Theresa Bourke
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City government, education, book reviews, features and other miscellaneous issues.
Newspaper reporter, cat mom, coffee aficionado, book hoarder, proud Cheesehead
Articles by Theresa Bourke
Heintzeman, Hardy debate issues for House District 6B
BEMIDJI — State Rep. Josh Heintzeman, R-Nisswa, and DFL challenger Nicky Hardy tackled issues like healthcare costs, business incentives, public education, affordable housing and rural Minnesota priorities during a debate on Friday, Oct. 9, at the Lakeland PBS studio in Bemidji. The two are running to represent District 6B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Heintzeman began the debate with his opening statement, saying he believes this election might be the most consequential of his life.
Public forum changes coming to Brainerd School Board meetings
BRAINERD — A new process is in place for members of the public to make their voices heard at Brainerd School Board meetings. Board members voted 5-1 on an updated public comment policy during their meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 13. First the board will host a pre-meeting session from 4:30-5:30 p.m. ahead of each regular board meeting. Two board members will be present, along with the superintendent and other members of the district leadership team as available.
Community survey open for input on Brainerd Public Schools
BRAINERD — Students, staff, families and community members of Brainerd Public Schools are invited to give feedback on proposed cost-saving, efficiency and student retention measures in the district. The district is using ThoughtExchange to collect input from all facets of the community on several proposals for Brainerd 2.0. Ideas include: Moving preschool and fifth grade students to elementary schools. Moving alternative learning programs and selling the Brainerd Learning Center.
Bourke's Bookshelf: ‘Smells like crunching leaves and breezes that bite’
BRAINERD — This next fall read is cozy, romantic and full of ‘90s nostalgia. Think Hallmark movie — big city girl finds herself in small town, falls in love with single dad, but a high-powered career threatens to keep them apart — but with just a dash of spice. It’s the fall of 1997, and “Scream” is all the rage. Teens hang out in the local video store, and girls wait by the home phone for their boyfriends to call.
Indigenous Peoples Day celebration showcases Native artistry
BRAINERD — Vibrantly colored artwork, thunderous drum beats and an eagerness to share filled the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts at this year’s Indigenous People’s Day celebration in Brainerd. Crowds of community members came out to the event Monday, Oct. 12, to learn, to connect and to share a meal. The focus of this year’s event was to not only help bridge the past but focus on the present and future of the Indigenous community as well.
BHS student to compete in National Civics Bee
BAXTER — A Brainerd High School student is in Washington, D.C., ready to represent Minnesota at the National Civics Bee Championship. Justus Anderson is a 15-year-old freshman from Baxter who qualified for the Bee after winning first the regional competition as an eighth grader at Forestview Middle School last spring and then the state competition over the summer. Now he’s set to compete at the national level on Wednesday, Oct. 14. We need to care for our neighbors as a community ...
Brainerd residents report unsatisfactory work on road projects
BRAINERD — Several property owners in south Brainerd are upset with road projects they say damaged their properties and are costing them thousands of dollars in assessments. “They have done a disservice to us,” Beech Street resident Teresa Anderson said of the contractors on one project. “... Nothing that they have done has been an improvement.” Anderson and others spoke during a series of assessment hearings at the Oct.
School Board reviews proposals for cost savings, student retention
BRAINERD — Eleven measures to save money, create efficiencies and retain students are in front of the Brainerd School Board as members decide what the future of the district looks like. During a work session on Thursday, Oct. 8, at Lowell Elementary School, Superintendent Chip Rankin presented board members with a list of items to mull over before making difficult budgetary decisions in December, and the public will have a chance to weigh in, too.
5th graders grow their outdoor knowledge during Forestry Days
BAXTER — The sun shone brightly for a morning of outdoor learning on the first of this year’s Forestry Days at Forestview Middle School. Brian Stark brought his fifth grade science students out to the school forest on Tuesday, Oct. 6, to learn about all the wooded land has to offer. “It’s just an extension of our science classroom,” Stark said Tuesday as his students rotated through various stations in and around the forest.
Chip Rankin promoted to brigadier general in Minnesota National Guard
LITTLE FALLS — Chip Rankin is now a brigadier general in the Minnesota Army National Guard. Rankin, who serves as superintendent at Brainerd Public Schools, was promoted from colonel to brigadier general during a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum in Little Falls. “Promotion to the rank of brigadier general is a very significant milestone for a military officer,” Army Maj. Gen.
Bourke's Bookshelf: ‘I’ll always have my dragon’
BRAINERD — This week, I bring you something magical, witchy and steamy as my latest fall read. Think adolescent witches with vibrantly colored hair, talking spirit animals and the ability to control nature’s elements. There’s a young princess, her companion fox and the brooding dragon shifter who’s about to change everything. “A Witch and Her Dragon” is the first installment of Emberly Wyndham’s four-book Coven Crest Academy series.
School leaders connect with community resources for emergency preparedness
BRAINERD — “Our doors are open to you, and we need you.” That was the message Brainerd Superintendent Chip Rankin had for the community and those in attendance at a safety resource meeting on Friday, Oct. 2, at the Washington Educational Services Building. The meeting served as a way to connect school district staff with community resources who can help in times of crisis. “This is not about this summer,” Rankin said, referencing two middle school students who died by suicide over the summer.
Railroading ran deep for this Minnesota family Original
BRAINERD, Minn. — The Metcalf name might not be one of the traditional surnames often associated with Brainerd, Minnesota, history, but it matters in the railroad industry and has ties that extend into the lakes area. Maureen O’Leary is working to spread the word on her ancestors’ contributions to the railroad in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and how her family’s expertise touched Brainerd, the Northern Pacific Railway and her hometown of East Grand Forks.
Brainerd to explore Safe Routes to School plans in north Brainerd
BRAINERD — Traffic concerns from two north Brainerd schools have prompted Brainerd city officials to look at safety measures on school roles. Public Works Director Paul Sandy told the City Council’s Safety and Public Works Committee on Monday, Oct. 5, that staff have received inquiries from staff at both St. Francis of the Lakes Catholic School and the Montessori School of Brainerd, along with Mayor Dave Badeaux, about school zone signage near the schools, specifically on North Eighth Street.
Chip Rankin promoted to brigadier general in Minnesota National Guard
LITTLE FALLS — Chip Rankin is now a brigadier general in the Minnesota Army National Guard. Rankin, who serves as superintendent at Brainerd Public Schools, was promoted from colonel to brigadier general during a ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum in Little Falls. “Promotion to the rank of brigadier general is a very significant milestone for a military officer,” Army Maj. Gen.
Updates underway for Brainerd’s comprehensive plan
BRAINERD — Members of Brainerd’s Planning Commission continue reviewing updates to the city’s comprehensive plan. After reviewing the updates and discussing further changes during their meeting on Sept. 16, commissioners agreed to have staff bring back one more draft version before the plan will go before residents for public comment.
Bourke's Bookshelf: The Psychic Guardian Angel series
BRAINERD — Readers are in for a chilling treat with this week’s fall recommendation from Minnesota author A.W. Powers. “First Casualty” is the first book in Powers’ Psychic Guardian Angel series, following a Minneapolis boy named Jacob Daniels, whose second sight is somewhat of a blessing and curse. The series currently has 13 installments, along with an origin story titled “Properly Dead” and the Psychic Sidekick companion series with two novels.
Country Manor celebrates grand opening in Brainerd
BRAINERD — Residents are moved in and enjoying the amenities to be had in one of the lakes area’s newest senior living facilities. Pinecrest of Country Manor celebrated its grand opening Friday, Sept. 25, with speeches, refreshments and tours of the facility, which spans five buildings and more than 180,000 square feet. “This ribbon-cutting is not the finish,” Country Manor CEO Anthony Fenstad said.
Brainerd schools to partner with Little Falls for admin position
BRAINERD — A cost-saving measure at Brainerd Public Schools comes in the form of sharing an administrative position with Little Falls. Brainerd School Board members approved a shared services agreement on Sept. 21 with Little Falls Community Schools for the executive director of operations position. The move comes ahead of the December retirement of Kari Ross, Brainerd’s executive director of schools. Superintendent Chip Rankin proposed the idea to board members in a workshop earlier this month.
BHS students share leadership experience with Special Olympics Minnesota
BRAINERD — Lessons on inclusion, leadership and relationship-building are embedded in the school day for Brainerd High School juniors Emily Bjerkness and Nolan Jendro. The two are representatives on the Special Olympics Minnesota Student Board of Directors, which includes 40 students from across the state — 20 general education students and 20 students receiving special education services. Bjerkness and Jendro shared with Brainerd School Board members last week what the appointment means to them.
2nd annual Forestview event encourages community to choose kindness
BAXTER — It takes a community to create a feeling of togetherness; one person can’t do it alone. That’s one of the main lessons Tammy Stellmach hopes attendees glean from Forestview Middle School’s second annual Choose Kindness event on Oct. 8. “It isn’t one or two individuals, but it takes a community to come together and be powerful and intentional about our choices with positivity and relationships building,” Stellmach said during an interview on Wednesday, Sept. 23.
School Board candidates field questions during forum
BRAINERD — Five of the seven candidates vying for seats on the Brainerd School Board fielded questions about district affairs during a candidate forum on Thursday, Sept, 24, at the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts. Three seats are available on the board this year. Incumbents Sarah Speer, DJ Dondelinger and Randy Heidmann are running to retain their positions, alongside challengers Mark Lelwica, Connie Lyscio, Scott Parsons and Ed Shaw. Voters can choose up to three candidates on their ballot.
Brainerd School Board gives support to MSHSL amendment process
BRAINERD — School Board members in Brainerd signed a letter to the Minnesota State High School League expressing support for the ongoing process of review for a proposed bylaw amendment. The amendment at hand would tie sex-separated sports participation to biological sex and is in the process of coming before high school league board members. Essentially, it would prohibit students who are biological boys from playing on girls’ sports teams.
Brainerd School Board sets preliminary levy at maximum amount
BRAINERD — The Brainerd School Board plans to levy the maximum amount allowed by the state for 2027. Board members unanimously agreed on Monday, Sept. 21, to set the preliminary 2021 tax levy at the maximum amount, which as of that time was $30.38 million. This number represents an increase of 2.49%, or $739,065. This levy amount is based on the district’s projected enrollment of 5,806 adjusted pupil units for the 2027-28 school year.
Bourke's Bookshelf: ‘Appearances are sometimes deceptive’
BRAINERD — Cozy mysteries are, in my opinion, quintessential reading material for fall. Whether I’m sitting in my new home library, listening to the rain falling and taking in the aroma of my pumpkin pecan wax melt, or jogging along a woodsy path with an audiobook in my ear and a chill in the air, not much beats a good whodunnit. As many of my readers will know, Agatha Christie is among my favorite authors.
Brainerd teachers, school food workers reach contract agreement
BRAINERD — After working the entirety of the last school year without a contract, Brainerd teachers and food service workers now have one. The School Board ratified new contracts with the unions on Monday, Sept. 21. The contract covers the period of July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2027. “Nobody’s getting rich off these contracts,” Superintendent Chip Rankin said at Monday’s board meeting, after thanking everyone involved in the process for their work.
Brainerd superintendent presents ideas for Brainerd 2.0
BAXTER — Dec. 14 is the deadline by which Brainerd Superintendent Chip Rankin has given the School Board to make some tough decisions about the future of the district. During a work session on Wednesday, Sept. 16, when board members met at both the Warrior Early Learning Center and Baxter Elementary, Rankin spoke of Brainerd 2.0 and what they want that version of the school district to look like. “It’s just understanding where we’re at and why we’re doing this,” Rankin said.
BLADE Recovery Walk celebrates those on healing journeys
BRAINERD — Strings of purple hearts with inspirational messages hung among the trees lining the Boom Lake Trail at Kiwanis Park on Thursday, Sept. 17, as a crowd of walkers shared smiles and raised awareness for Recovery Month.
Biological sex in sports draws Brainerd School Board conversation
BRAINERD — The topic of biological sex and high school sports looks to have the Brainerd School Board divided. Randy Heidmann, who is the board’s representative for the Minnesota State High School League, brought the subject up at the end of the board’s workshop on Wednesday, Sept. 16, speaking of a bylaw amendment that would tie sex-separated sports participation to biological sex and is in the process of coming before high school league board members.
Brainerd officials ask for crash data at Oak Street roundabout intersections
BRAINERD — Officials in Brainerd want to see crash data before talking more about the future of two temporary mini roundabouts on Oak Street. The roundabouts at Eighth and 13th streets were created for an influx of detoured traffic during the Highway 210/Washington Street project. Last month, City Council members discussed the idea of making the roundabouts permanent.
Bourke's Bookshelf: ‘Old truths hidden in dark places’
BRAINERD — I absolutely love when the most impromptu reads turn into favorites. When I needed a new audiobook after finishing my last and still waiting on several holds, I scrolled through some of Libby’s top titles that were available immediately. That’s how I stumbled upon “The Lost Apothecary” by Sarah Penner. It’s a book I’d seen before, heard some positive reviews from but didn’t actually know anything about. After skimming the premise, I downloaded it to take with me on my next run.
Initiatives seek to make Brainerd inclusive for all ages
BRAINERD — A group continues its efforts to ensure Brainerd is a friendly, accessible community for those of all ages. Taylor Lesmeister, of Crow Wing County Public Health, and Darcy Walkowiak, of The Center, presented to the Brainerd City Council Sept. 8 on behalf of Brainerd for All Ages. The initiative strives to create a welcoming and inclusive community where everyone can thrive by living a highly engaged and healthy life.
Brainerd council expands allowable areas for food trucks
BRAINERD — Food trucks are now allowed in more areas of Brainerd after City Council members approved ordinance changes. The council voted unanimously on Sept. 8 to allow food trucks in the Traditional Neighborhood-2 district, which is a departure from the previous regulations that prohibited them in residential zoning districts.
Concerns arise over motorized vehicles on sidewalks in Brainerd
BRAINERD — Should modes of transportation with motors be allowed on city sidewalks? That’s the question Brainerd City Council members grappled with at their last meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8. Public Services Director Zac Swarthout told the council of concerns the city received this summer regarding the increased use of motorized vehicles — like bikes and scooters — and other micromobility devices.
Teddy Bear Band kicks off new year at Warrior Early Learning Center
BAXTER — What might have looked like a silly, musical playtime at the Warrior Early Learning Center this week was in reality so much more. Music, clapping, stomping and laughter floated out of the gym and throughout the school on Thursday, Sept. 10, as the Teddy Bear Band took the stage during open house festivities ahead of the 2026-27 school year.
Federal grants propel Brainerd water tower restoration forward
BRAINERD — After another round of federal funding for Brainerd’s historic water tower, restoration work on the stucco could take place as early as 2028. The committee working to raise funds to repair the tower received its second $500,000 Congressionally Directed Spending grant from the National Park Service. The first was awarded in 2024. With $1 million worth of grants that do not require matching funds, the group is ready to get plans in place for the restoration work.
Brainerd council continues to mull double-digit levy increase
BRAINERD — More discussion will come on Sept. 21 before Brainerd City Council members set the preliminary 2027 tax levy. Higher than predicted insurance rates could push the preliminary levy higher than officials originally thought. Finance Director Connie Hillman presented updated numbers to the council’s Personnel and Finance Committee meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8, noting workers’ compensation rates are increasing more than expected.
Brainerd sets hearings for road project, downtown assessments
BRAINERD — Six public hearings are set to take place at the Oct. 5 Brainerd City Council meeting regarding street projects and special assessments in the downtown area. Council members declared assessment costs and called for the public hearings during their meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 8. All hearings are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5 at City Hall.
Brainerd cabin-goer pens first novel at 80
BRAINERD — It’s never too late to follow your passions. Newly published author Gene Fuller is proof of that, releasing his first novel at age 80. “We always hear that 80 is a barrier, but I don’t think it is,” Fuller said during an interview on Aug. 27. “People are doing things they haven’t done before.” Now splitting his time between Florida and Brainerd, Fuller is a retired lawyer from Bloomington who’s had a summer home on North Long Lake for nearly 30 years.
Bourke's Bookshelf: Don’t bring brownies to a magic school picnic
BRAINERD — It’s TIME. We’re more than a week into September, pumpkin spice everything has hit shelves and coffee shops, and I’m holding out hope that the weather is going to dip 10 or 20 degrees to match the slowly changing leaves any day now. In other words, fall is nearly upon us, and I’m so ready to celebrate by reading all things cozy, witchy, dark, magical, scary and mysterious.
Back to school in Baxter
BAXTER — Cheery faces and excited educators met students for the first day at Brainerd Public Schools. Exclamations of “welcome back” echoed through the entry of Baxter Elementary School on Tuesday, Sept. 8, as staff greeted both new students and familiar faces. “Getting kids back through the doors, welcoming them in — that’s always the highlight,” Baxter Principal Taylor Demuth said Tuesday morning. “...
Crow Wing County food drive runs through September
BRAINERD — A communitywide food drive aims to garner much-needed assets for food shelves and programs around Crow Wing County. The Hunger Action Food Drive is run through the Crow Wing County Food Access Coalition for the second year. It coincides with September, which is Hunger Action Month. “It’s a great time to bring awareness to hunger, but we also want to turn that awareness into action,” said Kelli Johnson, a member of the coalition and health educator at Crow Wing Energized.
Bourke's Bookshelf: ‘Normal is a terrible thing to aspire to’
BRAINERD — September is upon us, school is right around the corner, and summer is coming to a close. To celebrate the last dregs of sunshine and lake weather, I present you one final summery read for the year — OK, actually two. But they’re part of the same series, so it counts as one. Remember that for the next time you’re trying to justify your new book purchases. A series counts as one, no matter how many installments there are. But I digress.
Recovery community celebrates local partners
BRAINERD — When it comes to recovery, everyone in a community is one piece of the puzzle. Dozens of those pieces came together Monday, Aug. 31, to celebrate those who support recovery efforts in the Brainerd lakes area. “Nobody’s ever done an appreciation event for everybody, and I just think that’s important,” Katie McCormick said Monday at Kiwanis Park in Brainerd.
Brainerd council discusses preliminary 2027 budget numbers
BRAINERD — City Council members in Brainerd are mulling a double-digit increase in the preliminary property tax levy for 2027. “We’re doing the best we can, but we still have more to do,” Council President Mike O’Day said during a budget workshop on Monday, Aug. 31. City Finance Director Connie Hillman presented the budget to the council Monday and noted initial numbers upon meeting with O’Day and Personnel and Finance Committee Chair Gabe Johnson reflected the need for an increase over 21%.
Brainerd, Pequot, Walker schools to ask for referendum funds in November
BRAINERD — Three area school districts will have referendum questions on the ballot in November. School districts in Brainerd, Pequot Lakes and Walker-Hackensack-Akeley are all asking voters to approve additional funds for operational costs. This year, area schools are looking to reap the benefits of the Seasonal Tax Base Replacement Aid program, which is designed to help districts with large numbers of seasonal recreation properties, such as cabins and vacation homes.
Brainerd Public Schools to launch anonymous threat reporting system this fall
BRAINERD — This fall, there will be a new way for students and parents at Brainerd Public Schools to anonymously report incidents of bullying and other threats. A new Minnesota law passed July 1, requires all school districts across the state to implement an anonymous threat reporting system by July 1, 2028. In Brainerd, the move comes nearly two years before the requirement, following the suicide deaths of two middle school students over the summer.
Bourke's Bookshelf: ‘I will not go quietly into a cage’
BRAINERD — Romantasy might be all the rage in so many literary circles right now, but it always feels hit or miss for me. It’s got to have just the right amount of world building to be intriguing but not so overly complex that I’m paging back and forth, trying to keep up with the plot. “Shield of Sparrows” by Devney Perry is one of the popular novels in the genre right now, so I decided it would be just the audiobook for a long solo drive.
Cellphone safety sessions open to Brainerd parents
BRAINERD — Parents and guardians of students at Brainerd Public Schools are invited to cellphone safety sessions at Forestview Middle School ahead of the upcoming school year. Sessions are scheduled for 9-9:45 a.m. and 3-3:45 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, and 4:30-5:15 p.m. and 6:30-7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 2 in the choir room.
Sen. Tina Smith talks housing reform in Brainerd
BRAINERD — U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., visited Brainerd on Wednesday, Aug. 20, to discuss housing reform that’s on the horizon. Her visit came on the heels of the July passage of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act, which Smith touts as potentially the most significant housing legislation passed by Congress in the last 30 years. The act is essentially a compilation of dozens of bills focused on boosting housing supply and keeping costs low.
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