Saturday, November 4, 2000
Viacom buys black cable channel for nearly $3 billion
NEW YORK -- Viacom Inc., the media giant that owns CBS, MTV and Nickelodeon, is buying the biggest black-oriented cable channel in a nearly $3 billion deal that impressed some black leaders and worried others.
Cash grain
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Wheat receipts Thursday 277, a year ago 342.
Business notes
CROSSLAKE -- The Brainerd Lakes Area Chambers of Commerce is hosting the November CHOW Time event in Crosslake from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday at event sponsor Ace Hardware on County Road 3.
Fish philosophy keeps employees, customers happy
BURNSVILLE (AP) -- To be a standout in the tough retail world, it's not enough to train your employees to say "Thank you, have a nice day." The employees of the better retailers will meet the needs of customers -- and have fun doing it.
Retailers turn in disappointing sales for October
NEW YORK -- The nation's largest retailers turned in a mixed performance in October as specialty stores reported strong sales and department stores were stymied by heavy markdowns that eroded their profits.
Lighting up the holidays
Branching out from an irrigation business means a lot more roof time for a Brainerd business.
Livestock
SOUTH ST. PAUL (AP) (USDA) -- Friday cattle: 1250.
Mechanics union sues Northwest
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association filed a lawsuit against Northwest Airlines Friday, alleging bad faith bargaining in their contract negotiations and safety issues which Northwest said are unfounded.
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.
Tracking stocks: Help or hindrance for market and investors?
NEW YORK -- WorldCom ruffled Wall Street this past week when it announced it was restructuring and adding a tracking stock for its ailing long distance business.
Ruling opens competition on casket sales
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- A federal judge opened Mississippi to independent casket dealers who promise cheaper prices, striking down a state law that had allowed sales only by licensed funeral home directors.
Lorillard negotiating $7.5 billion tobacco settlement
Lorillard Tobacco Co., the nation's fourth-largest cigarette maker, is negotiating a deal in which the company would pay about $7.5 billion over 30 years to settle punitive-damage claims filed by thousands of smokers around the United States, according to lawyers close to the case.
New Pine River bank building to include wildlife museum
PINE RIVER -- When Pine River State Bank's new building opens next May, the bank will not only offer expanded banking facilities, but also a 600-square foot museum of northern Minnesota wildlife.
For the new president: A win or else challenge
NEW YORK (AP) -- After this week's victory parties die down comes a sobering challenge for the man answering to the name "President-elect": How to keep the nation's longest-ever economic expansion from withering.
ETFs grow in popularity despite vocal skeptics
NEW YORK -- Exchange traded funds, or ETFs, are arguably the fastest growing investment product on the financial landscape.
Log bank opens for business Monday
Northern National Bank, that new log structure on the corner of Excelsior Road and Highway 371 North in Baxter, will open for business Monday.
Midwest economy slows
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Six interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve Board since May 1999 have successfully slowed the economy in a nine-state region of the Midwest, an economist said Wednesday.
Business casual: Loosen your tie, but don't wear a T-shirt
NEW YORK -- "Business casual" sounds good. The term implies dressing that is professional but not stuffy, relaxed but not sloppy.
Russian company to buy Getty Petroleum
NEW YORK -- Russia's largest oil company Lukoil agreed Friday to purchase retail gasoline chain Getty Petroleum Marketing for $71 million in cash in what was billed as the first purchase of a publicly traded U.S. concern by a Russian company.
Around the watercooler
OREO AD IS TOAST: A commercial for KoolStuf Oreo Toaster Pastries was recently pulled by snack-maker Nabisco Inc. after a 4-year-old boy reportedly mimicked the TV ad by putting Oreo cookies in the family toaster.
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.
Media giants cast an eye on minority businesses
More acquisitions of ethnic media businesses are likely to occur as mainstream businesses recognize the increasing buying power in minority markets.
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.
Water-polluting poultry plant fined $14 million
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- A federal judge has ordered a Mississippi poultry plant to pay $14 million for discharging slaughterhouse waste into a creek that supplies drinking water to the city of Jackson.
Workers get stock options that can gain in value over time -- or not
NEW YORK -- When Jessica Gleeson began work a decade ago making lattes and cappuccinos at a Starbucks cafe, her goal was to save enough money to buy a house when she was 30. She beat that, signing the papers for a Victorian home in Seattle on her 28th birthday.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
School lunch menus
AITKIN - TUESDAY -- B-Strudel, applesauce, juice. L-BBQ chicken drummies, mashed potatoes, corn, roll, Special K bar.
With the military
Army National Guard Pvt. Bernard L. Czech, son of Duane P. Czech, Little Falls, recently graduated from basic military training at Fort Leonard Wood, Waynesville, Mo.
Johnson nears 25 years in creating bead jewelry
PEQUOT LAKES -- Tiny silver beads nestled in the carpet like grains of sand led to an area business that continues to grow 25 years later.
4-H news
The Cloverleaf 4-H Club recently met at the Oak Lawn Town Hall. Hosting the meeting was Megan Rahto, president. Club members discussed records
Child in need
Job Description: Mentoring in Kinship Partners program.
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.
Man who craves empty nest hesitates to force child to fly
DEAR ABBY: I have three children, ages 26, 18 and 15. My 18-year-old is a freshman in college and lives on campus. My 15-year-old lives with his father and visits me often. My 26-year-old is educated and has a good job, but still lives at home.
With the military
Dorean Noreen, daughter of Ellen and Elroy Noreen, Fort Ripley, recently graduated from the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Advanced Camp at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Wash.
Pets of the week
Dandy is a possible Labrador/Springer mix who has a white smooth coat with a black face, tail and spots.
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.
Accident
JENKINS -- One person was injured in a vehicle/pedestrian accident Thursday on Highway 371 in Jenkins.
Crime
BURGLARY -- A burglary was reported at Ritchie's Guide and Launch Service on Highway 169 in Garrison.
Agendas
Brainerd City Council
Births
Richard and LuAnn (Mushel) Jarvis, Little Falls, a boy, Robert Scott, 9 pounds, 1 ounce, Oct. 25, 2000. Grandparents are Robert and Dorothy Mushel, Little Falls, and Laurel Jarvis Rubbelke, Brainerd.
Agenda
Pillager School Board
Births
Josh and Veronica (Tormanen) Kinsman, Crosby, a boy, Hunter Thomas, 6 pounds, 11 ounces, Oct. 18, 2000.
Duval gets another shot at Tiger Woods
ATLANTA -- David Duval put to rest any questions about his back, his game and his desire.
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.
Support groups
Crisis Line-Referral Ser.
Panel clarifies post-surgery options for breast cancer patients
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Many women should consider taking a combination of chemotherapy drugs after surgery for localized breast cancer because the additional treatment improves long-term survival, a panel of experts said Friday.
Health care and medical services
Blood Pressure Clinics
Nationwide pet blood shortage prompts call for four-legged donors
MILWAUKEE -- The nation's in desperate need of blood donors -- even the furry, four-legged kind.
Health officials alarmed at flu shot shortage, profiteering
Unprecedented delays and uneven distribution of the flu vaccine -- complicated by alleged price gouging -- are causing alarm among health officials who warn of severe disease and even death among their most vulnerable patients.
Is Lasik eye surgery safe for children?
As hundreds of thousands of U.S. adults enthusiastically embrace Lasik eye surgery, it's no surprise that children are beginning to ask, "What about me?"
Chemical dependency groups and AA groups
Adult Children-Chem.Dep.
Nevada tops list of states with highest smoking rates
ATLANTA -- Nevada, home to Sin City and its 24-hour, smoke-friendly bars and casinos, has knocked Kentucky out of the top spot on the government's list of states with the highest smoking rates.
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.
Housing briefs
The Greater Lakes Association of Realtors hosted its annual installation of officers in October at the Brainerd Inn.
The Shack
Well, it isn't the Love Shack but it is a little ol' place where people get together.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Housing brief
LITTLE FALLS -- The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota announced that three local buildings were selected to receive historic preservation awards.
Use right tools when planting bulbs
Sunny, cool weather is perfect for being outside planting bulbs. What's the perfect tool for this job?
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.
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?
Local briefs
Breast, cervical and prostate cancer screenings are set by the Crow Wing County Health Department.
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.
Brainerd Lions' gambling operation suspended
The Minnesota Attorney General's office has suspended the Brainerd Lions Club's pulltab permits for 90 days.
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.
Football playoffs
The Brainerd Warriors play Bemidji for the Section 8 Class 5A championship in Fargo. Look for details Saturday.
Vogt says there may be ways to fund water park without referendum
Reaction to the possibility of a water park in Brainerd has been described as exciting, yet many wonder how the $8 million project could be financed.
This was Brainerd
NOVEMBER 5 - 40 years ago (1960) Brainerd Daily Dispatch headline -- Confident Kennedy in N.Y. as Nixon woos Californians
They just said 'no'
Potlatch union members said no Wednesday to the agreement negotiated between management and labor representatives.
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.
A tearful end to a good season
Brainerd Warriors cheerleader Debbie Murray wept after the Warriors' 27-25 defeat to the Bemidji Lumberjacks in the Section 8, Class 5A championship game Friday night at the Fargodome.
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.
Local briefs
Organizers of the petition calling for a Brainerd-Baxter merger study say their effort has reached the halfway point.
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.
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.
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.
State briefs
WILLMAR (AP) -- The downtown of this west-central Minnesota town was evacuated and closed for about four hours Friday night after two train cars collided, spilling fertilizer and diesel fuel.
Prosecutor faulted for referring to man's previous sex crime
ST. PAUL (AP) -- The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ordered a new trial for a Windom man convicted of criminal sexual conduct after concluding that a prosecutor should not have referred to the man's previous sex crime conviction in his closing argument.
Sampling finds backing for Bush, Dayton, opposition to gun control
Brainerd area voters, in a small and unscientific sampling taken last week, supported George W. Bush and Mark Dayton and issued stern warnings to any politicians who might limit their access to firearms.
Woman killed
A pregnant women was killed after a head-on accident at 12:58 p.m. on Highway 6, two miles north of Emily in Crow Wing County, reported the State Patrol.
Former HUD secretary Pierce dies
WASHINGTON -- Samuel Riley Pierce Jr., a noted lawyer and public official whose career was marred at its end by an investigation of mismanagement and influence-peddling during his service as secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Reagan administration, died Oct. 31 at Holy Cross Hospital outside Washington of complications from a stroke. He was 78.
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.
Congress gives governors authority over water sales
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Legislation approved Friday would give governors of the eight Great Lakes states power over whether their water can be exported.
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.
House passes Everglades bill, leaves town
WASHINGTON -- The House left for the campaign trail Friday after laying aside partisan animosity for a moment and passing an Everglades restoration bill that both sides hailed as a testimony to what can be achieved when they work together.
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.
FBI agent sues to blow whistle on undercover abuses
WASHINGTON (AP) -- A 20-year veteran FBI agent is asking court permission to tell President Clinton and watchdogs in Congress about what he calls criminal misconduct by federal workers during a top secret, undercover national security operation.
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.
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.
Yellowstone ranger complains hunters illegally luring trophy elk with salt
DUBOIS, Wyo. -- Ranger Bob Jackson has been catching poachers for 21 years, but he's at a loss to combat the latest threat to Yellowstone National Park's wildlife.
Hopes dim for quick Clinton visit to N. Korea
WASHINGTON -- U.S. and North Korean officials ended three days of talks Friday without resolving key issues about the Communist nation's missile program, diminishing hopes that President Clinton might make a historic trip to the Asian nation this month.
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.
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.
Ted Williams in hospital
BOSTON (AP) -- Red Sox great Ted Williams is in the intensive care unit at a Florida hospital where he was taken with congestive heart failure, the Boston Globe reported Saturday.
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.
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.
Cloud hangs over Gophers, Timberwolves -- and Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Gophers like to talk about a cloud being lifted from their program, but they still feel the stares, hear the jokes and understand the obstacles ahead.
Barnes honored by Twins
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Salt Lake Buzz outfielder John Barnes was named the Minnesota Twins minor leaguer of the year on Thursday.
Strawberry tells court 'Life not worth living'
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Former New York Yankees slugger Darryl Strawberry says he does drugs because he has a death wish. "I'm an addict, I go out and use drugs. I figure the drugs may kill me," Strawberry told Circuit Judge Florence Foster on Friday.
Moss relishes Packers and prime time
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Randy Moss had a hop in his step this week -- as if he needed another advantage in the athleticism department.
Salo shows his worth
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) -- Tommy Salo is already justifying his new contract with the Edmonton Oilers.
What to look for as the season starts
Some of the players, coaches and games to watch for as the 2000-01 season begins:
Wildcats want nothing less than title
TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) -- Lute Olson has coached three Final Four teams. He's won a national championship. He's got 422 victories in 17 seasons at Arizona.
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.
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.
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.
National title hopes on shaky footing for No. 2 Virginia Tech
Will he or won't he?
College tipoff
The Preseason Top Twenty Five teams in the USA Today/ESPN college basketball poll, with first-place votes in parentheses, 1999-00 records, total points based on 25 points for a first-place vote through one point for a 25th-place vote and last season's final ranking:
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.
Boone doesn't care how he got the job
CINCINNATI (AP) -- Whether he was the Cincinnati Reds' first choice for manager or its third doesn't matter one bit to Bob Boone.
Vikings Football - Week 10
8 p.m., ABC
Knightless Hoosiers march forward
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. (AP) -- At Indiana practices, the differences are immediately clear.
Steelers face reality
After the first three games of the season, the Pittsburgh Steelers were 1-11 dating back to the midway point of last year. They're 5-0 since.
Betty Mize
ISLE -- Betty Mize, 34, Isle, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, at her home.
Ray Schoessling
LITTLE FALLS -- Ray Schoessling, 93, Little Falls, died today, Nov. 3, 2000, at St. Gabriel's Hospital.
Helen A. Sjolund
STAPLES -- Helen A. Sjolund, 91, Staples, formerly of Brainerd, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, at Greater Staples Care Center.
Grace E. Jewell
CROSBY -- Grace E. Jewell, 74, Crosby, formerly of Ross Lake Township, died Friday, Nov. 3, 2000, at the Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby.
Rodrick 'Rod' Preimesberger
SUN CITY, Ariz. -- Rodrick "Rod" Preimesberger, 75, Sun City, Ariz., formerly of Pierz, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, in Sun City.
Ralph Coursolle
AITKIN -- Ralph Coursolle, 91, Aitkin, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Nursing Home in St. Paul.
Cora Gustavson
Cora Gustavson, 94, Brainerd, died Friday, Nov. 3, 2000, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
Albert Albertson
Albert Albertson, 85, Brainerd, died Friday, Nov. 3, 2000, at Woodland Good Samaritan Apartments.
Bertha Ann Bauguss
Bertha Ann Bauguss, 91, Brainerd, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village of Brainerd.
William Wroolie Sr.
William Wroolie Sr., 73, Brainerd, died Saturday, Nov. 4, 2000, at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Minneapolis.
Bonnie V. Dircks
Bonnie V. Dircks, 74, Brainerd, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, at her home.
Selma M. Duus
LAKESHORE -- Selma M. Duus, 96, Lakeshore, died Friday, Nov. 3, 2000, at Whispering Pines Village in Pine River.
Grace E. Jewell
CROSBY -- Grace E. Jewell, 74, Crosby, formerly of Emily, died today, Nov. 3, 2000, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center of Crosby.
Raymond Schoessling
LITTLE FALLS -- Raymond Schoessling, 93, Little Falls, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, at St. Gabriel's Hospital of Little Falls.
Bonnie V. Dircks
Bonnie V. Dircks, 74, Brainerd, died Thursday, Nov. 2, 2000, at home.
Open Forum guidelines
The Dispatch encourages readers to contribute to the Open Forum.
A sputtering finale
The following editorial appeared in Thursday's Los Angeles Times:
Who ran the best campaign?
WASHINGTON--Good campaigns are not always winning campaigns. In 1976, from the conventions to Election Day, Gerald Ford ran a much better race than Jimmy Carter, but Carter took the White House.
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.
Who'll fix my car?
Life as we know it in central Minnesota shuts down when the firearms deer season opens.
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.
Electoral fraud, pure and simple
How can you cheat the federal government out of $68 million, flaunt it on television and get away with it scot-free? Easy: Run for president.
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.
Go slowly, Kosovo
The following editorial appeared in Friday'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?
Tough call - Dispatch Editorial
The brutal murder of five family members in Lino Lakes contained a tragedy within a tragedy.
Safe shooters are never sorry
DNR officials urge deer hunters to carefully identify their targets
Outdoor notes
The DNR is hosting a series of public input meetings to solicit comment on a proposal to restrict lake sturgeon harvest on Minnesota-Canadian border waters. In recent years, angling pressure directed at sturgeon has been increasing and the current harvest is approaching the maximum for a recovering population.
Lizard Lake -- the champ among DNR walleye rearing ponds
CROSSLAKE -- A DNR walleye rearing pond near this Crow Wing County city has exceeded expectations by producing about 308,000 fingerlings this year.
First deer
Ronda Johnson, 15, of Brainerd posed Saturday with her first deer as the Minnesota firearms deer season opened.
Deer registration stations
Brainerd
Fishing report
BRAINERD/NISSWA - Gull Lake is kicking out walleyes in 18 to 33 feet of water during the day and in 5 to 10 feet of water at night. Jigs tipped with rainbow minnows are your best bet during the day, while crankbaits have been a productive option at night.
DNR on the lookout for poachers
As Minnesota hunters gear up for the deer season, DNR conservation officers are out in force to stop poachers. The general firearm deer season opens Nov. 4.
Colorful ladybugs a late autumn delight
In the extended bliss of this balmy autumnal weather, with pre-winter chores almost completed, I've managed to squeeze in a bit of wildlife watching. I've been looking for lovely little ladybugs; a.k.a. ladybird beetles, to photograph.
Projects enhance Dry Sand Lake WMA
Several wetland wildlife habitat improvement projects completed this year at the Dry Sand Lake State Wildlife Management Area will enhance aquatic vegetation and habitat for waterfowl shore birds, sand hill cranes, and trumpeter swans.
Calendar
November - 25 -- Muzzleloader deer hunting season opens
ROOSTERS on the PRAIRIE
The Midwest has experienced three mild winters in a row and wildlife populations, including ringneck pheasants, have responded accordingly. Judging from the number of hunters that greeted the South Dakota pheasant opener that fact apparently is no secret.
Adkins-Braker
Beate Adkins and Steven Braker were married Sept. 7, 2000, at their home known as the Healing Gardens in Brainerd with the Rev. Marlys Korman officiating.
Kupfer-Walsh
Kris Kupfer and Matt Walsh were married June 3, 2000, at Trinity Lutheran Church of Brainerd with Pastor David Holte officiating.
Koop-Midthun
Trisha Koop and Jeff Midthun were married Sept. 2, 2000, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Crosby with Father Howard Eisel officiating.
Spencer-James
Stephanie Spencer and Merlin James were married Aug. 5, 2000, at College Church of the Nazarene in Olathe, Kan., with the Rev. Dennis Apple officiating.
Grange-Fogal
Melissa Grange and Ben Fogal were married Sept. 16, 2000, at St. Christopher's Church of Nisswa with Father Joseph Fogal officiating.
Four generations
Four generations recently gathered were Jaide Elizabeth, daughter; Peggy Morison, mother; Tina Henderson, grandmother; and Myrle Munsch, great-grandmother.
50th anniversary
Art and Stella Cunningham celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with their family. They were married Nov. 4, 1950, in Newport.
Soto-Chase
Claudia Sota and Wesley Chase Jr. were married Sept. 1, 2000, in the Rose Garden at Lake Harriet in Minneapolis with the Rev. Edmund Lother officiating.
Warner-Jensen
Veronica Warner and Gary Jensen were married Aug. 19, 2000, at Bethel Lutheran Church of Brainerd with Pastor Bob Twiton officiating.
Larsen-Leibold
Marcie Jo Larsen and Paul Leibold were married Aug. 5, 2000, at Northland Arboretum in Brainerd with Major Eugene Harris officiating.
Storm-Herron
Jessica Storm and John Herron were married Sept. 9, 2000, at an outdoor wedding in Brainerd with Pastor Dan Clites officiating.
Steiff-Dahlin
Gina Steiff and Rob Dahlin were married July 15, 2000, at the First Presbyterian Church of Brainerd with Pastor Roger Anderson of Isanti officiating.
Wedding planned
Lisa Shifflett and Tom Wenner announce their engagement. Parents are Norm and Betty Shifflett, Brainerd, and Paul and Lorraine Wenner, Sauk Rapids.
Eide-Thiesse
Amanda Eide and Jason Thiesse were married Sept. 16, 2000, at St. Francis Catholic Church of Brainerd with Father Seamus Walsh officiating.
Engagement announced
Rebecca Terava and Richard Polipnick announce their engagement. Parents are Jack Terava, Brainerd, and the late Shirley Terava, and Susan and Tim Polipnick, Nisswa.
Wedding planned
Connie L. Brown and James G. Krueger announce their engagement. Parents are Donald Hale, Aitkin, and Viola Krueger, Sleepy Eye.
Andolshek-Bolz
Kimberly Andolshek and Justin Bolz were married Aug. 26, 2000, at Crosslake Lutheran Church of Crosslake with Pastor Mark Anderson officiating.
Voss-Schlosser
Samantha Voss and James Schlosser were married Aug. 12, 2000, at Bethlehem Evangelical Church of Brainerd with Pastor Andrew Prin officiating.
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.
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.
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.
Groups free from spending and fund-raising restraints inject $130 million into election
WASHINGTON -- Tax-exempt groups have spent more than $130 million trying to sway the fall elections, an Associated Press analysis has found.
Dayton clarifies gun stance; Grams on the road
ST. PAUL (AP) -- Democrat Mark Dayton sought to clarify his position on gun control Friday, and Sen. Rod Grams launched a "Common Sense" bus tour as Minnesota's Senate race sped toward the finish line.
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.
Gore defends home turf as Bush concedes 'mistakes'
MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Al Gore told African-American ministers "you know my heart" in defending his home turf from a challenge by presidential rival George W. Bush, who conceded "I've made mistakes" after apologizing for a 1976 drunken-driving arrest.
Major changes give Wallace ninth pole
AVONDALE, Ariz. -- It only took Rusty Wallace about three laps around the one-mile oval at Phoenix International Raceway to know he was in trouble.
W-DC advances to 8AA volleyball finals
PERHAM -- The Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines' volleyball team turned to their defense to defeat Hawley 16-14, 15-3, 15-10 Friday and advanced to the Section 8AA championship match against Roseau that was slated for Saturday, November 4 at Glyndon.
Lumberjacks chop down Brainerd rally
Bemidji Lumberjacks senior defensive back Matt Hendricks (34) broke up this pass intended for Jason Goerges of the Brainerd Warriors in the final moments of the Warriors' 27-25 loss in the Section 8, Class 5A championship game at the Fargodome on Friday night. (Dispatch Photos by Clint Wood)
The game in figures
Bemidji 7 7 6 7 -- 27
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bowling
TUESDAY 4:15 10/24
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.
PILLAGER PULLS A SURPRISE
FARGO, N.D. -- "Poetry in motion" is one of those overused cliches, unless you apply it to the Pillager Huskies football team, which Friday clinched the first state football tournament berth in school history.
The season that was for the Brainerd Warriors
SEPTEMBER
High school playoff scores
Class 5A, Section 1 Championship
Gophers blank Badgers 4-0
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Minnesota scored four goals in the third period and Wisconsin goaltender Graham Melanson made 47 saves as the Gophers beat the Badgers 4-0 on Friday night.
Border rivals aiming for bowl bids
MADISON, Wis. -- Border rivals Minnesota and Wisconsin were hoping to have secured bowl berths by now.
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.
Area events Saturday
Cross Country Running
Class A state quarterfinals
7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10
BEMIDJI STOPS BRAINERD
FARGO, N.D. -- Brainerd Warriors football coach Ron Stolski turned to a reporter at midfield and said, "I've been here before."
Scoreboard
High School Football
Speedy lizard may have been first biped, study says
WASHINGTON -- A fleet, long-legged lizard that darted onto the scene some 80 million years before the dinosaur is the first known creature to walk upright on two feet, according to an analysis of a new fossil.
Video cam reaches out to internet
I have been trying out PC-based video cameras for years, but every one I've used has one major drawback: It's tethered to a computer.
Study concludes Internet fosters friendship, family bonds
Contrary to the popular notion that the Internet creates social misfits who prefer to spend their time hunched over computer terminals to the detriment of personal relationships, a major new study concludes that the global network actually fosters friendships and furthers family bonding.
PayPal leads the way
PALO ALTO, Calif. (AP) -- Shopping for a teapot on the Internet, Paul Lewis found several merchants selling just the kind he wanted. But his decision on which one to buy boiled down to which seller accepted PayPal, the Web's most popular online payment service.
A laser printer for less
A laser printer that produces business-quality documents usually carries a minimum $400 price tag. But attention, laser shoppers -- there's now a half-price sale.
Free Internet access sputters in Latin America despite promise
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) -- What's in a name? A lot, when you're iG, Brazil's leading free Internet service provider.
Study says digital divide narrows, but some significant gaps remain
Could the digital divide actually be narrowing?
Asteroid could hit Earth in 2030, astronomers say
There is a small but significant chance that an asteroid will strike Earth in 2030 with a force up to 100 times the Hiroshima bomb, an international team of astronomers concluded Friday.
Wireless demand creates air traffic gridlock
In a desperate moment before finals, a worried college student pulling an all-nighter grabs his laptop, anxious to tap into the vast world of knowledge that a wireless connection to the Internet provides.
Brainerd forecast
Partly sunny.
Typhoon death toll rises to 43, hundreds of thousands seek shelter
MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Hundreds of thousands of people sought shelter Saturday, fleeing landslides and floodwaters from Typhoon Bebinca, which swept across the capital and the northern Philippines, leaving at least 43 dead.
Voting will make the day sunny
Weather drawing by Rylie Fussy of Mrs. Bieganek's fourth grade class at Whittier school.
A rainy day
Weather drawing by Brian Sexton of Mr. Trucano's fourth grade class at Baxter school.
Much obliged
We send a deep thank you to all special children and cari
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.
Organizations
Brainerd Jaycees
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.
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.
What's doing
The Brainerd Shrine Club will meet at noon Monday for soup and sandwich. Board of directors meeting at 10:31 a.m. at the Shriners' Club room.
Egyptian police open fire on angry crowd, killing teen-ager in election violence
DAKAHLA, Egypt (AP) -- Police fired live ammunition and tear gas to disperse a crowd of voters who said security forces prevented them from casting their ballots in legislative elections in a village in Egypt. A teen-ager was killed and dozens of others injured.
Barak, Arafat ready for separate meetings with Clinton
JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israeli and Palestinian leaders said they were willing to meet with President Clinton in Washington for crucial negotiations aimed at breaking the vicious circle of violence that has shattered hopes for peace in the Middle East.
France's beloved cote de boeuf in spotlight due to mad cow scare
PARIS (AP) -- The beloved cote de boeuf -- a grand and delicious cut of beef savored by meat-eaters -- faces an uncertain future in France, where fears over the deadly mad cow disease are reaching beyond farms and into schools, grocery stores and restaurants.
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.
Tens of thousands of Filipinos rally against Estrada
MANILA, Philippines (AP) -- Tens of thousands of Filipinos crowded streets and highway overpasses in Manila on Saturday in a rally demanding that President Joseph Estrada resign over allegations he received millions of dollars from illegal gambling.
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.
Greek gunman hijacks tourist bus
ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- A car repairman hijacked a bus carrying 33 Japanese tourists Saturday after killing his mother-in-law and a friend in a village in southern Greece, police said.
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.