Thursday, March 28, 2002
Audio books help drivers keep on truckin'
VALDOSTA, Ga. -- On a lonely interstate after midnight, long-haul truckers can always count on Michael Taylor to keep them awake.
New Beetle a more powerful flower
It's retro. It's cute. It's the only car with a standard flower vase on the dashboard.
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.
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.
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.
Disposal woes
Dear Heloise: My kitchen sink drains through a garbage disposal and lately has been draining slower than normal. I tried using eggshells and coffee grinds through the disposal, but neither has done much good.
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.
Teens who watch more television are more prone to violence, study says
WASHINGTON -- Teen-agers who watch more than an hour of television a day during early adolescence are more likely to be violent in later years, researchers say.
Diseases spread by sex often hidden
DEAR ABBY: I want to respond to "Hurt and Mad in Okemos, Mich.," who wants to sue her boyfriend, "Mack," for giving her a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle: 300.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Tuesday 205, a year ago 100.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Wednesday 48, a year ago 142.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Tuesday cattle: 800.
Try these recipes on Easter weekend
Easter -- such a special time that marks the start of spring.
Ham for Easter
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- Any way you slice it, cured ham with its smoky, sweet flavor is a favorite Easter menu meat choice. Now is the time to start shopping for a ham and thinking about how you want to season and garnish it.
Safety advice for foods served this time of year
Using a food thermometer when preparing springtime meals is essential to safe cooking, which is one of the four steps in preventing food borne illness.
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Wednesday.
Court
WALKER -- Daniel Fred Larson, 45, Backus, was charged recently in Cass County District Court with two counts of second-degree assault.
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Tuesday.
Long-forgotten smallpox vaccine turns up; U.S. supply now adequate
WASHINGTON -- A pharmaceutical company has discovered 70 million to 90 million long-forgotten doses of smallpox vaccine in its freezers, instantly increasing the known U.S. inventory of the vaccine six-fold and ensuring the nation an adequate supply in the event of a bioterrorist attack, according to government sources familiar with the find.
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.
Testing of middle-aged to prevent 'pre-diabetes' from becoming full-blown urged
WASHINGTON -- Most middle-aged people should be tested during their next visit to the doctor to find if they have "pre-diabetes," a type of high blood sugar that puts them at superhigh risk of getting full-blown diabetes, say new guidelines.
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.
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.
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.
'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)
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
COMING THURSDAY
Aitkin High School students are rehearsing for their upcoming production of the musical "Oklahoma!" Look for a cast photo Thursday in Tempo.
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.
Local briefs
The Brainerd Planning Commission will meet noon Monday at city hall.
Three arrested
The Brainerd Police Department is investigating an attack Wednesday by a group of males at a house on Walnut Street.
Agenda
Meets 7 p.m. Thursday
Let the recount begin
Crow Wing County District Court Judge Fred Casey swore in the election judges who conducted the Brainerd School District bond referendum recount today in the Crow Wing County Service Building. The bond referendum passed by 97 votes March 12. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)
Student housing
A collaborative effort is providing opportunities for student housing and volunteerism. Look for the story in Friday's Housing section.
This was Brainerd
60 years ago (1942) - Veterans of the Northern Pacific Railroad and there are some in Brainerd who are members of the Association, dipped deep into their money chest to purchase National Defense bonds. The amount purchased was approximately $1,036 in these war time gilt-edge securities.
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)
Spring reflection
A trailered boat, which looked like it had been on shore all winter, was reflected in the channel that connects Upper South Long Lake and South Long Lake Tuesday. (Dispatch Photo by Clint Wood)
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.
Grand jury indicts 2 in Moon murder
A Crow Wing County grand jury believes two Brainerd men acted with premeditation in the killing of 35-year-old Billie Joe Moon.
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.
Pierz graduate to be superintendent there
PIERZ -- George Weber, a 1981 graduate of Pierz Healy High School, once again will walk the halls of Pierz schools.
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.
Check, credit card thefts increasing, city police say
Brainerd Police Investigator Chad Kleffman often sees how easy check and credit card theft can be.
Spring has sprung
In the Central Lakes College greenhouse, students Chris Gmeinder of East Gull Lake and Lisa Blexrud of Staples checked a few of the Easter lilies grown along with thousands of other signs of spring.
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.
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.
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)
Fallout to land on children, says social services
The closing of Potlatch not only will affect employees, but also those employees' children.
Despite Mideast violence, U.S. envoy making progress
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Secretary of State Colin Powell says U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni is making headway in talks with Israeli and Palestinian officials but he cautions that hopes for peace will be destroyed if violence persists.
Boston drops lawsuit against gun industry, cites financial concerns
BOSTON (AP) -- The city of Boston, citing financial concerns and improved weapon safety measures, dropped its lawsuit against the gun industry Wednesday.
NPR wins Peabody Award, as do 'Nightline,' 'Bernie Mac'
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- ABC News and National Public Radio won Peabody Awards on Wednesday for their coverage of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and ABC's embattled "Nightline" also was honored with one of the annual awards for broadcast excellence.
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.
Death penalty to be sought against Moussaoui
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Justice Department told a court Thursday it will seek the death penalty against Zacarias Moussaoui, the only person charged in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks against New York and Washington.
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.
U.S. airman convicted of rape in Okinawa
NAHA, Japan (AP) -- A U.S. airman was sentenced to nearly three years in a Japanese prison Thursday for raping a woman on the southern island of Okinawa, an area simmering with tension over the thousands of U.S. troops based there.
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.
Study: Tens of thousands of New Yorkers suffered mental problems after Sept. 11
NEW YORK (AP) -- Researchers studying the psychological effect of the events of Sept. 11 on New Yorkers estimated that more than 150,000 residents suffered post-traumatic stress disorder or depression following the World Trade Center attack.
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.
Nuclear industry bets trips to casinos will win waste site support
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Book it now. Ride the rail cars into Nevada's Yucca Mountain. Spend an afternoon at the proposed nuclear waste storage site. Get two or three days in Vegas. Travel, hotel, meals paid for by the Nuclear Energy Institute.
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.
Economic rebound better than estimated
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. economy, which fell into recession in early 2001, was already bouncing back in the final three months of the year, growing at an annual rate of 1.7 percent.
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.
'Mr. Television' Berle dies
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- It was 1948 when a nearly middle-aged funnyman who had grown up in vaudeville decided to take a chance on a new entertainment medium. Neither television nor Milton Berle would ever be the same.
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.
Raggedy Ann joins National Toy Hall of Fame
SALEM, Ore. (AP) -- Raggedy Ann, a symbol of wholesomeness and simpler times, joined flashy Barbie as a National Toy Hall of Fame inductee on Wednesday -- thanks in part to a letter-writing campaign by legions of fans.
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.
Dudley Moore dies at 66
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- Dudley Moore, whose comedy contained a touch of melancholy, always said he was driven to success by his mother's rejection in the acting business and his own feelings of inferiority.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Two Green Berets win posthumous Silver Stars
WASHINGTON -- The Green Berets who helped take Tarin Kot knew victory over the Taliban had come too easily -- not one shot fired -- and steeled themselves for a counterattack.
Boise Cascade ending old-growth logging
BOISE, Idaho -- Boise Cascade Corp., a major timber company, says it is ending the logging of old-growth forests in the face of opposition from environmentalists.
Alfonseca traded to Cubs
With Tom Gordon out for the foreseeable future, the Chicago Cubs needed a closer.
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.
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.
Tourney means big business for Vegas
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Sports fans call the NCAA men's basketball tournament March Madness. Las Vegas casinos just call it profitable.
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.
Davis had bumpy road to Atlanta
ATLANTA (AP) -- Mike Davis took the criticism a little too hard. He fretted about the impact on his family. He even thought of quitting.
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.
Connecticut numbers look unreal
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Connecticut's numbers on its way to the women's Final Four are so staggering, you would think somebody made them up.
Mavericks win one in Milwaukee
The Dallas Mavericks tried just about everything else in Milwaukee without winning, so why not play a zone?
Union reaction surprises owners
NEW YORK (AP) -- Baseball's chief operating officer said he was surprised Wednesday that the players' union interpreted the commissioner's no-lockout pledge as a possible prelude to a change in work rules after the World Series.
Hildur M. Krantz
STAPLES -- Hildur M. Krantz, 89, Staples, died Sunday, March 24, 2002, at Augustana Home in Hastings.
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.
Roseina L. Padgett
LAWRENCE, Kan. -- Roseina LaVeda Padgett, 71, Lawrence, Kan., died Tuesday, March 26, 2002, at home.
James C. Cash
MESA, Ariz. -- James C. Cash, 55, Mesa, Ariz., died Friday, March 22, 2002, in Mesa, Ariz.
Lola I. Brummer
HILLMAN -- Lola Irene Brummer, 78, Hillman, died Monday, March 25, 2002, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Kathryn J. Nielsen
Kathryn J. Nielsen, 84, Brainerd, died Tuesday, March 26, 2002, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
John J. Roster
AITKIN -- John J. Roster, 76, Aitkin, died Wednesday, March 27, 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.
Alfred 'Happy' Holter
Alfred "Happy" Holter, 94, Brainerd, formerly of Pequot Lakes, died Wednesday, March 27, 2002, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Olive M. Erickson
PINE RIVER -- Olive Martha Erickson, 81, Pine River, died Friday, March 22, 2002, at her home.
Marietta E. Harris
PIERZ -- Marietta E. Harris, 80, Pierz, formerly of Green Prairie Township, died Wednesday, March 27, 2002, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.
Leland 'Lee' A. Wessman
PINE RIVER -- Leland "Lee" Arthur Wessman, 85, Pine River, died Friday, March 22, 2002, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center.
Lavada A. Erickson
BACKUS -- Lavada Arlis Erickson, 61, Backus, died Monday, March 25, 2002, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village.
Verle Andersen
LITTLE FALLS -- Verle Andersen, 68, Little Falls, died Monday, March 25, 2002, at home.
George H. Molstad
NISSWA -- George H. Molstad, 98, Nisswa, died today, March 28, 2002, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center.
Ralph C. Shivers
ONAMIA -- Ralph Clyde Shivers, 72, Onamia, died Tuesday, March 26, 2002, at Mille Lacs Hospital in Onamia.
John O. Reed
BAXTER -- John O. Reed, 51, Baxter, died Tuesday, March 26, 2002, at home.
Editorial views
Editorial views in The Brainerd Dispatch represent a consensus of opinion by members of the newspaper's editorial board. Board members are Publisher Terry McCollough, Editor Roy Miller, Associate Editor Mike O'Rourke, Wire Editor Paul Forsberg, City Editor Kathi Nagorski and Neal Gaalswyk, the readers' representative.
Play ball? - Dispatch Editorial
Call it our skeptical nature. We keep looking for the drawbacks in the latest proposal for a Twins stadium.
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.
Vox Pop
Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. To call in a comment, dial 829-2900 or 1-800-547-2909 then enter code 8008. To e-mail a comment, write to voxpop@brainerddispatch.com. Comments, which must meet the newspaper's standards of fairness and good taste, may be edited for clarity, length and libel.
Open Forum
Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota knows first-hand the needs of many of our citizens. As the state's largest private non-profit social ser
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.
Money can't buy Bush love
President Bush told a United Nations conference on global development in Monterrey, Mexico last week that Americans have an obligation to ``share our wealth'' with poor nations. He proposed a 50 percent increase in foreign aid. He thinks more aid should be in the form of grants, not loans. He would also forgive much of the current Third World debt. The president said new aid would only go to nations that reform their governments, economies and human rights practices.
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.
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.
Winston Cup schedule
The 2002 NASCAR Winston Cup schedule and driver point standings:
Sledder Amanda Johnson of Aitkin wins Pro Women's final in Fargodome
Amanda Johnson of Aitkin raced her Arctic Cat to victory in the Pro Women's final at the third round of the 2002 Super Snowcross Stadium Tour in the Fargodome last Saturday. Johnson, the two-time World Snowmobile Association Snocross Worldwide Championship Series Pro Women class points champion, has won all three of the tour's class finals.
With two wins, black cloud over Roush has lifted
After a miserable season by his own lofty standards, car owner Jack Roush could barely stomach sitting in the audience during the NASCAR awards ceremony last December.
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.
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.
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.
Two women held by Taliban speak to Minnesota crowd
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- After months in an Afghan prison with the "fire of fear" in her bones, Heather Mercer said she was finally ready to give up and die. But then she heard a voice.
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.
'Not a dollar of common ground' as budget talks open
ST. PAUL -- On the day the Legislature hoped to leave town for the year, House and Senate leaders conceded that it'll be a struggle to get done before mid-April.
Bedraggled west Duluth neighborhood getting new homes
DULUTH (AP) -- A Duluth neighborhood is planting houses this spring, the way people plant flowers.
With local aid assured, St. Cloud relaxes hiring freeze
ST. CLOUD (AP) -- St. Cloud will relax a hiring freeze put in place 10 weeks ago when it appeared the state might cut aid to local governments.
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.
Woman obtains protection order against Puckett
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A woman who said she had an 18-year affair with Kirby Puckett obtained a court order barring him from having contact with her.
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.
St. Cloud State, others, take steps for state digital library
ST. CLOUD (AP) -- St. Cloud State University, the University of Minnesota and Minnesota Historical Society are working to create a digital library that would make cultural collections electronically accessible across the state.
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.
State party chair urges Luther not to run against Kennedy
ST. PAUL (AP) -- State DFL Chairman Mike Erlandson has urged 6th District congressman Bill Luther to consider running in the open 2nd District rather than facing Republican Rep. Mark Kennedy.
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.
No-shows give Moe open mike at gubernatorial forum
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Roger Moe was the clear winner Thursday at a debate for gubernatorial candidates.
Senate also overrides Ventura veto on auto-glass bill
With little debate, the Senate on Wednesday followed the House's lead in overriding a veto by Gov. Jesse Ventura on an auto-glass bill.
New $3 million wood treatment plant planned in Duluth
DULUTH (AP) -- The Duluth Seaway Port Authority has agreed to a 50-year lease of vacant land for a new $3 million wood treatment plant.
McGuire, Berg join Capitol exodus in wake of redistricting
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Several more lawmakers have decided what to do about their political futures.
Reward offered in 1987 Bemidji slaying
BEMIDJI (AP) -- Investigators hope a $50,000 reward will lead to answers -- and suspects -- in the unsolved killing of a Bemidji woman in 1987.
Johnson says open-mindedness can close racial divide
ST. CLOUD (AP) -- Basketball legend Earvin "Magic" Johnson told 3,000 people at St. Cloud State University that open-mindedness can help eliminate the school's growing reputation for intolerance.
He made things happen for Huskies
Good coaches surround themselves with good people.
Bothun leaves Pillager post
PILLAGER -- In three years Pete Bothun made a mark in area athletics and helped create a frenzy for Pillager Huskies athletics.
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
Scoreboard
College softball
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
Julius Tomasy of Brainerd scored the game-winning goal as the North all-stars beat the South all-stars 2-1 for the consolation championship in the Elite Classic Hockey tournament held at Schwan's Super Rink in Blaine.
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.
Pierz 2nd in girls' track
ST. CLOUD -- The Pierz Pioneers girls' track and field team opened the season finishing second at the Central Minnesota Conference indoor meet at St. Cloud State University with 103 points. The Pierz boys' team finished fourth with 68 points.
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.
'Clowns' show Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Golden State sent in the "clowns."
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.
Wild offer a lesson
ATLANTA (AP) -- The Atlanta Thrashers are slowly learning what it takes to win games in the NHL -- mostly by losing.
Vikings agree to terms with Allen
EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms Tuesday with return specialist David Allen.
Hopkins' Humphries is named AP Player of Year
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The lines between positions in basketball have blurred in the past decade as the game's evolution has continued to increase the emphasis on versatility.
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.
Twins decide on outfield Cuddyer, Kielty sent to Triple-A
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) -- The Minnesota Twins settled on their outfield Wednesday, optioning Michael Cuddyer and Bobby Kielty to Triple-A Edmonton.
Penalty shot boosts Wild
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Antti Laaksonen didn't want any advice before taking his first career penalty shot.
Troupe turns children's writings into plays
LITTLE FALLS -- Their ideas seemed revolutionary, bordering on quirky, when Victor and June Podagrosi founded the Child's Play Touring Theatre more than two decades ago.
Entertainment Calendar
For week of March 28-April 3; bands perform from 9 p.m. to close with no cover unless otherwise noted.
Children participate in art activities
Learning about the American heritage while doing creative activities was part of the Heritage Festival earlier this month at Brainerd High School.
Little Falls teen-ager wins orchestra's youth auditions
Keelan Diehl of Little Falls is this year's winner of Heartland Symphony Orchestra's Youth Auditions.
Vocal chamber ensemble to be in Staples
STAPLES -- Kantorei, the final event in the 10th anniversary series for Centennial Auditorium in Staples, will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 13.
'Oklahoma!'
The Aitkin High School Choir will present Rodgers' and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" in the centennial year of Richard Rodgers' birth.
Free 15-college concert April 5 at Breezy Point
BREEZY POINT -- A free concert will conclude the annual Minnesota Fine Arts Festival on April 5 at Breezy Point.
Student thanks 'Jackie'
Vicky Chaney, a sophomore at Staples-Motley High School, thanked actor Warren Bowles of Mixed Blood Theatre, Minneapolis, for his portrayal of Jackie Robinson, the first black Major Leaguer.
Easter books abound in bunnies, bonnets and baskets
Wacky Witzy, the duck from Little Suzy's Zoo, and his pals find Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies and bonnets in "Witzy's Backyard Easter Hunt" (Scholastic, ages 2-4, $5.99) by Suzy Spafford.
Central Minnesota author publishes children's book for charity
A courageous knight, a generous dragon and an icy king combine in a book designed to inspire children to give something back to their communities.
DC Talk's McKeehan ready to go solo
Toby McKeehan of DC Talk fame makes it official Monday.
Mother who adopted child in Vietnam to share story
"Vietnam, an Adoptive Mother's Experience" is the next Cultural Thursday presentation at Central Lakes College, Brainerd, where biology instructor Sandra Kaplan will give the program.
Tempo tidbits
If writing is your thing, you'll want to know about the first-ever Todd County Writers' Roundtable, a one-day workshop April 6 that will consider "Writing in Place" with the help of several area writers and editors.
Pillager play will re-create history
PILLAGER -- Casting is complete for this spring's Pillager High School drama, "I Never Saw Another Butterfly" by Celeste Raspanti.
Fine Arts Student of the Week
A self-described "performer-at-heart," Adam Ludwig feels right at home in front of a microphone.
Take in a show
A pair of movies opening this weekend at area theaters could be worth your attention, in light of their star qualities.
Pierz couple wants to keep classic country music alive with their Northwoods Opry
ROYALTON -- Traditional country music will always find a home, a place of honor, at an 80-acre wooded horse farm in rural Pierz.
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.
Area briefs
A white-tailed deer stood near Aitkin. -- Steve Kohls
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/
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.
Bunny time
Weather drawing by Lataya Goedderz of Sharon Jendro's first grade class at Lowell school.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy north with rain and snow likely north. A chance of rain showers south. Then becoming partly sunny south this afternoon. Highs from near 40 far north to the mid 50s southwest.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Partly cloudy and warmer. Highs from the middle 30s northeast to the lower 50s southwest.
Iowa state forecast
Today...Scattered showers ending southeast this morning...Otherwise partly sunny. Highs in the lower 50s to lower 60s.
Iowa state forecast
Today...Increasing cloudiness west. Mostly sunny east. Highs in the 50s.
State forecast for south dakota
Today...Increasing clouds and breezy. Highs in the mid 40s northeast and northwest portions...To the mid 50s far southeast.
Happy Easter
Weather drawing by Dillon Finger of Mr. Johnson's fourth grade class at Baxter school.
State forecast for north dakota
Today...Partly sunny. A chance of rain or snow showers west and central. Breezy to windy. Highs in the 40s.
Minnesota state forecast national
Today...Mostly cloudy north with scattered morning showers. Partly sunny south with a few showers early. Breezy. Highs from the upper 30s north to near 50 south. Tonight...Mos
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 south dakota
Today...Partly cloudy and warmer. Highs from the lower 40s eastcentral to the upper 50s extreme south.
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.
Names and faces
HOUSTON (AP) -- Country singer Lyle Lovett faces months of rehabilitation following surgery to repair his right leg, broken when he was trampled by a bull while trying to help an uncle who had just been flipped by the animal.
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.
Special operations forces member killed by mine
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AP) -- A special operations forces member was killed and another serviceman was wounded Thursday when a land mine exploded during a training mission near the U.S. base here.
Suspect in French shooting rampage kills himself
PARIS (AP) -- The suspect in a shooting rampage that left eight officials dead at a city council meeting killed himself Thursday by jumping out a window at police headquarters, another shock to a country already reeling from the carnage a day earlier.
Polish archbishop resigns over sex allegations
WARSAW, Poland (AP) -- An archbishop in Pope John Paul II's homeland announced his resignation Thursday following a Vatican probe and newspaper allegations that he made homosexual advances on young clerics.
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!"
Israeli top officials meet amid calls for retaliation after suicide attack kills 20, wounds 130
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel's defense minister met with army commanders Thursday amid growing calls for massive retaliation for a Palestinian suicide bombing in a hotel banquet hall that killed 20 diners, many elderly, and wounded 130 at the start of the Jewish Passover holiday.
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.
Aid pouring into Afghan quake zone
NAHRIN, Afghanistan (AP) -- Food, medicine, tents and other aid supplies began pouring into the quake-shattered northern Afghan region around Nahrin on Thursday after workers used explosives to clear roads leading to the stricken area.
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.
Arab leaders endorse Saudi peace plan
BEIRUT, Lebanon (AP) -- Arab leaders endorsed a Saudi peace plan offering Israel "normal relations" in exchange for withdrawal from all occupied Arab land and a "fair solution" for Palestinian refugees, Lebanon's foreign minister announced Thursday at an Arab summit.