Denise Martin
Recent Stories
NEWS
Charges filed in 2025 fentanyl overdose death
Two people alleged to have provided fentanyl that caused the death of Cole Letexier, 24, a little over a year ago were before Judge Jesse Seabrooks III online Monday this week, to hear about bail terms. Both continue to be held.
Sno Barons request expanded uses of rural event site; action tabled for detail
The Hay Days event, a motorsports extravaganza held in September every year, is run by the Sno Barons Snowmobile Club, and the club has applied for a permit from the county to expand allowed uses on the 100-acres plus just outside of Almelund. Sno Barons is asking for 15 events in addition to the weekend now allowed for Hay Days. The request is termed a Commercial Recreation conditional use permit (CUP). The Sno Barons operate Hay Days under a Rural Retail Tourism permit currently.
NEWS
DOWN GOES THE DINNERBEL
Razing the old Peninsula Hotel/Dinnerbel building and Meredee’s Restaurant in Lindstrom was handled last week and early this week by Gustafson Excavating; and through the eyes of the casual observer it appeared things went smoothly. After sitting empty for about eight years, subjected to smashed windows and trespassers that generated dozens of calls to the local authorities, the building is no more.
NEWS
Workshop brings engineers, city to brainstorm together
Commuters heading to their weekend retreats in Wisconsin last Friday may have noticed a group of people in neon-yellow safety vests along the shoulder at the Taylors Falls-Highway and Highway 95 intersection. The group was meeting on-site, in person to share ideas and concerns on ways to address the myriad of issues the intersection presents.
NEWS
Citizens push for ALPR backtrack
Are automated license plate readers a nefarious tool that makes it easy to abuse private information — or should ALPRs be embraced by law enforcement especially when seeking out bad actors?
NEWS
Wyoming city remodel projects awarded
With one city council member opposed, the Wyoming city hall and law enforcement/fire hall facilities plan took a giant step forward last week with contractors being awarded bids to get started on renovation tasks.
NEWS
Louisiana Pacific project gets underway in North Branch
Bringing Louisiana Pacific’s largest finishing facility to North Branch was a group effort, and there was indeed a group that celebrated in a groundbreaking Tuesday this week. The plant is LP’s fourth finishing process location, where building materials are colored using a palette of 22 shades and special finishes are applied to siding etc. The materials then are ready to install, don’t need painting and, according to the LP spokespersons are basically carbon neutral and store more carbon than the processing emits. There will be 125 jobs created at a living wage.
NEWS
Taylors Falls Mayor not seeking re-election
The big news out of the Taylors Falls City Council meeting Monday this week is the mayor’s announcement he is not seeking re-election. Brandon Wieberg waited until the very end of Monday’s meeting to briefly declare he has been honored to serve the community but he thinks it is time to step aside. Filing for municipal offices begins in about two weeks.
NEWS
County Board briefs...
It was impossible to ignore the fact there is an employee strike underway at Chisago County; as overflow crowds spilled out of the County Board meeting room last week, and streetcurbside and parking lot spaces were filled at the Government Center.
NEWS