Thursday, January 22, 2009
China could charge ahead in U.S. car market
DETROIT - This is what the North American International Auto Show, which opens to the public this weekend, ought to be - less glitz, less glam, substantially more substance.
Luxury roadster delivers smiles
WASHINGTON - The difference between rich and poor consumers is the manner in which their confidence is rewarded. That much became clear to me and my associate for vehicle evaluations, Ria Manglapus, on a recent visit to Audi USA headquarters in Herndon, Va.
Putting consumers back in driver's seat
What happens to a consumer-driven economy in the absence of consumers?
A Honda, Toyota showdown
In the style of the Pentagon - where generals prepare to fight the last war, rather than the next - Honda launched a salvo at the Toyota Prius this week, only to discover the enemy had moved.
LOCAL BRIEFS
AITKIN - Aitkin High School will host the 2009 Minnesota State High School League subsection one-act play competition at 9 a.m. Saturday in the auditorium.
UPCOMING ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS
Live music
Oh, deer
"Deer Camp II: The Hunt for Stinky Pederson!" - the sequel to the first "Deer Camp" - opens Friday at Central Lakes College Theatre in Brainerd and is part of the Cultural Arts Series. Shows will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.
FINE ARTS STUDENT OF THE WEEK
Nick Swenson
Tasty puff pastry
Puff pastry is a fun crust to work with. It is like a magical food. Rolled out it resembles pie crust. But put it into a hot oven and it puffs six to eight times its original size in crisp, lighter-than-air layers. It can be used for appetizers, fancy desserts, patty shells or wrapped around meat for an elegant dish.
POLICE BLOTTER
THEFT - Bertha Anderson, 400 block of South Ninth Street, at 9:08 p.m. Tuesday reported her vehicle stolen. A short time later, officers stopped the vehicle at South Fifth and Laurel streets and arrested without incident a 22-year-old man for theft of a motor vehicle, fourth-degree DWI and third-degree refusal to test for DWI; and a 25-year-old man for tampering with a motor vehicle, possession of drug paraphernalia and probation violation.
Crow Wing court
The following recently appeared in Crow Wing District Court:
Utilities commission to meet Tuesday
The Brainerd Public Utilities Commission will meet at 9 a.m. Tuesday at the BPU Service Center, 8027 Highland Scenic Road.
Brainerd School Board to meet Thursday
The Brainerd School Board has scheduled a special board meeting at 5 p.m. Thursday at Washington Educational Services Building, 804 Oak St. in Brainerd.
POLICE BLOTTER
THEFT - Paul Mann, 6000 block of Parkview Circle, Tuesday reported a wreath stolen and yard sign damaged.
Crop Disaster program sign-up ends Feb. 27
The USDA's Farm Service Agency announced that the signup period for the 2005-2007 Crop Disaster Program will end Feb. 27.
CLC's International Club will host Chinese New Year event Jan. 29
The "Year of the Ox" Chinese New Year, hosted by the International Club, will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 29 on the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College in the cafeteria, club adviser Lori-Beth Larsen, said.
BIRTHS
Martha Worms, Brainerd, a girl, Lola Aubrielle, 6 pounds, Dec. 24, 2008. Grandparents are Gene and Kathy Worms, Brainerd.
LOCAL BRIEFS
GARRISON - Garrison Dollars for Scholars, sponsored by the Garrison Lions, will offer three $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors graduating in 2009.
PETS OF THE WEEK
Gracie is a 2-year-old female Irish terrier mix. She weighs 28 pounds and came to Heartland Animal Rescue Team as a stray.
Girls' seventh-grade team 2nd, 3rd
The Brainerd seventh-grade girls' basketball team finished second at the St. Cloud tournament Jan. 10-11 and third at the St. Michael-Albertville tournament Saturday-Sunday.
BY THE NUMBERS
1 - The number of times the Extravaganza has been either postponed (2002, when it was moved to February) or moved to another lake (Round Lake, 2006)
Fairbanks honored
Justin Fairbanks has been riding with Mounted Eagles Therapeutic Horseback Riding Program for eight years and never ceases to touch our hearts every time he comes into the room. He has a wonderful loving presence with shining eyes and an innocence that makes you want to hug him.
Brainerd boys' sixth-grade team 1st, 3rd
The Brainerd sixth-grade boys' traveling basketball team finished third at the Rogers Tournament on Sunday with a 3-1 record. The same squad won the St. Cloud Winter Shoot Out at Halenback Hall Jan. 10-11 after defeating St. Cloud, Sartell and St. Joseph.
Partnerships breathe life into byways
Partnerships give byways life. Local partnerships make byways great. And byways, in turn, invest in projects to celebrate the lives and promote the resources, events and places that brought official byway designation to their roads in the first place.
Oh, deer
Do you have a recent scenic picture that shows the beauty of the lakes area? Send it to photos@ brainerddispatch.com for possible publication in the Neighbors section. Be sure to include your name, where you are from, a brief description of the photo and when and where it was taken.
Ski champions
Bror Linnerooth of Brainerd skied to first place in the boys' race of the Duluth East Invite on Monday at Spirit Mountain in Duluth. Conith Mackner
ALL IN THE FAMILY
Laurie Pluimer with son, Ethan. It was mother and baby's first Christmas. Ethan is the grandson of Dennis and Shari Pluimer, Carl Kreller and Don and Doni Bahr.
'Books and Beyond'
Halee Reichenbach won a foam bazooka Friday during Harrison school's "Books and Beyond" gold medal ceremony in which third- and fourth-grade readers who participated in eight or more weeks of the 11-week program were honored. Brainerd Dispatch/Kelly Humphrey
LOCAL BRIEFS
LEADER - The Leader Lions and Crow Wing Basin Forage Council have scheduled a pasture management winter workshop from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Leader Community Center on Highway 64, one mile north of Leader.
Overheard
Let it be said by our children's children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God's grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.
Students see history in making
A smiling President Barack Obama - well, sort of - greeted Kathy Hegstrom's 10th-grade American History students at Brainerd High School on Tuesday, his Inauguration Day.
Lunchtime crowd feels like it was part 'of very exciting times'
Brainerd attorney Brook Mallak got chills after settling in for lunch Tuesday afternoon at Matty's on Highway 210 in east Brainerd.
This was Brainerd
80 years ago (1929) - Three projects were discussed by the aldermen at last evening's council meeting: Relief of the storm sewer situation in downtown Brainerd, paving of Cemetery Hill and establishment of a municipal airport.
State's discovery reduces city levy
Brainerd's 2009 tax levy has been reduced by $37,692.
'You've never seen anything like this'
Don Samuelson spent most of the morning on Inauguration Day walking in a mass of humanity and standing in line but the chance to see President Barack Obama sworn into office was worth it.
Koering to introduce bill
marking domestic violence month
Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, will introduce a bill to officially designate the month of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Minnesota.
Nearly $1.3 million in budget, staff cuts proposed
Recommendations for budget and staff cuts and a new plan to link three departments were made to Crow Wing County commissioners Tuesday.
LOCAL SHORTS
A Web site has been established for injured snowmobile racer "Monster" Mike Schultz of Pillager.
Signs of hope seen in lakes area housing market
Area real estate experts are optimistic about the Brainerd lakes area outlook and see signs of hope in the housing market.
Staples Community Foundation announces next grant round
STAPLES - The advisory board of the Staples Community Foundation is now accepting grant applications from organizations within the Staples Motley School District boundaries that will address one or more of the following areas:
Downtown project clears another hurdle
Brainerd will soon know the cost of the proposed downtown improvement project scheduled for later this year.
Sandstone center to sponsor Crosslake charter school
Crosslake Community School has found a new sponsor.
CORRECTION
A court item on Page 3A of Tuesday's Dispatch incorrectly listed Timothy Wayne DeRosier, 40, Fort Ripley, as recently being sentenced for gross misdemeanor driving after license cancellation. DeRosier, originally charged in May of 2007, has met all conditions of the court and the charge was dismissed.
Correction/clarification
It was incorrectly reported in Wednesday's Dispatch that Crosby-Ironton's Sam Stanfield scored two points in the Rangers' 41-37 win over Cloquet.
CLC students cite role of youth vote
Tuesday's historic day - President Barack Obama being sworn in as the 44th president of the United States - was even more significant to students at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.
Cass holds zoning hearing
BACKUS - The Cass County Board conducted a public hearing Tuesday, then approved changes to the land use, subdivision and platting and definitions ordinances with minor changes from earlier proposals.
Variance approved for addition to liquor store
BAXTER - The Baxter City Council Tuesday approved a building variance request for a 1,600-square-foot addition to be built onto Cash Wise Liquor store, starting this spring.
Per diem adds up for commissioners
Crow Wing County commissioners receive a salary for their efforts along with options for per diem and expense reimbursement.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1989) - After seven months of operation, and more than 450 phone calls, the Crow Wing County Crisis Line is established, albeit precariously. Funding remains a concern for its directors, as is the need for more volunteers
Assault at middle school leads to 10-day suspension
BAXTER - A Forestview Middle School eighth-grade girl was suspended for 10 days and may be charged with fifth-degree assault after she apparently tried to set another eighth-grade girl's hair on fire at school Tuesday.
Overheard
We were starting to feel pressures of the economy and I just said the way that I can do my part, I can quit per diems or extra costs.
The case of the $12,000 historic courtoom doors
How much should a door cost?
John P. Fischer
Oct. 4, 1913 - Jan. 12, 2009
Dennis H. Berg
MERRIFIELD - Dennis H. Berg, 71, of rural Merrifield, died at his home Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009. Services for Dennis will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake. Friends are welcome to gather one hour prior to services. Interment will be at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley.
Lawrence 'Ernie' Ouellette
Lawrence "Ernie" Ouellette, age 90, of Brainerd, formerly of northeast Minneapolis, passed peacefully to the Lord on Jan. 16, 2009. Preceded in death by Mickey, his wife of 70 years. Survived by daughter, Barbara Gavic (Robert); sons, Thomas and Gene (Margaret); six grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews. Interment will be in Hillside Cemetery.
F.W. 'Fritz' Hoemberg
STAPLES - F.W. "Fritz" Hoemberg, resident of Staples, passed away Tuesday evening, Jan. 20, 2009, at his home in Staples. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Staples.
Isabelle Trettel
BOWLUS - Isabelle Trettel, age 94, of Bowlus, Minn., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, Minn.
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.
Verna M. Goetsch
McGREGOR - Verna M. Goetsch, age 78, of McGregor, formerly of the Opstead and McGrath area, died Friday, Jan. 16, 2009, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth, Minn.
Clarice A. Payne
STAPLES - Clarice A. Payne, age 65, of Staples, passed away Tuesday evening, Jan. 20, 2009, at the Lakewood Care Center in Staples. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Staples.
Chester Walsh
March 8, 1917 - Jan. 18, 2009
Elenora C. Bible
BIGFORK - Elenora C. Bible, age 89, resident of Bigfork Valley Nursing Home in Bigfork, Minn., formerly of Brainerd, died in Bigfork on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2009. Elenora was born on Oct. 26, 1919, in Rice, Minn., to Stanley and Mary (Sauer) Bible.
John 'Jack' Terrio
SAND LAKE - John "Jack" Terrio, 81, of Sand Lake, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009, at the Virginia Regional Medical Center. Services are on Friday, Jan. 23, 2009, at 2 p.m. at the Messiah Lutheran Church in Mountain Iron with visitation one hour prior. The Rev. Gary Terrio will officiate. Arrangements are with the Range Funeral Home of Virginia.
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.
Germaine Loscheider
LITTLE FALLS - Germaine Clara "Diehl" Loscheider, 84-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., died Wednesday at her home in Little Falls, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Monday, Jan. 26, at 11:30 a.m. with the Rev. Nick Landsberger officiating.
Gertrude Lois Sharpe
LONGVILLE - Gertrude Lois Wakefield Sharpe, 97, of Longville, formerly of Annandale, Lake Sylvia (near South Haven), and Minneapolis, died Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center (Hospice) in Crosby, Minn. Services for Lois will be noon Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009, at the Bible Church in Longville, Minn., with Pastor Bill Payne and Pastor Mike Partch officiating. Friends are welcome to gather one hour prior to services. Interment will be at Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis.
What do you think?
The Brainerd Dispatch welcomes letters on recent articles and current issues. Letters should include the writer's full name, city and a phone number (for verification only). Letters are limited to 300 words. Only one letter per person per week.
Open Forum
How dare you! How dare you put those puppies out on the lake to die a horrible death like you did. It was so cold that it hurt and you left them to die out in the cold and bitter windchill like they were trash. There was trash on the lake that day and it wasn't the puppies.
VOX POP
I was out of town this weekend, only to come back to hear that something so incredibly cruel has happened on the lake where I live. To leave such innocence to freeze to death on the ice is just beyond cruel and I hope the investigation does not drop easily.
Open Forum
Governor Pawlenty and his legislators are about to start cutting budgets from A to Z! And yet the option of a state casino or two once again falls on deaf ears! What's it going to take? Hearing aids? Wake up!
Inside prowess powers CLC past Northland
The last time the Central Lakes College women's basketball team faced off against Northland a berth in the NJCAA national tournament was on the line.
Hanowski, Berglund spur Flyers
LITTLE FALLS - Ben Hanowski scored his fifth hat trick of the season, and Izaak Berglund notched his 100th career point, in an 8-1 Central Lakes Conference victory for Class 1A's second-ranked Little Falls over Willmar on Tuesday.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Swimming
Brainerd YMCA Dolphins
Ness reaches mark, W-DC wins
WALKER - Trevor Ness tallied three goals and an assist Tuesday, with his first goal giving him 100 career points for the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines, in 12-0 rout of Walker-Hackensack-Akeley.
Skiers' delight
After being skied the same day as the Super Bowl the last few years the Lumberjack Jaunt will be conducted this Sunday, the week before football's spectacle.
Lone setback motivates Mutz
Brandon Mutz is on a mission.
Five area teams win
PARK RAPIDS - Michael Ward's 14 points led the Pequot Lakes Patriots as they remained perfect in Mid-State Conference play with a 68-50 win over the Park Rapids Panthers on Tuesday.
Turnovers hinder Warriors
BEMIDJI - The Bemidji Lumberjacks forced 28 turnovers and handed the Brainerd Warriors a 59-42 defeat in a Section 8-4A game Tuesday.
Flyers lose to NL-Spicer, Willmar
NEW LONDON - Teri Stein was the top finisher for Little Falls with an all-around score of 33.375 as the Flyers lost to the New London-Spicer Wildcats and Willmar Cardinals in a tri-angular Tuesday.
Glasby, Warriors pin loss on Rocori
"I wrestle wherever they need me to go and do whatever they need me to do."
Flying Warriors preserve
3-3 draw
SARTELL - Brainerd/Little Falls goalie Nhi Dinh saved 21 shots, including a penalty shot in overtime, to preserve a 3-3 tie for the Flying Warriors in a Central Lakes Conference game with Sartell.
Rusk receives Jason Fitterer Memorial Award
Jed Rusk is the 2008 recipient of the Jason Fitterer Memorial Award.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Cardinals claw out win over W-DC
ADENA - Bret Lisson's 8-4 decision after four overtimes broke open a tight Mid-State Conference match and helped the Staples-Motley Cardinals tag a 40-26 loss on the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines Tuesday.
Raiders roar to 8th straight
Swarming defense. Bench depth. Balanced scoring. Rebounding. Unselfishness.
LOCAL SHORTS
GRAND FORKS, N.D. Junior distance runner Brittany Brenny of Staples and junior thrower Creighton Schroyer have been named the University of North Dakota's athletes of the week Jan. 12-18.
Victory gives Aitkin GRC lead
AITKIN - Meredith Chaput contributed 27 points that led Aitkin to a 79-71 Great River Conference victory over Hinckley-Finlayson on Tuesday.
Alpine club members compete
Ski Gull Alpine Club members participated in an event at Mont Du Lac and Lutsen in the last few weeks.
McAllister third, Mangan fourth at Fergus
FERGUS FALLS - Brainerd's Hannah McAllister placed third and Pat Mangan fourth in Tuesday's Fergus Falls Invite at Spidal's Ski Resort.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. A slight chance of light snow or patchy light freezing drizzle northwest before noon. Highs in the mid to upper 20s.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Increasing clouds west. Partly cloudy east. Highs from near 30 far northeast...To the mid 50s southwest and south central.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs 25 northeast to 45 far southwest.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Areas of fog most areas this morning. Patchy light
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly cloudy northeast... Partly cloudy elsewhere. Patchy
State forecast for N.D.
Dense fog advisory portions of north central and eastern
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Patchy fog central. Otherwise sunny. Highs in the upper
Wisconsin state forecast
Freezing fog advisory south central and southeast this morning...
A victory for the Warriors
Weather drawing by Blake Forsythe in the Baxter third grade of Ms. Hemstad.
Valentine's Day is coming
Weather drawing by Olivia Osborne in the Riverside second grade of Mrs. Gramer.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly sunny and mild. Highs from the lower 30s northeast...To around 60 southwest.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly sunny. Patchy fog northeast half in the morning...Areas