Friday, February 15, 2002
2002 BMW has built-in high-tech appeal
Technology buffs, BMW has the car for you.
Ford recalls cars with fire risk; Chrysler recalls Jeeps
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. is recalling 640,975 cars because a problem in the engine cooling system can start a fire under the hood.
Ernie's on Gull site of radar run Feb. 23
Ernie's on Gull Lake will be deja vu for snowmobile enthusiasts who want to feel the need for speed on Feb. 23.
Ford's Focus faces tough competition
Intended to gradually replace the aged and mediocre Escort, Ford's Focus didn't have a very tough act to follow when it went on sale in Europe as a 1999 model and in the United States for 2000. But it did have some tough competition, both here and abroad. And it still does.
2002 Audi S6 Avant: A cut above
Some people live without compromise. They usually are rich, or impoverished. The rich have the wherewithal to buy or do almost anything. But some independent people are poor by design. They eschew acquisition in pursuit of freedom and couldn't care less about things such as the 2002 Audi S6 Avant wagon.
U of M president's wife becomes the first female to head Conservative Jewish group
WASHINGTON -- Judy Yudof takes over as the first female president of a group representing 800 Conservative Jewish synagogues as it seeks to better define its position between the strict Orthodox and more lenient Reform.
Bridges of Hope
Something is afoot in the lakes area that its charter members are calling a movement.
Of bumper stickers and chrome fish
How many times have you been driving down the freeway, doing the speed limit of course, and suddenly a vehicle screams past you in the fast lane (at least 10 miles an hour faster than you) and the last thing you see as it disappears into the distance is a chrome fish or bumper sticker proclaiming "Jesus Is Lord?"
Bob Jones University looks to recruit minorities
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- Bob Jones University, the fundamentalist Christian school that banned interracial dating up until two years ago, is recruiting minorities in hopes of shaking its racist image.
Churches
Rob Rasmussen will give a presentation, "Hatha Yoga: Bo
Mormon church responds to negative media coverage
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A Mormon official called media coverage of the church biased and sloppy in an open letter sent Wednesday to reporters covering the 2002 Winter Games.
Conservatives poised to win the latest Presbyterian fight over actively gay clergy
The voting will run nearly until Easter, but any day now conservatives will win a big victory in a fight over actively homosexual clergy that has bitterly divided the 3.6-million-member Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Let your children learn from their own mistakes
QUESTION: My children love to do things for themselves, but they make such messes that it's easier for me to do the things for them. I just don't have the patience to see them fumble with stuff. Do you think I'm wrong to step in?
Daughter afraid to speak out about man's lewdness
DEAR ABBY: I have a big problem. My mother has a boyfriend who just got out of prison. He was incarcerated for aggravated sexual assault on a child.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Thursday 386, a year ago 222.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle: 500.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Wednesday 51, a year ago 399.
Celebrate with a romantic dinner for two
Valentines, chocolates in a pretty heart-shaped box, roses, hugs and kisses all go along with the theme for Valentine's Day.
Americans enjoy their pizza and ice cream
Bon Appetit reveals results of annual reader survey
Tips to work with gelatin
HYDE PARK, N.Y. (AP) -- In the United States, gelatin was first made in Massachusetts in 1808. However, the earliest commercial manufacturing of gelatin was in The Netherlands around 1681, and gelatin is often cited as the first functional food.
Italian dish can be ready in just 30 minutes
Italian ingredients lend their dash to this colorful and filling entree, which can be ready to eat in about 30 minutes.
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Wednesday.
Correction
An accident on Page 5A Wednesday was repor
Crimes
THEFT -- Mickey Larson, Nisswa, reported Thursday $1,285 in fishing equipment was stolen from two fish houses on Lower Cullen Lake.
School lunch menus
BRAINERD/PILLAGER
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Thursday.
Court
WALKER -- One of three young men accused of shooting at motorists on Highway 371 just north of Pine River Nov. 20 was recently sentenced in Cass County Court.
Bush issues ominous warning to Saddam, Iraq
WASHINGTON -- President Bush issued an ominous warning to Saddam Hussein on Wednesday, saying the Iraqi president "needs to understand I am serious" about launching pre-emptive strikes beyond Afghanistan to eliminate terrorist threats against the United States.
Walz bill would aid memorial fund
State Rep. Dale Walz, R-Brainerd, is sponsoring legislation that would allow a check-off on Minnesota income and property tax returns to benefit a peace officers and firefighters memorial and survivors fund.
Bush unveiling limited global warming plan
WASHINGTON -- In announcing Thursday his strategy for combating global climate change, President Bush is expected to shift the U.S. objective from reducing greenhouse gas emissions to merely limiting their growth.
Johnson thinks about Congress
WILLMAR (AP) -- State Sen. Dean Johnson spoke with U.S. House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt this week about the possibility of running for Congress against Rep. Mark Kennedy.
Cat cloned in Texas
WASHINGTON -- Researchers in Texas on Thursday said they had produced the first-ever cat through cloning, a button-cute, domestic short-haired kitten named CC for "carbon copy."
Kuepers gains log home award
Kuepers Construction Inc., Baxter, received the Wilderness Log Home's 2001 House of the Year award.
Advocates for disabled win victories in fight for 'visitability' standards
NAPERVILLE, Ill. -- It's a matter of doorways a few inches wider and bathroom walls a little sturdier, nothing most people are likely to notice.
Protecting water fuels citizen trip
Lake country residents from Brainerd to Walker will have an opportunity to talk to their state representatives about protecting the state's water.
Design K-5 tries to accommodate modern realities
A front entrance communicates important information about the purpose of a home and the people inside. In Design K-5, an elegant porch, double front doors and spacious foyer create a highly ceremonial entry. This is a design that will appeal to folks who like formality and tradition.
Preserving a community's history
Oakwood, Ohio, resident Andy Pruitt has these suggestions for restoring a historic home:
Send waste water from washer, kitchen sink to proper place
Q. Gracie asks: The waste water from the clothes washer and kitchen sink drain onto the floor of the garage or into the back yard through a pipe on the exterior of the home-kitchen wall. This pipe was broken prior to moving in and remains open. Should I call a plumber?
Dig into a garden journal
A journal can be a gardener's best friend, second only to a good pair of clippers. Here are a dozen tips for creating a journal that works as well as you do.
Pineapple plant brings tropics up north
A fresh pineapple fruit brings a bit of the tropics into your home. And the plant will keep it there long after you've taken your last bite of the fruit.
Add conversation pieces to your home
Add flair to home decor with something unique -- or at least unusual. Human ingenuity continues to provide new ideas from unexpected sources:
Estate home has stately elements
Plan K-5, a modest-sized estate home by the Homestore Plans and Publications Designers Network, has country appeal and an impressive interior. Its floor plan covers 2,367 square feet of living space.
Make traps for houseplant pests
Make cheap, effective and environmentally safe traps for houseplant pests by using bright yellow cardboard or plastic cut from margarine tubs, detergent bottles, etc., says the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service.
Housing briefs
BAXTER -- Brent Gunsbury and Duane Przybilla of Bercher Design & Construction, Baxter, recently attended the nation's largest home building show, the International Builders Show in Atlanta.
Home sales, apartment market seem to be surviving in Houston despite Enron's collapse
HOUSTON (AP) -- Enron Corp.'s bankruptcy and subsequent layoffs have not led to a surge in "For Sale" or "For Rent" signs on the Houston landscape, real estate watchers say.
Modern design popular
By any measure, modern design -- circa 1950-1960 -- is riding high.
County issues fewer building permits
Construction in Crow Wing County was constant last year, but the number of building permits issued was down 12 percent compared with 2000.
Get control of weeds on your property
Workshops titled "Getting Control of Weeds on Your Property" will be held in Wadena and Pine River.
Home office
Technology is a beautiful thing.
Bee attacks facts
We're outdoors a lot -- in the yard, on picnics, hiking and camping. Those are places where it's easy to accidentally disturb a beehive.
Local briefs
Eight-hour defensive driving classes will be offered at the Lakes Area Training Center.
Breezy Point house fire
Pequot Lakes firefighters responded at 2:43 p.m. Wednesday to a house fire at 30420 North Pinewood Drive in Breezy Point. The fire destroyed much of the interior of the home. The owner, Dale Granley, wasn't at home at the time of the fire.
On tour
Queen Val Ranney and King Art Koland toured the dining area at Brainerd Manor after being crowned Valentine's Day King and Queen Thursday. Dora Soucie was named princess and Jim Vodicka was crowned prince. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)
Local briefs
The Brainerd Family YMCA will host a dance for eighth- and ninth-graders starting at 8 p.m. Friday at the YMCA.
Walker area frets about possible loss of Ah-Gwah-Ching
WALKER (AP) -- Residents here are worried about the possible closure of the state's only acute psychiatric nursing home, which could happen under Gov. Jesse Ventura's plan to fix a nearly $2 billion state budget deficit.
Salute to America
Franklin Junior High School choir members Hannah Cooper (left) and Sara Huber were part of a 300-member combined choir, band and orchestra that performed "God Bless America" as the closing number in a ninth-grade music program this morning in the school auditorium.
Contact your legislators
Rep. Dale Walz, R-Brainerd, District 12A
Fishing fun
Youths competing in the recent On Ice Olympics on Gull Lake learned ice fishing can be fun. Look for the story Sunday in North Country.
Investigators struggle to ID burn victims
WALKER -- Investigators are still working to identify two people whose bodies were found in a burned-out Longville home Feb. 7.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1982) - "Babe," Paul Bunyan's closest friend, may face a cold winter and spring, courtesy of a thief who took the legendary Ox's blanket.
In memory of HART founder, family, friends set up fund for animals to be spayed, neutered
Donna Wambeke, president of Heartland Animal Rescue Team, remembers the first time she met HART founder Vicki Peterson in 1987.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1982)-The Brainerd Kixters took second place in Class AAA of the Minnesota Association of Dancelines 8th annual competition held Saturday at St. Cloud State University.
Lawmakers hone in on possible probe of Global Crossing
WASHINGTON -- Interest is building on Capitol Hill for an investigation into the business and accounting practices that steered telecommunications pioneer Global Crossing Ltd. into bankruptcy, stranding workers and investors with worthless stock while company executives reaped huge financial rewards.
Powell condom comments cause stir
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Taking a step beyond the Bush administration, Secretary of State Colin Powell boldly encouraged the use of condoms by the sexually active during an interview with young MTV watchers from across the globe.
Amino acid levels may increase chances of Alzheimer's disease
Elevated levels of a specific amino acid in the blood appear to increase by as much as twofold a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, researchers reported Wednesday.
Two Marines killed in chopper crash
BRAWLEY, Calif. (AP) -- A Marine helicopter crashed during a training exercise in California's Chocolate Mountain Range, killing two Marines and injuring two others, military officials said.
Inquiring minds want to know
Don't let this dampen your Valentine's Day, but the fact is, scientists are still trying to figure out what's so great about sex.
Campaign spending bill passes
WASHINGTON -- Hours after the House passed the most significant campaign spending bill in a generation, Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle said the Senate was ready to take up the measure immediately and he would fight an expected filibuster.
SEC proposes tighter financial disclosure rules
NEW YORK -- Federal regulators proposed rules Wednesday that would force companies to disclose vast new amounts of financial information and to release that data much sooner to the public.
Teens running Internet scams on rise, law officials warn
MISSION VIEJO, Calif. (AP) -- Like a typical teen-ager, Cole Bartiromo played baseball and listened to rap music. He was also a whiz when it came to the Internet, but that got him in trouble with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Former CIA official, U.N. ambassador Walters dead
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Retired Lt. Gen. Vernon A. Walters, an aide to seven presidents and a U.S. ambassador to the United Nations and Germany, died. Sunday at 85.
Retired Gen. Trapnell, survivor of Bataan death march, dies at 99
FORT BELVOIR, Va. (AP) -- Thomas John Hall Trapnell, a survivor of the World War II Bataan death march, died Wednesday. He was 99.
Walgreen promises to curb tobacco sales to minors
Walgreen Co., the United States' biggest drug store chain, promised Wednesday to curb the sale of tobacco products to minors to settle charges that it was "an easy place" for children to buy cigarettes.
Washington briefs
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush, citing national security concerns and years of scientific studies, will approve Yucca Mountain in Nevada for long-term disposal of thousands of tons of highly radioactive commercial and government nuclear waste, administration officials say.
Enron exec feared for job, safety after she spoke up about questionable accounting
WASHINGTON --When Enron Corp. executive Sherron Watkins warned then-chairman Kenneth Lay last summer that the company's financial house of cards was set to collapse, she was nervous about her job security. Later, she feared for her personal safety and locked up her files.
Uncle Sam vs. Miss Cleo: Regulators take on psychic hot line for deceptive tactics
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Describing it as "permeated with fraud," the Federal Trade Commission has gone to court in an effort to shut down Miss Cleo's psychic hot line.
Industrial production shows signs of hope
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Industrial production edged down by just 0.1 percent in January, the best showing in six months, a sign that the nation's battered manufacturing sector may be pulling out of a long slump.
NBC figures everyone will stay tuned
SALT LAKE CITY -- Every summer night in the United States, blue-shirted arbiters make subjective decisions on rules that change from eye to eye.
Pairs controversy swirling
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- France's Olympic chief said the French figure skating judge was "manipulated" into voting for the Russians in the pairs competition, a stunning revelation in the sport's biggest scandal since Tonya and Nancy.
Miller makes up for downhill slip
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Bode Miller stormed back from 15th to a silver and Apolo Anton Ohno began his bid for four medals, there was no escaping the dominant story of these Winter Olympics: the judging scandal in pairs skating.
Fair is hardly the word for Olympic men's hockey
SALT LAKE CITY -- The second half of the half-baked Olympic men's hockey tournament begins Friday when the six national powers in the sport, their rosters swelled by the arrival of NHL stars, take the ice for the first time.
Peggy Jean Modler
MELROSE, Fla. -- Peggy Jean (Smith) Modler, 50, Melrose, Fla., formerly of Crosby, died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002, at the University of Florida Medical Center in Gainesville, Fla.
Annabelle Louise Loschko
NISSWA -- Annabelle Louise Loschko, infant daughter of Mark and Ellie Loschko, Nisswa, died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002, at St. Louis Children's Hospital in St. Louis.
Henry A. Peterson
Henry A. Peterson, 86, Brainerd, died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Johanna C. Wheeler
Johanna Carol Wheeler, 76, Brainerd, died today, Feb. 15, 2002, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Delbert Stoe
Delbert Stoe, 72, Brainerd, died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village.
Thomas Mezzenga
CROSSLAKE -- Thomas Mezzenga, 51, Crosslake, died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Viola B. Schneider
LITTLE FALLS -- Viola B. Schneider, 74, Little Falls, died Thursday, Feb. 14, 2002, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Cheryl L. Raper
STAPLES -- Cheryl L. Raper, 54, Staples, died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002, at the Greater Staples Hospital.
Sarah I. Altenbrun
ST. CLOUD -- Sarah I. Altenbrun, 85, St. Cloud, died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Daisy A. Uhrich
STAPLES -- Daisy A. Uhrich, 74, Staples, died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002, at home.
Anna Kostka
PINE RIVER -- Anna Kostka, 89, Pine River, died Jan. 22, 2002, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center.
Eugene A. Saari
McGREGOR -- Eugene A. Saari, 65, McGregor, died Monday, Feb. 11, 2002, at St. Luke's Hospital in Duluth.
Annabelle L. Loschko
NISSWA -- Annabelle L. Loschko, infant daughter of Mark and Ellie Loschko, Nisswa, died Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2002, at St. Louis Children's Hospital in St. Louis.
The doctor knows best
SALT LAKE CITY -- Strange as it sounds, Eric Heiden says the magnitude of his speedskating gold medal sweep at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Games hasn't yet sunk in.
Canadian officials ask for pairs skating gold
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Olympic figure skating controversy shifted to an international sports tribunal Friday after Canadian officials said silver medalists Jamie Sale and David Pelletier should be awarded a gold medal.
Goebel wins skating bronze
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Like an inversion above the Utah valley, the contentious debate over judging in the pairs figure skating lingered over the Olympics for a fourth day -- although it lifted a bit when U.S. skater Tim Goebel grabbed a well-deserved bronze.
Open Forum
I'm writing this letter in response to the Dear Abby column on Feb. 7. The rules of the new dating game? While I agree that women should do the
Stick a fork in Gore
WASHINGTON -- Former Vice President Al Gore's lurch into what he called "the national debate" is based on two flimsy premises. The first is that there is such a debate, and the second is that he has the political standing to take part.
Clear the way
Many Minnesotans have received unwelcome surprises in their mailboxes in the form of traffic citations for offenses they may be completely unaware of.
Scratch this idea
Triviality is no stranger to the Minnesota Legislature, where the blueberry muffin was designated as state muffin and the morel was tabbed the official state mushroom.
Westminster or bust
The following editorial appeared in Thursday's Washington Post:
Election reform moves to the Senate
The following editorial appeared in Friday's Washington Post:
Short-term solution might work
The following editorial ran in the Austin Daily Herald on Monday.
Vox Pop
Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. To call
Open Forum
The Woman's Right to Know bill is likely to pass both the Minnesota House and Senate during the current legislative session. This bill, sponsored by Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life, gives women the right to be informe
Gordon, Waltrip win
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- Two races, two very different levels of competition.
Robinson first woman in Daytona field in 25 years
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- When Mike Skinner slowed momentarily to change ignition boxes and inadvertently set off an eight-car accident just 11 laps into Thursday's second Twin 125-mile qualifying race for Sunday's Daytona 500, Shawna Robinson readied herself for disappointment.
Goodhue County considers smoking ban
RED WING (AP) -- Olmsted County officials told Goodhue County leaders that a no-smoking law took effect in their county with less commotion than expected.
Former LTV workers brace for loss of health benefits
HOYT LAKES (AP) -- Health benefits for about 600 laid-off workers of LTV Corp. run out at month's end.
Driver in fatal car-bus crash had heart attack
UTICA (AP) -- The driver of a car involved in a crash with a school bus Sunday suffered a heart attack, authorities said Thursday.
Stadium plan gets quick go-ahead in Senate
ST. PAUL -- St. Paul's plan for a new Minnesota Twins ballpark sailed through its first legislative committee Thursday during a hearing that demonstrated a warming stadium climate.
Pillsbury Bake-Off is corporate fight, too
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Just mention Bake-Off and Pillsbury comes to mind. Pillsbury even trademarked the word.
Court TV to highlight Duluth murder on forensic series
DULUTH (AP) -- The case of a man who was beaten, run over by a truck and had his body dumped in the St. Louis River has caught the attention of Court TV.
'A day dedicated to love': Couples married for free
ST. CLOUD -- Some of them wanted to save a little money. Some of them just needed a little push.
Poll: Minnesotans warming up to Dayton
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Mark Dayton has been in office a year, and Minnesotans appear to be warming to the job he's doing.
Care complaints rise in long-term care statewide
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Complaints about care at long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes, rose 35 percent last year, according to the ombudsman for older Minnesotans.
Tax collections suggest bad news ahead in next revenue forecast
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Lower Minnesota tax collections in January suggest that despite an improving national economy, a projected state budget deficit is likely to be worse than originally expected.
Judge to spend day presiding at free weddings
ST. CLOUD (AP) -- Judge Richard Ahles has married 638 couples in his days on the bench, but he's never devoted a full day to the task.
Dutcher hits campaign trail to become governor
ST. PAUL -- Campaign activity picked up Wednesday as a big test for gubernatorial candidates draws near.
Sen. Samuelson unveils economic stimulus plan
ST. PAUL -- A package of tax incentives designed to spur economic
Death of St. Louis Park police officer ruled suicide
ST. LOUIS PARK (AP) -- A St. Louis Park police officer who was found dead in his squad car in November killed himself, the Hennepin County medical examiner's office ruled.
Ventura restricts state hiring
ST. PAUL -- Gov. Jesse Ventura ordered his state agencies to hold off on hiring new workers on Thursday, saying he doesn't want jobs filled unless there is a critical or legal need.
Flyer boys end regular season with 6-2 victory over Willmar
LITTLE FALLS -- The Little Falls Flyers finished the regular season on a high note with a 6-2 boys' hockey victory over the Willmar Cardinals in Central lakes Conference play Thursday.
Warriors' seniors exit on happy note
Nine seniors capped their careers in a Brainerd Warriors boys' hockey uniform Thursday with an 8-1 victory over the Sartell Sabres.
Pierz boys roll to Valentine's Day massacre of Kimball
KIMBALL -- Even though it was Valentine's Day, the Pierz Pioneers showed no love for Kimball as they clobbered the Cubs 80-46 in Central Minnesota Conference boys' basketball Thursday.
Christina endures the long races
Whether it's swimming, nordic skiing or track and field, distance is Christina Roberts' forte.
BHS floor hockey team defeats Wayzata 9-1
Chris Jordan and Brandon Jabs registered their first career hat tricks as the Brainerd Warriors adapted floor hockey team defeated Wayzata 9-1 Thursday at Riverside Elementary School.
CLC men hang on for victory
Call them the cardiac kids.
Scoreboard
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cold first half dooms Raider women's team
Facing the second-ranked team in the state Wednesday night, the Central Lakes College Raiders women's basketball team was hoping there would be a little magic left from its victory against the state's top-ranked team last Saturday.
Difficult course derails Brainerd's alpine hopes
Facing the top competition in the state, Eric Zard knew he had nothing to lose in the state alpine ski meet Thursday at Giants Ridge in Biwabik.
Woodard switches technique to skiing
Chris Woodard played hockey for many years before deciding as an eighth-grader to try a different sport.
Apollo dwarfs Brainerd
The Brainerd Warriors boys' basketball team needed an extra six inches per player in order to match up to a towering St. Cloud Apollo Eagles team.
Scoreboard
BOYS BASKETBALL
Local sports shorts
Brainerd's Ty Spangler was champion and Beau Janousek runner-up in the Long Prairie/Grey Eagle Thunder Youth Open wrestling tournament Sunday.
Pierz girls trounce Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa
BROOTEN -- The Pierz Pioneers had three players score in double figures and posted a 65-31 victory over the Belgrade-Brooten-Elrosa Jaguars in Central Minnesota Conference girls' basketball Thursday.
Detroit's Hasek credited with 2-0 shutout victory over Wild
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Dominik Hasek doesn't have much time to feel good about his 60th career shutout.
Garnett cans 33 to lead Wolves
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves' satisfaction with beating their former point guard was tempered a bit by news that their current floor leader is out for the season.
Northwestern surprises Minnesota
EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) -- Northwestern coach Bill Carmody figured if the Wildcats kept playing smart and tough defense, their shots would start falling sooner or later.
Whalen sparks Gophers
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Lindsay Whalen had a little extra incentive to play well against Purdue, and that was bad news for the Boilermakers.
Tempo tidbits
Four members of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe created and performed the music program at the recent First Americans in the Arts Award show in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Celtic folk musicians from Duluth to perform
LITTLE FALLS -- The Great River Arts Association's performing arts season will resume Feb. 23 with a Duluth-based quintet specializing in Celtic folk music.
'Collateral Damage' strong-arms way to No. 1 at box office
LOS ANGELES -- Arnold Schwarzenegger as an avenging firefighter hunting terrorists proved a solid attraction, though not quite a must-see movie.
Academy falls back on the familiar in unsettling times
HOLLYWOOD -- No one needs to be reminded that we live in troubled times -- not even the 5,739 voting members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
'Collateral Damage' marks continued decline in Schwarzenegger's film career
Let's pretend for a moment that nothing horrific happened on Sept. 11, and that "Collateral Damage," with its images of terrorists blowing up buildings, showed up in theaters as scheduled the following month.
Publishers Weekly cites Bookin' It Bookstore
LITTLE FALLS -- Newcomers in search of culture in this Mississippi River town eventually find their way to Bookin' It Bookstore.
Entertainment Guide
Live music
CLC theater students attend Nebraska festival
Students from Central Lakes College, Brainerd, recently attended the Region V Theatre Festival of the American College Theatre Festival in Lincoln, Neb.
Nisswa Jubilee is this weekend
This is the Explore Minnesota events report from the Minnesota Office of Tourism. For lodging specials currently being offered, check out www.exploreminnesota.com.
Auditions for 'Anne Frank' scheduled at CLC
Auditions for the Central Lakes College Theatre production, "The Diary of Anne Frank," will be 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, and Thursday, Feb. 28, in Chalberg Theatre on the Brainerd campus.
Minneapolis bluegrass band to stage show
Urban Renewal Bluegrass, a four-piece band from Minneapolis, will perform Saturday in the Brainerd Community Concert Series.
C-I choirs to give winter concert
CROSBY -- The Crosby-Ironton seventh-grade choir, Varsity Choir, Girls' Triple Trio, Boys' Quartet, Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, all directed by Wayne Ellingsen, will present their annual Winter Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, in the high school's Mayberry Auditorium.
Guthrie unveils $125 million theater proposal
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Guthrie Theater unveiled plans last week for a $125 million, three-stage complex along the Mississippi River and a campaign to raise $75 million in private funds for it.
Enger a finalist for Barnes & Noble award
Author Leif Enger's storybook rise to literary fame received another shot of adrenaline last week from one of the nation's largest booksellers.
Fine Arts Student of the Week
Kelly Boyer's career plans have firmed considerably since her debut as a Mock Trial lawyer.
Tiny dancers
Just for Kix Tiny Kix Amy Shepherd shook a pair of maracas during her routine of "Hot, Hot, Hot" Monday at the Brainerd Kixter winter show at Brainerd High School. Music General also participated in the show.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Breezy and mild. Mostly cloudy with a chance of light snow or flurries north. Partly sunny south. Highs from the middle 30s northeast to the upper 40s southwest.
Iowa state forecast
Today...Partly sunny. Highs in the 40s. Tonight...Partly to mostly cloudy. Lows in the 20s.
State forecast for south dakota
Today...Partly sunny. Breezy southeast. Highs in the upper 30s northeast to the lower 50s southwest.
State forecast for north dakota
Today...Partly sunny. Highs 35 to 45.
State forecast for south dakota
Wind advisory west central and northwest today...
The Weather Elsewhere
Friday
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. Highs in the 30s and 40s.
At the Olympics
Weather drawing by Jon Strohmayer of Sharon Jendro's first grade class at Lowell school.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Partly sunny. Breezy south. Highs from the middle 30s to lower 40s.
Iowa state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy...Windy and mild. Highs in the mid 40s to mid 50s. Tonight...Cloudy with a chance of light rain or light snow. Lows in the upper teens northwest to near 30 southeast.
The Weather Elsewhere
Thursday
State forecast for north dakota
Wind advisory today for southwest and south central...
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Windy and mild with increasing clouds. Highs mainly in the 40s.
Valentine for mom
Weather drawing by Corisa Rogers of Mrs. Holbrook's fourth grade class at Lowell school.
Mom sees couple's honeymoon as good time for family trip
DEAR ABBY: I have a huge problem. My fiance and I have been together for three years and are being married in October. The problem is my soon-to-be mother-in-law. She is a great lady and we get along very well; however, she insists on accompanying us on our honeymoon! She keeps pushing the idea of making it a family trip.
Senior activities
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER
Pro-marriage activist urging pastors not to marry couples who lack proper counseling and courtship
TAMPA, Fla. -- He has seen marriages melt away like chocolate hearts left in the Florida sun, witnessed Cupid's arrow wielded as a weapon and watched paper Valentines simply become papers served.
What's doing
The Crosslake Arts Club Monday meeting has been cancelled.
Country star Jennings dies at 64
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Despite the black cowboy hat and bad-guy image, country star Waylon Jennings was known as a stand-up guy. But when it came to his songs, it was a different story.
Names and faces
NEW YORK (AP) -- The good news: Your brand new song is featured in the Winter Olympics opening ceremony, watched by 45 million Americans, as the backing to a performance by figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi.
Foreign briefs
KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) -- A British-born Muslim militant admitted Thursday to kidnapping Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl and said he believed the journalist is dead. Officials dismissed the militant's claim, and the Journal said it remained confident Pearl is alive.
Foreign briefs
KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) -- Pakistan's interior minister Friday predicted a "major breakthrough" and more arrests within 48 hours in the search for Daniel Pearl and rejected a claim from his self-confessed kidnapper that the Wall Street Journal reporter is dead.
Dead al-Qaida suspect related to hijacker
SAN'A, Yemen (AP) -- A suspected al-Qaida member who accidentally blew himself up after being cornered by security forces in a San'a suburb was related to one of the 19 Sept. 11 hijackers, Yemeni security officials said Thursday.
Two U.S. soldiers slighted wounded in attack
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) -- Attackers who opened fire on the main American base in southern Afghanistan appeared well-organized and moved within 50 yards of U.S. positions, an Army spokesman said Thursday.