Denise Martin
Recent Stories
NEWS
Fire concerns return with dry fall
Several area fire departments held their annual open house events last weekend and used the opportunity to educate the public about their operations and fire safety mission. Fire Safety Week is also a good time to take a look at local drought factors and the wildfire threat being posed this fall.
NEWS
North Branch city administrator contract approved
North Branch welcomed its new city administrator October 8, as the full council adopted Matthew Hill’s employment agreement making his start date effective as of November 12. Hill is currently city administrator for Crosby, a town of about 2,000 to 3,000 in Crow Wing County. He was one of three finalists who interviewed for the opening at North Branch. He starts at $150,000 and after the first year the wage goes to $160,000.
NEWS
Two local cadets participate in ICPOET
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Office of Justice Programs dedicated a $2.5 million line item for two phases of grants meant to attract additional candidates into law enforcement, and from most accounts this program is turning out to be popular.
NEWS
‘Story coats’ take wearable art to a whole new level
The lower level of the Hallberg Center for the Arts features an exhibit of “story coats” created by rural Stacy resident Carolyn Cagle.
NEWS
STR owner gives Board assurances
Four of five county commissioners handled a short agenda last week with Commissioner Jim Swenson absent.
NEWS
Center City street left as-is; social district requested
Center City Council last week flatly rejected a suggestion to abandon a section of city street to facilitate a project fixing parking lot stormwater flooding behind one of the historic downtown buildings. Council had on the agenda action to eliminate the hilly section of Schultze Avenue. The city would retain the utility easements where city services are laid underground. Presumably the abandoned right of way would become a sort of extra wide driveway into the apartments above the old pharmacy and other shops fronting the east side of mainstreet.
NEWS
Plans underway for east half of Highway 8
Dirt won’t be moved on the west end project for improving Highway 8 until 2026, and the public input for the east end of the highway is already starting to be collected. The roadway segment from Chisago City to Taylors Falls is slated for resurfacing in 2032— but citizens are being asked to suggest additional highway improvements now.
NEWS
County ordered to issue permit; new landowners don’t want to use it
A land use decision that sent Chisago County to the state’s Court of Appeals, has resolved itself with an almost unheard of outcome. Everyone is able to relax. The new owners of the parcel aren’t going to develop a retail, music, gathering venue. The former landowners won vindication, prevailing on appeal, but have moved on. And the county got what it wanted all along in denying the permit.
NEWS
Wyoming Council agrees to sell bonds for street improvement
The full Wyoming City Council last week approved sale of nearly $2 million in General Obligation Bonds to fund 2024 street improvements projects. Best bid of five received was recommended to be awarded to Brownstone Investment Group LLC at an interest rate of 3.222.
NEWS