Wednesday, March 27, 2002
Shell to buy Pennzoil-Quaker State, nation's largest motor-oil producer, in $1.8 billion deal
HOUSTON (AP) -- Pennzoil-Quaker State Co., the nation's biggest producer of motor oil and owner of the Jiffy Lube chain, is being acquired by Royal Dutch/Shell Group in a deal worth $1.8 billion.
Schools struggle with student cheating
CLIFTON, Va. -- A large banner hangs above the blackboard in Denise Brown's classroom: "On my honor as a citizen, I have neither given nor received help on this assignment, nor have I witnessed such activity," it says.
Schools in International Falls, Fort Frances to connect via TV
INTERNATIONAL FALLS (AP) -- Rainy River Community College in International Falls and Confederation College in Fort Frances, Ontario, will share some classes this fall via TV.
A spicy list
Dear Heloise: I do a lot of cooking and therefore have a wide variety of spices in my cabinet. I often purchase a special spice for a particular recipe. Because of this, some of the spices are hidden due to the large number of them.
Survey finds kids trust people closest to them the most
They may swoon for 'N Sync, be slaves to Britney and clamor for Shaq's autograph, but when it comes to trust, today's pre-teens don't stray far from the people they see every day.
Teaching as second career man hold hidden penalties
DEAR ABBY: I thoroughly agree with you and "Veteran School Secretary" regarding the critical importance of teachers in our country. It is vital to our future that we recruit and retain the best of the best for our children, and it doesn't matter if they come straight to teaching from a university or they pursue another career first. The point is to get them together with our kids.
Old teen accident story still powerful
DEAR ABBY: A senior girl at my school was tragically killed in a car accident over Super Bowl weekend. She wasn't wearing her seatbelt and was thrown from the car. The car rolled on top of her and crushed her. Her boyfriend was with her. I heard that before she died, he took her hand and she told him she loved him. It just blew me away. My cousin was killed a year ago in much the same way.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Monday cattle: 400.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Tuesday 205, a year ago 100.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Tuesday cattle: 800.
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Monday.
Crimes
BURGLARIES -- Report Sunday of a burglary at the Ivan Scott residence in Fort Ripley.
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Tuesday.
Accidents
BUCKMAN -- One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident Monday on Highway 25,
Fires
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a fire in a dump truck at 6:15 a.m. today at Mac Manufacturing, 18092 Highway 371.
Study: Some hearts aspirin-resistant
DALLAS (AP) -- A new study suggests that some people who take aspirin to ward off heart attacks may not be getting all the benefits they thought they were.
Born to build bikes
EAST GULL LAKE -- When Paul Tollefson was growing up, his father, Irv Tollefson, Crow Wing County chief deputy, never let him own a motorcycle.
College Budget Council named for Central Lakes College
A College Budget Council for Central Lakes College, Brainerd and Staples, has been formed and is assisting in the development of a budget responding to limitations and economic uncertainties.
Bush policy is forum topic April 2 at CLC
"Bush Policy, Before and After 9/11" is the title of a public forum featuring a former U.S. diplomat from 5:15 to 6:30 p.m. April 2 at Central Lakes College, Brainerd.
Area artist's design was a finalist in DNR contest
An area artist placed among the six finalists in the DNR's recent conservation license plate design contest.
Stage make-up mid-term at CLC
Theater students in the Central Lakes College stage make-Up class had a mid-term exam that involved creating a face, including the concept and description of the character.
Lions donate to CLC Foundation
The Brainerd Lions Club, after 80 years as a vital community service organization, continues to play a role in higher education.
CLC dental students give free checkups to children ages 3-5
Central Lakes College dental assisting students recently provided free exams and cleanings to 46 children enrolled in the Tri-County Community Action Head Start program in Brainerd and Crosby.
'Bravery'
Wee Petite Kix Mandi Lambert (right) and Mallory Master, both of Crosby, practiced their routine, "Bravery," before a combined show with the Aitkin and Crosby Wee Kix Monday night in Aitkin. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)
Area briefs
CROSBY -- The Cuyuna Range Women's Club will meet at 2 p.m. April 8 in the Jessie F. Hallett Memorial Library meeting room, Crosby.
Candidate linked to domestic abuse withdraws
Justin Wallin, Pequot Lakes, announced Monday his decision to withdraw as a candidate for the District 12 Senate seat.
Yanisch: Interest shown in plant
Rebecca Yanisch, Minnesota Department of Trade and Economic Development commissioner, said the role at the state level is to help broker a transaction. Monday afternoon, Yanisch said interest has already been expressed in the Potlatch plant, but that it was too early to go into details.
Economic aftershocks expected from closing
If the announcement of Potlatch's closing could be compared to a community earthquake, the aftershocks are expected to continue and widen.
Evening deer
Interrupted while grazing on exposed grass, a herd of white-tailed deer watched motorists Monday along Highway 11 southwest of Aitkin. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)
City gives office space to union
The Brainerd City Council Monday approved a request from Potlatch union Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union Local 79, for office space after the plant is expected to close in May.
Redistricting: Now it's county board's turn
Now that congressional and legislative redistricting is complete, it's time for county boards to tackle the task.
Fallout to land on children, says social services
The closing of Potlatch not only will affect employees, but also those employees' children.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1982) - Doug Frazior, executive director of the Brainerd Area Chamber of Commerce, has been chosen Toastmaster of the Year for 1981 by the Brainerd-Paul Bunyan Toastmaster Club.
Samuelson seeks extended benefits for Potlatch employees
Potlatch employees could receive extended unemployment benefits under a bill approved by the Minnesota Senate Tuesday, but the bill faces another hurdle in committee.
Agenda
Meets 7 p.m. Thursday
Grand jury convenes
A Crow Wing County grand jury convened today, the Crow Wing County court administrator's office reported.
Correction / clarification
A Bruce Femling guest column on Page 4A March 12 should have said, If these trends continue pretty soon we'll have ... Parents sponsoring "drinking parties" because it's "safer" at home.
Correction/clarification
In a March 25 story about state Sen. Becky Lourey's choice of former Star Tribune publisher Joel Kramer as her gubernatorial running mate, The Associated Press erroneously reported that Kramer is the first man to run for lieutenant governor on a ticket headed by a woman.
Commission tables talk on adult ordinance
The Brainerd Planning Commission tabled discussion on the city's adult use ordinance Tuesday before any discussion could take place.
Local briefs
The Brainerd Planning Commission will meet noon Monday at city hall.
COMING THURSDAY
Aitkin High School students are rehearsing for their upcoming production of the musical "Oklahoma!" Look for a cast photo Thursday in Tempo.
Road restrictions to begin
BAXTER -- The Minnesota Department of Transportation will start spring load restrictions in all zones within the state at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.
Signs of Potlatch trouble didn't lessen impact
Allen Kretzmann, 58, began working at Potlatch in 1966. Thirty-six members of his family worked at the Brainerd mill over the years.
Officers given airport duty
City and county law enforcement personnel have replaced Minnesota Army National Guard members at the Brainerd-Crow Wing County Regional Airport.
CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION
In a Page 1A story Sunday, Sen. Mark Dayton should have been referred to as a Democrat.
COMING WEDNESDAY
An East Gull Lake man builds custom-made motorcycles and recently won awards for his work. Read more about this story in Wednesday's Neighbors.
AT THE SUMMIT
A horse is silhouetted against the evening sun on the Blackhoof Ranch in rural Ironton Monday. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)
School bond recount set for Thursday
A recount of the Brainerd School District's $59.9 million bond referendum results from March 12 is planned for Thursday.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1982) - The Brainerd School Board asked teachers and parents a question last night: What do you think of combining Sixth and Seventh graders in one building? The answer was a resounding thumbs down.
Honorary membership
Brainerd Rotary Club member and former district governor Hanspeter Borgwarth (left) presented retired Gen. John Vessey an honorary Rotary membership Tuesday. Vessey is the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)
Local briefs
Kay Anderson will present the "Ann Marie Donaco Story" from 6:30-9:30 p.m. April 13 at the Ramada Inn.
Hospital gives county $100,000 for detox center
Crow Wing County Social Service Department's financial status in February was significantly improved with a $100,000 donation from the St. Joseph's Medical Center Board, reported Sue Beck, county human services director.
EPA says it has clear path to tough new air standards following court win
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Environmental Protection Agency says it now has "a clear path" to requiring tougher air pollution health standards after winning a five-year legal fight over one of the most controversial Clinton-era environmental regulations.
It's a girl, times four Identical quads birth a 1-in-11 million event
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) -- A mother gave birth to four identical quadruplet girls, a phenomenon that only happens in every 1-in-11 million births overall.
Bush signs campaign finance bill
GREENVILLE, S.C. (AP) -- Without fanfare, President Bush signed landmark campaign finance legislation Wednesday as he opened an aggressive multimillion-dollar fund-raising swing. Within hours, multiple lawsuits challenged the new law.
SEC accuses waste execs of fraud
NEW YORK -- The Securities and Exchange Commission on Tuesday sued six former executives of Waste Management Inc., the largest U.S. trash hauler, accusing them of inflating profits by $1.7 billion in a "massive financial fraud" the agency said was aided by the Andersen accounting firm.
New-home sales rise 5.3 percent
WASHINGTON (AP) -- New-home sales rose 5.3 percent in February as buyers were motivated by low mortgage rates and mild weather.
Condit subpoenaed
WASHINGTON (AP) -- California Rep. Gary Condit has been subpoenaed to testify early next month by a grand jury investigating the disappearance of Chandra Levy, a source said.
Report: Medicare, Social Security programs stable despite recession
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Social Security and Medicare are still running out of cash, but despite the recession the two retirement programs have grown a little bit stronger.
Durable-goods orders increase
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Orders to U.S. factories for big-ticket goods rose 1.5 percent in February, the third straight monthly increase, lifted by stronger demand for airplanes, communications equipment and household appliances.
Court: Illegals don't have same rights as Americans when they are wrongly fired
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that illegal immigrants do not have the same rights as Americans when they are wrongly fired from U.S. jobs.
Consumer confidence rises
NEW YORK (AP) -- Consumer confidence surged in March to its highest level in seven months, bolstered by growing optimism about the economy and the job market.
Man featured in 'Jerry Springer Show' episode about mistresses found guilty in ex-wife's death
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -- A man was convicted of killing his ex-wife hours after they and another woman were featured on a "Jerry Springer Show" episode about love triangles.
Bush selects nominees for surgeon general, NIH
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush has selected Arizona trauma surgeon Richard Carmona to be surgeon general and was also nominating on Tuesday a top administrator at Johns Hopkins University to direct the National Institutes of Health, The Associated Press has learned.
Three companies targeted in slavery reparations suits
NEW YORK -- A woman whose ancestors were slaves sued three companies for allegedly profiting from slavery for nearly two centuries -- a long-simmering concept that could pick up steam if more blacks are allowed to join the lawsuits.
Supreme Court gives public housing leaders license to use evictions to combat drugs
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that government agencies can use aggressive eviction policies to get rid of drug users in public housing.
Court mulls lifting speech restraints on judges
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Supreme Court justices, who have lifetime job security, considered Tuesday whether state court judges should be able to campaign for their jobs in much the same way that politicians do.
U.S. special forces troops to train recruits for Afghan army
WASHINGTON -- The Pentagon unveiled a plan to speed formation of a national army in Afghanistan Monday, announcing that as many as 150 U.S. Special Forces troops would soon begin training local Afghan recruits.
Fiery, head-on crash in Wisconsin leaves 5 dead, 20 injured
IXONIA, Wis. (AP) -- A senior citizens' trip to the Milwaukee botanical gardens turned into a fiery tragedy when their chartered bus slammed headfirst into a delivery van, killing five people and injuring 20.
Arthur Andersen CEO resigns
CHICAGO -- Joseph Berardino spent 30 years with Arthur Andersen LLP, only to see the accounting firm wrecked by a federal indictment in the implosion of Enron Corp.
Price is right for Oklahoma
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Oklahoma guard Hollis Price needs extra time to warm up before games. When he's on the sideline, a heating pad helps keep his injured right arm loose.
Women's Final Four field is set
Duke got one of its basketball teams to a Final Four, and Oklahoma now has both. As usual, Connecticut and Tennessee made it, too.
Perry takes over as IU point guard
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) -- While starting point guard Tom Coverdale hobbled around campus on crutches Monday, Indiana practiced with Coverdale's likely replacement, freshman Donald Perry.
Sharks back atop the Pacific Division
The Los Angeles Kings finally caught San Jose atop the Pacific Division, and now they can't score.
Rocker struggles for Rangers
John Rocker struggled in his first game after being given another chance as a closer.
Mavericks win one in Milwaukee
The Dallas Mavericks tried just about everything else in Milwaukee without winning, so why not play a zone?
Kansas not satisfied with first Final Four bid since 1993
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- This much the Kansas Jayhawks know:
Coaches turn women's hoops in to private competitions
Imagine an extraordinary game of H-O-R-S-E that ebbs and flows for years.
Terp seniors focus on winning twice more
Juan Dixon and Lonny Baxter already have done their share to lift Maryland to elite status, taking the Terrapins to the Final Four not just once, but twice.
Venus rising again on Key Biscayne
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. (AP) -- Venus Williams won when the tournament was the Lipton Championships. She won when the name changed to the Ericsson Open. And now that it's the Nasdaq-100 Open, she's still winning.
Final Four double Sooner fans excited
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) -- Oklahoma prides itself on football. Just as that team starts spring practice, though, the school's basketball players are getting all the attention.
Huggins stays at Cincy
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Bob Huggins is staying at the University of Cincinnati -- for now.
Verle Andersen
LITTLE FALLS -- Verle Andersen, 68, Little Falls, died Monday, March 25, 2002, at his home.
Kathryn J. Nielsen
Kathryn J. Nielsen, 84, Brainerd, died today, Tuesday, March 26, 2002, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village.
Hailey Kaye Goodman
MINNEAPOLIS -- Hailey Kaye Goodman, age 15 days, Randall, died Sunday, March 23, 2002, in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Minneapolis Children's Hospital in Minneapolis.
John O. Reed
BAXTER -- John O. Reed, 51, Baxter, died Tuesday, March 26, 2002, at home.
Kathryn J. Nielsen
Kathryn J. Nielsen, 84, Brainerd, died Tuesday, March 26, 2002, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Lola I. Brummer
HILLMAN -- Lola Irene Brummer, 78, Hillman, died Monday, March 25, 2002, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Wanda L. Zumbrunnen
MENAHGA -- Wanda Lucille Zumbrunnen, 79, formerly of Brainerd, died Saturday, March 23, 2002, at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga.
Wanda L. Zumbrunnen
MENAHGA -- Wanda Lucille Zumbrunnen, 79, Menahga, formerly of Brainerd, died Saturday, March 23, 2002, at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga.
Gertrude M. Shankey
Gertrude Mary Shankey, 86, Brainerd, died Sunday, March 24, 2002, at home.
Earl A. Draper
HACKENSACK -- Earl A. Draper, 77, Hackensack, died Saturday, March 23, 2002, at Veteran's Hospital in Fargo, N.D.
Harvey Beck
Harvey Beck, 74, Brainerd, died Wednesday, March 20, 2002, at Woodland Good Samaritan Apartments in Brainerd.
Olive M. Erickson
PINE RIVER -- Olive Martha Erickson, 81, Pine River, died Friday, March 22, 2002, at her home.
Lola I. Brummer
HILLMAN -- Lola I. Brummer, 78, Hillman, died Monday, March 25, 2002, in St. Cloud.
Hildur M. Krantz
STAPLES -- Hildur M. Krantz, 89, Staples, died Sunday, March 24, 2002, at Augustana Home in Hastings.
Michael 'Mike' Dahmen
PIERZ -- Michael "Mike" Dahmen, 89, Pierz, died Friday, March 22, 2002, at the Pierz Villa in Pierz.
Leland 'Lee' A. Wessman
PINE RIVER -- Leland "Lee" Arthur Wessman, 85, Pine River, died Friday, March 22, 2002, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center.
Clara E. Steiro
FOLEY -- Clara E. Steiro, 86, Foley, formerly of Milaca, died Sunday, March 24, 2002, at the Foley Nursing Center.
James C. Cash
MESA, Ariz. -- James C. Cash, 55, Mesa, Ariz., died Friday, March 22, 2002, in Mesa, Ariz.
Herbert Benike
STAPLES -- Herbert Benike, 87, Staples, died Sunday, March 24, 2002, at the Greater Staples Care Center.
Verle Andersen
LITTLE FALLS -- Verle Andersen, 68, Little Falls, died Monday, March 25, 2002, at home.
James C. Cash
MESA, Ariz. -- James C. Cash, 55, Mesa, Ariz., died Saturday, March 23, 2002, in Mesa, Ariz.
Fertilizer cause of concern
There's a lot of talk about fertilizer at the State Capitol these days, especially about its phosphorus content.
Open Forum
I am going to voice my opinion again on how inconsiderate the media is towards the feelings of others. This paper ran an article about the suicide attempt of an inmate at the Brainerd jail. Needless to say there was information in the article that did not need to be published. There was no need to explain how he killed himself and how they found him.
Vox Pop
Big fish in a small pond?
OTHER OPINIONS SEC chief's blind eye
This editorial appeared in Monday's Los Angeles Times:
Europe has quarrel with U.S.
ROME--The United States has been fighting a war in Afghanistan. It has troops in the field in the Philippines and in Colombia. It is trying to mediate the bloody Arab-Israeli conflict in the Middle East. The last thing it needs is a quarrel with Europe.
Open Forum
I have never written in here before, but I just can't keep this to myself. For those people out there, who think that Potlatch closing down is not going to have much effect on this community, I think you are wrong!
The time is now - Dispatch Editorial
This Easter season is less than joyous in some quarters in the lakes area. The announced closing of the Potlatch paper plant has left an anxiety-laden feeling in the air for many. The sudden loss of 616 employees from any community the size of Brainerd is bound to cause some folks to worry more about Brainerd's future than where to hide Easter eggs this weekend.
Protecting Lake Mille Lacs
My name is Ted Kostecka and my wife and I have lived on Lake Mille Lacs since 1993. We moved here because we loved the area and the lake. We bought a lot, installed a mound system and built a house. After only two years, I noticed seepage from my mound system. The man who installed it had died, so I had another licensed installer examine the septic system. He determined that the sand that had been used was not absorbent enough and so I re-installed my system, this time with a better sand for an additional $5,000.
Detroit Lakes 6th-grader wins in spelling
COLLEGEVILLE (AP) -- In the 13th round of the Minnesota State Spelling Bee, with five students left, only Grant Remmen spelled a word correctly.
Wisconsin hunters given permission to shoot deer threatened by brain disease
MOUNT HOREB, Wis. (AP) -- Landowners are breaking out their rifles and taking to their fields and woods as part of an unprecedented whitetail deer hunt that will allow the state to see how far a fatal brain disease has spread.
Toddler drowns
DODGE CENTER, Minn. (AP) -- The drowning death of a 16-month-old girl while bathing at her rural Dodge Center home was an accident, Dodge County Sheriff Bill Weber said Monday.
Guard leaving state airports
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota National Guard, at the request of a federal agency charged with increasing airport security, is speeding up withdrawals from the state's airports.
DNR commissioner backs ATV limits
Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Allen Garber said Tuesday he supports legislation passed by the Senate to ban off-trail use of all-terrain vehicles in state forests after the state designates 2,000 miles of ATV trails.
Duluth mayor establishes Indian panel
DULUTH (AP) -- Mayor Gary Doty announced the formation of an 11-person American Indian Commission to better serve and represent the city's largest minority community.
AT&T adding charge to Minnesota residential customers
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- AT&T Corp. next month will start charging its long-distance residential customers in Minnesota an extra $1.95 a month.
Some St.Paul business people oppose hospitality tax for Twins
Resistance is mounting among St. Paul business owners to proposed bar, restaurant and lodging taxes included in a payment plan for a new Twins ballpark.
Twins stadium bill clears House
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Minnesota Twins' reversal of fortune at the Legislature has the team closer than ever to a new ballpark.
North Dakotans attempt to set world record for most simultaneous snow angels
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- Nearly 1,800 people waved their arms and legs in a fresh snow on the state Capitol mall Saturday in hopes of creating a new world record for creating the most simultaneous snow angels.
Audit finds small problems, more good work at aquarium
DULUTH (AP) -- A state audit found the $32 million Great Lakes Aquarium met all significant requirements when it was built in 2000 and 2001.
Bedraggled west Duluth neighborhood getting new homes
DULUTH (AP) -- A Duluth neighborhood is planting houses this spring, the way people plant flowers.
Golden Gloves box-off set for Wadena
WADENA --The Golden Gloves Senior Box-off is scheduled 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at Wadena Armory.
Scoreboard
Track and Field
Local sports shorts
ADA, Ohio -- The Hamline University distance medley relay team that includes senior Kevin Drake of Brainerd earned All-America status at the NCAA national indoor track and field meet March 8-9.
Big changes may be coming
The only thing constant about Minnesota State High School League basketball in the last 30 years is that it has constantly changed.
Local shorts
Brady Prince, Darrin Prince and Angie Roby finished first at the United States Racquetball Association Minnesota State Singles tournament, March 22-24, at the Northwest Athletic Club in Brooklyn Centre.
Scoreboard
College softball
Pillager's magical season
Four classes of basketball arrived on the Minnesota State High School League scene for the 1996-97 season.
Jones shows power in Twins' loss
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- Brian Giles' first home run of the spring, a two-run shot in the top of the seventh inning, gave the Pittsburgh Pirates a 4-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Monday.
Bolden, King named top seniors
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Shannon Bolden, who helped Marshall win its second straight Class 3A championship, and Stephen King, who led Holy Angels to its first state tournament appearance, were named Minnesota's Miss and Mr. Basketball.
Stadium progress might not be enough to save Twins
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Major League Baseball might try to disband the Minnesota Twins even if the Legislature takes action toward building a new ballpark, the Twins' landlord said.
'Clowns' show Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Golden State sent in the "clowns."
Pettitte healthy, Ventura hurt
The New York Yankees got good news on Andy Pettitte's elbow, then lost Robin Ventura to a sprained ankle.
Vikings agree to terms with Allen
EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms Tuesday with return specialist David Allen.
Selig pledges no lockout
TAMPA, Fla. -- Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig Tuesday pledged that he and the owners would not shut down baseball during the 2002 season.
Mohr, Cuddyer power Twins
SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) -- Ken Griffey Jr. hit his first spring homer, but the Minnesota Twins beat the Cincinnati Reds 12-9 Tuesday behind Dustan Mohr's grand slam and two homers by Michael Cuddyer.
Penalty shot boosts Wild
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Antti Laaksonen didn't want any advice before taking his first career penalty shot.
Register now for annual Run Around Woman race
LONGVILLE -- About 300 runners, both serious and recreational, are expected to participate in the fifth annual Run Around Woman Plus, 30k, five-mile run and five-mile walk races in Longville on May 4.
Rock gardens becoming popular in United States
PINE RIVER -- True rock gardening mimics arid rock outcroppings high on Alpine mountaintops, according to Extension Educator Eleanor Burkett.
Rock gardening resources listed
* A Garden's Gate, 257 Louise Miles Road, Marion, S.C., 29571, (843) 423-7328, gardener@homespuncrafts.com, http://www.geocities.com/agardensgate/
Area briefs
A white-tailed deer stood near Aitkin. -- Steve Kohls
Iowa state forecast
Today...Increasing cloudiness west. Mostly sunny east. Highs in the 50s.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny...With increasing afternoon clouds northwest. Warmer with highs from 35 to 40 north to the lower 50s southwest. Cooler along lake michigan.
State forecast for south dakota
Today...Partly cloudy and warmer. Highs from the lower 40s eastcentral to the upper 50s extreme south.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Morning clouds southeast...Scattered flurries this morning near lake superior. Then partly to mostly sunny. Cool with highs from the lower 30s northwest to the 40s southwest.
State forecast for north dakota
Today...Partly sunny west to mostly sunny east. Isolated afternoon rain or snow showers northwest. Highs mainly in the 40s...With a few lower 50s southwest.
State forecast for north dakota
Today...Partly cloudy. Morning flurries west and central. Highs 30 to 40.
Iowa state forecast
Today...Becoming sunny southeast. Mostly sunny elsewhere. Highs in the mid 30s to mid 40s.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Increasing clouds north and partly to mostly sunny south. Highs mainly in the 30s.
State forecast for south dakota
Today...Partly sunny. Highs from near 30 east to the lower 40s west.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Partly cloudy and warmer. Highs from the middle 30s northeast to the lower 50s southwest.
Seasons change
Weather drawing by Enid Swaggert of Mrs. Brenny's third grade class at Baxter school.
Bunny time
Weather drawing by Lataya Goedderz of Sharon Jendro's first grade class at Lowell school.
Names and faces
LONDON (AP) -- One day after fans booed Britney Spears at the London premier of her film, her spokeswoman blamed the brief appearance on security concerns.
Arafat welcomes Saudi peace proposal, but Palestinians withdraw from summit
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) -- Yasser Arafat on Wednesday welcomed a Saudi offer to Israel of normal relations with the Arab world in exchange for a withdrawal from occupied territories -- even as the Palestinian leader was snubbed by the Arab summit where the plan was presented.
Afghan quake toll may be less than first feared
NAHRIN, Afghanistan (AP) -- Strong aftershocks jolted mountain villages Wednesday, setting off landslides that blocked relief convoys trying to reach earthquake survivors who were burying their dead and searching the rubble for survivors. The United Nations said the death toll appeared less than first feared.
Peacekeepers under threat for booby-trapped cars
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Suspected al-Qaida and Taliban fighters planned to kill international peacekeepers by setting off car bombs in Afghanistan's capital, authorities said Monday.
Gunman opens fire at city council meeting in Paris suburb, killing eight
NANTERRE, France (AP) -- A part-time school hall monitor armed with semiautomatic pistols sat silently through a six-hour city council meeting Wednesday, then rose and methodically killed eight city officials. As he was restrained he shouted: "Kill me, kill me!"
Afghan quake kills 1,800, officials say
KABUL, Afghanistan -- A powerful earthquake rocked Afghanistan and northwestern Pakistan, killing about 1,800 people and injuring 2,000, Afghan officials said Tuesday. The Afghan Defense Ministry said 600 bodies were recovered from villages still shaking from aftershocks.