LOCAL
Fire Department spreads cheer to local residents
Firefighters and Lakes Area Police Officers from in and around Lindstrom, (front of the Lindstrom aerial truck shown) helped an 8-year-old celebrate his birthday April 24. The drive-by birthday along Morningside Court was enjoyed by guest of honor Kristian Osmundson with his neighbors, family and friends-- a few came on …
Lindstrom's Fairview Cemetery has new feature
Lindstrom Fairview Cemetery now holds a columbarium; a place for cremated remains, with secure niches in a dignified structure that generations can return to. Well over half the burials in Minnesota now involve cremation, according to the Natl. Funeral Directors’ Association, and standard burial plots are over-sized for the urns …
First year of Lakes Area Police bodycams gets positive reviews
When Lakes Area Chief of Police Bill Schlumbohm was behind-the-wheel of his patrol squad 25 years ago he recalls there was a video camera (VHS) bolted to the dash of his car. He is part of that first generation of law enforcement who incorporated some form of recording technology into …
This community never ceases to amaze me, channel is open for boating
I am so sorry for those kids who have had their senior year utterly destroyed by the pandemic. Before you start sending letters, reminding me that thousands have perished because of the virus, I am specifically speaking about the kids. It is possible to focus on other things once in …
Viking Vittles has moved to County HHS, this week distribution on Friday
In response to the need to comply with stay-at home and social distance situations -- the Viking Vittles food outreach program, of the North Branch Schools and Trinity Church-North Branch, is basing itself out of the county social services satellite office in North Branch this week.
JJ's hangs onto liquor license a while longer, senior housing fee waivers support affordable units
The North Branch City Council gave unanimous support to main action items on the agenda last week. Council member Kathy Blomquist participated by phone, the rest of the council was in-chambers, seated at a distance from one another.
Chisago County holds at seven, do I really look that big? There's no way
As we stretch into yet another week of staying home, we are all struggling. Struggling with keeping our businesses open, struggling with keeping our kids entertained, struggling with online schooling and of course daycare. There simply is no answer for something we have never been through before. I haven’t had a …
More than just a delicious fruit
It’s about the wonderful fruit... pineapple. I have a tried and true tip for you about how to tell if a pine-apple is ripe. If a pineapple hasn’t ripened on the tree, it never will. It may get softer but it won’t get sweeter. Test for ripeness by pulling out …
Easter Bunny...to-go?
On sunny Saturday last weekend you may have noticed the Easter Bunny out and about...Chisago Lakes Community Foundation member Monica Tosteson dressed in the bunny suit to raise money for the local non-profit Family Pathways. The “Bunny Project” donated $1,000. Ms. Easter Bunny was welcomed at neighborhoods all over. Tosteson …
Sharing messages of hope and love in town
Brian Shoop created these BIG HEARTS to give neighbors some LOVE and HOPE during these tough times. The Shoops were supposed to be going to Jamaica to renew wedding vows April 17. So the Love side is Jamaican inspired. He wanted wife Kim to feel a part of the island …
Creative visits during a time of isolation
Like many in the community, tenants at Ecumen Point Pleasant Heights are following the Stay Home MN orders, and spending a lot more time alone at home. Tenants have received encouraging cards from the community, emailed messages from local pastors, and drawings from children to post for the tenants. Staff …
County elections officials can only wait and see
When you look on a map depicting activity in counties with mail-in balloting in the State of Minnesota, there is a big fat zero over the outline of Chisago County. Many other counties’ mail-in balloting statistics range up to 70 percent; but even though Chisago had healthy absentee ballot activity …
What's better than Easter snow? Donate your masks to the Chamber
I hope everyone had a nice Easter. The snow made it a bit odd but in a way I think it made the day better. It made me not feel so badly about just laying around the house. Not going to church was definitely weird but luckily our church had their service …
Back of the package recipes
It’s back of the box, bag or wrapped can container recipes today. When the ad papers come out on the weekend, I always look through them to see if there’s something in the ads that I need, besides some things that I already have on my list for other foods. …
