Wednesday, December 7, 2005
AREA CRIME
BURGLARIES - It was reported Saturday that Sports Card Connection, 217 S. Seventh St., was broken into.
Last sunrise of vacation season
Darryl Van Kampen lives in Illinois but has vacationed on Pelican Lake since the 1950s. His mother has a cabin on County Road 4 near the intersection of County Road 18. Van Kampen captured this sunrise in mid-October on his last morning here before returning to Illinois.
Pine River Christmas festivities planned Saturday
PINE RIVER - Pine River's annual kids' Christmas festivities and Parade of Lights will be held Saturday.
Emily first-graders win pop tab contest
The Myrin-James American Legion Auxiliary Unit #443 of Ironton sponsored a pop tab contest with Emily Charter School students in October.
Commissioners to buy computer voting terminals to cater to handicapped people
WALKER - The Cass County Board is proceeding with a Local Election Equipment Plan.
CLC students undertake
in-depth research
Central Lakes College Human Biology II students of instructor Kay Rezanka delved into microbiology by tackling projects of choice to research and share knowledge in presentations and displays.
Still bookin'
PINE RIVER - The Kitchigami Mobile Library provides a valuable service for those living in rural communities in the five-county region without access to a community library.
Students get hands-on introduction to industry careers
CSI Day (Careers for Students in Industry) was held at the Central Lakes College, Staples campus, Dec. 1 with high school guests from Staples, Verndale, Wadena-Deer Creek, Pillager and Northland (Remer).
AREA BRIEFS
WADENA - Registration forms are available for the 12th annual Creative Sewing Expo from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 25 at Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Wadena.
A day to remember
The Minnesota Army National Guard soldiers in Company A, 1st Battalion, 194th Armor listened to a program in their honor Tuesday during a welcome home ceremony in the Brainerd High School gymnasium. The soldiers were deployed for more than a year.
Watch out for the ice
With the low temperatures, area lakes are busy making new ice. Yet anglers and snowmobilers should remain wary. The DNR recommends at least four inches of ice to hold a person ice fishing. At least 12 inches of ice is recommended to carry a medium truck.
This was Brainerd
DECEMBER 6 - 20 years ago (1985) - St. Joseph's Medical Center was recently awarded a home-delivered meals grant. Funds in the amount of $10,352 were awarded for 1986, which the hospital will use to provide 14,000 home delivered meals to 180 older persons in Crow Wing County.
Overheard
"I wish it would have been like this for the Vietnam vets."
Moving in
Two anglers moved their ice shelter on Rice Lake Monday. Anglers are starting to fish on many smaller area lakes. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist
Point of view
This sign is found at a school building in Brainerd. Where is it? Find the answer Wednesday.
A LOOK BACK IN TIME
Oct. 16, 2004 - 152 Minnesota Army National Guard soldiers in Company A, 1st Battalion, 194th Armor leave for an 18-month deployment with 12 months of "boots on the ground" duty near Baghdad. The soldiers train for about three months at Fort Dix, N.J.
Overheard
"We're frustrated, all of us - frustrated at the lack of urgency in addressing these various problems."
CORRECTIONS
Brainerd Warrior dance team members were misidentified in a photo on Page 13A Monday. The dancer in the front should have been identified as Kandi Zelinski.
Ice jams form on the Mississippi River
FORT RIPLEY - Ice flowing down the Mississippi River jammed Tuesday near Fort Ripley causing minor flooding, the National Weather Service reported.
Four attend school district taxation hearing
Four residents attended Brainerd School District's truth-in-taxation meeting Tuesday night, requesting school district budget information that reflected increases on their property tax statements.
Grateful family marks last day off calendar
Ann Richter and her 5-year-old son Tate have been marking off the days on their calendar since Oct. 16, 2004.
This was Brainerd
40 years ago (1965) - The Brainerd City Council bought a new truck and snowplow. The successful bidder offered the truck for $5,225 and the plow for $1,029.51.
Few attend, none speak
BAXTER - Only a handful of people turned up Monday for Baxter's truth-in-taxation hearing and none chose to speak.
A homecoming to cherish
As the soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 194th Armor marched into the Brainerd High School gymnasium, the crowd erupted in cheers for loved ones. The unit had been in Iraq for nearly a year. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
LOCAL BRIEFS
LITTLE FALLS - The Little Falls School Board recently narrowed its superintendent search to two finalists.
'It's the best Christmas present ever'
The opinion was pretty much unanimous among relatives of the Minnesota Army National Guard, Company A, 1st Battalion, 194th Armor.
Secondhand store is denied license renewal
Fast Cash and Smart Buys secondhand store in northeast Brainerd no longer has a license to operate in the city.
Point of view
This is a place of worship in Brainerd. Where is it? Find the answer Thursday.
Council passes resolution to thank, welcome troops
The city of Brainerd is sending its thanks to the Minnesota Army National Guard soldiers in Company A, 1st Battalion, 194th Armor, who are returning after a year of combat duty in Iraq.
Community band to play at Camp Ripley
The Central Lakes College Community Band will perform several songs as part of the welcome home event at 5 p.m. Thursday at Camp Ripley for members of the Minnesota Army National Guard Company A, 1st Battalion, 194th Armor.
CORRECTION
A hunter who shot an albino deer was misidentified in the Dec. 4 North Country. The hunter was Dave Farrand.
The long journey home
Aine Stasko was lifted into the air by her dad Sgt. Mike Stasko Tuesday during the welcome home program at Brainerd High School for returning soldiers of Company A, 1st Battalion, 194th Armor. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
HOME FROM IRAQ
All they wanted was to just get off the bus - to reunite with their loved ones after serving nearly a year in Iraq.
Dorothy Scott
Dorothy Scott, age 92, resident of Brainerd, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd.
John 'Choik' Perpich
CROSBY - John "Choik" M. Perpich, 80, of Crosby, died on Dec. 4, 2005, at the Cuyuna Regional Care Center in Crosby. He was born on Sept. 23, 1925, in Crosby to Mike and Eva Perpich. He was a WWII Navy veteran. He retired from Inland Steel with 21 years of
James A. Navratil Sr.
SILVER LAKE - James Allen Navratil Sr., age 75, of Silver Lake, died Saturday, Dec. 3, 2005, at his residence.
Dorothy S. Scott
BAXTER - Dorothy S. Scott, age 92, resident of Baxter, formerly of Nisswa, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village in Brainerd. She had been a resident of Excelsior Place in Baxter. Dorothy was the daughter of Frank J. and Inga L. Renz; granddaughter of German immigrants Frank Anton and Amalia Renz, who were pre-statehood pioneers of Minnesota, and Iver and Siri Lee, Norwegian immigrants to Wisconsin.
John W. Otto
John W. Otto, age 94, formerly of Delano, died on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2005, in Brainerd. Survived by wife, Florence of 70 years; children, Jim (Karen), Richard (Seda), Helen (Bob) Jude, Ed (Wendy), Robert (Carole); 19 grandchildren; 29 great-grandchildren. Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Friday at St. Peter Catholic Church, Delano. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Thursday at Iten Funeral Home, Delano. Visitation will continue from 10-11 a.m. at the church on Friday.
Dora Tibbetts
AITKIN - Dora Tibbetts, age 86, of Aitkin, died on Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin. Funeral services will be 1 p.m. Thursday at St. John's Lutheran Church in Aitkin. Interment will be in Lake View Cemetery in Aitkin. Friends may call one hour before the services. Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin.
Jerry Fornshell
PILLAGER - Jerry Lee Fornshell, 51, of Pillager, died at his home Sunday evening, Dec. 4, 2005, surrounded by his family and friends. Funeral services for Jerry will be 11 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 8, at Lakewood Evangelical Free Church in Baxter with the Rev. Bob Osell officiating. There will be a visitation Wednesday night from 5-7 p.m. at the Brenny Funeral Chapel in Baxter. Interment will follow services at Wildwood Cemetery in Pillager.
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.
George L. Barron
PINE RIVER - George L. Barron, age 87, of Pine River, passed away Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. He was born May 30, 1918, in Minneapolis to Charles and Nettie (Welinski) Barron.
John W. Otto
John William Otto, age 94, of Brainerd, formerly of Delano, died on Saturday, Dec. 4, 2005, at the Good Samaritan Care Center in Brainerd. He was born March 25, 1911, to Joseph and Elizabeth (Passon) Otto in Independence, Minn.
Dora Tibbetts
AITKIN - Dora Tibbetts, age 86, of Aitkin, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, at the Aicota Health Care Center in Aitkin.
Cpl. Anthony McElveen
LITTLE FALLS - Cpl. Anthony T. McElveen, also known to his friends as "Ant," age 21, of Little Falls, Minn., was killed in action on Thursday, Dec. 1, 2005, in Al Anbar Province at approximately 6 p.m. Iraqi time while serving as a United States Marine assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in Fallujah, Iraq.
Cpl. Anthony McElveen
LITTLE FALLS - Cpl. Anthony T. McElveen, known to his friends as "Ant," died Dec. 1, 2005, in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Funeral arrangements for Cpl. Anthony T. McElveen are pending with the Shelley Funeral Chapel in Little Falls.
Anna M. Walker
PEQUOT LAKES - Anna Marie Walker, age 94, of Pequot Lakes, passed away Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, at Unity Hospital in Fridley. Services will be 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 10, 2005, at Kline Funeral Home in Pine River. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home.
Mary Siegel Anderson
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Mary Siegel Anderson, 96, of 2025 E. Lincoln St., Bloomington, Ill., died at 8:25 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 4, 2005, at Martin Health Center, Bloomington.
Daniel B. Mulroy
NISSWA - Daniel B. Mulroy, 76, Nisswa, born July 4, 1929, in Minneapolis to James and Grace (Adams) Mulroy, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, Dec. 5, 2005. Dan proudly served in the Army and devoted much time to the American Legion and the VFW.
Archie L. Hirschey
STAPLES - Archie L. Hirschey, age 94, of Staples, passed away at the VA Medical Center in St. Cloud early Monday morning, Dec. 5, 2005. Arrangements are pending and entrusted to the Brenny Funeral Chapel of Staples.
Daniel B. Mulroy
NISSWA - Daniel B. Mulroy, 76, Nisswa, passed away Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, at his home in Nisswa.
Dorothy I. Hewson
CROSBY - Dorothy I. (Schultz) Hewson, age 84, died Monday, Dec. 5, 2005, at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby. She was born Dec. 10, 1920, in Minneapolis to Edward and Theresa (Berg) Schultz.
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.
One soldier's return from Iraq
It was a cold October afternoon when I watched my brother step onto the bus last year to begin his deployment in Operation Iraqi Freedom. It was one of the toughest days for me and my family.
VOX POP
To the residents of Pequot Lakes School District: You need to be aware that at the next board meeting a decision to hold a vote on renewing the present superintendent's contract for another year will be considered. In itself that's one of their jobs. However, it needs to be mentioned that two board members participating are done at the end of December which means that the two new board-elected representatives of the people who take office in January, would have no say in the process. Let's step back and take a deep breath.
Open Forum: Our job is to support the military right now
I find it interesting the only way a recent letter writer can support his argument is by twisting my words around. I'm not blaming President Clinton for the items the writer claims I was. Blaming President Clinton would be just as irresponsible as blaming President Bush.
Open Forum
A recent letter writer made some interesting statements about our involvement in Iraq. First he said, "The president has explained, Democratic nations don't attack their neighbors."
OUR OPINION: TORTURE
Commentators made the observation earlier but it bears repeating: When the topic is the torturing of prisoners it would be foolhardy not to listen to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.
BHS expects to challenge for title
With four members of the Section 7 team returning, the Brainerd Warrior girls' Alpine ski team expects to challenge for the section title this winter.
LOCAL SHORTS
The Central Minnesota team took first place Nov. 26 at Granite Bowl South in St. Cloud.
Raiders team play translates into win over Anoka-Ramsey
ANOKA - Chris Beckley scored 20 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but the Central Lakes College Raiders men's basketball team dished out 19 total assists and committed just 12 turnovers in a 65-50 victory over Anoka-Ramsey Tuesday.
Area basketball capsules
Key: Lack of height and experience will be two things the Gobblers will have to overcome. Aitkin returns just two players from last year's squad, but if a strong junior class can catch on quick it should be a good season.
Grizzlies roar past Patriots
CROSBY - Zach Engen's goal and two assists highlighted a four-goal second period and led the Crosby-Ironton/Aitkin Grizzlies to a 4-2 Mid-State Conference boys' hockey victory Tuesday
Staples-Motley's Peterson aims for win 600
Apparently, an old dog can learn new tricks and teach them, too.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday
Upcoming sporting events
TUESDAY
The Price is right for Verndale
VERNDALE - John Price's four second-half steals and Wayne Kopp's 10 points helped the Verndale Pirates top Pine River-Backus 65-39 Tuesday in non-conference boys' basketball.
Standing tall
They have height, depth, and 11 returning letterwinners.
Pierz beats Pequot Lakes
PEQUOT LAKES - Kayla Meyer knocked in a career-high 27 points and added seven steals, while Mel Waytashek and Katie Kimman both added 18 points and 11 rebounds helping the Pierz Pioneers beat the Pequot Lakes Patriots 87-59 Tuesday in non-conference girls' basketball.
SCOREBOARD
Football
Flyers defeat Rocori
LITTLE FALLS - Cody Bue, Randy Pryzbilla, Ted Wilczek, Josh Jendro, Josh Bue and Michael Lodermeier all recorded pins for the Little Falls Flyers on their way to defeating Rocori 63-10 in Central Lakes Conference wrestling Tuesday.
SCOREBOARD
Football
Three-pointers hamper Warriors
In two football games this fall Jordan Hansel hurt the Brainerd Warriors by throwing the bomb.
Warriors' Alpine skiing schedules
Schedule
BHS offense continues to dominate
Through its first two games of the season, the Brainerd boys' hockey team has been unable to capture a lead in the first period. The Warriors trailed Alexandria 1-0 after the first period in their opener and were knotted 0-0 with Forest Lake.
Warriors look to build upon a strong group of freshmen and sophomores
The Brainerd Warrior boys' Alpine ski team must replace its only state qualifier.
AREA SHORTS
Central Lakes College women's basketball player Kim Rosecrans was named Northern Division player of the week last week.
Geike's overtime goal lifts Patriots
BREEZY POINT - Nate Geike's overtime goal lifted the Pequot Lakes Patriots past Red Lake Falls 3-2 in boys' hockey Saturday.
Hit the slopes
Captains of the 2005-06 Brainerd Warriors Alpine ski team are Tim Nelson (left), Rachel Cross, Kaitlyn Ziebell and Pat Majka. Brainerd is scheduled to open its season Dec. 15 at the Virginia Invitational at Giants Ridge in Biwabik.
Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Boys' basketball schedules
Schedule
Area boys' basketball schedules
DECEMBER
BHS splits triangular
ST. CLOUD - Ryan McKay, Nick Lingwall and Tyler Jensen each won two matches for the Brainerd Warriors wrestling team, which beat St. Cloud Tech 49-25 and lost to Foley 54-17 Tuesday at the St. Cloud Tech triangular.
State forecast for Iowa
Snow advisory far southwest this afternoon and tonight...
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Mostly cloudy this morning...Then decreasing clouds.
Wisconsin state forecast
Lake effect snow warning today far north near lake superior...
State forecast for Minnesota
Wind chill advisory in effect southwest through 6 pm...
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly cloudy this morning with a few flurries...Then becoming
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly cloudy. Scattered flurries. Highs zero northwest to
More snow
Weather drawing by Ashley Watzke of Ms. Hemstad's third grade class at Baxter school.
State forecast for N.D.
Wind chill advisory this morning...
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Partly to mostly cloudy. Chance of flurries east. Highs 5 to 10 above.
Wisconsin state forecast
Lake effect snow warning tonight and wednesday near lake superior...
Get your hats, it's cold out
Weather drawing by Kacey Finch of Mr. Meyer's fourth grade class at Lowell school.
State forecast for S.D.
Wind chill advisory today...