LOCAL
Sale to ECE closes on schedule
The East Central Energy cooperative has sent letters to new North Branch customers in the wake of the sale closing proceeding as scheduled. ECE is now the electric distributor within the former Water & Light service territory that was North Branch’s municipal system.
Lent and North Branch set to vote on annexations
The City Council for North Branch and the Township Board for Lent will be acting on annextaion resolutions at their upcoming meetings. The proposal to merge the City of Stacy with all of Lent; motivated some property owners on the border of Lent and North Branch to petition to have …
County Board briefs.....
It was a brief meeting for the Chisago County Board, that ended with a closed attorney-client privilege session regarding a land use lawsuit. The case (Goodpastor v Chisago County) is reportedly contesting the county commissioners’ denial of a permit for a rural retail (winemaking) and gathering venue just west of …
Lake ice isn't conducive, but we don't need ice to have fun here!
OK, so the ice was not as cooperative as we had hoped for the Celebration of the Lakes this weekend. Who cares?? It is still going to be awesome, just in a different location is all.
Football or Valentine's Day? Hmm...
As the football season has run longer and longer (I’m old enough to remember when Super Bowls were played at the end of January) it’s gotten closer and closer to Valentine’s Day. This year, it’s only a couple days apart from the big game and the big date.
Process of filling Lindstrom mayor, council seats formalized
In a special session Thursday night, February 9, the three remaining Lindstrom city officeholders decided their course of action in filling vacant seats empty from two recent resignations. (The empty city administrator post was not part of this agenda.)
North Branch Council revisits investigation authorization in special session February 7
The North Branch City Council called a special session Tuesday February 7 to act on a request from their city attorney firm related to a work investigation approved at the end of January. There was a memo provided explaining why the firm is expanding the scope, but the legal counsel …
Chisago County seeking community input for Transportation Plan
Chisago County is asking for input from community members on the future of the county transportation system. The county is currently updating its transportation plan, which will guide future transportation policy decisions and investments. To gather input from residents, businesses, and commuters on the transportation system's future, the County is …
Celebration of the Lakes is close, who do I send my check to now?
We are getting very close to the 2023 Celebration of the Lakes event. Mother Nature has been cooperating as of late so fingers crossed it will take place as scheduled. As I have written in the past, it will take place, and if it has to be modified then so be …
Are you ready to wear your flannel shirts to church?
Ladies, put on a snow cap and you won't have to do your hair. Men, just think, you won't even have to shave! Well, here's your chance. Sunday, February 12 at 9 am, you're invited to the sanctuary of Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, Center City. This is an event of the …
Closed session leads to hiring investigator
Immediately following a special closed door session, the North Branch City Council voted in open session to authorize retaining an independent investigator to look into an unidentified staff-related issue, and authorized the mayor and Council member Robert Canada to work on hiring an “organization” consultant.
Keep staying warm in these frigid times
I feel like I harp on the weather a bit too much in the winter. I always say we have cold weather coming up, so we’re going to do a crockpot or slowcooker recipe. But, this week’s frigid temps really have me just jonesing for warm, comfort food. Something that’s easy, …
Water project taking shape along Highway 61
The Highway 61 earth moving equipment you may have observed, is not initiating a housing project— it is wetland restoration work. Contractors will re-grade and improve the hydrology in the area between the Heims Lake outlet and the wetland east of Highway 61 connected to Comfort Lake-Sunrise River.
