■ Brainerd student named Miss

City of Lakes

Savannah Cole of Brainerd was crowned Miss City of Lakes at a competition conducted Saturday in St. Paul. Winning the open competition means the former Miss Baxter’s Outstanding Teen will be able to compete in the Miss Minnesota pageant and work on her platform, which deals with epilepsy.

Cole, 17, is a senior at Brainerd High School and Post Secondary Enrollment Options student at Central Lakes College.

■ 55+ driver improvement

program offered

The Minnesota Highway Safety Center will be offering a 55+ driver improvement course on the following days: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 26 (four-hour refresher), Pequot Lakes Baptist Church-Com. Ed., 20028 County Road 112, Pequot Lakes; noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 27 (four-hour refresher), Aitkin Public Library, 110 First Ave. NE, Aitkin; noon to 4 p.m. Feb. 28 (four-hour refresher), Lutheran Church of the Cross, 5064 County Road 13, Nisswa; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 2 (eight hour first time course), Mills Ford, 14858 Dellwood Dr., Baxter; 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. March 7 (four-hour refresher), Walker Public Library, 207 Fourth St., P.O. Box 550, Walker; 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 13-14 (eight-hour first time course), Hallett Community Center, 470 Eighth St. NE, Crosby.

The Driver Improvement course is open to the public; pre-registration is required. A MN Highway Safety & Research Center certified instructor teaches this class. By utilizing the most up-to-date research in the field, participants will be provided the latest information in regards to driver safety, new laws and vehicle technology. The fee for the four-hour refresher course is $20 and the eight-hour course is $24. For more information or to register, visit our website at www.mnsafetycenter.org or call toll free 888-234-1294.

Persons age 55 and older who complete the course qualify for a 10 percent discount on their auto insurance premiums for three years, according to Minnesota law. First time participants must complete the initial eight hours of training and a four hour refresher class every three years to maintain the 10 percent discount.

■ Blood donation opportunities

For those interested in donating blood in Crow Wing County, the following blood drives will be conducted: 1-7 p.m. March 11-12 and 14 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 13 at Heritage Assembly of God Church, 13242 Berrywood Drive, Baxter.

■ BPSF fundraiser at

Prairie Bay Thursday

The Brainerd Public School Foundation is inviting all interested persons to a fundraiser from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Prairie Bay Restaurant. This event is part of the “2nd Thursday” series but is being conducted on the third Thursday of February due to Valentine’s Day.

This event features appetizers and beer and wine tasting. Recent grant recipients and projects within the public schools will be highlighted and celebrated. 

The $15 donation per person directly benefits BPSF. Foundation officials thanked Prairie Bay and Cash Wise for their commitment to the Brainerd Public Schools and local nonprofits. All proceeds will benefit BPSF. Cash, check or credit cards are accepted and everyone is welcome. Those interested in attending may RSVP at info@bpsf.org.

Photos from the foundation’s last 2nd Thursday may be seen on the organization’s Facebook page.  Donations may be made at www.bpsf.org.

The mission of BPSF is to enhance learning opportunities for Brainerd School District students in the areas of academics, activities, arts and athletics through sustainable scholarships and grants.

■ Brainerd Public Utilities Commission to meet

The Brainerd Public Utilities Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday in the commission meeting room at the BPU Service Center, 8027 Highland Scenic Road.

■ Cass commissioners to meet with

tribe March 1

WALKER — Cass County Board will conduct a special meeting with Leech Lake Tribal Council, beginning with a noon lunch March 1 at Northern Lights Convention Center and Hotel at the junction of highways 371 and 200 south of Walker.

This will be the county board’s first meeting with tribal officials since the current tribal administration was elected in June 2012.

On the joint meeting agenda are road construction improvements planned this year for the Boy River bridge, County State Aid Highways 8 and 75 and County Road 136.

Environmental topics scheduled for discussion include Leech Lake water levels, aquatic invasive species and waste water planning for Stony Point and Sugar Point on Leech Lake.

State legislative and U.S. congressional issues facing the county and tribe also will be discussed.

The meeting is open to the public.

■ County Republicans

elect new officers

The Crow Wing County Republicans conducted their annual convention on Feb. 16. Elected to the Executive Board were: Chairman Josh Heintzman, rural Nisswa; Deputy Chair Doug Kern, Brainerd; Secretary Keri Heintzman, rural Nisswa and treasurer Carol Pundt, Bay Lake. More information on the Crow Wing County Republicans may be obtained by visiting their website at cwr@crowwingrepublicans.info.