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County News Review
C-I clay target team has rough day, terrific season
The Cambridge-Isanti clay target had a great regular season, and that gave the program a chance to have a great postseason. The Bluejackets did take advantage of that opportunity with an impressive performance at the Minnesota Trap Shooting Championship held in Alexandria in June. But C-I did struggle with a second postseason opportunity at the MSHSL’s Clay Target championship a short time later. ...
North Branch wins twice in busy week of Town Ball action
The North Branch Nighthawks beat the numbers game twice last week. In this instance, the “numbers game” was making sure the team had enough players available to cover a nine-inning Town Ball contest. “Vacations, families, whatever – we had older players stepping in to fill holes in the lineup,” manager Jim Skroch said. “But our guys stepped up and did great.” ...
Isanti commissioners look at Highway Department building
Isanti County Commissioners briefly discussed the steps the county is taking to produce a new Highway Department building at the meeting held Tuesday, July 2. During the Commissioner Committee reports near the end of the meeting, Commissioner Steve Westerberg noted that work is still moving forward on determining the needs of the county. During the commissioner’s meeting held on March 19, a facility study conducted by CBS Squared — an...
Leniz retires after 24 years of coaching Braham baseball
A remarkable 29-year coaching career comes to an end for Aitor Leniz, who served as Braham’s head varsity baseball coach since 2000. His retirement was announced at a recent school board meeting. Prior to stepping foot into the Bombers community, Leniz began teaching in Nevada in 1995, where he also coached high school baseball for five years before officially making the move to Minnesota in 2000. Upon the arrival to...
Isanti PD to purchase upgraded body camera system
Due to current body camera hardware being outdated and hard to repair, the Isanti Police Department is updating its body camera system. Isanti Police Chief Travis Muyres explained officers wear body-worn cameras for evidentiary purposes as well as transparency. Currently the police department operates with a Watchguard in-car and body-camera system that is a synced system with an on-premise data server (remote backup service). Muyres said there are issues with...
Busy ‘Birds win 2 Town Ball games before Sunday loss
The Isanti Redbirds were the only local Town Ball team to see action this past week. And boy, were they busy. The Redbirds won twice during the week before finishing with a tough one-run loss to Ramsey on Sunday, July 7. The Redbirds opened the week with a 5-2 non-league home victory over Shoreview on Tuesday, July 2. ...
Cambridge PD promotes new detective, officer
Cambridge Police Chief Shawn Machin announced the promotion of Tyler Johnson to detective and welcomed new officer Derek Gregorich during the Cambridge City Council meeting July 1. Johnson joined the department last July and came to the Cambridge Police Department with 10 years of law enforcement experience from several different agencies. Johnson moved into a detective position in May that was made vacant with the promotion of Tanner Hagen to deputy police chief. ...
Zimmermans named 2024 Isanti County Outstanding Seniors
A Cambridge couple who has tirelessly volunteered for many service organizations for over 50 years has been selected as the 2024 Isanti County Outstanding Seniors. Alvin and Virginia Zimmerman will make their first official appearance as the 2024 Isanti County Outstanding Seniors during the Isanti Rodeo Jubilee Days Parade on Thursday, July 11. They will also be honored during an outstanding senior program at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 18, during Senior Day at the Isanti County Fair. ...
Catching up with ... Paige Bauer
2021 North Branch graduate Paige Bauer has endured quite the journey since joining the Maverick track family, where she competes in both indoor and outdoor track and field for Division II Minnesota State University, Mankato. From being ill for most of the indoor season her freshman year, to dislocating her ankle and tearing multiple ligaments shortly after that, the current junior seemingly couldn’t catch a break. But a few minor...
City of Rush City updates financial software
The audited financial statements for the city of Rush City were presented by Paul Burkhardt with Burkhardt and Burkhardt during the City Council meeting June 24. Each year, the financial position of the city is audited by an outside firm. The report presented during the council meeting was for the year ending Dec. 31, 2023. The report stated that the city holds “capital assets, less depreciation, totaling $23,522,666; representing a broad base of city-wide infrastructure.” The amount “includes land, buildings, improvements, machinery and equipment and...
County News Review's Town Ball Spotlight
The County News Review is the best source for information for four area teams that play Town Ball in the Eastern Minny League. Here are four Spotlight features on local Town Ball teams that was published on Thursday, July 4. Click here to read about the Braham Snappers.Click here to read about the Isanti Redbirds.Click here to read about the North Branch Nighthawks.Click here to read about the Rum River...
Isanti adopts policy for Illuminate Isanti community displays
Since the Isanti City Council has decided to update the format of Illuminate Isanti, including the allowance of community/sponsor lead displays, the council approved a resolution to help streamline the process. During the Isanti City Council meeting Tuesday, June 18, the council adopted a resolution relating to community displays during the Illuminate Isanti festival of lights event. As per the policy: “The city of Isanti offers a designated display area,...
Surprising North Branch Nighthawks off to fast start
The North Branch Nighthawks Town Ball team possesses some seasoned veterans once again this year — some who have been with the program over the last eight to nine years. It can serve as a big advantage for the group, which now has several new additions in a variety of younger players who are looking to make an immediate impact. Jimmy Skroch, Nick Solberg, Clint Mattson and Nick Pilz make up the leaders at the helm, while recent North Branch grads Andrew Orf, Noah Thorsen,...
Isanti Redbirds look to continue rebuilding
Last year the Isanti Redbirds took the first steps toward revamping a roster that had dominated the Eastern Minny League in recent seasons. That will continue this summer, as over the winter the team had 11 players either retire or leave. “Most of them were either starters or of starting caliber,” Isanti manager Steve Allen said. “We lost some pretty high-quality individuals and good ballplayers. ...
Names of those involved in June 27 North Branch shooting released
The name of the North Branch woman and the two North Branch police officers involved in the use-of-force shooting that took place on Thursday, June 27 have been identified. According to a release from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the woman killed as Jamie Ann Crabtree, 36, of North Branch. She died of multiple gunshot wounds. The...
Woulfe named North Branch interim city administrator
North Branch has tapped a familiar face to serve as its interim city administrator. Lynda Woulfe, who served as city administrator for Cambridge for 14 years, will assume a similar role at North Branch starting Monday, July 8. She was unanimously approved for this role at a special meeting of North Branch's council held Monday, July 1. Mayor Kevin Schieber gave the credit for the city connecting with Woulfe to...
New faces, same goal for Rum River Bandits
The Rum River Bandits feature a number of familiar faces year after year since the 2007 season when the team was formed. Tom Koplitz was the manager; the everyday lineup often featured Kevin Auth, Mike Koplitz and Andy Julkowski; and typically Nate Knudsen or Shawn Motl were among those who took the mound. This year? Much has changed. ...
Braham Snappers have good mix of experienced players
Despite the early season struggles, the Braham Snappers Town Ball team has some notable young talent, while also owning a good mix of experienced players. That is a combination that can lead to success, according to assistant coach Andy Beckstrom. Beckstrom said Ty Stepp has been “integral” toward what Beckstrom and his staff are building for the future. ...
Operation Dry Water anchors DNR safety, enforcement efforts during long holiday week
People across the state are gearing up for lots of time on the water on the Fourth of July holiday and the days that follow. As they do, Minnesota Department of Resources conservation officers and their public safety partners are reminding them to keep safety at the top of their list. There are a variety of factors for boaters to keep in mind, including busy waterways, locally high water, and an increased law enforcement presence to keep everyone safe. The latter is part of Operation...
Braham claims first Town Ball win of season thanks to comeback, late rally
The strains of Kool & the Gang’s hit “Celebration” were blaring out of the Braham Snappers dugout on Sunday, June 30. And why not? The Snappers had just claimed a 12-11 victory over visiting Hinckley, giving Braham its first Town Ball win of the season. “It’s been a tough year for us so far,” assistant coach Andy Beckstrom said afterward. “A win like this can be huge for us. We’re...
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