LATEST NEWS

This week in Princeton, Minnesota, there were several incidents reported to the Princeton Police Department and a sentencing for insurance fraud. These incidents include a theft, a vehicle accident, an agency assist, and the arrest of a subject for misuse of a 911 call. The sentencing involved a contractor from Princeton who was sentenced to probation for insurance fraud related to denying insurance benefits to an injured worker.

Less than 24 hours after being attacked and killed with a golf club, a growing memorial outside of the Oak Grove grocery store shows how many lives Robert Skafte touched.

The Friends of the Isanti Area Library (FIAL) is very appreciative of everyone who helped to make its 12th Annual Used Book Sale its most successful yet. The event was held at the Isanti Community Center, thanks to FIAL’s partnership with the Isanti Lions Club. The Friends group also celebrated its 15th anniversary with cookies and a slideshow during the sale. With the goal of promoting literacy in the community,...

Interested in adopting a pet — or just looking at some adorable pets near you up for adoption? There are dozens of endearing pets up for adoption at animal shelters in and around princeton..

• Deputy Chris Fjeld, a police officer, crawled across a thinly frozen lake to rescue two fishermen and a dog who had fallen through the ice in Nowthen, Minn. • Fjeld used a rope tied around his waist to pull the men and the dog to safety, despite the Marine Unit equipment and resources not having arrived yet.

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Minnesota woman has been sentenced to federal prison for a conviction connected to multiple schemes to defraud people throughout the nation. The US Attorney for Minnesota says 70-year-old Gale Joyce Ferngren of Rush City has been ordered to spend 21 months behind bars followed by two years on supervised release. She is also being required to pay $1.7 million in restitution.

Over the last several years, the city of Cambridge’s Truth in Taxation meeting has turned into a broken record. The levy itself sees an increase, however, the tax rate is decreasing, however, a resident’s property taxes are impacted even more by rising residential property values coupled with declining commercial property values. The numbers may change, but the refrain is the same.

Coach: Kyle Kahl Last season: Did not place in Section 4AA Key returnees: Senior captain Leonardo Gonzalez-Santos, senior Colin Duvall; junior captains Jack Baker, Evan Pommier and Ethan Kester. Outlook: The North Branch wrestling team returns a majority of its firepower from last year despite losing four seniors to graduation. ...

Rush City City Council looked at how the changes in employee benefits will affect the city at its Monday, Nov. 27, meeting. The state now requires that all employees be offered “Earned Sick and Safe Time,” and in 2026 the state will also require that all employees have Paid Family and Medical Leave. City administrator Amy Mell shared this information from a training through the League of Minnesota Cities. According...

A contractor from Princeton was sentenced to two years probation on Tuesday, Dec. 5, after committing insurance fraud by lying and denying insurance benefits to an injured worker. Nelson Israel Lopez Giron, 35, of Princeton, owns Giron Construction, based in Eden Prairie, and was sentenced in Hennepin County District Court on felony charges of workers’ compensation insurance fraud. Lopez Giron was accused of refusing aid to a construction worker who...

District 10 - Mille Lacs area - CO Victoria Griffith (Isle) monitored trapping, small-game, muzzleloader, and angling activities. Time was spent following up on wetland violations. Assistance was given to local agencies. A reminder to keep ice safety in mind when venturing out. - CO Dan Starr (Onamia) worked early ice fishing activity and the muzzleloader deer season. Trapping activity was also monitored. A few panfish were showing up despite...

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. Grote told the Press in a profile interview when he was chosen to be 2017 Midsummer Days Grand Marshal; that the fire chief post for him was all about being able to help people in their time of need, and contributing to the community. Grote is a North Branch Area Public School District science instructor and most recently also a coach for the clay target-shooting teams.

An Anoka County deputy is being credited for his quick actions in saving two fishermen and a dog that had fallen through thin ice and into a frigid lake.

After 164 dog years (30 human years) caring for Cambridge animals big and small Dr. Linda Heaton of Cambridge VetCare Animal Clinic is set to retire and on Dec. 15 close the clinic’s doors for the last time. Cambridge VetCare Animal Clinic opened in 1993 and at the time...

Assistant coaches: Cassie Guenther and Nicole Morgan. Who are the players to watch this year? Returning from last year’s Section Team are: Abby Donnay, Anika Michaelis, Aubrey Wilson, Bailey Okerlund, Jovie Ebertowski, Julia Henderson, Reyna Diaz, Rilynn Herbst, and Zoe Klocksien. What will be the keys to the team’s...

The Princeton Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism’s Residential Lights Contest is in full swing with registration now closed and voting starting soon. The Residential Lights Contest is part of Light Up Princeton and brings holiday cheer to the community with holiday themed light displays around town. This year, the Residential Lights Contest has 10 homes, all in Princeton, registered to compete. Registration closed on Dec. 1. ...

Members Cooperative Credit Union launched its annual “12 Days of Giving” initiative, providing $30,000 in donations to non-profit organizations in its branch communities. Each of Members’ 12 branches selected an organization to receive a $2,500 gift. The funds will be used to support the basic needs and essential services of those who benefit from their programming. On Day 9, the Isanti branch selected and honored Cambridge Surplus Food Distribution. On Day 11, the North Branch office selected Safe Haven Foster Shoppe. The 12 Days of Giving initiative started in 2020 and aligns with Members’ mission to “Make its communities stronger, its employees happier, and our world better.”

Amanda Usher, interim county administrator and HR director, was offered a contract as the full-time administrator for Isanti County. During the Tuesday, Dec. 5 Isanti County board meeting, commissioners held a 30-minute interview after Usher has served roughly six months as interim administrator. After the interview, commissioners voted to offer Usher a contract to take the position full-time. ...

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. For years we were avoiding gathering in large groups and crowded institutions were to be avoided. The North Branch...

The name Little North may sound familiar to those who have shopped throughout Isanti. It happens to be in the title of now three businesses, all of which are located in the same building. Little North Playland, owned by Kasi Buzzell, officially opened on Friday, Dec. 1. Her first business, Little North Boutique, opened Sept. 29, 2022, followed shortly after by Little North Sweets on Oct. 7. ...