Brainerd Dispatch

Central Lakes College, with campuses in Brainerd and Staples, was the 22nd fastest-growing public, two-year college in the nation within its enrollment category in 2008. Full Story »

The Brainerd School Board has reached a tentative contract agreement with its administrative group, the first of eight union groups with unsettled contracts. Full Story »

Brainerd didn't see the snow that hit southern Minnesota late Tuesday and early Wednesday, but there is enough to require area residents to grab their shovels. Full Story »

The Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army is still in need of volunteer bell ringers. Full Story »

BACKUS - A 51-year-old Backus man has been charged for allegedly damaging more than 500 red pine trees that were to be sold at a public timber auction north of Backus, the Cass County Sheriff's Office reported Monday. Full Story »

Many Discovery Channel enthusiasts will recall Dutch Harbor as the starting place for the fishing fleets to take off in search of king crab in the television show, " Deadliest Catch ." Full Story »

A decision on a proposed pilot project to shut off select lights in north Brainerd will not be made until February. Full Story »

Pillager firefighters rescued a man early Sunday who fell through the ice on Gull Lake while trying to retrieve his dog. Full Story »

The 10 days that followed the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor were anxious ones for 16-year-old Virginia (Wentzlaff) Christle and her family. Full Story »

The Brainerd Warrior dance team took second place in high kick and fifth place in jazz at Saturday's invitational meet, "Dancing in Candyland," at Brainerd High School. Full Story »

Crews continued Sunday to clean up an oil spill that dumped at least 210,000 gallons of crude Friday near Staples. Full Story »

The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a report of a grain bin fire Friday morning. Full Story »

CROSBY - When Linda Peeples opened her gift store in Crosby in the fall of 2007 an economic downturn hitting small town main street wasn't a concern. Full Story »

An oil pipeline spilled at least 210,000 gallons of crude oil in Villard Township between Staples and Motley. Full Story »

CROSSLAKE - The Crosslake City Council will host a public meeting to review the proposed 2010 budget, the amount of property taxes it is proposing to collect to pay for the costs of services the city will provide in 2010 and the city facilities assessment study. Full Story »

Times are tough and people are doing what they can, including getting a second job, to make ends meet. Full Story »

A long line formed Thursday night as the H1N1 immunization clinic opened at the Brainerd High School cafeteria, the first county-wide mass clinic to reach an expanded target group. Full Story »

Mindy Salmon goes from being a legal secretary at the Minnesota Public Defender's Office in Brainerd during the week to a convenience store clerk on the weekends. Full Story »

Winter is finally on its way - for temperature, anyway, not so much for snow. Full Story »

His name was Jack. Full Story »

Three more mass H1N1 immunization clinics for high risk groups have been scheduled in Crow Wing County, including one Thursday in Brainerd. Full Story »

For Crow Wing County, Administrator Tim Houle said the state's projected budget deficit is like having a parent with a financial problem. Full Story »

The Brainerd High School dance team nailed its first Central Lakes Conference meet of the season Tuesday in Sartell. Full Story »

If prostate cancer takes his life, Don Klein said he will die knowing he did everything he could to fight back against the disease. Full Story »