple fees needed to be eliminated for being obsolete or covered …
My opinion? Nobody wants it
I have had some people ask me lately why I don’t write about what is taking place in our state. They were referring to all the fraud investigations and of course the ICE shootings and arrests in the twin cities.
Let’s keep trying some new things
In this column before me, Alice always pushed me to try new things. Some of her recipes are just things I frankly wouldn’t typically try to make, but she would come in each week and she’d always ask me if I made a recipe or which one I would make, …
2025: YEAR IN REVIEW
It is always impressive looking back over the previous year’s news — the extent of what was accomplished in the local community and how so many people managed to do remarkable things...
Battery storage facility permit recommended
Administrative Law Judge Jim Mortenson has released his recommendation to issue a permit for the proposed solar energy battery storage site on the south edge of North Branch. The ALJ issued his conclusions that the project does not present a potential for significant adverse environmental effects. There have been revisions …
Greene chosen to Chair County Board, noise walls rejected for Highway 8 project
County Commissioner Rick Greene was voted-in by his fellow commissioners as 2026 chairman, in the annual organizational meeting held Tuesday this week. Greene mentioned that this could be a ‘challenging’ year as grassroots governing units like county boards, seem to get saddled with the costs and responsibility of carrying out …
