Tuesday, March 18, 2003
Extra credit
Michelle Janowiec, Brainerd, is studying abroad in New Zealand for spring semester through a program with the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLI(AP) -- Wheat receipts Friday 136, a year ago 43.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Monday cattle estimated receipts: 450. Last Monday: 240. Year Ago Monday: 372. Friday actual: 215.
Births
Johnie and Saran (Gildart) Nelson, Brainerd, a boy, Joseph William, 8 pounds, March 1, 2003. Grandparents are Betty and Danny Benjamin, Brainerd, Wilbert and Diane Gildart, Brainerd, and John and Chris Nelson, Aitkin. Great-grandparents are Mae Frisch, Brainerd, and the late Donald Frisch, and Jessi and Bernie Latteral, McGregor.
Fires
CROSSLAKE -- Crosslake firefighters responded to a house fire today on Bonnie Lakes Road in Crosslake.
Accidents
One person was injured in a two-vehicle accent Sunday on Highway 371, at the lower end of County Road 77.
Accident
A Brainerd woman and six children, ages 5-13, were injured Monday night after the woman apparently became distracted by the children in her Buick Skylark and lost control of the car, Brainerd police said.
Piehl's widow upset, says Scheeler didn't honor her request not be disturbed
Harriet Piehl, wife of the late Roger Piehl, is upset that her family's request not to be disturbed in the wake of Roger's death wasn't honored by Brainerd City Council member Gary Scheeler.
Park and rec director Bruce Ericson to retire
Brainerd Parks and Recreation Director Bruce Ericson has announced he will retire April 17.
Bush ultimatum draws passionate reaction among area residents
Passions ran high for some Brainerd residents who spoke out today about President George W. Bush's televised ultimatum to Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein while others had mixed feelings about a war that seems increasingly certain.
No injuries from garage fire south of Brainerd
A Brainerd firefighter extinguished the burning remains of a garage fire Saturday at a home on Erin Road, south of Brainerd. The garage was destroyed by the fire. No one was injured in the fire. The State Fire Marshal's Office was called to investigate.
Facilities added to city policy against personal use of equipment, vehicles
Another change has been made to Brainerd's policy against personal use of city vehicles and equipment to include facilities.
Authorities to target deadliest DWI counties, including Crow Wing, Cass
FERGUS FALLS (AP) -- Minnesota law enforcement authorities will target impaired drivers in 13 of the state's deadliest DWI counties through fall as they try to reduce the number of alcohol-related deaths.
This was Brainerd
MARCH 18 - 30 years ago (1973) - Cub Scout Pack 83 of Garfield School recently held its annual Blue and Gold Banquet. Joel Spillman, Scott Moede, Bradley Aberg and Brent Sargent, received Wolf badges, while Bear Badges were awarded to Mark Spangler, Jeff Klein and Luan Korchari.
Future top dogs meet
Shoppers may have been a little surprised at the Westgate Mall in Baxter Sunday afternoon.
Plan to scrap school union jobs in Pillager hotly debated
PILLAGER -- While President Bush was addressing the nation about going to war with Iraq, a heated debate broke out between the Pillager School Board and the Teamsters Local No. 320 Monday at the Pillager School Board meeting.
COMING TUESDAY
The Pillager School Board will review possible cuts for next school year tonight at its meeting. Look for the story in Tuesday's Dispatch.
City may change insurance agent
The city of Brainerd will look at changing its insurance agent.
City looking for ways to make arena profitable and end subsidization by PUC
During the next three months, Brainerd will be looking for ways to make the Brainerd Area Civic Center and Gold Medal Arena profitable.
This was Brainerd
MARCH 17 - 80 years ago (1923) - A.L. Mample was in the city Thursday, and stated that the roads are better for automobile travel than for horse drawn vehicles, the rough highways being hard on the horses' feet.
Real science
A Pequot Lakes fourth-grade class is working on a research project with NASA. Find out more in Wednesday's Neighbors section.
Impaired drivers targeted tonight
Officers from the Brainerd, Baxter and Nisswa police departments, the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department and the State Patrol will be targeting impaired drivers tonight.
Anna D. Holmes
Anna D. Holmes, 88, Brainerd, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville.
Pastor Daniel Drown
PINE RIVER -- A memorial service for Pastor Daniel Drown, 58, Pine River, who died Friday, March 7, 2003, will be 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter with the Rev. Byron Emmert officiating.
Marcella Karst
PIERZ -- Marcella Karst, 89, Pierz, died Sunday, March 16, 2003, at the Pierz Villa.
Clarence J. Schelling
CROSBY -- Clarence Joseph Schelling, 89, Crosby, died Sunday, March 16, 2003, at Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.
Marcella Karst
PIERZ -- Marcella Karst, 89, Pierz, died Sunday, March 16, 2003, at the Pierz Villa.
Erna A. Dickmann
LITTLE FALLS -- Erna A. Dickmann, 82, Little Falls, died Monday, March 17, 2003, at Lutheran Care Center in Little Falls.
Betty Lu Stunek
AITKIN -- Betty Lu Stunek, 77, Aitkin, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin.
Florence E. Secker
GRAND RAPIDS -- Florence E. Secker, 93, Grand Rapids, died Sunday, March 16, 2003, at her home.
Grace I. Horn
VERNDALE -- Grace I. Horn, 88, Verndale, died Friday, March 14, 2003, at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena.
Inez A. Field
PEQUOT LAKES -- Inez A. Field, 92, Pequot Lakes, died Monday, March 17, 2003, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Gunder L. Pearson
AITKIN -- Gunder L. Pearson, 81, Aitkin, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at Riverwood Healthcare Center in Aitkin.
Lola M. Peterson
SWANVILLE -- Lola M. Peterson, 82, Swanville, died today, March 18, 2003, at home.
Gerald Seaton
PINE RIVER -- Gerald Seaton, 94, Pine River, died Sunday, March 16, 2003, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.
Dwayne Dirks
PINE RIVER -- Dwayne Dirks, 62, Pine River, died Friday, March 14, 2003, at home.
Lester Sherwood
LITTLE FALLS -- Lester Sherwood, 80, Little Falls, died Friday, March 14, 2003, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Anna D. Holmes
BAXTER -- Anna D. Holmes, 88, Baxter, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at Fairview Ridges Hospital in Burnsville.
Josephine Seelen
LITTLE FALLS -- Josephine Seelen, 74, Little Falls, died Monday, March 17, 2003, at home.
Grace I. Horn
VERNDALE -- Grace I. Horn, 88, Verndale, died Friday, March 14, 2003, at Fair Oaks Lodge in Wadena.
David W. Svir
David William Svir, 53, Brainerd, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at Fairview University Hospital in Minneapolis.
Julia VanRoekel
VERNDALE -- Julia VanRoekel, Verndale, died today, March 18, 2003, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Doris E. Fauth
NISSWA -- Doris E. Fauth, 73, Nisswa, died Friday, March 14, 2003, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village.
Loren O. Trenary
AITKIN -- Loren O. Trenary, 92, Aitkin, died today, March 18, 2003, at home.
Judge Eugene J. Farrell
NISSWA -- Judge Eugene J. Farrell, 79, Nisswa, died Saturday, March 15, 2003, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester after a lengthy illness.
Open Forum
The Friday, March 14 issue of The Brainerd Dispatch carried an excellent editorial by Cal Thomas. It was entitled "U.S. out of the U.N. now?" It is truthful and insightful and I think that this piece should be required reading for all residents of the United States especially students, who are very seldom exposed to this type of literature in school.
Vox Pop
Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Submissions are limited to 100 words.
Marjory Luce
Politics would be a better environment if more candidates tried to emulate the ideals and conduct of Marjory Luce, who died last week at age 91.
Fight to keep our freedom alive
Will there be another war soon? What will we be fighting for? When is it worth fighting? When is freedom worth fighting for and why? I believe there are three reasons we should fight for freedom. One reason is people need and deserved to be treated fairly. We need to fight when people are in danger or when cruel people are the leaders of countries and armies. I don't know if there will be a war again soon, but I feel sad when I think of all these reasons for wars.
The Dispatch's editorial opinions
Editorial views in The Brainerd Dispatch represent a consensus of opinion by members of the newspaper's editorial board.
Cruelty is a cause for war
Misery, gloominess and sorrow. To me these words mean the opposite of freedom. I would not like to live in a world like that. When our unity as "one nation under God" is in jeopardy, we must fight. When kids have nightmares about terrorists, we must fight. When our American dreams are threatened, we must fight.
A health plan
Nothing has been more frustrating for seniors in recent years than Congress' failure to provide needed prescription drug coverage. Last week, President Bush provided a new platform for that action, introducing a Medicare reform package that provides prescription drug coverage.
Sertoma essay contest contest winners named
The Brainerd Area Sertoma Club has announced winners of the 20th annual Sertoma Heritage Essay Contest.
Many reasons to fight for freedom
There are many reasons to fight for freedom. If you wrote them all down, tied them in a knot, and stretched them out, they could probably fit around the earth. Two reasons within this chain would include fighting when our nation is threatened and fighting when family and friends are hurt or afraid to live life. We must fight for the freedom we treasure.
Open Forum
Vicious dogs are roaming our neighborhood. We know where they're from because they've been around a long time. We passed leash laws and gave numerous citations, but some troublemakers ignore them all. One has fences with huge holes and lets his entire kennel, including his meanest dogs, freely come and go.
With the military
Air Force Airman 1st Class Levi W. Ackley, son of Craig and Michele Ackley, Aitkin, recently deployed to a forward operating location to support the mission of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Minnesotans wary of war, but keep booking flights
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Despite the threat of war, Minnesotans are continuing to fly domestically for business or vacations, cruise Alaska and the Caribbean, and even go to Europe, travel experts said.
Security tightens in Minnesota as war looms
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesotans will find tighter security at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and other public spaces after President Bush warned that a war with Iraq could prompt terrorist attacks at home.
Wisconsin couple and daughter die in Minnesota plane crash
FOLEY (AP) -- Flying conditions were not ideal when a plane crashed near this central Minnesota city, killing a Wisconsin couple and their 4-year-old daughter.
General Mills provides cereal to troops
GOLDEN VALLEY (AP) -- U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf region might have to contend with sandstorms or worse, but they won't have to do without their Cocoa Puffs.
Handgun permit gets first hearing in Senate
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A GOP proposal that would require sheriffs to issue handgun permits to most law-abiding citizens reached the Senate on Monday, but Republicans were irked that Democrats have introduced a competing bill.
Letter with smelly potato causes Twin Cities hospital scare
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A letter containing a smelly slice of potato, apparently sent to mock some lawmakers' renaming of french fries as "freedom fries," triggered a scare at a Twin Cities hospital Tuesday.
Effectiveness of state do-not-call list questioned
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The state Commerce Department is investigating 42 cases of suspected violations of Minnesota's new do-not-call list.
Task force to assess competitiveness of state's forest-based industries
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty is assembling an interagency task force to assess the long-term competitiveness of Minnesota's forest-based industries.
Prairie Island reaches tentative agreement with Xcel
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Prairie Island Indian Community reached a tentative agreement Monday with Xcel Energy for additional nuclear waste storage at Xcel's Prairie Island nuclear plant, pending approval by the Minnesota Legislature.
About 1,200 attend antiwar funeral service at St. Paul Cathedral
ST. PAUL (AP) -- About 1,200 people led by Christian and Muslim clergy staged a mock funeral Sunday at the Cathedral of St. Paul for those who would die if the United States wages war with Iraq. The group then walked in silence, carrying caskets and antiwar signs, to the state Capitol, where they prayed for peace.
Lawyer agrees to defend Rep. Lindner against ethics charges
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A Marshall attorney will represent Rep. Arlon Lindner at no cost as the lawmaker defends himself against colleagues who say Lindner's recent comments have offended blacks and homosexuals.
Fog, lighting problem force Twin Cities airport to close to incoming flights
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A combination of thick fog and equipment trouble forced Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport to close two runways Monday morning, preventing dozens of flights from arriving.
Scoreboard
Radio guide --
Local briefs
Kylie Abrahamson of Brainerd raced her Arctic Cat to victory in the Women's and Junior age 14-15 features at a snocross event in Cloquet March 8-9.
Fomer Warrior player may return to team next season
STILLWATER -- The Brainerd Warriors adapted floor hockey team may welcome back Adam Thiel next season.
Scoreboard
high school athletics
Season ends for floor hockey team
STILLWATER -- Chris Jordan's first-period slap shot from center ice tied the score at 1-1 and made it a new game as the Brainerd Warriors played the Minneapolis South Tigers in the consolation semifinals of the state adapted floor hockey tournament Saturday at Stillwater High School.
Coaching changes, previews, state hopefuls
The echoes of basketballs pounding the hardwood or skates slicing through ice have disappeared.
Teammates help Garnett, Wolves trim Trail Blazers
MINNEAPOLIS -- Kevin Garnett turned in another MVP performance. Key contributions from his teammates won the game.
Sports briefs
Minnesota tallied 17 hits in a 10-2 win over Pacific to complete their series sweep on Sunday.
Andrews' home run lifts Twins
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Shane Andrews' two-run homer in the ninth, the first runs off Pirates reliever Duaner Sanchez this spring, rallied the Minnesota Twins past Pittsburgh 5-4 Monday.
Three boys' teams return to defend state titles
MINNEAPOLIS -- With five seniors in his starting lineup, it's understandable why Litchfield coach John Carlson doesn't want to think about next season.
Columbus wins battle of third-year franchises
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The game featured two third-year franchises, one a playoff contender and the other among the dregs of the NHL.
Sixth-seeded Gopher women to play Tulane in West
MINNEAPOLIS -- Eagerly gathered with a hundred-something group of friends, family and media members one year ago, the Minnesota women's basketball team groaned upon seeing the No. 5 next to its name on the bracket.
UMD, North Dakota make WCHA Final Five
Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota rounded out the Final Five Sunday with wins in their best-of-three series against St. Cloud State and Denver, respectively. They join Colorado College, Minnesota and Minnesota State, Mankato who earned berths Saturday by sweeping their opponents.
Ledee, Phillies romp past Twins
CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) -- Ricky Ledee's two-run triple in the seventh inning Sunday lifted the Philadelphia Phillies to a 12-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins.
Wild rallies for overtime tie against Lightning
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- It was not as profitable a night as the Tampa Bay Lightning sought. But they were more than happy to take a point Monday against Minnesota.
Girls' champs win with defense
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- If this year's state girls basketball tournament was a lottery drawing, then these were the losing numbers: 36, 22, 32 and 42.
Host UMD headlines women's Frozen Four
MINNEAPOLIS -- Minnesota-Duluth won't have to travel very far in trying to win its third women's hockey title in as many years.
State forecast for North Dakota
Dense fog fog advisory this morning central and east...
Happy St. Pat's
Weather drawing by Miranda Hanson of Mrs. Brenny's third grade class at Baxter school.
Iowa state forecast
This afternoon...Partly to mostly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms possible east and west late. Highs in the 60s to lower 70s.
State forecast for South Dakota
Winter storm warning today through tuesday night for the black hills...
Wisconsin state forecast
Dense fog advisory much of northern and central wisconsin this morning...
Iowa state forecast
Today...Cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms... Becoming likely by this afternoon south. Ghs in the 50s.
Minnesota state forecast
dense fog advisory central and south this morning...
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Areas of dense morning fog...Then mostly cloudy. Highs mainly in the 40s to around 50.
State forecast for North Dakota
Winter weather advisory for southwest north dakota this morning...
Minnesota state forecast
today...Mainly cloudy. A chance of morning showers central with some freezing drizzle possible northeast. Highs from the upper 30s north to the mid 50s south.
Seasons change
Weather drawing by Elizabeth Barnard of Mr. Trucano's fourth grade class at Baxter school.
State forecast for South Dakota
Winter storm warning today and tonight for the black hills...The northern foothills...And parts of the far northwest...
What's doing
The Nisswa Garden Club meeting and luncheon will be March 27 at the Lutheran Church of the Cross. The program, by Micheal and Clayton Osland, is titled, "Shade Gardening-Beyond Hostas, Perennial Variety Shade Loving Perennials, not to be ignored." Mike Edmonds is coordinating. Hosts are Betty Hornung, Lois Erickson, Art Brown and Lorraine Beeson.