Tuesday, February 1, 2000

Crimes
BAXTER -- Baxter police are asking for the public's assistance in connection with an assault Saturday.

Crimes
BURGLARY -- The Up Front AA club, 302 4th Ave. NE, Monday reported a break-in.

How to contact state legislators
Area legislators and how to contact them.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Monday cattle: 400.

Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Monday.

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Monday 265, a year ago 89.

Accidents
A single-vehicle accident Sunday night resulted in minor injuries for a Hackensack woman.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1980) - A rural Brainerd dairy farmer today became the first candidate to enter the race for one of three Crow Wing County Board seats, Herb Thiesse, 54, a veteran of 20 years on the Long Lake Township Board.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1980) - A jail without bars? Such a thing was unheard of several years ago. This doesn't mean that there aren't secure cells. Instead of bars, however, there are walls and windows with unbreakable glass at the new Law Enforcement Center.

Better communication sought for campers in wilderness areas
DULUTH (AP) -- Cell phones and pagers might seem out of place in the serenity of the northern Minnesota wilderness, but some public officials think they might be needed.

Session opens; test issue likely to surface
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A controversial 10th-grade writing test was likely to stir debate during this first week of the 2000 legislative session, which begins today.

After 40 years, it's time to retire
Clayton Eisel's days of sleeping on a cot in the Crow Wing County Highway Department garage during major snowstorms are over.

Report: Lobbyists spent $25 million in later '90s to influence laws
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- When lawmakers meet Tuesday to convene the 2000 legislative session, they will be followed by representatives of the interest groups that spent at least $25 million in the late 1990s trying to influence laws.

Local briefs
Free publications of the Brain Injury Association of Minnesota's first Consumer Guide to Brain Injury Resources are now available to anyone who requests a copy.

CLC announces fall honors list
The fall semester of the 1999-2000 academic year at Central Lakes College has produced 616 honor students among the 3,000 enrolled in classes offered from the Brainerd and Staples campuses of the community and technical college.

Seven swans a-swimming
Seven trumpeter swans glide through the open water of the Gull River near the Corps of Engineers Campground this morning. Gull Lake residents have noticed the birds wintering and feeding in the shallow open river above the dam. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)

Attorneys link Louisiana suspect to case
HALLOCK (AP) -- Kittson County Sheriff Ray Hunt is questioning statements from defense attorneys for murder suspect Donald Blom linking a suspected Louisiana killer to the murder of Julie Holmquist.

Extra credit
Rebecca Haberkorn, a senior at Aitkin High School, has been named one of more than 2,600 candidates in the 2000 Presidential Scholars program.

BHS debaters argue their cases, but no one advances
Many students gave it their best shot and had a great time, but none of the 10 from Brainerd High School advanced in the 2000 National Forensic League Qualifying Debate Tournament this past weekend.

Two lakes area men die in crash
Two Brainerd lakes area men died as a result of a three-vehicle traffic collision Friday in the Twin Cities, according to the State Patrol.

Correction/clarification
The day of service for Lois R. Johnson was listed incorrectly in Sunday's newspaper. The correct day of service is Tuesday.

Kixters win in high kick at conference competition
The Brainerd High School varsity and junior varsity dance teams competed in the Central Lakes Conference Dance Team meet Saturday at Apollo High School in St. Cloud.

Start walking!
Calling all couch potatoes: It's time to lace up those sneakers and start walking for your heart -- and ultimately to help the fight against heart disease.

DFLers seek statewide program for abandoned newborns
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Motivated by the case of a 15-year-old Minneapolis mother who left her baby in a trash bin, two DFL lawmakers introduced a bill Monday to make all Minnesota hospitals havens for unwanted newborns.

Echo man killed in sled crash
ECHO, Minn. (AP) -- A 22-year-old man died after crashing his snowmobile while riding on Wood Lake in Yellow Medicine County.

State briefs
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A mother of eight was shot to death and her husband was critically injured when he shot himself, police said.

Upset crowd
NISSWA -- Proposed changes by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency to the state's feedlot rules have many area farmers and ranchers upset.

Lawmaker proposes Minnesota-Ontario border commission
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A northern Minnesota lawmaker wants to spend $150,000 to set up a 12-member Legislative Commission on Minnesota-Ontario Matters.

Season's snowfall way below average
Brainerd motorists don't have to crane their necks to see over the tops of snowbanks this year. There's almost 22 inches less snow to be piled up compared to an average winter, the DNR reported today.

Internet outage slows access in rural Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Computer hardware problems led to slow or difficult Internet access for thousands of customers in rural Minnesota on Monday.

Correction/clarification
A comment commending Clayton Eisel as a dedicated Crow Wing County Highway maintenance supervisor was mistakenly attributed in a Page 1A story Monday. The comment was made by Crow Wing County Highway Engineer Duane Blanck.

Current economic expansion historic
WASHINGTON -- The current economic expansion, which for more than a year has been the country's longest peacetime expansion, now holds the all-time record, in war and peace.

When 'Superman' walks, does it raise false hopes?
NEW YORK -- The sight of paralyzed actor Christopher Reeve seemingly able to walk again in a computer-enhanced Super Bowl ad has advocates and researchers at once thrilled and worried.

Democrats battle over fund raising
CONCORD, N.H. -- Bill Bradley said today he stepped up his criticism of Al Gore's ''misrepresentations'' on campaign fund-raising and abortion because it was ''time to tell the people what was the truth.''

More than 5,000 students at risk of not graduating
Sennita Ford and Miranda Thomas somehow managed to make it to their senior year at Minneapolis Roosevelt High School without learning skills they know they should have mastered years ago.

Agency recommends nursing home changes
ST. PAUL (AP) -- With many nursing homes struggling to stay afloat, a state agency is suggesting eased regulations, a revamped government reimbursement system and assistance for some providers to shrink, change roles or shut down.

Boys return to Kosovo following heart surgery
BURNSVILLE (AP) -- Judy Nylander said it was the first time she saw 15-month-old Shendrit Ahmeti cry without turning blue.

Personal income rises in December
WASHINGTON -- Americans' personal income rose in December and they spent all of it and more, giving the nation's retailers one of their best holiday seasons in years.

The top 10
The 10 top-spending interest groups at the Minnesota Legislature between 1995-1999, according to a computer-assisted report by the Star Tribune of Minneapolis. Figures include money spent on political campaigns from 1995-1998 and lobbying efforts from 1996-1999.

Republicans raise $2.7 million in off year
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The state Republican Party raised $2.7 million last year, a record for a nonelection year and more than twice as much as the DFL raised.

Orangemen win
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) -- If the Syracuse Orangemen are reading their press clippings, it sure doesn't show. Even after winning 18 games in a row.

Baseball suspends Rocker until May 1
NEW YORK (AP) -- John Rocker won't pitch in a game until May 1 -- unless the players' association successfully challenges the suspension baseball commissioner Bud Selig imposed.

Lehman survives wear of nerves to win in Phoenix
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Four years ago, Tom Lehman was the PGA's Player of the Year and set a record for earnings.

Michael's coda caps super broadcast effort
It may not rank with his ''Do you believe in miracles?'' But Al Michaels couldn't have come up with a much better capsule description of the Rams' Super Bowl victory Sunday.

Cyclones fight way into poll
AMES, Iowa (AP) -- Eleventh in the Big 12 Conference two years ago and ninth last season, Iowa State is now tied for first. The Cyclones' climb to the top of the league -- and into the national rankings -- has been long, yet swift.

Last 23 minutes made for a super game
ATLANTA -- It still works, darn it. It still rocks. It can still breathe a chill through you one minute, make your throat burn the next.

Wide-open Ram offense needed wide-open spaces
ATLANTA -- With Kurt Warner at quarterback, the St. Louis Rams showed they can score with greater ease from their own 27-yard line than the other team's 27-yard line

Agassi thoroughly frustrates Kafelnikov
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Imagine an Andre Agassi who serves better, moves faster, stays fresh longer and belts even his ordinary rally shots harder.

Pro bowl linebacker charged with murder
ATLANTA (AP) -- Ray Lewis was supposed to be in Hawaii this week, preparing for his third straight Pro Bowl. Instead, he was jailed on murder charges in the stabbing deaths of two people shortly after the Super Bowl.

A sweep for Warner
ATLANTA (AP) -- This one was for every kid who was ever told he couldn't play, every kid who was ever cut by the big boys and sent on his way.

St. Louis welcomes home Rams
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- While most couldn't hear the speeches, see the players or feel their own cold fingers, St. Louis Rams fans turned out by the thousands just to experience the moment.

Titans run out of miracles
ATLANTA -- One yard.

Rams enter new frontier
ATLANTA -- It was one yard, separating those who might enjoy glory from those lost eventually in historical anonymity, a Super Bowl slow to start, stirring in its finish, and in your face, Los Angeles.

Darrell Walker to be named Wizards coach
Darrell Walker, a former Washington Bullets guard, will be named the Washington Wizards' interim coach Monday, president of basketball operations Michael Jordan said Sunday.

Dick Vermeil, where did you leave your tears?
ATLANTA -- How great could the St. Louis Rams' 23-16 victory in Super Bowl XXXIV have been?

After close call, McCleary recovering
MONTREAL (AP) -- His life no longer in danger, but still unable to speak, Trent McCleary sent a message to his Montreal Canadiens teammates.

As expected, Tyson makes quick work of Francis
MANCHESTER, England -- Call it a farce. Label it a mismatch. But there is no disputing that when it comes to target practice, Mike Tyson can still deliver.

Donald M. Barnes
AITKIN -- Donald M. Barnes, 78, Aitkin, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, at Riverwood Health Care Center of Aitkin.

Frank Atwood
ROBBINSDALE -- Frank Atwood, 96, Fifty Lakes and Robbinsdale, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at his home in Robbinsdale.

Gladys 'Gladie' L. Otness
Gladys "Gladie" Leola Otness, 75, Brainerd, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.

Thilda Hildahl
STAPLES -- Thilda Hildahl, 94, Staples, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, at Greater Staples Care Center.

Lois R. Johnson
Lois R. Johnson, 78, Brainerd, died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village.

Shirley M. Harting
APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. -- Shirley M. Harting, 77, Apache Junction, Ariz., and Brainerd, died Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, at her home in Apache Junction.

Leo Swaser
PIERZ -- Leo Swaser, 81, Pierz, died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000, at his home.

Lorraine Gravdahl
PEQUOT LAKES -- Lorraine Gravdahl, 81, Pequot Lakes, died Friday, Jan. 28, 2000, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.

Joe L. Brumberg
Joe L. Brumberg, 81, Brainerd, died Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at Woodhaven Nursing Home of Brainerd.

Christopher J. Peterson
AITKIN -- Christopher Jacob Peterson, 19, Aitkin, died Friday, Jan. 28, 2000, as the result of an automobile accident in Brooklyn Center.

Joe L. Brumberg
Joe L. Brumberg, 81, Brainerd, died today, Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at Woodhaven Senior Community Center of Brainerd.

Chad J. Berg
CROSBY -- Chad Joseph Berg, 18, Crosby, died Friday, Jan. 28, 2000, as a result of an automobile accident in Brooklyn Center.

Edward R. Bates
LITTLE FALLS -- Edward R. Bates, 89, Little Falls, formerly of Randall, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, at Lutheran Care Center of Little Falls.

Charles J. Walker
PINE RIVER -- Charles Jonas Walker, 78, Pine River, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, at Country Care Homes in Pequot Lakes.

Lonnie 'Russ' Anderson
Lonnie "Russ" Russell Anderson, 61, Brainerd, died Thursday, Jan. 27, 2000, at his home.

Donald M. Barnes
AITKIN -- Donald McLeod Barnes, 78, Aitkin, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, at Riverwood Medical Center.

Floyd Sonnenberg
LEADER -- Floyd Sonnenberg, 81, Leader, died today, Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2000, at Greater Staples Hospital.

Imogene G. Elms
Imogene G. Elms, 78, 2106 Spruce Drive No. 117, Brainerd, died Saturday, Jan. 29, 2000, in Baxter.

Gladys 'Gladie' Otness
Gladys "Gladie" Otness, 75, Brainerd, died today, Monday, Jan. 31, 2000, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.

The value of endurance
LEBANON, N.H.--Al Gore is no match for his political mentor, Bill Clinton, when it comes to oratory or empathy. But he has absorbed one lesson from the president that serves him well in his quest for the White House. He has learned the value of endurance.

Crunch time
MANCHESTER, N.H. -- For the two insurgents whose rise has reshaped the race for the presidency, this is crunch time.

Halftime bore - Dispatch Editorial
Excess is the National Football League's standard mode of operation when it comes to the Super Bowl.

Rollback of voting rights
The following editorial appeared in Monday's Washington Post:

Marriage penalty
WASHINGTON -- Here's a real test of whether Congress can avoid the do-nothing label and get any laws written in this election year: Can it pass a bill that's a top priority for Republicans, endorsed by President Clinton in his State of the Union address and favored by oodles of Democrats?

Hillary Clinton - Dispatch Editorial
The once bright political prospects of first lady Hillary Clinton have taken a considerable plunge since she first hinted she would run for the U.S. Senate in New York.

Open Forum
Brainerd had a unique pride in its pure drinking water before Feb. 7, 1980. As the 20th anniversary of Brainerd's submission to Minnesota's forced fluoridation law approaches, evidence continues to mount against polluting public water supplies with hazardous industrial waste fluorides.

BHS beats Spuds First boys' triumph since '90-91
Even though it's winter, a drought ended at the Brainerd Area Civic Center on Saturday night.

CLC women win 11th in row
VIRGINIA -- The Central Lakes Raiders women's basketball team extended its win streak to 11 by defeating the Mesabi Range Lady Norse 61-55 in overtime Saturday in a Northern Division game.

Resort owners tell Kinkel that perch limits would hurt them
CASS LAKE (AP) -- Northern Minnesota resort owners told a state lawmaker Monday that a Department of Natural Resources proposal to lower the yellow perch limit would ruin their businesses.

Scoreboard
Boys Basketball

Area events Monday
Gymnastics

Thunderhawks defeat Flyer girls 54-43
LITTLE FALLS -- The Little Falls Flyers girls' basketball team was defeated 54-43 by the Grand Rapids Thunderhawks in a non-conference matchup Saturday afternoon.

Think golf Area courses are making some changes
With income tax season upon us and with some of us due refunds it's time to think spring. And, in the Brainerd lakes area, it's time to think golf.

Warrior girls suffer loss
As its schedule has become more competitive the Brainerd Warriors girls' hockey team has run into a roadblock.

Even Malone milestone can't upstage Garnett
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Karl Malone will reflect on his individual accomplishments when he's finished playing. That is, while the rest of the NBA contends with a peaking Kevin Garnett.

Local shorts
LITTLE FALLS -- Adam Youngman of Baxter finished second following two days of biathlon competition at Camp Ripley.

Even against Northwestern, Gophers forced to struggle to hold on for win
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Even when the opponent is on a nine-game losing streak, Minnesota can't seem to put the game away after jumping to a big lead.

Jackson has triple-double
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Bobby Jackson played like he was still starring for the University of Minnesota.

Raider men rally for 10th win
VIRGINIA -- The Central Lakes College Raiders men's basketball team defeated the Mesabi Range Norse 76-64 Saturday in a Northern Division game.

Boxers back in action
Golden Gloves Boxing returned to the Brainerd area with a card Saturday night at Crosby-Ironton High School.

McGregor victimized by player's 61-point effort
MOOSE LAKE (AP) -- Brian Jamros launched 3-pointers, broke away for layups and slammed home dunks on the way to scoring 61 points in Moose Lake-Willow River's 86-38 win over McGregor.

Twins sign Huskey to minor league contract
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Outfielder Butch Huskey, let go by Boston last month, agreed Monday to a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.

Local shorts
Brainerd High School and Central Lakes College graduate Angie Swanson scored 33 points but the Minnesota-Crookston Golden Eagles women's basketball team lost 83-55 to Bemidji State in NSIC play Saturday night.

Warrior gymnasts defeat Sartell
SARTELL -- The Brainerd Warriors gymnastics team finished its Central Lakes Conference dual-meet season Monday night with a 141 to 134.45 win over the Sartell Sabres.

Brainerd forecast
Tonight...Clear. Lows 3 to 8 above. Light winds.

Around the region
Alexandria 25 18 .00

Around the world
Amsterdam 49 47 cdy

Around the nation
Albany,N.Y. 26 21 .47 cdy

Ice storm barrels across East
BALTIMORE -- Tens of thousands of homes still had no electricity today in the aftermath of a storm that spread a heavy glaze of ice on power lines and tree limbs from Georgia to New York.

Snow front hits New England
The nasty cold front that pummeled the Southeast last week inched toward New England early today, leaving behind clouds and blustery winds. Snow and rain moved over the Pacific Northwest.

Deer tracks
Weather drawing by Kim Carper of Mrs. Hines' third grade class at Baxter school.

Brainerd forecast
Tonight -- Partly cloudy. Lows near zero. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Lots of fish in the sea
Weather drawing by Erin LePage in the Lowell School third-grade class of Mrs. Wig.

Around the nation
Albany,N.Y. 33 18 cdy

Helpful system
Dear Heloise: I've been using a system that others might find helpful. At the beginning of each month, I choose birthday and anniversary cards for those I wish to remember.

Minority organ donors need to keep healthy
DEAR ABBY: For many years, there has been much discussion about the need for more organ/tissue donors. The death of the Chicago Bears football great Walter Payton, who had a rare liver disease that could have been treated if an organ had been found and a liver transplant performed early on, should heighten awareness. With this particular disease, if an organ is not found and a liver transplant is not performed, the disease can result in cancer, at which time a person cannot receive a transplant.

What's doing
Brainerd American Legion will have a steak fry from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday at the Legion. Cost: $7.

Names and faces
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Steven Spielberg isn't talking about his latest honor -- the Directors Guild of America's Lifetime Achievement Award.