Friday, July 12, 2002
Keeping the faith
Showing strong faith in an improving U.S. economy and a new-car market that can sustain annual sales of 16 million to 17 million units, American Honda Motor Co. Inc. said Tuesday it will spend nearly half a billion dollars over the next 30 months to boost North American production by 180,000 vehicles, a 15 percent jump.
Nissan Frontier: Compact but brawny
If there's a way to make a pickup truck compactly sized but still brawny, Nissan Motor Co. is bound to come up with it.
Four-wheelers to be put to the test Sunday
ATV enthusiasts will have a place to put their four-wheelers to the test on Sunday.
Ex- WorldCom CEO allegedly knew millions were being shifted
WASHINGTON -- Former WorldCom Inc. CEO Bernard Ebbers knew that hundreds of millions of dollars were shifted as part of nearly $4 billion in accounting irregularities, a House investigative panel was told.
Hastert favors Senate corporate fraud measures
WASHINGTON -- The leader of the GOP-controlled House has expressed approval of measures adopted by the Democratic-led Senate to create stiff penalties for corporate fraud.
Market mystery
WASHINGTON -- It is a stock market whodunit that has withstood a decade of scrutiny. Who bought George W. Bush's problem-plagued oil company stock just before its value dropped?
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Wednesday.
Perot denies trying to take advantage of California
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Billionaire Texan H. Ross Perot defended his company Thursday against charges that it tried to profit from inside knowledge of California's electricity market.
Stocks slide to five-year low as despair deepens
NEW YORK -- If investors haven't thrown in the proverbial towel yet, they might be getting close.
Clergy view
What does it mean to be free? Having just celebrated Independence Day, we remember the freedoms we have as Americans. We can do with our lives what we choose (as long as it doesn't infringe on the "freedoms" of others). For the first Americans, freedom meant they were no longer under the oppression of a heavy handed foreign government.
Religious groups may operate Tulsa recreation centers
TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- Religious organizations could be operating four of Tulsa's municipal recreation centers by the end of the summer.
Book store serving Christians in a new location
BAXTER -- Tim Gehrls describes his involvement with Bethany Book Store as a blessing.
Minister blinded in attack says he had to forgive teenager who nearly killed him
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Rev. Johannes Christian is writing a book about forgiveness -- it's a topic that he's familiar with.
Bishops face challenges implementing tough policy
A month after their historic meeting on sex abuse, some of America's Roman Catholic bishops have been struggling to implement their sweeping new policy to keep priests who molest children away from parishioners.
Insurance worries Catholic church as premiums jump
In 1990, the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the Diocese of Winona, Minn., were hit with a civil judgment of more than $1 million stemming from the sexual abuse of a minor by a priest in the 1970s.
Church news
St. Paul's Episcopal Church will have a rummage sale from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 408 N. 7th. St. Look for household goods, sporting goods, collectibles, craft and building supplies.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle estimate: 450. Last Wednesday: 125. Year ago Wednesday: 518. Tuesday actual: 808.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Thursday cattle estimate: 550. Last Thursday: Holiday. Year ago Thursday: 389. Wednesday actual: 679.
BLUEBERRY PANCAKES ARE TASTY
Fresh blueberries are the bet-especially served in my sister Judy's recipe for Blueberry Pancakes topped with fresh blueberry sauce. My sister served the pancakes for a large crowd over the weekend along with scrambled eggs and slices of juicy baked ham. What an awesome breakfast we all ohh and awed over.
Enhanced waters all wet
These days bottled water isn't just simple H2O. Store shelves and vending machines are filling with so-called "fitness waters," which may come packed with vitamins, minerals and herbals. Others contain soluble fiber, fruit essence, caffeine and, thanks to modern science, an extra dose of oxygen.
Blueberries star in homemade summer desserts
Blueberries in summer are a favorite pleasure. Eat them simply, uncooked, with a touch of cream; or give them a role in one of the two following quickly made presentations, a shortcake and a frosty drink.
Accidents
BAXTER -- One person was injured in a single-vehicle accident Thursday on Fairview Road in Baxter, off of Highway 210 east of Inglewood Drive.
Accidents
LITTLE FALLS -- One person was injured Wednesday in a single-vehicle rollover accident on Highway 10, just south of Little Falls.
Fires
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to what turned out to be a false alarm Wednesday at the Salvation Army Store in Brainerd, 611 Norwood St.
Moe files
DFLer Roger Moe beat his chief rivals to the ballot Wednesday, becoming the first major gubernatorial candidate to file for office.
Two GOP lawmakers file
Two Republican House legislators, Rep. Greg Blaine, R-Little Falls, and Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, have filed for re-election. Blaine represents District 12B and Howes represents District 4B. Both previously announced they would seek re-election.
Senate adopts corporate fraud penalties
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Stiff new penalties for corporate fraud and document shredding have been adopted by a unified Senate insistent on adding enforcement teeth to President Bush's plan to stem a wave of accounting scandals.
Gubernatorial hopeful puts stress on conservation
Leslie Davis, a Minneapolis environmental activist for 20 years, sees improved and efficient energy use and conservation as one of the cornerstones of his campaign to be the Republican candidate for governor this fall.
Jax pulls out of race
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Education commissioner Christine Jax said Thursday she is withdrawing as an Independence Party candidate for governor.
Analysis
WASHINGTON -- While President Bush was delivering his long-awaited speech on corporate governance Tuesday, Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Harvey Pitt was exactly where many Bush aides wanted him to be: On a week-long beach vacation.
Bush took oil firm's loans as director
WASHINGTON -- As a Texas businessman, President Bush took two low-interest loans from an oil company where he was a member of the board of directors, engaging in a practice he condemned this week in his plan to stem corporate abuse and accounting fraud.
Better times for American children
WASHINGTON -- Life is improving for American children, at least a little bit.
Experts say short-term estrogen still valuable treatment for many with menopause symptoms
BOSTON -- Despite worrisome new findings about long-term use of hormone pills, a year or two on estrogen may still make sense for millions of women hoping to ease hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause.
Study says common knee surgery done on elderly may not be worth it
In a surprising finding about a popular knee surgery performed on senior citizens, a study has determined that the procedure is potentially harmful and does nothing to improve patients' weak knees.
Rich, poor health gap roils AIDS conference
BARCELONA, Spain -- For the United States and other wealthy countries, the worst of the AIDS pandemic may be over, thanks to new powerful drugs.
Study shows drug to treat depression may fight obesity
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- A drug used to quit smoking and treat depression helps obese people lose weight and keep it off, researchers report.
Seaworthy tableware
A wave of dinnerware designed for the U.S. Navy is about to flood the market.
Eating what you sow
For most of us, fruits and vegetables come from supermarkets. For Rosalind Creasy and a devoted band of followers in Los Angeles, the produce department starts at the sidewalk. Sorrel, tomatoes, peppers, savory and artichokes overlook the front of Creasy's ranch house. Proceeding up the walk to her front door is like entering an oddly flowery green grocery, redolent of damp earth and roses. On either side of the walk, interspersed with lobelia and roses, abutilons and fuchsia, there are caraway plants, Yukon gold potatoes, escarole lettuce, blueberries, loganberries, eggplant.
Creating a kitchen garden
Before you cut down the juniper bushes and rip out the oleanders, remember: First work around them. Start small with a discreet corner of lawn. If it doesn't look quite like kitchen gardens do in the magazines, you will not be the sudden blight on the landscape.
'Brick effect' gives design presence
Carports are making a comeback, especially the type of carport you see on Design K-26. Here, a carport effectively camouflages the yawning maw of a detached garage. A carport also provides protected outdoor space for informal parties (as long as you don't mind a few oil drips). And, this carport is carefully sited next to the house, so it shortens the walk between car and the kitchen, especially compared to schlepping in from the detached garage.
Q & A
Q. I have casement windows that used to have blinds between the two panes of glass. The previous owner removed the blinds. The windows sweat terribly. Must I replace the windows or is there some type of repair? They sweat winter and summer. I need a permanent repair not a temporary fix. Thanks.
Get a grip on the cost and quality of work from handymen
Suppose you have a leaky gutter or need a new light fixture installed.
Housing briefs
NISSWA -- Tina Anderson was named top real estate agent of the second quarter of 2002 at Positive North GMAC Real Estate in Nisswa.
Pest patrol
As any Master Gardener will tell you, the first step in treating a plant for pests or diseases is to identify the culprit.
'I love the garden club'
NISSWA -- When Angela Carson went to her first garden show she had never planted anything.
Good melons from the back yard
If you scurry this weekend to sow melon seeds, the chances are good that you will harvest this sweetest confection by mid-October.
Gardeners are invited to enter exhibits
Gardeners do not have to be Nisswa Garden Club members to take part in the annual flower and garden show on July 31 in Nisswa.
A look at garage-door openers
An automatic garage-door opener will enhance the comfort and safety of your home --
Book takes a close look at city living
NEW YORK (AP) -- A five-room apartment in an urban high-rise: kitchen, living room, dining room and two bedrooms. It's new. It has a view. But like a suburban tract house, it has no character.
Seminars help show the way
If the green thumb is beginning to itch, seminars at the Nisswa Garden Club show may help provide fresh inspiration.
This was Brainerd
JULY 11 - 60 years ago (1942) - A severe rain and wind storm that swept over Brainerd and the Gull and Mille Lacs Lake regions brought an inch of precipitation while trees were blown down and branches broken over most of the area.
This was Brainerd
JULY 12 - 80 years ago (1922) - Louis Hohman has on view in the window of his store on Sixth Street a coconut in the natural state in which it grows on a tree. It was sent to Mrs. G. Wilcox from Palm Beach.
Jammin' it up at Moondance
Meat Loaf and Friends lead singer Meat Loaf gave it his all in one of his early songs during his concert at Moondance Jam 11 near Walker Thursday.
Heavy rains cause mess on Mille Lacs
Heavy rains this week caused havoc on Lake Mille Lacs.
PUC to meet Tuesday
A special meeting of the Brainerd Public Utilities Commission will be 9 a.m. Tuesday in the board room at 1151 Highland Scenic Drive.
COMING FRIDAY
Want to add value to home with landscaping or pursue garden hobby? Look for a source in July in Friday's Housing section.
Lakes area newcomer files for board
Stephen Park of Nisswa filed Wednesday for the District 2 Crow Wing County Board seat. He'll challenge incumbent Ed Larsen, who announced and filed earlier.
Heavy rains temporarily halt donations
Heavy rains in the area have damaged goods at the new Brainerd Lakes Salvation Army Red Shield store near downtown Brainerd, prompting a temporary shutdown in donations.
Camp helps Koreans embrace culture
BAXTER -- There was a time as a teen-ager when Ted Thaden didn't like being Korean.
Brainerd foundation announces grant deadline
The Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation announced Aug. 1 as a deadline for grant applications.
Loon check
How is the loon population doing? The featured story in North Country Sunday sheds light on that quest ion.
Superstore pros and cons debated
The superstore debate in Brainerd was given a forum Wednesday at Central Lakes College.
Crow Wing Township wants temporary road to be permanent, but MnDOT doesn't
Crow Wing Township is hoping the temporary road being used to shuttle Business Highway 371 traffic around the Highway 371 interchange construction will be part of the township's future road system.
Local briefs
The Crow Wing County Historical Society will host a picnic at Crow Wing State Park, just south of Brainerd, Tuesday.
Senior activities
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER
Washington briefs
WASHINGTON -- The House Wednesday overwhelmingly passed a bill that would allow airline pilots to carry guns in their cockpits, as some members said the federal government has not done enough to improve airport security since the Sept. 11 hijackings.
Names and faces
LONDON (AP) -- George Michael says he's nervous to return to his home in the United States because of the criticism he's received for his new song and video, "Shoot the Dog."
Ex-Gallaudet student gets life for two murders
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A former Gallaudet University student convicted of murdering two classmates was sentenced Wednesday to six life terms in prison with no possibility of parole.
Heat wave in West strains energy supplies, increases wildfire risk
REDDING, Calif. -- With temperatures climbing to 112 degrees, some say there's really only one recipe for beating the heat: good old-fashioned ice cream.
White House sees federal deficit of $165 billion this year, then improving
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The White House is projecting that this year's federal deficit will hit $165 billion, then gradually improve until a balanced budget reappears in 2005, Bush administration officials said Friday.
Bush pushes GOP plan for seniors drug coverage
MINNEAPOLIS -- President Bush on Thursday pressed Congress to quickly approve a Republican plan to provide limited coverage of prescription drug costs for older Americans, as the Senate prepares to debate next week an expansion of Medicare to help patients pay for such drugs.
Names and faces
NEW YORK (AP) -- Her attorney called it "a spectacular win." He said he felt "a great sense of relief."
Washington briefs
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A Democratic-led Senate committee approved a measure to get more generic drugs on the market, aided by Republicans mindful of an issue expected to figure prominently in this fall's elections.
Al-Qaida in U.S.?
WASHINGTON -- American citizens may be among those serving as behind-the-scenes advisers to al-Qaida cells operating in the United States, law enforcement officials say.
Allegations of police brutality surfacing
INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) -- A grand jury is investigating a violent arrest in which a white police officer was videotaped slamming a black teenager onto a car and punching him, a prosecutor said.
Judge rules material witnesses can be held by government in Sept. 11 probe without charges
NEW YORK (AP) -- A federal judge on Thursday declared as constitutional the government's jailing of witnesses in the Sept. 11 investigation without bringing charges.
Ex-sheriff found guilty of ordering rival's murder
ALBANY, Ga. -- A former Georgia sheriff was convicted Wednesday of ordering the assassination of his political nemesis, a reform-minded lawman gunned down on his own driveway three days before he was to take office.
Remains of PT-109 found
They were beautiful, fast and glamorous -- a rare opportunity for a young reserve officer like John F. Kennedy to earn a coveted command-at-sea. But should a PT boat ever be caught with idling engines in the path of a Japanese warship, the outcome was quick and final.
Baby sitter charged with killing toddler for soiling pants
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- A baby sitter has been charged with first-degree murder for allegedly beating a 2-year-old boy to death because he soiled his pants.
Selig strikes out again
MILWAUKEE -- There should be a sign here outside Miller Park that reads: "Game called on account of incompetence and indifference."
Some fans want to swing boycott bat
A baseball strike is on.
Don't blame Bud this time
As easy as it is to blame Bud Selig for baseball's latest fiasco, this one wasn't his fault.
Transactions
BASEBALL
BUDGATE Selig on rainless All-Star tie: 'Will never happen again'
MILWAUKEE -- Commissioner Bud Selig, the one clear loser in a game that had no winner, followed a sleepless night with a vow to avoid any more ties in the All-Star Game. "This," he said of his vigorously criticized decision to halt the game after 11 innings Tuesday night, "will never happen again."
Tigers, Devil Rays deny payroll woes
Baseball officials backpedaled a day after Commissioner Bud Selig claimed two teams face imminent cash-flow crises, saying Thursday every club would make its upcoming payroll, though some might have problems later this season.
Indians fire Manuel after first-half flop
CLEVELAND (AP) -- A chaotic season for the Cleveland Indians took another crazy turn.
Donald H. Johnson
HACKENSACK -- Donald H. Johnson, 84, Hackensack, died Wednesday, July 10, 2002, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Jeanne Cluever
Jeanne Cluever, 73, Brainerd, died today, July 12, 2002, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Herbert J. Lewis
NISSWA -- Herbert J. Lewis, 74, Nisswa, died Wednesday, July 10, 2002, at home.
Della J. Lien
PINE RIVER -- Della J. Lien, 91, Pine River, died Wednesday, July 10, 2002, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Village in Pine River.
Douglas W. Johnson
BAY LAKE -- Douglas W. Johnson, 84, summer resident of Bay Lake, died Friday, June 28, 2002, at home.
Herbert 'Erle' Johnson
AITKIN -- Herbert "Erle" Johnson, 84, Aitkin, died Wednesday, July 10, 2002, at the Cloquet Nursing Home.
Ada M. Berg
PALISADE -- Ada Marie Berg, 76, Palisade, died Tuesday, July 9, 2002, at the Cambridge Health Care Center.
Herbert J. Lewis
NISSWA -- Herbert J. Lewis, 74, Nisswa, died Wednesday, July 10, 2002, at home.
Irene Meyer
ROYALTON -- Irene Meyer, 88, Royalton, died Wednesday, July 10, 2002, at Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Sauk Rapids.
What's a woman to do?
The federal government has shocked millions of women by announcing that it's halting a study of hormone replacement therapy for middle-aged women, after concluding that the therapy does more harm than good.
Open Forum
I was saddened to read about the action that put bullet holes in Brainerd's Planned Parenthood office last week. I condemn such activity because it only plays into the hands of "pro-choice" advocates who now try to equate such activity with the terrorism going on in Israel and what happened 9/11. True pro-lifers are against the taking of a life -- any life -- to protect the lives of the unborn. We should not fight the terrorism that is abortion with guns or bombs...we must fight abortion terrorism with the truth about its procedures and providers.
Target the criminal 'upperworld'
With all the hand-wringing about the cesspool that is Wall Street, a new arrival to the planet might assume that large-scale corporate corruption is something new. But not only is institutional fraud and wanton lawlessness as old as civilization, a case can be made that it is as American as apple pie.
Troubled artist - Dispatch Editorial
While many are dismayed by the curious postscript to the life of baseball great Ted Williams, with his children arguing over whether to freeze or cremate his body, it's really just another dustup in the swirl of controversy that marred his career.
Budget pinch shakes up picture for governor's races
WASHINGTON -- Governors' races across the country are feeling the effects of an economic pinch that has made life far more difficult for incumbents and their parties.
OTHER OPINIONS - Judicial elections
Golden Valley attorney Greg Wersal won a big victory in his six-year attempt to undo Minnesota's judicial selection process.
A hot flash on the good life for women
This editorial appeared in today's Los Angeles Times:
Dispatch Editorial Board
Editorial views in The Brainerd Dispatch represent a consensus of opinion by members of the newspaper's editorial board.
Open Forum
God bless this mess
Vox Pop
White drip mystery
race schedule
Date Race Winner
in the spotlight
Jimmy Spencer
this week
What: Tropicana 400
money leaders
1. Mark Martin $3,319,393
Success has Rudd in limbo
JOLIET, Ill. -- Elliott Sadler was supposed to be the first domino in a chain reaction of job changes. But even Sadler has to wait for Ricky Rudd to make the first move.
Racing for Recruits
JOLIET, Ill. -- The armed forces have surrounded stock car racing, and their assault has come by air, ground and sea.
points standings
1. Sterling Marlin 2,368
NASCAR's leader still a factor after cancer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Bill France has made it all the way back.
At garage sale, HHH mementoes on the block
ORONO (AP) -- From diehard Democrats to bargain scavengers, a garage sale Thursday at the home of Hubert H. Humphrey's youngest son brought out hundreds of people searching for a piece of Minnesota history.
Court rules in Internet free-speech case
ST. PAUL (AP) -- In a first-of-its-kind case in Minnesota, the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday the Internet shouldn't be treated differently than other mediums in out-of-state libel cases.
Judge shields baseball documents from public view
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The public won't get to look at internal baseball memos and financial documents collected during a lawsuit that spared the Minnesota Twins from elimination, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Ventura to stay in hospital at least through today
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Gov. Jesse Ventura did some paperwork in the hospital, where he was expected to stay through Thursday as he recovers from a blood clot in a lung.
Conversions and candidates spur optimism for IP convention
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The last time the Independence Party held a nominating convention, the only requirement to be a delegate was to show up at the auditorium doors.
Airport screeners fired for missing forbidden items
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Four screeners of passengers and carry-on bags at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport were fired after they failed to detect forbidden items in tests by federal inspectors.
Abbey says lawsuit filed too late
COLLEGEVILLE (AP) -- St. John's Abbey claims the statute of limitations prohibits a lawsuit alleging abuse by two of its priests 15 years ago from going forward, according to a recent court filing.
Bush to Ventura: Get well
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Gov. Jesse Ventura, still recovering in a hospital Thursday, received a call from President Bush wishing him a speedy recovery.
Court clarifies who gets public defenders
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Minnesota Supreme Court ruled that public defenders are only for the poor and reversed a Rice County judge's decision to appoint a free lawyer for a man with $350,000 in assets.
Corps restricts boaters in Minneapolis
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The St. Paul district of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers closed its Twin Cities locks and dams to recreational boaters on Friday because of extremely hazardous, fast-flowing currents on the Mississippi River.
Six Mighty Gulls on all-star team
The first-half champion Brainerd Mighty Gulls of the North Division of the Northwoods had six players voted to the 2002 midseason All-Star Team.
Coaching is more than X's and O's
Many high school coaches who resign cite the fact they want to "spend more time with their family" as their official reason for departing.
GOODMAN'S 1-HITTER STOPS RIVER BATS
ST. CLOUD -- Chris Goodman fired a one-hitter to lead the Brainerd Mighty Gulls to a 3-0 victory over the St. Cloud River Bats in the second game of a Northwoods League doubleheader Thursday at Putz Field.
Race for the Cure results
CLASS PLACE PLACE FINISHER TIME
Schadow, Wiebusch pace Race for the Cure in Brainerd
Matt Schadow of Plymouth and Cindi Wiebusch of Buffalo were the top male and female finishers at the Race for the Cure July 6 in Brainerd.
Scoreboard
Northwoods League Baseball
Scoreboard
Northwoods League Baseball
Roscoe Fawcett added the Splendid Splinter to the list of celebrities he met
The caller asked, "Do you write for the Brainerd paper?"
Local sports shorts
The Baxter Dondelinger 15-under baseball traveling team defeated Aitkin 10-0 and Crosby 10-0 in the Crosby tournament July 8.
Gulls get used to same thing over and over
MANKATO -- The glitz and glamour of playing baseball every day in a collegiate wood bat league is not all it's cracked up to be.
Mertens, Weiss team up as Brainerd Legion stops Little Falls 3-1
Brainerd Legion pitcher Kevin Mertens shut down Little Falls for four innings, giving up only three hits and one run while striking out five and walking one, to lead Brainerd to a 3-1 victory Thursday.
Crosslake nips Aitkin in extra innings
CROSSLAKE -- The Aitkin American Legion baseball team was edged 4-3 by Crosslake in eight innings Tuesday.
To think it was only batting practice
MANKATO -- It was like the Make-A-Wish Foundation for a slightly overweight, 29-year-old ex-jock.
Stopped by rain Mighty Gulls to play doubleheader
The Brainerd Mighty Gulls game at St. Cloud Wednesday was postponed because of rain.
Twins open second half on winning note
MINNEAPOLIS -- Corey Koskie isn't the first guy people notice in the Minnesota Twins' lineup. Still, he's undoubtedly an important part of it.
'Must Love Dogs' has more 'giggles than soda bread has raisins'
Formerly married folks in their 40s who try to get back into the dating game soon discover it's a jungle out there.
Movie capsule: 'Road to Perdition'
Road to Perdition" -- Easily the best movie of the year so far, and an early front-runner for Oscar nominations. Director Sam Mendes' first film since his 1999 best-
Let's rock
For fans of classic rock and roll, this is the weekend to jam, as in Moondance Jam in rural Walker. Blondie, Meatloaf, Journey and many others will perform at the outdoor music festival through Saturday. Tickets are $80 per day. Consult www.moondancejam.com for information.
Entertainment guide
Live music
Storyteller Mietzner to speak at library
Milo Mietzner, storyteller, naturalist and author, will speak at the Brainerd Public Library at noon Monday as part of the "Brown Bag Lunch" summer speakers' series.
Video documentary to capture history of Brainerd lakes area
An area video production company has teamed up with the Crow Wing County Historical Society to create a two-hour documentary on the lakes area's long and varied history.
Tempo tidbits
Clarence "Butch" Larson of Fergus Falls has recently released the third printing of his book "A Long March Home," a personal account of the Bataan Death March and his years in a Japanese slave labor camp during World War II.
There's no place like home
My passport is precious to me, from the mug shot on the first page to the Egyptian visa stamped on the last. It places me in Morocco in 1996, Hong Kong in 1998, New Zealand in 2000 and the Seychelles in 2001. Some years ago I had to send it back to the passport agency to have more pages added so I could continue to travel and keep my job.
Rebecca Kummer displays "Faces"
Great River Arts Association presents an exhibit entitled "Faces" by Princeton artist Rebecca Kummer. This exhibit is on display now through the month of August at the Family Medical Center Gallery in Little Falls.
George Maurer Trio to perform in Little Falls
The Great River Arts Association, with support from the Little Falls Exchange Club and Bookin' It Bookstore, will present the jazz sounds of The George Maurer Trio at Maple Island Park near downtown Little Falls. The group will perform 4 p.m. July 21 as part of the ongoing Concerts in the Park series.
Show preparation
Jerry Atwater prepared a turn-of-the-century building for a brick finish in preparation for the Rhythm of the Rails summer outdoor vaudeville style show, which begins tonight and runs Thursdays through Saturdays in July at 8 p.m. at 307 Front St.
YMCA summer cruise planned
The Brainerd Family YMCA will host a Summer Charity Cruise on The Knotty Bear Aug. 9.
A splash of color
BEMIDJI -- To artist Jane Freeman, beauty resides in the infinite details of nature's bounty.
Boom
Weather drawing by McKenzie Sell of Sharon Jendro's first grade class at Lowell school.
Mississippi rising toward flood stage
Residents living in the headwaters of the Mississippi River should prepare for rising water caused by several days of heavy rains, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs from the upper 70s to the lower 80s. Cooler near lake michigan.
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy this morning...Then becoming partly sunny this afternoon north. Mostly cloudy south. Isolated showers west this morning. Highs in the 70s. Cooler near lake michigan.
Cool air settles into northeast; heat wave grips West
Cool air and sunny skies moved into the northeast Thursday, as a heat wave continued to grip the West.
Iowa state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny north and northeast. Scattered showers or thunderstorms south...Mainly this morning. Highs in the mid 70s to low 80s.
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs 85 to 95 north and west...To around 80 southeast.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Patchy dense fog early this morning east...Otherwise mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 70s to lower 80s.
State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs 85 to 95.
Minnesota state forecast
Flood watch this morning southeast...
Happy summer
Weather drawing by Cassandra McMillion of Mrs. Ahlers' third grade class at Lincoln school.
Heat wave scorches West
Scorching heat is testing California's power reserves and raising concerns about more wildfires in the already-dry West.
The Weather Elsewhere
Friday
Heat wave continues to grip West; scattered showers in South and Central United States
Record heat was reported in the West as scattered showers covered parts of the South and Central United States.
State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Highs 75 to 85.
Iowa state forecast
A flood watch is in effect this morning for small part of northeast iowa...
El Nino is back, experts report
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The El Nino weather phenomenon, which caused damage worldwide in 1997-98, has returned, government climate experts said Thursday.
What's doing
There will be an open house for Blake Turner beginning at 1 p.m. July 20 at his home in Deerwood.
Venezuela's largest labor group may try to oust Chavez
CARACAS, Venezuela -- Basking in the success of a massive opposition march, Venezuela's largest labor group threatened to call a general strike to oust President Hugo Chavez.
Milan anti-terrorism police arrest eight suspected of aiding al-Qaida
MILAN, Italy -- Eight men were arrested for allegedly supplying fake passports and documents to members of Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network, Milan anti-terrorism police said Friday.
Foreign briefs
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- Turkey's respected foreign and economy ministers resigned Thursday, leaving the government of Prime Minister Bulent Ecevit little chance of survival and making early elections a near certainty.
Facing global opposition, U.S. backs off demand for permanent immunity for U.S. peacekeepers
UNITED NATIONS -- Facing worldwide opposition, the United States has retreated from its demand that American peacekeepers be permanently immune from the new war crimes tribunal. U.S. diplomats are instead proposing a yearlong ban on any investigation.
Turkey's ailing leader fighting tide
ISTANBUL, Turkey -- With Cabinet ministers resigning, his government split by disputes and the economy in crisis, things look bleak for Turkey's prime minister -- but Bulent Ecevit has seen worse in four decades in politics.
Sixteen injured as Mexican farmers clash with police
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Farmers protesting the construction of a new international airport near Mexico City clashed twice with authorities Thursday, leaving at least 16 people injured. Officials said seven police officers and court officials were taken hostage.
Afghan governors demand U.S, seek operations clearance, plan military force
AROQ, Afghanistan -- In a move that could complicate U.S. efforts to move freely about the southern part of Afghanistan, six governors will require the United States to seek permission before launching military operations in their region after a U.S airstrike this month reportedly killed 48 civilians.
U.S. special forces compound attacked in area near wedding party air strike
BAGRAM, Afghanistan -- A U.S. special forces compound came under grenade and small arms fire near the village where an American airstrike killed civilians at a wedding celebration, U.S. officials said Friday.
China to help repopulate Kabul zoo
BEIJING (AP) -- In a gesture of friendship to a war-ravaged nation, China is preparing a gift it hopes will help Afghanistan's capital move toward normal life: animals to repopulate Kabul's long-suffering zoo.
Report: Captured Palestinian leader to be expelled to Lebanon
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti would be expelled to Lebanon under a deal taking shape between Israel and the Hezbollah guerrillas, Israel Army Radio reported Friday.
Pentagon sees threat to Taiwan from Chinese buildup
WASHINGTON (AP) -- In a new assessment of China's military power, the Pentagon on Friday told Congress it sees a disturbing emphasis on modernization moves that threaten Taiwan, defense officials said.