Saturday, January 6, 2007
Xcel plans expansion of Becker power plant
BECKER (AP) - Xcel Energy Inc. wants to increase the amount of power generated at its coal-fired power plant here, the largest in Minnesota, while reducing its emissions.
Resume bloopers: fated for circular file
WASHINGTON - We all have those job-seeker cringes. Tripping into a potential boss just as she extends her hand to shake. Calling an interviewer by the wrong name. Sending a resume with the wrong telephone number.
Business notes
Helping You Hear, an audiology and hearing center in Brainerd, has expanded with its second clinic in Perham.
Resume tips
LENGTH: For most professionals and middle managers, a resume should be no longer than two pages, says Ken Soha, vice president of career management consulting with Right Management Consultants. Make it specific to the job for which you are applying.
Organized to organize
When Lettie Fundanet was invited on sleepovers as a little girl, she offered to help her friends organize their bedrooms.
A work in progress
Work is progressing on the Northwoods Plaza of Baxter. The new retail space is going up along Forthun Road next to Home Depot, with Nor-son providing construction services.
Want to get organized?
Want to get organized? Here are a few tips from Everything in its Place in Baxter:
Getty buys National Car Sales operation
National Car Sales and National Car Rental and Alamo Rent-a-Car has a new owner with a familiar name in the area's auto industry.
MEETING
Crosslake council to meet
CRIME
THEFT - Dale Walters of Nisswa Wednesday reported the theft of power and hand tools, a two-seater go-cart and four Monster Mudder tires with rims.
BIRTHS
Paul and Heidi Haddix, Backus, a boy, George Armond, 8 pounds, 3 ounces, Dec. 22, 2006. Grandparents are Stan and Millie Grunenwald, Grand Rapids, and the late Terrill and Anita Haddix.
SENIOR ACTIVITIES
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER
Kicking it around
A Q&A with Vikings kicker Ryan Longwell by sports copy editor Trevor Williams.
SCHOOL LUNCH MENUS
Brainerd
Even more Eclectic
Brainerds new house of rock (and folk and punk and metal and bluegrass) is open. The Dispatch chronicles the opening at the new Eclectic Cafe.
2007 road projects
Several big road projects are scheduled to start in theBrainerd area this spring.
AGENDAS
Meets 9:30 a.m. Tuesday
Building 2006
Drive about any road in the Brainerd lakes area in 2006 and you saw plenty of "For Sale" signs in front of homes.
HOUSING BRIEFS
NISSWA - Mary Lange recently joined RE/MAX Lakes Area Realty in Nisswa as a real estate agent.
BAXTER HOUSING PERMITS
Residential
They're still waiting for perfect present
School is back in session and the Christmas decorations have been put away. Many of us are using the lasted "techie" device that we got for Christmas or we are proudly wearing new clothes that were a holiday gift.
MUCH OBLIGED
The Youth As Resources Board thanks everyone in the community who helped make this year's Brunch with Santa the best brunch ever! Thanks to ISD #181 Community Ed, the Golden Age Gift Shop from the Lakes Area Senior Activity Center, the Just For Kix Dancers, Wal-Mart, Target, BL Broadcasting, 3WI, Brainerd Rotary Foundation, Brainerd Area Sertoma, Brainerd Eagles, Baxter Lions, Brainerd Lions, Kiwanis, Bremer Bank, Northern National Bank, Mid-MN Federal Credit Union, VIP Floral, Bob & Fran's Furniture, volunteers from Girl Scouts, Forestview Builders Club, FFA and, of course, Santa!
ASK THE TROOPER:
Question: Someone told me the Move-Over Law changed. I knew about the law before, but if it changed, what is the law now?
Volunteer opportunities for January 2007
BETHANY GOOD SAMARITAN Laleen Gorges 855-6630
CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY
Brainerd Alateen
WITH THE MILITARY
Air Force Airman Nathan R. Netko, son of Richard and Patricia Netko, Pequot Lakes, recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
SUPPORT
Lakes Area Ecumenical Bereavement
This was Brainerd
30 years ago (1977) - Tonight's low here is expected to be between 25 and 35 below zero. Brained oil dealers say their supplies are adequate to meet the demand now but are apprehensive about the supply should cold weather continue throughout the winter.
ORGANIZATIONS
Brainerd Jaycees
How to keep kids busy on a long winter day
BOISE, Idaho (AP) - Its a long winter afternoon, you want to stay inside, and the kids are raring to do something new.
Youth volunteer of the month
Hometown: Las Vegas, has lived in Brainerd for two years.
Adult volunteer of the month
Hometown: Brainerd.
Dance lessons set for singles
Salsa and ChaCha dance lessons for singles will be offered at 7 p.m. Wednesday at the American Legion in Brainerd. Cost: $5.
Body identified in Aitkin murder case
AITKIN - The woman's body found Tuesday in Aitkin County near McGregor has been identified as Eva Mae Mitchell, 73, McGregor.
Overheard
"Today I thank my colleagues. By electing me as speaker you have brought us closer to the ideal of equality that is America's heritage and America's hope."
Murder case witness faces murder charge
AITKIN - A witness in a Minneapolis murder investigation faces a murder charge of his own in Aitkin County in connection with the death of a 73-year-old rural McGregor woman.
Road alert
Lakes area motorists may want to consider alternate routes as Highway 210 goes under the knife for minor surgery beginning in April.
Officer who lost eye in standoff goes home
MANKATO (AP) - The police officer who lost his right eye in a shooting near Amboy a few days before Christmas is recovering at home after being released from the hospital.
CORRECTION
A story on Page 3A of Wednesday's Dispatch should have stated Brainerd City Council member Lucy Nesheim had spoken to a number of people who live at the Mississippi Terrace apartments who want the city to clear the snow from the south sidewalk on the Laurel Street bridge.
New program, fit for seniors, kicks off Monday
Calling all seniors 55 years and older. It's time to get out this winter and have some fun.
Four arrested in drug searches
Separate search warrants executed in Crow Wing County Wednesday resulted in the arrest of four people and the seizure of methamphetamine and marijuana.
This was Brainerd
JANUARY 5 - 80 years ago (1927) - Brainerd contributed to the response for aid for "Near East Relief" in the amount of $29.33 through individual donations.
County attorney: Sluss may have valid complaint
Unfair campaign practice charges leveled by unsuccessful District 12 Senate candidate Terry Sluss will be sent to the Minnesota Office of Administrative Hearings, Sluss said Friday.
4 defeated GOP legislators, 1 DFLer land posts
ST. PAUL (AP) - Four Republican legislators and one DFLer turned out by voters in November earned new assignments in state government this week from Gov. Tim Pawlenty's administration.
All in the Family YMCA
Most people simply refer to it as the "Y," but family plays an integral role at the aptly named Brainerd Family YMCA.
LOCAL BRIEFS
Dr. Paul Milloy, East Gull Lake, was selected as the recipient of the fourth annual Human Rights Award by the Crow Wing County Human Rights Commission.
Wiebolt rises from nurse to president at St. Joe's
When Jani Wiebolt was a young nurse starting her career, she never imagined she would one day be president and chief executive officer.
Gertrude A. Stegora
PIERZ - Gertrude Ann Stegora, age 88, of Pierz, Minn., died Jan. 3, 2007, at Pierz Villa.
Thelma E. Johnson
BAXTER - Thelma Esther Johnson, Baxter, 92, passed away Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Thelma Esther Johnson
Thelma Esther Johnson, Brainerd, 92, passed away peacefully, Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Deloris Bereuter
Deloris Bereuter, age 79, a resident of Brainerd, passed away Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
David Fritz
BREEZY POINT - David Fritz, age 72, of Breezy Point, passed away Thursday, Jan. 4, 2007, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Crosby. Visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 11, from 3-6 p.m. at Kline Funeral Home, Pine River.
Eva Mitchell
Visitation for Eva May Mitchell, 73, of McGregor, will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, 2007, in the East Lake Ceremonial Building and will continue until the 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 8, 2007, funeral service in the ceremonial building.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 40 cents a word, exclusive of the first 125 words, which are free. A $10 fee is charged for a half-column photograph. To place an obituary in the Dispatch, consult the funeral home handling arrangements.
Kenneth Minor
LAKE SHORE - Kenneth Minor, 79, of Lake Shore and Champlin, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Hospice in St. Paul. A memorial gathering will be Friday, Jan. 12, 2-4 p.m. at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Memorials are preferred to the hospice.
Rita Otremba
LITTLE FALLS - Rita Otremba, age 71, of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Friday, Jan. 5, 2007, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Richard Christianson
STAPLES - Richard Christianson, age 84, of Staples, died Thursday evening, Jan. 4, 2007, at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples.
Open Forum: Vehicle exhaust can be as bad as smoking
I do not understand what the people today are thinking! Everyday now for quite some time, I read all these people writing the Open Forum about people smoking. They saw someone smoking in a vehicle with a child, they saw this and that.
Open Forum
I had to re-read a portion of the article on the proposed county wide smoking ban a number of times before my brain could actually comprehend the unbelievable comments made by the "gentleman" from Fort Ripley who is a frequent contributor to this forum.
OUR OPINION: CONSTRUCTION
While everyone appreciates better roads and infrastructure, road construction itself is dreaded by most motorists as much as a trip to the dentist for root canal work.
VOX POP
Before the community accepts the apology from the boys that vandalized property and terrorized people, their names should have been signed to the apology. Minors and their parents should be held accountable and names published. Maybe this would curb some of the crime that goes on.
Voice your opinions to lawmakers at the state Capitol
Rep. John Ward
What do you think?
Exchange ideas in our online forums
ATV club to meet in Crosby
CROSBY - The Cuyuna Iron Range Riders all-terrain vehicle club will meet on Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. at the Spalding House, 1 W. Main St., Crosby.
'Concerned about an important tradition'
ST. PAUL (AP) - The average Minnesotan angler is getting older because there are fewer young people picking up the sport, a study found, which could mean trouble for the state's huge sport fishing industry.
Overheard
I call it our remote-control society. If kids dont like it, they hit a button and change it. They have a hard time sitting on a bucket and looking at a bobber.
Minnesota Fishing Report
BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA
In Vermont, plan emerges to begin saving trees, planting for future
PEACHAM, Vt. (AP) - In this hilltop hamlet, shade trees have always been part of the appeal.
Amateur explorers stalk extreme trees
HUMBOLDT REDWOODS STATE PARK, Calif. (AP) - Equipped with a laser range finder, a head for numbers and an explorers zeal, Michael Taylor has made a sport of finding and sizing up the tallest species on the planet - Californias ancient coast redwoods.
2006 was a year to remember, now let's bring on 2007
The past year zipped by faster than any other, but it was a good year for fishing.
Ten simple things you can do to go green
Its easy being green.
Five generations
Five generations recently gathered were Emery Humphrey, great-great-grandfather; Joyce and Gary Humphrey, great-grandparents; Tammy Hulke; Monica Abraham, mother; and Amanda Rugroden, mother; and Monica's children, Tristen, Madison and Chance; and Amanda's children, Ethan and Skyler.
Jeannie K. Volk and Dale R. Williams
Jeannie K. Volk and Dale R. Williams announce their engagement. Parents are Michael Volk, Pine River, and Cindy Aldridge, Seattle, Wash., and Jeffery and Brenda Williams, Eden Prairie. A Feb. 3 wedding is planned at Bethlehem Lutheran Church of Backus.
Bryan and Claire Feldhaus
Claire Owens and Bryan Feldhaus were married Aug. 18, 2006, at St. Francis in Brainerd with Father Seamus Walsh and Father Ralph O'Donnell officiating.
Ryan and Beth Burggraff
Beth Baker and Ryan Burggraff were married June 24, 2006, at the Chapel of St. Thomas Aquinas in St. Paul with Monsignor Jim Habiger officating.
Belva Mehaffey
Belva Mehaffey, Woodland Good Samaritan Village resident, will celebrate her 105th birthday on Jan. 13.
Tracie Beauchamp and Jeremy Linden
Tracie Beauchamp and Jeremy Linden announce their engagement. Parents are John and Marvil Beauchamp, Baxter, and Bruce and Kathy Linden, Princeton. A July 28 wedding is planned in Princeton.
DANIEL AND SAMANTHA OLSON
Samantha Engen and Daniel Olson were married Oct. 14, 2006, at Chapel in the Hills in Rapid City, S.D.
Four generations
Four generations recently gathered were Annika Nguyen, daughter; Stacy Nguyen, mother; Janet Bedard, mother; and Ruth Bedard, great-grandmother.
Five generations
Five generations recently gathered were Olivia Peterson, daughter; Taya Peterson, mother; Cheryl Hanson, grandmother; Theora Dunemann, great-grandmother; and Lila LaVoie, great-great-grandmother.
Kevin and Tara Valley
Tara Selisker and Kevin Valley were married Aug. 5, 2006, at Ruttger's Birchmont Lodge in Bemidji with Kevin Cease officiating.
'I felt something different there'
Since becoming the 1986 national teacher of the year, Guy Doud's life has changed profoundly. But one thing has remained a constant - his love for teaching.
Remember, the day is for living
Happy New Year, everyone! My prayer for you, us and our world in these first days of 2007 is that we operate on faith that the God of the resurrection is still working resurrection power in God's creation even now.
CHURCH NEWS
BAXTER - Lord of Life continues with the Faith in the Workplace series on Sunday.
Warriors win at Hibbing
BIWABIK - The Brainerd Alpine skiing team hasn't been able to practice as much as it would like because of the lack of snow but that didn't stop the Warriors from winning the boys' and girls' races in the Hibbing Invitational at Giants Ridge on Thursday.
Next Gophers coach needs to make connection
Glen Mason accomplished what few of his predecessors as head football coach at the University of Minnesota did - he won.
Bonsante's stalking of Vanda ends Friday
MINNEAPOLIS - Minnesota middleweight champion Anthony "the Bullet" Bonsante's years of stalking archrival Matt "the Predator" Vanda will end Friday when they headline a boxing card at Target Center.
Brainerd splits at Fergus
FERGUS FALLS - Tyler Jensen recorded two pins for the Brainerd Warriors wrestling team as it defeated the Fergus Falls Otters 37-28 and lost to the Minnewaska Lakers 37-29 Thursday.
Brainerd swamps River Lakes
RICHMOND - Jess Bye registered another hat trick to lead the Brainerd Warriors to a 5-3 Central Lakes Conference girls' hockey victory over River Lakes Thursday.
Warriors sink Apollo
ST. CLOUD - The Brainerd Warrior boys' swimming and diving team won every event as it downed St. Cloud Apollo 101-76 Thursday in Central Lakes Conference action.
Lakers' long ball does in CLC
Basketball's three-pointer is considered the great equalizer.
Gobblers collect second win
PINE RIVER - Ben Sundholm scored 17 points and Dan Landrus added 16 points for the Aitkin Gobblers as they defeated the Pine River-Backus Tigers 61-54 Thursday in non-conference boys' basketball Thursday.
JV Alpine team wins
The Brainerd boys' junior varsity Alpine skiing team won the Hibbing Invitational at Giants Ridge in Biwabik on Thursday.
Road Crew rolls to pair of wins; S-M splits
STAPLES - Chris Harrison and Pat Bresnahan collected two pins each as the Pequot Lakes/Pine River-Backus Road Crew down Staples-Motley 40-28 and Park Rapids 46-30 at the Park Rapids triangular Thursday.
Collison leads Verndale to victory over Pillager 44-28
VERNDALE - Cayla Collison led all scorers with 16 points and Megan Hejhal added 15 to lead the Verndale Pirates past the Pillager Huskies 44-28 Thursday in Park Region Conference girls' basketball.
Free throw contest scheduled
The Knights of Columbus will sponsor a free-throw contest for boys and girls ages 10-14 in January.
Stage set for Tuesday for Pequot Lakes vs. C-I
The holiday season is not over yet as the best boys' basketball rivalry in Crow Wing County is days away.
BIR Northstar Snocross
Where: Brainerd International Raceway
BOWLING
Paul Bunyan Bowl
Pillager racer hasn't let off throttle
As a kid growing up Mike Schultz had raced BMX bikes and motocross, but when he went to his first snocross race at Powder Ridge in Kimball, he knew what he wanted to do.
Lennon's 24 points pace Pillager
VERNDALE - Joe Lennon scored 24 points and Tyler Holbrook and Dexter Mudgett each added 10 for the Pillager Huskies in a 65-61 Park Region Conference boys' basketball victory over the Verndale Pirates Friday.
Little Falls Flyers win 10th straight
ST. CLOUD - Ben Hanowski scored two goals and added an assist for the Little Falls Flyers as they won their 10th straight game by defeating the St. Cloud Tech Tigers 5-2 in Central Lakes Conference play Thursday.
Sam Stanfield sinks career high
WADENA - Sam Stanfield scored a career-high 23 points followed by Megan Zillmer's 16 and Annie Adams' 14, to power the Crosby-Ironton Rangers past the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines 78-43 in Mid-State Conference girls' basketball Friday.
Brainerd wins for fifth time in six games
Three players combined for 46 points and Brainerd limited Rocori to 26-percent shooting as the Warriors squashed the Spartans 61-35 in Central Lakes Conference girls' basketball Thursday.
Aitkin's Christensen perfect at Clash
Matt Christensen has an agenda.
Scoreboard
Area events
Howard's scoring leads Pequot
It's a simple formula - When Mindy Howard scores a lot of points the Pequot Lakes Patriots win.
Flyers' Sanoski wins balance beam, second in all-around
WILLMAR - Brianna Sanoski of Little Falls won the balance beam and was second in the all-around in a 131.2-128.4 loss to the Willmar Cardinals Thursday in Central Lakes Conference gymnastics.
Abrahamson believes her luck is changing
It's the curse of the snowmobile.
CLC overpowered by nationally ranked Lakers
To say the Central Lakes College women's basketball team had its hands full with the Iowa Lakes College Lakers is an understatement.
Aitkin rolls to 16th straight conference win
BRAHAM - Justin Chouanard and Nathan Cummings both tallied pins for Class 1A's fourth-ranked Aitkin Gobblers wrestling team as it defeated Braham 50-15 for its 16th-straight Great River Conference victory Friday.
Warriors overwhelm Stars 7-0
Following a close Section 7-2A loss the Brainerd Warrior boys' hockey team has had a tendency to let up when it returns to playing Class 1A Central Lakes Conference foes.
Scoreboard
Area events
Apollo hands Warriors first conference loss
ST. CLOUD - Quickness. Size. Strength. Athleticism. Talent. Experience.
MySpace users tempting targets for crooks
LOS ANGELES - MySpace devotee Kary Rogers was expecting to see a gut-busting video when a friend from the popular online hangout messaged him a link.
Smaller merchants may have trouble getting 'safe' mark under program coming to Web
NEW YORK - As an online shopper, Claudia Race knows she must look out for scams.
Bugged by bugs: Glitches a new-tech byproduct
Tyson J. Carter slept through a hailstorm as he camped outside a Target store to nab a PlayStation 3 in November.
Plastic Internet rabbits and iPod-playing teddy bears face off on desktop, sorta
SAN FRANCISCO - Two cute-as-a-button gadgets could soon find their way to your desk, though youll be hard pressed to explain to your friends and co-workers why you need these desktop companions.
State forecast for Iowa
.Today...Mostly sunny. Highs 35 to 45.
Skating pals
Weather drawing by Kyla Slette of Ms. Hemstad's third-grade class at Baxter school.
The Weather Elsewhere
Saturday
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of light snow west and extreme southeast. Highs in the 30s.
The Nation's Weather
A pair of strong Pacific storms was expected to slam into the Northwest on Saturday, while rain was forecast along the East Coast.
State forecast for North Dakota
...High wind warning for southwest north dakota late this afternoon
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Cloudy or mostly cloudy. A chance of freezing drizzle or flurries in the morning far north. Highs in the lower 30s to lower 40s. Tonight...Partly to mostly cloudy. A chance of light snow northwest after midnight. Lows in the 20s to around 30. Sunday...Mostly cloudy. Light snow likely northwest. A chance of light snow northeast and central. Scattered flurries southeast. Highs from around 30 northwest to the lower 40s south.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming cloudy. Chance
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly cloudy. Slight chance of snow through the day
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of light snow. Breezy
Waiting on a winter wonderland
Weather drawing by Maura Halverson of Ms. Marks third-grade class at Baxter School.
State forecast for South Dakota
High wind warning northwest south dakota tonight...
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of light snow far northwest and a slight chance of light rain far southwest. Highs from the upper 30s northwest...To the upper 40s southeast.
State forecast for Minnesota
.Today...Mostly cloudy...With decreasing cloudiness through the