Friday, November 3, 2000
2001 Lexus IS300 is one for the babies, not the boomers
High school students loved it, which is perfect for Toyota Motor Corp.
'Baby' Benz grows up, but not out
Mercedes' "Baby" Benz has matured a little for 2001, though it hasn't grown. Its look is more aggressive, a bit less formal, and on the road its edge is a bit harder. It looks like this baby is goin' huntin' -- for BMWs.
Jaguar introduces new model
DETROIT -- Jaguar pulled the wraps off its latest new car Wednesday, a more affordable luxury model that will be called the X-Type and could double sales of the elite brand once it hits full production in a couple of years.
Ford says Explorer sales down 16 percent, hurt by Firestone recall
DETROIT (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. said for the first time Wednesday that the furor over the Firestone tire recall has driven down sales of Ford Explorers, with October figures down 16 percent from last year.
Brawny Nissan Frontier offers supercharged ride
Do you like your pickup truck brawny and wicked looking?
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Wednesday 301, a year ago 36.
Jobless rate at three-decade low
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The nation's jobless rate held steady at a three-decade low of 3.9 percent in October, pushing unemployment among Hispanics to the lowest level on record, the government said Friday.
More details on Potlatch layoffs are expected
More details regarding additional layoffs at Potlatch are expected Friday.
Reports provide further evidence economy cooling
WASHINGTON -- Americans' productivity, a key measure of rising living standards, grew at a 3.8 percent annual rate in the third quarter, the slowest pace since the beginning of the year. Inflation pressures rose.
Mesa Air SEC filing reveals interest in Mesaba
EAGAN (AP) -- Phoenix-based Mesa Air Group expressed interest in a deal with Mesaba Airlines two weeks before Northwest Airlines announced a bid to buy the regional carrier, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Wednesday cattle: 550.
Northwest proposes acquisition of Mesaba
EAGAN (AP) -- Northwest Airlines has issued a proposal to acquire the portion of Mesaba Holdings Inc. that it does not currently own.
Minntac to idle one of its taconite processing lines
MOUNTAIN IRON (AP) -- U.S. Steel Group said Thursday that one of five taconite processing lines at its Minntac plant will be idled at least through the end of the year and workers will be laid off due to surging steel imports.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Thursday 277, a year ago 342.
Churches
St. Blaine's Guild will meet at noon Thursday at the Green Mill, bring item(s) for the Mitten Tree at St. Joseph's Medical Center; St. Christopher's Guild will meet at 1 p.m. Thursday at the home of Darla Sather; St. Isidore's Guild will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Country Kitchen.
What role should religion play in politics?
ST. PAUL -- In an age when voters are barraged with information about candidates, a group of liberal-leaning church activists is saying, "Enough."
Church officials postpone award for fired nun
BOSTON -- A nun who was fired from a Jesuit center for helping perform baptism rites reserved for priests won't receive the center's highest honor this year -- if ever.
The power of words
There are virtually no exceptions. All of us have been affected by the words we have heard. You may have to give it some thought, but you will remember.
Knowing the facts is first step toward conceptual learning
QUESTION: I assume you favor a highly structured curriculum that emphasizes the memorization of specific facts, which I consider to be a very low level of learning. We need to teach concepts to our kids and help them learn how to think -- not just fill their heads with a bunch of details.
Religion goes green
VANTAGE, Wash. -- When they're not saving souls, more of the religious faithful are trying to save the environment. They're lobbying for the Endangered Species Act, conducting energy audits and educating others about global climate change.
Gallup poll finds decline in Bible reading
PRINCETON, N.J. (AP) -- Americans who read the Bible at least occasionally dropped from 73 percent in the 1980s to 59 percent in an October Gallup poll.
Pillager offers students all grad standard courses
PILLAGER -- Pillager High School students have the opportunity to take all 24 courses that apply to the graduation standards, but the standards are not required for them to graduate.
Federal board backs graduate students' right to unions
WASHINGTON -- For four years, New York University graduate student LaDawn Haglund's life has been a whirlwind of preparing lessons for the sociology class she teaches twice a week and working on her dissertation about sweatshops in Latin America.
Puppy finds a new home
With unbridled enthusiasm that sent her tail a-wagging, the 3-month-old puppy named Dallas waited as patiently as she could Wednesday as her new owners, Richard and Colleen Brink of Pequot Lakes, opened the kennel she'd lived in most of her life at Heartland Animal Rescue Team in Brainerd.
Children in foster care get bag full of gifts to comfort them
A child who is placed in foster care likely would find comfort in such items as a stuffed animal.
Neighbor struggles to strike match of his dreams on fire
DEAR ABBY: I have a neighbor (friend) who's 55. I'm 60. We're both in good physical condition and share similar interests. No matter what we do, we always have a good time. I've gotten to know her well enough to consider her the match of my dreams.
If you like cream cheese, try these bars
If you are partial to the old-fashioned seven layer bars, and you like cream cheese, then you will enjoy this week's recipe for cream cheese layer bars.
Combine colorful vegetables, brown rice for quick and tasty dish
Tailor this quick recipe to whatever looks good at the grocery store salad bar, say the cookbook editors who suggest that Peppered Pork Chops and Pilaf is a dish you may like to remember when you're in a hurry.
This version of chicken stir-fry is slimmed down
A conventional version of Spicy Cashew-Chicken Stir-Fry might load 28 grams of fat on a diner's plate, and some 395 calories. The slimmed-down edition that follows contains only 9 grams of fat and 213 calories.
'Days of Taste' sought to educate schoolchildren about 'real food'
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Farmers, chefs, food professionals, teachers and parents collaborated with the American Institute of Wine & Food on an educational program on "real food" for elementary school children across the nation last month.
Accident
JENKINS -- One person was injured in a vehicle/pedestrian accident Thursday on Highway 371 in Jenkins.
Court
WALKER -- Judge Michael J. Haas filed a revised restitution order Oct. 27 to reflect actual economic loss as ordered in February by the Minnesota Court of Appeals in regard to a theft case.
Crime
THEFT -- A vending machine was reported stolen over the weekend from the faculty lounge at Brainerd High School.
Lightning strikes cause two fires in Little Falls
LITTLE FALLS (AP) -- Early morning thunderstorms over central Minnesota kept Little Falls firefighters busy as lightning strikes sparked two fires Wednesday.
Correction
As a result of misinformation supplied to the newspaper, The Dispatch omitted the names of three candidates in a list of those who signed the Civility 2000 pledge.
Crime
BURGLARY -- A burglary was reported at Ritchie's Guide and Launch Service on Highway 169 in Garrison.
Els takes lead with a 64
ATLANTA (AP) -- Ernie Els, the South African known as the "Big Easy," made it look simple Thursday with a 6-under 64 on Thursday for a 1-stroke lead over David Duval in the Tour Championship.
Mourners question physical exams
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Both were 15. Both were linebackers. And both were remembered as being popular, enthusiastic boys whose lives were cut short, apparently from heart problems.
Experts warn health care premiums could leap by double digits in state
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Rising health care costs could cause premiums in Minnesota to take a double-digit leap next year, experts warn, forcing employers to drop coverage or cut wage increases and bonuses.
Safety questions plague bowel-disease drug fast-tracked by FDA
WASHINGTON -- In the drug's first eight months on the market, five people who took it died. Several others had bowel surgeries -- one underwent colon removal. A total of 49 patients developed ischemic colitis, a potentially life-threatening complication.
On butcher's broom and mouse stinger
POUND RIDGE, N.Y. -- Now and then a gardening venture turns into a detective story as in my Case of the Butcher's Broom.
Minnesota Gardening 2001 calendar now available
The University of Minnesota Extension Service and Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station have released Minnesota Gardening 2001 -- a calendar developed for home gardening and landscape enthusiasts across the state.
Hot ideas to decorate around radiators
Radiators are a fact of life in lots of older houses and apartments. Whether they're cantankerous cast-iron Victorians or boxy, unlovely models from the '60s or '70s, when you live with them, you've got to plan your rooms around them.
Contemporary will mean a return to comfort
At the end of the 19th century, "contemporary" meant heavy, dark, stuffy Victorian styles; at the end of the 20th century, it means clean lines, monochromatic or bright colors, unexpected shapes and a bit of humor.
Housing brief
LITTLE FALLS -- The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota announced that three local buildings were selected to receive historic preservation awards.
Celebrity style displayed at charity showhouse
NEW YORK -- Interior decorators and their clients have a marriage of sorts -- they need to listen to, learn from and trust each other. And celebrity marriages of any kind create a lot of interest.
The Shack
Well, it isn't the Love Shack but it is a little ol' place where people get together.
With regular maintenance, hot water heater is one of most reliable appliances
If you're like most people, chances are good that you don't appreciate the convenience of hot water at the tap until there is none. This can be especially true when in the middle of a hot shower things turn cold, very cold.
Use right tools when planting bulbs
Sunny, cool weather is perfect for being outside planting bulbs. What's the perfect tool for this job?
Frost may cause deck stairs to become shaky
Question: The stairs leading from my deck to the ground have become shaky. What causes this, and what can you suggest to make them more secure?
Composting is best way to get rid of leaves collecting in yards
Since Minnesota state law bans leaves and other organic material from landfills and burning facilities, many homeowners are left with the problem of what to do with the quantities of leaves deposited on their lawns in the fall.
Housing briefs
The Greater Lakes Association of Realtors hosted its annual installation of officers in October at the Brainerd Inn.
Water main break closes school in Staples, Motley
STAPLES -- A water line leak at Staples-Motley High School shut down classes part of Wednesday.
Brainerd committee recommends Mallie for misdemeanor prosecutor
The Brainerd Personnel and Finance Committee has recommended Matt Mallie to take over as Brainerd's misdemeanor prosecutor for Michael Hollenhorst, who is resigning the position.
Arboretum exec likens impact to voters of levy hike to bag of chips
For the cost of a bag of Doritos, Crow Wing County residents can help the Northland Arboretum.
Man charged with putting needles in candy
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- A 49-year-old man was accused Thursday of putting needles into Snickers candy bars and giving them to children on Halloween.
This was Brainerd
NOVEMBER 2 - 80 years ago (1920) -- Tonight election returns by special Western Union Messenger service at Ransford Billiard Parlor.
Local briefs
Organizers of the petition calling for a Brainerd-Baxter merger study say their effort has reached the halfway point.
Regional briefs
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- At least two newspapers pulled Wednesday's installment of Garry Trudeau's "Doonesbury" comic strip over a panel in which a character accuses George W. Bush of cocaine abuse. One of those newspapers also pulled Thursday's strip.
Man suffers injuries in house fire
PINE CENTER -- A man suffered minor injuries Thursday in a fire that destroyed his home in Platte Lake Township.
Ventura's top aide cited for indecency
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Gov. Jesse Ventura said Thursday he fully supports his chief of staff, who was cited this week for indecent conduct in a Minneapolis health club.
Where to drop off deer hides
Beginning Wednesday successful deer hunters can drop off their deer hides at one of 17 area Hides for Habitat boxes. Before placing a hide in the box make sure it is clean, stretched and tied in a bundle with twine. Avoid placing hides in plastic bags.
Wadena firm fined for environmental violations
WADENA -- A Wadena oil company was fined $8,020 by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for violations of state hazardous waste spill rules and above ground storage tank regulations, the MPCA announced in a news release.
Many schools seeking money in Tuesday referendums
Voters trekking to the polls in dozens of Minnesota cities on Tuesday will be asked to set aside more money for school districts that are struggling with unexpected expenses.
Local briefs
The Brainerd chapter of Kiwanis International has named Blaine Larson, Brainerd, as its Kiwanian of the Year.
Hunters set sights on whitetails
The whitetail buck in the photo on this page would gladly be taken by any of the more than 400,000 firearms deer hunters who will invade Minnesota's woods and fields at first light Saturday morning.
Playoffs heartbreaker
Pequot Lakes Patriots fans Jenna Carlson (left), Hayley Wallace and Rachel Anderson reacted when the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley Wolves recovered an onside kick in the Patriots' 34-26 loss in the Section 8AA championship game Wednesday at the Fargodome.
Football playoffs
The Brainerd Warriors play Bemidji for the Section 8 Class 5A championship in Fargo. Look for details Saturday.
They just said 'no'
Potlatch union members said no Wednesday to the agreement negotiated between management and labor representatives.
This was Brainerd
40 years ago (1960) - Straw votes in Brainerd schools today continued to indicate that the election between John F. Kennedy, Democrat, and Richard M. Nixon, Republican, will be extremely close in this area.
Correction/ clarification
In the Voters' Guide 2000 published Tuesday in The Dispatch, a story on area school district levy referendums inadvertently had a sentence in bold type.
Bush pleaded guilty to drunken driving in 1976
MILWAUKEE -- George W. Bush says he regrets his arrest and guilty plea to driving under the influence of alcohol 24 years ago but insisted the revelation just days before Tuesday's presidential election will do little to change voters' minds about him.
Two suspects in embassy bombings allegedly attack guard
NEW YORK -- Two U.S. embassy bombing suspects attacked a guard at a federal lockup, stabbing him in the eye and leaving him in critical condition, authorities said.
LA police put under federal monitoring
LOS ANGELES -- The mayor and City Council agreed to federal demands to put the beleaguered Police Department under an independent monitor's supervision and instituting reform measures aimed at eliminating brutality, racial profiling and other abuses.
Armed high school student takes class hostage
DALLAS (AP) -- A high school student with a handgun took 18 classmates and their pregnant teacher hostage during a geography class Wednesday before police broke in and arrested him.
Millionaire sentenced to life for killing of ex-wife, who was mother of quads
SAN ANTONIO -- A millionaire businessman was sentenced Thursday to life in prison for arranging the murder of his ex-wife while she was home with her toddler quadruplets.
Missing railroad crewman found dead after BN-Santa Fe collision
BELLEMONT, Ariz. -- The remains of a railroad crewman were found in the wreckage of a freight train accident that left crumpled and charred cars sprawled across the snowy landscape.
United mechanics suspend talks, airline still tardiest
CHICAGO (AP) -- Mechanics at United Airlines suspended contract talks Thursday, saying they want more senior company officials involved.
Toddler froze to death, police say
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) -- Autopsy findings appear to end suspicion that a 2-year-old boy found dead in the Utah woods was killed by his father, authorities said.
106th Congress may be remembered for trying to spend its way out of trouble
WASHINGTON -- Unable or unwilling to bridge divides on a host of major issues from health care to gun control, the 106th Congress may be remembered as the one that tried to spend its way out of trouble.
Suspects accused in rape of disabled teen videotaped crime, police say
MARIETTA, Ga. (AP) -- The suspects accused of raping and molesting a 13-year-old mentally disabled girl videotaped part of the crime, authorities said.
Writer Ring Lardner Jr., last of Hollywood Ten, dies at 85
NEW YORK (AP) -- Ring Lardner Jr., the last surviving member of the Hollywood Ten, a group of screenwriters who were jailed and blacklisted during the McCarthy era in the 1950s, died Tuesday of cancer. He was 85.
House set to vote on Everglades restoration bill
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A huge restoration project for Florida's Everglades that figures to be the last major piece of legislation passed by Congress before Election Day is also a way for House Republicans to blunt Democratic claims of a do-nothing Congress.
Ripken stays with Orioles
NEW YORK (AP) -- Cal Ripken's streak of consecutive games is long over. His streak of consecutive seasons with the Baltimore Orioles is not.
Manuel voted AP Manager of Year
CHICAGO (AP) -- Jerry Manuel, who led a young Chicago White Sox squad to the best record in the AL, was voted The Associated Press Manager of the Year on Wednesday.
Helton is player of the year
NEW YORK (AP) -- Colorado's Todd Helton, who led the major leagues in batting after hitting .400 as late as Aug. 21, was voted The Associated Press Major League Player of the Year on Thursday.
Reds choose Bob Boone
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Bob Boone was hired as the Cincinnati Reds' manager Friday after the club's top candidates rejected below-market offers, The Associated Press has learned.
Lasorda: Tracy is the right man
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Take it from Tom Lasorda: The Los Angeles Dodgers were smart to choose Jim Tracy as their manager.
Barnes honored by Twins
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Salt Lake Buzz outfielder John Barnes was named the Minnesota Twins minor leaguer of the year on Thursday.
Bowa hired as new Phillies manager
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Larry Bowa, who defied the odds by making the majors as an undrafted free agent and becoming a five-time All-Star, has another tough task ahead of him.
National title hopes on shaky footing for No. 2 Virginia Tech
Will he or won't he?
College basketball seeks more scoring
You didn't need to be a coaching genius or basketball purist to be unsettled by the first 20 minutes of the 2000 Final Four. You only needed to know the simplest truth about the game:
Smith appeals punishment; decision awaited
NEW YORK (AP) -- An arbitrator will decide in the next few days whether NBA commissioner David Stern had the authority to void Joe Smith's previous two contracts with the Minnesota Timberwolves.
'Bama coach quits Is departure motivation or distraction? Players will find out
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) -- Alabama quarterback Andrew Zow doesn't know if a lame-duck coach will distract or motivate the struggling team.
Title on the line in father-son matchup
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) -- As much as fathers and sons, the game Saturday between Clemson and Florida State is about two programs with similar records and vastly different outlooks about what they mean.
Sniden ends long career at Bruins' executive
BOSTON (AP) -- Harry Sinden ended his 28-year stint as general manager of the Boston Bruins, just a week after replacing coach Pat Burns with Mike Keenan.
Anderson leads Spurs past Wolves
SAN ANTONIO (AP) -- Derek Anderson is the only member of the starting lineup who didn't help San Antonio claim the NBA title two years ago.
Houston, Jacksonville and Detroit get Super Bowls
ATLANTA (AP) -- The Super Bowl will be dropping anchors in Jacksonville.
Moss fined $25,000 by the NFL
EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- Minnesota receiver Randy Moss was fined $25,000 by the NFL on Thursday for making contact with an official Sunday in the Vikings' 41-13 loss to Tampa Bay.
Ex-Gopher starts for Vikings
EDEN PRAIRIE (AP) -- Tyrone Carter scored three touchdowns in his first high-school start. In his first game at the University of Minnesota, he turned two fumble recoveries into TDs.
Brooks: Don't expect a 'Miracle on Ice'
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Herb Brooks isn't looking for a "Miracle on Ice" -- just a gold medal in Salt Lake City.
Helen A. Sjolund
STAPLES -- Helen A. Sjolund, 91, Staples, formerly of Brainerd, died today, Nov. 2, 2000, at Greater Staples Care Center.
Ronald R. Welsch
GRAND RAPIDS -- Ronald Richard Welsch, 64, Grand Rapids, died Sunday, Oct. 29, 2000, at Fairview University Medical Center of Minneapolis.
Rodrick 'Rod' Preimesberger
SUN CITY, Ariz. -- Rodrick "Rod" Preimesberger, 75, Sun City, Ariz., formerly of Pierz, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, in Sun City.
Bertha Ann Bauguss
Bertha Ann Bauguss, 91, Brainerd, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village of Brainerd.
Loretta M. Meyer
PIERZ -- Loretta M. Meyer, 96, Pierz, died Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2000, at St. Gabriel's Hospital of Little Falls.
Ray Schoessling
LITTLE FALLS -- Ray Schoessling, 93, Little Falls, died today, Nov. 3, 2000, at St. Gabriel's Hospital.
Bonnie V. Dircks
Bonnie V. Dircks, 74, Brainerd, died today, Nov. 2, 2000, at her home.
Bonnie V. Dircks
Bonnie V. Dircks, 74, Brainerd, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, at her home.
Grace E. Jewell
CROSBY -- Grace E. Jewell, 74, Crosby, formerly of Emily, died today, Nov. 3, 2000, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center of Crosby.
Mary 'Mickey' C. O'Brien
Mary "Mickey" Catherine O'Brien, 79, Brainerd, died Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2000, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center of Crosby.
Bertha A. Bauguss
Bertha Ann Bauguss, Brainerd, died today, Nov. 2, 2000, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village of Brainerd.
Helen A. Sjolund
STAPLES -- Helen A. Sjolund, 91, Staples, formerly of Brainerd, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, at Greater Staples Care Center.
Open Forum guidelines
The Dispatch encourages readers to contribute to the Open Forum.
Rural poverty - Outstate areas must find ways to help young families prosper
Some may find it hard to believe that poverty exists in rural Minnesota.
A sputtering finale
The following editorial appeared in Thursday's Los Angeles Times:
Separation of sex and state
Just what is George W. Bush getting at when he repeatedly chants that this election is all about something as vague as restoring dignity to the presidency and civility to politics? Just a lesson in etiquette?
Today's campaign letters will be the last of the season
With the 2000 election only five days away this will be the last edition of The Brainerd Dispatch to contain letters dealing with the campaign or candidates before the election.
Council looks at claims of unfair media reports
The Minnesota News Council is an independent organization that examines citizens' complaints alleging inaccuracy, unfairness or unethical conduct by the media.
Open Forum
Tuesday, Nov. 7 is a very important day for all of us. A special day when we are given the opportunity to elect men and women who will be our voice in local, state and federal government positions. We need to make intelligent choices. We need to vote for people who believe in the values that we cherish.
The choice
Time magazine's cover story (Nov. 6) features pictures of George W. Bush and Al Gore under the headline ``The Choice.'' The election Tuesday is a choice not only between two men who would be president -- and thousands of decisions about other candidates and ballot questions -- it is ultimately a choice about the direction in which we wish to go and how we wish to see ourselves and others to see us.
Time for upgrade
Probably nothing is more confusing to voters in a presidential election than the Electoral College, which many don't realize is how the outcome is really decided, not by popular vote.
Democrats launch anti-Bush ad during his visit to state
MINNEAPOLIS -- As GOP presidential candidate George W. Bush reveled in front of thousands of screaming admirers at an airport hanger, the Democratic National Committee launched a new ad in the Twin Cities Wednesday criticizing the Texas governor's environmental record.
Ad group finds plenty to criticize in political commercials
ST. PAUL -- The "Citizens' Ad Police" went on patrol Wednesday night and observed plenty of transgressions in political commercials bombarding the airwaves.
Knocking Nader
WASHINGTON -- Friends are now foes. Environmentalists, organized labor, gays and abortion-rights groups -- liberals and Democrats who once admired Ralph Nader's tenacity as a consumer crusader -- are now dedicated to stopping him from hurting Al Gore.
Ventura offers advice for Gore
ST. PAUL -- The iconoclastic governor of this surprise battleground state offered some advice to Al Gore on Wednesday, suggesting that the vice president shouldn't distance himself from President Clinton.
Gore, Bush trade charges, cross paths in key states
SCRANTON, Pa. -- Al Gore warned that rival George W. Bush offers the promise of "deficits and debt" as the two traded charges and chased each other through states that could hold the key to next Tuesday's election.
Lieberman: He'll fight unfair trade
CHISHOLM -- On the day that U.S. Steel said it was shutting down a taconite processing line, Democratic vice presidential candidate Joe Lieberman told steelworkers at a rally Thursday that a Gore-Lieberman administration would fight steel dumping by foreign companies.
Candidates seek final weekend momentum
KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- George W. Bush and Al Gore sought the momentum heading into the campaign's final weekend, arguing over health care and turning their attention to getting out voters next week as they vied for even the slightest edge.
The great debate about lawn signs goes on
ST. PAUL -- In these days of corrosive commercials, some have it in for one of the meekest forms of political advertising: Lawn signs.
Senate recesses, House staying on
WASHINGTON -- House Republicans, their majority status seriously at stake in next Tuesday's elections, have vowed to stay at their posts for at least a few more days to continue their budget battle with President Clinton.
Perot gives his endorsement to Bush
WASHINGTON -- Reform Party founder Ross Perot is backing George W. Bush for president, saying he would perform as well for the country as he has as governor of Texas.
Close races in key state energize get out vote efforts
ST. LOUIS -- On streets, in churches, at football games and on stage, everyone from rural volunteers to rock star Sheryl Crow is shaking the trees for one more voter on Election Day.
Ex-president, first lady vote
HOUSTON (AP) -- Former President George Bush and his wife, Barbara, voted Thursday at an early voting polling place downtown, but wouldn't say if they voted for their son, GOP presidential nominee George W. Bush.
Bush stumps in Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS -- George W. Bush found himself campaigning Wednesday in a place where few Republican presidential candidates have ventured so close to an election: traditionally Democratic Minnesota. And he was savoring every minute.
Second year as good as first for Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart wasn't content with his record-setting rookie season. So, he went out this year as a sophomore and did it again, taking one checkered flag after another.
'Little E' ending rookie season with limp
Dale Earnhardt Jr. rode onto the Winston Cup scene on an eight-horse hitch of Clydesdales. Now, as his rookie season comes to a close, he's limping away.
ON TRACK
NASCAR WINSTON CUP
Scoreboard
High School Football
This time, Warriors hope there is joy in the Fargodome
The last time the Brainerd Warriors played at the Fargodome you could have heard a pin drop in the locker room after the game.
Monson to student daily: Just say nice things
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota coach Dan Monson threatened to withhold press credentials from the university newspaper because of a negative sports column, then issued them after a follow-up piece appeared in the paper.
WARRIOR ATHLETE OF THE WEEK
Adam Hardy missed his junior football season because of a shoulder injury that he aggravated while pitching in the VFW state baseball tournament.
Holy Toledo! Only Rainy River stands in way of Raiders going to nationals
There's only one thing standing in the way of the Central Lakes College Raiders' volleyball team making a trip to this year's National Junior College Athletic Association tournament in Toledo, Ohio.
AAAAA FINALS
BRAINERD WARRIORS (9-1)
Border rivals aiming for bowl bids
MADISON, Wis. -- Border rivals Minnesota and Wisconsin were hoping to have secured bowl berths by now.
Scoreboard
High School Volleyball
Verndale gets even with Hillcrest
FARGO, N.D. -- For former Verndale Pirates football players who graduated in the last two years redemption was finally theirs against the Hillcrest Lutheran Academy Comets.
Cardinals hope to make cross country history
The Staples-Motley Cardinals boys' team will attempt to do something no school in state history has done -- win a fifth straight state championship -- at the Class A state cross country meet at St. Olaf College in Northfield on Saturday,
Pine River-Backus falls in semifinals
HIBBING -- The ninth-ranked Deer River Warriors volleyball team stopped the Pine River-Backus Tigers 15-10, 15-7, 16-14 in the Section 7AA semifinals Thursday.
Moe to be named Gophers' AD
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Tom Moe, who has been interim men's athletics director at Minnesota, will be named permanently to the position on Friday, university officials said.
Pequot falls flat in the second half
FARGO, N.D. -- When the Minnesota Vikings were dominating teams in the 1960s with the "Purple People Eaters," a common phrase they used was "40 for 60," meaning 40 players for 60 minutes.
Local sports shorts
The Brainerd high school bowling team lost to St. Cloud Apollo 4-1 and defeated St. Cloud Cathedral 3-2 at Waite Park Lanes last weekend.
Little Falls' Anderson, Thielen lead area AA hopes
Becky Anderson and Jason Thielen of Little Falls, along with the Flyers' boys' cross country team, will be carrying the banner for area Class AA teams when they head south for the state meet Saturday.
Capsule reviews of current releases
Opinions are by Los Angeles Times reviewers.
Paintings, drawings exhibit to open at CLC
"Wax and Wane," encaustic paintings and mixed media drawings by Jill Ewald of Northfield, is the next Central Lakes College Gallery exhibit.
St. Cloud artist to show works at Little Falls gallery
LITTLE FALLS -- A 26-piece painting exhibit by St. Cloud artist Paige LaDue Henry opened this week at the Government Center Gallery in Little Falls.
'Blair Witch' sequel has disappointing box-office debut
LOS ANGELES -- The witch in the woods cast a weaker spell the second time around.
Pine River teen to play lead role in Pequot play
PEQUOT LAKES -- Pequot Lakes Community Theater opens the holiday season this weekend with "Amahl and the Night Visitors," a Christmas tale wrapped in music and dance.
'Bedazzled' leaves audience feeling anything but bedazzled
"Bedazzled" is one of those banal Hollywood productions that hopes to woo an audience by glorifying strong, sexy women at the expense of the male stumblebums who pursue them.
The Finishing Touch to host two artists at Holiday Open House
Folkwoods sculpture artist Alice Strom will be at The Finishing Touch during its 23rd annual Holiday Open House from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
'Millionaire' numbers are down for ABC
NEW YORK (AP) -- With "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" ratings down sharply, viewers may be suffering from Regis fatigue.
Professional actor from Twin Cities to take on role of Scrooge at CLC
The Central Lakes College Theatre Department has recruited a professional actor for the lead role in this year's production of "A Christmas Carol."
Rahn considers writing one of most essential skills a person can learn
When Meghan Rahn hands in her course assignments, she gift wraps them with the golden thread of her writing skills.
NBC pulls the plug on 'Deadline'
"Deadline," the new NBC drama that aired only four times, has been put to rest by the network.
Nordstrom's pianist to play
Pianist Mary Beth Carlson will appear Sunday at The Finishing Touch in the East Brainerd Mall during the store's 23rd annual Holiday Open House.
Stroia Ballet Co. of Little Falls to present annual performance of 'The Nutcracker'
Lakes area fans of classical dance will have several opportunities to see "The Nutcracker Ballet," the seasonal production of the Stroia Ballet Co. of Little Falls.
Fiber arts alive, definitely thriving in Duluth area
DULUTH (AP) -- Beverly Martin is a self-proclaimed fiber person. She knits and crochets, sews clothes and has made suits for her husband Gerry.
Monks make their first trek across the pond in 'Slaves of Obsession'
If Hester Monk had been complaining to her husband that "you never take me anyplace," she can stop now.
Entertainment guide
Live music
'American Beauty' keeps coming up roses
Five-time Oscar winner "American Beauty" came to video and DVD last week with hours of bonus programming in a special "Awards Edition."
Upcoming tourism events around Minnesota
Some of the tourism events around the state of Minnesota this week, 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.
Walk-through display of 43 scenes opens Saturday at Minneapolis store
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Dayton's annual holiday display will feature Harry Potter this year.
U2 gets back to rock with 'All That You Can't Leave Behind'
The problem with U2 in the '90s wasn't its music.
'Same Time Next Year' to be staged in Little Falls
LITTLE FALLS -- The Hole in the Day Players have revived "Same Time Next Year" -- a Broadway play that made it big as a motion picture in the late 1970s -- for its fall dinner theater production.
C-I students to stage 'The Foreigner'
CROSBY -- The Crosby-Ironton High School Drama Club will present "The Foreigner."
Park Rapids art, craft fair geared toward 'hunting widows'
PARK RAPIDS -- The 20th annual Art and Craft Celebration welcomes all "hunting widows" to the Park Rapids middle school and high school during the annual white-tailed deer hunting season.
Tempo tidbits
Minnesota Public Radio is featuring the Grassroots Concerts series in the Nov. 10 broadcast of its "Word of Mouth" program, according to Ron Miles, Grassroots' artistic director.
Happy family
Weather drawing by Kim Davis of Sharon Jendro's first grade class at Lowell school.
Tornado touches down in Kandiyohi County
PRINSBURG (AP) -- A small tornado touched down here on Wednesday night, damaging two farm sites. No injuries were reported.
Blowing snow blocks travel in Wyoming, South Dakota
MOORCROFT, Wyo. (AP) -- More than a foot of blowing snow closed major highways Wednesday in eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota, stranding travelers and shutting down schools.
Typhoon leaves 54 dead, 32 missing in Taiwan
TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Typhoon Xangsane whirled away from Taiwan and closer to southern Japan on Thursday, leaving 54 dead and 32 missing in the island's worst flooding in three decades, officials said.
Brainerd forecast
Partly sunny.
Brainerd forecast
Clouds and some sun.
A rainy day
Weather drawing by Brian Sexton of Mr. Trucano's fourth grade class at Baxter school.
Operation Dear Abby sends holiday greetings overseas
DEAR ABBY: My family and I participated in last year's Operation Dear Abby. It was a blessing to us. We sent a box of 40 cards to each address you listed. We realize that is an insignificant number when compared to the number of military personnel who are away from home, but my children are 12 and 7, so that was as many as we could handle. They were not happy when I asked them to sign so many cards, but we did one box each week to keep us from getting writer's cramp and to keep the postage costs manageable.
Senior activities
LAKES AREA SENIOR ACTIVITY CENTER
Trunk tales
Dear Heloise: Regarding the smelly, musty old trunk: fill it 1/4 to 1/2 full of ordinary cat-box filler. Keep the lid open, and within a few days to a week or so, the smell should be gone. -- Susan Reisman, Freehold, N.J.
What's doing
North-South: Pat Lande and Allen Anderson, 84.5; Mark Anderson and Clayton Haglin, 74.5; and Ray Norrgard and Bill Black, 73. East-West: Gordon Becker and Don Rasmussen, 74; Marcella Jensen and Joyce Roemer, 65; and Marion Benest and Chris Leininger, 64.
Singapore Air flight tried to take off on wrong runway
TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The pilot of the Singapore Airlines jumbo jet that crashed and burst into flames tried to take off on a runway closed for repair and plowed into construction equipment, Taiwan's chief investigator said Friday.
Former Salvadoran generals cleared of liability in deaths of four church women
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) -- A federal jury cleared two former Salvadoran generals Friday of liability in the 1980 deaths of four American church women.
Truce announcements delayed; car bomb kills two in Jerusalem
JERUSALEM -- Israeli and Palestinian leaders delayed a truce announcement Thursday and violence persisted -- a car bomb exploded near a crowded outdoor Jerusalem market, killing two people, police said.
Foreign briefs
LONDON (AP) -- Chess has a new world champion after 15 years of domination by Garry Kasparov, who had fought off five previous challengers with his bold, brilliant moves and intimidating stares.
Space station's first residents arrive
KOROLYOV, Russia -- The first residents of the international space station arrived at their new home Thursday, swinging open the doors and settling in for a four-month stay.