Jeff Norton

Both NB and CL see their season end at the hands of Grand Rapids

The fourth-seeded Chisago Lakes boys basketball team opened the Section 7AAA tournament with an impressive performance, rolling past fifth-seeded Hermantown 83-69 before seeing its postseason run end against top-seeded Grand Rapids in the semifinals on Friday, March 6.

Spicing up our lives

It’s not a secret that I love spicy food, and Aly made some amazing jerk pork loin earlier this week that just really put spice on my mind when I started to think about this week’s recipe column. So these recipes may not be for the faint of stomach! Just remember if you’re sensitive to spicy food, make sure to have some milk handy!

Sports

Divers both make finals, swimmers earn valuable experience at state

Chisago Lakes sent a large contingent of competitors to the 2026 Minnesota Class A Boys Swim and Dive State Meet last week at the University of Minnesota Jean K. Freeman Aquatic Center, with multiple individuals and relays qualifying.

Both girls teams knocked out by top seed Rock Ridge

Using up your winter stockpile

Of course, there could still be some big snowstorms and deep freezes, but I see some near 60 degree temps coming up this weekend and early next week. Of course it goes back down a bit, but I’m itching to empty the pantry of all the soups and canned goods stocked over the winter.

Featured fish entrees for Lent

We are officially in the season of Lent and fish! The fish fry meals are always great at the local churches, but here are a few recipes you can make at home this year while observing Lent.

CL School Board gives green light to expanding online learning next year

The Chisago Lakes Wildcat Academy, the district’s online school, is expanding to offer middle school classes for next year.

‘Cats split two with section teams

Chisago Lakes closed out a busy week on the hardwood with a split, overwhelming Hermantown at home before running into a hot-shooting Grand Rapids squad on the road.

Thorsen and Dick heading to state for NB; CL seventh grader joins

Chisago Lakes seventh grader Lila Leadholm had herself a meet on Saturday, turning in a pair of steady, confident routines to earn her first trip to the MSHSL State gymnastics meet at the Section 7A meet in Princeton.

CL comes in eighth at state

Chisago Lakes closed out its season with a strong eighth-place finish at the 2026 Minnesota State Alpine Ski Meet on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at Giants Ridge in Biwabik, scoring 72 points in a deep and competitive field of some of the biggest and most prestigious schools in the state. Hill-Murray claimed the team championship with 169 points.