16+ hour, 19+ min ago   (503+ words) BRAINERD — With steadfast service to the community and a heart of gold, Fran Thomas is the Brainerd Noon Sertoma Club’s 2026 Service to Mankind Award recipient. The Brainerd Noon Sertoma Club suprised Thomas with the award Wednesday, Sept. 9. The award recognizes…...

1+ day, 36+ min ago   (278+ words) Alexus and Alexander Schommer, Royalton, a boy, Bennett Matthew, 8 pounds, 8 ounces, Aug. 8, 2026. Grandparents are David and Gaylene Witucki, Royalton, and Brad and Leah Pelzer, St. Cloud. Sarah and Tiago Campos, Crosslake, a girl, Camila Christine, 6 pounds, 12 ounces, Aug. 14, 2026. Grandparents are…...

21+ hour, 5+ min ago   (209+ words) BRAINERD – The Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District and Crow Wing County are hosting a bus tour showcasing recently completed conservation projects. The Conservation Tour will be 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on Oct. 2. The public is invited to attend this free…...

1+ day, 23+ hour ago   (164+ words) Firefighters from across the area and community members took part in the annual stair climb in remembrance of Sept. 11, on its 25th anniversary. People climbed the stairs near Brainerd High School on Sept. 11, 2026. Firefighters pay tribute with 9/11 Stair Climb on 25th anniversary…...

3+ day, 16+ hour ago   (469+ words) BRAINERD — The Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce is launching The Collective, a program bringing professional women together to build courage, confidence and connection while supporting local businesses and organizations. The kickoff event, “Fueled by Courage,” is 1-3 p.m. Sept. 30 at Brainerd…...

3+ day, 16+ hour ago   (270+ words) BRAINERD — The Brainerd Noon Sertoma Club announced Wednesday, Sept. 9, the 2026 Sertoma Winter Wonderland will mark the 21st and final year of the holiday light display at the Northland Arboretum. The decision to retire the event comes after careful evaluation of several…...

3+ day, 16+ hour ago   (282+ words) Dennis Leland Sands, 96, a longtime Brainerd resident, passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at Essentia Health – St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd. Dennis was born April 19, 1930, in Minneapolis, the son of Perry and Ragna (Warp) Sands. After graduating from Robbinsdale High School,…...

3+ day, 17+ hour ago   (189+ words) BRAINERD — Students from Brainerd Public Schools took the top two places at the State Civics Bee over the summer. Justus Anderson took first place, while Fern Schmidt took second. Fellow Brainerd student Maggie Praham also competed at the state level....

3+ day, 18+ hour ago   (271+ words) Bonnie Kangas Hanson, of Baxter, Minnesota, was born October 27, 1936, in Menahga, Minnesota, to Robert and Clara Johnson. She graduated from Menahga High School in 1954 and married Harold Kangas in 1956. Bonnie worked for Honeywell and, in 1999, she and Harold built a…...

3+ day, 22+ hour ago   (850+ words) ARRESTS — Arrested a 34-year-old man for felony fifth-degree drugs, gross misdemeanor test refusal and misdemeanor instructional permit violation after a report of a suspicious vehicle at 3:15 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9, 3300 block of Oak Street. Arrested a 41-year-old woman for gross misdemeanor…...