Sunday, October 27, 2002

Potlatch confident buyer will be found, Rep. Oberstar told
Potlatch officials told Congressman James Oberstar they could not name a buyer for the Brainerd mill, but they are confident one would be found.

Paycheck can be source of dispute
Q. I have been working for my employer for six months. I had not once seen money for benefits taken out of my paycheck, but I figured human resources knew what it was doing. Well, last pay period I noticed my check was $50 less than usual and so I talked to HR about it. It seems someone forgot to take benefit payments out of my check, as well as for a few others in the company. Now HR has told me that I owe the company nearly $800 and have to pay it back by the end of the year. Is this legal?

Midtown Floral to be a family affair
Midtown Floral, on Washington Street in Brainerd, has new family ownership.

Experts: People need to take steps to repair retirement accounts
NEW YORK -- With the stock market down for a third straight year, many American workers have stopped opening the statements they get for their retirement savings accounts. They're just too depressing.

Business notes
Kristi Schiller joined The Cut Above in Brainerd.

Best Buy buys Geek Squad services
EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- Best Buy Co., the nation's largest retailer of consumer electronics, has purchased Geek Squad's 24-hour in-home computer support and repair services.

Blue chips sizzling again on Wall Street
NEW YORK -- The Dow Jones industrials, out of favor during the go-go tech era, have reasserted themselves as the measure of the stock market's strength. Analysts aren't certain that the blue chips' recent surge foretells a new bull market, but they do believe Dow stocks are the best place to be right now.

Culver's breaks ground in Baxter
BAXTER -- People braved a cold wind Tuesday and huddled in a tent for the ground breaking ceremony for Culver's restaurant in Baxter.

New talks scheduled in Red Wing teachers strike
RED WING (AP) -- Striking Red Wing teachers and administrators will return to the negotiation table Monday, school Superintendent Kelly Smith said.

Microsoft selects CLC for regional academy
Joe Birmingham, Central Lakes College president, announced last week that Microsoft has selected the college to be the Great Lakes Regional Microsoft IT Academy, one of 15 regional centers in the United States.

Backpacks causing woes
SAVANNAH, Ga. -- The complaints sound like something you might hear from a bunch of middle-aged, overweight men.

Program appreciates community's support
This community deserves a well-earned pat on the back.

Quest begun to create superior hardwood trees
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (AP) -- Molecular biologist Keith Woeste squats down among rows of young, musky-smelling black walnut trees and grasps one tree's trunk to eye a slender branch.

Making a difference
About 130 people attended a Vintage Style Show called "Bustles to Briefcases" Thursday at St. Joseph's Medical Center. The style show revealed what women wore from 1870 to 1970.

Unscary ghosts to share
NEW YORK (AP) -- Not all ghosts are scary creatures that float around looking for the next opportunity to scream "boo!" Casper, for one, is known as "the friendly ghost."

Cash grain
MINNEAPOLI(AP) -- Wheat receipts Friday 180, a year ago 15.

Two-thirds of Minnesota's grain is exported
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Not only does Minnesota grain travel around the world, it also travels to the next county.

Correction/ clarification
In a Page 6A brief in Friday's Dispatch about flu clinics held in Crow Wing County, the incorrect date was listed for the Mission Town Hall flu clinic.

Agendas
Meets 5:30 p.m. Monday

Court
The following recently appeared in Crow Wing District Court:

Accidents
A Pine River woman was seriously injured Friday in a one-vehicle accident that occurred on Highway 371, one mile south of Pine River, the State Patrol reported.

Support groups
Victims of clergy abuse

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

Renewing CPR and first-aid skills help prepare for emergencies
WASHINGTON -- They're in airports, stadiums, museums and even schools. Wherever you find a lot of people these days you're likely to find a portable heart defibrillator.

How To Create A Meaningful Service With Cremation
The reasons for preferring cremation are varied. For some, it seems a more natural process than burial. Others have environmental concerns with burial. Still others are not sure why they feel more comfortable with cremation but are interested in learning more. This article is for all of you.

How To Choose A Medical Clinic
Multi-specialty clinics can provide medical and surgical care for you and your entire family. You should look for a state-of-the-art facility with the latest technology and a wide range of services.

How To Choose A Physician
Sooner or later everyone gets sick, so sooner or later everyone needs a doctor.

How To Buy New Carpet
The decision has been made. You want to purchase new carpet and the time is now! Your mind is already shifting into fast forward with such issues as: Light or dark colors? Soft and velvety or tight and firm? Smooth or textured? Wall to wall or bordered? There's so much to consider.

How To Choose An Orthopedic Specialist
Orthopedics is the medical specialty that focuses on the diagnosis, care and treatment of patients with disorders of the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and skin. These elements make up the musculoskeletal system. The physicians who specialize in this area are called orthopedic surgeons or orthopedists.

How To Choose A Pharmacist
If you're like most people, you didn't choose a pharmacist, you chose a pharmacy for your medication needs. Your pharmacist is a very important part of your health care team and should be chosen carefully. In between doctor visits, your pharmacist can be an important resource for you. This is especially true if you are using multiple medications or need help with products such as blood glucose meters, asthma inhalers, or other special care items.

How To Choose The Right Mattress
Good health and sleep are closely linked. Just as we improve our eating habits for better health, we should also improve our sleep habits for better health. Sleep debt is a costly problem in our society, both fiscally and physically.

How to Choose Windows And Patio Doors
Whether building or remodeling, windows and patio doors are an integral design factor in your project and a reflection of your tastes. They can be practical elements in your home, like garage windows, or they can enhance architectural features, like a living room bay window with transoms.

How To Choose A Credit Union
A credit union is a cooperative financial institution, owned and controlled by the people who use its services. These people are members. Credit unions serve groups that share something in common, such as where they work, live, or go to church. Credit unions are not-for-profit, and exist to provide a safe, convenient place for members to save money and to get loans at reasonable rates.

How To Choose A Gift
According to L.O. Baird's writing, "May no gift be too small to give, nor too simple to receive, which is wrapped in thoughtfulness, and tied with love." A child's coloring, a bouquet of daisies, a handwritten love note: such gifts, when born of the heart, bring joy that surpasses the most expensive tokens.

How to Choose A Jeweler
Visiting a jeweler can be an overwhelming experience because most shoppers simply don't know enough about the intricacies of gemstones and precious metals to make their choices easily. That's why finding a reputable and competent jeweler is so important.

How To Choose A New Car
Buying a car probably does not rank near the top of your list of treasured moments. Next to a home, a car is one of the larger items you will purchase. Often money is misspent and headaches occur.

How To Choose Newspaper Advertising
Targeting customers in a media-fragmented marketplace is a continual challenge for many advertisers.

How To Choose A Wine & Spirits Shop
Selection and service. Savings. A broad choice so you can find exactly what you want, and helpful, friendly, knowledgeable staff. Of course, there's more. Read on.

How To Choose A Hot Tub
Hot tubs are wonderful! A hot tub is one of the most rewarding investments a family or individual can make. That's why research is important. There are six factors (comfort, energy efficiency, construction, warranty, price and dealer reputation) that you should consider during your purchasing process.

How To Shop For Furniture
Have you been furniture shopping lately? The experience may leave your mind swirling with the many choices you can make: Solid Wood, Upholstered, Leather, style and lifestyle ... all of these need to be considered when making your furniture choices.

How To Choose A Mortgage Lender
When choosing a mortgage lender, the first thing one usually thinks of is getting the lowest interest rate available. While interest rates are important, there are other notable considerations, such as choosing a lender you can trust and work with.

How To Buy A Used Vehicle
Purchasing a new vehicle is often an exciting experience, especially since buying a car is usually the second largest acquisition one will make in a lifetime, next to buying a house. You can choose exactly what you want, the car is readily available, the warranty is fresh, and obviously the car is new and free of problems. These are all reasonable points, but the option of buying used has many benefits.

How To Choose internet Advertising
Day by day, the Internet continues to play a larger, more useful role in our daily lives. And savvy consumers are the most enthusiastic and loyal visitors to local Web sites for news about their communities, entertainment and dining options, shopping alternatives and more. Adding a Web component to your advertising and marketing mix is essential to maximize your reach and deliver your messages to your target audience.

How To Choose the Right Tire
The tires on your vehicle can affect your safety and your driving enjoyment. Choose tires that match both your vehicle and the way you drive.

How To Plan For Retirement
Retirement plans have more to do with how much money is invested for retirement and less over how many trips a year you'll take once you've retired. For without the first, the latter will certainly be only a faded dream.

How To Choose A Retirement Community
The first thing is to find out what retirement communities are located in the area where you or your relative(s) prefer to live. The weather is an important factor and the proximity to hospitals, doctors, pharmacies, retail malls/stores is important.

How To Choose a Realtor®
The terms agent, broker and REALTOR® are often used interchangeably, but have very different meanings. For example, not all agents (also called salespersons) or brokers are REALTORS®.

How To Choose A Pool And A Pool Builder
Investing in a swimming pool is a big decision. Choosing the right pool and the right company to construct your pool is critical to maximizing your enjoyment for many years. The trend is to create a backyard that homeowners can escape to that makes them feel like they are on a vacation, without having to spend a lot of money on expensive getaways.

Area will miss Wellstone 'He was just very open'
Sen. Paul Wellstone was remembered in the Brainerd lakes area as a strong labor and education supporter who cared about average people.

'An incredibly good human being'
Area DFL politicians and candidates Friday mourned the passing of Sen. Paul Wellstone.

Work expected to start in earnest in April
Preliminary work on the Highway 210 project is currently under way. Major construction is expected to begin with a proposed Stage 1 in early April.

This was Brainerd
OCTOBER 27 -- 60 years ago (1942) -- A "Community Scrap Pile," where contributions and scrap metal may be made to the war effort by the public at large is to be established on the Brainerd YMCA grounds, S.R. Hickerson Salvage chairman, announced today.

COMING MONDAY
They say they "ain't afraid of no ghosts." Read about two real-life Ghostbusters in Monday's Dispatch.

Wellstone was to speak at Breezy
A Crow Wing and Cass DFL party dinner and rally scheduled for Saturday night at Breezy Point Resort was go on as planned.

Local briefs
Brainerd lakes area residents of all ages who have an avid interest in World War II are invited to attend an organizational meeting in order to form a discussion group.

WARNING: Road work ahead on 210
The summer of 2003 may be known for two words -- road work.

On day before her death, Sheila Wellstone spoke at CLC
When she first heard the news of the plane crash, Louise Seliski hoped there may be a saving grace in the face of tragedy and that Sheila Wellstone may not have been on the flight.

He was their hero
Paul Wellstone was a hero to area Democratic supporters, a man of principle and integrity whose shoes they say will be tough to fill.

Gov. Jeb Bush's daughter released from jail after 10 days to return to drug treatment
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Gov. Jeb Bush's daughter was released from jail early Saturday, 10 days after a judge ordered her locked up for violating terms of her court-ordered drug treatment program.

Actor Richard Harris dies
Richard Harris, the irascible, craggy-faced, Irish-born actor perhaps best known as King Arthur in the 1967 film musical "Camelot" and more recently as the wise old wizard headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the first two "Harry Potter" films, died Friday in a London hospital. He was 72.

Panel warns U.S. still vulnerable to attack
WASHINGTON (AP) -- U.S. seaports, energy systems and food and water supplies are vulnerable to terror attacks despite government attempts since the Sept. 11 attacks to improve security, former top government officials and other experts said Friday.

First murder charges filed against suspected snipers
ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Maryland prosecutors filed the first murder charges against two suspected snipers -- another signal a three-week terror spree has ended and that residents can safely venture outside without fear.

First five games of World Series all set TV lows
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) -- A blowout in Game 5 of the World Series produced another new television ratings low.

Angels: The team that won't quit
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Angel Manager Mike Scioscia has said it all year.

Lakers go for four in a row
The quest for a four-peat has begun, and so has the taunting from the Los Angeles Lakers.

Hip bothers skater
SPOKANE, Wash. (AP) -- Alexei Yagudin, the Olympic gold medalist and four-time world champion cruised through the short program at Skate America, then said a hip problem that's bothered him since last December could force him out of competitive skating.

Fox, Christie get into fight
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- In an exhibition finale marked by a brawl between Los Angeles' Rick Fox and Sacramento's Doug Christie, the Kings beat the Lakers 93-88 Friday night to intensify the friction between the Western Conference rivals.

Series Notebook
Eleven teams have been down 3-2 coming home and won Games 6 and 7 to win the World Series, including si

Bonds playng his 'A' game
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Long after his single, two doubles and a walk had helped the San Francisco Giants win the fifth game of the World Series, 16-4, over the dumb-struck Anaheim Angels

National sports briefs
The Tampa Bay Lightning, traditionally one of the worst teams in the NHL, are the best so far this season.

Emmitt Smith on verge of record he dreamed about as a teeen
Emmitt Smith dreamed about this as a teenager, planned for it as a rookie, lived it for the past year as his personal countdown grew louder and shorter.

Baker drives Giants toward title -- and his exit
SAN FRANCISCO -- Jewelry is on Dusty Baker's hand and on his mind.

Leola 'Lee' Nelson Engstrand
MINNEAPOLIS -- Leola "Lee" Nelson Engstrand, 82, of Gull Lake and formerly of Minneapolis and Des Moines, died Friday, Oct. 25, 2002, at her daughter's home in Minneapolis.

Orvel E. Steele
NISSWA -- Orvel E. Steele, 89, Nisswa, died Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd.

Catherine Brodkorb
LITTLE FALLS -- Catherine Brodkorb, 88, Little Falls, died Friday, Oct. 25, 2002, in Little Falls.

Clarence L. Smieja
SWANVILLE -- Clarence L. Smieja, 78, Swanville, died Thursday, Oct. 24, 2002, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls.

Jessica Lynn Childs
MOTLEY -- Jessica Lynn Childs, 16, rural Motley, died Monday, Oct. 21, 2002.

Open Forum
I am proud to have accepted a modest contribution from the Coalition for Responsible Development. Most of my campaign, which has consisted of yard signs, brochures, postcards, and one small ad in The Dispatch, has been funded by small contributions from neighbors and concerned citizens who want a city government that meets their needs. The Coalition for Responsible Development is made up of my neighbors and fellow citizens who want to have a say in how our community is developed, instead of leaving it to big corporations and real estate speculators.

Vox Pop
I've attended three city council meetings and I'd like to make a comment about BMX and Brainerd City Council member Gary Scheeler. It seems to me he's not worried about the kids at all or what the track does for the community.

OTHER OPINIONS
In his youth Paul Wellstone was a wrestler, and it was as a fighter that many remembered him Friday. He fought for the causes he believed in, even when they were doomed to defeat. Some may

Open Forum
Please give Paul Koering the opportunity to be our next senator. I am still waiting for a call from our present senator after he promised help four years ago. I have found Paul Koering to be very sincere and not just interested in getting his picture in the paper.

Who is and who isn't a 'Dr.'
The Associated Press Stylebook is a journalist's bible.

Filet method has man's instructional videos in demand
DULUTH (AP) -- The idea came to Bill Hesselgrave one day when he was sitting on his deer stand. Hesselgrave, a meat cutter by trade, also processed venison.

Archers take 188 deer in first weekend of Camp Ripley bowhunt
CAMP RIPLEY -- Archers harvested 188 deer, including six bucks weighing more than 200 pounds, during the first two-day bowhunt at Camp Ripley this year.

How to control and diminish the spread of oak wilt
Two weeks ago I wrote about oak wilt, its detection, causes, how it's spread and which trees are susceptible to it. More than 35 native and exotic oaks may be stricken, with members of the red oak family being primary victims. Other trees, such as American and European chestnuts, chinquapin (chinkapin), tanoak and several varieties of apple, may also succumb to the deadly fungal disease.

Tips for safe sledding
Early October snowfall over much of the state has ushered in the start of another snowmobile season. The first snowfall of the year is often the most dangerous, said DNR Enforcement Chief Bill Bernhjelm.

Outdoor notes
The Minnesota DNR Trails and Waterways Division and representatives from off-highway vehicle user groups have announced the first segment of an educational effort aimed at ATV riders, four-wheelers and off-road motorcycle riders to promote responsible OHV use in Minnesota.

Coalition proposes half a cent for nature tax
A coalition of state agencies and citizen groups earlier this week called for a new approach to what they said is one of the most critical issues facing Minnesotans: a growing threat to the state's natural environment.

Guessing game
CAMP RIPLEY -- One of these years I'll guess right.

Is CWD threat overblown? Evidence would indicate it is
The death of a 50-year-old Montana fishing guide from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a neurological disorder that resembles chronic wasting disease in deer and elk, has heightened hunters' concerns about the dangers of eating venison.

Huh? Dog shoots man
BROOKLYN PARK (AP) -- Pheasant season took an ugly turn for Michael Murray last Saturday when he was shot by Sonny, his year-old English setter pup.

Fishing report
BRAINERD/NISSWA -- Rainbow minnows and shiner minnows are producing walleyes on Gull lake in six to 32 feet of water. Most area lakes are kicking out northern pike and bass in eight to 20 feet of water.

Elk industry responds
The St. Paul Pioneer Press story on lax state regulations in relation to elk and deer imports and chronic wasting disease was very misleading. With sensationalized media reports such as this, it's no wonder the public is scared to hunt and eat deer and that hunting license requests are down.

Heiling-Pehoski
Christie Heiling and Luke Pehoski were married June 1, 2002, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Chaska with Pastor Keith Brutlag officiating.

Melissa Parker and Brandon Miller
Melissa Parker and Brandon Miller announce their engagement. Parents are Michelle and Bob Loreno, Baxter, and Digger and Wendy Miller, Coon Rapids. A Dec. 7 wedding is planned in Coon Rapids.

Clement-McCalley
Elise Clement and Sean McCalley were married Sept. 14, 2002, at Christ Community Church in Nisswa with Pastor Dave Uhrich officiating.

Three anniversaries
Three couples recently celebrated their wedding anniversaries. Robert and Vivian Engholm, Brainerd, were married 60 years. Harold and Eunice Longanecker, Brainerd, were married 63 years, and Maurice and Pearle Potter, Everett, Wash., were married 61 years.

Johnson-Rosenberg
Berit Johnson and Gregory Rosenberg were married Aug. 16, 2002, in Menomonie, Wis.

VanMoer-Tatge
Chelsie VanMoer and Josh Tatge were married Aug. 16, 2002, in Calvary Lutheran Church in Alexandria with Pastor Pete Martinson and Pastor Marilee Bergerson officiating.

Tifanii Jacobs and Matthew Dahl
Tifanii Jacobs and Matthew Dahl announce their engagement. Parents are Jack Jacobs, Pequot Lakes, and Barbara Wilson Jacobs, Reno, Nev., and Conrad and Vickie Dahl, Hallock. A Nov. 30 wedding is planned at First Lutheran Church in Little Falls.

Davies-Gaylord
Holly Davies and Frederick "Pete" A. Gaylord III were married Sept. 21, 2002, on Gooseberry Island in Pelican Lake with Judge John T. Finley officiating.

Hartle-Larsen
Cathy Hartle and Doug Larsen were married Aug. 24, 2002, at First United Church in Little Falls with the Rev. Loren Olson officiating.

Heidi L. Strassberg and Jason W. Bersani
Heidi L. Strassberg, Derry, N.H., and Jason W. Bersani, Boston, announce their engagement.

Racing must be put back in racing
Where has the racing disappeared to in NASCAR?

Stewart feeling no pressure in title chase
HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) -- Tony Stewart was smiling and appeared relaxed as he talked amiably about heading into the last four races of the season at the head of a tight championship chase.

Wellstone one of the last unapologetic liberals
WASHINGTON -- Sen. Paul Wellstone, among the last of the unapologetic liberals, came to the Senate saying he despised North Carolina Republican Jesse Helms, an archconservative.

State mourns loss of Wellstone
EVELETH -- Investigators returned to the scene Saturday of a plane crash that killed Sen. Paul Wellstone to begin the grim task of determining what caused the accident, as the state and political colleagues mourned the liberal Democratic lawmaker.

St. Paul police offer $20,000 reward in arson attacks
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The St. Paul Police Department is offering a $20,000 reward for information on four arson attacks that have caused at least $100,000 in damage to department property and burned 13 cars over the past two weeks.

Minnesota Democrats scramble for a replacement in key Senate race
ST. PAUL. -- Sen. Paul Wellstone's death left Minnesota Democrats in need of a powerhouse replacement in a race that could spell control of the Senate.

Pierz tennis duo wins once; Cardinals bounced out
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Pierz doubles team of Becky Korf-Emily Stumpf won their first match at the Class 1A state tennis individual tournament Friday, defeating Kelsey Mueller-Sam Stenzel of St. James 6-1, 6-0.

Huskies win in OT
ST. CLOUD, (AP) -- Mike Doyle scored 40 seconds into overtime to lift the St. Cloud State Huskies to a 6-to-5 victory over Minnesota State, Mankato on Friday night.

Volleyball scores
VOLLEYBALL

S-M runner employed the proper strategy
Winning the subsection title wasn't a goal for Hannah Landecker, but it was a stepping stone.

Second- seeded Tigers fall
GRAND RAPIDS -- The third seeded Wolves of Walker-Hackensack-Akley upset the No. 2 seeded Pine River-Backus Tigers 15-10, 18-16, 15-13 in a hotly contested Section 7, Class 2A volleyball semifinal.

Warriors keep fighting but fall to Sauk Rapids
A storm blew through the Brainerd High School gym Friday night in the form of the Sauk Rapids volleyball team.

Raiders jump out to 8-1 start in state volleyball
THIEF RIVER FALLS -- Seeded fourth in their pool, the Central Lakes College Raiders showed what they were made of Friday by posting an sterling 8-1 record on the first day of the Minnesota Community College Conference state volleyball tournament.

Cardinal wasn't about to panic with win in sight
For the first time Isaac Landecker had to follow in his younger sister's footsteps.

Brainerd High program teaches students on and off field how to become better leaders
Ever wonder what a high school sports captains do once they're elected to lead their team?

Area events Saturday
SWIMMING and DIVING

Once mighty Vikings now struggling to win
EDEN PRAIRIE -- Less than two years ago, the Minnesota Vikings were a win away from the Super Bowl.

Capsule look at Timberwolves
LAST SEASON: 50-32, swept 3-0 by Dallas in the first round.

Glue might be what Vikings' need
MINNEAPOLIS -- Victories have been hard to come by for the Minnesota Vikings this year, and they've had just as difficult a time hanging onto the ball.

Northwoods League adds Duluth team
DULUTH (AP) -- Baseball is back at Wade Stadium.

Wolves finish preseason with win
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Kevin Garnett and Troy Hudson each scored 22 points as Minnesota beat injury-depleted Indiana 111-76 Friday night in the final preseason game for both teams.

NOTEPAD
Teams met in season opener, with Chicago WR David Terrell catching go-ahead TD with 28 seconds left. ... Chicago QB J

CHICAGO (2-4) At MINNESOTA (1-5) Noon, FOX
SERIES RECORD -- Vikings lead series 44-35-2.

AOL gives heave-ho to pop-up ads
America Online Inc. announced this month that it will stop accepting new pop-up ads on its Internet service, becoming the latest online company to curb the practice following widespread complaints from users.

Tech tidbytes
Checking on your pet puppy -- or foiling a possible burglar -- while across town from your home can be as easy as calling up Fujitsu's new robot, a machine on wheels that looks like a short R2-D2.

More game firms pushing limits with X-rated themes now
Violence is a staple in the adolescent world of video games while sex traditionally has been taboo.

Touch and pay could be coming to a checkout line near you
WASHINGTON -- The voice is polite. Irritatingly polite.

The Weather Elsewhere
Saturday

State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Partly cloudy. Highs from the upper 30s far north...To the mid 40s south.

Rain in the East and South, unsettled in the West
A soaking rain was in the forecast Saturday for portions of the East, while the remnants of Tropical Depression Kenna were expected to bring plenty of rain to Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. Unsettled weather was on tap for the West.

Regional Forecast
HighLowPR

State forecast for North Dakota
This afternoon...Partly to mostly cloudy southwest. Mostly cloudy elsewhere with scattered light snow or flurries. Highs in the mid to upper 30s.

Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Cloudy or mostly cloudy north. Partly sunny south. Highs from the upper 30s north...To the low 50s south.

Boo, boo!
Weather drawing by Samuel Larson of Sharon Jendro's first grade class at Lowell school.

Iowa state forecast
Today...Becoming partly cloudy by late morning. Highs in the lower 40s to lower 50s.

Hurricane Kenna wrecks towns, blocks highways, floods resorts in Mexico
SAN BLAS, Mexico (AP) -- The majority of homes in this fishing village were blown to bits, dozens of other coastal areas were cut off completely and neck-high flood waters poured through the streets of Puerto Vallarta as Hurricane Kenna tore across Mexico's Pacific coast.

Minnesota state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy central and north. A chance of snow showers north. Partly cloudy south with patchy morning fog. Highs from the middle 30s north to the middle 40s south.

Hotel employees make a difference
Last week, staff at Hawthorne Inn and Suites in Baxter volunteered their time in three activities for Make a Difference Day.

What's doing
The Brainerd American Legion dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Swiss steak, mashed potatoes/gravy, vegetable and coleslaw will be served for $6.50. Silent auction items will be on display for bidding.

Organizations
Brainerd Jaycees

France claims first-round win in battle for Iraq resolutions
UNITED NATIONS -- France claimed a first-round victory over the United States in the battle over a U.N. resolution on Iraq, saying its new proposal has more support because it eliminates tough U.S. language that many fear could trigger an attack.

Russian special forces storm theater; officials say most rebel captors and 67 hostages killed, 750 rescued
MOSCOW -- Gunfire rattled in the theater at dawn Saturday and Russian special forces pumped it full of sleeping gas before troops stormed the building, killing 42 Chechen rebels and freeing more than 700 captives in the third day of a hostage drama. Officials said 67 captives were killed.

Separated twins may soon be in Guatemala
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Twin girls born joined at the head and separated in a complex, 23-hour surgery may soon return home to Guatemala following more than two months of recovery.

In meeting with Bush in Texas, China's outgoing leader Jiang balks at condemnation of North Korea
CRAWFORD, Texas -- President Bush and Chinese President Jiang Zemin pledged Friday to work together to pressure North Korea to dismantle its nuclear weapons program, but the Chinese leader stopped short of the statement of condemnation the administration eventually wants.