Denise Martin
Recent Stories
NEWS
2025: YEAR IN REVIEW
It is always impressive looking back over the previous year’s news — the extent of what was accomplished in the local community and how so many people managed to do remarkable things...
NEWS
Greene chosen to Chair County Board, noise walls rejected for Highway 8 project
County Commissioner Rick Greene was voted-in by his fellow commissioners as 2026 chairman, in the annual organizational meeting held Tuesday this week. Greene mentioned that this could be a ‘challenging’ year as grassroots governing units like county boards, seem to get saddled with the costs and responsibility of carrying out mandated functions that state and federal elected officials shun.
NEWS
East Central Energy basic service fee increase in effect, seat on Board open for this area
East Central Energy cooperative is now taking applications for a seat on the Board of Directors representing the Chisago County area. (See map.) Residents of North Branch were recently brought into the ECE service territory when the city sold its municipal electric assets to ECE. There are three districts with expiring terms across the cooperative area. Candidates will be voted on later this spring by mail-in ballot which are sent out in March. The Districts are 1, 3 (Chisago) and 6 and terms are four years.
NEWS
Commissioners weigh in on sound walls
The Chisago County Board will be expected to weigh in on locations and heights of proposed noise barriers to be included alongside the Highway 8 project; but the Board lacked sufficient information to make that vote last week.
NEWS
Local library branch to hold 20 year anniversary event
The East Central Regional Library system is putting on a party to mark 20 years of serving the community in the library facility in Chisago Lakes. The event is January 13, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
NEWS
Alleged assault at Fairview in Wyoming results in death of security guard
There was an alleged assault at Wyoming Fairview Emergency Department Christmas night, called in about 5:20 p.m. and a security guard for Fairview reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained in encountering the subject.
NEWS
North Branch council hears grievance from firefighter
A three-hour city council meeting at North Branch City Hall concluded with an agenda item that could have filled an entire session itself. The full council was presented with a “step three’ grievance tied to issues with how fire department officers are selected.
NEWS
County board to get 3% pay hike
The Chisago County Board agreed to set their 2026 salaries at the same level of increase as what they adopted for non-union staff, three percent. The county commissioners will be paid $35,786 in 2026, plus mileage and any per diem claims they are allowed to submit.
NEWS
So far, so good on sewer privatizing
The first five years of privatizing the Chisago Lakes Joint Sewage Treatment Commission holdings seem to be proving the originally contentious decision to go with Veolia was a good one. Chisago City, Lindstrom, Wyoming, Stacy and Center City contracted with a national wastewater firm, Veolia, when maintenance, operations and personnel hurdles grew insurmountable to the elected officials on the commission. Upon accepting the retirement notice of a longtime plant manager, general consensus was triggered to call in the professionals.
NEWS