Tuesday, March 5, 2002
Extra credit
Brent Levig, the son of Laurie and Mark Levig of Brainerd, has been accepted into Alexandria Technical College for the 2002-03 school year. Levig is enrolled in the carpentry program.
Handling office flirt requires delicate touch
DEAR ABBY: You were a little rough on "Tom" in your reply to "The Office Gang," the letter about the female trucker who kept coming on to the only man in the office. You implied he was like a little boy who lacked courage. I must disagree with you. Take it from one who knows: I've been in Tom's predicament more than once.
Parents urged to nudge -- not push -- children
NEW YORK (AP)-- If anything needs to be done at his son's elementary school, Michael Sands is the first in line to volunteer. He arranged a visit by fighter pilots on Career Day, he has brought in snacks for the kids -- and teachers' favorite coffees.
Compulsive eating can be a matter of life and death
DEAR ABBY: I read with great empathy the series of letters that began with "Frustrated Wife," who was overweight and whose husband had moved to another bedroom.
Markets
SOUTH ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) (USDA) -- Monday hogs: 950 includes 200 feeder pigs.
Els holds off Tiger
MIAMI (AP) -- Ernie Els watched Tiger Woods' long drives, the clutch putts and the fervent fist pumps. He heard the frenzied gallery and even felt the momentum shift in the final round of the Genuity Championship.
CDC: Gonorrhea leveling off; cities suffer
ATLANTA (AP) -- Gonorrhea has leveled off in the United States but rates are still rising in many cities hit hardest by the infection, a finding health officials say is unacceptable.
Pediatrics Academy issues skateboard, scooter guidelines
CHICAGO (AP) -- Unless they're supervised by adults, kids under 10 shouldn't use skateboards and those under 8 shouldn't use non-motorized scooters, according to new guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Left-handers are born with different brains
People who grow up left-handed have a different, more flexible brain structure than those born to take life by the right hand, say researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles, who use twins to study heredity.
Wintery jog
Gary Rehbein and Bud McCulloch didn't let the cold weather and light snow stop them from jogging down Kingwood Street in Brainerd on Monday. (Dispatch Photo by Clint Wood)
Baxter city staffers feel growing pains
BAXTER -- Baxter's growth is catching up with its city employees.
Tourney time
Sports writer Jeremy Millsop takes a look at boys' basketball section play in Tuesday's sports.
COMING WEDNESDAY
A Brainerd woman created a mural designed for the youths at her Nisswa church. Read more about this story in Wednesday's Neighbors.
Correction/clarification
A Brainerd school meeting story on Page 6A in Friday's Dispatch listed the wrong date. The Brainerd School District's Curriculum/Student Activities committee will meet at 7 p.m. March 11.
Local briefs
Brainerd finance committee will The Brainerd School District's Finance/Insurance Committee will meet at 12 p.m. March 14 in the district office. The committee will discuss the statewide health insurance Legislative proposal. Day at capitol Thursday
This was Brainerd
40 years ago (1962) - Brainerd seems likely to go over the 40-inch mark on snowfall and over the 50 mark on the number of days with below zero weather this year. The weekend brought four inches more of snow and another below zero temperature reading.
Cullen creek culvert
Cullen Creek tumbled out of the culvert under the Paul Bunyan Trail in Nisswa Sunday as central Minnesota residents endured the coldest weekend of the year. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)
Hug for a state champion
Brainerd High School wrestling coach Bob Brakke gave Class 3A state champion Andy Pickar a lift after Pickar became the fifth wrestler in school history to earn a title. Pickar recorded a 6-4 decision against Henry Sibley sophomore Adam Rall to win the 140-pound class Saturday. Story on Page 1S. (Dispatch Photo by Jason Henke)
Green eggs
Whittier Elementary School first-grader Nathaniel Fitch was among students eating a green eggs and ham breakfast Monday morning during the March Madness Kick Off Program to honor Dr. Seuss' birthday. The Warriors boys' basketball team also made an appearance. (Dispatch Photo by Clint Wood)
Man drowns in 4-wheeler plunge
A 47-year-old Brainerd man drowned on North Long Lake Saturday after his four-wheeler went through the ice.
Ryan convenes grand jury
Crow Wing County Attorney Don Ryan convened a grand jury today.
Technician decides he likes Brainerd better than Baxter
Rehiring a former employee was a point of debate Monday for the Brainerd City Council.
Northeast Brainerd meeting is Thursday
A follow-up session to a Jan. 31 meeting for northeast Brainerd residents is set for 7 p.m. Thursday in the basement of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.
Local briefs
The Region 5 Child Care Resource & Referral Service will sponsor infant/toddler care training from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Brainerd Public Library.
Access to some Baxter streets worries resident
BAXTER -- A Cedardale Lane resident raised concerns Monday of bottlenecks and limited access for emergency vehicles to Baxter homes on streets with only one way in and one way out.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1982) - The Brainerd Warriors emerged victorious in the State High School Wrestling Tournament in St. Paul. Brainerd defeated Anoka 35-12 for the Class AA Team Championship.
Police station is proposed
A $1,216,580 proposal for a new police station was presented to the Brainerd City Council Monday.
A trip in the 'Whizbang' Museum display chronicles 1923 trip of four brave Brainerd women
At noon on May 26, 1923, four Brainerd women set out together in an old Starr automobile they nicknamed, "Whizbang," on a seven-week adventure to California and back.
Building codes raised as annexation issue
BAXTER -- Building codes and the city of Baxter's criteria were discussed regarding a petition for annexation from Unorganized Territory during Baxter's City Council meeting Monday.
Reception set
The Brainerd Warrior Activities Department is hosting a reception for last week's wrestling and swimming and diving state participants. The reception will be 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Brainerd High School cafeteria.
TIF mulled for townhomes
The pieces are almost in place for the construction of 30 townhomes near the intersection of Highways 18 and 25 in Brainerd.
Americans killed as war heats up
WASHINGTON (AP) -- At least seven Americans were killed when two helicopters took enemy fire in the largest offensive of the five-month war to root terrorists out of Afghanistan, a Pentagon source said Monday.
Murray recalling riding mowers
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Tennessee company is recalling 95,700 riding lawn mowers because the fuel tanks can crack and cause a fire hazard.
Escalation indicates victory may be far off
WASHINGTON -- American helicopters are shot down and soldiers killed. An intense battle is waged on the ground. A well-armed and wily enemy is dug in and determined to fight.
Paper adds pet death notices
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Animal lovers who want to tell the world how much they miss their loyal Labrador or precious Persian can now take out an ad memorializing their dearly departed pets.
Senate probes home abuse
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nursing home patients have been dragged down hallways, doused with ice water, sexually assaulted and beaten in their beds, yet few prosecutions have resulted, a congressional investigation found.
Stocks up sharply again
Investors on Monday washed away any lingering doubts about the recession's end and pushed Enron Corp. worries far into the background, as stock prices rocketed for a second straight session.
Deaths of GIs stiffen Bush resolve
WASHINGTON (AP) -- After a bloody day of combat for American forces in Afghanistan, with seven killed and 11 wounded, Pentagon officials said a U.S.-led force of about 2,000 would continue fighting dug-in al-Qaida and Taliban fighters until the enemy were either dead or captured.
Many states have considered banning cell phones at the wheel, but only one has acted
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) -- Many states over the past year have considered banning the use of hand-held cellular phones while driving, but so far only one -- New York -- has taken that step.
Government steps up efforts to hire 30,000 federal airport screeners
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Newly trained federal employees could start checking passengers and luggage this spring, Transportation Department officials said Monday in announcing that they will start hiring more than 30,000 security screeners.
Abuse costing dioceses
Sexual misconduct by Roman Catholic priests has cost the church in lost faith and broken lives. Yet the damage from the scandals has been financial as well as spiritual.
Reagans celebrate golden anniversary
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- As Ronald and Nancy Reagan celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Monday, they are still inseparable after years together in Hollywood, the White House and finally, in the shadows of Alzheimer's disease.
National briefs
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- A fresh pair of spacewalkers attached a second powerful 25-foot solar wing to the Hubble Space Telescope on Tuesday with speed and apparent ease.
Denver claims MacNaughton Cup
Hockey players in the WCHA spent 28 games traveling from Michigan to Alaska to win the conference championship and the MacNaughton Cup, but it all came down to a the final seconds of overtime on Friday in Grand Forks, N.D.
Escobar carried off with knee injury
Derek Jeter and Jason Giambi will probably just miss a couple of spring training games.
Sports briefs
NEW YORK (AP) -- Bruce Bowen of the San Antonio Spurs was fined $7,500 by the NBA on Sunday for kicking the Minnesota Timberwolves' Wally Szczerbiak in the face.
Oregon makes it to Top Ten
Kansas, Maryland and Duke were 1-2-3 in the AP college basketball poll for the third consecutive week Monday, while Oregon made its first Top Ten appearance in 26 years.
Lack of diversity in media is worth considering
As usual, the whole Nolan Richardson saga that played out over the past week focused too much on Nolan Richardson.
Enid M. Hanson
AITKIN -- Enid M. Hanson, 87, Aitkin, died Friday, March 1, 2002, at Riverwood Extended Care Center.
Seraphine Wiherski
LITTLE FALLS -- Seraphine Wiherski, 82, Little Falls, died Saturday, March 2, 2002, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls.
Rita Wensmann
ELMDALE -- Rita Wensmann, 69, Elmdale, died Friday, March 1, 2002, at her home.
Leland Hammond
WALKER -- Leland Hammond, 59, Walker, formerly of Brainerd, died Friday, March 1, 2002, at the Dakota Clinic in Walker.
Robert M. Johnson
MOOSE LAKE -- Robert Matthew Johnson, 58, Moose Lake, died Thursday, Feb. 28, 2002, at home.
Helen C. Banks
EMILY -- Helen C. Banks, 73, Emily, died Sunday, March 3, 2002, at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin.
Helen Ebinger
Helen Ebinger, 82, Brainerd, died Monday, March 4, 2002, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Robert S. Brown Sr.
PINE RIVER -- Robert S. Brown Sr., 86, Pine River, died Friday, March 1, 2002, at home.
Jonathan Dwyer
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. -- Jonathan Willis Dwyer, 31, Clarksville, Tenn., died Friday, Feb. 22, 2002, at his home.
Leona Hartwig
PEQUOT LAKES -- Leona Hartwig, 84, Pequot Lakes, died Sunday, March 3, 2002, at home.
Elmer Wiese
MULLEN, Neb. -- Elmer J. Wiese, 90, Mullen, Neb., formerly of Pine River, died Thursday, Jan. 31, 2002, at Pioneer Nursing Home in Mullen.
Margaret Erickson
PINE RIVER -- Margaret Erickson, 88, Pine River, died Friday, March 1, 2002, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River.
Helen Banks
EMILY -- Helen C. Banks, 73, Emily, died Sunday, March 3, 2002, at Riverwood HealthCare Center in Aitkin.
Virginia 'Bunny' Guy
LITTLE FALLS -- Virginia "Bunny" H. Guy, 88, Little Falls, died Saturday, March 2, 2002, at her home in Little Falls.
Mary Rasinski
LITTLE FALLS -- Mary L. Rasinski, 87, Little Falls, died Sunday, March 3, 2002, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Paul Eugene Praske
AITKIN -- Paul Eugene Praske, 77, Aitkin, died Friday, March 1, 2002, at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby.
Thomas Lund
RANDALL -- Thomas Lund, 49, Randall, died Friday, March 1, 2002, at the St. Cloud Hospital.
Evelyn Alice Miller
GLENWOOD -- Evelyn Alice Miller, 86, Glenwood, formerly of Pine River, died Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2002, at Glacial Ridge Hospital in Glenwood.
Mary Rasinski
BELLE PRAIRIE -- Mary Rasinski, 87, Belle Prairie, died Sunday, March 3, 2002, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Hulda J. Crocker
PILLAGER -- Hulda J. Crocker, 95, Pillager, died Friday, March 1, 2002, at the Greater Staples Care Center.
Leona Hartwig
PEQUOT LAKES -- Leona Hartwig, 84, Pequot Lakes, died Sunday, March 3, 2002, at her home.
Art Tonder
LITTLE FALLS -- Art Tonder, 80, Little Falls, died Monday, March 4, 2002, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
One piece of the puzzle
I was a member of the Citizens Advisory Task Force that Mr. Begin wrote so disparagingly about. I am also the parent of three children (Whittier and Washington), a taxpayer, a volunteer in the schools, and a substitute teacher.
Bush's visit - Dispatch Editorial
Students and teachers at Eden Prairie High School were busy preparing for the arrival of President George W. Bush today as he touted the teacher's training aspect of his recently signed education bill.
A Thesaurist leaves, exits
This editorial appeared in Sunday's Los Angeles Times:
Financial facts
The residents of our school district passed an operating referendum of $195 per pupil unit in November 2001.
Feelings and facts
While having passion for a particular cause might be noble, known facts and expert opinion ought to be the basis for one's actions regarding something as important as the upcoming referendum. I hope responsible voters will be able to discern between "feelings" and "facts" when it's time to vote on March 12.
Our editorial opinions
Editorial views in The Brainerd Dispatch represent a consensus of opinion by members of the newspaper's editorial board.
Open Forum
Why Brainerd school district residents would vote "no" on the proposed school bond issue:
OTHER OPINIONS Public airwaves?
As any insomniac who has listened to a TV station's early morning sign-off knows, broadcasters are licensed by the Federal Communications Commission to operate "in the public interest." Not that you'd know that by watching the programming.
Open Forum
There have been so many letters on the upcoming school bond referendum with half-truths, education bashing, misinformation, false accusations, how about a letter with just the facts?
Schumacher sails
The Williams of Ralf Schumacher (center) flew over the Ferrari of Brazil's Rubens Barrichello as they collided while heading into the first corner of the first lap in the Australian Formula One Grand Prix Sunday.
Lucky break helps Marlin to victory
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Thanks to miscommunication by NASCAR, a malfunctioning tachometer didn't bring down Sterling Marlin.
Two Minot families allowed to return home after spill
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Two Minot families will be allowed to go home for good, 46 days after a train derailed, spilling deadly anhydrous ammonia and displacing about 20 families near the crash site.
Ely school district starting wilderness high school
ELY (AP) -- The Ely school district is starting a wilderness high school to give students from all over Minnesota a chance to spend a year in the north woods.
MnSCU board takes stand on mascots
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees has gone on record opposing the use of discriminatory logos, names, mascots and nicknames by its member institutions and by opposing teams.
Education, war mixed in Bush's visit to Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- President Bush juggled his domestic, foreign policy and political agendas on Monday, telling teen-agers that the war in Afghanistan has helped Americans better appreciate the value of life.
House speaker listens all day
ST. PAUL -- The speaker became a listener Monday.
Jordan wins special election
BROOKLYN PARK (AP) -- Republican John Jordan was elected Monday in a special election called to fill a state House seat that covers a northwestern Minneapolis suburb.
Bush stumps for teacher training and Coleman
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush is sharpening his focus on teacher training as he helps raise money in Minnesota for a Democrat-turned-Republican seeking to oust Sen. Paul Wellstone.
Senate bill seeks to avoid contract vote
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Senate on Monday passed a bill that backers hope will offer a way for the Legislature to avoid a resumption of a strike by state workers.
St. Paul man pulls five teen-agers from burning car
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A St. Paul man pulled five teen-agers from a burning car after it crashed into a tree and his East Side house.
Bush brings in bucks for Coleman
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Norm Coleman made a big haul on a big day with President Bush.
Man arrested after woman found dead
RICHFIELD (AP) -- Police found a 30-year-old woman dead and a 36-year-old man seriously injured when they were called to an apartment early Tuesday.
Burnsville SuperAmerica banned from selling tobacco for a year
BURNSVILLE (AP) -- Tobacco products were cleared this week from the shelves of a SuperAmerica gas station that received one of the strictest penalties known in Minnesota for selling cigarettes to minors.
Letter discouraged minorities at SCSU
ST. CLOUD (AP) -- St. Cloud State University officials have asked the school's governing body to review a letter sent by two faculty members and a retired faculty member discouraging minority students from attending the university.
Wadena-DC loses in 2A consolation championship dual
ST. PAUL -- With one of their best wrestlers out of the lineup with a knee injury, the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines needed to make up some points.
S-M girls advance to section semifinals
HAWLEY -- The Staples-Motley Cardinals girls' basketball team defeated the Perham Yellowjackets 57-41 in the Section 8, Class 2A quarterfinals Saturday.
Brincefields fall in bid to repeat in Class 2A
ST. PAUL -- What was billed as the "match to watch" at the state Class 2A individual wrestling finals, and perhaps the entire state tournament at the Xcel Energy Center Saturday, lasted just 10 seconds.
Local sports shorts
The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department is accepting team registration for its summer softball leagues.
Chisholm ousts Pequot Lakes girls
HIBBING -- In her last game as a Pequot Lakes Patriot, Julie Redebaugh scored 23 points, but it wasn't enough as the second-seeded Patriots were edged 43-42 by the third-seeded Chisholm Bluestreaks in the Section 7, Class 2A quarterfinals Saturday.
Scoreboard
BOYS BASKETBALL
Warriors headed for state
The Brainerd Warriors adapted floor hockey team will be heading to familiar surroundings next week -- the state tournament.
Pierz's Luberts, B-H/V's Oyster 1A champs
ST. PAUL -- One hopes to be a multiple state wrestling champion.
Flyers land top seed
Three area boys' basketball teams have a chance to see how beneficial a No. 1 seed is in the section playoffs, which start this week.
Scoreboard
BOYS BASKETBALL
Warrior girls advance to section final
The Brainerd Warriors girls' basketball team needs just one more win to return to the Class 4A state tournament for the first time since the 1996-97 season.
Verndale, LRCS boys eliminated
MENAHGA -- The Menahga Braves hit eight of 10 free throws down the stretch to defeat the Verndale Pirates 53-43 in the opening round of Section 6, Class 1A boys' basketball Monday.
Rochester ends season for Raider women
The Central Lakes College women's basketball team ended its season on a low note Saturday as it fell to the Rochester Yellowjackets 76-66 in the consolation semifinals of the Minnesota Community College Conference state tournament.
Pierz finishes sixth in Class 1A
ST. PAUL -- The second-ranked BOLD Warriors had the misfortune of drawing eventual co-state champion Frazee in the quarterfinals of the Class 1A team wrestling tournament.
Raider men lose in consolation final
MINNEAPOLIS -- In Sunday's consolation championship game against Rochester in the Minnesota Community College state tournament, the Central Lakes College men's basketball team came out smoking in the first half by shooting nearly 53 percent from the field.
Kennedy third in state diving
MINNEAPOLIS -- Shaun Kennedy is moving on up.
Martinson scores 27 in W-DC defeat
PERHAM -- Andrew Martinson scored 27 points but the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines boys' basketball team lost to the Perham Yellowjackets 67-65 Saturday.
Pickar state champion
ST. PAUL -- Andy Pickar joined an elite group of Brainerd Warrior wrestlers Saturday. Next season, he has an opportunity to write additional history.
UMD men win NSIC playoff title
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Chris Stanley knocked down a 12-foot jumper from the right wing with time running out to give Minnesota-Duluth a 59-57 win over Southwest State in the NSIC Conference Championship.
Apple Valley, Blue Earth shine at prep wrestling meet
ST. PAUL (AP) -- On a day when the state's elite wrestlers converged on the Xcel Energy Center for the state wrestling finals, Apple Valley and Blue Earth gave notice that they still have a leg up on the competition.
Gopher men looking forward to Big Ten tournament
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Illinois and Minnesota are eager to start the Big Ten tournament for different reasons.
Minneapolis South forfeits 18 games
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Third-ranked Minneapolis South must forfeit 18 boys' basketball victories for using an ineligible player, the Minnesota State High School League ruled.
Canucks dump Wild
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- Six players scored for Vancouver as the Canucks ended a four-game winless skid with a 6-3 victory Saturday night over the Minnesota Wild.
Unearned runs let Twins beat Yanks
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- David Wells allowed one run over two innings in his first game action since last July as the New York Yankees lost to a Minnesota Twins spilt-squad 7-3 Monday.
State wrestling team tournament
Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul
Twins again counting on Ortiz
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- David Ortiz is known around the Minnesota Twins clubhouse as "Big O." When he got hurt last year, the reaction was a big "Oh!"
Rangers hammer Twins, Radke 20-8
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- Brad Radke was tagged for eight runs in the top of the first inning Sunday at Hammond Stadium as the Texas Rangers routed the Minnesota Twins 20-8.
Reserves lead Wolves past Jazz
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves looked like one of the deepest teams in the league. Just ask Gary Trent.
Hoops action
Weather drawing by Dylan Wheeler in the Baxter fourth garde of Mr. Johnson.
State forecast for south dakota
Today...Occasional light snow far northeast...Otherwise mostly cloudy north to partly cloudy and mild south. Highs in the lower 30s northeast to the lower 50s south.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Cloudy or becoming mostly cloudy. A chance of light snow or flurries. Highs from 10 to 20.
State forecast for north dakota
Today...Mostly cloudy with a chance of light snow west...And flurries central and east. Windy this morning with highs from the lower 20s northeast to the mid 30s southwest.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. A chance for flurries or light snow...Mainly in the afternoon. Highs in the 20s to the low 30s.
It's a grand old flag
Weather drawing by Paige Elyea in the Lowell first grade of Sharon Jendro.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Some light snow or flurries. Accumulations less than an inch. Not as cold with highs in the 20s.
Plains receive strong snow
MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) -- The month of March roared in like a snow lion, triggering bone-chilling temperatures, dangerous roads and more than 20 deaths along the nation's midsection.
Minnesota state forecast
Winter weather advisory tonight northwest...
Iowa state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy with a chance of light snow or flurries. Highs in the lower 20s northeast to near 40 southwest.
State forecast for south dakota
Today...Mostly cloudy...Breezy and warmer with scattered flurries east this morning. Highs in the 30s east to the 40s west.
State forecast for north dakota
Winter weather advisory tonight east...
Iowa state forecast
Today...Scattered flurries or light snow north this morning
Names and faces
NEW YORK (AP) -- In his first public comments on ABC's effort to replace his program with David Letterman, "Nightline" host Ted Koppel said he hopes to stay with the network but criticized an ABC executive for questioning the show's relevance.
Filipinos raised warning in 1995
U.S. authorities were alerted as early as 1995 that several Middle Eastern pilots were training at American flight schools and at least one had proposed hijacking a plane to crash into federal buildings, according to documents and interviews with Filipino and U.S. authorities.
Violence erupts again in Mideast
JERUSALEM (AP) -- In back-to-back attacks early Tuesday, a Palestinian man opened fire on a crowded Tel Aviv nightclub, a suicide bomber blew himself up on an Israeli bus and gunmen ambushed Israeli motorists in the West Bank. In all, five Israelis and two Palestinian assailants were killed.