Denise Martin
Recent Stories
NEWS
Chisago County man hurt in Highway 65 crash April 9
State Patrol reported a man from Rush City, driving a Toyota Corolla southbound on Highway 65, April 9, was hit by a northbound Ford pickup truck that crossed over the center. The crash was reported about 3:50 p.m.
NEWS
If it’s April, it’s time to set your valuation right
This may seem like any other normal springtime in Minnesota, but there are certain people for whom 2025 will stand out, as the year Chisago County reached a market valuation of $10 billion. Staff from the county assessor’s office recently shared their enthusiasm about this major milestone. For those keeping track, there are also 30,000 individual taxable parcels in the county now. There were about half that 25 years ago.
SCHOOLS
Chisago Lakes Schools referendum information
Only about 12 people took the Chisago Lakes School District up on its offer to tour one of the project sites slated for some of the $64 million in districtwide referendum capital projects being proposed. The Chisago Lakes School District seeks voter approval May 13 to borrow $63.7 million for a host of upgrades, replacements, and repairs of several school district facilities.
NEWS
Inmate who fled county jail early April 10 back in custody
An internal review has been initiated by the sheriff’s office and county jail staff to determine what may have contributed to the escape of a jail inmate very early Thursday morning April 10. The Chief Deputy said preventive measures will be implemented to avoid future incidents.
NEWS
Man killed in single car crash in Nessel Township
A male driver appears to have been killed in a single car crash in Nessel Township on Rush Point Drive. Sheriff’s investigators report the man is identified as 27 year old Ethan Dawson of Rosemount. He was alone in his car.
NEWS
Study on reuse of Lindstrom City Hall shifts to subcommittee review
The four Lakes Area Police Commissioners met last week and set a new start time for their every-other-month meetings of 5:30 p.m. (They have met at 6:30 p.m.) The meetings rotate between Chisago City Hall on even-numbered years and Lindstrom City Hall on odd-numbered years. Because their meeting schedule is every-other-month the commissioners decided a subcommittee should be formed to look over the study on re-using Lindstrom City Hall. The committee members can walk the site with officers, drill deeper into costs and materials. Committee participants were not announced yet, but they will meet with more frequency than the LAPD commission does. Meanwhile, Chisago City Council scheduled a workshop just for city council to hash out its issues, next week. (See Lani Freeman’s report on page 4.)
Five apply for council vacancy
North Branch received names of five people interested in being considered for a vacant city council seat. Travis Miles stepped down when he was hired to be the city human resources generalist, a new position created this year. Council accepted applications until March 28 and there will be a review process, to select an appointee for a little over a year left in Miles’ term.
SCHOOLS
Online classes for 9-12 grades OK’d in Chisago Lakes
While Chisago Lakes Area School District has previously considered offering a remote learning option — harkening back to the era of stay at home learning during Covid-19 — it took some recent state educational licensing revisions to clear the way.
SCHOOLS
Chisago Board makes 2025-26 budget revisions
With very little discussion of the proposed budget revisions before them, members of the Chisago Lakes School Board agreed last week on fiscal year 2025-2026 budget revisions. About $880,000 is being trimmed to better align the upcoming year’s budget with enrollment revenue projections and expenditures.
NEWS