Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Gas line cut closes southbound Highway 371
Southbound traffic on Highway 371 through Baxter and Edgewood Drive has been blocked due to a gas line cut. Crews are working on repairing the problem and drivers are asked to use alternative routes until the gas line is repaired.
Court
Dale Roger Walters, 43, Nisswa, was sentenced for gross misdemeanor DUI to 90 days jail and placed on three years supervised probation.
Contact your federal lawmakers
Sen. Mark Dayton
Fire
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to two alarms Monday at Lexington Manufacturing, 10055 Thiesse Road. The first call was at 3:21 p.m. for a spark in the bag house system. The fire was under control before firefighters arrived. The second call was at 4:46 p.m., but was determined to be a false alarm.
Thanksgiving closings, community dinners
Post offices are closed Thursday. Mail will be delivered Friday as scheduled.
MEETING
The Brainerd Public Utilities Commission will meet 9 a.m. Nov. 30 at the BPU Service Center, 8027 Highland Scenic Road.
BIRTHS
Christine Adams, Brainerd, a boy, Mehkai Lawrence, 7 pounds, 5 ounces, Nov. 1, 2004. Grandparents are Deanna Adams, Brainerd, and Patrick Adams, Staples.
Fires
The Brainerd Fire Department Tuesday responded to what turned out to be false alarms at 6:22 a.m. at First Congregational Church, 415 Juniper Street; and at 7:25 a.m. at St. Joseph's Medical Center.
Pequot Lakes man dies in crash
The victim, James Arvid Gravdahl, lost control of his pick-up, went into the ditch and collided with trees, Pequot Lakes Police Chief Mark Forsberg said Monday. Ice on the roadway was a contributing factor in the crash, Forsberg said.
Lighting up the season
Brainerd city employees strung Christmas lights Monday along Laurel Street in downtown Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist
Hearing slated on election case
Billie Jo Lilyquist, unsuccessful candidate in that election, filed a complaint Nov. 9 with the Office of Administrative Hearings, alleging Patsy Bernhjelm, Tony Gross, Jo Boblett and Superintendent Mike Doro violated one or more sections of state election law.
Soldiers prepare for Iraq
After field work in often chilly conditions in New Jersey, deployed troops of the 194th Armor will have Thanksgiving off.
Staples man dies in vehicle rollover
PILLAGER -- Winter driving conditions claimed an area victim Monday morning.
Flu vaccines still available in county
High-risk people who have been waiting to get a flu shot have another chance.
Northern Pines seeks forgiveness of repayment
Northern Pines Mental Health Center sought financial help from Crow Wing County Tuesday.
Little Falls City Council may consider rezoning property for Wal-Mart Super Center into planned unit development
Rezoning property for a Wal-Mart Super Center in Little Falls is still being reviewed by city staff.
This was Brainerd
80 years ago (1924) - The Brainerd Independent's basketball team motored to Pine River on Friday evening and defeated the Pine River High School team by a score of 14 to 12 in a fast and well balanced game.
Aitkin, Pine River get improved ambulance bases
PINE RIVER -- In years past in Pine River and Aitkin, North Ambulance operated out of small bases featuring little more than a two-stall garage and a single room.
Wal-Mart issue tabled
LITTLE FALLS -- Rezoning property to allow for a Wal-Mart Super Center was tabled Monday by the Little Falls City Council.
From the mouths of babes
"I'm thankful for everyone who is fighting for us in the war in Iraq. On Thanksgiving my family has a party in the garage. We eat turkey, cranberries and sweet potatoes. After two bites my cousins and I run around the garage and drive the parents crazy."
Overheard
"The suspect got down from the deer stand, walked 40 yards, fiddled with his rifle. He took the scope off his rifle, he turned and he opened fire on the group."
Cass board, tribal council to continue huddles
WALKER -- The Leech Lake Tribal Council and Cass County Board agreed Tuesday to set quarterly joint meetings to continue trying to resolve differences for the benefit of the reservation and county.
Local brief
BAXTER -- CenterPoint Energy Minnegasco announced a $2,000 Community Partnership Grant for Baxter.
Council to hold special meeting Monday
The Brainerd City Council will meet in a special meeting 5 p.m. Monday at Brainerd City Hall to discuss the issuance and sale of bonds.
Overheard
"I'm thankful for everybody in my family and my pets. I'm also thankful for all the soldiers fighting and life. This Thanksgiving everybody on my dad's side of the family is coming to our house. It should be a fun Thanksgiving."
Kids thankful at Thanksgiving
"What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving?"
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1984) - Here's a new project for the revitalized Downtown Business Council. Make Brainerd more of a Christmas city. Something could be done to make the decorations bigger and better.
Look at that!
On a tour of the Good Samaritan's Festival of Trees at the Legacy Clubhouse at Cragun's Resort Monday, Madeline Sherman of Pequot Lakes met a ornamental reindeer up close. The festival is open to the public throughout Thanksgiving week. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Corrections cash flow woes cited
A brewing financial crisis appears to have reached a boiling point Tuesday at the Crow Wing County Board meeting.
Sue A. Thompson
Sue A. Thompson, 83, of Brainerd, passed away Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, at the Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. She was born Aug. 18, 1921, in Brainerd to Oscar and Lena (Bennett) Avelsgard. She graduated from the Brainerd High School in 1939 and had been the class secretary. Sue also attended the Brainerd Junior College.
Parker Kenneth Feltz
BAXTER -- Parker Kenneth Feltz, special angel of Kent and Joy Feltz, Baxter, was born Nov. 10, 2004, at 8:10 p.m., and died Nov. 10 at 9 p.m., at Abbott-Northwestern Medical Center in Minneapolis. Parker is deeply missed by his parents; his brothers, Shae and Grant Feltz, at home; and his grandparents, Kenneth and Bonnie Feltz, of Eau Claire, Wis., and Richard and Eunice Turner, of Burlington, Iowa.
Vivien L. Gunderson
AITKIN -- Vivien L. Gunderson, age 91, of Aitkin, died Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004, at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin.
Brian Plopper
STAPLES -- Brian Plopper, 36, of Staples, died in an automobile accident Monday, Nov. 22, 2004. Arrangements are pending with Brenny Funeral Chapel of Staples.
Dorothy Pernula
NEW YORK MILLS -- Funeral services were held for Dorothy Pernula, of New York Mills, Minn., on Monday, Nov. 22, 2004, at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in New York Mills, Minn., at 1 p.m. with Pastor Don Salo officiating. The music was provided by Andy and Janet Tumberg. The pallbearers were Damien Stalker, Evan Stalker, Jack McDonough, Paul Pernula, Craig Menze and Rich Nickles. Dorothy was laid to rest in Prairie Cemetery, Ottertail, Minn.
Dorothy Campbell
Dorothy Potts O'Brien Campbell, age 87, resident of Brainerd, died Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2004, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village.
James A. Gravdahl
PEQUOT LAKES -- James A. Gravdahl, age 50, resident of Pequot Lakes, died Monday, Nov. 22, 2004.
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.
Donald F. Goetz
Donald F. Goetz, 62, Brainerd, died Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, at St. Cloud Hospital.
Billie Jo Snow
SAUK RAPIDS -- Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, at Dingmann Family Funeral Chapel in Sauk Rapids for Billie Jo Snow, age 37, of Rice, who died Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, in Rice. The Rev. John E. Beck will officiate and burial will be at Oak Hill Cemetery in Sartell. Friends may call from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at Dingmann Family Funeral Home in Sauk Rapids.
Lucille M. Zabrowski
STAPLES -- Lucille M. Zabrowski, age 91, formerly of Pine River, passed away and was reunited forever with her beloved husband, Ed, Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004, at the Staples Care Center. Lucille Margaret Frank was born Dec. 19, 1912, in St. Paul to Nicholas and Margaret (Metz) Frank.
Dorothy E. Kohl
FORT RIPLEY -- Dorothy Emma Kohl, age 80, resident of Fort Ripley, died Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004, at her home. Dorothy was born July 30, 1924, in Paynesville, Minn., to Gustav and Emma (Klepel) Rohloff. She married Harry W. Kohl June 25, 1941. Harry died in 2001.
Morris J. Miller
PORTLAND, Maine -- Memorial services for Morris Jeremy Miller will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 11, 2004, at Elysian Assembly of God. Burial will be at Hope Cemetery in Clearwater, Minn., at a later date.
Edwin J. Swanson
MERRILL, Wis. -- Edwin Johan Swanson, 96, resident of Merrill, Wis., formerly of Brainerd, Minn., died Saturday, Nov. 20, 2004, in Merrill. Mr. Swanson was born in Brainerd Nov. 24, 1907. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
Doris Ostby
PINE RIVER -- Doris Ostby, age 95, of Pine River, passed away on Oct. 25, 2004, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 26, 2004, at Kline Funeral Home in Pine River with Pastor Earl Eveland officiating. Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home in Pine River.
Vox Pop
This is in response to the Pine Meadows editorial from the Dispatch board members regarding saving the golf course in Baxter. Why should tax dollars be spent to fund a golf course that's been losing money? Maybe I'm the only one in the Brainerd area that doesn't golf so I have a hard time knowing my tax dollars would go toward trying to keep the golf course afloat. I'd rather see that money go toward a new city hall, or better yet, reduce my property taxes.
OUR OPINION: NEW CHIEF
The Baxter City Council has identified Sgt. Jim Exsted as its choice for police chief in a decision that's expected to be formally approved at the Dec. 7 council meeting.
Open Forum
The voters of District No. 118 have been barraged by "editorials and opinions" in the Pine Cone Press. If you believe everything you read, then I challenge you to become involved! I have spoken with publisher DeLost and Superintendent Doro. I have attended ISD No. 118 board Meetings. I have spoken with people on both sides of the ISD No. 118 bond Issue.
Open Forum
Well, we can thank the Republicans that we all will continue to live in our fantasy Disneyland world. They just voted down the pay-as-you go bill. We can have tax cuts, war, etc. and we don't have to pay for it. Our debt ceiling is now 8 trillion dollars.
What do you think?
Write us a letter or send us an e-mail
Schwegel leads Patriots
STAPLES -- It was only fitting that Chelsa Schwegel scored the game-winning basket in Tuesday's Mid-State Conference girls' basketball game.
Warrior relay qualifies for final
The four swimmers on the Brainerd Warriors 200-yard medley relay knew what they needed to do to extend their season one more day.
Greyhounds wear down Warriors in the second half
The Duluth East Greyhounds returned four starters.
Charter to add KSTC, Wolves
Charter Communications literally has had to jump through hoops to add KSTC-TV and its remaining lineup of Timberwolves basketball games.
NCS to add Wissota Modifieds in 2005
PINE CENTER -- North Central Speedway owner Cliff Sasker will give fans in 2005 what they have asked for -- stock cars with more speed.
Flying to the net
Little Falls Flyers' Michelle Anez (15) headed up the ice Tuesday with teammate Tina McElveen (8) trailing as she moved the puck to the Stormin' Sabres goal in the Exchange Arena in Little Falls. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Warriors send four to state
There might have been times this season when Brainerd girls' swimming and diving coach Dan Anderson wondered if any Warrior would qualify for state.
Whichello shuts out Alex; Warriors win
ALEXANDRIA -- Junior goaltender Nick Whichello opened the Brainerd Warriors boys' hockey season in style, earning a 14-save shutout to help defeat the Alexandria Cardinals 3-0 in Central Lakes Conference action Tuesday night.
Deerwood, Pequot Lakes win LAHL games
CROSBY -- The Deerwood Devils of the Lakes Area Hockey League won their second game of the season, beating the Aitkin Chiefs 7-0 on Sunday at the Hallett Community Center.
Szmanski, Hardie power Patriots to 5-4 victory
BREEZY POINT -- Pequot Lakes' Brian Szymanski and Chris Hardie each scored two goals apiece as the Patriots boys' hockey team slipped past Bagley 5-4 in a non-conference game Tuesday.
All eyes on Pioneers
With the joy of a successful football season also comes the hassle.
Rangers hope to repeat
The Crosby-Ironton Rangers are coming off the most successful season in school history but duplicating that success will be a test.
Brainerd drops close game to Alex
ALEXANDRIA -- Brainerd's Aani Rangen recorded the only goal for BHS as the Warrior girls' hockey team fell to the Alexandria Cardinals 3-1 in the opening game of the Central Lakes Conference season Tuesday.
Pierz tames Mustangs
MORA -- Pierz's Kristin Sczublewski scored a game and career-high 15 points to lead the Pioneers girls' basketball team to a 75-36 drubbing over the Mora Mustangs Monday.
Huskies fall short against Upsala
UPSALA -- Upsala outscored the Pillager Huskies 13-6 in the fourth quarter to pull off a 55-51 win Tuesday despite Pillager's Megan Carlson scoring a game-high 22 points.
Scoreboard
Area events
Sports Short
Teresa Parker of Pequot Lakes has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for Southern Illinois University in the Division I Missouri Valley Conference.
Give thanks
Weather drawing by Emily Danielson of Mrs. Brenny's third grade class at Baxter school.
State forecast for Iowa
Winter weather advisory for a small portion of southeast iowa
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Areas of morning fog west...Otherwise partly sunny. Highs from the lower 30s northeast to the lower 40s southwest.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 20s northeast to the mid 30s
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy and turning colder. A few morning
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. Rain...Snow or a mixture of the two likely far southeast. Highs in the 30s to around 40.
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 20s northwest to mainly
Happy Thanksgiving
Weather drawing by Molly Palm of Ms. Ziegler's fourth grade class at Nisswa school.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 30s to lower 50s.
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Partly cloudy north and east. Mostly cloudy southwest with a chance of snow showers. Highs in the mid to upper 30s.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. A chance for flurries or sprinkles north in the morning. Highs from the mid 30s northwest to the mid 40s south.
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Partly sunny and cooler. Highs 25 to 35.