Wednesday, February 16, 2005
ACCIDENT
MCGREGOR -- An 83-year-old Warba man was injured about 4:30 a.m. Monday when the car he was driving collided with a Minnesota Department of Transportation snowplow on Highway 65, a half-mile north of McGregor, the State Patrol reported.
MEETING
The date and place of the upcoming Brainerd Fire Advisory Board meeting has changed.
Accident
GARRISON -- A 31-year-old Minneapolis man died Saturday in a snowmobile accident on Kenney Lake, just north of Garrison.
BIRTHS
Sean and Tanya (Heller) McLaughlin, Pine River, a boy, Malaki Kenneth, 7 pounds, 3 ounces, Jan. 16, 2005. Grandparents are Eugene and Jane Heller, Pequot Lakes, and Bill and Candy McLaughlin, Pequot Lakes.
Man collides with two Pequot Lakes school buses
A 19-year-old Lake Shore man was injured after the car he was driving slid into two Pequot Lakes school buses early Friday morning in Breezy Point.
Area briefs
ONAMIA -- Mille Lacs Kathio State Park will host its annual candlelight ski event 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday.
Medical examiner issues report
WALKER -- Michael McGee, Ramsey County medical examiner who performs autopsies for Cass County under contract, reported he accepted 38 Cass County cases in 2004.
Mid-Minnesota 150 Sled Dog Race results listed
Following are results of last weekend's Mid-Minnesota 150 Sled Dog Race eight-dog pro class from Aitkin to Outing to Remer. Results include place finish, name, hometown, race time and miles.
Pizza pie poster celebrates diversity
On the spur of the moment one night, Brainerd High School senior Britni Smith sat down at the kitchen table and picked up a colored pencil.
Ready to mush
The husband-wife musher team of Neal and Caroline Johnson of Fergus Falls intended to race last weekend in the Laconia World Championships in Laconia, N.H.
Waste management contracts enacted
WALKER -- The Cass County Board acted on recommendations Tuesday that Commissioners Jim Demgen and Bob Kangas made after reviewing the county's waste management contracts.
CLC hosts exchange instructor for Argentina
Maria Luisa Lucesoli of Argentina comes to Central Lakes College from a beautiful region of South America.
Miss Nisswa royalty
The Miss Nisswa court includes Sarah Gervais (left), first princess; Alexandra (Ali) Meyer, Miss Nisswa; Ally Hartje, second princess; and Laura Zard, Miss Congeniality. They participated in Friday's Miss Nisswa Scholarship Pageant. Photo/John Wallin
CLC instructor receives state wildlife honor
Doug Keran of Baxter, a Central Lakes College natural resources instructor, is the 2004 recipient of the Minnesota chapter of The Wildlife Society's Minnesota Award.
Mille Lacs Band youth group affects tribal government
ONAMIA -- Teenagers aren't often given an influential role in the decisions that affect their communities.
PTK achieves award for membership increase
The Central Lakes College chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honor society helped the Minn-Wi-Kota Region achieve a Pinnacle Gold Award, a $1,000 scholarship, for increasing membership acceptance by 10 percent for three straight years.
Cass methamphetamine work group to form
WALKER -- The Cass County Board voted Tuesday to endorse a new interdepartmental methamphetamines work group to assure community education, policy development and enforcement to reduce the use and effects of methamphetamines in the county.
Highway department union contract approved
WALKER -- The Cass County Board approved a contract agreement Tuesday with International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 49, which represents county highway department employees.
This was Brainerd
40 years ago (1965) - The second major blaze in downtown Brainerd in two months caused as estimated $165,000 damage to three buildings on Front and South Fifth Streets. Less than two months ago a $400,000 fire gutted the Baehr building also on Front Street.
Overheard
"I hope it sends the message that Brainerd people aren't going to just lay down to crime moving in."
Sluss tells legislators about county meth efforts
Crow Wing County efforts to combat meth manufacturing were part of hearings at the state Capitol Tuesday.
Cass has different vision for Ah-Gwah-Ching
WALKER -- Cass County Commissioners sent a clear message to the state Tuesday on what they want to see happen at Ah-Gwah-Ching, the state-run secure long-term nursing facility slated to close next year.
Koering walks tall in encounter with two would-be robbers
Hollywood's Buford Pusser, the club-wielding hero of 1973's "Walking Tall," has nothing on state Sen. Paul Koering.
CORRECTIONS
A headline on Page 6A Tuesday incorrectly listed the Miss Nisswa Scholarship Pageant first princess winner. Sarah Gervais was named first princess.
Opposing signs
CROSBY -- Five parents and about the same number of children in the Crosby-Ironton School District spoke out against the teachers' strike Tuesday.
Meyer named Miss Nisswa
NISSWA -- Alexandra (Ali) Meyer, the daughter of Heather and Joel Meyer, was named Miss Nisswa of 2005 Friday at Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa in the Winter Jubilee Miss Nisswa Scholarship Pageant.
Buyer eyes LF golf course
LITTLE FALLS -- A group represented by Granite City Real Estate in Waite Park expressed an interest in buying the Little Falls Country Club golf course.
Board sets fire plan for Forestview
The Brainerd School Board Monday established a fire management plan for the school forest that surrounds Forestview Middle School in Baxter.
FFA demonstrates parliamentary procedure to school board
Brainerd High School FFA chapter members gave Brainerd School Board members a parliamentary procedure demonstration Monday night as the team prepares for the state FFA competition.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1985) - Helen Deuel was the second female rural mail carrier ever hired by the Brainerd Post Office. And now she's become the first female rural mail carrier to retire. At age 65, Deuel has driven more than 233,000 accident-free miles since 1969 to deliver mail.
Overheard
"The public has spoken and they want more oversight and openness. They want to know what we know, what we do with the information and why we do it."
Crow Wing County DFL to conduct general assembly
The Crow Wing County DFL will conduct its general assembly at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Northland Arboretum Lodge. All interested county residents are encouraged to attend.
No charges yet for man accused of Pine River heist
Almost two months after his arrest for allegedly robbing a Pine River bank, Jeffrey Ross has yet to be charged for the crime.
Brainerd dance team advances to state
The Brainerd High School dance team took third place in kick at sections this past weekend in Maple Grove to advance to state competition this Friday at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Divisions run deep in Crosby-Ironton strike
First step taken toward budget cuts
The Brainerd School Board took its first formal step Monday to make program and staff reductions to resolve its projected $3 million budget deficit in the 2005-2006 school year.
City annexes business
BAXTER -- Though not a popular choice among city council members, Baxter adopted an ordinance Tuesday to forcibly annex Gull Lake Patio Brick and Fireplace.
C-I strike continues with no end in sight
Crosby-Ironton teachers spent their fourth day on the picket lines Monday.
Valentine's Day royalty
Kathy Hoffman (left), activities director at Brainerd Manor, pinned a corsage on queen Marybelle LeDoux Monday while Elaine Axtell, beautician, pinned flowers on king Melvin Chackle at Brainerd Manor's Valentine's Day coronation. Lucille Allen was named princess and Del Melberg was crowned prince. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Strikers get financial aid at rally
IRONTON -- Judy Schaubach, president of Education Minnesota, presented striking Crosby-Ironton teachers Tuesday with a check for $46,600, a donation from the state teachers' union's crisis fund.
Commissioners agree to joint project on Crow Wing jail
WALKER -- The Cass County Board voted Tuesday to sign an agreement with Crow Wing County for a wing on the new Crow Wing jail.
Buyer interest in mansions discussed
LITTLE FALLS -- Those interested in coming up with a purchase proposal for the Musser and Weyerhaeuser mansions will likely have 120 days to bring it to the Little Falls City Council.
LOCAL BRIEFS
Franklin Junior High School in Brainerd is seeking help from former students as they prepare for the school's final month.
Adella S. Wagnild
Adella S. Wagnild, 93, Brainerd, passed away Feb. 11, 2005, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. Adella was born on Jan. 20, 1912, in Mondovi, Wis., to Andrew O. and Christine (Peterson) Johnson.
Howard C. Koenig
LITTLE FALLS -- Howard C. Koenig, 91-year-old resident of Little Falls, formerly of the Swanville area, passed away Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005, at the Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls. Funeral services for Howard C. Koenig will be held Thursday at 1 p.m. at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Swanville with the Rev. John O. Grein officiating.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 cents a word, exclusive of the first 125 words, which are free. A $10 fee is charged for a half-column photograph. To place an obituary in the Dispatch, consult the funeral home handling arrangements.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 cents a word, exclusive of the first 125 words, which are free. A $10 fee is charged for a half-column photograph. To place an obituary in the Dispatch, consult the funeral home handling arrangements.
Joseph J. Kuleta
BAXTER -- Joseph J. Kuleta, age 81, resident of Baxter, died Saturday, Feb. 12, 2005, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village. Joe was born on Oct. 22, 1923, in Chicago to Stanley and Eva (Wegrzyn) Kuleta. He was a member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in the European theater. He married Janice Peckham on July 24, 1948, in Babylon Long Island, N.Y.
Scott 'Koop' Koopman
BAXTER -- Scott "Koop" Harold Koopman, age 47, of Baxter, died Feb. 14, 2005 in Two Harbors. Services will be Thursday, Feb. 17, 2005, at 11 a.m. at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Visitation will be on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.
Catherine P. Anderson
AITKIN -- Catherine P. Anderson, age 79, of Aitkin, died at her home on Friday, Feb. 11, 2005.
Clayton G. Dahl
MERRIFIELD -- Clayton Gerald Dahl, age 77, resident of Merrifield, died Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2005, at his home.
Margaret I. Volgerson
CROSBY -- Margaret I. Volgerson, age 88, of Crosby, died on Feb. 13, 2005, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.
Margaret I. Volgerson
CROSBY -- Margaret Ingeborg (Thompson) Volgerson, 88, of Crosby, died Sunday, Feb. 13, 2005, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. Margaret was born in Big Bend Township on Aug. 18, 1916, and was the oldest child of Minnie and Stephen Thompson.
Melton A. 'Buck' Boeder
NAMPA, Idaho -- Melton A. "Buck" Boeder, age 90, resident of Nampa, Idaho, died Feb. 13, 2005, at the Nampa Hospital in Idaho.
Elizabeth K. Casper
LITTLE FALLS -- Elizabeth K. Casper, 87-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Monday, Feb. 14, 2005, in Plymouth, Minn. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls. Friends may call from 8:30-11 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2005, at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls with the Rev. Mark Innocenti officiating.
Laura M. Sanda
STAPLES -- Laura Marie Sanda, age 92, died Feb. 12, 2005, at Lakewood Health Care Center, Staples. A private family gathering was held Saturday evening with Pastor A.J. Kluver officiating.
William A. Krivanek Sr.
MELROSE -- William A. Krivanek Sr., age 91, of Melrose, Minn., formerly of St. Paul, passed away Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005, at Pine Villa Care Center in Melrose.
Open Forum
As with everyone else, it seems a major appliance or a vehicle breaks down or quits working at the most undesirable time. Mid-winter when money just seems to be tight for all of us.
OUR OPINION: GAS TAX
Good jobs are the backbone of every strong economy and those jobs are often dependent on businesses' ability to efficiently move people and products from Point A to Point B.
Vox Pop
Why doesn't the district sell Franklin school at a profit instead of a loss? Why sell it and then rent it back over the next 10 years and almost pay them back for what they bought it from us for in the first place? Why do we need one city block of building, Washington School, for administration? Why does the new middle school need a principal and vice principal for each grade? Why did the district put thousands of dollars into a new entrance at the high school and now they're looking where to save $3 million?
Open Forum
Sometimes I despair at the inability of certain people to address matters of national importance in a reasoned manner. One can have concerns about the security of privatized Social Security accounts without libeling Bush as "the greatest thief this country has ever known." Does the letter writer from Merrifield really think Bush is a greater thief than Bonnie and Clyde? Greater than Al Capone? Greater than Jesse James?
194th gets the weapons it wants
In convoy guard work and house-to-house patrols in Iraq, the size of the weapon can be the difference for soldiers -- and smaller is considered better.
Legacy on the mat
For everything Denny Kaatz accomplished as head coach of the Wadena-Deer Creek wrestling team, it will be the things he didn't do that he'll remember.
Sczublewski's 24 points lead Pierz
PIERZ -- Kristin Sczublewski led all scorers with a career-high 24 points, including four 3-pointers, as the Pierz Pioneers upended Howard Lake-Waverly-Winsted 76-61 Tuesday in Central Minnesota Conference girls' basketball.
Aiming for the record books
Two years ago former Brainerd Warriors Alpine skier Mark Femling set the bar of success high.
Sports shorts
Derrek Matson, Baxter, and Wynn Roberts, Battle Lake, of the Nisswa NW Biathlon Club failed to make the U.S. Junior and Youth World Championship Team in biathlon trials at Presque Isle, Maine, earlier this month.
Wolverines take fifth at Mid-State conference meet
PARK RAPIDS -- Stephani Geiser earned all-conference honors as the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines finished fifth in the Mid-State Conference gymnastics meet Saturday.
Hawks eliminate Warriors
Unfortunately, it's over.
Sports shorts
The Victory League conducted its first meeting of the 2005 season Friday and it was announced that the Aitkin Barnstormers are leaving the league and the St. Mathias Devils will move from the West to the North Division.
Area boxers win weekend bouts
Nathan Scott and Ricky Aulie of the Golden Lakes Boxing Club won matches on a card Saturday at Clearwater.
Puchalla scores four goals in Brainerd win
BLOOMINGTON -- The Brainerd Warriors doubled up previously unbeaten South Suburban 6-3 in adapted floor hockey Tuesday.
Wolverines shut out Patriots
WADENA -- The second-seeded Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines boys' hockey team outshot the No. 7 Pequot Lakes Patriots 43-3 en route to a 5-0 win in the Section 4, Class 1A quarterfinals Tuesday.
Scoreboard
Basketball
Going out in style
For Nicole Smith it was, "Awesome."
Scoreboard
Basketball
Dabill powers PR-B past Pillager
PILLAGER -- Pine River-Backus' Chelsey Dabill scored a game-high 16 points, including four 3-pointers, while Taylor Sheley chipped in 14 points and April Hulke 11 as the Tigers edged the Pillager Huskies 51-48 in a non-conference game Monday.
Swanville swats Hornets
SWANVILLE -- Aaron Kampa poured in 26 points and Jesse Schuety added 19 but the Lake Region Christian Hornets lost 74-63 to the Swanville Bulldogs Monday in a non-conference game.
Huskies upset sixth-ranked Cass Lake-Bena
PILLAGER -- Joe Stoll poured in 28 points and Travis Dixon added 23 as the Pillager Huskies knocked off the Class 1A sixth ranked team in Cass Lake-Bena 76-56 in non-conference action Tuesday.
Upcoming sporting events in the Brainerd lakes area:
TUESDAY
Upcoming sporting events
WEDNESDAY
Too many weapons
The Alexandria Cardinals girls' basketball team has a number of weapons at its disposal.
Several college wrestling standouts got their start in Kaatz's program at W-DC
Winning percentages, longevity and state titles are ways to measure a high school coach's legacy.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. A chance of light rain or light snow in the south. Highs from the upper 20s north to upper 30s south.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers of
Happy wintertime
Weather drawing by Kaycie Mogensen of Miss Johnson's fourth grade class at Lowell school.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Cloudy. Scattered showers...Mainly south...This morning.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. Scattered snow showers or flurries. Highs from near 20 north to lower 30s far south.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Partly cloudy. Highs from the mid teens far northwest to
Down the slope
Weather drawing by Austin Jarvela of Mrs. Tetreault's third grade class at Whittier school.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Partly cloudy north to mostly cloudy south. Slight chance of light rain or light snow far southeast this morning. Slight chance of light snow southwest and south central during the day. Highs from the upper 20s northeast to 30 to 40 elsewhere.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Partly cloudy. Becoming windy west. Highs from near 20 far northeast to the mid 30s south.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly sunny and becoming windy. A few morning flurries
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. A slight chance of light snow