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

Crow Wing County increases number of junk vehicles allowed

1 week ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BRAINERD — Crow Wing County increased the number of junk cars property owners can have on their property. The majority of the board voted for the change at the Tuesday, May 27, meeting. The county ordinance previously allowed for two unlicensed, inoperable vehicles. After an encounter with a threatening landowner, staff rethought the issue and suggested increasing the number. Enforcement of the ordinance is complaint driven.
Crow Wing County Board celebrates administrative coordinator as she prepares to retire

1 week ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BRAINERD — Therese Norwood, administrative coordinator, who serves as the executive administrative resource for the Crow Wing County administrator and commissioners, was recognized Tuesday, May 28, for her years of service. Norwood’s last day with the county is Friday, May 30, as she retires. The board presented her with a certificate of excellence. “Throughout her remarkable 35-year career, Therese has prepared over 2,000 meeting agendas, compiled minutes from almost 1,500 meetings.
Baxter City Council considers change for Audubon Way project

1 week ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BAXTER — Once again, the public seats in Baxter City Hall were largely full of supporters for FitQuest and businesses inside the building as the city looked at a possible street project on Audubon Way. Supporters attending the May 20 council meeting reiterated their concerns the street improvement assessment would be too much for the businesses to continue.
Baxter City Council looks at street projects, possible development

1 week ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BAXTER—The Baxter City Council recently accepted a bid for 2025 micro surfacing work and noted residential and commercial city streets identified for construction work in 2026. At the May 20 meeting, the council accepted the ASTECH Corp. bidof $575,579.79 for the 2025 microsurfacing project and amended the project budget by a $122,973.79 increase for a revised total budget of $622,973.79.
Want to have a voice in Crow Wing County’s transportation plan?

1 week ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BRAINERD — Crow Wing County is seeking public input from those who drive, ride, bike or walk its transportation routes and an online survey and interactive map is making it easy to do. As summer season traffic is already increasing and more people take to area roads this Memorial Day weekend, there is an opportunity to provide feedback the county can use as it looks at ways to make the transportation system better. Is an intersection challenging to make it through safely?
Video interviews of children are shown in court on day 9 of Borders’ trial

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BRAINERD — Video interviews of two of the children Jorden Nicole Borders is accused of torturing were played during her criminal trial Thursday, May 22, in Crow Wing County District Court. Borders, 34, Crosslake, is charged with 11 felonies — one count of first-degree attempted murder, three counts of child torture, three counts of stalking and four counts of theft of medical costs.
Biz Buzz: Baia Della/Prairie Bay halts restaurant service

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BAXTER — Business is challenging and perhaps nothing demands more than running a restaurant. No one may know that as well as Nick Miller, 3 Cheers Hospitality and Baia Della owner. Miller made the announcement about temporarily halting the restaurant service public Wednesday, May 21, and told staff members the day before. Reached by phone Wednesday night, Miller said the restaurant business was down but catering has outshone it for a while.
MnDOT lists buttonhook design as preferred option for 371 overpass

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BAXTER — Preferred options for the Highway 371/210 intersection are whittled down to two. Five alternatives rose to the top of the list late last year. After looking at public input and evaluating the options for meeting safety needs and congestion, along with other factors, two are favored with a preference for the buttonhook interchange.
Once stolen, efforts continue to restore a Nokasippi River bridge

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BRAINERD — A bridge, which was relieved of its wooden planks by thieves and then stolen altogether, is on one commissioner’s list for restoration for the future. Crow Wing County Commissioner Paul Koering, attending the May 13 board meeting in person, reported he is working on restoring the bridge on North Koering Road that has been closed for many years. Koering said he attended the St. Mathias Township meeting and offered his services to coordinate if they were interested.
What is the master plan for the Northland Arboretum?

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Renee Richardson

BRAINERD — A Northland Arboretum master plan was approved by Crow Wing County Board opening the way to submit the plan and apply for regional park designation. In March, the board approved a resolution to purchase 115.9 acres of land from the Arborteum in support of the regional park designation. The Arb leased 97.9 acres land from the county, owned land outright and the Nature Conservancy owns and manages 160 acres in the middle of the Arb.