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Hey Brainerd, hope your week’s off to a good start! Minnesota National Guard honors Steve Kohls, an awkward valentine’s photoshoot, a sushi rolling class, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Legacy of service in focus: The Minnesota National Guard honored former Dispatch photographer Steve Kohls with the Minnesota Superior Civilian Service Award, presenting it to his wife and daughter in recognition of decades of service — learn more about his legacy.
Craftsmanship rooted in legacy: Brainerd Lakes’ A2Z Home Solutions powered by ABC Seamless has started a new chapter with owners Nikki and Tom Turcotte, who bought in 2020 during pandemic supply challenges and moved headquarters — explore their story and mission.
Development debate reaches conclusion: Brainerd City Council unanimously voted to dedicate Gustafson Park as a park and halt housing talks, despite a 118-signature petition supporting a plan to split the land into seven lots — read the full story.
Regional partnerships advance services: Two Minnesota projects were selected for Sourcewell Impact Funding, backing Community Connect and a SANE program relaunch with partners to strengthen families and expand survivor care in the Brainerd area — get all the details.
Gold & silver are hot: Last year was gold’s best year since 1979. Silver did even better, climbing nearly 150%… and analysts expect the momentum to continue. Curious about precious metal investing? GoldCo has a helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free — and definitely worth a read.
An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial walk-in-the-door fee to x-rays, surgery, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could save thousands on your next vet bill with Lemonade.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Support for local businesses: Highway 210 Washington Street construction in Brainerd is set to start this spring and continue into 2027. Chamber President Matt Kilian and partners are prepping a consumer-friendly website for detours and promos. Fundraising continues toward an additional $20,000 by April 1, with grants eyed for facade and signage improvements. See how businesses are preparing.
Your neighbors are Googling you: It’s uncomfortable but true — employers, new friends, even other parents at school pickup search names all the time. If something negative, outdated, or misleading shows up first, it can shape opinions before you ever meet. BetterReputation helps push down unwanted search results so your first impression actually reflects who you are today. And if it’s someone you care about, you can help them too.
Pathways to health care careers: Starting in April, the North Star Nurse Aide Training Academy will train nursing assistants in rural northern Crow Wing and Cass counties. The nonprofit will offer two classes a year with up to 20 students each. Graduates can take the state certification exam, helping fill local health care vacancies. Get all the details.
Gold is having a moment: Between inflation headlines, market swings, and growing global uncertainty, precious metals are (again) in the spotlight. American Hartford is currently offering up to $25,000 in free silver when you open a qualified account. They’ll also help you set up a penalty-free gold IRA with a lowest price guarantee, no buyback fees, and 7-day price protection.
Tune-up your sound: From replacement strings and reeds to rentals, repairs, and lessons that stick, Bridge of Harmony keeps your music life humming. If a cable quits, a drumhead cracks, or you’re set on that riff, they’ve got you covered.
A second opinion never hurts: Not every financial advisor is the right fit, and it’s okay to explore your options. Unbiased matches you with an advisor based on your personal situation, giving you a chance to ask questions in a free, no-pressure conversation to see if the fit makes sense. No obligation — just helpful advice.
Cozy bowl, zero effort: Drunken Noodle Brainerd serves craveable stir-fried noodles, ramen, and Thai comfort classics, the kind that saves weeknights when motivation ghosts you. Cozy slurps now, happy leftovers later. Warm, satisfying, zero stress. Perfect for chill nights and hungry crews.
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📆 Around town this week
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
This week
👕 ECFE Pop Up | Tuesday (2/10) at 11:00 AM – Need a kid-friendly outing that doesn’t end with you vacuuming sprinkles out of the car? Brainerd’s ECFE is popping up at Little Threads with Valentine’s stories, songs, and hands-on fun, plus an ECFE in a Bag so the love, and crafts, keep rolling at home.
🍣 Sushi Rolling Class @ Luminary | Wednesday (2/11) at 6:30 PM – Think you can graduate from grocery-store California roll to something you’re proud to serve? Come learn to roll sushi with Notch 8’s Executive Chef, Matt Annand, then eat every last attempt. It’s all-you-can-roll, all-you-can-eat, and zero judgment, just good rice, fish, and laughs.
🤝 Special Olympics Winter Carnival @ Confidence Learning Center | Thursday (2/12) at 8:30 AM – Camp Confidence turns into the happiest snow globe in town, and they need neighbors who can wrangle mittens, cheer loudly, and high five like pros. Volunteer for the Special Olympics Winter Carnival, then bask in the warm glow of doing something that actually matters.
This weekend
📸 Valentine’s Flash/Awkward JC Penny’s Photoshoot @ Lakes Area Yoga Association | Saturday (2/14) at 9:00 AM – Whether you’d rather wear your Valentine on your sleeve or immortalize your most uncomfortable smile, this one’s for you. Flash tattoos, arms and legs only, then a gloriously awkward JC Penney-style photo shoot with props. Bring friends, your dorkiest outfits, and cash, maybe Venmo.
🕵 Valentine’s Murder Mystery Dinner @ Gather on 3 Wedding and Event Center | Saturday (2/14) at 4:30 PM – Whether you’re blissfully paired or just in it for dessert, this Valentine’s Day murder mystery dinner beats prix fixe with clues, sly suspects, and dinner. Play detective with a date, a book club, or a nosy neighbor, then toast to love, alibis, and glory.
🍽 Valentine’s Day Dinner @ The Classic Grill at Madden’s | Saturday (2/14) at 5:00 PM – Whether you’ve got long-term romance or a brand-new plus-one, The Classic Grill is serving a proper Valentine’s Day dinner with a special menu, white-tablecloth vibes, and zero dishes to wash. It’s $80 a person, reservations required, so call 218-855-5921.
🏟 Brainerd Warriors vs Elk River Elks | Saturday (2/14) at 5:45 PM – Nothing beats a packed gym and squeaky sneakers when Brainerd takes on Elk River, varsity and JV. Expect classic small-town hoops, loud pep band, and that concession-stand popcorn that tastes extra good when the refs miss everything. Bring your inside voice, then ignore it.
Live music & entertainment:
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Brainerd report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 30°F – Low: 12°F – Precip: 1%
Partly sunny. High near 30, with temperatures falling to around 28 in the afternoon. Northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 12. Northwest wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 32°F – Low: 19°F – Precip: 0%
Sunny, with a high near 32. West wind around 0 mph. Later: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 19. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph.
This house is wild
This 3-bed, 2-bath home keeps all bedrooms on one level and blends character with updates. Wood wainscoting warms the living room, a brick-look accent wall adds texture, and an updated bath includes a jetted tub. The living room opens to the kitchen, with laundry and pantry space adjacent. A spacious lower-level family room adds flexibility. Near NP Shopping Center.
Take a peek inside →
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🔥 Worth a peek
We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we genuinely think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week:
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