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Thursday, April 4, 2002

Federal government investigating four possible defects in Ford Focus
WASHINGTON -- The government has opened four defect investigations into the Ford Focus, the vehicle at the center of the automaker's plan to woo younger buyers.

2002 Mercury Sable: A player under any nameplate
NEW YORK -- It was a nice car in the way that a normal day is nice. It was free of drama, absent of surprises. It was pleasant in its predictability. The 2002 Mercury Sable LS Premium sedan. Some people call it boring. But what looks like boring at dawn can be a comfort at sunset, when you end the day with a smile instead of a groan.

Buick Rendezvous: For those who think young
The 2002 Rendezvous was the first Buick to feature golfer Tiger Woods behind the steering wheel.

Despite poor showing by Ford, U.S. auto sales show some life
Despite a poor showing by troubled Ford Motor Co., the auto industry Tuesday reported strong sales for March and the first quarter of 2002 -- slightly below last year's pace but still in near-record territory.

4 sprints to be on display at show
As of Tuesday, there will be at least 40 stock cars at North Central Speedway's annual show at Dondelinger Friday and Saturday.

Bush early childhood education plan draws fire from critics
WASHINGTON -- President Bush's plan to improve the nation's early childhood education system is being criticized as misguided and insufficient, even as he vows to train thousands of teachers to teach preschoolers to read.

Mom who flew off the handle belongs on plane
DEAR ABBY: I can't agree with your advice to "Poor Little Butterfly in Oklahoma," whose mother went on an eight-hour harangue after finding out her married daughter got a tattoo when she was 20.

A quarter clarification
Dear Heloise: We have found another good use for the plastic cases that 35 mm film comes in. We have one in each vehicle in the glove compartment, filled with quarters to use at the car wash. -- Betty K., Marshall, Ill.

Freezer follies
Dear Heloise: We have something really old in the freezer! Our daughter Rebecca and her husband, Jim, were married Oct. 24, 1971. I still have the small layer of their four-tier wedding cake in our freezer; it's never been opened. Every anniversary, we have wanted them to have it, but it just couldn't happen because they live too far away to keep it frozen. -- Ted and Louise, Indiana

Piercing plea falls on deaf parental ears
DEAR ABBY: I am a sophomore in high school and the middle child. I get good grades, do the laundry, and usually don't complain when my parents ask me to do something. Overall, I'm a pretty good kid.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle: 600.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Tuesday cattle: 600.

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Wednesday 174, a year ago 245.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle: 600.

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Wednesday 174, a year ago 245.

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Tuesday 179, a year ago 346.

Easy salad will put a nice touch of spring on your kitchen table
Spring is a time to make the most of the changing season, to try a new trick or two. Fresh asparagus is becoming more available, but not much fresh fruit is being harvested yet. Combining what may be at hand easily can produce a gratifying addition to a meal.

Wake up brunch with potato crunch
If spring brings out the sociable in you, and/or if you want to try something new for yourself first before you do some casual entertaining, consider these potato baskets.

Breakfast ideas
Looking for a new twist on serving a fast and nutritious breakfast?

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

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

Doctors urge regulators to oversee growth of liver transplants from living donors
BOSTON (AP) -- Worried about the increasing number of partial-liver transplants from living donors, some doctors are proposing an external regulator be appointed to certify hospital units to do the surgery.

Marrying cousins isn't as risky as medical experts thought, according to study
PHILADELPHIA -- The risk of birth defects in children born to couples who are first or second cousins isn't as high as many experts had believed, according to a study that sheds new light on a practice that is stigmatized in many Western cultures.

Poor women less likely to be promptly diagnosed, treated for breast cancer, study shows
WASHINGTON -- Poor women with breast cancer are three times more likely to die of the disease than are other patients, according to a study that found it was poverty, not race, that determined the outcome of their medical care.

Misshapen proteins seen as culprit in Alzheimer's
New research suggests illnesses as diverse as Alzheimer's, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease and adult-onset diabetes are caused by proteins that fold themselves into defective shapes, rather than proteins that have undergone harmful chemical changes.

CLC inducts national community college honor society members
Central Lakes College recently inducted new members into the Upsilon Omega chapter of Phi Theta Kappa, the national community college honor society.

Ten Mile Lake Association to begin a water patrol this summer
OTTER TAIL PENINSULA -- Cass County Sheriff Randy Fisher obtained county board approval Tuesday to buy a boat and custom trailer for $17,445 from Sun Patio Inc. of Maple Lake to enable the Ten Mile Lake Association to begin a water patrol.

Staples campus of CLC to host open house
STAPLES -- The Staples campus of Central Lakes College will be open for visitors from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

Brainerd man brings back big souvenir from vacation in Mexico
Rick Heinlen once told his wife there were two fish he wanted to catch: a marlin and a tarpon.

Lake Shore woman named assistant Cass attorney
OTTER TAIL PENINSULA -- Jean Hartley of Lake Shore was selected to succeed Karleen Melhus as an assistant Cass County attorney.

Operation Prom Night set for C-I students
Operation Prom Night set Friday at Crosby-Ironton High School

CLC to host 'X Day'
Juniors and seniors from area high schools are invited to College Experience Day, also known as "X Day," for a close look at liberal arts and career education available at the community and technical college in Brainerd and Staples.

Cass board to attend statewide summit meeting between county boards, Indian tribal leaders
WALKER -- The Cass County Board will attend a statewide summit meeting between county boards and Minnesota Indian reservation tribal leaders May 8-10 at Grand Portage.

Cass County Public Health Division offers full range of health care to communities
"Healthy People in Healthy Communities" is the theme of National Public Health Week this week.

Engineering prospects offered free dinner
The Central Lakes College Engineering Department will hold a banquet Tuesday on the Brainerd campus for prospective engineering students and their parents. It is free.

Cass health employees reject union contract
OTTER TAIL PENINSULA -- Administrator Robert Yochum reported to the Cass County Board on Tuesday that Health and Human Services employees have voted to reject the county's contract offer and authorized an intent to strike.

Cass County Board awards contracts for highway work
OTTER TAIL PENINSULA -- The Cass County Board voted Tuesday to award the contract for $1,133,872.15 to low bidder KGM Construction Inc. of Angora to repave County State Aid Highway 5 through Longville this summer.

Cass debates hunter tree stands, shooting lanes
OTTER TAIL PENINSULA -- Cass County commissioners held their third public hearing on the county comprehensive plan, focusing on the public land section, and regular county board meeting Tuesday at Otter Tail Peninsula Town Hall on the north shore of Leech Lake.

Food forum slated Saturday in Staples
STAPLES -- The public is invited to a Food Forum, "Growing Together," from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Central Lakes College, 1830 Airport Road, in Staples.

Job Fair at CLC set April 10
The Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College will host the 12th annual Regional Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 10, in the central core area.

Criminal justice team from CLC wins national awards
Four members of the Central Lakes College chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association have captured national awards.

Naturalist to speak at WHELP meeting
The Wadena Historical and Environmental Learning Program will hold its annual meeting/program Sunday in Staples.

Cities cautious about flood anniversary
GRAND FORKS, N.D. (AP) -- Officials here and in neighboring East Grand Forks, Minn., are being cautious about how they recognize the upcoming fifth anniversary of the devastating 1997 Red River flood.

Some Cass County property tax statements show wrong amount to be used to file for state rebate
OTTER TAIL PENINSULA -- Cass County Auditor-Treasurer Sharon Anderson reported to the county board Tuesday property tax statements mailed to about a third of residential homestead property owners who own less than 10 acres have an error in calculations.

Win a day's worth of work from area contractors, and help a Pequot Lakes man battling cancer at the same time
NISSWA -- While a Pequot Lakes self-employed carpenter battles cancer at the Mayo Clinic, a group of 16 Brainerd lakes area contractors have rallied together in an unusual way to help their fellow tradesman -- by raffling off a free day's worth of services from each of the 16 men.

Public health services available to Cass County residents listed
Following are the public health services available to Cass County residents:

This was Brainerd
30 years ago (1972) - Resignation of Corky Johnson as high school basketball coach after two seasons here leaves his replacement (yet to be named) with something bordering on an impossible assignment.

Paul Bunyan Bowl to add 8 lanes, tear down restaurant
BAXTER -- To keep up with a bowling alley planned in Brainerd, Paul Bunyan Bowl will add eight bowling lanes.

No contest
After counting the number of signatures for the Brainerd School District's $59.9 million bond referendum, Marv Begin said Wednesday he will not contest the election.

Brainerd Bataan ceremony set
Tuesday's placement of a plaque commemorating the Bataan Death March at the state Capitol's Wall of Honor will be preceded by a short 8 a.m. ceremony at the Brainerd National Guard Armory.

Kinkel still trying to decide if he'll run
Sen. Tony Kinkel, DFL-Park Rapids, hasn't decided whether he'll run for re-election, but if he does, it will be in the newly redesigned District 4.

People against referendum spent $4,389
Individuals opposed to the Brainerd School District's $59.9 million bond referendum spent more than $4,000 before the March 12 referendum.

Potlatch workers can apply at Cloquet plant
Potlatch employees with specific skills in Brainerd may apply for jobs at the Cloquet plant.

This was Brainerd
40 years ago (1962) - The Brainerd-Paul Bunyan Vacationland Association is well on its way to achieving a goal of $11,000 which will be used to promote the tourist industry here. Howard Hamilton, chairman of the group, said that some $9,000 has already been paid and pledged.

Bataan Death March plaque to be installed Tuesday on Wall of Honor at state Capitol
ST. PAUL -- The installation of a Bataan Death March plaque on the Wall of Honor on the state Capitol grounds will have a distinct Brainerd touch on Tuesday.

CORRECTION/ CLARIFICATION
A story on page 1A of Tuesday's Dispatch should have stated the city wants its economic development authority to issue $3 million in bonds to finance building improvements. The cost of the overall project would be $3,929,550, paid for by the bonds combined with excess funds in an overfunded police retirement account and the funds to the city from a county buy out of the city's interest in the Law Enforcement Center.

Attract butterflies
Butterfly gardens offer an opportunity to create habitat and attract delicate flying specks of color. Look for the story in Friday's Housing section.

Local briefs
The Brainerd Family YMCA will hold a Red Cross lifeguard training class starting April 12.

CLC speaker fields questions on foreign affairs
The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks changed the way Americans look at foreign policy. A forum in Brainerd Tuesday provided community discussion about the complex challenges ahead.

Local briefs
The Brainerd Family YMCA will hold a Red Cross lifeguard training class starting April 12.

C.A.R.E. officers, board members selected
The annual meeting of C.A.R.E., or Coordinating Area Resources Effectively, of Crow Wing County was held March 22.

School board moving on improvement plan
The Brainerd School District's building improvement plan is moving forward without delay.

'The Amazing Race' over for East Gull Lake couple
"The Amazing Race" may have ended in Thailand Wednesday night for an East Gull Lake couple, but the media tour has begun.

Three more charged in apartment incident
Three more Brainerd men have been charged in connection with an assault and property damage at a Walnut Street apartment last month.

Board to interview 4 construction firms
The Brainerd School Board will interview four construction management firms Friday. The school board decision disappointed one Brainerd firm, which submitted the lowest bid of the eight proposals.

Attract butterflies
Butterfly gardens offer an opportunity to create habitat and attract delicate flying specks of color. Look for the story in Friday's Housing section.

COMING THURSDAY
Lorrie Morgan, who will perform at Grand Casino Mille Lacs, talks about her marriage and latest recording. Look for the story Thursday in Tempo.

Referendum opponents checking ballots with signatures to assure match
Do the signatures from people who voted in the Brainerd School District $59.9 million bond referendum and the number of ballots match?

Potlatch workers can apply at Cloquet plant
Potlatch employees with specific skills in Brainerd may apply for jobs at the Cloquet plant.

Flight diverted
ATLANTA (AP) -- A Delta Air Lines flight from Atlanta to Madrid, Spain, was diverted to Newfoundland after a passenger began screaming and had to be restrained by the flight crew.

Local briefs
Medea Benjamin, founder of the human rights organization Global Exchange, will be guest presenter of a free program April 15 at Central Lakes College, Brainerd.

Three more charged in apartment incident
Three more Brainerd men have been charged in connection with an assault and property damage at a Walnut Street apartment last month.

'The Amazing Race' over for East Gull Lake couple
"The Amazing Race" may have ended in Thailand Wednesday night for an East Gull Lake couple, but the media tour has begun.

Pierz teen-ager chosen to attend anti-tobacco conference in Italy
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A teen-ager from Pierz is one of two American youths selected by the World Health Organization to attend an anti-tobacco conference in Italy.

No contest
After counting the number of signatures for the Brainerd School District's $59.9 million bond referendum, Marv Begin said Wednesday he will not contest the election.

C.A.R.E. officers, board members selected
The annual meeting of C.A.R.E., or Coordinating Area Resources Effectively, of Crow Wing County was held March 22.

Baxter starts working on retreat ideas
BAXTER -- The Baxter City Council Tuesday adopted recommendations made at its March 2 retreat.

Crow Wing DFL delegates gather
The Crow Wing County DFLers have elected leaders.

Timber harvest
BAXTER -- Stands of jack pines on Crow Wing County land in and around Camp Vanasek will be harvested this year.

Two abuse lawsuits fault dioceses, Vatican
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) -- Decades after claiming they were sexually abused by Roman Catholic priests, two men have struck back with lawsuits against three American dioceses and their spiritual headquarters -- the Vatican itself.

Student who filed suit testifies that sixth grade teacher seduced him at age 12 by offering to strip
KENT, Wash. (AP) -- A boy who fathered two children with his sixth-grade teacher testified Wednesday that she began seducing him by offering to remove an item of clothing for every question he answered correctly on a history test.

Judge rejects closure of terrorism hearings
A federal judge in Detroit ruled Wednesday that a government policy to close deportation hearings of individuals targeted in the sweeping terrorism investigation launched after the Sept. 11 attacks is unconstitutional.

McDonald's tries imported beef, citing shortage
WASHINGTON -- McDonald's is joining Burger King, Wendy's and other fast-food chains in buying beef from overseas, citing a shortage of the U.S. meat that's lean enough to make their burgers.

Cardinal Egan turning over priest files
NEW YORK -- In an apparent about-face, Cardinal Edward M. Egan announced Wednesday that the New York Archdiocese has voluntarily given the Manhattan district attorney's office an unspecified number of files on cases involving priests who have been accused of sexual misconduct with minors.

Survey finds rudeness is getting worse and people are getting sick of it
NEW YORK -- People say you're rude.

Survey: Catholics critical of church's response to abuse
A growing majority of Catholics are sharply critical of the way that the Catholic Church has handled instances of child abuse by priests and believe the scandal has deeply tarnished the church's reputation, according to a national survey by The Washington Post, ABC News and Beliefnet.com.

Illinois governor's aides face corruption charges
CHICAGO -- Gov. George Ryan refused to comment directly Wednesday on corruption charges against his campaign committee and two of his former top aides, but called the defendants "friends of mine."

NASA scrubs shuttle launch
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Leaking fuel at the pad forced NASA to call off Thursday's planned launch of space shuttle Atlantis on a space station construction mission.

Appliance repairman claims $26 million Powerball jackpot
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) -- A self-employed appliance repairman claimed a $26 million Powerball jackpot Tuesday, saying he would retire and take a long honeymoon with his fiance.

Despite push for tax e-filing, old-fashioned paper returns still rule
WASHINGTON -- Most Americans know they can file their taxes online, but without incentives they're sticking with the old-fashioned way.

U.S. taps retirement funds to limit debt
WASHINGTON -- Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill notified Congress Tuesday that he would begin tapping federal employee retirement funds this week to prevent the government from breaching its $5.95 trillion debt ceiling.

Five more Wisconsin deer positive with chronic wasting disease
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Five more deer tested positive for chronic wasting disease, raising the total to 10 deer found with the fatal brain ailment in the same area of southern Wisconsin, officials say.

Rising oil prices could dampen recovery
Rising oil prices -- which one forecaster said could soon hit $30 a barrel -- threatens the fledgling economic recovery by adding unexpected costs to consumers as well as to manufacturing, transportation and other business sectors, analysts said Tuesday.

Leading Catholic bishop says church must work harder to restore trust
The head of the U.S. Roman Catholic bishops' conference says he disagrees with those who believe that allowing priests to marry or ordaining women would help end the church's current sex abuse crisis.

Records show Guantanamo detainee may be U.S. citizen
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. government may have in its custody a second American who fought for the Taliban in Afghanistan, authorities said Wednesday after checking birth records that appear to support his claim that he was born in Louisiana.

Astronomers say asteroid could hit the Earth -- in 878 years
WASHINGTON -- A new look at an asteroid orbiting the sun shows it could possibly smash into the Earth with the explosive force of millions of tons of TNT. But experts say the potential impact is still 878 years away, time enough for the speeding space rock to alter its course.

NASA scrubs shuttle launch
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) -- Leaking fuel at the pad forced NASA to call off Thursday's planned launch of space shuttle Atlantis on a space station construction mission.

Administration seeks to oust head of science panel on global warming
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration is pushing for an engineer from India to take over the helm of an influential international science panel on global warming that is headed by a U.S. atmospheric chemist who has been criticized by the energy industry.

North Korea indicates willingness to reopen peace talks with U.S.
WASHINGTON (AP) -- As North Korea offered to reopen peace talks, a White House spokesman said Wednesday that the United States is ready for dialogue with the communist Pyongyang regime "anytime, anywhere."

Title

JORDAN OUT FOR SEASON
WASHINGTON -- Well, it sure was nice while it lasted.

Nicklaus to skip Masters with bad back
Jack Nicklaus played in his first Masters as a 19-year-old amateur, won his sixth green jacket when he was 46 and was still a factor going into the weekend two years ago at age 60 with an artificial hip.

Texans say Carr key to their future success
HOUSTON (AP) -- More than two weeks before the NFL draft, the Houston Texans have already decided they'll take Fresno State quarterback David Carr with the No. 1 pick.

Barry good
Barry Bonds seems destined to destroy his home run record -- by the All-Star break.

Baseball player$ break $2 billion barrier
By RONALD BLUM

JORDAN OUT FOR SEASON
WASHINGTON -- Well, it sure was nice while it lasted.

Terps earn place in history
Now that the Maryland Terrapins are national champions, let's ask a broader and more flattering question than would have been reasonable just a couple of weeks ago. Compared to the best teams of the last 30 years, how good are these triumphant Terps?

Selig calls Forbes report 'pure fiction'
SEATTLE (AP) -- Commissioner Bud Selig criticized a Forbes magazine report that major league teams had an operating profit of $75 million last season -- a marked difference from the $232 million in operating losses that he detailed to Congress in December.

Barry good
Barry Bonds seems destined to destroy his home run record -- by the All-Star break.

Bonds does nothing to lower expectations
LOS ANGELES -- In what was his spring mantra, his attempt to reduce expectations in the aftermath of his season for the ages, Barry Bonds liked to say that it went so far beyond anything he had done before that he didn't want to think about it, that he simply wanted to let it go.

Helen King
HILLMAN -- Helen King, 86, Hillman, died Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at Pierz Villa in Pierz.

Gerald 'Jerry' J. Boos
MESA, Ariz. -- Gerald "Jerry" J. Boos, 77, Mesa, Ariz., died Sunday, March 31, 2002, as the result of a motor vehicle accident. His wife also died in the accident.

Herman Christiansen
AITKIN -- Herman Christiansen, 89, Aitkin, died Wednesday, April 3, 2002, at Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin.

Lee Ann Leary
Lee Ann (Doyle) Leary, 56, Brainerd, formerly of West Concord, Rochester and Minneapolis, died Tuesday, April 2, 2002.

Dolores Schmitt
PIERZ -- Dolores Schmitt, 87, Pierz, died Wednesday, April 3, 2002, at home.

Charlotte M. Faucher
MORA -- Charlotte M. Faucher, 84, Mora, formerly of Aitkin, died Saturday, March 30, 2002, at Villa Health Care Center in Mora.

Paul Monk
FORT RIPLEY -- Paul Monk, 68, Fort Ripley, died Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at home.

Dolores Schmitt
PIERZ -- Dolores Schmitt, 87, Pierz, died Wednesday, April 3, 2002, at home.

Robert 'Bob' Sims
OLYMPIA, Wash. -- Robert "Bob" Sims, 79, Olympia, Wash., died Monday, March 18, 2002, at a hospice center in Quyallup, Wash.

Paul L. Monk
FORT RIPLEY -- Paul L. Monk, 69, Fort Ripley, died Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at home.

Lee Ann Leary
Lee Ann (Doyle) Leary, 56, Brainerd, formerly of West Concord, Rochester and Minneapolis, died Tuesday, April 2, 2002.

Stephen C. Weigelt
KIMBALL -- Stephen Charles Weigelt, 46, died Tuesday, April 2, 2002.

Mary 'Jeanne' Boos
MESA, Ariz. -- Mary "Jeanne" Boos, 79, Mesa, Ariz., died Sunday, March 31, 2002, as the result of a motor vehicle accident. Her husband also died in the accident.

Helen King
HILLMAN -- Helen King, 86, Hillman, died Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at Pierz Villa in Pierz.

Mary 'Jeanne' Boos
MESA, Ariz. -- Mary "Jeanne" Boos, 79, Mesa, Ariz., died Sunday, March 31, 2002, as the result of a motor vehicle accident. Her husband also died in the accident.

Gerald 'Jerry' J. Boos
MESA, Ariz. -- Gerald "Jerry" J. Boos, 77, Mesa, Ariz., died Sunday, March 31, 2002, as the result of a motor vehicle accident. His wife also died in the accident.

Marceline E. Zimbrick
LITTLE FALLS -- Marceline E. Zimbrick, 86, Little Falls, died Monday, April 1, 2002, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.

Mildred F. Jordahl
MOTLEY -- Mildred Florence Jordahl, 90, Motley, died Sunday, March 31, 2002, at Staples Care Center.

Helen King
PIERZ -- Helen King, 86, Hillman, died Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at Pierz Villa in Pierz.

Elsie DeLack
AITKIN -- Elsie DeLack, 92, Aitkin, died Tuesday, April 2, 2002, at Riverwood Extended Care Center in Aitkin.

Not for boys only It's odd to look back to a world where sports was for one gender
Just as middle-aged parents look back at their high school photos in disbelief, there's often occasion to look back at government policies and wonder how such notions could have existed in the United States.

Vox Pop
Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. To call

Guidelines for Open Forums
The Dispatch encourages readers to sound off in the Open Forum.

Vox Pop
Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. To call

PORT celebrates 30 years
It was 1972 when Marv Campbell first greeted the Rev. Gary Sartain in his office at the Citizens State Bank. Marv was the bank

Open Forum
With all of the 20 largest metro areas in the U.S. and Puerto Rico either operating, constructing, or planning highway independent rail transit systems, one is of special interest.

PORT celebrates 30 years
It was 1972 when Marv Campbell first greeted the Rev. Gary Sartain in his office at the Citizens State Bank. Marv was the bank

Just what was he smoking?
Now that the latest tapes from the Nixon White House have been released, the press is all over them with characteristic glee, eager as always to remind us that not long ago the leader of the free world was buggier than a flophouse blanket. Don't you get tired of this?

Open Forum
I was grateful to see our state representatives, Dale Walz and Larry Howes, recently voted against using taxpayer money to create gay marriage benefits for partners of state employees.

OTHER OPINIONS
The March 19 redistricting resulted in what everyone knew would happen all along -- the loss of rural representation.

The PLO axis of evil
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is right to declare his country ``at war'' with terrorists and to strike relentlessly at Palestinian militants. It's about time.

Guidelines for Open Forums
The Dispatch encourages readers to sound off in the Open Forum.

Open Forum
I was grateful to see our state representatives, Dale Walz and Larry Howes, recently voted against using taxpayer money to create gay marriage benefits for partners of state employees.

Births
Curtis and Michelle (Ferguson) Veith, Brainerd, a boy, Preston Anton, 9 pounds, 1 ounce, March 7, 2002. Grandparents are John Ferguson, Brainerd, and Nancy Ferguson, Brainerd, and Caroline Veith, Brainerd, and the late Anton Veith. Great-grandmother is Irene Balko, Brainerd.

Wallace quietly off to strong start
He hasn't led a single lap this season, doesn't have even one top-five finish and has gone almost a year without a victory. Still, Rusty Wallace has worked his way up to third in the points standings and could be a quiet threat for the Winston Cup title.

Education department picks new testing company
ST. PAUL -- The state education department selected a new company Wednesday to handle its standardized student tests, declining to stay with the company that incorrectly scored math exams two years ago.

Twins attorney issues new demands as ballpark bill advances
ST. PAUL -- The lawyer Carl Pohlad hired to find a Minnesota Twins buyer presented legislators with an 18-point list of "necessary changes" to a stadium plan, revisions he described as key to attracting a new owner.

House passes phosphorus restrictions
ST. PAUL -- Phosphorus-containing fertilizers may be on their way out of Minnesota.

Two critically injured in St. Cloud house explosion
ST. CLOUD (AP) -- Two people were critically injured when a house exploded on the south side of St. Cloud Wednesday morning.

U of M book causes furor
NEW YORK (AP) -- A month before its publication, a book about children's sexuality is being denounced by conservatives as evil and prompting angry calls for action against the University of Minnesota Press.

State briefs
FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- A Minnesota man died Tuesday afternoon after falling from a television broadcast tower.

Smead workers choose four-day week over layoffs
HASTINGS (AP) -- Workers at Smead Manufacturing have chosen to cut their work week by several hours rather than see 100 low-seniority employees be laid off.

House OKs ATV limits
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The House on Tuesday passed a bill that would ban cross-country travel by all-terrain vehicles in most state forests.

Two hurt in St. Cloud house explosion
ST. CLOUD (AP) -- Two people were seriously burned when a house exploded Wednesday morning on the south side of St. Cloud. Officials suspected some sort of gas leak was the cause.

512 more Fingerhut workers get layoff notice
MINNEAPOLIS -- Federated Department Stores Inc. sent 60-day notices to another 512 Fingerhut workers this week as it continued to pare down operations of the Internet and catalog retailer while awaiting a buyer.

House passes phosphorus restrictions
ST. PAUL -- Phosphorus-containing fertilizers may be on their way out of Minnesota.

Local shorts
Former Staples-Motley educator and wrestling coach Don Dravis was inducted into the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame March 21 at the St. Paul RiverCentre.

Area events Thursday
high school softball

Raiders softball team 3-3-1 indoors
Plymouth -- Snow and cold weren't factors as the Central Lakes College Raiders softball team opened the season indoors March 28-29 at the Plymouth tournament.

Milaca edges Pierz at Metrodome
MINNEAPOLIS -- Milaca scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth and went on to nip the Pierz Pioneers 7-5 in a high school baseball opener Tuesday at the Metrodome.

Local shorts
University of Minnesota head football coach Glen Mason, men's athletics director Tom Moe, WCCO Radio announcer Dave Lee and other guests will be in Brainerd 5-7 p.m. April 24.

Area events Thursday
high school softball

Local shorts
Former Staples-Motley educator and wrestling coach Don Dravis was inducted into the Minnesota State High School League Hall of Fame March 21 at the St. Paul RiverCentre.

HOCKEY MOM Brainerd mother receives honor
A little bit of talent and a strong work ethic are important factors to an athlete's success in sports.

Milaca edges Pierz at Metrodome
MINNEAPOLIS -- Milaca scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth and went on to nip the Pierz Pioneers 7-5 in a high school baseball opener Tuesday at the Metrodome.

Solinger wins only event for Pierz
COLLEGEVILLE -- Zach Solinger was the only individual winner for the Pierz Pioneers track and field team as it competed in the St. John's University Invitational Monday.

Frozen Four notebook
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Minnesota defenseman Jordan Leopold and New Hampshire forward Darren Haydar are two of the finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, college hockey's version of the Heisman Trophy.

Salo's improved play spells doom for Wild
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- Tommy Salo is playing perhaps the best hockey of his career. That in itself should make Edmonton Oilers coach Craig MacTavish smile.

Wolves blast Grizzlies
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Once the playoffs start, Kevin Garnett knows his Timberwolves will have to do a better job of putting teams away.

Search starts for replacement for Oldfield
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Brenda Oldfield's decision to depart Minnesota after less than 10 months left the women's basketball team in shock, but Oldfield also left behind a lot of talent.

Wolves blast Grizzlies
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Once the playoffs start, Kevin Garnett knows his Timberwolves will have to do a better job of putting teams away.

Monson says he's staying at Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota men's basketball coach Dan Monson isn't going anywhere.

Milton likes KC
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Eric Milton is a good pitcher everywhere but in Kansas City. He's great there.

Umile, Haydar, Busch try to erase pain against Maine
DURHAM, N.H. (AP) -- The memory is so painful, coach Dick Umile and seniors Darren Haydar and David Busch can barely bring themselves to talk about it.

Frozen Four foes kept closer to home
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The NCAA, as it tried to do in basketball, kept teams closer to home for the opening rounds of this year's men's hockey tournament.

Milton likes KC
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Eric Milton is a good pitcher everywhere but in Kansas City. He's great there.

Folk musician's songs based on travels
PEQUOT LAKES -- Greater Lakes Area Performing Arts in Pequot Lakes will present Monroe Crossing, bluegrass musicians, in concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the Pequot Lakes School Auditorium.

Foster's 'Panic Room' is classy, first-rate thriller
Jodie Foster can forget about claiming an Oscar for her performance in "Panic Room," but her latest vehicle almost certainly will sweeten her bank account.

New marriage, new recording
Life has effloresced into full bloom for country music superstar Lorrie Morgan, as she revels in the double-bouquet of a new marriage and the release of her first-ever live-concert recording, "The Color of Roses."

Sedahl hopes success of 'Let's Bowl' leads to on-screen career
MINNEAPOLIS -- Steve Sedahl just returned from a "networking trip" to Los Angeles, where he hopes to turn a hosting role with a Comedy Central game show into a full-time on-screen career.

To promote lifelong learning, published writers and editors will conduct workshop in Long Prairie to build writing skills
LONG PRAIRIE -- A Todd County group will kick off its first-ever Writers' Roundtable on Saturday, with three area published writers and several visiting magazine and newspaper editors.

Grammy Awards to move back to New York City
NEW YORK (AP) -- After a four-year hiatus on the West Coast and a spat with the former mayor, the Grammy Awards are returning to New York City for the 45th annual ceremony next year.

Jodie Foster draws big crowds into 'Panic Room', weekend's top film
LOS ANGELES -- Movie-goers were on full alert for "Panic Room."

CBS takes weekly ratings race behind NCAA basketball tournament
NEW YORK -- In the usual tight competition between television's two dominant networks, CBS edged NBC last week largely on the strength of the NCAA basketball tournament.

Entertainment Guide
Live music

Best Bets
Music Fans

13-year night bartender now owns Blue Ox Bar
Rick Madges spent part of his Monday morning repairing the change machine at the Blue Ox Bar in downtown Brainerd.

Jodie Foster draws big crowds into 'Panic Room', weekend's top film
LOS ANGELES -- Movie-goers were on full alert for "Panic Room."

Best music
Weekly charts for the nation's best-selling recorded music as they appear in this week's issue of Billboard magazine. Reprinted with permission.

Sisters to bring urban-pop, gospel, rhythm and blues music to Brainerd
The Kimmey sisters were sprouting teen-agers -- the youngest only 13 -- when Christian hip-hopper Toby McKeehan of DC Talk discovered them at a Nashville talent show.

Spring events occurring across state
This is the Explore Minnesota Events Report from the Minnesota Office of Tourism.

Music General dancers attend dance contest in Wayzata
The Music General dancers attended the 34th annual Minnesota Dance Contest March 23-24 in Wayzata. The dancers competed in 19 events (tap, ballet, pointe and jazz dance) and were awarded 16 first-place trophies and three second-place trophies.

'Cabaret' auditions set April 14 at CLC
Auditions for a workshop production of "Cabaret" at Central Lakes College are scheduled from 2 to 5 p.m. April 14 in the Bob Dryden Theatre on the Brainerd campus.

Best music
Weekly charts for the nation's best-selling recorded music as they appear in this week's issue of Billboard magazine. Reprinted with permission.

Entertainment Guide
Live music

13-year night bartender now owns Blue Ox Bar
Rick Madges spent part of his Monday morning repairing the change machine at the Blue Ox Bar in downtown Brainerd.

Spring events occurring across state
This is the Explore Minnesota Events Report from the Minnesota Office of Tourism.

Tempo tidbits
The deadline to participate in the Artists of Minnesota Spring Exhibition is April 12. Sponsored by the Brainerd Area Art Club with assistance from The Crossing Arts Alliance, the exhibition will run April 26-28 at The Crossing Fine Arts Center, 617 Laurel St., Brainerd. It will include artists from throughout the state.

Best Bets
Music Fans

Area briefs
WALKER -- "Sweatshirts on Parade" is this year's theme for the annual Day for Women event, sponsored by the Cass County Extension Home Council, to be held April 11 at the American Legion at Walker.

Thirteen to vie for Miss Pine River title
PINE RIVER -- The Pine River Chamber of Commerce will host the Miss Pine River Scholarship Pageant on Saturday with the theme "Mardi Gras Magic."

North Dakota officials say limits on imported live bait could be tough to enforce
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) -- North Dakota is restricting fishing bait from other states for fear of non-native critters like the zebra mussel, but officials acknowledge enforcement could be a problem.

Pen pals find new ways to exchange thoughts and ideas
Most people enjoy getting mail. I don't mean the pre-approved credit offers or the reliable parade of bills each month.

Snowflakes
Weather drawing by Steven Croak of Jan Wilcox's kindergarten class at Lowell school.

Iowa state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs in the 40s to lower 50s southwest.

State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Mostly sunny southwest to mostly cloudy northeast. Highs from the lower 30s east to the mid 40s southwest.

Minnesota state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy and cold with a chance of flurries or light snow showers. Highs from the upper 20s to the middle 30s.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. Highs mainly in the 30s.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. Highs in the 30s.

You can still build a snowman
Weather drawing by Brandie Standal of Ms. TeHennepe's fourth grade class at Backus school.

Iowa state forecast
Today...Variable cloudiness. Scattered mainly morning flurries west and central with scattered snow showers east. Highs in the 30s with lower 40s far south.

Minnesota state forecast
Today...A chance of snow showers or flurries mainly northeast. Partly to mostly cloudy. Highs in the 30s to lower 40s southwest.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy with scattered snow showers far north and northwest. Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries elsewhere. Highs from near 30 north to the upper 30s southeast.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Sunny west and partly cloudy east. Warmer with highs in the 40s to lower 50s..

State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Partly sunny west and central. Mostly cloudy east. Highs from the mid 20s to lower 30s.

You can still build a snowman
Weather drawing by Brandie Standal of Ms. TeHennepe's fourth grade class at Backus school.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Sunny west and partly cloudy east. Warmer with highs in the 40s to lower 50s..

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy with scattered flurries. Highs mainly in the 30s.

Iowa state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs in the 40s to lower 50s southwest.

Minnesota state forecast
Today...A chance of snow showers or flurries mainly northeast. Partly to mostly cloudy. Highs in the 30s to lower 40s southwest.

State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Mostly sunny southwest to mostly cloudy northeast. Highs from the lower 30s east to the mid 40s southwest.

Names and faces
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Liza Minnelli's 94-year-old stepmother has sued her for elder abuse and breach of contract, claiming the performer has neglected her.

Names and faces
BOCA RATON, Fla. (AP) -- Kathie Lee Gifford has settled a lawsuit with a supermarket tabloid over a story accusing the former "Live With Regis & Kathie Lee" star of turning her son into a brat.

Names and faces
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Liza Minnelli's 94-year-old stepmother has sued her for elder abuse and breach of contract, claiming the performer has neglected her.

Israel takes over largest West Bank town; Bush sending Powell to region
A week into Israel's largest military offensive in a generation, troops on Thursday took over Nablus, the West Bank's largest city, fought intense battles with gunmen barricaded in nearby refugee camps and tightened a cordon around armed Palestinians holed up in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.

Hundreds arrested in Kabul in apparent plot to overthrow Afghan government, attack foreigners
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- Hundreds of people linked to a hard-line Islamic group have been arrested in Kabul in connection with an alleged plot to overthrow the government of interim Prime Minister Hamid Karzai and attack foreigners, Afghan officials said Thursday.

Palestinian gunmen seek refuge in Bethlehem Church as Israel expands its offensive
BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) -- Scores of Palestinian gunmen were hiding inside one of Christianity's holiest shrines -- Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity -- on Wednesday, seeking refuge from Israeli troops that invaded the city as part of an offensive aimed at crushing Palestinian militias in the West Bank.

Current weather

Thursday, April 4, 2002

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