Wednesday, June 9, 2004
Myears agrees to extradition
PONTIAC, Mich. -- Handcuffed and wearing a heavy chain around his waist, William Myears took a pen from a sheriff's deputy Tuesday and wrote his name on documents indicating his willingness to be returned to Minnesota to face a murder charge.
Brainerd students show improvement on tests
School districts in the Brainerd lakes area scored all over the board on the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment tests compared to the state average.
Crime
LITTLE FALLS -- A 51-year-old Little Falls man was stabbed in the abdomen Sunday by a 34-year-old Cushing man, the Little Falls Police Department said.
Accident
CASS LAKE -- A 25-year-old Farmington man is missing and believed to have drowned in Little Wolf Lake Sunday, the Cass County Sheriff's Department said.
CRIME
THEFT -- Dean Holmberg, Staples, Saturday reported an abandoned vehicle in the ditch of 285th Avenue.
Nisswa Women's Club provides 'Carousel of Colors'
NISSWA -- Colors and clowns greeted over 500 guests at Madden's Town Hall for the 21st Annual Spring and Summer Luncheon and Fashion Show on Tuesday, June 1, sponsored by the Nisswa Women's Club.
AROUND THE
NEIGHBORHOOD
LONGVILLE -- The Longville Turtle Races will return to the center circle of Main Street at 2 p.m. Wednesdays.
Nisswa 4-H club wins national award
A Nisswa area 4-H Club has won a national award in Colgate-Palmolive's 31st Annual search for the country's best community service projects by young Americans.
The cats never had it so good
It's a place where orphaned and abandoned cats roam free, sunning themselves in the windowsill and lounging on cat furniture until just the right adoptive family arrives to take them home.
Aquatics slated at Crosby center
Gentle movements can help to relieve pain and stiffness caused by arthritis. Cost for the program is $25 for members, and $35 for non-members. Scholarships are available.
Women of Today installs officers
Janell Madison and Bridget Walthers were recently installed as Presidents of the Nisswa Area Women of Today at their Annual Banquet in April. Also installed were Vice President Nicole Mills, Membership Vice Presidents Stacey Waidelich, Bridget Walthers and Jenny Baker, Programming Vice President Kimberly Jolls, Secretary Olivia Aguirre, Treasurers Susan Mathiowetz and Penny Stumvoll. New members include, Reina Louden, Julie Herubin, Kimberly Erickson, Olivia Aguirre, Michelle Rodahl, Susan Stone & Mary Merz.
Cass jail needs repairs Cass County commissioners go behind bars for tour
WALKER -- Floor tile is cracked and chipped, missing in some areas where there has been remodeling. Ceiling tiles have fallen down. Showers leak. Paint is chipped. Paper has replaced window blinds, because the blinds no longer tilt.
Staples foundation awards first grants
STAPLES -- The Staples Community Foundation has issued its first grants to the Staples Relay for Life, the Todd Wadena Kinship Program and the Living Legacy Gardens.
Food handling workshop set in Aitkin
Information will be provided on how to handle, prepare, store and serve food for large groups safely.
City delays hiring firm to find permanent fire chief, may do local search
Fred Underhill was named acting Brainerd fire chief Monday, but finding the permanent fire chief will take a little more time.
Swing batter
Richelle Bjork, 5, bunted a rubber baseball Tuesday in her south Brainerd resident's front yard in preparation for T-ball season. She will attend her first T-ball meeting Wednesday. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Council accepts police captain's retirement
The Brainerd City Council Monday accepted the retirement letter of Brainerd Police Capt. Lyman Dahl.
Firefighters called to vehicle fire
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a vehicle fire at 3 p.m. Monday at Menards in Baxter.
'Ride with Jim' canceled this year
What was to be the seventh annual "Ride with Jim" Oberstar bike ride, slated for Friday, has been canceled, Paul Bunyan Trail Coordinator Terry McGaughey said Tuesday.
Brainerd school committee to meet
Region 5 Board to meet Thursday
Brainerd accepts county compromise on Riverside Drive project
A compromise has been reached between Brainerd and Crow Wing County concerning the roadway width for a portion of Riverside Drive.
CORRECTIONS
The Dispatch incorrectly described an open house, which is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. June 12 at the home of Earl and Elaine Johnson on Nokay Lake. The open house is for Nicole Leingang and Theodore Johnson who were recently married in Costa Rica.
Oak Street closed after gas line break
About two blocks of Oak Street in Brainerd were closed off to traffic for almost four hours Tuesday after a telecommunications crew ruptured a gas line while working in the ditch along the road.
Bonds are awarded for downtown government center
Crow Wing County commissioners Tuesday awarded more than $50 million in general obligation bonds slated for the new downtown government complex and received an unexpected bonus.
County, city may finally agree on Riverside road width
While the city of Brainerd's input into Riverside Drive's width size may have seemed like changing the ingredients when the cake was nearly ready to come out of the oven, the finished project was edible to most.
Election judges sought in Crow Wing County
To be eligible to serve as an election judge, residents must be an eligible voter in Crow Wing County; be able to read, write and speak English; not be a candidate in the current election; and not be a spouse, parent, child or sibling of another judge or candidate in the current election, said Crow Wing County Auditor Roy Luukkonen in a news release.
Myears won't fight extradition
William Myears is not fighting his return to Brainerd.
Man stabbed in Cass Lake
CASS LAKE -- A Minneapolis man was injured after being stabbed during an altercation in Cass Lake Monday night.
Overheard
"I would like to get this over with and move on. I'll vote for it if this means we don't have to talk about it anymore."
Local Briefs
BAXTER -- Kris Nelson of Baxter will volunteer as a senior counselor July 24-31 at Girls Nation, a government education program for high school seniors at the National 4-H Center in Chevy Chase, Md.
CORRECTION
In a Page 6A story Monday about the closing of Heart Grocery, the former store owners should have been listed as Larry and Dorothy Keppers.
CORRECTION
A Page 1A story Tuesday should have said Terry Moberg operated his own ambulance service from 1964-1987 and served as an emergency medical technician with North Ambulance from 1987-2003.
Crow Wing DFL meets June 17 in Brainerd
The Crow Wing County DFL will meet 6 p.m. June 17 at the Brainerd Public Library in the large meeting room.
Teacher accused of soliciting sex on Web
A Brainerd School District social studies teacher, who was suspended and has since resigned, has been accused of soliciting sex from a juvenile Rochester girl on the Internet, it was learned Monday.
Body of missing man recovered
CASS LAKE -- The body of a 25-year-old Farmington man who was missing and believed to have drowned in Little Wolf Lake Sunday was recovered Tuesday, the Cass County Sheriff's Department said.
This was Brainerd
JUNE 8 - 30 years ago (1974) - A field of 70 runners invaded Brainerd International Speedway Saturday for the running of the Fourth Annual Brainerd Distance Races. The races were sponsored by the YMCA.
This was Brainerd
The city of Brainerd issued 23 building permits last month totaling $650,282 compared to 17 permits totaling $139,164 for the same month last year.
Local briefs
Minnesota Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer will visit three Minnesota cities Wednesday to recognize public officials who are being awarded grants for accessibility improvements through the Help America Vote Act.
Commissioners approve plan to include WorkForce Center space
In a split vote, Crow Wing County commissioners approved a plan to generate more space for the planned Community Services Building.
Myears to say whether he'll fight extradition in Dalquist case
Whether William Myears will waive or fight extradition to face murder charges in Crow Wing County will be decided in a Michigan courtroom Tuesday.
Overheard
"President Reagan will be remembered for his leadership and resolve during a period of momentous change in world affairs, as well as for the warmth, grace and humor with which he conducted affairs of state."
Board supports move to protect shoreland
A protective conservation easement, expected to protect natural shoreland on Clearwater Lake, received support from Crow Wing County commissioners Tuesday.
Laurice Ness
BENSON -- Laurice Ness, 86, of Benson, Minn., formerly of Devils Lake, N.D., died Wednesday, June 2, 2004, at his home in Benson. Funeral services will be Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at 11 a.m. at Christ Free Lutheran Church in Devils Lake. Burial will be in the West Minnewaukan Free Lutheran Cemetery, rural Minnewaukan. The Nelson Funeral Home of Maddock is in charge of the arrangements.
Hazel R. Marine
A memorial service for Hazel R. Marine will be held on Saturday, June 12, at 11 a.m. in the Longville Community Church with Pastor Duane Brown officiating. Lunch will be served after the service followed by interment at Riverside Cemetery in Longville. Hazel is survived by sons Dennis (Joanie) and Warren (Diane) Marine. Arrangements are entrusted to Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 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.
Sophie Grey
Sophie Grey, age 73, a resident of Randall, Minn., passed away Sunday, June 6, 2004, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, Minn.
Michael 'Papa' Murphy
Michael "Papa" Murphy, age 62, of Brainerd, died Sunday, June 6, 2004, at the St. Cloud Hospital. Mike was born on Jan. 25, 1942, in St. Paul to James and Florence (Meysembourg) Murphy. Michael's love for life, family, friends and especially his beautiful grandchildren is what will be remembered. He will be sadly missed, but the love he gave, the love he received and the memories will live on forever.
Richard D. Morris
Richard D. Morris, 79, of Aitkin, died Monday, June 7, 2004, at his residence. He was born May 23, 1925, in Aitkin to Dewey and Katherine (Pendergast) Morris.
James H. Town
James H. Town, age 80, resident of Green Gables Road, died Monday, June 7, 2004, at his home. Memorial services will be at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, June 10, 2004, at the Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa with visitation the hour before services at the church. Arrangements by Nelson-Doran Funeral Home in Brainerd.
Helen D. Warburg
McGREGOR -- Helen D. Warburg, age 84, of McGregor, died Monday, June 7, 2004, at Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.
Sophie Grey
LITTLE FALLS Sophie Grey, age 73, of Randall, Minn., passed away Sunday, June 6, 2004, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, Minn.
Vieno M. Fairchild
Vieno M. Fairchild, 91, of Aitkin, died Monday, June 7, 2004, in Aicota Health Care Center, Aitkin. She was born Aug. 11, 1912, in Nagaunee, Mich., to William and Julia (Olli) Leppanen. She graduated from Aitkin High School. On June 9, 1935, in Aitkin, Vieno was united in marriage to Harry E. Fairchild. She was a member of the Bethel Lutheran Church, Aitkin. She enjoyed knitting and crocheting afghans and quilts for her family and gardening.
Dorothy M. Barthel
Dorothy M. Barthel, age 72, resident of Pequot Lakes, Minn., formerly of New Brighton, died Monday, June 7, 2004, at her home. Dorothy was born Feb. 10, 1932, in Brownsdale, Minn., to John and Cecilia (Frein) Bottema. She married Marsen Barthel on Nov. 6, 1954, in Dayton, Minn.
James H. Town
James H. Town, age 80, resident of Green Gables Road, died Monday, June 7, 2004, at his home. James was born on Sept. 21, 1923, in Park Rapids to Harry Albert and Alma Luise (Ruhnke) Town. He served in the U.S. Army serving in WWII and the Korean War.
Leonard P. Zugschwert
Leonard P. Zugschwert, age 83, of Brainerd, died Friday, May 28, 2004, at the Pierz Villa Nursing Home. Len was born on March 18, 1921, in Maple Township, Cass County, to John and Clara (Johnson) Zugschwert. In 1941 he married Violet Kline of Leroy, Minn. He owned Len's Sanitary Pickup for many years. He was a longtime member of the Salvation Army.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 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.
Vieno M. Fairchild
AITKIN -- Vieno M. Fairchild, 91, of Aitkin, died Monday, June 7, 2004, in Aicota Health Care Center, Aitkin. Funeral arrangements are pending at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home, Aitkin.
Lela Jennie Pihlaja
Lela Jennie Pihlaja, age 94, of Brainerd, died on Sunday, June 6, 2004, at the Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. She was born on April 16, 1910, in Clifton Township, Minn., to Joseph and Grace (Koppernagel) Bayliss. She married J. Rudolph Pihlaja on Oct. 27, 1928, in Brainerd. She was a retired food service employee with the Crosby-Ironton School District, serving Crosby and Riverton schools. She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Brainerd Ward.
Bernice A. Sanoski
LITTLE FALLS Bernice A. Sanoski, age 97, of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Sunday, March 6, 2004, at her home in Little Falls, Minn. Arrangements are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls, Minn.
Joseph L. Masog Sr.
LITTLE FALLS -- Joseph L. Masog Sr., age 84, a resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away on Monday, June 7, 2004, at St. Gabriel's Hospital.
Albert Lardy
AITKIN -- Albert Lardy, age 90, of Aitkin, died on Monday, June 6, at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin. Funeral mass will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. James Catholic Church.
Dolores Wieczorek
Dolores Wieczorek, age 73, a resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Monday, June 7, 2004, at St. Gabriel's Hospital.
Lela Jennie Pihlaja
Lela Jennie Pihlaja, age 94, of Brainerd, died on Sunday, June 6, 2004, at the Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. Arrangements are with the Koop Funeral Home in Crosby.
Bernice A. Sanoski
Bernice Angeline Sanoski was born Nov. 28, 1906, in Pike Creek Township, Morrison County, Minn., to the late Paul and Catherine (Eggert) Wysocki. She grew up in Pike Creek Township, Morrison County, Minn., and attended school there. Following her schooling, Bernice worked as a caregiver for her mother who was blind. She was united in marriage to Stanley M. Sanoski on June 27, 1927, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Flensburg, Minn. Bernice and Stanley farmed in Culdrum Township until 1965 when they moved to the city of Little Falls. Bernice worked at the Pine Edge Inn in housekeeping and as a cook's helper and later at the Cliffwood Motel in housekeeping. Stanley died Jan. 6, 1984. Bernice was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Little Falls, Christian Mothers, Secular Franciscans, St. Gabriel's Hospital Auxiliary and St. Gertrude's Mission Circle. She enjoyed flowers, gardening, cooking and baking. She always put others before herself. Bernice was a loving mother and grandmother.
Joseph L. Masog Sr.
LITTLE FALLS -- Joseph L. Masog Sr., age 84, Little Falls, passed away Monday, June 7, 2004, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls. Arrangements are pending with the Brenny Funeral Home, West Chapel, in Little Falls.
John A. Wilmar
WAKEFIELD, Va. -- John A. Wilmar, 77, passed away June 3, 2004, in Wakefield, Va. He was the son of the late John Arthur Wilmar and the late Elizabeth McIntosh Wilmar. John made his career in the Air Force, working his way up to first sergeant in the Field Maintenance Squadron and retiring with the rank of senior master sergeant. John enjoyed his retirement years in Wakefield, restoring Civil War saddles and converting an old lifeboat into a houseboat he called, "The Ark."
Roman J. Kahlhamer
PIERZ -- Roman J. Kahlhamer, 70-year-old resident of Pierz, passed away Monday, June 7, at his home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Pierz with the Rev. Gerald Dalseth and the Rev. Bernard Kahlhamer officiating.
Ionilla A. Ley
WAITE PARK -- Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 9, 2004, at St. John Cantius Catholic Church in St. Cloud for Ionilla A. Ley, age 82, of Waite Park, who died Saturday at the St. Cloud Hospital. Father Alfred Stangl will officiate. Burial will take place in Assumption Cemetery in St. Cloud.
Martha Brunhuber
PINE RIVER Martha Brunhuber, age 92, of Pine River and formerly of St. Paul, passed away May 30, 2004, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. Martha was born May 24, 1912, in St. Paul to Ignatius and Josephine Lyk.
Leonard E. Jotham
Leonard E. Jotham, age 83, of Brainerd, died Tuesday, June 8, 2004, at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby. Leonard was born in Brainerd June 25, 1920, to Charles and Emma Jotham. He had been a lifetime area resident. Leonard served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He was a farmer and had worked at Potlatch, retiring at age 62.
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Open Forum
As a 21-year, full-time veteran firefighter/engineer and volunteer for the city of Brainerd, and also having served during that time 18 months as an interim chief and later serving under numerous chiefs from the Twin Cities area, I wish to take this opportunity to support Terry Moberg's recommendation when on Thursday, June 3, 2004, he addressed the Brainerd Police and Fire Civil Service Commission.
OUR OPINION: REAGAN
Guy Doud's brush with Ronald Reagan and history was almost sidetracked by an American air strike against Libya.
Contact your federal lawmakers
Sen. Mark Dayton, D-Minn.
Catching criminal suspects - Dispatch Editorial
The capture of fugitive William Myears, a suspect in the killing of Brainerd's Erika Dalquist, was No. 798, by the show's figuring, and one of the quickest arrests in the show's history. Myears was arrested without incident in Michigan, about an hour after a segment on Dalquist and Myears aired on the program.
Open Forum
A recent letter writer tells us that the future looks bleaker for his children and grandchildren "than any time" he had seen. Perhaps he should sit down with his children and grandchildren and review the Declaration of Independence, The United States Constitution, The Wall Street Journal, the Bible and the PGA Rules of Golf.
TIPS FROM A PRO
When facing trouble from the trees, play the high percentage shot to avoid the high score on the card.
Hoppe 37th after first round
Brainerd Warriors Jared Hoppe shot a front nine 39 and followed it with a 40 on the back nine to shot 79 placing him tied for 37th in the first round of the Class 2A state boys' golf tournament at Bunker Hills in Coon Rapids Tuesday.
Pequot making return trip to state
The Pequot Lakes Patriots are the veterans of the Class 1A state girls' golf tournament.
Rochester a tough test for Cardinals
Can the Staples-Motley Cardinals break the trend?
Golf shorts
Wildwedge Family Golf Park will conduct a kids golf "Drive, Pitch and Putt" competition at 6 p.m. June 14.
Upcoming sporting events in the Brainerd Lakes area:
Tuesday
Skater boy
When he was four-years old, Dino Musielewicz was introduced to a sport he would later come to love like no other.
State appearances by area schools
2004 -- Girls: Pequot Lakes, Boys: Staples-Motley
League results
Shep's on 6th beat Larson-Allen 8.5-3.5 to crawl within one point of Pine Meadows Men's Twilight League leaders Independents June 3.
A tale of two programs
One school will attempt to build on its grand tradition.
Wadena-Deer Creek advances to finals
ST. CLOUD -- Tyler Neu held the Staples-Motley Cardinals to two hits and helped the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines blank the rivals to the east 3-0 Tuesday to advance to the Section 6, Class 2A finals.
S-M rallies past Albany
ST. CLOUD -- Adam Johnson went 3-for-4 and pitched a complete game to rally the Staples-Motley Cardinals past the Albany Huskies 6-5 in the opening game of the Section 6, Class 2A baseball tournament Monday at Putz Field.
Pizza and golf
Ulterior motives may be present, but Mike Stone's commitment to junior golf is better than par for the course.
Honek the catalyst of 23-3 season
At Caswell Park, North Mankato
Upcoming sporting events
In the Brainerd Lakes area:
Sports Shorts
Former Brainerd boys' hockey players are invited to attend a salute to former Warriors assistant coach Mike Hayes 7 p.m. Thursday in the Pequot Room at Breezy Point Resort.
Peterson seventh after first day 74
CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. -- Central Lakes College Raiders men's golfer Kyle Peterson's score was as hot as the weather conditions as he carded a 74 to tie for seventh place, three strokes off the lead, in the first round of the NJCAA Division III men's golf tournament Tuesday.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy east...With scattered thunderstorms south central through east central this morning. Partly cloudy with isolated morning thunderstorms west and far north. Partly sunny statewide this afternoon with a chance of thunderstorms south... Mainly in the southeast late. Highs from the mid 70s north...To the lower 80s extreme southeast.
Thunder boomers
Weather drawing by Ryan Frazer of Mrs. Bieganek's fourth grade class at Whittier school.
State forecast for south dakota
Flood watch tonight south central...
Summer, spring fun and sun
Weather drawing by Paige Oakley of Mrs. Kidd's second grade class at Lincoln school.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms. Warm and humid with highs in the 80s.
State forecast for iowa
Flood watch through this evening far northeast...
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly sunny. A chance of showers and thunderstorms mainly
State forecast for minnesota
Flood watch extreme southeast today and tonight...
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. Scattered showers and
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Partly cloudy north. Mostly cloudy with scattered showers
State forecast for north dakota
This morning...Cloudy. A slight chance of showers northwest...A
Wisconsin state forecast
Flood watch crawford and vernon counties today and this evening...