LOCAL
Spread the Joy
Thank you to all the Good Neighbors that came out Sunday to assemble Christmas Mugs for seniors.
Manufacturing forum spotlights recruiting, retaining staff
The message at a forum for manufacturing in North Branch held last week, was that manufacturing in Minnesota is relatively healthy at this time, but industry owners and operators are still concerned about “economic stagnation” on the horizon. They expect Minnesota laws mandating sick time and family leave and other …
Taylors Falls Council adopts budget, puts out call for vacancies
In wrapping up his first full budgeting process of his first-ever mayoral term— Brandon Weiberg commented at last week’s council session the Taylors Falls council has done a good job, and dynamics seem to have settled into an ability to continue working on what needs attention within the city, plus …
NB to hold special meeting this week to address administrator position
The full North Branch City Council last week met just 72 hours before the final work day for the administrator, and there was no announcement on either who is being put into the interim position or how candidates for a successor will be recruited.
Merry Christmas to you and your families!
This is our last paper before Christmas. So if you are opposed to religious tones, move to the next paragraph. Monday is when the world celebrates the birth of Jesus. Right around 2.3 billion people consider themselves Christians, myself included. My faith has gotten me through the worst times imaginable …
Counting my blessings!
Christmas is finally upon us, and I’m really counting my blessings this year.
Santa Anonymous gets big boost from Chisago Lakes Rotary
Santa Anonymous has been getting a boost from Chisago Lakes Rotary for a while and this year was no exception.
Resident applying for grant for an 'elf house'
Area resident, Jerry Carlson won the Center City Council over, with his proposal to submit a grant for funding to construct and install an elf house, like the one in photo, in a public place in Center City. He maintains the houses and they are moveable, if need be. The …
Sankta Lucia is a Scandinavian tradition
Chisago Lake Lutheran Church again was the host site for the Sankta Lucia pageant Saturday, Dec. 2. There are youth who rehearse for hours to enact the Scandinavian tradition on this special day. Joy Carlson was selected to portray the part of the daughter, who in Swedish households brings the …
Conversation-filled hearing results in three percent county levy hike
Chisago County commissioners on December 6 voted 4-0, with Commissioner Jim Swenson absent, to enact an approximately 3.3 percent levy hike for 2024. This allows the county to collect $47.2 million in local revenues for the overall $87 million in projected budget expenses for next year. The difference between the …
Wyoming water rates upped, levy adopted for 2024
The 2024 budget and levy for the City of Wyoming will be increasing at a rate of 6.26 percent from the 2023 levy. The city’s property tax “rate” however is experiencing a decrease of about one percent to 37.8 percent.
Center City firefighters’ pension upped, 2024 levy/budget adopted
Center City firefighters will benefit from action by the city council last week increasing the payout for their service. Firefighters have been qualifying for $2,300 in a lump sum payment for each year of their service after they are vested and opt to “retire.” The volunteer firefighters had that payout …
Shafer City Council finds common ground on joining of two lots
Shafer City Council met December 5 for a regular Council meeting. All members were present.
