FREE Hearing is about ISANTI-CHISAGOISANTI-CHISAGO connecting with people. (763) 444-4051 THURSDAY, JULY 30, 2020 VOL. 114 NO. 31 COUNTYSTAR.COM PRIMARY CONCERN: Cambridge Council candidates featured ahead of Aug. 11 election. PAGE 10-11 Against the wind City attorney’s Tornado damage is last straw for Stanchfi eld woman resignation BY LORI ZABEL [email protected] letters to be Jilly Arnoldy was relaxing in bed watching an episode of “Perry Mason” just after 1 a.m. on Saturday, July 18, made public when she heard the wind suddenly pick up outside. She switched to anoth- BY BILL STICKELS III er channel to fi nd a news report that [email protected] her Stanchfi eld Township home on 389th Avenue just west of Highway 65 When it was announced during a was under a tornado warning. special North Branch City Council Within moments, the weatherman’s meeting on July 6 that Patrick Dor- voice cut out and the house went dark an had resigned from his position as at 1:03 a.m. as an EF-1 tornado bore city attorney, it was done so without down on the property. the inclusion of the letter of resigna- Arnoldy grabbed her three small tion in the meeting packet, leaving dogs and escaped her south-facing the reasons for this change to spec- bedroom to shelter in an inner hall- ulation. Following the July 28 City way. She waited for the “freight train” Council meeting, however, those sound and didn’t hear it, but her ears reasons - along with perhaps other popped with the change in air pres- “behind-the-scenes” information - sure. She heard loud crashes and glass will be made open to the public. breaking as branches from the old oak On a 3-2 split vote, the council ap- trees in her yard landed on the roof proved waiving their attorney-client and broke several windows. privilege, thus instructing acting She and the scared pups waited City Attorney Dave Anderson to through two waves of breaking glass, present a redacted version of two rain and wind until she crept out letters from Doran to the city coun- through shards and puddles to check cil regarding his resignation as city on the damage. From inside she found attorney on June 25, 2020, along six window panes broken, her picture with his resignation as attorney for window was in danger of falling in the Water & Light Commission on after losing parts of its frame, and a June 26, 2019. downed limb blocked her front door. LORI ZABEL | COUNTY STAR Council Member Brian Voss, who Jilly Arnoldy shows a glass and metal container that survived amidst the debris from the She couldn’t get out. placed this item on the agenda, said EF-1 tornado that downed trees into her front yard and house on July 18. Arnoldy raises and creatively pots plants to sell at Cambridge Farmers Market, but lost hundreds of SEE TORNADO, PAGE 7 outdoor plants in the storm SEE LETTERS, PAGE 11 Outstanding Seniors have fi ngerprints all over Braham BY JUDY HEGSTROM [email protected] wide range of projects for clubs, organizations, school events and many other groups in the Art and Edie Kaunonen have been selected as Braham community. She has a magical ability Isanti County’s Outstanding Senior Citizens, an to acquire donors to give of their skills, talents, award given out each year in conjunction with auctions items and monetary support for whatev- the Isanti County Fair. Their nominations came er project that is needed.” with glowing recommendations from people who Louise Nelson wrote of Art: have known them for many years. “I have known him for over 50 years, I fi rst had Marie Meyer who is retired from the following him for a high school teacher in Braham. One positions: Teacher, Coach, Activities Director great teacher! Always cared for what was best for and Administrative Assistant for Braham the students. Later when we both had children Schools, wrote the following: the same age, he volunteered his time to be an JUDY HEGSTROM | COUNTY STAR “I have worked with Edie in a wide array of elementary basketball coach for young kids. This Art and Edie Kaunonen have been named 2020 Isanti County Out- volunteer projects over the past 30 years. She has standing Seniors. Normally, they would have been honored during the terrifi c organizational skills. She can gather a SEE SENIORS, PAGE 7 County Fair, but that had to be rescheduled. great team of volunteers together to work on a STRIVING TO MAKE YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE Direct: 651-248-3261 North Branch OfƓ ce: 651-317-2220 www.candirindahl.results.net Lic. # BC032059 [email protected] graphichomesinc.com Lot Holds Now Being Taken! Each OfƓ ce Independently Owned & Operated. Just east of North Branch Middle School to Harder Ave.; L to Lucht's Crossing 3rd NEWS ADVERTISING ADVERTISING PUBLIC NOTICES CLASSIFIEDS BREAKING NEWS, UPDATES 763-689-1181 ext. 107 763-689-1181 ext. 113 763-689-1181 ext. 104 763-689-1181 ext. 100 763-689-1181 ext. 101 Whenever, wherever you are! [email protected] [email protected] jdetlaff @countystar.com [email protected] [email protected] countystar.com 2 ISANTI-CHISAGO COUNTY STAR CountyStar.com JULY 30, 2020 Some pie events taking Braham Event Center place despite cancellation ready again for events BY SCOTT MCKINNEY were postponed during the BY LAURA MARTIN NEWS@BRAHAMJOURNAL spring months, said Nelson. [email protected] “We gave our customers an After several months of option to reschedule, and sev- Though the Braham Pie Day is not the COVID-19 shutdown, the eral have done so for this fall. actively being held in the streets of Bra- Braham Event Center (BEC) Some wedding parties made ham this year, there are still activates is once again open and ready different plans. A number of to help celebrate this historical event. to schedule events large and fundraisers have decided to Individuals can still participate in small. wait it out, possibly reschedul- the famed Pie Tin Art contest. This “We hosted a wedding on ing at a later date.” year it will be a virtual event with the July 18, and it went very well,” Nelson started as the event Braham Pie Tin Art creations being said BEC event coordinator coordinator about a year judge by uploaded photographs. The Kelly Nelson. “I was a little ago, working with longtime rules are the same as always, but a nervous about the new reg- staff member Gary Skarsten. fi nished photograph of the work must ulations we’re following, but “Gary recently retired,” Nel- be emailed to brahampieday@hotmail. everything went great.” son said, “and everyone here com. The judging will be by viewer’s The BEC closed its doors will miss him so much.” choice on Facebook August 3 - 6. Pie when Minnesota Governor BEC is part of local nonprof- tins can be purchased at Braham City Tim Walz ordered all non-es- it Tusen Tack which also in- Hall for one dollar. sential businesses to close cludes the Tusen Tack Thrift Also, the Annual Small Quilt show down on March 16. Then on Store, the Braham Area Food will be happening this year and will June 5, venues like BEC were Shelf, Kathy’s Kitchen and the be done virtually. Entry forms for this allowed to reopen at limited Alice Studt Library. The food event can found on pieday.com. capacity under the “Stay Safe shelf has been open all along, Even with the live event canceled, Minnesota” plan. the thrift store reopened in there is still a chance to talk and learn “We’re ‘socially distancing’ May, and the library will re- about pie. The pie-baking coordinators our tables, and we’re allowed open in August. Tusen Tack’s Tracy Fix and Katie Bloomdahl have to operate at 25% capacity, programs engage more than been busy putting videos on pieday. which is about 140 people,” 200 volunteers. com. The fi rst one they did was about said Nelson. “A Plexiglas Nelson said that the BEC how to make the perfect pie crust and barrier will be in place for our is open for events, including there will be more to come. There is food and beverage services, weddings and other gath- also a Pie Picture Parade that can be and all staff and volunteers erings, for dates in the fall. found on the Facebook page Braham will wear masks.” “We’re set up to accommodate Pie Day. BEC’s volunteers received events. We’re doing our best Please share with what you will instruction regarding the to provide a safe and enjoy- be doing to celebrate Pie Day on the center’s preparedness plan. able space, for people to come Facebook page. The committee would “Some are going to wait a together socially once again.” love to see all the pictures and share while before returning,” Nel- To fi nd out more about the them with social media to keep “the pie son said. “They’re under no center or to schedule an event, alive.” Don’t forget to mark your calen- CONTRIBUTED pressure to come back, but it’ll call 320-396-3177, or fi nd them dars for next year’s pie gala on Friday, This windmill was one of the winners from last year’s pie tin be great when they do.” online at brahamcenter.org. August 6, 2021. art contest. Several scheduled events Reformed Parks Department focusing on new projects BY LAURA MARTIN ‘It’s fairly simple, no one 2000s but has recently been reformed.