2+ week, 6+ day ago (328+ words) 20 years ago (2005) Years before he fought in WWII, Julius Knudsen drove a motorcycle to California looking for work. It would be the last time his younger brothers Yibby and Dick saw him. Julius later joined the 194th Tank Battalion and entered the Bataan Death March. He was never seen again, and he is still listed as MIA " missing in action. 30 years ago (1995) Maybe Ethel Merman was right and "there's no business like show business." Mann Theaters announced plans to build an 8-screen complex just east of Super One. This comes on the heels of Cinemark USA saying it planned to lease a 10-screen complex next to the Westgate Mall. 40 years ago (1985) The culprit who created an uproar in Pequot Lakers by sticking pins in Halloween candy has been caught. No, it's not a depraved child-hater. It's a 9-year-old who "spiked" her…...

2+ week, 4+ day ago (273+ words) 20 years ago (2005) Amanda Thiesse doesn't claim to be a detective. She just asked questions about her birth parents. But those questions have led to renewed law enforcement interest in her father's death in 1979. Now, first-degree murder charges have been filed against two Minnesota men, and second-degree charges against a third man. 30 years ago (1995) 40 years ago (1985) The deer opener took its toll as two hunters suffered bullet wounds and two others died of apparent heart attacks in separate hunting incidents in Crow Wing, Cass and Wadena counties. Law enforcement also reported lost hunters and a large number of deer killed by cars. 60 years ago (1965) Jerry O'Reilly, who scored all three TDs in Brainerd's recent 33-19 loss to Coon Rapids was named to WCCO Radio's All-State Football Team of the Week. He also plays linebacker, and the Benson coach said, "he's the best…...

2+ week, 5+ day ago (319+ words) 20 years ago (2005) If all goes as planned, the Brainerd posts of the American Legion and VFW could be sharing a building by this time next year. A joint committee, meeting for a year, hopes that this will reinvigorate membership, which has been falling as members age. Members of both posts would have to vote to approve the final plan. 30 years ago (1995) (Adv.) Learn to surf the World Wide Web! An introduction to the world of the Internet, the largest computer network in the world. Learn to access the Internet and use the tools to bring the universe to your fingertips. To enroll, call Central Lakes College. 40 years ago (1985) Most city council members are leaning toward hiring a city administrator, but one alderman is taking a wait-and-see attitude. After listening to a specialist present his study of city structure, Frank McCarthy…...

1+ week, 6+ day ago (302+ words) After several months of negotiation, a meeting at Central Lakes College between Crow Wing Twp. and the city of Brainerd reached agreement on the orderly annexation of 642 acres into Brainerd. The land, owned by Lively Auto/Mills, lies between Hwy 371 South and the Mississippi River, and includes Buffalo Lake and Buffalo Creek. 30 years ago (1995) A nearly all-white school calling itself the Indians will take a soul-searching look at its identity and nickname. Pequot Lakes High School is one of 12 in Minnesota with an Indian-themed name or logo. A state official who is a member of the White Earth Band spoke to the school board. 40 years ago (1985) The discovery of a contract that never went where it was supposed to brings hope for the Blue Water Line, a proposed rail excursion line from Brainerd to Pine River. Blue Water was waiting…...

2+ week, 3+ day ago (259+ words) 20 years ago (2005) The top-ranked CLC volleyball team was stunned by Ridgewater in the national semi-finals, ending the Raiders 31-game winning streak. CLC bounced back in the third-place game to stop Harper College in straight sets, 30-22, 30-24, 30-19. It was the Raiders third straight year of finishing in third place. 30 years ago (1995) Arleen Elliott has been named as Brainerd's Volunteer of the Month. The Milaca native has lived in Brainerd for 29 years with husband Boyd. They have two daughters and four grandchildren. Her primary volunteering is with Kinship Partners and at St. Joseph's Medical Center. 40 years ago (1985) The Brainerd school district found out that it isn't immune to Minnesota's skyrocketing liability insurance costs. The premium for the district's $3 million "umbrella" policy went up 329 percent. Last year the package cost $8,200 and this year it will be $26,000. 60 years ago (1965) 80 years ago (1945) Capt. Perry J. Hickerson of…...

3+ week, 5+ day ago (283+ words) 20 years ago (2005) On Aug 16, two north Brainerd men " ages 18 and 23 " were charged with felonies over provoking two pit bulls to fight. Charges against the 18-year-old have been dismissed but remain against the older man. A small pit bull puppy came between the two fighting dogs and was killed. 30 years ago (1995) An administrative law judge has ruled that fired county employees Sig Stier and Gerald Jacobs should be reinstated to their positions, which the county eliminated in January. He also said they should receive back pay from Feb. 3 until now. The county board will consider its options with its attorney. 40 years ago (1985) 60 years ago (1965) Owners of the Hopkins House Motel and Restaurant have organized a corporation to buy and operate the main facilities of Breezy Point Resort on Pelican Lake. Cal Olson of Hopkins House said the firm has already paid…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago (257+ words) 20 years ago (2005) 30 years ago (1995) Brainerd area merchants are fed up with shoplifting and want action. Two dozen merchants met at the East Brainerd Mall. They said they want shoplifting crimes printed in the Dispatch, they want judges to hand down stiffer penalties and they want answers. 40 years ago (1985) Future Brainerd mayors could be serving a four-year term instead of the current two years if the entire city council accepts the idea. Alderman Denny Martin made the recommendation, saying that a mayor doesn't have time to get up to speed in just two years. 60 years ago (1965) The YMCA Canadian canoe trip captivated so much interest this past summer that director Doug McNeel has set dates for next year. The boys' trip will be June 13-21, and a newly organized girls' trip will be August 27-Sept. 4. All participants will be trained in wilderness…...

3+ week, 6+ day ago (251+ words) Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of "staff." Often, the "staff" byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story. Hi, I'm the Brainerd Dispatch. I started working a few days before Christmas in 1881 and became a daily paper two years later. I've gone through a lot of changes over the years, but what has never changed is my commitment to community and to local journalism. I've got an entire team of dedicated people who work night and day…...

4+ day, 10+ hour ago (331+ words) (Adv.) Heartland Symphony Orchestra "Winter Concert 2005." Dec. 3 at 7:30 in Little Falls; Dec. 4 at 2:30 in Brainerd. Enjoy: "Sleigh Ride," "Do You Hear What I Hear," "It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year" plus Bach and Tchaikovsky. Followed by HSO's traditional Holiday Carol Sing-Along. 30 years ago (1995) In his first stock car race in 1992, Justin Aylward of Brainerd won the Outlaw Class's heat, feature and trophy dash races at Aitkin Speedway. Three years later he is the 1995 Wissota Class champion at the Willmar track, and was 5th in the nation in Wissota Class points out of 400 racers. A short life of crime came to an abrupt end for two 16-year-old burglars who had already committed 9 burglaries. Bertha Benson, caretaker for the Front Street Caf, caught them breaking in and called her boss, Dave Pueringer. He chased them for five blocks and caught them,…...

3+ week, 4+ day ago (266+ words) 20 years ago (2005) 30 years ago (1995) The case of the robbery of Northern National Bank here on Aug. 16 has been declared closed. Authorities have determined that Gregory Glynn, who was shot and killed during a standoff in Grand Rapids in September, was the perpetrator of the robbery in Brainerd. 40 years ago (1985) (Adv.) Now in Brainerd! Buy a Yamaha Phazer snowmobile for just $2,499. Efficient 485cc two-stroke engine with oil injection. Call anywhere and compare our prices. Trico Yamaha " 312 NW 5th Street " across from Wendy's. 60 years ago (1965) Interesting history on the American Legion Post 255 annual duck feeds was provided by Hans Holm, WWI vet. The event started in 1924 and all members who hunted were given a box of shotgun shells and required to bring in one or more ducks. This continued until 1939 when the Legion started using domestic ducks. 80 years ago (1945) The county moved up into…...