9+ mon, 1+ week ago (410+ words) GARRISON " Fishing for Ducks looks to celebrate its 20th annual tournament Saturday, Feb. 22, on Mille Lacs Lake in Garrison. The Fishing for Ducks tournament runs from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday. Access to the tournament area is at Garrison Sports Bait and Tackle, 9737 US-169, Garrison, or Phil's Myr Mar Marina, 44033 Conifer St., Aitkin, and gates open at 9 a.m. Tickets are $40 and are available Friday night from 5-10 p.m. at the Garrison Veterans of Foreign Wars and Saturday on the ice. The tournament has been aptly named 20th Anniversary: Take 2 after it was canceled last year due to unsafe ice conditions on the lake, said Greg Erickson, Fishing for Ducks tournament director. Erickson said the family-friendly tournament has almost everything one would need, from food and games to a full bar and more than $100,000 in prizes, including $20,000 for first place. The first 200 kids out on the ice will…...

4+ mon, 5+ hour ago (300+ words) In an age where digital learning is essential and technology touches every corner of the educational experience, one small but mighty team keeps Brainerd Public Schools connected, secure, and running smoothly behind the scenes. Meet the Brainerd Public Schools Technology Department " a tight-knit crew of just nine dedicated professionals responsible for a staggering scope of operations. From managing nearly 8,000 student and staff devices, to overseeing the technology across 12 school buildings. Each year, the department resolves between 7,000 and 8,000 helpdesk service tickets, ranging from login issues to critical network outages. They maintain 600 wireless access points, ensuring high-speed internet access in classrooms, libraries, and offices district-wide. But their work doesn't stop at screens and servers. Our team also supports systems most people don't even associate with technology. We assist the Buildings and Grounds department with the district's HVAC systems, which are becoming increasingly…...

2+ week, 6+ day ago (328+ words) 20 years ago (2005) Years before he fought in WWII, Julius Knudsen drove a motorcycle to California looking for work. It would be the last time his younger brothers Yibby and Dick saw him. Julius later joined the 194th Tank Battalion and entered the Bataan Death March. He was never seen again, and he is still listed as MIA " missing in action. 30 years ago (1995) Maybe Ethel Merman was right and "there's no business like show business." Mann Theaters announced plans to build an 8-screen complex just east of Super One. This comes on the heels of Cinemark USA saying it planned to lease a 10-screen complex next to the Westgate Mall. 40 years ago (1985) The culprit who created an uproar in Pequot Lakers by sticking pins in Halloween candy has been caught. No, it's not a depraved child-hater. It's a 9-year-old who "spiked" her…...

2+ mon, 2+ week ago (347+ words) 20 years ago (2005) The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe came to the rescue of the local United Way yesterday, donating $9,000 to help defray the cost of trucking 75 tons of donated clothes to Hurricane Katrina victims in Mississippi. The clothing was originally gathered for 3,000 evacuees expected at Camp Ripley, but they went elsewhere. 30 years ago (1995) When Dave Ralph found an odd object in the woods near County Road 48, he looked it over then kicked it. What the Baxter man didn't know is that it was an old military mortar round, and potentially explosive. Ralph, who was scouting for deer hunting sites, was lucky it was a dud. 40 years ago (1985) When is a bomb a bomb, and when is it just a briefcase? That was the question county lawmen asked when a "very nervous" man dropped off a briefcase at the Law Enforcement…...

1+ mon, 2+ week ago (286+ words) 20 years ago (2005) County commissioners have tabled action on a possible purchase of 37 acres next the county landfill. Owner Richard Harrison said he would sell the land for $285,000, which he considered a discount from what he could realize for developing the land. Commissioners felt the price was high for purchase of a buffer zone. 30 years ago (1995) Wouldn't it be nice if all it took to relieve your property tax burden was to do a little work for the county? Well, such a tax-break plan already exists in Hennepin County and could exist in Crow Wing County if a request to the county board becomes reality. It would allow retirees to work to pay off part of their taxes. 40 years ago (1985) 60 years ago (1965) South Junior High in Moorhead was closed today to allow faculty members to attend the Brainerd funeral of John…...

9+ mon, 2+ week ago (283+ words) 20 years ago (2005) Jane Peterson has come a long way. From LaJolla, Calif., high school, to College of William and Mary, to volleyball coach and AD at Central Lakes College, her career as athlete and coach has soared. She got a "Breaking Barriers Award" at the 19th annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day at the state Capitol. 30 years ago (1995) 40 years ago (1985) Crow Wing Co-op's board of directors and a special member committee met to review proposed bylaw revisions in what was described as a model of cooperation. This contrasted with the tense confrontations of past board-member meetings where members asked for removal of five board members. 60 years ago (1965) The Warrior wrestlers recorded their 13th win in 15 matches this season with a 37-5 rout of Wadena. Brainerd won at every weight except 106 pounds where illness forced a forfeit. The closest matches had Gene…...

2+ mon, 3+ week ago (294+ words) 20 years ago (2005) Camp Ripley will soon be home to as many as 3,000 refugees evacuated from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. Gov. Tim Pawlenty said the camp is expected to be a temporary home for evacuees until permanent homes can be found in other Minnesota cities. 30 years ago (1995) 40 years ago (1985) Miller Beer of Brainerd tied for 7th place in the Plains Area national softball tournament at Dickinson, ND. Randy Heidmann led the way, going 4-for-4 with two home runs against Davenport, Iowa, and 4-for-4 with a two-run shot against Murr Plumbing. Miller finishes the season with a 38-16 record. 60 years ago (1965) (Adv.) Announcing! A New Menu at Mickey's Drive-In. Chicken to Take-Out: " Chicken " 45 cents; " Chicken " 80 cents; 1-1/4 Chickens - $1.90; 2-1/2 Chickens - $3.75. Or, eat in our enclosed patio. Across from the Gull Drive-In Theatre on Hwy 371 North. 80 years ago (1945) There is a hard-working burglar…...

2+ week, 4+ day ago (273+ words) 20 years ago (2005) Amanda Thiesse doesn't claim to be a detective. She just asked questions about her birth parents. But those questions have led to renewed law enforcement interest in her father's death in 1979. Now, first-degree murder charges have been filed against two Minnesota men, and second-degree charges against a third man. 30 years ago (1995) 40 years ago (1985) The deer opener took its toll as two hunters suffered bullet wounds and two others died of apparent heart attacks in separate hunting incidents in Crow Wing, Cass and Wadena counties. Law enforcement also reported lost hunters and a large number of deer killed by cars. 60 years ago (1965) Jerry O'Reilly, who scored all three TDs in Brainerd's recent 33-19 loss to Coon Rapids was named to WCCO Radio's All-State Football Team of the Week. He also plays linebacker, and the Benson coach said, "he's the best…...

2+ mon, 2+ week ago (260+ words) 20 years ago (2005) 30 years ago (1995) (Adv.) World-Class Savings! Air/Hotel Packages: Las Vegas " 4 nights $199.50; Orlando " 7 nights $389.50; Cozumel " 7 nights $523.90; Mazatlan " 7 nights $388.50; Cancun " 3 nights $358.50. AAA Travel Agency 40 years ago (1985) Larry Schmidt and George Marx accumulated 84 skill points to claim the Men's Skillpoint title at Brainerd Country Club. Runners-up were Dave Stark and Chet Rohr with 80. Tied for third were Dave Dunham-Kermit Hill and Van Oium-Rusty Ramp at 78. 60 years ago (1965) (Adv.) Here's a Real Touchdown! The newly re-grouped "Night Men," featuring Miss Gloria Dee " "Miss A-Go-Go Dancer" " direct from Chicago. Appearing at your winning Rock and Roll Spots: The Viking in Deerwood, Friday, Sept. 17, and The Purple Peanut in Pine River on Saturday, Sept. 18. 80 years ago (1945) Exhibiting a brand of football too long absent from the Warriors, Brainerd opened its season with a 6-0 win over the Staples Railroaders on the Staples gridiron. The lone…...

5+ mon, 2+ week ago (238+ words) 20 years ago (2005) For as much success as Jenni Beilke has had in athletics, she's never competed in a state meet. Until this week. The Warrior senior, who competed in the 100, 200 and 400 dashes plus a relay, has qualified for state by winning the 100 and 200 dashes in the Section 8 meet. 30 years ago (1995) 40 years ago (1985) 60 years ago (1965) Tom Cummins pitched some gritty relief of a tiring ace Alan Jensen as the Warriors captured the Region 6 crown with a 10-6 win over Battle Lake. Brainerd continued its long-ball hitting as Joe Dwyer belted a two-run homer and Ken Dagel got going with a late triple and double to drive in several critical runs. 80 years ago (1945) The county has been lagging in sales of the 7th War Bonds, now ranking 52nd in Minnesota according to Roy Winkler, county bond drive chair. He urges all division leaders to push…...