Theresa Bourke

Brainerd

Staff Writer at Brainerd Dispatch

Newspaper reporter, cat mom, coffee aficionado, book hoarder, proud Cheesehead

Articles

Main Street Market set for downtown Brainerd

1 week ago | brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke

BRAINERD — A new farmers market is on the docket for downtown Brainerd this summer. The Main Street Market will begin May 16 and run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Friday through Oct. 10 in the parking lot of Brainerd City Hall. The Brainerd City Council approved an event permit for the market during its meeting on April 21. Cottage baker Doro Schumann spearheaded the effort, with support from the Destination Downtown Brainerd Coalition.
Brainerd road assessments spark concern

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke

BRAINERD — Residents living in the areas of upcoming road projects in Brainerd are concerned about the cost and logistics. Several residents living near Ronald Street, Joseph Street and Hawkins Drive spoke during a public forum at the City Council meeting on April 21, asking questions about the projects and voicing worries about affording the assessments. The project proposes resurfacing work on the streets, along with the replacement of water main, fire hydrants and gate valves.
Bourke's Bookshelf: ‘Bewildered, appalled, and charmed’

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke

BRAINERD — Our final featured author for the inaugural Words by the Water event hosted by the Friends of the Brainerd Public Library is Curtis Sittenfeld. A Minneapolis-based author whose works have twice been selected for Reese’s Book Club, Sittenfeld has written seven novels and two short story collections.
Keri Heintzeman wins special election for Senate District 6 seat

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Matt Erickson |Theresa Bourke

BRAINERD — Keri Heintzeman will move into the vacant Minnesota Senate District 6 seat. In the Tuesday, April 29, special election, Keri Heintzeman received 12,751 votes, or 60.27%, besting DFLer Denise Slipy, who received 8,376 voters, or 39.59%. Senate District 6 includes areas within Cass, Crow Wing and Itasca counties. The seat was vacated in March by Justin Eichorn , a Republican from Grand Rapids, who resigned last month after he was charged with attempting to solicit a minor.
CWC workers strive to provide second chances

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke

BRAINERD — As Second Chance Month comes to a close with the conclusion of April, those working to better the lives of their neighbors continue the fight. Observed throughout the U.S. and in Crow Wing County in April, Second Chance Month reaffirms the importance of helping those with criminal backgrounds re-enter society and have a second chance at a better life after paying their debts.
Cecil (Cy) Strang

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Terry McCollough |Theresa Bourke

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Derald William Watson

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Terry McCollough |Theresa Bourke

Derald William Watson, age 61, of Brainerd, died on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at Essentia Health - St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Brainerd. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Andrews Catholic Church in Brainerd. Family and friends are invited to gather for one hour prior to Mass. Interment will be held at the Pine Ridge Cemetery in Pine River, MN at 2:00 p.m.Derald was born on December 29, 1963, to Derald and Donna (Schuster) Watson in Brainerd.
Gary Koth

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Terry McCollough |Theresa Bourke

Gary Dale Koth, 76, of Brainerd, MN passed away at home on April 19, 2025 due to complications from cancer. Gary was born in Grand Forks, ND on July 21, 1948, to parents Marie and Lester Koth. He grew up on a farm just north of Grand Forks with his younger siblings Cathy (Nelson) and Roger Koth. Gary graduated from Grand Forks Central High School in 1966. During his high school years, he worked several jobs and learned the values of hard work and responsibility.
Brainerd event to honor boys of Bataan

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke

BRAINERD — History always teaches us something, if we listen. “And a good way to learn, whether it be history or anything else — if the subject lends itself to it — is storytelling,” said John Erickson, Brainerd Public Schools archivist. Storytelling goes back to prehistoric times, with cave paintings giving glimpses of an earlier time. In this case, though, the story dates back to the 1940s, and the heroes are the men of the 194th Tank Battalion.
Second Chance Month: ‘I’m here and I care’

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke

BAXTER — Sobriety isn’t something done alone. Katie McCormick knows that well, thankful for the village surrounding her for the past decade. Parents, friends, family and especially the staff at the Crow Wing County Jail are on her list of positive people who have made an impact. “People struggle to do recovery alone, and that’s where you’re going to fail,” McCormick said during an interview on Wednesday, April 23, at Lighthouse Beginnings in Baxter.