Thursday, February 22, 2001
Audi S4 Avant is leader of station wagon pack
As baseball legend Yogi Berra would say, "It's deja vu all over again."
Ford recalls Villagers, F-series trucks at risk for fire
WASHINGTON -- Ford Motor Co. is recalling more than half a million Mercury Villagers and F-series trucks that could leak fuel and possibly catch on fire.
Memories of a Model T
Don Dabill of Pine River struck up a bargain with a sawmill to buy his first car, a 1926 Ford Model T Roadster, at age 19 in 1939.
DaimlerChrysler to introduce extra large SUV in U.S.
FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) -- DaimlerChrysler AG will begin selling a heavy-duty four-wheel-drive vehicle in the United States to compete with General Motors' Hummer, the company said Wednesday.
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Wednesday.
Worries grow about Amazon, but Bezos dismisses doubters
The clouds surrounding Amazon.com are thickening.
Napster offers to pay record companies $1 billion for rights
SAN FRANCISCO -- Trying to stave off extinction without driving off all its users, online music powerhouse Napster Inc. announced an offer Tuesday to pay record companies $1 billion over five years for the right to include copyrighted music in a new, fee-based version of its music-swapping network.
Panel says costs put college out of reach for low-income students
WASHINGTON -- More low-income students are qualifying for college these days, but rising costs, inadequate grants and a shift from need-based financial aid programs are keeping them out, a congressional advisory panel said Wednesday.
Women carry their own weight as pallbearers
DEAR ABBY: Although I read your column daily, I have never had a reason to write until now. I read the obituaries and have noticed that lately there are female pallbearers listed. Is this proper, or should it be a man's role? I always thought that men were supposed to do it. I'm sure other people wonder about this, too. -- VICKI IN JOPLIN, MO.
Researchers say strict parents can curb teen drinking, smoking
WASHINGTON -- Teen-agers whose parents monitor the television they watch and the CDs they listen to are less likely to smoke, drink or use drugs. Still, seven in 10 youths live in households where parents set few rules or none at all, an anti-drug research center said Wednesday.
Baxter church plans seminar on healthy families
BAXTER -- "Targeting Healthy Families" is the theme of a parenting seminar Sunday at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter.
Dad urged to take offensive in blocking ex-wife's boyfriend
DEAR ABBY: "A Dad in a Dilemma" wrote that his ex-wife informed him she's moving in with a registered sex offender, and he's concerned about sending his girls to stay overnight with her. Your advice to not let his daughters stay at their mother's house was correct.
Defining dabs
Dear Heloise: As I have read from others' letters, I, too, had a GRANDMOTHER WHO SHARED HER RECIPES using a pinch of this and a dab of that.
Stay-put mattress
Dear Heloise: How do you keep the MATTRESS ON A TWIN BED FROM SLIDING? I have used rubberized shelf mesh, but to no avail.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Tuesday 562, a year ago 143.
Youths spend time on Minnesota farm as part of community service program
NEW SCANDIA TOWNSHIP (AP) -- Seven teen-agers armed with shovels and rakes stood inside the sheep barn at Harvest Moon Community Farm in New Scandia Township recently, eyeing several chickens, a pair of wild turkeys and thick layers of straw matted with manure.
Administration reinstates Clinton meat rules
WASHINGTON -- The Agriculture Department released on Tuesday proposed new meat-testing requirements issued in the final days of the Clinton presidency but put on hold immediately after the Bush administration took over.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle: 300.
Brown County Poor Farm helped many during its decades of service
NEW ULM (AP) -- For nearly 60 years the Brown County Poor Farm was a refuge for the county's destitute.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Tuesday hogs: 900.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Wednesday 214, a year ago 284.
Magazine checks out how America eats
NEW YORK (AP) -- Americans' favorite food tastes range from pizza, no surprise as most-reached-for takeout, to elegant asparagus at the top of the veggie pop charts, Bon Appetit magazine says.
Families can have Lemon Chicken on table in half an hour
The preparation time for this dish of Lemon Chicken is about 15 minutes. Allow another 15 minutes for cooking, and you'll have dinner on the table in about half an hour.
Chase away winter chill with hot soup
Over the weekend when the temperatures were cold, and we were all fighting a touch of the flu and colds at our house, I made a big pot of Chicken Noodle Soup with chewy homemade noodles.
Liven up a meal with Cajun cooking
With Mardi Gras approaching, perhaps a taste of Cajun cooking with its lively flavors can conjure up some of the Carnival spirit at your dinner table.
Court
WALKER -- An Apple Valley hunter who is accused of fatally shooting a member of his hunting party last November has been charged in Cass County Court with felony reckless use of a firearm.
Births
Keith and Nadine (Brummer) Schaefbauer, Crosby, a girl, Mary Elizabeth, 8 pounds, 11.5 ounces, Feb. 15, 2001. Grandparents are Tom and Shirley Brummer, Brainerd, and Joan Schaefbauer, Virginia. Great-grandparents are Edward Brummer, Zimmerman, and Lawrence and Elizabeth Kline, Bismarck, N.D.
Fires
CROSSLAKE -- The Crosslake Fire Department responded to a house fire at 3:10 a.m. Monday.
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Tuesday.
Agendas
LITTLE FALLS -- The Little Falls School Board will conduct its retreat from 5:15 to 10 p.m. today at the LeBourget Room at Lindbergh Elementary School.
Accidents
A 44-year-old Brainerd woman was treated Tuesday for minor injuries at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd and released after her vehicle and a semi-trailer truck collided.
Births
Shayla Ofsthun and Travis Pikula, Brainerd, a boy, Dadeian Martin Pikula, 7 pounds, 11 ounces, Dec. 7, 2000. Grandparents are Karen and Francis Pikula, Brainerd, and Laura Warner, Brainerd.
Bush will let stand Clinton order on African access to AIDS drugs
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration signaled Tuesday that it will not reverse an executive order issued by President Clinton last year that potentially would make it easier for impoverished African nations to have access to AIDS drugs at inexpensive prices.
Plan to expand state drug program clears panel
ST. PAUL -- A Senate committee took a small step on a big issue Wednesday, endorsing a bill that would allow more low-income seniors to qualify for state help paying their prescription drug bills.
Governor issues media credentials
ST. PAUL -- The media jackals have been tagged.
Proposal would help fight child porn on Internet
ST. PAUL -- Tougher penalties and easier police access to computer files are needed to curb the growth of child pornography on the Internet, state lawmakers and police said Wednesday.
Ventura, Yudof share stage -- and cordial words
ST. PAUL -- Two of the state's most powerful men declared a temporary truce Wednesday in their often testy battle over funding for the University of Minnesota.
Oberstar: Noise reduction will help extend life of Twin Cities airport
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Twin Cities can get another 20 years of life out of its airport with just a little tweaking, U.S. Rep. James Oberstar told members of the Legislature.
Bush administration won't fight Clinton's land designations as national monuments
WASHINGTON -- Interior Secretary Gale Norton said Tuesday that the Bush administration is not seeking to overturn any of former president Clinton's designations of millions of acres of federal land as national monuments largely off limits to mining and commercial activity.
Study: Gene variant cuts risk of heart attack in moderate drinkers
Scientists have identified a gene that may help explain why moderate drinking can ward off heart attacks.
Cass Social Services spending on track
WALKER -- Cass County Social Services spending was at the anticipated budget amount, $655.434, at the end of January.
Poets write community poem titled 'Big Northern, Small Hook'
"Big Northern, Small Hook," is a community poem written by Crosby area poets Ed Dallas, Joan Prefontaine and Stu Tufford.
Heart problem sidelines PR-B athlete
BACKUS -- The death of auto racer Dale Earnhardt proved that sports can be a tragic endeavor. Fortunately for senior Nick Flier it wasn't.
Cass volunteer driver program saved $9,511
WALKER -- Ninety volunteer drivers ranging in age from 60 to 84 drove Cass County senior citizens a total of 127,656 miles to medical services in 2000.
Redebaugh emerges as leader for Pequot
PEQUOT LAKES -- The Pequot Lakes Patriots girls' basketball team might be comparable to the New York Yankees with their rich tradition of winning and quality captains.
Cass looking at providing sewer district for the southwest Leech Lake area
WALKER -- The Cass County Board voted Tuesday to proceed toward establishing a Southwest Leech Lake Sewer District.
Northwoods is theme of poetry night in Crosby
CROSBY -- Decked out in his worn-out Sorel boots, fur-lined musher's hat, wool pants and green suspenders, Ed Dallas embodies the style of a true poet.
Cass ambulance services seek funding
WALKER -- Health and Human Services Director Dorothy Opheim and Social Services Supervisor Frank Schaap told the Cass County Board on Tuesday that area ambulance services may have difficulty staying in business this year without more local funding.
Music for Bring a Friend Day at CLC
Jabali Afrika, an African music ensemble, performed at the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College as part of Bring a Friend to Campus Day.
Section 7AA wrestling tournament opens this weekend in Perham
The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines, fresh from qualifying as a team for the state dual tournament, will enter this weekend's Section 7AA Individual Wrestling Tournament in Perham as a top-heavy favorite to win several titles.
Poland is March 1 Cultural Thursday topic at Central Lakes College
Laurie Hall, a Central Lakes College student from Baxter, will present a free, one-hour program on Poland at the March 1 Cultural Thursday on the campus of Central Lakes College, Brainerd.
Water is freezing from the inside out
Early Thursday morning I awoke to find there was no running water in the house with which to brush my teeth. The thermometer showed 20 degrees below zero, a sure sign that the switch on our water pump in the laundry room had frozen again.
CLC history instructor's overview of baseball in a Minnesota county published
The Dakota County Historical Society, South St. Paul, has published Central Lakes College instructor Michael J. Cramer's overview of baseball in one Minnesota county, titled "Play Ball! The Beginning of Amateur Baseball in Dakota County, 1865-1890."
Area briefs
-- Cross country ski trails open daily: The ski trail begins a half mile inside the main gate (take a right at the first stop sign).
More Cass information to be available over Internet
WALKER -- The Cass County Board agreed to make more county information available to the public over the Internet, but declined Tuesday to spend money to modernize commissioner technology.
St. Scholastica monastery uses programs to recruit potential sisters
DULUTH (AP) -- Wanted: Single women with no dependents who desire to learn more about life inside a monastery. Free room and board. No salary. No strings attached.
Women's club card party will benefit Courage Center
CROSBY -- The Cuyuna Range Women's Club will hold its annual card party benefit at 1:30 p.m. Friday in St. Joseph's Catholic Church hall, Crosby.
Jurgenson patrols Leech Lake Reservation, national forest
DNR Conservation Officer George Jurgenson has been named 2000 Boat and Water Safety Officer of the Year.
Cass veterans services offices to stay open
WALKER -- Cass County will continue to staff veterans services offices in Pine River, Cass Lake and Remer while Veterans Services Officer John Reuter is on suspension.
Cass debates how to improve uniform balloting
WALKER -- Uniform voter ballots would be good, but having electronic ballot counters in every precinct in rural Minnesota is unreasonable.
CLC inducts honor society members
Central Lakes College on Feb. 9 inducted 30 members into the Brainerd chapter of the national community college honor society.
Athletes honor Ihne
Sally Ihne, retiring president of Central Lakes College, received a tribute from the Raider athletic program during halftime of the men's basketball game vs. Fergus Falls on Feb. 10. Joe Sahlberg (left) and Joel Clough presented Ihne with a Raider T-shirt. Dennis Eastman, women's coach, and Jim Russell, men's coach, acknowledged Ihne's continued support during her tenure. She leaves her position in August after 18 years as the college's top administrator.
B-H/V's Rach wrestles perfect season
BERTHA -- During the summer Reggie Rach works with concrete, but during the wrestling season he tosses around his opponents like piles of cement.
Theater volunteer Ione McGuire dies
Ione McGuire touched many lives at Central Lakes College.
Is it already almost March?
Residents in the Brainerd lakes area really had to bundle up before traveling outdoors this morning.
Time to garden
Even though gardens are buried under deep snow, February is a good time to get plants started.
Gas line breaks at Pine River restaurant
PINE RIVER -- Two square blocks were evacuated Tuesday afternoon in Pine River after a gas line broke at Grandma's Up North restaurant.
What exactly is 'affordable housing?'
BACKUS -- Cass County commissioners began a search Wednesday for a definition of "affordable housing" in this county when they met with the Cass County Housing and Redevelopment Board.
St. Joseph's Foundation awards grants
St. Joseph's Medical Center Foundation has announced its Community Initiative Grant awards for the first quarter of 2001.
Youth As Resources gets new adult director
The Youth As Resources of Crow Wing County announced Judy Kidder will take over as adult director this month from former Director April Arnone.
Local briefs
ST. PAUL -- Sen. Don Samuelson, DFL-Brainerd, voted in favor of the Emergency School Energy Assistance bill that would provide $30 million to help Minnesota school districts pay increased heating and transportation costs.
Public shares comments on 371 expansion plans
BAXTER -- Yellow squares with handwritten notes dotted Highway 371 maps that stretched the length of meeting room walls. The squares revealed points of concern in regard to Highway 371 expansion plans.
Council OKs more funding for the Willows
The first step to increase a funding cap for the Willows housing project in southeast Brainerd was approved.
This was Brainerd
FEBRUARY 22 - 60 years ago (1941) - Brainerd bids farewell and godspeed to more than four score young men who have volunteered their services in making their nation better prepared to meet any emergency that may arise in the future. They are members of Co. A of the 194th Tank Battalion.
Baxter plans city hall open house
BAXTER -- Baxter city officials are hosting an open house to show off their new digs.
Dispatch stands by column
It appears the uproar over the Pequot Lakes School hugging controversy is but another example in a long list of kill the messenger chronicles.
Baxter annexes land along Hwy. 371 corridor
BAXTER -- The Baxter City Council on Tuesday annexed about 120 acres of commercial land along the Highway 371 corridor, an area that is expected to receive city services in the proposed $1.4 million utility and road improvement project.
Local briefs
CROSBY -- The Crosby-Ironton Varsity Choir, Girls' Triple Trio, Boys' Quartet, Chamber Singers and Concert Choir, directed by Wayne Ellingsen, will present their annual Winter Concert at 7 p.m. Monday in the Mayberry Auditorium at C-I High School.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1981) - Grand Rapids High School speech team won the Paul Bunyan Invitational speech meet held here Feb. 14, with the Brainerd team managing a strong second place despite missing several key speakers.
Liaison role of city administrator questioned
It started with a reminder at the end of Tuesday's Brainerd City Council meeting and could grow to a greater discussion on how council members relate to city staff members.
Corrections
A name was misspelled in the Brainerd Kixters story on Page 5A Monday. The correct spelling is Lisa Ebert.
Former township treasurer faces charges
WALKER -- The former treasurer of a township adjacent to Hackensack was arraigned Tuesday in Cass County Court on felony theft and theft by swindle charges.
Improving for the worst?
BAXTER -- It's a modest neighborhood when compared to the other upscale housing developments sprouting up throughout the city of Baxter. The majority of the 61 homes on Forest Drive and Fox Drive are single- and double-wide mobile or manufactured homes.
All sides frustrated
Frustration was evident on many sides Tuesday night as a homeowner's concerns met with Brainerd City Council limitations.
Tests offered
CROSBY -- In honor of Working Women's Health Day on Saturday, Cuyuna Regional Medical Center, Central Lakes Medical Center, Crow Wing County Health Department and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation are sponsoring a One Stop Shop from 8 a.m. to noon at Central Lakes Medical Center and Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby.
Residents protest ticketing, towing of vehicles
All they needed was a gavel Tuesday night as the Brainerd City Council chamber closely resembled night court.
Pierz voters reject excess levy, bond issues
PIERZ -- Residents in the Pierz School District voted against the $5.53 million building bond issue and the excess levy referendum Tuesday.
PL officials in no mood to embrace Dispatch after media uproar about hugging
PEQUOT LAKES -- It hit Pequot Lakes like a rising tidal wave of national media attention.
Two dead in Navy plane crash off Florida coast
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- A Navy jet crashed into the Atlantic on Wednesday, killing the instructor and test pilot, the Navy said.
Eminem stirs controversy, but Steely Dan steals show at Grammys
LOS ANGELES -- So much for the Grammys embracing edginess.
Clinton's brother charged with drunken driving
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Former President Clinton's half brother was charged with drunken driving following his arrest over the weekend in nearby Hermosa Beach.
Florida firefighters hoping for rain
POLK CITY, Fla. (AP) -- Firefighters trying to contain a central Florida brush fire are hoping for heavy rain, saying that without it, the 11,000-acre blaze could burn for days.
California takes step toward ending energy deregulation
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Five years after California's groundbreaking energy deregulation law, the state took another significant step toward returning to the power business.
Justices limit reach of disability law
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court limited the reach of the Americans With Disabilities Act, ruling Wednesday that state workers cannot file employment-discrimination lawsuits against their employers under the federal disability-rights law.
Clinton's brother-in-law collected about $400,000 to assist pardon, commutation
WASHINGTON -- The investigation into former President Clinton's last-minute pardons is widening amid revelations that his wife's brother collected nearly $400,000 for helping secure a pardon and a prison commutation for two clients.
Sub crewman says civilians in control room were distraction
HONOLULU -- A crew member plotting sonar readings on a U.S. submarine that collided with a fishing vessel has told investigators he briefly stopped performing the task because he was distracted by civilian guests in the control room.
Rhode Island man wins Powerball
CRANSTON, R.I. (AP) -- A Pawtucket man Thursday claimed the $93.5 million Powerball jackpot, the largest lottery prize in state history.
Government to probe BNSF railroad's failure to report carpal tunnel cases
The Federal Railroad Administration said Tuesday it will launch an investigation into why the Unites States' second-largest railroad reported no cases of carpal tunnel syndrome among workers last year, only to disclose later that 125 employees had claimed that their jobs gave them the neuromuscular condition.
Shuttle lands, late but safely
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- With just a day's worth of fuel and supplies left, the crew of space shuttle Atlantis finally made it home after three days of bad weather and a 3,000-mile adjustment to the landing site.
Chao disqualifies herself from Northwest labor dispute
WASHINGTON -- Labor Secretary Elaine Chao removed herself Tuesday from involvement in Northwest Airlines' labor dispute because she previously served on the company's board.
FBI director says alleged spy damage 'exceptionally grave'
WASHINGTON -- The FBI is trying to calculate the national security damage allegedly wrought by one of its own agents, Robert Philip Hanssen, accused of spying for Russia for more than 15 years. FBI Director Louis Freeh says the intelligence losses appear to be "exceptionally grave."
Consumer prices surge on record jump in natural gas
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Consumer prices shot up a worrisome 0.6 percent in December, the biggest increase in 10 months, as homeowners saw their natural gas bills jump by a record amount, the Labor Department said Wednesday.
Speaker Clinton
WASHINGTON -- Bill Clinton is a hot prospect on the lecture circuit, sometimes too hot to handle.
47-year-old college hockey player is loving his second chance
BOSTON -- His 47-year-old legs were visibly shaking, dissolving from exhaustion as he stood on the ice. Yet Dana Marek held to one thought while he willed his trembling muscles to be calm: Keep going.
Guy Rodgers recalled as admirable player
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Al Attles remembered former Warriors roommate Guy Rodgers with admiration, both as a basketball player and a person.
National sports briefs
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) -- Clifford "Fido" Purpur, a North Dakota hockey pioneer and a member of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, has died at age 88.
Improbable shot wins for Auburn
When the Auburn Tigers practice long-range shots, Reggie Sharp never makes any. Apparently, he needed game pressure to nail one.
A-Rod draws a crowd, Jeter draws George Clooney
On his first day of spring training, Alex Rodriguez drew plenty of questions about money. At the New York Yankees' first full-squad workout, Derek Jeter drew the eye of George Clooney.
Michael A. Knopik
LITTLE FALLS -- Michael A. Knopik, 78, Little Falls, formerly of Belle Prairie Township, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Herman Weiss
PINE RIVER -- Herman Weiss, 78, Pine River, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001, at St. Cloud VA Hospital.
Douglas L. Phillips
MINNEAPOLIS -- Douglas L. Phillips, 52, Minneapolis, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001, at University Good Samaritan Center in Minneapolis.
Actress Rosemary DeCamp dies
Rosemary DeCamp, the venerable actress whose work ranged from radio to motion pictures to television including leading roles in "The Life of Riley" and "The Bob Cummings Show," has died. She was 90.
Herman Weiss
PINE RIVER -- Herman Weiss, 78, Pine River, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001, at St. Cloud VA Hospital.
Robert E. Floyd Jr.
STAPLES -- Robert Eugene Floyd Jr., 38, Staples, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001, at Greater Staples Hospital.
Ila G. Jarvis-Norberg
LITTLE FALLS -- Ila Grace Jarvis-Norberg, 74, Little Falls, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Douglas L. Phillips
MINNEAPOLIS -- Douglas L. Phillips, 52, Minneapolis, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001, at University Good Samaritan Center in Minneapolis.
Michael Arms
Michael Arms, 37, Brainerd, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001, at his home.
Evelyn Eastberg
Evelyn Eastberg, 79, Brainerd, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
William C. Hendrickson
LAKE SHORE -- William C. Hendrickson, 84, Lake Shore, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Agnes Kranz
Agnes Kranz, 96, Brainerd, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001.
Ione McGuire
Ione McGuire, 92, Brainerd, died today, Feb. 22, 2001, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Kenneth E. Ecklund
OWATONNA -- Kenneth Ewald Ecklund, 74, Owatonna, died Monday, Feb. 19, 2001, at Owatonna Hospital of cancer.
JoAnn Farber
STAPLES -- JoAnn Farber, 61, Staples, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001, at Greater Staples Hospital.
Lyman C. Dale
Lyman C. Dale, 79, Brainerd, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Clarence W. Jordan
Clarence W. Jordan, 88, Brainerd, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001, at Presbyterian Homes in Roseville.
Leora Kelsey
PINE RIVER -- Leora Kelsey, 69, Pine River, died Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2001, at home.
Robert Floyd Jr.
STAPLES -- Robert Floyd Jr., 38, Staples, died Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2001, at Greater Staples Hospital.
Open Forum
Now some people are complaining that they think President Bush is leaning too far to the right.
Open Forum
On the front page of The Brainerd Daily Dispatch, Sunday, Feb. 18, was a photo by Steve Kohls labeled, "Tunnel Work." The headline should have read: "Tunnel work, Potential Death Trap!" Just because we haven't had a lot of snow the last couple of years, doesn't mean that we should have a short-term memory. Snow caves and snow tunnels are prone to collapsing and somebody caught under a collapsed roof or caved in portion could suffocate before help could arrive. For the newspaper to say this is a "cool, fun thing to do" is not responsible journalism for the safety of our young people. This same picture, only a smaller version, with the above title should be published on the front page of your newspaper to at least let the young people know that people have died from snow caves/tunnels and will continue to do so in the future.
A conversation with the V.P.
Vice President Dick Cheney's West Wing office has freshly painted walls. There are no pictures (yet), which conveys a lack of pretension in this transformed White House. His answers are direct and sound un-focus-grouped.
How to reach your state legislators
Area legislators and how to contact them.
Dale Earnhardt - Dispatch editorial
Dale Earnhardt's shocking death at Sunday's Daytona 500 stunned the NASCAR community of racers and fans.
Explorers - Dispatch Editorial
Tales of explorers and their adventures have always had a strong appeal for youngsters.
The McCain-Feingold bill's future
WASHINGTON--Earlier this month, when the Democratic National Committee met in Washington to install Clinton fund-raiser Terry McAuliffe as its new chairman, there was a moment, which went largely unreported, that sheds light on the coming congressional debate on campaign-finance reform.
FBI needs to answer security questions
The following editorial appeared in today's Washington Post:
Earnhardt buried in private service
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt's family bid farewell to the fallen driver in a private ceremony one day before the NASCAR community planned to say its goodbyes.
Fans mourn loss of Earnhardt
HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) -- When Atlanta Motor Speedway president Ed Clark decided to hold a memorial service at the track for Dale Earnhardt, he expected about 800 people to attend.
Marlin defends his role in accident
MOORESVILLE, N.C. -- NASCAR driver Sterling Marlin, accused by angry fans of causing the wreck that killed Dale Earnhardt, came to his own defense Tuesday, saying he didn't believe he did anything wrong in what he described as "just strictly a racing accident."
Street racers don't realize that speed kills -- and often does
Gary Ain emerged from 10 years of racing at Lime Rock, Sebring and Daytona with enormous respect for the people who passed him on the track and greater contempt for those drivers -- often pairs of drivers -- who mindlessly whip past him in the night on the Expressway.
Willmar voters defeat school's levy request
WILLMAR (AP) -- Willmar School District officials said student programs and services will likely be cut now that voters have defeated a property tax increase.
Committee revives O'Keefe's regent candidacy
ST. PAUL -- Lawmakers have revived the regent candidacy of Michael O'Keefe, whose re-election bid to the University of Minnesota board had drawn fire because of his day job in Gov. Jesse Ventura's cabinet.
Police investigating liquor store
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Police have started an investigation of a liquor store suspected of selling alcohol to underage drinkers in the death of a University of Minnesota student.
Duluth institute gets grant to study Great Lakes
DULUTH (AP) -- A $6 million federal grant will allow scientists at the Natural Resources Research Institute to develop standards for monitoring water quality along the shores of the Great Lakes.
Artist finds cows a fascinating statement
WORTHINGTON (AP) -- Call it moo-ving artwork. Eduardo "Ed" Siu has a thing about cows.
Plathisha takes dreams into tourney
J.P. Platisha someday might be able to make a living by playing hockey.
Warriors' gymnasts hope to move up
In 13 trips to the Class AA state gymnastics meet in the last 19 years the Brainerd Warriors' best finish was sixth place.
Scoreboard
'Boys Basketball
Warriors lack intensity in loss to Alex
It was a game the Brainerd Warriors boys' basketball team thought it should win.
Scoreboard
Boys Basketball
Miller scores 37 to lead Flyer boys past Sartell
SARTELL -- Nate Miller scored 21 points in the fourth quarter and finished the game with 37 to lead Class 3A's fourth-ranked Little Falls Flyers past the Sartell Sabres 72-65 in Central Lakes Conference boys' basketball Tuesday.
First-time chamption to emerge from girls' state hockey tourney
FALCON HEIGHTS, (AP) -- There will be a first-time champion at the Minnesota girls' state high school hockey tournament.
Dahlin's overtime goal helps W-DC nip Little Falls boys in quarterfinals
LITTLE FALLS -- Ben Dahlin's goal 5:09 overtime lifted the sixth-seeded Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines past the No. 3 Little Falls Flyers 7-6 in the quarterfinals of the Section 4A boys' hockey tournament Tuesday.
State women's tourney to open at college
The Central Lakes College Raiders women's basketball team will make its seventh straight state tournament appearance when the Minnesota Community College State Tournament tips off Friday.
Robbinsdale beats Brainerd in floor hockey
ROBBINSDALE -- Chris Nelson had a hat trick for the Brainerd Warriors adapted floor hockey Tuesday but it was not nearly enough in a 10-4 loss to Robbinsdale.
Local shorts
Racing resumes 1 p.m. Sunday at the iceway, located 13 miles south of Brainerd on County Road 45 and 1.5 miles east on County Road 139.
Patriot girls edge Wadena-Deer Creek
WADENA -- The Pequot Lakes Patriots overcame an 11-point first quarter deficit for a 59-57 victory over the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines in non-conference girls' basketball Tuesday.
Alexandria girls defeat Brainerd
ALEXANDRIA -- The Alexandria Cardinals outscored the Brainerd Warriors 14-4 in the first quarter and went on to a 48-35 Central Lakes Conference girls' basketball victory Tuesday.
Brainerd YMCA Dolphins repeat as state champions
The Brainerd YMCA Dolphins swim team won eight individual titles and six relays to repeat as champion in the YMCA state meet Feb. 18 at the University of Minnesota Aquatic Center.
Pine River-Backus downs Crosby-Ironton
CROSBY -- In a battle of Section 7AA boys' basketball teams Tuesday, the Pine River-Backus Tigers showed why they deserve top billing.
Local sports shorts
PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Christopher Foley of Madden's Inn and Golf Club in Brainerd has achieved Specialty Certification in Teaching from The PGA of America.
Badgers dump Gophers
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Kirk Penney led Wisconsin in scoring. Mike Kelley led them in motivation.
Former Twins pilot was beloved in SF
OAKLAND, Calif. -- Bill Rigney, the first manager of the Giants after they moved from New York to San Francisco, died Tuesday. He was 83.
Wolves' losing streak hits 5
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Houston Rockets are getting balanced scoring and are slowly creeping into the Western Conference playoff race.
Pierzynski set to work behind plate
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) - There are seven catchers in the Minnesota Twins' clubhouse again this spring. The difference this time around is that one of them, A.J. Pierzynski, knows the starting job is his to lose.
Twins reach agreement with Hawkins
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- The Minnesota Twins reached an agreement with right-handed pitcher LaTroy Hawkins, avoiding an arbitration hearing that was set for Tuesday.
Minnesota's MVPs stroll the sidelines
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- One by one, they ripped the labels off Minnesota's teams.
Dallas gets back at the Wild
DALLAS (AP) -- With Mike Modano out of the game with a concussion, Joe Nieuwendyk reached a milestone and delivered a victory for the Dallas Stars.
Little Falls troupe to stage murder mystery with full audience participation
LITTLE FALLS -- The Hole in the Day Players are bringing a new twist to their dinner theater productions at Jason's Supper Club in Little Falls.
A Moose County cat smells a rat
There's a drought in Moose County, but it isn't a crime drought.
Spring events cropping up across Minnesota
This is the Explore Minnesota events report for Tuesday hosted by the Minnesota Office of Tourism, and brought to you by www.exploreminnesota.com.
Great River Strings Ensemble to host guest pianist
The Great River Strings Ensemble, now in its second year, is composed of area string musicians of all ages and experience.
Novel looks facetiously at relationship scene
"What's the difference between involvement and commitment? Think of eggs and bacon. The chicken was involved. The pig was committed."
Harmony Engineers to host community concert
The second annual It's Good to Sing Concert hosted by the Harmony Engineers and supported by the A Cappella Alumni Association and Community Education will take place March 10.
Mass merchants offer convenience, less music choice
TROY, Mich. -- The rock band Train usually plays to packed halls in big cities, but three weeks ago the group performed on the ground floor of a light-gray office building in this Detroit suburb. Just 300 people watched the show.
Americans have sunny tropical islands just a short trip away
Americans don't have to go far to enjoy sunny tropical islands with beaches, fishing, diving and more beaches.
Boos' leadership skills extend beyond work on newspaper
If you had to describe Danielle Boos with a single word, the word "leader" would come to mind.
'The Beauty Queen of Leenane' -- challenging theater
It's fun and easy to go to the theater to be entertained, to sit back and laugh at a comedy or cry at a love story.
Best bets
Bill Staines, the "happy wanderer" of the folk music circuit, opens the Grassroots Concerts spring series at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Nisswa Community Center. The New England native has been a fixture in the folk scene for more than 30 years, traveling more than a million miles, he says.
Christian group to appear March 2
The Martins, a Christian group sponsored by River of Life Production of Brainerd, will appear at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 2, at Tornstrom Auditorium, Washington Middle School, Brainerd.
Elementary Honors Choir practices
Fifth-graders Josh Woodard (left), Annah Rueger and Elizabeth Belgum sang during rehearsal Monday for the 11th annual Elementary Honors Choir Project.
Former Little Falls teacher is now a successful historic romance novelist
LITTLE FALLS -- A former Little Falls science teacher has turned an "overactive imagination" into a successful career as a romance novelist.
Best books
Publishers Weekly best sellers
Tempo tidbits
The International Library of Poetry is seeking entries for its annual writing contest, which will award $58,000 in prizes to 250 winners later this year. Deadline for submissions is April 30.
Rippleside fifth-graders to present Arts Program 'Let's Hear It for America'
AITKIN -- Fifth-grade students at Rippleside Elementary School will present an Arts Program at 1:30 p.m. Friday in the school's new gymnasium.
Daylong celebration of the arts planned
The civic group that has anointed itself with the task of developing an area-wide cultural arts plan has selected May 5 for its coming-out party.
Excerpt from 'Mr. Commitment'
What I'd done wrong was no longer the point. It wasn't about apology, making up or explanation. All that counted now was winning.
New exhibit to open Tuesday at CLC
Alec Soth will be the artist in the spotlight Tuesday to March 28 at the Central Lakes College Gallery on the Brainerd campus.
Motley Staples Middle School students to stage 'Annie Jr.'
STAPLES -- Motley Staples Middle School will present "Annie Jr." March 9 and 10 at Centennial Auditorium in Staples.
Entertainment guide
Live music
Pequot Lakes Community Theater to present 'Beauty Queen of Leenane'
PEQUOT LAKES -- Greater Lakes Area Performing Arts/Pequot Lakes Community Theater will present "Beauty Queen of Leenane," a new Irish play written by Martin McDonagh, at 7:30 p.m. March 2 and 3 and 2 p.m. March 4 in the Pequot Lakes High School Auditorium.
Choosing winter hardy varieties, preventing fungus are keys to growing beautiful roses
HACKENSACK -- Successful rose bush and climber growing here begins with selecting winter hardy varieties and preventing fungus as they grow, said Mary Parrish, Hackensack master gardener.
Area briefs
PINE RIVER -- "Coping With Grief" is a series of eight bi-weekly sessions being held at the Pine River Family Clinic, sponsored by St. Joseph's Hospice Program.
State sees record number of days with temps below 40
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Frigid temperatures may be the norm for a Minnesota winter, but 106 days without a slight break makes this season unusually harsh.
State forecast for north dakota
Today...Increasing cloudiness. A few flurries west. Highs 5 northeast to 30 southwest.
The Weather Elsewhere
Wednesday
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Snow showers northeast this morning...Otherwise partly to mostly cloudy with a brisk wind. Highs from the upper teens to upper 20s.
Let it snow
Weather drawing by Kendra Starks of Mrs. Sedlachek's second grade class at Lowell school.
It's cold out
Weather drawing by Benjamin Johansen of Mr. Trucano's fourth grade class at Baxter school.
Regional Weather
MINNESOTA HighLowPR
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Decreasing clouds west with light snow ending southwest. Mostly cloudy or becoming mostly cloudy central and east...With a chance of light snow spreading over the area through the afternoon. Highs 10 to 15 northeast...To the 30s far west.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Areas of mainly morning light snow or flurries...Then gradual clearing from the west. Highs in the 20s to mid 30s.
The Weather Elsewhere
Thursday
State forecast for North Dakota
Today...The west and central will be clear to partly sunny. The east will be cloudy this morning and partly sunny this afternoon. Highs in the teens east to near 30 southwest.
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Increasing clouds west. Mostly sunny east. Highs from the teens northeast....To the lower 40s southwest.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Increasing clouds far west with some flurries southwest. Mostly sunny elsewhere. Highs from 5 to 15.
Iowa state forecast
Today...Becoming mostly sunny. Highs in the 20s northwest to 30s central and southeast.
Iowa state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny northeast...Increasing cloudiness over the rest of the state. A chance of light snow far west late. Highs in the teens north and the mid 20s south.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Sunny and cold. Highs single digits north to the teens to around 20 south.
Names and faces
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Singer Johnny Cash was released Wednesday from the hospital where he was treated for pneumonia, Baptist Hospital spokeswoman Jessica Etz said.
Names and faces
NEW YORK (AP) -- Ray Liotta hopes "Hannibal" will be his comeback film.
Barak decides not to serve in Israeli Cabinet
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon's quest for a broad coalition encountered new uncertainties Wednesday after defeated predecessor Ehud Barak unexpectedly said he would retire instead of fulfill an agreement to serve as defense minister.
North Korea threatening to drop missile accords
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- North Korea on Thursday warned that it might restart long-range missile tests in light of signs the new U.S. administration could take a tougher line with the communist nation.
Pope installs a record 44 new cardinals
VATICAN CITY -- In a sunlit ceremony of ancient ritual in St. Peter's Square, Pope John Paul II on Wednesday installed a record number of cardinals -- 44 new princes of the Roman Catholic Church.
Most bombs in recent strike on Iraq missed, Pentagon discloses
WASHINGTON -- Most of the bombs dropped by U.S. warplanes on Iraqi radar stations during last week's airstrikes missed their mark, Pentagon officials disclosed Wednesday, with most of the misses blamed on a new and expensive Navy guided bomb.