LOCAL
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 …
East Central Energy basic service fee increase in effect, seat on Board open for this area
East Central Energy cooperative is now taking applications for a seat on the Board of Directors representing the Chisago County area. (See map.) Residents of North Branch were recently brought into the ECE service territory when the city sold its municipal electric assets to ECE. There are three districts with …
Register for the Business Expo
If you have a local business or a home business, I would highly encourage you to consider partaking in the 2026 Chisago Lakes Home & Business Expo. The expo is February 21 (Saturday) and will run from 9am to 3pm in the Wildcat Community Center. It’s a great chance to …
Comfort foods galore!
We are past Christmas now and past New Years. Which means it’s time for hibernation and comfort foods for the winter! Weekend crockpots, sweets for breakfast, everything you need to stay warm in the cold months of Minnesota!
Township ballot filings underway
The area townships will be filling seats this election cycle. The annual elections come on the same day as township annual meetings— March 10. Election is in the daytime and upon closing polling, township annual meetings can convene. Most start at a little after 8 p.m. (Nessel is the only …
Commissioners weigh in on sound walls
The Chisago County Board will be expected to weigh in on locations and heights of proposed noise barriers to be included alongside the Highway 8 project; but the Board lacked sufficient information to make that vote last week.
Local library branch to hold 20 year anniversary event
The East Central Regional Library system is putting on a party to mark 20 years of serving the community in the library facility in Chisago Lakes. The event is January 13, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Happy New Year to you and yours
As you read this the calendar years has changed once again. And, once again I would like to take this time to personally thank you. Thank you to our readers for keeping a small town newspaper relevant in an ever-changing industry. Thank you for supporting the County Press and realizing …
Rush City man facing trial on pornography possession
There was a hearing held December 16 and another has been scheduled for February 17, in Center City district court, both related to charges arising from an investigation by the State Bureau of Criminal Apprehension into a Rush City man.
Alleged assault at Fairview in Wyoming results in death of security guard
There was an alleged assault at Wyoming Fairview Emergency Department Christmas night, called in about 5:20 p.m. and a security guard for Fairview reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained in encountering the subject.
Shafer City Council gets status report on fire site
Shafer City council met December 16 for a regular meeting. Mayor Paula Hanson was absent.
