LOCAL
Lindstrom green-lights fire hall occupancy
Lindstrom City Council September 21 handled imposing a fine for a liquor sales violation, passed a 2024 preliminary levy and heard a presentation from Superintendent Brian Dietz on the upcoming schools referendum. But these all took a backseat to the long anticipated announcement that firefighters can finally move into the …
Taylors Falls adopts double digit hike for preliminary levy
Taylors Falls council members adopted a preliminary levy for 2024 Monday night this week that was acknowledged to carry an element of “sticker shock.” Mayor Wieberg said people need to remember this is a maximum early target and it can be reduced between now and December, when final property tax …
Closed Wyoming landfill to become pollinator habitat
Minnesota is embarking on a program to transform empty spaces atop five unused landfills into pollinator habitat. The closed landfills are in Pipestone, Mower, Stearns, Hennepin counties and Chisago County, at the Wyoming Pine Lane site.
Shafer City Council briefs....
Shafer City Council met September 19 for a regular meeting. Council member Nick Brehm was absent.
What is that blob on the tower?
As we reported in the paper last week, someone painted graffiti on the Lindstrom water tower. I am not sure why the incident is just gaining traction this week, but rest assured the 18-year-old vandal was caught and is being dealt with by local authorities. Pretty brazen of the fellow …
Warm, hearty fall meals for me
We’re getting into the thick of fall season here in Minnesota. Granted when you’re reading this column, it’s going to be almost 80 degrees outside, but we’ve had a nice, brisk week, and after this little mini heatwave, we’ll be back into the fall temps in no time.
Wyoming has nine percent hike in mind for next year
Wyoming city council members voted 3-1 with member Ohnstad absent, September 5 to adopt a maximum preliminary levy for next year projected to reflect a little over a nine percent hike compared to what’s being collected this year.
LAPD accepts beleaguered Sgt. Spencer’s resignation
Lakes Area Police Sergeant Cory Spencer’s resignation was accepted with no comment from the police commission, September 13. He’s been on leave since March 2023, according to Chief Bill Schlumbohm and has been granted a “medical resignation.” The sergeant’s slot will most likely be filled internally, and approval was given …
North Branch School Board hears supt. is Fulbright Fellow
At the first school board meeting since the start of the 2023-2024 year, North Branch School Superintendent Sara Paul had a couple of newsworthy announcements for the School Board.
Homecoming royalty crowned for NB
North Branch Vikings Homecoming game was last Friday, Sept. 22. They’ll beat Mora 40-14, but Homecoming Royalty were named Monday, September 18, and they were Queen Libby Nielson and King Magnus Toussaint, pictured. There were 10 candidates nominated and these included: Everett Thomsen, Amelia Bjerkevedt, Ava Gerten, Lavonte Fisher, Madison …
Arts for everyone!
It’s almost as much fun watching the kids, at the painting activity tent at Stagecoach Day, as it is to see their finished artworks...the tent is a free event sponsored by Hallberg Center for the Arts and its boosters. Wyoming enjoyed ideal weather for the town celebration Saturday, Sept. 16.
Stacy enacts cannabis business moratorium; tables public use issue until 2024
Stacy City Council met September 12 for a regular meeting. The meeting opened with a public meeting to discuss taking action on a possible interim ordinance establishing a moratorium within the City of Stacy prohibiting cannabis businesses. The moratorium will be temporary until the staff works with th state to …
LAPD facility to get ‘study’
The Lakes Area Police Commission members crafted a compromise last week to address at least one of the many hurdles impeding unanimous support behind a future new, expanded department facility.
North Branch Council agrees Neider violated code of conduct
Approximately half of a two hour North Branch city council meeting was devoted to considering a complaint alleging council member Kelly Neider has violated the council code of conduct.
