Denise Martin
Recent Stories
NEWS
Chisago City sends LAPD concept to Lindstrom
The Chisago City Council unanimously approved a proposal to construct an $8 million Lakes Area Police Department facility on land Chisago City currently owns near its fire department.
NEWS
Pre-balloting actions abound
The fact the Taylors Falls council will look very different in 2027 didn’t deter the group last week from forging ahead on some dynamic tasks. There is a comprehensive land use plan city staff is hoping to finalize by the end of December, a primitive trail project in early stages, will connect the school to the district-owned Bryant environmental learning property, deferred roadwork and city assistance for new business downtown were among matters that council took on last week.
NEWS
Peony garden obtains national status, local giving support
The National Peony Society has agreed to add the Taylors Falls Cherry Hill Peony Gardens to its official list of “reference gardens.” There is only one other public space in Minnesota that has earned this distinction, and it’s in the southwest corner of the metro suburbs at the Landscape Arboretum.
NEWS
Liberty Ponds communal wastewater issues continue to vex policymakers
It’s not very often that simply adding an issue to a meeting agenda, at the start of the session, is controversial. But at last week’s County Board meeting a couple commissioners opposed Commissioner Ben Montzka in his effort to add an agenda item. The agenda was eventually amended on a 3-2 vote— but the wastewater issues inside the Liberty Ponds housing plat are clearly an unpopular topic for some on the Board.
NEWS
Highway 8 study complete and online
The Minnesota Department of Transportation and its consultants have completed a study for the segment of Highway 8 from Chisago City to Taylors Falls. The study began in August 2024 and will be useful as a reference for future projects until, and including, resurfacing the entire route in 2033. In fact, there are maps and descriptions of improvements estimated even 20 years from now, but the study text is quick to note that “Some strategies may align with MnDOT’s planned 2033 pavement project while others will need more study, coordination or funding.”
NEWS
District holds 2026 get-together
The annual Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District public information meeting and dinner always promises to be a learning opportunity as the district staff and appointed board managers interact with the public —and last week was no exception. Event-goers who filled the Forest Lake American Legion Post banquet room, seemed to want to talk about Forest Lake weed harvester activity— which derailed discussion briefly about watershed district activity, but sparked some interesting voices on both sides of the efficacy of harvesting weeds.
NEWS
Cannabis cultivation rules may be evolving after public hearing
The question before the county planning commissioners this month was a puzzler— how can Chisago County regulate the negative impact of cannabis growers’ fields on surrounding residences, without creating standards that will make it too costly and essentially ban small, or “microbusiness.”
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