LOCAL
Joint sewage treatment officials looking to reduce chloride in discharge
The Chisago Lakes Joint Sewage Treatment Commission discussed the chloride limits contained in its treatment plant permit last week in light of data that exceeded the allowed amount— before fines began to be imposed.
Quilt shop goes from vision to real life business
Shannon Graupman opened the doors to She Shed Quilts in North Branch in the fall of 2024, fulfilling a dream she had carried since childhood. Shannon learned to sew at her mother’s side when she was eight years old. Over the years quilting became not just a hobby, but a …
Using up your winter stockpile
Of course, there could still be some big snowstorms and deep freezes, but I see some near 60 degree temps coming up this weekend and early next week. Of course it goes back down a bit, but I’m itching to empty the pantry of all the soups and canned goods …
Miss the expo conversations
As we progress through this late winter early spring, it is getting a bit odd, not having the annual home and business expo. The home show began way back in 1979 and has been a staple of our area since that year.
County insurance trust to pay out $7.5 million
A years-long lawsuit filed against Chisago County by a former family member of disgraced sheriff Rick Duncan has been settled. The County Board accepted an offer last week dropping all claims against the county in exchange for $7.5 million. The county commissioners were advised to not make any statements on …
North Branch leads permit activity, Wyoming in second
New construction activity in Chisago County in 2025 came to well over 2,000 permits issued from the county alone, with another several hundred from North Branch and Wyoming— which provide their own municipal building permitting and inspection services.
County Board awards SIRT culvert, rejects old jail site purchase bids
This is the time of year when contracts are being lined up for warm weather work. And, the early tasks to improve and complete Center City’s segment of the Swedish Immigrant Regional Trail have been started. The County Board last week OK’d the custom culvert ordering, which will allow for …
Facade grant OK’d for North Branch business
If you notice some building improvement work happening at the former taxidermy business site on main street in North Branch, it’s all part of the facade grants the city offers businesses in the core. The program was begun with $75,000 and the structure at 6354 Main Street is the third …
Some places you never forget
My wife and I and two of our good friends took a couple of days off last week and headed south. We went to a town about an hour and half from Cancun that we have been to before. The weather was incredible, mid 80’s and barely a cloud every …
Featured fish entrees for Lent
We are officially in the season of Lent and fish! The fish fry meals are always great at the local churches, but here are a few recipes you can make at home this year while observing Lent.
Remodel projects awarded for ISD 138
The plans to free-up classroom space for growing enrollment in Sunrise Elementary School, by relocating first graders to the education center facility, are closer to reality.
AED donation from SLFD
Stacy-Lent firefighters allocated funds from their charitable gaming proceeds and will install a life saving AED unit at a North Branch location. Department spokesperson Eric Coen and Sunrise River Elementary School Principal Taylor Swanson presented the concept of the save station to the school board last week. Coen said he …
Stacy roadwork set for spring start
Stacy City Council met February 10 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
