Renee Richardson

Brainerd

Managing Editor at Brainerd Dispatch

Brainerd Dispatch managing editor, movie, tennis & kayak enthusiast, Tab addict, Skywarn member. Covering gov., business, weather, trends and breaking news.

Articles

Biz Buzz: Chick-fil-A to build in Baxter

5 days ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BAXTER โ More details are expected soon, but the city of Baxter noted Thursday, May 8, that Chick-fil-A plans to open a restaurant in the city on the site of the former Bill's Indoor Shooting Range. Expectations are to tear down the shooting range just off Excelsior Road and within sight of Highway 371 and construct the new restaurant in the same space.
Trails and memorials connect Crosby, Minnesota visitors to worst mine tragedy in state history

1 week ago | ourcommunitynow.com | Renee Richardson

CROSBY — A quiet park nestled in the woods by a lake provides a place to reflect, walk and experience history. Names on the boardwalks link the present to the past . The names of 41 miners who lost their lives in 1924 when the underground iron ore mine flooded within minutes and the seven who made it to the surface are there with each step on the 450-foot boardwalk bridge.
Trails and memorials connect Crosby, Minnesota visitors to worst mine tragedy in state history

1 week ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

CROSBY — A quiet park nestled in the woods by a lake provides a place to reflect, walk and experience history. Names on the boardwalks link the present to the past . The names of 41 miners who lost their lives in 1924 when the underground iron ore mine flooded within minutes and the seven who made it to the surface are there with each step on the 450-foot boardwalk bridge.
Crow Wing County employee’s inventive idea will lead to snowplow efficiency

1 week ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BRAINERD — An innovative idea from Austin Kubesh could mean more efficient and effective snowplowing. Kubesh is the Crow Wing County Highway Department shop lead worker. Joe Luksik, county fleet manager, addressed county commissioners in April and highlighted Kubesh for the concept, which could tap into funding for such innovations. “Austin has really taken the lead on this,” Luksik said, noting Kubesh also presented the idea before a board for funding, which was approved.
Northland Reliability Project power transmission project on track for Brainerd area in 2026

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BRAINERD — Things are getting real with the new powerline and there are changes. Zach Golkowski, senior environmental compliance specialist with Minnesota Power, provided an update on the project that will come through the lakes area. Golkowski spoke before the Crow Wing County Board Tuesday, April 22. “So a lot changed since the last time I was here,” Golkowski told commissioners.
On second swing, Crow Wing County approves Tip Top lot split

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BRAINERD — A petition to split a lakeside lot at the former Tip Top Resort on Clamshell Lake was back before the Crow Wing County Board Tuesday, April 22. An application for a preliminary plat to create two lots from one occupied by a former lodge and two cabins was stopped at the board on April 8 when commissioners did not support one motion and never offered any other action. Two weeks later, the commissioners approved the petition on a 4-1 vote with Commissioner Rosemary Franzen opposed.
Baxter looks at possible expansion at Whipple Beach, Camp Vanasek in 2028

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BAXTER — Moving Oakwood Drive would create more space for an expansion of the Whipple Beach recreation area and Camp Vanasek. The Baxter City Council heard an update on the project with an estimated total cost for the road, sanitary sewer, water, storm sewer and a trail at $2,377,255. The project is listed in the draft capital improvement plan for 2028. Aric Welch, civil engineer with Widseth, outlined improvements and estimated costs noting city staff will use that data for planning purposes.
What sign will help to stop traffic for school buses on Cypress Drive?

3 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BAXTER — Northbound vehicles on Cypress Drive are not always stopping for southbound school buses at Greenwood Road, despite the flashing lights and bus stop signs. The Baxter City Council noted at its April 16 meeting the city’s Utilities Commission heard a request from Reichert Bus Service for signs to warn drivers of the upcoming bus stop and warn them they are required to stop for the buses.
Camp Ripley set to boom this summer as training intensifies

3 weeks ago | stcloudlive.com | Renee Richardson

BRAINERD — Expect more sounds of Camp Ripley’s thunder into the summer as thousands of troops train at the facility. Camp Ripley provided the annual update to the Crow Wing County Board on April 15, providing a look at the training schedule, construction plans and the $82,964,849 economic impact of the facility with most of that from payroll and construction or maintenance contracts. Lt. Col.
Camp Ripley set to boom this summer as training intensifies

3 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BRAINERD — Expect more sounds of Camp Ripley’s thunder into the summer as thousands of troops train at the facility. Camp Ripley provided the annual update to the Crow Wing County Board on April 15, providing a look at the training schedule, construction plans and the $82,964,849 economic impact of the facility with most of that from payroll and construction or maintenance contracts. Lt. Col.