Thursday, March 30, 2000

Sport Trac: Tough to decide whether it's truck or SUV
Go ahead. You try to argue whether Ford's new Explorer Sport Trac is more truck or more sport utility vehicle.

Classic truck
Tom Brown of Brainerd and his son, Jason, have something for all the veterans.

Giving truck drivers a break
At first, it appeared that the truck did it -- careered across lanes, jumped a highway divider, crushed two passenger vehicles and killed five people.

New headlamps becoming more common, and so are complaints
FALMOUTH, Maine -- The dazzling, bluish light produced by high-intensity discharge headlamps on expensive cars like Mercedes and BMWs are becoming more familiar on the nation's highways.

Let the grilling begin
It's grilling season! After having pot roasts and soups, I'm ready to cook outdoors. The first meal of the season I made over the weekend on the Weber was marinated kabobs. After marinating the steak overnight, I threaded meat, pineapple, and fresh vegetables on skewers and then grilled them over medium coals until done. I served the kabobs with lettuce salad, baked bread sticks brushed with garlic butter and baked potatoes. What a refreshing meal!

Mushroom, white bean stew makes quick meal
Mushrooms long have been prized by cultures around the world for their healing powers. Scientists, primarily in China and Japan, have begun to explore the disease-fighting potential of nonfood mushrooms.

Still angling for fish dishes during Lent?
Seafood is a major source of protein and is quick and easy to prepare. It's versatile and tastes good, too. Even canned fish has moved beyond salmon cakes and tuna salad.

Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Wednesday.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle: 450.

Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Tuesday.

Births
Dan and Kim (Herold) Rocheleau, Pierz, a boy, Preston Alcid, 6 pounds, 11 ounces, Feb. 27, 2000. Grandparents are John and Donna Herold and Darlene Rocheleau, all of Pierz. Great-grandparents are Elsie Monson, Clarence and Delores Herold and Madeline Voigt, all of Pierz.

Cass Courts
WALKER -- Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled Cass County Court must reset restitution ordered in a Crow Wing County case.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Tuesday cattle: 850.

Crimes
THEFT --United Sleep Center reported a stereo had been stolen from one of its vehicles.

Accidents
BAXTER --Two people were injured Wednesday in a two-vehicle accident on Highway 371 North in Baxter.

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Wednesday 162, a year ago 149.

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Tuesday 130, a year ago 191.

Tiger can be beaten
Success is said to be a double-edged sword.

Schools, Cass County work together in recycling program
WALKER -- Waste education kits developed under a grant for Cass County schools now are available to civic and lake association groups for programs.

Study: Smokers have more injuries related to exercise in Army trainees
WASHINGTON -- Add blisters, bruises, sprains and even broken bones to the list of things that smokers are more likely to get.

Candles just one of numerous products made using soybeans
NEW ULM (AP) -- How about candles that smell like baby powder, a country clothesline, cucumbers, fresh-cut grass, peaches, jasmine, lilacs, pink lemonade, pears, mangos or raspberries?

St. Gabriel's Hospital announces fifth-annual fund-raising bike ride
LITTLE FALLS -- St. Gabriel's Hospital Auxiliary has scheduled the fifth-annual "Ride for Unity" bike ride for July 1.

Today marks second anniversary of tornadoes
ST. PETER (AP) -- It's been a long two years for many people in St. Peter, Comfrey and other towns in the path of tornadoes that tore across southern Minnesota two years ago today.

Pappas appointed to mental health advisory council
CROSBY -- Gov. Jesse Ventura recently appointed John Pappas, Crosby, to the state advisory council on mental health.

Regional news
STAPLES -- The American Cancer Society's 2000 Heartland Relay for Life will be June 23-24 in Staples.

Morning reflections
A cattail from last year's growth breaks the forest reflection on the surface of Lazy Brook in Nisswa this week. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)

Businesses to government agencies can participate in materials exchange program
WALKER -- Businesses, organizations, schools and governments can participate in a materials exchange program in Cass, Crow Wing and Hubbard Counties.

Students walk out
Lori Howe (right), a Crosby-Ironton High School band teacher who recently learned her job will be eliminated under proposed budget cuts, hugged Cindy Tomson during the student walk-out at the high school Tuesday. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)

The sound of silence
Sometimes it can sound like a train rumbling through the house, shaking the walls so hard it sucks the dust off the curtains.

Hundreds of households participate in county hazardous waste program
WALKER -- More than 475 households brought household hazardous waste to the Cass County product disposal and exchange program this past year.

Neighbors briefs
The Region 5 Development Commission Health Care Task Force will conduct a town meeting forum at 7 p.m. April 13 at the Little Falls Middle School Commons.

Positive farming focus is workshop theme
Ron Hanson will be the speaker at a Central Lakes College Workshop titled, "Keeping a Positive Focus on Family Farming," held in three locations April 7-8 in Staples, Little Falls and Milaca.

Every day's for fools on the Internet
NEW YORK (AP) -- Free trips to Disney World, courtesy of Microsoft Corp.? Free soda from Coca-Cola? Free cars from Honda?

Researchers find smoking more common with women in movies
Once it was glamorous and sexy: a Hollywood siren pulling out a cigarette and a suave man bending over to light it. But that was well before the surgeon general's report on smoking -- well before we knew that smoking is deadly. Or was it?

Northern Cass Developmental Achievement Center makes rag rugs from old jeans
WALKER -- Northern Cass Developmental Achievement Center has started a new product line using people's clean old blue jeans and bedspreads.

Study hopes to narrow divide between Hmong shamans and Western doctors
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Pahoua Vue is a medicine man. For most of his 80 years, the Hmong shaman has chanted, drummed and sacrificed chickens and pigs while wandering a spiritual world in search of lost souls.

Bill aimed at improving rural web access
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Byron Dorgan introduced legislation Tuesday that would encourage companies to build high-speed Internet networks in rural areas.

Neighbors briefs
The following Cass County Public Health adult clinics are scheduled in April.

Some Lutherans stand ready to fight specifics of merger
MAHTOMEDI (AP) -- They say they cannot, they will not, recant.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1980) - Brainerd's new "Crime Stopper" program solved its first crime this weekend by providing information which cracked a major arson-vandalism case.

Bills advance
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A pair of bills aimed at protecting children from hurting themselves or others with alcohol or tobacco passed by huge margins on the House and Senate floors Tuesday.

Prisoner gets in trouble for mum reaction
A 22-year old defendant in Crow Wing County court was ordered by the judge to be taken to St. Joseph's Medical Center after possibly swallowing an unknown substance and refusing to tell court personnel what it was.

New Bemidji High athletic logo pulled
BEMIDJI (AP) -- A new lumberjack logo for Bemidji High School is on hold over concerns that its red ax appears to some to be covered in blood.

Spring reflections
A pair of mallard drakes shared a limb above the Mississippi River near Boom Lake Park. The sunny skies and rising temperatures Wednesday were welcomed by residents as they streamed outside to enjoy the weather. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls

County road projects outlined
Crow Wing County has $870,000 worth of road improvement projects scheduled for this year.

State briefs
BECKER (AP) -- A 76-year-old Becker-area woman died of burns suffered in a grass fire in Sherburne County.

State briefs
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Metropolitan Airports Commission and Sen. Paul Wellstone on Tuesday asked the federal government to look into whether Northwest Airlines is trying to squeeze out competition from low cost AirTran Airways.

Capitol notebook
Happenings Wednesday at the Minnesota Capitol:

Local briefs
Non-profit organizations seeking funding for projects that strengthen children, youth and families have until May 1 to submit applications for the first round of Initiative Foundation grant awards.

Hundreds rally against insert in campus paper
ST. CLOUD (AP) -- It cost Holocaust revisionist Bradley R. Smith just $315 to grab the attention of St. Cloud State University.

Bill would give working parents paid leave
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A modest first step toward expanding parental leave options for Minnesota moms and dads is making its way through the Legislature.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1980) - The two rival taxi companies in Brainerd are doing more than picking up fares. They are also, it seems, engaging in a small-scale feud. The skirmish has so far resulted in four reports to the Brainerd Police Department, each containing charges of harassment of taxi drivers.

Correction/clarification
The story on an Aitkin County shooting in Wednesday's Dispatch should have reported that the body of 69-year old Louis Robbins was found in his own residence.

Pillsbury eliminating 750 jobs, refocusing on its dough-based products
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Pillsbury Company announced Wednesday it is eliminating about 750 positions and will focus on its expertise in dough-based foods.

CLC plans induction
The Upsilon Omega Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa will host its spring induction ceremony at 4 p.m. Thursday at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

Boy killed when building collapses
CHASKA (AP) -- Authorities weren't sure what caused the roof of a former motorcycle shop to collapse, killing one of the two children inside.

Stop, look and read? County may put street signs on top of stop signs
Stop signs may be more useful than just a spot to stop.

Local briefs
BAXTER --An adult/teen forum titled "Drugs that Kill: And how it affects individuals, families and communities," is set Sunday.

Ventura stresses need for affordable housing
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Gov. Jesse Ventura visited a homeless shelter Tuesday and urged the Legislature to approve his plan for using surplus federal money to develop affordable housing.

Saved By the Belt
Four people who survived a devastating 1999 vehicle crash received a traffic crash award, called Saved By the Belt, from the State Patrol.

Wellstone, Oberstar urge Northwest-AirTran investigation
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Two members of Congress and the Metropolitan Airports Commission want federal officials to investigate whether Northwest Airlines added seats to its Minneapolis-Atlanta flights to thwart potential competition from low-fare AirTran Airways.

Child protection cases doubled
Child protection in Crow Wing County has doubled since last year.

Correction/clarification
The file photographs used by The Dispatch on Page 1A on Sunday and Monday as part of a methamphetamine series were taken a year ago.

From Pentagon to courthouse
Discussions on whether to rezone 37 acres of Whitefish Meadows in Roosevelt Township had two parties split -- the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and the property owners.

Board works on suit stemming from '98 incident
The Brainerd School Board took action on a litigation case Wednesday after discussing the matter in several closed meetings.

City looks at changes in liquor compliance ordinance
The city of Brainerd is close to establishing a new liquor compliance ordinance for liquor license holders within the city.

Senate passes bill to add crimes to hate crimes law
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A bill passed Wednesday by the Senate would add more crimes to Minnesota's hate crimes law and increase penalties for disrupting religious services and for other misdemeanors if they are motivated by bias.

Man held as Aitkin sheriff probes death
McGREGOR TOWNSHIP -- A 30-year old McGregor Township man is in custody today pending an investigation into the death of his 69-year old neighbor.

Chief Ball sees little impact from decision
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday that police cannot stop and search a person based on an anonymous tip that describes only a person's clothing or location.

Home ownership planning meeting set
An action planning meeting has been scheduled regarding home ownership in southeast Brainerd.

More Minnesota firms than ever volunteering
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Minnesotans are volunteering more than ever and giving substantially more of their time than the national average, a report shows.

Jury convicts men in prostitution ring case
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- A federal jury on Tuesday found six Minneapolis men guilty of operating a prostitution ring for nearly two decades, in what authorities called the largest federal prosecution of a juvenile prostitution ring in U.S. history.

C-I students stage walkout
CROSBY -- Nearly the entire student body at Crosby-Ironton High School walked out of school just after lunch Tuesday in protest of proposed teacher and program cuts.

High court limits protections for nude dancing
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court today limited some of the freedom-of-expression protections that permit nude dancing.

Families of Flight 800 victims can sue for pain, suffering
NEW YORK -- A federal appeals court has cleared the way for families of those killed on TWA Flight 800 to seek millions of dollars in damages for pain and suffering because the crash was not in international waters.

Reform rabbis to preside at same-sex unions
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Reform Jewish leaders have overwhelmingly approved a resolution giving rabbis the option of presiding at gay commitment ceremonies.

Clinton gets bill lifting Social Security earnings limit
WASHINGTON -- Without a dissenting vote, Congress sent President Clinton legislation repealing a Depression-era law that reduces the Social Security benefits of thousands of older workers. The president intends to sign the bill into law.

Study reports diabetes, Agent Orange link
WASHINGTON -- The Air Force has found the ''strongest evidence to date'' that exposure to Agent Orange is linked to diabetes, improving the chances that Vietnam veterans suffering from the disease will receive compensation.

Ugandan authorities unearth 81 more bodies at home of sect leader
RUGAZI, Uganda -- Ugandan investigators pulled the last of 81 tangled corpses from a mass grave hidden under a doomsday sect leader's former home today, bringing the cult's death toll to at least 673.

Supreme Court resistant to school-led prayer proposal
WASHINGTON -- The movement for student-led prayers in public schools appeared to run into a solid wall of resistance at the Supreme Court Wednesday.

Study: Red meat doesn't raise breast cancer risk
Eating well-done red meat -- whether barbecued, grilled or pan seared -- does not increase a woman's risk of breast cancer, but a diet rich in fish, chicken or turkey may offer some protection against the disease, according to a University of California, Irvine study released Wednesday.

Mexico follows OPEC lead, will hike oil output
MEXICO CITY -- Underscoring its newfound role as a world oil player, Mexico took the lead among non-OPEC producers Wednesday by committing to raise output in line with the supply hike adopted by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and thus ease pressure on global oil prices.

Oil from new soybean better for heart
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A new soybean developed by government scientists yields oil that, once processed, has far less heart-damaging fats and other substances than other cooking oils.

Cuban boy dispute at impasse as new deadline approaches
MIAMI -- Talks resumed today between the U.S. government and Elian Gonzalez' Miami relatives, while the 6-year-old boy's Cuban father apparently was ready to jump on a plane to retrieve him.

Reno testifies on Waco siege
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Lawyers for Branch Davidians who are suing the government over the 1993 Waco siege say Attorney General Janet Reno has testified that she never gave approval for the FBI to use tanks to demolish the sect members' compound.

Third child in bus-train collision dies
TENNGA, Ga. (AP) -- A deadly train crash that ripped a school bus off its wheels claimed a third victim Wednesday.

Sri Lankan air force plane crashes, 40 die
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) -- A Sri Lankan air force plane crashed today while trying to land, killing the four Russian crew members and all 36 military personnel aboard, air force officials said.

Iran goes along with OPEC deal to boost output
VIENNA, Austria -- Denouncing U.S. pressure but fearing loss of market share, Iran announced today it would increase oil production after initially refusing to accept an agreement signed by nine other OPEC members to boost the world's crude supplies.

After tornadoes
FORT WORTH, Texas -- A large chunk of the downtown business heart of Fort Worth remained off limits today because of the danger from sheets of glass still falling from tornado-damaged skyscrapers.

Flag desecration amendment goes down in Senate
WASHINGTON -- A Senate attempt to give the American flag constitutional protections again fell short, with supporters failing to move dug-in opponents who said the measure would undercut basic free speech rights.

Europeans plead for relief from high gas prices
BERLIN -- From the country that introduced Americans to ''fahrvergnuegen,'' German for driving pleasure, comes another tongue-twisting emotion in these trying times of sky-high gas prices: ''schadenfreude'' -- happiness at someone else's misfortune.

NASA chief Goldin takes blame for botched Mars missions
PASADENA, Calif. -- NASA Administrator Dan Goldin is taking the blame for last year's botched Mars missions, saying he pushed too hard, cut too much and made it impossible for spacecraft managers to succeed.

Buy, buy, buy
NEW YORK -- It's been nothing but ''buy buy buy'' for 'N Sync fans.

Bush pitches $5 billion childhood reading proposal By Maria L. La Ganga
RESTON, Va. -- Calling childhood illiteracy a ''national emergency,'' Texas Gov. George W. Bush on Tuesday unveiled a five-year, $5 billion proposal to ensure that all American children can read by the end of third grade.

Outlook improving for Social Security and Medicare
WASHINGTON -- Social Security and Medicare are benefiting from the continued strong economy, experts say, resulting in more optimistic predictions about how long the retirement programs will be able to support aging baby boomers before running short of cash.

Poor testing, management cited as causes of Mars failures
WASHINGTON -- NASA attempted to do too much with too little, leading to a failed mission to Mars, according to assessment of the space agency's efforts to explore the Red Planet.

Astronomers find two Saturn-sized planets beyond solar system
WASHINGTON -- Astronomers searching for planets orbiting distant stars have found the smallest planets yet beyond the solar system, an important step toward being able to detect Earth-sized worlds that would have the best chance of containing life.

Judge says Clinton, aides violated Willey's privacy rights By Robert L. Jackson
WASHINGTON -- President Clinton and his top aides intentionally violated the privacy rights of former White House volunteer Kathleen Willey by publicly releasing friendly letters she had written to the president, a federal judge ruled Wednesday.

A topsy-turvy tournament
INDIANAPOLIS -- Does Wisconsin have at least one more surprise left?

PLAY BALL!
TOKYO ) -- A sumo wrestler waddled to his seat and the crown prince sat in the Royal Box. Fans snacked on sushi with chopsticks, and some even wore surgical masks.

Notre Dame, Wake Forest gain NIT final
NEW YORK (AP) -- Notre Dame came into the National Invitation Tournament focused on winning it. Now, there's just one team standing in its way.

Sports briefs
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) -- Five in six NCAA Division I football and basketball game officials surveyed say they gamble, with some betting on sports and using bookies.

Fine against Moss reduced
EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- A $40,000 fine issued to Minnesota Vikings receiver Randy Moss for squirting a water bottle at an official has been reduced to $25,000.

Izzo, Cleaves have special relationship
EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Michigan State coach Tom Izzo has a special relationship with point guard Mateen Cleaves that probably started five years before Cleaves was born.

Mets and Cubs are tied for league lead
TOKYO -- The New York Mets are sure glad they decided to take Benny Agbayani on this little detour.

Baseball and Bud on a roll
This must be the first time since he took over baseball that Bud Selig is not lusting after some other commissioner's job.

NFL owners retain instant replay
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings are looking at Bubby Brister, who was just released by Denver, in case Jeff George rejects an offer to return as quarterback this coming season, coach Dennis Green said today.

Emily J. Lee
LITTLE FALLS -- Emily Jean Lee, 77, died Monday, March 27, 2000, at St. Cloud Hospital.

Dale Gustafson
ST. CLOUD -- Dale Gustafson, 85, St. Cloud, died Monday, March 27, 2000, at home.

Deon J. Nordquist
EMILY -- Deon Jerome Nordquist, 65, Emily, died Tuesday, March 28, 2000, at St. Cloud Hospital.

Robert L. McGraw
PLYMOUTH -- Robert L. McGraw, 63, Plymouth, formerly of Merrifield, died Wednesday, March 22, 2000.

Hattie Karpinski
LITTLE FALLS -- Hattie Karpinski, 80, Little Falls, died Monday, March 27, 2000, at Elder Heights in Little Falls.

Alice E. Christenson
LITTLE FALLS -- Alice E. Christenson, 87, Little Falls, died Sunday, March 26, 2000, at St. Gabriel's Hospital of Little Falls.

Deon Nordquist
EMILY -- Deon Nordquist, 65, Emily, died Tuesday, March 28, 2000, at St. Cloud Hospital.

Clarence J. Hienz
PIERZ -- Clarence J. Hienz, 83, Pierz, died Wednesday, March 29, 2000, at Veterans Administration Medical Center of St. Cloud.

Arthur E. Maron
McGREGOR -- Arthur E. Maron, 85, McGregor, died Sunday, March 26, 2000, at Riverwood Health Care Center of Aitkin.

Tell the chaplain
You can't blame him. House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., needed to end it all, and so he did what speakers do when they find themselves in an impossible situation. He used the power of his office to clean up the mess efficiently. By fiat and without forewarning, Hastert appointed a new chaplain, a Catholic priest from Chicago hand-picked by the speaker himself.

Spreading the word - Dispatch Editorial
Every now and then it's nice to reflect on a success story.

Baxter's donation - Dispatch Editorial
Like a faithful church-goer caught without her purse when the collection plate went around, the Baxter City Council felt remiss a year ago because it had not budgeted very much money for the area's Fourth of July celebration.

An 'imperfect messenger'
The following editorial appeared in today's Washington Post:

Open Forum
I'm a census crew leader, and my crew has just completed our job of getting your questionnaire to you in the month of March so you can be counted as of April 1, Census Day.

Open Forum
This letter is in opposition to the proposed DGPS tower. We are not convinced this tower could not have detrimental side effects to the populace, wildlife and ground water supply.

S.C. grows weary of flag flap
WASHINGTON--The White House hopefuls and the national television and print reporters left South Carolina the day after its Feb. 19 Republican presidential primary and have not been back since--which is fine with most South Carolinians.

No one can afford a tax-free Internet
If the Internet, which now accounts for less than 1 percent of all retail sales, becomes a favorite way for Americans to shop, it will provoke a greater revolution than most of us imagine.

Fourth-generation driver ready for first big test
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Kyle Petty isn't sure when son Adam first thought about becoming a stock-car racer.

Talk of the track
Johnny Rutherford, the three-time Indy 500 winner who serves as an IRL consultant and pace car driver, couldn't miss Al Unser Jr. during a caution period in the recent Phoenix race.

Papis finds confidence, success with Rahal
Max Papis knew exactly what he was getting into when he agreed to drive for retiring star Bobby Rahal.

Gordon struggling to regain championship form
BRISTOL, Tenn. (AP) -- What's wrong with Jeff Gordon?

Pierz athletes posts wins
COLLEGEVILLE -- Trevor Gross of Pierz won two events as the Pioneers' track and field teams opened their seasons Tuesday at the St. John's University Invitational.

Iverson caps 76ers' victory
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- In a game filled with twisting layups and off-balance jumpers, Allen Iverson's last two points were his easiest -- and most controversial.

Scoreboard
Radio guide -- WYRQ-FM (92.1), KFML-FM (94.1), KKIN-FM (94.3), KTCF-FM (101.5), KTIG-FM (102.7), WCCO-AM (830), KKIN-AM (930), KLTF-AM (960), 3WI-AM (1270), KVBR-AM (1340), KLIZ-AM (1380), KLLZ-AM (1600)

Steinbach's successor is a surprise
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Minnesota Twins didn't want to get much younger, not after breaking camp last year with 10 rookies.

Local sports shorts
ASA/USA Softball and the Minnesota Sports Federation will conduct an umpire clinic 7:30 p.m. April 3 in the Brainerd High School gym.

Area players are making their points
When Michael Jordan began starring in the late 1980s, many young girls and boys decided to try basketball, a sport they may not have played otherwise.

Milton doesn't mind no-hitter talk
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- You'd think Eric Milton was Nolan Ryan the way he's being treated by Minnesota Twins fans on spring break.

DNR sets fishing regulations on area lakes
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Department of Natural Resources on Tuesday offset an anticipated Chippewa fish harvest by announcing size restrictions that apply to non-Indian anglers on seven lakes this year.

All-conference hockey teams named
All-Central Lakes Conference teams in boys' and girls' hockey have been announced.

Local shorts
Brainerd Warriors swimming coach John Zemke is a finalist for the Minnesota High School Boys' Swimming Coach of the Year Award.

Carlson denies making phony stadium crisis
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Former Gov. Arne Carlson denied assertions in a new book that says his administration engineered a phony crisis in a failed effort to pressure the 1997 Legislature into building a new stadium for the Minnesota Twins.

An unusual spring CLC teams enjoy warm weather
A baseball or softball team beginning its spring season in Minnesota usually resembles a decaying 1978 pickup truck.

Scoreboard
Track and Field

Polanski turns to book collecting in 'The Ninth Gate'
In "The Ninth Gate" film director Roman Polanski turns his attention to the lofty world of rare-book collectors, where fascination with the Devil and his literary works apparently reigns supreme.

Astronaut recalls life aboard Mir
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- As the oxygen canister spewed flames and smoke filled the Mir space station, astronaut Jerry Linenger realized he might die. So he said silent goodbyes to his pregnant wife and son.

Entertainment Calendar
For week of March 30-April 5; bands perform from 9 p.m. to close with no cover unless otherwise noted.

Musical ambassadors for U.S. Army will perform in Brainerd
When the largest branch of the military wants to stick its most polished dress shoe forward, it sends the U.S. Army Field Band and its choral counterpart on a nationwide tour.

GRAA sponsors five-day painting workshop
LITTLE FALLS - The Great River Arts Association is sponsoring a five-day workshop for aspiring oil painters, starting April 10 at the St. Francis Center in Little Falls.

CLC auditions set
Central Lakes College Summer Theatre 2000 will hold auditions April 8 for the community theater production of "The Wizard of Oz," which opens July 6.

Fine Arts Student of the Week
When Carissa Clemens dreams about the future, her life revolves around a couple of planets at the same time, each as different from the other as dark is from light.

Artists invited to submit to RCC's annual exhibit
NEW YORK MILLS -- Regional visual artists are asked to plan ahead now to submit one example of their best work to the New York Mills Regional Cultural Center's annual Regional Art Show.

Money rolls in
STAMFORD, Conn. (AP) -- CAN YOU SMELL WHAT THE WWF IS COOKING!!!!!?????

Low-key Anthony Edwards powers 'ER' juggernaut
BURBANK, Calif. -- Anthony Edwards sinks into cushions in his trailer on the set of ''ER,'' a light stubble dusting his face. He's traded his green scrubs for a red wool sweater, rumpled pants and running shoes.

Theater group to award scholarship
LITTLE FALLS - The Hole in the Day Players will award a $300 scholarship to a Little Falls High School senior who plans to pursue a dramatic arts degree in college.

Journal-making class offered to area teens
NEW YORK MILLS -- Creating a unique, personal journal can be one of the best ways for teens to get to know themselves and express what's on their minds.

Laid-back style helps 'Austin City Limits' survive 25 years
AUSTIN, Texas -- Since Willie Nelson took the stage for the very first show, Ray Lucero has worked as stage manager on ''Austin City Limits,'' catering to stars before they were stars.

Seven-month-old Sober School may have to close
FREEBORN (AP) -- Seven months after it opened, an experimental high school aimed at helping recovering teen-age addicts stay sober and get back on their feet is in danger of closing.

Pilot project to teach business owners about e-commerce
PEQUOT LAKES -- Internet users around the world may someday be able to visit -- and shop -- at a "virtual" Pequot Lakes.

Lakes area events
18th annual Festival of the Arts, 5:30-8 p.m. Thursday, Pequot Lakes School. Taco salad dinner, 4:30-7 p.m.

Pequot Lakes names three as teacher of the year candidates
PEQUOT LAKES -- The Pequot Lakes Education Association has named its candidates for the Pequot Lakes School District's 2000 Teacher of the Year. This year's candidates are kindergarten teacher Jackie Duoos, high school vocal music instructor Karen Jacobson, and elementary music teacher Chris Nick.

Spanish Club sponsors trip to Festival of Nations
The Spanish Club at Central Lakes College is sponsoring a bus trip to the Festival of Nations 2000 on May 6.

Pequot Lakes students, staff rally to raise funds for woman paralyzed in January crash
Nick Linder, a Pequot Lakes first grader, decided to donate $65, which was all of his birthday money he had saved since his birthday in December.

Around the world
Amsterdam 47 42 cdy

Planting time
Weather drawing by Mark Watson of Mrs. Ahlers' third grade class at Lincoln school.

Around the nation
Albany,N.Y. 50 31 .43 rn

Happy days
Weather drawing by Mariha Schwegel of Mrs. Sedlachek's second grade class at Lowell school.

Around the nation
Albany,N.Y. 48 39 .01 cdy

Brainerd forecast
Tonight...Mostly clear with increasing clouds late. Lows around 30. Northeast wind around 5 mph becoming east.

Around the region
Alexandria 54 32 .00

Brainerd forecast
Tonight...Increasing clouds. Lows near 35. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Around the world
Amsterdam 43 40 cdy

Around the region
Alexandria 50 25 .00

Girl who says 'no' to bra gets no support
DEAR ABBY: When I was 12, I couldn't wait to wear a bra. By the time I turned 16 last summer, I decided I'd had enough of wearing a bra. My mom, who hasn't worn one since she was 18, had no problem with it as long as it wasn't obvious that I was braless. And for six months it wasn't.

Names and faces
MOBILE, Ala. (AP) -- Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back.

Here's one grandmother who won't baby-proof her house
DEAR ABBY: I'll bet you get plenty of letters from grannies responding to ''Bent Out of Shape in Bend, Ore.'' Here is MY response. You may use it if you choose:

What's doing
The Pillager Fair Board is sponsoring the 16th annual Fiddler's Contest at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Pillager High School in the old gym. Cost: $3, children under 12, $2. There will be