Thursday, February 21, 2002
'Skateboard' car platform may be wave of future
DETROIT -- General Motors Corp. says it has seen the future, and it is
2002 Lincoln LS V-8 Sedan: Drawing a bead on BMW
The bad news thrown on top of Ford Motor Co.'s image in the past two years makes it easy to forget that the automaker actually does some things right.
Trucks, SUVs show off new sleek, contoured look
CHICAGO -- The sleek, streamlined look is migrating from passenger cars to compact and large trucks. It's starting to show up in some vehicles, and is promised for others under development.
2002 Chevrolet Camaro: Going out in style
For many car lovers, 2002 is a bittersweet year. It's the last year of the Chevrolet Camaro and its sister car, the Pontiac Firebird.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Tuesday cattle: 700.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Wednesday 279, a year ago 214.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Tuesday 245, a year ago 562.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL(AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle: 400.
Satisfy craving for tomatoes by grilling them with steak
"Grilling makes everything taste better -- even winter tomatoes," says a headline in the January-February issue of Cooking Light magazine.
Cookies stand the test of time
I loved it when I was a young girl and Mom would give me the liberty of baking in the kitchen -- but only if I would clean up my own mess.
Tips to shop for food for just one or two people
When shopping, have you ever noticed that most foods are packaged for larger households? Or maybe they are packaged in smaller quantities but cost more.
Cookbook caters to hurried cooks
It's a welcome title to see on a bright cover: "Quick From Scratch Pasta Cookbook."
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Wednesday.
Fire
The Brainerd Fire Department responded at 7:40 p.m. Tuesday to what turned out to be a false alarm at Gary's Painting in Unorganized Territory.
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Tuesday.
Bush administration pledges to work for the release of all kidnapped Americans abroad
WASHINGTON (AP) -- It's become a common tactic among extremists and criminals bedeviling countries like Pakistan, Colombia, Ecuador and the Philippines: Grab an American hostage, either for ransom or to draw attention to a political cause.
Bush expected to visit Minnesota on behalf of Coleman
WASHINGTON (AP) -- After personally encouraging Norm Coleman to run for the U.S. Senate, President Bush has tentatively agreed to appear at a fund-raiser for the former St. Paul mayor.
Recession cuts into trade deficit
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. trade deficit in 2001 showed the first improvement in six years as the recession cut into America's appetite for foreign goods, the Commerce Department reported Thursday. Still, the $346.3 billion imbalance was the second-largest deficit in history.
Details of the House-Senate budget agreement reached Tuesday
2002-03 one-time resources totaling $1.4 billion:
Raising the debt limit, Q&A
WASHINGTON -- President Bush wants Congress to let him add $750 billion to the national debt, just months after politicians were talking about erasing the debt instead.
Bush, seeing 'evil' in communist North Korea, urges a better life for its people
PANMUNJOM, Korea -- President Bush saw the unfulfilled hope of a trans-Korean railway that dead ends in dirt and said his wish is to see the "evil" communist North give its people a better life by reuniting with the free South.
Opponents ready to contest campaign finance bill provisions in court
WASHINGTON -- Undaunted by their losses in Congress, opponents of campaign finance legislation are ready to go to court over restrictions they say are unconstitutional limitations on free speech.
Leaders work around Ventura on budget plan
ST. PAUL -- A day after House and Senate leaders agreed on a way to fix the state budget deficit and possibly push Gov. Jesse Ventura to the sideline, House Speaker Steve Sviggum was courting DFL support of the bill.
Area briefs
DEERWOOD -- The Deerwood-Bay Lake Senior Citizens Club will have its potluck and meeting at noon Wednesday, Feb. 27, in the Deerwood American Legion Clubrooms.
Dog training course offered in Staples
STAPLES -- Staples Motley Community Education will offer the following classes. Call (218) 894-2397 to register. Pre-registration is required.
Cass looks into building's heating system
WALKER -- Since Cass County Health and Human Services Department personnel moved into the addition to the social services building in November, the county board and maintenance supervisor have questioned heating system design features.
Cass to research use of electronic permit system
WALKER -- Scott Carmody of Carmody Data Systems Inc., demonstrated an electronic permit management system Tuesday for the Cass County Board.
DNR conservation officer wins national award
In his career with the DNR, Conservation Officer Dean Olson has been named the Mississippi Flyway Cou
Farm Business Management is more than just cows and corn
When you hear "farm business management" you may think of cows and corn. Sure, as you travel the state you can see that agriculture is alive with these basic enterprises.
CSAH 1 through Pillager to become detour route during Highway 210 construction this summer
WALKER -- Cass County State Aid Highway 1 through Pillager will become the detour route during state Highway 210 construction this summer under an agreement between the county and state.
Cass to establish Adult Protection Team
WALKER -- The Cass County Human Services budget is 1 percent under projections after January this year.
CLC introduces high school students to career programs
In Robotics and Automated Systems, during Manufacturing and Mechanical Demo Day on Feb. 12 at the Staples campus of Central Lakes College, CLC student Kelly Rutten (left) of Staples prepared to turn over the controls of a laser robot to Nathan Rasmussen, a student at Pillager Area
Lake Shore woman teaches students in her Swedish hometown, which is Brainerd's sister city, about life in Minnesota
LAKE SHORE -- Without fail, Ingrid Anderson of Lake Shore saves every last copy of The Mini Page that accompanies her Brainerd Dispatch newspaper each Sunday.
Cass to hold annual board of review meeting in June
WALKER -- The Cass County Board will hold the annual review meeting at 9 a.m. June 17 at the Cass County Courthouse.
Pine River graduate working in law enforcement at Olympics
Gavin Gensmer, the son of Arthur and Pearl Gensmer of Pine River, is assisting in law enforcement at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Cass accepts changes to proposed water plan from citizen concerns
WALKER -- The Cass County Board accepted Tuesday as an addendum to the proposed, revised county water plan changes Deputy Environmental Services Director John Sumption developed in response to citizen comments the board received on the plan two weeks ago.
CLC offers new student support services
Central Lakes College in Brainerd and Staples has a new program to help students.
Cass backs Potlatch kiln plan
WALKER -- The Cass County Board voted Tuesday to support Potlatch Corp.'s proposal to install a third drying kiln at the firm's Farden Township lumber mill.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1982)-There will be no Miss Brainerd Lakes Scholarship Pageant April 17, Pageant adviser Dave Britton said, following last night's meeting to discuss the future of this annual event.
Baxter home's mold problem discussed
BAXTER -- A homeowner's concerns about mold and the city's role in monitoring residential construction dominated the Baxter City Council meeting Tuesday night.
Brainerd council looks at new space needs proposal
A new plan has emerged that would use existing space to meet some of the city of Brainerd's space needs.
City seeking more liquor licenses from Legislature
Brainerd will seek more on-sale liquor licenses from the Legislature.
Brownfields identified
WALKER -- The Cass County Board received a report Tuesday on Region 5's survey of brownfields, properties previously contaminated by commercial or industrial use, which could be redeveloped now if the land were cleaned.
Transit official named
Brainerd and Crow Wing County have a transit coordinator.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1982)-The largest crowd of the season turned out Saturday night to pay tribute to retiring referee Ray Shortridge and to watch Brainerd Golden Gloves square off against boxers from Litchfield and Cormorant.
Aitkin woman dies in crash
McGRATH -- An Aitkin woman died Wednesday in a head-on collision on icy roads that injured three others about one mile south of McGrath, the State Patrol reported.
Goodbye, Charlie's
For 42 years the famed rice pudding at Charlie's Restaurant has been a sought-after dish in Brainerd, but those days are now numbered.
Deaf Awareness Days planned at college
The American Sign Language "PAH" Club and Central Lakes College will host the second annual Deaf Awareness Days, a two-day event April 26-27 at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.
Local briefs
PILLAGER -- A group of concerned residents in Pillager is organizing a community scholarship foundation to help Pillager area students attend college.
DeRosier charged in Bieganek deaths
Joshua DeRosier, a 19-year-old Brainerd man, was accused Tuesday in Crow Wing County District Court of murdering his grandparents on Christmas Eve while they slept in their home.
LF residents talk school cuts
LITTLE FALLS -- Closing S.G. Knight Elementary School in Randall, cutting more extracurricular activities and making third- through 12th-graders walk to school if they live within two miles are a few of the proposals the Little Falls School District is looking at to cut expenses.
Details of proposed Little Falls school cuts
LITTLE FALLS -- Closing an elementary school and terminating five teachers at the other two elementary sites is one proposal the Little Falls School Board is considering.
That old, sinking feeling
A fish house began to sink below the surface of the ice on Bass Lake northeast of Merrifield Wednesday.
Moe to run for governor, his mom says
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) -- Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Roger Moe's mom says he's running for governor, stealing a little thunder from the campaign kickoff announcement he planned for this weekend.
Alabama man fingers his attackers after being buried alive with slain son
PHENIX CITY, Ala. (AP) -- Buried alive under a foot of dirt and bleeding from a throat wound, Forrest "Butch" Bowyer wouldn't give up. Not with his son's killers still on the loose.
CIA analysis warns of potential for civil war in Afghanistan
WASHINGTON -- The Central Intelligence Agency is warning in a classified analysis that Afghanistan could descend into civil war due to fierce competition for power among rival warlords, a senior U.S. official said Thursday.
Airlines ordered to shut down priority boarding lines for privileged, frequent fliers
WASHINGTON -- Since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, most air travelers have learned to put up with the hassles of long lines while awaiting more elaborate security screening.
School vouchers taken up by high court
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court Wednesday took up the question of state vouchers that pay for children to attend church-related schools -- not to decide whether this is good education policy, but to rule on whether this use of tax money violates the Constitution's ban on "an establishment of religion."
Notes of Enron chief Lay depict Skillings as upset at time he resigned post
WASHINGTON -- Former Enron chief executive Jeffrey Skilling was so upset as the company's stock price plummeted last summer that he told the former chairman, Kenneth Lay, he couldn't sleep at night and would resign, Lay told company investigators.
Doctor guilty of manslaughter in OxyContin-related patient deaths
MILTON, Fla. (AP) -- Alice Ward considers herself a "collateral victim" of Dr. James Graves, who was convicted of manslaughter for prescribing OxyContin to four patients who died from overdoses.
FBI reports threat to Liberty Bell; security tightened
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Federal authorities kept a close watch on the Liberty Bell on Thursday after receiving a "nonspecific" threat that someone planned to attack it. It was not being closed to tourists, though.
Olympic notes
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Somewhere in County Cork, they'll be lifting a pint to Paul O'Connor, the first Irish cross-country skier in Winter Olympics history.
Like grandfather, like grandson Jim Shea wins Olympic gold
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) -- Jimmy Shea is convinced that Gramps had something to do with this.
Protests -- a new Olympic event?
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Ice dancers Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas insist they are not in it for a medal.
Hockey's final four emerge
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (AP) -- While the United States and Russia skated toward another landmark meeting, Canada lived up to its potential and Belarus, of all countries, pulled one of the biggest upsets in Olympic hockey history.
U.S. reaps record gold harvest Another wild finish for Ohno caps memorable day for Americans
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Love wild finishes? Then take heart: Apolo Anton Ohno still has two events left.
Celtics acquire two players from Suns Associated Press
When a trade for Nick Van Exel fell apart, the Boston Celtics wasted no time finding a substitute.
Kwan acts like the winner
SALT LAKE CITY -- At the risk of being drowned out by 15,600 cheers, pelted by dozens of floral arrangements, suffocated with a flag and knocked cold by a teddy bear, I offer these two thoughts.
Ohno...Oh, yes
SALT LAKE CITY -- Short-track speedskating sensati
How Americans did
ALPINE SKIING
Americans Flowers, Parra cap historic day
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- On arguably the greatest day for Americans at the 2002 Winter Olympics, Vonetta Flowers made it historic, too.
Charles Skinner
Charles Skinner, 70, Brainerd, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Namiko Dahlgren
IRONTON -- Namiko Dahlgren, 73, Ironton, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at home.
John 'Jack' R. Ryan Sr.
ST. CLOUD -- John "Jack" R. Ryan Sr., 61, St. Cloud, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002.
Gladys E. Usherwood
EMILY -- Gladys E. Usherwood, 75, Emily, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002, at Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.
Kathryn B. Trautmann
CROSSLAKE -- Kathryn Bernice Trautmann, 72, Crosslake, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at her home.
Marie Kellar
STAPLES -- Marie Kellar, 78, Staples, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at home.
Marcel E. Doucette
Marcel E. Doucette, 77, Brainerd, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Charles T. Skinner
Charles Trent Skinner, 70, Brainerd, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Ruth L. Lund
Ruth L. "Westerbeck" Lund, 79, formerly of Cushing, died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002.
Margery M. Podratz
BROWNTON -- Margery Mabel Podratz, 78, Brownton, died Friday, Feb. 15, 2002, at her home.
Ejner Jepsen
CROSSLAKE -- Ejner Jepsen, 74, Crosslake, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, in Mesa, Ariz.
Mark Corrigan
ST. CLOUD -- Mark Corrigan, 78, St. Cloud, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Mabel M. Kollodge
FORT RIPLEY -- Mabel M. Kollodge, 91, Fort Ripley, died today, Feb. 20, 2002, at the Sunbelt Health Care Center in Zepher Hills, Fla.
R. Evelyn Ekbom
R. Evelyn Ekbom, 91, Brainerd, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Rev. Terrill L. Haddix
BACKUS -- Rev. Terrill L. Haddix, 62, Backus, died Saturday, Feb. 16, 2002, at Rochester Methodist Hospital.
Tilford M. Meece
RANDALL -- Tilford M. Meece, 82, Randall, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Edna C. Halverson
DEERWOOD -- Edna Caroline Halverson, 81, Deerwood, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.
Namiko Dahlgren
IRONTON -- Namiko Dahlgren, 73, Ironton, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at home.
Oliver H. Lindholm
Oliver Howard Lindholm, 84, Brainerd, died Sunday, Feb. 17, 2002, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village.
Mae Probasco
HILLMAN -- Mae Probasco, 91, Hillman, died Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2002, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Delma M. Wolf
Delma M. Wolf, 94, Brainerd, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Edna C. Halverson
DEERWOOD -- Edna C. Halverson, 81, Deerwood, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby.
William 'Bill' Rech
LITTLE FALLS -- William "Bill" Rech, 41, Little Falls, died Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2002, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Delma M.C. Wolf
Delma M.C. Wolf, 94, Brainerd, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
William L. Dobbs
GILBERT -- William Lynn Dobbs, 55, Gilbert, formerly of Crosby, died Monday, Feb. 18, 2002, at St. Mary's Medical Center in Duluth.
Rev. Willard V. Bell
Rev. Willard Vincent Bell, 92, Brainerd, retired minister of the United Methodist Church, died Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2002, at his daughter's home in Farmington.
Audrey J. Haugland
Audrey J. Haugland, 71, Brainerd, died Friday, Feb. 15, 2002, at Woodhaven Senior Center in Brainerd.
No victim more defenseless
Sexual abuse of minors by priests is once again making the national headlines, as well as The Brainerd Dispatch. No news s
Allies weigh in on the 'Axis of evil'
The following editorial appeared in Wednesday's Washington Post:
Bridges of Hope
Any effort aimed at integrating area resources for the good of the entire community is a worthwhile one.
Firing the piano player
To what can the orgasmic sound of Congress protecting itself from the sin of tainted campaign contributions be compared? It's like the owner of a house of ill repute who, during a raid by the vice squad, demonstrates her commitment to civic virtue by firing the piano player.
Open Forum
A cat? These guys actually and deliberately cloned a cat? As if there's a big shortage of cats. While the entire nation waits anxiously for that
A referendum critic looks at Franklin
Sunday's "Description of proposed school construction project" was a third time article by Christine Jax, Ph.D., Commissioner. (Commissioner of what?) Her words are proof the writer has never seen or been in Franklin school.
A Twins stadium
When it comes to the prospects for a new Twins stadium, New York Yankees hall-of-famer Yogi Berra said it best: "It's deja vu all over again."
The Dispatch's editorial opinions
Editorial views in The Brainerd Dispatch represent a consensus of opinion by members of the newspaper's editorial board.
Vox Pop
Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. To call
Pontiac running uphill race for NASCAR wins
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. -- No one doubts Bobby Labonte and Tony Stewart can compete for the Winston Cup championship this season. The only question is if the two Joe Gibbs Racing teammates can do it while driving a Pontiac.
Trevor John captures second second
Trevor John of Crosslake captured his second, second-place finish aboard his Polaris in the World Snowmobile Association's sixth round of its Snocross Worldwide Championship Series at Valcourt, Quebec, on Feb. 17.
Qwest given week to negotiate settlement with state
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The state Public Utilities Commission has given Qwest Communications a week to negotiate a settlement with the Minnesota attorney general's office to resolve complaints of its high-speed DSL Internet customers.
After late nights, House and Senate ready to vote on budget deal
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The lights in the Capitol don't usually burn late in February.
Representative says letter of intent signed on sale of Fingerhut
MINNEAPOLIS -- A business group led by turnaround specialist Peter Lytle has signed a letter of intent to purchase Fingerhut, state Sen. Dave Kleis said Thursday.
Sound budget compromise or election-year politics?
ST. PAUL -- Since Gov. Jesse Ventura took office, Minnesota has shown three-party government is all about pitting two against one.
Indian leaders say more gaming opens door to larger concerns
MINNEAPOLIS -- With new schools, jobs and clinics, life on the reservation was improving. But just when most of Minnesota's American Indian bands have started to feel the benefits of casino revenues, some lawmakers say it's time to split the pot.
Bill keeping boy, girl wrestlers apart advances
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Legislators grappled with a touchy issue Tuesday as a House committee approved a bill that would keep girls and boys from squaring off in high school wrestling matches.
University of Minnesota extension service to cut 43 positions
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The University of Minnesota Extension Service will cut 43 positions in an attempt to revamp the organization.
Things falling into place for BHS girls
As a child, Brainerd senior Amy Kittelson dreamed of having a great year to close out her career with the Warriors girls' basketball team.
Disputed decision changes state mat entrant
WILLMAR (AP) -- The Atwater-Cosmos-Grove City wrestling team will be going to the state tournament instead of Norwood Young America, the Minnesota State High School League has ruled in a dispute over uniform rules violations.
Rare Pequot zone can't stop W-DC
PEQUOT LAKES -- The Pequot Lakes Patriots played a zone defense for the first time in five years, but the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines still ran away with a 49-38 non-conference girls' basketball win Tuesday.
Local sports shorts
Megan Whalen has been named the most valuable player of the Brainerd Warriors girls' hockey team.
Pine River-Backus girls derail Rangers
PINE RIVER -- Brittany Nelson recorded a double-double to lead the Pine River-Backus Tigers to a 45-32 non-conference victory over the Crosby-Ironton Rangers Tuesday.
Warriors suprise Alex
ALEXANDRIA -- Mike Zauhar led the Brainerd Warriors with 22 points and eight rebounds as they upset the Alexandria Cardinals 55-54 in overtime of a Central Lakes Conference boys' basketball game Tuesday.
Forest Lake breaks Warriors' hearts in second overtime
FOREST LAKE -- For almost 40 minutes Tuesday, the sixth-seeded Brainerd Warriors boys' hockey team had the No. 3 Forest Lake Rangers where they wanted.
Robbinsdale-Armstrong trips Brainerd 3-1
Robbinsdale-Armstrong scored three goals in the second period and held on for a 3-1 victory over the Brainerd Warriors in adapted floor hockey Tuesday.
Local sports shorts
The Cloquet Lumberjacks junior varsity girls' basketball team handed the Brainerd Warriors a 50-23 loss Tuesday night at the high school gym.
Grizzlies knock off Sauk Centre in Section 4 hockey
SAUK CENTRE -- Dustin Heins collected two goals and an assist as the sixth-seeded Crosby-Ironton/Aitkin Grizzlies boys' hockey team upset the third-seeded Sauk Centre Mainsteeters 4-3 in the Section 4, Class 1A quarterfinals Tuesday.
Wolves win without KG
DALLAS (AP) -- The Dallas Mavericks have little hope of winning when they get combined 5-for-29 shooting from Michael Finley and Dirk Nowitzki.
Storts heats up for Raider women
One of the most important roles on a basketball team is that of the first player called off the bench to add spark to an offense.
Baratto sparks Rangers' win over PR-B
PINE RIVER -- Senior Ben Baratto scored 31 points to lead the Crosby-Ironton Rangers past the Pine River-Backus Tigers 74-63 in non-conference boys' basketball Tuesday.
Gymnasts heading for state
For the fourth year in a row, and the 14th time in Dave Maras' 20 years of coaching Brainerd gymnastics team, the Warriors will travel to St. Paul and compete in the Class 2A state meet Friday.
Scoreboard
BOYS BASKETBALL
Broken nose can't stop Katie
Grit is defined as "unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger."
Happy Wolverines
Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines Marissa Browne (43), Heather Lehmkuhl and Kerby Johnson reacted after Pequot Lakes called a timeout with the Wolverines leading 28-14 Tuesday night.
Scoreboard
WOMEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
FOR SALE
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Signaling that baseball was prepared to back off its attempt to fold the Twins, owner Carl Pohlad said Wednesday he intended to sell the team and commissioner Bud Selig gave the plan his blessing.
Girls' tourney features six first-timers
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Two champions will be crowned at this year's Minnesota girls state hockey tournament, reflecting the growth of the sport over the last decade.
Community band rehearsals to start
The Central Lakes College Community Band will begin rehearsing at 7 p.m. Monday, March 4, in the Brainerd campus music room.
Tempo tidbits
The seventh annual Brainerd Family YMCA Charity Ball is scheduled March 9 at Cragun's Resort in East Gull Lake, with proceeds earmarked for youth programs, the organization announced.
'Hart's War' ponders overlooked themes in new light
"Hart's War" is a masterfully choreographed take on wartime honor, bravery and bigotry against the backdrop of a POW camp near the end of World War II.
Fine Arts Student of the Week
Art focus: roundtable discussion
Cass Lake to be site of Kids' Fishing Derby
This is the Explore Minnesota events report from
Twin Cities bluegrass musician who appeared in Brainerd releases CD of her own songs, boasting a different style
MINNEAPOLIS -- Becky Schlegel, the darling of the Minnesota bluegrass scene in recent years, has moved beyond her musical roots with her latest album.
Twin Cities blues musician to stage show in Nisswa
NISSWA -- Dave "Snaker" Ray, a self-described "blues survivor," has never strayed too far from his roots.
Vacationland figure skaters compete in Fargo/Moorhead
Vacationland Figure Skaters and their coaches attended the fifth annual Red River Valley Figure Skating Classic Feb. 8-10 in Fargo/Moorhead. Participants were from 22 clubs representing Minnesota, North and South Dakota and Montana.
Entertainment Guide
Live music
Capsule reviews of films
Capsule reviews of new films:
Former Brainerd man publishes his first novel
Author William "Buzz" McCollough has plumbed the family lore and a collection of Civil War-era letters to write his first novel.
Wayne Renn hopes to broadcast show on cable
Wayne Renn, a fixture on central Minnesota's country music nightclub circuit, is taking his act to the small screen.
Breezy Point skater competes in Bemidji
Stephanie Eckardt represented Vacationland Figure Skating Club at the Fun-Tastics Basic Skills Competition Feb. 3 in Bemidji.
CLC musicians to perform
The Central Lakes College Music Department will present "A Winter(?) Concert" at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday in Chalberg Theater on the Brainerd campus.
Free concert by Air Force ensemble set at CLC
Central Lakes College will host a free concert by the Winds of Freedom woodwind quintet at 7:30 p.m. April 9.
The Weather Elsewhere
Thursday
Iowa state forecast
Dense fog advisory extreme northeast this morning...
Iowa state forecast
Today...Scattered light snow or flurries ending central and east. Decreasing afternoon cloudiness. Highs from the mid 30s northeast to mid 40s southwest.
State forecast for north dakota
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs around 30 northeast to the mid 40s southwest.
State forecast for north dakota
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. Scattered fog west this morning... And a chance of light snow in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 30s to lower 40s.
Wisconsin state forecast
Winter storm warnings north today and tonight...
State forecast for south dakota
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs in the 40s east to the mid 50s southwest.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Partly cloudy northwest. Occasional light snow central and east. Snow accumulations up to an inch. Highs in the 30s.
Fresh snow
Weather drawing by Colton Mogensen of Gayle Kub's first grade class at Lowell school.
State forecast for south dakota
Today...Increasing clouds west with a few light rain or snow showers...And light snow likely northern black hills. Partly cloudy central. Cloudy east. Highs from the 30s east to the 40s west.
The Weather Elsewhere
Wednesday
Motoring along
Weather drawing by Dylan DeLong of Ms. TeHennepe's fourth grade class at Backus school.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Light snow and snow showers ending during the morning. Some snow showers near lake michigan into the afternoon. Becoming mostly sunny northwest. Breezy. Highs in the upper 20s to mid 30s.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny northwest. Becoming partly sunny southeast. Highs from the middle 20s northeast to the lower 40s southwest.
Scientists warn that dangerous food bacteria here to stay
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Consumers beware: Scientists say the bacteria that cause food poisonings aren't going away, despite the efforts of the food industry to eliminate them.
Red Cross loses top charity rating
A charity watchdog group has stripped its top rating from the American Red Cross, already battered over its response to the Sept. 11 attacks.
What's doing
Brainerd attorney Ed Shaw said a meeting is scheduled for 4 p.m. Saturday on the impact of a "superstore" on the Brainerd lakes area. The meeting will be at Northwest Pizza/Boardwalk Bread and Bagel in Brainerd.
Crime, abuse dominate media coverage of kids, study finds
WASHINGTON -- Crime, violence and child abuse dominate the news media's coverage of children, while stories related to the care and health of young people receive less attention, according to a study released Tuesday.
Report: Multiple vaccines not harmful to infant immune system
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Institute of Medicine says getting up to 20 vaccinations by the age of 2 does not increase a child's risk of developing diabetes or various infections.
Study finds Utah leads nation in antidepressant use; role of women cited
SALT LAKE CITY -- Doctors here have for years talked about the widespread use of antidepressants in the state. But there was no hard evidence until a national study that tracked drug prescriptions came to an unexpected conclusion:
Names and faces
NEW YORK (AP) -- David Duchovny is out there -- and he's coming back for the final episode of "The X-Files."
Names and faces
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- The state's highest court decided it will consider the case of record producer Phil Spector and '60s rock group the Ronettes over millions of dollars in movie soundtrack royalties.
Other woman won, now wishes she hadn't
DEAR ABBY: I am the other woman you rarely hear from. I had an affair with a married man and married him after he divorced his wife.
President of Catholic bishops' conference apologizes to priests' sexual abuse victims
Pledging to keep working to prevent sexual abuse by priests, the president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops expressed regret to children victimized in the past.
Panel urges flu shots for very young children
ATLANTA (AP) -- A government advisory panel decided Wednesday to encourage flu shots for children ages 6 months to 23 months -- a group not previously on the recommended list for the vaccine.
Pregnancy no obstacle to wedding plans
DEAR ABBY: After a two-year courtship, my 33-year-old son and his 26-year-old girlfriend became engaged and moved in together last August. They announced an April wedding date and began planning a formal out-of-town wedding for 50 guests.
Egypt train fire kills hundreds
REQA AL-GHARBIYA, Egypt -- A train crowded with Egyptians leaving the capital for a religious holiday caught fire and sped on in flames for miles Wednesday, killing 373 people, including some who died as they jumped from the burning cars, police said.
U.S. air war in Afghanistan leaves string of mistakes
CHOWKOR KARIZ, Afghanistan -- The Americans came back to this dead village last month, bearing words of contrition and a fragment of rubble from the World Trade Center in New York -- the place, they told survivors, where innocent people died.
Analysis
JERUSALEM -- Prime Minister Ariel Sharon started the week by reassuring Israelis reeling from a string of bloody attacks that they had nothing to fear. "Israel," the hawkish former general told his Cabinet, "has never lost a war and will win this war as well."
Israel steps up attacks on Palestinian targets; forces enter Gaza for first time in conflict
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip -- Stepping up attacks Thursday, Israel fired missiles and tank shells at Palestinian Authority targets, including Yasser Arafat's West Bank headquarters, and Israeli troops entered Gaza City for the first time in 17 months of fighting.
Fifteen Palestinians killed in Israeli reprisals for Palestinian roadblock ambush
JERUSALEM -- Firing missiles, tank shells and machine guns at Palestinian Authority positions, Israeli troops killed 15 Palestinians on Wednesday in reprisals for a Palestinian shooting ambush that killed six Israeli soldiers -- one of the deadliest attacks on Israeli troops in 17 months of fighting.
Foreign briefs
FLORENCIA, Colombia (AP) -- Colombian warplanes began bombing a vast rebel territory Thursday and amassing troops nearby, following the president's decision to cancel peace talks and reclaim the region from leftist guerrillas, the military reported.
Thousands of Pashtuns flee northern Afghanistan
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Thousands of ethnic Pashtuns are fleeing northern Afghanistan, claiming that anti-Taliban commanders have been inciting people to loot their homes and in some cases, kill Pashtuns, a U.N. spokesman said Thursday.
Terrorism, weapons sales top Bush talks with China president
BEIJING (AP) -- Thirty years after President Nixon's historic visit to Beijing, President Bush thanked China for its anti-terrorism solidarity Thursday and promised to be a "steady partner." But he failed to persuade the communist power to stop its trafficking in weapons of mass destruction.