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…...

2+ mon, 1+ week ago (157+ words) BCA fulfills a mission by supporting grassroots efforts like ours with their fiscal sponsorship program that provides support for ideas to transform into independent service organizations and 501c3s. Reader Opinion: Kudos to Brainerd Community Action BCA fulfills a mission by supporting grassroots efforts like ours with their fiscal sponsorship program that provides support for ideas to transform into independent service organizations and 501c3s. Without the support and guidance of Brainerd Community Action (BCA) and Dave Bedeaux, it is hard to fathom how Brainerd Lakes Safe Ride could have developed, kicked-off, and built a community service from an idea to a service that is making a difference in our communities. With this, BCA fulfills a mission by supporting grassroots efforts like ours with their fiscal sponsorship program that provides support for ideas to transform into independent service organizations and 501c3s. Brainerd Lakes Safe Ride…...

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+ 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+ week, 5+ day ago (319+ words) 20 years ago (2005) If all goes as planned, the Brainerd posts of the American Legion and VFW could be sharing a building by this time next year. A joint committee, meeting for a year, hopes that this will reinvigorate membership, which has been falling as members age. Members of both posts would have to vote to approve the final plan. 30 years ago (1995) (Adv.) Learn to surf the World Wide Web! An introduction to the world of the Internet, the largest computer network in the world. Learn to access the Internet and use the tools to bring the universe to your fingertips. To enroll, call Central Lakes College. 40 years ago (1985) Most city council members are leaning toward hiring a city administrator, but one alderman is taking a wait-and-see attitude. After listening to a specialist present his study of city structure, Frank McCarthy…...

4+ mon, 6+ 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…...

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…...

5+ mon, 2+ week ago (255+ words) 20 years ago (2005) 30 years ago (1995) Although many changes have been made to the Confidence Learning Center Golf and Fishing Tournaments, the purpose remains the same: raise money to support the camp. A survey showed that most participants didn't care if a celebrity was on their team, thus more money can go to the camp. 40 years ago (1985) The Railroad line from Brainerd to International Falls will be abandoned effective June 24, it was learned today. A letter to the county board from MnDOT told the news. This clears the way for the Bluewater Line, a proposed steam excursion railroad, to perhaps move forward. 60 years ago (1965) (Adv.) One night only at the Gull Drive-In Theatre, Spook-a-Thon Triple Feature: "Brides of Dracula," "The Mummy" and "Curse of the Werewolf." At the newly re-opened Brainerd Theatre: James Bond is back in "Goldfinger," starring Sean Connery as…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (302+ words) After several months of negotiation, a meeting at Central Lakes College between Crow Wing Twp. and the city of Brainerd reached agreement on the orderly annexation of 642 acres into Brainerd. The land, owned by Lively Auto/Mills, lies between Hwy 371 South and the Mississippi River, and includes Buffalo Lake and Buffalo Creek. 30 years ago (1995) A nearly all-white school calling itself the Indians will take a soul-searching look at its identity and nickname. Pequot Lakes High School is one of 12 in Minnesota with an Indian-themed name or logo. A state official who is a member of the White Earth Band spoke to the school board. 40 years ago (1985) The discovery of a contract that never went where it was supposed to brings hope for the Blue Water Line, a proposed rail excursion line from Brainerd to Pine River. Blue Water was waiting…...

6+ mon, 2+ week ago (357+ words) A look through the Brainerd Dispatch archives with Terry McCollough combing the microfilm for tidbits of history through the decades going back to 1925. 20 years ago (2005) It was an ordinary day for Laurie Hanson until she got her car serviced at Mills GM in Baxter. She returned from having lunch and Mills salesman Bob Freeman asked if she knew about the GM Hot Button Contest. She said no, but tried it. Fifteen seconds later she was the winner of a $24,000 Buick. Happy screams ensued. 30 years ago (1995) Sarah Houle took care of the pitching and hitting while the Brainerd defense made stellar fielding plays as the Warrior softball team won their fifth straight game, beating Alexandria 5-2. Houle spun a nifty four-hitter, striking out seven, and cracked a bases-loaded double for 3 RBIs. 40 years ago (1985) Brainerd firefighters were called shortly after midnight to a…...