Watershed District annual meeting honors township
The highlight of the annual Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District meeting at the Forest Lake American Legion Post, was the awarding of Champions of the District honors.
Federal shutdown being monitored; children’s aid a main concern
Social services and health care for youth required some of the County Board’s time last week as contracts and planning for some innovative programs came to the commissioners’ attention.
Chisago City events Falloween and haunted trail re-imagined this year
With about two decades of Halloween season community events under their belt— the Chisago City Parks Board, city staff and volunteers have decided now is a good time for giving a total reboot to the October community events.
Warner sentenced to over 20 years on three cold cases
A 46-year-old area man was sentenced this week by District Court Judge Catherine Trevino. Donald Edmond Warner, most recently of Lindstrom and North Branch, will serve over 20 years in prison for first degree, and two attempted, sexual assaults on young women.
Watershed District 2026 preliminary levy set
The managers on the Comfort Lake-Forest Lake Watershed District Board voted 5-0 last week to set a preliminary levy hike for 2026 of 23 percent. There were about a half-dozen taxpayers attending this meeting in Forest Lake. An additional levy session will be scheduled for October to continue public input and Board discussions.
Soup with the Superintendent puts spotlight on array of testing
A group of about a dozen visitors to last week’s Soup with the Superintendent program, at Lindstrom’s Wildcat Community Center were reminded of when they were attending school and the dreaded pop quiz came from out of nowhere. To be sure, no grades were riding on the outcome of this but there was obvious anxiety exhibited among lunch program attendees.
Taylors Falls Council votes in favor of 14 percent levy increase
The main item on the council agenda last week in Taylors Falls was action adopting a preliminary maximum levy for 2026 and the budget plan. Council voted 5-0 for the proposed 14 percent increase and scheduled the taxation public hearing for November 24 at 6 p.m. at city hall.
Wyoming sets max levy at 8 percent
A maximum levy and budget for 2026 was adopted on a 4-1 vote by the Wyoming City Council last week. Linda Nanko Yeager voted no without comment. The public discussion about finalizing Wyoming budget details takes place December 2, at city hall. at 7 p.m. and the sums adopted last week may be decreased but legally can not be increased.
County keeping levy hike under 5 percent
There were differing opinions among County Board members about when exactly the optimal time was to cut back next year’s budget, so the levy and budget were adopted on a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Montzka and Dunne were ready to enact a minimal levy hike now, which is down about two percent from what’s been developed in work sessions. The rest of the Board said they’ll vote for a reduced increase in December.
North Branch council and 30-year employee agree to separation terms
The city council last week accepted the resignation of Shawn Williams, public works director. His final day on the job was September 9. He was hired by North Branch in 1995.
Stacy looks at 8% levy increase
Stacy City Council met September 9 for a regular meeting. Mayor Mark Utecht was absent. Council member Dennis Thieling was acting mayor.
ECE: major internet, electric network tasks in progress
The purchase of the old North Branch Water & Light electric distribution network by East Central Energy two and a half years ago has been a learning experience.
North Branch School Board gets rousing thanks
The North Branch Viking Football Team stopped by the School Board meeting last week to thank the Board members for their support of the athletics program specifically. Coach Voss gave a rousing pep talk and the Board sat for a photo and interacted enthusiastically with the players.
Springs Inn clean up now city task
Taylors Falls will proceed on Springs Inn site cleanup at city expense and plans to assess the bill back to the landowner. The city council agreed Monday this week the private effort at abating the leftovers from the fire last February has been exhausted. Council member Tim Grote noted “the bulk of the work has been done” but there are tasks remaining for site restoration.
Wyoming council shelves rezone effort; Pinehaven gets OK to try traffic plan
The Wyoming city council last week decided to lay aside a process leading to a rezoning of certain high potential parcels. City officials have digested the repeated concerns expressed by affected property owners, and the public hearing tentatively scheduled for later this month on the rezoning effort, has been called off.
Walk With Animals relocates to Paradise Park
Northwoods Humane Society has switched location of the major fundraiser for the organization. The “Walk With the Animals” event relocates to Paradise Park this fall and is not at Lent Township Hall. It will be Saturday, September 13.
North Branch council ok’s land use amended map for indoor cannabis
A request to amend the North Branch city comprehensive land use plan was approved last week 4-0 with Patrick Meacham absent, allowing for an indoor cannabis cultivation operation. The site on Evergreen Avenue is on the border with Stacy and involves 40 acres, currently supporting Greenworld Greenhouse. The action was defined as “reguiding” the land use, by city planner Nate Sondrol.
Wyoming looking to put police, city hall in new site
Wyoming City has put down $38,000 in earnest money towards a purchase of a commercial building on Forest Boulevard. City Council members voted last week to also move ahead on a contract with Wold Architects, who will review costs to make the existing 16,000 square foot building usable for police and city hall functions. And, Wold is asked to look into the efficacy of the city hall space, attached to the fire station, to be remodeled for full fire department uses once city offices move out.
Wyoming denies cannabis cultivator permit application
A legal, but non-conforming, farm in the City of Wyoming was denied permission to let a third party lease land to grow a cannabis crop. The Wyoming city council last week did not approve an interim use permit to a cannabis cultivation enterprise.
Local couple to celebrate book release
There’s so much more to this story than just an announcement of a local book launch party; although props are due as it’s no simple feat to make a book.
North Branch considers local option sales tax
North Branch City Council was unanimous in its support commissioning a study looking at implementing a Local Option Sales Tax. The cities in Minnesota can get permission for a half of one cent sales tax, that doesn’t go to the state, on items sold in the jurisdiction. Mayor Kevin Schieber remarked last week that “additional revenue is key” to meeting some of North Branch’s needs and a local option sales tax (LOST) “would be a nice bump.”
Substitute teacher pay for North Branch schools is up
The North Branch School Board boosted its substitute teacher daily pay for the next two years, in action last week and included a bonus above the casual contract, for any retired teacher who works as a sub.
So far, so good on County transition over to local, single track probation
December 18, 2024 may not register as an important date to readers, but it was when Chisago County Probation (Court Services) Director Mark Hendrickson got the thumbs-up from the County Board to move ahead on what he hopes will be a positive transformation in probation delivery. With 34 years under his belt in the system, Hendrickson finds himself at the point where he is convinced the shift away from state controlled probation services and a confusing dual delivery approach — to community corrections basis – can be transformative.
Taylors Falls OKs borrowing $1.575 million
Taylors Falls city council members, minus Lee Samuelson who was absent this week, accepted terms for a 20 year loan to buy equipment/vehicle for the fire department and cover costs of maintenance and repairs/replacement of city hall structural issues.
Rush City inmate incident under investigation
Corrections staff at Rush City Prison were doing routine cell searches Saturday, August 9, when at approximately 3:20 p.m. an inmate allegedly stabbed an officer using a handmade weapon. Three other officers subdued the inmate and sustained some injuries in the scuffle.
Wyoming city council has light meeting agenda
The city council for Wyoming met Wednesday instead of the usual Tuesday night due to a conflict with National Night Out. Minus member Dennis Schilling last week the session kicked off with the mayor administering an oath for newly-promoted Sergeant Jack Brietbach. He was to succeed Lance Beardsley as of August 11, who retired.
Nessel Township fatal crash plea accepted, sentencing late October
A woman charged with two gross misdemeanor counts and four felonies in connection with a fatal Nessel Township crash that killed her four year old son has pled guilty to three of the charges avoiding a trial that was scheduled to start in two weeks. Ashlee Klapperick, 36, will be held in Shakopee Women’s Correctional Facility until her sentencing October 27.
Highway 8 study draws large crowd
Close to 100 people attended this week’s Monday night public information session about the Highway 8 study. The Chisago Lakes Area Library Community Room was standing room only as state Department of Transportation project managers updated the community. A second session was presented Wednesday this week in Taylors Falls.
Political forum gives school leaders opportunity to educate
The Split Rocks entertainment complex became a venue for public education last week as the Chisago County GOP hosted a chance to hear from three area school superintendents. After an hour or so of commentary on current issues facing public schools moderated by local Minnesota House member Max Rymer, R-North Branch; the audience asked questions for about 30 minutes.
Early morning Highway 95 crash kills North Branch man
A passenger in a Ford Edge driven by a North Branch woman, was killed when their vehicle collided with a Silverado pickup driven by a 76 year old male, who crossed into the Edge’s lane. The state patrol released preliminary details about the incident that happened close to 5 a.m. July 25, near where Tucker intersects with Highway 95 in Isanti County. The Silverado was eastbound on #95 and went into the westbound lane. The Isanti County Sheriff’s Office and state patrol are looking into the cause.
Highway 8 pair of projects advance
There are two separate Highway 8 points-of-focus in the public eye concurrently. One affects the west end from Forest Lake to Karmel in Chisago City, and the other impacts the segment from Chisago City to the Wisconsin border.
North Branch council supports less intense use of old main street school block
The long vacant North Branch Main Street lot, where a vintage brick schoolhouse once stood, was approved for a quartet of proposed apartment buildings. Existing zoning did not allow for “multiple” buildings in that zone, and last week the North Branch City Council changed that part of the code, on a 5-0 vote. The amendment was sought by a developer in support of four structures, each two stories. A total of 32 units with 88 parking spaces is under planning review for the 2.4 acre lot.
Solar battery storage environmental review underway until October
Things are silent for now regarding the solar battery project proposed near the Xcel Substation, as an environmental assessment is getting underway. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission announced the environmental assessment is due sometime in October 2025 at which time public meetings will be convened.
Academy foreclosure premature, school year untouched for 2025
Normally in community journalism “news” is when something is happening or about to happen; but in this case the news is a private school operating in Chisago County since 2015 is not going defunct.
Wheelage tax going to double
County commissioners voted 5-0 to double the wheelage tax that is collected when you register a vehicle purchase or renew registration (tabs) in Minnesota. The county’s wheelage tax has been set at $10 for years and state law allows for it to go to $20 maximum, which is what the County Board enacted last week. The law also requires the amount be set by August and goes into effect the following January.
Franconia is home to Farm Family of the Year
The 2025 Chisago County Farm Family of the Year is not in its purist sense, a “farm” family. And even though their Rust Hill Ranch is not yet providing a full time living wage; members of the county Extension Committee, who select the annual Farm Family, embraced Becky and Matthew Hardy all the same.
Budget just at beginning phase for Lakes Area Police Department
A Lakes Area Police Commission subcommittee continues looking into re-use of Lindstrom City Hall for a law enforcement facility— while the Commission met in regular session last week to handle the usual department business.
Investigation reaches search, seizure stages in Shafer
The East Central Drug Task Force has released few details about two days of search warrants that authorities executed in and around a property in downtown Shafer, July 17 and 18. No names for people detained have been provided and charges are pending. As of Friday afternoon there had been no injuries or incidents attributed to this activity and law enforcement safely and effectively executed their searches, according to the task force command.
Taylors Falls hit with a slew of repairs, emergency expenses
City watermain, storm sewer, street sweeper and other repairs coming in close to $100,000 had to be handled this week at the regular Taylors Falls City Council meeting, minus the mayor who was excused for a work commitment.
County addressing evidence room issues, SWAT needs
Anyone who has ever dealt with a leaky roof can relate to what the sheriff’s office is dealing with right now, only multiple times the magnitude of importance. The evidence storage area in the public safety center has a problem with some kind of condensation seeping in and it has the potential to cause damage to an area of the evidence storage room where criminal case items are kept.
Karl Oskar Days Ambassador has a plan
Taylor Thorvaldson is an Aquatennial Queen of the Lakes candidate
This time, last year, Taylor Thorvaldson was just stepping into one of the roles of the Chisago Lakes’ 2024 Karl Oskar Days Ambassadors; and although the whirlwind of experiences may be coming to an end this week as the 2025 Ambassadors takeover — her calendar is far from empty. The local ambassador involvement led to her becoming involved in the Minneapolis Aquatennial and after that, who knows?
Wyoming street work bid awarded
The 2025 street improvements bid was awarded by the Wyoming City Council last week to Bituminous Roadways, one of four bids the city received. City Engineer Mark Erichson commented that he hasn’t seen bituminous prices this favorable in quite awhile.
Second round of county opioid grants selected
The Chisago County Opioid Action Council has selected its second round of grant winners to be dispersed next month, with $200,000 available to four winners.
County commissioners express concern over levels of funding
The Chisago County Board is taking a wait and see attitude for now, on sounding the alarm about ripple effects from the actions tied to state and federal budgeting. It’s a sure bet there will be implications to face but without specifics there is nothing to base any statements on—yet. The County Board last week discussed drafting a position paper on the across the board reductions taking place in various federal programs, and what will trickle down.
Cradle rocking celebrates new church leader at FUMC
First United Methodist in Lindstrom will welcome its new pastor by bringing a unique tradition back to the service, July 13 at 9 a.m. which is being held outdoors.
North Branch council briefs...
In the world of public policy you want to be known for having your ducks-in-a-row and last week the North Branch City Council tackled doing just that. Members officially went on the record voting 5-0 approving an interchange (extension of 400th Street over I-35) and a Highway 95 bypass, for a new east-west route. The entire project could run $40 to 50 million and the city needs to put together something that will help in leveraging outside funding. The project appeal for funding needs a concept design and the support resolution is part of that process.
Chisago Lakes Board to hold open listening session July 17
Citizens are encouraged to attend a Chisago Lakes School Board “Listening Session” July 17. The Board will be available for taking comments and questions in a 5 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. timeframe in the Lakeside School Media Center. The Board then meets in regular session in the Board room in a wing of the same building at 6 p.m.
Outdoor cultivation sites clear local hurdles
Outdoor cannabis cultivation proposed for two five-acre fields in Chisago County have complied with a local review as part of a state licensing process. The county is required to certify zoning and land use regulations are being met for the sites, which Environmental Services Director Kurt Schneider says has been completed.
County engineer updates Board
The roadwork approved for 2025 construction season is progressing well despite some episodes of heavy rainfall, according to County Engineer Joe Triplett. He gave the county commissioners an update at the regular meeting last week.
License plate readers in Wyoming die on a tie vote with one absent
The Wyoming City Council was missing a member last week and a vote to authorize the police to enter into a lease for license plate readers to be positioned in four locations — died on a tie vote. Mayor Lisa Iverson and Council member Brett Ohnstad voted yes and Council members Linda Nanko-Yeager and Claire Luger opposed the lease and Council member Dennis Schilling was absent.
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