Theresa Bourke

Brainerd

Staff Writer at Brainerd Dispatch

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

Articles

Republican Senate candidates face off in forum ahead of primary

1 week ago | brainerddispatch.com | Tim Speier |Theresa Bourke

BAXTER — Despite a series of disruptions from an audience member, Republican candidates for the vacant Senate District 6 seat fielded questions during a forum on Tuesday, April 8, at Forestview Middle School, ahead of the primary election. The primary is set for Tuesday, April 15, when eight Republicans will face off for the seat. The winner will move on to the general election April 29 against DFL candidate Denise Slipy.
Brainerd Public Utilities director resigns, cites hostile work environment

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke

BRAINERD — Officials in Brainerd will look to hire an interim public utilities director after accepting the resignation of Christopher Evans, effective April 4. Not everyone on the council, however, was quick to accept the resignation during the last meeting on Monday, April 7. Evans, who was hired in August, submitted his resignation letter March 24.
Bourke's Bookshelf: ‘Another sunrise on the reaping’

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke

BRAINERD — I’m not sure I’ve ever been as excited about the release of a book as I was with “Sunrise on the Reaping.” It’s the fifth glimpse into the dystopian world of Panem, created by Suzanne Collins in her “Hunger Games” trilogy. After Harry Potter, it’s my favorite literary series, and Collins keeps reeling me in even farther with each new installment.
CLC dental hygiene program to fill in local gaps

2 weeks ago | dental.einnews.com | Theresa Bourke

BRAINERD — Fifteen dental hygiene students will begin filling in their resumes at Central Lakes College this fall. The new dental hygiene program aims to drill down on the root cause of a local shortage in the field by training new students in the profession. With several prerequisites needed to enroll in the program, students will brush up on their dental knowledge, gaining the necessary skills to work as a hygienist.
CLC dental hygiene program to fill in local gaps

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke

BRAINERD — Fifteen dental hygiene students will begin filling in their resumes at Central Lakes College this fall. The new dental hygiene program aims to drill down on the root cause of a local shortage in the field by training new students in the profession. With several prerequisites needed to enroll in the program, students will brush up on their dental knowledge, gaining the necessary skills to work as a hygienist.
Council bars warming shelter from operating year-round

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke

Editor's Note: This story was updated from an earlier version to reflect a correction in the recommendation from staff. BRAINERD — The Bridge on 7th warming shelter in Brainerd will not operate year round within the next year. Brainerd City Council members voted unanimously on Monday, April 7, to renew the shelter’s interim permit for one more year, allowing the shelter to operate from September through April.
‘Shrek the Musical’ is BHS spring show

2 weeks ago | brainerddispatch.com | Theresa Bourke

BRAINERD — An ogre, a donkey and princess walk onto a stage. Add in some song, and instead of the punchline of a joke, you’ve got the 2025 spring show from Brainerd High School’s theater department. But there will be jokes, too. “Shrek the Musical” debuts Thursday, April 10, and continues on Saturday and Sunday, April 11-12. Theater Director Karla Shepherd-Johnson said she’s loved the movie version of “Shrek” since she was a kid, making this show an easy choice.
Doris Bohme

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

Doris “Dori” Bohme, age 87, passed away April 6, 2025, at Whitefish at the Lakes. Dori was born July 16, 1937, in Chicago to Mary and Frank Vondracek. She was the middle child in a family of seven children. She attended Corkery School in Chicago until second grade when her family moved to Cicero, a border suburb of Chicago. She graduated from Columbus School and shortly after the family moved to Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
James Lee Richardson

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

After a long and well-fought battle with cancer this superhero earned his rest passing away peacefully at age 73 on Jan. 12, 2025, in Minneapolis, with his wife and daughter at his bedside. The miracle man, who beat his initial 12-18 months to live cancer diagnosis, had another eight years, seven months of magical memories with family and friends.
Anthony Ruffcorn

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

Anthony Ruffcorn, 85, of Merrifield, passed away at his home surrounded by his family on Friday, April 4, 2025. A Celebration of Tony’s Life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, April 11, 2025, at Ossipee Community Church (12799 County Road 109 – Merrifield, MN 56465). Family and friends are invited to gather one hour before the services and stay for a luncheon to follow. Anthony was born July 28, 1939, in Wyoming, Minn, the son of Archie and Clara (Johnson) Ruffcorn.