Denise Martin
Recent Stories
NEWS
North Branch resident to be sentenced in March for causing girl's death
An incident in the area of Lakeside Memorial Park in Forest Lake last July, where a 17-year-old girl from Stacy died at the scene — has ended in a conviction of Dylan Simmons, 21, of North Branch. He was prosecuted on charges of operating the car that struck the victim.
NEWS
St. Croix Bridge public comment on EAW goes until December 26; project on track for 2027
Attendees at a public meeting last week held to gather input on the St. Croix River Osceola to MN bridge project, learned an estimated cost to replace the circa 1953 span is estimated from $30 to $45 million. The extremely complex undertaking is slowly making its way through environmental and “constructibility” review aiming to stay on track for a bridge closure in spring 2027 and a new bridge opening in fall 2028. Associated clean-up and related restoration tasks in and around the riverway would happen in 2029.
NEWS
Lake associations splitting last of recovery funds
With unanimous action last week in awarding nearly $92,000 to several county lake associations— the County Board zeroed out what remains of the American Recovery Program Act funding that had been dedicated to lake water quality.
NEWS
Wyoming City Council briefs..
The 2025 budget-setting for the City of Wyoming was pretty uneventful last week, with no questions arising during the public taxation hearing held by city council. One business owner questioned her property tax situation during an open forum, but she learned her concerns would be better addressed by the county assessor, who handles market valuation tasks.
NEWS
Proposed propane tank site approved by County Board
A bulk product facility for LP gas storage has been given the go-ahead unanimously by the County Board. The site proposed by Federated Co-ops Inc. offers tanks on parcels, at Highway 95 and 375th.
NEWS
North Branch gives major plat the green light
Two thirds of a meeting at North Branch City Hall last week, that exceeded three hours, was dedicated to a preliminary plat and planned unit development (PUD) approvals for a 120-acre housing project; expected to be phased in over the next eight or nine years. The city council previously held a meeting to review the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (story Press October 21) It was explained that the earlier session generated suggestions that were worked into this latest plan and the city continues to meet with the developer on cost sharing for local road improvements needs. Mayor Kevin Schieber said the comprehensive plan itself, and other auxiliary zoning issues, need continued conversation. These will require future meetings and the session last week was just to act on specific Meadows Ridge plat requests.
NEWS
Wyoming staff see wages adjusted after salary survey
In a less than half-hour long meeting, officials approved a pay adjustment last week for non-union staff in the City of Wyoming.
NEWS
North Branch budgeting talks go into overtime
Budget woes continue to vex the North Branch City Council. The preliminary tax statements were recently mailed out by Chisago County – based on existing early maximums set in September – and the North Branch 2025 hike is showing up as close to 30 percent. Council member Kelly Nieder made it crystal clear at last week’s budgeting session she is “really struggling with this.”
NEWS
North Branch’s new city administrator oversees first meeting
The new North Branch city administrator Matthew Hill attended his first city council meeting last week and the council thanked interim city administrator Linda Woulfe for her skill and enthusiasm in helping to run the city while the search went on.
NEWS