Friday, August 24, 2001

Call Nissan Quest a 'happy kids van'
Minivans have a reputation as "mom mobiles." But perhaps the Nissan Quest should be called the "happy kids van."

Chrysler unveils two new PT Cruiser versions
ROYAL OAK, Mich. -- Just 16 months after introducing its biggest automotive hit in a generation, the Chrysler Group has unveiled two new versions of its iconic PT Cruiser, hoping to keep the popular car's momentum going in a brutally competitive market.

Rough times for teens can help build secure maturity
QUESTION: Our 15-year-old daughter is getting some rough treatment at the hands of her peers these days. She wasn't invited to a party given by a girl who had been her best friend, and she cried herself to sleep that night. It's just tearing me up to see her hurt like this. Will this experience leave lifelong scars on her mind?

Faith-based classes start at St. Thomas Law
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- In a state that already has more than 22,000 attorneys, the University of St. Thomas hopes to stand out with its faith-based approach at its new School of Law.

Burglars sell stolen stained-glass windows from churches to support their drug habits
BALTIMORE -- The Rev. Loretta Ewell-Johnson sighed in exasperation as she pointed to a hole in the wall where light used to cascade through a stained-glass window at St. Paul United Methodist Church.

Cross, bell raising mark milestone for Crosslake Presbyterian Church
CROSSLAKE -- More than 50 congregation members and friends were at the new Crosslake Presbyterian Church building Monday to see the cross raised to the top of the bell tower.

Move would stretch limited priest leadership
Clergy and lay representatives from the seven Catholic parishes in the Brained lakes area met Aug. 16 to discuss options for some potentially major changes looming on their horizon.

Wisconsin insurance firm offers coverage for violence at churches
WAUSAU, Wis. -- The top insurance company for U.S. churches said it will begin offering coverage for shootings, bombings and hostage standoffs because of recent violence at places of worship.

Walk by faith -- not by sight
Greetings in Christ! My name is Bob Kemper; I am the new pastor at South Long Lake Presbyterian Church. We just finished our Vacation Bible School on Sunday, the theme of which was "Courageous Kids -- Stepping Out for Jesus." It was a weeklong study of young people who were willing to step out of their "comfort zone" in obedience to God's call on their lives.

Churches
PEARLES

Alabama woman reaching wired world with godly 'Interview'
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Reata Strickland doesn't claim to have a private pipeline to God, and she never intended to speak for The Almighty.

Media-savvy monks' prayer guidebook a surprise best seller in soul-searching Ireland
DUBLIN, Ireland -- You can still hear the power of prayer in this once devoutly Roman Catholic land -- in the ca-ching! of the booksellers' cash registers.

Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL(AP) (USDA) -- Tuesday cattle: 500.

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Tuesday 277, a year ago 488.

Eat those fresh fruits and vegetables
Homegrown fruits and vegetables are great when they come from the labors of your own garden. If you don't have space, time or energy for your own garden, the Farmer's Market is the next best thing. It's also a great opportunity for area growers to sell their products.

Tasty tortillas filled with low-fat items
Tortillas were traditionally considered Mexican fare, but now they are past of the mainstream diet. They are wholesome, versatile and neatly portable, and they combine with a range of other foods on menus, as roll-ups or wraps, holding together a wide variety of fillings.

Little bitty book bites
Four handy reference books include more detailed information than might appear from their compact presentation: "The Little Book of Chocolate," "The Little Book of Tea," "The Little Book of Coffee" and "The Little Book of Wine" (Flammarion, each $12.95 paperback).

Almond shortbread is simple treat for picnics and snacks
Almond Shortbread is simple to make, and an appealing treat for summer snacking. It's easy to pack for a picnic but would also complement a cool glass of homemade lemonade sipped on the porch at home. On cooler evenings, it will go well with a hot cup of coffee, tea or chocolate.

Get good recipes from good friends
Where do good recipes come from? From good times and good neighbors.

Crime
Brainerd police

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

Correction
A story in Wednesday's Neighbors section on Green Thumb workers listed a wrong telephone number. The number for the Brainerd Green Thumb office is 822-3060.

Accident
Two people were injured -- one severely -- in a two-vehicle head-on collision Tuesday on County Road 23, three miles south of Highway 18, east of Brainerd.

How to reach lawmakers
Sen. Paul Wellstone

Fire
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to a cut gas line today on Ojibwa Road.

Quinney on course for second straight Amateur title
ATLANTA (AP) -- Jeff Quinney considered turning pro after winning the U.S. Amateur Championship, then thought better of it. The chance to capture another title was just too much to pass up.

Bush picks missile defense expert to head Joint Chiefs
WASHINGTON -- President Bush has selected Air Force Gen. Richard B. Myers, an expert on missile defense with broad service in the Pacific region, as his choice for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, senior Pentagon officials said Wednesday.

Back injury sidelines Gov. Jesse Ventura
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Gov. Jesse Ventura injured his back and was forced to call off some Friday appearances at the Minnesota State Fair.

Administration signals doubt in expanding health coverage
WASHINGTON -- U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson signaled Thursday that the Bush administration is backing away from its commitment to extend health insurance coverage to some of the nation's 39 million uninsured.

Conservative firebrand Helms says he won't run for re-election
HAVANA (AP) -- Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque said Wednesday that he hopes Sen. Jesse Helms, Cuba's most vilified conservative nemesis, makes good on his promise to not seek re-election.

Documents show military campaign to ease endangered species rules
The Pentagon is moving toward asking Congress to rewrite the Endangered Species Act and other laws so that military training exercises can be exempted from restrictions to protect sea turtles, desert tortoises, shore birds and other rare creatures, according to documents leaked to the press.

Pugh tells Ventura to personally help reach contract settlements
ST. PAUL (AP) -- House Minority Leader Tom Pugh urged Gov. Jesse Ventura on Friday to take a personal role in reaching contract settlements with state employees.

Court says landlords not liable for crimes against tenants
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Minnesota Supreme Court has ruled that landlords are not liable for protecting tenants from criminals who get into their buildings.

Next of kin
WASHINGTON -- They are fresh faces, but they have awfully familiar names.

N.C.-native Elizabeth Dole moving voter registration, signaling interest in Senate seat
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- A day after Sen. Jesse Helms announced he wouldn't run for re-election, North Carolina native and fellow Republican Elizabeth Dole inched closer to joining the race to replace him.

Stem cell controversy
WASHINGTON -- Most or all of the human embryonic stem cell colonies approved for research funding under a new Bush administration policy have been mixed in the laboratory with mouse cells, which may create substantial hurdles for scientists trying to turn the colonies into treatments for Parkinson's disease, spinal-cord injuries and other ailments.

Water adds cool aesthetics to hot garden
It doesn't take more than a few days of 90-plus degree temperatures to make one aware of how essential water is to growing a garden.

Some Pennsylvanians turning their farms into vacation destinations
McCLURE, Pa. -- Bill and Kate Freeman took their five children on a family vacation to Mountain Dale Farm because they wanted them to see something they wouldn't normally see in their suburban hometown.

How colors speak to you in your home
What colors make you happy? Which ones help you relax after a busy day? The colors you choose to decorate with really do influence your emotions.

Homeowners can take steps to reduce contractor liens
Liens from contested home improvement projects are unnerving to many homeowners. They risk legal fees, poor credit ratings, and lose their ability to sell their home if the lien is not resolved.

Imaginative use of household items brings out the artist in children
There are loads of really cool art supplies you can buy for lots of money.

Little Falls home tour set Sept. 16 to raise funds for symphony orchestra
LITTLE FALLS -- The Heartland Symphony Orchestra is inviting the community to take part in its annual fall fund-raiser, the Little Falls Tour of Homes, from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 16.

Census 2000: Dream of owning a home still not coming true for blacks in South
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- More than 30 years after struggling to win the right to vote and other basic freedoms, blacks in the South still trail far behind their white neighbors in realizing the dream of owning a home, new Census figures show.

Keep notes on today's garden to help grow tomorrow's
POUND RIDGE, N.Y. (AP) -- Sooner or later a gardener finds the need to keep a journal. From simple jottings in a notebook to entries in a computer database, today's diary helps to grow tomorrow's garden.

Dripping water cares for plants easily, efficiently
Drip irrigation is an automated method of delivering water to plants in small doses. This promotes shallow rootin

Dream home boasts an expansive country view
MOTLEY -- The first striking home feature is the view.

Watering helps plants only if done correctly
Plants grow better with timely watering. Even during a wet summer, rain rarely falls as soon as a plant needs water.

Evaluate the work, yourself, before tackling repairs
Can you really do it yourself?

Back-to-school favorites
By early September, more than a few parents, surveying their sport utility vehicles packed beyond capacity by college-bound offspring, will have remarked acidly, "When I left for school, I took two suitcases, an electric typewriter, a crate of albums and a record player."

Q & A
Q. Tony asks: I am getting ready to stain my deck and would like a natural finish that will last as long as possible. What is the best product to use?

Tour to feature six homes
STAPLES -- Six homes will be featured on the Staples area Tour of Homes on Sept. 9.

Are homeowners the economy's savior?
NEW YORK (AP) -- Not so long ago it was so young and robust it plowed through all obstacles in its path. Now the economy awaits the latest bad news weakened by excess and apprehensive about the latest medical report.

Cracked cement
Q. Barbara asks: We have a crack forming on our cement fountain. It shows both inside and outside the bowl. It doesn't leak yet. How can I seal it before we spring a leak?

Residents in five area districts to hold school board elections
Residents in five area school districts will head to the polls in November to vote for school board seats that expire this year.

Wastewater treatment options subject of seminar series
The Initiative Foundation and the University of Minnesota Extension Service will host a series of seminars and workshops to help rural communities assess their needs and options for treating wastewater.

371 corridor plan draws objections from Baxter
The city of Baxter on Thursday objected to parts of a Highway 371 corridor plan that would encourage growth in a largely undeveloped area between the city and Crow Wing State Park.

Searching for Timothy Cashin
DEERWOOD -- The search for Tim Cashin, missing and presumed drowned on Bay Lake, continued today on the north end of the lake.

French braid afternoon
Judy Roncalli (left) of Amherst, Mass., braided her granddaughter Nicole Roncalli's hair in the shade of a tree near Whipple Beach in Baxter on Wednesday afternoon. Nicole lives in Baxter. Warm temperatures have given central Minnesota residents another lease on summer weather.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1981)-The face on a billboard in Brainerd is identical to Ted Waddell from Brainerd. Waddell's face -- or, at least a face that looks enough like him to fool his closest friends -- is on display on three billboards in town.

NO WINNER
DES MOINES, Iowa -- Powerball mania is certain to intensify in the coming days as players across the country get another chance Saturday at winning a jackpot that could approach $300 million.

Weekend Powerball jackpot reaches $280 million, second highest in history
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- Powerball retailers began bracing Thursday for another rush of ticket buyers as the jackpot grew to an estimated $280 million.

This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1981)-Harry Stranski repeated as champion Saturday in the 1981 Men's Club Tournament at the Brainerd Golf and Country Club. Stranski defeated Bud Henderson for the title. He had beaten Bud Marshall and Vern Moore to gain the finals.

Former Powerball winner Farrah Slad says it was the best and worst thing to happen
It's been more than two years since Farrah Slad won one of Powerball's biggest jackpots, and the Minnesotan says it's been the best and worst thing that has happened to her.

Infertility support group meets in Crosby
CROSBY -- The infertility support group is probably the only support group in the Brainerd lakes area where members pray they'll be banned from attending the next group meeting.

Man drowns after falling out of boat
IDEAL CORNERS -- Despite an attempt by witnesses to save him, a 59-year-old Mankato man drowned Wednesday after falling out of his boat on Upper Whitefish Lake.

Historic architect to guide depot restoration
PINE RIVER -- State Historic Architect Charles Nelson visited the Pine River depot last week and has agreed to guide the restoration process, the Depot Delegation reported.

In TV interview, Condit denies wrongdoing
CERES, Calif. -- Capping a publicity blitz that ended months of public silence, Rep. Gary Condit denied involvement in Chandra Levy's disappearance and sidestepped questions about whether they had an affair. The Levy family lawyer said Friday her parents were angry and believe "he's hiding something."

Total number of jobless workers hits nine-year high, new claims for benefits rise
WASHINGTON (AP) -- New claims for state unemployment insurance rose last week to the highest level since mid-July while the number of laid-off workers drawing unemployment benefits hit a nine-year peak.

Man who lost and regained arms tells all in new book
MINOT, N.D. (AP) -- "I came here in three pieces and I'm going home in one."

French daredevil rescued, then charged after parachute catches on Statue of Liberty's torch
NEW YORK -- A daredevil Frenchman got stuck on the Statue of Liberty's gilded flame during an attempt to parachute onto the statue's torch and then bungee jump from it.

Brain injury researchers to launch study of amusement park rides
A national research and advocacy group will launch the first in-depth study into the possible link between brain injuries and thrill rides in response to increasing concerns over roller coaster safety since recent deaths at two California amusement parks.

Canadian who bilked elderly Americans gets seven years in prison
Wilson Chucks Okike, a Canadian citizen, was sentenced to seven years in federal prison Thursday for defrauding more than 1,400 American residents, most of them elderly, of at least $1.9 million in an elaborate telemarketing scheme. Okike, 29, earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of a federal indictment. U.S. District Judge Margaret Morrow, summarizing the case, said Okike owned a Vancouver company whose employees told victims they were 99.5 percent likely to be winners of a foreign lottery. The callers then offered to provide the winnings in exchange for a processing fee.

National Briefs
NEW YORK (AP) -- Passions are still strong among supporters and opponents of former Weather Underground radical Kathy Boudin, who was denied parole for her murder conviction in a 1981 armored car heist.

Fish win out over farmers in Klamath Falls water dispute
KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -- Water stopped spilling into one of the main irrigation canals in the thirsty Klamath Basin shortly before dawn Thursday when federal authorities closed the headgates, saying they had no more water to give farmers.

Suspected Sacramento killer still at large
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Calling the suspect in a family killing spree a "cold-blooded" killer, authorities began protecting at least a dozen of his relatives out of fear he may strike again.

A different mindset
BELOIT, Wis. -- Brooke Ferguson was a little taken aback when a letter from her college in southern Wisconsin urged her to bring a pair of "thongs" to school.

Once-battered euro stages a comeback as U.S. uncertainty pushes dollar lower
FRANKFURT, Germany -- With bad economic news weighing down the dollar, the euro has been staging a steady comeback, offering hope of relief to U.S. exporters such as automakers and farmers.

NASA terminates ozone mission
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- NASA is ending a satellite mission that kept tabs on the hole in Earth's ozone layer because the space agency can't afford the $10 million-a-year bill.

Condit interview is not fare to remember
HOLLYWOOD -- With "Prime Time Thursday" behind him, Rep. Gary Condit can now look constituents in the eye and declare without fear of contradiction: I did not have interview relations with that woman, Miss Chung.

Florida team gains finals
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) -- To break the Apopka, Fla., Little League team out of its two-game hitting slump, the coaches offered a new strategy.

Sampras faces tough path at U.S. Open
NEW YORK (AP) -- A bad year and bad luck conspired to leave four-time champion Pete Sampras with a daunting path to the U.S. Open final.

Boone, Mariners break loose
Hitting a single was the hardest part for Bret Boone.

Panthers reign over Ravens
BALTIMORE -- Purple Reign descended once again on Baltimore, conjuring up visions of the Ravens' 2000 championship season.

Seven games, four coaching debuts to kick off 2001 season
Coaching debuts are the order of business as the 2001 season begins with seven "classic" games this weekend.

12-year-old nearly perfect again
SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. (AP) -- Danny Almonte wasn't perfect, but he was as close as you can get.

Rockies pitcher has career day in major league debut
Jason Jennings could retire right now and still call it a great career.

Scoreboard
East Division

Maddux excels at the plate and on the mound
Greg Maddux was more excited by his prowess at the plate than his mastery on the mound.

Kimberly Tholen-Lehrke
Kimberly Tholen-Lehrke, 23, Brainerd, formerly of Aitkin, died Thursday, Aug. 23, 2001, at home.

Florence Sycks
BACKUS -- Florence Sycks, 86, Backus, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001, at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes.

Marion O. Judd
CROSBY -- Marion Opal Judd, 79, Crosby, died Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2001, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby.

Judith E. Hoffman
Judith E. Hoffman, 56, Brainerd, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001, at St. Joseph's Medical Center.

Helen A. Johnson
CROSBY -- Helen Ann Johnson, 85, Crosby, died Thursday, Aug. 23, 2001, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby.

Stephen C. Blomquist
AITKIN -- Stephen C. Blomquist, 53, Aitkin, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001, at home.

Adele Hammond
STAPLES -- Adele Hammond, 82, Staples, died today, Aug. 24, 2001, at St. Cloud Hospital.

Fern S. Bennett
EMILY -- Fern S. Bennett, 83, Emily, died Tuesday, Aug. 21, 2001, at Trinity West Medical Center in Rock Island, Ill.

Stephen Blomquist
AITKIN -- Stephen Blomquist, 53, Aitkin, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001, at home.

Rose Brown
STAPLES -- Rose Brown, 82, Staples, died Saturday, Aug. 18, 2001.

Marie M. Jung
LITTLE FALLS -- Marie M. Jung, 79, Little Falls, formerly of Columbia Heights, died Thursday, Aug. 23, 2001, at St. Otto's Care Center.

Bernice Sanoski
LITTLE FALLS -- Bernice Sanoski, 76, Little Falls, died Thursday, Aug. 23, 2001, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls.

Florence Sycks
DETROIT LAKES -- Florence Sycks, 86, Detroit Lakes, formerly of Backus, died Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2001, at Emmanuel Nursing Home in Detroit Lakes.

Open Forum
This letter is in response to a letter in the "Open Forum" on Aug. 9, 2001, regarding complaints of noise from Camp Ripley.

Forget about being nice
When President Bush returns to Washington, he'll face a carefully planned ambush by Democrats who will repeat their successful strategy of striking fear into the hearts of the uninformed.

Powerball 'fever'
When a lottery jackpot gets as high as the Powerball is now, adjectives like lottery "fever" and "mania" and "craze" are heard to describe the rush to buy tickets.

Two-lane trouble
Hung up in traffic on Interstate 94? Count your blessings. Stuck amid slow-and-go drivers on U.S. Highway 10? Consider yourself lucky.

Open Forum
On March 15 of this year the fisheries research manager presented testimony, at the Environment and Natural Resources Policy Committee hearing on the sterile grass

The Dispatch's editorial views
Editorial views in The Brainerd Dispatch represent a consensus of opinion by members of the newspaper's editorial board.

The flaming Pop-Tarts of August
WASHINGTON -- As any wire service reporter will tell you, August is the David Letterman of months -- presenting a season of stupid pet tricks, marathon Marco Polo games in the pool and farmers producing zucchini shaped like Trent Lott.

NASCAR confuses easy answers with responsibility when it comes to making racing safer
I'd nearly fallen asleep 40 minutes into NASCAR's presentation on the findings from the investigation of the death of Dale Earnhardt when The Post's Liz Clarke asked the only question that mattered: How does all this exhaustive and painfully detailed research immediately change life at the track? Are the walls surrounding the track going to be made softer? Will the cars be slower? Will head restraint devices be mandatory? What?

Pillager, Baxter racers star at Wissota
Sye Anderson of Pillager and Gary Walton of Baxter swept the top two spots in the Wissota Sprint Car August Heat Series.

Earnhardt Jr. content with NASCAR's findings on father's death
DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. suggested one addition to NASCAR's extensive report of his father's fatal Daytona crash: Set standards for making seat belts.

NCMS standings
North Central Motor Speedway

Racing memories
The late Fred Thiesse, and his cousins Gary Thiesse and Dwight Thiesse stood by their 1955 Chevrolet "Original 3T" stock car racer they raced at North Central Motor Speedway. The photo was taken in 1970.

Survey: Minnesotans find sales tax most fair
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A majority of Minnesotans in a Department of Revenue poll identified the sales tax as the state's "most fair tax."

Unemployed workers on the rise in state
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Minnesotans collecting unemployment benefits increased 90 percent in the past year, according to the Minnesota Department of Economic Security.

Feedlot study finds inspections lacking
ST. PAUL (AP) -- A three-year, $3 million study concluded that government agencies in Minnesota rarely inspect feedlots or examine their environmental effects, despite widespread complaints about odor and suspected pollution.

Roosevelt's 'Big Stick' speech set tone for foreign policy, State Fair dining
FALCON HEIGHTS (AP) -- A century ago on a visit to the Minnesota State Fair, Theodore Roosevelt made perhaps his most-quoted remark, And perhaps forever, he set the tone for state fair cuisine.

Rural Cass Lake boy dies from burns
CASS LAKE (AP) -- A rural Cass Lake boy has died from injuries he suffered in a mid-August fire at his home.

At Minnesota march, at least, Ku Klux Klan will be unmasked
ST. PAUL -- In Minnesota, Ku Klux Klan members can rally, but they can't hide.

Council member convicted of extortion admits to using marijuana
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The former city council member who was convicted of extortion told investigators he used marijuana while he was on the council, according to a report.

Mille Lacs Band opens safe home
ONAMIA -- The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe opened the Mille Lacs area's first safe home for battered women and their children.

Cass Human Services expenditures under budget
WALKER -- Cass County Human Services expenditures so far this year are running 1 percent under budget projections.

Authorities say drowning of third member of family appears to be a coincidence
GONVICK (AP) -- It was just a horrible coincidence, a freak repeat of an awful tragedy, authorities say.

Xcel to begin moving utilities for light rail
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Xcel Energy Inc. is challenging more than a dozen conditions that state officials imposed when they granted permit for moving utility lines to make way for the light-rail line in downtown Minneapolis.

Cass residents may be able to pay property taxes with credit card, and by phone or e-mail
WALKER -- Cass County residents likely will be able to pay their property taxes by credit card via telephone or e-mail this fall.

Cass learns of limits to financial benefit programs
WALKER -- Brenda Erickson, Cass County Human Services financial services supervisor, reported to the county board Tuesday on limits to financial benefit programs.

Authorities: Drowning of third child appears to be coincidence
GONVICK (AP) -- It was just a horrible coincidence, a freak repeat of an awful tragedy, authorities say.

Little Falls 1-2 at tennis quad
FOLEY -- The Little Falls girls' tennis team won all three doubles matches to help the Flyers defeat Champlin Park 5-2 Tuesday before being swept by Foley and Elk River at the Foley quadrangular.

Scoreboard
Girls tennis

Raiders have larger talent pool
Last fall, a season of promise crashed and burned in the trainering room.

Thursday briefing
All boys interested in playing Brainerd eighth-grade football may check out their gear on from 8:30 a.m. until noon Monday.

So what if they're defending national champions? CLC is a 2-year school and it's back to the drawing board for the Raiders' volleyball team
Any fairy tale worth the telling ends with the heroine, or hero, getting what they want and then living "happily ever after."

Pierz remains unbeaten in tennis
OSAKIS -- The Pierz Pioneers remained unbeaten in six tennis meets with 5-2 and 4-3 wins over Maccray and West Central Thursday at the Osakis triangular.

Vikings defense determined to improve
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Vikings want to be more aggressive on defense. They've certainly got nothing to lose.

Ortiz ends his slump in style
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- David Ortiz figured he must be wasting all his hits during batting practice. So he decided to try something different.

Sooners set to open national title defense
John Bunting has a most unenviable task in his coaching debut at North Carolina -- trying to beat defending national champion Oklahoma.

Vikings hope speed on defensive line translates to more sacks
EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- To the casual observer, the biggest problem on the Minnesota Vikings' defense last year was its shaky pass coverage. But the key to successful secondary play starts up front.

Twins may be learning too late
MINNEAPOLIS -- The slumping Minnesota Twins take solace in one thing -- there's still more than a month left in the season.

Friday briefing
The annual Minnesota Community College Conference Kickoff Classic is scheduled today and Saturday at the University of Minnesota-Duluth.

Gophers to field high-risk defense, high-octane offense
MINNEAPOLIS -- Half-full or half-empty will be used somewhere to describe the Minnesota Gophers' football team, though it would be inaccurate.

Heartland Symphony Orchestra needs players
Rehearsals for the Heartland Symphony Orchestra's 2001-2002 concert season will begin Thursday, Sept. 6.

Plut, Stein to reprise roles once again in 'Love Letters'
Joe Plut answered the telephone from his hospital bed, his voice percolating with the confidence of a patient who has just received good news from his attending physician.

Pierz to host An Oktoberfest Celebration this weekend
Tourism events around the state, as provided by the Minnesota Office of Tourism. For more information, visit http://www.exploreminnesota.com or call (800) 657-3700 or (651) 296-5029 in the Twin Cities area.

Tempo tidbits
Little Falls artist Charles Kapsner is offering a pair of three-day workshops in drawing through the Great River Arts Association.

Best books
1. "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" by James Patterson (Little, Brown)

Cost savings will allow Five Wings Arts Council to award more grant money
STAPLES -- Area arts organizations that depend on taxpayer-funded grants are in for a pleasant surprise.

'American Pie 2' repeats as top weekend film
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- "American Pie 2" remains the dessert of choice for movie-goers, grossing $21.1 million to stay on top of the box office for a second straight weekend.

Lakes Area Concert Association to host New York Theater Ballet performing 'Cinderella'
"Cinderella" Jan. 29, bringing dance back to the Lakes Area Concert Association's annual lineup for the first time in years. Season tickets are $25 per person.

Entertainment
Live music

Book club turns the page on selection
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. -- Nelson DeMille, sitting in the same book-lined

Finishing wild rice topic of programs
ONAMIA -- In programs from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 8 and 9, Mille Lacs Indian Museum staff members will demonstrate and discuss the process of finishing wild rice gathered during the harvest.

Comedy Central bowls for laughs with 'Let's Bowl,' featuring Brainerd High School graduate
WHITE BEAR LAKE -- As cheesy organ music blares, two contestants prepare to settle their grudge match on the bowling lanes. On cue, the crowd in the bleachers cheers.

'Rat Race' sure to stimulate your funny bones
A few minutes into "Rat Race" you realize you've seen it all before, if you're old enough to remember "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World," one of the memorable comedies of the 1960s.

Recording artists load their albums with guest cameos
NEW YORK -- Pairing different music stars for a hit song is a tradition: Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder, The Supremes and the Temptations, Willie Nelson and Julio Iglesias.

Pretty summer sunset
Weather drawing by Tayler Satre of Mrs. Meyer's third grade class at Riverside school.

State forecast for north dakota
Today...Areas of low clouds and fog this morning...Then becoming partly to mostly sunny and breezy. A chance of late afternoon thunderstorms far west. Highs 85 to 95.

Iowa state forecast
Dense fog advisory for the northern half of iowa through mid morning...

State forecast for north dakota
Today...Partly sunny with a slight chance of thunderstorms this morning west...And in the afternoon central. Mostly sunny east. Highs in the 80s.

The Weather Elsewhere
Thursday

State forecast for south dakota
Today...Partly sunny. Patchy fog early east. Chance of showers or thunderstorms developing west and far south. Highs mostly in the 80s.

State forecast for south dakota
Today...Areas of dense fog east until around 9 am...Otherwise partly sunny over state. A chance of showers or thunderstorms west and far south. Highs from near 85 east to near 95 western plains.

Minnesota state forecast
Today...Mostly sunny north. Partly cloudy to mostly cloudy south. Highs in the middle 70s east to middle 80s west.

Wisconsin state forecast
Dense fog advisories east and south until 9 am...

The Weather Elsewhere
Friday

Minnesota state forecast
Dense fog advisory far south until 9 am...

Iowa state forecast
This morning...Isolated showers south...Otherwise mostly cloudy... This afternoon...Showers and thunderstorms likely south...A chance of showers and thunderstorms central. Dry north. Partly to mostly cloudy. Highs in the mid 70s to lower 80s.

A storm
Weather drawing by Morgan Kuikka of Sharon Jendro's first grade class at Lowell school.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Morning clouds and fog...Then becoming partly sunny. Highs in the 70s to lower 80s.

'Serpico' author Peter Maas dies at 72
Newsday

Senior activities
Lutheran Social Service Senior Nutrition Program

Colonoscopy proves superior to other, cheaper tests in finding colon cancer
Associated Press Colonoscopy proved far superior to two other common tests for colon cancer in a study that could put pressure on more insurance companies to cover the expensive screening method.

A special birthday
Dear Heloise: For my wife's 50th birthday last year, I wanted to do something that would be unique and special. I decided to make up a list of the "50 things" that made her (Sharan) so dear to me. I included the things that she enjoys most in life: She loves Hollywood and movie stars, teaching school, family, friends, travel, Broadway musicals, etc.

Study discounts link between IUDs and infertility
A new study has exonerated the IUD, the birth control device that has been shunned in the United States since the 1970s because of fears it makes women sterile.

Childbirth too much 'reality TV' for man
DEAR ABBY: Five weeks ago, our son and his wife welcomed a baby boy. They asked a close friend to videotape the birth and presented a copy to us and the other grandparents.

Names and faces
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Harrison Ford's wife of 18 years has filed for legal separation, citing irreconcilable differences.

Three reasons to not have sex
DEAR ABBY

Names and faces
NEW YORK (AP) -- Mira Sorvino and Mariah Carey did not -- repeat, not -- get into a knock-down, drag-out fight on the set of their upcoming movie, "Wise Girls."

Veteran actress Kathleen Freeman dies
NEW YORK (AP) -- Kathleen Freeman, a veteran character actress whose face if not her name was known to audiences from television sitcoms, the film classic "Singin' in the Rain" and Broadway's "The Full Monty," died Thursday of lung cancer. She was 82.

What's doing
5 table Mitchell movement

NATO deploys force in Macedonia
SKOPJE, Macedonia -- NATO soldiers streamed into Macedonia on Thursday as part of a mission to help end six months of ethnic hostilities, even though the rival sides still have not agreed on how many weapons the troops should collect.

Chantal dies, but Dean pelts islands with rain and wind
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- As the Caribbean's first tropical storm of the year fizzled above Mexico's Yucatan peninsula, a second unexpected storm roared to life, terrorizing islands with heavy rain and winds, and forcing the cancelation of more than 30 flights.

Kenyan human rights groups demand public inquest into death of U.S. priest
NAIROBI, Kenya -- Human rights groups demanded a Kenyan public inquest Thursday into the mysterious death of an American priest a year ago, claiming that an FBI investigation was flawed.