Friday, May 22, 2009
GM's quest for the perfect electric car
WARREN, Mich. - Here is where today meets tomorrow and where tomorrow bespeaks a brighter future for General Motors. It is home for the GM Technical Center, a corporate-academic campus dedicated to scientific research and experimentation.
A muscle car infused with Euro sophistication
CORNWALL, N.Y. - It pulled nicely up Mountain Brook Road in second gear, which was no small feat. Mountain Brook is steep. Its elevation has caused many transmissions to grind and whine, many engines to groan, as if they were designed only to complement this nation's massive investment in flat surfaces.
LOCAL BRIEFS
GARRISON - The Mille Lacs Art Council will present its 17th annual Garrison Art Show on Sunday at the VFW Grounds in Garrison.
Changing the world - one concert at a time
Brainerd High School graduate Andrew Miller had long dreamed of forming an ensemble of top singers. For many choral directors, that might have been enough, but Miller knew he could do more. He believed that music could change the world, and he's trying to do that - one concert at a time.
Spring recital
Bridges of Harmony students recently presented their spring piano recital at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Brainerd.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Live music
Avocado Dip: 'It's the bomb'
I so enjoy avocados - not only are they tasty in so many different recipes, they include many of the main vitamins we need daily. I like to pick out a couple of ripe ones at the grocery store to use right away and keep a couple on the counter to ripen for another time.
Police blotter
INVESTIGATION - Received a report at 7:33 a.m. Wednesday from a person who believed a 40-year-old man was holding hands with a female under 18. Officers determined all parties were over 18.
BIRTHS
James and Kimberly (Carlson) Lesmeister, Elk Mound, Wis., a girl, Natalie Heidi, 8 pounds, 10 ounces, April 28, 2009. Grandparents are Peggy Lesmeister, St. Peter, and Mark and Debbi Carlson, Deerwood. Great-grandparents are Doris Carlson, Crosby, and Gladys Theien, Brainerd.
POLICE BLOTTER
PROPERTY DAMAGE - A rear-end accident involving two vehicles was reported at 3:41 p.m. Tuesday on Highway 371 in front of Best Buy. No injuries were reported.
ACCIDENTS
A 44-year-old Fort Ripley woman injured after the off-road utility vehicle she was riding in was struck by a pickup was reported in serious condition Wednesday at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale.
Housing briefs
Home Stretch, a first-time homebuyer education workshop, will be offered from 6-9 p.m. June 8, 15 and 22 at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.
Bringing the outside in
PIERZ - At Jess and Susie Hoheisel's home on Fish Lake, just outside Pierz, the couple's personality is on display.
When I grow up ...
BREEZY POINT - Eagle View Elementary School students got the chance Thursday to explore a variety of careers at the school's Career Day event.
Wind, grill lead to fire at 371 facility
Wednesday's high wind and a barbecue grill combined to start a fire about 1 p.m. in the wall of the Versatile Golf Cars building along Highway 371 North near Brainerd International Raceway.
Recession gardens are big
Families can stretch their food budget by turning a portion of their yard into a victory garden, replacing a trip to the grocery store.
Overheard: Gitmo issue
Two opposing views
This was Brainerd
MAY 21 - 100 years ago (1909) - Sam Fullerton, state fish commissioner, is on his way to Rainy Lake to collect a quantity of eggs of the yellow-bellied walleyed pike. If successful they will be mixed with fry already collected from Gull and other Minnesota lakes to improve the species.
UPDATE: Fifty Lakes boy critically injured in fall
FIFTY LAKES -A 5-year-old Fifty Lakes boy was critically injured Thursday after falling several stories into a hole intended for a basement.
What's open, closed for Memorial Day
In observance of Memorial Day, post offices will be closed Monday. There will not be mail delivery.
Local news briefs
The Brainerd Parks and Recreation Board will meet at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday in the council chambers at Brainerd City Hall.
A RECORD SCORCHER
What difference does a day make?
Overheard
This is not going to go away. It's a court order.
LOCAL BRIEFS
BREEZY POINT - The Crow Wing County Passenger Safety Coalition, along with the North Crow Wing First Responders, will host a child car seat check-up event from 4-7 p.m. June 16 at the Public Safety Building in Breezy Point.
'Parent heroes' helping schools cope with cuts
A year ago, the Brainerd School Board was forced to slash $5.5 million to meet its budget.
This was Brainerd
30 years ago (1979): The Brainerd City Council approved a two-year contract wage contract with the Water and Light Department employees' union. It calls for a 9 percent raise this year and an additional 6 percent raise in 1980.
Motley man sentenced for child pornography
MINNEAPOLIS - A 56-year-old Motley man was sentenced last week in federal court for possessing child pornography, the U.S. attorney's office in Minneapolis reported.
Boy hurt in fall in Fifty Lakes
FIFTY LAKES - A 5-year-old boy was injured after falling three stories Thursday night at a residence in Fifty Lakes, Crow Wing County Sheriff Todd Dahl said.
Little Falls economics
team tops in nation
LITTLE FALLS - Little Falls Community High School defeated more than 2,000 finalist teams from across the nation Monday to become the champions in the 2009 National Economics Challenge, a competition sponsored by the Council for Economic Education and the Goldman Sachs Foundation.
Memorial Day services planned
Brainerd's Memorial Day ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday at the Laurel Street bridge. A wreath will be tossed into the Mississippi River in memory of those veterans lost at sea. A prayer will be given by Father Tony Wroblewski, the firing of a rifle salute by the Disabled American Veterans and taps being played by Archie Katchie.
2 injured in Baxter crash
BAXTER - The intersection of Highway 210 and Elder Drive in Baxter was the site of another crash Friday afternoon, one week after an accident at the same intersection claimed the life of a Cushing man.
Marcella 'Sally' King
BREEZY POINT - Marcella "Sally" (Voss) King, age 68, of Breezy Point, passed away May 20, 2009. Memorial service will be noon on Thursday, May 28, at Kline Funeral Home, Pequot Lakes. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service.
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.
Inis Hayes
Inis Mary Hayes, age 98, resident of Brainerd, died Thursday, May 21, at Edgewood Vista Senior Living.
Kenneth M. Bigalke
LITTLE FALLS - Kenneth Merle Bigalke, 88-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Wednesday, May 20, 2009, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 23, 2009, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Randall, Minn. Visitation will be from 5-8 p.m. on Friday, May 22, at the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls and from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday at the church.
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.
Tracey Knode
OUTING - Tracey Knode, age 51, of Outing, passed away Tuesday evening, May 19, 2009, at her home near Outing. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Crosslake.
Ronald Cogger
Ronald D. Cogger 70, Brainerd, Minn., formerly of Pengilly, Minn., died Wednesday, May 20, 2009, in Brainerd, Minn.
Barbara Swanberg
CORVALLIS, Ore. - Barbara (Giffen) Swanberg, 77, formerly of Brainerd, died in Corvallis, Ore., on Saturday, May 2, 2009, with family by her side.
Dominic Gerbi
LITTLE FALLS - Dominic Gerbi, 82-year-old resident of Little Falls, Minn., died Thursday, May 21, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, Minn. Arrangements are pending with the Emblom-Brenny Funeral Service in Little Falls, Minn.
Our opinion: Elections
There weren't many shining highlights that come to mind with the conclusion of the Minnesota's 2009 legislative session but a scaled back election reform bill is one we'll unashamedly urge Gov. Tim Pawlenty to sign.
What do you think?
Write us a letter or send us an e-mail
VOX POP
So the governor wants our input. What a smokescreen to a person who cannot compromise. After a long, grinding campaign, expensive elections, sending our elected legislative leaders to St. Paul (who are much more knowledgeable on the issues than most citizens), the governor refuses to work with them and goes it alone.
Open Forum
From every side we seem to be bombarded with calls to Conserve Energy! And many noble efforts are being made to comply. However, there is one glaring energy waster to which almost everyone seems oblivious, I refer to the notorious and ubiquitous hot water heater. These dastardly wasters of our precious energy apparently reside in many homes, and are hawked by a multitude of vendors.
Correction/clarification
A May 18 letter to the editor incorrectly indicated Mike Hamad Upholstery was for sale. The upholstery business has not been and is not for sale.
GOP disorder: Purge or binge?
It's not yet clear how the one-armed midget demographic is shaping up, but everybody else seems to be bailing on the GOP.
Open Forum: Hamad Upholstery not for sale
Clarification needed concerning an Open Forum letter printed on Monday, May 18, in the Brainerd Dispatch. Seems like a game of "Telephone" is going on! We would like to correct one statement made concerning Mike Hamad Upholstery. It was stated that a new upholstery shop wanted to purchase our business, but the price was too high. This is incorrect.
Presenting the Gospel in music
Johnny Jay Huhta, Rockabilly Hall of Fame entertainer, belted out a country gospel song at the Holy Hootenanny last Sunday night at Lord of Life Lutheran Church.
Brainerd lakes area churches
Addresses and phone numbers. Call for service times.
Church news
PEQUOT LAKES - Beginning June 7, Grace United Methodist Church of Pequot Lakes will have two worship services Sunday, the first at 8:30 a.m. and the second at 10 a.m. Children's church will begin at 8:30 a.m. Coffee fellowship will be at 9:30 a.m.
Lutheran school's balloon launch heralds Ascension Day
BAXTER - Fifty balloons were launched Thursday in honor of Ascension Day, commemorating Jesus' ascension into heaven.
Raider women 14th at nationals
After three straight rain delays, the NJCAA women's' golf tournament was shortened to one round and moved to Providence Golf Club in Davenport, Fla.
Rangers advance three to section tourney
VIRGINIA - Tyler Snook carded an 86 to lead Crosby-Ironton in the first round of the Section 7-2A tournament at Quarry Golf Course Thursday.
Scoreboard
Area events
W-DC doubles team advances
PERHAM - The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines' Taylor Garcia and Mike Paavola defeated Ted Tiffany and Kirt Ledbetter of Park Rapids to advance past the first round of the Section 8-1A individual tournament Wednesday.
Little Falls eliminates Pierz
LITTLE FALLS - Ben Hanowski's two-run, first-inning home run sparked No. 4-seeded Little Falls to an 8-5 win over fifth-seeded Pierz in an East Subsection 6-2A quarterfinal Thursday.
C-I's Stokman wins subsection title
DULUTH - Nick Stokman of Crosby-Ironton won the boys' 800-meter run with a time of 2:07.63 while Kristine Gustafson's time of 5:45.56 earned her second place in the girls' 1600 run in Wednesday's Subsection 2, Section 7-1A meet at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.
Cardinals' Peterson advances
ST. JOSEPH - Third-seeded Jordan Peterson advanced to the Section 6-1A individual semifinals, winning both of his matches Thursday at the College of St. Benedict.
Warriors repeat as CLC champs
It would be wrong to say Alex Rahn was overconfident for his 400-meter dash.
Warriors ninth in Rogers Invite
ST. MICHAEL - Seventh-grader Jenny Muesing led the way for Brainerd, shooting a 101, as the Warriors finished ninth in the Rogers Invite Thursday at Fox Hollow Golf Club.
S-M, three area individuals advance in section action
ST. CLOUD - The Staples-Motley Cardinals team, Megan Lenz of Pequot Lakes and Kayla Krause and Katie Anderson of Wadena-Deer Creek advanced after the opening round of the Section 6-2A tournament Thursday at Territory Golf Club.
Brainerd hurdles to top of conference
There were few hurdles the Brainerd Warrior girls' team had to overcome during Thursday's Central Lakes Conference Championship meet.
Warriors finish where they were seeded
Seedings turned out to be accurate Thursday in the North Subsection 8-2A tournament at Brainerd High School.
Verndale splits, advances to section
BRANDON - The Verndale Pirates split in the East Subsection 5-1A tournament Thursday and will compete in the section semifinals Tuesday.
Bemidji ends BHS' season
BEMIDJI - The second-seeded Brainerd Warriors beat No. 3 Alexandria 7-0 in the first game but lost to top-seeded Bemidji 4-0 in the North Subsection 8-3A championship game Thursday.
LOCAL SHORTS
St. Scholastica senior pitcher Adian Kummet of Brainerd received honorable mention All-American status from D3baseball.com Wednesday.
Jacks will have hands full Saturday
With the program's first win in the books, the Brainerd Lumberjacks are looking to put their first winning streak together.
Wild Road Tour to visit Brainerd
The Minnesota Wild Road Tour is scheduled to stop at Brainerd Area Civic Center from 4 to 5 p.m. June 23.
Warriors to be host for subsection individual tournament
The Brainerd Warriors will host the North Subsection 8-2A individual tournament beginning at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.
SCOREBOARD
Area events
Last season built Larson's confidence
As a junior Devin Larson finished fourth in the Section 8-2A individual tennis tournament. He rebounded from a 4-7 start to win eight of his last 13 matches and finish with a 12-12 record.
Pequot boys, S-M girls win top honors
SEBEKA - Clayton Foster won the 800- and 1600-meter runs to lead the Pequot Lakes boys' team to first and Ashley Lisson won the 100 and 200 dashes to lead the Staples-Motley Cardinal girls' team to first in the Subsection 3, Section 6-1A meet Thursday.
Division racers vie for points at BIR
NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors from the West Central Division will tackle the quarter-mile strip at Brainerd International Raceway Friday through Sunday in the Thunder at the Lakes event.
Sebeka thumps Verndale 14-2
VERNDALE - Jay Runyan went 2-for-2 and scored twice for the Verndale Pirates in a 14-2 defeat administered by the Sebeka Trojans in a Park Region Conference matchup Wednesday.
State forecast for Wisconsin
Today...Cloudy north and increasing clouds south. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs from the mid 60s north to near 80 far south.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Scattered morning showers...Then partly sunny north and west. Mostly cloudy southeast with a chance of showers.Cooler. Highs in the mid 60s to the lower 70s.
Time to play catch
Weather drawing by Gabe Smith in the Lowell second grade of Mrs. Holbrook.
State forecast for N.D.
Frost advisory northwest this morning...
State forecast for S.D.
Friday...Partly cloudy northwest. Mostly cloudy south through east. A chance of showers or thunderstorms south...With showers likely southeast. Highs from the mid to upper 60s east...To the lower to mid 70s west into north central.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and
State forecast for Wisconsin
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. A chance of showers south. Highs in the upper 60s to low 70s. Cooler along the great lakes shorelines.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly cloudy becoming partly cloudy from northwest to
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Cloudy south with scattered showers. Partly cloudy
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and a slight chance of
A rainy Thursday?
Weather drawing by Kalie Jeremiason in the Baxter third grade of Ms. Hemstad.