Workers Tim Czernek (left), Andrew O'Brien and pilot Parker Lucas inspect the Fire Boss 802 at the DNR Tanker Base located at the Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport Monday. A fixed wing aircraft, two Fire Bosses and a helicopter are on standby during the forest fire season. (Brainerd Dispatch/ Steve Kohls)
I was raised on a farm in western Minnesota where I participated in 4-H, high school sports, and everything that farm kids do for fun after chores. Graduated from Ridgewater Community College with an AA degree and my first taste of newspapering. I worked a summer on the Ortonville Independent as a reporter and photographer.
