Denise Martin
Recent Stories
SCHOOLS
Area charter school hits 25 years in home base
The unassuming brick front building in the Chisago City Business Park, where Wolf Creek Online School is located, has been home to hundreds of charter school enrollees since 2008 who were able to pursue an education even as traditional options failed. This Wolf Creek facility has 250 enrolled currently and most are full time attendees. There are approximately (see photo right) 18 staff members, (a vacancy for a special education professional exists now.)
NEWS
County adopts TIP for 2027
The saying is that Minnesota has two seasons— road construction and winter. Now that we are coming to the end of the first, taxpayers can relax knowing the 2027 Transportation Improvement Plan for the county is well-planned. The County Board adopted the TIP unanimously in a recent meeting. County Engineer Joe Triplett says the work helps elected officials anticipate future obligations and coordinate them with the county capital improvement and financial plans.
NEWS
County prelim levy up by 6.4%
Chisago County commissioners unanimously supported a levy for 2027 at a maximum sum of $55,264,483. This local levy will support expenditures of $104,400, 976. The adopted max is up from 2026 by some 6.4 percent.
NEWS
North Branch advances stripped down version of NW Old Town
The full North Branch City Council has kept the preliminary levy hike for 2027 at less than double digits— but the hope expressed is there can still be reductions found. The final levy needs to be adopted in December. At the nine percent hike currently, Mayor Kevin Schieber observed during the levy discussion that he likes a number closer to eight percent.
NEWS
Man sentenced in Wyoming assault
District Court Judge Trevino sentenced James Alan Johnson Monday this week for first degree premeditated attempted murder. Johnson, 73, seriously injured his wife with a hammer and a delivery truck driver intervened in the assault. The incident happened in the Heims Lake neighborhood May 11. The driver secured the weapon and called 9-1-1 and Wyoming Police were able to respond and get medical care for the victim.
NEWS
County board denies expanded uses at Hay Days site
In a rare move, September 16, the Chisago County Board unanimously turned a recommended permit approval from the planning commission, on its head— and voted 5-0 to deny the SnoBarons snowmobile club request to intensify use of their Hay Days Motorsports event grounds. The planning commission had recommended approval 4-3 of a downsized request from 15 annual events to eight.
NEWS
ARMER contract to be renewed
Agreements put in place years ago to create a comprehensive emergency communications network of several hundred devices, under a system called ARMER, are due to expire in December. The county commissioners adopted wording for a new agreement, which will be distributed to agencies and government units. Fees and conditions in the agreement are for one-year only, effective in 2027.
NEWS
Wyoming watering ban put into effect
Two actions of major consequence came out of the Wyoming City Council meeting last week. Council adopted an outright ban on outdoor watering, which will last until the state’s water resources are recharged with significant rainfall. Newly installed sod and seed may be watered. Violations can result in a daily fine or water service shutoff in aggravated circumstances.
NEWS
Planning commission sends expanded use of Hay Days site to Board
A request for a permit to expand uses of the Hay Days property outside of Almelund was approved by the county planning commission Sept 3 on a split vote, and will be on the Chisago County Board’s September 16 agenda for final action.
NEWS