Denise Martin
Recent Stories
NEWS
Early morning Highway 95 crash kills North Branch man
A passenger in a Ford Edge driven by a North Branch woman, was killed when their vehicle collided with a Silverado pickup driven by a 76 year old male, who crossed into the Edge’s lane. The state patrol released preliminary details about the incident that happened close to 5 a.m. July 25, near where Tucker intersects with Highway 95 in Isanti County. The Silverado was eastbound on #95 and went into the westbound lane. The Isanti County Sheriff’s Office and state patrol are looking into the cause.
NEWS
Highway 8 pair of projects advance
There are two separate Highway 8 points-of-focus in the public eye concurrently. One affects the west end from Forest Lake to Karmel in Chisago City, and the other impacts the segment from Chisago City to the Wisconsin border.
NEWS
North Branch council supports less intense use of old main street school block
The long vacant North Branch Main Street lot, where a vintage brick schoolhouse once stood, was approved for a quartet of proposed apartment buildings. Existing zoning did not allow for “multiple” buildings in that zone, and last week the North Branch City Council changed that part of the code, on a 5-0 vote. The amendment was sought by a developer in support of four structures, each two stories. A total of 32 units with 88 parking spaces is under planning review for the 2.4 acre lot.
NEWS
Solar battery storage environmental review underway until October
Things are silent for now regarding the solar battery project proposed near the Xcel Substation, as an environmental assessment is getting underway. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission announced the environmental assessment is due sometime in October 2025 at which time public meetings will be convened.
NEWS
Academy foreclosure premature, school year untouched for 2025
Normally in community journalism “news” is when something is happening or about to happen; but in this case the news is a private school operating in Chisago County since 2015 is not going defunct.
NEWS
Wheelage tax going to double
County commissioners voted 5-0 to double the wheelage tax that is collected when you register a vehicle purchase or renew registration (tabs) in Minnesota. The county’s wheelage tax has been set at $10 for years and state law allows for it to go to $20 maximum, which is what the County Board enacted last week. The law also requires the amount be set by August and goes into effect the following January.
NEWS
Franconia is home to Farm Family of the Year
The 2025 Chisago County Farm Family of the Year is not in its purist sense, a “farm” family. And even though their Rust Hill Ranch is not yet providing a full time living wage; members of the county Extension Committee, who select the annual Farm Family, embraced Becky and Matthew Hardy all the same.
NEWS
Budget just at beginning phase for Lakes Area Police Department
A Lakes Area Police Commission subcommittee continues looking into re-use of Lindstrom City Hall for a law enforcement facility— while the Commission met in regular session last week to handle the usual department business.
NEWS
Investigation reaches search, seizure stages in Shafer
The East Central Drug Task Force has released few details about two days of search warrants that authorities executed in and around a property in downtown Shafer, July 17 and 18. No names for people detained have been provided and charges are pending. As of Friday afternoon there had been no injuries or incidents attributed to this activity and law enforcement safely and effectively executed their searches, according to the task force command.
NEWS