Wednesday, January 29, 2003
State seeks to help students struggling to read
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Thousands of Minnesota schoolchildren can't read at a level the state considers acceptable. The challenge for educators is figuring out how to reach them.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLI(AP) -- Wheat receipts Monday 204, a year ago 35.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Monday hog estimate: 700, includes 250 feeder pigs. Last Monday: 896. Year ago Monday: 1032. Friday actual: 530.
Central Minnesota Irrigators to meet in Perham
PERHAM -- The Central Minnesota Irrigators Corp. will hold its annual meeting and irrigation clinic at 9 .m. Thursday at the VFW in Perham, featuring educational and production topics and presenters.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLI(AP) -- Wheat receipts Tuesday 49, a year ago 52.
Workshop on cow/calf management slated
STAPLES -- The University of Minnesota Extension Service will sponsor a beef cow/calf management program 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 5 in the Assembly Room at Central Lakes College, Staples. Registration will be 9:30 a.m.
Farmers paid to turn land into wildlife habitat
OKABENA (AP) -- For most of his life, Dale Aden farmed the rich soils of his native Jackson County the way everyone else did -- he grew corn and soybeans. He tilled nearly all of his 320 acres outside Okabena, even marginal land that was prone to flooding from nearby Okabena Creek.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Tuesday cattle estimate: 750. Last Tuesday: 1337. Year ago Tuesday: 602. Monday actual: 366.
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Tuesday.
Contact your federal lawmakers
Sen. Norm Coleman
Defibrillators placed around airport
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Easy-to-use defibrillators have been installed throughout the Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport in case travelers at one of the nation's busiest terminals suffer a heart attack.
Winter Horse Fest set this weekend in Aitkin
AITKIN -- Excalibur Enterprise will host the third annual Winter Horse Fest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Aitkin High School.
College athletes share basketball skills
The St. Francis School gym filled with the sound of bouncing basketballs thanks to a visit by the CLC men's basketball team.
Saving the land
NISSWA -- A Nisswa couple has protected 55 acres of property, including 2,800 feet of lakeshore on the southern shore of Upper Cullen Lake, in a state program that will allow the property to remain a critical shoreline habitat.
Computer upgrade welcomed at CLC
The Computer Commons at Central Lakes College in Brainerd features 25 new computers
CLC financial aid staff hits the road
Sue Burnard of the financial aid office at Central Lakes College greeted guests at Pequot Lakes High School
Volleyball tourney set in Pine River to promote new park
PINE RIVER -- Pine River-Backus Community Education and the Pine River Community Action Group are jointly sponsoring a Winter Volleyball Tournament at 10 a.m. Feb. 22 at Pine River-Backus School.
Let's go camping
HACKENSACK -- The best way to appreciate the great outdoors is to be there.
Pine River event will allow women to pamper themselves
PINE RIVER -- The second Cabin Fever Day for Women, sponsored by Pine River-Backus Community Education, will offer a variety of workshops, a motivational speaker, live music, luncheon and displays and vendors from the community.
Board gets idea of how social services will feel budget pinch
The Crow Wing County Board has received an inkling of how the $4.5 billion state budget deficit potentially will affect the social services department Tuesday.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1983) - Teams which are unable to cope with the Brainerd Warriors' full court pressure defense usually are in for a long evening. Alexandria was in such a predicament Friday turning the ball over 28 times in a 73-60 loss. Brainerd's pesky back court tandem of Tim Veith and Tim Martin caused many of the Cardinal's problems.
Warrior Dance Team wins conference
For the sixth year in a row, the Brainerd Warrior Dance Team claimed the conference championship Saturday at St. Cloud Tech High School.
Q & A with Judge Haas
WALKER -- Judge Michael J. Haas offered these perspectives on the following issues involving courts and the people who come before the courts:
County cool to cable TV meeting coverage
Brainerd lakes area residents who have cable television likely will not see Crow Wing County Board meetings broadcast anytime soon.
Ball interested in staying at DPS
Former Brainerd Police Chief Frank Ball continues to serve as the Department of Public Safety's director of alcohol and gambling enforcement and hopes to continue in that post.
P & Z employees get pay increase
The Crow Wing County Board reclassified titles for certain individuals in the planning and zoning office Tuesday that resulted in salary increases.
Brainerd dance team wins mini-meet
The Brainerd Dance Team won its mini-meet Tuesday with its new routine.
ICY ROADS = ACCIDENTS
Icy roads produced by falling temperatures contributed to a number of accidents this morning in Brainerd.
Ridership climbs for county transit system
Ridership has skyrocketed on the Crow Wing County transit system.
There is justice
WALKER -- Judge Michael J. Haas officially retired from his Ninth Judicial District Court seat in Cass County Dec. 31 after 26 years.
Guards' employers also heed duty call
CAMP RIPLEY -- When the 145 members of the Minnesota Army National Guard's Company C, 142nd Engineer Battalion based at Camp Ripley left today for up to a year of active duty in Southwest Asia, they left behind family and friends, and their employers as well.
Growth, land planner to speak in Brainerd
Lee Ronning, 1000 Friends of Minnesota founder, will speak at the Brainerd Restoration annual meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Crossing Arts Alliance in downtown Brainerd.
Day of teary goodbyes
CAMP RIPLEY -- Sgt. Marshall Tousignant of Brainerd figures he has a lot to be thankful for, including a 6-week-old granddaughter he just met Tuesday who was nestled contentedly in his arms at today's departure ceremony at Camp Ripley.
Chocolate Lover's Extravaganza seeks new name
The Chocolate Lover's Extravaganza Feb. 6 at Central Lakes College will feature a contest to rename the event.
YMCA to host dance Friday
The Brainerd Family YMCA will host a dance for sixth- and seventh-graders from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday.
One killed, one hurt in rollover
MENAHGA -- One person was killed and another injured in a single-vehicle rollover Tuesday on 109th Avenue in Wadena County, southwest of Menahga.
Ice maker
Brainerd Parks and Recreation employee Jim Schulz sprayed water on a hockey rink at Mill Avenue park Tuesday morning. Schulz said warmer temperatures made it easier to create a fresh layer of ice on the rink.
Church, cleaners reach accord on alley
The city of Brainerd, Anderson Cleaners and First Lutheran Church have reached an agreement concerning the alley vacation between the cleaning business and the church.
This was Brainerd
JANUARY 28 - 80 years ago (1923) - Dr. Roy Williams has purchased a new Hupmobile from the Lively Auto Co. Thieves broke into his garage the first night he had it and attempted to steal it, but the doctor sleeps with one ear open and foiled the attempted robbery.
District won't pour more money in 'black hole'
Saying it's no longer a good use of taxpayer money, the Thirty Lakes Watershed District will cease paying for studies of the black hole on North Long Lake.
Lucky anglers
Two area anglers were able to climb out of their pickup and escape the frigid waters of Pelican Lake after driving into a pressure ridge near the south end of Pelican Lake near the public access off of Crow Wing County Road 118 this morning.
Crosby-Ironton school district adopts new free speech policies
CROSBY (AP) -- The Crosby-Ironton school board has adopted new policies meant to protect free speech and student gatherings, after the district was sued for allegedly violating the rights of two student Bible study group leaders.
Crosby-Ironton patrons get break on bonds
CROSBY -- Crosby-Ironton School District residents will pay less than previously estimated on the school portion of the 2003 property taxes.
C-I plan to cut about 25% of teachers
CROSBY -- More teachers, nearly 25 percent, in the Crosby-Ironton School District will lose their jobs by next school year.
Revolutions
The Pequot Lakes High School varsity Revolution danceline team performed Tuesday at halftime of the Pequot Lakes vs. Staples-Motley boys' basketball game at Pequot Lakes. See Sports for game story and photographs. (Dispatch Photo by Clint Wood)
Russell C. Thurrott
BAXTER -- Russell Clark Thurrott, 96, Baxter, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at home.
Claire (Magnan) Gilson
BURBANK, Calif. -- Claire (Magnan) Gilson, 85, Burbank, Calif., died Friday, Jan. 17, 2003.
Clifford Wicktor
Clifford Wicktor, 64, Brainerd, died today, Jan. 29, 2003, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Helen A. Wheeler
CROSSLAKE -- Helen A. Wheeler, 94, Crosslake, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at Central Lakes Care Center in Crosby.
Helen A. Wheeler
CROSSLAKE -- Helen A. Wheeler, 94, Crosslake, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.
Terry L. Wheeler
MERRIFIELD -- Terry L. Wheeler, 55, Merrifield, formerly of Sauk Rapids, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, in Brainerd.
Correction/clarification
An obituary for Roy Sandberg on Page 5A Monday should have read that his father was a former manager of the S and L Store in Brainerd and was transferred to Centerville, Iowa.
Sylvia A. Nelson
Sylvia A. Nelson, 89, Brainerd, died today, Jan. 29, 2003, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Roger F. Passe
BAXTER -- Roger F. Passe, 67, Baxter, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Edith B. Halverson
Edith B. Halverson, 87, Brainerd, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Arcola Watters
PINE RIVER -- Arcola Watters, 89, Pine River, died Friday, Jan. 24, 2003, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River.
Anna D. Elzig
CLARISSA -- Anna D. Elzig, 99, Clarissa, formerly of Little Falls, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at Central Tood County Care Center in Clarissa.
Florence I. Rothwell
Florence I. Rothwell, 89, Brainerd, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Martha H. Langer
PIERZ -- Martha H. Langer, 81, Pierz, died Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2003, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Helen M. Benusa
BOWLUS -- Helen M. Benusa, 87, Bowlus, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003, at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls.
Robert Lowe
Robert Lowe, 95, Brainerd, formerly of Aitkin, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Lorraine J. Harrison
Lorraine J. Harrison, 85, Brainerd, died Saturday, Jan. 25, 2003, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Rosemary Knox
LEADER -- Rosemary Knox, 54, Leader, died Monday, Jan. 27, 2003, at Merit Care Hospital in Fargo, N.D.
Burton C. Fruechte
SWANVILLE -- Burton C. Fruechte, 68, Swanville, died Sunday, Jan. 26, 2003, at home.
Open Forum
The writers of the LA Times editorial reprinted on Jan. 22 clearly did not do their homework.
Viruses
The experts are still analyzing data on sapphire, slammer, SQ hell or whatever name sticks to Saturday's virus-like Internet worm that slowed Internet service and e-mails for thousands of computer users.
Vox Pop
Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Submissions are limited to 100 words.
Memo to Bob Olson
We are sure you do not want to leave a false impression with your citizens.
Who writes Dispatch editorials?
Editorial views in The Brainerd Dispatch represent a consensus of opinion by members of the newspaper's editorial board.
Underage drinking
The current generation of youngsters didn't invent underage drinking. The problem most likely has been around for as long as there has been liquor and rules about such misconduct.
Open Forum
As Americans, even in this time of uncertainty, many of us have come to realize and give thanks for how much we do have. Even as we cope with anxieties about looming war in Iraq, Afghanistan is enduring its second winter since the War on Terror began.
Aitkin snowmobiler will be first woman to race in Winter X Games Hillcross
AITKIN -- Amanda Johnson's father, Michael, described what Amanda will do this weekend as an opportunity of a lifetime.
Pawlenty becomes latest Minnesota governor to knock South Dakota
LUVERNE (AP) -- Minnesota must try harder to stop businesses from migrating to Sioux Falls and other South Dakota cities, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said.
State's 211 phone information system launches Web site
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota's statewide 211 telephone information and referral service has gone online, giving people across the state new computer connections to more than 36,000 services, agencies and programs.
House stakes out budget position
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Minnesota House drew its line in the budget sand Monday, voting 77-50 for a proposal to wipe out one-tenth of the state's projected $4.56 billion deficit.
Sheriff rounds up jurors the old-fashioned way
PRESTON, Minn. (AP) -- With a methamphetamine trial about to begin, Fillmore County judge Robert Benson realized he didn't have enough jurors. So he told Sheriff Jim Connolly to go find some.
HOW BUDGET CUT PLANS COMPARE
TOTAL PACKAGE
Half of Minnesotans will file electronically
ST. PAUL (AP) -- For the first time, half of Minnesota taxpayers will file their forms electronically this season, giving the state among the highest percentage of e-filers in the nation.
90-year-old man found slain in Park Rapids
PARK RAPIDS (AP) -- Authorities say a 90-year-old man found dead in his Park Rapids home was a victim of homicide.
Oversight of elk, deer farms may change in fight against CWD
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Regulation of all elk and deer farms in the state would be consolidated under the control of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health under a proposal to help stop the spread of chronic wasting disease.
Cards catch Patriots
PEQUOT LAKES -- A varsity high school basketball game is 32 minutes long.
Scoreboard
WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
W-DC boys drops second straight
WADENA --Michael Grieme scored 22 points and Brett Hieb had 10 for the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines in a 72-59 non-conference boys' basketball loss to the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle Thunder Monday.
Scoreboard
WRESTLING
Local sports shorts
Levi LaVallee of Longville finished fourth in the Pro Open final and sixth in the Pro Stock final and Amanda Johnson of Aitkin finished second in the Pro Women final at the Super Snowcross Stadium Tour at the Metrodome Saturday.
Aitkin wins conference dual meet wrestling title
AITKIN -- Pins by Jacob Miller, Trevor Sterling, Scott Chester, B.J. Wasserzieher and Johnathon Arness led the Aitkin Gobblers to their eighth Great River Conference dual-meet wrestling championship Tuesday with a 47-23 victory over the Mille Lacs Raiders.
Raider women fall to Moorhead State by 2
The Central Lakes College Raiders women's basketball team dug itself a hole early and couldn't overcome the Moorhead State junior varsity Monday, losing 56-54.
Warriors' floor hockey team falls to Maple Grove
The Brainerd Warriors adaptive floor hockey team entered Monday night's faceoff with Maple Grove knowing it would play one of the state's finest teams.
Brainerd girls shut out Sartell
SARTELL -- Samantha Welle scored two goals and added an assist in the Brainerd Warriors 4-0 Central Lakes Conference girls' hockey victory over the Sartell Sabres.
Parker powers Pequot past PR-B
PINE RIVER -- Teresa Parker poured in 21 points as the Pequot Lakes Patriots improved their Mid-State Conference record to 8-1 thanks to a 47-43 girls' basketball victory over Pine River-Backus Tuesday.
Larson wins Ultimate Fighting match
Brock Larson of Brainerd won his match Saturday at Iowa's Winter Games.
Brainerd girls defeat Apollo
ST. CLOUD -- The Brainerd Warriors won their third straight game with a 46-37 Central Lakes Conference victory over St. Cloud Apollo Tuesday.
Moorhead boys defeat Warriors
MOORHEAD -- Jake Phillips scored 18 points for the Brainerd Warriors but the Moorhead Spuds emerged with a 67-59 Section 8, Class 4A boys' basketball victory Tuesday.
Pequot boys have something to prove
Last year was the first since the 1983-84 season the Staples-Motley Cardinals boys' basketball team didn't win or share the Mid-State Conference title.
Trio powers Gobblers to victory
AITKIN -- Roman Haberkorn scored 20 points, Jacob Mehr added 14 and Jake Hegman 10 in the Aitkin Gobblers 63-51 Great River Conference boys' basketball victory over the Onamia Panthers Tuesday.
Little Falls beats Apollo for first time
LITTLE FALLS -- The Little Falls Flyers got the St. Cloud Apollo Eagles off their backs as they beat Apollo for the first time in school history 5-4 Tuesday night.
Busy week in store for CLC women
The Central Lakes College Raiders women's basketball team will need to get plenty of sleep as it prepares to play four games this week.
Woodard wins boys' ski race
MORA -- Brainerd's Chris Woodard won the boys' Nordic ski race and Christina Roberts placed third in the girls' division as both Warrior teams raced to first place at the Mora Invitational Monday.
Aitkin gains victory over Isle
AITKIN -- Sarah Just scored 16 points, Hallie Ladd had 13 and Melissa Hasskamp added 12 for the Aitkin Gobblers in a 50-45 Great River Conference girls' basketball victory over Isle Monday.
Sartell surprises Brainerd
The starting time of Tuesday's boys' hockey game between the Brainerd Warriors and Sartell Sabres was moved up one hour.
Local sports shorts
Nate Thiesse, former Brainerd resident and an employee of the American Speed Association's Country Joe Racing team, has signed a one-year contract to race in the Featherlite Southwest Series this season.
Conference honors two Warriors
Two Brainerd Warriors were honored for their performances in the Central Lakes Conference for the week ending Jan. 25.
Perpich helps Warrior gymnasts to victory
SAUK CENTRE -- Katie Perpich won two events and the all-around to lead the unbeaten and third-ranked Brainerd Warriors gymnastics team to a 143.05 to 117.85 victory over Sauk Centre Tuesday.
Wild, Canucks in 2-2 tie
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Vancouver Canucks goalie Dan Cloutier would like to face Sergei Zholtok's long-range shot again.
Garnett pours in 34 points
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Timberwolves are rolling.
Serving as Miss Nisswa gave Sucik a new appreciation for her community
NISSWA -- They say time flies when you're having fun. I think 2002 was the fastest year of my life.
12 high school seniors to seek Miss Nisswa title Feb. 7
NISSWA -- Twelve high school seniors will participate in the annual Miss Nisswa Scholarship Pageant at 7 p.m. Feb. 7 at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa.
Hockey game
Weather drawing by Logan Peterson of Mrs. Schirmer's third grade class at Riverside school.
State forecast for south dakota
Today...Areas of light snow early morning southeast.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny north. Becoming mostly sunny south. Highs in the teens north to low 20s southeast.
Wisconsin state forecast
Winter weather advisory southwest corner into mid afternoon...
Iowa state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy with morning flurries northwest. Partly cloudy statewide in the afternoon. Colder with highs in the teens to mid 20s.
Why is it cold?
Weather drawing by Cassie Pratt of Sharon Jendro's first grade class at Lowell school.
Iowa state forecast
Winter weather advisory in effect for all but far southern iowa today...
State forecast for South Dakota
Winter weather advisory through this morning east central and southeast...
State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Colder. A few flurries or light freezing drizzle north central and east this morning. A chance of light snow west and central in the afternoon. Temperatures falling to around zero in the northeast to the mid 20s far southwest.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Snow continuing to decrease across the south third. Snow accumulations of 1 to 3 inches. Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered flurries central and north. Highs from the single digits above zero far north to the lower 30s far southwest.
State forecast for north dakota
Today...Partly sunny. Highs from around 10 east to near 30 southwest.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Snow likely in the southwest this morning. Clear to partly cloudy elsewhere. Highs from 5 above far north to the upper teens south.