Chisago County Press

Legislative request for interchange design

Recently the Minnesota senate capital investment committee paid a visit to Wyoming and Lindstrom to see firsthand the local aid requests for a couple public safety projects. (Story Press Jan. 25)

NB offender gets stayed sentence for September 2022 incident

A North Branch man who was injured when police discharged firearms while apprehending him as he ignored admonitions to drop a large knife, has been given a stayed sentence and five years’ probation. If Erik Hammer, 32, remains law abiding, participates in random substance and alcohol tests, has no contact with a woman whose protection order he violated, and follows through on what healthcare professionals advise— he won’t serve the 28 month stayed sentence.

Taylors Falls gets business park nibbles

The city of Taylors Falls hasn’t had much interest expressed by anyone wanting to locate in its business/industrial park, situated west of downtown; until Monday night this week, when three enterprises seeking more feedback from council members were on the agenda.

Wyoming hosts senate group tour

Members of the State Senate Capital Investment Committee visited two Chisago County locations January 17. Their coach bus made stops at Wyoming and Lindstrom—where the senate received applications for public safety-related facilities seeking funding from the state bonding bill.

ARMER contract getting attention

The mayor for the City of Wyoming, Lisa Iverson, spoke during public comment at last week’s County Board meeting, advising the commissioners it’s time to get started on the emergency radio contract language soon.

Memorial podcast online

It’s been stated the more often that a person who has passed is talked about, in a good natured way, the stronger the positive memories become of him or her.

North Branch has interim administrator in place, search process next thing to resolve

After a motion to table action naming Jason Ziemer as North Branch interim city administrator failed; motion supporters City Council members Kelly Neider and Peter Schaps then voted with three members of the council to have Ziemer serve until a full-time, permanent administrator comes on board.

Staff visit North Branch Board as officers, wages set

A few dozen North Branch schools staff members filled the school board meeting room last week to call attention to the unresolved contract talks. The visitors wore red T shirts and carried small signs with “196 days” (without a contract from July 1) printed on them. No one from the contingent spoke.

Fish Lake burn death defendant declared incompetent

A district court judge has ruled Dallas Raymond Evenstad to be incompetent to stand trial. He was facing trial on first degree murder charges in the death of one person, and serious injury sustained by another, both of whom were set on fire June 4, 2023 inside their Fish Lake Township residence.

Police hire; new outreach program get council okay

As the City of Wyoming strides into 2024 the city leaders met to assign city council members to posts and adopt fees and handle a host of other city organizational measures, January 2. Council meetings remain the first and third Tuesdays at 7 p.m. and Claire Luger continues as vice mayor for another term in the event Mayor Lisa Iverson has a conflict.

Suspect arrested in a pair of cold case sexual assaults

Investigators seeking to identify additional victims

A Chisago County man has been arrested and charged in connection with a pair of sexual assaults that took place seven years apart in the cities of Stacy and Lindstrom. Investigative leads were developed based on DNA that was initially collected at the time of each offense.

North Branch waste facility contamination costs defined

There was a surprise expense approved by the county commissioners, for the Household Hazardous Waste facility the county runs in North Branch.

Dunne named 2024 Chisago County Board chair

The chair for the Chisago County Board in 2024 will be Marlys Dunne, Chisago City. She got a unanimous vote this week at the annual organizational Board meeting and succeeds Ben Montzka as Chair.

Lent supervisors meet for the last time ever

The final meeting December 19 of the Lent Township Board of Supervisors was no swan song of a half-dozen obsolete policymakers. Following the public 6 p.m. open house of refreshments, reminiscing and reconnecting— the 7 p.m. full Township Board meeting notably concentrated on a list of things needing attention.

North Branch Council brings short term administrator on board

The Community Economic Development Director for North Branch has been named short term interim city administrator, in the wake of the former city administrator resigning. Renae Fry’s final day was December 15. Jason Ziemer agreed to accept $600 more per week, to takeover the duties and fill the post until January 9, 2024 —- when the city council will be able to look at the situation a little more in-depth.

Commissioners OK 10 dog max at Fish Lake kennel address

A permit to allow for 10 dogs maximum on a property on Badger Boulevard in Fish Lake Township got a unanimous okay from commissioners last week. The application had been reviewed a couple times and was revised to exclude the “commercial” operations.

Manufacturing forum spotlights recruiting, retaining staff

The message at a forum for manufacturing in North Branch held last week, was that manufacturing in Minnesota is relatively healthy at this time, but industry owners and operators are still concerned about “economic stagnation” on the horizon. They expect Minnesota laws mandating sick time and family leave and other benefits to become obstacles in the path-to-profits.

Taylors Falls Council adopts budget, puts out call for vacancies

In wrapping up his first full budgeting process of his first-ever mayoral term— Brandon Weiberg commented at last week’s council session the Taylors Falls council has done a good job, and dynamics seem to have settled into an ability to continue working on what needs attention within the city, plus he is happy to see city offices finally fully staffed and also working cooperatively.

NB to hold special meeting this week to address administrator position

The full North Branch City Council last week met just 72 hours before the final work day for the administrator, and there was no announcement on either who is being put into the interim position or how candidates for a successor will be recruited.

Conversation-filled hearing results in three percent county levy hike

Chisago County commissioners on December 6 voted 4-0, with Commissioner Jim Swenson absent, to enact an approximately 3.3 percent levy hike for 2024. This allows the county to collect $47.2 million in local revenues for the overall $87 million in projected budget expenses for next year. The difference between the two is covered through grants, local government aid, targeted tax and program monies from outside of the property tax.

Center City firefighters’ pension upped, 2024 levy/budget adopted

Center City firefighters will benefit from action by the city council last week increasing the payout for their service. Firefighters have been qualifying for $2,300 in a lump sum payment for each year of their service after they are vested and opt to “retire.” The volunteer firefighters had that payout increased to $2,500 in a unanimous vote by council.

North Branch and city administrator reach separation terms, fire chief to retire

The North Branch City Council last week approved a successor Fire Chief for Kevin Grote who retires, after a dozen-plus years as chief, at the end of this month.

North Branch School Board assigned homework to promote early learning

The COVID pandemic has been blamed for leaving behind a legacy of negative long term individual health issues but also, perhaps we are seeing a dampening effect on certain community connections.

Daycare incentives may be bearing fruit

Four new Chisago County daycare licenses are fast-approaching finalization, the result of a concerted effort by the county to increase options.

Wastewater costs planned to increase for CLJSTC in 2024

The Chisago Lakes Joint Sewage Treatment Commission met last week just one member into a five person majority, with four absent. Marlys Dunne, Lloyd Vetter, Bob Gustafson and Claire Luger missed out on voting for a 6.9 percent budget hike for next year.

Wyoming Council briefs...

The drought of last summer may have something to do with the larger-than-normal past due bills the Wyoming City Council certified to taxes last week. Council member Linda Nanko Yeager asked if the $102,000 in seriously delinquent accounts has roots in the rates and if they are burdensome to residents. City Administrator Robb Linwood guessed the large sum is more likely due to homeowner associations and heavy irrigating of new home sod. Linwood agreed though, the past due accounts are adding up and ordinarily the city sees a total closer to $80,000. He reminded the council there are rate studies that look into expenses for the systems and revenue necessary to sustain them.

Veterans’ Memorial committee preparing fundraising campaign

North Branch council, with Kelly Neider absent, got an update on the Veterans Memorial from organizer Joe Scaramell, as part of the council meeting November 14. The group working on the memorial project is ready to start marketing for accepting donations, which will pay for all costs. A contract was also approved between the North Branch Beautification Association and the city, stating that this Capital Campaign will “fully fund” project expenses.

Water & Light meets final time

North Branch Water & Light has ridden off into the sunset with its final utility commission meeting November 15 in the rearview mirror.

Two broadband projects get funds

Two requests for financial assistance for providing Internet to under served areas of Chisago County were granted at last week’s County Board meeting. With Commissioner Marlys Dunne absent, the votes were unanimous to assist Hometown Internet with broadband enhancements in the Amador Township area, and to help Midcontinent (MIDCO) projects from Wyoming-to-Stacy-to the south corner of North Branch at 375th and Forest Blvd. An area in Chisago Lake Township, at Green Lake Trail and 250th is also in the MIDCO plan.

State aid roads reviewed, council sets new 2024 meeting day and time

Lindstrom City Council voted 5-0 last week to affirm a denial of a rezoning request. Council had expressed opposition to the application in October and asked for a worded resolution with findings to support the denial for Luke Anderson’s residential rezoning. He had sought to rezone from single family to R2 property, on Lindstrom Lane.

Decades of service on the slopes recognized

A member of the Wild Mountain Ski Patrol was recently recognized for giving 50 years of time and energy to the legacy volunteer organization.

Wiosky acquitted of murder in Wyoming death

Even when a jury can be shown videotape from a surveillance camera, showing a hit and run fatality as it happened, it is still possible the jury might not agree the offense was murder or even manslaughter. In the trial of a pickup truck driver running over a person at the freeway convenience store/gas station on Kettle River Boulevard, in Wyoming last June—the jury could not come to a verdict that defendant Mark Andrew Wiosky, 38, acted intentionally.

Regular water rules return to city of Wyoming

The water usage restrictions that were in effect in Wyoming city the latter part of this summer/and early fall are now lifted. The area received sufficient rainfall amounts the last several weeks for bans to come off in urban areas of over 1,000 populations. Wyoming City Council rescinded the ban at last week’s meeting and signs posted at entryways to the city should be taken down by now.

Taylors Falls had full Monday agenda

The applicants for a cannabinoid business license for the Old Jail Bed & Breakfast, withdrew their request at the Taylors Falls City Council meeting Monday night this week, saying the non-intoxicating low dose products are being treated unrealistically and the whole process feels like “over-reach” by town officials.

Commissioners not in support of day meetings

The majority of county commissioners have expressed little support for changing meetings to daytime sessions.

NBMS site of new pollinator habitat

When you drive or walk past the middle school campus in North Branch next summer and notice a colorful myriad of sprouting plants, enjoy the moment and appreciate what caused this beneficial oasis to appear.

North Branch High School gets grant for STEM program

It used to be that when a portable computer used by a student attending North Branch Area Public Schools needed repairs— the unit was taken out of circulation and shipped to wherever Chromebooks go for TLC.

Opposition to Fish Lake dog business fills meeting room; more to come

A public hearing for an after-the-fact kennel permit authorization filled the government center planning commission meeting room with people Nov. 2, to express opposition.

Former sheriff pleads guilty, to be sentenced in February

Former Chisago County Sheriff Rick Duncan entered a guilty plea November 7 to one count of third degree criminal sexual conduct and a total of three other counts of third and fourth degree offenses will be dismissed. District Court Judge Jesse Seabrooks accepted the plea and set sentencing for February 16, 2024.

CL Schools referendums fail, Aadland elected to the school board

In North Branch, Water & Light to be abolished

In the Chisago Lakes School District a special vote was held to fill an open seat on the school board from Cory Spencer's resignation in March.

Code of Conduct complaint dismissed

The majority of North Branch City Council found no basis for a complaint filed against the mayor, by fellow council member Kelly Neider, and voted 3-0 to not take any action last week. The North Branch Council members agreed the complaint was insufficiently substantiated, and there was nothing to penalize as far as alleged Code of Conduct violations. Council also directed staff in its motion to schedule a facilitator for a work session on relationships and conflict resolution in the near future.

Paranormal adventures, midwest style

In the course of a lifetime many people put in the work personally in search of their spirituality, understanding the importance of being an enlightened human being and a repository of positive energy in the physical universe.

Chisago County braces for impact from delinquent property tax court ruling

Every decision the Supreme Court hands down affects somebody or something— and officials working within the county property tax system are anticipating an impact to their workload due to a portion of the tax delinquent response process recently being ruled unconstitutional.

Utility referendum info campaign declarations are scrutinized by council

With just days remaining before the utility commission’s future physical existence goes to voters in North Branch— city officials last week were still getting a handle on the facts behind the plan.

Lindstrom cannabis business permits on-hold

Lindstrom has joined the list of cities banning any processing, or submittal, of applications for cannabis related businesses. Council voted 5-0 October 19 for a temporary moratorium. The halt gives the city time to review business regulations and develop operations standards for retail sales, manufacture and even for profit cultivation, of cannabis.

Levies shaping up

During this month and next local governing entities are discussing amounts they have adopted for preliminary maximum 2024 levy. They will need to once they have held the Taxation public hearings, and have to adopt a final budget and levy impacting next year’s property taxes.

County Board OK’s rural business permits

The Chisago County Board last week authorized two home businesses in the countryside. One is a motorsports outlet, applying for an after-the-fact Conditional Use Permit for a parcel in Nessel Township on Rush Lake Road, and the other is described as a landscaping services/contractor on Kost Trail, in Sunrise Township, on a parcel owned by William and Beverly Payne.