Denise Martin
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NEWS
North Branch Old Town street improvements assessments being reviewed December 6
North Branch City Council is hosting a public hearing concerning a multi-million dollar project covering the northwest old town area of the city December 6. The public has an opportunity for input and will learn about the proposed projects with the hearing beginning at 7 p.m. at city hall.
NEWS
North Branch council briefs....
The North Branch City Council meeting began last week with a swearing in and badge-pinning for two new police officers. One, Jason Sievert, has years of experience with a sheriff’s department and the other, Isabel Linnerooth, is new to law enforcement.
NEWS
TF levy hearing productive, city seeking sales tax
After patiently fielding comments and questions from the half dozen or so people attending the council meeting last week, the Taylors Falls City Council adopted the 2026 budget and levy. Several residents over the span of 75 minutes described their concerns about the proposed city property tax, which was shown to be increasing by 27 percent in early statements that went out by mail.
NEWS
County animal control goes to Oakdale provider
County commissioners voted 5-0 last week to contract with animal control professionals to ensure reliable services for Chisago County’s various domestic pet problems. The sheriff and his chief deputy presented and recommended a contract with Companion Animal Care & Control in Oakdale. The details were looked at in a budget committee meeting the Press attended two weeks ago. The final vote in support was taken November 20.
NEWS
Veterans Service Officer changeover brings military community together
The retirement reception for the outgoing Veterans Services Officer Bryan Brown was taking place the day before his final ever “Coffee Talk” session, and even though most of the veterans enjoying sheet cake and coffee at the North Branch Legion would be seeing Brown at coffee talk the very next morning, they still showed up to extend well wishes and gratitude for eight-plus years.
NEWS
County board sets 2026 wages, gives permit to Sno Barons
Based a review of other county wages and the general market for management salaries the wages for the top four Chisago County elected and contracted employees were increased unanimously by county board action.
NEWS
Council advances new spaces plan; former officer returns to be sergeant
The process of designing space, and bids for improving an existing private building that the City of Wyoming wants to use for city hall and law enforcement; while also expanding the fire department into the former city hall square footage, took a step forward last week.
NEWS
Highway 8 open house Dec. 2
The lengthy process of designing the reconstruction projects along Highway 8, from Forest Lake to Chisago City, is in the public comment final phase. Chisago County Engineer Joe Triplett announced a public meeting for information about the environmental assessment documents will be held December 2, at Lakeside School Media Center, on Karmel Avenue in Chisago City. This is an open house style meeting allowing for you to come and go and engineers will be there to talk with and answer questions.
NEWS
County Board discusses shipping container issues during 2026 fee reviews
The popularity of metal shipping containers for personal storage needs, has become yet another item on the list of stuff that people in the countryside complain about. As the unattractive, intrusive, but useful, hulking steel boxes proliferate- the Chisago County Board is attempting to draft fees and a fair process for regulating shipping containers. As disputes arise over numbers of containers, their permanency and placement—the best way to avoid conflict is to control things ahead of time with ground rules.
NEWS