Why would you want to start seeds indoors? Because you get a jump start on gardening, there are larger varieties of plants to choose from compared to what you’ll find at your local garden center or box store, you have control over the planting medium and growing environment and….it’s just re…
featured
Going into the Section 7AAAA boys basketball championship game, the Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets knew they had to play a near-perfect game on both the offensive and defensive end of the court if they wanted to upset the #1 seed Andover Huskies. After the first two rounds of the section tourn…
The Wild River Audubon chapter is hosting a Birds and Beer gathering at the Uncommon Loon in Chisago City, MN on Wednesday, March 22 beginning at 7 p.m. in the brewery’s Great Hall. They are thrilled to welcome Jim Stengel, a volunteer in the Red-headed Woodpecker Recovery Project (RhWR), a …
Whoever is in control of the scoreboard for the upcoming Section 7AAAA boys basketball championship game in Chisago Lakes between #1 seed Andover and #3 seed Cambridge-Isanti better start limbering up their fingers.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has created a new online tool, called the Watershed Health Assessment Framework for Lakes (WHAF for Lakes), providing easy access to water quality and health information for thousands of Minnesota lakes.
University of Minnesota Extension will present a five part webinar series this spring on how to create wildlife habitat on your property in Minnesota.
State-licensed anglers will have the opportunity to harvest a walleye 21-23 inches in length or greater than 28 inches throughout the 2023 open water season on Mille Lacs Lake. A lower walleye harvest this winter and an improving walleye population are combining to allow this year’s more lib…
featured
It could almost be argued that Kami Senlycki’s claiming of the state girls wrestling championship at 185 pounds was a bit anti-climactic. Before the public address announcers even had a chance to rattle off the senior Bluejacket’s impressive bio, Senlycki had already muscled her overmatched …
Both the Cambridge-Isanti Bluejacket and North Branch Viking boys basketball teams were rewarded for their strong regular seasons with a higher seed in their respective section tournaments, affording them one last opportunity to play in front of their home crowds.
In January 2023, the Minnesota Department of Transportation came out with its list of the most common noxious weeds in Minnesota. These weeds fall into four areas of “weed law”. They are Prohibited-Eradicate, Prohibited-Control, Restricted and Specially Regulated. These “weed laws” help det…
featured
The Cambridge-Isanti Bluejackets will be well represented at the Minnesota State High School League’s premier tournament, sending three boys grapplers to the state meet to go along with Kami Senlycki, who qualified for the girls tournament two weeks ago.
featured
North Branch’s Dakota Esget was excited to finally be competing in a normal state gymnastics meet. Even though the sophomore had competed in the last two state meets, those were held under COVID conditions. And Esget took full advantage of that normalcy, capturing the school’s first-ever sta…
featured
The first weekend of section postseason competition for local winter sports teams turned out to be a bit of a buzzkill as several teams experienced less-than-expected results.
February is the month when eagle parents are getting ready to produce the next generation of high-flying predators. Their teamwork as they protect the nest from predators, incubate eggs and hunt for food in the icy winter conditions are true #couplegoals.
featured
Sure signs of spring are in the air. Temperatures are warming up, snow is melting (then refreezing and melting again, etc.), birds are starting to return, and winter sports regular seasons are coming to an end. Last week and over the next couple weeks, every winter sports teams will have eit…
Cambridge-Isanti Bluejacket girls wrestler Kami Senlycki has punched her ticket to her second state tournament in as many years of Minnesota State High School League girls wrestling individual competition. The senior qualified for state by winning the 185-pound section 6 and 7 tournament hel…
The Chisago County Master Gardeners will present their annual Garden Expo on Saturday March 18, 2023 at the North Branch High School. It’s a day long event from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. that includes 20 classes and a keynote speaker who this year will be Climate Scientist Sam Potter talking about “C…
featured
The Cambridge-Isanti Bluejacket and North Branch Viking girls and boys basketball teams followed the Golden Rule of “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” in their games against each other last week. Either that, or it was a case of “anything you can do, I can do better.” Whiche…
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking for passionate and dedicated students interested in learning more about natural resource careers through paid summer internships. DNR summer interns gain valuable training, build meaningful experience and share their knowledge and pers…
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recently reclassified the northern long-eared bat (Myotis septentrionalis) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The species is facing a rapid decline in population due to the impacts of white-nose syndrome, an invasive fungus that most visi…
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is inviting residents to learn more about the exciting winter activity of dog sledding through an upcoming webinar. The webinar, which will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 25th at noon, will be led by Bethany Hway, the founder and race direct…
Take a Kid Ice Fishing Weekend is Saturday, Jan. 14, through Monday, Jan. 16.
featured
A majority of the winter sports teams go into somewhat of a hibernation during the Christmas break — only coming out for practices. However, there are a few holiday tournaments, mostly in basketball, hockey, and wrestling, that provide some competition the week between Christmas and New Years.
featured
For the third time in ten days, every winter sports competition had to be postponed due to extreme winter weather. That, coupled with the traditional days off for Christmas resulted in games being played on only one day (Tuesday, Dec. 20) last week.
For the first time, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources’ Roundtable — an annual gathering of conservation partners to discuss fisheries, wildlife, and ecological and water resource topics — will include an open registration opportunity for what has historically been an invitation-o…
Achievements include significant progress in conservation and natural resources management, connecting more people to the outdoors, and climate adaptation and mitigation
Winter is here and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has tips for anyone who wants to try ice fishing. The DNR’s learn to ice fish page (mndnr.gov/GoFishing/Learn-Ice-Fish.html) has information about how to search for fishing lakes online with DNR LakeFinder, how to dress, thrift…
First Day Hikes will take place at 11 Minnesota state parks on Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, as part of a nationwide effort to connect people with the outdoors.
Wondering how to get outside and enjoy the outdoors this winter? The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has some great no- and low-cost activities open to everyone.
featured
It might have been Bluejacket John Troolin’s birthday, but it was the junior basketball player who gave out the biggest present in the form of a three-point shot with just three seconds remaining to give Cambridge-Isanti an 81-79 win over Elk River.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has finalized an updated wolf management plan that incorporates the diverse views of Minnesotans and will guide the state’s approach to wolf conservation for the next 10 years.
I have a few trees that need to come down on my property. Two are in the early stages of an Emerald Ash Borer infestation and the other is a decades old Silver Maple that’s in decline. All three need to be taken down professionally due to their location being too close to our house for u…
Four Cambridge-Isanti seniors signed their National Letters of Intent to continue competing in college next year. Putting pen to paper were (from left) Ada Schlenker, who will play volleyball for Wisconsin-River Falls; Evelyn Wiltrout, who will play basketball for Wisconsin-River Falls; Mara…
Northern Tier’s Brooklyn Carlsten tries to shake free from a St. Paul North/Tartan defender during their game at Isanti Ice Arena. After winning their season opener 5-2 over Northern Lakes, the Stars have gone on a four-game losing streak, falling 8-1 to Osseo/Park Center, 8-5 to Chisago Lak…
The DNR does not measure ice thickness on Minnesota lakes. Your safety is your responsibility. Learn about the different ways to check ice thickness before heading out.
Isanti County's Springvale County Park was one of 14 regional parks to benefit from a recent Legacy Fund grant.
Give the gift of outdoor opportunities
Public entities and nonprofit organizations serving people younger than 18 can apply for No Child Left Inside grants through 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is offering the grants to help more children cast a line, study animal tracks, hike, bike, o…
North Branch’s state quarterfinal football game versus Rocori was close to being a case of the story of the tortoise versus the hare coming to life. Unfortunately for the Vikings, who were playing the part of the tortoise, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
As the weather changes and temperatures drop, I think of the winter ahead. I “need” a bit of green and color during those long, white winter months. One way to get this is by forcing or “tricking” flowering bulbs to bloom in the Winter. The easiest bulbs to work with are Amaryllis and Paperw…
featured
In geometry, we are taught the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Last Friday, the North Branch football team put that principle to good use while claiming the school’s first-ever section football championship with a resounding 34-6 win over Cloquet.
featured
After years of sub .500 seasons, the North Branch football team is beginning to get into the habit of contending for a section championship and state tournament berth. Now, all that’s needed to be accomplished is breaching that last obstacle and claiming the school’s first-ever football sect…
