Denise Martin
Recent Stories
NEWS
Budget workshop scrutiny of county Teamsters contract terms
The county commissioners get together in a monthly work session every second Wednesday to devote an entire informal discussion to budgeting and capital needs. No action is taken, but if there’s sufficient information and consensus the item goes to a regular County Board business agenda. (Regular business meetings are the first and third Wednesdays at night.)
SCHOOLS
North Branch inks three year contract with Superintendent
The North Branch Area Schools Superintendent contract was adopted for another three years, by the school board, last week. The vote was 4-0 with members Naegele and Trampe absent.
NEWS
Attempted murder alleged in Wyoming assault
The Chisago County Attorney’s office is pursuing first degree attempted murder charges against a 73 year old Wyoming male, arrested by Wyoming Police on May 11.
NEWS
North Branch okays Flock license plate readers on split vote
The North Branch City Council split 3-2 on approving the use of automated license plate readers and contracting with equipment and service provider Flock for $3,000 per camera for seven devices at various well-travelled routes. Exact sites for the readers are still being worked out, council was advised.
NEWS
Building materials company to locate in North Branch
Louisiana Pacific’s new facility in North Branch will be welcomed and celebrated with a groundbreaking hosted by the company, June 23 on the new plant site site in the Interstate Business Park.
NEWS
Two tragic deaths: two defendants await day in court
Two local cases are making their way through the courts, both involving loss of life and alleged perpetrators who are in various states of mental disorder. The criminal proceedings are set aside while the civil system clarifies the best way to proceed.
NEWS
County board welcomes new HHS Director; accepts water patrol grant for PWC
The newly-hired Health and Human Services Director for Chisago County attended the May 6 Board meeting after just a few days on the job. Vickie Goulette succeeds Robert Benson, who retired at the end of January. She introduced herself and her mission was to observe the HHS portion of the regular agenda, she added. Most Minnesota county social services departments are in a stand-by mode until the state legislature completes its work and funding levels and local program assistance can be finalized.
NEWS
Wyoming resolves state flag controversy, will facilitate Liberty Ponds septics loan
The gathering storm over whether to accept or reject Minnesota’s new state flag has been calmed in Wyoming. The city council voted 5-0 last week simply to not fly any state symbols. City owned parcels and flagpoles will display only an American stars-and-stripes flag and a city flag.
NEWS
Old jail site sold
With Commissioner Jim Swenson participating online to avoid conflict with picketing union employees — the full Chisago County Board agreed last week to terms for the sale of the old jail site. All along the street leading to the Government Center union members involved in the Teamsters strike had launched a presence, with vertical message pennants lining the access to the courthouse, roadside signage about unity, and the unmistakable giant inflatable “fat cat.”
NEWS