LOCAL
Gains in NB 2025 grad rate good news
The school year is entering its final few weeks, and the data for last year’s graduation rates have just been released by the state. There are dozens of reasons for the class of 2025 grad rates increasing, depending on who you ask; but districts are celebrating these measurements of education …
North Branch council delays votes on ALPR
The North Branch Chief of Police was asking for the city council to approve a policy for utilizing license plate readers, and for the authorization to contract for the $21,000 service and council just wasn’t ready to act last week. With member Patrick Meacham absent, the vote was unanimous to …
Eggs-cellent celebration in Shafer!
Shafer Parks Committee put on their first ever Easter Egg Hunt Saturday. Children of all ages searched Shafer Meadows Park where 3,000 eggs had been hidden. Visitors were also treated to free popcorn and cotton candy.
Egg hunt, better late than never
Shafer Parks Committee held their first annual Easter Egg Hunt Saturday. I was a bit skeptical about the turnout because of the fact that Easter had already passed. In fact, I was there fifteen minutes early and was still thinking the same thing. But the residents of Shafer poured into …
Something fresh, something hearty
We’re kind of stuck in the ‘in-between’ as they would say on Stranger Things.
No resolution at county impasse
Neither side in the stalled-out contract negotiations between the Teamsters 320 local and Chisago County leaders is happy with the process— and the impasse on the two-year contract has now resulted in temporary closure of the North Branch satellite HHS offices.
North Branch county commissioner not filing for re-election
Chisago County District 1 Commissioner Jim Swenson announced this week he will not be on the ballot for re-election in November. His plan is to finish out his term which ends the last day of 2026.
Time of year to get valuation, class for property tax right
In looking over the property tax statements that came in the mail recently, if you have a concern or think maybe the taxation officials are missing relevant information, this is the time of year when you can ask questions directly and potentially alter your tax bill. You may contact county …
Mission accomplished as Fish Lake Park earns regional designation
Outdoor enthusiasts, county park board members, consultants and user groups have been involved since 2018 in a concerted effort to get a plan developed to support an application for Fish Lake County Park to be officially designated as regionally significant. Landing a spot on this list of regional facilities opens …
GO BANANAS!
Students at Taylors Falls Elementary dressed up as their favorite vocabulary words for the annual TF Vocabulary Parade last week.
One more egg hunt, new play at CL
I trust you had a wonderful Easter with your family on Sunday. Ours was good - we had our extended family Easter on Saturday which was cold and snowy. But it’s spring in Minnesota - what do we expect?
A decadent dessert among salads
I swear, I’m going to get to some light spring fare in this column, but I came across a recipe for Easter that I absolutely had to try, so my wife, my mother-in-law and I made it this weekend for our Easter get together and it was an absolute hit.
Conceal and carry permit budget on sheriff’s radar
Chisago County’s annual permit to carry a concealed firearm report shows the program is in the red for the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 to the tune of about $108,000. But, county permit revenues were quite robust a few years prior, building about a $150,000 balance in the account. So, …
