Denise Martin
Recent Stories
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
County prelim levy up by 6.4%
Chisago County commissioners unanimously supported a levy for 2027 at a maximum sum of $55,264,483. This local levy will support expenditures of $104,400, 976. The adopted max is up from 2026 by some 6.4 percent.
NEWS
North Branch advances stripped down version of NW Old Town
The full North Branch City Council has kept the preliminary levy hike for 2027 at less than double digits— but the hope expressed is there can still be reductions found. The final levy needs to be adopted in December. At the nine percent hike currently, Mayor Kevin Schieber observed during the levy discussion that he likes a number closer to eight percent.
NEWS
Man sentenced in Wyoming assault
District Court Judge Trevino sentenced James Alan Johnson Monday this week for first degree premeditated attempted murder. Johnson, 73, seriously injured his wife with a hammer and a delivery truck driver intervened in the assault. The incident happened in the Heims Lake neighborhood May 11. The driver secured the weapon and called 9-1-1 and Wyoming Police were able to respond and get medical care for the victim.
NEWS
County board denies expanded uses at Hay Days site
In a rare move, September 16, the Chisago County Board unanimously turned a recommended permit approval from the planning commission, on its head— and voted 5-0 to deny the SnoBarons snowmobile club request to intensify use of their Hay Days Motorsports event grounds. The planning commission had recommended approval 4-3 of a downsized request from 15 annual events to eight.
NEWS