Sunday, September 23, 2001

Emergency planning can help ease pain of layoff, pay cut
NEW YORK (AP) -- The economic fallout from the attacks on the World Trade Center is starting to spread across the country with manufacturers, airlines, restaurants and hotels announcing layoffs, involuntary vacations and salary cuts.

Selling pressure reflects absence of buyers
NEW YORK -- The week Wall Street dreaded is finally over and it lived up to some of its worst fears.

Wall Street ends worst week in 68 years
Wall Street on Friday wound up its worst week since 1933 as the American economy prepared not only for war but for recession.

Center trying to do more with Website
Technology is also changing how patients relate to their health care, but confidentiality concerns continue to create challenges.

Business notes
Minnesota's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for August was 3.6 percent, up by one-tenth percent from July.

For some employees, it's back to work
Ray Vigil's waiters still set the tables, but some nights the restaurant is nearly empty. Richard Rollins has gone back to work at a Boston office complex, but now he is stopped each morning by a platoon of security guards. Flight attendant Cyndi Schulte has returned to the skies, but she isn't sure she wants to be there anymore.

Best Buy is locating a store along Highway 371 strip in Baxter
Best Buy is coming and by all reports is anxious to be part of the Brainerd lakes area market.

Employers push workers to stay home in bid to cut costs
NEW YORK (AP) -- Employees at DiamondCluster International knew business was bad when senior executives agreed to a 15 percent salary cut and CEO Mel Bergstein said he would slice his own pay to zero.

Supervalu earnings fall but beat Wall Street expectations
EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- Second-quarter earnings at Supervalu Inc. fell 12 percent but beat Wall Street expectations by three cents, the grocery retailer and wholesaler reported Thursday.

Expansion will double BMC's space
Expansion at Brainerd Medical Center should give the clinic another 10 years at its current location along South Sixth Street.

Appeals court orders Charlotte schools to end desegregation busing
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- After 30 years of running its schools under a court-ordered busing plan meant to desegregate, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg district has been ordered to stop basing school assignments on race.

Volunteer opportunities
GIFT SHOP ATTENDANT -- Help out one day a week (or "on call" sub) by answering phones, greeting visitors and selling merchandise. Mon., Tues., Thurs. or Fri. from 1-5 p.m. CWC Historical Society. Contact Jolene or Mary Lou at 829-3268.

Child in need
Isn't it strange how one horrible act can have such an impact on us and our world that things will never be the same again?

For spring 2002, Hilfiger finds comfort zone in prep
THE LOOK: Tommy Hilfiger writes new chapters of the preppy handbook with his menswear collection for spring 2002. Every fashion edict held near and dear to New England's privileged peacocks showed up on his

Wife of man who plays the field is considering trade
DEAR ABBY: I have been married to "Robbie" for 25 years. He has had numerous affairs during most of our marriage. His most recent one has devastated me.

1,000 Years of Peace
The Web site www.pledgepeace.org, provided by www.American-Catholic.org, is "predicated on the belief that peacemaking is not just for world leaders. It is built hour by hour, day by day, by ordinary people."

Firefighters put spotlight back on heroism
Of all the images the world saw of last week's disaster, among the most indelible were those of New York City firefighters. Dressed in heavy protective uniforms, their faces covered with ghostly ash, they searched for survivors in the rubble that had been the World Trade Center. As each long day and night blended into the next increasingly hopeless day, their persistence was a sad reminder of the colleagues who had gone before them -- firefighters who had headed up stairwells and through smoke-filled hallways, telling people to get out and move as far from the buildings as possible, only to be trapped themselves when the skyscrapers fell.

Camp Ripley responds
Camp Ripley is currently under threat condition Charlie, the fourth stage of alert in a five-level tier.

Farmer promotes new corn products, more ethanol use
WILLMAR (AP) -- When farmers Glenn and Sharon Arfstrom of Willmar see a corn field, they think not only of the corn-derived ethanol powering their new Dodge van, but also clothing, de-icer, hand-sanitizer and many other things made from corn.

Cash Grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Friday 344, a year ago 176.

New Englanders seek extension for dairy compact
WASHINGTON -- New England's 12 senators asked congressional leaders to extend regional milk price controls that are due to expire this week until Congress can turn its attention to major farm legislation, probably next year.

Agendas
Meets 9:30 a.m. Monday

Congress approves $15 billion to compensate airlines for losses related to terrorism
WASHINGTON -- Northwest Airlines would receive about $500 million in aid under the airline compensation package Congress approved, according to figures the House Transportation Committee provided Friday.

Government assassination ban getting a new look
WASHINGTON -- In an earlier time, when the Cold War was hot, the U.S. government tried everything from mob hits to lethal pills to get Fidel Castro. The Cuban leader once bragged of surviving dozens of plots, even one involving "a mask that produces a fungus."

Chemical dependency and AA groups
Adult Children-Chem.Dep.

Health
Blood Pressure Clinics

CDC confirms dengue fever outbreak on Maui
HONOLULU -- Federal health officials confirmed that four people on Maui contracted dengue fever over the summer, the first cases of the mosquito-borne disease in Hawaii in more than 50 years, state officials said.

Support groups
Crisis Line-Referral Ser.

This was Brainerd
SEPTEMBER 23 - 100 years ago (1901) - Rev. M.L. Hutton, pastor of the First Congregational Church, will speak tomorrow evening on a very timely subject, "Our Country." The subject has been selected in view of the recent calamities and will be interesting throughout.

Local briefs
The Minnesota Senior Federation will host a bus ride to Canada for prescription drugs for people of all ages, stopping at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 13 at the Brainerd Senior Center, 803 Kingwood St., Brainerd.

Helping hand
A Brainerd woman and her home-based business are contributing to the search and recovery efforts in New York City and Washington, D.C. Look for the story Monday.

Camp Ripley on alert, but remains open
CAMP RIPLEY -- There may be more security and a heightened sense of alert, but Camp Ripley is still open to the public and operating.

Agency nears decision on expanding drilling under lake bottom
FILER TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) -- For Vicki Hoffman, the escalating debate over drilling for oil and natural gas under the Great Lakes hits close to home.

Attack updates
Developments related to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks:

Jury deliberating in competency hearing for mother accused of drowning five children
HOUSTON -- Jurors asked to rehear a portion of a psychologist's testimony about a Houston mother accused of drowning her five children and the woman's understanding of her role in their deaths.

Four plead guilty to conspiracy in scam involving McDonald's promotional games
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) -- Four people pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in what prosecutors say was a $20 million embezzlement scam involving McDonald's promotional games.

People warned of fraudulent appeals to donate money
WASHINGTON -- The images were of death and destruction, but the scam artists saw something else: an opportunity to swindle those willing to give after the terrorist attacks.

United States gets more backing for anti-terrorism coalition
WASHINGTON -- Moving ahead in its anti-terrorism campaign, the Bush administration is receiving promises of intelligence sharing from China and commitments of strengthened cooperation from Latin America and the Caribbean.

Federal officer fatally shot in Detroit building
DETROIT -- Even with heightened security after last week's terrorist attacks, authorities say a man was able to carry a loaded handgun into the lobby of a federal building housing FBI offices and fatally shoot an officer at a security checkpoint.

Bush says economy is sound despite shock from terrorists
WASHINGTON -- The American economy remains sound despite the shock of a major terrorist attack and will recover with the help of a determined people and a united Congress, President Bush said Saturday.

Entertainers raise money for victims
A little more than a week after a deadly, unexpected attack on American soil, entertainment giants joined in an unprecedented patriotic broadcast carried by all the networks.

Few clues explain why bin Laden is suspect
WASHINGTON -- U.S. intelligence agencies are collaborating on a report to detail evidence linking Osama bin Laden to the terror attacks, a U.S. official said. So far, the Bush administration has offered little public information that points to his involvement.

Owner of tug boat involved in bridge crash says studies indicate channel had shallow bottom
PORT ISABEL, Texas -- The owner of a tugboat that pushed barges into a bridge connecting South Padre Island to the mainland, collapsing part of the bridge and killing at least five people, said studies indicate the channel was too shallow and that navigation lights malfunctioned.

Pentagon intelligence analyst accused of spying for Cuba
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The FBI says a senior analyst at the Defense Intelligence Agency began spying for Cuba nearly five years ago, passing along secrets about a U.S. war games exercise and the American military's knowledge of military weapons in Cuba.

Poll: Nine of 10 want U.N. to play major role pulling countries together against terrorism
WASHINGTON -- Nine of 10 Americans want the United Nations to play a major role in pulling countries together to fight against terrorism, says an Associated Press poll taken after the Sept. 11 attacks.

Some say it appears certain, but wonder how long it will last
WASHINGTON -- Massive airline layoffs. Empty hotels and restaurants. Wall Street's biggest weekly point decline ever. The economic damage from the terrorist attacks has virtually guaranteed a recession this year, many economists said Friday.

Terror manual advises attackers how to blend in
NEW YORK -- No beards or other "Islamic characteristics." Do not speak loudly or otherwise draw attention to yourself. Rent apartments in areas where neighbors do not know each other well.

Military continues heading to Middle East
WASHINGTON -- President Bush said Saturday the U.S. economy has suffered shock waves from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks but remains fundamentally strong as the nation prepares for military action. He was ready to sign an executive order pointing a finger at specific terrorists around the globe.

Toll of dead, missing in terrorist attacks
Numbers of dead and missing since the Sept. 11 terrorists attacks:

Back to work for both players and refs -- but somberly
NFL players and coaches seem ready to play. The regular officials will be on the field.

NFL
Baltimore at Cincinnati, noon

Piazza gives fans something to cheer for
NEW YORK (AP) -- Torn apart by tragedy, the New Yorkers at Shea Stadium needed a reason to cheer, if only for a moment.

Clemens has grip on greatness
Surely, Roger Clemens' fastball is the key to the unprecedented sixth Cy Young Award he will be given when the season ends. The 98-mph fastballs he is throwing at his baseball overripe age of 39 are further testimony that Clemens is perhaps the best power pitcher in the history of the game.

Games have never seemed more trivial
The world of sports has resumed its games. But the whole tone that surrounds them, the way we view athletes and even the way they see themselves, has begun to change. Nothing is quite the same. Some things may be very different for a long time.

Injury report
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT CHICAGO BEARS -- Minnesota Vikings: PROBABLE LB Patrick Chukwurah (ribs), CB Robert Tate (shoulder), FS Orlando Thomas (ribs). Chicago Bears: No new injuries.

NFL is back but telecasts will be subdued
No one in sports has a better feel for Americans just now than John Madden.

Bonds-McGwire watch
Through Sept. 21

Florence E. Forsberg
BUFFALO LAKE -- Florence Evelyn Forsberg, 93, Hector, died Monday, Sept. 3, 2001, at the Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center.

Alphone P. Cole
AITKIN -- Alphone "Al" P. Cole, 92, Aitkin, died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2001, at the Riverwood Extended Care Center in Aitkin.

Solomon E. Hanke
SUPERIOR, Wis. -- Solomon Eric Hanke, 21, Park Rapids, died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2001, of natural causes at his residence in Superior, Wis.

Carolyn Myers
LITTLE FALLS -- Carolyn Myers, 59, Little Falls, died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2001, at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls.

Doris K. Ellingson
Doris Kathryn Ellingson, 90, Brainerd, died Thursday, Sept. 20, 2001, at Bethany Good Samaritan Center in Brainerd.

Stereotypes - Dispatch Editorial
President George W. Bush has come under fire for his undiplomatic language when he spoke of the desire to apprehend Osama bin Laden "dead or alive" and his use of other war-like rhetoric.

Open Forum
I hope people realize that it was a bad idea to take the 10 commandments and God out of schools. This tragedy was a wake-up call for America. The American people should get back to their roots and start thinking about

View from New York City
While my family and I no longer live in Brainerd, I still remember fondly the collection of friends, teachers and neighbors that welcomed us into their homes after we fled the falling capitol city of Saigon, Vietnam.

Everyone wants to help
Trying to find words to express thoughts and feelings about the terrorist attacks on America nearly two weeks ago is a daunting task.

Unconventional hunter attracts bucks by rattling antlers
INTERNATIONAL FALLS (AP) -- Marc Jackson defies most of the common wisdom about deer hunting.

Survey shows qualified satisfaction among Minnesota duck hunters
Duck hunters in a recent DNR-sponsored survey said they're satisfied with their hunting experience in Minnesota but not with the number of birds they harvest.

Fishing report
BRAINERD/NISSWA - Leeches, rainbow minnows, redtails, and nightcrawlers all are producing walleyes on Gull Lake in 14 to 24 feet of water during the day.

Duck numbers about same as last year Canvasbacks protected on the opener
Minnesota's duck season opens at noon on Saturday, Sept. 29. The daily limit is six and the possession limit is 12. The season ends Nov. 27.

Bringing back the ducks
This fall many Minnesota waterfowlers will head for the Dakotas to get the shooting we once had. The Dakota prairies are brimming with water and the Central flyway now has the best duck hatches and heaviest fall flights.

Test pattern your shotgun it's a great confidence booster
Choke selection is a fundamental way to shoot better with a shotgun. Even though today's guns come with interchangeable choke tubes, many hunters don't give choke selection much thought.

Lakeshore Conservation Club Labor Day Shoot
100 Bird Shoot -- Class A won by Conrad Peterson, 98 percent. Class B won by Don Gould, 97 percent. Class C won by Tom David, 85 percent.

Outdoor notes
The Crow Wing County Land Department said it will increase enforcement in non-motorized areas in response to comments received during development of the county's Forest Management Plan for tax-forfeited land.

Invest in a birding club
Are you a wannabe birder? Then mark your calendar! If you've yearned to learn more about birds and to network with other bird lovers, here's your chance.

2001-2002 Brainerd Lakes Area Audubon program schedule
All meetings at 7 p.m. at Brainerd Public Library

Get you and your dog in shape first
Hunting dogs are athletes in the truest sense of the word. Yet too often we think of them as an unfailing hunting partner that's always there to perform at the top of their game, no questions asked. When hunting season rolls around we expect our dogs to go from couch potatoes to Ironman competitors without blinking an eye.

Wild Acres wraps up sporting clays season
Scores were close this year in the 2001 Wild Acres Sporting Clays league as four shooters scored between 335 to 333.

Gofron captures elusive PWT championship
BISMARCK, N.D. -- In nine years on the Professional Walleye Trail, Mike Gofron had won every title but one: PWT champion. On Saturday, Sept. 15, before a cheering crowd of 6,000 at the Bismarck Civic Center, the Antioch, Ill. angler added that elusive title to his list of achievements when he topped a field of 40 other pros at the PWT championship on the Missouri River.

Jim and Deannie Navratil
Jim and Deannie Navratil will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with their family. They were married Sept. 25, 1951, in Silver Lake.

Jim and Marion Gau
Jim and Marion Gau, Brainerd, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family and friends. They were married Sept. 11, 1951, in Belle Prairie.

Nadine Sedlachek and Nancy Temte
Twin sisters Nadine Sedlachek (left) and Nancy Temte recently celebrated their 90th birthdays with family and friends.

Miller-Marcussen
Erica Dawn Miller and Dennis Patrick Marcussen were married June 30, 2001, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Brainerd with Father David Baumgartner officiating.

Melissa Osvold and Scott Paskewitz
Melissa Osvold and Scott Paskewitz announce their engagement. Parents are Larry and Merry Osvold, Brainerd, and Larry and Linda Paskewitz, Staples. A Dec. 1 wedding is planned at Christ Community Church in Nisswa.

George and Eleanor Simons
George and Eleanor Simons recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary with the Jacobson family reunion. Their children will also host an open house in Minneapolis. They were married Sept. 20, 1941.

Segler-Mouw
LeAnn Segler and Brant Mouw were married May 12, 2001, at Salem Lutheran Church in Longville with Dr. Jim Limburg and Pastor Bob Twiton officiating.

Glen and Rena Leverington
Glen and Rena Leverington, Pine River, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with an open house from 1:30-4 p.m. Sept. 30 at the First Lutheran Church in Pine River. They were married Sept. 27, 1941. No gifts please.

Fitch-Perrin
Tina Fitch and Ian "Scott" Perrin were married June 30, 2001, at The Ivy Chapel in Brainerd with the Rev. Kathryn Blake officiating.

Cline-Albertson
Amy Cline and Curt Albertson were married Feb. 24, 2001, at Crosslake Lutheran Church with Pastor Mark Anderson officiating.

Cheryl Marie Kosloski and Lance Allan Omberg
Cheryl Marie Kosloski and Lance Allan Omberg announce their engagement. Parents are Ervin and Sharon Kosloski and Curt Omberg and Sandra Omberg. A wedding is planned for Saturday at St. Francis Church.

Ronald and Marlis Jensen
Ronald and Marlis Jensen, Brainerd, will celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary Monday. They were married in Glenwood.

Amanda Ann Hoheisel and Damian Jerome Schlegel
Amanda Ann Hoheisel and Damian Jerome Schlegel announce their engagement. Parents are Virg and MaryLou Hoheisel, Hillman, and Robert and Helen Schlegel, Harding. A wedding is planned for Saturday.

Dwaneen G. Dirks and Christopher J. Lawrence
Dwaneen G. Dirks and Christopher J. Lawrence announce their engagement. Parents are Dwayne and Patsy Dirks, Pine River, and Virginia Lawrence, Staples, and the late Alfred Lawrence. An October wedding is planned.

CART's Rockingham 500 in jeopardy with wet track
ROCKINGHAM, England (AP) -- French-Canadian driver Alex Tagliani, involved in the near-fatal crash a week ago that cost Alex Zanardi both of his legs, is worried about safety for CART's Rockingham 500.

Earnhardt thinks he knows how grievers feel
DOVER, Del. (AP) -- Like the rest of America, Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat by his TV stunned by the events of last week.

Time will tell Northwest's fate
MINNEAPOLIS -- Northwest Airlines is well-positioned to rebound from the massive layoffs and flight reductions it has put in place to counter tumbling business since the terrorist attacks, according to an airline analyst.

Minnesota charities receive overwhelming donations
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota charitable organizations said they've been amazed by the level of giving since last week's terrorist attacks.

Minneapolis woman charged with driving over boy
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A Minneapolis woman was charged Friday with driving her minivan into a 12-year-old boy on a sidewalk as he was watching a fight between four other children.

Illinois man allegedly beaten by police enters plea
ST. PAUL (AP) -- An Illinois man witnesses say was beaten by St. Paul police officers during an arrest pleaded guilty Friday to disorderly conduct.

University of Minnesota Medical School seeks new dean
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The University of Minnesota Medical School began searching for a new dean Friday after Dr. Alfred F. Michael announced he plans to step down next June.

Northwest layoffs, service reductions could have ripple effect
ST. PAUL -- The big blow at Northwest Airlines, which will cut 4,500 jobs in Minnesota and reduce service by 20 percent, could ensnare other companies and people whose jobs and profits are closely linked to the carrier.

Sun Country ending service to Seattle, Boston, San Diego and Chicago
MINNEAPOLIS -- Sun Country Airlines is canceling service to Seattle, Boston, San Diego and Chicago effective Oct. 1 and will cut staff because of the drop in travel after last week's attacks, a spokeswoman said Friday.

Verndale churns out 27-0 victory over Hillcrest
VERNDALE -- Last week, the Verndale Pirates' offense was dormant, producing only 121 total yards against Chokio-Alberta.

Lakers sail past Flyers 55-22
DETROIT LAKES -- Tim Serviss, Garrett Raboin and Rory Manke rushed for a combined 278 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Detroit Lakes Lakers to a 55-22 non-conference football win over the Little Falls Flyers Friday.

High school football scores
Friday's scores

Pequot rolls over Blackduck
BLACKDUCK -- The Pequot Lakes Patriots extended their flawless season to 4-0 by defeating North Star Conference foe Blackduck 41-21 Friday.

Pillager blanked
HENNING -- Pillager head coach Pete Bothun said the game against Ottertail Central was closer than the score but the Huskies lost their first game of the season 28-0 in Prairie North Conference football Friday.

Area football
Brainerd 28, Bemidji 6

Sons' lucky numbers help her win world title
Riley Kieffer wore No. 7 and Justin Kieffer No. 9 when they played hockey for the Brainerd Warriors in the 1990s.

W-DC tumbles to E Grand Forks 35-7
GRAND FORKS -- The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines had a first-quarter lead, but couldn't hang as they lost 35-7 to East Grand Forks in Northern Lakes Conference football Friday.

Schwegel runs for 5 TDs in PR-B romp
BYLINE3: PINE RIVER -- Justin Schwegel's father got to see another highlight-reel football game of his son from the perfect vantage point.

Pierz shrugs off flags for 19-14 win
HOWARD LAKE -- Despite nine penalties, the Pierz Pioneers hung on to beat the Howard Lake-Waverly Lakers 19-14 in Central Minnesota Conference football Friday to maintain an unbeaten record.

Warriors defeat Sartell
For the second straight day, the Brainerd Warriors tennis team came up with a much-needed Central Lakes Conference victory by defeating the Sartell Sabres 5-2 Friday.

Ageless Wonders
The Ageless Wonders, a group of senior citizens, played softball at Memorial Park twice a week this summer.

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
WADENA -- The relationship between a hitter and a setter is vital to the success of a volleyball team.

Pillager runs sports programs on its own
PILLAGER -- Running 20 to 30 miles a week doesn't sound like much fun for many people, but that's what 10 Pillager athletes are doing since the start of a cross country program.

Keefe does almost everything for Tigers
PINE RIVER -- Nick Keefe isn't the biggest player on the Pine River-Backus Tigers football team, but he might be the most important.

Area events Saturday
GIRLS TENNIS

Warriors feast on Bemidji miscues
BEMIDJI -- Kevin Mertens is developing into a prime-time player in the Brainerd Warriors' secondary.

Local sports shorts
ST. CLOUD -- Brainerd native Bob Waxlax will be inducted into the St. Cloud State University Athletic Hall of Fame next Saturday on the SCSU campus.,

Touch football
Bang Printing 4-0

Twins keep hopes alive
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Twins can still catch the Cleveland Indians in the AL Central race.

Bears wary of sputtering Vikings offense
CHICAGO (AP) -- When Chicago Bears defensive coordinator Greg Blache heard Minnesota lost to Carolina in the season opener, he couldn't wait to see tape from the game.

Vikings Jacquet fined $5,000 for taunt
Vikings kick returner Nate Jacquet says he'll appeal a $5,000 fine imposed by the NFL this week for taunting an opponent.

Vikings - WEEK 2
MINNESOTA (0-1) at CHICAGO (0-1)

Vikings special teams unit looking to eliminate mistakes
The Minnesota Vikings special teams unit will step onto Soldier Field Sunday against the Chicago Bears with something to prove.

Twins hike '02 ticket prices
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Twins, finally with some on-field success to build off, will raise their ticket prices slightly for the 2002 season.

Price war on chips stirs choices
New microprocessors and mongo price cuts mean we need to take another look at components.

Under pressure, hospitals are using expensive technology to reduce medication blunders
TRENTON, N.J. -- At Cooper Hospital in Camden, patients don't have to worry about a misread doctor's chicken scratch giving them the wrong drug or dose. Prescriptions are typed into a computer.

Quicken retains its edge
Time for the annual grudge match between the two leading personal finance programs: Intuit's Quicken and Microsoft Money. Both companies have recently released the 2002 versions of their software.

NASA spacecraft readied for flyby of comet
PASADENA, Calif. (AP) -- NASA's Deep Space 1 spacecraft was on track to pass within 1,240 miles of a comet on Saturday in an attempt to photograph the dark nucleus of the frozen ball of dust and ice.

Satellite bound for space falls to ocean after rocket failure
VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AP) -- Investigators are trying to determine why a privately owned rocket carrying satellites and the cremated remains of 50 people failed during launch and apparently fell into the Indian Ocean.

There's homework help on the Web
The World Wide Web might not be right for some of the business models people have tried to pin to it the last few years, but there's no question that i

SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED: Follow directions
Well, the big day has arrived.

Microsoft says critical letter was fueled by rival
WASHINGTON -- Microsoft accused archrival AOL Time Warner of engineering a letter sent on behalf of six states that criticized the soon-to-be-released Windows XP operating system.

Laptops find strong market as PCs slump
It's been a dismal year for the personal computer industry as a whole, but laptops are one area where the news isn't all bad.

Forecasters: Weather system may become tropical storm; little threat seen to U.S. mainland
MIAMI (AP) -- A tropical depression formed Friday north-northeast of Puerto Rico and is expected to become Tropical Storm Humberto by Saturday, hurricane forecasters said.

Thunderstorms roll across upper Midwest and Texas with hail and rain
Thunderstorms rumbled over parts of Texas and the Upper Midwest on Saturday, pelting some areas with hail.

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Partly sunny and breezy central and west. Becoming mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms east. A severe storm possible southeast. Highs 65 to 70 north...And 70 to 80 south.

State forecast for North Dakota
Frost advisory west and north central tonight...

First day of fall
Weather drawing by Nicole Rinio in the Baxter School third-grade class of Mrs. Brenny.

Worldwide Weather
Saturday

The Weather Elsewhere
Saturday

Iowa state forecast
This afternoon...Partly cloudy to cloudy. Thunderstorms likely west. A chance of showers and storms late east. Some storms may be severe west. Highs in the 70s to lower 80s.

Minnesota state forecast
This afternoon...Rain and scattered thunderstorms. A few storms could become severe south. Highs from the lower 50s northeast to the middle 70s extreme southwest. .

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Morning sunshine...Then increasing clouds with a chance of showers or thunderstorms west. Highs in the 60s to lower 70s.

Much obliged
Woodland residents and staff would like to thank you for supporting their fifth annual Harvest Supper & Quilt Show.

What's Doing
Note the change of meeting days. Noon Fridays at Sawmill Inn. Call Carole at 829-1524.

Organizations
Brainerd Jaycees

Pillager Class of 1950
The Pillager Class of 1950 was well represented at the All-School Reunion in July.

Foreign briefs
TOULOUSE, France -- Rescuers picked through piles of concrete and twisted steel Saturday, searching for survivors after a huge explosion at a chemical fertilizer plant in southern France killed at least 22 people and injured 650 others.

Taliban could lose much needed cash by kicking out bin Laden
Osama bin Laden's presence brings Afghanistan's ruling Taliban a trove of donations from a global network that has helped keep the cash-starved militia in power, intelligence experts say.

Taliban shoots down spy plane over Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan -- Taliban forces shot down an unmanned spy plane in northern Afghanistan on Saturday and were trying to determine what nation it belonged to, a Taliban official said.