LOCAL
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.
Wild Mountain continues to plow ahead of the pack with environmentally sensitive snowmobiles
On any given day at Wild Mountain ski and snowboard area, you typically couldn’t go without hearing the whine and shifting gears of a snowmobile at some point during your day. Whether a sled was going up hill to fix a lift or racing across the runs to aid a …
Christmas all around us, shop local if we can
I hope you had a chance to take in the living nativity at First United Methodist Church in Lindstrom on Saturday. Of course Mother Nature decided to drop a snowstorm on the event. The actors in the nativity program braved cold temperatures and a driving snow/sleet that lasted the entire …
Savor the holiday season
Christmas season is in full swing and many holiday parties are happening, so remember that it’s the time of giving, have fun with the family you have, and enjoy the little things. Also, remember that calories don’t count on the holiday, so grab that extra serving, pack those extra cookies …
Scandinavian Christmas exhibit open at History Center in Lindstrom
The Chisago County Historical Society is pleased to announce its new holiday exhibit, “Scandinavian Christmas” is now open at the History Center in downtown Lindstrom. Volunteers were very busy for over three weeks getting these displays ready.
Community learns about ancient seasonal tradition
The North Branch School District American Indian Education Program and committee of staff members and local citizens organized a solstice event for the public.
North Branch and city administrator reach separation terms, fire chief to retire
The North Branch City Council last week approved a successor Fire Chief for Kevin Grote who retires, after a dozen-plus years as chief, at the end of this month.
