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The buzz about solar comes north

Submitted photoSolar honey began with a solar array in Ramsey owned by Connexus Energy, but the project continues to spread across the state and the nation, including to the Forest Lake area.
In May of 2016, Gov. Mark Dayton signed the Pollinator Friendly Solar Act that laid out voluntary standards for the planting of prairie grasses and wildflowers in the land under and around solar arrays. This legislation drew the attention of Travis and Chiara Bolton of the St. Paul-based Bolton Bees, and their interest has translated to a new honey collection operation on the border of Forest Lake and Scandia.
“With solar companies becoming pollinator friendly with the land around their arrays, it only made sense that the space should be utilized for honey production,” Chiara Bolton said. “The panels don’t affect the honey and the land has in the past been very underutilized.”broadstreet.zone(48036);
The Boltons initially teamed with Connexus Energy at

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Linwood gets good audit report

Amy Doeun
Linwood Reporter
Jason Miller of accounting firm Smith Schafer & Associates presented the results of the 2016 audit for Linwood Township during the Town Board’s Aug. 22 meeting.broadstreet.zone(48036);
With the exception of some extra expenditures for the Town Hall reconstruction, most of the numbers were similar to the 2015 audit. Property taxes made up about 80 percent of township revenues. Miller praised the township for a “very healthy fund balance. That is good to have — reserves.” The benefits of having reserves include a better bond rate.
“The town has very reasonable debt balance,” Miller told the board. “This is another feather in the township’s cap. Another sign of a healthy town — low debt and reserves.” The balance for the general fund is $507,645 which is 121 percent of 2016 expenditures.
Town Board Chairman Michael Halliday told Miller, “It is always good to know that the numbers work out right.”
Fire Chief Darryl

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Coughlin retirement paves way for new pastor

Immanuel Church has served the community of Forest Lake since 1981. This past June, Pastor Mark Coughlin retired after 25 years of service.
Looking forward, Immanuel has invited Associate Pastor Matt Ragain to serve as the new lead pastor. Community members are invited to join in prayer over this new direction.broadstreet.zone(48036);
Over the next few months, the church will be focusing on God’s direction. Sept. 10 will feature the kick off of a fall series called “Passionately Pursuing God Together.” Immanuel services run 10 to 11 a.m. Following the Sept. 10 service, there will be a meal and a bouncy house. The community is invited.

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ECM Editorial: Raiding Clean Water Fund damages quest for clean water

In 2008, during the Great Recession, Minnesotans voted by a considerable margin to amend the state constitution to increase their taxes. The state sales tax was increased by three-eighths of one percent for 25 years with the increased revenue to be dedicated to four distinct purposes.
One-third of the new revenue is constitutionally dedicated to “…the Clean Water Fund and may be spent only to protect, enhance, and restore water quality in lakes, rivers, and streams and to protect groundwater from degradation….” The constitutional amendment further provides that these funds “… must supplement traditional sources of funding for these purposes and may not be used as a substitute.”broadstreet.zone(48036);
The tax increase went into effect on July 1, 2009, and the one-third allocated to the Clean Water Fund currently amounts to just over $100 million per year. About $750 million has been spent from the fund in the eight years the increased sales

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