Friday, June 28, 2002

Court reinstates Suzuki defamation lawsuit against Consumer Reports
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A federal appeals court Tuesday reinstated a defamation suit brought by Suzuki Motor Corp. against the publisher of Consumer Reports for saying the Suzuki Samurai rolls over too easily.

High-tech cars freeze out independent repair shops
ARLINGTON, Va. (AP) -- At least a couple of times a week, mechanic Ernie Pride tells customers at his independent repair shop he can't fix their cars because he doesn't know what's wrong with them. Go to the dealer, he advises.

Online site lists Los Angeles cardinal as one of 'worst bishops'
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A religion-themed Internet site has listed Cardinal Roger M. Mahony, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, as one of the country's nine "worst bishops" for his handling of clergy sexual abuse cases.

Speaker at Pillager church
First Baptist Church of Pillager will have a guest speaker Sunday. The Rev. Dwight Johnson will speak at 11 a.m. at the worship service at Pillager School.

Falwell's hoped-for legacy: A master-planned Christian community
LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) -- The Rev. Jerry Falwell pulls the wheel hard right, sweat budding across his cheeks as he guides the Chevy Suburban around potholes in the dirt road.

Retired Kentucky priest pleads innocent to sex abuse allegations in indictment
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- A retired Roman Catholic priest pleaded innocent to felony sexual misconduct involving 15 alleged victims.

U.S. remains 'a Protestant nation,' two historians assert
If Americans take stock of their nation religiously, as well as politically and militarily, this first Fourth of July after 9-11, they might ponder the claim that "America is still in many ways a Protestant nation."

Churches
The Rev. Neal MacLachlan, former pastor of Zion Lutheran Church, Brainerd, will return to preach at 5:30 p.m. July 6 and 9 a.m. July 7.

Law could allow school prayer
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Students in South Carolina public schools may be able to lead their classmates in prayer under a law signed this week by Gov. Jim Hodges.

Flying solo: Living single with grace
In the past month, I've presided at three weddings, which always causes me to ponder the possibilities/limitations of marriage and of being single.

Classic Car Sunday
Crosslake Lutheran Church will have its fifth annual classic car service at 10 a.m. Sunday at the outdoor worship service on Daggett Pine Road across from the Crosslake Community Center. People may participate in this service by coming in a vintage, sports car, street rod or other specialty car.

Board vote unanimous to revise SAT
NEW YORK -- Trustees of the College Board voted unanimously Thursday to develop a new SAT, adding a writing test, beefing up the math section and making other major changes in the college admissions exam.

CDC: Survey of teenagers find more using cocaine, still drinking and smoking
ATLANTA (AP) -- Injury and violence-related behaviors among teenagers have fallen, but more teens are using cocaine and regularly smoking and drinking, according to a recent survey.

How will the crops do?
It is too soon to tell whether this year's late spring and dry spell will have a major impact on area farmers' harvests.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle estimate: 350. Last Wednesday: 391. Year ago Wednesday: 485. Tuesday actual: 875.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Thursday cattle estimate: 400. Last Thursday: 443. Year ago Thursday: 331. Wednesday actual: 536.

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Thursday 60, a year ago 218.

Apricot season is short but sweet
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Among fruit's great pleasures are in-season apricots. The fresh California apricot season is short but very sweet, from May through July.

Color Fourth of July desserts red, white, blue
Desserts, just as much as other treats and confections, can take on a patriotic air for special occasions.

Marinade recipes for the grill
Summer's warm weather brings us outdoors to make many meals on the grill and spend time outside.

Accidents
One person was injured Monday after the car she was driving struck a tree on North Fifth Street, at Bluff Avenue, in Brainerd.

Brainerd building permits
Brainerd issued 122 building permits in May for a total valuation of $2,738,601 and $19,018.25 in permit fees.

Crime
Brainerd police

Births
Eric and Toni (Westemeier) Schmidt, Belle Plaine, a boy, Andrew Michael, 9 pounds, 12 ounces, May 22, 2002. Grandparents are John Schmidt, Belle Plaine, and the late Liz Schmidt, and Mike and Eileen Westemeier, Aitkin.

Accidents
REMER -- One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident Wednesday on Highway 200, one mile east of Remer.

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

Nominations sought for outstanding leaders
Nominations are being sought for the third annual Outstanding Community Initiative, recognizing philanthropic excellence in central Minnesota.

Congress finally votes to raise debt limit
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congressional approval of a $450 billion boost in federal borrowing authority spared the government from choosing between defaulting on the national debt and using "shaky ... or potentially fraudulent accounting devices," Treasury Secretary Paul O'Neill said Friday.

House passes Medicare prescription drug bill; fate in Senate uncertain
WASHINGTON -- Republicans pushed a Medicare prescription drug bill through the House early Friday, capping a week in which the GOP also used its slim majority to allow the government to borrow more money and advance a trade bill.

Streamline Design K-24, save money
Design K-24 is a Craftsman version of a ranch design (Design J-89) that appeared last year. It's a compact plan, except for some excess space in the long bedroom hall and entry areas.

Housing briefs
Mid-Minnesota Home Builders Association members built an intricate indoor playground for the Brainerd Family YMCA. The effort is part of Home Builders Care, a nationwide community service program.

Briefs
Dave Botten, Stephanie Hoefs and Polly Olson joined the Edina Realty sales staff, Brainerd.

Aging homeowners stay put, seek to remodel the place they've called home
DENVER -- Alan and Julie Stewart converted their kitchen cabinets into drawers to hold pots and pans. They widened the doorways and eliminated all stairs in the house.

Cut and trim your blooms
The first flush of summer bloom is fading: the iris, the peonies, the poppies, the first roses are finished for the season. The phlox, the daisy-flowered astroemas and fall flowering chrysanthemums and asters, the lilies and daylilies, and so many others are in bud.

MEMO to BOOMERS: Make your aging parents' home safer
Baby Boomers aren't getting any younger, and neither are their parents.

Horseradish is a good root for your garden
NEW MARKET, Va. (AP) -- Consider the common horseradish. With its gnarly white root and boarding house reach, the plant isn't exactly the glamour girl of the modern-day garden.

Design K-24 has timeless appeal
Craftsman accents, including stone, shingles and a shed dormer, lend timeless appeal to the exterior of this home, Plan K-24, by the Homestore Plans and Publications Designers Network. Its floor plan has 1,725 square feet of living space.

PARADISE UNDER PRESSURE
FRIDAY HARBOR, Wash. (AP) -- Susan and Laszlo Pal strolled along the tranquil beach fronting their San Juan Island cabin and paused before the nearly completed 3,500-square-foot home next door.

Q & A
Q. What do you recommend for washing and finishing a wood deck?

Franklin committee may get more public members
More citizens may be able to take part in determining the future use of the Franklin Junior High School building.

Framework collapse injures 7
WALKER -- Seven construction workers were injured Thursday when the truss framework on which they were working collapsed.

Under construction
Six-year-old Annika Watson dug another scoop of sand from a sand fort that was under construction on Pelican Beach on the south shore of Pelican Lake Wednesday.

How dry it is
The dry spring has had an impact on area crops, especially alfalfa. Read more about the outlook in Friday's Dispatch.

Nystrom is American Diabetes Association National Youth Advocate
Quinn Nystrom, 16, Brainerd, is the American Diabetes Association 2002-2003 National Youth Advocate.

'Now follow me'
Two loon babies followed their mother as they swam in a lake in the Whitefish Chain Wednesday night.

Countywide transit system to begin Monday
Crow Wing County's first transit system will be in full operation Monday.

Lambert files for Ward 2 council seat
Jan Lambert has announced she will run for the Ward 2 Brainerd City Council seat. Current Ward 2 council member Mark O'Day has said he will not seek another term.

CriMNet to help keep tabs on criminals
BREEZY POINT -- A tool is being developed to keep criminals from falling through the criminal justice cracks.

Local briefs
LITTLE FALLS -- Tri-County Community Action Program Inc., Head Start/Early Head Start, is accepting applications for enrollment of children, of low-income families from birth to kindergarten age, for the 2002-03 school year in the Brainerd and Crosby areas.

Local briefs
Congressman Jim Oberstar announced Wednesday that airports in Brainerd and St. Cloud will share a $1 million grant to help the communities enhance their airline service.

This was Brainerd
JUNE 27 - 80 years ago (1922) - A Connecticut woman played an April Fool trick on her husband by telling him she was going to sue for divorce, when she had no intention of doing it. Some women don't know the difference between a joke and a disappointment.

Brainerd School District committee OKs middle school concept plan
The Brainerd School District's Building Committee selected a concept plan Thursday for the new middle school in Baxter.

Local briefs
LITTLE FALLS -- The Little Falls Chamber of Commerce will host a welcome picnic from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Lindbergh State Park/Shelter to welcome the new Little Falls School District Superintendent Sharon Thomas.

This was Brainerd
JUNE 28 - 20 years ago (1982) - Brainerd School Superintendent Bob Gross forfeited about a $2,800 salary increase yesterday in an effort to make the public see that school leadership is not exempt from the financial sacrifices that must be made to maintain quality education.

Filing period for state, county political offices starts Tuesday
Voters who've already grown weary of political charges and counter-charges may be surprised to learn the official political season doesn't start until Tuesday.

Planning, zoning panel approves conditional use permit for a liquor lounge at BIR
A new lounge will open mid-July at Brainerd International Raceway.

Cash for Cody
Cody Dryburgh, 3, Brainerd, was run over by a lawn mower June 2. Trinity Lutheran Church is planning a Cash for Cody benefit to help cover his medical costs. Read more about his recovery in Sunday's Dispatch.

Area road projects under way; some include detours
BAXTER -- Several state road projects are under way this summer, and the Minnesota Department of Transportation is advising drivers to allow extra driving time over the Fourth of July holiday because of possible detours or closed lanes.

Supreme Court calls prison punishment unconstitutional, allows inmate to sue over pole
WASHINGTON -- The Supreme Court on Thursday declared unconstitutional an Alabama prison practice of handcuffing inmates to a metal pole in the summer heat. The court ruled that an inmate could sue over his chaining.

Residents of county want to put brakes on paving of gravel roads
HAGERSTOWN, Md. (AP) -- In the age of superhighways, commuter rails and trains that go 240 mph, rural residents of a Maryland county want to slow down.

Pledge banned
SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal appeals court panel drew outrage from across the political spectrum by ruling that it is unconstitutional for schoolchildren to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, but the decision may not last long.

Supreme Court upholds random drug tests for high school students in after-school activities
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court approved random drug tests for many public high school students Thursday, ruling that schools' interest in ridding their campuses of drugs outweighs an individual's right to privacy.

Court puts maligned Pledge of Allegiance ruling on hold
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A much-maligned ruling on the Pledge of Allegiance is on hold while a federal appeals court decides how to deal with calls for a rehearing in the case.

Unpasteurized milk blamed for sicknesses
ATLANTA (AP) -- Seventy-five people in Wisconsin suffered severe diarrhea, fever and cramps after drinking unpasteurized milk.

WorldCom scandal may finally trigger changes
WASHINGTON -- Until WorldCom's admission that it hid a record $3.9 billion in losses, the revelations of business misdeeds that began with Enron's collapse in early December looked as if it would produce little more than some arcane accounting changes and a few prosecutions.

Judge refuses to grant bail for Robert Blake
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A judge refused Thursday to grant actor Robert Blake bail until a preliminary hearing reveals details of the evidence against him in the slaying of his wife.

WorldCom CEO vows to continue fine-tuning company as possible bankruptcy looms
JACKSON, Miss. -- With his company facing federal fraud charges and potential bankruptcy, WorldCom CEO John Sidgmore vowed to continue cutting costs following the revelation that the company hid $3.8 billion in expenses from investors.

Arizona wildfire runs over RV resort
HEBER-OVERGAARD, Ariz. -- Fire took dead aim at the Pinecrest Lake RV Resort and ran right over it. Little was left behind.

Possible fallout from WorldCom feared
As WorldCom Inc. faces investigations and possible bankruptcy proceedings, regulators are concerned about the fate of a company that carries half the United States' Internet traffic and about the health of the reeling telecommunications industry.

Arizona fire crews ready to shift some efforts away from Show Low
SHOW LOW, Ariz. (AP) -- Firefighters are ready to shift some of their emphasis in battling a monster wildfire now that this mountain community seems closer to safety.

Supreme Court decision will do little to quickly boost stock of similar proposals
The Supreme Court decision Thursday allowing public funds to pay tuition at private religious schools removes the legal cloud that has hung over such controversial programs, but not the political one.

Pilots blamed for deaths
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A joint U.S.-Canadian inquiry into the mistaken bombing of Canadian troops in Afghanistan last spring concluded that two U.S. F-16 pilots failed to exercise proper caution, an American officer said Friday.

Retired priest indicted on 42 counts of sexual misconduct
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- People who allege they were sexually abused by a Roman Catholic priest said they took some comfort following his indictment on 42 counts of sexual misconduct.

Bush's blueprint
Bush called for removal of Yasser Arafat as president and for democratic reforms in the Palestinian Authority, definitely putting the onus on the Palestinians to get the march toward statehood started.

WorldCom, Mideast grab summit attention
KANANASKIS, Alberta -- World leaders, wrapping up a summit rocked by a new U.S. corporate bookkeeping scandal and dissension over President Bush's Mideast policy, turned their attention to Africa and a far-reaching program to provide billions of dollars of assistance to the world's poorest continent.

High court agrees to hear prescription drug case next year
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court agreed Friday to decide how far states can go in negotiating lower prescription costs for the poor, accepting drug companies' challenge of a pioneering Maine law.

Accord keeps Amtrak running
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Bush administration and Amtrak officials said Thursday their tentative agreement to solve the passenger railroad's latest fiscal crisis will keep the trains running while improving Amtrak's financial discipline and performance.

The Who bass player John Entwistle dies
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- The Who's John Entwistle, the virtuoso bass player who co-founded the band and helped make it one of the biggest in rock history, was found dead Thursday in his Hard Rock Hotel room of an apparent heart attack. He was 57.

School vouchers upheld
WASHINGTON -- The Constitution allows public money to underwrite tuition at religious schools as long as parents have a choice among a range of religious and secular schools, the Supreme Court ruled Thursday.

Congress subpoenas top WorldCom officials
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Subpoenas are going out to top officials of WorldCom Inc. as Congress delves into the latest corporate scandal to shake investors' confidence and heighten political leaders' nervousness about the economy.

Economist sees prolonged recovery
The U.S. economy has found the footing for a prolonged, if not robust, recovery, Alan D. Levenson, the chief economist for T. Rowe Price, said Thursday.

He started it
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- First things first: Michael A. Newdow says he is not a nut. He's an eccentric, for sure, an emergency room physician by training who says he has given up working to "fight the government," an envelope-pushing free-thinker who equates believing in God with believing in Santa Claus.

Baseball says goodbye to Kile
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- One player read scripture, another recited a prayer.

Yao drafted No. 1 by Houston; Knicks acquire McDyess
NEW YORK (AP) -- The biggest player, Yao Ming, went to the Houston Rockets. The biggest trade, involving Antonio McDyess, Marcus Camby and others, sent a former All-Star to the New York Knicks.

Mets pitcher admits pot use before seizure
NEW YORK (AP) -- Mets pitcher Mark Corey admitted he smoked marijuana shortly before he had a seizure and collapsed on a street near Shea Stadium after a game Wednesday night, according to a newspaper report.

Brazil vs. Germany -- finally
YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) -- What a time and place for the first World Cup meeting between Brazil and Germany -- in the final, for the trophy, with all the world watching.

Morrison is Wimbleldon's top underdog
WIMBLEDON, England -- The crisp grass of Wimbledon's Centre Court isn't exactly like the West Virginia sewage pipe yard where Jeff Morrison spent his childhood summers. Then again, there's not much at the All England club that one can find in West Virginia, starting with elite tennis players.

Sampras, Agassi heading home
WIMBLEDON, England -- Who knew what was about to happen on a picture-perfect English day?

Eaks' magic number is 64
OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- You've never heard of R.W. Eaks. Some golfers are famous. He's not even a rumor. But he shot 64 in the first round of the U.S. Senior Open on Thursday. And that ties the record for lowest number.

Leo W. Thielen
LITTLE FALLS -- Leo W. Thielen, 79, Little Falls, died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls.

Delroy W. Verbeck
MOTLEY -- Delroy Wilbur Verbeck, 45, Motley, died Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at Greater Staples Care Center in Staples.

Loren E. Freeberg
McGREGOR -- Loren E. Freeberg, 72, McGregor, formerly of Glencoe, died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at Waconia Good Samaritan Nursing Home in Waconia.

Donald R. Heschke
EMILY -- Donald Richard Heschke, 66, Emily, died Tuesday, June 25, 2002, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.

Felix H. Spooner
BEMIDJI -- Felix Hollier Spooner, 71, Bemidji, died Monday, June 24, 2002, at home.

Leo W. Thielen
LITTLE FALLS -- Leo W. Thielen, 79, Little Falls, died Wednesday, June 26, 2002, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls.

Wanted: Your letters
The Dispatch encourages readers to sound off in the Open Forum.

We need the pledge now
Twenty-three words.

One nation under....
The following editorial appeared in Thursday's Washington Post:

Mansion murders
The murder of two women 25 years ago today at the historic Glensheen mansion on Lake Superior set into motion one of Minnesota's most fascinating crime stories and perhaps the most famous criminal trial conducted in Brainerd.

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

Open Forum
The higher-ups in this country have decided that the kids can't pray in school or now say the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of our great country, because it contains the words "Under God."

Open Forum
In support of "Fireworks & Fires" by Steve Masimore, June 13, 2002; history shows us that not only "kids," but also irresponsible adults are to blame for many forest fires. Hasn't anyone learned a lesson fr

Judges improved the pledge
Two words.

55th anniversary
Willis and Lois Haugene, Brainerd, will celebrate their 55th wedding anniversary with their family today. They were married June 28, 1947, in Brainerd.

Singleterry recalls brush with death
BIR President Bill Singleterry's first visit to Brainerd International Raceway was almost his last.

Cycle engine builder also gets to be a racer
Shane Clarke has the best of both worlds.

Some motocross racers to shift gears this week
There will be a change of pace for some motocross racers competing in this week's KC Race Promotions race at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds Friday.

Tim Penny takes Ventura's advice: He'll run for governor
WASECA (AP) -- Former congressman Tim Penny said Thursday he is leaving the Democratic Party to run for governor on the Independence Party ticket, a move encouraged by retiring Gov. Jesse Ventura.

Grand Rapids attorney to seek judgeship
GRAND RAPIDS -- Grand Rapids Attorney David Kuduk has announced he'll run for the Ninth Judicial District judgeship chambered in Itasca County.

CompuCredit Corp. agrees to purchase Fingerhut receivables
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- More than 800 Fingerhut employees in St. Cloud and Monticello will retain their jobs under an agreement announced Wednesday for the purchase of Fingerhut's receivables.

Poll: Coleman, Wellstone are still neck and neck
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A statewide poll shows support remains virtually equal for Senate candidates Paul Wellstone and Norm Coleman in one of the nation's more closely watched races.

Ventura bowing out is 'a good thing,' poll reveals
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Most Minnesotans think Gov. Jesse Ventura's decision to not seek a second term in office is a "good thing" for the state, according to a statewide poll released Thursday.

Pilot takes final flight
OWATONNA (AP) -- R.W. "Buzz" Kaplan saw his dreams while lying in the mud in Germany during World War II.

Applications taken by TCC for awards and scholarships
LONG PRAIRIE -- Tri-County Community Action Program is accepting applications for the Parent of the Year Award, Father of the Year Award, Beating the Odds Awards, the Ann Phipps Memorial Scholarship and the Phyllis Jones Memorial Scholarship.

Lastrup sweeps Braves
The Lastrup Lakers swept the Brainerd Braves 5-0 and 10-0 in Victory League play Wednesday.

Scoreboard
Northwoods League Baseball

Bees rout St. Joseph
Jake Francis was 3-for-3 with four RBI as the Brainerd Bees thrashed the St. Joseph Saints 13-3 Wednesday night in Lakewood League baseball action.

Alex holds off Gulls
ALEXANDRIA -- The Brainerd Mighty Gulls came up just short of their second consecutive come-from-behind win as they fell to the Alexandria Beetles 2-1 Wednesday night.

Local sports shorts
Bill Baker of Brainerd and Chip Lohmiller of Pequot Lakes will be among nine others inducted to the University of Minnesota Hall of Fame on Sept. 13.

Ironton defeats Crosslake
Ironton pitcher Nick Douvris picked up the victory with a complete game, allowing just four singles over seven innings. He stuckout five while walking two.

Scoreboard
Hockey

Weinke mixes vacation with signing autographs and making kids smile
As a child growing up in St. Paul, Chris Weinke dreamed of becoming a professional athlete, but he was realistic about his expectations. How many people actually make it to that level?

Walls' love for hockey remembered
Elmer Walls, who died Monday after a battle with cancer, was known as one of the area's top hockey enthusiasts.

Brainerd derails Honkers
ROCHESTER -- The Brainerd Mighty Gulls got back on the winning track as they took the first game of the two-game series by downing the Rochester Honkers 6-3 Thursday night in Northwoods League baseball action.

Timberwolves take Michigan State's Taylor
MINNEAPOLIS -- Marcus Taylor has no regrets about leaving school early. The Minnesota Timberwolves had him rated higher than where they picked him. And both parties believe it'll be a great fit.

Chisox narrow Twins' lead Twins, White Sox have 15 more games to figure out who's best
MINNEAPOLIS -- This Twins-White Sox matchup is turning into quite the rivalry -- especially now that Chicago is actually winning a few.

Gardenhire leaves Twins after father's death
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Clyde Gardenhire, father of Minnesota Twins manager Ron Gardenhire, died Wednesday afternoon.

Twins build lead to 7
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The ball looked different to Bobby Kielty.

Magazine cites Grand Casino Mille Lacs
ONAMIA -- Readers of Midwest Gaming & Travel magazine have selected The Woodlands Steakhouse at Grand Casino Mille Lacs as the "Best Fine Dining Restaurant" at a Minnesota casino and the Grand Advantage Players Club at Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley as the "Best Players Club" in Minnesota.

Best bets
Summer festivals are under way.

Arts, crafts festival set July 5 and 6 at Nisswa church
NISSWA -- The 13th annual North Star Arts & Crafts Festival on July 5 and 6 will bring 80 crafters and artists to Lutheran Church of the Cross in Nisswa.

'Minority Report,' 'Lilo & Stitch' hit box-office photo finish
LOS ANGELES -- Tom Cruise and Steven Spielberg wound up in a dead heat with a cartoon kid and her goofy alien pal.

Cities across state celebrating Fourth of July
This is the Explore Minnesota events report from The Minnesota Office of Tourism.

Entertainment Guide
Live music

Former Brainerd man to host watercolor art show in Crosslake
Raleigh Kinney, Arizona, formerly of Brainerd, will host a watercolor show and sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Moonlite Bay in Crosslake.

Steppenwolf with John Kay to rock on July 4th
More than a dozen events to celebrate Independence Day will be spread throughout Brainerd and Baxter beginning Friday.

Life-size rescue dog statues to be placed at police and fire stations in Manhattan
NEW YORK (AP) -- Hundreds of life-size rescue dog statues -- painted by local artists and celebrities -- will appear in front of police stations, firehouses and elsewhere in Manhattan this summer.

Moondance Jam souvenirs, tickets to be given away at pre-party event
Silent Partner will perform starting at 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Iron Rail Saloon in downtown Brainerd, with Saturday's performance billed as a Moondance Pre-Jam Party where Moondance Jam souvenirs and tickets will be given away.

Nisswa Freedom Fest dance to feature two bands
NISSWA -- The Nisswa Volunteer Fire Department will host a street dance with two bands July 6 at the Nisswa Fire Hall as a mid-summer fund-raiser.

Woman of Iron
When Lauren Nickisch needed a script idea for her master's thesis in the performing arts a decade ago, she turned to the defining tale of her family's past.

Lakes Area Artists sale, exhibit on tap in Breezy Point
BREEZY POINT -- The Lakes Area Artists will hold their seventh annual Fine Arts Sale and Exhibition from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. today through Saturday at Breezy Point City Hall, just north of the Breezy Point gates on County Road 11.

Grand Rapids Players to introduce Readers Theater, an ongoing series of staged readings
GRAND RAPIDS -- Starting July 18, the Grand Rapids Players will host an ongoing series of staged readings at the MacRostie Art Center.

Beetle Bailey enters information age with computer geek character
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Comic creator Mort Walker knew he was on to something when he brought a computer technician into Beetle Bailey's world and asked fans for their input.

Area Fourth of July roundup
Aitkin's Fourth of July Neighborhood Party sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce will begin at 6:30 p.m. July 4 at Aitkin City Park next to Rippleside Elementary School.

Contact
To submit items for publication in Tempo, contact Tempo Correspondent Terry Mikelson by:

State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Sunny. Highs from the upper 80s to mid 90s.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today....Mostly sunny and hot. Isolated thunderstorms in the black hills. Highs in the lower to mid 90s east...And 95 to 105 in the central and west.

Minnesota state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs in the 80s.

Time for picnics
Weather drawing by Jessica Williams of Mrs. Lykins kindergarten class at Nisswa school.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the 80s to around 90. Cooler near lake michigan and superior.

State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Sunny and hot. Highs 92 to 99.

Iowa state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the 80s.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s. Cooler near the great lakes.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Mostly sunny. Isolated afternoon thunderstorms black hills. Highs in the 90s.

Iowa state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s to mid 90s.

Minnesota state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 80s to the lower 90s.

I love fishing
Weather drawing by Luke Surma of Mrs. Brenny's third grade class at Baxter school.

What's doing
Clifford Boeder will celebrate his 85th birthday Sunday from 2-7 p.m. Sunday at his daughter, Wanda Pulak's home, 5 miles west of Brainerd on Hwy. 210, 1339 Hwy. 210 SW. Watch for signs.

Senior activities
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER

Chinese officials reject U.N. report warning of 'explosive' AIDS epidemic
BEIJING (AP) -- Health officials on Friday rejected a United Nations report criticizing the government for not doing enough to steer China away from an AIDS epidemic.

U.S. troops scour rugged mountains in search for bin Laden, al-Qaida fugitives
KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) -- About 100 U.S. soldiers, accompanied by 50 Afghan fighters, are scouring the rugged mountains in an area where a former Taliban official says Osama bin Laden maintained several hide-outs.

Afghan ammo dump blast blamed on rocket attack; death toll rising
SPINBOLDAK, Afghanistan (AP) -- The death toll from a series of explosions at an ammunition dump near the Pakistani border rose to 19 Friday, and a local Afghan commander said the blasts were caused by a rocket attack.

U.S. military plane crashes, pilot killed
PARIS (AP) -- A U.S. Air Force A10 on a training mission crashed Thursday in a forest in eastern France, killing the pilot, the Air Force said.

Philippine president says major battle under way
MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- A major battle was under way Friday against the al-Qaida-linked Abu Sayyaf group in the southern Philippines, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said.

Israeli forces urge holed-up Palestinians to surrender on third day of standoff
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel's army called on Palestinians holed up under fire for a third day in the Palestinian Authority's fortress-like Hebron headquarters to surrender Thursday, warning it will overrun the battered complex if those inside refuse to come out.

Palestinian mediator enters besieged Palestinian Authority building -- finds no one
HEBRON, West Bank -- A former Palestinian Cabinet minister entered the besieged Palestinian Authority headquarters in the West Bank on Friday to negotiate the surrender of 15 wanted men after a four-day standoff but said he could not find anyone inside.

G-8 approves aid package for Africa
CALGARY, Alberta -- The world's seven leading industrial democracies and Russia agreed Thursday to a "new deal" to help lift African countries out of poverty, but sidestepped appeals to firmly commit at least half of pledged increases in foreign aid to pay for it.

OPEC extends oil output quota for additional three months
VIENNA, Austria (AP) -- OPEC extended its quota for oil production by an additional three months and said it would meet again in September to determine if an increase in output is warranted then.