Saturday, July 21, 2001

Retailers rev up campaigns to get people to spend their rebate checks
NEW YORK -- Retailers, particularly value-oriented stores, are counting on Uncle Sam for a consumer spending rebound.

Forget casual: Corporate America rolling its sleeves back down
NEW YORK -- On Wall Street and points west, much of corporate America is again buttoning the top button and leaving the khakis at home.

Business notes
Hunt Technologies of Breezy Point announced Friday an alliance with CES International to bring a new, integrated energy management solution to electric and water utility customers.

Thirsty lakes
MANISTEE, Mich. -- A year ago, David Solberg was in trouble. The water level at his marina near Lake Michigan had plummeted and was less than a foot deep in some places. Most of the 200 slips were unusable.

Online firm helps get home-builders into line with efficiency
As the Web-world flourishes, online companies are popping up everywhere, including Brainerd.

Business notes
ONAMIA.-- The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe's Grand Casino Mille Lacs and Grand Casino Hinckley have awarded a contract for full-scope advertising and branding services to Russell & Herder, an integrated communications firm serving national and international brands.

Debt management services can have pitfalls for consumer
Q: I'm thinking of using one of those debt management services to consolidate my debts into one payment. How much extra will that cost?

Fewer new funds to choose from in 2001 in keeping with market's downturn
NEW YORK -- The simple law of supply and demand can be seen at work in the mutual fund industry. Amid the economic slowdown, demand has shrunk, and so has supply.

Consumer a mushy foundation on which to build next economic skyscraper?
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Federal Reserve chairman covered the span of economic possibilities for Congress last week, providing hope to those who see the economy improving but giving ammunition to the pessimists as well.

Stocks dip Friday on profit warning from Microsoft
NEW YORK -- Technology stocks tumbled Friday on a profit warning from Microsoft, the latest sign that an economic turnaround remains a ways off. But investors were selective in their punishment, leaving the broader market basically intact.

Search for family history uncovers church
BELLE CREEK (AP) -- Sometimes a little digging is all it takes to find a treasure. For Orland Chandler, looking into his family tree resulted in exactly that.

Zion Lutheran Church confirmands
The Zion Lutheran Church of Brainerd confirmation class included Jackie Sellnow (front, left), Brandon Jabs, Brianna Jabs, Jeremy Anderson (middle, left), Cody Henson, Justin Bagwell, Jeanette Eller, Kaitlyn Manlick (back, left), Kiel Browne, Brandon Owen and the Rev. Paul Biegner.

Former bishop to speak in Crosslake
Herb Chilstrom, former E.L.C.A. bishop, will speak at 8:30 a.m. Sunday for the Crosslake Lutheran Church indoor service and 10 a.m. at the outdoor service.

Religious leaders urge people to pool tax rebates for charity
Over the next few weeks, most U.S. households will receive an "advance payment" check as part of the $1.35 trillion tax cut President Bush signed into law June 7. Generally, single taxpayers will get $300, couples will get $600.

Lutheran Church of the Cross confirmands
The Lutheran Church of the Cross, Nisswa, confirmation class included Gregory Strand (front, left), Katie Dutton, Calida Cogan, Abbie Bragstad, Emily Wangstad, Lauren Trapp, Megan Wagner, Brian Montgomery, James Caughey (middle, left), Erick Anderson, Nicole Phillips, Jessica Baker, Christina Roberts, Emily Dunphy, Amanda Speed, Pastor Kurt Wied (back, left), Brett Nelson, Andrew Kraft, Dan Gauerke, Erik Macy, Peter Quisberg, Nate Nordby and Pastor Christian Meier.

Church involvement sought in Spirit of Life anti-tobacco campaign
In some Minnesota counties 40 to 50 percent of teens smoke. Ninety percent of adult smokers had their first cigarette before age 18. Given current tobacco use, more than 5 million American children living today will die prematurely from smoking-related illnesses.

Charges filed against Washington bishop
LANHAM, Md. (AP) -- Leaders of a suburban Episcopal parish have filed charges in church court accusing acting Bishop Jane Holmes Dixon of Washington, D.C., of violating canon law by trying to block them from hiring a conservative priest.

Get information on Spirit of Life Project
For more information about the Spirit of Life Project, church representatives and individuals can contact Rick Bernardo, project co-organizer at:

We must have courage to face fears before finding comfort
My friend took a long, last draw from his cool, brewed beverage and slapped the glass down on the table. "I guess," he said, with an air of finality, "that religion is OK. At least for the people who get some comfort out of believing that stuff."

Methodists to try Evangelism from 'porch'
It's always a challenge for church leaders to draw "seekers" through their doors. So in the United Methodist Church staffers are talking about meeting them for a chat on the front porch.

Milwaukee archbishop sees side benefit in renovation struggle
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- The Roman Catholic archbishop of Milwaukee sees one benefit from a continuing struggle against his plan to renovate the downtown Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist.

Nuns stand up to Vatican on obedience issue
At Mount Saint Benedict Monastery, home to more than 120 Roman Catholic nuns on Lake Erie in Pennsylvania, Vatican orders normally aren't flouted.

Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod elects Texan as its president
ST. LOUIS -- The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod elected a new president Sunday at its annual convention who pledged to help unify the denomination and spread its message.

Book offers tips for weary parents
NEW YORK (AP) -- Most parents know that tired babies don't always fall asleep right away. Often, there is a period of major crankiness before the little one drifts to sleep.

Celebrate pregnancy
NEW YORK (AP) -- Expectant mothers spend a lot of time planning for the future.

Planning ahead can save you money at vacation time
NEW YORK -- The average American family expects to spend $3,155 on its summer vacation this year, according to a survey by consumer counseling group Myvesta.org.

Here's a trick to keep pets' food off floor
Dear Heloise: As pet owners, we always look for ways to improve our "caring" in exchange for "unconditional love"! We have two chows in their late teens and found it healthier for them to eat and drink from bowls off the floor.

Wife who was clinging vine has grown to rely on herself
DEAR ABBY: I have been married to "Buddy" for 20 years. During the past seven years, we went through some big problems. I used to plead with him to pay more attention to me, but he never felt I was important enough. It's taken me years, but I have finally learned to live my life to the fullest without him.

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Friday 256, a year ago 225.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Thursday cattle: 300.

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Thursday 370, a year ago 430.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Friday cattle: 400. Compared to Thursday, not enough slaughter steers, heifers, and Holstein steers for a test. Slaughter cows steady on light offerings. Slaughter bulls not tested. Near 350 feeders expected for the auction.

Agendas
Meets 5 p.m. Monday

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

Correction
Dusty Paul of Crosby did not stop his stock car racing at North Central Motor Speedway because it was too expensive as reported in the July 12 Dispatch.

Fires
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to two car fires Thursday, both fires in the same car.

Meeting notices
The Brainerd Transportation Committee will meet 2 p.m. Tuesday at city hall.

Accident
Two people were injured in a two-vehicle accident Wednesday at Washington and Northwest Fourth streets in Brainerd.

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

Stupples watched golf, then played
NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. (AP) -- Karen Stupples got ready for the second round of the LPGA Big Apple Classic by watching some golf. It wasn't a tape of herself or an instructional video. It was a tournament very dear to her -- the British Open.

Duval surges into contention at British Open
LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England (AP) -- David Duval flirted with both the lead and the course record Saturday before settling for a 6-under 65 that put him among the leaders in the British Open.

Open tightens at Royal Lytham
LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England (AP) -- Tiger Woods inched toward the lead with back-to-back birdies on par-5s Friday at the British Open, where crowds cheered wildly for every shot struck by Colin Montgomerie.

Tryon falters, while Quigley takes B.C. Open lead
ENDICOTT, N.Y. (AP) -- Ty Tryon proved that even promising teen-agers can have an average day on a golf course.

Dayton taps own money to pay liaison to Asian community
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Mark Dayton isn't just foregoing his Senate salary, he's actually losing money on the gig. The Minnesota Democrat is using his own money to pay the salary of a staffer who can't be paid with federal funds because she's not a U.S. citizen.

Clinton-era panel on AIDS policy will stay
WASHINGTON -- A task force created by President Bush and a panel from the Clinton era will work together on the new administration's AIDS agenda.

Ashcroft threatens to retaliate against other countries over criminal aliens
DENVER (AP) -- Attorney General John Ashcroft threatened on Thursday to retaliate against countries that delay or refuse to take back immigrants convicted of crimes in the United States.

Bush says protesters hurting the poor
GENOA, Italy -- President Bush, joining allies for a summit in this heavily barricaded city, said Friday that protesters threatening to disrupt the talks are hurting the cause of impoverished people around the world.

Government cuts funding after human research death
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Johns Hopkins University said the government's decision to suspend nearly all its federally funded experiments involving human subjects is "unwarranted" and could be devastating for ongoing clinical trials.

Senate Democrats in no hurry to follow House in passing religious charities legislation
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The 233-198 roll call Thursday by which the House passed legislation to expand the ability to of religious organizations to participate in federally funded social programs.

Study predicts global warming will be worse than expected
As President Bush and other U.S. officials air their differences this week with European allies over global warming, a study released Thursday concludes there's a high probability that Earth's average temperature will rise between 4 and 7 degrees Fahrenheit over the coming century.

Commission draft report predicts Social Security crisis; opponents say emergency is being manufactured
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A presidential commission's preliminary report says the future of Social Security is in crisis. Opponents dispute the findings and accuse the White House and the commission of trying to scare the public for political advantage.

Bush administration expresses reservations about Wellstone's homeless veterans bill
WASHINGTON -- A Bush administration official warned Thursday that legislation aimed at increasing services for homeless veterans could actually cause the Department of Veterans Affairs to decrease some services.

Congressman from Texas condemns patients' rights bill in radio address
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The patients' rights legislation favored by President Bush supports insurance companies at the expense of ordinary Americans, a Democratic congressman from Texas said Saturday, touting the benefits of a rival plan coming up for debate in the House.

Solve bizarre paint problems
Q. Jennifer asks: My husband and I recently bought a 100-year-old home. In the process of painting the plaster-walled library we're running into some bizarre paint problems. The walls were triple painted in a brush pattern w

SAVED FROM THE WRECKING BALL
"The Clough Town Hall, located in an isolated rural area of Morrison County, is significant architecturally for its unusual design. The design of the building, which likely came from a pattern book, has an interior plan much like other rural township halls built throughout the state. In contract, the building's exterior is styled to give a much more monumental and civic appearance than its single room plan and rural setting would warrant. The hall, placed in an attractive setting overlooking a small lake, is in a remarkably well-preserved state of condition."

The art of flower hammering: Pound leaves, petals on to paper or fabric
What would you get if you crossed Bob Vila with Martha Stewart?

Daylilies have much to offer
Atop their slender stems, tawny daylilies wave cheery greetings from the roadsides. There are also garden varieties of these pretty plants.

Study finds better way to snuff house fires
Fire departments have used solutions of water and foam for decades to help snuff out the trickiest and most dangerous infernos, from wind-whipped wildfires to chemically laced industrial blazes.

Add style with stenciling
With stencils and rubber stamps, it's easy to add your personal style to home decorating. It's fun and affordable to enrich your walls and furnishings with color and design.

Fences that make good neighbors
The image of a picket fence in front of a cozy little house is as American as the apple pie one imagines must be baking inside. The image of evenly spaced wood slats painted pristine

Too many weeds? Don't turn over soil every spring
Look at that weed-ridden garden. Something's to blame for that, and it's probably hiding in your tool shed right now.

Lawn order
Start a grass-roots effort to get your office or household organized with a new bulletin board. This Astro Turf-covered model has a fresh new look, and no mowing required. Daisy pushpins accessorize it.

Cass issued 721 zoning permits in first half of year
WALKER -- Cass County issued fewer zoning permits the first quarter this year than last year, but more the second quarter compared to last year.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1981) - After nearly two years of discussion and study, the Crow Wing County Board decided that the County Poor Farm, plus an additional 80-acre parcel of land adjacent to it, will be used as wildlife management area for a trial period of five years.

Ski Gull's gambling booth at Kelly's investigated
Ski Gull's charitable gambling booth at Kelly's is under investigation for possible fraud, Minnesota Alcohol and Gambling Enforcement director Frank Ball reported.

Back to school
Crosslake Community School teachers and board members are preparing for the school's second year and a move into a more visible location. Look for the story Monday.

'We either have to fix it or it'll fall down' -- John Holbrook, Lake Hubert resident
LAKE HUBERT -- The Lake Hubert Depot is the only open air railway station remaining in the United States today, built in 1918 by the Northern Pacific Railway just as the resort industry in the lakes area was experiencing significant growth, according to the Lake Hubert Conservation Association.

Faithful friends and family
After a harrowing stay in a hospital, the last thing a person wants to worry about is yardwork and house chores.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1981)-Twenty-five more Burlington Northern workers were notified they would be out of a job last week resulting in the Brainerd Shop's second sizable layoff in a week.

Deadline is Tuesday for fair talent show
The search is on for talented amateur performers to compete at the Crow Wing County Fair on Aug. 10 on the Mills Free Stage.

Overweight kids need more get-up-and-go
QUESTION: I have been teaching school for 30 years and I am noticing a significant change in the health of my children. More of them are overweight, and they just don't get enough exercise. I wonder if my observation is accurate, and if so, what is causing it.

Staples man faces kidnapping charges
STAPLES -- A 33-year man who allegedly held his mother and wife at gunpoint Thursday faces kidnapping charges.

Local briefs
More than 1,300 bicyclists are expected to converge on the Brainerd lakes area Wednesday as an overnight stop for the 2002 multiple sclerosis bicycle event, The Ride Across Minnesota.

Brainerd City Council meeting dates change
The Brainerd City Council meeting set for Monday has been canceled.

Abell, Stave are winners of senior citizen honor
More than 200 senior citizens were at Mission Park on Thursday, supporting the 10 nominees for the Crow Wing County Outstanding Senior Citizen contest.

Building habitat
A group of 46 high school students and 11 adults from the Church At The Crossing of Indianapolis, Ind., are in the Brainerd lakes area through Saturday to build a twin home for Lakes Area Habitat for Humanity.

Crews draining hazardous chemicals from derailed train burning in Baltimore tunnel
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Emergency crews used hoses fed through manholes to pump hydrochloric acid from a leaking tanker car early Friday as they continued to cope with a train derailment that ignited a raging fire and left the city paralyzed.

'Spare the rod or lose the child'
TORONTO -- Fundamentalist Christians in a southern Ontario town live by the adage, "Spare the rod and spoil the child." Now social workers are imposing a modified version: "Spare the rod or lose the child."

Paraplegic man uses hands to pedal his way to top of Colorado's tallest mountain
DENVER -- A paraplegic man climbed Colorado's tallest peak, churning his arms to pedal a custom-built four-wheeled cycle up the 14,433-foot mountain.

Icky eats
STATESBORO, Ga. -- Najuana Dorsey's fork trembled and her lips pursed as she tasted the first bite of cake. It didn't help that she knew the ingredients: cake mix, eggs, sugar and one cup of something mom never used -- roasted crickets.

Firestone rejects government request for wider tire recall
DETROIT -- Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. on Thursday rejected a government request for a wider recall of its Wilderness AT tires, saying the tires are safe and do not warrant further action. The company's stance sets the stage for a possible forced recall by the government and a court challenge by Bridgestone/Firestone.

ACLU: Florida election reform discriminates
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- Civil liberties groups are objecting to sections of Florida's elections reform package, saying they discriminate against minority voters.

Astronauts attach final tank for air lock in first use of portal
SPACE CENTER, Houston -- Two astronauts demonstrated the international space station's newfound spacewalking independence Saturday when they floated out of its new $164 million front door.

Rep. Condit's brother arrested for violating probation
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- The younger brother of Rep. Gary Condit was arrested Saturday on charges he violated his probation in a 1996 drunken driving case, authorities said.

California Senate OKs rescue of struggling utility
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The state Senate approved a bill Friday that would help a struggling utility pay its debt, significantly altering the plan negotiated by Gov. Gray Davis.

McVeigh's attorneys billed government $147,000
DENVER -- Timothy McVeigh's defense team billed the government more than $147,000 for the unsuccessful battle to delay his execution and other legal work in the last four months of his life.

Convicted killer Einhorn, on the run for 20 years, returned to Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA -- Shackled and wearing a bulletproof vest, convicted murderer Ira Einhorn returned to U.S. soil Friday, 20 years after fleeing to avoid a trial in the bludgeoning death of his girlfriend.

Judge throws out law limiting terms of Oregon lawmakers
SALEM, Ore. -- A judge Friday struck down a law that limited the terms of state legislators, a ruling that could revive the careers of 26 lawmakers who were barred from seeking re-election.

Hundreds evacuated after barge hits bridge in Louisiana, causing gas leak
CYPREMORT, La. (AP) -- A barge hit a bridge on the Intracoastal Waterway on Thursday, spewing flammable gas and forcing hundreds of residents and workers to evacuate.

Unfit to print Dan Rather had good reason for laying low on Levy, Condit
Dan Rather and the "CBS Evening News" broke their long silence Wednesday on the disappearance of Washington intern Chandra Levy, whose relationship with Rep. Gary Condit, D-Calif., has made both the center of attention in most news circles.

Solar-sailing spacecraft prototype launched from Russian nuclear sub
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- A Russian nuclear submarine launched a rocket to test a prototype of an American-sponsored spacecraft that sails on the gentle pressure of the sun's rays.

Web sites Levy visited on day of disappearance released
WASHINGTON -- Police on Friday released a list of Web sites that Chandra Levy visited on May 1, the day the former federal intern disappeared.

Crews extinguish two fires, remove cars in derailment
BALTIMORE -- Firefighters who have endured three days of setbacks in the aftermath of a train derailment entered the weekend with renewed spirit after removing several cars and putting out two blazes.

Former leader involved in scandal
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- J. Wade Gilley's short tenure as University of Tennessee president began with a goal of making the university one of the nation's top public research institutions. It ended amid a flurry of e-mails between him and a smitten protege with questionable credentials.

Judge orders Alabama to pay fines unless it relieves inmate crowding in county jails
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- A judge ordered the state to start paying a fine unless officials drastically reduce a backlog of inmates in county jails within 45 days.

Jury in Philly mob trial acquits Merlino on most serious counts
PHILADELPHIA -- Jubilation filled the courtroom as reputed mob boss Joseph "Skinny Joey" Merlino and six co-defendants were acquitted of the most serious charges against them, including murder and attempted murder.

Los Angeles, airport officials consider covering up art depicting nudes
LOS ANGELES -- An art display at the Los Angeles International Airport has been covered up because some travelers complained about the nudity of the male figures in the sandblasted granite slabs.

Capital learns about world through a virtual touch
WASHINGTON -- One way to find out how Washington works is to touch it -- or virtually do so -- and this capital has a variety of "petting zoos," both actual and still in the works, to promote people's knowledge.

Community still tries to make sense of ballpark murder-suicide that wiped out family
ST. LOUIS -- Portraits of her 10-year-old son on Carmen Anderson's desk were constant reminders of everything special to her, even as she fended off the stalking by the boy's father.

Arizona governor to appoint task force for boot camps after teen's death
PHOENIX (AP) -- Gov. Jane Hull wants the state to look into boosting oversight of private boot camps in the wake of the death of a 14-year-old boy at one of the facilities.

Armstrong wins mountain stage, takes race lead
PLA D'ADET, France (AP) -- Lance Armstrong posted another impressive mountain-stage victory Saturday and took the lead in the Tour de France in quest of his third straight title.

Pettitte shelled on short rest; Orioles and Rangers get extra time off
Three days' rest wasn't nearly enough for Andy Pettitte. Two nights off were more than the Baltimore Orioles and Texas Rangers bargained for.

Anderson spurns San Antonio for Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Derek Anderson took $2.25 million to play for the San Antonio Spurs last season, with the expectation that they would improve his contract this summer. When he started to feel they were being disloyal to him, Anderson committed to the Portland Trail Blazers.

Cubs get OF Tucker from Reds for minor leaguers
CHICAGO (AP) -- The NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs acquired outfielder Michael Tucker from the Cincinnati Reds on Friday for minor league right-handers Chris Booker and Ben Shaffar.

50 years after Shoeless Joe's death, his bat being sold
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- Embedded in the sad story of "Shoeless" Joe Jackson is another legendary tale: that of his beloved bat, "Black Betsy," which he used throughout his career, even after being banished from the game.

Johnson fans 16, sets major league record for reliever
Facing Randy Johnson meant lights out again for the San Diego Padres.

Violet Phillips Classen
Violet Phillips Classen, 86, Brainerd, died Wednesday, July 18, 2001, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village.

Bernice R. Rottier-Davis
HACKENSACK -- Bernice R. Rottier-Davis, 89, Hackensack, died Friday, July 20, 2001, at her residence on Baby Lake.

Alice F. Wenzel
Alice Florence Wenzel, 79, Deerwood, died Friday, July 20, 2001, at the Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.

Harriet A. Prozinski
CUSHING -- Harriet Ann Prozinski, 62, Cushing, died Friday, July 20, 2001, at her home on Lake Alexander.

Eugene V. Sundberg
BAXTER -- Eugene V. Sundberg, 76, Baxter, died Thursday, July 19, 2001, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd

Dolores M. Hedy
Dolores Margaret Hedy, 85, Brainerd, died Thursday, July 19, 2001, at Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.

Harriet Prozinski
CUSHING -- Harriet Prozinski, 62, Cushing, died today, Friday, July 20, 2001, at her home on Lake Alexander.

Betty J. Worcester
LITCHFIELD -- Betty J. Worcester, 75, Litchfield, formerly of Cass Lake, died Thursday, July 19, 2001, at Emmanuel Home in Litchfield.

Nellie A. Lynde
PINE RIVER -- Nellie A. Lynde, 82, Pine River, died Wednesday, July 18, 2001, at the Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Village in Pine River.

Wilhelmine L. Saastamoinen
Wilhelmine Lulu Saastamoinen, 87, Brainerd, died Tuesday, July 10, 2001, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.

Richard L. Selner
CHADRON, Neb. -- Richard Lee Selner, 48, Chadron, Neb., died Monday, July 16, 2001.

Duane Hurd
STAPLES -- Duane Hurd, 76, Staples, died Friday, July 20, 2001, at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester.

Eugene V. Sundberg
BAXTER -- Eugene V. Sundberg, 76, Baxter, died Thursday, July 19, 2001, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.

Why the surplus declines
Why is the government's surplus not as large as originally forecast?

Olson's TV show
While public affairs programming isn't every TV viewer's cup of tea, the use of the cable system's public access channel to discuss city topics is a welcome addition to the air w

Nothing comes easy for Gephardt
WASHINGTON--It has never been easy for Dick Gephardt, even when the milkman's son was starting out in St. Louis politics. The only reason he's still around, as Democratic minority leader of the House, is that he's always worked harder than anybody else.

Sportsmanship vs. slugfests
This editorial appeared in Friday's Los Angeles Times:

Religion and rights
This editorial appeared in Friday's Los Angeles Times:

Reagan's view of life
Advocates for embryonic stem cell research are pulling out all the stops, hoping President Bush will approve federal funding.

The Flood of '51
TOPEKA, Kan. -- By the time you read this I'll be in Kansas for my 40th high school reunion.

North Country calendar
15-Oct. 15 -- Crow season (second split) open

Duck numbers down in key breeding areas
MEMPHIS -- In its annual report on breeding duck numbers and May habitat conditions, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service revealed a population decrease in nine

High water doesn't slow the bite on summer rivers
Ice-fishing educator Dave Genz is not only an ice fishing guru. He also loves to spend summer days on the Mississippi River where it flows past his backdoor in St. Cloud. When the weather turns hot, fishing is far from hard for this northwoods Huck Finn, who launches his boat from his backyard.

Outdoor notes
Hunters harvested fewer ducks and geese in Minnesota last fall compared to 1999, according to recent reports from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Fishing report
Gull and Upper Gull are producing crappies along the 6- to 12- foot weed edges. The wa

2001 Minnesota hunting, trapping seasons announced
Minnesota's 2001 hunting and trapping seasons were announced last week by the DNR.

17 acres of Rush Lake island habitat preserved
CROSSLAKE -- As undeveloped shoreline continues to disappear in Crow Wing County it's harder to find an island in midst of the madness.

A day on the lake with the new Lunds
I knew I shouldn't have gone to Lund boats press day. When your current boat is a 16-footer with 25 horsepower motor of '86 vintage you're inviting a lot of wishful thinking by spending an afternoon running the new Lunds.

Grow or fold?
PILLAGER -- Common wisdom says if a Mom and Pop bait shop is to survive it either must get its own bait or sell a whole lot of bait if it buys from a wholesaler. The Brown family does both.

Yellow-headed blackbirds brighten mornings in the marsh
I sat on the boardwalk and watched the bird bobbing on the green sea of reeds and rushes. In the gentle breeze, its weight bending the spears, it swayed as if keeping time to the sweet-sounding symphony of the marsh on a magnificent morning.

Pequot Lakes angler wins pro-am bass tournament
CROSSLAKE -- Jim Henriksen, Pequot Lakes, and his amateur partner, Paul Lewis, Orono, won a Minnesota Pro-Am Bass Tour tournament Saturday, July 14 on the Whitefish chain.

Worm and jig rig excels on summer weedlines
Heaven forbid, but if we were limited to only one way to fish, one technique that would allow us to catch bass, northern pike, even the occasional walleye, sunfish and crappie, it would have to be a plastic worm on a jig head with a steel leader.

Brown-Bergeski
Rebecca Brown and Scott Bergeski were married Dec. 22, 2000, at St. Francis Church with Father Seamus Walsh officiating.

90th birthday
Elizabeth Johnston, Brainerd, will celebrate her 90th birthday with family and friends. She was born July 25, 1909, in Brainerd.

70th birthday
Wayne Thiesse will celebrate his 70th birthday with an open house from 1-4 p.m. July 29 at Daryl and Gina Thesing's house, 6332 Thesing Road, Brainerd. No gifts please.

50th anniversary
Mr. and Mrs. Conway Ahrens recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Reno, Nev., and a family dinner. They were married June 17, 1951, in Pillager.

50th anniversary
Bob and Gert Hollingsworth are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today. They live in Merrifield.

Larson-Barber
Gina Larson and Bryan Barber were married June 9, 2001, at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Brainerd with Pastor Randy Ahlberg officiating.

Wedding planned
Karen Schroeder and Mike Stave announce their engagement. Parents are Ken and Marlen Schroeder, Brainerd, and Bill and Betty Stave, Brainerd. A wedding is planned Friday at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd.

Wedding planned
Teri Dahlberg and Steven D. Mick announce their engagement. Parents are Gary and Pam Dahlberg, Willmar, and David and Dee Mick, Baxter. An Aug. 18 wedding is planned at the First Covenant Church in Willmar.

Debler-Dean
Kelly Debler and Rick Dean were married April 7, 2001, at First Baptist Church in Baxter with Pastor David Grotzke officiating.

80th birthday
Marjorie M. Jordan, Brainerd, will celebrate her 80th birthday with an open house at 2 p.m. July 29 at Lakeside Resort on South Long Lake. No gifts please. The event is hosted by her family. She was born Feb. 6, 1921, in Two Harbors.

Wedding planned
Michelene McLaughlin and Joel Anderson announce their engagement. Parents are Bill and Candy McLaughlin, Breezy Point, and Ron and Kathy Anderson, Cottage Grove. A wedding is planned in Pequot Lakes.

Wedding planned
Jessica Kramer and Robert Ryan announce their engagement.

50th anniversary
Virgil and Muriel Shroyer, Emily, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends. They also celebrated with their children and grandchildren in Chattanooga, Tenn., where their oldest daughter lives. They were married June 9, 1951.

Stout-MacLeish
Peggy A. Stout and Patrick D. MacLeish were married June 9, 2001, at St. Francis Church in Brainerd with Rich Celley and Father Seamus Walsh officiating.

Smith-Decker
Sarah Smith and Josh Decker were married April 28, 2001, at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter with Pastor Randy Ahlberg officiating.

Slumping Gordon gets momentum boost with pole victory for New England 300
LOUDON, N.H. (AP) -- His momentum fading, his lead in the NASCAR standings gone, Jeff Gordon found just the fix to keep his spirits high.

Scoreboard
Drag Racing

Motorcycle racers to compete at CBIR
Motorcycle racers reaching straight away speeds of 180 mph and the ones who drag their knees as they lean their 300-pound rockets into road race course corners will hit the 3.1 mile Colonel's Brainerd International Raceway beginning next Friday.

Acting fire chief investigated after punching man
SOUTH ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Acting Fire Chief Harry Rund is being investigated after he punched a man who he said spat in his face.

Watkins man electrocuted
MELROSE (AP) -- A Watkins man was electrocuted Friday while repairing a light fixture at a Melrose business.

$10,000 raised for Make-A-Wish
LONG PRAIRIE -- Law enforcement officials from Todd and Wadena counties raised $10,000 for the Make-A-Wish Foundation in a charitable golf tournament July 13.

Nearly 100 cats found in home
VIRGINIA (AP) -- Authorities here removed nearly 100 cats from a woman's home and euthanized them after neighbors complained about an overpowering smell coming from the residence.

Ventura's staffer criticizes woman asking for help
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Gov. Jesse Ventura is known for tough talk on personal responsibility, but his administration will apologize to a woman who says she was insulted by a staffer assigned to answer e-mail from the public.

Vikings spend $252,000 in pursuit of stadium study
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Publicly, all the Minnesota Vikings sought from the 2001 Legislature was a study of how to pay for a new football stadium. For that, the team spent about $252,000 between January and June.

Minneapolis hires outside lawyer for internal investigation
MINNEAPOLIS -- The city of Minneapolis hired an outside lawyer Thursday to investigate its business practices, two days after a council member admitted to using the city's inspections department to extort money from a local businessman.

Talks drag on between public employee union, state
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Contract negotiations were tense and agonizingly slow Friday between the state and Minnesota's largest public employees' union, a union official said.

Allina Health System breaking into two companies
MINNEAPOLIS -- Allina Health System, Minnesota's largest health care organization, will split into two companies, directors decided Friday. The decision came days after Attorney General Mike Hatch urged the breakup of the company.

Malaysia police confirm ritual killing victim as American woman
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) -- Malaysian police on Saturday said DNA tests have identified a victim of a ritual killing as an American woman who went missing about 19 months ago.

Man who used Internet to solicit boys charged
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A convicted child molester who used the Internet regularly to solicit sex from teen-age boys has been charged with sexually abusing a 13-year-old.

Sun Country cuts jobs
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Sun Country Airlines has cut about 70 jobs, mostly mechanics and cleaners, as it revamps its operation after replacing its DC-10 aircraft with newer planes and hiring an outside company to clean planes.

Deputy who killed dog won't be disciplined
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A Ramsey County sheriff's deputy who shot and killed a St. Paul family's black Labrador retriever won't be disciplined, Sheriff Bob Fletcher said Friday.

Charges dismissed against lead lawyer for former SLA fugitive
LOS ANGELES -- A judge dismissed misdemeanor charges against the lead lawyer for former SLA fugitive Sara Jane Olson on Friday after both sides agreed that the case against attorney J. Tony Serra would be burdensome to the court, Serra's lawyers said.

Man charged in shootout with police
ANOKA (AP) -- The 65-year-old man accused of starting a running gun battle with police in a residential neighborhood was charged Thursday with attempting to murder one officer and assaulting six others with deadly force.

State's largest public employees' union sets deadline for contract with state
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Minnesota's largest public employees' union wants a contract in hand by the weekend.

Bohn experiencing success with Mighty Gulls
T.J. Bohn came to Brainerd this summer with a goal -- to be a leader in the Northwoods League.

Whipple Wave
For some folks, a summer without a triathlon just isn't a summer.

Woodchucks blast Mighty Gulls
It's like that old plumber joke, except in reverse. You know, the one where the plumber is called to fix a leaky pipe. He tightens up the connection, the leak stops and he hands the homeowner a bill for a hundred bucks.

Baxter Parks/Recreation
Play off schedule

Area events Saturday
Drag Racing

Staples-Motley runners advance to Junior Olympics national tourney
STAPLES -- Don't ask the Staples-Motley cross country and track and field teams what a summer vacation is because the runners probably don't know.

Local sports shorts
The Brainerd Family YMCA will host a special aerobic class Thursday from 6 to 7 p.m.

Brainerd Parks/Recreation
Results

Traveling team competes in tournaments
The Baxter Eagles 13 and under traveling baseball team competed in several tournaments recently.

Gulls lose again thanks to bloopers, boots and bungles
You can almost see Dan Aykroyd holding a video cassette and grinning from your TV screen. "Operators are standing by," he would say. "So call now and order Bloopers, Boots and Bungles, the second half fielding faux pas of the Mighty Gulls 2001 season. Now how much would you pay? Don't answer fans because this is a multi tape set."

Local sports shorts
The Brainerd Storm won the state ASA-USA Minnesota Sports Federation 14-under girls slow-pitch softball Junior Olympic Championship held in Coon Rapids July 13-15.

Wittman close to returning to Wolves as assistant
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Former Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Randy Wittman could return to the Minnesota Timberwolves as an assistant coach within a week, the Star Tribune reported Friday.

Reserves help Twins rally past Oakland
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota manager Tom Kelly knows you can't rely on the same nine players every day.

Vikings, Moss continue contract extension talks
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings appear to have made little progress during renewed efforts to sign receiver Randy Moss to a long-term contract extension.

Broadcaster hired by Vikings accused of making racial slurs
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- An NAACP spokesman said the organization will investigate accusations that a California man hired to announce Minnesota Vikings games made racist comments on his radio show.

Gaborik undergoes successful surgery
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Minnesota Wild left wing Marian Gaborik underwent successful surgery Friday morning to repair a sports hernia.

Sele throws shutout
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Aaron Sele could be pitching for the Minnesota Twins right now. Instead, he just beats them.

Price comparison shopping sites aim to redefine themselves in new climate
NEW YORK (AP) -- Web sites devoted to helping online shoppers compare prices are redefining themselves to remain viable.

The King's English now includes some txt shrcts
LONDON -- Students cheat on exams with it. Criminals in England have coordinated a murder on it. A church in Germany has used it to send religion to the masses.

Palm goes after corporate customers
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) -- At Ford Motor Co., handheld computers help assembly line workers to avoid lubricating the wrong machines, saving thousands of dollars in production time by preventing equipment from grinding to a halt.

Tech exhibits often obsolete before opening
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- The two siblings try to elbow each other out of the way as they lu

Webcams click with businesses in search of customers
It hasn't taken long for our voyeuristic society to see the potential in hooking up a video camera to the Internet, allowing anyone to watch just about anything as it happens: Couples saying their vows in a Las Vegas wedding chapel. Giraffes sauntering through their cages. Even corn growing in an Iowa field.

Control costs in building your own computer
Just because I built my daughter's computer backward doesn't mean you have to do the same.

Precautions for shopping online
Even though he once had his credit-card and account information stolen in a huge hacker download, Tom Arnold says he's not paranoid about shopping online. But he's not stupid about it, either.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Mostly cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms east. Mostly sunny west with isolated thunderstorms. Highs 85 east to 100 southwest.

State forecast for north dakota
Today...Scattered thunderstorms this morning. Partly sunny this afternoon with a chance of thunderstorms...Some possibly severe. Highs from the mid 80s to lower 90s.

Regional Weather
HighLowPR

Take cover
Weather drawing by Gunner Johnson in the Riverside School third-grade class of Mrs. Meyer.

Iowa state forecast
This morning...Scattered thunderstorms southwest half...Some with heavy rain. A chance of showers and thunderstorms elsewhere. This afternoon...Partly sunny with a chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the middle 80s to lower 90s.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today through sunday night...Warm and humid with scattered showers and thunderstorms. Highs today and sunday in the 80s to mid 90s. Lows tonight and sunday night in the 60s to mid 70s.

State forecast for south dakota
Today...Mostly sunny west with isolated afternoon thunderstorms northwest. Scattered morning thunderstorms east then partly to mostly sunny. Highs 90 to 100.

Under the rainbow
Weather drawing by Jasmine Hayes of Jan Wilcox's kindergarten class at Lowell school.

Minnesota state forecast
Severe thunderstorm watch much of extreme southern minnesota until 300 pm...

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly sunny with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Warm and humid. Highs in the 80s to around 90. Cooler near lake michigan.

Iowa state forecast
Severe thunderstorm watch until 3 pm north central and parts of northwest iowa...

The Weather Elsewhere
Friday

Minnesota state forecast
Flash flood watch in the northwest tonight...

State forecast for North Dakota
Flash flood watch for northeast north dakota tonight...

Teen in foster home sees world through new eyes
DEAR ABBY: I am almost 14 and live in a foster home. Before I entered foster care, I didn't think much about other kids and teens in foster homes. Now that I'm the one with the title "foster kid," I see everything in a new light. Although foster homes are a blessing to most kids who live troubled lives, it's still very hard to endure. If there is one thing I hate about being a foster child, it is feeling different from others in my new neighborhood and school.

'Thank you' doesn't cover tornado victims' gratitude
At about 8:24 June 13 our lives changed dramatically ... but God is in control and though we experienced some fear and anxiety and the loss of our home, we also experienced His protection and many "little" miracles.

What's doing
Pillager class reunion

July volunteer opportunities
OBITUARY INDEXER -- Search through the newspapers or microfilm for obituaries on people who have a tie with Crow Wing County. Record info., alphabetize, catalog. Contact Jolene or Mary Lou at 829-3268.

Senior activities
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER

A boy, a man, a truck, a fishing pole: A perfect match
Eight-year-old Dustin's mom told her son that Kinship Partners had finally called about a partner for him. Dustin was happy to know he'd be able to do some of the things his friend Joel bragged about doing with his partner, but he was also a bit scared. What would the guy be like? Would he want to go fishing? When would they meet?

Names and faces
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Newlyweds Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston have filed a $50 million lawsuit, claiming an Italian jewelry designer breached an agreement never to replicate their wedding rings.

Much obliged
The Brainerd Youth Advisory Council wants to be sure to thank everyone involved in the Battle of the Bands 2001, held July 3 at Don Adamson Field. Approximately 300 people heard 10 area bands perform contemporary rock, Christian rock and a variety of other types of music.

What's doing
10 1/2 Table Mitchell Movement. North-South: Clif Johnson and Don Rasmussen, 179; Bruce Eastman and

Three Palestinians killed, apparently by settlers, after leading nations call for observers
HEBRON, West Bank -- The killing of three Palestinians in the West Bank, apparently by Jewish settlers, drew condemnation Friday from Israeli leaders, settlers and the United States. Palestinians held Israel's government responsible.

Explosion levels Fatah office; Arafat calls for G8 to pressure Israel
JERUSALEM -- A day after a deadly explosion leveled a West Bank office of Yasser Arafat's Fatah party, the Palestinian leader warned Saturday of rising violence and appealed to the world's industrial powers to help instill calm.

Indonesian assembly launches impeachment against defiant Wahid
JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Indonesia's parliament launched formal impeachment proceedings against President Abdurrahman Wahid on Saturday, just 21 months after it picked him as the country's first democratic head of state in four decades.

Nations divided on how to salvage global warming treaty
BONN, Germany -- With the United States out of the picture, other nations were deeply divided Thursday on how to salvage a global warming treaty, with Europe resisting attempts led by Japan to introduce new loopholes.

Protester violence breaks out at economic summit
GENOA, Italy -- With police firing tear gas at demonstrators protesting global capitalism, leaders of the seven wealthiest countries began their annual economic summit Friday, stressing their desire to keep the United States' economic slowdown from pushing the rest of the world into recession.

Summit leaders insist their discussions worthwhile
GENOA, Italy -- World leaders failed to find common ground Saturday on a global warming treaty opposed by President Bush as they struggled to keep on track an economic summit marred by a protester's death.