Thursday, January 27, 2005
Former BIR GM tries out new market
Former Brainerd International Raceway General Manager Scott Quick said that the proposed Pine County racetrack facility's central location will help its success.
Strange snow machine has a plethora of uses
Riding for several miles across the vast Lake of the Woods ice in a tracked vehicle with front-mounted skis has to leave an impression on ice fishermen en route to fish houses.
Paint job is next step in restoration of '69 Camaro
Last week, the Classy Cruisers project car, a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, was painted Hugger Orange (the same color as the '69 Pontiac GTO Judge) at the club's clubhouse.
The week's top books
1. "The Broker" by John Grisham (Doubleday)
CLC production staged at regional festival
Central Lakes College presented one of two Minnesota stage productions as part of the Region V Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival on Friday in St. Louis.
The week's top movies
1. "Are We There Yet?" Sony, $18,575,214.
Upcoming arts and entertainment events
Live music
An 'Assault' on Hollywood's vault
Film buffs reared on movies of the 1970s and '80s should prepare themselves: You're probably only a few years away from seeing the work of Steven Spielberg and George Lucas being remade (in fact, there's probably more than a few film geeks who'd like to take another shot at "The Phantom Menace").
Movie reviews
"Elektra" -- Blissfully Ben Affleck-free, this "Daredevil" spin-off benefits greatly from the presence of Jennifer Garner, who steps from the shadows of Hell's Kitchen rooftops into the spotlight of her own butt-kicking chick flick. In fact, you'd never know that "Daredevil" ever came out in 2003 from watching this movie, and that's a good thing. Garner already has proven herself the ideal action figure from her star-making role on TV's "Alias." Playing Elektra, the Marvel Comics warrior princess, is a perfect fit for the perfectly fit actress. But Garner's charms extend beyond the mere physical. Simply by showing up, she makes "Elektra" far more entertaining than it has a right to be. Yes, she's smart and sexy and strong, but she also has a girl-next-door likability that makes her seem accessible. Goran Visnjic and the confident Kirsten Prout play the father and daughter Elektra protects from dark forces. PG-13 for action violence. 93 min. Two and a half stars out of four.
Three Vacationland figure skaters place in Mankato competition
Three Vacationland Figure Skating Club skaters competed Jan. 14-15 at the second annual Bend of the River Figure Skating Competition in Mankato.
BEST BETS
Our picks for this weekend and the week ahead
Entertainment shorts
LITTLE FALLS -- Watercolor and quilting classes are being offered at the Great Rivers Arts Center in downtown Little Falls.
Four Franklin Junior High School musicians named to honor band
Franklin Junior High School students Jade Hagberg, eighth-grade flute, Brian Kolbeck, eighth-grade tuba, and Karsten Jensen and Krystle Radtke, ninth-grade flute, have been selected for membership in the Minnesota Band Directors Association Honor Bands.
Quite the characters
Take a closer look at the fictional people who liven up the small screen every week. John Hansen ranks the top 10 TV characters of the moment.
Wright way to relax
Playing the clarinet is a way to escape for Brainerd High School junior Crystal Wright.
Super stylish pizza
A homemade pizza dressed up with Italian ham and Parmesan cheese is easily and quickly put together -- but even if it's just as quickly eaten up, those who sample it will have time to register its good taste, and won't soon forget it.
Watch the game with kielbasa as a tasty appetizer
Sweet Onion Kielbasa is a dish that would make a super appetizer for a game-watching party, and it's a zip to cook, ready to serve in about half an hour.
Fried chicken is full of flavor, not calories
I am a big fan of chicken, especially fried chicken. However, I don't like the calories that come with fried chicken.
Are Americans returning to old-fashioned diets?
Low-carb dieting may be on the wane.
AREA CRIME
THEFT -- Gary Treanor, Emily, Sunday reported the theft of a snowmobile and trailer.
Little Falls woman arrested in meth bust
LITTLE FALLS -- A 37-year-old Little Falls woman was arrested Tuesday after the Central Minnesota Drug Task Force and the Morrison County Sheriff's and Little Falls Police departments executed a search warrant at a home in northeast Little Falls.
Pot probe leads to arrests in Brainerd
Two Brainerd men were arrested Monday after the Lakes Area Drug Investigative Division executed a search warrant at a Brainerd residence. The search was the culmination of an extensive investigation into a marijuana growing operation.
How to reach your legislators at the state Capitol
Rep. Paul Gazelka.
CRIME
THEFT -- Thomas Adair, 19,000 block of State Highway 371, Monday reported his Ice Pro fishing house worth $5,000 stolen from the bay of North Long Lake.
Correction
A Page 6A news brief Wednesday misidentified the nature of an investigation into the death of Brandon J. Misquadace, 22, McGregor.
Clarification
Because of incorrect information provided to the Dispatch, background information about Central Lakes College's Occupational Skills Program was unclear in Page 1E stories Jan. 13 and 20.
McGregor man's death believed to be a suicide
McGREGOR -- The death of a 22-year-old McGregor man is being investigated by the Aitkin County Sheriff's Department as a suicide.
Aitkin Business Professionals of America finishes second in region
AITKIN -- Aitkin Business Professionals of America placed second in the Region 5 competition Jan. 13-14 at Itasca Community College.
Area organization seeking national scenic byway status
The U.S. secretary of transportation will designate new national scenic byways in the fall, and the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway may be one of them.
Aitkin County forest plan ready for viewing
AITKIN -- The Aitkin County Land Department's draft of its 2005-2007 Tactical Forest Management Plan is available for public review.
12 area seniors to vie for Miss Nisswa title
NISSWA -- Twelve area seniors will participate in the Miss Nisswa Scholarship Pageant 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa.
Terrific teacher
A second-grade teacher at Cuyuna Range Elementary School was chosen by her colleagues as the 2005 Crosby-Ironton teacher of the year.
CLC Law Enforcement Club nets 33 regional trophies
The Central Lakes College Law Enforcement Club captured a record 33 trophies in regional competition in Chicago.
Beef cow/calf management program set
STAPLES -- The University of Minnesota Extension Service will sponsor a beef cow/calf management program Feb. 8 in the Assembly Room at Central Lakes College, Staples campus.
Breen to serve as CLC Foundation board president
Richard Breen will serve as president of the Central Lakes College Foundation board of directors for 2005-06.
Confronting winter -- head-on
CAMP RIPLEY -- Making its return after a one-year absence, the 15-day National Guard Winter Warfare Course at Camp Ripley Jan. 8-22 had all the components of winter.
CLC students help American Cancer Society raise funds
Students at Central Lakes College are helping the Brainerd area chapter of the American Cancer Society raise funds in this year's Daffodil Days promotion.
Low-interest loan program promotes woody crops
Minnesota landowners can participate in a new low-interest loan program to grow short rotation woody crops, such as poplar trees, for harvest.
Area briefs
DEERWOOD -- Time of Our Life, a prom dress style show, will run 2 p.m. Feb. 5 at the Deerwood Auditorium.
Nisswa Jubilee weekend scheduled Feb. 11-13
NISSWA -- The 33rd annual Nisswa Jubilee, hosted by the Nisswa Jaycees, will run Feb. 11-13. The theme is "Little Big Town."
Seipp counts blessings as Miss Nisswa 2004
As I look back on the year 2004, I have come to realize how extremely blessed one can become in a split second.
Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza 2005 winners
1. Sara Kitzman, St. Cloud, 3.71 walleye, 2005 Ford F-150; 2. Martin Chisholm, Baxter, 3.02 walleye, Polaris 500 Sportsman ATV; 3. Jim Krings, Centerville, 2.18 tulibee, New Aquaview Quad 360; 4. Lee Hoeschen, Oak Grove, 1.98 tulibee, $250 cash; 5. Hermene Anderson, Sarasota, Fla., 1.73 tulibee, Strikemaster auger
School nurse: Sick kids should be kept at home to recuperate
With the winter cold and flu season now in full swing, Brainerd students are experiencing symptoms common this time of year, including head and sinus colds, upper respiratory viruses and stomach flu.
LEGISLATIVE NOTES
ST. PAUL -- Rep. Paul Gazelka, R-Brainerd, introduced a bill this week that would appropriate more than $1.2 million for a pedestrian-bicyclist bridge to connect the Paul Bunyan Trail south across Excelsior Road into the Oberstar Tunnel in Baxter.
It didn't take long for store to draw its first protest
Protesters plan to present their viewpoints outside Wal-Mart Saturday afternoon.
Staples man sentenced
A 39-year-old Staples man will serve more than three years in prison for the felony offense of using minors in a sexual performance.
C-I Youth Summit planned
Does the Cuyuna Range need a teen coffee shop? A paintball course? An indoor skate park?
8th-grader wins spelling bee honors
Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist Sarah Dens, a seventh-grader at Forestview Middle School, paused while spelling the word "simultaneously" in the final spelldown Wednesday in the 2005 Brainerd School District Spelling Bee.
LOCAL BRIEFS
The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Board will meet 3:30 p.m. Monday at Brainerd City Hall.
County looks at ATV use
A proposed pilot program, which initially could affect at least 6,000 acres of Crow Wing County land, had opponents and supporters of all-terrain vehicle access at the county board meeting Tuesday.
This was Brainerd
JANUARY 27 - 100 years ago (1905) - Fire Devastated Old Landmark. The Wise Building and two buildings south were wiped out entailing heavy loss. The total loss will reach $18,600 the Insurance carried amounts to $12,005.80.
County board changes meth ordinance
In an effort to make Crow Wing County's new methamphetamine ordinance clearer, commissioners voted Tuesday to change the language.
Thailand revealed
Two Central Lakes College students from Thailand will reveal facts about their homeland at a Cultural Thursday event.
Overheard
"That incentive may have been a big deal 50 years ago, but it doesn't buy much today."
Fishy art
BAXTER - Something smelled a little fishy this week at Forestview Middle School in Baxter - but students didn't mind a bit.
Fisher named Brainerd Noon Sertoma Club Sertoman of the Year
Scott Fisher, a member since September 1982, received the highest club honor for the year 2004 when he was named Sertoman of the Year.
Where's the lake?
The only thing missing from Diane Schilling's attached garage, which was turned into an up north cabin, is the lake.
Elected officials hear about 'the right thing'
LITTLE FALLS -- Former U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan told a gathering of elected officials Tuesday integrity and preparation are among the keys to success whether one is serving in Congress or on a township board.
100-year-old's advice: 'Keep your mind busy'
Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist Selene Boots said in a life that spans 100 years there is both joy and sorrow, but a key to surviving it all is being able to take anything that comes without spending time worrying about it. Boots remains independent. She still lives in her own home with daily help from Good Neighbor home health aides Becky Lapka and Vivian Koep.
Correction
The name of Jessica Herron was misspelled in a Page 1A story Tuesday on a Brainerd Family Readiness meeting. Also the story should have said Herron asked her husband once if he had fired his gun yet.
Jail project moves forward
The Crow Wing County Board highlighted elements of the new jail's design at its meeting Tuesday with guests in attendance from across the county line.
Brainerd council members ponder Baxter sales tax issues
One question posed at Tuesday's Brainerd City Council retreat couldn't be answered.
This was Brainerd
30 years ago (1975) - Unlike the last two winters, when Brainerd escaped heavy snowfall, the '75 season is turning out to be a real 'doozey'. Last night and this morning the area accumulated another six inches of winter dew.
Leverne J. Knutson
LITTLE FALLS -- Leverne J. Knutson, 86-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2005, at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel.
Joyce M. Olson
LITTLE FALLS -- Joyce M. Olson, age 69, a resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at her home in Little Falls. Arrangements are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.
Leonard C. DiMatteo
LITTLE FALLS -- Leonard C. DiMatteo, age 81, of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at his home in Little Falls. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church in Little Falls, Minn. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. Thursday at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls and Friday from 10-11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church.
Leonard DiMatteo
LITTLE FALLS -- Leonard DiMatteo, 81-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at his home in Little Falls. Arrangements are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.
Robert Lien
Robert Lien, age 66, resident of Brainerd, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud.
Ivy M. Nelson
COHASSET -- Ivy M. Nelson, age 89, of Cohasset, died Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at Grand Village Nursing Home in Grand Rapids.
Angeline 'Angie' Amiot
Angeline "Angie" (Boileau) Amiot, age 87, resident of Brainerd, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005.
Earl G. Reiter
ROYALTON -- Earl G. Reiter, age 82, of Royalton, Minn., passed away Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at St. Benedict's Senior Community in St. Cloud, Minn.
Elsie Kruger
LITTLE FALLS -- Elsie Kruger, age 101, of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls, Minn. Funeral services will be held Saturday, Jan. 29, 2005, at 1 p.m. at St. Otto's Care Center Chapel in Little Falls. Friends may call from noon to 1 p.m. Saturday at St. Otto's Chapel.
Robert Schultz
LITTLE FALLS -- Robert Schultz, age 79, of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005, at St. Cloud Hospital. Funeral arrangements are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, Minn.
Andrew Waltz
Andrew Waltz, age 94, resident of Brainerd, died Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2005, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Eugene 'Gene' Swanson
Eugene "Gene" Swanson, 89, 300 Buffalo Hills Lane, Brainerd, former postmaster of Brainerd, passed away Monday, Jan. 24, 2005, at St. Joseph's Medical Center. He was born on June 4, 1915, in Brainerd to Oscar and Edith (Lund) Swanson. He graduated from Brainerd in 1933 and was a lifelong area resident.
Gladys Joy
Gladys Joy, 93, of Woodland Good Samaritan Care Center, died Jan. 18, 2005, at St. Joseph's Medical Center. Services were conducted Jan. 22, 2005, at the Slininger-Rossow Chapel in Jefferson, Iowa, with interment in the Junction Township Cemetery in Grand Junction, Iowa.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 cents a word, exclusive of the first 125 words, which are free. A $10 fee is charged for a half-column photograph.
Angeline 'Angie' Amiot
Angeline "Angie" (Boileau) Amiot, age 87, resident of Brainerd, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005. Angie was born on Aug. 9, 1917, in Watford City, N.D., to Jerry and Mary (Durkin) Jarbo. She was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church, the church guild and a square dancing group. She also was a foster parent.
Good Samaritan helped pull vehicle from ditch
They were so close they could see the man's face when they slid across into the ditch. Luckily no one got hurt but they were stuck. The sand truck did not stop to see if anyone was hurt or to offer to call a tow truck. He just kept on going along with several others that did not stop including a tractor trailer rig. Finally a man stopped and he offered to pull them out since only the back wheels were in the ditch and he had a tow strap. After doing this good deed he went on his way before my daughter could get his name. Thank God no one got hurt but we are all really upset about the state sand truck not stopping to at least radio in and check for injuries. How would that driver feel if it were his wife and daughter?
VOX POP
Rules for library board members
Open Forum
Maybe there is some hope that politicians can put aside their differences and work together. Last week, all of the members of the Senate Health Committee (Republicans and Democrats) voted to repeal a new $5000 cap on health care for single adults in the Minnesota Care program. This cap has created problems for cancer patients who need on-going treatment to beat their disease.
Time to revise Social Security
Social Security changes are expected to be highlighted next week in President George W. Bush's State of the Union address and his emphasis on the issue is welcome.
Overheard
"The explosion flattened the front tires, damaged parts of the engine and undercarriage, and left shrapnel in the doors. However, the crew compartment was left completely intact. None of the three soldiers in the vehicle received even so much as a scratch. I share the above incident, not to worry all of you, but to give you confidence that we have the equipment and the training to keep us as safe as possible."
194th keeps busy
Soldiers from the 194th Armor have already conducted more than 100 combat patrols and are involved in security patrols in preparation for the upcoming Iraqi elections.
Scoreboard
Football
Pierz pins its way past LP-GE
PIERZ -- Matt Mrnak registered the quickest of the six Pierz Pioneers pins when he flattened Levi Pray of Long Prairie-Grey Eagle in 19 seconds helping Pierz to a 58-9 non-conference wrestling victory Tuesday.
On radio and television:
Radio guide
C-I-A skates to first victory of year
CROSBY -- The Crosby-Ironton/Aitkin Rangers picked up their first win in two seasons behind the goaltending of Nic Belz, who recorded 50 saves, on their way to a 3-1 victory over the Pequot Lakes Patriots in Mid-State Conference boys' hockey Tuesday.
Brainerd cuts down Lumberjacks
BEMIDJI -- Kayla Huether and Erica Austin led a balanced Brainerd Warriors attack in a 68-53 non-conference girls' basketball victory over Bemidji Tuesday.
Sports shorts
Peter Johnson of Brainerd broke the state record in his age group Sunday in the Icebreaker Masters swim meet at the University of Minnesota.
Proposed track hires former BIR employees
A motorsports facility in the development stage in Pine County involves local interests.
Upcoming sporting events in the Brainerd lakes area:
WEDNESDAY
Conference dual meet championship
St. Cloud Tech Tigers
Warriors will get a shot at state's best at True Team
John Zemke and BHS won the Section 8 title.
Warriors rout struggling Willmar
WILLMAR -- The Brainerd Warriors boys' hockey team added to the Willmar Cardinals (1-14-1) struggles this season by slapping them with a 10-1 Central Lakes Conference loss Tuesday.
Despite injuries, BHS doesn't take a tumble
Kathleen Lorenz is out with a back injury.
Sports shorts
Nisswa NW participated in the USSA Central Division NorAm races Sunday at Mt. Itasca near Coleraine.
Upcoming sporting events
THURSDAY
Pine River-Backus defeats Verndale in non-conference matchup
VERNDALE -- Chelsey Dabill hit two 3-point baskets and finished with 14 points to lead the Pine River-Backus Tigers to a 31-26 non-conference girls' basketball victory over the Verndale Pirates Tuesday.
Warriors' girl Freiday steps up
Maggie Freiday has won the all-around title in three of four meets.
Patriots outlast Staples-Motley
PEQUOT LAKES -- Jesse Fisher's 18 points catapulted the Pequot Lakes Patriots to a 50-46 Mid-State Conference boys' basketball victory over the Staples-Motley Cardinals Tuesday.
Golf
Wednesday
Ruttger, Miller top finishers for Warriors
ALEXANDRIA -- Taryn Ruttger placed second for the Brainerd Warriors girls' Alpine ski team with a time of 49.27 and David Miller finished third with a time of 46.08 at the Alexandria Invitational Monday.
LF ties Tigers
LITTLE FALLS -- Michelle Anez had two goals and Naomi Stumpf one as the Little Falls Flyers rallied from a three-goal deficit to tie the Princeton Tigers 3-3 in overtime in girls' hockey Tuesday.
Cardinals do battle with Patriots
Staples-Motley Cardinals sophomore guard Derek Peterson (right) lost control of the ball as he drove against Joshua Dale of the Pequot Lakes Patriots Tuesday in Pequot Lakes. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Football
Super Bowl
Brainerd falls in 2 OTs
With one of its leading scorers playing about eight minutes because of a sprained ankle and foul trouble becoming a factor, the odds were against the Brainerd Warrior boys' basketball team.
CLC women fall to 0-14
INTERNATIONAL FALLS -- The longest travel day of the season didn't have a happy ending as the Central Lakes College women's basketball team fell to Rainy River College 95-76 Wednesday in a Northern Division game.
Brainerd falls to Anoka for first time
ANOKA -- Jacob Ray, coming off a five-goal performance last week, notched both of the Brainerd Warriors' goals in a 7-2 loss to Anoka Tuesday in adapted floor hockey.
Rainy rains threes on CLC
INTERNATIONAL FALLS -- The Central Lakes College men's basketball team gave up its most points since the 1997-98 season in a 102-69 loss to the Rainy River Voyageurs in a key Northern Division game Wednesday.
Let it snow
The annual Lumberjack Classic cross country ski race will be skied Feb. 6 at the Northland Arbortuem.
Warriors bounce Apollo on mat
ST. CLOUD -- Eight pins, three major decisions and one decision resulted in the Brainerd Warriors collecting a 62-9 Central Lakes Conference wrestling victory over St. Cloud Apollo Tuesday.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Cloudy. Isolated flurries and patchy light freezing drizzle
A wet day
Weather drawing by Abby Kiehlbauch in the Riverside third grade of Mrs. Meyer.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Much colder. Flurries this morning. Some freezing drizzle
We can dream, can't we?
Warm weather drawing by Karlie Nelson in the Nisswa fourth grade of Mrs. Headlee.
Rain and snow in the West, light snow showers in the Northeast
Snow and rain showers were scattered throughout the West early Thursday, and parts of New England had snow.
State forecast for Minnesota
.Today...Mostly sunny east. Partly to mostly cloudy west. Highs in
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Blustery and colder. Scattered flurries. Patchy light freezing drizzle early. A chance for snow showers near lakes superior and michigan. Highs from the teens north to the mid to upper 20s south.
AccuWeather.com Releases 30/90 Day Forecast for February Through April
STATE COLLEGE, PA January 24, 2005 AccuWeather.com meteorologists stated today that the recent turn to colder weather east of the Mississippi should continue in February as temperatures east of the Mississippi River should average at or below normal for the month. There is also the chance of more significant eastern snow events in February.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy west to partly cloudy east. Slight chance of
State forecast for North Dakota
.Today...Partly cloudy. Highs from around 20 northeast to the low
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy this morning...With scattered flurries northwest through southeast. Becoming partly cloudy east this afternoon. Highs from around 15 northeast...To the mid 40s far southwest.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Occasional lake effect snow showers ending by mid morning extreme east central and southeast...Then becoming mostly sunny. Sunny or mostly sunny elsewhere. Highs from the mid teens to the mid 20s.
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Cloudy with patchy morning fog west...Partly to mostly cloudy east. Highs from the mid 20s far east...To the lower 40s far west.
State forecast for Iowa
.Today...Mostly sunny east half. Mostly cloudy this morning