Denise Martin
Recent Stories
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
Fatality in I-35 crash Tuesday
The Minnesota State Patrol is reporting a single vehicle crash on I-35 near where Viking Boulevard crosses over the freeway April 28, resulted in a fatality of the passenger. The driver was injured. Wyoming police and fire assisted the state patrol at the scene.
NEWS
Old versus new state flag debate resurfaces in Taylors Falls
The hot local government topic this spring is shaping up to be ‘to fly or not to fly’ the new state flag. The issue consumed a good portion of the Taylors Falls City Council meeting Monday this week, despite members initially expressing that there are more important city concerns. It also surfaced at Wyoming.
Wyoming council meets short-handed in 15 minute council session last week
With Council member Brett Ohnstad and Mayor Lisa Iverson absent last week, the Wyoming City Council handled an abbreviated agenda. The public comment portion of the meeting was the main focus of what was a 15 minute timeframe. Public comment featured a citizen complaint about the state flag, which was adopted in 2024 in a re-design effort overseen by a state emblem design commission appointed in 2023.
NEWS
Gains in NB 2025 grad rate good news
The school year is entering its final few weeks, and the data for last year’s graduation rates have just been released by the state. There are dozens of reasons for the class of 2025 grad rates increasing, depending on who you ask; but districts are celebrating these measurements of education success however it comes.
NEWS