If you’ve been driving down Highway 61 lately or just trying to keep up with the local chatter at the Legion, you know Forest Lake is feeling a bit heavy right now. It's been a weird, busy stretch. Between a massive shake-up at the police department and some pretty intense headlines involving federal investigators, there is a lot to wade through. Honestly, it's a lot to process for a town that usually just wants to talk about ice fishing or the upcoming 4th of July parade.
But things aren't exactly quiet.
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The Police Chief Resignation and a Federal Indictment
The big news that everyone is talking about—or at least whispering about—happened just a few days ago at the January 12, 2026, City Council meeting. Basically, the city is looking for a new top cop. The Council officially accepted the resignation of the Police Chief and declared a vacancy for the position.
This comes at a time when local law enforcement has already been under a microscope. While the chief's departure is handled as a standard personnel move in the minutes, the timing feels significant to many residents.
Speaking of law enforcement, the FBI has been active in the area. Recently, 34-year-old Damien Quinn, who also went by the name Ryan Shattuck, was indicted on some really disturbing federal charges. We're talking about child pornography and cyberstalking. Prosecutors allege he used fake social media accounts to pose as a teenager and target students, specifically at North Branch High School, though he was a Forest Lake resident.
It’s the kind of news that makes you want to double-check your kids' phone settings immediately. The FBI thinks there might be more victims out there, so if you know something, they’re actually asking people to call 1-800-CALL-FBI.
Why the School Boundary Changes Matter Now
You’ve probably seen the "Reimagine 2025" signs or heard parents venting at the grocery store. Well, 2026 is when the rubber really hits the road for the Forest Lake Area School District.
The School Board has already put the "closed" sign on open enrollment for the rest of the 2025–26 school year. Why? Because the upcoming boundary shifts are causing a massive headache for planning. If you live here, you're fine. But if you were hoping to open-enroll a kid from outside the district right now, you're likely out of luck.
The 2026-2027 Shuffle
Starting in September 2026, the elementary map looks completely different.
- Forest Lake Elementary is officially gone. It’s closed.
- Forest View is the new hub. It’s now a consolidated PreK-5 school.
- Spanish Immersion has a single home. All that programming is now at Forest View.
The district is telling parents they have until March 1, 2026, to file "In-District Transfer" forms if their assigned school changed but they want to stay put. Just a heads-up: if you stay at your old school and the boundaries say you should be elsewhere, you're probably driving the kids yourself. No busing for "choice" transfers.
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Road Construction and Your Property Taxes
Nobody likes talking about "tax levies" or "debt service," but the City Council just had a long session about the 2026 budget. Basically, the city is sitting on a $1 million surplus from last year. You'd think that means a tax cut, right? Not exactly.
The City Administrator, Mark Statz, and the council are debating whether to dump that surplus into a "capital fund" to fix aging equipment. Fire Chief Newman apparently mentioned that the wheels are quite literally falling off some of the older fire trucks. They've replaced four in five years, but the bills are stacking up.
If you live on Hayward Avenue North, there’s some specific Forest Lake MN news for you. Your road project was bumped from 2025, but it’s officially on the books for the 2026 local road project. The council gave it the green light with a 5-0 vote.
Business and Development: Spikes and Houles and More
The local economy is shifting. You might have noticed the "Spikes and Houles" expansion moving through the paperwork phase. The City Council just approved the amended site plan for Phase II on January 12. It's a sign that even with higher interest rates, local businesses are still willing to bet on Forest Lake.
We're also seeing a push for more "55-plus" housing. The Amberly Woods project is moving forward with 25 new lots designed for seniors. The city is trying to balance this growth with "passive natural resources"—basically keeping some green space so we don't turn into one giant parking lot.
The Weird Stuff
- The Tire Mystery: Remember when 150 tires were dumped on the road? The investigation into illegal dumping remains one of those local stories that pops up every time someone sees a pile of trash in a ditch.
- Crypto Kiosks: The city is still looking into banning or heavily regulating those Bitcoin ATMs. Apparently, they’ve become a magnet for scams targeting local seniors.
Real Talk: What You Should Do
Don't just let the news wash over you. If you're a resident, there are a few things you actually need to handle before the snow melts.
First, check your school assignment. Go to the FLASchools website and use the "Find My School" tool for the 2026-2027 year. If you aren't happy with the change, get that transfer form in before the March 1 deadline.
Second, keep an eye on the Police Chief search. The city center is where these decisions happen, and the next chief will inherit a community that is feeling a bit rattled by recent crime headlines.
Lastly, if you're a business owner or a homeowner, the 2026 budget documents are public on the city’s finance page. They show a "Truth in Taxation" breakdown that explains exactly where your property tax dollars are going—whether it's a new loader truck or more staff for the fire department.
Forest Lake is growing, but it’s definitely going through some growing pains right now. Stay safe out there, and maybe check in on your neighbors. It’s been a long January.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Use the District 831 "Find My School" tool to verify your 2026 elementary boundary.
- Submit In-District Transfer requests by March 1, 2026, if you want to opt out of the new boundary.
- Review the City of Forest Lake's 2026 Fee Schedule to see updated costs for permits and local services.