Wednesday, November 19, 2003
Births
St. Joseph's Medical Center
Cass seeks proposals for courthouse phone system
WALKER -- The Cass County Board voted Tuesday to seek requests for proposal for a new courthouse switchboard system.
Area briefs
STAPLES -- The Staples campus of Central Lakes College will hold its annual open house from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Hackensack to celebrate centennial with community dance
HACKENSACK -- If you ever wondered what it was like when Grandma and Grandpa and all the family gathered for music and dancing 60 or 70 years ago, the Hackensack Centennial Committee invites you to relive those years Saturday.
'America the Beautiful'
Maj. Travis Voels (left), Brainerd, and Sgt. Maj. Larry Johnson sang "America the Beautiful" during a Veterans Day Service last week at Eagle Base Chapel in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The soldiers are among 1,100 Minnesota Army National Guard soldiers deployed to Bosnia in support of a NATO-led peacekeeping force.
Cass hears about law regarding placement of American Indian children in foster care
WALKER -- Children's Health Services Director Joan Helms reported to the Cass County Board Tuesday on federal changes pending on how the Indian Child Welfare Act is administered.
Cass to continue to fund children's initiative
WALKER -- The Cass County Board voted Tuesday to continue its agreement with and financial participation in the Cass County/Leech Lake Children's Initiative Collaborative Board.
Looking at 106
CROSSLAKE -- As a boy he built rafts and floated along the Missouri River like Tom Sawyer. Later, he worked on Wall Street as an insurance company executive during the stock market crash of 1929, losing everything.
Cass agrees to provide extension program, hire staff
WALKER -- The Cass County Board on Tuesday approved a memorandum of agreement with the University of Minnesota to provide extension programs locally and employ extension staff.
Correction
In a Page 1N story in today's Dispatch, the year of the stock market crash in the second reference in the story should have been 1929.
Most Cass fees to stay the same in 2004
WALKER -- Over objections from Commissioner Dick Downham, Commissioners Jim Dowson, Bob Kangas and Rusty Lilyquist voted Tuesday to leave most county fees the same in 2004.
Baxter OKs bonds for projects
BAXTER -- The city of Baxter has awarded $6,690,000 in improvement bonds to pay for 12 city road and utility projects.
High work
Two workers guided a piece of steel into place on the roof of the Kohl's store in Baxter.
Local briefs
The Crow Wing County Health Department will sponsor a walk-in flu clinic from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Nov. 19 at the health department, 219 Laurel St. in Brainerd, and from noon to 1 p.m. Nov. 20 at Sibley Town Hall in Pequot Lakes.
Proposal tightens where trucks may park in the city of Brainerd
The Brainerd City Council on Monday approved the first reading of an ordinance regulating commercial vehicles in residential neighborhoods.
This was Brainerd
NOVEMBER 19 - 40 years ago (1963) - Bill Hansen, sixth grade teacher at Baxter Elementary School, is using a direct method in teaching his students about Minnesota history. The teacher and students have constructed the walls of a log cabin in the classroom and have collected a variety of articles used in cabins of that type.
Parking ticket appeals dominate meeting
People with slips of paper in hand filled the chairs in the Brainerd City Hall conference room about an hour before the council meeting even started.
Baxter weighs projects deadline
BAXTER -- An ordinance restricting when a developer may apply for a project is being considered by the city of Baxter.
He's seen it all
A Crosslake man who as a boy floated homemade rafts on the Missouri River like Tom Sawyer and worked on Wall Street during the stock market crash of 1929 will turn 106 this week. Read about Duke Stevenson in Wednesday's Neighbors.
One swan-a-swimming
A trumpeter swan and several Canada geese swam Monday afternoon near the shoreline on Gull Lake. Warmer weather has extended the waterfowl swimming season in central Minnesota.
Teens seek council blessing for skate park at Jaycee Park
Teenagers attending a city council meeting usually means they're there because of a civics class assignment, but Monday night in Brainerd was different.
Baxter to increase fees beginning in January
BAXTER -- Fees in the city of Baxter will be increasing in January.
Local briefs
The American Red Cross will host blood drives from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 3 at the Deerwood Auditorium, 27 E. Forest Road, Deerwood; and from noon to 6 p.m. Dec. 4 at Crosslake Lutheran Church.
Baxter to Vegas
Baxter actress Kristin Bayhan is rolling the dice and gambling on an independent film career in Las Vegas. Find out how she's faring Thursday in the Tempo section.
Forest management plan to undergo changes
WALKER -- Land Commissioner Norm Moody obtained Cass County Board approval Tuesday for a new Forest Management Plan.
Nearly half of county won't see tax hike
WALKER -- Auditor-Treasurer Sharon Anderson reported to the Cass County Board 48.3 percent of county property owners (14,825) will see no increase or a decrease on their property tax bills in 2004.
Season changes back
Connor Gunsbury, 6, played Tuesday during a mild afternoon at Gregory Park in Brainerd. The high temperature reached 45 yesterday and is expected to hit 55 by Thursday.
'TIS THE SEASON
Toys For Kids toy collection receptacles will be placed in many businesses in the Brainerd-Baxter area this week. New, unwrapped toys will be accepted through Dec. 19.
Region planning for possible emergency
WALKER -- Children's and Emergency Health Services Director Ane Rogers reported to the Cass County Board Tuesday coordinated efforts under way to develop emergency preparedness plans.
Parking concerns stall ordinance
On a night when readings of proposed ordinances seemed to dominate the agenda, the Brainerd City Council voted against one that generated public passion on both sides of the issue.
Nuisance law has limits
A first reading for a proposed ordinance had the Brainerd City Council discussing the Constitution Monday night.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1983) - Brainerd residents can rest assured that our airport is not only one of the most modern in the country, but also is designed to be the safest. It is an excellent facility where very high standards have been raised even higher.
Mille Lacs gets sewer funding
GARRISON -- The Mille Lacs region will receive $300,000 in federal funds to construct a trunk sanitary sewer line and lift stations along Highway 169 if the Senate version of a bill becomes law.
Inspection duties returning to state
WALKER -- The Cass County Board on Tuesday approved a first reading and will consider Dec. 4 officially repealing the county Food, Beverage and Lodging Ordinance after holding a second reading.
Council divided on sidewalk replacement
Sidewalk replacement project costs on the northside Brainerd project exceeded estimates, but the Brainerd council indicated Monday night it is divided as to whether the city should pick up the tab.
Obituary policy
Obituaries are a paid service of The Brainerd Dispatch Advertising Department and also appear online. Obituary notices will be charged at $10 per column inch, exclusive of the first 4 inches, which will be printed at no charge. An additional fee of $10 will be charged for a half-column photograph. Short notices of pending services will be printed at no charge.
Melvin W. Sahr
LITTLE FALLS -- Melvin W. Sahr, 72, Little Falls, died Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at his home.
Obituary policy
Obituaries are a paid service of The Brainerd Dispatch Advertising Department and also appear online. Obituary notices will be charged at $10 per column inch, exclusive of the first 4 inches, which will be printed at no charge.
Margaret E. Whitney
NISSWA -- Margaret E. Whitney, 96, of Nisswa, passed away Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at her daughter's home.
Richard Hoffman
Richard Hoffman, age 64, resident of Brainerd, died Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2003, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Melvin W. Sahr
LITTLE FALLS -- Melvin W. Sahr, age 72, a resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Monday, Nov. 17, 2003, at his residence.
Elmer Kray
LITTLE FALLS -- Elmer Kray, 77 year old resident of Little Falls, Minn., died Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2003, at St. Otto's Care Center in Little Falls, Minn. Services will be held Saturday, Nov. 22 at 1 p.m. at the Assembly of God Church in Little Falls, Minn., with the Rev. Keith Thompson officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery in Royalton, Minn.
Louise A. Benson
Louise A. Benson, age 85, resident of Brainerd, died Sunday, Nov. 16, 2003, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. She was born on Oct. 13, 1917, in Blaine, Kan., to James Edward and Margaret (Corrigan) Smith. She was a member of First Lutheran Church, the American Legion Auxiliary and R.S.V.P.
Andrew L. Mann
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Andrew Lawrence Mann, 68, Tucson, Ariz., formerly of Brainerd, died Nov. 10, 2003, in Tucson, Ariz.
Mary E. Johnson
Mary Elaine Johnson, age 90, long-time resident of Brainerd, Minn., passed away peacefully on Nov. 15, 2003, at Apple Valley Health Care Center, Apple Valley, Minn., where she resided for the past two years. She was formerly of St. Paul, Minn., and Tacoma, Wash. Born in St. Paul, Minn., to John and Josephine Bily, she graduated from Mechanic Arts High School in 1931.
Ralph P. Spitzer
Ralph Paul Spitzer, 88, died Nov. 15, 2003, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village, Brainerd, Minn. He was born Sept. 24, 1915, in New York City to Otto and Elizabeth (Lehmann) Spitzer. He was educated in New York and served as a chief machinist mate in the Navy during WWII serving in Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean.
Mary LaVonne (Avery) Dornfeld
Mary LaVonne (Avery) Dornfeld passed on suddenly Nov. 15, 2003, at her beloved home in Crosslake, Minn. Daughter of Thomas and Frances Avery, Cedar Falls, Iowa, who preceded her in death.
John Bicknell
AITKIN -- Funeral services for John Bicknell, age 47, will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin with the Rev. Donald Norman officiating. There will be no visitation prior to the funeral services.
Correction
The Brainerd Dispatch incorrectly spelled the name of a letter writer in an Open Forum that was published in Friday's paper. The author of the letter that was entitled "Message received" was written by D. B. Grehl.
Open Forum
Your article about QDM (Quality Deer Management) in the Nov. 16 issue leaves me cold. My suggestion: Concentrate your writing on the traditional deer hunt in Minnesota which is based on proven management strategies and has resulted in one of the finest deer herds in the country. If individual landowners want to engage in QDM and other techniques, fine, but don't mess with my hunting on state and county lands.
Open Forum
The article in Wednesday's paper regarding Cragun's proposed development on Highway 371 near the Paul Bunyan Learning Center contains some inaccuracies about the Audubon Society that we believe need to be corrected. The Brainerd Lakes Area Audubon Society is a chapter of the National Audubon Society, an environmental advocacy group that originally focused on bird issues.
Fighting terror
Al-Qaida terrorists and their associated splinter groups are rightly described as violent, fanatical and obsessive. No one said they were very smart.
Guidelines for letters to the editor detailed
The Dispatch encourages readers to sound off in the Open Forum.
Vox Pop
Vox Pop, voice of the people, publishes Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Submissions are limited to 100 words.
Give it a rest
Would that all of American history was as well served by the media as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in 1963. Every fifth year since the tragedy has been treated as an important milestone, as if the story gets better with age. Well, it's been 40 years now, and all the attention is getting a little tiresome.
A birthday to remember
As I remember it, that fateful Friday started windy and chilly with a hint of sleet in the air.
Bush's missed opportunity
After 9/11, the American people were ready to make significant sacrifices together to ensure that such a tragedy would never again be possible. Bush had a golden moment to lead. He could have set a truly sustainable energy policy as a national goal that the nation could rally around -- like reaching the moon.
Scoreboard
girls hockey
After beating Pierz, Breck has sights on record book
MINNEAPOLIS The record book is not safe when the Breck Mustangs play in the Prep Bowl on Saturday.
Scoreboard
Girls hockey
For love of the game
ROCHESTER -- Central Lakes College Raiders volleyball coach Jane Peterson never looks forward to the end of the season.
Sports short
Friday is the team registration deadline for the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department's indoor broomball league.
Sports shorts
Justin Grunewald and AshLeigh Hakes were named the most valuable runners on the Brainerd Warriors cross country team this fall.
Warriors like new hockey rules
New wrinkles in high school hockey were unveiled Tuesday as the Brainerd Warrior girls opened the season with a 5-0 victory over Long Prairie-Grey Eagle/Wadena-Deer Creek at Brainerd Area Civic Center.
Area briefs
NISSWA -- Lynn Karsten of the Nisswa American Legion Auxiliary recently attended the 71st annual fall conference of the Department of Minnesota American Legion Auxiliary in St. Cloud.
Scenic
The afterflow of a sunset illuminated Sibley Lake in Pequot Lakes.
Rain
Weather drawing by Nikki Leland of Mrs. Surma's third grade class at Baxter school.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly sunny west. Light rain ending southeast with
Enjoy the sun
Weather drawing by Drake Knutson of Ms. Suska's first grade class at Lowell school.
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 50s northeast to the lower 70s southwest.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Showers ending southeast. Clearing from northwest to
State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Partly cloudy. Highs from the lower 60s southwest to
State forecast for North Dakota
Today...Partly to mostly sunny. Breezy west and central.
State forecast for South Dakota
Today...Mostly sunny and windy. Highs in the mid 40s northeast to the upper 50s southwest.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Periods of rain diminishing to scattered showers from west to east. A chance of isolated morning thunderstorms southeast. Highs in the 40s northwest to mid 50s south.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Sunny. Highs in the mid 50s to upper 60s.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy north this morning...Otherwise mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s north central to mid 50s south.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Partly cloudy north...Mostly sunny south. Isolated morning
What's doing
The Crow Wing County DFL will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday at the Brainerd Public Library in the small meeting room. Note the time change. All Democrats are invited and encouraged to attend.