Wednesday, April 9, 2003
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Monday 120, a year ago 137.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Tuesday estimate: 900. Last Tuesday: 885. Year Ago Tuesday: 940. Monday actual: 419.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Tuesday 111, a year ago 73.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Monday estimate: 400. Last Monday: 424. Year Ago Monday: 414. Friday actual: 680.
Contact your state legislators
Area legislators and how to contact them.
Crimes
Brainerd police
Births
Cuyuna Regional Medical Center-Crosby
Births
Out-of-town
Fires
The Brainerd Fire Department responded Tuesday to a small fire started by an electrical short at an apartment on B Street.
Bushel Boy brings Owatonna crop to Twin Cities customers
OWATONNA (AP) -- If growing tomatoes for commercial distribution was as easy as a few bees, some fertilizer and several handfuls of seeds, it would not have taken more than two years for Jay Johnson and Dave Peterson to get it right.
CLC Job Fair draws crowd
The Central Lakes College Job Fair gave nearly 30 businesses and agencies a steady, three-hour flow of applicants as students from Brainerd High School, as well as CLC, checked out the opportunity for employment. Last month CLC held job fairs in Staples for students in the school's Heavy Equipment and Machine Trades programs.
Grove City dissolves police force
GROVE CITY (AP) -- Steve Schultz wore the badge and patrolled the streets of his hometown for 14 years. He ticketed speeders, intervened on domestics, checked locks of local businesses night after night and answered nuisance calls on stray or barking dogs in this town of 600 people.
Precious Pets Parlor Project
PILLAGER -- When Dave and Carol Leeman moved from Minneapolis to Pillager three years ago, they quickly learned how slow business can be around here during the winter months.
Mayan culture topic of Unlimited Learning session in Crosby
CROSBY -- Who are the Mayan people? Where do they live and when did they thrive? And what can we learn from them?
Public safety fair scheduled Saturday in Staples
STAPLES -- A free public safety fair will run 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday at the Staples Community Center and Staples Motley High School football field.
CLC grad from Lithuania earns U.S. citizenship
Zaneta Borchert wasn't sure she made the right move when she traveled from her homeland, Lithuania, to the United States.
CLC criminal justice team wins awards
Five Central Lakes College members of the Sigma Delta chapter of the American Criminal Justice Association, Lambda Alpha Epsilon, have captured national awards.
Area briefs
CROSBY -- The Cuyuna Range Women's Club met Monday and elected officers for the 2003-04 year.
Area briefs
STAPLES -- Students attending the Staples campus of Central Lakes College are looking for housing accommodations.
Ericson vacation time discussed by council
How a retiring parks and recreation department head should be compensated for unused vacation time divided a Brainerd City Council vote Monday night.
Push to extend water, sewer on Riverside Drive dries up in council
For now, the city of Brainerd won't be extending water and sewer on Riverside Drive.
Helping pets
A Pillager girl started a campaign to collect donated dog and cat food for families in need. Read more about this story in Wednesday's Neighbors.
Correction/clarification
A Page 1A headline in some editions of The Dispatch Tuesday incorrectly listed the wrong unit of government involved with a contract with Reichert Bus Service. The Brainerd School District may continue to contract with Reichert Bus Service for transportation service.
Local briefs
As of April 17, the Social Security Office, 2215 S. Sixth St., Brainerd, will be closed to the public every Thursday and Friday.
This was Brainerd
APRIL 9 - 30 years ago (1973) - Senior Bob Grotjohn has been awarded a Shell Merit Scholarship through the National Merit Scholarship Foundation. This award is the choicest type of grant made by the foundation.
Pawlenty to speak at Missota Paper
Gov. Tim Pawlenty will attend a celebration Thursday to officially welcome Missota Paper in Brainerd.
So much for that pipedream
Crow Wing County Board Chairman Dewey Tautges put his foot down Tuesday when County Administrator Peter Herlofsky Jr. began calling the Planning and Zoning Department the Planning, Inspection, Permitting and Enforcement Department or PIPE for short.
Correction/clarification
An obituary for Alice J. Selen on Page 5A Sunday should have noted memorials are preferred to First Lutheran Church or Bethany Good Samaritan Village.
Local briefs
AITKIN -- The city of Aitkin has been awarded a $902,600 grant to help renovate housing and commercial buildings in the community, Rep. Loren Solberg, DFL-Grand Rapids, announced Tuesday.
French flag to fly on in Little Falls
LITTLE FALLS -- The French flag is still waving in Little Falls after the Little Falls City Council voted 6-2 Monday to keep it in Le Bourget Park.
County to join fight against Internet crimes against kids
The Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department will act as a satellite agency for the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.
Panel to listen to insurance pitches
Insurance agents will have the chance to pitch their services to the Brainerd Personnel and Finance Committee.
County won't take action on rezoning
The Crow Wing County Board followed the advice of the county attorney Tuesday and voted 3-2 to take no action on a rezoning request made by Taylor Investments for property in Roosevelt Township near Little Whitefish Lake.
City may continue contract with Reichert Bus
Reichert Bus Service of Baxter has served the Brainerd School District for more than 50 years and may continue for another four years.
Feeding the ducks
With is father, Scott, at his side, 3-year-old Taylor Shelito tossed cereal to waiting ducks Tuesday near the Mississippi River at Kiwanis Park in Brainerd. With the warm sunny weather, area residents headed outside.
This was Brainerd
APRIL 8 - 40 years ago (1963) - The Pequot Lakes School Board at its regular meeting adopted a resolution approving the plan for consolidation with the Nisswa District which was earlier approved by the State Department of Education.
AS BAGHDAD FALLS, BATAAN REMEMBERED
Ten minutes after U.S. Marines helped Iraqis topple a 40-foot statute of Saddam Hussein in Baghdad today two Brainerd area Bataan Death March survivors observed the fall of Bataan and remembered their fellow soldiers who died 61 years ago in less glorious days.
Status of Piehl land to be explored by city
The status of a purchase agreement between Roger and Harriet Piehl and the Brainerd Housing Redevelopment Authority for 70 acres is uncertain, and the city of Brainerd will be looking for answers.
Catch the panorama
A Minneapolis-based five-piece band is a popular ticket among 20-somethings in the upper Midwest, but unheard on the radio. Read more about this band in Thursday's Tempo.
William F. Rabine
AUSTIN -- William F. Rabine, 71, Austin, formerly of Elkton and Fifty Lakes, died Thursday, April 3, 2003 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Victor H. Bednark
HARDING -- Victor Herman Bednark, 81, Harding, died Saturday, April 5, 2003, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Sauk Rapids.
Ray Kline
BAXTER -- Raymond F. Kline, 82, Baxter, died Saturday, April 5, 2003, at Bethany Good Samaritan Care Center in Brainerd.
Dorothy B. Jordan
Dorothy B. Jordan, 84, Brainerd, died Sunday, April 6, 2003, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
Zirla Terrell
SARTELL -- Zirla Terrell, 81, Sartell, formerly of Pequot Lakes, died Tuesday, April 8, 2003, at Country Manor Nursing Home in Sartell.
Ilene B. Naley
NISSWA -- Ilene Belle Naley, 81, Nisswa, died today, April 9, 2003, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village.
Richard L. Valentine
ONAMIA -- Richard Leroy Valentine, 71, Onamia, died Sunday, April 6, 2003, at the Mille Lacs Hospital in Onamia.
Louise 'Lou' Marie Koering
FORT RIPLEY -- Louise "Lou" Marie Koering, 66, Fort Ripley, died Monday, April 7, 2003, at her daughter's home in Brainerd.
Louise M. Koering
FORT RIPLEY -- Louise M. Koering, 66, Fort Ripley, died Monday, April 7, 2003, at her daughter's home in Brainerd.
Robert 'Sparrow' Vierling
BAY LAKE -- Robert "Sparrow" Vierling, 80, Bay Lake, died Monday, April 7, 2003, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby.
Hazel L. Bullen
PLYMOUTH -- Hazel Leota Bullen, 79, Plymouth, died Saturday, April 5, 2003, at the Sholom Home West in St. Louis Park.
Florence A. Krivanek
UPSALA -- Florence A. Krivanek, 93, Upsala, formerly of St. Paul, died Friday, March 28, 2003, at Pine Villa in Melrose.
Louise Boyd Day
CROSBY -- Louise Boyd Day, native name, Baa bii was shii kwe, 54, Crosby, formerly of McGregor and Onamia, died Sunday, April 6, 2003, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.
Shirley D. Krueger
AITKIN -- Shirley D. Krueger, 78, Aitkin, died Saturday, April 5, 2003, at Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin.
Erwin Griep
PINE RIVER -- Erwin Griep, 83, Pine River, died Sunday, April 6, 2003, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Dispatch editorial views
Editorial views in The Brainerd Dispatch represent a consensus of opinion by members of the newspaper's editorial board.
Penny Drive started for Shriners hospital
I am a mother of a 9-year-old patient who receives care at the Twin Cities Shriners Hospital. I am writing you today to ask for your support in our Penny Drive to help support Shriners from possible closing. You may have heard about the possible closing of the Twin Cities Hospital. In July the delegates are going to meet to decide the fate of the hospital.
Open Forum
The Brainerd City Council is pushing to extend city sewer and water into the Riverside Drive area and beyond, eventually annexing properties up to Wise Road. The rumors floating around change and answers seem to be made to fit the person being addressed at any one time.
Open Forum
You were recently deployed, and though I don't know your name, I watched as you said a tearful good-bye to your wife and the child clinging to your side.
Vox Pop
Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Submissions are limited to 100 words.
State casino would hurt rural area
The Star Tribune erred when, in a recent editorial, it claimed that allowing state-sanctioned casinos would not cause Minnesota any regret in the future. Thousands of rural Minnesotans -- most of them non-Indian -- who depend on casinos in outstate Minnesota for employment will have much to regret if the state moves ahead with any of the casino proposals currently being debated.
War and the media
Count ABC News' Ted Koppel among those who are impressed with the results of news coverage of the United States' war with Iraq.
Spring storm
A spring snowstorm swept across far southern Minnesota on Monday, disrupting school schedules and making driving hazardous as winter refused to release its grip on the state.
Capitol notebook
Happenings in the 2003 legislative session:
State ranks lower in national property tax ranking
ST. PAUL -- Minnesota's 2001 overhaul of property taxes appears to be having an impact, with the state sliding noticeably on a state-by-state ranking of tax burdens by a nonpartisan tax policy group.
Senate DFL offers budget plan
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Gov. Tim Pawlenty cleared his schedule Tuesday to fly around the state, trying to promote his own budget plan and squash enthusiasm for a Senate DFL plan offered a day earlier.
Attorney for Vikings' Kelly wants DWI charges dropped
MILACA (AP) -- An attorney representing a Minnesota Vikings executive charged with drunken driving asked a judge Tuesday to dismiss the charges after accusing the Mille Lacs County attorney's office of misconduct.
Woman whose breasts were mistakenly removed sues pathologist
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Wisconsin woman whose breasts were removed after she was mistakenly told she had cancer is suing the pathologist who made the misdiagnosis and the pathologist's employer.
Minnesota expert less fearful about threat of SARS
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Dr. Harry Hull, the Minnesota state epidemiologist, was frightened when he first heard about severe acute respiratory syndrome, but in the enduring weeks he has been somewhat reassured.
Government aid plan emerges
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A group of Republican legislators broke from Gov. Tim Pawlenty on Tuesday and joined Democrats in offering a plan that would ease aid cuts to rural and urban cities at the expense of suburban communities.
Jacobs, Andres pace Bataan memorial event
For the fifth consecutive year, Minnesota Army National Guard soldier Michael Jacobs won the 20-mile male individual light class in the sixth annual Bataan Memorial Death March near Brainerd Saturday.
Seven players return for new Pine River-Backus softball coach
Tena Bach begins her first year as head coach of the Pine River-Backus Tigers softball team.
Softball team poised for another trip to state
If almost everything falls into place the Brainerd Warriors softball team could match the success it enjoyed last season.
Warriors open with softball win
Pitching and defense spurred the Brainerd Warriors softball team to the section championship and the Class 3A state tournament in 2002.
Gaalswyk, Pace return for Pillager track teams
Senior Mark Gaalswyk will lead the boys' team while Laura Pace will pace the girls' track and field team at Pillager.
Warrior girls win triangular
Shin splints might turn out to be a good thing for Ashley Schmolke.
Pierz girls' golf team looks for conference four-peat
For the past three years, the Pierz Pioneers girls golf team has run roughshod over the competition on its way to three consecutive Central Minnesota Conference titles.
Pierz opens with win over Milaca in area baseball
PIERZ -- Alex Gruber's grand slam in the sixth inning lifted the Pierz Pioneers past Milaca 8-4 in their baseball home opener Tuesday.
Returning letterwinners for Verndale baseball team are underclassmen
Coach Greg Johnson hopes experience means more than age as the Verndale Pirates baseball team returns eight letterwinners, none of whom are seniors.
Local shorts
Brainerd Warriors girls' track and field coach Geri Skogen will be the speaker at the Brainerd Sports Boosters Club meeting, which begins noon Thursday at the Sharing Bread Soup Kitchen located at 923 Oak St. between the Triangle Store and Temple Baptist Church.
Captains expected to lead Warrior girls' track team
Athletes are elected captains to lead teammates, serve as role models and serve as buffers between the coaching staff and team.
Willmar shuts out Little Falls 21-0
WILLMAR -- The Willmar Cardinals took advantage of a young Little Falls Flyers pitching staff in a 21-0 season-opening softball victory Tuesday.
Aitkin track teams return 21
A combined 21 letterwinners return for Aitkin Gobblers head track and field coaches Steve Jacobson (boys) and Adam Carlson (girls).
Brainerd opens with 3-1 baseball win
SARTELL -- The Brainerd Warriors cracked out three extra-base hits and went on to defeat the Sartell Sabres 3-1 in a Central Lakes Conference baseball opener Tuesday.
Boys' track team could contend for conference, section honors
If its results in two indoor meets provide any indication, the Brainerd Warriors boys' track and field team could contend for conference and section titles this season.
Scoreboard
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Raiders set sights on trip to nationals
Although they won the Minnesota Community College Conference state championship last year, the Central Lakes College Raiders softball team realizes it could have done more.
Conference girls' golf meets will increase to 18 holes
Central Lakes Conference girls' golf teams will play 18-hole meets for the first time this season.
Local shorts
A men's team from the MS1 slow-pitch softball league has withdrawn, opening one spot in the Brainerd league.
Scoreboard
BOYS TENNIS
Buresh back to defend state track title for Wadena-Deer Creek
Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverine Avery Buresh came out of nowhere to capture the 800-meter run state championship last year.
Alexandria edges Brainerd in boys track
Zach Toms has been to the Class 2A state true team track and field meet and he wouldn't mind going again.
They're off and running again
Eight participants from the Class 1A state boys' cross country meet begin the outdoor track and field season today.
Warriors must replace two long-time standouts
For the first time in four years Brainerd Warriors baseball coach Lowell Scearcy won't be able to write Joey Tautges or Mike Zauhar on his lineup card.
CLC names Peterson new athletic director
The Central Lakes College Raiders athletic department has undergone a facelift, combining the men's and women's athletic director positions into one, with Jane Peterson being named athletic director of the merged programs.
Softball slingers
Erin Donnelly and Megan Arns were all-conference and all-section players for the Brainerd Warriors softball team as it played in the state tournament last season for the first time in six years. They will be the Warriors' top two pitchers this season. (Dispatch Photos by Clint Wood)
Healthy Tuchscherer key for boys' tennis team
If it can remain healthy the Brainerd Warriors boys' tennis team could repeat last year's magical run.
Four golfers return for state defending champion Pequot Lakes girls' golf team
Two have graduated but four players return to the Class 1A state champion Pequot Lakes Patriots girls' golf team.
S-M girls' track team returns many state participants
Optimism is running high as the Staples-Motley Cardinals girls' track and field team begins its season.
Boys' golf team hopes to get off to better start
Getting off to a quick start is critical for the Brainerd Warriors boys' golf team.
Flyer baseball team reloads
First-year Little Falls Flyers baseball coach Mark Dunlap will have his work cut out for him as he inherits a team that won only six games last year and will have to replace a bevy of players lost to graduation.
C-I track teams return three state participants
Three state athletes return for the Crosby-Ironton Rangers boys' and girls' track and field teams.
Pierz track teams triumph
AITKIN -- The Pierz Pioneers boys' and girls' track and field teams each raced to first-place finishes at the Aitkin Invitational on Tuesday.
Depth may rival 2000 national tournament team
The last time the Central Lakes College baseball team made it to the national tournament, Raiders coach Warren Mertens had a bevy of players at his disposal.
Monticello edges Little Falls in tennis
LITTLE FALLS -- Junior Matt Peterschick and sophomore Steve Festler won singles matches for Little Falls in a 4-3 season-opening tennis loss to Monticello Tuesday.
Baseball registration deadline April 18
The deadline for registering for the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department's Mustang, Bronco and Pony baseball leagues is April 18.
Wild preparing for first playoff appearance
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The NHL playoffs, something the Minnesota Wild barely acknowledged throughout their first three seasons, are here.
A grand moment Matsui slams his way into list of Yankee legends
NEW YORK -- Sometimes the man makes the moment; other times the moment makes the man. And there are those extraordinary instances when man and moment join hands and forge a memory and more.
Rickert declares for NBA draft, chance to pursue his dream
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Dan Monson knew he wasn't going to be coaching Rick Rickert at Minnesota for that long when he persuaded the spindly prep star from Duluth to ignore his verbal commitment to Arizona 2 1/2 years ago.
Two straight titles? Gophers going for another one
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota seemed destined to win the NCAA men's hockey crown last year, playing in front of 18,000 of its own fans at the Frozen Four with one of its best, most experienced teams in recent memory.
Lemaire says Roloson will start Game 1
ST. PAUL (AP) -- After weeks of speculation, Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire said Tuesday that goaltender Dwayne Roloson will start Game 1 of the Wild's first-round playoff series against the Colorado Avalanche.
Bemidji State University students put travel experiences into a book
BEMIDJI (AP) -- A group of Bemidji State University students has discovered a unique way to hold onto its travel memories. They've gathered them into a book.
Area briefs
LAKE SHORE -- The Brainerd Lakes Area Newcomers Club invites all members and alumni to the 2003 Women's Spring Luncheon Saturday at Sherwood Forest in Lake Shore.
Some anglers enjoy pursuing eelpout
CASS LAKE (AP) -- The finned form that slithered into view on the screen of Mark Christianson's underwater camera looked like something out of an old black-and-white horror movie. Covered with mottled skin, the fish kicked up a cloud of silt as its long, eel-like tail brushed the lake bottom.
Be brave
Emily Charter School student Nathan Friesner asked questions while touching a snake Annette Ritter brought to show students. Ritter showed two snakes: Surfer Boy is a ball python about 1 1/2 years old that will reach a length of approximately five to six feet long; Tank is a Burmese python, about 2 months old, that will grow to be approximately 20 to 25 feet long.
Scenic
Pussy willows bloomed in Nisswa.
Driveway, road ordinance adopted in Sylvan Township
SYLVAN TOWNSHIP -- If you're building a driveway for a house, business or property in Sylvan Township, you'll want to pick up a driveway permit and a copy of the township's newly adopted driveway standards.
State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Sunny and windy. Highs from the upper 70s far southwest to near 70 northeast.
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Areas of fog far southeast this morning...Then mostly sunny and warmer. Highs around 40 southeast to the mid 60s west.
Iowa state forecast
Rest of today...Sunny. Highs in the upper 40s and 50s.
Minnesota state forecast
today...Sunny. Windy across the northwest and west central. Highs from the lower 50s far south to near 70 northwest.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Light snow ending by afternoon south. Otherwise partly to mostly cloudy. Highs in the 30s to mid 40s.
State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs from near 65 far southwest to the upper 50s northeast.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny and warmer. Highs in the 40s far east to the upper 50s west...Cooler near lake michigan.
Iowa state forecast
Rest of today...Scattered flurries south ending by early afternoon...Then clearing. Mostly sunny elsewhere. Highs in the 30s to lower 40s.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 50s northwest to the upper 30s far south. Tonight...Mostly clear. Areas of fog south. Lows mainly in the 20s.
Having a nice day
Weather drawing by Kadin White of Mrs. Lingenfelter's first grade class at St. Francis school.
Springing into spring
Weather drawing by Alannah Dosh of Mrs. Larson's fifth grade class at Harrison school.
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs from the lower 50s southeast to the mid 70s west.