Denise Martin
Recent Stories
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
County strike in work-stop phase
Monday, May 4 was the first full workday impacted by the effects of a county employee strike. Teamsters Local 320 has previously entered mediation, issued intent to strike press releases and union representatives have spoken during public forum at County Board meetings, but the actual work stoppage started Friday, May 1 at 4:25 p.m.— the end of the regular work week for the Health and Human Services and Government Center Professionals.
NEWS
Access granted
You can find grocery stores and gas stations providing their goods all hours of the day and night, ATM locations can put cash in your hand 24/7 So, why not libraries? The notion of extended access to the atmosphere and inventory of public libraries actually got its start overseas in Denmark, more than 10 years ago. Extended hour access has been offered in select library systems in the Twin Cities metro region since 2021. And now, the Wyoming Giese Memorial Library is on the list.
NEWS
The sky’s the limit for high school elective
Not only does North Branch High School offer one of only three Junior ROTC Air Force programs in the state; this year the district is wrapping up its first full slate of aviation curriculum, which none of the JRROTC groups offer.
NEWS
Strike intent notice draws operations revisions resulting in Unfair Labor Practice filing
The next deadline affecting the Chisago County employee unrest arrives this Friday, May 1, when the union’s notice of intent to strike expires. The timeframe will either be extended by request of the Teamsters Local 320— or there could be a counter-offer submitted and talks would resume based on actual numbers. County officials are waiting for the union response to the most recent contract terms to be submitted formally. The contract in question began January 1 2026 and would go through 2027.
NEWS
Wyoming Council awards 2026 streets bid
The vote was 5-0 last week to award the Wyoming 2026 phase of multi-year street improvements to North Valley contractors, as the low bid of six received. Bids ranged from $1,358,926 to $1.6 million.
NEWS