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Brainerd / Baxter

Your Community, More Completely.
Saturday, November 14, 2026 · Permanent link to this edition
Edition archive
Saturday, November 14 (today): Brainerd football vs. Spring Lake Park, 1 p.m., Rocori High SchoolWednesday, November 18 (4 days): poet Cornelius Eady at Central Lakes College, noonWednesday, November 25 (11 days): comment deadline on Crow Wing County 2027 aquatic invasive species plan, 5 p.m.Friday, December 4 (20 days): proposals due for Brainerd charter-mandated community funding, 4:30 p.m.
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Today in Brainerd / Baxter

Brainerd football plays Spring Lake Park in the 5A quarterfinals at 1 p.m. today at Rocori High School, KAXE reports.
Brainerd Public Schools says DJ Dondelinger, Mark Lelwica and Randy Heidmann won School Board seats; KAXE reports the operating levy failed.
MnDOT says 10th Avenue NE stays closed until mid-November as Highway 210 work continues.
Poet Cornelius Eady reads at Central Lakes College at noon Wednesday, November 18.
Crow Wing County takes comments on its 2027 aquatic invasive species plan until 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 25.
Crow Wing County collects unwanted holiday lights at drop-off sites in Baxter, Brainerd and other communities.
The City of Brainerd takes proposals for charter-mandated community funding until 4:30 p.m. Friday, December 4.

NEW: newly reported developments or upcoming opportunities. UPDATE: later substantive information on a covered story. ONGOING: continuing useful information. RESOLVED: the reported issue has ended. BACKGROUND: dated historical context, not a new development or confirmation of current availability. UNCONFIRMED: a story, continuing story or detail that could not be confirmed against its cited source on the edition date; the note under the headline says what is not confirmed. Today and countdown lines carry "(unconfirmed)" for the same reason. All local times are Central Daylight Time.

Schools & Youth

ONGOINGBrainerd

Brainerd schools build action plan after Forestview bullying review

Brainerd Public Schools is building an action plan from an independent review of bullying policies and practices at Forestview Middle School, the district announced October 13. The School Board has the report, and the district's legal counsel is reviewing it.

The review found that District Policy 514, Bullying Prohibition, meets Minnesota law and that practices at Forestview are reasonable, and it identified areas where the district can do better. "The review tells us our policy is sound, and it gives us clear work to do," Superintendent Chip Rankin said in the announcement.

Planned steps include staff training built around Forestview's own people and process, one system for tracking bullying reports, investigation training for building administrators, student handbook language stating that bullying has consequences, better family education on reporting bullying and a review of counselor and administrator staffing at Forestview. The district says anyone who is struggling can talk with a school counselor or call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, at any time.

ONGOINGBrainerd

Brainerd Public Schools asks for input on Brainerd 2.0 plan

Brainerd Public Schools is asking parents, students, staff and area residents to weigh in on "Brainerd 2.0," a proposed plan under Project True North to right-size the district for current enrollment, the district announced October 15. District officials say no final decisions have been made.

Participants can watch a short video on the plan and then respond in an online ThoughtExchange forum, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes; submissions are confidential. Feedback will be presented to the School Board ahead of its decision on Monday, December 14. The district did not give a closing date for the survey.

ONGOINGBrainerd

Brainerd operating levy failed; Dondelinger, Lelwica and Heidmann won School Board seats

Brainerd Public Schools' operating levy question, which would have increased annual funding by $5 million, failed by several thousand votes in the Tuesday, November 3 election, KAXE reported November 4. KAXE did not give exact tallies.

In the School Board race, the district announced November 4 that DJ Dondelinger, Randy Heidmann and Mark Lelwica were the top vote-getters among seven candidates. Dondelinger led with 10,610 votes, followed by Lelwica with 8,400 and Heidmann with 7,868. Dondelinger and Heidmann return for second terms, and Lelwica joins the board as a newcomer; KAXE reported the terms begin in January.

KAXE said the district has told the community that if the levy failed it would need to make budget cuts, which could mean closing at least one more school.

Arts, Culture & Events

ONGOING

Teen and tween studio nights are back for the school year

The Crossing Arts Alliance lists open studio nights for middle and high school students (grades 5 through 12). Registration and payment are not required.

The posted dates run from Thursday, September 17, 2026, through Thursday, May 20, 2027, with arrival from 3:30 to 4 p.m. and art projects and instruction from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

ONGOINGBrainerd

Brainerd Winter Wonderland lights display will end after the 2026 season

The Brainerd Noon Sertoma Club says this year will be the last for its drive-through Winter Wonderland holiday lights display, Mix 108 reported September 11.

Mix 108 reported the display traditionally opens on Thanksgiving and runs Thursdays through Saturdays until Christmas, then nightly from Christmas Eve through New Year's Eve. The station gave no specific 2026 dates.

ONGOINGBrainerd

Storytime, book clubs and a Library Board meeting on the Brainerd Public Library calendar

Brainerd Public Library holds Weekly Storytime at 11 a.m. Thursdays, next on Thursday, November 19. The library describes it as stories and crafts for ages 2 to 8, with all welcome. The Brainerd Book Club for Adults meets at 1 p.m. on the second Wednesday of the month in the library's Small Meeting Room, next on Wednesday, December 9.

The Books Burgers and Brews Book Club meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Monday of the month at the Brainerd Eagles Club, next on Monday, November 23; the library asks people to RSVP.

ONGOINGBrainerd

Poet Cornelius Eady reads at Central Lakes College on Wednesday, November 18

Poet and musician Cornelius Eady will give a free Verse Like Water reading and concert with the Cornelius Eady Trio at noon Wednesday, November 18, in the Chalberg Theatre on Central Lakes College's Brainerd campus. A book signing and craft talk follow, the college says.

Attendees will receive a copy of Eady's book Hardheaded Weather: New and Selected Poems. Eady has led Cave Canem, a nonprofit supporting Black writers, since 1996 and is a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, according to the college.

ONGOINGBrainerd

Brainerd musician Kelley Smith releases debut album Flowers

Brainerd-based musician Kelley Smith released her debut full-length album, Flowers, on Friday, November 6, KAXE reported. She recorded it at several cabins and at Bellows Studio in St. Paul with Adam Krinsky, following her 2022 EP Moon Child.

KAXE reported that Smith's album release show is Friday, January 8, 2027, at the Cedar Cultural Center in Minneapolis.

AI in Your Community

BACKGROUND

Utility commission's 2024 AI recommendation to the City Council

Brainerd Public Utilities commissioners voted unanimously on June 25, 2024, to recommend to the City Council the League of Minnesota Cities language on the use of AI, according to the commission's minutes.

The minutes record a recommendation only; they do not show whether the City Council later adopted it.

Community: Brainerd. Status: Background on local AI policy; a recommendation, not a newly announced deployment. Record date: June 25, 2024.

BACKGROUNDCrow Wing County

Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office uses AI-powered license plate readers

The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office uses Flock camera systems, which Lakeland News described in a June 26 report as AI-powered automatic license plate readers.

Lakeland News reported the office only receives alerts for stolen vehicles, stolen license plates, missing persons and officer alerts. Images not tied to an active investigation are kept for 30 days before being automatically deleted, the station reported.

Community: Crow Wing County, including Brainerd and Baxter. Status: Background on technology already in use; not a new deployment. Record date: June 26, 2026.

Community & Services

ONGOINGBaxter

Lakes Area Food Shelf in Baxter is open Tuesday through Thursday

The Lakes Area Food Shelf's Baxter location, next door to Super One Foods on Excelsior Road, is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 1 to 6 p.m. Wednesdays, KAXE reported.

Shopping appointments are strongly encouraged to minimize wait times and can be made through the food shelf's website.

ONGOINGCrow Wing County

Crow Wing County Landfill is now on weekday-only winter hours

Winter hours at the Crow Wing County Landfill took effect Sunday, November 1: the landfill is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the county says.

The landfill is at 15732 State Highway 210, just east of Brainerd.

ONGOINGBaxter

WonderTrek Children's Museum is open in Baxter

WonderTrek Children's Museum says it is officially open, with its Outdoor Adventure inviting children and families to explore, create and learn through play. The museum is at 12170 Ironwood Drive, Baxter.

Posted hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday; the museum is closed Monday and Tuesday. The museum also offers memberships with unlimited visits for a year.

ONGOINGBrainerd

Lum Park archway in Brainerd restored after a call for help

The historic archway at Brainerd's Lum Park has been restored after Mayor Dave Badeaux put out a community call for help, Lakeland News reported November 6.

Cory Jay, CEO of Advantage Home Pros, donated shingles and labor for the work, according to Lakeland News. The station says the archway has stood since the early 1930s.

NEWCrow Wing County

Crow Wing County collects unwanted holiday lights at business drop-off sites

Crow Wing County Land Services, with Sunrise Sertoma of Brainerd and Crow Wing Recycling, is collecting unneeded Christmas lights and extension cords through its Bites for Lights program. Collection containers are at partner businesses in Baxter, Brainerd and several other Crow Wing County communities, among them Nisswa and Crosby.

Proceeds from the recycled materials are donated to local charities. The county's announcement lists the addresses and gives no collection deadline.

City, Roads & Planning

ONGOINGBrainerd

Highway 210 opens to four lanes through east Brainerd

Highway 210 (Washington Street) opened to four lanes between Pine Shores Road and South Sixth Street on Monday evening, October 26, MnDOT says. The multi-lane roundabouts at Crow Wing County Road 3 and C Street/Highway 25 are fully operational, and MnDOT asks drivers to watch for pedestrians.

Some closures remain. 10th Avenue NE stays closed until mid-November, and Gillis Avenue/13th Street SE is limited to right-in, right-out turns until the Highway 210 signal system is installed in early December.

Highway 25 between Highway 210 and 10th Avenue NE stays on its temporary connection until spring 2027. The downtown, bridge and west segments of Highway 210 are scheduled for 2027 work, MnDOT says; the schedule is subject to change.

ONGOINGCrow Wing County

Crow Wing County takes comments on 2027 aquatic invasive species plan through November 25

Crow Wing County Land Services is taking written comments on its proposed 2027 Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan until 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 25. The plan is posted at crowwing.gov/AIS. Comments can be emailed to landservices@crowwing.gov or mailed to Crow Wing County Land Services, 322 Laurel Street, Suite 15, Brainerd, MN 56401, Attn: AIS Plan Comments.

The county received a state allocation of $232,407 for 2027 and expects about $30,000 in rollover funds. The proposal includes 6,696 hours of watercraft inspections and decontaminations at 27 public landings, grants for prevention and treatment, and education. The County Board is scheduled to review the plan at its December 15 meeting.

NEWBrainerd

City of Brainerd seeks proposals for charter-mandated community funding by December 4

The City of Brainerd is accepting proposals from organizations to share funding the city charter sets aside each year: 1.5% of the previous year's total city levy. The three categories are community action programs and events, non-profit senior citizen organizations, and arboretum or green space organizations. The city says $111,530 is available for each organization in 2027.

Proposals are due by 4:30 p.m. Friday, December 4. The city would enter a five-year agreement, with services beginning April 1, 2027. Questions go to City Administrator Nick Broyles at nbroyles@brainerdmn.gov or (218) 828-2307.

Sports

ONGOINGBrainerd

Brainerd football plays Spring Lake Park in 5A quarterfinals today

Brainerd beat Sartell 45-8 to win the Section 8AAAAA football championship, the program's 11th section title and its first since 2017, Lakeland News reported November 6.

KAXE reports Brainerd plays Spring Lake Park in the 5A quarterfinals at 1 p.m. today, Saturday, November 14, at Rocori High School.

Still Developing

The latest confirmed movement, the open question and the next checkpoint.

OPEN

Highway 210 reconstruction

Highway 210 opened to four lanes between Pine Shores Road and South Sixth Street on October 26, with the roundabouts at County Road 3 and C Street/Highway 25 fully operational. The downtown, bridge and west segments are scheduled for 2027.

Still unresolved: 10th Avenue NE reopening (mid-November), the Gillis Avenue/13th Street SE signal (early December) and the 2027 downtown, bridge and west segments.

Next checkpoint: MnDOT notices on the 10th Avenue NE reopening and the Highway 210 signal installation.

Four lanes opened October 26.

Sources: MnDOT; Drive 210
OPEN

Brainerd 2027 city levy

The City Council set a preliminary maximum levy increase of 9.9%, with possible reductions before final adoption in December.

Still unresolved: The final increase and related budget changes.

Next checkpoint: Budget revisions and the December final levy decision.

Preliminary maximum set September 21.

Source: Brainerd Dispatch reporting via Muck Rack
OPEN

Baxter 2027 budget and levy

Baxter says its annual budget timetable includes a public informational meeting on the proposed budget and levy in early December, before final adoption.

Still unresolved: The levy, operating adjustments and enterprise-fund decisions.

Next checkpoint: Published budget figures, the December meeting and final adoption.

Source: Baxter budget process
OPENUNCONFIRMED

Remaining Brainerd school labor agreements

Not confirmed against the source as of November 14, 2026: all details, because the source page could not be opened. Check the source before relying on it.

The School Board ratified teacher, food-service and interpreter agreements.

Still unresolved: Agreements for educational assistants and nurses, which Brainerd Dispatch reported were still unsettled at the time.

Next checkpoint: Ratification or published terms of the remaining agreements.

Latest movement: September 21.

Source: Brainerd Dispatch, Brainerd teachers, school food workers reach contract agreement
OPEN

School operating referendum

Brainerd Public Schools' proposal asked voters on Tuesday, November 3 to authorize $5 million annually for 10 years, with funds first available for the 2027-2028 school year. KAXE reported early Wednesday, November 4, that the question failed by several thousand votes. The district has said that without the funding it would have to cut its budget, possibly by closing at least one more school.

Still unresolved: Certified results and the district's budget decisions in response.

Next checkpoint: Official canvass results and School Board action.

Sources: District referendum information; KAXE, Slate of 'common sense' candidates elected to Brainerd School Board; referendum fails
AWAITING RECORDS

Utility commission

Draft minutes of the commission's September 29 meeting, included in the packet for its October 27 meeting, show the commission voted to raise the power cost adjustment to $0.010885 per kWh effective with October 2026 billing, among other actions. The October 27 agenda listed those minutes for approval; the outcome of that meeting is not yet posted. The draft September 29 minutes say the commission agreed to move its November meeting to November 17, and the October 27 agenda ends with an adjournment to a special meeting on Tuesday, November 17.

Still unresolved: Approval of the September 29 minutes and the actions taken at the October 27 meeting.

Next checkpoint: Approved minutes or another official record of the October 27 meeting, and the November 17 special meeting.

Source: Brainerd Public Utilities Commission, October 27, 2026 agenda packet (draft September 29 minutes)
OPEN

September 9 CC’s Bar case

The Brainerd Dispatch reported September 22 that a Brainerd man arrested September 9 after an alleged fight at CC’s Bar was charged with felony assault and other counts. The charges are allegations.

Still unresolved: Later court proceedings and the outcome.

Next checkpoint: A dated court record or further local court report.

Charges reported September 22.

Source: Dispatch reporting cited September 27
OPENUNCONFIRMED

Brainerd Zipline Tour closure

Not confirmed against the source as of November 14, 2026: all details: the cited Visit Brainerd & Baxter page no longer mentions the zipline, and no official source was found for a permanent closure this winter or that 2026 is the last season. Check the source before relying on it.

The regional attraction is expected to close permanently this winter.

Still unresolved: The final operating date and future plans for the site or equipment.

Next checkpoint: An operator closing-date or site announcement.

The joint tourism bureau reported that the 2026 season will be the attraction’s last.

Source: Visit Brainerd & Baxter fall guide

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