ICN_Year In Review 2011

2011 Year In Review ��

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March 9-Nov. 15: 2nd Ave. Bridge project completed in Cambridge Crews worked over much of 2011 to replace the 90 year-old 2nd Ave. SW bridge in Cambridge, opening the new bridge in mid-November after completing the $1.3 million project. The new bridge will be a key detour when the Hwy. 95 bridge in Cambridge gets an overhaul in 2013.

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Dive team leads recovery of stolen car from Rum River Isanti Sheriff Dept. diver Nate Putbrese teamed with IC Safety & Rescue and other emergency personnel to fish a stolen car out of the swollen Rum River in Cambridge. No bodies were discovered in the car after it was successfully towed to shore.

May 23: CFD member Chip Imker killed at training session

A shocking and sad story occurred in late spring when Cambridge Firefighter Chip Imker was killed participating in a rope rescue exercise at the fire hall. A long procession of fire trucks from departments around the state accompanied the funeral. • One June 25, Braham had a special funeral and procession for SGT Ralph Carlson after his remains returned from the Korean War 60 years after his death in a prisoner camp.

March 19: Braham Girls win State championship The Braham girls basketball team gets its own State championship banner for the BHS gym after the Bombers paid back Minnehaha Academy in the Class AA title game. The Bombers finished the season 31-2 after also defeating Pequot Lakes and Providence Academy at State.

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June 15: Five-month old thrives after heart transplant

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Easten “Monster” Engstrom, son of Derri and Nick Engstrom of rural Isanti County, was one of the youngest children ever to undergo heart transplant surgery when he was five months-old. Easten’s transplant took place at Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis. “He’s a very strong-willed little guy,” described mother Derri.

January - June 2011 Jan. 10: New members join District 911 School Board The Cambridge-Isanti School Board had a fresh batch of members begin their terms when newly-elected Lynn Wedlund, Tim Hitchings, Jenni Caulk and Mark Becker took their oaths of office. • In March, Mike Warring was elected the new Isanti County Board District 4 Commissioner, taking the seat held by Kurt Daudt who was elected to the MN House of Representatives the prior November. Jan. 26: Isanti Fire Dept. completes Station No. 3 The newest fire station for the Isanti Fire District is standing tall in the southeast corner of Isanti County, thanks to donations raised from the annual Isanti Firefighters Rodeos. The Isanti Firefighters Rodeo Association donated over $146,000 in proceeds to Fire Station No. 3, located at the corner of Co. Rd. 9 and Co. Rd. 45 in Athens Township. Feb. 5: Successful Candlelight Ski hosted at college A perfect night for cross country skiing or snowshoeing fell into place for the 11th annual ARCC Cambridge Campus Candlelight Ski. A large throng of outdoorsy people attended the event, stopping into the college for hot chocolate and bluegrass music afterward. Feb. 23: National Legion Commander visits Cambridge National Commander of the American Legion Jimmie Foster made Cambridge one of his stops, bringing his enthusiastic leadership to town. Foster is a 30-year American Legion member, serving in both the Marines and Army. The Anchorage, Alaska resident felt right at home among the snowdrifts and icy roads when he was the Cambridge Post 290’s guest for a breakfast stop. Feb. 25-March 5: Great winter for Bluejacket athletes Cambridge-Isanti athletics enjoyed a memorable finish to the winter season when the Bluejacket Gymnasts placed 4th at the State meet. C-I Wrestlers had eight members

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reach the State tournament with six medals won– both team records. The Bluejacket boys swim & dive team added glory by having entrants reach State in five events. • CIHS grad Marie Hanson helped lead the Anoka-Ramsey Golden Ram women’s basketball team to the National community college title. CIHS grad Zach Molitor won a Div. III National wrestling championship for Augsburg College. February-March: Tragedy hits county natives abroad In mid-February, CIHS grad Barrie Shortell was brutally attacked during a mugging in Brooklyn NY, requiring 10 hours of surgery to reconstruct portions of his face after getting out of the ICU. In mid-March, life-long Cambridge resident John Larson was killed by a drunk driver while walking across a street in Tempe, AZ. Also in mid-March, the 9.0 earthquake and ensuing tsunami which hit Japan caught the world’s attention. Among those affected was Braham graduate Kenneth Johnson and his family. Johnson’s wife, Akiko, is a native of Kamakura, Japan. April 18: Clausen returns to CIHS principal position An arbitrator process ruled in favor of Mitch Clausen who regained his principal’s position at Cambridge-Isanti High School after the District 911 School Board attempted to terminate him back in August 2010. April 21: Sen. Franken visits Ever Cat Fuels U.S. Senator Al Franken visited Ever Cat Fuels in Isanti on Thursday, April 21, to hear a presentation on the company’s innovations in the manufacture of biodiesel. The visit came as part of a statewide research tour of renewable energy businesses for Franken, who was named to the Senate Energy and National Resources Committee in January. June 18: Rainy but successful Patriot Ride hosted The 2011 Patriot Ride worked its way around a couple of downpours as motorcyclists held another successful fundraiser supporting military personnel. The ride began and ended at the Ham Lake Lions Park, with a midway stop full of events at the Armed Forces Readiness Center in Cambridge. Over $100,000 was raised.

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