LOCAL
North Branch and Chisago Lakes resource officers to remain in schools
If there was any doubt in the community about the status of a school resource officer in local schools, there should not be any longer.
September 11 memory kept alive at local ceremony
It has been 22 years since the heart-stopping attacks at the World Trade Towers and Pentagon, and the crash of the airliner hijacked by terrorists. A moving commemoration featuring speakers, high school band music and more, is held every September 11 at Chisago City. Above, a large American flag drapes …
County dive team is a cooperative gem
In Chisago County an underwater emergency will trigger the call-out of a hybrid group. They hail from a number of area fire departments and are all first responders, who have seen a need for their skills. With the support of their departments, they’ve built their own Unit. The Dive Team …
Lindstrom budget workshop leaves new police facility unresolved, for now
Lindstrom City Council members spent two hours last week in a workshop format trying to keep the levy hike for 2024 down to a single digit. A long awaited 10 year fiscal plan that lays out needs and projected revenue to Year 2034, shows that now is not too early …
Franconia internet system enhanced funding is approved
Another chunk of broadband enhancement financial aid was approved by the County Board last week. The commissioners have divided up the millions of dollars in economic recovery funds the county received, for certain uses and a pot of about $2 million was established for helping to install costly equipment in …
North Branch Water & Light Commission reaffirms choice of chair for marketing services
There was a 10 minute North Branch Water & Light utility commission meeting last week. A majority voted to rescind a prior contract action and then re-adopt the same action— only this time with three members voting of the five-member commission.
Center City hit with unexpected infrastructure costs
The infrastructure in Center City is aging and last week, city council members sifted through a number of project requests from the public works department head Eric Garner. The “deferred maintenance is catching up with us,” Garner stated.
Taylors Falls Council OK’s cabinet shop; 6 p.m. start
The former industrial use building, in Taylors Falls on Chisago Street, just a block or so out of downtown, heading north on #16 along the river, has found a new life. The Taylors Falls City Council approved a Conditional Use Permit for Lakes Area Cabinets to set up shop. Owners …
Big weekend coming up
We have a big weekend coming up if you are looking for some local fun. And judging by the way our Purple played on Sunday, we could use some fun to take our mind off of the season.
Doing the Cabbage Patch
OK, so I’m not really going to do the Cabbage Patch dance, as I’m a terrible dancer! But, I’m going to learn to be a better dancer this school year, because our exchange student, Guglielmo, is an Italian Junior Champion dancer. He’s going to teach me a thing or two, …
Law Enforcement
Fun fact: The national incident based reporting system or NIBRS data show that for 2021, Chisago County got 613 reports of incidents, (there was no population estimate provided) Lakes Area Police recorded 409 incidents (for a population of 10,026) North Branch 366 total offenses (of a population of 10,908) and …
Stacy-Lent annexation issued; takes effect December 29, 2023
The final order has been issued approving annexation of all of Lent Township into the City of Stacy. Administrative Law Judge Jessica Palmer Dening filed the order August 30 and the dissolution of the township and blending into the city will be effective as of December 29, 2023. Lent Township, …
MN DNR offers free entrance to state parks, recreation areas Sept. 9
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is waiving vehicle permit fees at all 75 state parks and recreation areas on Saturday, Sept. 9. This “Free Park Day” is one of four days each year on which the Minnesota DNR waives the requirement for a vehicle permit at state parks and …
Stacy store changes hands after 52 years
Anyone with an imagination would be forgiven for describing the interior of Stacy Do It Best Hardware Store as giving off a church vibe; with its hypnotically long center aisle leading past a symmetrical, but mind-boggling, display of merchandize. A small office space, off to your left, is where timecards …
