Denise Martin
Recent Stories
NEWS
LAPD project second analysis
Little progress to report — This about sums up any news out of last week’s Lakes Area Police Commission meeting.
NEWS
Taylors Falls tables cannabis license action
What do you do when one advisory body recommends action on a decision pending before you, and a second advisory group wants a delay? Taylors Falls city council this week unanimously chose the directive from the Economic Development Commission (EDC) to delay voting on two cannabis licenses being made available in ordinance. At least for six months.
NEWS
Taylors Falls raises sewer and water rates immediately
A couple of action items did come out of the Taylors Falls city council session this week, in addition to prolonged discussion about a cannabis related issue. (See story starting on page 1.)
NEWS
North Branch wants more detail on 75 house plan
A preliminary plat for 75 single family homes, potentially 167 apartments in a collection of buildings and seven future commercial lots, tied to a request to amend a portion of residential development code, were both tabled at last week’s North Branch City Council meeting. Council agreed 5-0 they need more information.
NEWS
Government center expansion to proceed
The County Board made a huge decision relatively quickly last week and a project proposed to add space to the current government center is advancing. The commissioners were advised this is a fork in the road and it’s time to opt to either remain in the existing Center City building, on the lake in Center City, or launch a major new construction project elsewhere. They chose the former.
SCHOOLS
North Branch Board reviewing firearm incident response, teen petitioned to juvenile court
The North Branch School Board May 8 had a chance to briefly discuss a high school lockdown that happened just two days before the regular Board meeting.
NEWS
North Branch council initiating review of city comprehensive plan
North Branch is embarking on a process to review and update the city Comprehensive Plan. In his first few months at the helm at city hall North Branch, Administrator Matthew Hill advised council in their special meeting April 29, that the comp plan is approaching the usual point where plans benefit from being looked at, which is at least every 10 years. North Branch’s existing plan is from 2018.
NEWS
Taylors Falls audit gives detailed look at 2024
Taylors Falls is catching up on addressing simple accounting findings that audits have partially attributed to staffing turmoil in city hall a few years ago. The last two yearly audit reports, contrary to main street rumor, have not revealed any deep concerns about funds, their use or the city’s fiscal security. The city did overspend its budgeted $802,000 by about $60,000, however.
NEWS
Update from school board on North Branch high school replica firearm incident
It’s never good when the superintendent starts off her remarks to the School Board saying, “I wish we didn’t have to do this.” May 8 North Branch Supt. Sara Paul gave Board members a brief rundown and summary of what has come out of the debriefing on the active shooter threat at the high school May 6 that resulted in a lockdown.
NEWS