
Theresa Bourke
Staff Writer at Brainerd Dispatch
Newspaper reporter, cat mom, coffee aficionado, book hoarder, proud Cheesehead
Articles
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1 week ago |
brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke
BRAINERD — Future teachers, electricians, tattoo artists, nurses, psychologists and military personnel comprise the Brainerd Learning Center Class of 2025. Sixty-two seniors graduated from the alternative school this year, 38 of whom celebrated the accomplishment with a ceremony Wednesday, May 28, at the Gichi-ziibi Center for the Arts. “This is an alternative high school,” BLC Principal Jessica Haapajoki said during the ceremony.
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1 week ago |
brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke
BRAINERD — Anyone who’s a fan of “Golden Girls” must read this book. Rachel Ekstrom Courage clearly did her research before kicking off her cozy “Golden Girls” mystery series with the new release “Murder by Cheesecake.” I can tell she’s a longtime fan of the show and has no doubt spent countless hours laughing at the antics of Blanche, Rose, Dorothy and Sophia. I was beyond excited for this book to come out, and I’m happy to say it exceeded my expectations.
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1 week ago |
brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke
BRAINERD â The next phase of housing at Creekside Community is underway. The supportive housing development created by My Neighbor To Love Coalition will see a second 12-plex building and small boarding house in west Brainerd by the end of the year. Vicky Kinney, executive director of the nonprofit, along with a crew from Nor-Son Construction and other volunteers, celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony at the site on Tuesday, May 27. âWe are so grateful,â Kinney said.
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1 week ago |
brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke
NISSWA — Sara Beach wasn’t sure she’d ever see her beloved cat Pandora again. The mostly black tuxedo cat slipped out of the Nisswa neighborhood in September and didn’t return home. Her sister Annastasia followed suit in November. They’re both indoor/outdoor cats who love exploring the big, wide world but have always come back to the safety of home by nightfall. When the frigidly cold winter temperatures set in, Beach had to hope they were somewhere safe.
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1 week ago |
brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke
BRAINERD — Rows of flags waving gently in the wind represented humility, courage, strength, sacrifice, honor, unity and compassion as they lined the path along Evergreen Cemetery on Monday, May 26. Air Force veteran and chaplain, the Rev. Eusebia “Chappy” Rios spoke of the flags’ symbolism and other reminders of the men and women who gave their lives to serve their country during the annual Memorial Day ceremony in Brainerd.
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RT @stevenkohls: Pyrotechnics Show at Brainerd international Raceway @Dispatchbizbuzz @DispatchTheresa @brd_dispatch https://t.co/gwJ…

Thank you @hollyjhassel for sharing your story with me and letting me nerd out about @Jeopardy. I can't wait to watch you compete!

Congrats to the #ClassOf2023! @BrainerdSchools https://t.co/kkKzXZ5SYx