Thursday, February 5, 2004
SUVs offer no advantage in winter wonderland
SUVs can be seen everywhere these days, plowing through snow drifts and gliding with authority over icy roads.
Unreserved fund balance increases
Additional contract settlement costs in the Brainerd School District, coupled with no increase in revenue from the state, increased the 2003-04 unreserved fund balance since its adoption last June.
District faces $2.9 million in budget cuts
Not replacing seven teaching positions in the Brainerd School District could be one way the district will deal with $2.9 million in cuts for the 2004-05 school year.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Wednesday 68, a year ago 122.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle: 500. Last Wednesday: 454. Year Ago Wednesday: 760. Tuesday actual: 547.
Contact your state lawmakers
Area legislators and how to contact them.
Accident
IRONTON -- One person was critically injured in a single-vehicle rollover Tuesday on Highway 210, one mile west of Ironton.
Births
Jim and Denise (Knopik) Krych, Pierz, a girl, Trista Lynn, 7 pounds, 3 ounces, Jan. 14, 2004. Grandparents are Pauline Krych, Harding, and the late Frank Krych, and Henry and Eleanor Knopik, Little Falls, and the late Celia Knopik.
Area brief
CROSBY -- The Arthritis Foundation aquatic program is a recreational program that provides the opportunity for people with arthritis to meet others who also have arthritis and to have fun.
It's a short hop from Adelaide to Kangaroo Island
I don't believe in reincarnation, but if I did Adelaide, Australia, would be the place I would request to live during my second life span. (My wife suggests I would probably merit New Jersey but that's another story.)
Cass to continue dangerous animals appeals board
WALKER -- The Cass County Board voted Tuesday to petition for a subordinate sewer district status for Shingobee Island Sewer District, a step required before turning the district over to Shingobee Township.
Area briefs
GARRISON -- Garrison Dollars for Scholars, sponsored by the Garrison Lions, offers seven $1,000 scholarships to high school seniors graduating in 2004.
Cass timeline for highway projects listed
WALKER -- Assistant Highway Construction Engineer Jon Large reported Tuesday to Cass County commissioners on the timetable he expects for the 2004 and 2005 highway construction seasons.
Cass to help fund part-time consultant for JOBZ program
WALKER -- The Cass County Board gave $15,000 to the Cass County Economic Development Corp. Tuesday to help fund a part-time consultant to answer inquiries from the public about developing businesses in JOBZ zones.
Let it Snow!
BREEZY POINT -- It may seem that Mother Nature has been playing a cruel prank on Dave and Diane North, owners of Primetime Snow Tubing in Breezy Point.
Students with dance, cheerleading experience form CLC dance team
Home basketball games at Central Lakes College in Brainerd now offer a new dimension borrowed from high schools. It's the Raider Dance Team.
Cass won't expand courthouse in near future
WALKER -- The Cass County Board Tuesday approved a capital improvement plan calling for no building expansion at the courthouse site in the immediate future.
Central Lakes College doing its part to help meet state's critical demand for nurses
Central Lakes College is among institutions in Minnesota reporting progress toward meeting a health-care crisis in the state.
Nine Eagle Scouts honored in Brainerd
Nine Eagle Scouts were honored Saturday at the Pine Tree District of the Central Minnesota Council Boy Scouts of America's Volunteer and Eagle Scout Recognition Dinner at the Brainerd Elks Lodge.
Construction permit numbers reflect Cass growth
WALKER -- While land use permits for new construction leveled off in 2003, the number of permits issued for changes to existing properties continued to rise, Cass County Environmental Services Director Paul Fairbanks reported Tuesday to the county board.
MIRACULOUS MEMORY
All-American defenseman at the University of Minnesota.
Whipping across Whipple
An angler towed a sled, filled with fishing gear, off Whipple Lake Tuesday night.
Award winner
A retreat in Breezy Point garnered national awards for a Baxter building firm. Look for the story Friday in the Housing section.
Local briefs
LITTLE FALLS -- The Little Falls School District will have a business manager on board beginning March 1.
Initiative Foundation workshop set
LITTLE FALLS -- The Initiative Foundation is hosting a workshop highlighting how local governments can work together to provide more effective and cost-effective public services.
Fire destroys house
Brainerd firefighters, with an assist from the Ironton Fire Department, responded to a house fire at 3:12 p.m.
No citations issued in bus, pickup collision
NISSWA -- A Nisswa man injured after his pickup collided with a Pequot Lakes school bus Wednesday was treated at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd and released.
Local briefs
Two sophomore girls accused of making a bomb threat Jan. 12 at Brainerd High School waived their rights to a hearing, it was learned Wednesday.
Slippery slope
Lincoln Elementary School Ecology Club members raced down a hill on sleds Monday at Brainerd High School.
Local briefs
AITKIN -- Rep. Loren Solberg, DFL-Grand Rapids, and Sen. Tom Saxhaug, DFL-Grand Rapids, have scheduled two town meetings.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1984) - Brainerd High School swimmers recorded their first triumph over St. Cloud Tech since 1974, 93-79 in a Central Lakes Conference dual meet Friday night.
Baxter council backs sales tax option
BAXTER -- The Baxter City Council Tuesday passed a resolution in support of a local option sales tax.
Pickup, school bus collide
A pickup collided with a Pequot Lakes school bus early Wednesday on East Cullen Road in Nisswa, injuring the driver of the pickup. No students on the bus were injured.
Baxter puts definite limits on snowmobilers in city
BAXTER -- Baxter now has an ordinance amendment concerning where snowmobiles may travel within the city.
Panel reviews 20 pages of Brainerd's comprehensive plan
Members of Brainerd's Planning Advisory Committee plowed through about 20 pages of the proposed comprehensive plan Wednesday, hitting on such subjects as economic development, transportation and land use.
No one attends first master plan meeting
BREEZY POINT -- It was a no show Tuesday at Breezy Point City Hall for Crow Wing County's first of four public meetings to discuss its 20-year building master plan.
Randall State Bank broken into
RANDALL -- The Morrison County Sheriff's Department reported the Randall State Bank was broken into sometime late Tuesday or early Wednesday.
Correction
The name of a 7-year-old girl injured in a snowmobile accident Sunday in Morrison County should have been listed as Vanessa Block.
Cass Lake man shot at casino
CASS LAKE -- A 24-year-old man was shot in the leg early Wednesday near the Palace Casino in Cass Lake.
East Gull Lake awaits documents
The East Gull Lake City Council will meet in a special session later this month to check bid documents for the proposed sewer expansion.
Correction
A Page 1A story Wednesday should have stated the pickup that collided with the bus on East Cullen Road initially struck a vehicle that was driving out of a driveway.
Administrative citation program advances
BAXTER -- Baxter is a step away from implementing an ordinance creating administrative citations for various violations within the city, including traffic tickets.
Conservation collaborative forms to protect state's natural resources
The Brainerd Lakes Area Conservation Collaborative is a coalition of private conservation organizations and local and state agencies.
This was Brainerd
FEBRUARY 4 - 20 years ago (1984) - Zion Lutheran Church officials burned their mortgage in a Thanksgiving Service last month. It represented completion of the $170,000 project begun in 1963.
Cass continues to work on jail
WALKER -- Joan Fabian, Minnesota Department of Corrections commissioner, was willing to listen to Cass County's jail partnering proposal in a recent meeting with Cass officials, but not willing to commit to any concept at this time, said Cass Administrator Robert Yochum.
Cass look at use of facilities
WALKER -- Cass County's boat and water safety program finally has its own building to store boats, trailers and related equipment.
Ellsworth A. Johnson
NISSWA -- Ellsworth A. Johnson, 89, Nisswa, died on Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.
Sophia (Bursch) Nelson
WACONIA -- Sophia (Bursch) Nelson, age 78, of Waconia, Minn., formerly of Royalton, Minn., passed away Saturday, Jan. 31, 2004, at Waconia Good Samaritan Care Center.
Phyllis King
PEQUOT LAKES -- Phyllis King, age 79, of Pequot Lakes, died Feb. 2, 2004, at her home. Services will be Thursday at 3 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Crosslake with the Rev. Ray Larson officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. A memorial service will be held at the Utica Presbyterian Church at a later date. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Crosslake.
Henry 'Hank' Goble
REMER -- Henry "Hank" Goble, age 89 of Remer, Minn., died Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2004, at the Homestead Nursing Home in Deer River, Minn.
Barbara Stum
NOKAY LAKE -- Barbara Stum, age 57, of Nokay Lake, died Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at her home. Barbara was born on Sept. 24, 1947, in St. Paul to William and Margaret (Pankrantz) Ogrosky. She graduated from North St. Paul High Sch
Sister Mary D. Belanger
LITTLE FALLS -- Sister Mary Delphine Belanger, age 91, of the St. Francis Convent in Little Falls passed away Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at Clare Resident at the St. Francis Convent. Arrangements are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, Minn.
Doris M. Shortridge
Doris M. Shortridge, age 81, resident of Brainerd, died Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. Doris was born Sept. 23, 1922, in International Falls to Otto and Mae (Paulsen) Radke. She had been a Brainerd area resident for more than 47 years and had been active in the American Legion Auxiliary and the Brainerd Country Club.
Oscar Sather
STAPLES -- Oscar Sather, age 98, of Staples, died Tuesday evening, Feb. 3, 2004, at the Staples Hospital. Memorial services will be held on Saturday morning at 11 a.m. in Faith Lutheran Church in Staples with the Rev. Stephen Sveom officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Hill Cemetery in Staples.
Peter J. Hanowski
LITTLE FALLS -- Peter J. Hanowski, age 71, a lifelong resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at St. Otto's Care Center.
Obit Policy
Obituaries are a paid service of The Brainerd Dispatch Advertising Department and also appear online. Obituary notices will be charged at $10 per column inch, exclusive of the first 4 inches, which will be printed at no charge.
Elaine H. Brauch
STAPLES -- Mass of Christian Burial for Elaine H. Brauch will be Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Staples. Visitation will be Wednesday at Brenny Funeral Chapel in Staples from 4-8 p.m.
William 'Glen' Oppelt
CROSBY -- William "Glen" Oppelt, age 80, of Crosby, died on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004, at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.
Gary G. McKay
PORTLAND -- Gary G. McKay, 62, died Jan. 30, 2004. He was born Oct. 26, 1941, in Brainerd, Minn., to Peter and Mardell McKay. He graduated in 1960 from Brainerd High School. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. In 1969, he married Suzanne Goodson.
Phyllis King
PEQUOT LAKES -- Phyllis King, age 79, of Pequot Lakes, died Feb. 2, 2004, at her home. Phyllis was born on July 13, 1924, in Long Prairie to Theodore and Ruth (Bain) Nelson. She graduated from Clarissa High School in 1942.
Hilda M. Bauer
Hilda M. Bauer, age 101, of Brainerd, died Feb. 1, 2004, at the Presbyterian Home in Arden Hills. She was born July 25, 1902, in Staunton, Ill., to Henry and Elisabeth Trams. She and her husband owned and ran a resort for many years at Crosslake.
Marne Nagel
PIERZ -- Marne Nagel, age 80 of Pierz, Minn., passed away today, Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004, at St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud. Funeral arrangements are pending with the Shelley-Virnig Funeral Chapel in Pierz, Minn.
Theodore P. Lampert
ELMDALE -- Theodore P. Lampert, age 72, of Elmdale, Minn., passed away Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Lois M. Stortroen
BEMIDJI -- Lois M. Stortroen, age 88, of Bemidji, Minn., died Monday, Feb. 2, 2004, at North Country Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Bemidji. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, 2004 at the First Presbyterian Church, Bemidji, with the Rev. Jack High officiating.
Oscar Sather
STAPLES -- Oscar Sather, age 98, of Staples, died Tuesday night, Feb. 3, 2004, at his home. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Home of Staples.
Richard 'Dick' Codner
CORDES LAKES, Ariz. -- Richard "Dick" Codner, age 67, of Cordes Lakes, Ariz., and formerly of Pine River, passed away Jan. 31, 2004, in Prescott, Ariz. He was born May 3, 1936, in Pine River to William and Viola (Ghorst) Codner. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Flora E. (Scheffler) Jewell
BATTLE GROUND, Wash. -- Flora E. (Scheffler) Jewell, 84, died Dec. 31, 2003, at her home. She was born Aug. 18, 1919, to Fred and Hilma Scheffler at Gackle, N.D. They moved to Ross Lake Township near Aitkin.
Vox Pop
Valerie Plame and the agents she worked with have been revealed, put at danger, and no investigation yet. But the feds will jump right on to investigate Janet's breast. Our moral fiber is in danger here.
Open Forum
We're writing in response to the article concerning the Falls Ballroom. We feel the following points should have been included in the report. The norovirus is a very common and highly contagious virus. There were at least 30-45 other outbreaks throughout the state at the same time.
Building a buffer - Dispatch Editorial
One of the pleasures of welcoming new neighbors to Brainerd or Baxter is watching their puzzlement when they inquire about what sounds like far-off thunder on a clear, summer day.
Sexual exploitation as entertainment
Dear Girls,
The Brainerd Dispatch's opinions
Editorial views in The Brainerd Dispatch represent a consensus of opinion by members of the newspaper's editorial board.
Open Forum
Democrats are busy trying to find the best candidate for president.
Deserving honor
As a rule, most auditors don't like surprises. Surprises in budgets cause problems and muss up a system that's designed to be orderly, efficient and methodical.
CLC women lose to Hibbing for first time in 14 seasons
Throughout his career, Central Lakes College Raiders women's basketball coach Dennis Eastman could always count on one thing: Beating the Hibbing Cardinals.
Tibbetts, Aitkin pin Mille Lacs
ONAMIA -- Junior Korey Tibbetts' 53-second pin at 112 pounds put Aitkin ahead 15-12 and the Gobblers rolled to a 40-24 victory over the Mille Lacs Raiders in non-conference wrestling Tuesday.
Apollo girls shut out Little Falls, 8-0
LITTLE FALLS -- The Little Falls Flyers managed only two shots on goal and lost 8-0 to the St. Cloud Apollo Eagles in Central Lakes Conference girls' hockey Tuesday.
Sports shorts
Ski Gull hosted the fifth race of the Northland Junior Alpine Series Sunday.
Area events Thursday
BOYS BASKETBALL
Murray, Neu reach 100 points as Wolverines continue dominance
WADENA -- Kyle Timm recorded a shutout and Andrew Murray and Tyler Neu both reached 100 career points, helping the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines boys' hockey team remain undefeated and stay atop the Section 4, Class 1A standings with a 4-0 victory over Fergus Falls Tuesday.
Sports shorts
The Tony Jelacie Memorial Hockey Tournament is set for Friday through Sunday at Brainerd Area Civic Center.
Brever, Cardinals corral Patriots
STAPLES -- Chad Brever scored 25 points to lead the Staples-Motley Cardinals to a 70-45 Mid-State Conference boys' basketball victory over the Pequot Lakes Patriots Tuesday.
Scoreboard
NORDIC SKIING
Blunted Sabres
After a number of games earlier in the season in which Brainerd Warriors girls' hockey goalie Val Benjamin bailed out the defense, the favor was returned Tuesday.
BHS not sending any Alpine skiers to state
For the first time since the 1993-94 season the Brainerd Warriors aren't sending any individual to the state Alpine ski meet next week in Giants Ridge.
BHS teams take second
Seven Brainerd Nordic skiers qualified for state and the Warrior girls' and boys' teams were runners-up Wednesday in the Section 8 meet at Maple Lag near Detroit Lakes.
Raider men sprint to 8th straight win
Don't blink or you might miss the Central Lakes College Raiders men's basketball team.
Tower of power
Sam Sussenguth was an eye sore for the Brainerd Warriors boys' basketball team.
Sports shorts
The Brainerd Family YMCA is accepting registration for a motivational fitness challenge called Fitness Team 2004.
BHS finally gets an easy one
The Brainerd Warriors boys' hockey team hasn't had many breathers this season, beating just two opponents by at least five goals.
Thiel scores six goals in loss
BLOOMINGTON -- Senior wing Adam Thiel scored six of the Brainerd Warriors' eight goals but South Suburban's adapted floor hockey team turned things around in the third period, scoring seven goals, to pull out a 9-8 victory Tuesday.
Turnover-plagued BHS girls routed by Willmar
WILLMAR -- The Brainerd Warriors girls' basketball team turned the ball over 32 times, leading to a 58-32 loss to Class 3A's eighth-ranked Willmar Cardinals in Central Lakes Conference action Tuesday.
Wolverines take out frustrations on Frazee
WADENA -- Andrea Helmrichs' 18 points and Kasey Theisen's 17 lifted the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines girls' basketball to its second victory of the season Tuesday, beating Frazee 61-38.
Snow days
Chris Woodard is one of many Nordic skiers who are, for the first time in years, capitalizing on an abundance of snow.
Crosby man's photos are on display at Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland
Six photographs by Tom Smith of Crosby have been accepted and are on display at the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame & Museum in Cleveland. Smith donated two 11x14 photos each of The Clash, The Police and Elvis Costello, all of whom were inducted last year.
Aitkin choirs to present Classics Concert Sunday
AITKIN -- Aitkin High School's choral groups will present their annual Classics Concert at 7 p.m. Sunday in the high school auditorium, directed by Bryan Johnson and Kelly Blake.
Dobson testing his acting skills
Brainerd High School senior Adam Dobson planned to go into computer programming after high school graduation.
Addington's vocal skills carry his solo debut
Struggling young songwriters are supposed to be angry at their lot in life or the current state of American politics (or, as a third alternative, they can simply be weird), but Eric Addington apparently never got the handbook.
Entries sought for Staples Rotary Arts and Crafts Show
STAPLES -- Pre-registrations are being accepted for the 40th annual Staples Rotary Arts and Crafts Show, set April 22-25 in the lobby of Centennial Auditorium.
Entertainment guide
For week of Feb. 5-11; bands perform from 9 p.m. to close with no cover unless otherwise noted.
Best bets
The comedy juggling team performs at 7 p.m. Friday at Centennial Auditorium in Staples. Tickets are $5 to $10.
Art Stevenson and Highwater to give bluegrass concert at nature learning center
Art Stevenson and Highwater will be the featured artists at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Paul Bunyan Nature Learning Center, 7187 Wise Road.
BHS orchestras to give benefit concert for Kinship Partners
The Brainerd High School orchestras will present a benefit concert for the Brainerd Kinship Partners Program at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Tornstrom Auditorium, Washington Middle School, Brainerd.
Scenic
Bryn Williams of Staples trudged through the snow in Staples.
Miss Nisswa 2003 shares highlights of past year
The Miss Nisswa Scholarship Pageant will be 7 p.m. Friday at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa.
Area briefs
PINE RIVER -- To celebrate Pine River-Backus High School's Sno Daze, Samantha "Sami" Dare, a hypnotist, will give a program at the school for students and the general public Feb. 13.
Nisswa Lions and Legion donate firearm
NISSWA -- The Nisswa Lions and Nisswa American Legion have provided an enhanced firearm to Sgt. Tim Holmes of the Nisswa Police Department.
State forecast for South Dakota
Winter storm watch tonight and thursday extreme southeast...
State forecast for Iowa
Winter storm warning for portions of southwest iowa this
State forecast for North Dakota
This afternoon...Becoming cloudy from south to north. Patchy fog
Wisconsin state forecast
Winter storm warning much of south and east wisconsin tonight through friday afternoon...
State forecast for iowa
...Winter weather advisory today through friday morning west and
State forecast for minnesota
BYLINE3:910 am cst thu feb 5 2004
Snowflakes
Weather drawing by Ryen Christiansen of Mrs. Surma's third grade class at Baxter school.
State forecast for north dakota
.Today...A chance of light snow south central and east. Highs 15 to
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs teens northwest to low 20s southeast.
Big flakes
Weather drawing by Dylan Scarlett of Jan Wilcox's kindergarten class at Lowell school.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Areas of light snow southwest. Increasing clouds central.
State forecast for south dakota
Winter storm warning southeast through tonight...