Saturday, April 18, 2009
BIZ BUZZ: All aboard
Lakes area residents have an online opportunity to provide input on the Minnesota Department of Transportation plans for passenger and freight rail and transit.
A new owner with a clear vision
A Brainerd business, in the community since the mid-1950s, has a new owner.
Business counseling agency opens office at CLC
The St. Cloud SCORE Chapter 468 and the North Central Minnesota Small Business Development Center recently opened the Brainerd Lakes Area SCORE office at Central Lakes College.
Administrative Professionals Week observed in lakes area
Since 1952, the International Association of Administrative Professionals has honored administrative professionals' important role in the workplace by sponsoring Administrative Professionals Week.
Camp to build robots set for college's Staples campus
STAPLES - Central Lakes College and the Center of Excellence at Bemidji State University have scheduled the five-day Summer Engineering and Manufacturing Camp July 6-10 at the Staples campus of CLC.
BUSINESS NOTES
Laska recognized as outstanding HR professional
WHAT'S DOING
The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Minnesota will hold free trainings for parents and professionals who work with children in need of residential treatment due to mental illness.
AGENDAS
Brainerd City Council
POLICE BLOTTER
THEFT - Marcia Veeder, 6500 block of Ruby Lane, Thursday reported a theft.
AGENDAS
Morrison County Board
Cass court
WALKER - The following appeared recently in Cass County District Court:
Kitchen damaged in house fire Friday
DEERWOOD - A fire damaged a kitchen in a Deerwood home on Friday but firefighters and the Deerwood Police Department kept the fire from spreading.
POLICE BLOTTER
THEFT - Alan Scott Mulholland reported Thursday that his passenger side window had been broken and several items were stolen from his vehicle while parked overnight on the 600 block of Maple Street.
SENIOR CALENDAR
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER
Minn. homebuilders employ new tactics during the recession
ST. PAUL (AP) - On a cul-de-sac tucked off a busy road in Maple Grove, workers are busy doing something pretty rare these days: building two new homes.
Log cabin fever
For more than 20 summers, Lenore Campbell and Leo Tims vacationed in a log cabin at Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland. They were in love with a home for which the structure itself is a defining element of the decor.
LOCAL BRIEFS
The Brainerd Northside Neighborhood Association will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Meeting Room 1 on the second floor at First Congregational Church in Brainerd.
Key factors to preventing child abuse and neglect
Throughout our nation, April is recognized as an opportune time to raise awareness of the tragedies of child abuse and neglect, as well as a time to look toward the solutions that surround us. Perhaps you've noticed the presence of blue ribbons that serve as a reminder to all of us that we can end child abuse and neglect. (If you watched the NCAA Basketball tournament you may have noticed them on each end of the court.) There are risk factors that increase the likelihood that a child will be mistreated, just as there are protective factors that improve the outlook for ending child abuse.
Historical society cutback would close Lindbergh home
ST. PAUL (AP) - The Minnesota Historical Society plans layoffs and the closing of three historic sites because of expected state budget cuts and the recession.
Reading aloud is relaxing
Andrea Obermiller of Pillage, read to children Thursday from the Early Care and Education Center on the Brainerd campus of Central Lakes College during a service-learning exercise required in a CLC reading class taught by Betsy Picciano. The CLC students on Thursday read aloud from books in the children's library at CLC.
Pre-Labor Day start amended out of education bill
Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, on Friday successfully amended a measure that would have allowed school districts to start before Labor Day out of the omnibus K-12 education finance bill.
Woman sentenced in death of Little Falls man
MILACA (AP) - A woman who helped her boyfriend burn and bury the remains of a Little Falls man has been sentenced to seven years and two months in prison.
Walker man stabbed during altercation
WALKER - A 30-year-old Walker man was airlifted to a Fargo, N.D., hospital shortly after midnight Thursday after being stabbed at a rural Walker residence, reported Cass County Sheriff Randy Fisher.
Ward transportation bill to remove unfunded mandate passes in House
Legislation authored by Rep. John Ward, DFL-Brainerd, designed to lower costs for school districts was passed unanimously by the House of Representatives Thursday.
Anti-gays make some noise on Day of Silence at BHS
A day of silence meant to raise awareness of the bullying and harassment faced by gays and lesbians took a turn Friday at Brainerd High School when about a dozen other students staged their own protest against homosexuality by wearing mostly handmade anti-gay T-shirts.
District fears more cuts
If state lawmakers pass a bill that has already passed the Senate to reduce school funding by $270 per pupil, the Brainerd School District would be looking to cut at least $2.43 million from its budget for the 2010-11 school year and $2.9 million for the 2011-12 school year, board members learned Thursday.
CLC plans Earth Day activities
Central Lakes College Earth Day agenda includes displays, activities, games and food. Activities are planned from 10 a.m. to about 3 p.m. Buses will have a regular time schedule between CLC and the Northland Arboretum from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
This was Brainerd
APRIL 19 - 80 years ago (1929) - Mr. and Mrs. O. Skauge returned yesterday from Hollywood and points west, where they spent the winter. Skauge said he was glad to be back in Brainerd as he considers Minnesota healthier than California.
CLC preparing for budget cuts
Central Lakes College is planning for potential budget reductions, which could mean an announcement about layoffs and other cuts by the end of this coming week.
Salvation Army food drive exceeds goal
The Brainerd Salvation Army announced that this year's food drive brought in 58,286 pounds/dollars.
May Day fundraiser planned for Lakes Area Restorative Justice
The Lakes Area Restorative Justice Project is hosting a May Day Gala event with dinner, youth concert and silent auction as a fundraiser.
This was Brainerd
APRIL 17 - 40 years ago (1969) - Brainerd's new senior high school will be open to the public at a social open house on Sunday. Begun in 1967, the 254,000 square foot facility was constructed at a cost of $16.50 per square foot.
LOCAL BRIEFS
Brainerd Mayor James Wallin proclaimed this week as Administrative Professionals Week and Wednesday as Administrative Professionals Day, saluting the valuable contributions of administrative professionals in the workplace.
Deerwood mulls auditorium work
DEERWOOD - The Deerwood Auditorium, which is on the National Historic Registry and holds many dear memories, was built in 1936 for $43,000.
LF promises fight to keep Lindbergh home open
The Little Falls home of Charles A. Lindbergh - who made the first solo flight from New York to Paris in 1927 and became the world's biggest instant celebrity - is in jeopardy of being closed
Panel backs seeking bonds for retirees
The Brainerd School Board Finance Committee recommended board approval Thursday to call for the sale of $23 million in bonds to fund Other Post-Employment Benefits, or OPEB.
Rural Deerwood house destroyed by fire
GARRISON - Garrison and Brainerd firefighters examined the flame-damaged west wall of Danny Bordwell's rural Deerwood home Friday morning in hope of determining the cause of the fire that destroyed the two-story home.
Cutting costs and saving jobs
Area employers are using creative approaches to keep workers on the job and avoid layoffs.
Overheard
My country has been greatly enriched by immigrants from Mexico.
Passerby's alert action saves lives in house fire
GARRISON - A rural Brainerd man was credited Friday by Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl for his heroic actions in alerting people of a fast-moving fire that destroyed the home.
Lindy-Little Joe scaling back here
Roland Kehr knows a thing or two about numbness. He is, after all, a prominent local dentist.
Body found in Mission grass fire
Mission firefighters discovered the body of an 84-year-old Mission Township man in a grass fire, the first of two grass fires they battled Wednesday afternoon.
Overheard
This site gets more international visitors than any other historic site.
Jeanette Wiltz
Jeanette Wiltz, 82, of Brainerd, passed away Saturday, April 18, 2009, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village.
Wanda Meyer-Richards
WADENA - Wanda M. Meyer-Richards, age 74, of Wadena, passed away peacefully at her home on Wednesday, April 15, 2009. A celebration of life will take place at 3 p.m. Monday, April 20, 2009, at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Wadena. Friends and family are invited to gather beginning at 1:30 p.m. at the church.
Walter Graf
MERRIFIELD - Walter William Graf, resident of Merrifield, died Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at his home.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 40 cents a word, exclusive of the first 125 words, which are free. A $10 fee is charged for a half-column photograph. To place an obituary in the Dispatch, consult the funeral home handling arrangements.
Caleb MacDonald
Caleb MacDonald, 27, of Brainerd, passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2009.
Eldora Mae Clark
NISSWA - Eldora Mae (Hengel) Clark, 74, of Nisswa, peacefully entered heaven on Thursday, April 16, 2009, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.
Alice Peterson
Alice Peterson, 95, of Brainerd, passed away Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village. Arrangements are pending with Brenny Funeral Chapel of Baxter.
MaryJane Rowe
CROSSLAKE - MaryJane Rowe, 80, of Crosslake, Minn., formerly of Burnsville, Minn., passed away peacefully on March 23, 2009 at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale, Minn. She was born on Nov. 23, 1928, in New Ulm, Minn., and married Lawrence Rowe on June 23, 1951.
Jrwin Kastanek
HILLMAN - Jrwin A. Kastanek, 82-year-old resident of Hillman, Minn., passed away Friday, April 17, 2009, at Grace Point East Nursing Home in Cambridge, Minn. Arrangements are pending with Shelley-Virnig Funeral Chapel in Pierz, Minn.
Anthony Kaiser
SOBIESKI - Anthony "Tony" Kaiser, age 47, of Sobieski, Minn., died April 15. Service Saturday 11 a.m., St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, Sobieski. Visitation was Friday at Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service, Little Falls.
Frank Oreskovich
BLACK RIVER FALLS, Wis. - Frank Oreskovich, 90, of Black River Falls and formerly of Crosby, Minn., died on Tuesday, April 14, 2009. He was born on April 30, 1918, in Manganese, Minn., to Mike and Marie (Petik) Oreskovich. He married Theresa J. Valentino on March 9, 1940, in Brainerd, Minn.
Dale Sandoz
BACKUS - Dale Sandoz, age 74, of Backus, passed away Monday, April 13, 2009. He was born June 15, 1934, in Anoka, Minn., to Clarence and Dayle Sandoz. Dale was a veteran of the Korean War, serving three years active duty and eight years in the Army Reserve. He was an active member of the Backus Legion. He loved trout fishing in Montana.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 40 cents a word, exclusive of the first 125 words, which are free. A $10 fee is charged for a half-column photograph. To place an obituary in the Dispatch, consult the funeral home handling arrangements.
Alice Peterson
DEERWOOD - Alice Peterson, 95, lifetime resident of Deerwood, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, April 15, 2009, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village, in Brainerd, Minn.
Governor's hospital cuts alarming
State leaders have many difficult budget decisions ahead of us in the next four weeks. The choices we make will impact our schools, hospitals, nursing homes, and local funding for essential services such as parks, roads and public safety. Most of all, these decisions will impact the people of our district.
OUR OPINION: SCHOOLS
It will be an unpopular vote but the Brainerd School Board should follow the recommendation of its finance committee next month and authorize the sale of $23 million in bonds to fund Other Post-Employment Benefits or OPEB.
Open Forum
He who ignores history is destined to repeat it. How far we have strayed from what our forefathers envisioned this country to be in the future. Our Constitution and Declaration of Independence are constantly being mocked and freedom of speech and religion endangered.
OUR OPINION: PIRATES
The dramatic and deadly outcome of the Somali pirates' capture of Richard Phillips was stunning in its efficiency. Three perfect shots by Navy snipers at night, from the stern of a ship in rolling waters, ended the capture of the captain of the American-flagged commercial ship.
Open Forum
I live on Rivershore Drive in Moorhead, Minn. I would like to tell you about the wonderful students from your district that came to help my neighborhood during one of the darkest days during the flood.
VOX POP
I wonder how many of those tea party tax protesters collect unemployment benefits, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, free public education, have a taxpayer-paid public pension, are present or former public employees, and at least one of them, who wants to get rid of them liberals, is on the city payroll, with paid health insurance? These are the watchdogs of our taxpayers' money? Maybe they need to take a good look at themselves.
Confiscated firearms on auction block
Their guns were confiscated, their two deer seized, and they faced fines of nearly $1,300.
OUTDOORS NOTES
In 2007, Gov. Tim Pawlenty announced his initiative to buy 2,500 acres of land along Lake Vermilion in northeastern Minnesota. At the time, he said securing the land would make the park one of the nicest in the nation.
Outdoors gallery: fire and ice
Justin Hahn, Eric Edman and Andy Abear navigated through and around the remaining ice Wednesday on Upper South Long Lake, just out from Paradise Shores Resort. Brainerd Dispatch/ Kelly Humphrey
All about the money - and much more
I have been writing a column in the Brainerd Dispatch for a few years and I have had many people comment, mainly positively. It's fun to hear the different comments.
50th anniversary
Richard and Mabel Poul, Baxter, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house from 1:30-4:30 p.m. May 2 at the Heritage Assembly of God Church fellowship hall. There will be no program. No gifts please. They were married May 2, 1959, in Pine River.
Anderson-Magnan
Karlee Anderson and Matthew Magnan were married Feb. 14, 2009, at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter with Loren Ferch officiating.
Sullivan-Gruber
Jackie Sullivan and Brandon Gruber announce their engagement. Parents are Bob and Becky Sullivan, Brainerd, and Kevin and MaryJo Gruber, Baxter. A June wedding is planned at St. Francis Church in Brainerd.
O'Brien-Redebaugh
Melissa O'Brien and John J. Redebaugh announce their engagement. Parents are Steven O'Brien, Pine River, and John and Mary Sue Redebaugh, Pequot Lakes. A Sept. 5 wedding is planned in Nisswa.
30th anniversary
Richard Dick and Cheryl (Johnson) Young, Pillager, will celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. They were married April 23, 1979.
Sneath-Houske
Amanda Sneath and Joseph Houske announce their engagement. Parents are Laurie and Brian Wild, Stoughton, Wis., and Gigi Houske, Baxter, and the late Rick Houske. A June 27 wedding is planned in Wailea, Maui.
90th birthday
Harriet Sollid will celebrate her 90th birthday with an open house from 1-5 p.m. April 25 at the Eagles Club, 124 Front St., Brainerd.
Four generations
Four generations recently gathered were Taylor, daughter, Brainerd; Megan Bittner, mother, Brainerd; Dawn Bittner, grandmother, Breezy Point; and Janet Bittner, great-grandmother, Merrifield.
Kinney-James
Leah Kinney and Alan James announce their engagement. Parents are Larry and Diana Kinney, Brainerd, and Jerry and Connie James, Deer River. An Aug. 22 wedding is planned at the Northland Arboretum.
Brainerd lakes area churches
Brainerd
CHURCH NEWS
HILLMAN - A French toast breakfast will be 8 a.m. to 12:20 p.m. Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hillman. Immanuel is located at the junction of Hwy. 27 and CR 47.
Warriors wreck havoc on the hard court with 6-1 victory over Fergus
A sweep of the doubles helped the Brainerd Warriors claim a 6-1 Central Lakes Conference victory over the Fergus Falls Otters Thursday.
Hasselberg posts early lead
PEQUOT LAKES - Staples-Motley's Cydney Hasselberg shot a 78 to grab the first round lead of the Warrior/Patriot Invite at Grand View Lodge's Preserve Golf Course Thursday.
Pierz still perfect, beats Albany
ALBANY - Propelled by a four-run sixth inning, the Pierz Pioneers remained perfect on the season defeating the Albany Huskies 5-2 Friday.
Aitkin defeats Cardinals
AITKIN - Aitkin's Kyle Mindrum required two tie-breaker sets before he was able to claim a No. 3 singles victory and help the Gobblers to a 5-2 non-conference win over the Staples-Motley Cardinals Thursday.
Cardinals cruise to Invite win
NISSWA - Golf might be an individual sport, but the Staples-Motley Cardinals displayed the team side of it Friday.
AREA BASEBALL SHORTS
PINE RIVER - Levi Allen went 4-for-5 with three RBIs as the Pine River-Backus Tigers throttled Red Lake 24-2 in a Northwoods Conference baseball matchup.
Pierz places third
HOWARD LAKE - Dustin Herold finished three strokes behind the leaders with his 43 to lead the Pierz Pioneers to a third-placed finish during a Central Minnesota Conference meet Thursday.
Liftathon announces fundraising totals
More than 200 Brainerd students in grades 8-12 participated in the 19th annual Sertoma Sunrise Warrior Liftathon in March in the Brainerd High School weight room.
Herold paces Pierz
PLYMOUTH - Sam Herold shot a 51 to lead the Pierz Pioneers, who finished fifth Friday in a Central Minnesota Conference meet at Hollydale Golf Club.
Brainerd blasts Bemidji
Devin Larson needed a second-set tie breaker to knock off Sam Weaver and help the Brainerd Warriors to a 6-1 victory over the Bemidji Lumberjacks Friday.
Hasselberg signs with North Dakota State
Like her siblings before her, Cyd the Kid is going D-I.
Hoges, Carlson lead Aitkin
AITKIN - Allie Carlson and Sara Hoge each went 3-for-4 with one RBI propelling Aitkin to a 13-6 Great River Conference victory over East Central Friday.
Anderson, Brainerd blank Otters 4-0
Freshman Nikki Anderson continues to baffle batters as she struck out four, walked none and allowed just four hits to lead the Brainerd Warriors to a 4-0 Central Lakes Conference win over the Fergus Falls Otters Thursday.
Ring brings home gold
MOORHEAD - Kelsi Ring didn't win the hurdles, but she did capture the triple jump at Friday's Moorhead Invite at Concordia College.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Brainerd sprints to success
MOORHEAD - T.J. Struss and Colby Ring finished 1-2 in the 100 dash and both helped the 4x100 and 4x200 relays to first Friday in the Moorhead Invite at Concordia College.
Janousek delivers again
Score tied 2-2.
Pierz sweeps its own invite
Jake Nelson (100- and 200-meter dash), Dylan Peterson (shot and Discus) and Kaari Jensen (100 and 300 hurdles) were double winners to lead the Pierz Pioneers boys' and girls' teams to victory at the Pioneer Invite Friday.
LOCAL SHORTS
University of Minnesota-Duluth senior Maria Swanson, a Brainerd High School graduate, was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Division II women's track and field athlete of the week ending April 5.
LOCAL SHORTS
The Brainerd Warriors Football Association and Art Matters Studio and Gallery invite the public to a reception for an exhibition of the "Fields of Autumn," a tribute with photographs of the 2008 Brainerd Warriors football team.
Raiders rough up BSU JV
BEMIDJI - The Central Lakes Raiders broke out the hitting sticks at the expense of the Bemidji State University junior varsity team Thursday.
Elks Soccer Shoot scheduled May 30
Brainerd Elks Lodge 615 will sponsor its fifth annual Soccer Shoot for youths ages 6-13 from 9 a.m. to noon May 30.
Warriors' Halverson in the hunt
NISSWA - Sean Halverson is sitting in a tie for the individual lead after round one of the Pequot Lakes Invite held Friday at Grand View Lodge's The Pines.
Area racers place in final events
The final two events of the WSA Hillcross/Hilldrag season were conducted last weekend at Spirit Mountain in Duluth.
Cardinals crush Melrose
STAPLES - Jordon Peterson and Mike Lindaman each gave up just one point in their singles as the Staples-Motley Cardinals routed the Melrose 7-0 Friday in non-conference action.
AREA SOFTBALL SCORES
BRAHAM - Aitkin's Emily Mehr struck out seven in a 5-0 complete game victory over Great River Conference rival Braham Tuesday.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s northwest to
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly cloudy. A chance of light showers across far
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly cloudy northwest...Mostly sunny elsewhere. Highs in the upper 60s to low 70s. Cooler near the great lakes.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Becoming cloudy. Chance of light rain showers southwest in the afternoon. Highs from the lower 40s near lake superior...To the lower 70s central and south.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. A chance of rain or snow showers
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Rain south with morning snow in the higher black hills. Mostly cloudy with a chance of rain north. Highs in the upper 40s to mid 50s...Except as warm as the lower 60s far southeast.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy.
Great day for a bike ride
Weather drawing by Shaquia Palmer in the Riversids\e second grade of Mrs. Garmer.
Think it will rain this weekend?
Weather drawing by Kalie Jeremiason in the Baxter third grade of Ms. Hemstad.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Cloudy. Showers likely and isolated thunderstorms. Highs
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Partly cloudy and mild east. Cloudy with rain likely west. Highs in the mid 40s far west to the upper 60s east.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Decreasing clouds north. Mostly cloudy south. A slight