BRAINERD — The Crow Wing Soil and Water Conservation District is requesting public comments from Pine River watershed residents on an amendment to the watershed plan by 5 p.m. Thursday, June 5.
The amendment updates the goals of the Pine River One Watershed One Plan five years after the 10-year plan began. Many of the goals are simplification of the originals. Some have also been reworked because the original goal was not measurable.
The Pine River Watershed supplies drinking water to 15 million people from St. Cloud to Illinois and includes over 500 lakes.
It stretches from southwest of Hackensack to its outlet at the Mississippi north of Crosby and north of Aitkin and includes Backus, Pine River, Breezy Point and Crosslake.
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Jack Lien has been exploring the area lakes ahead of opener on May 9, 2026, both to familiarize himself with them and to "study ... where the fishermen are going to get their boats and where they might find success.” -
A family member confirmed all three victims are in stable condition after they suffered gunshot wounds in Bemidji's Itasca Loop neighborhood on May 7, 2026. -
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension found Deputy Michael Cowan did not discharge his weapon, according to the sheriff's office. The incident is now being called a "conflict case."
