Brainerd Area News
Airport marks solar installation for alternative energy
Chosen as a project because of its public use and higher profile, the solar thermal heat now part of the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport is hoped to be a model for renewable energy at work.
The project was made possible by Region 5 Development Commission, the Initiative Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Rural Renewable Energy Alliance (RREAL).
Based in Pine River, the nonprofit RREAL, manufactures solar thermal collectors and distributes them nationally.
Benefit planned for Nisswa family
Ocular melanoma, or eye cancer, is diagnosed in just 2,500 adults every year in the United States. In 2009, Branden Burnard of Nisswa was one of those adults.
Those adults have a 20 percent chance of the cancer spreading to their lungs and an 80 percent chance of having it spread to their liver.
Burnard learned in March that his cancer had spread to his lungs.
<p><strong> Cancer benefit is May 19<
Cancer benefit is May 19
A cancer benefit for the Branden Burnard family of Nisswa will be from 5-8 p.m. Saturday at the Nisswa American Legion.
Cost is $10 for a pulled pork sandwich, beans, chips and pickle. There will be a silent auction, raffles, games and drawings throughout the evening. Raffle tickets are available at the Legion or from Nisswa firefighters. Raffle items include a certificate for a solid pine captain’s bed with four drawers, an iPad, a Remington rifle, five man-hours of labor and $100.
Cass board meets at Remer family service center
REMER – Cass County Commissioners held their regular meeting Tuesday evening at Northland Area Family Service Center in Remer.
The family center recently purchased a former private residence with 10 acres on the city outskirts with help for a down payment from the Blandin Foundation, according to Michelle Tessin, director.
The newer home needed little renovation, except to install smaller fittings in bathrooms to serve Head Start children who meet in the facility. Tessin said there are plans to use some of the acreage for children to plant a garden and apple orchard.
Two men injured when garbage truck and truck collide
ISLE — Two drivers were injured in a two-vehicle broadside collision reported at 9:24 a.m. Wednesday on Highway 18, Water Way Road, north of Isle in Mille Lacs County, reported the Minnesota State Patrol.
John Nordquist, 52, Aitkin, who was driving a garbage truck, was taken to Mille Lacs Health System in Onamia where he was treated and then released. Michael Decoursey, 58, Isle, the driver of the Chevrolet truck, was taken to Kanabec Hospital in Mora where he was treated and released.
Eight children adopted from foster care in Crow Wing County
Adoptions for eight children who were in foster care were finalized in Crow Wing County on April 18.
The children ranged in age from 2 to 15, according to the Community Services Department which facilitates the adoptions.
“Adoption can be a very challenging and time consuming process,” said Pat Sharbonda, social services supervisor, in a news release. “We are very pleased to have permanent homes for these children and are grateful to the adoptive parents and the dedicated work of our staff to make this happen.”
Cass discount drug cards deemed a success
REMER — Cass County hopes to save significantly on heating costs at county buildings located in Walker by switching from heating oil to propane gas before next winter.
Central Services Director Tim Richardson said the conversion would leave the existing oil burners in place but add new propane burners for the boilers at the highway department building, courthouse/jail complex.
This dual fuel system would enable the county to use whichever fuel was lower cost in the future, he said.
Cass discount drug cards a success
REMER – Reno Wells, health, human and veterans services director Reno Wells reported Tuesday 1,050 Cass residents have saved $169,092.55 on prescription drug cost since the county initiated a discount drug card program.
This is an average savings of 66 percent over retail costs, he said.
The TWRx drug cards are available to any county resident and accepted at most pharmacies within and adjacent to Cass County.
Cass County economic lab to offer businesses help with Google Maps
PINE RIVER — Cass County Economic Development Computer lab will offer a class to help businesses learn how to get a listing on Google Maps and to market a website.
The class will run from 5 to 8 p.m. May 24 at the computer lab, 980 First St. N, Pine River, just north of the high school. Pre-registration is required by calling (218)947-7523 or emailing to cass.edc@co.cass.mn.us.
Walters' picks trifecta for next Kinship Challenge
MERRIFIELD — Gary Walters, 46, wants to go from Jell-O man to iron man.
And he wants to take as many people with him as possible.
In Walters’ 10th challenge to raise funds, awareness and mentors for Kinship Partners, he is planning what he calls a trifecta of activities aimed at getting into a small club of Americans at a healthy weight.
Walters said estimates show 38 percent of Americans are at that healthy weight mark. At Clow Stamping in Merrifield for the kick-off announcement, Walters said he wasn’t among that healthy weight minority.
Shaving heads and faces for a good cause
Most men worry about losing their hair, but four men who work at Essentia Health St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd have some to spare.
The men — Jack Barry, David Watson and Les Beto, maintenance engineers, and JD Berns, staffing clerk at the hospital — plan to have their beards shaved and hair either trimmed or shaved Friday as a fundraiser for co-worker Dorinda Hamilton, who was recently diagnosed with Stage Four Cancer.
Arrest made in HART burglary
BAXTER — A 24-year-old Brainerd woman was arrested Tuesday in connection with the burglary and property damage that occurred at Heartland Animal Rescue Team (HART), Baxter Police Chief Jim Exsted said.
Exsted said Samantha Martin was arrested at a Brainerd home, and the missing dog that had been impounded at HART also was located at the same home. Martin is being housed in Crow Wing County Jail and charges of third-degree burglary and first-degree property damage are pending in Crow Wing County District Court.
Baxter prepares for Fourth of July
BAXTER — Parking and mowing questions for the Fourth of July celebration in Baxter were before the city council Tuesday.
Brainerd Community Action is expected to handle the event, but the city had questions about preparation, namely mowing along the parade route.
Jack Pine Brewery gets approval from Baxter Tuesday
BAXTER — Jack Pine Brewery, with a small taproom for tasting and limited retail, was approved Tuesday by the Baxter City Council.
The taproom, with no more than 12 seats, was approved as an accessory to the brewery with a conditional use permit. The nano-brewery is planned at 7942 College Road in Baxter’s Industrial Park. Sales are limited to beer brewed on site.
HART vandalized overnight and dog missing
BAXTER — Heartland Animal Rescue Team (HART) was vandalized early Tuesday morning with the words “Killers” and “U Kill” spray-painted on the building.
Baxter Police Chief Jim Exsted said someone broke into the HART building and did extensive property damage. Exsted said the suspect also released all the dogs that were in the impound area of the animal rescue shelter.
Fortunately, with the help of one of the impound dogs — a pit bull named “Angel” — all the dogs, but one were rescued and brought back to HART.
Resident sues city of Little Falls to fight for her rights of free speech
A Little Falls grandmother who has taken issue with Little Falls regarding the city forcing her to take down political signs on her property will now take the city to court.
Robin Hensel filed a lawsuit Monday against the city in U.S. District Court of Minnesota maintaining the city violated her free speech, First Amendment rights.
Baxter reconsiders bridge's fate
BAXTER — Reconsidering a previous decision, Baxter City Council members voted Tuesday to take another look at the Cypress Drive pedestrian bridge.
The council voted 4-1 to reconsider its previous action, putting a pause on bridge auction activity.
“I had no idea our live would be consumed by this bridge,” Mayor Darrel Olson said.
“I’m with you mayor on that,” replied Council member Jim Klein, who has been in favor of selling the bridge. “It blows my mind.”
Ulanowski faces disbarment
Brainerd attorney Lawrence W. Ulanowski, last year suspended from practicing law, is now facing disbarment.
The Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility filed a petition for disciplinary action Monday with the Minnesota Supreme Court, seeking to end Ulanowski’s ability to practice law.
The supreme court will make a final decision. The Office of Lawyers Professional Responsibility reported the court’s final action may include dismissal of the petition seeking disbarment or discipline ranging from a reprimand to disbarment.
55+ driver improvement program offered
The Minnesota Highway Safety Center will be offering a 55+ Driver Improvement Course on the following days: from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 30 (4 hour refresher), Pine River State Bank, 103 Mill St. S., Pine River; 8 a.m. to noon June 6 (4 hour refresher), Lutheran Church of the Cross, 5064 CR 13, Sportland Corner, Nisswa; 5:30-9:30 p.m. June 13 (4 hour refresher), Crosby-Ironton Senior High/Com. Ed., 711 Poplar St., Crosby; from 8 a.m. to noon June 13 (4 hour refresher), Pequot Lakes High School/Community Ed., 30805 Olson St., Pequot Lakes.
Sheriff's Corner
This month I was asked by the Working Together Coalition to review the Sheriff’s Office involvement in alcohol compliance checks.
We are working with our ZAP partners and the Working Together Coalition to conduct checks within our three school districts. We believe that helping avoid law violations, such as selling alcohol to underage people, will help in avoiding the problems associated with underage drinking.
