Wednesday, November 17, 2004
Fire
BAXTER -- The Brainerd Fire Department was called at 9:55 p.m. Tuesday to a residence in the 12,000 block of Eagle Drive in Baxter after the homeowner reported her house was filled with smoke.
CRIME
THEFTS -- Brian Stealy, Deerwood, Friday reported theft from residence.
Brainerd man hurt hunting
Michael Leigh Reiner, 18, of rural Brainerd, was discharged Monday from St. Cloud Hospital after being involved in a hunting mishap Sunday in a boat near the Executive Acres area on the Mississippi River.
Public meeting
BAXTER -- The Baxter City Council adjourned its Tuesday meeting to 6 p.m. Nov. 23 to select finalists for the community development director.
Young ballet veterans will take center stage in 'Nutcracker' ballet
Ballet is traditionally thought of as a young lady's game, but several performers in the upcoming "Nutcracker" can accurately be called veterans. Of course, in ballet, it's not unheard of to find a nine-year veteran who is 12 years old.
Overheard
"In Dr. Rice, the world will see the strength, the grace and the decency of our country."
PUC discusses proposed utility rate increases
The Brainerd Public Utilities Commission on Tuesday discussed proposed water and wastewater rate increases for 2005 that would help pay for next year's capital improvements.
Commissioners to ask area legislators to sponsor Ah-Gwah-Ching legislation
WALKER -- The Cass County Board Tuesday voted to ask Sen. Carrie Ruud, R-Breezy Point, and Rep. Larry Howes, R-Walker, to author bills this legislative session to provide state bonding money for removal and disposal costs if the county buys Ah-Gwah-Ching in Walker.
Swan song on North Long
A pair of swans glided along the lake's surface in the drizzle Tuesday on North Long Lake. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
LF near Wal-Mart zoning vote
LITTLE FALLS -- If the Little Falls City Council accepts its planning and zoning commission's recommendation on rezoning property north of the Country Inn and Suites, the city will be one step closer to having a Wal-Mart Super Center.
Local briefs
Farmers and ranchers in the Crow Wing-Cass Local Administrative Areas 3 and 5 may still vote in the Farm Service Agency County Committee elections. Elections began Nov. 8 and will end Dec. 6.
City will pitch in for holiday lights
Downtown Brainerd will have lighted trees for the holidays, although city council members differed on whether the city should help pay for the effort.
Bomb threat found in W-H-A School
Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School was closed late Tuesday afternoon after a bomb threat was found in one of the school's bathrooms, school officials reported.
Overheard
"I don't know."
CLARIFICATION
A Page 1A story Monday should have said Magic: The Gathering collectible cards also are available at Sports Card Central at 608 Front St. in Brainerd.
Local briefs
The Family Readiness Group in Brainerd is meeting to organize Christmas cards being sent to area troops.
Young or... (not so very), on with show
Performing artists at both ends of the age spectrum will strut their stuff this weekend in Brainerd. For all their obvious differences, the 55-and-older "Geritol Frolics" troupe and the young ballet dancers in "The Nutcracker" have a lot in common: Chaotic rehearsals, aching muscles and frantic costume changes don't discriminate by age. When the two groups hit the stage, they'll be aiming for the same thing -- a great show.
Ceremony will mark Washington Middle School's history, closure
Since 1929, Washington Middle School has served as an institution of learning in Brainerd for students of all ages.
BIR status: It's open, and for sale
The possibility of Brainerd International Raceway and Resort's demise has been greatly exaggerated, according to a spokesman for the owner of the race track north of Brainerd.
No deal
Stock Building Supply will not be building at the Northern Pacific Center site in east Brainerd after all.
Five face felony meth bust charges
All five people arrested in a methamphetamine ring in Morrison and Cass counties a week ago will face felony controlled substance charges.
This was Brainerd
30 years ago (1974) - Officials last night unveiled plans for a new medical center adjacent to St. Joseph's Hospital that would provide facilities for an additional 20 physicians, most of them specialists.
This was Brainerd
30 years ago (1974) - Employment in Brainerd took a sharp drop -- a total of 131 -- during October. This is the third loss in as many months as the employment tempo of the summer slacks off with the approach of winter.
Attracting jobs, fostering growth headline summit
ONAMIA -- Indians and non-Indians took another step forward Tuesday in pursuing a regional approach to economic development.
Age is just a number for Frolickers as variety show continues revived run
As far as the performers in "Geritol Frolics" are concerned, age is just a number when they are on stage.
Unit developments placed on hold
BAXTER -- In order to clarify its ordinance, the city of Baxter has placed a six-month moratorium on planned unit developments within the city.
Donald 'Don' W. Brockman
GREENSBORO, N.C. -- Donald "Don" W. Brockman died at his home in Greensboro, N.C., on Nov. 14, 2004. He was born in Minneapolis on March 31, 1929, to William and Edna (Birkeland) Brockman. He was a 1947 graduate of Washington High School and attended Brainerd Junior College. He was a radio announcer and sportscaster for KLIZ when it began operating. After graduating from St. Cloud Teachers College, he was drafted into the U.S. Army. After his discharge, he worked in various states for Western Electric Co. He married Kathleen Roche, of Dublin, Ireland, in 1955. He is survived by his wife; three sons; four grandchildren; and his sister, Ardyce (Chuck) Johnson, of Pillager, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Edward and James Brockman.
Alvin B. Andrew
Alvin B. Andrew, age 87, resident of Brainerd, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud.
Rose C. Sorben
FERGUS FALLS -- Rose C. Sorben, 75, a resident of rural Fergus Falls, died Nov.. 15, 2004, in Fergus Falls.
Robert O. Thompson
JACOBSON -- Robert O. Thompson, age 73, of rural Jacobson, formerly of Hastings, Minn., died Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, at his home.
Martha M. Misener
Martha M. Misener, age 87, resident of Brainerd, died Saturday, Nov. 13, 2004, at her home. Martha was born in Lakefield, Minn., July 15, 1917, to John Andrew and Bessie Irene (Pribyl) Sokolik. She married Eugene Misener June 19, 1939, in Lakefield. She was a member of St. Francis Catholic Church, Daughters of Isabella, St. Lucy Guild and the Catholic Church Women.
Vera Kompelien
MINNEOTA -- Funeral services for Vera Kompelien were held Friday, Nov. 5, at Hope Lutheran Church in Minneota. Casket bearers were Kerry Anderson, Sean Anderson, Kevin Anderson and Curt Claeys. Honorary casket bearers were the Minneota Legion Auxiliary. Burial was in the Hope Lutheran Cemetery.
James Royalty
PEQUOT LAKES -- James Royalty, age 73, of Pequot Lakes, died Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, at the St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 18, at Crosslake Lutheran Church with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Friends may call from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Crosslake and for one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment will be at 1 p.m. Friday in Crystal Lake Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Frances E. Nelson
LITTLE FALLS -- Frances E. Nelson, age 92, of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Saturday, Nov. 14, 2004, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls. Friends may call from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday at Bethel Lutheran Church in Little Falls. The Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls is in charge of the arrangements.
Margaret Burgener
SEBASTIAN, Fla. -- Margaret Burgener, age 93, of Sebastian, Fla., formerly of Crosby and Backus, died Nov. 4, 2004, at the Sebastian Medical Center in Sebastian, Fla. She was born on July 4, 1911, in Chicago.
Kenneth A. Nelson
UPSALA -- Kenneth A. Nelson, age 92, a resident of Upsala, Minn., passed away Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, at the Mother of Mercy Nursing Home in Albany, Minn. Arrangements are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Upsala.
Charles Huebner
LITTLE FALLS -- Charles Huebner, age 83, a resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls. Arrangements are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 cents a word, exclusive of the first 125 words, which are free. A $10 fee is charged for a half-column photograph. To place an obituary in the Dispatch, consult the funeral home handling arrangements.
Obituary policy
Obituary notices are charged at 34 cents a word, exclusive of the first 125 words, which are free. A $10 fee is charged for a half-column photograph. To place an obituary in the Dispatch, consult the funeral home handling arrangements.
Ruth Ballou
RANDALL -- Ruth Ballou, age 75, of Randall, died Sunday afternoon, Nov. 14, 2004, at St. Gabriel's Medical Center in Little Falls. Services will be held on Thursday afternoon at 2 p.m. in the Randall Presbyterian Church. Relatives will receive friends beginning at noon Thursday at the church before services.
Vivian E. Groenwold
SUN CITY, Ariz. -- Vivian Emma Groenwold, 84, of Sun City, Ariz., died Nov. 11, 2004. She is survived by her husband, Merle, formerly from Brainerd; children, Joan (Jim) Johnson, Jerry (Peg) Groenwold, of Brainerd, and Judy (Kevin) Stoltz, of Redmond, Ore.; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. Memorial services were held at Grace Bible Church of Sun City. Memorial contributions may be sent to Hospice of the Valley, 1510 E. Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85014.
Mildred M. Bednarek
CROSBY -- Mildred Margaret Bednarek, 82, died peacefully at home Nov. 9, 2004. She was a lady who truly enjoyed the fullness of life, family and friends who generously gave of her love and laughter. Her loving husband, Leo, preceded her in death.
Marie Radel
ST. CLOUD -- Marie Radel, age 99, of St. Cloud, formerly of Wabasso, died on Friday, Nov. 12, 2004, at Carefree Assisted Living in St. Cloud. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2004, at 2 p.m. from Trinity Lutheran Church in Willow Lake Township, Redwood County, with burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.
Kenneth E. Ehrhardt
ST. PAUL -- Kenneth E. Ehrhardt, 90, St. Paul, died Nov. 13, 2004, in St. Paul. Preceded in death by parents, Edward and Viva (Chatfeild), and sister, Grace Evans.
Agnes M. Erickson
DULUTH -- Agnes M. Erickson, 76, of Duluth, died Monday, Nov. 15, 2004, in St. Luke's Hospital. She was born May 10, 1928, in Brainerd, Minn., to Arthur and Hazel (Squires) Liners. Agnes attended St. Francis Grade School and Washington High School in Brainerd. She attended St. Francis School of Nursing in Breckenridge, Minn.
Open Forum
I've been a bartender in the area for 19 years, and I just wanted to address the Open Forum letter on bartenders needing more education. Probably most of the bars in this area send their employees to some kind of training every year or every other year.
OUR OPINION: PINE MEADOWS
Every once in awhile it's wise to stop, take a breath and assess where you're at and where you're headed. That's good advice, whether you're lost in the woods or trying to shape public policy in complicated times.
Open Forum
It was evident prior to the election and continues on since that the DFL Party needs a new name to portray the actions of their party. The new name that best describes them would be the GWC Party. GWC are the initials for the Gripe Whine Complain Party for that is all they seem capable of doing.
Sports shorts
Skip and Pam Marr and Shawndra Fauchier of the Brainerd Northwoods League team will unveil the franchise's nickname at the Brainerd Sports Boosters Club meeting, which begins noon Thursday at the Moose Lodge.
Crookston ices LP-GE/W-DC
WADENA -- Crookston handed the Long Prairie-Grey Eagle/Wadena-Deer Creek girls' hockey team a 5-1 loss Tuesday.
Scoreboard
Area events
Klabo helps Cobbers to playoff trip
As happens every year, the Concordia College football team's season boils down to the St. John's University game.
Scoreboard
Area events
Athletes behaving badly
Why would anyone want to emulate a pro athlete in 2004?
Ready for rain
Weather drawing by Eleanor Heggerston of Mr. Harmala's fourth grade class at Eagle View school.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Mostly cloudy. Patchy drizzle and fog in the morning. A
Wisconsin state forecast
Dense fog advisories for parts of northwest and north central wisconsin until mid morning...
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Partly sunny. Highs from the mid 50s to around 60.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Cloudy. Scattered sprinkles and areas of drizzle in the
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly sunny. Areas of morning fog southeast. Highs
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Morning drizzle and fog. Turning partly cloudy northwest... Mostly cloudy elsewhere. Highs in the lower to middle 50s.
No more leaves
Weather drawing by Tim Jackson of Mrs. Taatjes' third grade class at Nisswa school.
State forecast for Minnesota
Dense fog advisory through mid morning for all but the
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Cloudy east and south. Areas of fog and drizzle south.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the 50s.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Mostly sunny...Except mostly cloudy with patchy fog extreme southeast this morning. Highs from the upper 50s northeast...To the mid to upper 60s southwest and south central.