BRAINERD — A 56-year-old Brainerd man died Friday, Nov. 7, after leaving the roadway on Highway 18 and striking a tree.
The Minnesota State Patrol reported William James Gardner was traveling westbound at 6:50 p.m. in a 2004 Honda Civic. The vehicle went off the road east of the intersection with Crow Wing County Road 144.
Gardner was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash, the state patrol reported. He was dead at the scene.
The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Brainerd Fire Department and North Memorial Health ambulance assisted.
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Relatives confirmed that 17-year-old Dylon Oothoudt of Walker was the male found dead Sept. 13, 2026, in a Cass Lake yard. An autopsy ruled the death a homicide by gunshot wound.
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The National Weather Service and public safety officials will be able to use data collected by the Climavision radar installed Sept. 15, 2026, to inform weather warnings.
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All county cameras have been removed as of Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026. Cameras under city jurisdiction may remain.
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The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is surveying people's fish-eating habits to help limit contaminants in water bodies and make fish safer to eat.
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The tax used to fund civic center improvements will end Dec. 31, 2026.
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Get to know the volunteers behind the mic on KAXE. This week we find out more from longtime On The River host and volunteer, Michelle Bedford.
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KAXE's weekly list of concerts near you features Known Only Locally, The Brothers Burn Mountain, Tattletale and a Community Open House Jam.
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During the week of Sept. 15, 2026, we enjoy reports of changing leaves and migrating birds and insects. Staff phenologist John Latimer responds.
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Grand Rapids Players present the original play “Frankenfeldt” Sept. 25-27 and Oct. 2-4 at the Ives Studio Theater in the Reif Center. The director and two actors guest on “Area Voices.”
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Attendees get an exclusive first listen to the latest album from Wild Horses, "The In Between," and hear a band interview by Music Director Kari Hedlund in Grand Rapids, MN.