LOCAL
Drone for Christmas? Maybe not
Thanks so much to the folks at Lindstrom’s First United Methodist Church for putting on the annual Living Nativity last Saturday evening. We took in the early show and crowd numbers seemed a little low. We did have freezing rain for a good chunk of Saturday so maybe people were …
Merry Christmas to all!
Shockingly, this is our last issue before Christmas. I know I’ve already said it, but Christmas came out of nowhere this year and with our next issue coming out the day after Christmas, it’s an early time for even the paper to be recognizing the holiday.
North Branch laying plans for major private open space gift
The North Branch Parks Commission has a “homework” assignment over the next several weeks, which is to envision a preferred layout and uses of a large tract of land a longtime resident is leaving the city upon his passing.
Lake associations splitting last of recovery funds
With unanimous action last week in awarding nearly $92,000 to several county lake associations— the County Board zeroed out what remains of the American Recovery Program Act funding that had been dedicated to lake water quality.
Few questions at county taxation hearing
With maybe a half-dozen citizens in the audience for last week’s county taxation hearing, the County Board voted 5-0 to adopt a levy hike for 2025 of 5.7 percent. Board Chair Marlys Dunne said the number is not what she’d hoped for, but in the process of scrutinizing next year’s …
Center City Council adopts fire pension hike; agrees to plan to abate burned dwelling
Center City Council met December 3 for a regular meeting. All members were present. The council opened the meeting with a public hearing for a bond renewal for Hazelden/Betty Ford Foundation. Artie Stueber, a representative from Hazelden was on hand asking for the city to renew the bond of $35 …
Wyoming City Council briefs..
The 2025 budget-setting for the City of Wyoming was pretty uneventful last week, with no questions arising during the public taxation hearing held by city council. One business owner questioned her property tax situation during an open forum, but she learned her concerns would be better addressed by the county …
Taylors Falls Council keeps levy increase under 6 percent
The 2025 Taylors Falls budget and levy were set Monday night this week, by unanimous vote. Taylors Falls’ mayor Brandon Weiberg was excused. The property tax collections will increase by 5.9 percent. This will have varying impacts on individual properties depending on what the taxable value of your parcel is …
Shafer Council passes cannabis ordinances; adjusts contested fees
Shafer City Council met December 3 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
More Christmas recipes this season
Of course we’re going to continue the Christmas recipes this week! There’s too many good ones not to share. I hope everyone is having a good holiday season so far and is done with their Christmas shopping.
K-9 units are on duty after weeks of training
Drako, Judge and Coda are officially on-duty with their Deputy handlers, after 14 weeks in the McDonough K9 training program, in Blaine, and getting used to riding in a squad car, being around people and doing just regular dog stuff.
