Thursday, August 15, 2002
The Pilot, Honda's lower-price SUV, launched
Finally. Nearly two years after the debut of Acura's MDX sport utility vehicle, Honda buyers now can get their own, lower-priced version of this popular SUV.
Ultimate SUV -- designed to carry big guns -- not coming to a store near you
BUTLER, Pa. -- The sport utility vehicle that rolls out of the Ibis Tek shop looks just like those driven by millions of soccer moms.
BMW puts up a fine car with a control mess
BMW's new 7 series cars for this year look a little like the results of a really terrific office Christmas party.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLI(AP) -- Wheat receipts Tuesday 301, a year ago 201.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle estimate: 350. Last Wednesday: 384. Year ago Wednesday: 492. Tuesday actual: 945.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLI(AP) -- Wheat receipts Wednesday 367, a year ago 341.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Tuesday cattle estimate: 800. Last Tuesday: 842. Year ago Tuesday: 949. Monday actual: 489.
Molto Mario's new book offers recipes from his Babbo restaurant
CHICAGO (AP) -- With ingredients such as lamb's tongue and pig's head, Mario Batali's new cookbook isn't for the squeamish.
Something different: Grandma's Potato Wedges recalled
I remember as a young girl my grandmother making Potato Wedges. Still today, when I want to serve something different with grilled steaks, chicken or hamburgers, I make Grandma's potato wedges dipped in a sour cream dip. People always enjoy them-even as a snack.
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Wednesday.
Courts
WALKER -- Alvin Wesley Wilson, 29, Deer River, pleaded not guilty recently in Cass County District Court to felony second-degree assault.
Births
Corey and Tammy (Brown) Woodwick, Brainerd, a boy, Charles Thomas, 6 pounds, 13 ounces, July 5, 2002. Grandparents are Thomas and Wendy Brown, Brainerd, and Jim and Doris Woodwick, Pine River.
Crimes
Crow Wing sheriff
Metals
NEW YORK (AP) -- Spot nonferrous metal prices Tuesday.
Women's outing fills an area void
BREEZY POINT -- Laurel Mezner moved back to the Brainerd lakes area five years ago and wanted to find someone to play golf with.
Toms ready to defend his PGA title
CHASKA -- A 5-wood turned David Toms into a believer in himself and a PGA champion.
Twilight League
Despite tying Bremer Bank 6-6, Bodyworks increased its lead by one-half point in the men's Twilight Golf League at Pine Meadows Aug. 8.
The Tiger circus arrives
CHASKA -- The gates at Hazeltine National Golf Club opened at 7 a.m. Tuesday. What followed was a chaotic chase to find Tiger Woods.
PGA notes
CHASKA -- Back in 1991 Tiger Woods was dominating the amateur golf world and Payne Stewart won his first U.S. Open at Hazeltine National Golf Club.
What to do when the going gets rough
Walking around Hazeltine Monday, I watched some of the greatest golfers in the world practice for this weekend's PGA Championship. One area of the course where the professionals hit extra practice shots from was the long, thick Hazeltine rough, because not even the professionals hit every fairway. When you get into the long rough your first thought should be get it out.
Golf notes
Dan Vickerman closed with an even-par-72 to win his second two-day Pine Meadows men's club championship Aug. 11.
Slam or not, it's still a big deal
CHASKA --- It could have been the biggest event in golf history, but instead it is just the fourth major of the year.
Everyone keeps making comparisons to Medinah
CHASKA -- The course was cursed by the players in 1970. It was cursed again by the weather in 1991.
PGA hailed for being a fair test Could this be Mickelson's year?
CHASKA -- Phil Mickelson has to like his chances. So does Sergio Garcia. And Padraig Harrington.
Study: High fats, calories may boost Alzheimer's risk for some
CHICAGO (AP) -- A diet high in calories and fat may increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease in people who are genetically susceptible to the mind-robbing disorder, new research suggests.
Readiness program set in Pillager
PILLAGER -- The School Readiness Program is again planned at the Pillager Elementary School. The program is for children who are 4 years old and 5 years old not entering kindergarten
Minnesota's close encounter of another kind
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- David Olson is still laughing, nearly 23 years later.
Crosslake comprehensive plan focus group to meet Thursday
CROSSLAKE -- As part of the Crosslake Comprehensive Plan process, the city of Crosslake will host the third of four focus group meetings from 7-9 p.m. Thursday at the Crosslake Community Center.
Once everywhere, coin-operated photo booths are harder to find, but thanks to Todd Erickson, not impossible
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Go ahead. Pull the curtain. Rotate the stool to the right height. Put in your money. Wait for the light to start flashing, then stick your fingers in the corners of your mouth, poke out your tongue, cross your eyes. Pucker up if there's someone else in there with you. Kiss.
Catch the Spirit
LITTLE FALLS -- Children paused on Little Falls city streets, straddling bikes on a warm summer day and shielding their eyes in the sun as they watched the five planes circle overhead.
Riverwood Healthcare Center offers feng shui and healing touch education
AITKIN -- Riverwood Healthcare Center Wellness Team is sponsoring a basic feng shui class conducted by Hinda Abrahamson, a certified feng shui consultant and a founding member of the Feng Shui Institute of the Midwest.
CLC instructors receive grants
Two Central Lakes College instructors are among 13 in Minnesota to receive grants for projects they designed for students at the Brainerd campus.
A flight to remember
LITTLE FALLS -- The experience had everything but a white silk scarf flying in the breeze.
Isle artist's dream becomes reality
ISLE -- Nine years ago Isle artist Anita Moss had a dream -- to start a non-profit center where professional artists could work alongside schoolchildren, providing creative inspiration and positive reinforcement for children who might not receive that at home.
Little Falls area commemorates Lindbergh flight
LITTLE FALLS -- To commemorate Charles A. Lindbergh's Pan-Atlantic flight, a Spirit of St. Louis replica landed at 2:03 p.m. Saturday at the Little Falls-Morrison County Airport.
Solway couple has friend for life in pig
SOLWAY (AP) -- Stretched out in gargantuan grandeur, Boaris, the 1,000-pound boar, smiles, chuckles and almost purrs.
MPCA seeks public input on Long Prairie Superfund site
LONG PRAIRIE -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is seeking public input on a required five-year review of the Long Prairie Ground Water Contamination Superfund site.
Nisswa Women of Today to host speaker
LAKE SHORE -- The Nisswa Area Women of Today announced that local speaker Mary Ann Simmons will be doing a special presentation titled, "Leaving a Legacy ... Journaling with Photos" at 7 p.m. Thursday at Living Savior Lutheran Church, 1827 Interlachen Road, in Lake Shore.
Airport given a new name
The Brainerd-Crow Wing County Regional Airport has a new name.
Easements snag delays Riverside Drive project
A proposed utility and road reconstruction project along Riverside Drive has been pushed back to at least next spring.
That's one amazing maze!
The 14-acre corn maze at This Old Farm, featuring Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, will open for the fall season on Saturday with a weekend full of events to raise funds for the Brainerd Area Lakers, the adult Special Olympics team.
This was Brainerd
AUGUST 14 - 60 years ago (1942) - A Brainerd officer in the 194th tank battalion probably downed a Japanese plane the fourth day after war was declared. The officer who is credited with shooting down the enemy plane is Lt.. Russell Swearingen.
Beauty spot
Elfrieda Jeffrey is humble about her ability to grow a variety of colorful flowers and exotic looking grasses, but the results are a house with serious curb appeal. Look for the story in Friday's Housing section.
County wants to make planning office more friendly
The Crow Wing County Planning and Zoning Department is working on how its office can be more efficient and more user friendly.
City, MnDOT huddle on road options
Future road projects within the city were the focus of a Brainerd City Council informational meeting Tuesday.
Dead blue jay triggers West Nile concerns
FORT RIPLEY -- When a Crow Wing Lake resident found a dead blue jay in his yard his suspicions at once went to the West Nile virus.
Officers on alert during BIR Nationals
Area law enforcement officials will be doing extra patrols this week as the NHRA Nationals take place at the Brainerd International Raceway.
County, city can't agree on LEC's future
Crow Wing County and Brainerd have not yet reached an agreement regarding the future of the Law Enforcement Center.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1982) - Mayor C. Elmer Anderson last night took city employees who don't live where they work, to task, but was unsuccessful in stopping a residency requirement change for Brainerd Police.
Decision delayed on granting pay raise to administrator
Crow Wing County Administrator Peter Herlofsky Jr. will have to wait and see if he will get a pay raise next year.
Charges against two Wal-Mart protesters dropped
Criminal charges against a Central Lakes College instructor and his student, stemming from a protest last summer at Wal-Mart in Baxter, have been dismissed.
Local briefs
BAXTER -- The future of Minnesota's transportation system will be the topic of a meeting from 1-3 p.m. Monday at the Kelly Inn in St. Cloud.
Three arrested in drug bust
Three people were arrested on drug charges after area law enforcement officials seized about three-quarters of a pound of cocaine and crank at a residence on Wise Road.
CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION
A Page 1A story Sunday should have said Louis Eschenbacher is from Brainerd.
Star is coming
Merle Haggard, one of the most recognizable country music stars, will perform Monday at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. Read more in Thursday's Tempo.
CORRECTION/ CLARIFICATION
The date of the opening of the corn maze at This Old Farm was incorrectly listed in a Page 1 story in Wednesday's Dispatch.
County board approves contract for dog control
If dogs are on the loose or are a nuisance to others in Crow Wing County, residents now have someone to call.
Shifting gears
Up until the mid 1980s drag racing was purely a hobby for most drivers and teams. All that changed when racing teams began signing contracts with corporate sponsors.
EDA approves $1.3 million in city bonds
Brainerd will bond for $1.3 million for renovations to current buildings and for the construction of new city facilities.
Local briefs
Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., is scheduled to speak at a labor rally scheduled for 2 to 5 p.m. Friday at Central Lakes College.
Chinese grandmother gets to stay in U.S. after Congress intervenes
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) -- A family's effort to keep a 74-year-old grandmother from being deported to China ended happily for the woman, and the act of Congress she inspired could benefit hundreds of other immigrants.
Cardinal Law admits promoting priest without checking records
BOSTON -- Cardinal Bernard Law acknowledged having promoted a priest who was later charged with multiple counts of child rape without examining his personnel records, according to transcripts of court testimony released Tuesday.
Angry that Texas executed cop killer, Mexican president Fox cancels meeting with Bush
MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Hours after Texas ignored the pleas of Mexico's president and put a drug smuggler to death for killing a Dallas police officer, Vicente Fox angrily canceled a meeting with President Bush as relations between the two neighbors appeared to sour.
Florida's child welfare chief quits under fire
MIAMI -- Under fire for the blunders and oversights of her agency, which notoriously lost a 5-year-old girl in its care, Kathleen A. Kearney resigned Tuesday as secretary of Florida's Department of Children & Families.
Police search for infant abducted from mother's minivan in store parking lot
ABILENE, Texas (AP) -- A month-old infant was missing Wednesday after she was snatched from her family's minivan in a Wal-Mart parking lot and driven away as the child's mother held onto the side of the abductor's car, trying desperately to stop it, authorities said.
Fed gloomy but doesn't cut rates Newsday
WASHINGTON -- Half a continent from Waco, Texas, Chairman Alan Greenspan and his Federal Reserve board members offered a gloomy assessment of the national economy Tuesday, warning of continued weakness "for the forseeable future."
Conservatives praise Bush for opting out of U.N. Earth summit
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Conservative activists are praising President Bush's apparent decision to send Secretary of State Colin Powell to a U.N. conference on global ecology rather than attending the once-a-decade summit himself as his father did in 1992.
United threatens bankruptcy filing this fall if cost-cutting fails
CHICAGO -- United Airlines says it's in danger of heading to an undesirable new destination: bankruptcy court.
Bush to block $5 billion in spending
WASHINGTON -- Defiantly breaking a budget truce with Congress, President Bush announced Tuesday he would block more than $5 billion that lawmakers had approved for homeland security, global AIDS relief and other items. Since last year's terrorist attacks, Bush has worked with both Republicans and Democrats to round up support for massive spending packages for the war on terrorism, recovery operations in New York and new domestic security measures.
Report shows spike in immigration to U.S. from Middle East
WASHINGTON -- Immigration to the United States from the Middle East has been so heavy in recent years -- and is expected to continue at such high levels -- that it is likely to have significant political and social implications here, some demographers and other experts say.
U.S. officials now say terror suspect Padilla a minor figure
WASHINGTON -- The government media blitz after the arrest an American accused of plotting to detonate a radioactive bomb was almost unprecedented for a terrorist suspect post-Sept. 11.
Back from the Sept. 11 rubble
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Nearly two dozen Pentagon workers returned Thursday to offices rebuilt after being destroyed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Residency questions raised for Harlem Little Leaguers
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) -- Little League officials are investigating whether the Harlem, N.Y., team that advanced to this year's World Series has players who violated residency rules.
Investors may have gotten dose of confidence from CEOs vouching for company reports
WASHINGTON -- Rattled investors may have gotten an infusion of confidence from the torrent of CEOs swearing to the accuracy of their companies' recent financial reports.
Economy sluggish
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The nation's industrial sector lost momentum in July and new claims for jobless benefits edged up last week, fresh signs of the struggles companies and workers are facing amid a sluggish economic recovery.
Missing Los Angeles girl found unharmed at clinic
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A 4-year-old girl who disappeared from a city park had a joyful reunion with her family after she turned up at a medical clinic complaining of a sore throat. She was dirty and barefoot, and her hair had been cut short, but authorities say she was unharmed.
Parents reunited with baby day after parking lot abduction
ABILENE, Texas (AP) -- Screaming and bleeding after being dragged across a parking lot by a car that sped away with her infant daughter, Margarita Chavez somehow believed she would hold her baby again.
Inventories up
WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. companies, trying to gauge Americans' appetites during the uneven economic recovery, added to their stocks of unsold goods in June for the second month in a row.
President Bush blames U.S. economic woes on three factors beyond his control
DES MOINES, Iowa -- President Bush Wednesday blamed U.S. economic woes on three factors beyond his control: a recession he inherited, the Sept. 11 attacks and corporate "liars" whose scandals have shaken confidence in the economy.
Support for Cuba embargo breaks down in Congress
WASHINGTON -- Despite President Bush's tough line on Cuba, support for trade sanctions is crumbling in Congress, with anti-Castro activists struggling to preserve an embargo that has lasted more than 40 years.
Discount retailer Ames announces plans to close all 327 stores nationwide
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -- Ames Department Stores, one of the last surviving regional discounters, is shutting down, succumbing to the competition from such titans as Wal-Mart and Target.
Smoltz wins showdown with Bonds
John Smoltz didn't back down against Barry Bonds.
Lawyer: Deal might be possible
NEW YORK (AP) -- Baseball's top labor lawyer thinks it is possible to reach a bargaining agreement "in the next several days" to avert a threatened walkout by players.
Little Leaguers don't need TV pressure
N EW YORK -- There's no threat of a strike, no sign of any .200 hitters making $8 million, just a bus full of giggling boys headed to Williamsport, Pa., after a quick stop at McDonald's. Harlem will play in the Little League World Series, ensuring a heartwarming baseball story for New York this year.
Baseball talks suffer setback
Baseball labor talks stalled Wednesday over the contentious issue of a payroll tax, stirring concern that negotiations are entering a make-or-break phase with a strike deadline looming.
Champs decided
Aptos, Calif., scored a 4-3 victory over Glendale, Ariz., Tuesday night in the Little League Western regional championship.
Dorothy G. Tomovich
LARGO, Fla. -- Dorothy G. Tomovich, 80, Largo, Fla., died Thursday, Aug. 8, 2002, at Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Dorothy J. Eigenheer
NISSWA -- Dorothy J. Eigenheer, 73, Nisswa, died Sunday, Aug. 11, 2002, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.
John Peter Anderson Jr.
RENO, Nev. -- John Peter Anderson Jr., 60, Reno, Nev., died Saturday, June 29, 2002, of lung cancer in Reno, Nev.
Confidence game
President Bush journeyed this week to what he called "the front lines" of the American economy, but he didn't appear to be in much danger there. Among the adoring Cabinet officers and supportive business executives invited to the president's economic forum in Waco, Texas, there was a range of opinion:
Open Forum
Jesse was elected because many of us were disillusioned with Democrats or Republicans. However I truly admire the "chutzpa" of some right wing letter writers who say they don't like government interference or regulation.
PGA Championship
Golf rules. It's as simple as that. Fans of other Minnesota sports might as well just step aside this week. Just back away from the television remote and no one will get hurt.
A look at local governmental financing
Government financing, taxation formulas, and recent discussions in The Brainerd Daily Dispatch have raised the issue about local government financial issues. How are they derived? How are they funded? How are they alike or different from my own personal financial concerns?
Open Forum
In reply to: Party Politics Democrats Rule!
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.
Tourism
Summer is at its height in the Brainerd Lakes Area and so is tourism business. It's important to keep the Brainerd lakes area strong and vital.
Straighten up and fly right
This editorial appeared in Monday's Los Angeles Times:
CBS: Our news is bigger than their news
All the media chatter about Connie, Phil, Greta, Larry and the gang must be rankling the folks at CBS.
Endorsement letters must not exceed 50 words
The Dispatch encourages readers to sound off in the Open Forum.
Full field of sprint cars ready to go
For those of you who can't watch enough racing this weekend, get set for a full field of Wissota Championship Sprint cars hitting North Central Speedway Saturday night.
Priestley was no part-time racer
In an episode of "Beverly Hills 90210," the gang is challenged to a street race and is all set to participate, when Jason Priestley's character arrives on the scene, explains the dangers and puts a stop to it.
Racers starting young to be the next Jeff Gordon
HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) -- A few minutes before a race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Michelle Theriault stood calmly in the pits and talked over last-minute strategy with her crew. Her dog, a Dachshund named Oakley, prowled the area on a leash and barked at strangers.
Good 'ol boy Martin won't change style
Sterling Marlin strolled through the garage, a smile on his face and a wink and a nod to his supporters. There was no indication he had just suffered through engine problems for a second-straight race or that his lead in the standings had been sliced in half.
Capps going after Force again
Ron Capps, the 2001 NHRA Funny Car champion at BIR, is returning to the NHRA Nationals today though Sunday with confidence.
Crew chief keeps Dixon in top spot
NHRA Top Fuel pilot Larry Dixon comes to the NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway today through Sunday as the event's defending champion and leading the class in points.
Lee enlisted in the battle against Force
One day last month, former NHRA Funny Car pilot and crew member Cory Lee received a call from fellow Funny Car racer Del Worsham.
How they stand
The 2002 NHRA schedule, (winners, TF--Top Fuel; FC--Funny Car; PS--Pro Stock, PM-- Pro Stock Motorcyle, in parentheses) and driver point standings:
Rugged Liner NHRA Nationals
Brainerd International Raceway
Radio personality arrested for PGA 'joke'
CHASKA (AP) -- Law enforcement officials expressed outrage Wednesday after a local radio personality allegedly tried to bring a chain saw onto the grounds of Hazeltine National Golf Club, site of the PGA Championship.
Woman with history of mental illness charged with murdering 8-year-old son
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A woman with a history of mental illness was charged with second-degree intentional murder in the death of her 8-year-old son.
Lightning makes a return visit
CHASKA (AP) -- One shot was all Tiger Woods got Thursday morning before play was suspended because of bad weather in the opening round of the PGA Championship.
MnDOT hits the road for feedback on long-term plans
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Transportation Commissioner Elwyn Tinklenberg revised the state's 20-year plan with help from more people than ever -- and is now taking to the road for even more feedback from the public.
DNR cuts forestry budget; less timber will be sold
DULUTH (AP) -- Cuts in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources budget will mean less timber will be sold next year.
Mosquito Control District budgets extra $820,000
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Metropolitan Mosquito Control District has budgeted an extra $820,000 -- nearly 8 percent of its annual $10.5 million budget -- to fight mosquitoes and the West Nile virus.
Teen hit by truck recognizes driver as part of rescue crew
FERGUS FALLS (AP) -- After being struck by a pickup truck, Morgan Taylor said he was stunned when, as he was being taken away on a stretcher, he recognized a member of the ambulance crew as the driver who allegedly hit him.
Hearings listed
Here is a list of public meetings around Minnesota for discussion of the Department of Transportation's 20-year plan.
Ventura says his pay too low
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Gov. Jesse Ventura said the governor's low annual salary -- $120,000 -- was one of the reasons he decided not to seek a second term.
Highway 210 detour to end Aug. 21
The Highway 210 detour, from the junction of Highway 169 in Hassman to the west junction of Highway 65 in McGregor, is expected to be lifted Aug. 21.
Official busy leading fight against Nile virus
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Dave Neitzel won't wear mosquito repellent; he actually wants the bloodsuckers to consider him their next meal so he can study them.
Target earnings up 27 percent in second quarter
MINNEAPOLIS -- Target Corp. reported a 27 percent jump in second-quarter earnings Thursday, powered by strong results from its Target discount store division.
State briefs
ROCKFORD, Ill. (AP) -- A 12-year-old boy has died of a rarely fatal form of mosquito-borne encephalitis, health officials say.
Cutbacks trim 1,000 state jobs
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Nearly 1,000 state jobs have been affected by layoffs and other payroll reductions since the start of 2002, according to the Minnesota Department of Employee Relations.
MARSDEN WORKS OUT OF JAM
Aaron Marsden reigned against the St. Cloud River Bats Wednesday night.
Scoreboard
Northwoods League Baseball
Now it's on to St. Cloud for Mighty Gulls
The atmosphere will be entirely different when the Brainerd Mighty Gulls travel to St. Cloud for Game 2 of the North Division playoffs tonight.
Scoreboard
Northwoods League Baseball
Gulls primed for playoffs after beating Alex
ALEXANDRIA -- After having the first- and second-half North Division titles already in hand, one might think the Brainerd Mighty Gulls had nothing to play for Tuesday as they finished the Northwoods League regular season against the Alexandria Beetles.
Local shorts
A two-mile fun run through the streets of Pierz will start 8 a.m. Aug. 25, followed by a five-mile run in the country east of Pierz starting at 8:30 a.m.
Fan fever missing but Gulls hopeful
With the NHRA Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway and the PGA Championship at Hazeltine in Chaska this week the Brainerd Mighty Gulls aren't expecting to break any attendance records in the Northwoods League playoffs, which open tonight at Mills Field.
Hornets shooting forf 3rd state title
After tearing through two slow-pitch softball state tournaments and emerging as champions of both, the Brainerd Hornets look for their third state title this year when they compete in the USSSA women's state tournament Friday through Sunday in Blaine.
Ill Reed makes O's look sick
MINNEAPOLIS -- Rick Reed would have felt even worse if he hadn't finished.
Vikings camp ends the way it started: WITHOUT McKINNIE
MANKATO-- At least one thing hasn't changed since the Vikings arrived at training camp two and a half weeks ago.
Summer camp ends
MANKATO (AP) -- Daunte Culpepper threw two touchdowns and Todd Bouman threw for a score, but the Vikings defense otherwise dominated the final live scrimmage of training camp Tuesday night.
Vikings dump Wynn on last day
MANKATO (AP) -- The Vikings released backup quarterback Spergon Wynn and rookie wide receiver Devin Lewis on Wednesday, the last day of training camp.
Players union accuses Vikings, Chiefs of collusion
MANKATO (AP) -- The NFL Players Association claims the Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs may have engaged in collusion in their negotiations with unsigned first-round draft picks Bryant McKinnie and Ryan Sims.
Orioles stop Twins in 14th
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- With persistence, luck and a little gamesmanship, the Baltimore Orioles finally got to the Minnesota Twins.
Lynx tumble
HOUSTON (AP) -- Rita Williams scored a season-high 15 points to lead the Houston Comets to a 63-51 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Tuesday night.
Heritage Days set on Cuyuna Range
CROSBY -- The history and culture of the Cuyuna Range will be celebrated in Crosby and Ironton this weekend with the Heritage Days Festival.
Beaumont joins Brady's bunch in Jance's latest mystery
Perhaps J.A. Jance couldn't decide which of her mystery series stars -- Sheriff Joanna Brady (nine books) or Special Investigator J.P. Beaumont (15 books) -- should be in her next whodunit.
Film production delayed
A motion picture production with central Minnesota settings apparently has delayed its August shooting schedule, according to Babe Winkelman, the Brainerd-based outdoorsman and television personality.
Pedersen creates children's theater troupe
To Jennifer Pedersen, a steady diet of dramatic theater is the elixir in early childhood development.
Soap stars speak out
Two of daytime's hottest young stars are visiting the Mall of America this weekend as part of the Behind the Scenes with Soap Opera Digest Mall Tour.
Haggard concert sells out
ONAMIA -- Singer Merle Haggard hasn't had a hit song in more than a decade but any decline in popularity would be news to area country music fans.
Crow seeks right balance
MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Sheryl Crow thought that by the time she reached 40 she'd be married and have children. She isn't and she doesn't.
Women surfers of 'Blue Crush' make waves in Hollywood
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- A new breed of gritty women surfers in the film "Blue Crush" could make the clean-cut sun bunnies of 1960s surf movies hide under their beach blankets.
Best bets
Crosby and Ironton will celebrate their history and culture with the Heritage Day Festival Friday through Sunday, with activities planned in both Cuyuna Range towns.
Tempo tidbits
The Paul Bunyan Playhouse of Bemidji used the opening last week of its production of "The Wizard of Oz" to honor a cast member from the original film version of the musical.
On Stage back on track
Thanks to an unexpected setback, the area's newest community theater troupe needed a minor miracle last week to salvage its debut production schedule.
Gwyneth Paltrow talks about nearing 30th birthday and how things are different
NEW YORK (AP) -- With the approach of her 30th birthday, Gwyneth Paltrow knows at least two things are different from her younger days: She's more discriminating about what movies to make, and she now can play an emotionally cautious person based on personal experience.
Entertainment Calendar
For week of Aug. 15-21; bands perform from 9 p.m. to close with no cover unless otherwise noted.
The French Chef turns 90
NAPA, Calif. (AP) -- The secret to a robust life?
A camp with heart
Imagine trying to live a "normal" life with people frequently asking, "Are
Botanical gardens at ag center attracting crowds
STAPLES -- Summer rains and an outpouring of community support have combined to make a popular place where nature's colorful and fragrant bounty prevails.
Iowa state forecast
today...Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s to mid 80s.
State forecast for north dakota
Today...Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers north and east. Highs 70 to 75.
Iowa state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. A chance of thunderstorms north this morning...And south and east this afternoon. Highs in the lower to mid 80s.
State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Variable cloudiness. A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs from the mid 70s to the lower 80s.
Wisconsin state forecast
This afternoon...Partly or mostly sunny. Breezy northwest. Highs in the mid 70s to lower 80s.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Partly cloudy and breezy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms north. Highs ranging from the middle 70s in the north to the middle 80s in the south.
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Partly cloudy. Warmer with highs in the 80s... And 90s central through southwest.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Showers and thunderstorms likely northwest. Partly sunny and breezy with a chance for showers and storms elsewhere. Highs in the around 70 northwest to upper 80s south.
Looking up
Weather drawing by Shaun Rolfes of Sharon Jendro's first grade summer school class at Lowell school.
State forecast for south dakota
Today...Partly cloudy. A chance of morning showers and thunderstorms in the far east. Highs mainly in the 70s.
Minnesota state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms west with showers and thunderstorms likely east. Highs in the 70s.
Rain for the flowers
Weather drawing by Colton Mogensen of Gayle Kub's first grade class at Lowell school.
What's doing
Brian Losos is home from the hospital and will celebrate his graduation from Brainerd High School from 4-8 p.m. Monday at Baxter City Park. There will be food, fun and games. All proceeds donated to the Brian Losos Benefit Fund, c/o Bremer Bank, PO Box 687, Brainerd.
Names and faces
NEWPORT, R.I. (AP) -- Rep. Patrick Kennedy was recuperating Wednesday, a day after he collapsed during a news conference at Newport Hospital from what aides said was a case of stomach flu.
Names and faces
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. (AP) -- The winner of this year's Miss North Carolina pageant will be allowed to keep $12,000 in scholarship money, even though she resigned her title.
Prague fights to clear river's path as Europe reels under flooding
PRAGUE, Czech Republic (AP) -- Police evacuated residents of Prague's Old Town on Wednesday, but let tourists back into the historic square as the flood threat appeared to ease in the waterlogged Czech Republic and across most of Europe.
Floodwaters roll into Dresden
DRESDEN, Germany (AP) -- A fresh swell of water rolled toward the historic city of Dresden on Thursday, forcing the evacuation of hospitals and homes as southeast Germany became the focus of flooding that has left at least 99 people dead across Europe.
Saddam Hussein an 'evil man,' Condoleeza Rice tells British
LONDON (AP) -- National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice called Iraq's Saddam Hussein an "evil man" in a broadcast interview Thursday, saying he would wreak havoc on the world if the West does nothing to stop him.
Foreign briefs
KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) -- Landslides swept through a mountainous village in Nepal, killing two people, as the death toll from two months of monsoon floods swelled to at least 876 in India, Nepal and Bangladesh, officials said Wednesday.
U.S. official: Military will be in Afghanistan for years
KABUL, Afghanistan -- Dismissing any possibility of an early exit by American troops, a top U.S. official on Wednesday said the military presence in Afghanistan will last "not weeks or months, but years."