Denise Martin
Recent Stories
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
Channel study up next
The goal to improve the navigability throughout the Chisago Chain of Lakes could see some progress over this upcoming winter. The engineering firm expected to draft project scenarios and estimate costs is slated for the Lake Improvement District agenda in December.
NEWS
North Branch schools hoping to renew 2017 10 year levy
Taxpayers in the North Branch Area Public Schools District will be seeing a ballot question come February 2026 to renew an existing technology levy. The voters approved a dedicated tax collection in 2017 for a 10 year term. North Branch School Board supports continuing this same rate of collection with the peoples’ blessing. The Board reviewed details of a vote scheduled for February 10. The payments would be seamless, as the 2017 authorization expires and the newly authorized levy would show up in pay-2028 property tax.
NEWS
County Board briefs...
The County Board last week rejected a bid for purchase of a 10 acre parcel in Rushseba Township that at one time was used for a gravel pit. County Administrator Chase Burnham explained that because this site is not being processed under tax forfeiture rules, they could put the property on the market again whenever they wish.
NEWS