North Branch council initiating review of city comprehensive plan
North Branch is embarking on a process to review and update the city Comprehensive Plan. In his first few months at the helm at city hall North Branch, Administrator Matthew Hill advised council in their special meeting April 29, that the comp plan is approaching the usual point where plans benefit from being looked at, which is at least every 10 years. North Branch’s existing plan is from 2018.
Taylors Falls audit gives detailed look at 2024
Taylors Falls is catching up on addressing simple accounting findings that audits have partially attributed to staffing turmoil in city hall a few years ago. The last two yearly audit reports, contrary to main street rumor, have not revealed any deep concerns about funds, their use or the city’s fiscal security. The city did overspend its budgeted $802,000 by about $60,000, however.
Update from school board on North Branch high school replica firearm incident
It’s never good when the superintendent starts off her remarks to the School Board saying, “I wish we didn’t have to do this.” May 8 North Branch Supt. Sara Paul gave Board members a brief rundown and summary of what has come out of the debriefing on the active shooter threat at the high school May 6 that resulted in a lockdown.
Court date is June 4 in connection with drug bust in early April
A 37-year-old Wyoming woman is due back in court June 4 on four felony charges of possessing two handguns that she is prohibited from having, and authorities allege 9.5 grams of fentanyl, 47 grams of cocaine and 25 grams of meth were found in her residence and vehicle, as the result of a traffic stop and search warrant executed April 8. She has been released on bail.
Taylors Falls council deliberating number of cannabis licenses
Entrepreneurs interested in purchasing the “MINNDOT LOT” on main street in Taylors Falls have basically stayed on the sidelines for years – that is until recreational adult use cannabis became legal in Minnesota. The proximity of Taylors Falls to what developers look at as a clamoring Wisconsin market, now makes investment in Taylors Falls much more attractive. One buyer hoping to acquire the parcel, Aaron Boshart of Cannabis and Glass or “C&G” explained at this week’s city council meeting his experience has been that locating cannabis retail shops on border sites is very lucrative for this industry. C&G has outlets or “dispensaries” in Oregon and Iowa and is hoping for a projected five sites max in Minnesota.
Projects tour exposes cobbled nature of the high school
To the casual observer, Chisago Lakes High School doesn’t look like it needs about $29 million worth of TLC, but people taking a tour of the site last week were advised many issues to be addressed are hidden in building systems and structure. Pipes, air handlers, wiring, alarms, lighting, rooftops, are priorities for this upcoming May 13 ballot asking taxpayers to allow the district to borrow $63.7 million.
Lindstrom tax credit apartments move forward on city owned lot
Lindstrom City Council met April 16 for a regular meeting. All members were present.
Wyoming cannabis muni gets green light
The City of Wyoming is going into the retail adult use cannabis business.
County aid and industrial arts make for productive partners
Students put new skills to work using real time manufacturing technology
“What goes around comes around.” The Chisago Lakes High School industrial arts program gave back to the county recently, in a nice full circle moment. Chisago Lakes was one of several educational grant recipients, a couple years ago as Chisago County dispersed a portion of American Recovery Act/Covid 19 funding.
CL School Board report
Chisago Lakes School Board at their meeting April 17, approved the contract for Local 284 service staff, retroactive to July 1 2024 and running through the end of June 2026. The Human Resources Director commented that the total increase, with enhancement to insurance and other considerations, is 10.86 percent over the two years.
CLJSTC takes first step towards pond, phragmites remediation
Is a bird in the hand really worth two in the bush, or in this case, the reeds? For the Chisago Lakes Joint Sewage Treatment Commission the answer, after lengthy discussion about using a trusted engineering firm versus somebody new, was yes.
Council: Motel debris enforcement; bond package for fire truck
Taylors Falls council adopted a resolution Monday night this week on a 5-0 vote officially designating the burned-down Springs Inn as a “hazardous building.” This starts the clock ticking on abatement of piles of debris remaining at the site, and notifies the property owner the city has set a deadline for seeing a demolition/cleanup application, by April 28.
North Branch moves clean up day disposal to township hall west of freeway
The North Branch City Composting Site opens April 26 and the citywide “cleanup day” is also happening that same date— but this year the disposal location for cleanup day items is being moved to west of the freeway, at North Branch Township Hall. The township and city share the same recycling services provider, so the cleanup day location was consolidated to the roomier parcel at North Branch Township Hall.
Chisago County man hurt in Highway 65 crash April 9
State Patrol reported a man from Rush City, driving a Toyota Corolla southbound on Highway 65, April 9, was hit by a northbound Ford pickup truck that crossed over the center. The crash was reported about 3:50 p.m.
If it’s April, it’s time to set your valuation right
This may seem like any other normal springtime in Minnesota, but there are certain people for whom 2025 will stand out, as the year Chisago County reached a market valuation of $10 billion. Staff from the county assessor’s office recently shared their enthusiasm about this major milestone. For those keeping track, there are also 30,000 individual taxable parcels in the county now. There were about half that 25 years ago.
Chisago Lakes Schools referendum information
Another middle school bond vote tour April 12
Only about 12 people took the Chisago Lakes School District up on its offer to tour one of the project sites slated for some of the $64 million in districtwide referendum capital projects being proposed. The Chisago Lakes School District seeks voter approval May 13 to borrow $63.7 million for a host of upgrades, replacements, and repairs of several school district facilities.
Inmate who fled county jail early April 10 back in custody
An internal review has been initiated by the sheriff’s office and county jail staff to determine what may have contributed to the escape of a jail inmate very early Thursday morning April 10. The Chief Deputy said preventive measures will be implemented to avoid future incidents.
Man killed in single car crash in Nessel Township
A male driver appears to have been killed in a single car crash in Nessel Township on Rush Point Drive. Sheriff’s investigators report the man is identified as 27 year old Ethan Dawson of Rosemount. He was alone in his car.
Study on reuse of Lindstrom City Hall shifts to subcommittee review
The four Lakes Area Police Commissioners met last week and set a new start time for their every-other-month meetings of 5:30 p.m. (They have met at 6:30 p.m.) The meetings rotate between Chisago City Hall on even-numbered years and Lindstrom City Hall on odd-numbered years. Because their meeting schedule is every-other-month the commissioners decided a subcommittee should be formed to look over the study on re-using Lindstrom City Hall. The committee members can walk the site with officers, drill deeper into costs and materials. Committee participants were not announced yet, but they will meet with more frequency than the LAPD commission does. Meanwhile, Chisago City Council scheduled a workshop just for city council to hash out its issues, next week. (See Lani Freeman’s report on page 4.)
Five apply for council vacancy
North Branch received names of five people interested in being considered for a vacant city council seat. Travis Miles stepped down when he was hired to be the city human resources generalist, a new position created this year. Council accepted applications until March 28 and there will be a review process, to select an appointee for a little over a year left in Miles’ term.
Online classes for 9-12 grades OK’d in Chisago Lakes
While Chisago Lakes Area School District has previously considered offering a remote learning option — harkening back to the era of stay at home learning during Covid-19 — it took some recent state educational licensing revisions to clear the way.
Chisago Board makes 2025-26 budget revisions
With very little discussion of the proposed budget revisions before them, members of the Chisago Lakes School Board agreed last week on fiscal year 2025-2026 budget revisions. About $880,000 is being trimmed to better align the upcoming year’s budget with enrollment revenue projections and expenditures.
County grants property tax abatement to Stacy power sports business
A new power sports business is going to be built on the west side of I-35 in Stacy, near the Kwik Trip. Acknowledging this is under an ambitious schedule, proposer Nick Simpson says if all goes according to plan the Polaris service and sales could move out of Simpson’s hardware store and into the stand alone site by fall 2025. Site work will get underway to prep the land soon.
County-led projects may see federal funding impacts
The Chisago county engineer and staff are herding a number of long range road designs, and more imminent projects along paths towards completion, like a possible Stacy interchange, right. For the most part things are going well. But one concern has popped up tied to the rebuild of Highway 8.
DRE is timely, productive post
It would be safe to have guessed that the help-wanted ad running when John Hodgkins’ County Deputy position was open, could have sent most job seekers running in the opposite direction.
Wyoming City Council briefs.....
A new set of play structures and sitework were approved by city council for the Fireside Park on the west side of the freeway around 262nd, in Wyoming.
New Lindstrom liquor store manager hired, street work heading for bids
Lindstrom council was steered through its regular council session last week by Brian Norelius as acting mayor in the absence of Judy Chartrand, who participated on the Internet.
Vehicular homicide charges filed
Felony vehicular homicide charges have been filed in connection with a minivan and passenger car crash Friday, March 14 about 6:18 p.m. on Rush Lake Trail, in Nessel Township. One of five children involved was removed from life support March 20 and passed away.
North Branch man sentenced for woman’s death in Lakeside Park
The North Branch man convicted of second degree murder, criminal vehicular homicide and assault in an incident that resulted in the death of a 17 year old female in a Forest Lake park, was sentenced in Washington County District Court March 20.
Sewer commission still not embracing invasives removal as pressure mounts
The Chisago Lakes Lake Improvement District was represented by several members (remotely and in person) attending the Joint Sewer Treatment Commission monthly meeting this week. They were hoping to show support and provide expertise lighting a fire under a long delayed plan of action needed for eradication of a noxious, invasive species of weed with a foothold inside the treatment plant property.
Local districts also hoping for paper forms to be reauthorized
There is a simple wording revision pending in the legislature in House File 31 that could make up for a school funding formula change that has resulted in large, unexpected projected losses of state aid. When the legislative formula for calculating each district’s compensatory aid was re-worded in 2023. The level of compensatory aid sent out to Minnesota districts was specifically tied only to “direct” verification of eligible families for this upcoming school year.
Sunrise Township reinstates blacktop account taxing; Mears takes supervisor seat
The citizens attending the Sunrise Township annual meeting March 11 voted to reactivate a $100,000 property tax collection that had lapsed and was not levied for this year’s taxes.
North Branch school officials make the case for state apprentices
It may have been spring break time for North Branch schools, but the superintendent and school board chair were on active duty last week. The two testified in person, in St Paul in support of a measure being carried by Austin area Representative Patricia Mueller, HF 1538.
NB has council vacancy, apply now
North Branch City Council gave the green light to constructing a storage building at the public works facility and the city will use the proceeds from the sale of the old ambulance garage on Highway 61 and Maple Street to pay for the project. The building is for sale and expected to generate over $300,000. It was used by water and light utility operations most recently, but now is used for storage.
Felony charges filed in Nessel Township crash that left one child dead and six others injured
Felony charges have been filed in connection with a fatal minivan and passenger car crash Friday, March 14 about 6:18 p.m. in Nessel Township, in the north end of Chisago County.
Taylors Falls takes a look at capital projects, again
With the pre-bid meeting scheduled for the end of this week, Taylors Falls City Council again took up discussing the city hall-fire hall new roof and exterior repairs and maintenance projects.
North Branch OK’d for drones
The North Branch Police Department is on its way to incorporating drones, or unmanned aerial devices into its operations. The city council gave Police Chief Dan Meyer the okay last week to proceed on crafting a drone policy and to collect public input and comment.
Man charged in serious Stacy crash September 2024 ordered held in treatment facility
The suspect in a two vehicle crash, in Stacy last fall, that injured several people and sent a child to the hospital with life threatening injuries, has been placed under commitment through the courts.
Fatality reported February 23 in crash involving golf cart
A 91-year-old man sustained fatal injuries February 23, when the golf cart he was operating in the area of Lyons Street and 311th, west of the freeway in Stacy, crashed into a Ford F350. A spokesperson for the sheriff said the investigation is continuing and relatives are being notified. At this time it appears to not have been caused by any illegal activity or behavior and was a tragic accident. The Press will release names later.
Death in Wyoming not linked to foul play
The Wyoming Police are awaiting the medical examiner final report on a deceased male discovered in a snowbank Sunday morning, in the Foxboro Avenue area.
North Branch Council: staffing issues continue
Newly-elected Council member Jeff Goulet participated in last week’s North Branch council meeting via the Internet, while the remaining four city leaders were in person. The meeting got off to a bumpy start when a consent agenda item was singled out and discussed individually later in the meeting. Normally consent items are basic and uncomplicated and are adopted as a slate.
North Branch Police use of deadly force investigation done
A review done of the BCA investigation into the shooting death June 27 of 36-year-old Jamie Crabtree in North Branch, has concluded none of the police action that night justifies a criminal prosecution.
Fatality in fire Sunday night, at Shafer apartments
Sheriff’s officials have confirmed that a woman died, apparently in the fire that consumed a multi-unit building on Redwing Avenue in Shafer, Sunday, February 2. The unidentified female, approximately 60 years old, was recovered at the scene and her name is being withheld until relatives can be notified.
Stacy arena seeks $5 million from state
The top-revenue generator charitable gaming organization based in Chisago County, is seeking $5 million in state aid through a bill authored by Senator Mark Koran (R-North Branch). The request in Senate File 312 was introduced January 21.
State charitable gaming data show highs, lows
Of the nearly 20 charitable gaming licensees operating events, pull tabs and bingo games in Chisago County— just two are five star listed, which is the optimal ranking the state awards to charitable gaming operations.
Five years; jail is still a model of collaboration
The goal behind the formation of a group called the Chisago County Collaborative Coalition is to encourage efficiencies in local government. The group brings together interested county and city officials, township leaders, department heads, school district reps and they learn about what’s going on throughout the county.
Taylors Falls City Council revises winter street parking rule; gets roofing costs
The winter overnight street parking rules were revised by the Taylors Falls City Council at the meeting Monday night Jan 27. The time when vehicles are prohibited from city streets (until April 15) is NOW midnight to 6 a.m. The former wording allowed vehicles until 2 a.m. but plow trucks were being dispatched earlier and finding it difficult to clear snow with cars and trucks still parked in their way. Taylors Falls city officials re-wrote the removal time to allow deputies to address the few vehicles that were in the way.
County sets up 2025 road projects
The Chisago County Board contracted with a couple of firms last week to consult on projects that are in the pipeline; such as worn out weirs in the lake lowering system and County Road 16 outside of Taylors Falls, and final touches on County Road 19 —from the new proposed round-about at Lofton Avenue east to Lincoln Trail.
North Branch Council ok’s HR help; bodyworn cameras get required audit; city building put on market
The five city council members in North Branch discussed their shared readiness to move forward last week on resolving city hall work environment issues. But, two members, Peter Schaps and newly elected Jeff Goulet, differed from the other three on the best way to go about this.
Unexpected Company tuning up for adventure overseas; express your support and attend Valentine’s weekend fundraiser shows
This May a few dozen people are off to Scandinavia on a mission that’s been 40 years in-the-making. In 1984 a community adult choir came together in the Chisago Lakes Area organized by a former local high school instructor, Jim Iverson. And ever since then, the Unexpected Company Chorale has never wavered from its goal to be a welcoming place for those who love to sing and want to keep learning and refining their vocal skills. Decades ago as the original 20 or so chorale members set out on this endeavor, who could have predicted the group would develop into a diplomatic force.
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