Wednesday, December 29, 2004
COURTS
WALKER -- A former Pine River teacher accused of hugging and kissing a 13-year-old student will serve 10 days in jail and complete 20 days community service work or sentence-to-serve on a charge of child endangerment.
CRIME
THEFT -- Several reports were made Thursday of thefts from fish houses on Pelican Lake and North Long Lake. Numerous miscellaneous items were reported stolen.
MEETING
The Brainerd Lakes Regional Airport Commission will meet 9:30 a.m. Tuesday in the airport conference room.
Accident
CASS LAKE -- The names of the four people injured in a two-vehicle accident Thursday near Cass Lake were released Monday.
FIRES
The Brainerd Fire Department responded to an attic fire 8:47 p.m. Tuesday at a home located at 8545 County Road 9 off of Highway 25 in Long Lake Township south of Brainerd.
ACCIDENTS
An 83-year-old Akeley woman was injured in a two-vehicle accident at 3:54 p.m. Monday on Highway 371 south of the Highway 200 intersection near Walker, the State Patrol reported.
Overheard
"A guy sees something like that once in a lifetime, and you hope you never do. We did, and I'm just glad we found someone."
A light dusting of snow
A thin blanket of snow covered the brick formations Tuesday along East River Road near the Mississippi River in Brainerd. Brainerd Dispatch/Steve Kohls
Crow Wing social services get grant
Grant money is helping Crow Wing County work with families facing multiple difficulties when trying to find employment and leave government assistance.
Hold 'Em takes hold among young
A hush falls over the poker table set up in this kitchen in a typical Baxter home. One of the players goes all in, sliding his small stack of chips to the center of the pot. The only other player left in the game sneaks one final peak at his cards, maybe hoping they improved since the flop, maybe because he can't believe he already bet so much that he can't back out now.
Staples suspect arraigned on second-degree assault
A Staples man suspected of robbing a Motley family at gunpoint Dec. 17 and who was shot Dec. 20 by a law enforcement officer after a 45-minute chase has been moved from a hospital bed to a jail cell.
Local briefs
Luke Daniel Johnson, 23, Staples, remained hospitalized Monday in St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd recovering from a gunshot wound, said Cass County Sheriff Randy Fisher.
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1984) - Dial-A-Ride fares for 1985: Regular fare 75, senior citizens 50, handicapped 50.
Pequot woman named provost at Mesabi
VIRGINIA -- Joe Sertich, president of the Northeast Higher Education District, announced the appointment of Tina Royer as provost of Mesabi Range Community and Technical College effective Jan. 3.
Tsunamis cause devastation
A Nisswa scuba diving instructor who was teaching diving to tourists in Thailand ran for her life along with others to escape the deadly tidal waves Sunday.
County announces drug test kits available
Parents who want a deterrent to drug use or suspect their child already may be using drugs will have an affordable drug test close to home.
Enough snow for this sled
Peyton Melby, 5, enjoyed a ride down the sledding hill Monday at Trinity Lutheran church in Brainerd. Temperatures in the 20s and 30s are expected for the rest of the week. Brainerd Dispatch/Nels Norquist
Pine River bank heist suspect indicted
An Ironton man, now suspected of robbing a Pine River bank, was indicted Tuesday in U.S. District Court on a charge of felon in possession of a firearm relating to his suspected involvement in a Mission Mini Storage burglary Sept. 14 in Crosslake.
Overheard
"Our major concern is that the kids who survived the tsunami now survive the aftermath. Because children are the most vulnerable to disease and lack of proper nutrition and water."
This was Brainerd
20 years ago (1984) - Patrick Paumen of Baxter plans to travel 3,000 miles to benefit multiple sclerosis. He and his friends will leave St. Paul Jan. 25 by snowmobile and make the journey to North Bay, Ontario. The return trip will make up the 3000 mile goal.
Texas Hold 'Em: How to play
The dealer is marked by a small token or chip, called the button. After each hand, the deal will move clockwise around the table.
Rose R. Copa
LITTLE FALLS -- Rose Rita Copa, age 93, a resident of Little Falls, Minn., passed away Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2004, at the Lutheran Care Center.
Philip C. Lamke
PALISADE -- Philip C. Lamke, age 94, of Palisade, died on Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, at the Riverwood Health Care Center in Aitkin. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 10 a.m. at St. John's Lutheran Church in Aitkin with Pastor David Becker officiating. Interment will be in Waukenabo Cemetery. Friends may call at the Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home in Aitkin on Wednesday from 5-7 p.m. with prayers at 7 p.m.
Gerald 'Jerry' R. Freeman
Gerald "Jerry" Russell Freeman, 76, was lost to us on Dec. 25, 2004, after a courageous battle with cancer and its complications. Survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, the Honorable Ann L. Alton, Hennepin County District Court Judge, and their son Brady, who were at his side at the end.
Edna Oberfell
PINE RIVER -- Edna Oberfell, 81, of Pine River, passed away Monday, Dec. 27, 2004, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. She was born May 23, 1923, in Backus to Claude and Rose (Arbogast) Barnheart.
Cecil Solheim
PINE RIVER -- Cecil Solheim, 84, of Pine River, and formerly Pequot Lakes, passed away Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home, Pine River.
Robert 'Bob' Hanson
HACKENSACK -- Robert "Bob" Hanson, age 79, died on Dec. 28, 2004, at his home. Arrangements are pending with Willim-St. Onge Family Funeral Home in Pine River.
Velma 'Val' M. Gunderson
ST. PAUL -- Velma "Val" M. Gunderson, formerly of Brainerd, lost her battle Dec. 25, 2004, after being diagnosed in April with pancreatic cancer.
Wayne G. Plante
TRIMONT -- Wayne Gerard Plante, age 41, a resident of Trimont, Minn., formerly of Pierz, Minn., passed away Wednesday, Dec. 8, 2004, at the St. James Health Service in St. James, Minn.
Harold H. Buschmann
PEQUOT LAKES -- Harold H. Buschmann, age 78, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 2004, at his home in Pequot Lakes. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes with the Rev. Dr. David N. Stevens to officiate.
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.
Matthew Walter
LITTLE FALLS -- Matthew Walter, age 22, of Little Falls, Minn., and formerly of Swanville, Minn., passed away Saturday, Dec. 25, 2004, in Little Falls, Minn. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, Dec. 30, 2004, at 10:30 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Swanville, Minn., with the Rev. Arlie Sowada officiating.
Stephen L. Klein
CROSSLAKE -- Stephen L. Klein, 77, Crosslake, died Saturday, Dec. 25, 2004, at Pierz Villa.
Velma 'Val' M. Gunderson
ST. PAUL -- Velma "Val" M. Gunderson lost her battle Dec. 25, 2004, after being diagnosed in April with pancreatic cancer. She was born Sept. 8, 1922, in Buffalo Lake, Minn., married on Dec. 14, 1941, to Emmett Gunderson.
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.
Cecil Solheim
PINE RIVER -- Cecil Solheim, 84, formerly of Pequot Lakes, passed away Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, at Whispering Pines Good Samaritan Center in Pine River. He was born April 17, 1920, in Little Falls to Claus and Anna Solheim. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving during World War II.
Barb Yanta
LITTLE FALLS -- Barb Yanta, age 61, Little Falls, died Dec. 28, 2004, at her home. Arrangements are with Brenny Funeral Home, West Chapel, in Little Falls.
William 'Bill' Hines
William "Bill" Hines, 91, resident of Brainerd, died Monday, Dec. 27, 2004, at Bethany Good Samaritan Village Care Center in Brainerd. He was born on May 13, 1913, in Sylvan, Minn., to Everett and Ida Mae (Palmer) Hines. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII.
Lois J. Payonk
CROSSLAKE -- Lois J. Payonk, age 70, died on Dec. 27, 2004, at her home. Arrangements are pending with Willim-St. Onge Family Funeral home in Pequot Lakes.
Gertrude J. Dahl
STAPLES -- Gertrude J. Dahl, age 80, of Staples, died Dec. 23, 2004, at St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd. A memorial gathering to celebrate the life of Gertrude will be held on Thursday, Dec. 30, at Gertrude's home, 111 Dakota Ave. S. in Staples from 4-7 p.m. Arrangements are with the Bielema Family Funeral Home in Verndale.
Drug testing kits available
Within the next few days, Crow Wing County will announce the availability of Drug Test Kits which can be purchased at a reduced cost, at the Crow Wing County Health Department.
Brainerd falls short in overtime
CHISAGO LAKES -- Three Brainerd boys' basketball players scored in double figures as the Warriors came back to force overtime but eventually fell 73-65 to Osceola, Wis., in the first round of the Chisago Lakes tournament Tuesday.
Deerwood Devils in sole possession of first place
The Deerwood Devils topped Pequot Lakes Halverson Law 22-9 in Lakes Area Hockey League action at the Hallett Community Center to take sole possession of first place Sunday.
Scoreboard
Area events
Cardinals outlast Fergus Falls in opener
As Staples-Motley athletic director Glen Hasselberg said at halftime, "The first one to 30 wins."
Lundgren's double-double leads Rangers
WALKER -- Chelsea Lundgren recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds and Maggie Sandberg added 13 points, leading the Crosby-Ironton Rangers to a 43-39 victory over Nevis in the first round of the Walker-Hackensack-Akeley holiday girls' basketball tournament Tuesday.
Struggles at home
One of the keys to building a successful athletic department at the junior college level is the ability to recruit home-grown talent.
Scoreboard
Area events
Battling to the bucket
Pillager Huskies senior guard Joe Kavanaugh (left) was fouled by Matt Schwankl of the Pequot Lakes Patriots Monday in the first round of the Aitkin Gobblers 2004 Quarterbacks Holiday Tournament. Kavanaugh recorded a double-double, 28 points and 21 rebounds. Brainerd Dispatch/Clint Wood
Brainerd loses in shootout
The Brainerd Warriors and Apple Valley were tied 1-1 after overtime but the Eagles scored one more time in a shootout to escape with a 2-1 victory Tuesday in the Silver Division of the Schwan Cup boys' hockey tournament at Roseville Skating Center.
Huskies hand PL first loss
AITKIN -- Joe Kavanaugh recorded 28 points and 21 rebounds lifting the Pillager Huskies past the Pequot Lakes Patriots 74-63 in the first round of Aitkin Quarterbacks boys' basketball tournament Monday.
LP-GE/W-DC outscores Rosemount
RAMSEY -- Five different players scored, leading Long Prairie-Grey Eagle/Wadena Deer Creek to a 5-2 victory over Rosemount in the Yellow Division of the Schwan Cup girls' hockey tournament Monday.
Warriors out of the Woods
The one thing the Brainerd Warriors girls' hockey team didn't want to do was lose and break a four-game unbeaten streak. The other was tie the Lake of the Woods Warriors Monday in the Brainerd Holiday Classic.
Stoll powers Pillager to Aitkin title
AITKIN -- Joe Stoll had a big night with 24 points, including three 3-pointers, as the Pillager Huskies slipped past the Aitkin Gobblers 59-52 in the championship game of the Aitkin Quarterbacks boys' basketball tournament Tuesday.
Wolverines maul Grizzlies
WADENA -- Eleven different Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines scored a goal with Dustin Postell and Neil Hutson each recording a hat trick in a 17-4 victory over the Crosby-Ironton/Aitkin Grizzlies Monday in the first round of the W-DC boys' hockey tournament.
Sports shorts
Registration for the Brainerd Parks and Recreation Department's Pond Hockey program remains open.
Invite win keeps Warriors unbeaten
The Brainerd Warriors swimming and diving team celebrated the 30th anniversary of its holiday invitational the best way it knew how: By winning.
Wolverines blank Red Lake Falls
WADENA -- Jascha Pettit scored a pair of goals and Chris Jelinek and Dustin Postell each tallied once for the Wadena-Deer Creek Wolverines boys' hockey team in a 4-0 victory over Red Lake Falls in the W-DC tournament Tuesday.
Bjerke rallies Rapids
On Dec. 21, Pelican Rapids' Gillian Bjerke reached 1,000 career points in a 75-47 victory over West Central.
Devils advance at Schwan Cup
ST. PAUL -- The Long Prairie-Grey Eagle/Wadena-Deer Creek Blue Devils defeated Rosemount 5-2 in the first round of the Schwan Cup girls' hockey tournament Monday.
Falling snow
Weather drawing by Caleb Bermel of Mrs. Olson's second grade class at Nisswa school.
State forecast for N.D.
Winter storm watch late tonight through thursday night...
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Mostly cloudy east. Becoming partly cloudy west in the
Wisconsin state forecast
Winter storm watch thursday and thursday night far northwest wisconsin...
State forecast for S.D.
Today...Decreasing clouds. Patchy morning fog central and east. Highs from near 30 northeast to around 50 far southwest.
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Patchy fog in the morning otherwise partly sunny
State forecast for Iowa
Today...Partly sunny and warmer with highs in the upper 30s
Big snowman
Weather drawing by Brittany Bostrom of Mr. Meyer's fourth grade class at Lowell school.
Wisconsin state forecast
Today...Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 20s north...To the mid to upper 30s south.
State forecast for S.D.
Winter storm watch for harding county thursday...
State forecast for Minnesota
Today...Patchy morning fog...Then becoming partly sunny west
State forecast for N.D.
Today...Decreasing clouds west to east. Highs from the upper 30s