Sunday, August 4, 2002

Disney earnings are down; Eisner says he'll cut size of board
Entertainment giant Walt Disney Co. on Thursday said its profit plunged 31 percent in the quarter ending in June, because of continued soft ratings at the ABC network, losses from the box-office dud "Bad Company," and a drop in attendance at Disney theme parks that is expected to plague the company well into the fourth quarter.

You can have a ball in Staples
STAPLES -- A new restaurant in Staples combines dining with a small bar and large banquet space to create a niche that could be a model for others.

Business notes
The next "Going Into Business for Yourself" is set from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the Business and Industry Center at Central Lakes College in Brainerd.

Cub Foods moving into new NE site on Aug. 13
Cub Foods in northeast Brainerd recently announced its grand opening set on Aug. 13. The store will officially open at 6 a.m. Aug. 14.

Of mutual interest
NEW YORK -- Buy low, sell high -- it's Investing 101 and a rule that applies to mutual funds as well as stocks. But in a tumultuous market that swings between sharp losses and powerful rebounds, it's often easier to sell than buy.

On the job
The relationship between a boss and subordinate is often complex. It creates unexpected circumstances that leave workers trying to figure out how to deal with them.

Around the watercooler
FUTURE SAVINGS: Amid falling stock prices and shrinking 401(k) retirement accounts, a new poll indicates that a third of the nation's residents aren't sure if they're going to meet their retirement goals.

On the money
NEW YORK -- While some people are worried about what the stock market's volatility is doing to their savings, many others are worried because they aren't saving at all.

New recession fears dampen market recovery
NEW YORK -- Troubling readings on economic and jobs growth bode ill for Wall Street, quashing newfound hopes of a stock market recovery and raising questions about whether the nation has fully escaped the grips of recession.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Friday cattle estimate: 300. Last Friday: 348. Year ago Friday: 259. Thursday actual: 345.

Agendas
Little Falls school board Meets 4:30 Monday Work Session (HS Commons) 7 p.m. Business Meeting (HS Commons)

Births
Eugene and Becky (Mills) Wangerin, Bryan, Texas, a boy, Alexander Eugene, 8 pounds, 3 ounces, June 6, 2002. Grandparents are Sharon Mills, Pequot Lakes, and the late Jerry Mills, and Mabel Wangerin, Almora, and the late Addie Wangerin.

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

Crime
Four individuals were arrested Thursday by the Lakes Area Drug Investigation Division.

Agendas
Council chambers

Fires
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a fire at a house under construction at 12:24 a.m. today.

Agenda
Meets 4 p.m. Tuesday

CDC study: Seven in 10 U.S. smokers say they want to quit
ATLANTA (AP) -- Seven in 10 adult smokers in the United States say they want to quit -- but their success in kicking the habit varies widely by race and education.

Blast from the past
Pat Simmons (left) and Tom Johnston of the original Doobie Brothers performed Friday at WE Fest in Detroit Lakes. Founded as Moby Grape, the Doobie Brothers in San Jose Calif., in 1970, the rock band of the '70s was a favorite at the 20th anniversary of the country music festival. (Dispatch Photo by Steve Kohls)

Fair events calendar
Monday

Central Lakes College sees enrollment increase
Enrollment at Central Lakes College has remained steady for the past three years and this coming school year looks like it may increase, college officials report.

Mille Lacs Band reaps what was planted many years ago
MILLE LACS LAKE -- When the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe finally had some money to spend, the band's first building wasn't a tribal headquarters, a gift shop or a clinic.

COMING MONDAY
National Farmer's Market Week begins Monday.

4-H tradition continues at fair
LAKE SHORE -- When Merle Mathison, 78, of Lake Shore, joined 4-H in the 1930s he raised a steer each year and then showed it at the Stevens County Fair in Morris each summer.

Historical society hosts annual garage sale Aug. 16-17
The Crow Wing County Historical Society will host its third annual garage sale from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 16 and 8 a.m. to noon Aug. 17 at the historical society's Historic Area at the Crow Wing County Fairgrounds.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1982) - If you've noticed some strange figures in the sky lately, they were probably John Sundby, Lori Huff, Julie Vreeland, Charlotte Brattlund and Robert Turcotte. They are five of the seven members of the Brainerd Chamber Retail Trade Crazy Days Committee who haven't come down to earth yet after planning the Big Crazy Days event.

Administration seeking to reach out to economically troubled Latin American countries
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration, which took office insisting that it did not support big financial bailouts for countries in economic trouble, appears to be softening that stance in an effort to contain a deepening crisis in Latin America.

U.S. to resume military training in Indonesia
MANILA, Philippines, Aug. 3 -- Three years after the United States severed all ties with Indonesia's tainted armed forces, the Bush administration will resume U.S. military training there as part of a broad program of counterterrorism assistance totaling at least $50 million over the next two years, Secretary of State Colin Powell said in Jakarta, the Indonesian capital, Friday.

Man, 61, wins battle with attacking cougar
VICTORIA, British Columbia (AP) -- A 61-year-old man was seriously slashed in a battle with a cougar in British Columbia, but managed to kill the animal with his pocket knife, officials said Friday.

U.S. cool to Iraqi gesture on inspections
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Secretary of State Colin Powell dismissed an offer by Iraq to talk with the chief weapons inspector of the United Nations.

U.S. soldier charged with assault for hitting Afghan detainee
BAGRAM, Afghanistan (AP) -- A U.S. soldier was charged with assault for striking an Afghan detainee, a U.S. military spokesman said Saturday.

Chinese girl visiting U.S. missing
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- Authorities searched for a 12-year-old Chinese girl Friday who was reported missing from a youth tour group that had an overnight layover in the Bay Area before heading to a space camp in Alabama.

Federal benefits sought by families of air tanker pilots killed fighting fires
DENVER (AP) -- Relatives of pilots and crew members killed in air tanker crashes while battling wildfires are seeking the same federal death benefits as police officers and firefighters killed on duty.

Stockholder sues Martha Stewart
NEW YORK (AP) -- A stockholder in Martha Stewart's fine living empire has sued the domesticity diva, saying she breached her duties to her investors by becoming involved in the ImClone Systems insider trading scandal.

Experts: Saddam would collapse if U.S. attacks
CAIRO, Egypt -- For all Iraq's bluster in the face of the possibility Washington will use military means to oust President Saddam Hussein, his regime would collapse under a U.S. onslaught, military experts in the region say.

Judge orders release of post-Sept. 11 detainees' names
WASHINGTON -- The Bush administration contends that it cannot protect national security and also meet a judge's deadline to reveal names of those held in the investigation of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

In court, Cardinal Law defends decision to back out of settlement
BOSTON -- In his first public court appearance since the sexual abuse scandal erupted here in January, Cardinal Bernard Law insisted Friday that an announced multimillion-dollar settlement with dozens of alleged victims was never final.

Thunderstorms kills one and leave thousands without power
Lightning killed a man standing on a roof in New York City as a severe thunderstorm rattled the region, knocking out electrical power to thousands of customers.

National sports briefs
CANTON, Ohio (AP) -- Hunter Kelly never caught a football thrown by his dad. He has never walked, and hasn't smiled since he was 4 months old. He needs a machine to eat, another to breathe.

Cecelia E. Wolf
Cecelia E. Wolf, 84, Brainerd, died Friday, Aug. 2, 2002, at her home.

Dorothy K. Mackey
STAPLES -- Dorothy K. Mackey, 84, Staples, formerly of Ironton, died Friday, Aug. 2, 2002, at the Staples Care Center in Staples.

Clifford W. Leonard
Clifford W. Leonard, 84, Brainerd, died Friday, Aug. 2, 2002, at the Woodland Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.

Toivo J. Mackey
IRONTON -- Toivo John Mackey, 81, Ironton, died Feb. 5, 2001, at the Staples Care Center in Staples.

Gladys L. Glover
AITKIN -- Gladys Leona Louise Glover, 91, Aitkin County, died Saturday, July 27, 2002, at the Riverwood Extended Care Center in Aitkin.

Theodore A. Schneider
SOBIESKI -- Theodore A. Schneider, 88, rural Sobieski, died Thursday, Aug. 1, 2002, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls.

Open Forum
A letter to the editor on July 15, 2002 stated that Planned Parenthood is synonymous with abortion. While that may be true in the writer's mind it is not true in the minds of educated individuals. Over 95 percent of what Planned Parenthood does is done in an effort to prevent unwanted pregnancy. While it is true that one clinic, out of 23 in Minnesota, performs abortions (without any public support) the other 22 focus all of their efforts on preventing pregnancy, detecting cancer, and sexually transmitted infections screening, education and treatment.

Vox Pop
Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. To call in a comment, dial 829-2900 or 1-800-547-2909 then enter code 8008. To e-mail a comment, write to voxpop@brainerddispatch.com. Comments, which must meet the newspaper's standards of fairness and good taste, may be edited for clarity, length and libel.

Camp Ripley - Dispatch editorial
There's a lot more to Camp Ripley than the tank that sits near the entrance along Highway 371 and the large booms that echo their way toward Brainerd and Baxter, sometimes rattling our windows.

Enjoy black terns now; the species is declining
The first time I saw black terns in Minnesota was in the mid-90s while on a jaunt to the Sand Prairie Wildlife Management and Environmental Education Area on the southeast side of St. Cloud.

Outdoor notes
The DNR is selling a parcel of state land in Aitkin County by sealed bid auction on Aug. 29 in St. Paul. The property is six miles from McGregor in Aitkin County and is 3.1 acres with a four-bedroom house.

This summer give the cat's meow a try
Tom Skarlis has a secret that until now he's shared it with just a few close friends like Chip Leer, his partner at WildSide Diversified, a company that promotes participation in angling.

DNR officers feel handicapped b y court ruling
A recent state Appeals Court ruling that prevents DNR conservation officers from searching boats without consent or probable cause will make it harder to protect game and fish populations, said Capt. Craig Backer, DNR regional enforcement manager in Grand Rapids.

50th anniversary
Raymond and Jane (LaPorte) Gedde, Pillager, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family aboard the Knotty Bear Cruise. They were married Aug. 2, 1952.

Strader-Bock
Sherry Strader and Alan Bock were married June 15, 2002, at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Baxter with Pastor Jennifer Wilson officiating.

Eschenbacher-Chessor
Nina Star Eschenbacher and Casey Lee Chessor were married July 8, 2002, in Brainerd.

50th anniversary
Bob and Jan Thompson, California, formerly of Brainerd, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary from 2-5 p.m. Saturday at the First Baptist Church in Baxter with a short program at 3 p.m. They were married Sept. 6, 1952.

40th anniversary
John and Pat Mathews, East Gull Lake, will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary today. They were married Aug. 4, 1962, in Staples.

Ness-Garner
Cheryl Renee Ness and Jason Garner were married June 22, 2002, at Christian and Missionary Alliance Church in Verndale with Pastor Daryl Jacobson officiating.

Wedding planned
Lisa Christina Kraemer and Thomas Philip Woog announce their engagement. Parents are Bruce and Diane Kraemer, Brainerd, and Tom and Peggy Woog, Nisswa. A Sept. 20 wedding is planned at Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Crosslake with a reception to follow at Cragun's Legacy Golf Course.

Gurtin-Johnson
Lisa Gurtin and Blaine Johnson were married April 15, 2002, at South Maluaka Beach, Makena, Maui, Hawaii, with the Rev. Pokipala officiating.

Handeland-Morrison
Tammy Handeland and Bob Morrison were married April 6, 2002, at Bethel Lutheran Church in Brainerd.

40th anniversary
Alan and Mary Hollingsworth will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary beginning with a short program and concert with Naomi Barnes at 2 p.m., with fellowship from 3-5 p.m. Saturday at the Pillager Assembly of God Church. The event is hosted by their children and family.

Wedding planned
Marnie Meyer and Brandon Silvernail announce their engagement. Parents are Larry and Cheryl Stechmann, Baxter, and Bob and Jackie Meyer, Marshall, and Brooke and Diane Silvernail, Baxter. A Sept. 21 wedding is planned at the Northland Arboretum.

Engagement announced
Kathryn Ann Johnson and Trevor Glen Mulholland announce their engagement. Parents are Terrence and Magdalen Johnson, Crookston, and Larry and Donna Mulholland, Brainerd. An Oct. 5 wedding is planned at St. Francis.

Wedding planned
Sharleen Wheeler and Jason Gordon announce their engagement. Parents are Eugene Wheeler, Brainerd, and Kathy Hartwig, San Antonio, Texas, and Cornell and Pat Gordon, Jenkins. A Sept. 21 outdoor wedding is planned in Crosslake.

Wedding planned
Elizabeth "Betsy" Vanderpoel and Shawn Brown announce their engagement. Parents are Mary Arfmann, Owatonna, and Keith Vanderpoel, Onamia, and Brad and Kathy Brown, Hillman. Grandparents are Alan and Esther MacArthur, Brainerd. A Sept. 14 wedding is planned in Onamia.

Wedding planned
Jessica JoAnne Hansen and David Maurice Carr announce their engagement. Parents are Gwen and Mark Hansen, Forest Lake, and Joan and Randy Eschenbacher, Motley. An Aug. 17 wedding is planned at Faith Lutheran Church in Forest Lake.

Robby Gordon suffers motocross injury
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- An effort to build team unity turned painful for Robby Gordon when he broke his left heel in a motocross bike accident.

Bernstein to make BIR farewell
Brainerd International Raceway will make history for the 21st annual Rugged Liner NHRA Nationals Aug. 15-18.

Gordon aims to end winless string at Indy
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Jeff Gordon hears the question every week: When are you going to win a race?

Vrooooooom!
Friday

Ventura shoots back at critics on radio show
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Amid calls to end his weekly radio show, Gov. Jesse Ventura on Friday taunted his critics but he refrained from attacking or promoting suitors for his job.

Minneapolis police try to regroup after officer is killed
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minneapolis police were trying to regroup Friday after the shooting of officer Melissa Schmidt, who was fatally wounded while answering a call about a woman with a gun at a public housing complex.

Elk farmers try to keep wasting disease out of state
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota's elk farmers, who lead the nation in the production of elk meat and antler products, are working hard to keep chronic wasting disease out of the state's herds.

Budget cuts wipe out 700 state jobs
ST. PAUL (AP) -- In a year of higher unemployment, the state of Minnesota has become one of the biggest job cutters in Minnesota, though not at nearly the rate that's likely if budget problems continue.

Area events Saturday
Stock Car Racing

Tribute to a classy colleague
"You touched 'em all," headlined a Detroit Lakes newspaper tribute to legendary community sports writer and columnist Ralph Anderson, who died of cancer July 22.

Gulls steal one from Alexandria
Extraordinary personal achievements launched the Brainerd Mighty Gulls to a 3-2 victory against the Alexandria Beetles Friday night at Mills Field.

Brainerd becomes Legion favorite
ST. CLOUD -- Experts in the St. Cloud area had all but conceded the District 6 American Legion baseball championship to Sauk Rapids this summer.

Brainerd Parks and Recreation
Brainerd Parks/Rec

Local sports shorts
ST. PAUL -- Marni Lundbohm of Pine Meadows at Brainerd and Jackie Heslop of White Birch at Breezy Point will compete in the Minnesota Women's State Amateur Championship Monday through Wednesday at North Oaks Golf Club.

Stringer's shadow looms large over Vikings' camp
MANKATO -- It is called "Big Bertha," a purple heavy bag used by Minnesota Vikings offensive linemen to improve their strength and blocking technique. It stands in the back of the end zone of the Vikings' training camp complex. It is where Randy Moss needed to go last Friday afternoon to remember Korey Stringer.

BULLPEN DOES IT AGAIN
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Rick Reed and four relievers combined on a four-hitter as the Twins beat the Kansas City Royals 2-1 Friday night.

Twins' Ortiz overcomes struggles on and off field
MINNEAPOLIS -- One look at the kooky smile on David Ortiz's face and you wouldn't guess he's enduring one of the toughest years of his life.

How long will data last?
A few weeks ago, I wrote a column about the joys of scanning documents into my computer and then disposing of the paper.

Review
WARCRAFT III: REIGN OF CHAOS, Blizzard Entertainment

Dead dot-coms are walking
The Internet death march goes on, so relentlessly that Net-heads are getting used to stepping over the dead and dealing with corpse-like entities that refuse to keel over.

Instant messaging isn't private, and that's a problem for firms, workers
"I think Mark is doing the right thing by going into rehab," Tim Gordon, vice president of an online concierge service, typed quickly to a friend. Sitting at his office computer, Gordon was multi-tasking in cyberspace as usual, holding several instant-messaging conversations at once.

Iowa state forecast
Today...Partly cloudy. A chance of afternoon thunderstorms west. Highs in the middle 80s to lower 90s.

State forecast for south dakota
Today...Partly cloudy. Scattered thunderstorms southwest through northeast...With a chance of late afternoon thunderstorms southeast. Highs in the 80s north and lower to middle 90s south.

Minnesota state forecast
Flood watch this afternoon and tonight for portions of southwest into east central minnesota...

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. A chance of afternoon thunderstorms northwest. Highs from the mid 70s to the mid 80s.

Cool
Weather drawing by Gabrielle Metzger of Mrs. Frank's second grade class at Riverside school.

State forecast for north dakota
Today...Partly sunny west with a chance of morning showers and thunderstorms. Scattered showers and thunderstorms east...Some possibly severe. Highs in the mid 70s northwest to the mid 80s south central.

Youth volunteer of the month
Max Dominguez

What's doing
The Lakes and Woods Horticultural Club will meet 7 p.m. Monday at the Mille Lacs Electric Cooperative at Aitkin. A short business meeting and brief sharing

Agency of the month
714 South 6th Street

Much obliged
"Hats off" to another summer season for Rhythm of the Rails Show.

Adult volunteer of the month
Janet Swanson

Volunteer activities
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUGUST

Israeli troops search Nablus' Old City for second day
NABLUS, West Bank (AP) -- Israeli soldiers went door-to-door in Nablus' Old City for the second day Saturday, taking over houses in a city the Israeli government described as "the main factory of suicide bombings."

Turkey abolishes death penalty to boost chances of joining EU
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- After a raucous all-night debate, Turkey's parliament approved a reform package aimed at boosting its chances of joining the European Union by abolishing the death penalty and granting greater rights to the nation's Kurds.