Denise Martin
Recent Stories
NEWS
Lindstrom preps for midsummer festivities
Lindstrom City Council met May 21 for a regular meeting. Council member David Waldoch was absent.
NEWS
Ice arena to partner with district, use grant
Someday soon there could be a space created inside of the unfinished hockey arena in Stacy, where an active caring environment will be open for youngsters, while their parents and guardians are earning a living. A $500,000 grant funneled through the Minnesota Department of Education has been earmarked and is “moving along’ according to a spokesperson at MDE. She said policy is that the department is unable to provide details until the grant is in the awardee’s hands — in this case the North Branch Area Hockey Association.
NEWS
Active year for SBDC in county
Calling it “one of the best things we do for business” Chisago County Small Business Development Center presenter Nancy Hoffman gave the County Board a yearly summary last week. She explained who the center serves and what they are looking for.
NEWS
County board gets update on digital permit system, latest on road projects
The county environmental services director told the county commissioners last week there’s a few kinks in the new digital building permits and zoning applications system, but efficiencies are being experienced even at this partial level of implementation. Kurt Schneider said the electronic inspection appointments function has been turned off for now, because it isn’t functioning as he’d like.
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